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Historical   and    Biographical. 


CHARLES  ^LANCHARD,  Editor. 


CHICAGO: 
F.  A.  BATTEY  &  CO.,  PUBLLSHERS. 

1884. 


F.  W.  Teeple. 


PREFACE. 


CV    rr^HIS  volume  goes  forth  to  our  patx'ons  the  result  of  months  of  arduous, 

I      unremitting  and  conscientious   labor.      None  so  well  know  as  those 

who  have  been  associated  with  us  the  almost  insurmountable  difficulties  to 

Y    be  met  with  in  the  preparation  of  a  work  of  this  character.     Since  the  in- 

^    auguration  of  the  enterprise,  a  large  force  has  been  employed  in  gathering 
T^material.     During  this  time,  most  of  the  citizens  of  the  three  counties  have 

s^  J  been  called  upon  to  contribute  from  their  recollections,  carefully  preserved 

\\<Sletters,  scraps  of  manuscript,  printed  fragments,  memoranda,  etc.  Public 
N,*^  records  and  semi-official  documents  have  been  searched,  the  newspaper  files 
of  the  counties  have  been  overhauled,  and  former  citizens,  now  living  out 
of  the  counties,  have  been  corresponded  with,  for  the  verification  of  the  in- 
formation by  a  conference  with  many.  In  gathering  from  these  numerous 
sources,  both  for  the  historical  and  biographical  departments,  the  conflict- 
ing statements,  the  discrepancies  and  the  fallible  and  incomplete  nature  of 
public  documents,  were  almost  apjDalling  to  our  historians  and  biographers, 
who  were  expected  to  weave  therefrom  with  some  degree  of  accuracy,  in 
panoramic  review,  a  record  of  events.  Members  of  the  same  families  disagree 
as  to  the  spelling  of  the  family  name,  contradict  each  other's  statements  as 
to  dates  of  birth,  of  settlement  in  the  counties,  nativity  and  other  matters 
of  fact.  In  this  entangled  condition,  we  have  given  preference  to  the 
preponderance  of  authority,  and  while  we  acknowledge  the  existence 
of  errors  and  our  inability  to  furnish  a  perfect  history,  we  claim  to 
have  come  up  to  the  standard  of  our  promises,  and  given  as  acciu-ate  a 
work  as  the  nature  of  the  suiToundings  would  permit.  Whatever  may  be 
the  verdict  of  those  who  do  not  and  ivill  not  comprehend  the  difficulties  to 
be  met  with,  we  feel  assured  that  all  just  and  thoughtful  people  will  appre- 
ciate our  efiforts,  and  recognize  the  importance  of  the  undertaking  and  the 
great  public  benefit  that  has  been  accomplished  in  preserving  the  valuable 
historical  matter  of  the  counties  and  biographies  of  many  of  their  citizens, 
that  perhaps  would  otherwise  have  passed  into  oblivion.  To  those  who  have 
given  us  their  support  and  encouragement,  we  acknowledge  our  gratitude, 
and  can  assure  them  that  as  years  go  by  the  book  will  grow  in  value  as  a 
repository  not  only  of  pleasing  reading  matter,  but  of  treasured  information 
of  the  past  that  will  become  an  enduring  monument. 

April,  1884.  THE  PUBLISHERS, 


CONTENTS. 


HISTORY     OF     MORGAN     COUNTY. 


Introductoky  Chapter 

Act  of  Formation 

Agricultural  Society,  First 

Agricultural  Society,  Second 

Anti-Slavery  Movement 

Associate  Judges 

Attorneys,  Resident 

Auditors 

Auditor's  Report  May  31, 1883 

Circuit  Court,  First 

Circuit  Court,  Second 

Circuit  Court,  Third 

Circuit  Court,  Subsequent  Terms  of.. 

Clerks 

Commissioners,  County 

Common  Pleas  Court,  First 

Common  Pleas  Judges 

Coroners 

County  Before  Its  Creation 

County  Justices,  First  Session  of 

Court  Houses 

Early  Settlers , 

Election  Returns  November.  1844 

Election  Returns  November,  1856 

Election  Returns  November,  1860 

Election  Returns  November,  1868 

Election  Returns  November,  1872 

Election  Returns  November,  1876 

Election  Returns  November,  1880 

•        Indebtedness,  County 

Indian  Cession  Treaty 

Jails 

Justices,  County 

Justices  of  the  Peace,  Early 

Land  Survey 

Legal  Cases,  Important 

Library,  County 

Medical  Societies,  County 

Old  Settlers'  Association 

Organization  of  the  County 

Paupers,  County ". 

Physical  Features 

Politics,  County , 

Population  of  the  County 

President  Judges  of  Circuit  Court.... 

Press,  The  County 

Probate  Court,  First 


Probate  Judges.. 
Railroads 


Recorders 

Roads,  Common  and  Graveled. 
Seminary,  County 


Statistical  Items 44 

Superintendents,  County 39 

Surveyors 38 

Temperance  Work 48 

Treasurers,  County 38 

Treasurers'  Accounts 41 

Treasurer's  Report,  1851 23 

Military  History 50 

Bounty  and  Relief. 70 

Calls  for  Volunteers 73 

Call  for  Volunteers,  Last 67 

Calls  and  Enlistments 64 

Capt.  Scott's  Company 57 

Companies  for  the  War 57 


Death  of  Lincoln. 

Disloyalty  During  the  War 

Draft  of  October,  1862 

Draft  of  September  21,  1864 

Enlistments  in  Winter  of  1862-63 
Enlistments  in  1864 — Continued. 


Enlistments,  Renewed 

Fall  of  Fort  Sumter... 

Fall  of  Pviehmond 

Fourth  of  July,  1862 

Fourth  of  July,  186.3 

Gen.  Morgan's  Raid 

Home  Guards 

Home  Traitors 

Martinsville  Ritles '.— 

Mexican  War,  The 

Military  Spirit 

Militia  System,  The  Old 

Militia,  The 

Opening  Scenes  of  the  Great  Rebellion 

Pensioners,  List  of 

Presidential  and  Gubernatorial  Campaign 

of  1864 

Reception  of  Veterans 

Return  of  Morgan  County  Boys 

Roll  of  Honor 

Troops  Furnished,  Summary  of. 

War  Meetings 38,  52,  55,58, 

Washington  Township 

Martinsville ^ 

Banking  Enterprises 

Development  of  the  Town 

'\  Donations  ^nd^Sales  of  Lots 

"^  Educat 

Fir>*^nd  Subsequent  Buildings, 
corporation 
and  Entries. 

Manufacturing  Interests. 

Officers  of  the  Corporation. 

Population 

Pork  and  Grain  Trade 

Present  Business 

Race  Track,  The  Old 

Religion 

Secret  Societies 

Settlement,  First 

Town  Treasurer's  Report,  1863 

Treasurer's  Report,  1883 

Brown  Township 

mooresville 

Banking  Business 

Bear  Stories 

Business  Enterprises 

Business  Pursuits,  Present 

Incorporation 

Industrial  Development  and  Incidents. 

Industrial  Pursuits ; 

Mercantile  Trade 

Pioneers 

Plat  of  Village 

Pork  Packing 

Re  igious  Development 

Reminiscences 

Samuel  Moore 

Schools 

Secret  Societies 

Snake  Story 

Jackson  Township 

Morgantown 

Business  Pursuits 

Distilleries 

Education 

Entry  of  Land 

Incid'ents  of  the  Chase 

Manufactories 

Mills 

Poll-Tax  Payers,  1842 

Religious  Classes 

Reminiscences  and  Notes 


CONTENTS. 


PAGE. 

Clay  Township 119 

Barnes  Family,  The 119 

Brooklyn 121 

CentertOD 123 

Early  Settlers IIU 

Modern  Brooklyn 122 

Preachers 124 

Teachers 124 

Monroe  Township 125 

Business  Interests  of  Monrovia 127 

Christian  Organizations 129 

Monrovia,  Town  of 126 

Pioneers,  The 12.5 

Poll-Tax  Payers  of  1842 126 

Schools  of  Monroe 127 

Underground  Railroad,  The 129 

Harrison  Township 131 

Bluffs,  The 133 

Churches 136 

Farm,  The  First 1.32 

Incidents 132 

Port  Royal 133 

Schools 136 

Settler,  First  of  the  County 131 

Settlers,  Additional  Early 133 

Treaty  with  the  Delawares.. , 131 

Waverly  Village 1.35 

Waverly  in  Late  Years 136 

Ray  Township 137 

Butler  Creek  Settlement 137 

Churches 141 

Incidents  and  Improvements 130 

Paragon  Village 140 

Poll  Tax  Payers  of  1842 1.30 

Schools 141 

Adams  Township 142 

Churches 144 

Eminence  Village 145 

Natural  Resources 142 

Schools 144 

Settlement,  Early 142 

Jefferson  Township 146 

Hyndsdale  Village 149 

Lamb's  Bottom 146 

Poll  Tax  Payers  of  1842 148 

Religious  Organizations 149 

Schools 149 

Settlement— Continued 148 

Ashland  Township 1.50 

Alaska  Village 153 

Church  Organizations,  Early 153 

Formation  and  Boundary....' 150 

Manufactures 152 

Pioneer  Incidents 151 

Poll  Tax  Payers 151 


page. 

Schools  and  Schoolhouses 152 

Settlement,  Early 150 

Gregg  Township 154 

Education 1.57 

Poll-Tax  List  of  1842 1.56 

Religion 157 

Settlement,  Later 1.55 

Villages 156 

White  Men,  First 1.54 

Madison  Township 1.58 

Churches 161 

Incidents  and  Pioneer  Customs 159 

Pioneer,  The  First 158 

Schools 161 

Settlers,  Early 1.58 

Wild  Animals 160 

Green  Township 162 

Cleveland  Village 167 

Cope  Village 168 

Delawares,  The 166 

Educational  Interests 166 

Hunting  Exploits 164 

Milling  Interests 164 

Mysterious  Death 166 

Poll  T«x  Payers  of  1842 163 

Religious  Interests 167 

Settlement,  First 162 

Settlement— Continued 163 

Wounded  Deer,  The 165 

Bakee  Township 168 

Education 169 

Evilsizer  Family,  The 168 

Facilities  for  Worship 170 

Poll-Tax  Payers  of  1842 169 

Settlers,  Permanent 169 

BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 

Adams  Township 294 

Ashland  Township 334 

Baker  Township 363 

Brown  Township 217 

Clay  Township 260 

Green  Township 358 

Gregg  Township 342 

Harrison  Township 282 

Jackson  Township 245 

Jefferson  Township .326 

Madison  Township .3.52 

Martinsville 171 

Monroe  Township 270 

Mooresvllle 217 

Morgantown 245 

Ray  Township 283 

Washington  Township 171 


HISTORY     OF     MONROE     COUNTY. 


Settlement,  Organization,  etc 371 

Actof  Formation 373 

Agricultural  Fair,  Rules,  Judges,  etc 395 

Agricultural  Societies .391 

Agricultural  Society's  Premium  List .392 

Associate  Judges 406 

Auditors,  County 405 

Auditor's  Report 411 

Circuit  Court,  First 376 

Circuit  Court  Judges 406 

Clerks,  County 405 

Commissioners,  County 404 

Condition  of  School  Lands  in  1846 412 

Coroners,  County 406 

County  Commissioners'  Meetings .374 

County  Politics 384 

County  Poor 389 

Entries  of  Lands,  Fir-st .372 

Erection  of  Townships 378 

Free  Public  School  Vote 407 

Indian  Cession  Treaties 372 

Indian  Occupancy 371 

Justices  of  the  Peace,  Early 404 

Library,  County 400 

Old  Settlers' Meetings 397 

Old  Settlers' Meeting  Minutes .399 

Old  Settlers'  Roll  of  Honor 399 


Population  of  County .376 

Presidential  Electors,  1840 $85 

Presidenti;il  Electors,  1S44 386 

Presidential  Kk-ctors,  1856 386 

Presidential  Electors,  isiio ..  386 

Presidential  Elettnr-,  I^tU 387 

Presidential  Electors,  is72 388 

Presidential  Electors,  1876 388 

Presidential  Electors,  1880 388 

Press,  County 401 

Probate  Court,  First 377 

Probate  Judges 406 

Prosecuting  Attorneys 407 

Public  Buildings 382 

Recapitulation  of  Taxes,  188.3 411 

Receipts  and  Expenditures,  County 407 

Recorders,  County 405 

School  Districts  in  1882 413 

School  Enumeration,  etc.,  in  1881 412 

School  Examiners  and  Superintendents 407 

Seminary,  County 401 

Seminary  Trustees 406 

Sheriffs,  County 405 

Survey  of  Lands,  First 372 

Surveyors,  County 406 

Territory  Attached  to  the  County 381 

Treasurers,  County 405 


CONTENTS. 


PAGE. 

Military  History 413 

Adjutant  General's  Exhibit  April  14,  1865....  43;i 

Attairs  Preceding  the  Fall  of  Sumter 414 

Army  Correspondence 421 

Assassination  of  Lincoln 438 

Calls  for  Volunteers,  Kew 428 

Call  for  Troops,  October,  1S63 429 

Call  of  July,  1864 431 

Call  for  Volunteers,  Last 432 

Capture  of  Richmond 438 

Cavalry,  One  Hundred  and  Twenty-fifth 449 

Closing  Scenes  of  the  Rebellion 439 

Curious  Editorial 427 

Draft  of  October  6,  1862 424 

Draft  of  October,  1864 431 

Draft  Statistics , 423 

Enlistments 416,  424 

Fourth  of  July,  1864 430 

Gen  Morgan 428 

Infantry,  Fourteenth 447 

Infantry,  Eighteenth 447 

Infantry,  Twenty-second 448 

Infantry,  Thirty-first 448 

Infantry,  Thirty-eighth 448 

-      Infantry,  Fiftieth 44a 

Infantry,  Eighty-second 449 

Infantry,  Ninety-third 449 

Infantry,  One  Hundred  and  Forty-fifth 450 

Lee's  Surrender 438 

Letter  from  Murfreesboro 425 

Meetings,  War  and  Other 414,416,420,  426 

Mexican  War,  The 413 

Militia,  County 413 

Miscellaneous  Incidents 434,  437 

Oif  for  the  War 416 

Opening  Scenes  of  the  Rebellion 415 

One  Hundred  Days'  Men 430 

Pension  Roll 445 

Political  Campaigns  of  1864 437 

Recruiting 420 

Relief  and  Bounty 440 

Resistance  to  Military  Law 427 

Roll  of  Honor 447 

Roll  of  Honor,  Miscellaneous 450 

Summary  of  Troops  Furnished 434 

Suspension  of  Active  Work 425  , 

Volunteers,  Infantry 416,  417 

Volunteers,  Cavalry 419 

Volunteers,  New  Companies 422 

Bloomington  To^\^^[SHIP  and  City 451 

Anecdotes 457 

Artesian  Well 468 

Banking 469 

Bloomington  Factory 460 

Bloomington  Female  College 475 

Bloomington  Mills 460 

Bonded  Indebtedness,  1877 467 

Business  Men,  Early 457 

Business  Men,  Present 462 

Buyers  of  Lots 454 

Churches  of  Bloomington 479 

Corporation  Meeting,  August,  1858 465 

Incorporation,  First 463 

Incorporation,  Second 463 

Incorporation  of  1S59 466 

Incorporation,  City 467 

Indiana  College 477 

Indiana  State  University 476 

Industries 458 

Land  Entries,  First 451 

Merchants,  Early 458 

Merchants  of  the  Sixties 462 

Model  School,  The 475 

Monroe  County  Female  Seminary 472 

Municipal  Government,  The 464 

New  Albany  Railroad 461 

Platting  of  the  Village 453 

Prices  Current  for  1858 462 

Residents,  Early 451 

Resident,  First 452 

Schools  of  Bloomington 470 

Secret  Societies 469 

Shinplasters 461 

State  University,  The 478 

Townsmen,  Early 454 

Town  in  1830-40 458 

Town  in  1840-50 459 

Town  in  1850-60 460 


PAGE. 

Perry  Township 481 

C'hurches 485 

Land  Purchasers 483 

Organization 484 

Schools 485 

"Seminary  Township,"  The 482 

Soil 481 

Tax  Payers  of  1841 484 

Timber 481 

Bean  Blossom  Township 486 

Anecdotes 488 

Churches 494 

Geology 486 

Mt.  Tabor 490 

Poll  Tax  Payers  of  1841 489 

Schools 493 

Settlement 487 

Stinesville 492 

Surface  Features 486 

Richland  Township 494 

Business  Industries  of  Ellettsville 505 

Churches 506 

Earth  .Structure „...  494 

Ellettsville 503 

Geological  Tables 495 

Incidents 500 

Incorporation  of  Ellettsville 504 

Narrative  of  James  Parks,  Sr 497 

Poll-Tax  Pavers  of  1841 502 

Richland  Village 503 

Schools 505 

Settlement 496 

Van  Buren  Township 507 

Blue  Spring  Community 513 

Growth  and  Development 509 

Introduction  507 

Land  Entries _. 508 

Morals,  Township '. 511 

Poll-Tax  Payers  of  1841 510 

Schools 512 

Settlement 508 

Soil 507 

Stanford  Village 510 

Stone 507 

Timber 507 

Indian  Creek  Township 514 

Churches  518 

Families.  The  First 515 

Geological  Structure 514 

Government  Land  Entries 514 

Milling  Enterprises 515 

'     Poll  Tax  Payers 5I6 

Schools 517 

Villages 5I8 

Virginia  Iron  Works,  The 515 

Clear  Creek  Township 519 

Churches 526 

Geological  Formation 519 

Land  Holders 521 

Poll  Tax  Payers  of  1841 522 

Schools 525 

Settler,  The  First 521 

Villages 523 

Washington  Township 527 

Churches 530 

Description 527 

Education 530 

Hindostan  Village 5.31 

Land  Buyers 528 

Soil 527 

Tax  Payers  of  1841 529 

Timber 527 

Wayport 531 

Benton  Township 531 

Cox  Tragedy,  The 535 

Geology 531 

Poll  Tax  Payers  of  1841 533 

Religious  Classes 534 

Schools 533 

Soil 531 

Timber 531 

Unionville 535 

White  Settlement,  The ,532 

Salt  Creek  Township 5.36 

Churches.... ,540 

Friendship  Village 540 

Land  Entries ,537 

Natural  Features 536 


CONTENTS. 


PAGE. 

Poll-Tax  Payers  of  1841 537 

Public  Sohools 538 

Saltworks • 536 

Polk  Township 540 

Chapel  Hill  Village 544 

Churches 543 

Counterfeiters 543 

Elections,  First 544 

Land  Buyers,  Early 541 

Origin  of  Name 540 

Residents  of  1842 542 

Schools 543 

Marion  Township 545 

Churches 547 

Creology 545 

Physical  Description 545 


PAGE. 

Schools 547 

Settlement 545 

BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 

Bean  Blossom  Township 612 

Benton  Township 666 

Bloomington  City 549 

Bloomington  Township 549 

Clear  Cieek  Township 658 

Indian  Creek  Township 653 

Marion  Township 674 

Perrv  Township 602 

Richland  Township,.... 628 

Salt.Creek  Township 670 

Van  Buren  Township 642 

Washington  Township 665 


HISTORY     OF     BROWN     COUNTY. 


Introductory  Chapter 

Auditors 

Church  Statistics 

Circuit  Court,  First 

Clerks,  County 

Common  Pleas  Court,  First 

Coroners 

County  Buildings 

f'reatibn  of  Townships 

Election,  P'irst  County 

Election  Returns 

Finances,  Statement  of 

Indian  Cession  Treaties 

Initiatory  Legislative  Enactments.... 

Items  of  Interest,  Miscellaneous 

Judges,  Associate 

Judges,  Circuit 

Judges,  Common  Pleas 

Judges,  Probate 

Justices  and  Commissioners 

Library,  County 

Medical  Society,  County 

Meeting  of  the  County  Board,  First., 

Old  Settlers'  Association 

Paupers,  County 

Physicians,  List  of 

Politics,  County 

Population 

Press,  The  County 

Probate  Courts,  First ,. 

Recorders 

School  Commissioners,  etc 

School  1^'unds,  Origin  of 

School  Statistics 

Seminary,  County 

Sherirts 

Surveyors 

Taxes  for  1883 

Treasurers 

Treasurers'  Reports 

Military  History 

Bounty,  Relief,  etc 

Calls  for  Troops 

County  in  18G3 

County  in  1864 

Draft  of  October,  1862 

Drafts  of  1864-65 

Enlistment  in  1862 

Enlistment  Tables.. 


690 
695 


700 

703 

712 

713 

709 

710 

709 

711 

708 

711 

Fall  of  Fort  Sumter 707 

Infantry,  Twenty-second 713 

Infantry,  Eighty-second 714 

Infantry,  One  Hundred  and  Twentieth 714 

Infantry,  One  Hundred  and  Forty-fifth 714 

Mexican  War,  The 703 

Militia  Organizations 703 

Number  of  Men  Furnished 712 

Pension  Roll 715 

Political  Feeling  in  1860-61 705 

Roll  of  Honor 713 

Volunteers 708 

Washington  Township 717 

Altitudes,  Table  of. 718 

Banking  at  Nashville 730 

Census  of  1872 727 

Churches 731 


Civil  Division 719 

Hedgesville 723 

Incidents 722 

Incorporation  of  County  Seat 727 

Industries 726 

Jacksonburg 723 

Land  Entries 720-725 

Minerals 717 

Nashville 723 

Oil 717 

Organization 719 

Poll  Tax  Payers  of  1848 721 

Salt 717 

Schools 730 

Secret  Societies 729 

Settlers,  Early 720 

Jackson  Township 732 

Churches 738 

Drainage,  etc 734 

Formation  of  Township 7.34 

Georgetown 737 

Gold  Depo.sits '. 732 

Historical  Items 737 

Horse  Races 738 

Needmore 738 

Poll-Tax  Payers  of  1848 738 

Schools  738 

Settlements,  The  First 735 

Hamblen  Township 739 

Churches 744 

Entries  of  Land 741 

Incidents 743 

Industries 743 

Natural  Wealth 739 

Poll-Tax  Payers  of  1848 745 

Schools 744 

Villages 744 

White  Settlement , 740 

Van  Buren  Township 746 

Churches 749 

Land  Entries 748 

Officers 747 

Organization 747 

Poll  Tax  Payers  of  1848 748 

Rocks 746 

Schools  749 

Settlement  by  White  men 746 

Streams 746 

Timber 746 

Villages 749 

Johnson  Township 751 

Elkinsville 753 

Era  of  Settlement 751 

Incidents  and  Notes 753 

Land  Entries 752 

Poll-Tax  Payers  of  1848 752 

Surface  and  Soil 751 

BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 

Hamblen  Township 785 

Jackson  Towu.ship 773 

Johnson  Townsliip 799 

Nashville 753 

Van  Buren  Township 795 

Washington  Township 753 


HISTORY  OF  MORGAN  COUNTY. 

BY    WESTON    A.    GOODSPEED. 

DESCRIPTION,  ORGANIZATION,  ETC 

PHYSICAL    FEATURES. 

THE  county  of  Morgan  is  in  many  respects  one  of  the  most  favora- 
bly located  tracts  of  country  in  the  State  of  Indiana.  It  is  within 
an  hour's  ride  of  the  State  capital,  and  is  bounded  on  the  north  by  Hen- 
dricks and  Marion  Counties,  on  the  east  by  Johnson,  on  the  south  by 
Brown  and  Monroe,  and  on  the  west  by  Owen  and  Putnam.  The  county 
contains  450  square  miles,  or  291,800  acres,  and  is  watered  by  the  West 
Fork  of  White  River,  and  by  its  branches.  White  Lick  Creek,  Mud 
Creek,  Big  Indian  Creek,  Stott's  Creek,  Clear  Creek,  Burnett's  Creek, 
Rhodes'  Creek,  Mill  Creek,  and  by  other  smaller  streams.  The  valleys 
are  extremely  fertile,  and  produce  annually  large  crops  of  grain.  The 
numerous  bluflfs  along  the  principal  water-courses  are  suitable  for  grazing. 
There  is  an  abundance  of  timber,  consisting  of  poplar,  walnut,  white  oak, 
hickory,  beech,  maple  and  other  varieties.  An  abundance  of  excellent 
building  stone  is'  found,  and  is  near  the  surface  and  easily  obtained.  Na- 
tive gold  and  copper  have  been  found  in  small  quantities.  The  sanitary 
conditions  are  very  favorable,  as  the  porosity  of  the  soil  and  the  rolling 
character  of  the  surface  prevent  the  development  of  malaria. 

THE    INDIAN    CESSION    TREATY. 

The  county  was  formerly  the  undisputed  home  of  the  Miami  tribe  of 
Indians.  Here  they  had  lived  for  an  indeterminate  period  of  years, 
unmolested  by  the  whites.  The  earlier  race,  known  as  Mound-Builders, 
so  far  as  can  be  learned,  left  no  traces  of  their  presence  in  the  county. 
The  case  is  different  with  the  Indians.  They  were  here  when  our  fathers 
came,  and  mingled  freely  with  the  white  men.  The  rapid  settlement  of 
the  State  after  the  war  of  1812-15,  and  especially  after  the  battle  of 
Tippecanoe  in  1811,  when  the  power  of  the  Indians  was  completely 
crushed,  led  to  numerous  treaties,  whereby  the  Indians  ceded  to  the  Gov- 
ernment various  tracts  of  land,  and  retired  toward  the  setting  sun.  The 
Delawares,  many  years  before,  had  obtained  from  the  Miamis  a  large 
tract  of  land  in  Central  Indiana.  In  October,  1818,  at  St.  Mary's, 
Ohio,  the  Miamis  and  Delawares  ceded  to  the  United  States  a  large  tract 
of  land  in  Central  and  Southern  Indiana,  including  the  present  county 
of  Morgan,  except  a  small  portion  in  the  southwestern  part,  which  had 
been  relinquished  at  an  earlier  date.  This  was  scarcely  done  before  the 
white  settlers  began  to  invade  the  present  county  in  search  of  homes,  and 
the  survey  of  the  lands  was  commenced. 


12  HISTORY   OF   MORGAN   COUNTY. 

THE    LAND    SURVEY    AND    THE    EARLY    ENTRIES. 

Township  11  north,  Range  2  west,  which  had  been  ceded  by  the  In- 
dians prior  to  1816,  was  surveyed  in  that  year  by  William  Harris,  and 
was  therefore  the  first  land  '  ohe  county  measured  by  a  surveyer's  chain 
and  compass.     It  was  re-sarveyed  by  Thomas  Brown  in  1819.  Township 

11  north.  Range  2  east,  was  surveyed  in  1820,  by  B.  Bentley;  Township 

12  north.  Range  2  east,  in  1820,  by  B,  Bentley;  Township  13  north, 
Range  2  east,  in  1820,  by  B.  Bentley;  Township  14  north,  Range  2  east, 
in  1820,  by  W.  B.  Laughlin  ;  Township  11  north.  Range  1  east,  in  1819, 
by  Thomas  Brown  ;  Township  12  north.  Range  1  east,  in  1819,  by 
Thomas. Brown;  Township  13  north,  Range  1  east,  in  1819,  by  Thomas 
Brown ;  Township  14  north.  Range  1  east,  in  1820,  by  Stephen  Collett ; 
Township  11  north.  Range  1  west,  in  1819,  by  Thomas  Brown,  and  in 
1848  (the  islands)  by  A.  E.  Van  Ness  ;  Township  12  north,  Range  1 
west,  in  1819,  by  Thomas  Brown  ;  Township  13  north.  Range  1  west,  in 

1819,  by  John  Milroy;  Township  11  north.  Range  2  west,  in  1816,  by 
William  Harris,  and  in  1819  by  Thomas  Brown ;  Township  12  north. 
Range  2  west,  in  1819,  by  John  Milroy;  Township  13  north,  Range  2 
west,  in  1819,  by  John  Milroy.  The  date  of  the  arrival  of  the  first  set- 
tlers cannot  be  given,  though  it  was  probably  1818.  Ten  or  fifteen  fami- 
lies arrived  in  1819,  and  many  more  in  1820.  All  who  came  prior  to 
September  4,  1820,  and,  indeed,  many  who  came  after  that  date,  were 
"  squatters,"  not  owning  the  land  upon  which  they  lived  until  they 
had  taken  out  pre-emption  papers  under  the  ordinance  of  1787,  and 
later  Congressional  enactments  granting  and  modifying  the  right.  It  is 
estimated  that  sixty  or  seventy  families  were  living  in  the  county  on  the 
1st  day  of  January,  1821.  On  the  4th  of  September,  1820,  the  lands 
of  the  county  were  formally  thrown  into  market  for  the  first  time.  Those 
who  had  come  in  previously  hastened  to  the  land  office  at  Brookville,  and 
entered  the  claims  they  had  squatted  upon  or  pre-empted,  and  many 
others,  who  had  not  yet  been  in  the  county,  came  in  search  of  homes. 
Perhaps  two-thirds  of  the  early  settlers  were  from  the  Southern  States, 
mostly  from  Kentucky,  but  largely  from  Tennessee,  Virginia  and  the 
Carolinas.     The  following  persons  entered  land  in  the  county  in  the  year 

1820,  after  the  4th  of  September,  in  the  township  and  range  given  with 
each  name  :  Philip  Hodges,  Township  11  north.  Range  1  east ;  Joseph 
Townsend,  same ;  George  Mathews,  same ;  Benjamin  Freeland,  same  ; 
Benjamin  Huffman,  same;  John  Case,  same;  Jacob  Cutler,  same;  Jacob 
Lafavre,  same ;  John  Gray,  same ;  Joshua  Taylor,  same ;  Joshua  Gray, 
same  ;  Thomas  Jenkins,  same ;  Chester  Holbrook,  same  ;  Jacob  Case, 
same  ;  John  Reed,  same  ;  Nancy  Smith,  same ;  Isaac  Ilollingsworth, 
same  ;  Presley  Buckner,  same.  All  these  located  in  Township  11  north, 
Range  1  east.  The  following  persons  entered  land  in  1820,  after  Sep- 
tember 4,  in  Township  12  north.  Range  1  east :  John  Butterfield,  David 
Matlock,  Enoch  McCarty,  Benjamin  McCarty,  Jonathan  Lyon,  Martin 
McCoy,  Samuel  Elliott,  Jonathan  Williams,  Devalt  Koons,  John  Connor, 
Andrew  Waymore,  Larkin  Reynolds,  Thomas  Jenkins,  Joel  Ferguson, 
Reuben  Most,  John  Graves.  The  following  entered  land  at  the  same 
time  in  Township  13  north,  Range  1  east :  Francis  Brock,  William 
Ballard,  Thomas  Lee,   Charles  Vertreese,  James  Hadley,   Eli   Hadley, 


HISTORY   OF   MORGAN   COUNTY.  13 

William  Rooker,  Charles  Reynolds,  Isaiah  Drury  and  Benjamin  Barnes. 
William  Pounds  located  in  Township  14  north,  Range  1  east,  same 
time,  i.  e.,  horn  September  4,  1820,  to  the  close  of  the  year.  The  fol- 
lowing persons  entered  land  during  the  same/inod  in  Township  11  north, 
Range  1  west :  James  K.  Hamilton,  John  Burnett,  Samuel  Newell,  Fred 
Barkhart,  Daniel  Stout,  John  Kennedy,  Rice  Stroud,  Isom  Stroud,  An- 
thony Vernon,  Presley  Buckner  and  Thomas  Hodges.  The  above  per- 
sons, numbering  fifty-four,  were  the  only  ones  who  entered  land  in  the 
county  in  1820. 

The  following  persons  entered  land  in  the  year  1821 :  Samuel  Scott, 
James  Clark,  Jacob  Cutler,  Thomas  Hadley,  Henry  H.  Hobbs, 
Charles  Reynolds,  George  Mathews,  Jonathan  Lyon,  W.  W.  Drew, 
Elisha  Hamden,  Thomas  Irons,  James  Stott,  Jonathan  Williams, 
John  Hodges,  John  Butterfield,  James  L.  Kidds,  Edward  Irons,  David 
Allen,  Jacob  Chase,  John  Marker,  Edward  Jones,  Jacob  Case,  Joseph 
Henshaw,  Abner  Cox,  David  Matlock,  Thomas  Dee,  Joseph  Frazier, 
William  McDowell,  Samuel  Jones,  Thomas  Beeler,  John  Leavell,  Jesse 
McCoy,  Christopher  Ladd,  Joseph  Bennett,  Samuel  Blair,  David  Price, 
Joseph  Sims,  John  Hamilton,  John  Barnes,  George  H.  Beeler,  Joseph 
Beeler,  Benjamin  Mills,  Robert  Stafford,  William  Gregory,  Cyrus  Whet- 
zel,  Jesse  Tull,  Henry  Rout,  John  Paul,  Thomas  Ingles,  Joseph  Bennett, 
Thomas  Gardner,  William  Goodwin,  James  Burch,  Ezekiel  Slaughter, 
John  McMahon,  Jacob  B.  Reyman,  John  W.  Reyman,  Christopher  Ha- 
ger,  Thomas  Carey,  Benjamin  Carey,  George  Moon,  Samuel  Dodds,  Jo- 
siah  Tomlinson,  Eli  Hadley,  Abner  Cox,  James  Curl  and  John  Sells,  all 
of  whom  located  east  of  the  Second  Principal  Meridian  ;  and  David  Fain, 
Hiram  Stroud,  Thomas  Hodges,  Philip  Hodges,  Wiley  Williams,  Abner 
Alexander,  Samuel  Goss,  William  Anderson,  Joseph  Ribble,  James  Mc- 
Kinney,  Thomas  Thompson  and  Reuben  F.  Allen,  on  the  west  side  of  the 
meridian. 

The  following  persons  entered  land  in  the  year  1822 :  Allen  Gray, 
John  Gray,  Alexander  Rowand,  I.  Gray,  William  Townsend,  Josiah 
Townsend,  Presley  Buckner,  James  Reynolds,  Jacob  Cutler,  Joshua  Car- 
ter, Benjamin  Cuthbert,  Martin  McDaniel,  Isaiah  Drury,  William  Bales, 
Elias  Hadley,  Jehu  Carter,  Moses  Anderson,  William  McCracken,  B.  F. 
Beason,  John  H.  Bray,  Jesse  Overman,  Charles  Vertreese,  Jacob  Jessup, 
Andrew  Clark,  Richard  Day,  William  Ballard,  Stewart  Reynolds,  Eli 
Mills,  Isaac  Price,  John  and  Enoch  Summers,  Charles  Ketchum,  George 
Crutchfield,  John  Martin,  Levi  Plummer,  David  E.  Allen,  Benjamin 
Mills,  Hiram  Mathews,  Abner  Cox,  William  Landers,  Thomas  Ballard, 
Harris  Bray,  John  Kennedy,  Abraham  Stroud,  Fred  Burkhart,  John 
Buckner  and  John  Mannon,  all  locating  east  of  the  meridian  line  except 
the  five  last  named.  The  above  lists  include  all  who  entered  land  in  the 
county  prior  to  the  1st  of  January,  1823.  Besides  these  there  were  a 
comparatively  few  families  living  in  the  county  who  owned  no  land.  They 
would  probably  equal  in  numbers  those  named  above  who  never  resided 
in  the  county,  so  that  the  above  lists  may  be  taken  as  showing  to  within 
a  close  figure  the  population  of  the  county  at  that  time.  Probably  170 
families  resided  in  the  county  by  January  1,  1823.  This  would  repre- 
sent a  population  of  about  800. 


14  HISTORY   OF   MORGAN   COUNTY. 

THE    COUNTY  BEFORE    ITS    CREATION. 

The  territory  comprising  Morgan  County  was  a  portion  of  that  exten- 
sive tract  of  country  secured  by  cession  from  the  Delaware  and  Miami 
Indians  in  1818,  and  known  as  the  "  New  Purchase."  The  next  legal 
provision  concerning  the  territory  composing  the  county  was  an  act  of  the 
State  Legislature  approved  January  20,  1820,  the  second  section  of  the 
act  being  as  follows  : 

Section  3.  That  all  the  remaining  part  of  the  said  New  Purchase  lying  east  of 
the  Second  Principal  Meridian,  except  so  much  of  it  as  has  been  attached  to  the 
counties  of  Fayette,  Jackson  and  Wayne  by  former  laws,  and  except  so  much  of  it 
as  is  attached  by  the  first  section  of  this  act  to  the  counties  named  therein,  be,  and 
the  same  is  hereby  formed  into  a  new  county,  to  be  known  bj'  the  name  of  Dela- 
ware; and  all  that  part  of  the  said  New  Purchase  lying  west  of  the  Second  Priuci- 
pal  Meridian  be  and  the  same  is  hereby  formed  into  a  new  county,  to  be  known  by 
the  name  of  Wabash. 

This  act  made  all  of  the  present  Morgan  County  east  of  the  meridian 
line  a  part  of  Delaware  County,  and  all  west  of  that  line  a  part  of  Wa- 
bash County.  The  first  elections  held  in  the  county  were  before  its  crea- 
tion, and  after  the  passage  of  the  above  act,  or  during  the  years  1820  and 
1821,  and  the  returns  went  to  the  county  seats  of  Delaware  and  Wabash 
Counties  respectively.  It  is  impossible  to  tell  where  they  are  now,  as 
those  counties  then  were  widely  diiferent  in  size,  form  and  location  from 
what  they  are  at  present.  In  1821,  the  rapid  settlement  of  the  territory 
composing  the  county  made  it  apparent  to  the  settlers  that  a  new  county 
ought  to  be  created  for  their  benefit,  and  accordingly  at  the  session  of  the 
Legislature  of  1821-22  a  petition  from  the  residents  was  formally  pre- 
sented, praying  that  such  an  enactment  might  be  passed.  Accordingly, 
the  following  act  was  introduced,  passed,  and  approved  by  the  Governor  : 

An  Act  for  the  Formation  op  a  New  County  out  of  the  Counties  of  Delaware 

AND  Wabash: 

Section  1.  Be  it  enacted  hy  the  General  Assembly  of  the  State  of  Indiana,  That 
from  and  after  the  fifteenth  day  of  February  next,  all  that  part  of  the  counties  of 
Delaware  and  Wabash  contained  within  the  following  boundaries,  to  wit :  Begin- 
ning on  the  township  line  dividing  Townships  10  and  11  north,  where  the  line  divid- 
ing Ranges  2  and  3  east  cross  the  same  ;  thence  west  to  the  center  of  Range  2  west, 
of^the  Second  Principal  Meridian  ;  thence  north  nine  miles  ;  thence  west  tliree  miles 
to  the  line  dividing  Ranges  2  and  3  west ;  thence  north  eleven  miles  to  the  corners 
of  Sections  19  and  20  ;  thence  east  with  said  line  twenty-four  miles  to  the  line  divid- 
ing Ranges  2  and  3  east ;  thence  south  to  the  place  of  beginning,  shall  constitute  and 
form  a  new  county,  to  be  designated  and  known  by  the  name  and  style  of  the  county 
of  Morgan. 

Sec.  2.  That  James  Borland,  of  Monroe  County  ;  Thomas  Beazel3^  of  Lawrence 
County  ;  Phillip  Hart,  of  Owen  County  ;  John  Martin,  of  Washington  County,  and 
James  Milroy,  of  Washington  County,  be  and  they  are  hereby  appointed  Commis- 
sioners for  the  purpose  of  fixing  the  permanent  seat  of  justice  for  the  said  new 
county  agreeably  tt)  the  provisions  of  an  act  entitled  "An  act  fixing  the  seat  of 
justice  of  new  counties  hereafter  to  be  laid  off."  The  Commissioners  above  named, 
or  a  majority  of  them,  shall  convene  at  the  house  of  John  Gray,  in  said  new  county, 
on  the  first  day  of  March  next,  and  then  proceed  to  discharge  the  duties  assigned 
them  by  law. 

Sec  3.  That  the  said  new  county  of  Morgan  shall  enjoy  the  rights,  privileges 
and  jurisdictions  which  to  separate  counties  do  or  may  properly  belong. 

Sec.  4.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Sheriff  of  Monroe  County  to  notify  the  Com- 
missioners above  named,  either  in  person  or  by  written  notification,  of  their  said 
appointment,  and  the  Commissioners  of  the  county  of  Morgan  shall  allow  tuem  any 
sum  of  money  that  they  may  deem  just  and  equitable,  who  are  hereby  authorized 
to  allow  the  same  out  of  any  moneys  in  the  county  treasury  in  the  same  manner 
other  claims  are  paid. 


HISTORY   OF   MORGAN   COUNTY.  15 

Sec.  5.  The  Circuit  and  otlier  courts  of  the  county  of  Morgan  shall  be  holden  at 
the  house  of  Jacob  Cutler,  or  at  any  other  place  the  court  may  adjourn  to  in  said 
county,  until  suitable  accommodation  can  be  had  at  the  county  seat ;  and  so  soon  as 
the  courts  of  said  county  are  satisfied  that  suitable  accommodations  can  be  had  at 
the  seat  of  justice,  they  shall  adjourn  their  courts  to  such  place  in  said  county  as 
shall  be  tixed  on  by  said  Commissioners  for  the  seat  of  justice  of  said  county,  estab- 
lished as  directed  by  this  act. 

Sec.  6.  The  agent,  Avho  shall  be  appointed  to  superintend  the  sale  of  lots  at  the 
county  seat  of  the  said  county  of  Morgan,  shall  reserve  ten  per  centum  out  of  the 
proceeds  thereof,  and  also  of  all  donations  to  the  said  county,  and  pay  the  same  over 
to  such  person  or  persons  as  may  be  appointed  by  law  to  receive  the -same  for  the 
use  of  a  library  for  said  county,  which  he  shall  pay  over  at  such  time  or  times  as 
may  be  directed  by  law. 

This  act  to  take  effect  and  be  in  force  from  and  after  its  passage. 

Approved  December  31,  1821. 

Samuel  Milrot, 
Speaker  of  the  House  of  Representatives. 

Jonathan  Jennings,  Ratlipp  Boon, 

Oovernor.  President  of  the  Senate. 

ORGANIZATION    OF    THE    COUNTY. 

On  the  1st  of  January,  1822,  James  Bigger  was  commissioned  Sheriff 
of  the  new  county  by  the  Governor,  and  empowered  to  call  an  election 
for  four  Justices  of  the  Peace,  one  Clerk  and  Recorder,  and  two  Associate 
Judges;  but  as  he  failed,  in  some  manner,  to  do  as  directed,  his  commis- 
sion was  dropped  or  revoked,  and  Benjamin  Cutler  was  commissioned  on 
the  16th  of  January,  1822,  to  take  his  place  and  call  the  necessary  elec- 
tion. This  election  was  held  early  in  1822,  with  the  following  result: 
Justices  of  the  Peace — Larkin  Reynolds,  Samuel  Reed,  James  Burris  and 
Hiram  Mathews,  all  four  of  whom  received  commissions  from  the  Gov- 
ernor, dated  May  22,  1822  ;  Clerk  and  Recorder — George  H.  Beeler  ; 
Associate  Judges — Jacob  Cutler  and  John  Gray,  who  were  commissioned 
March  18,1822. 

FIRST    SESSION    OF   THE    COUNTY   JUSTICES. 

Prior  to  the  year  1831,  the  County  Board  (now  the  three  County  Com- 
missioners) comprised  all  the  Justices  of  the  Peace  in  the  county.  The  first 
County  Board  was  the  Justices  elected  as  stated  above.  They  met  at  the 
house  of  Jacob  Cutler,  early  in  June,  1822,  for  the  transaction  of  busi- 
ness. One  of  the  first  acts  was  to  divide  the  county  into  townships,  and 
order  an  election  held  in  each  for  the  necessary  oflScers.  The  number  of 
townships  erected  at  this  time  was  four — Washington,  Monroe,  Ray  and 
Harrison.  James  Shields  was  appointed  Treasurer  of  the  county,  and 
Charles  Beeler,  Surveyor.  The  report  of  the  Commissioners  appointed 
by  the  Legislature  to  locate  the  county  seat,  was  presented  to  the  board 
at  their  first  session,  and  formally  accepted,  and  the  Commissioners  were 
paid  and  discharged.  Nothing  further  can  be  stated  regarding  the  early 
acts  of  the  County  Board,  owing  to  the  destruction  of  the  records  by  fire 
a  few  years  ago.     This  loss  was  a  great  misfortune  to  the  county. 

THE    FIRST    CIRCUIT    COURT. 

The  first  session  of  the  Morgan  County  Circuit  Court  was  beg  un  at 
the  house  of  Jacob  Cutler,  on  the  25th  of  March,  1822,  with  Judge  Will- 
iam W.  Wick  in  the  chair.     He  presented  his  commission   from    Gov. 


16  HISTORY   OF   MORGAN   COUNTY. 

Jennings  constituting  him  President  Judge  of  the  Fifth  Judicial  Circuit, 
for  the  period  of  seven  years  from  January,  1822.  On  this  commission 
was  the  following  indorsement : 

State  of  Indiana,  Third  Judicial  Circuit. 

Be  it  remembered,  that  on  the  12th  day  of  February,  A.  D.  1822,  personally 
appeared  before  me.  Miles  C.  Eggleston,  President  Judge  of  the  circuit  aforesaid, 
the  within  named  William  W.  Wick,  who  being  duly  sworn  according  to  law,  took 
the  following  oaths,  to  wit  :  That  he  will  supJDort  the  Constitution  of  the  United 
States,  and  of  the  State  of  Indiana;  and  that  he  will,  to  the  best  of  his  ability  and 
judgment,  discharge  the  duties  of  his  office  as  President  Judge  of  the  Fifth  Judicial 
Circuit  of  the  State  aforesaid  faithfully;  and  that  he  has  not  since  the  1st  day  of 
January,  1819,  either  directly  or  indirectly,  knowingly  given,  accepted  or  carried  a 
challenge  to  any  person  in  or  out  of  the  said  State,  to  fight  in  single  combat  with 
any  deadly  weapon;  and  that  he  will  not  knowingly  give,  accept  or_  carry  a  chal- 
lenge to  any  person  or  persons  to  fight  with  any  deadly  weapon  in  single  combat, 
either  in  or  out  of  the  State,  during' his  continuance  in  his  said  office. 

John  Gray  and  Jacob  Cutler  produced  their  commissions  as  Associate 
Judges,  and  George  H.  Beeler  and  Benjamin  Cutler  produced  theirs  as 
Clerk  and  Sheriff  respectively.  Court  was  then  declared  open.  The 
first  business  transacted  was  the  adoption  of  a  seal  for  the  court,  an  im- 
pression of  which  was  made  on  the  record  of  the  court.  The  next  act 
was  to  admit  Hiram  M.  Curry,  Craven  P.  Hester  and  Calvin  Fletcher  to 
practice  as  attorneys  at  the  court.  The  latter  was  appointed  Prosecuting 
Attorney.  Larkin  Reynolds  add  Jonathan  Williams  were  appointed 
County  Commissioners  to  fill  vacancies  that  had  been  made.  Both  the 
Clerk  and  the  Sheriff  then  gave  their  official  bonds,  with  satisfactory 
security,  which  were  approved  by  the  court.  The  first  suit  was  a  case  in 
chancery,  Jacob  Cutler  vs.  J.  M.  Cox.  The  defendant  not  being  a  resi- 
dent of  the  State,  the  notice  of  the  pendency  of  the  suit  was  ordered 
published  four  weeks  in  the  Indianapolis  G-azette,  notifying  him  that  un- 
less he  appeared  at  the  next  term  of  the  court  to  answer,  the  complainant's 
bill  would  be  taken  as  confessed,  and  acted  upon  accordingly.  The  court 
then  adjourned. 

THE    SECOND  CIRCUIT  COURT. 

This  session  was  begun  at  the  house  of  Jacob  Cutler  on  the  23d  of 
September,  1822,  present,  John  Gray  and  Jacob  Cutler,  Associate  Judges. 
It  having  been  made  manifest  that  a  place  for  holding  court  had  been  pre- 
pared at  Martinsville,  the  new  county  seat,  the  Judges,  in  accordance 
with  the  enactment  for  the  formation  and  organization  of  Morgan  County, 
before  proceeding  to  business,  ordered  an  adjournment  of  the  court  to  the 
house  of  George  H.  Beeler,  in  the  town  of  Martinsville.  The  court  re- 
assembled at  1  o'clock,  P.  M.  Daniel  B.  Wick  and  James  Whitcomb 
were  admitted  to  practice  law  at  the  court.  The  Sheriff  returned  the 
following  list  of  Grand  Jurors  :  Jesse  Stark,  Conrad  Burns,  Benjamin 
Hoffman,  Jesse  Mulhollen,  Humphry  Harris,  Wilson  Taylor,  Thomas 
Lee,  Joshua  Taylor,  John  Caldwell,  Solomon  Tucker,- James  Donnard, 
George  Crutchfield,  Eli  Hadley,  James  Shields,  William  Hadley,  Samuel 
Scott,  Sr.,  Thomas  Reed  and  Isaiah  Dressier.  Stark,  Mulhollen,  Wilson 
Taylor,  Caldwell,  Donnard  and  Crutchfield  were  not  present.  Samuel 
Scott,  Jr.,  and  Richard  Day  were  added  to  those  present,  and  the  Grand 
Jury  thus  constituted  were  sworn  and  directed  to  retire  under  the  charge 
of  Abraham   Keedy,  Bailiff.     The  first  case  at  this  session  was  William 


HISTORY  OF   MORGAN   COUNTY.  17 

Cooley  vs.  Jesse  Smith,  trespass  vi  et  armis.  The  plaintiff  was  given 
time  to  amend  his  declaration.  The  next  case  was  the  State  of  Indiana 
vs.  Edward  Applegate,  recognizance  to  keep  the  peace.  The  defendant's 
•attorneys  moved  to  quash  the  indictment,  but  after  a  spirited  discussion 
the  motion  was  overruled,  and  Mr.  Applegate  was  ordered  to  enter  into 
bonds  at  $100  to  keep  the  peace  toward  Gideon  Wells.  The  next  case 
was  of  the  same  nature,  but  William  Pumroy  was  discharged  from  enter- 
ing into  bonds  to  keep  the  peace  toward  Brice  Witcher,  whose  fears  were 
declared  to  be  groundless.  Ten  cases  came  before  the  court  at  this  session,  of 
the  following  character,  in  the  order  named  :  Assault  and  battery,  recog- 
nizance to  keep  the  peace,  same,  chancery,  same,  assault  and  battery,  pe- 
tition for  divorce  (Rachel  Morrison  vs.  Thomas  Morrison),  covenant 
and  assault  and  battery.  Each  Grand  Juror  was  ordered  paid  75  cents 
per  day,  and  the  bailiff  the  same.  Christopher  Ladd  was  granted  a 
license  to  keep  tavern  at  Port  Royal.  John  Tiffany  produced  his  commis- 
sion as  Coronor  of  the  county,  and  Thomas  L.  Galpin,  his  as  Sheriff. 
The  Grand  Jury  returned  the  following  "  True  Bills  :  "  Against  James 
Stotts,  Sr.,  for  assault  and  battery ;  against  John  L.  Johnston  and  Joel 
Stroud  for  affray ;  against  Larkin  Johnson  and  Michael  Dittemore  for 
affray,  and  against  George  W.  Preston  for  retailing  liquor  without  a 
license.     The  court  then  adjourned. 

THE    THIRD     CIRCUIT    COURT. 

This  was  begun  at  the  court  house  in  Martinsville,  on  the  1st  day  of 
April,  1823,  before  Judge  Wick,  and  John  Gray  and  Jacob  Cutler,  Asso- 
ciate Judges.  Cephus  D.  Morris,  Harvey  Gregg,  John  Adams,  Brecken- 
ridge  Smith,  Bethuel  F.  Morris,  Elkin  Nayler  and  Isaac  Nayler  were  ad- 
mitted to  practice  law  before  the  court.  Thirty  cases  came  before  the 
court  at  this  session,  the  greater  number  being  for  assault  and  battery. 
The  Grand  Jury  returned  eight  "  True  Bills."  The  first  Petit  Jury  were 
summoned  at  this  session  to  try  the  case  of  the  State  vs.  G.  W.  Pres- 
ton, for  retailing  liquor  without  a  license.  These  men  were  Abner  Cox, 
James  Linn,  Isaac  D.  Koffman,  William  Gregory,  Henry  Pence,  Joseph 
Aulton,  James  Hadley,  Thomas  Reed,  Jesse  Rooker,  Larkin  Reynolds, 
Humphrey  Harris  and  William  Townsend.  The  defendant  was  found 
guilty,  and  damages  were  fixed  at  $2  and  costs  of  suits.  The  plaintiff 
moved  an  arrest  or  stay  of  judgment  on  such  a  verdict,  which  was 
granted,  and  he  was  discharged.  John  Stipp  was  appointed  to  fill  a  va- 
cancy in  the  Board  of  Commissioners.  Joshua  Taylor  was  granted  a  li- 
cense to  keep  tavern.  J.  A.  Breckenridge  was  appointed  Prosecuting 
Attorney,  vice  Fletcher,  who  was  unwell.  John  Sims  was  granted  a 
license  to  keep  tavern  in  Martinsville. 

SUBSEQUENT    CIRCUIT    COURT    ITEMS. 

The  October  session,  1823,  was  held  at  the  house  of  G.  H.  Beeler. 
Judges  Wick,  Gray  and  Cutler  were  present.  Edgar  A.  Wilson  and 
Daniel  Goodwin  were  admitted  to  the  bar,  and  Christopher  Ladd  was 
licensed  to  keep  tavern  at  Port  Royal.  In  March,  1824,  the  court  con- 
vened   at    the    court   house.    Gabriel  J.    Johnson    and    Hiram    Brown 


18  HISTORY    OF   MORGAN   COUNTY. 

were  admitted  to  the  bar.  In  1823,  Edgar  A.  Wilson  was  admitted, 
also  Daniel  Goodwin  ;  Hiram  Burris  in  1824;  T.  F.  G.  Adams, 
Michael  G.  Bright  and  Philip  Sweetzer,  1824 ;  James  Braman,  Andrew 
C.  Griffith,  W.  W.  Wick  and  Hiram  Brown  and  Henry  Hurst  in  1825; 
Henry  P.  Coburn,  James  Forsee,  Benjamin  Bull  and  William  Herrod  in 
1826  ;  James  Morrison  in  1829  ;  Tilman  A.  Howard  in  1831 ;  G.  F. 
Waterman  and  W.  0.  Ross,  1832;  Ovid  Butler,  1835;  John  Hutchen 
and  Mason  Hulett  in  1837  ;  Harvey  Brown,  1838 ;  Henry  Seacrest  and 
Algernon  S.  Briggs,  1839. 

THE    FIRST    PROBATE    COURT. 

The  first  session  of  this  court  was  begun  at  the  house  of  George  A. 
Preston  on  the  2d  of  May,  1822,  before  Jacob  Cutler  and  John  Gray, 
Associate  Judges  of  the  Circuit  Court,  who  proceeded  to  appoint  Jonathan 
Watkins  as  County  Commissioner  to  fill  the  vacancy  occasioned  by  the 
resignation  of  Larkin  Reynolds.  No  other  business  was  transacted  at  this 
session. 

At  the  September  session,  1822,  before  the  same  Judges,  the  first  bus- 
iness was  the  issuance  of  a  citation  against  Edward  Applegate,  guardian 
of  the  infant  heirs  of  Isaac  HoUingsworth,  deceased,  commanding  him  to 
appear  on  a  certain  day  to  exhibit  a  true  inventory  of  all  the  "goods  and 
chattels,  lands  and  tenements  "  of  the  deceased.  Nancy  Smith  and  John 
Reed  were  summoned  as  witnesses.  This  court  was  held  at  the  house  of 
Jacob  Cutler.  Nothing  else  was  done  until  the  30th  of  September,  when 
Mr.  Applegate  appeared  and  presented  the  following  inventory  of  the 
goods,  etc.,  of  HoUingsworth,  deceased  : 

"  Four  promissory  notes,  aggregating  $132.75  ;  four  head  of  horses, 
eight  head  of  milk  cows,  two  head  of  steers,  one  heifer,  four  yearlings, 
five  calves,  feathers  for  two  beds,  three  coverlids,  five  bed  quilts,  two 
sheets,  nine  delf  plates,  pewter  plates,  dishes  and  spoons,  one  earthern 
pitcher,  one  tin  coffee  pot,  tea  cups  and  saucers,  one  shovel-plow  and  two 
hoes,  a  number  of  hogs,  two  metal  pots,  one  drawer  knife,  one  pigon  and 
churn,  one  small  wheel,  two  weaving  slays,  two  bells,  two  empty  barrels, 
one  rifled  gun,  one  dutch  oven,  two  chairs,  one  man's  saddle,  seventy- 
eight  acres  of  land,  one  sieve,  money  on  hand,  $7,  money  collected  from 
James  Stills,  §11.25 ;  property  sold  to  wit :  100  pounds  of  pork,  663 
pounds  of  pork,  one  hog  sold,  two  sows  and  pigs ;  property  in  Kentucky 
as  follows :  One  milk  cow,  one  wagon  and  gears,  one  bed  and  bedding, 
five  counter-panes,  three  pillows,  three  sheets,  one  trunk,  one  pot,  one 
pigon,  one  ax,  one  tin  bucket,  two  pewter  plates,  one  pewter  basin,  one 
chair;  amounts  due  from  two  men,  §5.50." 

This  inventory  is  given  in  full  that  all  may  know  what  constituted  the 
real  and  personal  property  of  the  old  settlers.  Joshua  Taylor  was  ap- 
pointed administrator  of  Hollingsworth's  estate,  and  required  to  give  bond 
in  the  sum  of  §1,000  for  the  faithful  performance  of  his  duty.  Larkin 
Reynolds,  Pressley  Buckner  and  James  Lang  were  appointed  to  appraise 
the  estate.  Mr.  Applegate  was  to  support  the  heirs,  and  have  the  use  of 
the  estate.  This  session  was  held  at  the  house  of  G.  H.  Beeler  in  Mar- 
tinsville. 

In  March,  1823,  Thomas  L.  Galpin  and  Thomas  Sailors  were  granted 


HISTORY    OF   MORGAN   COUNTY.  19 

testamentary  letters  as  executors  of  the  estate  of  Jacob  Coss,  deceased. 
His  personal  estate  was  valued  at  |916.12^.  And  so  the  record  goes  on. 
Among  the  estates  settled  up  within  the  next  few  years  were  those  of 
Joseph  M.  Stotts,  William  Ballard,  Isaac  Overman,  Conrad  Burns,  John 
Paul,  Ira  Ashton,  Edward  Warren,  William  Beeson,  Elijah  Knight,  John 
Winter,  Thomas  Dickens,  Robert  Bradshaw,  Ezra  Wilcox,  Thomas 
Deakin,  Benjamin  Bucket,  James  P.  Vance  and  John  Douglass.  The 
first  Probate  Court  held  at  the  court  house  was  in  September,  1825. 
Probate  business  Avas  done  by  the  Associate  Judges  of  the  Circuit  Court 
until  1829,  at  which  time  the  first  Probate  Judge,  John  Matthews,  took 
charge  of  the  court.  In  1853,  the  affairs  of  probate  were  merged  into 
those  of  the  Common  Pleas  Court,  and  in  1873  into  the  Circuit  Court. 

THE     FIRST    COMMON    PLEAS    COURT. 

This  was  held  before  William  G.  Turick,  Judge,  beginning  on  the  8th 
of  April,  1853.  The  final  settlement  of  the  estate  of  John  Sims,  who  had 
died  in  1843,  and  whose  aff'airs  had  not  yet  been  wound  up,  was  the  first 
business  before  this  court.  One  amount  of  personal  property  was  so  great 
that  the  various  inventories  cover  forty  or  fifty  pages  of  the  court  records 
The  Common  Pleas,  which  included  probate  matters,  was  a  separate  court 
until  1873,  when  it  was  merged  into  the  Circuit  Court,  and  has  thus  re- 
mained until  the  present  (1883). 

COUNTY    COURT    HOUSES. 

The  first  courts  of  Morgan  County  convened  at  the  log  house  of  Jacob 
Cutler,  which  stood  about  one  block  north  of  the  northwest  corner  of  the 
public  square  in  Martinsville.  In  1823,  the  work  of  erecting  the  first 
court  house  was  begun,  and  in  the  autumn  of  1824,  the  building  was  so 
nearly  completed  that  courts  convened  there  for  the  first  time,  as  shown 
by  the  old  court  records.  The  building  was  a  two-storied  hewed-log 
house,  and  was  located  on  the  southwest  corner  of  the  present  public 
square.  The  upper  story  was  low,  but  little  better  than  half  a  story,  and 
contained  the  jury  rooms.  The  lower  story  was  the  court  room.  This 
room  was  also  the  first  meetinghouse,  schoolhouse,  lecture  room,  etc.,  of 
Martinsville.  The  building  was  about  25x35  feet  on  the  ground,  and 
was  compactly  built.  This  building  was  used  until  1833,  when  the  con- 
tract of  constructing  a  brick  court  house  on  the  square  was  let  to  Giles  B. 
Mitchell  for  about  |2,500.  Mr.  Mitchell  was  a  practical  brick-maker  and 
brick-layer,  and  completed  the  work  in  1834;  but  the  woodwork  was  not 
finished  until  about  two  years  later.  The  County  Board  was  compelled 
to  issue  "  orders  "  for  the  greater  portion  of  the  contract  price.  These 
orders  depreciated  considerably  in  value,  though  they  were  current  funds 
for  all  ordinary  expenses  in  the  county.  The  building  was  two-storied, 
and  was  about  35x40  feet  on  the  ground.  It  did  not  contain  the  county 
offices.  These  were  in  business  or  private  buildings  until  about  1843, 
when  small  offices  were  erected  on  the  square.  About  1855,  this  build- 
ing was  so  dilapidated  and  unsightly  that  a  new  court  house  began  to  be 
talked  of.  The  Gazette  of  March,  1856.  having  in  view  the  incorpora- 
tion of  Martinsville,  then  strongly  talked  of,  as  well  as  the  erection  of  a 
new  court  house,  remarked  as  follows :     "  The  old  court  house,  with  its 


20  HISTORY   OF   MORGAN  COUNTY. 

crumbling  foundation,  cracked  walls,  diseased  windows,  shattered  vane, 
drooping  spire  and  moss-covered  cupola,  looking,  as  Judge  Hughes  re- 
marked from  the  bench  at  the  last  Circuit  Court,  '  like  some  bombarded 
block-house,'  overlooks  one  vast  sea  of  conglomerated  water,  mud  and 
filth."  The  necessary  pressure  was  brought  to  bear  on  the  County  Board, 
and  in  March,  1857,  orders  were  issued  for  advertising  for  bids  to  erect 
either  a  combined  courthouse  and  jail,  or  each  to  be  built  separately,  the 
total  cost  not  to  exceed  $30,000.  The  contract  was  finally  awarded  to 
Perry  M.  Blankenship  at  about  that  price,  the  jail  and  court  house  to  be 
built  together.  County  bonds  were  ordered  sold  to  meet  the  expense. 
The  building  was  completed  in  1859,  at  a  cost  of  about  $32,000.  This 
is  the  present  court  house  and  jail.  The  court  room  is  above,  and  offices 
below ;  the  jail  is  in  the  northwest  corner  of  the  lower  story,  and  the 
belfry  is  on  the  southeast  corner.  The  hall  extends  through  the  building 
from  north  to  south.  The  contractor  evidently  did  his  work  well,  as  the 
structure  is  now  almost  or  quite  as  good  as  new.  On  the  31st  of  March, 
1876,  the  records  of  the  county  in  the  offices  of  the  Clerk  and  Auditor 
were  largely  consumed  by  fire,  supposed  to  have  been  done  by  some  ras- 
cally official,  to  conceal  the  evidences  of  his  defalcations  or  other  crimes. 
This  was  a  great  calamity,  and  cost  the  county  many  thousands  of  dollars 
to  copy  what  remained  of  the  half-consumed  records.  Had  the  old  rec- 
ords not  been  destroyed,  this  chapter  might  contain  many  items  of  inter- 
est which  it  now  wants. 

COUNTY   JAILS. 

The  first  jail  was  a  small  log  structure,  which  was  erected  on  the 
northeast  corner  of  the  square  in  1824.  It  was  built  of  heavy  timber, 
and  answered  the  purposes  of  the  county  until  1826,  when  it  was  de- 
stroyed by  fire.  Within  three  or  four  years,  a  brick  jail  was  built  about 
where  the  jailer's  house  now  is  on  the  square  by  Mr.  Sailors.  The  out- 
side of  the  structure  was  of  brick,  the  inside  of  heavy  logs,  and  between 
the  two  walls  were  about  eight  inches  of  broken  stone.  This  was  used 
about  ten  years,  when  a  much  stronger  log  jail  was  built  in  the  northeast- 
ern part  of  town.  This  was  used  until  the  erection  of  the  present  com- 
bined jail  and  court  house  in  1857-59. 

THE  COUNTY   SEMINARY. 

An  early  law  of  the  State  provided  that  certain  fines  and  penalties 
should  be  used  as  a  fund  to  found  and  maintain  a  seminary  of  learning  in 
each  county.  A  Trustee  was  appointed  in  Morgan  County  to  care  for 
the  fund  as  it  should  accumulate,  John  Mathis  being  the  first.  The  law 
provided  that  when  the  fund  amounted  to  $400,  the  County  Board  at 
their  option  could  build  a  seminary.  In  the  spring  of  1824,  the  fund 
amounted  to  over  ^'rO.  It  ran  up  rapidly  in  the  30's,  the  receipts  for 
the  fiscal  year  1835  being  $114.23  ;  for  1836,  $369  ;  and  for  1837,  $79. 
In  the  year  1838,  the  fund  amounted  to  over  $2,000,  and  about  that  time 
the  work  of  erecting  a  two-storied  brick  seminary  was  begun.  The  house 
was  a  fine  structure  for  that  day,  and  cost  in  the  whole  about  $2,000. 
The  first  teacher  was  David  Anderson,  who  taught  alone.  The  second 
teachers  were  Elijah  and  Hannah  Parks.    William  H.  H.  Terrell  is  said 


HISTORY   OF   MORGAN   COUNTY.  21 

to  have  been  an  early  teacher:  He  afterward  became  Adjutant  General 
of  the  State.  Rev.  Thomas  Conley  was  another,  as  was  a  man  named 
Bigham.  Excellent  schools  were  held  there,  quite  a  number  of  students 
coming  in  from  abroad,  paying  tuition,  and  boarding  with  residents  of  the 
town.  After  a  few  years,  the  institution  largely  lost  its  character  as  a 
county  seminary,  and  became  virtually  the  school  of  Martinsville.  Stu- 
dents from  distant  portions  of  the  county  ceased  to  attend,  and  the  insti- 
tution lost  the  influence  designed  by  the  founders.  While  the  schools 
therein  were  at  their  best,  the  various  expenses  were  paid  from  the  tuition 
charged  students  and  from  constant  accumulations  of  the  fund.  The  re- 
ceipts to  the  fund  in  1849  were  $410.93.  After  the  passage  of  the  com- 
mon school  law  in  1852,  provision  was  made  by  the  Legislature  that 
county  seminaries  should  be  sold,  and  the  proceeds  and  subsequent  col- 
lections of  the  fund  should  be  paid  into  the  common  school  fund.  The 
seminary  was  accordingly  advertised  for  sale,  and  finally,  in  1854,  trans- 
ferred to  Andrew  Finley  for  $1,100.  It  passed  through  several  hands, 
and  in  1856  went  to  Mr.  Sparks,  who  transformed  it  into  a  woolen  fac- 
tory. Mr.  Deturk  occupied  it  for  the  same  purpose  during  the  rebellion. 
It  was  torn  down  about  1864. 

THE    COUNTY   LIBRARY. 

An  early  law  provided  that  ten  per  centum  of  the  proceeds  of  the  sale 
of  county  lots  should  be  used  to  found  and  maintain  a  county  library. 
The  first  books  were  purchased  in  the  30's,  and  a  Treasurer  and  Libra- 
rian appointed.  Subsequent  collections  of  the  fund  as  fast  as  obtained 
were  invested  in  more  books.  About  500  volumes  were  finally  secured. 
The  project  was  gradually  abandoned.  Township  libraries  were  furnished 
by  the  State  in  the  50's.  An  aggregate  of  more  than  2,000  volumes  was 
secured.  The  McClure  bequest  also  furnished  the  county  with  a  library. 
Many  of  these  books  may  yet  be  seen  scattered  throughout  the  county. 
All  these  libraries  have  been  replaced  with  the  newspaper — the  most  po- 
tent "  book  "  in  ancient  or  modern  times. 


THE     COUNTY    PAUPERS. 

The  early  care  of  the  poor  was  more  or  less  defective,  but  began  soon 
after  the  county  was  organized.  It  was  customary  to  "  farm  out  the  pau- 
pers "  to  the  lowest  bidders  in  the  various  townships,  and  this  method  often 
resulted  in  placing  the  helpless  or  unfortunate  in  the  hands  of  animals  by 
nature  and  hypocrites  by  practice.  Sometimes  they  fell  into  Christian 
hands,  sometimes  into  barbarous  hands.  The  plan  of  "  farming  them 
out  "  continued  without  interruption  until  the  first  poor-farm  was  pur- 
chased on  the  22d  of  March,  1844.  The  farm  was  bought  of  Enoch 
Graham  for  $1,200,  and  comprised  120  acres  on  Sections  25,  26  and  36, 
Township  12  north.  Range  1  east.  On  this  farm  was  an  ordinary  dwell- 
ing, which  was  afterward  improved  and  enlarged,  as  were  the  stables  and 
■'storehouses.  New  buildings  were  also  erected.  A  Superintendent  was 
placed  in  charge  of  the  farm,  and  numbers  of  the  county  poor  were  re- 
moved there.  Many  continued  to  be  taken  care  of  in  the  townships,  and 
this  is  true  of  the  present  time.     A  doctor  was  employed  by  the  year  or 


22  HISTORY   OF   MORGAN   COUNTY. 

visit  to  prescribe  for  the  poor;  he  was  called  the  "  County  Physician." 
Nearly  all  the  regular  medical  practitioners  of  the  county  have  officiated 
in  that  capacity.  This  farm  continued  to  be  the  home  of  the  paupers 
until  1869,  when,  owing  to  its  smallness,  the  County  Board  ordered  it 
sold  and  a  new  one  purchased.  William  B.  Taylor  was  appointed  to  carry 
this  order  into  effect.  The  old  farm  was  sold  to  Michael  Hammons  in 
July,  1869,  for  §2,700.  The  new  farm  was  purchased  of  W.  B.  Taylor, 
N.  T.  Cunningham  and  Jacob  Adams,  and  comprised  about  120  acres, 
which  cost  about  $12,000.  The  new  brick  poor-house  was  completed  in 
1871,  and  cost  over  §30,000,  the  brick  and  stone  work  being  done  by 
J.  E.  and  P.  F.  Douglas.  This  building  is  a  credit  to  the  county.  The 
annual  poor  expense  of  the  county  is  now  about  §12,000.  Among  the 
later  Poor  Superintendents  have  been  G.  W.  Preston,  1867  (the  poor- 
house  had  twenty  inmates  then) ;  Sampson  C.  Voyles,  1868  (thirty-one 
inmates);  Charles  Day,  1870-75;  William  H.  Dryden.  1876-78;  J. 
W.  Duncan,  1879  ;  Sylvester  Jackson,  1880 ;  George  W.  Walker, 
18bl-83.  For  a  number  of  years  past,  the  orphan  poor  of  the  county 
have  been  sent  to  Plainfield  to  be  cared  for  and  educated.  The  care  of 
the  county  for  its  indigent  and  helpless  is  a  credit  to  the  humanity  of  the 
citizens.  But  few  counties  of  the  State  show  greater  interest  and  care  in 
this  respect. 

THE    FIRST    AGR,ICULTURAL   SOCIETY. 

On  the  20th  of  November,  1837,  pursuant  to  a  notice  from  the  Coun- 
ty Commissioners,  a  number  of  the  citizens  of  Washington  Township  met 
at  the  court  house  to  organize  an  agricultural  society,  in  accordance  with 
the  provisions  of  a  legislative  enactment  of  the  previous  winter.  W.  H. 
Craig  was  made  Chairman  of  the  meeting,  and  H.  R.  Stevens,  Secretary. 
John  Eckles  addressed  the  assemblage  and  stated  the  object  of  the  meet- 
ing. Much  enthusiasm  was  manifested,  and  the  following  persons  became 
stockholders  by  subscribing  their  names  to  the  constitution  and  by-laws, 
and  paying  to  the  Treasurer  §1  each  :  J.  W.  Bowzer,  Benjamin  Sweet, 
John  Eckles,  P.  M.  Blankenship,  James  H.  Sheppard,  P.  M.  Parks,  S. 
E.  Edwards,  Benjamin  Bull,  Thomas  F.  Huff.  Thomas  Edwards,  W.  F. 
Laughlin,  Francis  A.  Harryman,  William  Sheerer,  F.  A.  Matheny,  W. 
N.  Cunningham,  Thomas  Miles,  James  Cunningham,  Jonathan  Carr,  Eb 
Henderson,  Franklin  Corwin,  John  Sims,  W.  H.  Craig,  Philip  Ander- 
son, William  Lee,  Charles  B.  Butler,  Septimus  T.  Whiteman,  Hewett 
Nutter,  William  Walters,  William  Duncan  and  Hannibal  R.  Stevens. 
The  permanent  officers  were  John  Sims,  President ;  William  Sheerer, 
Vice  President;  H.  R.  Stevens,  Cor.  Sec;  T.  F.  Huff,  Ree.  Sec;  Ben- 
jamin Sweet,  Treasurer  ;  John  Eckles.  William  A.  Major,  Thomas  Miles, 
John  Butterfield,  Sampson  Canatry,  G.  W.  Baker,  John  Hardrick,  M. 
D.  Miller,  Ephraim  Goss,  William  Hadley,  Luke  Kennedy,  J.  H.  Wood- 
small,  Cyrus  Whetzell,  Abner  Cox  and  Grant  Stafford,  Curators.  No 
fair  was  held,  as  the  organization  soon  died. 

THE    SECOND    AGRICULTURAL    SOCIETY.  *" 

The  second  organization  of  this  character  was  effected  in  August, 
1851,  by  the  election  of  the  following  first  officers :  William  H.  Craig, 


HISTORY   OF   MORGAN  COUNTY.  23 

President;  William  G.  Quick,  Vice  President ;  James  Jackson,  Treas- 
urer ;  Larkin  Reynolds,  Secretary.  One  Director  was  appointed  in  each 
township.  The  first  fair  was  held  on  the  open  ground  northeast  of  Mar- 
tinsville (now  in  town),  on  the  25th  of  October,  1851.  The  following 
premiums  were  paid  :  Best  horse,  William  Cunningham,  $5 ;  second  best, 
William  Knox,  diploma ;  best  jack,  William  Cunningham,  $2  ;  second 
best,  William  Knox,  diploma ;  best  year  old  colt,  Ira  Hadley,  $2 
second  best,  William  Hughes,  diploma  ;  best  sucking  colt,  William  Knox 
$1.50 ;  second  best,  Henry  Sims,  diploma ;  best  brood  mare,  John  A 
Riggins,  $•■} ;  second  best,  Allen  Hicklen,  diploma  ;  best  bull,  Elijah  Pad 
dock,  |4 ;  second  best,  Grant  Stafford,  diploma ;  best  cow,  Elijah  Pad 
dock,  $2;  best  calf,  Elijah  Paddock,  $1;  second  best  calf,  Elijah  Pad 
dock,  diploma  ;  best  yoke  of  oxen,  James  C.  Henderson,  |2 ;  second  best 
James  C.  Henderson,  diploma  ;  best  boar,  James  Cunningham,  ^2 ;  sec 
ond  best,  W.  H.  Craig,  diploma  ;  best  bushel  of  wheat,  Joel  Mathews 
$1 ;  second  best,  Isaac  G.  Fletcher,  diploma ;  best  sixty  ears  of  corn^ 
George  W.  Egbert,  50  cents  ;  second  best,  Robert  B.  Major,  diploma 
best  saddle  and  bridle,  Thomas  Nutter,  $1 ;  best  five  yards  of  jeans,  James 
Stockwell,  $1 ;  best  eight  yards  of  flannel,  Isaac  G.  Fletcher,  $1 ;  best  peck 
of  onions,  Isaac  G.  Fletcher,  50  cents ;  best  bushel  of  Irish  potatoes, 
Absalom  Jarret,  50  cents ;  best  ten  pounds  of  cheese,  Amos  Lawrence, 
50  cents  ;  best  butter,  James  Stockwell,  50  cents.  The  Treasurer's  re- 
port on  the  27th  of  November,  1851,  was  as  follows: 

RECEIPTS. 

Received  by  subscription $74  00 

Received  from  county  treasury 50  00 


Total $124  00 

DISBURSEMENTS. 

Paid  for  Secretary's  books $  1  50 

Paid  on  account  of  premiums  35  75 


Total $37  25 

Balance  in  the  treasury $86  75 

The  membership  of  the  society  about  this  time  was  seventy-five,  con- 
siderable interest  being  manifested.  It  is  stated  that  about  the  time  this 
society  was  organized  another  started  up  in  the  vicinity  of  Monrovia. 
The  facts  cannot  be  given.  It  is  certain  that  four  or  five  years  later  there 
were  two  separate  agricultural  societies  in  the  county,  as  an  account  of 
their  consolidation  appeared  in  the  Gazette,  published  at  Martinsville. 
The  second  fair  was  held  at  Martinsville  in  the  southwest  portion  of  the 
town.  A  small  yard  had  been  fenced  in,  to  compel  the  curious  and  others 
to  pay  each  a  fee  of  10  cents  to  see  the  exhibits.  It  is  stated  by  Mr. 
Ray  that  several  citizens  presumed  that  they  could  pass  in  without  pay- 
ing, and  when  they  were  refused  admission  unless  the  necessary  10  cents 
was  forthcoming,  they  went  off  in  high  dudgeon.  The  premiums  paid 
amounted  to  $128.90.  James  Prather  exhibited  a  small  but  fine  selection 
of  fruit.  A.  B.  Conduitt  delivered  an  address  of  about  an  hour  in  length, 
which  was  published  in  full  in  the  "  State  Agricultural  Reports."  On 
the  second  and  last  day  of  the  fair,  the  rain  fell  so  incessantly  that  not  a 
lady  appeared  on  the  grounds.     An  excellent  showing  of  live  stock,  grain 


24  HISTORY  OF   MORGAN   COUNTY. 

and  vegetables  was  made.  It  is  believed  that  the  third  or  fourth  fair  was 
held  at  Centerton,  though  this  is  uncertain.  In  1855,  it  was  held  at  Mar- 
tinsville, the  premiums  paid  amounting  to  $185.  Each  season  the 
County  Board  contributed  from  $50  to  $200  toward  paying  the  expenses 
and  fitting  up  the  ground.  The  officers  at  this  time  were  Giles  B.  Mitch- 
ell, President ;  Aaron  Rose,  Vice  President ;  Henry  Sims,  Treasurer ; 
0.  J.  Glessner,  Secretary  ;  W.  H.  Craig,  Uriah  Ballard,  W.  J.  Brag, 
W.  G.  Gray,  Jackson  Record,  Nathan  Gilbert,  John  B.  Cox,  James  Eg- 
bert, Cyrus  Whetzel,  Amos  Lawrence,  John  C.  Baker,  Campbell  Goss 
and  James  Ainkle,  Directors.  No  fair  was  held  in  1856,  owing  to  the 
political  excitement.  In  1857,  a  large,  well-attended  fair  was  held  at 
Centerton.  And  so  they  continued  with  increasing  prosperity  in  every 
branch.  Occasionally  a  year  would  pass  with  no  fair,  as  during  one  or 
more  years  of  the  rebellion.  Sometimes  the  society  came  out  in  debt  at 
the  end  of  the  year.  Some  townships  of  the  county  took  no  interest 
whatever  in  the  success  of  the  organization.  Considerable  jealousy  has 
existed  between  Martinsville  and  vicinity  and  Mooresville  and  vicinity, 
which  has  resulted  in  the  formation  of  two  distinct  agricultural  organiza- 
tions in  the  county.  The  one  at  Mooresville  has  led  a  precarious  exist- 
ence. One  was  organized  there  in  1870,  with  a  membership  of  165,  and 
a  capital  stock  of  $2,180,  Fifteen  acres  of  land  were  leased  for  ten  years, 
of  Samuel  Moon,  on  Section  36,  Township  14,  Range  1  east.  It  was 
designed  as  a  union  organization  with  the  southern  part  of  Hendricks 
County.  Some  excellent  fairs  have  been  held  there.  Utter  failures  have 
also  occurred.  The  society  at  Martinsville  in  1879  bought  of  Morgan 
County,  for  $1,536.75,  twenty  acres  and  forty-nine  hundredths  of  an  acre, 
which  had  formerly  belonged  to  the  poor  farm,  and  fitted  up  this  ground 
for  fairs,  the  first  being  held  there  in  1880.  The  grounds  compare  favor- 
ably with  those  of  other  counties  of  the  State  in  buildings,  fencing,  sheds, 
track,  water  and  accommodations.  At  the  fair  of  1882,  about  500  pre- 
miums were  paid,  aggregating  about  $3,000.  The  present  oflScers  are  L. 
Sims,  President ;  John  Nutter  and  L.  Guthridge,  Vice  Presidents  ;  S. 
M.  Guthridge,  Treasurer ;  H.  A.  Smock,  Secretary  ;  A.  M.  Thornburg, 
Assistant  Secretary;  W.  G.  Bain,  Superintendent;  R.  H.  Tarleton,  R. 
S.  Aldrich,  John  Kirkham,  H.  R.  Stevens,  N.  T.  Cunningham,  Harvey 
Gillaspy,  N.  Henley,  Thomas  H.  Dixon,  Henry  C.  Hodges  and  Merwin 
Rowe,  Directors. 

COUNTY  MEDICAL  SOCIETIES. 

During  the  summer  of  1855,  there  was  organized  at  Martinsville  the 
"Morgan  County  Medical  and  Surgical  Society."  None  but  physicians 
of  the  Allopathic  school  could  become  members,  and  the  society  was  a 
branch  of  the  State  Medical  Society,  and  subject  to  about  the  same  code 
of  ethics.  Among  the  members  were  S.  A.  Tilford,  R.  H.  Tarleton,  B. 
D.  Blackstone,  S.  H.  Schofield,  W.  W.  Hoyt,  A.  W.  Reagan,  G.  B. 
Mitchell,  W.  A.  Todd,  W.  C.  Hendricks,  J.  J.  Johnston,  Dr.  Patterson, 
Dr.  Spencer,  Dr.  Keiper  and  others.  A  Board  of  Censors  was  appointed, 
and  much  interest  was  manifested  in  the  discussion  of  topics  of  interest  to 
the  profession.  The  society  gradually  went  down,  and  within  a  few 
years  meetings  were  wholly  abandoned. 


HISTORY   OF  ♦morgan  COUNTY.  25 

Pursuant  to  call,  a  number  of  the  physicians  of  the  county  seat  and 
other  points  in  the  county,  met  at  Martinsville  on  the  25th  of  April, 
1876,  to  organize  a  new  medical  society.  Dr.  Knight,  of  Paragon,  was 
made  Chairman  and  Dr.  Douglas,  Secretary.  A  committee  of  three  was 
appointed  to  draft  articles  of  association,  and  another  committee  of  four 
was  appointed  to  prepare  a  constitution  and  by-laws.  Dr.  J.  H.  Knight 
was  elected  permanent  President;  F.  M.  Douglas,  Secretary,  and  E.  V. 
Green,  Treasurer.  The  following  physicians  have  been  members  of  this 
society  :  P.  H.  Perce,  F.  M.  Douglas,  E.  P.  Ritchey,  R.  C.  Griffith,  J. 
H.  Knight,  W.  D.  Monnett,  W.  S.  Robertson,  P.  McNab,  A.  W.  Rea- 
gan, G.  B.  Mitchell,  E.  V.  Green,  Jesse  Regan,  C.  M.  Lindley,  J.  P. 
Buckuer,  U.  H.  Farr,  S.  N.  Rundell,  S.  A.  Tilford,  T.  Holliday,  R.  D. 
Willan,  James  E.  Clark,  C.  C.  Holman,  W.  R.  Curer,  Charles  Seaton, 
John  M.  Snoddy,  T.  Stucky,  W.  E.  Hendricks,  W.  P.  Van  Sant,  J.  C. 
Marker  and  Grant  Monical.  The  object  of  the  society  as  stated  in  the 
constitution  is  "  the  advancement  of  medical  knowledge,  the  elevation  of 
professional  character,  the  protection  of  the  interests  of  its  members,  the 
extension  of  the  bounds  of  medical  science,  and  the  promotion  of  all  meas- 
ures adapted  to  the  relief  of  the  suffering,  and  to  improve  the  health  and 
protect  the  lives  of  the  community."  "Any  graduate  in  medicine  of  a 
respectable  medical  school,  who  is  in  good  moral  and  professional  stand- 
ing, upon  signing  the  constitution  and  paying  $3  to  the  Treasurer,"  may 
become  a  member  of  the  society  by  a  vote  of  the  members.  Further  than 
that,  any  person  upon  the  payment  of  $5  to  the  Treasurer,  and  the  pres- 
entation of  a  certificate  of  qualification  to  practice  medicine,  from  the 
Board  of  Censors  of  the  society,  may  become  a  member  by  vote  of  the 
members.  The  code  of  ethics  of  the  American  Medical  Society  was 
adopted.  The  records  of  the  society  show  great  interest  on  the  part  of 
the  members.  Essays  on  important  medical  subjects  are  read,  and  pro- 
tracted discussions  are  had  on  the  location,  character  and  treatment  of 
disease.  The  society  is  a  credit  to  the  medical  profession  of  the  county, 
though  many  of  the  most  successful  practitioners  are  not  members. 

Dr.  Kennedy,  of  the  county  seat,  an  eclectic  physician  of  great 
prominence  and  skill,  is  one  of  the  most  successful  practitioners  of  Mor- 
gan County.  He  is  about  the  only  representative  of  that  excellent  school 
of  medicine.  Homeopathy,  which  has  made  such  wonderful  strides  in 
success  and  popularity  during  the  last  few  years,  has,  at  present,  no  rep- 
resentative. 

MORGAN  COUNTY  POLITICS. 

Unfortunately,  owing  to  the  destruction  by  fire  a  few  years  ago  of 
the  tally  sheets  in  the  Clerk's  office  at  the  county  seat,  the  results  of  the 
early  elections  in  Morgan  County  cannot  be  given.  Old  settlers  state 
that  the  county  was  Democratic  by  a  small  majority,  when  the  full  vot- 
ing strength  was  out,  though  on  "off years,"  when  the  opposing  candi- 
date was  a  man  of  unusual  prominence  and  worth,  he  often  managed  to 
wrest  the  spoils  of  office  from  his  less  fortunate  antagonist.  The  county 
was  organized  in  1822,  but  politics  cut  no  figure  until  the  remarkable 
Presidential  contest  between  Jackson,  Adams,  Clay  and  Crawford  in  the 
autumn  of  1824.  The  administration  of  Mr.  Monroe  had  been  so 
pacific  and  conciliatory  that  former  partisan  lines  had  been  almost  wholly 


26 


HISTORY   OF   MORGAN  COUNTY. 


obliterated,  and  an  "era  of  good  feeling"  had  apparently  been  estab- 
lished. When  the  election  of  1824  was  transferred  to  the  House  of  Rep- 
resentatives, and  it  became  known  that  the  popular  voice  had  been  dis- 
regarded by  the  choice  of  John  Quincy  Adams,  party  lines  were  again 
strictly  drawn,  and  the  first  decided  political  division  in  Morgan  County 
was  experienced.  The  election  of  1828  made  satisfactory  amends  by  seat- 
ing in  the  Presidential  chair,  Andrew  Jackson,  one  of  the  most  popular 
Presidents  the  nation  has  had  since  Washington.  So  much  was  he  ad- 
mired for  the  peculiar  elements  of  his  character,  that  he  was  re-elected  in 
1832.  So  firm  a  hold  did  he  secure  upon  the  popular  heart,  that  citi- 
zens throughout  the  county,  during  all  the  years  from  his  administration 
until  the  present,  have  proudly  and  publicly  announced  themselves  as 
"Jackson  Democrats."  The  election  of  1836  resulted  in  the  selection 
of  Martin  Van  Buren,  whose  administration  was  compelled  to  shoulder 
in  1837  one  of  the  most  disastrous  financial  crashes  the  country  has  ever 
encountered.  Speculation  had  run  riot.  The  wildest  visions  of  finan- 
cial enterprise  had  taken  possession  of  every  breast.  Everybody  plunged 
recklessly  into  debt  under  the  insane  delusion  that  final  settlement  would 
be  the  careless  pleasure  of  some  future  day.  Jackson  received  the  honors 
of  the  speculative  madness ;  Van  Buren  reaped  the  harvest  of  tares  and 
cheat.  When  values,  without  warning,  fell  prostrate  to  the  basis  of  act- 
ual worth,  the  failures  everywhere  were  appalling  in  numbers  and  mag- 
nitude.    Time  alone  soothed  the  desolate  sea. 

The  contest  of  1840  was  in  many  respects  remarkable.  It  was  the 
first  time  the  "  Great  West"  had  come  forward  with  a  candidate.  The 
cultured  States  of  the  East  ridiculed  the  pretentions  of  the  friends  of 
Mr.  Harrison  by  scornful  allusions  to  the  log  cabins  and  the  hard  cider 
of  Indiana  and  the  Northwest.  The  suggestions  were  caught  up  with  a 
shout  by  the  friends  of  the  Whig  candidate,  and  in  their  thousands  of 
public  gatherings  hard  cider  and  log  cabins  and  canoes  were  the  most 
popular  and  prominent  features.  Mr.  Harrison  was  elected,  and  the 
Whigs  were  in  ecstasies. 

The  contest  of  1844  was  really  upon  the  question  of  the  admission 
of  Texas  into  the  Union.  The  Whigs  opposed  the  admission,  to  prevent 
an  increase  of  slave  territory,  and  the  Democrats  favored  it  for  the  oppo- 
site reason.  The  election  of  Mr.  Polk  was  a  triumph  of  the  Democrats, 
and  insured  the  admission  of  Texas.  The  partial  returns  given  below 
of  this  election  in  Morgan  County  were  gathered  from  the  half-con- 
sumed records  stored  in  boxes  in  the  hall  of  the  court  house  : 

November,  1844. 


DEMOCRAT 

Polk  and 
Dallas. 

WHIG 

Clay  and 

Frelinghuy- 

sen. 

LIBERTY 

Birney  and 
Morris. 

44 

54 

106 

56 

3 

37 
252 

8 

Harrison                                                              

Brown        . .       .       .       .           .    .            

7 

Total         

260 

300 

-J 

HISTORY   OF   MORGAN   COUNTY.  27 

This  exhibit  does  not  properly  represent  the  result  of  the  election  in 
Morgan  County  if  the  statements  of  old  settlers  are  to  be  relied  upon. 
The  election  of  Mr.  Polk  upon  the  issue  above  stated  was  taken  by  Mex- 
ico as  a  settlement  of  the  question  that  Texas  would  be  admitted  into  the 
Union.  Mexico  had  threatened  war  wrth  the  United  States  in  the  event 
of  the  annexation  of  Texas,  and  accordingly,  when  the  latter  was  formally 
admitted  to  the  sisterhood  of  States  early  in  1845,  war  was  declared.  A 
full  company  was  raised  in  Morgan  County  for  this  war,  reference  to 
which  will  be  found  in  the  military  history  of  the  county  elsewhere  in 
this  volume.  In  the  meantime,  a  few  Abolitionists  had  appeared  in  the 
county,  the  most  of  whom  were  Quakers.  They  invariably  polled  their 
votes  for  the  Liberty  or  Free-Soil  candidates. 

In  1846,  David  Wilmot,  of  Pennsylvania,  introduced  in  Congress  a 
bill  called  the  "  Wilmot  Proviso,"  which  stipulated  that  slavery  should 
be  excluded  from  all  territory  thereafter  annexed  to  the  United 
States.  This  bill  encountered  the  fiercest  opposition  from  the  Southern 
Members  of  Congress,  and  was  finally  defeated,  though  it  formed  an  im- 
portant issue  in  the  Presidential  campaign  of  1848,  and  was  no  doubt 
one  of  the  contributing  causes  for  the  formation  of  the  Republican  party 
a  few  years  later.  The  "  Compromise  of  1850,"  introduced  in  Congress 
by  Henry  Clay,  became  a  law,  and  was  regarded  as  a  wise  measure  by 
both  parties,  though  the  old  issues  were  quietly  kept  in  mind  during  the 
campaign  of  1852.  The  Democrats  seated  Mr.  Pierce,  and  Gen.  Scott, 
the  Whig  candidate,  fresh  with  the  laurels  of  victory  from  the  battle-field, 
was  permanently  retired. 

In  1854,  the  adoption  of  the  Kansas-Nebraska  bill,  introduced  in 
Congress  by  Senator  Douglas,  virtually  repealed  the  compromises  of  1820 
and  1850,  and  kindled  a  flame  of  indignation,  unknown  before  in  the 
history  of  the  nation.  The  bill  provided,  among  other  things,  that  the 
citizens  of  the  new  States,  Kansas  and  Nebraska,  should  decide  at  the 
polls  whether  slavery  should  be  adopted  or  rejected.  Open  war  in  Kan- 
sas was  the  result.  Mass  meetings  were  held  throughout  the  North  to 
denounce  the  bill  and  adopt  personal  liberty  bills.  The  Morgan  County 
Grazette,  edited  by  Edwin  W.  Callis,  in  1855  espoused  the  cause  of  the 
new  Republican  party,  and  did  more  than  any  other  cause  to  transfer  the 
administration  of  county  affairs  to  the  new  party.  The  editorials  were  a 
credit  to  the  heart  and  brain  of  Mr.  Callis,  and  to  the  party  whose  prin- 
ciples he  so  ably  and  bravely  advocated.  The  Democratic  majority  in 
the  county  had  begun  to  decrease  about  1852.  In  1855,  it  was  less  than 
100,  and  in  October,  1856,  0.  P.  Morton,  the  Republican  candidate  for 
Governor,  received  a  majority  of  eight  votes  over  A.  P.  Willard,  the 
Democratic  candidate.  This,  so  far  as  known,  was  the  first  time  the 
Democracy  had  failed  to  carry  the  county.  Both  parties  in  the  county 
fought  with  all  their  strength  over  the  November  election,  with  the  fol- 
lowing result : 


28 


HISTORY   OF   MORGAN   COUNTY. 
November,  1856. 


TOWNSHIPS. 


REPUBLICAN 

Fremont  and 
Dayton. 


DEMOCEAT 

Buchanan 

and  Breck- 

enridge. 


AMERICAN 

Filmore  and 
Donelson. 


Washington 
Jackson  — 

Green 

Harrison  — 
Madison  . . . 

Clay 

Brown 

Monroe .... 

Adams 

Gregg 

Jefferson  . . 

Ray 

Baker 

Total. . 


200 

74 

27 

33 

46 

187 

207 

330 

127 

113 


46 


307 
194 
2?4 

58 
123 

61 
100 

37 
165 

45 

61 
120 


1,570 


1,528 


This  was  really  the  first  decisive  victory  for  the  Whigs.  But  the  ex- 
citement over  the  questions  growing  out  of  slavery  did  not  die  out  with 
this  election.  In  1858,  the  Supreme  Court  of  the  United  States  decided 
in  the  Dred  Scott  case  that  slavery  was  a  national  institution,  and  could 
not  under  the  constitution  be  excluded  from  any  State.  This  was  fol- 
lowed by  renewed  excitement.  About  this  time,  John  Brown,  an  extreme 
anti-slavery  partisan,  incited  an  insurrection  of  the  slaves  at  Harper's 
Ferry  in  Virginia,  which  resulted  in  the  hanging  of  himself  and  several 
of  his  followers.  The  South  soon  saw  that  the  rapid  settlement  of  the 
North  and  the  devolopment  there  of  an  uncompromising  hostility  to  slav- 
ery, would  result  in  the  selection  of  an  anti-slavery  Republican  President 
in  1860.  They  therefore  declared  that  the  election  of  such  a  man  would 
be  regarded  as  a  sufficient  menace  to  the  institution  of  slavery  to  warrant 
a  withdrawal  from  the  Union.  The  citizens  of  Morgan  County  were  awake 
on  all  the  exciting  issues  of  the  day.  After  the  election  of  1856,  the 
county  went  back  to  the  Democrats,  but  only  by  a  feeble  majority,  which 
was  decreased  in  1858  and  still  more  so  in  1859.  The  contest  in  1860  was 
of  the  most  exciting  character.  Both,  or  all,  parties  in  the  county 
thoroughly  organized,  and  mass  meetings  were  held  everywhere  with 
music,  vocal  and  instrumental,  and  torch-light  processions  in  bright  uni- 
forms.    The  result  was  as  follows  : 


HISTORY   OF  MORGAN   COUNTY. 
NovEjrBER,  1860. 


29 


TOWNSHIPS. 

REPUB- 
LICAN. 

Lincoln 

and 
Hamlin. 

NORTH- 
ERN DE- 
MOCRACY. 

Douglas 

and 
Johnson. 

SOUTH- 
ERN DE- 
MOCRACY. 

Brecken- 

ridge  and 

Lane. 

UNION. 

Bell  and 
Everett. 

TOTAL. 

284 

150 
81 
67 
42 

314 
85 

196 

147 
39 

158 
47 

145 

271 

128 
72 

117 
56 
44 

198 

111 
90 

209 
45 
30 

145 

13 

1 
2 

2 

5 

1 
1 
1 

;573 
280 
156 

187 
98 

JeflEerson        .              • .         

Madison   

Harrison 

Monroe  .... 

1 
4 
5 

"'2" 

359 
287 
314 
237 
273 
210 
78 
296 

Jackson      .          

Clav 

Green             .     . .           .    .       

25 

7 
1 
1 

""5"" 

Gress  

Baker 

Rav 

Total 

1755 

1516 

62 

15 

3348 

Majority 

163 

The  Republican  majority  continued  to  increase  after  this  election. 
The  issue  of  1864  was  whether  the  war  should  be  continued  or  abandoned. 
Great  concern  was  manifested  over  the  result.  The  returns  in  Morgan 
County  were  as  follows  :  Lincoln  and  Johnson,  1,793  votes  ;  McClellan 
and  Pendleton,  1,283  votes,  giving  the  Republicans  a  majority  of  510. 
The  vote  by  townships  cannot  be  given.  The  Republicans  were  over- 
joyed, and  the  Democrats  were  correspondingly  depressed.  The  result 
of  the  election  of  1868  was  as  follows  : 

November,  1868. 


TOWNSHIPS. 


REPUB- 
LICAN. 

Grant  and 
Colfax 


Washington... 

Jackson 

Green 

Harrison 

Madison 

Brown 

Monroe 

Adams 

Clay 

Gregg  

Ashland 

Jefferson 

Ray 

Baker 

Total . . . 

Majority 


372 

182 
47 
46 
60 


125 
214 
159 

70 
139 

75 
42 


2047 


587 


DEMO- 
CRAT. 

Seymour 
and  Blair. 


172 

234 

33 

159 


116 
55 
46 

109 
75 
53 
34 


1460 


624 
354 
281 

79 
219 
329 
300 
241 
269 
205 
179 
214 
128 

76 


3507 


30 


HISTORY   OF   MORGAN   COUNTY. 


Great  opposition  had  been  brought  to  bear  upon  the  administration  of 
Gen.  Grant.  He  was  severely  criticised  by  the  opposing  party  in  the 
various  departments,  especially  in  his  financial  management  of  the  country 
and  in  the  civil  service.  Many  Republicans  were  dissatisfied  with  his 
management  of  the  finances,  and  attributed  the  hard  times  to  his  adminis- 
tration. The  result  was  that  many  Republicans  and  Democrats  united 
to  defeat  his  re-election  in  1872.  The  following  is  the  result  in  this 
county  : 

November,  1872. 


TOWNSHIPS. 

REPUB- 
LICAN. 

Grant  and 
Wilson. 

LIBERAL 
REPUB- 
LICAN OR 
DEMO- 
CRAT. 

Greeley 

and 
Brown. 

W^asWnarton                • 

398 

189 

37 

38 

49 

244 

207 

290 

114 

156 

112 

142 

42 

82 

349 

180 

196 

Harrison                       ....             

43 

Madison             .            

146 

129 

Clay 

82 

Monroe                                   

41 

Adams       

135 

42 

Ray 

70 

Jefferson           .                 .    .              .       

63 

Baker      

34 

Ashland 

123 

Total                   .       .              

2100 

1633 

Majority 

467 

Seventeen  votes  were  cast  in  the  county  for  the  Bourbon  Democratic 
ticket — O'Connor  and  Julian.  From  this  vote  it  will  be  seen  that  the 
Republican  majority  had  begun  to  decline.  This  was  encouraging  to  the 
Democracy.  Soon  after  this,  the  Greenback  or  Independent  party 
sprang  into  life.  Its  origin  was  mainly  due  to  the  hard  times  resulting 
from  the  depreciation  of  values  in  endeavoring  to  return  to  a  specie  basis, 
and  to  strong  opposition  to  national  banks,  and  to  the  refunding  of  the 
Government  bonded  debt.  The  old  parties  were  divided  by  about  the 
same  old  issues.     The  result  in  the  county  was  as  follows  : 


HISTORY   OF   MORGAN   COUNTY. 
November,  1876. 


31 


TOWNSHIPS. 

REPUB- 
LICAN. 

Hayes 

and 

Wheeler. 

DEMO- 
CRAT. 

Tilden 

and 

Hendricks 

GREEN- 
BACK. 

Cooper 
and 
Cary. 

421 

194 

28 

40 

55 

182 

276 

321 

126 

144 

111 

139 

45 

85 

386 
210 
218 

43 
144 
111 
141 

45 
150 

91 
109 

71 

45 
180 

4S 

Jackson                         

5 

31 

10 

Madison                                    

10 

Clay                                

7 

4 

6 

Adams                                   

6 

Gresrc'               .       

9 

4 

Ray 

2 

Baker                           

4 

Total                            

2167 

1889 

146 

Majority 

278 

This  was  a  still  greater  reduction  of  the  Republican  majority.  The 
Republican  candidates  were  seated  by  an  electoral  commission ;  and  the 
successful  financial  management  in  returning  to  a  specie  basis  and  the 
general  prosperity  of  the  country  were  the  causes  which  elected  the  Re- 
publican candidates  in  1880.  The  Greenback  party  had  become  quite 
strong.  The  attack  upon  the  national  banks  and  upon  Government  bonds 
was  continued,  and  a  reform  was  demanded  in  the  civil  service.  The 
election  resulted  as  follows  : 


November,  1880. 

TOWNSHIPS. 

REPUB- 
LICAN. 

Garfield. 

and 
Arthur. 

DEMO- 
CRAT.    • 

Hancock 

and 
English. 

GREEN- 
BACK. 

Weaver 

and 

Chambers. 

181 

90 

48 
275 
208 

34  ^ 
154 

62 
217 
130 

51 
346 
189 
506 

157 

150 

50 

153 

117 

217 

89 

46 

216 

107 

147 

45 

88 

469 

5 

Ashland 

1 

Baker                                                   .          

2 

Brown     .              .       .       ....       

6 

Clav 

18 

29 

GrTP.SrS'   .                                                                  .            .            

11 

Harrison 

6 

8 

Jefferson                                        .                         .... 

2 

Madison 

6 

2 

Ray                                                                          .... 

2 

Washington 

35 

Total 

2891 

2046 

133 

Majority : 

345 

"32  HISTORY  OF   MORGAN   COUNTY. 

Since  this  election,  the  Republican  majority  has  been  considerably 
reduced.  The  Democrats  are  confident  of  carrying  the  county  in 
November,  1884. 

POPULATION    OF    THE    COUNTY. 

The  estimated  population  of  the  county  in  the  summer  of  1820  was 
250.  In  1830,  the  population  was  5,593;  in  1810,  10,741;  in  1850, 
14,576;  in  1860,  16,110;  in  1870,  17,^:28;  and,  in  1880,  18,899. 
John  Vawter  was  the  census  taker  in  1820. 

THE    ANTI-SLAVERY   MOVEMENT. 

In  1840,  the  Quakers  living  in  the  northern  part  of  the  county  or- 
ganized the  Westfield  Monthly  Meeting  of  Anti-slavery  Friends,  at  the 
head  of  which  were  John  Doan,  Robert  Doan,  Eli  J.  Sumner,  David  Doan, 
George  Hadley,  John  B.  Hadley,  John  Pfoff,  William  Hadley,  W.  E. 
Carter,  Asa  Bales  and  many  others.  The  Doans  were  especially  active 
in  the  movement.  Before  the  organization  of  the  meeting,  back  early  in 
the  thirties,  strong  ground  was  taken  in  opposition  to  slavery.  Mr.  Sum- 
ner, yet  living  at  Mooresville,  claims  to  have  made  the  first  anti-slavery 
speech  in  the  county.  It  was  in  a  debate  in  a  schoolhouse  northwest  of 
Mooresville  in  1835,  with  Rev.  Mitchell,  a  Presbyterian  minister,  who 
had  come  from  Tennessee.  The  minister  affirmed  the  right  of  slavery 
and  brought  forward  the  Bible  to  sustain  his  position,  but  Mr.  Sumner 
managed  to  head  him  off  with  the  same  powerful  authority,  and  was 
awarded  the  victory  by  the  judges.  Late  in  the  forties  and  during  the 
fifties  this  society  helped  ofi"  scores  of  colored  refugees  who  were  traveling 
by  the  Underground  Railroad  from  stripes  and  bondage  to  the  free  soil 
of  the  dominion  of  th.e  British  Queen.  Many  others  in  different  parts  of 
the  county  were  similarly  engaged.  In  1848,  an  organization  was  ef- 
fected, and  a  county  free-soil  ticket  put  in  the  field,  but  the  vote  was  less 
than  100. 

COMMON   AND    GRAVELED     ROADS. 

The  acts  of  Congress  early  provided  that  five  per  centum  of  the  pro- 
ceeds of  the  sale  of  Government  land  in  Indiana  should  be  used  to  con- 
struct and  maintain  roads  and  canals,  three-fifths  of  such  percentage  to 
be  expended  by  the  Legislature,  and  the  remaining  two-fifths  by  Congress. 
The  three-fifths  of  the  five  per  centum  became  known  as  the  "  Three  Per 
Cent  Fund,"  and  was  a  Godsend  to  the  early  settlers,  as  it  constituted  al- 
most their  entire  revenue  for  the  construction  of  State  and  county  roads. 
The  county  was  no  sooner  organized  than  the  first  installment  of  the  fund 
was  received  from  the  Auditor  of  State,  and  immediately  expended  upon 
the  first  roads  of  the  county.  After  many  years,  when  this  fund  had 
become  well-nigh  exhausted  from  the  decrease  in  the  sale  of  land,  other 
funds  were  devised,  collected  and  expended.  Early  in  the  fifties,  sev- 
eral corporate  organizations  were  effected  for  the  construction  and  main- 
tenance of  toll  and  graveled  roads,  among  those  in  the  sixties  being  Clear 
Creek  Gravel  Road  Company,  Monrovia  &  Bellville  Gravel  Road  Com- 
pany, Monrovia  &  Hall  Gravel  Road  Company,  Brooklyn  Gravel  Road 
Company,  Mooresville  &  Monrovia  Gravel  Road  Company,  White  River 
Valley  Gravel  Road   Company,  and  others.     Later,  several  others  were 


HISTORY   OF   MORGAN   COUNTY.  33 

projected  and  built.  Within  the  last  five  years,  there  have  been  con- 
structed at  county  expense  the  following  gravel  roads  :  Martinsville  &  Rec- 
ord's Ferry  Gravel  Road,  five  miles  long,  estimated  cost,  $6,042;  the 
Martinsville  «&  Mahalasville  Gravel  Road,  six  miles  long,  estimated  cost 
$7,820 ;  the  Taggart  Station  &  Monroe  County  Line  Gravel  Road,  two 
and  a  third  miles  long,  estimated  cost  $7,000 ;  the  Morgantown  & 
Johnson  County  Line  Gravel  Road,  one  and  a  half  miles  long,  estimated 
cost  $1,700.  The  total  estimated  cost  of  the  four  roads  is  $22,562 ;  the 
county  has  three  or  four  toll  roads  owned  by  private  corporations  now  in 
operation. 

RAILROADS. 

The  old  Martinsville  &  Franklin  Flat-bar  Railroad  was  built  in  1847-52, 
and  the  first  cars  came  to  the  former  place  in  the  spring  of  1853.  The 
grading  of  the  road  was  done  almost  wholly  by  citizens  along  the  route, 
and  when  this  was  completed  the  Madison  &  Indianapolis  Company  fitted 
it  with  iron  and  rolling  stock,  and  operated  it  for  about  five  years,  when 
the  further  running  of  trains  was  abandoned.  At  the  close  of  the  rebell- 
ion. Gen.  Burnside  obtained  possession  of  the  road,  put  down  T-rails, 
put  on  a  good  class  of  rolling  stock,  and  extended  the  road  to  Fairland  in 
Shelby  County.  After  running  a  few  years,  the  road  again  went  down, 
but  some  time  afterward  passed  into  the  possession  of  certain  New  York 
parties,  and  from  them  to  the  present  management — the  C,  L,  St.  L.  & 
C.  Company. 

About  the  year  1853,  the  New  Albany  &  Salem  Company  projected 
the  present  Indianapolis  &  Vincennes  road,  and  graded  it  through  the 
greater  portion  of  the  present  length,  and  probably  wholly  through  Mor- 
gan County.  But  there,  for  some  reason,  the  work  was  abandoned.  At 
the  close  of  the  war,  Gen,  Burnside  secured  control,  and  fitted  the  road, 
mostly  on  the  old  grade,  with  suitable  rolling  stock.  The  old  grade  was 
on  the  opposite  side  of  the  river  from  Martinsville.  About  the  time  Gen. 
Burnside  assumed  control,  the  citizens  of  Morgan  County  donated  $50,- 
000  toward  completing  the  road,  with  the  proviso  that  the  old  grade 
should  be  used.  This  offer  was  accepted  by  the  company.  But  soon 
after  this  Martinsville  and  vicinity  came  to  the  front,  and  offered  the  com- 
pany $30,000  to  cross  the  river,  and  locate  a  depot  in  the  town,  which 
offer  was  accepted,  and  the  road,  thus  altered,  was  completed.  But  the 
citizens  who  had  donated  the  $50,000,  declaring  that  the  contract  between 
them  and  the  company,  providing  that  the  rolling  stock  should  be  upon  the 
old  bed  had  been  violated,  refused  to  pay  their  donations,  and  suit  was 
brought  to  collect  the  amounts.  After  several  years  of  lawing,  a  compro- 
mise was  effected,  whereby  one-half  the  donation  was  to  be  paid,  but  as  a 
matter  of  fact  only  about  $15,000  of  the  $50,000  was  received  by  the 
company.  Martinsville  and  vicinity  had  paid  the  $30,000  according  to 
contract.  A  few  years  ago  the  road  was  leased  by  the  Pennsylvania 
Company. 

THE    COUNTY    PRESS. 

The  first  newspaper  published  in  Morgan  County  was  established  at 
Martinsville  early  in  the  forties  by  James  Richards.  The  sheet  was  a 
small  folio,  was  printed  often  upon  paper  obtained  from   the  stores  in 


34  HISTORY   OF   MORGAN   COUNTY. 

town,  and  upon  a  small  wooden  press,  and  was  non-partisan.  It  con- 
tained considerable  news  and  was  conducted  a  year  or  more,  and  then 
abandoned.  The  second  paper  was  established  at  Mooresville  during  the 
summer  of  1846  by  Thomas  L,  Worth.  It  was  a  five-column  folio,  with 
columns  fully  half  an  inch  wider  than  the  usual  size,  and  was  non-par- 
tisan. It  was  called  the  Mooresville  Chronicle,  and  cost  "|2  per  year 
when  produce  was  taken  and  ten  per  centum  oif  for  cash  in  advance."  In 
1851  or  1852,  it  was  removed  to  Martinsville,  where  the  name  was 
changed  to  Morgan  County  Gazette.  Mr.  Worth  issued  it  irregularly 
until  the  12th  of  May,  1855,  when  it  was  purchased  by  Edwin  W.  Callis, 
■who  enlarged  it  to  a  six-column  folio,  and  fixed  the  subscription  at  $1.25 
per  annum.  During  the  political  excitement  late  in  the  fifties,  and  dur- 
ing the  war  of  1861  to  1865,  the  paper  under  Mr.  Callis  exerted  un  ex- 
tremely powerful  influence  over  affairs  in  the  county.  Its  Republicanism 
and  loyalty  to  the  Government  were  of  the  most  ardent  character.  In 
1857,  J.  W.  Howard  was  connected  with  the  G-azette.  T.  F.  Orner  was  . 
associated  with  Mr.  Callis  from  June,  1857,  until  the  latter  part  of  1858 
or  the  early  part  of  1859.  A.  A.  Barrakman  was  his  associate  in  1861  and 
1862 ;  W.  H.  Smith  during  the  first  years  of  the  rebellion,  and  J.  V. 
Mitchell  for  twenty  months,  beginning  in  October,  1870.  In  1870,  the 
politics  of  the  paper  became  Independent,  and  were  subsequently  gradu- 
ally changed  to  Democratic.  Several  other  important  changes  were  made." 
In  about  1874,  A.  and  L.  0.  Callis,  daughters  of  Mr.  Callis,  became  own- 
ers and  publishers  of  the  paper,  Mr.  Callis  still  remaining  editor  and 
manager.  The  paper  is  now  owned  and  published  by  Lizzie  0.  Callis, 
present  State  Librarian,  and  is  edited  by  Mr.  Callis,  the  veteran  printer 
who  has  been  at  its  head  for  twenty-seven  consecutive  years.  The  paper 
is  the  Democratic  organ  of  the  county,  is  ably  managed,  has  a  large,  use- 
ful circulation  and  a  liberal  advertising  and  job  work  patronage,  and  is  a 
credit  to  the  editor  and  the  Democracy  of  the  county. 

In  July,  1856,  P.  S.  Parks  and  C.  S.  Hilbourne  established  at  Mar- 
tinsville a  Democratic  newspaper  called  the  Morgan  County  Monitor. 
The  sheet  was  a  six-column  folio,  and  was  an  able  and  earnest  advocate  of 
the  Democratic  principles  of  that  stormy  period.  After  a  few  years, 
various  changes  were  made  in  the  ownership  and  management,  all  of 
which  cannot  be  given  here.  The  paper  was  called  the  Clarion  during 
the  war.  John  Storey  was  connected  with  it  during  the  early  stages  of 
the  rebellion.  Hilbourne  severed  his  connection  with  it  in  1862  or  1863. 
Leonard  H.  Miller  published  the  sheet  in  1868,  secured  a  large  circula- 
tion and  the  proceeds  thereof,  and  then  decamped,  it  is  said,  between  sun- 
set and  sunrise.  About  July,  1863,  the  name  was  changed  to  Morgan 
County  Express.  During  the  latter  part  of  the  war,  and  later,  the  paper 
■was  o-wned  and  managed  by  W.  B.  Burns  and  B.  H.  Bainbridge.  About 
the  year  1867  the  paper  was  discontinued.  Under  some  of  the  manage- 
ments, the  paper  was  bright,  newsy,  and  exerted  a  strong  influence  over  the 
politics  of  the  county.  Under  other  managements,  it  led  a  precarious 
existence,  and  was  suspended  for  short  periods. 

Soon  after  the  G-azette  left  the  Republican  party,  in  1869  or  1870, 
the  prominent  members  of  that  party,  feeling  lost  without  an  organ, 
raised  a  subscription  of  about  $800,  and  advertised  for  a  practical  printer 


HISTORY   OF   MORGAN   COUNTY.  ^  r^y'^.A  O 

to  come  on  and  found  a  new  paper  at  the  county  seat,  and,  accordingly, 
W.  H.  Eagle,  of  the  Danville  Union,  answered  the  call,  purchased  with 
the  money  subscribed  a  full  office  outfit,  and  on  the  11th  of  August, 
1870,  issued  the  first  number  of  the  Martinsville  Republican,  a  seven- 
column  folio  newspaper.  J.  G.  Bain  became  editor,  though  he  had  no 
pecuniary  interest  in  the  enterprise.  Among  those  who  had  raised  the 
funds  to  establish  the  paper  were  T.  B.  Mitchell,  J.  J.  Johnston,  J.  R. 
Shelton,  William  Kennedy,  J.  R.  McBride  and  a  few  others,  in  all  about 
eight.  The  paper  encountered  the  severest  opposition  from  the  Crazette 
and  from  the  Democrats  ;  but  after  two  years  of  incessant  warfare,  became 
well  established,  with  a  steadily  increasing  circulation.  About  the  1st 
of  December,  1870,  the  entire  office  was  sold  to  J.  G.  Bain  and  Henry 
Smock,  the  latter,  having  been  a  practical  printer  in  Chicago,  becoming 
publisher,  and  the  former  continuing  as  editor.  About  this  time  the 
paper  became  an  eight-column  folio.  During  the  latter  part  of  1874, 
Mr.  Smock  sold  his  interest  to  Mr.  Bain,  since  which  time  Shell  Parks, 
C.  S.  Crary,  G.  W.  Ryan,  John  D.  Whitted  and  Elmer  Whitted  have 
been  connected  with  the  paper  at  different  periods  as  writers,  without 
owning  an  interest.  In  May,  1882,  S.  W,  Macy  began  work  upon  the 
paper  as  associate  editor,  and  is  thus  engaged  at  present.  In  the 
autumn  of  1874,  the  sheet  became  a  seven-column  quarto,  and  in 
May,  1882,  a  six-column  quarto,  the  entire  paper  being  printed 
on  the  new  steam  cylinder  power  press  purchased  at  that  time  at 
a  total  cost,  including  much  new  material,  of  over  $1,200.  This  was  the 
first  steam  press  ever  in  the  county,  and  is  the  only  one  up  to  the  present. 
The  paper  is  the  official  organ  of  the  Republican  party  in  the  county,  has 
a  wide  circulation  and  a  satisfactory  job  and  advertising  patronage,  and 
is  ably  edited  and  managed  by  Mr.  Bain. 

In  about  1869  or  1870,  Lang  &  Weil  issued  at  Mooresville  three 
numbers  of  a  paper  called  the  Vindicator,  which  then  died  for  the  want 
of  breath.  Prof.  E.  H.  Dorland  then  took  the  office,  with  Benjamin 
Dakin,  and  the  sheet  was  issued  successfully  for  about  a  year  and  a  half 
under  the  name  Enterprise.  P.  T.  Macy  then  bought  the  establishment, 
and  James  H.  Burke  became  editor,  conducting  it  thus  two  or  three 
years,  when  Macy  sold  out  to  Charles  McNichols,  a  young  man  yet  in  his 
teens,  who  made  a  failure  of  the  enterprise  within  a  year,  and  the  prop- 
erty went  back  to  Mr.  Macy.  Burke,  who  had  gone  to  Ohio,  came  back 
and  took  charge  of  the  editorial  department,  and  the  paper  became  the 
Herald.  A.  W.  Handibo  was  connected  with  the  office  for  a  short  time. 
About  1874,  Burke  bought  the  paper  and  continued  it  until  1877,  and 
then  sold  out  to  E.  F.  Tennant,  who  ran  the  office  until  18>0,  when  it 
went  to  a  stock  company  and  became  the  Monitor.  A.  W.  Macy,  now 
of  the  Martinsville  Republican,  became  editor,  but  in  September,  1881, 
retired,  and  was  succeeded  by  W.  A.  Hunt,  the  present  editor  and  man- 
ager. The  paper  has  been  Republican  under  all  the  managements,  has 
at  present  a  larger  circulation  than  ever  before,  and  has  a  fair  job  and 
advertising  patronage. 

Morgantown  has  enjoyed  the  luxury  of  several  newspapers.  In  1878, 
William  D.  and  John  Eves  began  to  issue  a  small  neutral  sheet,  called 
the  Morgantown  Qyclone.     Unlike  other  storms  of  this  nature,  it  created 


36  HISTORV   OF   MORGAN   COUNTY. 

no  destruction  of  life  or  property.  After  continuing  a  year  or  two,  the 
oflBce  was  sold  and  removed  to  Brown  County.  After  an  interval,  the 
same  press  was  brought  back,  and  George  Allison,  senior  and  junior, 
started  a  new  neutral  paper  called  the  Morgantown  Sunshine.  It  seemed 
so  appropriate  to  have  sunshine  after  a  cyclone,  that  the  contrast,  as  was 
thought,  would  be  so  welcome  that  all  would  take  the  paper  and  contrib- 
ute to  its  support.  But  the  people  seemed  to  love  cyclone  better  than 
sunshine,  possibly  after  the  theory  that  evil  deeds  seek  the  darkness,  and 
did  not  support  the  new  paper  as  well  as  they  did  the  old.  The  result 
was  its  suspension.  It  was  revived  by  R.  M.  Dill  during  the  political 
compaign  of  1882,  but  it  then  died  without  prospect  of  future  life.  The 
office  was  removed  during  the  summer  of  1883.    , 

LIST    OF   RESIDENT    ATTORNEYS. 

Benjamin  Bull,  John  Eakles,  Larkin  Reynolds,  Sr.,  A.  S.  Griggs,  Will- 
iam G.  Quick,  William  R.  Harris,  William  P.  Hammond,  Daniel  Mc , 

William  W.  Burns,  Abraham  A.  Barrickman,  Oliver  R.  Daugherty,  Joseph 
Barwick,  Bazil  Champer,  William  S.  Shirlet,  F.  P.  A.  Phelps,  C.  F.  Mc- 
Nutt,  George  W.  Grubbs,  M.  H.  Parker,  James  H.  Jordan,  James  V. 
Mitchell.  The  above  are  among  the  more  prominent  of  the  older  attor- 
neys. A  full  list  of  the  present  legal  practitioners  will  be  found  in  another 
chapter  of  this  volume.  The  leading  lawyers  of  the  county  seat  at  pres- 
ent are  F.  P.  A.  Phelps,  James  V.  Mitchell,  James  F.  Cox,  Levi  Fer- 
guson, Cyrus  E.  Davis,  H.  A.  Smock,  George  A.  Adams,  John  S.  New- 
by  and  A.  W.  Scott.  Several  of  this  number  are  young  men  just  begin- 
ning the  practice  of  law.  They  are  steadily  gaining  a  lucrative  practice. 
A  few  attorneys  of  the  town  are  long,  lean  and  lank,  pinched  with  slow 
starvation,  but  with  no  fault  except  a  hopeless  and  conspicuous  mediocri- 
ty. Mr.  Cox  is  prominently  mentioned  in  connection  with  the  office  of 
District  Attorney.  There  is  also  a  strong  sentiment  from  the  county  De- 
mocracy to  nominate  him  for  Representative  to  the  Legislature.  No  other 
man  of  the  county  could  make  a  stronger  canvass. 

IMPORTANT    LEGAL    CASES. 

Several  important  decisions  have  been  rendered  at  Martinsville.  In 
about  1852,  a  man  named  Flynn  shot  and  killed  Terrell.  Before  his 
trial  he  broke  jail  and  escaped,  and  his  wife  was  tried  as  accessory  before 
the  fact,  and  acquitted.  A  short  time  before  the  war,  two  men  named 
Burns  and  Sloan  became  involved  in  a  drunken  quarrel,  which  resulted  in 
the  death  of  Sloan.  Burns  was  tried  and  acquitted.  During  the  war,  a 
Mr.  Killian  shot  and  killed  a  Mr.Hatley,  but  upon  trial  was  acquitted.  A 
Mr.  Gibson  killed  a  man  named  Mann  with  a  knife.  Upon  the  first  trial 
he  was  sent  to  the  penitentiary  for  twenty-one  years,  but  upon  the  second 
trial  was  acquitted.  A  few  years  ago  two  men  named  Price  and  Weamer, 
living  at  Morgantown,  engaged  in  an  angry  altercation,  when  Weamer  was 
killed  by  a  blow  on  the  head  with  a  stone.  Price  was  sent  to 
the  penitentiary  for  life.  The  Tull-Rabb  divorce  suit  about  twelve  years 
ago  attracted  considerable  attention.  The  celebrated  divorce  case  of 
Abbie  McFarland  vs.  Hugh  McFarland  was  tried  in  1869,  at  the  Morgan 
County  bar.       It  will  be  remembered  that  Hugh  McFarland  shot  Albert 


HISTORY   OF   MORGAN   COUNTY.  37 

D.  Richardson,  the  famous  war  correspondent  of  the  New  York  Tribune^ 
for  alleged  improper  relations  with  Mrs.  Abbie  McFarland.  This  led 
to  the  divorce  suit  above  mentioned,  Mrs.  McFarland  then  being  a  resi- 
dent of  Martinsville.     Other  important  cases  might  be  mentioned. 

EARLY  JUSTICES  OF  THE  PEACE. 

The  first  Justices  of  the  Peace  in  Morgan  County  commissioned  by 
the  Governor,  were  as  follows :    Larkin  Reynolds,  May,  1822 ;  Samuel 
Reed,  May,  1822 ;  James  Burris,  May,  1822 ;   Hiram  Mathews,   May, 
1822;  Samuel  Scott,  July,  1822;  Samuel  Jessup,  1823;  Thomas  Hen- 
ton,  1823  ;  Josiah  Drury,  1824  ;  Benjamin  Cutler,  1825  ;  Thomas  Reed, 
1825;   Jesse   S.   Rooker,   1825;    Robert   C.   Stotts,  1825;  William  G. 
Lear,   1826;    Barclay  Burris,   1826;  John  Mathews,  1826;   Abraham 
Fletcher,   1826;    Samuel  Wick,   1826;    David   Burris,    1827;    Charles 
Ventreese,    1827;    William    Landers,    1827;     Cyrus    Whetzel,  1827; 
Ephraim    Goss,  1827 ;    Samuel    Scott,    1827 ;    Grant    Stafford,   1827  ; 
Henry  Rats,   1828;    David    Withers,   1828;    Abraham  Lafevre,  1828 ; 
Solomon    Dunagin,    1828 ;    Barclay   Burris,    1828 ;    William    Bowles, 
1828 ;  William  Ennis,  1828 ;  James  H.  Lyon,  1829 ;  Gideon  Johnson, 
1829;  James   Stotts,  1829;   William   Wilcox,  1829;  Bernard  Arnold, 
1830  ;  Thomas  Hendeburgh,  1830  ;  James  Crawford,  1830 ;  Mordecai  D. 
Miller,  1830 ;  Daniel  G.  Worth,  1830  ;  David  Withers,  1831 ;  Francis 
Whitcher,    1831;   William  Burnett,   1831;    George  W.   Baker,   1831; 
William  Cox,  1831;  Daniel  Vest,  1832:  Johnson  Burris,  1832;  James 
Newton,  1832 ;  James  W.  Hayes,  1832';  Scott  W.  Young,  1832 ;  Joel 
Bean,  1833 ;  Thomas  McCarty,  1833  ;  Charles  B.  Butler,  1833  ;  Grant 
Stafford,  1833 ;  Isaac  D.  Hoffman,  1833 ;  Jacob  Seachrist,  1833 ;  Will 
iam   Scott,   1833;   Andrew   Shell,   1833;   Henry   W.  Brayrale,   1833 
Joseph  Summers,  1833 ;  William  Ennis,  1831 ;  William  Bowles,  1834 
Alfred  Mathews,  1834 ;  James  De  Moss,  1834 ;  Philip  A.  Foxworthy 
1834 ;  Nathan  Langford,  1834 ;  John  Fee,  1834 ;  Philip  Zeigler,  1834 
John  W.  Richards,  1834 ;  Jacob  Ellis,  1835 ;  Gideon  Johnson,  1835 
Abraham  Stutesman,  1836 ;  Henry  McAllister,  1836  ;   Jesse  Bradley 
1836  ;  Edward  Bowman,  1836  ;  D.  W.  Howe,  1836  ;  David  Lake,  1836 
James  Blair,  1836;  Thomas  Donagan,  1836;  John  B.  Maxwell,  1836 
Robert  A.  Campbell,  1836. 

COUNTY    JUSTICES    AND    COMMISSIONERS. 

The  Justices  of  the  Peace  in  the  county  served  as  a  County  Board 
until  the  fall  of  1830,  when  three  County  Commissioners  were  elected. 
The  names  of  the  Justices  may  be  seen  on  another  page  of  this  volume. 
The  first  County  Commissioners  were  Joshua  Taylor,  B.  Burris  and 
Ezekiel  Slaughter.  Among  other  Commissioners  of  the  thirties,  forties 
and  fifties,  were  Jonathan  Lyon,  Philip  Hodges,  G.  W.  Baker,  B.  Burris, 
John  Hadley,  Joshua  Taylor,  Hewett  Nutter,  Andrew  Whitesett,  Will- 
iam B.  Taylor,  John  Hubbard,  John  Williams,  Van  R.  King  and  Samuel 
Rooker.  Later  came  Aaron  St.  John,  Lemuel  Gentry,  Jacob  Adams, 
John  E.  Greer,  Rice  E.  Brown,  Ephraim  Hodges,  C.  Mathis ;  John 
Fesler,  1868;  John  L.  Knox,  1869;  John  L.  Knox,  1870;  Joshua 
Wooden,  1870 ;  John  A.  Watkins,  1871 ;    Robert  Smith,   1872 ;  J.  C. 


68  HISTORY   OF   xMORGAN   COUNTY. 

Rhea,  1873 ;  Madison  Avery,  1874 ;  W.  S.  Beeson,  1875  ;  Albert  R. 
Taylor,  1876  ;  W.  M.  Duckworth,  1877  ;  Calvin  Mathews,  1878 :  Will- 
iam Rinker,  1879 ;  John  K.  Coffman,  1880 ;  John  F.  Hadley,  1881  ; 
H.  A.  Staley,  1882 ;   Thomas  Singleton,  1883. 

AUDITORS. 

This  was  not  a  separate  office  until  Benjamin  Bull  was  elected  and 
commissioned  in  about  1840  ;  Milton  Guthridge,  1844  ;  Barclay  Burrows, 
1848  ;  W.  J.  Manker,  1856  ;  W.  A.  S.  Mitchell,  1862  ;  Robert  Johnson, 
1866  ;  Salem  A.  Tilford,  1870  ;  John  Williams,  1874  ;  William  G.  Bain, 
1878  ;  George  W.  Prosser,  1882. 


George  H.  Beeler,  1822;  George  A.  Phelps,  1828;  Hannibal  R. 
Stevens,  1833,  vice  Phelps  (deceased) ;  Stephen  McCracken,  1840 ; 
James  Jackson,  1842  ;  0.  R.  Daugherty,  1849  ;  Jefferson  K.  Scott,  1855  ; 
*  *  *  *  J.  J.  Johnston,  1863  ;  John  Hardrick,  1867  ;  Joseph 
W.  Pearcy,  1870 ;  Willis  Record,  1872 ;  Samuel  K.  Harryman,  1876 ; 
Thomas  B.  Mitchell,  1877  ;  H.  C.  Hodges,  1878  ;  John  Hardrick,  1882. 

RECORDERS. 

George  H.  Beeler,  1822  ;  G.  A.  Phelps,  1828  ;  Hannibal  R.  Stevens, 
1833;  Stephen  McCracken,  1840;  Hiram  T.  Craig,  1857;  J.  W. 
Andrew,  1865  ;  H.  T.  Craig,  1870 ;  W.  W.  Kennedy,  1876  ;  William  G. 
Garrison,  1876  ;  Henry  H.  Olds,  1882. 

SHERIFFS. 

James  Bigger,  January  1,  1822 ;  Benjamin  Cutler,  January  16, 
1822  ;  Thomas  L.  Galpin,  1824  ;  George  A.  Phelps,  1826  ;  Thomas  L. 
Galpin,  1828 ;  Hiram  W.  Craig,  1830  ;  Jonathan  Williams.  1834 ;  H. 
T.  Craig,  1838  ;  Jonathan  Hunt,  1840;  William  Williams,  1842  ;  Joseph 
M.  Worthington,  1844;  T.  P.  A.  Phelps,  1846;  Joseph  Johnson,  1850; 
P.  B.  McCoy,  1851 ;  Richard  A.  Williams,  1852  ;  William  Killian,  1856; 
William  E.  Tansey,  1859 ;  Henry  Sims,  1860 ;  William  Hynds,  1862 ; 
Willis  Record,  1866  ;  William  W.  Kennedy,  1870  ;  Thomas  Dixon,  1874 ; 
John  C.  Comer,  1878;  Wiley  S.  Haltour,  1882. 

SURVEYORS. 

Charles  Beeler,  1822;  William  Hadley,  1822  ;  *  *  *  H. 
T.  Craig,  1852 ;  J.  S.  Hoagland,  1855 ;  Caleb  F.  Greenwood,  1857  ; 
Jeremiah  Hadley,  1859  ;  Joseph  T.  Moore,  1861 ;  Jonathan  Hale,  1863  ; 
Benjamin  T.  Butler,  1865 ;  Isaac  Jones,  1874 ;  William  H.  Miller, 
1875 ;  Edgar  A.  Bourne,  1878 ;  Mathew  Mathews,  1882 ;  Spencer 
Hiatt,  1882. 

TREASURERS. 

James  Shields,  1822;  Noah  Allison,  1825;  John  Sims,  1830;  J.  M. 
Mitchell,  1838;  John  A.  Graham,  1844;  *  *  *  John  R.  Roberts, 
1852;  Allen  H.  Burrows,  1854;  John  L.  Knox,  1856;  Ebenezer  Hen- 
derson, 1860;  Jacob  Adams,   Sr.,  1862;  Jacob  Adams,  Sr.,  1864;  J. 


HISTORY   OF   MORGAN   COUNTY.  39 

R.  Shelton,  1866;  J.  R.  Shelton,  1868  ;  George  W.  Egbert,  1870  ;  John 
N.  Gregory,  1872;  John  N.  Gregory,  1874;  Jonathan  Hadley,  1876; 
Lemuel  Guthridge,  1877 ;  Elliott  F.  Branch,  1878 ;  Elliott  F.  Branch, 
1880;  Charles  Seaton,  1882. 

CORONERS. 

George  Crutchfield,  1822;  Samuel  Scott,  1824;  William  Wilson, 
1831;  Richard  S.  Jones,  1888;  Septimus  T.  Whiteman,  1839;  Austin 
Carr,  1839 ;  Septimus  T.  Whiteman,  1839 ;  Harvey  Sheppard,  1841 ; 
Sammerly  G.  Cunningham,  1843,  who  did  not  qualify  ;  J.  H.  Sheppard, 
1843;  Richard  P.  Johnson,  1844;  Thomas  Hardwick,  1846;  Lloyd 
Lee,  1848;  C.  R.  Burk,  1849;  Perminter  M.  Parks,  1849;  Thomas  S. 
Phelps,  1850 ;  Hiram  Whetzel,  1851 ;  E.  T.  Harryman,  1852 ;  Andrew 
T.  Wellman,  1855 ;  William  Haase,  1856 ;  Joseph  Bradley,  1859  ; 
Allen  S.  Seaton,  1860 ;  Lloyd  Lee,  1861 ;  Harvey  Baker,  1864 ;  Har- 
vey Chandler,  1866;  Charles  S.  Twiss,  1868;  P.  R.  xMarshall,  1870; 
Thomas  Singleton,  1872;  Patrick  Cane,  1874;  H.  C.  Robertson,  1876; 
Samuel  N.  Bundell,  1878;  Elijah  P.  Ritchey,  1880;  William  A. 
Hodges,  1882. 

PROBATE  JUDGES. 

Hiram  Mathews,  1829 ;  Benjamin  Bull,  1833 ;  Solomon  Dunegan, 
1834  ;  Algernon  S.  Griggs,  1841  ;  George  F.  Waterman,  1844 ;  John 
W.  Richards,  1846.     (This  office  was  abolished  in  1852.) 

ASSOCIATE   JUDGES. 

Jacob  Cutler  and  John  Gray,  March  13,  1822  ;  Samuel  Reed,  vice 
Gray,  1824 ;  Jared  Olds,  vice  Reed,  1827 ;  James  Burns,  1827,  vice 
Cutler ;  John  Mathews,  1829 ;  Benjamin  Bull,  1833,  vice  Mathews ; 
Solomon  Donegan,  1834  ;  Jonathan  Hoffman,  1834.  vice  Burns ;  Jesse 
S.  Rooker,  1836  ;  Jonathan  Hoffman,  1836  ;  George  Miller,  1842,  vice 
Huffman  ;  J.  S.  Kooker,  1842 ;  Thomas  McClure,  1842 ;  Hiram  Math- 
ews, 1843,  vice  Rooker,  deceased ;  William  Landers,  1849 ;  Hiram 
Mathews,  1849.     (This  office  was  abolished  in  about  1852.) 

PRESIDENT   JUDGES    OF   CIRCUIT    COURT. 

William   W.  Wick,  1822;    Bethuel  F.  Morris,   March,  1825,   vice 
Wick,    resigned ;    William  W.  Wick,    1834 ;    James   Morrison,    1839 
David  McDonald,  1842 ;  James   Hughes,  1853 ;  J.   M.  Hanna,   1856 
Solomon  Claypool,  1859  ;  Delaney  R.  Eckles,  1860  ;  —  Franklin,  1864 
John  C.  Robinson,  1876 ;  A.  M.  Cunning,  1882. 

COMMON    PLEAS   JUDGES. 

William  G.  Quick,  1853 ;  George  A.  Buskirk,  1857  ;  0.  J.  Gless- 
ner,  1865;  T.  W.  Woolen,  1869;  Richard  L.  Coffee,  1871.  (This  court 
was  created  in  1852,  and  abolished  in  1873.) 

COUNTY   SUPERINTENDENTS. 

The  early  examiners  are  unknown.     H.  T.  Craig,  1854,  two  years ; 


40  HISTORY   OF   MORGAN   COUNTY. 

Eb  Henderson,  1856,  two  years;  John  Story,  1858,  two  years;  B.  D. 
Blackstone,  18G0,  five  years ;  Jonathan  H.  Henry,  1865,  six  months ; 
Samuel  S.  Griffitt,  1865,  two  years  and  six  months ;  J.  H.  Henry,  1868, 
eight  months ;  S.  S.  Griffitt,  1869,  two  years  and  four  months ;  Robert 
M.  Garrison,  1871,  one  year  and  four  months;  Hiram  N.  Short,  1872, 
three  years;  R.  V.  Marshal,  1875,  two  years;  H.  N.  Short,  1877,  two 
years;  S.  S.  Griffitt,  1879,  two  years;  E.  W.  Paxson,  1881,  to  date. 

OLD    settlers'  association. 

Morgan  County  has  no  organization  of  this  character  except 
in  connection  with  other  counties.  In  1869,  a  call  was  circulated  through- 
out the  county  for  the  organization  of  an  old  settlers'  society,  the  meet- 
ing to  be  held  at  Mooresville,  and  other  counties  were  invited  to  partici- 
pate. The  call  was  signed  by  hundreds,  and,  in  1870,  the  first  meeting 
was  held  on  the  fair  ground  at  that  town.  An  enormous  crowd  assem- 
bled from  Marion,  Hendricks,  Owen,  Johnson  and  Morgan  Counties,  and 
a  most  enjoyable  time  was  passed.  The  meeting  was  held  on  the  9th  of 
August,  and  James  Blake,  of  Marion  County,  was  President  of  the  Day, 
and  Fielding  Beeler,  Secretary.  Meetings  have  been  held  annually  since. 
As  high  as  10,000  people  have  assembled.  The  old  settlers  have  no  ex- 
cuse in  not  recording  their  experiences.  They  recount  their  personal  ex- 
perience of  early  times  to  one  another,  but  neglect  to  have  a  competent 
scribe  put  it  in  writing,  and  thus  the  incidents  so  full  of  interest  to  their 
descendants  and  so  valuable,  by  way  of  example,  to  the  growing  popula- 
tion and  the  coming  thousands,  are  lost  irretrievably.  Such  neglect 
should  cease.  If  necessary  a  collection  of  $10  should  be  taken  on  the 
grounds  and  paid  to  some  competent  man  to  take  a  brief  of  everything 
said,  and  then  write  it  out  in  full  in  proper  record  books.  Don't  forget 
this! 

COUNTY    INDEBTEDNESS. 

When  the  county  was  first  organized  it  was  compelled  to  issue 
"  orders  "  to  meet  the  necessary  expenses.  The  court  houses  of  1824 
and  1834  were  built  in  this  way,  the  orders  being  afterward  taken  up  as 
the  county  funds  allowed.  Probably  the  first  issue  of  real  county  bonds 
was  when  the  present  combined  court  house  and  jail  was  built.  They 
were  not  wholly  redeemed  until  after  the  rebellion.  Smaller  issues  were 
afterward  sold  to  secure  ready  means  to  build  various  bridges.  When  the 
new  poor  farm  was  bought  and  a  new  poor  house  built,  about  thirteen 
years  ago,  more  bonds  were  sold.  In  June,  1873,  the  Commissioners 
sold  160,000  worth  of  county  bonds  to  secure  funds  to  build  bridges 
over  White  River,  at  Waverly,  and  at  the  county  seat,  and  to  fence  the 
court  house  square  with  iron.  In  1876,  they  ordered  $50,000  new  bonds 
issued  and  sold  to  refund  at  a  lower  rate  of  interest  the  old  bonds  which 
were  drawing  ten  per  centum  interest,  the  other  $10,000  having  been 
paid  before.  The  county  farm  bond  debt  raised  the  entire  bond  debt  to 
about  $75,000.  In  May,  1882,  the  outstanding  bonds  amounted  to 
$60,500,  which  sum,  in  December,  1882,  was  reduced  to  about  $50,000, 
the  present  county  bond  debt. 


HISTORY   OF   MORGAN   COUNTY.  41 

RECEIPTS   FOR   1822.* 

June  29,  from  G.  W.  Preston,  County  Agent $364  02 

June  29,  from  Jonathan  Lyon,  store  license 20  00 

August  5,  from  Christopher  Ladd,  tavern  license 10  00 

November  20,  from  Benjamin  Cutler,  County  Collector. . .     103  81 

November  20,  from  G.  M.  Beeler,  tax  on  court  writs 2  50 

November  20,  from  delinquent  tax  collected 45 

Total 500  78 

EXPENSES  FOR  1822. 

August  4,  cash  paid  County  Justices $364  02 

November,  cash  paid  out  on  orders 103  81 

Total $467  83 

RECEIPTS  FOR   1823. 

February  11,  from  G.  W.  Preston,  County  Agent $54  00 

April  — ,  from  Joshua  Taylor,  tavern  license 10  00 

May  29,  from  the  County  Collector 147  12 

June  29,  from  Jonathan  Lyon,  store  license 20  00 

August  11,  from  G.  W.  Preston,  i  County  Agent 165  91 

September  20,  from  Jonathan  Lyon,  store  license 20  00 

October  4,  from  Samuel  Moore,  store  license 12  00 

October  4,  from  John  Sims,  tavern  license 10  00 

October  4,  from  Christopher  Ladd,  tavern  license 10  00 

November  6,  from  T.  L.  Galpin,  County  Collector 136  87 

November  6,  from  Robert  Bradshaw,  ferry  license 5  00 

Total $590  90 

EXPENSES  FOR   1823. 

February  — ,  cash  paid  to  County  Justices $135  31 

August  — ,  cash  paid  to  County  Justices. 219  41 

November  — ,  cash  paid  on  county  orders 141  87 

Total $496  59 

The  cash  receipts  for  1825  amounted  to  $665.56,  and  the  expenses 
to  $660.36,  exclusive  of  outstanding  orders.  The  indebtedness  of  the 
county  was  nearly  $200.  The  outstanding  orders  were  at  a  slight  dis- 
count, and  were  current  funds  in  almost  all  transactions.  The  cash  re- 
ceipts for  1826  were  $540.93,  of  which  $218.20  was  county  revenue, 
$229.61  was  from  the  sale  of  town  lots,  and  $64.25  from  merchandise 
and  liquor  licenses.  The  cash  expenses  for  1826  were  $260.22.  The 
cash  receipts  for  the  year  1827,  exclusive  of  the  county  revenue,  were 
$297.60.  The  county  revenue  was  $241.08  ;  the  merchandise  and  liquor 
licenses,  $72.50 ;  from  the  sale  of  lots,  $178.03.  The  cash  expenses 
were  $522.57,  a  few  outstanding  orders  being  taken  up.  The  total  cash 
receipts  for  1828  were  $742.62,  of  which  $241.13  was  county  revenue ; 
$71.25  merchants'  and  liquor  sellers'  licenses  ;  $425.23  from  the  sale  of 
county  lots.  The  cash  expenses  for  1828  were  $794.46,  more  of  the 
outstanding  orders  being  called  in.  The  total  cash  receipts  and  expenses 
of  the  county  for  the  year  1829  were  in  full,  as  follows : 

RECEIPTS  FOR  1829. 

January  5,  from  James  Crawford,  County  Agent $74  50 

January  5,  from  G.  H.  Beeler,    tax  on  court  writs 4  00 

January  5,  T.  L.  Galpin  and  P.  Dicken,  fees 4  50 

*  Taken  from  the  Treasurer's  ledger.  This  record  does  not  include  outstanding  orders.  The 
county  was  really  in  debt  at  the  end  of  each  year. 


42  ~  HISTORY   OF   MORGAN   COUNTY. 

January  5,  from  G.  A.  Phelps,  County  Collector 269  85 

January  6,  from  James  Crawford,  County  Agent 44  39 

February  3,  from  C.  Ladd,  estray 8  50 

February  10.  from  William  Lander,  estray 2  87 

February  3,  from  G.  H.  Beeler,  jurors'  fees 13  50 

February  9,  from  John  Craig,  liquor  license 5  00 

February  18,  from  Silas  Stapp,  merchandise  license .....  10  00 

May  1,  from  James  Crawford,  County  Agent 271  85 

May  4,  from  G.  A.  Phelps,  delinquent  revenue 131  29 

May  4,  from  Barclay  Burris,  grocery  license 5  00 

May  4,  from  John  Hurst,  liquor  license 5  00 

May  13,  from  Samuel  Drake,  merchandise  license. 2  50 

August  10,  from  T.  L.  Galpin,  estray 7  12 

September  1,  from  Sims  &  Drake,  store  license 1  66 

September  1,  from  Washburn  &  Co.,  merchandise  license  1  10 

September  1,  from  Worth  &  Kelly,  store  license 10  00 

September  1,  from  Samuel  Moore,  store  license 10  00 

November  12,  from  Sims  &  Drake,  store  license 10  00 

November  13,  from  Washburn  &  Co.,  store  license 10  00 

November  13,  from  G.  A.  Phelps,  County  Collector 170  00 

Total 11,072  63 

EXPENSES   FOR   1829. 

January  6,  cash  paid  to  County  Justices $427  24 

April  — ,  cash  paid  on  sundry  orders 11  37 

May  5,  cash  paid  to  County  Justices 271  85 

May  5,  cash  paid  to  County  Justices 169  79 

November  9.  cash  paid  on  sundry  orders 39  38 

Total $919  63 

The  cash  receipts  and  expenses  for  1834  were  in  full  as  follows  : 

RECEIPTS   FOR   1834. 

January  4,  from  John  Sims,  store  license $10  00 

January  6,  from  Clerk,  jury  fees 13  50 

January  6,  interest  on  $200  loaned 16  64 

January  6,  from  County  Collector 655  68 

January  22,  from  James  Cunningham,  store  license 10  00 

January  30,  from  Hiram  Whetzel,  grocery  license 81 

January  30,  from  M.  D.  Miller,  estray 4  50 

February  1,  from  Reuben  Lambert,  estray 1  75 

February  3,  from  Caleb  Staggerwalt,  estray 1  75 

February  7,  from  Clerk  for  jury  fees 13  50 

March  7,  from  Cyrus  Whetzel,  grocery  license 1  66 

April  17,  from  J.  D.  Fogg,  circus  riding 10  00 

April  25,  from  R.  L.  Jones,  grocery  license 31 

May  5,  from  H.  R.  Stevens,  jury  fees 9  00 

May  5,  from  Hiram  Whetzel,  grocery  license 10  00 

May  5,  from  County  Collector 65  00 

May  12,  from  R.  L.  Jones,  grocery  license 3  34 

May  19,  from  J.  M.  Mitchell,  merchandise  license 3  33 

June  3,  from  John  Fee,  merchandise  license 2  50 

June  13,  from  Samuel  Moore,  store  license 10  00 

June  17,  from  H.  R.  Stevens,  jury  fees 13  50 

July  17,  from  Miller  &  Co.,  exhibiting  animals 5  00 

July  22,  from  Michael  Stockwell,  grocery  license 1  10 

July  23,  from  Gideon  Johnson,  merchandise  license 1  10 

August  8,  from  Eplinger,  estray 1  00 

August  11,  from  S.  Butler  &  Co.,  exhibiting  animals 5  00 

August  24,  from  John  Weathers,  estrays 26  00 

September  2,  from  Gideon  Johnson,  store  license 1  75 

September  2,  from  John  Fee,  store  license 10  00 

September  4,  from  J.  M.  Mitchell,  store  license 10  00 

September  17,  from  William  Scott,  store  license 7  50 

October  1,  from  Samuel  &  Henry  Lawrence,  grocery  license  87 


HISTORY   OF   MORGAN   COUNTY. 


43 


October  4,  from  Michael  Stockwell,  grocery  license 81 

October  9,  from  Jonathan  Williams,  estray 4  34 

October  22,  from  Kelly  &  Worth,  store  license 10  00 

October  22,  from  County  Collector 172  53 

November  3,  from  Lawrence  Brothers,  grocery  license 10  00 

November  7,  from  John  Sims,  estray 1  50 

November  -,  from  County  Collector 53  00 

November  3,  from  interest  on  $100  loaned 8  32 

November  4,  from  J.  W.  Blankenship,  grocery  license 10  00 

December  19,  from  Avery  McGee,  liquor  license 37 

December  20,  from  John  Warren,  liquor  license 41 

December  24,  from  John  Cox,  liquor  license 25 

December  26,  from  William  Hasty,  estrays 12  50 

Total $1,210  12 

EXPENSES   FOR   1834. 

January  8,  cash  paid  to  County  Commissioners $  795  57 

January  8,  cash  paid  on  sundry  orders 20  21 

November  3,  cash  paid  to  County  Commissioners 890  07 

Total $1,705  85 

This  exhibit  illustrates  two  important  facts  :  1.  Money  had  previous- 
ly accumulated  in  the  treasury.  2.  The  county  was  either  paying  off  old 
outstanding  orders,  or  was  engaged  in  some  public  improvement,  as,  for 
instance  on  the  county  buildings,  or  perhaps  both.  The  total  cash  re- 
ceipts for  1839  were  as  follows  : 

RECEIPTS   FOR  1839. 

January  3,  from  H.  R.  Stevens,  jury  fees  $  54  00 

January  7,  from  W.  Sheerer,  County  Agent 34  20 

January  8,  from  Gideon  Johnson,  store  license 5  00 

January  8,  from  John  Haines,  grocery  license 25  00 

January  22,  from  S.  L.  Graham,  estrays 75 

January  22,  from  E.  Pinswanger,  store  license 50 

January  22,  from  A.  Worth,  store  license 5  00 

January  23,  from  H.  C.  Martin,  store  license 1  00 

February  7,  from  E.  St.  John,  store  license 4  20 

February  8,  from  H.  Hamilton,  store  license 3  10 

February  16,  from  Wiley  Gregory,  store  license 1  04 

February  18,  from  H.  Collins,  estrays 3  00 

February  26,  from  John  Hadden,  estrays 6  00 

March  5,  from  County  Agent 43  80 

March  5,  from  J.  S.  Killy,  store  license 5  00 

March  5,  from  S.  R.  Trower,  store  license 5  06 

March  6,  from  Wiley  Gregory,  grocery  license 25  00 

March  13,  from  L.  M.  R.  Pumphrey,  grocery  license 4  00 

March  18,  from  Samuel  Moore  &  Co.,  merchandise  license  83 

April  2,  from  W.  Sheerer,  County  Agent 47  23 

April  13,  from  Craig  &  Major,  merchandise  license 33 

April  13,  from  S.  T.  Durin,  clock  license 3  15 

April  16,  from  L.  D.  Pond,  wooden  clock  license 3  12 

April  23,  from  H.  Nespum,  grocery  license 18 

May  6,  from  County  Agent 35  00 

May  6,  from  John  Sims,  store  license ; 5  00 

May  6,  from  N.  Edwards  &  Co.,  store  license 2  50 

May  6,  from  Hadley  &  Bales,  store  license 2  50 

May  11,  from  John  Crandall,  clock  license 15  88 

May  24,  from  Sluss,  grocery  license 1  37 

June  27,  from  S.  Moore  &  Co.,  merchandise  license 1  66 

June  28,  from  Otenstine  &  Goldsmith,  merchandise  license  83 

July  15,  from  John  Hudeburgh,  grocery  license 3  12 

August  1,  from  David  Wise,  grocery  license 44 

August  5,  from  EHis  Wise,  grocery  license 44 

August  7,  from  D.  P.  Morris,  grocery  license 44 

3 


44  HISTORY  OF  MORGAN  COUNTY. 

August  19,  from  A.  B.  Arnold,  grocery  license 31 

September  3,  from  Hadley  &  Bales,  store  license 2  50 

September  9,  from  G.  N.  Walbridge,  store  license 75 

September  11,  from  John  Buckner,  store  license 75 

September  11,  from  John  E.  Clark,  store  license 75 

September  16,  from  John  Hudeburgh,  store  license 3  12 

September  18,  from  P.  M.  Parks,  store  license 1  25 

September  18,  from  J.  M.  &  S.  M.  Mitchell,  store  license  83 

September  30,  from  W.  O.  Fee,  store  license 84 

November  4,  from  N.  Edwards  &  Co.,  store  license 2  50 

November  4,  from  W.  O.  Fee,  store  license 5  00 

November  4,  from  J.  M.  &  S.  M.  Mitchell,  store  license . .  5  00 

November  4,  from  P.  B.  McCoy,    grocery   license 25  00 

November  4,  from  County  Agent 50  00 

December  14,  from  John  Hudeburgh,  gi-ocery  license 1  00 

December  14,  from  Samuel  Moore  &  Co.,  mdse.  license 83 

December  31,  from  L.  Goldsmith,  merchandise  license. . .  12 

From  poll  tax  on  1,496  polls 748  00 

From  property  tax  on  $1,428,856 1,428  85 

From  road  tax  on  non-residents 105  50 

From  county  tax  on  ferries 24  00 

From  sundry  delinquent  collections 26  62 

From  interest  on  money  loaned 34  20 

Total $2,814  39 

In  1840,  the  tax  on  1,584  polls  was  $792,  and  the  tax  on  $1,411,084 
worth  of  property  was  $1,411.08.  The  ferry  license  amounted  to  $21.50. 
The  cash  receipts  of  the  county  from  June,  1841,  to  June,  1845, 
amounted  to  $22,136.08.  This  included  county  revenue,  proceeds  of  the 
sale  of  lots,  merchants'  license,  ferry  and  grocery  license,  jury  fees,  estray 
receipts,  seminary  fund,  interest  on  surplus  revenue  and  various  inci- 
dental receipts.  The  cash  expenses  for  the  same  period  were  $23,959.67. 
The  total  receipts  for  the  year  ending  June,  1849,  were  $8,954.84,  and 
the  total  expenses  $6,332.02.  The  receipts  for  the  year  ending  June, 
1851,  were  $10,374.13,  and  the  expenses  $8,967.33.  The  receipts  for 
the  year  ending  June,  1855,  were  $11,778.89,  and  the  expenses  were 
$9,098.19.  Receipts  for  fiscal  year  1857,  were  $24,078.27,  less $6,681.85 
on  hand  at  the  beginning  of  the  year,  and  the  expenses  were  $17,828.30. 
For  the  fiscal  year  1862,  the  receipts  were  $21,374.09,  and  the  expenses 
$21,164.39.  In  1867,  the  total  receipts  were  $49,077.63,  and  the  total 
expenses  $56,641.75.  For  the  fiscal  year  1875,  the  orders  issued  during 
the  year  amounted  to  $33,749.53,  there  being  outstanding  orders  at  the 
beginning  of  the  year  $5,374.51.  The  outstanding  bonds  amounted  to 
$60,000,  making  the  total  indebtedness  $99,124.04.  The  orders  re- 
deemed during  the  year  were  $29,258.35.  So  much  of  the  indebtedness 
was  paid  off  in  1876  that  the  Treasurer's  statement  showed  that  $156.48 
had  been  overdrawn.  For  the  fiscal  year  1879,  there  was  on  hand  at 
the  beginning  of  the  year  $7,065.81.  The  total  receipts  exclusive  of  this 
amount  were  $27,236.  The  total  expenses,  less  $7,703.49  remaining  in 
the  treasury,  were  $26,598.32.  The  total  receipts  for  the  fiscal  year 
1881  were  $128,248.70,  exclusive  of  $59,043.46  remaining  in  the  treas- 
ury at  the  commencement  of  the  year,  and  the  total  expenses  were  $131,- 
159.38,  there  being  a  balance  in  the  treasury  at  the  end  of  the  year  of 
$56,132.78. 

SUNDRY    STATISTICAL    ITEMS. 

The  receipts  for  merchants'  license,  from  June,  1841,  to  June,  1844, 


HISTORY  OF  MORGAN  COUNTY.  45 

were  $168.35.  County  officers  were  paid  $2,341.10  from  June,  1842,  to 
June,  1844.  The  county  paupers  cost  $1,585.72  from  June,  1842,  to 
June,  1843,  and  $529.61  from  June,  1845,  to  December,  1845.  County 
officers  cost  $664.48  from  June,  1844,  to  June,  1845.  For  the  fiscal  year 
1849,  merchants'  licenses  brought  $139.17,  and  the  seminary  fund  re- 
ceipts were  $410.93.  County  officers  cost  $651.65  in  1842,*  the  poor 
$250.30,  county  buildings  $1,855.20,  elections  $58.25,  roads  and  high- 
ways $90.10,  jurors'  fees  $472.74,  specific  allowances  $811.90,  and 
criminals  $85.57.  The  total  receipts  for  1848  were  $10,806.90,  and  the 
total  expenses  $9,146.82.  The  county  revenue  was  $4,925.44.  In  1858, 
the  receipts  were  $9,517.19,  and  the  expenses  $8,515.64.  Countv  officers 
cost  $522.40  in  1848,  and  $797.82  in  1851,  and  $1,525.75 in  1853.  The 
poor  cost  $485.27  in  1848,  and  $485.38  in  1851,  and  $580.51  in  1853. 

The  cash  receipts  for  the  year  ending  June,  1849,  were  $8,954.84, 
and  the  expenses  $6,332.02.  Of  the  receipts,  $139.17  was  from  mer- 
chants' license,  $410.93  was  seminary  fund;  county  revenue,  $5,063.02. 
Of  the  expenses,  $552.99  was  for  the  poor,$585.25  was  for  county  officers, 
and  $100  was  tuition  in  the  County  Seminary.  The  cash  receipts  for 
the  year  ending  June,  1851,  were  $10,374.13,  and  the  expenses  $8,967.33. 
The  receipts  from  merchants'  license  were  $157.50  ;  for  the  seminary 
fund,  $138.88;  for  county  revenue,  $1,419.33;  district  school  tax,  $384.42. 
The  expense  included  $799.82  for  county  officers,  $485.38  for  pau- 
pers ;  for  bridges,  $283.  The  receipts  for  the  year  ending  June,  1852, 
were  $7,701.25;  expenses,  $9,132.62.  The  paupers  cost  $714.26,  and 
the  county  officers  $1,026.71.  The  receipts  for  the  year  ending  June, 
1855,  were  $11,778.89,  of  which  $9,226.32  was  county  revenue.  The 
expenses  were  $9,098.19,  of  which  $2,457.64  was  for  county  officers-, 
$100  for  agricultural  society,  $920.08  for  the  poor.  The  receipts  for  the 
year,  ending  June,  1857,  were  $24,078.27,  of  which  $7,669.76  was 
county  revenue,  $6,378.38  for  schoolhouses.  There  was  in  the  treasury 
at  the  beginning  of  the  year  $6,681.85.  The  expenses  were  $17,828.30, 
of  which  $1,977.15  was  for  county  officers,  $926.02  for  paupers,  $100 
for  the  agricultural  society,  and  $7,273.75  for  schools. 

In  1858,  public  buildings  cost  $10,229.66 ;  the  paupers,  $995.11 ; 
county  officers,  $1,198.79 ;  the  agricultural  society,  $130.  In  1861, 
the  poor  cost  $1,107.86;  county  officers,  $1,241.91;  the  agricultural 
society,  $125,  and  the  military,  $20.50.  For  the  years  1858,  1859  and 
1860,  county  buildings  cost  $27,076.73.  In  1865,  county  officers  cost 
$1,476.85;  the  poor,  $2,656.58  ;  the  military,  $18,375.12;  the  agri- 
cultural society,  $215  ;  county  bounty,  $3,530.  The  county  revenue 
amounted  to  $50,836.03.  In  1866,  the  poor  cost  $5,140.04,  and  in 
1867  cost  $2,304.89.  In  1876,  the  total  poor  expense  was  $9,375.15; 
bridges  cost  $9,696.90  ;  county  officers,  $8,683.73.  In  1878,  the  poor 
cost  $8,835.93;  county  officers,  $6,342.35  ;  orphans,  $628.37.  The  total 
receipts  were  $41,910,  including  $10,381.12  on  hand  ;  the  expenses  were 
$34,894.71.  In  1881,  the  poor  expenses  were  $7,768.03,  also  $3,253.24 
on  the  house  and  farm  ;  county  officers  cost  $7,344.43  ;  county  bounty, 
$4,513.74:  jurors'  fees,  $1,824.89. 

♦Hereafter  the  year  referred  to  will  mean  the  fiscal  year,  expiring  the  31st  of  May  of  the  date  mentioned. 


46  HISTORY  OF  MORGAN  COUNTY. 

The  following  is  the  Auditor's  report   for   the   fiscal   year   ending 
May    31,  1883: 

RECEIPTS. 

Balance  in  treasury  June  1,  1882 $43,651  20 

County  revenue 41,076  03 

Fines  and  forfeitures 709  48 

Congressional  interest 1,092  05 

Gravel  road  fund 1,120.64 

Liquor  license 400  00 

Docket  fees 10  60 

Dog  tax  fund  656  66 

Common  school  principal 3,384  16 

State  revenue 210  00 

Township  revenue 5,653  68 

Road  fund - 14,250  57 

Redemption  of  land  sold  for  tax 2,049  18 

Tax  refunder 1,767  51 

Common  school  tuition 17,055  15 

Special  school  fund 15,300  08 

Common  school  interest 2,764  24 

Highway  damages 200  00 

Local  tuition  fund 13,013  78 

M.  &  R.  F.  Gravel  Road 98  36 

Bond  interest 3,688  84 

Bond  principal 7,060  95 

Bridge  fund 747  02 

Town  bond  fund 412  76 

M.  &  M.  Gravel  Road 2,765  68 

T.  S.  &  M.  Co.  Line  Gravel  Road 9,850  00 

M.  &  J.  Co.  Line  Gravel  Road 1,700  00 

Congressional  school  fund 1,107  00 

Total $191,795  61 

STATEMENT  OF  FUNDS  IN  TREASURY. 

County  revenue $7,250  52 

Township  fund  2,766  58 

Road  revenue 13,871  85 

Redemption  of  land 843  26 

Special  school  tax 8,489  61 

Gravel  road  fund 609  73 

Common  school  principal 651  46 

Common  school  interest 464  40 

Local  tuition  tax 7,120  91 

M.  &  R.  F.  Gravel  Road 341  08 

Bond  interest 6,569  48 

Bond  principal 923  44 

Town  bond  fund 14  86 

M.  &  M.  Gravel  Road 1,517  13 

T.  S.  &  M.  Co.  Line  Gravel  Road 1,082  50 

Congressional  school  principal 1,107  22 

Total $53,624  03 

LESS   AMOUNTS   OVERDRAWN. 

State  revenue $      52  00 

Tax  refunders 110  55 

Congressional  fund  interest 2,227  73 

Bridge  fund 1,814  05 

Salt  Lick  Gravel  Road 65  05 

M.  &  C.  V.  Gravel  Road 90  65 

M.  &  B.  Gravel  Road. 113  45 

M.  &  J.  Co.  L.  Gravel  Road 66  99— $4,540  47 

Amount  in  treasury  subject  to  draft.  May  31,  1883 $49,088  56 


HISTORY  OF  MORGAN  COUNTY.  47 


EXPENDITURES. 


COUNTY   FUNDS. 


Fee  and  salary  of  officers $4,902  44 

Jurors  and  boarding  jurors 3,009  25 

Expenses  of  Poor  Asylum,  Orphans'  Home  and  interest 

on  Poor  Farm  debt 5,674  31 

Specific 1,526  87 

Criminal  expense 1, 784  91 

Commissioners'  Court 743  60 

Coroner's  inquest 257  85 

Roads  and  highways 275  10 

County  Superintendent 856  00 

Books,  stationery,  printing,  etc 2,864  34 

Assessing  revenue 1,895  90 

Insanity    287  01 

Fuel 368  41 

Bridges 649  74 

Temporary  poor 7,396  50 

Bailiffs,  Circuit  Court 886  50 

County  Attorney 364  50 

Board  of  Health 363  70 

Election  expenses 87  80 

County  bounty 145  95 

County  institute 50  00 

Procuring  field  notes  and  plat  of  county 250  00 

Interest  on  county  orders.. 219  63 

Insurance 75  00 

Change  of  venue 68  40 

Total  expenditures $34,953  71 

OTHER    FUNDS. 

Fines  and  forfeitures $709  48 

Congressional  interest 1,621  04 

Gravel  road  fund 510^91 

Liquor  license 1,400  00 

Docket  fees 10  60 

Dog  tax  fund 1,488  76 

Common  school  principal 3,910  00 

State  revenue 130  00 

Township  revenue 6,313  85 

Road  fund 9,069  97 

Redemption  of  land 2,405  99 

Tax  refunder 1,854  84 

Common  school  tuition 17,055  15 

Special  school  fund 14,895  62 

Common  school  interest 2,635  29 

Highway  damages 200  00 

Local  tuition 13,075  09 

M.  &  R.  F.  Gravel  Road 555  50 

Bond  interest 2,760  00 

Bond  principal 10,500  00 

Bridgefund 2,56107 

Townbond  fund 878:37 

M.  &.  M.  Gravel  Road 607  55 

T.  S.  &  M.  Co.  Line  Gravel  Road 8,667  00 

M.  &  J.  Co.  Line  Gravel  Road 1,766  99 

Congressional  school  principal 1,971  17 

M.  &  B.  Gravel  Road 113  45 

M.  &  C.  V.  Gravel  Road 90  65 

Balance  in  treasury  May  31,  1883 49,083  56 


Total $191,795  61 


48  HISTORY  OF  MORGAN  COUNTY. 

TEMPERANCE  WORK. 

For  the  following  facts  in  relation  to  the  temperance  work  done  in 
Morgan  County,  the  publishers  are  indebted  to  the  contribution  of  E.  J. 
Sumner,  Es<|.,  a  resident  for  nearly  fifty  years  of  the  vicinity  of  Moores- 
ville,  and  a  prominent  worker  in  the  temperance  cause.  The  contributor 
divides  the  treatment  of  the  subject  into  three  periods — the  first  extend- 
ing to  the  year  1839,  the  second  to  the  year  1872,  and  the  third  to  1884: 

During  the  first  period,  it  wfes  conceded  by  the  advocates  of  temper- 
ance that  the  drinking  of  spirits  as  a  beverage  was  not  to  be  condemned, 
provided  it  was  not  carried  to  drunkenness,  which  was  denounced  as  a 
vice ;  during  the  second  period  the  temperance  men  took  a  step  further 
and  declared  that  not  only  was  drunkenness  a  vice,  but  that  the  only  safe 
way  of  avoiding  that  vice,  was  by  total  abstinence  from  the  use  of  intoxi- 
cants as  a  beverage ;  during  the  third  period,  the  approved  method  of 
urging  the  temperance  cause  was  by  declaring  that  the  only  protection  for 
the  individual  and  for  society  from  the  vice  of  drunkenness  was  through 
the  Constitution  and  by  legislative  prohibition  of  the  liquor  traffic.  The 
word  temperance  herein  used  applies  only  to  the  use  of  intoxicating 
drinks,  and  not  in  its  general  sense  of  the  proper  or  moderate  use  of  law- 
ful things. 

The  neighborhood  of  Mooresville  was  principally  settled  by  immi- 
grants from  North  Carolina,  Ohio  and  Kentucky,  and  however  much  they 
might  differ  on  other  subjects,  the  prevailing  opinion  among  them  was 
that  intemperance  consisted  only  in  getting  drunk,  and  not  in  the  use  of 
intoxicants  as  a  beverage,  and  consequently  neighbors  drank  together  in 
public  without  reproach  during  the  first  period  of  nineteen  years.  The 
country  around  was  settled  mostly  by  Friends,  Baptists  and  Episcopal 
Methodists,  and  during  the  first  period  the  work  of  temperance  was  car- 
ried on.  entirely  through  the  churches.  The  Friends  were  largely  pre- 
dominant, and  were  proverbial  for  sobriety.  Their  church  discipline  was 
excellent  as  far  as  the  use  of  distilled  spirits  was  concerned,  but  was  lax 
as  to  the  use  of  fermented  drinks  ;  the  Baptists  held  that  true  temperance 
consisted  in  the  moderate  use  of  alcoholic  drinks,  while  the  Methodists, 
and  more  especially  the  itinerant  preachers,  taught  that  the  only  remedy 
for  drunkenness  was  the  total  abstinence  from  all  intoxicating  liquor,  and 
thus  every  Methodist  society  became  an  embryo  temperance  association. 
All  through  this  first  period  small  distilleries  and  drinking  saloons  were 
common  ;  drunkenness  and  fighting  were  inevitable  on  election  day,  and 
indeed  whisky  was  quite  a  factor  at  the  polls. 

About  the  beginning  of  the  second  period,  in  1839,  there  were  added 
to  the  temperance  force  the  Disciples  Church,  the  Total  Abstinence 
Society,  the  Washingtonians,  the  Sons  of  Temperanc.e  and  the  Good 
Templars  ;  but  many  Friends  had  considered  fermented  drinks  harmless, 
and  the  honest  but  mistaken  father  would  think  he  had  mistreated  a 
neighbor  or  calling  friend  had  he  failed  to  ofi"er  him  a  cup  of  cider  or  of 
domestic  wine,  and  the  boys  would  make  merry  with  their  companions 
over  a  mug  of  cider  when  occasion  seemed  to  require,  yet  the  Friends 
were  looked  upon  as  bright  examples  of  temperance,  the  other  churches 
and  organizations  not  being  any  further  advanced  in  the  temperance 
cause.     But  now  a  great  revival  was  inaugurated  by  the  Methodists,  and 


HISTORY  OF  MORGAN  COUNTY.  49 

the  sale  of  liquor  abated,  and  the  selling  and  drinking  of  whisky  became 
very  unpopular.  The  Disciples  were  energetic  and  their  preachers  were 
among  the  most  eloquent  in  advocating  the  temperance  cause.  All  the 
total-abstinent  societies  named  above  were  zealous  in  their  work,  and  con- 
verts  were  made  at  all  points. 

At  the  beginning  of  the  third  period,  the  various  temperance  societies 
were  absorbed  by  the  Independent  Order  of  Good  Templars,  and  in  the 
fall  of  1872,  memorials  began  to  be  forwarded  to  the  Legislature  praying 
for  prompt  penal  legislation  for  the  suppression  of  the  sale  of  intoxicating 
beverages  ;  as  a  result,  the  Baxter  law  was  passed.  The  enforcement  of 
this  law  met  with  strenuous  opposition,  and,  strangely  enough,  much  of 
that  opposition  came  from  a  few  leading  members  of  the  Society  of 
Friends.  However,  since  the  great  Methodist  revival  of  1839,  drinking 
saloons  have  been  quite  unpopular,  and  none  of  those  started  could  sur- 
vive over  a  few  weeks  at  a  time.  Some  have  been  closed  by  legal  process, 
some  by  moral  suasion,  and  some  have  been  suppressed  by  violence. 
Among  the  latest  at  Mooresville,  one  was  abolished  in  July,  1883, 
through  the  efforts  of  the  Women's  Christian  Temperance  Union,  and  one 
which  was  opened  immediately  after  in  the  same  building  was  legally  ex- 
terminated about  the  20th  of  October,  1883.  No  drinking  saloon  now 
exists  in  the  town,  and  the  traffic  in  liquor  is  generally  held  as  disreput- 
able. 


50  HISTORY  OF  MORGAN  COUNTY. 


MILITARY  HISTORY  OF  MORGAN  COUNTY. 

BY    WESTON    A.    GOODSPEED. 

THE    OLD    MILITIA    SYSTEM. 

FROM  the  formation  of  the  county  to  the  rebelhon  of  1861-65,  the 
old  militia  system,  which  had  done  such  excellent  service  during  aH 
the  previous  Indian  border  wars,  was  permitted  to  almost  wholly  die  out 
in  Indiana,  owing  to  a  protracted  period  of  profound  peace.  A  more  or 
less  nominal  organization  was  carried  on  in  Morgan  County,  and  annual 
musters  were  enjoyed  by  large  and  motley  crowds,  more  intent  on  frolic 
and  roystering  than  improvement  in  military  discipline.  Aside  from  this, 
the  military  spirit  of  the  people  quietly  slumbered  until  roused  by  the 
war  with  Mexico.  The  following,  however,  is  a  partial  list  of  the  soldiers 
of  the  war  of  1812-15  who  afterward  resided  in  Morgan  County  :  George 
Pattorff,  Samuel   Harryman,   Benjamin    Mugg,  Spencer   McDaniel,  old 

man  Tull,  William    Worthen,  John  Robb, Fonville,  Tobias   Butler 

and  others. 

THE    MEXICAN    WAR. 

In  1846,  immediately  after  the  call  of  the  President  for  volunteers, 
a  company  was  organized  at  Martinsville  for  the  war  with  Mexico.  The 
services  of  the  company  were  tendered  the  Governor  just  one  month  after 
the  call  for  volunteers  had  been  issued.  The  ofiBcers  were  John  W.  Cox, 
Captain ;  Pleasant  Williams,  First  Lieutenant ;  James  W.  Ford,  Second 
Lieutenant;  and  the  company  was  styled  the  "Morgan  County  Rangers." 
But  so  great  was  the  rush  from  every  county  in  the  State  to  get  into  the 
service  that  the  company  was  too  late,  and  was  rejected,  though  five  or  six 
afterward  entered  other  companies.  The  following  men,  who  at  some 
period  were  residents  of  Morgan  County,  served  in  the  Mexican  war, 
though  but  few  went  from  the  county  directly  into  the  war,  the  greater 
number  going  from  other  countiea  and  States:  Owen  G.  Williams  and 
Lawrence  C.  Williams,  with  Gen.  Taylor  ;  David  Nowlen,  same  ;  William 
Mabee,  with  Gen.  Scott,  shot  through  the  hand ;  Charles  Stoker,  with 
Scott,  was  under  fire  twenty-two  times ;  Stephen  and  Jackson  Bales, 
Larkin  Jones,  William  Crum,  John  Coifey,  Y.  J.  Robinson,  John  Gless- 

ner,  E.    T.   Harryman, Hadley, Wilson, Lash,  and  no 

doubt  several  others. 

OPENING    SCENES    OF   THE    GREAT    REBELLION. 

It  is  unnecessary  to  give  a  summary  of  the  causes  which  led  to  the 
rebellion  of  1861-65.  During  the  five  years  previous  to  the  breaking-out 
of  the  war,  the  interest  in  Morgan  County  ran  to  fever  heat.  The  ele- 
ments of  political  feeling  were  sharp  and  distinct.  Many  of  the  citizens 
had  formerly  been  residents  of  the  South,  and  a  strong  regard  for  the 
land  of  their  birth  and  childhood  led  them  into  open  sympathy  with  their 
former  friends.     On  the  contrary,  many  others  were  Abolitionists,  with 


HISTORY   OF  MORGAN  COUNTY.  51 

scarcely  an  instinct  or  a  thought  in  common  either  with  the  Southern 
people'^or  their  Northern  sympathizers.  This  condition  of  things  gave  the 
county  all  shades  of  opinion  on  the  impending  crisis.  Late  in  the  fifties, 
the  two  parties,  Democrat  and  Republican,  were  almost  equal  in  the 
county  in  point  of  numbers.  The  Presidential  campaign  of  1860  was 
bitterly  fought,  with  the  following  result :  Republicans,  1,755 ;  Douglas 
Democrats,  1,516;  Breckenridge  Democrats,  62;  Union  candidates,  15. 
This  was  a  Republican  gain  of  218  votes  over  the  Presidential  election  of 
1856,  and  greatly  encouraged  the  party  in  the  county.  Soon  after  the 
news  had  been  received  of  the  passage  of  ordinances  of  secession  by 
South  Carolina,  a  mass  meeting  of  the  party  was  called  to  meet  at  the 
court  house  in  Martinsville  on  the  29th  of  December,  1860,  on  which 
occasion  several  thousand  persons  assembled  to  take  into  consideration  the 
state  of  the  country.  Hon.  A.  S.  Griggs  was  made  President,  and  Sims 
Major,  Secretary,  and  the  following  committee  was  appointed  to  draft 
resolutions  expressive  of  the  sense  of  the  meeting:  W.  H.  Craig,  T.  J. 
Worth,  A.  A.  Barrickman,  Thomas  Freeman,  S.  D.  Ruckle,  S.  A.  Til- 
ford  and  Aaron  St.  John.  While  this  committee  was  at  work,  the  meet- 
ing was  addressed  by  the  President,  and  by  Dr.  J.  J.  Wright  and  others. 
A  long  series  of  resolutions  was  then  adopted,  asserting  that  the  Chicago 
platform  was  just;  that  the  deplorable  state  of  the  country  was  due  to 
the  Democratic  administration  of  Buchanan  which  desired  to  carry  slavery 
into  all  the  Territories;  that  the  termination  of  Buchanan's  reign  would 
be  hailed  with  joy :  that  the  Union  must  be  perpetuated  at  all  hazards, 
and  that  secession  was  treason,  and  should  be  rigidly  dealt  Avith.  The 
meeting  was  very  enthusiastic. 

About  the  middle  of  February,  1861,  a  strong  Union  meeting  was  held 
in  Gregg  Township,  J.  B.  Hinkle  acting  as  Chairman  and  H.  K.  Spen- 
cer, Secretary.  Dr.  J.  P.  Rader,  D.  Seaton  and  H.  K.  Spencer  were 
appointed  to  draft  resolutions.  These  stated  as  the  sense  of  the  meeting 
that  the  administration  of  Mr.  Lincoln  must  be  supported,  that  no  State 
was  justified  in  seceding,  and  that  an  amendment  to  the  constitution  pro- 
hibiting slavery  should  not  be  adopted.  A  large  meeting  of  a  similar 
character  was  held  about  the  same  time  in  Mooresville,  in  Morgantown 
and  at  several  other  places  in  the  county. 

It  should  be  remembered  that  there  were  representatives  in  the  county 
of  all  shades  of  political  opinion,  from  the  most  ardent  Abolitionist  to  the 
one  who  believed  in  the  right  of  the  States  to  secede,  and  in  the  divine 
origin  of  slavery.  The  excitement  continued  to  increase  as  the  winter 
wore  away,  and  as  the  Southern  States,  one  after  another,  seceded. 
Large  quantities  of  Government  stores  and  forts  and  important  strategic 
points  were  seized  ;  and  soon  grave  apprehension  was  felt  by  strong  Union 
people,  owing  to  the  apparent  apathy  of  President  Lincoln  after  his  in- 
auguration, that  nothing  would  be  done  to  check  the  dissolution  of  the 
Government.  Continued  and  extensive  preparations  for  war  were  made 
in  the  South,  long  after  the  North  ceased  to  believe  that  the  differences 
which  divided  the  two  factions  of  the  country  might  be  amicably  adjusted. 
Neither  the  North  nor  the  South  knew  the  strength  or  the  spirit  of  the 
other.  The  former  believed  that  if  war  was  begun  the  South  would  be 
forced  into  submission  within  three  months,  and  the  latter  believed  that 


52  HISTORY  OF  MORGAN  COUNTY. 

the  North  would  never  have  the  courage  to  attempt  to  coerce  the  rebellious 
States  back  into  the  Union.  Many  throughout  the  North  believed  that 
the  administration  had  no  right  to  resort  to  coercion.  On  the  contrary, 
the  great  majority  were  urgent  in  their  demands  upon  President  Lincoln 
to  strangle  the  hydra  of  secession  in  its  infancy,  and,  if  necessary,  forcibly 
maintain  intact  the  union  of  the  States. 

THE    FALL    OF    FORT    SUMTER 

At  last  the  news  was  received  that  Fort  Sumter  had  surrendered  to 
the  rebels.  On  the  evening  of  Monday,  April  15,  1861,  this  startling 
news  reached  Martinsville,  and  kindled  a  degree  of  angry  excitement  un- 
known before  in  the  history  of  the  county.  The  great  majority  forgot 
party,  and  came  loyally  forward  to  the  support  of  the  Government.  Ev- 
ery business  pursuit  was  dropped,  and  the  citizens  gathered  at  towns  and 
cross  roads  to  review  the  ominous  situation,  and  encourage  one  another 
with  hopeful  words.  The  prompt  call  of  the  President  for  75,000  volun- 
teers to  put  down  the  rebellion  sent  a  wave  of  relief  throughout  the 
anxiou-5  North,  and  double  the  numbers  called  for  immediately  tendered 
their  services.  America  had  never  before  witnessed  such  a  universal  and 
popular  uprising.  Mr.  Callis,  editor  of  the  Gazette,  came  out  on  Wednes- 
day, April  17,  with  long,  loyal  editorials,  urging  an  immediate  response 
to  the  call  of  the  President,  and  declaring  that  the  Union  must  be  pre- 
served.    The  following  short  article  also  appeared  in  the  issue  of  the  17th  : 

HOME   TRAITOKS. 

On  Monday  night  last,  when  the  news  of  the  reduction  of  Fort  Sumter  reached 
this  town,  several  of  our  citizens  openly  rejoiced  at  the  event.  We  are  sorry  to  re- 
cord this  lamentable  fact.  We  are  grieved  to  confess  that  we  have  men  in  our  com- 
munity who  are  so  destitute  of  patriotism  and  love  of  country  as  to  laugh  over  its 
downfall.     Shame!   Shame! 

Such  men  were  very  few,  and  were  speedily  borne  down  by  the  in- 
tense loyalty  which  blazed  forth  at  the  county  seat  and  at  almost  every 
other  place  in  the  county.  A  mass  meeting  of  the  citizens  was  called  to 
beheld  at  the  court  house  on  Saturday,  April  20,  to  consider  what  should 
be  done  by  the  county  to  meet  the  emergency.  Apparently  the  citizens 
were  unable  to  wait  until  Saturday,  the  20th  of  April,  before  holding 
their  meeting  at  the  court  house,  for  on  the  evening  of  the  18th,  pursuant 
to  a  few  hours'  notice,  a  large  assemblage  gathered  at  the  court  house. 
P.  S.  Parks  was  made  Chairman.  Upon  taking  the  chair,  he  made  a 
rousing  speech,  declaring  that  it  was  the  duty  of  all  but  traitors  to  stand 
by  the  old  flag — that  all  party  prejudice  should  be  renounced,  and  that 
the  Constitution  and  Union  must  be  maintained.  His  remarks  had  a 
wonderful  effect  upon  his  audience,  and  were  greeted  with  tumultuous 
cheers.  P.  M.  Blankenship  was  called  out,  and  spoke  encouragingly 
to  those  who  desired  to  volunteer  in  the  impending  crisis,  and  hoped  that 
a  general  war  might  be  averted.  Rev.  W.  C.  Smith  was  next  called  to 
the  stand,  and  electrified  his  audience  with  his  brilliant  eulogy  of  the 
"  stars  and  stripes,"  and  his  eloquent  utterances  in  favor  of  unfaltering 
loyalty.  He  denounced  the  traitors  with  the  keenest  invective  and  most 
searching  analysis  and  logic.  0.  R.  Daugherty  was  then  called  out. 
He  said  he  did  not  support  the  administration,  nor  the  causes  that  brought 


HISTORY  OF  MORGAN  COUNTY.  53 

on  the  war.  He  was  for  his  country,  right  or  wrong,  and  knew  no  other 
flag  than  the  stars  and  stripes.  The  committee  that  had  been  appointed 
to  draft  a  series  of  resolutions  expressive  of  the  sense  of  the  meeting  (W. 
J.  Manker,  J.  K.  Scott,  J.  W.  Ferguson,  John  Williams  and  John  H. 
Thornburg),  then  reported  as  follows : 

Whereas,  We  have  learned  with  sorrow  and  regret  that  a  rebellious  faction  in 
South  Carolina  has  wantonly,  insultingly  and  traitorously  destroyed  American  prop- 
erty, killed  American  soldiers,  and  outraged  the  American  flag,  and  all  this,  too, 
upon  soil  belonging  to  the  Federal  Government;  therefore 

Resolved,  That  we,  the  people  of  Morgan  County,  Ind.,  in  mass  convention  as- 
sembled, hereby  denounce  such  action  as  the  rankest  treason,  and  such  actors  as  the 
vilest  traitors,  in  comparison  with  whom  Benedict  Arnold  and  Aaron  Burr  sink  into 
utter  insignificance. 

Resolved,  That  in  this  crisis,  forced  upon  us  by  Southern  traitors,  we  forget  and 
bury  amid  the  relics  of  the  past,  all  political  feeling  and  prejudices,  and,  rallying 
around  our  own  time-honored  and  blood-stained  banner,  we  know  but  one  watch- 
word— "Our  country,  right  or  wrong." 

Resolved,  That  we  deeply  sympathize  with  the  President  of  the  United  States 
and  the  Governor  of  the  State,  and  their  coadjutors  in  this  trying  crisis,  and  hereby 
pledge  them  not  only  the  sympathy,  but  all  the  material  aid  that  we  can  extend  in 
every  effort  they  may  make  to  maintain  the  honor  of  our  flag  and  the  integrity  of 
our  Government. 

On  motion  each  resolution  was  submitted  separately  to  the  assemblage 
for  adoption  or  rejection.  A  motion  was  made  to  strike  out  from  the 
second  resolution  the  words,  "forced  upon  us  by  Southern  traitors,"  but 
his  motion  was  earnestly  opposed  by  Messrs.  Parks,  Manker  and  Smith, 
and  supported  by  himself  and  Mr.  Cunning.  A  stranger  present  spoke 
eloquently  in  favor  of  rejecting  the  motion  to  strike  out.  He  said  there 
were  but  two  flags — the  stars  and  stripes  and  the  palmetto — and  that  one 
or  the  other  must  be  chosen.  The  motion  to  strike  out  was  finally  lost, 
but  It  incited  considerable  ill-feeling  at  the  time.  The  resolutions  were 
then  severally  adopted.  The  meeting  was  well  attended,  and  an  unwaver- 
ing loyalty  prevailed.  The  meeting  then  adjourned,  to  meet  again  on 
Saturday  night,  as  had  been  advertised. 

A  very  large  crowd  assembled,  and  J.  J.  Johnston  was  called  to  the 
chair.  He  delivered  a  loyal  and  eloquent  speech.  He  said  it  had  been 
remarked  by  the  enemies  of  the  country  at  home  that  Morgan  County 
would  not  respond  to  the  call  of  the  Governor  for  troops,  but  that  the 
present  demonstration  and  the  volunteers  before  him  proved  the  assertion 
false.  He  announced  that  the  volunteer  company  numbered  eighty-four, 
and  that  additional  names  were  constantly  being  added  to  the  enlistment 
roll.  He  was  followed  by  W.  J.  Manker  and  Rev.  J.  S.  Woods,  both  of 
whom  delivered  eloquent  speeches  of  great  power  and  loyalty.  A  plan 
for  a  home  guard  was  then  presented,  providing  for  the  support  of  the 
families  of  volunteers,  for  the  organization  of  home  militia  to  be  in  readi- 
ness for  any  peril  to  the  county,  State  or  nation,  and  calling  upon  all  the 
townships  for  co-operation  and  assistance.  The  plan  or  resolution  was 
unanimously  adopted,  and  a  subscription  of  $72  for  the  volunteers  was 
taken  from  the  citizens  of  Martinsville,  and  $23  from  the  citizens  of 
Morgantown.  W.  J,  Manker  and  W.  C.  Smith,  of  Martinsville,  were 
appointed  a  committee  to  procure  blankets  for  the  company,  and  Jacob 
Adams  and  William  Fesler  were  appointed  to  do  the  same  at  Morgai;i- 
town.  At  this  juncture  of  the  meeting,  J.  K.  Scott,  Captain  of  the  com- 
pany, arrived  from  Indianapolis  and  announced  that  the   company  had 


54  HISTORY  OF  MORGAN  COUNTY. 

been  accepted  by  the  Governor,  and  would  march  at  6  o'clock  on  Monday 
morning  for  Camp  Morton,  Indianapolis.  The  enthusiasm  immediately 
became  intense,  many  more  volunteered,  and  more  than  twenty  farmers 
volunteered  wagons  to  haul  the  boys  to  the  capital.  The  meeting  ad- 
journed, to  meet  again  the  following  Wednesday  night. 

OTHER    LOYAL    MEETINGS. 

The  citizens  of  Monrovia,  soon  after  the  receipt  of  the  news  of  the 
fall  of  Fort  Sumter,  organized  a  military  company  and  elected  Mr.  Fos- 
ter Captain  ;  but,  learning  that  the  company  would  probably  not  be  re- 
ceived by  the  Governor,  soon  disbanded.  On  the  19th  of  April,  at  1 
o'clock  P.  M.,  a  big  war  meeting  was  held  at  Morgantown.  J.  R.  Cul- 
bertson  was  chosen  Chairman,  and  J.  M.  Ragsdale,  Secretary.  Eloquent 
speeches  were  made  by  P.  S.  Parks,  Judge  Griggs  and  Col.  John 
Vawter.  The  meeting  was  very  enthusiastic,  and  the  speakers  were 
constantly  interrupted  by  tremendous  cheers.  The  following  resolution 
was  adopted : 

Besolved,  That  we  are  devotedly  attached  to  our  flag  and  Government,  and  that 
we  heartily  respond  to  the  requisition  of  tlie  President  of  the  United  States  and  the 
Governor  of  this  State  for  troops  for  the  maintenance  of  the  honor  of  our  flag  and 
the  integrity  of  our  Government. 

A  rousing  meeting  was  also  held  at  Mooresville,  and  great  loyalty 
was  manifested  by  the  members  of  all  parties.  The  first  men  to  leave 
the  county  to  enter  the  service,  so  far  as  known,  went  from  the  neighbor- 
hood south  of  Mooresville.  These  men  were  W.  H.  Dryden,  John  T. 
Harvey,  Nathan  Summers,  Thomas  Brady,  Thomas  F.  Dryden  and  Rob- 
ert B.  Gilbert.  They  reached  Indianapolis  on  the  forenoon  of  the  17th, 
and  in  the  afternoon  were  joined  by  many  others  from  Morgan  County 
anxious  for  a  position  in  some  regiment.  The  men  mentioned  were  as- 
signed to  the  Fifteenth  Regiment,  three  years'  service,  and  were  credited 
to  Montgomery  County.  They  were  not  the  first  in  the  service  from 
the  county.     Who  were  is  difficult  to  state. 

The  issue  of  the  Gazette  of  April  24  contained  the  following  : 

OUK  VOLUNTEERS. 

A  company  of  volunteers  over  130  strong  left  this  place  on  Monday  morning 
last  for  Camp  Morton,  Indianapolis.  They  were  commanded  by  J.  K.  Scott,  Cap- 
tain; Charles  Day,  First  Lieutenant,  and  T.  F.  Orner,  Second  Lieutenant.  Previous 
to  their  departure,  a  patriotic  and  affecting  address  was  made  to  them  by  Rev.  W. 
C.  Smith.  Among  the  vast  throng  assembled  to  see  the  volunteers  depart,  we  do 
not  believe  that  a  single  dry  eye  could  have  been  found  during  the  delivery  of  that 
speech.  We  can  say  this  much  for  the  Morgan  County  boys:  A  braver  and  more 
determined  set  of  men  never  went  forth  to  face  an  enemy.  We  feel  confident  that 
in  whatever  position  they  may  be  placed  Capt.  Scott  and  his  command  will  give  a 
creditable  account  of  themselves. 

The  same  issue  contained  the  following : 

The  Union  feeling  is  on  the  increase.  With  but  few  exceptions,  Morgan  County 
is  sound  for  the  Union.  For  a  week  past  our  town  has  been  profuselj^  decorated 
with  the  stars  and  stripes,  and  our  streets  enlivened  by  the  sound  of  fife  and  drum. 
A  large  volunteer  force  has  been  raised,  and  we  have  plenty  of  material  to  form 
another  should  it  be  needed.  Men  who  were  open  disunionists  a  week  ago,  are  now 
ready  to  defend  the  Union. 

Also  the  following  in  the  same  issue : 


HISTORY  OF  MORGAN  COUNTY.  55 

On  Sunday  last,  over  $100  was  made  up  in  this  town,  for  the  purpose  of  uni- 
forming and  equipping  the  officers  of  the  Morgan  County  Volunteers.  This  was 
due  to  the  energy  and  perseverance  of  one  or  two  of  our  citizens. 

In  this  issue,  also,  was  a  lengthy  editorial,  reviewing  the  position 
taken  by  the  Morgan  County  Clarion.  It  seems  that  the  latter  had 
asserted  that  "any  State  has  the  right  to  secede  from  the  Union,"  that 
it  (the  Clarion)  would  "  not  raise  a  hand  in  hostility  against  its  Southern 
brethren,"  that  the  pending  crisis  was  a  "sectional  war,"  and  that  the 
volunteers  were  "  disseminators  of  abolitionism  trying  to  destroy  the 
country."  The  G-azette  proceeded  to  administer  a  severe  rebuke  to  the 
Clarion  for  its  alleged  treasonable  and  disloyal  utterances.  The  article 
was  long' and  bitter. 

CONTINUED    PUBLIC    DEMONSTRATION. 

Another  immense  war  meeting  was  held  at  the  court  house  on  the 
evening  of  the  24th  of  April,  to  make  arrangements  to  provide  Capt. 
Scott's  company  with  uniforms,  and  to  raise  funds  for  the  support  of  the 
families  of  volunteers.  Rev.  W.  C.  Smith  was  called  to  the  chair,  and 
P.  M.  Parks  was  appointed  Secretary.  A  resolution  was  presented  by 
Jackson  Record,  and  adopted,  asking  the  County  Commissioners  to  do- 
nate means  from  the  county  treasury  to  uniform  the  volunteers  and  pro- 
vide soldiers'  families  with  necessaries.  Arrangements  were  made  to 
secure  a  loan  from  the  citizens  with  the  above  mentioned  objects  in  view, 
until  the  County  Board  could  be  prevailed  upon  to  appropriate  the  needed 
amount  from  the  county  treasury.  The  meeting  was  very  enthusiastic, 
and  $165  was  raised,  $100  of  which  was  sent  to  Capt.  Scott's  company, 
and  the  balance  retained  for  volunteers'  families. 

On  the  same  evening  of  this  meeting,  a  rousing  one  was  held  at 
Morgantown  by  the  citizens  of  that  vicinity,  and  many  from  Brown  and 
Johnson  Counties.  William  Fesler  was  Chairman,  and  J.  M.  Ragsdale, 
Secretary.  A  long  series  of  patriotic  resolutions  was  adopted.  Speeches 
were  made  by  T.  D.  Calvin,  of  Brown  County,  and  S.  0.  W.  Garret,  of 
Johnson  County.  A  company  of  seventy-five  men  was  enrolled  amid 
the  music  of  fife  and  drum,  and  the  cheers  of  the  vast  audience.  The 
company  was  named  the  "Morgantown  Military  Home  Guard."  The 
greatest  loyalty  was  manifested  at  this  meeting.  Patriotic  war  meetings 
were  held  about  this  time  at  Mooresville  and  in  Gregg,  Adams  and  other 
townships,  but  as  the  details  were  not  recorded  they  cannot  be  given  here. 
A  second  company  began  to  form  at  Martinsville  about  this  time,  and  in 
other  portions  of  the  county,  Home  Guards  were  organized.  Loyal 
meetings  were  held  everywhere.  Schoolhouses  and  churches  were  thus 
occupied,  and  ministers  stepped  aside  from  their  high  calling  to  denounce 
the  course  of  the  South  and  encourage  the  enlistment  of  volunteers. 

HOME    GUARDS. 

Early  in  May,  the  company  of  Home  Guards  at  Martinsville  was  fully 
organized,  and  the  necessary  officers  were  elected.  A  small  company 
was  formed  at  Howell's  Schoolhouse  on  the  4th  of  May,  and  the  follow- 
ing officers  were  elected :  Madison  Avery,  Captain ;  Hugh  McElravy. 
First  Lieutenant.  John  W.  Payne  was  President  of  the  meeting,  and 
G.  W.  Hall,  Secretary. 


56  HISTORY   OF  MORGAN  COUNTY. 

On  the  1st  of  May,  a  big  war  meeting  was  held  in  Indian  Creek 
Bottom  at  the  schoolhouse  near  Widow  Long's.  The  presiding  officers 
were  John  Buckner,  Chairman,  and  James  Maxwell,  Jr.,  Secretary.  A 
long  series  of  loyal  resolutions  was  adopted.  Early  in  May,  an  attempt 
was  made  to  hang  a  citizen  of  the  county  for  boldly  and  publicly  express- 
ing decided  disloyal  sentiments.  He  had  come  to  the  county  seat  to 
trade,  but  left  town  very  hurriedly  when  threats  of  lynching  seemed 
likely  to  ]^e  carried  into  execution. 

The  G-azette  of  June  5  said : 

MILITARY   SPIRIT. 

We  are  emphatically  a  war-like  people.  The  rolling  of  the  drum  and  the  notes 
of  the  fife  are  heard  every  day.  A  large  number  of  our  citizeus  congregate  at 
Military  Hall  almost  every  night  and  go  through  the  exercise  of  drilling.  Even  the 
little  girls  and  boys  have  caught  the  fever  and  may  frequently  be  seen  marching  and 
counter-marching,  drumming  upon  tin  pans  and  old  stove-pipes,  whistling  and  sing- 
ing national  airs,  floiuishing  wooden  swords,  guns,  etc.      Vive  les  enfans  ! 

It  seems  that  the  company  of  Home  Guards  at  Martinsville  had  a 
second  and  more  satisfactory  election  of  officers,  as  will  be  seen  from  the 
following,  which  appeared  in  the  G-azette  of  June  12  : 

MARTINSVILLE   RIFLES. 

This  company,  organized  under  the  new  militia  law,  was  sworn  into  the  service 
of  the  State  on  Saturday  afternoon  last.  The  oath  was  administered  by  Capt.  Ben- 
jamin Hayward,  in  front  of  Military  Hall,  and  furnished  quite  an  impressive  and 
solemn  scene.  The  following  persons  were  elected  officers  of  the  company:  Ebenezer 
Henderson,  Sr.,  Captain;  Thomas  Morrison,  First  Lieutenant ;  W.  A.  S.  Mitchell, 
Second  Lieutenant ;  William  Harrison,  Orderly. 

The  Gazette  of  June  19  said: 

THE   MILITIA. 

Four  companies  of  militia  have  been  organized  in  Morgan  County  under  the 
militia  law  at  the  following  places  :  Martinsville,  Morgantown,  Eminence  and  Cen- 
terton.  For  an  out  of  the  way  county,  destitute  of  railroad  and  telegraphic  facili- 
ties, that  will  do  pretty  well. 

It  should  be  remembered  that  these  companies  were  militia,  but  early 
in  June  the  Gazette  joyously  stated  that  Ambrose  Cunning  had  been 
commissioned  to  raise  a  company  for  the  war.  P.  S.  Parks  had  been 
commissioned  for  the  same  purpose  a  short  time  before,  but  meeting  with 
an  accident  whereby  his  leg  was  broken,  he  was  forced  to  give  it  up. 
The  officers  of  the  Centerton  militia  company  were  Jacob  Hess,  Captain  ; 
Thomas  Grinstead,  First  Lieutenant:  Clayton  Cox,  Second  Lieutenant. 
There  were  sixty  men  in  the  company  about  the  8th  of  June,  and  the 
company  drilled  every  Saturday  on  the  Fair  Ground.  The  men  were 
sworn  into  State  service  June  8,  The  Morgantown  militia  company  was 
officered  as  follows :  J.  J.  Johnston,  Captain ;  J.  R.  Culbertson,  First 
Lieutenant;  John  R.  Fesler,  Second  Lieutenant;  J.  K.  Coffman,  Orderly. 
Col.  John  Vawter  sAvore  the  company,  numbering  fifty-two  men,  into  the 
State  service  before  June  18.  On  Saturday,  June  22,  the  beautiful  cer- 
emony of  presenting  the  company  a  flag,  by  the  ladies. of  Morgantown, 
was  enjoyed  by  that  portion  of  the  county. 

On  the  last  day  of  July,  it  was  stated  that  four  companies  were  being 
organized  in  the  county  for  the  war,  to  wit :  The  one  at  Martinsville, 
under  Capt.  A.  D.  Cunning ;  one   in   Baker  Township,  commanded  by 


HISTORY  OF  xMORGAN  COUNTY.  57 

Capt.  James  E.  Burton ;  the  one  at  Morgantown,  under  Capt.  J.  J. 
Johnston,  and  the  militia  company  at  Martinsville,  under  Capt.  A.  S. 
Griggs,  -which  had  not  yet  decided  to  enter  the  United  States  service. 

CAPT.    SCOTT'S    company. 

This  company  was  the  only  one  from  the  county  in  the  three  months' 
service.  It  was  assigned  to  the  Seventh  Regiment,  and  became  Company 
K,  and  on  the  29th  of  May  was  ordered  into  Western  Virginia  with  its 
regiment,  which  was  commanded  by  Col.  Ebenezer  Dumont,  who  had 
served  in  the  Mexican  war.  The  company  participated  in  the  action  at 
Phillippi,  being  in  the  advance,  and  about  six  weeks  later  in  the  skirmish 
at  Bealington,  and  in  all  the  marches,  reconnoissances,  pursuits,  etc.,  in- 
cluding the  charge  at  Carrick's  Ford,  and  the  subsequent  pursuit  of  the 
enemy.  The  latter  part  of  July  the  regiment  was  ordered  to  Indianap- 
olis for  muster  out.  On  the  27th,  the  company  of  Capt.  Scott  reached 
Martinsville.  On  their  way,  they  had  stopped  at  Mooresville,  where  a 
splendid  reception  was  given  them,  and  where  they  were  feasted  and 
toasted  with  all  the  pomp  and  ceremony  of  war.  As  they  neared  Mar- 
tinsville, they  were  met  by  the  entire  town,  led  by  the  band,  and  such  a 
joyous  time  was  never  before  witnessed  at  the  county  seat.  How  noble 
the  boys  looked  in  their  bright  blue  uniforms,  and  with  what  wonderful 
precision  they  moved  along  to  the  stirring  sound  of  fife  and  drum.  And 
what  a  glorious  time  they  all  had  at  the  Thomas  House,  where  an  elegant 
and  sumptuous  supper  had  been  prepared  for  them.  Triumphal  arches 
had  been  spanned  over  the  streets,  on  which  were  the  names  of  engage- 
ments participated  in  by  the  company,  and  over  and  around  which  were 
hung  garlands  of  evergreen  and  summer  flowers,  and  many  a  banner  of 
red,  white  and  blue.  An  eloquent  welcoming  address  was  delivered  by 
Rev.  Smith,  and  responded  to  by  numerous  members  of  the  company, 
who  gave  an  account  of  the  wild  scenes  of  active  Avar  in  Virginia,  and 
exhibited  numerous  trophies  of  their  victories.  But  one  of  the  company 
had  died  in  the  service,  John  McDaniel,  who  had  died  a  natural  death  in 
Virginia.  The  festivities  were  carried  far  into  the  night,  and  were  greatly 
enjoyed. 

OTHER    COMPANIES    FOR    THE  WAR. 

Almost  all  the  early  regiments  contained  men  from  Morgan  County. 
The  second  company  to  enter  the  service  was  commanded  by  Capt.  Jacob 
Hess,  and  was  raised  and  organized  at  Centerton  and  vicinity.  They 
were  mustered  into  the  service  July  24,  and  were  given  a  public  farewell 
meeting  by  their  friends  just  before  their  departure  for  Indianapolis.  A 
committee,  consisting  of  Misses  Jennie  Major,  Mary  McCracken,  Eliza 
Manker  and  others  had  been  appointed  to  secure  donations  of  money  to 
procure  a  flag  for  the  company.  They  reported  that  $55.66  had  been 
received,  of  which  all  but  $15.66  had  been  used  in  purchasing  material, 
etc.  The  magnificent  silk  flag,  which  had  been  made  by  the  fair  hands 
of  the  committee,  was  presented  to  the  company  with  appropriate  cere- 
mony. The  men  became  Company  K,  of  the  Twenty-first  Regiment,  three 
years'  service.  Company  B  of  the  same  regiment,  which  was  organized 
at  Gosport,  contained  about  twenty  men  from  the  county.  July  and 
August  saw  lively  times  in  the  county.     Lieut.  T.  F.  Orner  and  W.  J 


58  HISTORY  OF  MORGAN  COUNTY. 

Manker  began  to  recruit  men  to  fill  up  the  old  company  of  Capt.  Scott 
for  the  three  years'  service.  Capt.  Griggs  was  steadily  enlisting  men  at 
Martinsville,  and  Capt.  Burton  was  doing  likewise  in  Baker  Township 
and  vicinity.  Capt.  Wellman  was  raising  a  company  in  the  northern 
part  of  the  county,  Capt.  Cunning  was  also  at  work  at  Martinsville 
and  vicinity.  War  meetings  were  held  everywhere  as  a  stimulus  to  obtain 
volunteers.  Eloquent  speakers  and  thrilling  martial  bands  would  stir  up 
the  blood,  and  beautiful  ladies  with  bewitching  smiles  would  pass  round 
the  fatal  enlistment  roll.  The  whole  county  was  alive  with  military  prep- 
arations. Late  in  July,  the  citizens  of  Gregg  Township  and  vicinity  or- 
ganized a  company  of  home  guards,  consisting  wholly  of  old  men  exempt 
from  military  service,  being  over  forty-five  years  of  age.  The  company 
numbered  forty-two.  One-half  of  Company  E,  Twenty-sixth  Regiment, 
was  raised  in  the  northern  part  of  the  county,  and  finally  mustered  into 
the  service  August  30.  It  was  raised  largely  by  Capt.  Lewis  Manker. 
On  the  19th  of  August,  Capt.  J.  J.  Johnston's  company  left  for  Indian- 
apolis, but  was  not  mustered  in  until  September  12.  It  became  Com- 
pany G  of  the  Twenty-seventh  Regiment,  three  years'  service.  On  the 
7th  of  September,  Capt.  Johnston  was  commissioned  Surgeon  of  the  regi- 
ment, and  John  R.  Fesler  succeeded  him  in  command  of  Company  G. 
The  men  raised  in  the  northern  part  of  the  county  by  Capt.  Wellman  and 
others  became  Company  A,  of  the  Thirty-third  Regiment.  They  were 
mustered  into  the  service  at  Indianapolis  September  16.  In  the  latter 
part  of  August,  when  they  left  the  county,  a  number  of  disloyal  citizens 
in  the  vicinity  of  Hall  felled  trees  across  the  road  over  which  they  would 
have  to  march,  built  fences  across  the  same,  tore  up  bridges,  etc.,  to  ob- 
struct their  march  and  testify  of  the  ill-will  of  such  citizens.  Company 
C  of  this  regiment  was  wholly  from  the  county.  This  was  the  successor 
of  Capt.  Scott's  old  company.  It  was  thought  that  W.  J.  Manker  would 
be  Captain,  but  as  he  was  appointed  Major  of  the  same  regiment,  Charles 
Day  succeeded  him  as  commander  of  Company  C.  About  half  of  Com- 
pany E,  of  the  Thirty-third,  was  raised  in  the  county  by  W.  A.  Whitson, 
Dr.  Whitaker  and  others.  The  greater  portion  of  Company  H,  of  the 
Thirty-third,  was  also  from  Morgan  County,  the  remainder  being  from 
Gosport.  This  was  the  company  of  Capt.  Burton.  Company  C  was 
mustered  in  on  the  16th  of  September,  Company  E  on  the  21st  of  Sep- 
tember, and  Company  H  on  the  16th  of  September.  There  were  thus 
in  the  Thirty-third  Regiment  at  the  time  of  muster-in  about  three  and  a 
half  companies  from  Morgan  County.  Several  had  left  the  county  and 
joined  other  regiments. 

ENTHUSIASTIC    WAR    MEETINGS. 

On  the  24th  of  August,  a  very  large  Union  war  meeting  was  held  at 
Martinsville  to  raise  volunteers  for  the  war.  A  large  crowd  assembled 
to  listen  to  the  speeches  and  to  participate  in  the  event.  The  orators 
were  S.  H.  Buskirk,  Rev.  Harned,  Rev.  Lester,  P.  M.  Blankenship,  J. 
E.  Burton,  W.  J.  Manker,  P.  S.  Parks  and  others.  The  greatest  mili- 
tary fervor  and  loyalty  prevailed.  Many  volunteers  were  secured  for  the 
companies  then  being  organized.  This  was  but  a  sample  of  the  meetings 
held  throughout  the  county.     When  the  company  raised  largely  by  W. 


HISTORY  OF  MORGAN  COUNTY.  59 

J.  Manker  and  commanded  by  Capt.  Charles  Day  left  Martinsville,  the 
ceremony  of  presenting  the  boys  with  the  same  silk  banner  which  Capt. 
Scott's  company  in  the  three  months'  service  had  carried  through  the 
campaign  in  Western  Virginia,  was  enjoyed  amid  imposing  ceremonies. 
The  banner  had  been  bought  by  Capt.  Scott  for  that  purpose,  and  the 
presentation  speech  was  delivered  by  0.  R.  Daugherty,  and  responded  to 
by  Capt.  Day.  Both  speeches  were  loyal,  eloquent,  and  a  credit  to  the 
citizens  and  the  company.  No  sooner  was  the  company  ready  than  the 
boys  were  loaded  into  twenty  or  more  wagons,  and  conveyed  amid  the 
rattle  of  drums  and  the  cheers  of  the  populace  to  the  State  capital.  This 
was  true  of  all  the  companies  and  recruits,  as  the  county  had  no  railroad 
then  running.  It  was  the  most  stirring  time  the  county  ever  saw,  before 
or  since,  as  the  patriotic  impulse  was  fresh  then  in  the  breasts  of  all,  and 
extreme  partisan  bitterness  had  not  yet  crept  in  with  its  disloyal  madness 
and  delirium.     The  G-azette  of  September  18  said  : 

Morgan  County  has  raised  and  sent  out  eight  companies  to  aid  in  putting  down 
the  rebellion.  The  Captains  and  the  regiments  to  which  they  belong  are  as  follows: 
Capt.  Hess,  of  the  Twenty-first;  Capt.  Lewis  Manker,  of  the  Twenty-sixth;  Capt. 
Johnston,  of  the  Twenty-seventh ;  and  Capts.  T.  J.  Wellman,  Charles  Day,  J.  E. 
Burton  and  Whitson,  of  the  Thirty-third;  also  Capt.  Scott,  of  the  Seventh,  in  the 
three  months'  service.  In  addition  to  this,  our  county  has  a  large  number  of  men 
distributed  in  the  various  Indiana  regiments,  some  in  the  zouaves,  others  in  artillery 
companies,  etc.  Two  of  our  companies  are  in  active  service,  that  of  Capt.  Hess  in 
Maryland,  and  that  of  Capt.  Louis  Manker  in  Missouri.  The  remaining  companies, 
except  that  of  Capt.  Scott,  are  in  camp  at  Indianapolis. 

It  should  be  remembered  that  two  of  these  companies  had  been  only 
partly  raised  in  Morgan  County,  but  enough  had  left  for  the  war  in  other 
regiments  to  raise  the  number  up  to  about  the  figures  of  the  editor. 
This  was  certainly  an  excellent  showing,  for  which  the  county  may  be 
justly  proud.  But  the  work  was  scarcely  over  with  the  above  companies 
before  Capts.  Scott  and  Cunning  and  Lieut.  Orner  began  raising  more 
volunteers  to  form  a  new  company.  They  were  assisted  by  P.  S.  Parks, 
Capt.  Hayward  and  others.  Owing  to  a  political  controversy  in  the 
county,  Mr.  Parks,  about  the  middle  of  October,  challenged  A,  B.  Con- 
duitt,  J.  C.  Henderson,  0.  R.  Daugherty  and  H.  T.  Craig  to  stump  the 
county  for  volunteers,  each  man  to  pay  his  own  expenses.  For  some 
reason  the  challenge  was  not  accepted.  Thirty-five  men  had  been  secured 
by  the  middle  of  November.  This  company  was  designed  for  the  Fifty- 
ninth  Regiment  which  was  being  rendezvoused  at  Gosport.  The  enlist- 
ment of  the  regiment  continued  slowly  during  the  winter  months.  In 
February,  1862,  various  public  meetings  were  held  in  the  county,  indors- 
ing the  action  of  the  United  States  Senate  in  expelling  Jesse  D.  Bright 
from  that  body  for  disloyalty,  etc.  On  the  11th  of  February,  1862,  the 
Fifty-ninth  Regiment  was  mustered  into  the  service.  About  half  of  Com- 
pany B  was  from  Morgan  County,  and  nearly  as  many  more  men  were 
scattered  through  other  companies,  notably  Company  I. 

But  little  effort  was  made  during  the  first  half  of  the  year  1862  to 
raise  volunteers  for  the  war.  The  county  had  filled  her  quota  under  all 
calls,  and  had  a  surplus  to  her  credit.  During  these  months,  the  county 
in  order  to  systematize  future  enlistments  of  men,  elected  the  following 
County  Military  Committee :  W.  B.  Taylor,  Washington  Township ; 
James  Pratt,  Jackson  ;  John  Williams,   Green ;  Cyrus  Whetzell,  Harri- 

4 


60  HISTORY    OF   MORGAN  COUNTY. 

son  ;  Allen  Hecklin,  Madison  ;  V.  Butterfield,  Clay  ;  John  Thornburg, 
Brown  ;  Uriah  Ballard,  Monroe  ;  Isaac  Ratliff,  Adams  ;  G.  W.  Wellman, 
Gregg ;  Philip  Hodges,  Ray ;  Jeiferson  Farr,  Baker. 

THE  FOURTH  OF  JULY,  1862. 

Extensive  preparations  had  been  made  to  celebrate  Independence  Day, 
and  early  in  the  morning  the  crowd  began  to  arrive.  Long  processions 
of  wagons,  carriages  and  dust-begrimed  pedestrians  came  trooping  in 
under  the  command  of  a  Marshal,  led  by  one  or  more  bands  of  martial 
music,  and  gaily  decorated  with  bright  flowers  and  national  colors,  and 
ornamented  with  the  beautiful  holiday  apparel  of  summer.  By  9  o'clock 
in  the  morning,  the  streets  of  the  county  seat  were  surging  with  the  rest- 
less waves  of  patriotic  humanity,  while  above  the  Babel  of  tongues  arose 
the  shrill  sound  of  many  fifes  and  the  deep  roll  of  many  drums.  The 
omnipresent  small  boy  was  out  en  masse,  with  all  his  torturing  sounds  and 
doleful  cries,  filling  the  bright  morning  with  din  and  smoke.  A  huge 
flag  pole  had  been  erected  near  the  square,  from  which  a  magnificent 
banner  waved  proudly  in  the  sunny  sky.  Several  wagons  drawn  by 
four  horses  came  in  from  the  country,  loaded  with  young  ladies  dressed 
in  white  and  decorated  with  red  and  blue,  and  ornamented  with  wreaths 
of  roses  and  sweet  smiles.  At  10  o'clock  all  the  fragments  were  united 
into  one  grand  procession,  more  than  a  mile  in  length,  and  were  marched 
out  to  Mitchell's  Grove,  where  the  ceremonies  of  the  day  were  to  be 
observed.  Prayer  was  ofiered  by  Benjamin  Sweet,  and  the  Declaration 
of  Independence  read  by  A.  S.  Griggs.  A  chosen  chorus  of  singers 
rendered  selections  of  patriotic  music  for  the  occasion.  0.  R.  Daugherty, 
the  orator  of  the  forenoon,  delivered  an  eloquent  address  forty  minutes 
in  length.  His  closing  words  were  :  "  The  war  is  not  being  waged  upon 
the  part  of  the  Government  for  the  purpose  of  conquest  or  subjugation, 
or  the  overthrow  of  or  interference  with  the  established  institutions  of 
any  of  the  States,  but  to  suppress  and  put  down  a  wicked  and  causeless 
rebellion,  defend  and  maintain  the  supremacy  of  the  Constitution,  and 
preserve  the  Union  as  established  by  our  patriot  fathers,  with  all  the 
dignity,  equality  and  rights  of  the  several  States  unimpaired,  and  that 
when  these  objects  are  fully  accomplished,  and  not  before,  the  war 
should  cease."  A  bounteous  picnic  dinner  was  then  spread  out  under  the 
green  foliage,  and  partaken  of  by  all  present.  Soldiers  were  present  in 
military  dress,  at  home  on  furlough  from  the  field  of  war,  and  were  lion- 
ized by  young  and  old,  and  toasted  in  many  a  glass  of  lemonade  or  bev- 
erage of  greater  strength.  In  the  afternoon  the  assemblage  was  addressed 
by  Dr.  J.  J.  Wright  and  P.  S.  Parks,  both  of  whom  delivered  speeches 
of  unusual  loyalty  and  power.  At  their  conclusion  the  audience  dispersed 
to  their  homes,  except  the  young  people,  who  remained  to  dance  the  hours 
of  the  night  away.     The  day  was  long  remembered. 

RENEWED    ENLISTMENT    OF   VOLUNTEERS. 

On  the  2d  of  July,  1862,  came  the  call  for  300,000  men,  and  the 
county  made  immediate  preparations  to  fill  her  quota.  Ezra  Olleman, 
A.  D.  Cunning  and  Samuel  Harryman  were  commissioned  to  procure 
volunteers  under  the  call,  and  immediately  began  active  work.     On  one 


HISTORY    OF   MORGAN   COUNTY.  61 

occasion  in  the  Gazette  office,  in  order  to  induce  married  men  to  volunteer,  a 
subscription  of  $235  was  raised  in  one  evening  for  the  wives  and  families  of 
such  men.  By  the  last  days  of  July,  A.  D.  Cunning  reported  that  he  had 
secured  fifty  volunteers.  These  men  were  designed  for  the  Seventieth 
Regiment,  and  were  paid  $10  each  of  county  bounty  by  the  Board  of 
Commissioners.  Lewis  Manker  began  enlisting  men  for  the  Seventy- 
ninth  Regiment.  War  meetings  were  again  held  in  all  portions'of  the 
county.  On  the  4th  of  August  came  another  call  for  300,000  men,  and 
the  efforts  to  raise  volunteers  multiplied.  About  forty  men  from  'Adams 
Township  entered  a  company  that  was  raised  at  Stilesville.  The  men 
recruited  by  OUeman  entered  the  Seventieth  Regiment.  A  small  squad  of 
men  (about  thirty),  raised  by  Lieut.  Sylvanus  Barnard,  entered  the  Fourth 
Cavalry  (Seventy-seventh  Regiment.)  About  thirty-five  men  were  raised 
by  John  E.  Greer,  in  the  northern  part  of  the  county  mostly,  and  were 
assigned  to  the  Fifth  Cavalry.  About  one-third  of  Company  B,  of  the 
Seventy-ninth  Regiment  was  raised  by  Capt.  Lewis  Manker,  and  all,  or 
nearly  so,  of  Company  H  of  the  same  regiment,  was  from  Morgan 
County,  the  Captain  being  Sanford  C.  Pruitt.  These  men  were  largely 
secured  by  Judge  Griggs  and  Justice  Killian.  Great  pressure  was  brought  to 
bear  upon  the  county  by  threats  of  the  approaching  draft,  and  the  interest 
equaled  that  of  July  and  August,  1861.  Capt.  Samuel  F.  Rooker  raised 
an  entire  company  at  Mooresville,  which  entered  the  Twelfth  Infantry, 
one  year's  service.  They  were  presented  a  beautiful  flag  upon  their  de- 
parture. 

THE  WAR  MEETING  OF  AUGUST  2. 

On  this  day  one  of  the  largest  crowds  ever  in  Martinsville,  assembled 
to  listen  to  the  speech  of  Judge  Hughs.  Early  in  the  morning  the 
ciiizens  of  the  town  had  erected  a  tall  flag-pole  from  which  a  magnificent 
banner  thirty  feet  in  length  was  suspended  by  Mrs.  Col.  Scott,  Miss  An- 
na Deitz,  Miss  Maria  Mitchell,  Miss  Lou  Gwinn,  Mrs.  Kennedy  and 
Miss  Anna  Barnard.  As  this  beautiful  banner  caught  the  breeze  and 
unfurled  its  rich  colors  in  the  morning  sun,  the  assembled  crowd  burst 
into  a  chorus  of  tumultuous  cheers  at  the  grand  spectacle.  Perry  Blan- 
kenship  mounted  a  dry  goods  box  and  eulogized  the  banner  as  an  emblem 
of  the  national  life  and  honor.  He  was  followed  by  AVilliamson  Terrell 
and  others.  Several  thousand  people  were  present.  At  10  o'clock,  the 
procession  was  marched  gayly  to  Mitchell's  Grove,  where  stands  and  seats 
had  been  prepared.  As  Judge  Hughs  had  not  appeared,  the  crowd  was 
addressed  by  0.  R.  Daugherty  and  Rev.  Smith.  Both  speakers  were 
listened  to  with  close  attention.  About  B  o'clock  in  the  afternoon  Judge 
Hughs  appeared,  and  delivered  a  fiery  speech  of  one  hour's  duration,  that 
was  listened  to  by  the  large  crowd  and  applauded  to  the  echo.  The  en- 
thusiasm during  the  day  ran  to  fever  heat.  All  were  filled  with  the  mili- 
tary spirit  of  the  hour,  and  enjoyed  all  features  of  the  occasion  with  the 
keenest  relish.     The  issue  of  the  Gazette  August  9,  said: 

The  military  fever  never  ran  so  high  in  this  county  as  it  does  at  the  present 
time. 

The  Gazette  of  August  16,  said: 

War  meetings  are  all  the  rage  now,  and  Morgan  County  is  not  behind 
the  times.    We  defy  any    other    county    in    this    or  any  other  State  to  get   up 


62  HISTORY   OF   MORGAN   COUNTY. 

more  war  meetings,  or  larger  or  more  enthusiastic  meetings,  tlian  we  can 
in  Old  Morgan.  The  county  is  in  one  blaze  of  excitement,  meetings  are  held 
in  almost  every  neighborhood,  and  here  in  INIartinsville  for  the  last  two  weeks 
it  has  been  almost  one  continual  meeting.  It  had  been  rather  quiet  for  a  day 
or  two,  when  on  Friday  morning  Perry  Blankenship  came  marching  into  town  at 
the  head  of  a  procession  consisting  of  about  thirty  wagons  and  about  fifty  horse- 
men. Mr.  Blankenship  made  a  stirring  and  eloquent  speech  to  a  large  crowd  in  the 
afternoon,  and  obtained  several  recruits  for  his  company. 

The  same  issue  contained  the  following  : 

Since  the  new  call  for  300,000  volunteers,  this  county  has  sent  to  camp  three 
full  companies,  which  are  officered  as  follows:  First— Barclay  Johnson,  Captain;  W. 
E.  Tansey,  First  Lieutenant;  S  K.  Harryman,  Second  Lieutenant.  Second— A.  D. 
Cunning,  Captain;  William  Hardenbrook,  First  Lieutenant;  Willis  Record,  Second 
Lieutenant.  Third — S.  M.  Rooker,  Captain;  T.N.  Peoples,  First  Lieutenant;  Caleb 
Day,  Second  Lieutenant.  Two  companies  more  are  organizing,  and  will  be  ready 
to  go  into  camp  next  week.  In  addition  to  this,  the  county  has  furnished  forty  re- 
cruits for  the  cavalry  regiment,  and  seventy-five  for  the  infantry  companies  in  ad- 
jacent counties,  making  an  aggregate  of  over  600  men  under  the  late  volunteer  levy. 
Morgan  more  than  fills  the  bill.  Her  actual  quota  is  about  150  men.  For  the  three 
months'  service,  the  county  furnished  about  two  companies,  and'for  the  three  years' 
service  seven  companies.  Add  to  this  those  who  have  enlisted  singly  and  in  squads 
in  various  regiments,  and  we  can  safely  say  that  Morgan  County  has  furnished  1,500 
men  for  the  suppression  of  the  rebellion.  Our  voting  population  is  3,000.  If  any 
county  can  beat  us,  "  trot  it  out." 

THE  DRAFT  OF  OCTOBER  6,  1862. 

This  draft  took  place,  not  because  the  State  was  behind  with  her 
quotas,  or  because  the  counties  were  behind,  but  was  designed  to  compel 
disloyal  or  indolent  townships  to  do  their  share  in  furnishing  men  for  the 
war.  Morgan  County  had  furnished  more  than  her  quota,  but  as  three 
townships — Jackson,  Green  and  Madison — were  behind,  the  draft  oc- 
curred on  the  date  above  given.  This  draft  was  based  upon  the  following 
statement,  which  was  made  out  on  the  19th  of  September,  1862 :  Total 
militia,  2,224;  total  volunteers,  1,232;  total  exempts,  435;  total  con- 
scientiously opposed  to  bearing  arms,  93 ;  total  volunteers  in  the  service, 
1,188;  total  subject. to  draft,  1,696.  The  draft,  or  conscript  officers,  of 
the  county  were  as  follows  :  W.  R.  Harrison  (who  was  himself  drafted 
in  1864),  Commissioner;  James  Maxwell,  Jr.,  Marshal;  Benjamin  D. 
Blackstone,  Surgeon.  The  draft  took  place  on  the  date  stated  in  the 
court  house,  and  was  quiet  and  uneventful.  In  Jackson,  twelve  were 
drafted ;  in  Green  seven,  and  in  Madison  six.  All  the  drafted  reported, 
and  were  taken  to  Indianapolis  and  assigned  to  some  regiment.  Just 
before  this  draft,  the  following  table  was  published  in  the  Grazette,  though 
whether  it  h  official  cannot  be  stated  : 


HISTORY   OF   MORGAN   COUNTY. 


63 


TOWNSHIPS. 


Number 

Number 

Subject 

Number 

Number 

between 

to 

of 

18  and  45. 

Exempted. 

Draft. 

Volunteers. 

Discharged. 

51 

12 

39 

58 

3 

330 

44 

291 

180 

15 

217 

38 

179 

68 

2 

215 

50 

168 

72 

66 

15 

54 

26 

1 

158 

24 

134    , 

55 

2 

142 

23 

119 

115 

7 

182 

41 

138 

110 

4 

271 

53 

217 

118 

5 

127 

40 

87 

87 

1 

93 

21 

70 

81 

2 

165 

29 

136 

150 

1 

208 

50 

157 

103 

1 

2225 

436    . 

1789 

1223 

44 

In  the 

Service  and 

Dead. 


Baker 

Washington 
Jackson. . . . 

Green 

Harrison  .  . 
Madison . . . 

Clay 

Brown 

Monroe 

Gregg 

Jefferson . . . 

Ray 

Adams 

Total. . 


55 
165 
66 

72 

25 

53 

108 

106 

113 

86 

79 

149 

102 


1179 


This  table  must  not  be  regarded  as  free  from  errors,  though  it  illus- 
trates about  the  situation  of  the  county. 

ENLISTMENTS    DURING   THE   WINTER    OF    1862-63. 

During  the  winter  of  1862-63  but  little  was  done  to  raise  volunteers. 
William  Gurley  recruited  a  small  squad  for  Rabb's  Battery  (the  Second) 
in  February  and  March,  1863.  In  May  and  June,  Capts.  Burton  and 
Seaton  and  Lieut.  Day  recruited  thirty  or  forty  men  for  the  Thirty-third 
Regiment.  On  the  15th  of  June  came  the  call  for  100,000  men  for  six 
months,  and  an  entire  company  was  raised  in  the  northwestern  part  of 
the  county  and  assigned  to  the  One  Hundred  and  Seventeenth  Regiment. 
The  men  became  Company  C,  with  A.  T.  Wellman,  Captain;  James 
Pugh,  First  Lieutenant ;  William  McGinnis,  Second  Lieutenant.  At  an 
immense  war  meeting,  held  at  Martinsville  May  ?1,  quite  a  number  of 
recruits  was  raised  for  various  regiments.  About  the  same  time,  meet- 
ings of  a  similar  character  were  held  at  Mooresville,  Monrovia,  Eminence, 
Morgantown,  Paragon  and  elsewhere,  large  crowds  being  present.  Capt. 
Johnston,  Dr.  Wright  and  other  speakers  entertained  the  audiences.  Much 
disloyalty  was  manifested  in  the  county  at  this  time,  an  account  of  which 
will  be  found  elsewhere.  In  July,  J.  G.  Mitchell  recruited  a  squad  for 
the  Seventh  Cavalry.  Several  other  recruiting  officers  were  at  work 
about  the  same  time,  among  them  being  Capts.  Wellman  (mentioned 
above)  and  Goodhue,  who  obtained  men  for  the  six  months'  service. 

GEN.  morgan's  raid. 

At  no  time  during  the  progress  of  the  war  were  the  people  in  the 
southern  half  of  Indiana  so  thoroughly  roused  as  they  were  when  John 
Morgan  invaded  the  State  in  July,  1863,  and  the  excitement  in  Morgan 
County  was  fully  up  to  the  fever  of  the  hour.  Men  who  were  opposed  to 
the  continuance  of  the  war  were  no  sooner  apprised  of  the  invasion  than 
they  immediately  tendered  their  services  to  repel  or  capture  the  daring 
enemy.  Seven  full  companies  were  organized  in  an  incredibly  short  space 
of  time,  and  four  of  them — one  of  cavalry  and  three  of  infantry — marched 
rapidly  to  the  State  Capital  and  offered  their  services  to  the  Governor. 


64  HISTORY   OF   MORGAN   COUNTY. 

One  of  the  companies  raised  at  Martinsville,  was  commanded  by  Capt. 
Sylvanus  Barnard.  The  company  raised  in  JeiFerson  Township  was  com- 
manded by  Capt.  William  Nicholson,  and  the  one  in  Ray  by  Capt.  Joseph 
Bradley.  Capt.  Joel  Matthews,  who  raised  a  company  in  Brown,  did  not 
leave  the  county  with  his  company.  None  of  the  companies  saw  any  ac- 
tive service  in  pursuit  of  Morgan,  and  all  soon  returned,  Morgan's  raid 
did  much  to  quiet  the  partisan  asperities  which  had  been  troubling  the 
county  in  no  small  degree.  About  this  time  a  company  of  old  men,  called 
the  "  Silver  Grays,"  was  organized  at  the  coiuity  seat  as  a  home  guard. 

THE  FOURTH  OF  JULY,  1863. 
The  day  was  ushered  in  by  the  ringing  of  bells  and  the  firing  of  guns 
and  anvils.  Soon  after  sunrise,  gay  processions  of  country  people  began 
to  arrive,  and  at  9  o'clock  the  county  seat  was  alive  with  a  swarming, 
noisy  multitude.  It  was  stated  that  there  were  3,000  people  in  town  on 
this  eventful  day.  At  about  10  o'clock,  Capt.  Hay  ward  and  Henry  Sims, 
Marshals  of  the  Day,  formed  the  crowd  into  a  procession  around  the  pub- 
lic square,  and  the  march  to  Mitchell's  Grove  was  commenced.  Prayer  was 
oflfered  by  Rev.  S.  B,  Sutton,  and  the  Declaration  of  Independence  was 
read  by  Dr.  Tarleton.  Choice  patriotic  music  was  furnished  by  Mrs.  H.  B. 
Johnson,  Mrs.  T.  B.  Mitchell,  Miss  Lou  Gwinn,  Miss  Nannie  Litten,  Mrs.  P. 
S.  Parks,  Mrs.  J.  C.  Sampson,  T.  J.  Sloan,  How  Parks,  George  Townsend 
and  W.  R.  Shepard.  A  small  squad  of  soldiers  was  present  in  military 
dress.  The  first  speaker  was  C.  F.  McNutt,  who  was  followed  by  Dr.  J.  J. 
Wright.  A  beautiful  ode,  written  for  the  occasion  by  Mrs.  Paul  Dumer, 
was  read  by  W.  R.  Shepard,  and  was  greatly  admired  by  the  assemblage. 
A  magnificent  dinner  was  spread  out  in  the  grove,  and  eaten  with  epicu- 
rean appetite.  The  event  of  the  day  was  the  parade  of  a  company  of  about 
forty  "  Raging  Tads."  They  appeared  about  3  o'clock  in  the  afternoon, 
dressed  in  the  most  frightful  attire  which  their  imaginations  and  means 
could  suggest  and  procure,  and  ornamented  in  a  manner  to  ''make  the 
angels  weep."  They  marched  around  like  a  war  party  of  Comanches,  ut- 
tering direful  yells  which  curdled  the  blood,  and  cutting  capers  of  sufficient 
apishness  to  put  to  shame  a  modern  Congressman  or  a  professional  politi- 
cian. A  troop  of  the  young  scions  of  the  town  followed  them  in  high 
glee,  counterfeiting  their  diabolical  buffoonery  in  an  ecstasy  of  childish 
bliss.  The  parade  was  enjoyed  by  all.  In  the  evening  a  brilliant  social 
was  held  at  ]?ark  &  Hites'  Hall,  and  at  Military  Hall  on  the  west  side  of 
the  public  square.  Both  halls  were  beautifully  decorated  with  flowers  and 
sprays  of  evergreen.  In  Military  Hall,  a  large  steel  engraving  of  Wash- 
ington was  suspended,  around  and  over  which  bright  garlands  and  loyal 
colors  were  wreathed.  The  evening  was  one  of  the  most  enjoyable  and 
brilliant  ever  witnessed  in  the  county  seat.  Celebrations  of  the  day  were 
held  elsewhere  in  the  county,  but  as  no  account  was  published  the  rec- 
ord cannot  be  given  in  these  pages. 

ADDITIONAL  CALLS  AND    ENLISTMENTS. 

On  the  17th  of  October,  1863,  came  the  call  for  300,000  men  for  two 
years,  and  the  task  of  securing  volunteers  was  renewed.  Lieuts.  Willis 
Record  and  McCracken    and    others  secured   about  sixty  men  for  the 


HISTORY   OF  MORGAN  COUNTY.  65 

Seventieth  Regiment  in  December,  1863,  and  January,  1864.  In  Jan- 
uary and  February,  thirty-three  colored  men  were  hired  at  $100  each 
to  represent  Washington  Township  in  the  army.  They  were  assigned  to 
Company  E,  Twenty-eighth  Regiment  United  States  Colored  Troops. 
Four  or  five  of  these  men  only  were  from  Morgan  County  ;  the  others 
were  partly  contrabands  from  the  South.  The  colored  men  were  turned 
over  to  Lieut.  Richard  Curry.  A  few  recruits  entered  the  Twelfth  Regi- 
ment, and  a  few  more  the  Twenty-first.  Lieut.  J.  C.  Farr  recruited  a 
squad  for  the  Thirty-third,  and  Clark  Graves  secured  a  few  for  his  regi- 
ment. Nearly  all  of  the  regiments  containing  men  from  the  county  re- 
ceived from  few  to  many  recruits.  Lieut.  Rundle  recruited  for  the  Twen- 
ty-seventh. By  the  9th  of  January,  1864,  only  Brown  and  Madison 
Townships  had  furnished  their  quotas  under  the  October  call  of  1863. 
Washington  cleared  her  quota  with  colored  men,  as  did  also  Clay,  the  lat- 
ter paying'  $1,800  for  nine  colored  men.  The  other  townships  slowly 
raised  their  men  during  the  early  part  of  1864,  sending  them  as  recruits 
into  the  older  regiments. 

RECEPTION  OF  THE  VETERANS. 

On  Saturday,  April  9,  1864,  a  large  assemblage  of  the  citizens 
gathered  at  the  county  seat,  pursuant  to  call,  to  formally  receive  the  vet- 
erans who  had  come  home  on  furlough.  The  citizens  came  from  all 
quarters  on  foot,  horseback  and  in  carriages  and  wagons,  until  the  town 
was  filled.  Capt.  Day,  at  11  o'clock,  formed  the  veterans  into  rank  and 
marched  them  to  the  commons  southwest  of  town,  where  they  were  put 
through  musket  and  bayonet  practice  and  military  evolutions  for  the 
benefit  of  the  crowd.  Then  all  marched  back  to  the  court  house,  from 
the  door  of  which  Maj.  Manker  delivered  the  eloquent  welcoming  speech. 
Col.  Coburn  responded  in  behalf  of  the  Thirty-third  Regiment.  Several 
hundred  soldiers  were  present,  and  as  they  marched  around  in  rank  with 
the  wonderful  precision  of  veterans  the  wildest  enthusiasm  was  kindled 
in  the  breasts  of  the  spectators.  An  enormous  table  on  the  south  side  of 
the  square,  extending  the  whole  length  of  the  yard  east  and  west,  was 
loaded  to  the  verge  of  breaking  down  with  the  choicest  viands  the  county 
could  produce.  Over  1,500  persons  dined  at  this  gigantic  table,  and  at 
the  conclusion  of  the  feast  the  large  store  still  remaining  untouched  was 
distributed  to  soldiers'  families.  At  2  o'clock  P.  M.,  Judge  Gooding 
spoke  to  "the  largest  crowd  ever  in  the  town."  His  speech  was  nearly 
three  hours  in  length,  and  was  a  splendid  specimen  of  American  loyalty, 
oratory  and  eloquence.  The  reception  did  not  conclude  with  this  meet- 
ing, but  continued  in  an  informal  character  until  the  furloughs  of  the 
veterans  ended.  They  were  feasted  and  toasted  in  public  and  in  private ; 
and  fetes,  soirees,  socials,  picnics,  parties  and  balls  were  given  in  their 
honor  and  for  their  express  enjoyment.  Ah,  how  the  boys  enjoyed  the 
short  thirty  days,  after  the  hardships,  marches,  fatigues,  battles  and 
starvations  in  the  South !  Everything  which  love  and  loyalty  could 
suggest  was  done  for  their  comfort  and  happiness.  Many  of  the  veterans 
were  from  the  Eleventh  and  other  regiments  containing  Morgan  County 
men.     Before  this  reception,  the  ladies  had  given  the  veterans  from  Mar- 


66  HISTORY   OF   MORGAN  COUNTY. 

tinsvillea  formal  welcome  home  at  Temperance  Hall.     The  gathering  was 
gay  and  brilliant. 

CONTINUED    ENLISTMENTS    IN    1864, 

Under  the  calls  of  February  and  March,  1864,  a  few  recruits  were 
secured,  but  the  enlistment  was  slow  and  unattended  with  noteworthy 
events.  On  the  23d  of  April  came  the  call  for  85,000  men  for  the  100 
days'  service.  About  thirty  men  were  raised  in  the  county  by  Capt.  W. 
J.  blanker  and  Lieut.  J.  E.  Goodhue.  They  were  assigned  to  the  One 
Hundred  and  Thirty-second  Regiment,  and  by  a  mistake  credited  to 
Marion  County.  A  few  small  squads  entered  the  older  regiments.  In 
July  came  the  call  for  500,000  men  for  one,  two  and  three  years,  and 
the  county  was  again  stimulated  into  activity.  War  meetings  were  again 
held  everywhere,  and  large  offers  of  local  bounty  were  made.  The 
county  quota  was  large,  but  the  citizens  went  resolutely  to  work  to  fill 
the  call.  No  effort  seems  to  have  been  made  to  organize  a  company 
wholly  in  the  county,  but  nearly  all  the  men  secured  went  as  recruits  to 
the  older  regiments.  The  county  made  great  exertion,  all  the  leading 
men  traversing  the  county,  speaking  to  scores  of  audiences  and  stirring 
up  those  liable  to  be  drafted.  By  the  20th  of  August,  Gregg  was  the 
only  township  which  had  filled  her  quota ;  she  had  a  surplus  of  seven. 
The  others  were  behind  in  the  following  figures:  Washington,  20; 
Jackson,  25;  Greene,  49;  Harrison,  13;  Madison,  27;  Clay,  11; 
Brown,  33 ;  Monroe,  26 ;  Adams,  7 ;  Jefferson,  7 ;  Baker,  12 ;  and 
Ray,  36.  It  will  be  seen  that  up  to  that  time  some  of  the  townships  had 
done  little  better  than  nothing.  At  a  big  political  meeting  held  at 
Waverly  about  the  middle  of  September,  Gov.  Morton  addressed  the 
citizens  on  the  Presidential  issues  and  the  state  of  the  war. 

THE  DRAFT  OF  SEPTEMBER  21,  1864. 

As  the  time  passed,  it  was  seen  that  the  county  could  not  escape  the 
draft.  Indeed,  some  townships  waited  its  appearance  with  charming 
composure.  The  numbers  drafted  cannot  be  given,  but  it  is  likely  that 
all  the  townships  except  Gregg  were  levied  upon.  A.  S.  Griggs  was 
Provost  Marshal  for  Morgan  County.  The  draft  took  place  at  Indian- 
apolis. After  the  draft,  the  townships  were  given  an  opportunity  of 
clearing  their  quotas  by  volunteers  or  substitutes,  which  several  succeeded 
in  doing.     The  Gazette  of  October  29  said : 

All  the  townships  in  this  county,  except  "Washington,  Clay,  Monroe  and  Baker, 
have  filled  their  quotas  under  the  draft,  by  volunteers.  In  this  township  (Washing- 
ton), after  exhausting  the  100  per  cent  drawn,  the  quota  lacks  two  of  being  full. 
Unless  those  two  are  furnished  by  volunteers,  another  draw  will  be  made. 

Some  trouble  arose  in  Brown  Township  over  the  draft.  After  the  drafted  men, 
had  been  mustered  into  the  service,  thej'  no  longer  had  the  power  to  fill  quotas 
under  the  draft  with  volunteers.  Quite  a  number  did  not  know  this  until  after  be- 
ing mustered  in;  then  it  was  too  late. 

The  drafted  men  were  taken  to  Indianapolis  October  26,  and  assigned 
to  various  old  regiments.     Thus  was  the  county  quota  filled. 

THE    PRESIDENTIAL    AND    GUBERNATORIAL    CAMPAIGNS    OF    1864. 

This  campaign  was  very  spirited,  and  was  conducted  with  all  the 
strength  of  the  two  parties.     The  real  issue   was  upon  the  further  con- 


HISTORY   OF   MORGAN   COUNTY.  67 

tinuance  of  the  war.  Gov.  Morton,  as  noticed  above,  and  other  dis- 
tinguished speakers,  addressed  Morgan  County  audiences.  On  the  Sat- 
urday preceding  the  October  election,  a  large  crowd  of  Republicans 
assembled  at  Martinsville  to  stir  up  the  Union  sentiment.  A  fine  dinner 
and  eloquent  speeches  were  enjoyed  on  the  fair  ground.  The  town  was 
treated  to  a  brilliant  torch-light  procession  in  the  evening.  On  the  day 
of  the  election,  sixty  soldiers  went  to  the  polls  in  a  body  and  polled  their 
votes  for  Gov.  Morton.  The  Democrats  also  had  large  meetings  at  Mar- 
tinsville and  throughout  the  county.  Scarcely  a  night  passed  without 
brilliant  gatherings  and  speeches.  At  last  the  returns  came  in,  when  it 
was  found  that  Gov.  Morton's  majority  was  544,  a  Republican  gain  of 
412  votes  in  two  years.  The  successful  party  was  jubilant.  On  Wednes- 
day after  the  election,  a  jubilee  was  held  at  the  county  seat,  at  Moores- 
ville,  at  Morgantown,  and  at  other  places.  A  tall  flag-pole  was  erected 
in  front  of  Mitchell's  store  in  ISIartinsville,  and  a  fine  flag  was  soon  flying 
from  the  top.  The  Republican  Glee  Club  sang  many  National  airs,  and 
the  streets  were  filled  with  happy  Republicans.  As  the  news  came  in 
from  the  State,  150  "rounds  of  anvils"  were  fired.  The  excitement 
continued  until  the  November  election.  On  the  22d  of  October,  an  im- 
mense Union  meeting  was  held  in  the  court  yard.  A  new  banner  thirty 
feet  long  was  run  up  a  tall  flag-pole  on  the  square  by  the  ladies,  and 
speeches  were  delivered  by  Preston,  Hall  and  others.  The  Democrats 
with  hopeful  words  were  almost  as  active  in  all  parts  of  the  county.  At 
the  county  election,  the  Lincoln  electors  received  1,793  votes,  and  the 
McClellan  electors  1,283.  The  results  were  followed  by  long-continued 
public  rejoicings  from  one  party,  and  absolute  silence  from  the  other. 

THE  LAST  CALL  FOR  VOLUNTEERS. 

On  the  19th  of  December,  1864.  came  the  last  call  of  the  war  for 
volunteers — 300,000  men  for  one,  two  and  three  years.  But  the  county 
was  slow  to  begin  the  work  of  filling  her  quota.  On  the  6th  of  January, 
1865,  the  Gazette  said  :  "  Some  effort  ought  to  be  made  to  fill  the  quota 
of  the  county  under  the  late  call  for  300,000  men."  This  implied  that 
up  to  that  period  nothing  had  been  done.  People  felt  that  the  rebellion 
was  in  the  "last  ditch,"  however,  and  soon  after  this  began  work.  The 
number  liable  to  do  military  duty  under  the  first  enrollment  of  the  war 
was  2,048  ;  under  the  new  enrollment  of  the  autumn  of  1864,  the  num- 
ber was  1,500.     The  Gazette  of  January  21  said: 

Come  in  out  of  the  Draft. — An  effort  is  being  made  to  fill  the  quota  of  the 
county,  and  relieve  it  of  the  draft.  A  special  session  of  the  County  Board  has  been 
called  for  Tuesday  next.  Petitions  are  in  circulation,  asking  the  board  to  make  an 
appropriation  of  |500  for  each  volunteer  credited  to  this  county  under  Father 
Abraham's  last  polite  and  entertaining  request.  Subscription  papers  are  being  cir- 
culated among  the  people,  and  it  is  expected  that  with  the  county  appropriation, 
should  one  be  given,  at  least  $700  will  be  raised  for  Morgan  County  volunteers. 
We  understand  that  some  of  our  young  men  are  enlisting  in  other  counties,  unaware 
that  any  inducements  will  be  held  out  at  home.  Hold  on  boys!  Home  inducements 
may  turn  out  to  be  the  best. 

The  quota  of  the  county  under  this  call  was  202.  Active  work  was 
begun  about  the  middle  of  January,  About  fifty  men  were  recruited  for 
the  Eleventh  Regiment.  About  eighty  men  were  raised  for  Companies 
E  and  H,  One  Hundred  and  Forty-eighth  Regiment,  one  year's  service. 


68  HISTORY  OF  MORGAN  COUNTY. 

A  few  small  squads  joined  other  regiments.  These  men  left  about  the 
middle  of  February.     The  Q-azette  of  February  18  said : 

The  quota  of  Washington  Township  has  been  filled.  A  bounty  of  $400  was 
paid  to  each  recruit.  Thirty-nine  of  the  volunteers  were  citizens  of  this  township, 
and  one  was  recruited  at  Indianapolis.  Several  of  the  volunteers  failed  to  come  to 
time. 

But  the  county  could  not  wholly  escape  the  draft  which  came  on  the 
last  week  in  February  with  the  following  result :  Green,  40 ;  Ray,  30 ; 
Brown,  20 ;  Jackson,  20 ;  and  Baker,  6.  Immediately  after  the  draft, 
all  the  above  townships  except  Baker  filled  their  quotas  by  volunteers, 
which  privilege  was  accorded  them.  A  few  men  failed  to  appear.  The 
drafted  men  were  assigned  to  the  older  regiments. 

THE    FALL    OF    RICHMOND. 

The  G-azette  of  April  8  exclaimed : 

Glory!  Glory!!  Glory!!!  Let  the  people  shout  glory!  "Let  rocks  and 
hills  their  lasting  silence  break."  This  is  the  people's  jubilee  !  Let  all  the  people 
sing  !  Richmond  has  fallen  !  and  great  was  the  fall  thereof  !  Petersburg  fell  at  the 
same  time!  When  the  news  was  received  here  the  people  fairly  went  wild  with  joy; 
flags  were  flung  to  the  breeze;  songs  were  sung.  The  anvils  were  brought  out  and 
made  to  tell  the  tale  of  joy  The  Home  Guards  fired  volley  after  volley  of  mus- 
ketry.    The  jollification  was  kept  up  until  a  late  hour  of  the  night. 

A  few  days  later  the  news  of  the  surrender  of  Gen.  Lee  reached  the 
county,  and  created  everywhere  the  most  intense  joy.  People  in  all  parts 
of  the  county  gathered  in  the  nearest  towns  intuitively  to  mingle  rejoic- 
ings over  the  glorious  news.  Glee  clubs  sang  themselves  hoarse  ;  speakers 
voiced  the  general  ecstacy  in  notes  of  eloquence ;  hastily  improvised  pro- 
cessions paraded  the  streets  with  martial  bands  and  tumultuous  shouts ; 
banners  and  loyal  emblems  were  flung  to  the  breeze,  and  the  citizens  as  a 
mass  gave  themselves  up  to  every  species  of  joyous  demonstration.  The 
night  of  the  11th  of  April  was  rainy  and  muddy,  but  Martinsville  was 
decorated  and  illuminated  as  it  had  never  been  before.  The  court  house 
from  belfry  to  foundation  was  a  glittering  galaxy  of  light  and  color. 
Stores  and  private  residences  vied  with  each  other,  without  regard  to  labor 
or  expense,  in  creating  the  most  gorgeous  display. 

THE    DEATH    OF    PRESIDENT    LINCOLN. 

The  county  was  yet  in  the  midst  of  public  rejoicings  when  the  painful 
news  was  received  that  Lincoln  had  been  assassinated.  The  revulsion  in 
public  feeling  was  sickening.  Many  a  man  and  woman  had  learned  to 
love  the  name  of  Abraham  Lincoln.  He  had  led  them  through  four  long 
years  of  darkness  and  death — had  been  the  cloud  by  day  and  pillar  of 
fire  by  night  through  all  the  starless  gloom  of  war,  and  now,  when  the 
sunlight  of  victory  had  lighted  the  national  heart  with  boundless  joy,  and 
every  knee  was  bent,  and  every  eye  dim  with  grateful  thanksgiving,  to 
have  the  beloved  Lincoln  cut  down  so  untimely  was  indeed  bitter  and 
hard  to  bear.  Scores  burst  into  tears  as  if  they  had  lost  their  nearest 
friend.  People  spoke  in  subdued  voices  of  the  awful  calamity,  and  moved 
around  with  troubled  faces  and  heavy  steps.  The  G-azette  of  April  22 
said  : 

On  Tuesday  last  a  meeting  of  the  citizens  was  held  at  the  Auditor's  office  to 
arrange  for  solemnizing  Wednesday  as  a  day  of  humility  and  prayer  on  account  of 


HISTORY   OF   MORGAN  COUNTY.  69 

the  great  national  bereavement.  It  was  resolved  that  the  court  house  should  be 
draped  in  mourning,  and  services  held  at  13  M.  therein.  It  was  also  resolved  that 
all  the  business  houses  should  remain  closed  during  the  entire  day,  and  that  all  the 
houses  should  have  crape  on  the  doors.  Though  but  a  short  time  was  allowed  for 
the  work,  the  court  room  was  tastefully  decorated  with  emblems  of  mourning. 
Long  before  the  hour  appointed  for  the  meeting,  the  room  was  densely  packed. 
The  funeral  discourse  was  preached  by  Rev.  W.  C.  Smith  from  the  text,  "Abel 
being  dead  yet  speaketh."  He  spoke  with  deep  feeling  and  earnestness  of  the  life  and 
character  of  our  murdered  President.  There  were  but  few  dry  eyes  in  the  vast 
audience  during  his  discourse.  He  was  followed  by  O.  R.  Daugherty,  F.  P.  A. 
Phelps,  C.  F.  McNutt  and  O.  J.  Glessner,  in  short  and  appropriate  addresses.  The 
audience  listened  to  all  with  deep  attention.  The  most  intense  sorrow  was  depicted 
on  every  countenance.  Deep  sadness  and  gloom  pervaded  the  entire  audience. 
All  hearts  were  sad  and  all  voices  hushed.  At  night  a  union  prayer  meeting  was 
held  at  the  same  place.  The  following  are  the  resolutions  unanimously  adopted  by 
a  rising  vote  at  the  day  meeting: 

Resolved,  1st.  That  in  the  death  of  Abraham  Lincoln,  one  of  the  purest  and 
most  elevated  statesmen  of  earth  has  fallen;  that,  as  in  the  death  of  Washington 
the  Nation  mourned  the  Father  of  our  Country,  so  in  the  death  of  our  beloved 
Chief  Magistrate  we  mourn  him  who  under  God  was  the  savior  of  our  country. 

2d.  That,  though  the  greatest,  wisest  and  best  men  may  fall  in  our  country's 
cause,  our  confidence  that  divine  Providence  will  save  the  life  of  the  Nation,  and 
make  it  the  light  of  the  world,  is  full  and  undiminished. 

3d.  That,  trusting  as  we  have  in  that  Providence,  and  in  the  patriotism,  virtue 
and  intelligence  of  the  people,  and  trusting  as  we  do  in  the  ability  and  statesman- 
ship of  Andrew  Johnson,  we  do  solemnly  before  God  and  good  men  re-pledge  our- 
selves that  the  Republic  shall  live  and  treason  shall  die. 

4th.  That  we  humbly  and  devotedly  pray  the  Father  of  all  mercies  to  spare 
the  life  of  Secretary  Seward  to  this  already  deeply  afflicted  Nation. 

The  same  issue  of  the  paper  containing  an  account  of  this  meeting  also 
published  the  following: 

Wednesday  last  was  the  most  remarkable  day  ever  witnessed  in  Martinsville. 
Never  was  such  universal  quiet  known  to  our  citizens.  It  was  more  like  a  Sabbath 
should  be  than  any  Sunday  that  ever  passed  over  our  town.  It  was  a  sad  day. 
Sucli  general  and  genuine  sorrow  as  was  exhibited  here  is  seldom  witnessed.  The 
great  beauty  of  the  veneration  and  respect  shown  Mr.  Lincoln  consists  in  the  fact 
that  it  did  not  proceed  from  any  one  party  or  creed.     All  the  people  mourned. 

Public  meetings  in  honor  of  the  distinguished  dead  were  also  held  at 
Morgantown,  Mooresville,  Eminence,  Paragon,  Centerton,  and  in  numer- 
ous churches  and  schoolhouses  in  other  portions  of  the  county.  The 
speakers  at  Eminence  were  Rev.  John  Hancock  and  J.  W.  Rhea.  Reso- 
lutions of  sorrow  and  hope  were  adopted  in  all  the  meetings.  Unfortu- 
nately, a  fuller  account  cannot  be  given.  A  few  residents  of  the  county 
unwisely  asserted  their  joy  at  the  death  of  Lincoln  ;  but  in  every  instance 
they  were  assaulted  and  terribly  beaten.  The  public  heart  did  not  fully 
revive  the  shock  until  the  surrender  of  Gen.  Johnston's  army  on  the  26th 
of  April.  Then  again,  the  capture  of  Jeff  Davis  in  petticoats  on  the  10th 
of  May  added  to  the  gratification. 

SUMMARY   OF   TROOPS    FURNISHED. 

It  is  impossible  to  give  the  exact  number  of  men  furnished  by  the 
county  to  suppress  the  rebellion  ;  but  an  attempt  will  be  made  to  give  the 
approximate  number.  On  the  19th  of  September,  1862,  the  county  was 
officially  credited  with  having  furnished  1,232  men,  of  whom  1,188  were 
then  in  the  service.  But  this  does  not  include  the  men  who  entered  the 
companies  raised  outside  of  the  county,  notably  at  Indianapolis.  It  is 
safe  to  say  that  over  1,300  men  had  been  furnished  by  this  time.  Under 
the  two  calls  of  1863,  the  county  quota  was  not  less  than  250  men.     Dur- 


70  HISTORY   OF   MORGAN   COUNTY. 

ing  the  year  1864,  not  including  the  men  required  under  the  call  of 
December,  the  aggregate  quotas  under  the  various  other  calls  were  917 
men,  all  of  whom  were  secured  and  sent  into  the  field.  Under  the  Decem- 
ber call,  202  men  were  required  and  raised,  together  with  a  surplus  of 
22  men.  Taking  into  consideration  the  men  who  were  credited  to  other 
counties,  and  the  men  of  other  counties  who  were  credited  to  Morgan, 
and  taking  the  sum  total  of  the  above  estimates  and  official  statements, 
it  will  be  seen  that  the  county  furnished  about  2,700  men  to  put  down 
the  rebellion.  This  is  a  magnificent  showing.  It  should  be  borne  in 
mind,  however,  that  in  this  estimate  each  man  has  been  counted  as  often 
as  he  enlisted.  Many  served  under  two,  three  and  perhaps  four  calls. 
But  making  all  necessary  allowances,  it  is  safe  to  say  that  the  county  sent 
2,000  different  men  into  the  field.  These  estimates  do  not  include  the 
seven  companies  raised  to  repel  Gen.  Morgan,  nor  the  Home  Guards,  nor 
the  eleven  companies  of  the  Indiana  Legion,  commanded  respectively  by 
the  following  Captains :  A.  S.  Griggs,  Jacob  Hess,  Jarvis  J.  Johnson, 
Maryfield  Walters,  James  E.  Burton,  Andrew  T.  Wellman,  William 
Nicholson,  Sylvanus  Barnard,  William  W.  Wilson  and  Joel  Matthews. 
During  the  war,  however,  nearly  all  the  companies  of  the  Legion  enlisted, 
and  saw  active  service. 

BOUNTY   AND    RELIEF. 

About  the  middle  of  May,  1861,  the  County  Board  appropriated 
$3,000  for  the  care  of  soldiers'  families,  and  appointed  P.  S.  Parks,  J.  S. 
Kelley,  Jacob  Adams,  Philip  Hodge  and  W.  J.  Manker  to  expend  the 
same.  A  great  deal  was  done  in  the  same  direction  by  the  townships 
and  by  individuals,  of  which  no  record  was  kept.  During  the  autumn  of 
1861,  soldiers'  aid  societies  were  organized  at  several  central  places  in 
the  county.  During  the  first  week  in  November,  a  large  box  of  blankets, 
gloves,  mittens,  shirts,  drawers,  socks,  etc.,  was  sent  to  Indianapolis  from 
the  county  seat.  Other  localities  sent  similar  boxes.  The  supplies  went 
to  the  boys  in  Kentucky.  Several  citizens  took  a  large  quantity  of  goods 
and  provisions  to  the  boys  there.  Mrs.  Manker,  Mrs.  Scott  and  many 
other  worthy  ladies  were  active  in  soliciting  donations.  Mrs.  J.  M.  Hub- 
bell  and  Mrs.  E.  W.  Callis  were  active  in  obtaining  cash  donations  for 
the  hospitals.  In  April,  1862,  a  new  soldiers'  relief  society  was  organ- 
ized at  Martinsville,  with  the  following  officers :  W.  H.  Craig,  President ; 
A.  H.  Crayton,  Secretary ;  J.  W.  Paul,  Treasurer ;  A.  H.  Crayton,  W. 
J.  Sparks,  S.  J.  Hastings,  A.  J.  Major,  D.  G.  Stotts,  Jesse  Barker, 
James  R.  Best,  Mrs.  J.  K.  Scott,  Mrs.  J.  W.  Paul  and  Mrs.  J.  R.  Elli- 
ott, Soliciting  Committee.  Others  elsewhere  in  the  county  were  organ- 
ized. These  societies,  however,  were  not  active  In  June,  1863,  in  re- 
sponse to  a  call  from  Gov.  Morton,  the  County  Board  loaned  $5,000  of 
the  county  funds  to  the  State  for  the  benefit  of  helpless  soldiers.  The 
appropriation  was  opposed  by  a  strong  disloyal  element,  but  without  avail. 
In  December,  1863,  the  aid  societies  were  re-organized,  and  during  the 
winter  did  good  Avork.  On  Thanksgiving  Day,  $39.70  was  raised  at 
Martinsville.  At  another  meeting  in  Martinsville,  $47  cash  was  received. 
Under  the  October  call  of  1863,  the  County  Board  ordered  each  volun- 
teer paid   $100  bounty.     The  townships  began  to  offer  bounties  also. 


HISTORY  OF   MORGAN  COUNTY. 


71 


Brown  offered  $100  for  each  man,  and  Madison  $200.  During  the  win- 
ter, the  "  Murdock  Institute"  gave  amateur  dramatic  entertainments  at 
Martinsville  for  the  benefit  of  the  County  Sanitary  Commission.  The 
details  in  other  localities  cannot  be  given.  The  dramatic  society  played 
"  The  Double  Ghost,"  "  Kiss  in  the  Dark,"  "  Rough  Diamond,"  "  Love 
at  Sight,"  etc.,  and  was  greeted  by  immense  audiences.  A  large  amount 
of  money  was  thus  secured  for  the  soldiers.  Large  quantities  of  wood 
and  provisions  were  furnished  the  families  of  soldiers  gratuitously.  G. 
W.  Cramer,  John  Braughton,  Calvin  Brelleford,  Jesse  Avery,  David 
Carter,  Isaac  Hastings,  Patrick  Bradley,  Lafayette  Townsend,  J.  J. 
Wright,  D.  D.  Cramer,  Madison  Avery,  Thomas*  Williams,  W.  W.  Wil- 
son, Ellis  Hastings  at  Martinsville,  and  scores  of  others  throughout  the 
county  were  active  in  furnishing  wood  and  supplies.  The  "  Bethesda 
Soldier's  Aid  Society,"  organized  at  Mooresville  in  August,  1864,  sent 
the  following  supplies  to  Indianapolis  in  December :  Twelve  dozen  band- 
ages, six  dozen  arm  slings,  ten  pounds  of  lint,  two  dozen  towels,  one  doz- 
en pillow  cases,  one  dozen  packs  of  envelopes,  one  pack  of  letter  paper, 
ninety-five  pounds  cotton  rags,  twenty  pounds  lint  rags,  one  dozen  dish 
cloths,  thirteen  shirts,  one  dozen  pairs  drawers,  one  and  one-half  dozen 
sheets,  six  pounds  mustard  seed,  three  pounds  sage,  three  pounds  hops, 
two  bushels  of  onions,  fifty  pounds  dried  apples,  twelve  pounds  dried 
peaches,  fourteen  cans  of  fruit  and  one-half  barrel  of  pickles  ;  also  $69.85 
cash.  A  large  number  of  hogs  (200)  were  purchased  by  the  County 
Board  for  the  consumption  of  soldiers'  families  during  the  winter.  In 
January,  1865,  a  Ladies'  Aid  Society  was  organized  at  the  county  seat, 
among  the  members  being  Mrs.  L.  Messenger,  Mrs.  W.  W.  Wilson,  Mrs. 
S.  A.  Tilford,  Mrs.  Sallie  Smith,  Mrs.  E.  W.  Callis  and  others.  But 
little  was  done  by  this  society,  as  the  war  soon  closed.  On  the  26th  of 
January,  1865,  the  County  Board  appropriated  $300  for  each  volunteer 
or  drafted  man  under  the  last  call  for  troops,  but  this  met  such  strong 
objection  from  the  fact  that  soldiers'  property  would  have  to  sustain  the 
tax  to  send  "stay-at-homes  "  to  the  army,  that  the  order  was  rescinded. 
The  following  statement  is  taken  from  the  Adjutant  General's  report: 


COUNTY,  TOWNSHIPS,  ETC. 


Morgan  County 

Washington  Township. 

Jackson  Township 

Green  Township 

Harrison  Township 

Madison  Township 

Clay  Township 

Brown   Township 

Monroe  Township 

Adams  Township 

Gregg  Township 

Jefferson  Township 

Ray  Township 

Baker  Township 

Miscellaneous  Relief... . 


Total 

Grand  total  bounty  and  relief. 


22,800 
14,950 
12,500 
48,000 

5,100 
19,800 
13,725 
15,000 

1,500 
10,700 

5,000 

12,000 

17,450 

450 


$70,802  43 

1,250  00 

1,050  00 

275  00 

350  00 

520  00 

2,150  00 

1,025  00 

1,215  00 

970  50 

1,050  25 

1,125  00 

750  00 

375  00 

1.150  00 


$198,975 


f  84, 058  17 
t,033  17 


72  HISTORY   OF   MORGAN  COUNTY. 

DISLOYALTY    MANIFESTED    DURING   THE   WAR. 

The  least  said  on  this  subject  the  better.  All  mention  of  the  more 
prominent  events,  however,  cannot  be  escaped.  It  is  scarcely  necessary 
to  state  that  many  prominent  people  in  Morgan  County  and  throughout 
the  North  were  sincerely  and  conscientiously  opposed  to  the  prosecution  of 
the  war  to  quell  the  rebellion.  Many  honestly  believed  in  the  right  of 
the  Southern  States  to  secede,  and  in  the  Divine  origin  of  the  institution 
of  slavery.  This  is  not  to  be  wondered  at,  in  view  of  the  herculean 
efforts  of  Southern  statesmen,  through  a  long  period  of  years,  to  instil 
the  heresy  into  the  hearts  of  both  North  and  South.  In  view  of  human 
fallibility,  it  is  useless  to  recriminate  for  errors  of  judgment.  People 
both  North  and  South,  who  were  sincere  in  their  opinions,  should  be  re- 
garded with  charity,  and  the  nation,  after  its  baptism  of  blood,  should 
foster  a  nobler  humanity  by  the  universal  education  of  mind   and  heart. 

The  first  disloyality  manifested  was  the  declaration  of  joy  at  the  fall 
of  Sumter,  but  this  sentiment  seems  to  have  become  dormant  during  the 
early  summer  of  18(51.  In  July  and  August  it  cropped  out  again.  One 
man  hoped  there  would  be  a  big  battle,  and  that  many  would  be  killed  on 
both  sides.  Another  thought  Lincoln  ought  to  be  killed — that  some  one 
should  cut  his  throat;  and  another  said  "every  volunteer  who  goes  to  the 
South  is  a  murderer."  During  the  fall,  a  soldier  who  had  enlisted  in 
Capt.  Cunning's  company  was  persuaded  to  stay  at  home  by  a  disloyal 
friend.  It  was  during  the  fall  elections  that  an  effort  was  made  to  organ- 
ize a  distinctive  Union  party  from  the  antagonistic  elements,  but  the 
attempt  proved  largely  abortive.  At  a  certain  mass  meeting  in  Green 
Township,  one  of  the  speakers  said :  "  The  volunteers  in  the  present  war 
are  a  set  of  thieves  and  robbers."  In  the  summer  of  1862,  a  lady  in 
Martinsville  said  she  wished  every  Union  woman  of  the  town  could  be 
compelled  to  sleep  with  a  negro.  Another,  whose  brother  had  just  enlisted, 
declared  she  was  "disgraced  forever."  In  January,  lb63,  a  detachment 
of  volunteers  from  Indianapolis  entered  Green  Township  to  arrest  several 
deserters  who  were  reported  to  have  been  concealed  there.  The  men  were 
found  and  arrested,  but  as  they  were  being  taken  away  the  troops  were 
fired  upon  by  a  large  body  of  disloyal  citizens,  though  no  one  was  injured. 
When  the  report  of  this  proceeding  reached  Indianapolis,  Col.  Carrington 
sent  a  strong  detachment  of  troops  to  arrest  the  prominent  leaders  of  the 
"guerrillas."  Some  six  or  eight  were  arrested,  taken  to  Indianapolis, 
tried,  convicted,  and  each  sentenced  to  pay  a  fine  of  $500.  Early  in 
March,  Lieut.  Hayward  and  a  squad  of  troops  arrested  five  deserters  in 
Martinsville.  Several  murders  occurred  in  the  county,  supposed  to  have 
been  caused  by  questions  growing  out  of  the  war.  In  1863,  the  Knights 
of  the  Golden  Circle  instituted  several  organizations  in  the  county.  Let- 
ters from  men  in  the  county  to  boys  in  the  service,  urging  them  to  desert, 
were  captured  and  published  in  the  Gazette.  Union  Leagues  were  organ- 
ized to  counteract  the  disloyal  tendencies.  A  few  houses  and  barns  owned 
by  prominent  loyal  men,  were  burned.  Threatening  letters  were  sent 
out.  Butternut  breast-pins  were  worn.  At  a  church  on  Sand  Creek,  a 
lady  wearing  one  was  assaulted  by  another  lady,  who  tore  the  disloyal 
emblem  from  her  bosom  and  carried  it  off  in  triumph.     A  division  in  the 


HISTORY   OF   MORGAN   COUNTY.  73 

church  was  the  result.  These  are  samples  of  what  occurred  in  the  county 
while  the  war  lasted.     Nothing  very  serious  occurred  except  the  murders. 

On  the  8th  of  April,  1865,  the  Gazette  said : 

When  the  news  of  the  evacuation  of  Richmond  and  Petersburg  reached  here, 
not  a  Butternut  smiled!  Not  a  Butternut  assisted  in  raising  the  flag!  Not  a  Butter- 
nut participated  in  the  jubilee  at  night!  They  all  looked  sad  and  gloomy,  as  if  just 
invited  to  attend  the  funeral  of  their  nearest  and  deafest  friends.  Comment  is 
altogether  unnecessary. 

A  few  publicly  rejoiced  over  the  death  of  Lincoln,  but  they  were 
pounded  out  of  shape  by  indignant  soldiers  and  others.  Much  of  the 
disloyalty  manifested  was  from  the  lowest  and  most  ignorant  class. 

RETURN  OF  THE  MORGAN  COUNTY  BOYS. 

During  the  summer  months  of  1865,  the  soldiers  returned  from  the 
war  and  were  welcomed  with  throbbing  hearts  by  loved  ones  and  friends. 
They  were  usually  received  with  formal  ceremony  by  crowds  of  grateful 
people.  The  flag  they  had  carried  through  so  many  bloody  campaigns 
was  returned  to  the  citizens  who  had  presented  it  to  the  brave  boys  before 
they  went  away  so  proud  and  valiant  four  years  before.  Fine  swords  or 
other  elegant  memorials  were  given  to  those  who  had  done  some  specially 
distinguished  service.  Many  a  boy  who  had  gone  away  so  bright  and 
brave,  followed  by  a  mother's  love  and  blessing,  was  left  in  a  patriot's 
grave  far  down  in  the  Sunny  South.  Others  came  home  with  empty 
sleeves  and  frightful  scars,  or  shattered  minds  and  broken  constitutions. 
The  sacred  dust  of  some  was  brought  home  and  buried  by  loving  friends. 
The  county  cemeteries  contain  all  that  is  mortal  of  the  heroes.  The 
silent  mounds  of  sod  are  lovingly  decked  with  sweet  blossoms,  and  the 
summer  mantle  of  green  velvet  is  patiently  watched  by  faithful  hearts. 
Sprigs  of  holly  and  evergreen,  bright  clusters  of  rich  flowers  and  eloquent 
tributes  in  eulogy  of  the  noble  dead,  are  the  offerings  of  a  grateful  people 
on  Decoration  Day.     The  loyal  dead  must  not  be  forgotten. 

CALLS  OF  THE  GOVERNMENT  FOR  VOLUNTEERS. 

April  15,  1861,  75,000  men  for  three  months. 

May  3,  1861,  82,748  men  for  three  years. 

July  22  and  25,  1861,  500,000  men  for  three  years. 

May  and  June,  1862,  about  18,000  men  for  three  months. 

July  2,  1862,  300,000  men  for  three  years. 

August  4,  1862,  300.000  men  for  nine  months. 

June  15,  1863,  100,000  men  for  six  months. 

October  17,  1863,  300,000  men  for  two  years. 

February  1,  1864,  200,000  men  for  two  years. 

March  14,  1864,  200,000  men  for  three  years. 

April  23,  1864,  85,000  men  for  100  days. 

July  18,  1864,  500,000  men  for  one,  two  and  three  years. 

December  19,  1864,  300,000  men  for  one,  two  and  three  years. 

MORGAN    COUNTY   ROLL   OF   HONOR.* 

Seventh  Regiment,  three  months  service. — John  McDaniel,  died  at 
Phillippi,  Ya.,  June,  1861. 

*  This  record  is  imperfect,  but  is  the  best  that  can  be  given. 


74  HISTORY  OF  MORGAN  COUNTY. 

Eleventh  Regiment,  three  years  service. — James  OUeman,  killed  at 
Champion  Hills  May,  1863. 

Twelfth  Regiment,  three  years  service. — Eli  Bray,  Jr.,  died  at  Grand 
Junction,  Tenn.,  February,  1863  ;  Asa  G.  Ballard,  killed  at  Richmond, 
Ky.,  August,  1862;  A.  H.  Ballard,  died  at  Snyder's  Bluff,  Miss.,  June, 
1863;  Henry  H.  Bailiff,  killed  at  Atlanta,  Ga.,  August,  1864;  Richard 
Berge,  died  of  wounds  September,  1862 ;  Harmon  B.  Cox,  killed  at 
Richmond,  Ky.,  August,  1862  ;  William  Curnutt,  died  near  Atlanta, 
Ga.,  August,  1864  ;  Thomas  F.  Carter,  died  of  wounds  at  Chattanooga 
May,  1863  ;  John  Curnutt,  died  at  Nashville,  Tenn.,  July,  1864;  Elisha 
Deering,  died  of  wounds  at  Chattanooga  December,  1863 ;  Evan  Day, 
died  at  luka.  Miss.,  October,  1863  ;  Wiley  Estis,  died  at  Holly  Springs, 
Miss.,  January,  18  63;  William  H.  Ely,  killed  at  Kenesaw,  Ga.,  June, 
1864  ;  Harvey  Evans,  died  in  Libby  Prison  April,  1864 ;  Jacob  Gruson, 
died  at  Memphis  April,  1863  ;  William  Hutchinson,  killed  at  Richmond, 
Ky.,  August,  1862 ;  David  Hadley,  died  at  Memphis  June,  1863  ;  James 
A.  Hudson,  died  in  Libby  Prison  November,  1863  ;  James  Johnson,  died 
in  Indiana  October,  1862;  Reuben  Marshall,  died  at  Snyder's  Bluff, 
Miss.,  July,  1863  ;  Gustavus  McCrary,  died  at  Scottsboro,  Ala.,  March, 
1864;  James  E.  McNabb,  died  at  Camp  Sherman,  Miss.,  September, 
1863  ;  Milton  V.  Pettitt,  killed  at  Richmond,  Ky.,  August,  1862 ;  Peter 
Patram,  died  at  Memphis  October,  1863  ;  Joseph  Pointer,  killed  at  Rich- 
mond, Ky.,  August,  1862  ;  Hiram  Patram,  died  at  Camp  Loomis,  Tenn., 
April,  1863;  Thomas  Parker,  died  in  Libby  Prison  December,  1863  ; 
Jefferson  Rains,  died  at  Chattanooga  October,  1864  ;  Robert  Stafford, 
died  at  Camp  Sherman,  Miss.,  September,  1863  ;  Daniel  Thompson,  died 
at  Camp  Loomis,  Tenn.,  April,  1863  ;  John  Thompson,  died  at  Grand 
Junction  February,  1863  ;  John  C.  Thornburg,  died  at  Mooresville,  Ind., 
October,  1862;  Hiram  Wood,  died  at  Anderson  Station,  Tenn.,  Novem- 
ber, 1863  ;  John  D.  Williams,  killed  at  Richmond,  Ky.,  August,  1862  ; 
William  Weare,  died  at  Grand  Junction,  Tenn.,  May,  1863. 

Twenty-first  Regiment. — First  Lieut.  Thomas  Grimstead,  died  at 
New  Orleans  of  wounds  received  at  Baton  Rouge  ;  William  Fishback, 
died  at  Baton  Rouge  June,  1862  ;  William  H.  Ruth,  died  at  Baton  Rouge 
June,  1864;  Enos  Bailey,  died  at  Mobile  June,  1865  ;  David  Bailey,  died 
at  New  Orleans  March,  1865  ;  John  Bryant,  died  at  Baton  Rouge  July, 
1862  ;  Zachariah  Hall,  died  at  New  Orleans  July,  1864  ;  John  R.  Hast- 
ings, died  at  Baton  Rouge  August,  1862 ;  Isaac  Kiphart,  died  in  August, 
1862,  of  wounds  received  at  Baton  Rouge ;  George  W.  Fry,  died  of 
wounds  received  at  Baton  Rouge  in  1862 ;  A.  H.  Vanvalkenburgh,  died 
at  Ship  Island  April,  1862  ;  William  Pitcher,  killed  at  Baton  Rouge 
August,  1862  ;  John  W.  Blackburn,  died  at  New  Orleans  March,  1864; 
Daniel  Colvin,  died  at  New  Orleans  May,  1864 ;  Caleb  S.  Collier,  died 
at  New  Orleans  December,  1864 ;  James  Gooch,  died  at  Indianapolis 
October,  1864 ;  F.  M.  Gooch,  died  at  New  Orleans  March,  1864 ;  James 
0.  Gamble,  died  at  New  Orleans  March,  1864  ;  William  C.  Hobbs,  died 
at  New  Orleans  April,  1864  ;  George  R.  Northern,  died  at  New  Orleans 
March,  1864  ;  William  A.  Rooker,  died  at  Baton  Rouge  May,  1864 ; 
Andrew  Stines,  died  at  New  Orleans  April,  1864, 

Twenty-sixth  Regiment. — John  Boyd,  died  on  steamer  "J.  J.  Roe  " 


HISTORY   OF   MORGAN   COUNTY.  75 

August,  1863;  Thomas  A.  Bunch,  died  at  Springfield,  Mo.,  September, 
1862;  William  Cassady,  died  January,  1863,  of  wounds  received  at 
Prairie  Grove ;  Peter  Coble,  died  December,  1862,  of  wounds  received  at 
Prairie  Grove;  Isaac  Corder,  killed  in  a  skirmish  near  Glasgow,  Mo., 
September,  1861 ;  Hiram  Hand,  died  at  Camp  Hunter,  Mo.,  November, 
1861 ;  Philip  Harrold,  died  at  New  Orleans  July,  1864  ;  William  M. 
Harrold,  died  May,  1864,  while  prisoner  at  Shreveport,  La.;  William 
Mackey,  died  at  Camp  Hunter,  Mo.,  November,  1861 ;  David  W.  Pool, 
died  at  St.  Louis,  Mo.,  October,  1861  ;  Sergt.  Jeremiah  W.  Shepler, 
died  at  Tipton,  Mo.,  January,  1862  ;  Isaac  W.  Tacket,  died  at  Otterville, 
Mo.,  February,  1862;  Richmond  Boaz,  died  at  New  Orleans  September, 
1863  ;  Isaac  Carder,  died  March,  1864  ;  Jacob  B.  Duke,  died  at  Carroll- 
ton,  La.,  October,  1863  ;  Elijah  T.  Harriman,  killed  at  Prairie  Grove 
December,  1862. 

Twenty-seventh  Regiment. — The  list  of  dead  in  this  regiment  cannot 
be  given. 

Thirty-third  Regiment. — Thomas  M.  Rhea,  killed  at  Altoona  May, 
1864;  Francis  Dane,  killed  at  Peach  Tree  Creek  July,  1864;  Daniel 
Page,  died  at  Chattanooga  August,  1864,  of  wounds  received  at  Kene- 
saw  ;  Jesse  T.  Shipley,  died  of  disease  in  Tennessee  ;  Alexander  C.  Boyd, 
died  of  disease  in  Kentucky ;  James  M.  Carpenter,  died  July,  1864,  of 
wounds  received  at  Peach  Tree  Creek  ;  Enos  C.  Hadley,  died  in  Tennes- 
see ;  Noah  Hadley,  died  in  Libby  Prison,  1863 ;  Talburt  G.  Hale,  died 
in  Kentucky  ;  Simon  H.  Lasley,  died  at  Crab  Orchard,  Ky.;  Henry  H. 
Mathews,  died  near  Crab  Orchard ;  Alfred  Mathews,  died  of  wounds  at 
Nashville;  Henry  H.  Major,  died  at  Crab  Orchard  ;  David  N.  Marshall, 
died  in  Georgia ;  Martin  V.  McKinley,  died  in  Kentucky ;  James  A. 
Medaris,  died  at  Nashville  August,  1864,  of  wounds;  Isaac  N.  Park, 
died  of  wounds  while  a  prisoner  at  Pulaski,  Tenn.;  John  Turner,  died  in 
the  service ;  George  W.  Whetstine,  committed  suicide  while  insane  at 
Raleigh,  N.  C,  April,  1865 ;  Wiley  B.  Baker,  missing  in  action  in  Ten- 
nessee ;  Dillian  Asher,  died  in  the  service ;  John  R.  Burkhart,  killed  at 
Resaca  May,  1864  ;  Samuel  P.  Knight,  killed  in  battle  February,  1865  ; 
James  H.  Brewer,  killed  at  Peach  Tree  Ci'eek  July,  1864 ;  Caleb 
Fletcher,  killed  in  battle  February,  1865 ;  Prettyman  H.  Long,  killed  in 
battle  February,  1865. 

Fifty-ninth  Regiment. — Maryfield  Walters,  killed  in  action  at  Vicks- 
burg  May,  1863  ;  William  T.  Baldwin,  died  at  Gosport,  Ind.,  January, 
1862;  Warren  Baldwin,  died  before  muster;  Peter  Demott,  died  at 
Huntsville,  Ala.,  April,  1864;  James  R.  Mannon,  died  at  Gosport  Feb- 
ruary, 1862;  William  Ogles,  died  at  Paducah,  Ky.,  January,  1863; 
Levi  Watson,  died  at  Jacinto,  Miss.,  August,  1862. 

Seventieth  Regiment. — Calvin  Johnson,  died  at  Gallatin,  Tenn., 
March,  1863;  Benjamin  F.  Ballard,  died  at  Gallatin  March,  1863; 
Samuel  Ballentine,  died  at  Nashville,  Tenn.,  June,  1864;  Henry  W. 
Costin,  died  at  Gallatin  February,  1863 ;  Jacob  Farmer,  died  at  Nash- 
ville of  wounds  June,  1864;  David  Fugate,  died  at  Resaca  of  wounds 
May,  1864;  Alonzo  B.  Greeson,  died  at  Resaca  of  wounds  May,  1864; 
Alfred  Greeson,  died  at  home  July,  1864  ;  Andrew  Jordan,  died  at  Gal- 
latin March,  1863 ;  Daniel  Lockwood,  died  at  Jeffersonville,  Ind.,  June, 


76  HISTORY   OF   MORGAN   COUNTY. 

1864;  Peter  White,  died  at  Bowling  Green,  Ky.,  January,  1863;  Calvin 
Ward,  died  of  wounds  at  Resaca  May,  1864  ;  John  H.  Poe,  died  at 
Chattanooga  August,  1864,  of  accidental  wounds ;  George  W.  Flake, 
died  of  wounds  at  Nashville  June,  1864 ;  William  H.  Gibbs,  killed  at 
Resaca  May,  1864  ;  William  Olds,  killed  at  Kenesaw  June,  1864  ;  Abra- 
ham G.  Butterfield,  died  at  Bowling  Green  November,  1862 ;  William 
W.  Weaver,  killed  at  Resaca  May,  1864 ;  Henley  Albertson,  died  at 
Bowling  Green  October,  1862 ;  Milton  Boyd,  killed  at  Dallas,  Ga.,  May, 
1864;  Marshall  Dane,  died  at  Scottsville,  Ky.,  February,  1863;  James 
E.  De  Coursey,  died  at  Scottsville,  Ky.,  December,  1862;  Elias  L.  Ray, 
died  May,  1864,  of  wounds  received  at  Resaca ;  Charles  W.  Roberts, 
died  at  Gallatin  May,  1863 ;  Jacob  Reedy,  died  at  Washington,  D.  C, 
May,  1865;  James  Singleton,  killed  at  Peach  Tree  Creek  July,  1864; 
James  W.  Tout,  died  at  Gallatin  May,  1863;  Hiram  Voyles,  died  of 
wounds  at  Resaca  May,  1874 ;  Mason  Warner,  died  August,  1864,  of 
wounds  received  near  Atlanta ;  Joseph  Whitson,  died  at  Nashville,  Feb- 
ruary, 1864  ;  Isaac  Benge,  died  at  Lookout  Valley  May,  1864 ;  James 
Hatley,  died  at  Lookout  Mountain  August,  1864 ;  Joshua  Hammond, 
died  at  Atlanta  October,  1864 ;  Alexander  Long,  died  at  Chattanooga 
August,  1864. 

Fifth  Qavalry  [Nineteenth  Regiment). — James  F.  Roberts,  died  in 
prison  at  Florence,  S.  C,  February,  1865  ;  David  R.  Badgley,  supposed 
to  have  died  in  Andersonville  Prison ;  Dutton  Loveall,  died  of  wounds  at 
Knoxville,  Tenn.,  January,  1864 ;  John  Underwood,  died  at  Covington, 
Ky.,  September,  1863. 

One  Hundred  and  Seventeenth  Regiment. — William  B.  Harryman, 
died  at  Camp  Nelson,  Ky.,  January,  1864  ;  William  H.  H.  Little,  died 
at  Knoxville,  Tenn.,  November,  1863  ;  Joseph  H.  McGinnis,  died  at 
Knoxville  November,  1863  ;  Stephen  Ogden,  died  at  Knoxville  Novem- 
ber, 1863;  Paris  Pearce,  died  at  Tazewell,  Tenn.,  January,  1864; 
George  W.  Toutt,  died  at  Knoxville  November,  1863 ;  Isaac  Wilcox, 
died  at  Cumberland  Gap  October,  1863. 

One  Hundred  and  Forty -eighth  Regiment. — Isaac  Kennedy,  died  at 
home  in  March,  1865 ;  Francis  J.  Perry,  died  at  home  in  March,  1865  ; 
David  Grifl&n,  died  at  Nashville  in  April  ,1865  ;  James  S.  Teague,  died  at 
Pulaski  in  January,  1865. 

Second  Battery  Light  Artillery. — William  H.  Gurley,  killed  by 
guerrillas  in  May,  1864. 

Twenty-eighth  Regiment  United  States  Colored  Troops. — Andrew 
Evans,  died  at  Alexandria,  Va.  ,in  October,  1864;  Edward  Findley,  died 
of  wounds  in  the  field  in  Virginia  in  September,  1864  ;  James  Goss,  died 
at  4-^6xandria,  Va.,  in  January,  1865  ;  Zachariah  T.  Langford,  died  at 
Alexandria,  Va.,  in  October,  1864  ;  Dempsey  Porter,  died  at  Indianap- 
olis in  March,  1864 ;  Thomas  Riley,  died  of  wounds  in  the  field  in  Vir- 
ginia in  August,  1 864  ;  George  W.  Richey,  died  at  Indianapolis  in  Feb- 
ruary, 1864.    -^ 

Fifteenth  Regiment. — Robert  B.  Gilbert,  killed  in  the  charge  on  Mis- 
sion Ridge. 

Twenty-ninth  Regiment. — James  B.  Russell,  died  of  disease  in  Febru- 
ary, 1865. 


HISTORY   OF   MORGAN   COUNTY.  77 

MORGAN    county's    PENSIONERS. 

The  following  is  a  complete  list  of  the  pensioners  of  Morgan  County 
prepared  by  order  of  the  United  States  Senate  on  the  1st  day  of  January. 
1883 :  ' 

Allen,  Thomas  J.,  rheumatism $  6  00 

Black,  William,  rheumatism .*.'..'.'.'..'." 8  00 

Kitchen,  David,  eyes ........[.... 4  OO 

Woods,  Andrew  J.,  hand '.'.'.'.'.'.'.*.'.".'..'. 4  oO 

Pointer,  Benjamin,  hands 1 «  no 

Welty,  Walter  W.,  finger o  no 

Greeson,  William  C.  H.,  leg '.■.■■.■.■.  ■.".■.■.  ".■.■.■. g  JJq 

Roe,  Milton,  diarrhoea 4  qa 

Beem,  Phebe,  widow .' ' ' " 0  qq 

Ware,  Mary  J.,  widow "....".' 0  qa 

Lang,  Polly,  widow "'.'.' 0  qq 

Laughliu,  Thomas  J.,  minor  of '  .'. 12  00 

Campbell.  William  A.,  diarrhoea 8  00 

Campbell,  Lewis  E.,  diarrhcea ...."......'.'.  8  00 

Baber,  Levi,  rheumatism o  aa 

Taylor,  John  H.,  hip 5  aa 

?^^!^^^i^e^^^!?/p?^^^y^'^ ::"  ■;;•.•.:;::::::  18  00 


Allen,  Samuel,  minor  of. 

Miller,  William  P.  T.,  varicose  veins. 

Mills,  Thomas,  side. 


10  00 
12  00 
8  00 


Laposey,  Joseph,  diarrhoea ." 4  aa 

Kennedy,  James  C,  varicose  veins o  00 

Knoy,  Ephraim  R.,  diarrhcea 6  00 

McGinnis,  John  C,  diarrhoea "     8  00 

Shumaker,  Jesse,  heart  disease .' 8  00 

White,  James  J.,  diarrhoea 4  aa 

Phea,  John  L.,  diseased  liver .". " 4  aa 

Patrick,  Noah  A.,  diseased  eyes '..'.".".". 4  oO 

Watson,  John,  diarrhoea ',"_ g  aa 

Holton,  Rebecca,  mother .'.'.'..".,' 8  00 

Spain,  Maria  E.,  widow ,,\ o  aa 

Donaldson,  Elizabeth  K,  widow,  1812.      %()?) 

Tincher,  John  D.,  diarrhcEa 2  aa 

McQuistion,  Hugh,  leg ".'.".",".'.*. 10  00 

Dooley,  Jloses,  varicose  vein I  a  aa 

McNaught,  Robert  W.,  injured  eyes. o  aa 

Seaton,  George  W.,  legs r  aa 

Fletcher,  Vardeman,  finger " o  a  a 

Brown,  Andrew  C,  arm .  i«  nn 

Kivett,  Daniel,  insane in  nn 

Lee,  John  c.. ,  ankle '.■ ;;;; ;;;; ;;;; 4  aa 

Hawthorne,  James,  paralysis HO  no 

Young,  Hannibal,  bronchitis P  a  a 

Elmore,  Mary  F.,  widow '     o  ^j; 

Williams,  Levi,  minor  of ^  oo 

Sturgeon,  Ellen,  widow ".'.*." '.". ^  a^ 

Holmes,  Mary  J.,  widow o  n a 

Pearce,  Elijah  J.,  arm .' ^  aX 

Johnson,  Thomas  W.,  hand ?  aa 

Creed,  John  M.,  heart ." is  aa 

Miller,  Henry  R.,  diarrhoea «  XX 

Vooheis,  Simon  L.,  leg J  aX 

Rouey,  Peter,  minor  of ," ja  qJ; 

Collier,  James,  disease  of  abdomen     , .        c  aa 

Collier,  Jeremiah,  diseased  ear ^  aa 

Bright,  William  H.,  foot X  "" 

Burton,  Joseph,  diarrhoea -4  00 

Burns,  John,  disease  of  heart o  Xa 

Blana,  Jesse,  injury  to  back ".'. T     ^  X|J 

Johnson,  Jarvis  J.,  disease  of  abdomen. . .   .'. on  nn 

Farr,  Uriah  H.,  rheumatism '■■.■.■.■.■.■.■.■;.■.■.■    6  00 

'..'.".".'.'.V.V."     6  00 


Fisher,  Nathaniel,  bronchitis. 


78  HISTORY   OF   MORGAN   COUNTY. 

Evans,  Thomas  D.,  neck $4  00 

McGowen.  James  N.,  arm 6  00 

McNair,  Francis  M.,  diarrhoea 8  00 

Goble,  Lewis,  abdomen 4  00 

Mass,  William  A.,  diarrhoea 4  00 

Miller,  Jolin,  elbow 6  00 

Dilley,  William  A.,  leg 4  00 

Crider,  Lewis,  abdomen 4  00 

Burton,  James  E.,  thigh 15  00 

Rodgers.  Anderson  N.,  hip 2  00 

Carroll,  Francis  M.,  heart  disease 8  00 

Crone,  Henry,  thigh 4  00 

Warner,  George  W.,  abdomen 8  00 

Sturgeon,  Thomas  R..  lungs 2  00 

Singleton,  Thomas,  diarrhoea 8  00 

Shields,  Abel  P.,  rheumatism 4  00 

Ribison,  William,  rheumatism 12  00 

Kimble,  Elijah,  eyes 8  00 

Maher,  William,  hand 8  00 

Faulker,  Squire,  abdomen 6  00 

Fulcher,  Erasmus  D.,  lungs 4  00 

Harvey,  Mary,  widow 12  00 

Bonner,  Ann,  widow  10  00 

Haywood,  Louisa,  widow 8  00 

Simons,  Malinda,  widow 8  00 

Harryman,  Emily,  widow 8  00 

Taylor,  Martha,  widow 8  00 

Jones,  Elizabeth  M. ,  widow 8  00 

Gritfin,  David  C,  survivor  1812 10  00 

Bowlin,  Elizabeth  A. ,  widow 8  00 

Ryan,  Elizabeth  A. ,  widow 8  00 

Rigg,  Sarah,  widow 8  00 

Roberts,  Rachel,  widow. 8  00 

Naughton,  Margaret,  widow 8  00 

Garrison,  William  T.,  minor  of 14  00 

Basker,  Delilah,  mother 8  00 

Groves,  Jane,  mother 8  00 

Rouey,  Ellen,  widow 12  00 

Persinger,  Barbary,  widow,  1812 8  00 

McConn,  Mourning,  widow,  1812 8  00 

King.  Eliza,  widow,  1812 8  00 

Hensley,  John,  diarrhoea 2  00 

Laf aver,  Samuel,  lungs 2  00 

Kunkle,  William,  kidneys 4  00 

Townsend,  Thomas  J.,  leg 2  00 

Kennedy,  Thomas  A.,  head 8  00 

Kennedy,  Daniel  P.,  pharyngitis 8  00 

Hocker,  Malclon,  lungs 8  00 

Hatleg,  Leroy  T..  shoulder 6  00 

John.son,  William  C.  W.,  leg 18  00 

Payton,  Harrison,  foot 6  00 

Payne,  James  M.,  abdomen 6  00 

Ruder,  Wesley,  both  eyes 72  00 

Northern,  Lewis  G.,  side '. 4  00 

Troxel,  Jacob,  rheumatism 18  00 

Toner,  James  E.,  thigh 12  00 

O'Neal,  Willis,  diarrhoea 50  00 

Olds,  Henry  H.,  varicose  veins 14  00 

Hammans,  John  T.,  face 18  00 

Ferrin,  Isaac,  disease  of  abdomen 12  00 

Harper,  John,  heel 6  00 

Graves,  Charles  M.,  heart 8  00 

Harrigan,  William,  cheek 4  00 

Hardwick,  John,  disease  of  abdomen 8  00 

Baker,  Levi,  arm 8  00 

Burpo,  Jesse  B.,  enlargement  of  heart 8  00 

Farr,  James  B.,  neck 18  00 

Hammond,  William,  arm 8  00 


HISTORY   OF  MORGAN   COUNTY.  79 

Jordon,  James  H.,  hip |8  00 

McKinley,  George  W.,  thigh 4  00 

Harper,  Isaac  N.,  thigh 8  00 

Mosier,  James  R. ,  hip 13  00 

Walker,  George  M.,  leg 4  00 

Stiles,  Jesse  L.  R.,  diarrhoea 13  00 

Smith,  Elijah,  liver 4  00 

Tacket,  Thomas,  injmy  to  back 6  00 

Tiiompson,  Jesse,  neuralgia 8  00 

Bailey,  David,  ophthalmia 18  00 

Bennett,  William  M.,  part  deafness 13  00 

Anderson,  William  H.  H.,  shoulder 14  00 

Brick,  James  A. ,  sunstroke 24  00 

McCracker,  William,  abdomen 11  25 

Lindley,  Jeptha,  diarrhoea 8  00 

Lewallen,  Alonzo,  lungs  •••.  4  00 

Hayden,  John  W.,  left  hand 13  00 

Wilhite,  William  W.,  shoulder 4  00 

Statzell,  Isaac,  leg 4  00 

Jester,  Rebecca,  widow 8  00 

Brown,  Lucy  M.,  widow 8  00 

Ruth,  Jemima,  mother 8  00 

Jordan,  Jane  R.,  mother 8  00 

Thomas,  Lydia  J.,  widow 12  00 

Greeson,  Tibby,  mother 8  00 

Bly.  William  G.,  disease  of  heart 8  00 

Franc,  James  jST.,  neck 5  00 

Hornaday,  Thomas  R.,  neuralgia 8  00 

Mitchell,  Bloomtield,  abdomen 4  00 

Hinson,  John  W..  loss  of  leg 18  00 

Richardson.  Robert  M.,  thigh 4  00 

Wise.  Jacob  R.,  disease  of  abdomen 4  00 

Hensley,  Benjamin  F.,  rheumatism 4  00 

Farmer,  Peter  C,  arm 18  00 

Mitchell,  George  W.,  lumbago 14  00 

Hinson,  James  A.,  impure  vaccine 8  00 

Sellars,  Peter,  disease  of  heart 8  00 

Vansant,  Joel  D.,  leg 6  00 

Rhodes,  Mary  A.,  mother 8  00 

Bates,  William  H.,  minor  of 10  00 

Greeson,  Rebecca,  widow 8  00 

Wood,  Nancy,  widow 8  00 

Ferguson,  Mary  C,  widow 8  00 

Painter,  Lutitia,  widow 8  00 

Thornberry,  Francis,  survivor  1813 8  00 

Hatfield,  Allen  A.,  diseased  eyes 18  00 

Fester,  William  H.,  side 12  75 

Jacobs,  James,  thigh 4  00 

Prosser,  George,  thigh 24  00 

Runde,  Francis  F.,  thigh 2  00 

Monroe,  Calvin,  diarrhoea 10  00 

Deaver,  James,  diseased  lungs 18  00 

Steel,  James  W.,  thigh 2  00 

Rushton,  William,  diarrhoea 4  00 

Power,  Jacob  B.,  diarrhoea 4  00 

Varble,  Philip,  rheumatism 8  00 

Knight,  Deucv  M.,  jaw 14  00 

Kelso,  James  P.,  hand 5  33 

Lake,  Sarah,  widow 10  00 

Whitstine,  Catherine,  widow 8  00 

Melton,  Martha,  widow 8  00 

Basker,  Elizabeth,  widow 8  00 

Neidigh,  Adella,  widow 8  00 

Morris,  Eleanor,  widow 8  00 

Prosser,  Elizabeth,  widow 8  00 

Glidden,  Margaret,  widow 8  00 

Long,  Nancy,  widow 8  00 

Barnes,  Elizabeth,  widow,  1812 8  00 


80  HISTORY   OF    MORGAN   COUNTY. 

Coleman,  Elizabeth,  widow  $8  00 

Lake,  Elizabeth,  widow 8  00 

Baker,  Andrew  J.,,  leg 4  00 

Brown,  George  M.,  diarrhoea 6  00 

Hodges,  Thomas  T.,  eyes 4  00 

Knight,  James  H.,  disease  of  abdomen 8  00 

Tandy,  John  A.,  diarrhoea 2  00 

Bastian,  Jonathan  H.,  hand 4  00 

Barion,  William  H.,  lung 18  00 

Robinson,  Joseph  C,  diarrhoea 12  00 

Breeden,  John  N.,  ankle 8  00 

Warthen,  Rhoda,  widow,  1812 8  00 

Hone,  Benjamin  F.,  abdomen 6  00 

Keplinger,  John  E.,  catarrh 6  00 

Kidwell,  Jasper  N.,  thigh 3  00 

Taylor,  Henry  B.,  leg 8  00 

Taylor,  John,  survivor  1812 8  00 

Medsker,  John,  chest 14  00 

Briant,  George  R.,  loss  left  arm 24  00 

Singleton,  Rachel,  widow 8  00 

Pearce,  Austice,  widow ■. 8  00 

McDaniel,  Mary,  widow 8  00 


WASHINaTON  TOWNSHIP  AND  MARTINSVILLE. 


THE    FIRST    SETTLEMENT. 

"TTTASHINGTON  TOWNSHIP  is  the  largest  civil  division  of  the 
VV  county,  being  composed,  as  nearly  as  can  be  estimated,  of  sixty 
square  miles  of  valley  and  upland.  There  are  several  very  beautiful 
views,  one  being  from  the  bluffs  near  the  county  seat  down  the  river  val- 
ley until  sky  and  timber  meet  at  Gosport,  fifteen  miles  away.  The  up- 
land is  not  good  for  agriculture,  but  there  is  no  richer  or  more  productive 
soil  in  the  State  than  in  the  river  valley  and  along  the  smaller  streams. 
The  first  settlement  in  the  township  was  made  by  the  Cutlers,  who 
located  their  land  in  the  fall  of  1819,  and  in  the  early  spring  of  1820 
brought  their  families  out  for  permanent  residence.  It  is  uncertain  who 
came  next,  but  within  a  few  months  several  other  families  arrived,  among 
them  being  those  of  Joel  Ferguson,  John  Gray,  Samuel  Scott,  John 
Case,  Joshua  Taylor,  Joseph  Townsend,  George  Matthews,  Benjamin 
Freeland,  Benjamin  Hoffman,  Joshua  Gray,  Thomas  Jenkins,  John 
Sims,  Chester  Holbrook,  Alexander  Rowand,  Norman  Reed,  Issac  Hol- 
landsworth,  Pressley  Buckner,  Samuel  Elliott,  Jonathan  Williams,  James 
Reynolds,  James  and  Charles  Clark,  and  a  little  later  George  and  Morris 
Baker,  Christopher  Parker,  Simon  Bishop,  Philip  Burns,  Moses  Voyles, 
Philip  Bass,  William  Seals,  James  Burk,  William  Townsend  and  many 
others  whose  names  cannot  be  learned.  After  the  county  seat  had  been 
located  in  1822,  the  settlement  in  the  vicinity  was  rapid.  The  southern 
part  of  the  township  did  not  settle  up  until  in  the  thirties,  at  which  time 
almost  all  the  land  there  was  entered,  a  portion  of  it  by  capitalists  at 
Martinsville  or  elsewhere.  Almost  the  whole  township  was  covered  with 
a  heavy  growth  of  the  choicest  native  forestry,  through  which  many  wild 


WASHINGTON  TOWNSHIP  AND    MARTINSVILLE.  81 

animals  roamed.  It  is  stated  by  William  Taylor  that  a  man  named  Perry 
Jones,  who  lived  a  short  distance  north  of  the  county  seat,  in  one  day 
killed  five  bears,  two  of  them  being  cubs.  The  last  one  was  wounded, 
and  attacked  the  hunter,  who  killed  it  with  his  gun  barrel.  This  occurred 
just  south  of  town.  It  is  told  of  Pressley  Buckner  that  he  saw  several 
animals  lying  in  the  leaves  in  the  woods  one  day,  and  at  first  thought 
they  were  wolves.  He  fired  and  killed  one,  whereupon  the  others  ran. 
The  hunter  was  astonished  to  find  that  his  wolf  was  a  big  panther.  This 
also  occurred  near  Martinsville. 

MARTINSVILLE. 

The  town  of  Martinsville  had  its  origin  in  the  act  of  the  State  Legis- 
lature, which  brought  the  county  of  Morgan  into  existence.  This  act 
was  approved  by  the  Governor  on  the  31st  of  December,  1821,  and 
provided  that  James  Borland,  of  Monroe  County ;  Thomas  Beazley,  of 
Lawrence  County ;  Phillip  Hart,  of  Owen  County ;  John  Milroy,  of 
Washington  County,  and  John  Martin,  of  Washington  County,  should 
meet  at  the  house  of  John  Gray  on  the  1st  day  of  March,  1822, 
to  locate  and  permanently  "  set  the  stake "  of  the  new  county  seat. 
It  is  not  certain  that  all  the  Commissioners  appointed  convened  as 
provided  in  the  act,  though,  if  not,  a  majority  met  on  the  day  specified 
at  Mr.  Gray's  residence.  There  were  two  or  more  rival  locations  in 
the  county  for  the  county  seat,  one  being  at  Martinsville,  another 
near  Centerton,  and  another,  it  is  stated,  at  Waverly.  The  latter's 
pretensions  were  easily  evaded,  owing  to  its  location  in  the  extreme 
eastern  portion  of  the  county.  Centerton  had  every  advantage  of  loca- 
tion ;  but  sufficient  influence  could  not  be  brought  to  bear  upon  the 
locating  Commissioners,  owing  to  the  fact  that  there  was  scarcely  a  settler 
in  that  vicinity.  On  the  contrary,  while  Martinsville  was  south  of  the 
center  of  the  county,  there  were  four  or  five  intelligent  and  prominent 
men  living  in  that  vicinity  who  ofi'ered  valuable  donations  of  land,  and 
perhaps  other  property,  to  secure  the  prize.  Accordingly,  after  viewing 
the  various  rival  locations  and  other  portions  of  the  central  part  of  the 
county,  and  after  weighing  all  the  tendered  donations,  the  locating  Com- 
missioners permanently  fixed  the  seat  of  justice  at  Martinsville. 

It  must  be  noticed,  however,  that  up  to  this  period,  there  was  no  sign 
of  a  town  at  what  is  now  Martinsville.  The  land  was  covered  with  a 
rich  growth  of  native  forestry,  and  numerous  pits  or  holes  dotted  the 
surface.  An  old  Delaware  trail  ran  across  the  town  site  from  northeast 
to  southwest,  passing  near  the  southeast  corner  of  the  public  square,  and 
also  near  the  large  spring  of  water  in  the  hills  northeast  of  the  town. 

It  is  not  positively  known  how  the  town  came  to  be  called  Martins- 
ville. The  most  reasonable  among  several  ways  mentioned  is  that  it  was 
named  from  John  Martin,  of  Washington  County,  the  oldest  of  the 
locating  Commissioners.  But  this  origin  of  the  name  must  not  be  regarded 
as  positively  established.  The  location  was  completed  the  first  week  in 
March,  1822.  The  site  selected  was  upon  the  line  dividing  Townships 
11  and  12  north,  Range  1  east,  of  the  Second  Principal  Meridian,  the 
township  line  passing  across  the  public  square.     The  site  was  also  upon 


82 


HISTORY   OF   MORGAN   COUNTY. 


Section  4  of  the  former  township,  and  Section  33  of  the  latter, 
following  entries  on  these  sections  had  been  made : 


The 


NAMES. 

TO^VN- 
SHIP. 

KANGE. 

SEC- 
TION. 

ACRES. 

DATE. 

LOCATION. 

John  Gray 

John  Gray 

Joshua  Taylor. 
Samuel  Scott . . 
Joel  Ferguson  . 
Joel  Ferguson  . 
Jacob  Cutler. . . 
Jacob  Cutler. . . 

11 
11 
11 
11 

12 
12 
12 
12 

4 

4 

4 

4 

33 

33 

33 

33 

75.85 

75.85 

76.27 

76.27 

80 

80 

80 

80 

September  4,  1820. . 
September, 4,  1820.. 
September  4,  1820. . 
January  9,  1821.... 
September  5,  1820.. 
September  5,  1820. . 
September  5,  1820.. 
September  5,  1820. . 

E.  i  N.  E.  i. 
W.  i  N.  E.  i. 
E.  i  N.  W.  i. 
W.  i  N.  W.  i. 
E.  i  S.  E.  i. 
W.  i  S.  E.  i. 
E.  i  S.  W.  i. 
W.  i  S.  W.  i. 

In  the  immediate  vicinity  of  these  sections,  the  following  men  had 
also  entered  land : 

John  Connor,  Larkin  Reynolds,  Thomas  Jenkins,  Jacob  Cose,  Reuben 
Mast,  Alexander  Rowand,  Allen  Gray,  Jacob  Lafaver  and  others,  as  will 
be  seen  from  another  chapter  of  this  volume. 

DONATIONS  AND  SALES  OF  TOWN  LOTS. 

As  a  consideration  for  the  location  of  the  county  seat  thereon,  the 
following  donations  of  land  were  made  to  Morgan  County:  By  Joel  Fer- 
guson, thirty-seven  and  one-half  acres  on  the  west  half  of  the  southeast 
quarter  of  Section  33,  Township  12,  Range  1  east ;  by  Jacob  Cutler, 
thirty-seven  and  one-half  acres  on  the  west  half  of  the  southwest  quarter 
of  the  same  section  ;  by  John  Gray,  forty  acres  on  the  west  half  of  the 
northeast  quarter  of  Section  4,  Township  11,  Range  1  east;  by  Joshua 
Taylor  and  Samuel  Scott,  forty  acres  on  the  east  half  of  the  northwest 
quarter  ;  in  all,  155  acres  of  good  land. 

So  far  as  can  be  learned,  this  land  was  the  only  donation,  except  the 
large  spring  northeast  of  town,  which  was  forever  granted  to  the  use  of 
the  town  of  Martinsville  by  Joel  Ferguson  in  April,  1822.  The  locating 
Commissioners  did  not  lay  off  the  town  ;  they  fixed  the  county  seat,  se- 
cured the  donations,  and  then  transferred  all  further  action  to  George  W. 
Preston,  County  Agent.  During  the  latter  part  of  May,  the  new  town 
was  surveyed  and  platted  under  the  supervision  of  the  County  Agent,  by 
James  Gattelly,  County  Surveyor,  assisted  by  Benjamin  Hoffman,  Larkin 
Reynolds,  Jonathan  Williams  and  others.  A  total  of  forty-two  blocks 
was  laid  off  on  the  donated  land,  seven  blocks  east  and  west,  and  six 
north  and  south,  together  with  a  row  of  undivided  out-blocks  or  lots, 
extending  entirely  around  the  town  proper.  The  forty-two  blocks  were 
subdivided  into  lots,  except  Block  18,  which  was  reserved  for  the  public 
square.  The  old  plat  shows  Water,  Sycamore,  Jefferson,  Main,  Mulberry, 
Marion  and  Cherry  streets  extending  east  and  west,  beginning  on  the 
south,  and  Highland,  Harrison,  Pike,  Morgan,  Washington,  Jackson, 
Columbus  and  Walnut  streets  extending  north  and  south,  beginning  on 
the  east. 

The  first  public  sale  of  lots  occurred  in  June,  1822,  and  unfortunately 
a  full  account  of  this  sale  cannot  be  given.  Another  took  place  in 
August,   and  still  another  in  November,  the  total  receipts  of  the  sale 


WASHINGTON  TOWNSHIP  AND  MARTINSVILLE.  83 

footing  up  to  $364.02.  Several  public  sales  took  place  in  1823,  and 
several  during  subsequent  years,  until  all  the  lots  were  disposed  of,  which 
did  not  occur  until  about  thirty  years.  The  names  of  the  buyers  can 
not  be  stated. 

THE    FIRST    AND    SUBSEQUENT    BUILDINGS. 

The  log  house  of  Jacob  Cutler,  erected  a  short  distance  north  of  the 
northeast  corner  of  the  public  square,  was  the  first  on  the  town  site,  and 
was  built  in  1820.  It  was  the  first  county  court  house,  and  was  the  office 
of  George  H.  Beeler,  the  first  Clerk  and  Recorder  of  the  county,  Mr. 
Beeler  being  a  son-in-law,  it  is  stated,  of  Mr.  Cutler.  Among  the  early 
buyers  of  lots  were  G.  H.  Beeler,  Jared  Olds,  John  Morrison,  Jacob 
Cutler,  Joel  Ferguson,  John  Gray,  Samuel  Scott,  Joshua  Taylor  and 
James  Clark.  About  six  families  located  in  town  in  1822.  In  the  fall, 
Joshua  Taylor  opened  the  first  tavern  a  short  distance  south  of  town. 
John  Sims  was  the  first  store  keeper,  so  far  as  known,  and  began  selling 
from  a  small  stock  of  notions  in  the  spring  of  1823.  His  stock  of  mer- 
chandise was  probably  worth  less  than  $100.  He  obtained  his  license 
to  sell  liquor  and  a  few  goods  and  notions  and  keep  tavern  the  following 
fall,  and  paid  $10  for  it  for  one  year.  Joshua  Taylor's  tavern  paid  a 
license  of  $10  per  annum.  Taverns  in  those  days  almost  invariably 
contained  a  bar,  at  which  excellent  whisky  and  other  liquor  could  be  ob- 
tained— for  the  money.  The  early  taverns  at  Martinsville  were  no  excep- 
tion to  the  rule. 

In  the  spring  of  1824,  G.  W.  Preston  became  tavern  keeper,  and  a 
little  later  in  the  same  year  John  Sims  renewed  his  license  for  the  same 
occupation.  In  the  autumn  of  1824,  Noah  Allison  brought  to  the  town 
a  small  stock  of  general  merchandise,  probably  about  $600  worth,  and 
was  no  doubt  the  first  genuine  store  keeper  of  the  place.  At  this  time, 
the  town  contained  about  sixteen  families,  and  was  quite  a  thriving  little 
place.  Carpenters,  coopers,  blacksmiths,  and  other  useful  artisans  and 
mechanics  were  present  plying  their  crafts.  Mails  were  received  daily, 
the  route  lying  from  Indianapolis,  via  Bloomington  to  Madison.  Jona- 
than Williams  was  the  carrier  about  this  time  and  later.  It  is  likely  that 
Christopher  Ladd  kept  tavern  in  Martinsville  at  an  early  day,  though 
this  is  somewhat  uncertain.  It  is  positively  known  that  he  was  a  resident 
of  Port  Royal  early  in  the  twenties.  A  school  had  been  started,  preachers 
had  come  in  to  expound  the  faith  as  they  understood  it,  and  a  county 
court  house  and  a  county  jail  had  just  been  erected.  Altogether,  Mar- 
tinsville was  a  thrifty  town. 

In  1825,  John  Sims,  Benjamin  Cutler,  Jacob  Cutler  and  John  Mc- 
Kinney  sold  liquor.  The  Cutlers  had  erected  a  distillery  at  the  big  spring, 
and  were  furnishing  quite  extensively  for  that  day  an  excellent  article  of 
corn  whisky.  It  is  said  they  rectified  no  small  amount  of  the  liquor,  and 
it  is  also  said  with  a  significant  smile  and  shake  of  the  head  that  no  such 
whisky  is  seen  in  these  days  of  degenerate  drinks.  Noah  Allison  re- 
newed his  store  license  in  1825,  and  increased  his  stock  in  size  and  qual- 
ity, as  is  proved  by  the  higher  license  paid  by  him.  Larkin  Reynolds  sold 
liquor  in  1826,  as  did  also  James  Clark,  the  Cutlers,  Samuel  Wick  and 
perhaps  others.     The  number  of  liquor  sellers  was  the  result  of  the  uni- 


84  HISTORY   OF    MORGAN   COUNTY. 

versa!  custom  of  drinking.  Men,  women  and  children  took  their  potations 
regularly,  and  it  is  asserted  by  old  settlers,  who  ought  to  know,  that  there 
was  less  drunkenness  then,  than  now.  In  1826,  Jacob  Cutler  opened  with 
over  $1,000  worth  of  general  merchandise.  He  also  began  to  buy  and 
pack  a  few  hogs,  and  buy  wheat  and  corn  for  shipment,  and  the  latter 
largely  for  manufacture  into  whisky  at  his  distillery.  It  is  stated  that  he 
sent  the  first  boat  load  of  pork  from  Martinsville  down  the  river  to  New 
Orleans.  He  obtained  groceries  at  that  point,buthis  dry  goods  were  obtained 
largely  from  the  southern  part  of  the  State.  In  November,  1826,  G.  H. 
Beeler  also  opened  a  small  store  of  general  merchandise.  A  tannery  had 
been  started  as  early  as  1824,  by  John  Sims  who,  it  is  said,  conducted 
it  continuously  until  his  death,  in  about  1842.  This  tannery  in  early 
years  was  one  of  the  important  industrial  features  of  the  town.  The  big 
distillery  at  the  spring  was  another.  It  is  said  that  Abraham  Kiddy  was 
the  first  blacksmith  in  town.  Mr.  Anderson  succeeded  him.  Benjamin 
Bull  was  the  first  resident  attorney.  Larkin  Reynolds  also  had  a  strong 
passion  for  the  calling  of  Blackstone.  A  man  named  Samuel  Drake,  was 
connected  in  business  with  Mr.  Sims  in  1829  and  later.  The  latter 
gentleman,  Dr.  John  Sims,  was  a  man  of  good  brain  and  education,  and 
was  the  first  resident  physician.  He  practiced  over  a  circuit  of  sixty 
miles,  being  occasionally  called  to  see  a  patient  thirty  miles  away.  He 
had  several  fine  horses  of  the  St.  Charles  breed,  the  great  race-horse  stock 
of  that  day,  and  in  his  long  and  rapid  rides  was  always  accompanied  by 
an  old  pair  of  leather  saddle-bags  which  contained  his  medicine  cases.  He 
knew  well  how  to  bleed  and  purge  and  dose  with  herbs  and  quinine  and 
snakeroot  and  ipecac,  as  was  the  custom  in  those  days. 

Noah  Allison,  John  Sims  and  G.  H.  Beeler  were  the  merchants  in 
1827,  and  Jacob  Cutler,  John  Cutler  and  several  others  the  liquor  sellers. 
Chris  Ladd  was  tavern  keeper  about  this  time,  if  reports  are  reliable. 
The  town  remained  about  the  same  in  1828.  In  1829,  Sims  &  Drake, 
G.  H.  Beeler  and  Washburn  &  Co.  were  the  merchants,  and  John  Hurst 
and  John  Craig  the  liquor  sellers.  In  1830,  the  merchants  were  the 
same,  except  that  G.  A.  Phelps  had  taken  the  place  of  Mr.  Beeler. 
Robert  Worthington  and  John  Hurst  sold  liquor.  In  1831,  the  mer- 
chants were  Phelps  &  Co.,  Washburn  &  Co.,  James  Cunningham  and 
John  Sims.  In  1832,  John  Sims,  Phelps  &  Co.,  James  Cunningham 
and  James  M.  Mitchell,  the  latter  having  been  formerly  connected  with 
the  firm  of  Washburn  &  Co.  in  the  capacity  of  clerk.  James  Dickens, 
R.  D.  Worthington,  J.  J.  Graham  and  others  were  selling  liquor.  In 
1833,  John  Sims,  J.  &  L.  D.  Cunningham  and  J.  M.  Mitchell  were  the 
merchants.  In  1834,  John  Sims,  James  Cunningham,  J.  M.  Mitchell, 
William  Scott  and  William  Sheerer  sold  goods.  Giles  Mitchell  kept 
tavern  where  the  Mason  House  now  stands,  beginning  in  1834  or  1835. 
In  1831,  a  caravan  of  wild  animals  exhibited  at  the  county  seat  for  $5 
license.  Benedict  &  Eldred's  circus  exhibited  there  in  1833,  and  J.  T. 
&  J.  P.  Bailey's  circus  and  menagerie  in  1835,  and  Frost,  Husted  &  Co.'s 
circus  in  1836.  In  1835,  the  merchants  were  Hite  &  Parks,  William 
Scott,  James  Cunningham,  J.  M.  Mitchell,  William  Sheerer  and  John 
Sims;  in  1836,  Cunningham,  Mitchell,  W.  H.  Craig,  Joseph  Dawson, 
P.  M.  &  N.  Parks,  Mitchell.     At  this  time,  the  population  of  the  town 


WASHINGTON  TOWNSHIP  AND  MARTINSVILLE.  85 

was  about  200.  From  the  foundation  of  the  town  up  to  1837,  among 
the  residents  had  been  the  families  of  John  Sims,  P.  M.  Blankenship, 
G.  H.  Beeler,  Isaac  D.  Sheppard,  J.  M.  Mitchell  (single),  James  Lank- 
ford  (colored),  Benjamin  Sweet  (a  carpenter),  Dr.  H.  R.  Stevens,  Joshua 
Taylor,  P.  M.  Parks,  P.  B.  McCoy,  Jacob  Cutler,  Benjamin  Cutler, 
Jonathan  Hunt,  Benjamin  Bull,  G.  A.  Phelps,  James  Gallatly,  James  Ray 
(carpenter),  John  Eckles,  Dr.  Matheny,  James  Jackson,  Dr.  Huif,  W.  11. 
Craig,  James  Crawford,  Edward  Talbert,  James  Epperson,  Jacob  Crum- 
back,  J.  J.  Graham,  Ed  Warren,  Joshua  Taylor,  Allen  Gray,  John 
Gray,  Sr.  and  Jr.,  John  Moran  (a  cooper),  Jacob  Vansickle,  Mr.  Gard- 
ner, Andrew  Rose,  Hewitt  Nutter  (hotel  keeper),  John  Glessner  (a  shoe- 
maker), Robert  Worthington,  William  Sheerer,  Giles  Mitchell,  James 
Cunningham,  William  Cox,  Noah  Allison,  Joseph  Dawson,  William 
Story,  George  Mahoney  (a  blacksmith  who  was  killed  by  lightning),  B. 
F.  Barnard,  Thomas  McClure  (a  blacksmith),  W.  J.  Brag  (same),  Jacob 
Ellis  (cabinet-maker),  A.  T.  Whiteman,  and  many  others,  including 
those  mentioned  a  few  pages  back. 

THE  EARLY  PORK  AND  GRAIN  TRADE. 

From  1835  to  about  1850,  Martinsville  did  a  large  business  in  ship- 
ping pork  and  grain  by  boat  to  New  Orleans  or  other  Southern  points. 
The  principal  men  engaged  in  this  business  during  that  period  were  John 
Sims,  W.  H.  Craig,  James  Cunningham,  P.  M.  Parks  and  J.  M.  and  S. 
M.  Mitchell,  nearly  all  of  whom  owned  separate  warehouses  or  slaughter- 
houses. Mr.  Parks  and  the  Mitchells  were  engaged  in  the  business  some- 
what more  extensively  than  the  others.  It  is  stated  that  during  some 
seasons  in  the  forties,  not  less  than  9,000  hogs  were  slaughtered  at 
Martinsville,  and  shipped  on  flat-boats  down  the  river.  The  stock  was 
purchased  over  a  large  section  of  country,  driven  to  the  slaughter  houses, 
killed  and  packed  by  from  five  to  fifteen  men,  and  the  following  spring 
loaded  on  flat-boats  sixty  or  one-hundred  feet  long  and  floated  down  the 
river  to  market.  This  extensive  business  called  into  existence  many 
coopers  to  make  barrels,  and  brought  to  town  many  men  of  means  who 
were  attracted  by  the  activity  and  extent  of  commercial  transactions. 
Much  of  the  pork  was  not  packed  in  barrels,  but  was  shipped  in  bulk. 
Upon  the  arrival  at  New  Orleans,  the  cargo,  which  had  been  consigned  to 
some  commission  house,  was  delivered  and  the  boats  sold  for  from  $50  to 
$150.  The  return  as  far  as  Madison,  was  made  by  steamboat,  a  stock 
of  foreign  groceries  usually  being  brought  up.  The  remainder  of  the 
trip  was  by  wagon,  until  railroads  came  into  use  early  in  the  forties,  and 
after  that  the  journey  by  wagon  was  from  Franklin.  Experienced  pilots. 
men  who  followed  the  business,  more  or  less  constantly  from  year  to  year 
during  the  shipping  seasons,  were  put  in  charge  of  the  helm  on  the  flat- 
boats,  and  four  strong  men  would  ply  the  oars.  The  pork  trade  alone 
did  much  to  build  up  the  county  seat.  The  shipments  of  grain  were  not 
so  extensive.  Corn  was  fed  to  hogs,  and  the  wheat  did  not  greatly  exceed 
the  home  demand.  As  high  as  15,000  bushels  of  those  two  grains  and 
oats  were  shipped  some  seasons.  The  business  of  general  merchandising 
was  also  an  important  industrial  feature  of  the  town  late  in  the  thirties, 
and  during  the  forties.     For  years  the  leading  merchants  were  the   Cun- 


86  HISTORY   OF   MORGAN   COUNTY. 

ninghams,  Parks  &  Hite  and  the  Mitchells.  As  high  as  ^25,000  worth 
of  goods  was  often  in  some  of  the  stores,  the  annual  sales  amounting  some 
seasons  to  $40,000.  The  Cunninghams  were  then,  and  have  been  since, 
among  the  most  enterprising,  influential  and  public-spirited  citizens  of 
the  county  seat.  It  would  be  pleasant  to  say  the  same  of  certain  other 
wealthy  citizens  of  the  town,  but  facts  forbid.  The  sale  of  goods  was 
largely  on  credit,  for  men  had  but  little  money.  Commercial  exchanges 
were  largely  effected  by  barter.  So  much  butter  was  worth  so  much 
sugar  ;  so  many  bushels  of  potatoes  were  worth  so  many  bushels  of  salt ; 
so  many  dozen  eggs  were  worth  so  many  yards  of  calico.  Even  balances 
were  settled  with  commodities.  Merchants  were  forced  by  the  fiat  of 
events  to  take  every  class  of  farm  production  for  their  wares.  Goods 
were  purchased  twice  a  year  usually,  and  upon  the  receipt  of  new  stocks  a 
rush  was  made  to  secure  the  choice.  Years  sometimes  elapsed  ere  pay- 
ments and  settlements  were  made.  A  much  greater  percentage  of  sales 
was  had  than  now,  and  merchants  calculated  on  this  when  they  es- 
tablished their  percentage  of  profit.  Swine  were  the  great  production  of 
Morgan  County  in  early  years.  They  were  easily  kept  during  the  win- 
ter on  the  rich  mast  which  covered  the  forest  grounds.  Their  slaughter 
was  one  of  the  leading  industries.  The  conveyance  by  boat  to  market, 
though  surrounded  with  perils  to  the  cargo  and  toil  to  the  boatmen,  was 
a  rich  and  varied  pleasure.  The  songs  upon  the  boats  at  night,  the 
sparkling  and  swiftly  moving  current,  the  shifting  scenery,  the  passage  of 
rapids,  towns  and  steamboats,  and  the  novelty  of  the  transactions  and  scenes 
at  the  Southern  markets  were  akin  to  the  tales  of  rich  romance.  The  old 
boatmen  love  to  narrate  their  experiences.  William  Cox,  the  present 
Town  Marshal,  was  the  pilot  for  a  score  of  boats,  and  knew  all  the  bends 
and  shoals  of  the  rivers  down  to  New  Orleans.  William  Taylor  was  an- 
other. 

LATER    DEVELOPMENT    OF    THE    TOWN. 

The  growth  of  the  town  was  quite  rapid  during  the  forties,  the  popula- 
tion in  1848  being  over  400.  At  this  time  almost  every  department  of  busi- 
ness was  represented.  Only  the  leading  or  more  important  features  can 
be  noticed.  Among  the  merchants  in  1848  were  the  Cunninghams, 
the  Mitchels,  Parks  &  Hite,  S.  D.  Ruckle,  Hunt  &  Barnard,  W.  H. 
Craig,  A.  S.  Griggs,  A.  Wiggingham,  Isaac  D.  Sheppard  and  others, 
the  latter  two  having  harness,  etc.  Drug  stores  were  not  apart  from 
apothecaries  or  doctors'  offices  until  about  this  time.  W.  F.  Todd  opened 
the  first  drug  store  in  about  1850.  The  celebrated  drug  house  of  Tarleton 
&  Wampler  was  opened  soon  afterward.  F.  P.  A.  Phelps,  one  of  the 
most  eminent  attorneys  ever  at  the  Morgan  County  bar,  engaged  in  the  drug 
business  about  the  year  1854.  William  Duncan,  Mr.  Zuerhurstand  J.  A, 
Lewis  were  engaged  quiet  extensively  in  the  cabinet  business  late  in  the 
forties,  or  early  in  the  fifties.  Hay  ward  &  Co.  dealt  in  agricultural  im- 
plements in  the  fifties.  In  1855  and  1856,  or  near  those  years.  Hunt  and 
Stafford,  the  Cunninghams,  the  Mitchells,  Parks  &  Hite,  George  F. 
Watton,  C.  F.  Sims,^W.  H.  Craig,  W.  J.  Sparks,  Stafford  &  Moffatt, 
M.  W.  Coleman  and  others  were  dealing  in  dry  goods,  clothing  and  no- 
tions. J.  P.  Wilson  was  the  daguerrean  artist.     A.  C.  Marine  sold  boots 


WASHINGTON  TOWNSHIP  AND  MARTINSVILLE.  87 

and  shoes  ;  J.  S.  Roff  manufactured  furniture,  including  coffins  and  fancy 
household  bric-a-brac.  Of  course  Isaac  D.  Sheppard  was  manufact- 
uring harness,  saddles,  etc.  This  has  been  his  constant  employment  in 
the  same  room,  from  1833  until  the  present — a  period  of  over  fifty  consecu- 
tive years.  The  county  seat  secured  its  first  newspaper,  except  the  little 
sheet  started  by  Richards,  early  in  the  fifties,  and  in  1856  its  second. 
Under  Mr.  Callis,  the  Gazette  was  an  important  factor  in  the  develop- 
ment of  Martinsville.  Samuel  Tucker  dealt  in  furniture  in  the  fifties,  as  did 
W.  W.  Tippins  ;  W.  H.  Sailors  was  a  saddler.  This  is  only  a  partial  list 
of  a  large  business  activity. 

MANUFACTURING    INTERESTS. 

The  early  manufactories  included  asheries,  cooper-shops,  distilleries, 
saw  mills,  wagon  shops,  batteries,  harness  and  saddle  shops,  furniture 
shops,  woolen  factories,  etc.  J.  M.  Mitchell  soon  secured  the  old  Cutler 
distillery,  and  conducted  it  profitably  for  a  number  of  years.  It  is  said 
that  at  one  time  early  in  the  thirties,  there  were  eight  distilleries  in  Wash- 
ington Township,  the  greater  number  of  which  did  a  profitable  business. 
A-bout  the  year  1845,  Talbert  &  Gilpin  erected  a  two-storied  frame 
house  near  the  southwest  corner  of  the  square,  placed  therein  a  set  of  ma- 
chinery and  began  carding  wool.  No  spinning  or  weaving  was  done. 
A  good  business  was  done  until  early  in  the  fifties,  when  the  establishment 
was  destroyed  by  fire.  In  1855,  W.  J.  Sparks  obtained  possession  of 
the  old  brick  County  Seminary  and  transformed  the  building  into  a  woolen 
factory.  A  full  outfit  of  machinery,  including  two  looms,  one  jack  of  180 
spindles,  a  set  of  48-inch  manufacturing  cards,  a  double  roll  card,  a  picker, 
a  napper,  a  dresser,  a  fuller,  a  scourer,  and  an  excellent  engine,  was 
placed  in  the  building  at  a  cost  of  several  thousands  of  dollars,  and  a 
large  business  of  carding,  spinning,  weaving,  dressing,  fulling  and  dyeing 
was  begun.  The  manufactures  included  yarns,  flannels,  satinets,  jeans, 
full-cloths,  cassimeres,  etc.  It  is  stated  that  as  high  as  40,000  pounds 
of  wool  were  manufactured  into  divers  articles  during  some  years. 
About  1860,  the  factory  was  removed  to  High  Rocks  on  White  River, 
and  after  running  there  for  four  or  five  years  was  totally  destroyed  by 
fire,  entailing  a  loss  of  about  $30,000  to  the  owner,  and  proving  his 
financial  ruin.  Crawford  &  Gilpin  also  conducted  a  woolen  factory  dur- 
ing these  years.  A  planing  mill  was  started  by  DeTurk,  Lewis  &  Co. 
about  twenty  years  ago.  It  is  yet  operating  successfully  and  is  owned 
by  Hubbard  &  TiH^fter.  Joseph  Gurley  erected  a  carriage  factory  about 
1863,  which  he  conducted  successfully  until  his  death  about  five  years 
later.  He  manufactured,  it  is  said,  as  high  as  fifty  carriages  and  sulkies 
per  annum.  His  family  conducted  it  for  a  few  years  after  his  death. 
George  Geyer  began  the  same  business  about  ten  years  ago,  and  Nutter 
&  Gurley  a  year  or  two  later,  each  of  the  two  establishments  doing  a  fair 
business.  Stine  &  Krider  began  the  same  business  in  the  old  Methodist 
Church  about  two  years  ago.  John  Moffitt  took  the  old  Sims  tannery 
soon  after  the  death  of  John  Sims.  John  Shields  succeeded  him  late  in 
the  fifties,  and  a  few  years  later  the  present  owners,  Schaub  &  Snyder, 
took  possession.  This  is  probably  the  oldest  business  establishment  of 
the  town.     Early  in  the  fifties,  Fred  Axt  erected  a  tannery,  which  he 


88  HISTORY   OF   MORGAN   COUNTY. 

conducted  with  profit  for  about  twenty  years.  In  about  1860,  Baldwin 
&  Olds  erected  a  grist  mill  at  considerable  cost,  which  after  operating 
actively  for  about  five  years  was  burned  to  the  ground.  About  three 
years  later,  Clapper  &  Hardrick  built  and  equipped  the  Branch  grist  mill 
at  a  cost  of  about  .^15,000.  After  a  few  ;y ears,  Mr.  Clark  bought  out 
Clapper,  and  in  about  1877,  the  Branch  Brothers  purchased  the  entire 
property  and  fitted  it  with  improved  machinery.  A  large  business  was 
done  under  their  management.  In  1883,  the  entire  structure  was  burned 
down,  but  the  loss  was  partly  sustained  by  insurance.  The  destruction 
of  the  mill  was  a  serious  loss  to  the  owners,  the  town  and  the  community. 
The  Branch  Brothers  are  now  erecting  a  grain  elevator  of  100,000  bushels 
capacity.  They  will  also  rebuild  the  grist  mill.  About  ten  years  ago, 
Thornburgh  &  Small  erected  a  large  grist  mill,  the  entire  cost,  including 
machinery,  amounting  to  about  $15,000.  They  are  yet  the  owners,  and 
are  running  night  and  day.  Charles  Peabody  started  a  saw  mill  early  in 
the  seventies.  Mr.  Philbrooks  owned  an  interest  later.  Blair  &  Hamilton 
are  the  present  owners.  Prather  Brothers  started  a  saw  mill  about  two 
years  ago.  These  mills  are  in  active  operation.  Parks,  Henderson  & 
Harrison  erected  a  large  brick  pork-packing  establishment  south  of  town 
in  1873,  at  a  cost  of  about  $15,000.  They  have  since  slaughtered  and 
packed  on  an  average  during  each  season  since,  about  15,000  hogs,  em- 
ploying many  men  in  the  various  departments.  This  has  not  been  a 
profitable  investment,  according  to  reports.  Moran  &  Hunt  opened  a 
small  foundry  about  a  year  ago.  Ed  Meran  started  a  planing  mill  and 
saw  mill  on  Pike  street  about  a  year  ago.  These  have  been  the  leading 
manufacturing  establishments.  The  dates  given  must  be  regarded  as  only 
approximate. 

PRESENT   BUSINESS  AND  PROFESSIONAL   INTERESTS. 

The  present  business  and  professional  interests  of  the  town  may  be 
summed  up  as  follows :  Dry  goods — Cunningham,  Bowlinger  &  Phelps, 
Branch  &  Huff,  Lewis  &  Guthridge,  Kennedy  &  Co.,  E.  M.  Woody, 
Jacob  Green,  S.  M.  Mitchell  &  Son,  J.  M.  Mitchell  &  Sons.  Groceries — 
Elliott  &  Tilford,  S.  S.  Griffitt,  W.  H.  Webb,  L.  B.  Mathews,  Alexander 
Lockhart,  William  Schneider,  Horton  &  Bishop,  Heinbarger  &  Shireman, 

Frank  Lloyd,  A.  H.  Caldwell,  A.  Wigginton, Thomy.     Hardware — 

W.  H.  Miller  &  Co.,  Pierce  &  Mars,  George  Branham.  Drugs — W.  S. 
Hemrick,  J.  H.  Hart,  B.  W.  Tilford,  Tarleton  &  Tarleton,  J.  P.  Bald- 
win, Norman  &  Brother.  Boots  and  shoes — Ousler  &  Pruitt.  Clothing — 
Dessauer  &  Brother,  L.  Hatry  &  Co.  Jewelry — W.  H.  Crumrine. 
Milliners — Mrs.  P.  B.  Warner,  Mrs.  Jesse  Burgett,  Miss  M.  E.  Arm- 
strong. Cigars — George  Kelso,  Jasper  Miller.  Barbers — C.  W. 
Schreder,  J.  J.  Fertig,  Samuel  Lewis.  Restaurants — C.  Harvey,  C. 
Hill,  Mrs.  Givens,  Lewis  Strondebeck.  Harness — I.  D.  Sheppard, 
Jesse  Brandon,  Bishop  &  Horton,  —  Sthair,  W.  S.  Falkner.  Grist  mills — 
E.  F.  Branch  &  Brother,  Thornburgh  &  Small.  Saw  mills— Blair  & 
Hamilton, Prather.  Planing  mills  and  lumber — Hubbard  &  Tur- 
ner, E.  L.  Moran.  Agricultural  implements — S.  M.  Guthridge  &  Co., 
Julius  Keifer,  George  S.  Geyer,  W.  S.  Cramer.  Carriage  factory — 
Henry  Stine.     Tanneries — Schaub  &  Snyder,  Frederick  Axt.    Saloons — 


WASHINGTON  TOWNSHIP  AND  MARTINSVILLE.  89 

Max  Dessauer,  Alexander  Lockhart,  Padgett  &  Brother,  Kennedy  & 
Shields,  John  Frieze.  Hotels — Mason  House,  Faulkner  House,  Eureka 
House.  Notion  stores — George  Frieze,  Jacob  Green,  Eugene  Shields. 
Livery  stables — F.  M.  Warner,  John  Fuselman  &  Son,  Mr.  Colwell. 
Foundry — Hunt  &  Moran.  Butchers — G.  A.  Oeftering,  John  Lewis, 
Sthair  &  Co.  Furniture— H.  J.  Hinson,  Lewis  &  Guthridge,  Mr. 
Schmidt.  Marble  dealer — W.  S.  Barnett.  Contractors  and  builders — 
Hubbard  &  Turner,  A.  Rogers,  Gregory  &  Son,  F.  D.  Rundell,  Mr.  Car- 
ver. Pork  packing — Parks,  Henderson  &  Co.  Grain  buyers — Branch 
Brothers,  Thornburgh  &  Small.  Bank — First  National.  Gunsmith — 
K.  K-  Mann.  Photographer — Mr.  Collins.  Churches — Methodist  Epis- 
copal, Rev.  Ketchum,  pastor;  Presbyterian,  Rev.  Furguson,  pastor; 
Christian,  Rev.  Bowles,  pastor;  Catholic,  Father  Stanislaus,  priest. 
Tailor — E.  Brown.  Stave  dealers — Vansickle  &  Co.,  John  Wilcox. 
Spoke  dealer — A.  B.  Walker.  Live  stock  dealers — Cunningham  & 
Asher.  Lawyers — F.  P.  A.  Phelps,  Mitchell  &  Cox,  Davis  &  Steele, 
Adams  k  Newby,  A.  W.  Scott,  Ferguson,  Smock  &  Renner,  Harrison  & 
McCord,  Grubbs  &  Parks,  J.  J.  Hilton,  Shirley  &  Ray,  A.  M.  Cunning, 
Jordan  &  Mathews.  Doctors — Daniel  P.  Kennedy,  R.  H.  Tarleton,  S 
A.  Tilford,  B.  E:  Tilford,  U.  H.  Farr,  H.  C.  Robinett,  B.  D.  Blackstone' 
J.  J.  Johnston,  C.  M.  Gravis,  E.  V.  Green,  W.  E.  Hendricks,  H.  W' 
Cure. 

THE    OLD    RACE    TRACK.* 

Soon  after  the  county  seat  was  established,  the  sporting  characters  for 
miles  around  effected  an  organization  which  met  every  Saturday  in  the 
town  to  run  horses,  drink  whisky  and  have  a  good  time  generally.  A 
track  was  established  east  and  west  along  the  north  side  of  the  square,  the 
starting  point  being  several  hundred  yards  east,  and  the  terminus  west. 
Mr.  Phelps,  then  a  small  boy,  remembers  distinctly  seeing  many  of  these 
races.  There  was  a  low  place  along  the  north  side  of  the  square,  which 
in  the  spring  of  the  year  contained  considerable  water.  Mr.  Phelps  en- 
joyed seeing  the  horses,  whipped  down  to  the  race,  splash  through  this 
pond.  After  a  few  years,  the  public  safety  demanded  a  cessation  of  races 
in  the  town,  and  the  track  was  removed  about  a  quarter  of  a  mile  south, 
where  for  years  the  owners  of  fast  horses  enjoyed  their  sports  with  no 
one  to  molest  or  make  them  afraid.  The  liquor  dealers  enjoyed  a  large 
and  lucrative  trade  at  these  races.  J.  M.  Mitchell  made  considerable 
money  at  the  detestable  liquor  business.  In  fact  he  owned  the  distillery 
near  the  big  spring  where  the  liquid  hell  was  made. 

INCORPORATION  OF  MARTINSVILLE. 
Attempto  were  made  to  incorporate  the  town  during  the  fifties  cer- 
tainly, and  possibly  during  the  forties,  but  without  success.  The  Gazette, 
under  Mr.  Callis,  was  an  earnest  and  constant  advocate  of  the  measure ; 
but  the  men  of  money  were  sufficiently  strong  to  prevent  successful  results 
until  1863,  when  an  election  held  to  decide  the  matter  declared  a  decided 
majority  in  its  favor.  The  first  meeting  of  the  first  Board  of  Trustees 
was  held  on  the  29th  of  June,  1863.     The  first  year  was  mainly  employed 

*The  writer  acknowledges  his  indebtedness  to  F.  P.  A.  Phelps,  John  Ray,  William  Taylor  and 
others  for  much  of  the  material  contained  in  this  chapter.  A  few  refused  to  impart  any  information 
They  seemed  to  want  to  be  subsidized.    They  were  among  the  oldest  and  wealthiest  citizens. 


90  HISTORY   OF   MORGAN   COUNTY. 

in  drafting  suitable  ordinances  for  the  town.  The  first  seal  was  adopted 
at  the  second  meeting.  The  following  were  the  first  metes  and  bounds 
of  the  incorporation  : 

Beginning  68  poles  and  17  links  east,  and  80  poles  and  12  links  south 
of  the  northwest  corner  of  Section  4,  Township  11  north,  Range  1  east, 
at  a  stone  corner ;  thence  running  north  5  degrees  and  20  minutes  west 
175  poles  ;  thence  east  6  degrees  and  15  minutes  north  160  poles  ;  thence 
south  5  degrees  and  20  minutes  east  175  poles ;  thence  west  5  degrees 
south  160  poles  to  the  place  of  beginning.  This  territory  was  divided 
into  five  wards.  The  Town  Treasurer's  report  for  the  first  fiscal  year 
was  as  follows  : 

RECEIPTS. 

Taxes $365  39 

Theaters 4  00 

Shows  and  peddlars 6  00 

Fines 3  00 

Total $377  39 

EXPENSES. 

Embezzled $170  88 

Delinquent  tax... 133  00 

Error 70 

Total $303  58 

Receipt  balance 73  81 

Active  work  was  soon  begun  on  the  streets  and  sidewalks.  In 
1866-67,  the  ordinances  were  revised  and  multiplied,  strict  regulations 
being  adopted  for  the  sale  of  liquor  and  for  public  behavior.  Street 
lamps — thirty  in  number — were  ordered  erected  early  in  1876,  pursuant 
to  the  prayer  of  a  petition  signed  by  about  two  hundred  citizens.  The 
lamps  cost  about  $8.65  each.  The  number  has  since  been  added  to  as 
the  wants  demanded.  In  September,  1879,  one  hundred  and  fifteen 
citizens  petitioned  the  board  to  construct  water  works  for  the  town  from 
the  large  spring — the  property  of  the  town — mentioned  at  the  beginning 
of  this  chapter.  A  competent  engineer,  employed  for  the  purpose, 
reported  the  following  facts :  The  spring  was  88.44  feet  above  the 
square,  and  flowed  23,171  gallons  of  water  per  day.  A  reservoir,  80x80 
feet  at  the  surface,  12  feet  deep,  and  40x40  feet  at  the  bottom,  would  hold 
about  300,000  gallons.  The  water  pressure  at  the  square  would  be  38.27 
pounds,  and  the  total  estimated  cost  of  the  works  would  be  |13,000.  One 
hundred  and  ninety  votes  were  polled  for  the  water  works,  and  148  against 
the  same.  The  vote  was  made  upon  the  basis  of  the  above  estimated  cost. 
Before  the  contract  for  the  pipes,  etc.,  could  be  closed,  iron  rose  nearly 
50  per  cent  in  value,  largely  increasing  the  cost  of  the  works  should 
the  enterprise  be  continued,  and  rendering  the  vote  null  by  reason  of 
increasing  the  cost.  The  project  was  wholly  abandoned,  and  has  remained 
so  until  the  present.  In  1881,  one  hundred  rubber  fire  buckets  were 
purchased  for  about  $lo5.  The  above  are  the  principal  events  since  the 
incorporation  of  the  town.  The  following  is  a  complete  list  of  tne  town 
officers  since  1863  : 

OFFICERS    OF    THE    CORPORATION. 

Trustees,  First  Ward,  Oliver  J.  Glessner  ;  Second  Ward,  Abraham 


WASHINGTON  TOWNSHIP  AND  MARTINSVILLE.  91 

DeTurk ;  Third  Ward,  Abram  A.  Barrackman ;  Fourth  Ward,  Harvey 
Satterwhite ;  Fifth  Ward,  Henry   Sims ;    also    Marshal  and   Treasurer, 
Adam  Howe ;  Clerk  and  Assessor,  Cyrus  F.  McNutt.     Howe  was  soon 
succeeded  by  Charles  W.  Wells,  who  was  removed  in  January,  1864,  for 
malfeasance  in  office,  and  P,  F.  Douglas  was  appointed.     The  officers 
elected  the  following  year  (1864)  were  James  M.  Baldwin,  Cyrus  F.  Mc- 
Nutt, George  W.   Crawford,  Adam  Howe  and  Harvey  Satterwhite,  Trust- 
ees ;  James  V.    Mitchell,    Clerk  and   Assessor ;  Henry   Sims,   Marshal 
and  Treasurer.      Mr.   Sims   did   not  qualify,  and  James  Davidson  was 
appointed,  but  he  soon  resigned  and  Isaac  S.  Johnson  was  appointed.  Mr. 
Mitchell  removed  from  town  in  April,  1865,  and  Samuel  S.  Griffitt  took 
his  place.     The  officers  of  1865  were  B.  D.  Blackstone,  I.  D.  Sheppard, 
T.  E.  Lister,  J.  H.  Mitchell  and  Charles  Day,  Trustees ;  Harvey  Satter- 
white, Treasurer;  G.    W.   Warner,  Marshal;  S.   S.    Griffitt,  Clerk  and 
Assessor;  Aquilla  Wigginton  succeeded  Blackstone  in  June.    The  officers 
of  1866  were  George   W.    Clapper,  Alfred  Ennis,  James  E.  Goodhue, 
James  V.  Mitchell  and  Charles  Day,  Trustees  ;  John  R.  Elliott,  Marshal ; 
Harvey  Satterwhite,  Treasurer ;  S.    S.  Griffitt,  Clerk  and  Assessor.     In 
August  1866,  T.  B.  Mitchell  took  Goodhue's  place  as  Trustee.  The  officers 
of  1867  were  W.   R.    Harrison,  James   A.    Lewis,  John   G.    Crawford, 
Joseph  Reese  and  James  C.    Craig,  Trustees  ;  George  W.  Warner,  Mar- 
shal;  Harvey  Satterwhite,  Treasurer;    Samuel  S.  Griffitt  Clerk  and  As- 
sessor. ■  In  18b8,  the  officers  were  Thomas  Morrison,  Salem  A.  Tilford, 
A.  R.  Chase,  P.  F.  Douglas  and  Jonathan  H.  Henry,  Trustees  ;   William 
Killian,   Marshal ;  Henry  Satterwhite,  Treasurer ;    Gainford  F.  Ennis, 
Clerk  and  Assessor.  In  1869,  the  officers  were  Thomas  Morrison,  Harvey 
Satterwhite,  A.  R.   Chase,  P.   F.    Douglas  and   S.  S.  Griffitt,  Trustees  ; 
G.  W.  Warner,  Marshal;  John  K.  Mitchell.  Treasurer;  R.  McBride, 
Clerk  and  Assessor.     In  1870,  the  officers  were:  N.  T.   Cunningham.  J. 
A.  Lewis,  H.  T.  Craig,  J.   W.  Piercy  and  J.  R.  Elliott,  Trustees ;  Cal- 
vin F.  Sims,  Marshal;  John  K.  Mitchell,   Treasurer;  J.  D.  Whitted, 
Clerk  and  Assessor  ;  Lafayette  Sims,  took  Craig's  place  in  November.  In 
1871,  the  officers  were:   William  B.   Taylor,  James  A.  Lewis,  Noble  F. 
Davis,  Benjamin  Hayward  and  Salem  A.  Tilford,  Trustees ;  C.  F.  Sims, 
Marshal ;  T.  H.  Parks,  Treasurer ;  A.  McCracken,  Clerk  and  Assessor. 
McCraken  soon  resigned  and  S.  S.  Griffitt  was  appointed.     G.  W.  Pres- 
ton soon  took  Sims'  place,  and  G.  W.  Warner  soon  took  Preston's  place. 
In  1872,  the  officers  were  :  W.  B.  Taylor,  James  A.  Lewis,  Noble  F.  Davis, 
Benjamin  Hayward  and  S.  M.  Tilford,  Trustees ;  G.  W.  Warner,  Mar- 
shal ;  T.  H.  Parks,  Treasurer;   S.  S.  Griffitt,  Clerk  and  Assessor.     In 
1873,  the  officers  were  :  W.  B.  Taylor,  S.  H.  Schofield,  George  Crawford, 
W.  P.    Clark   and  John  R.  Elliott,  Trustees;  S.  S.  Griffitt,  Clerk   and 
Assessor;  Stephen  McCracken,  Treasurer ;  Absalom  M.    Bailey,  Mar- 
shal.     In  1874,  the  officers  were :  John  Hardrick,  Joshua  Davis,  George 
A.  Danley,   Abraham  DeTurk  and  John  Forgey,  Trustees ;  James  A. 
Lewis.  Treasurer;  S.  S.  Griffitt,  Clerk  and  Assessor;  Andrew  H.  Ellis, 
Marshal.     A.  B.  Douglas  took  Danley 's  place  in  August.     L.  S.  Hatley 
succeeded  Ellis,  and  G.   W.   Warner  succeeded  Hatley.     In  1875,  the 
officers  were :  Samuel  J.  Mandeville.  Joshua  Davis,  T.  B.  Mitchell,  Abra- 
ham DeTurk  and  Sylvanus  Barnard,  Trustees  ;  James  A.  Lewis,  Treasurer; 


92  HISTORY  OF  MORGAN  COUNTY. 

S.  S.  Griffitt,  Clerk  and  Assessor;  G.  W.  Warner,  Marshal.  E.  F. 
Branch  soon  took  Lewis'  place.  In  1876,  the  officers  were:  S.  J.  Mande- 
ville,  Joshua  Davis,  T.  H.  Parks,  A.  DeTurk  and  D.  D.  Cramer,  Trust- 
ees ;  E.  F.  Branch,  Treasurer ;  S.  S.  Griffitt,  Clerk  and  Assessor ;  G. 
W.  Warner,  Marshal.  In  1877,  the  officers  were:  S.  J.  Mandeville,  G. 
W.  Egbert,  T.  H.  Parks,  A.  DeTurk  and  D.  D.  Cramer,  Trustees ; 
Calvin  A.  McCracken,  Treasurer ;  S.  S.  Griffitt,  Clerk  and  Assessor; 
William  Cox,  Marshal.  In  1878,  the  officers  were :  James  E.  Barton,  W. 
W.  Kennedy,  A.  B.  Douglas,  J.  M.  Blair  and  J.  H.  Jones,  Trustees ;  E. 
E.  Riley,  Treasurer ;  S.  S.  Griffitt,  Clerk  and  Assessor ;  G.  W.  Warner, 
Marshal.  In  1879,  the  officers  were:  S.  J.  Mandeville,  J.  Williams,  E. 
P.  Ritchey,  A.  S.  Mitchell  and  J.  H.  Henry,  Trustees ;  E.  E.  Riley, 
Treasurer ;  Preston  Graver,  Clerk ;  William  Cox,  Marshal.  In  1880, 
the  officers  were:  John  Stevens,  John  M.  Clark,  William  M.  Crider,  Julius 
C.  Keifer  and  John  R.  Elliott,  Trustees ;  Preston  Graver,  Clerk  and 
Assessor;  E.  E.  Riley,  Treasurer;  William  Cox,  Marshal.  In  18'<1,  the 
officers  were:  John  Stevens,  C.  A.  McCracken,  H.  E.  Branch,  F.  M. 
Warner  and  L.  P.  DeTurk,  Trustees ;  Preston  Graver,  Clerk  and  Asses- 
sor ;  A.  S.  Mitchell,  Treasurer ;  William  Cox,  Marshal.  In  1882,  the 
officers  were  John  Stevens,  J.  E.  Toner  and  T.  A.  Parks  (McCracken  and 
Warner  held  over),  Trustees;  Preston  Graver,  Clerk  and  Assessor;  A.  S. 
Mitchell,  Treasurer ;  William  Cox,  Marshal.  In  1883,  the  officers  were : 
W.  C.  Barnett  and  E.  V.  Mitchell  (Stevens,  Toner  and  Parks  held  over), 
Trustees ;  Preston  Graver,  Clerk  and  Asseesor  ;  A.  S.  Mitchell,  Treas- 
urer ;  W'illiam  Cox,  Marshal.  The  following  is  the  town  Treasurer's  re- 
port for  the  year  ending  April  16,  1883  : 

RECEIPTS. 

On  hand  April  17,  1883 $1,764  14 

Taxes 2,111  25 

Fines 28  55 

Liquor  license 455  00 

Billiard  tables 70  00 

Peddlers 29  00 

Auctioneers 5  00 

Hawking  goods 5  00 

Patent  medicine  venders 2  00 

Throwing  balls 6  00 

Shooting  gallery 2  00 

Striking  machine 8  00 

Shows  and  theaters 18  00 

Hite&  Parks  hall 25  00 

Total $4,528  94 


Paid  on  orders $2,788  41 

Paid  on  roads 354  50 

Balance  on  hand 1,386  03 

Total. $4,528  94 

SECRET    SOCIETIES. 

Martinsville  Lodge,  No.  74,  was  established  in  June.  1849,  but  as  the 
records  were  destroyed  by  fire  the  details  of  the  organization  cannot  be 
given.     B.  F.  Barnard  was  the  first   Senior    Warden  and  William   A. 


WASHINGTON  TOWNSHIP  AND  MARTINSVILLE.  93 

Rooker,  Junior  Warden.  The  lodge  yet  survives,  with  a  membership  of 
about  ninety-five. 

In  October,  1868,  Osceola  Encampment,  No.  71,  was  established  by 
the  following  first  members :  H.  T.  Craig,  0.  O.  Thwing,  Willis  Record, 
Charles  Day,  Charles  Seaton,  A.  S.  Griggs,  J.  M,  Stafford,  William 
Hines  and  Benjamin  Hayward.  The  officers  were  0.  0.  Thwing,  H.  P.; 
Benjamin  Hayward,  K.;  H.  T.  Craig,  S. 

In  December,  1872,  the  Order  of  the  Eastern  Star,  Queen  Esther 
Chapter,  No.  15,  was  established  with  the  following  membership:  Lillie 
Schofield,  Josie  Richardson,  Ann  Clark,  Manda  Acton,  Minerva  Wig- 
ginton,  Mary  Richardson,  Carrie  Tarleton,  Ettie  Baldwin,  Dora  Barnard, 
Alice  Thomas,  Anna  B.  Craig,  Clara  Faselman,  Dora  L.  Egbert,   Mary 

A.  Gilman,  Martha  Donavan,  Cassie  Wampler  and  Ann  Tilford.  Mrs. 
Ann  Tilford  was  Matron  ;  Josie  Richardson,  A.  M. 

The  order  of  the  Sons  of  Temperance  was  first  instituted  in  Indiana 
in  1847,  and  within  two  years  a  lodge  was  established  at  Martinsville,  of 
which  nothing  can  be  said,  as  the  records  are  missing. 

In  March,  1867,  Callis  Lodge,  No.  274,  Odd  Fellows,  was  organized 
at  Martinsville,  with  the  following  probable  first  membership  :  E.  W.  Cal- 
lis, G.  W.  Busbee,  J.  S.  Piercy,  M.  W.  Coleman,  Willis  Record,  0.  J. 
Kennedy,  A.  Carver,  B.  E.  Orner,  T.  H.  Parks,  T.  F.  Orner,  C.  F. 
Sims,  T.  A.  Sloan,  C.  B.  Huxley,  J.  D.  Whitted,  W.  A.  S.  Mitchell,  A. 

B.  Douglas  and  J.  R.  McBride.       The  charter  was  granted  in  February, 

1867.  The  name  of  the  lodge  was  afterward  changed  from  Callis  to  Mar- 
tinsville. It  had  been  named  in  honor  of  E.  W.  Callis,  the  well-known 
and  universally  respected  editor  of  the  Gazette.  J.  D.  Whitted  was  the 
first  Secretary,  and  J.  H.  Piercy  the  first  Treasurer.  The  present  offi- 
cers are  R.  A"  Asher,  N.  G.;  John  F.  Ray,  V.  G.;  W.  E.  Shawcross,  R. 
S.;  Samuel  Guthridge,  P.  S.;  W.  H.  Miller,  Treasurer.  The  lodge  is 
in  excellent  condition,  numerically  and  financially,  having  a  fund  of  over 
$2,000  at  interest,  besides  valuable  paraphernalia  of  the  order,  and  an 
active  membership  of  seventy-two.  The  rent  of  their  hall  in  Park  & 
Hites'  building  is  |50  per  annum. 

Martinsville   Encampment,    No.    93,    was    established  in  November 

1868,  with  the  following  membership  :  E.  W.  Callis,  J.  D.  Whitted,  w! 
Record,  J.  A.  Lewis,  A.  R.  Chase,  John  Allen,  T.  H.  Parks,  J.  E.  Ken- 
nedy, G.  W.  Preston,  G.  W.  Busbee,  J.  H.  Piercy.  The  Encampment 
is  prosperous. 

In  January,  1873,  Loraine  Lodge,  No.  95,  Rebekah  Degree,  was  es- 
tablished with  the  following  membership  :  J.  A.  Lewis,  F.  A.  Rein- 
hart,  H.  W.  Cure,  A.  Carver,  A.  R.  Chase,  0.  J.  Kennedy,  G.  A.  Dan- 
ley,  J.  N.  Thompson,  J.  W.  Duncan,  J.  E.  Kennedy,  Catharine  Lewis, 
Harriett  E.  Kennedy,  Ann  E.  Henderson,  Catharine  A.  Carver  and 
Susan  Whitted.     The  lodge  is  in  good  working  order. 

A  Post  of.  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic  was  organized  at  the 
county  seat  under  the  old  lodge  ritual  in  1868,  but  did  not  survive  longer 
than  a  few  months.  On  the  14th  of  June,  1882,  another  was  organized 
under  the  revised  ritual,  with  the  following  charter  membership :  W.  H. 
Miller,  J.  G.  Bain,  W.  W.  Kennedy,  Levi  Ferguson,  D.  P.  Kennedv 
W.  G.  Grubbs,  F.  E.  McNair,   John  Miller,   C.  Hill,   M.  B.  Collins    j! 


94  HISTORY  OF  MORGAN  COUNTY. 

E.  Toner,  T.  A.  Kennedy,  H.  H.  Olds,  W.  A.  Mars,  J.  S.  Sheppard, 
S.  V.  List,  W.  H.  Dryden,  John  Hardrick,  J.  C.  Comer,  W.  G.  Garri- 
son, E.  M.  Woody,  J.  E.  Burton,  W.  J.  Childevs,  A.  B.  Douglas,  J.  E. 
Brant,  J.  H.  Seaman,  G.  W.  Warner,  M.  Kinworthy,  Thomas  Evans, W. 
0.  Pool,  Charles  Stoker,  E.  G.  Cox,  Moses  Bailey,  E.  F.  Stimpson, 
Absalom  Ross,  E.  M.  Baldwin,  George  Hubbard,  U.  H.  Farr,  John 
Kriner,  Josiah  L.  Burton  and  Ezra  Deweese.  The  first  officers  were:  D. 
P.  Kennedy,  S.  V.;  W.  H.  Miller,  J.  V.;  J.  E.  Brant,  Chaplain  ;  U. 
H.  Farr,  Surgeon  ;  W.  H.  Dryden,  0.  of  D.;  J.  L.  Burton,  0.  of  G.; 
J.  E.  Toner,  Q.  M.;  J.  H.  Seaman,  Q.  M.  S.  The  present  officers  are 
W.  G.  Grubbs,  P.  C;  W.  H.  Miller,  S.  V.;  U.  H.  Farr,  J.  V.;  D.  P. 
Kennedy,  Surgeon  ;  W.  H.  Dryden,  0.  of  D.;  M.  B.  Collins,  0.  of  G.; 
J.  E.  Toner,  Q.  M.;  J.  H.  Seaman,  Q.  M.  S.;  H.  H.  Olds,  S.  M.  The 
post  was  named  Perry  M.  Blankenship,  No.  77,  in  honor  of  an  old  set- 
tler and  prominent  citizen  and  soldier.  The  present  membership  is 
about  sixty-five,  and  the  Post  meets  in  the  hall  of  the  K.  of  P.  The 
organization  is  prosperous. 

Anniversary  Lodge,  No.  89,  Knights  of  Pythias,  was  instituted  Feb- 
ruary li*,  1880,  the  following  persons  being  the  charter  members  :  J.  M. 
Blair,  A.  J.  Baldwin,  W.  G.  Bain,  B.  W.  Burns,  F.  D.  Baldwin,  E.  A. 
Bourn,  J.  E.  Cardell,  J.  C.  Comer,  J.  M.  Coleman,  Ben  Dessauer,  Aaron 
Guthridge,  J.  T.  Gurley,  J.  M.  Headley,  John  Hutchins,  D.  W.  Hogan, 
Smith  Johnson,  George  Johnson,  I.  S.  Johnson,  D.  P.  Kennedy,  J.  C. 
Kriner,  Adolphus  Kaiser,  B.  F.  Kriner,  E.  E.  Kriner,  C.  W.  Kaiser, 
Alexander  Lockhart,  E.  L.  Moran,  J.  V.  Mitchell,  M.  J.  Nickum,  W. 
R.  Nosier,  C.  W.  Olds,  A.  S.  Pearce,  W.  Y.  Pratt,  E.  A.  Piatt,  James 
Quinn,  F.  D.  Rundell,  Lloyd  Rariden,  H.  A.  Smock,  J.  C.  Simpson, 
Samuel  Seiders,  J.  E.  Toner,  A.  B.  Walker,  W.  H.  Webb,  Jonathan 
Williams  and  J.  A.  Yager.  The  first  officers  were  A.  S.  Pearce,  C.  C; 
James  Blair,  P.  C;  H.  A.  Smock,  V.  C;  D.  P.  Kennedy,  Prelate;  M. 
J.  Nickum,  M.  F.;  J.  C.  Simpson,  M.  of  E.  The  lodge  is  in  prosperous 
condition,  with  a  membership  of  over  sixty.  Meetings  are  held  in  their 
hall  in  Park  &  Kite's  building  on  the  east  side.  The  hall  rent  is  ^50 
per  annum.  Two  deaths  only  have  occurred  since  the  organization  of 
the  lodge.  The  present  officers  are  A.  S.  Pearce,  D.  G.  C;  C.  Rose,  C. 
C;  Eb  Henderson,  V.  C;  F.  D.  Rundell,  P.  C;  E.  E.  Kriner,  K.  of 
R.  S.;  J.  J.  Hilton,  Prelate ;  Walter  Nutter,  M.  F.;  J.  A.  Lewis,  M.  of 
E.;  F.  D.  Baldwin,  M.  A. 

BANKING    ENTERPRISES. 

In  1860,  P.  M.  Parks  &  Co.  founded  a  private  bank  at  Martinsville, 
under  the  old  State  banking  law,  with  a  capital  of  ^50,000.  Milton 
Hite  was  one  of  the  company,  and  J.  J.  Deakins  was  Cashier.  The  bank 
was  in  the  Parks  &  Hite  building  on  the  east  side.  In  1865,  so  pros- 
perous had  been  the  bank  during  the  feverish  times  of  the  war,  the  capi- 
tal had  a  little  more  than  doubled  itself.  At  the  latter  date  a  National 
Bank  was  organized  under  Congressional  enactment,  the  following  per- 
sons being  stockholders:  P.  M.  Parks,  Milton  Hite,  N.  T.  Cunningham, 
0.  R.  Daugherty,  Henry  Sims,  J.  J.  Johnson,  Clement  Nutter,  Jackson 
Record,   Cvrus   Whetzel,  W.  R.  Harrison,  T.  H.  Parks,  Jacob  Adams, 


WASHINGTON  TOWNSHIP  AND  MARTINSVILLE.  95 

H.  Satterwhite,  Robert  Smith,  Mrs.  Julia  Egbert,  0.  J.  Glessner,  Eb 
Henderson  and  Franklin  Landers.  The  capital  was  $100,000.  P.  M. 
Parks  was  President ;  Milton  Hite,  Vice  President,  and  H.  Satterwhite, 
Cashier.  P.  M.  Parks  died  in  1867,  and  Milton  Hite  became  President ; 
A.  E.  Graham,  became  Assistant  Cashier.  Mr.  Hite  died  in  September, 
1877,  and  T.  H.  Parks  became  President.  The  bank  charter  will  expire 
in  1885.  The  following  was  the  statement  of  the  bank  on  the  22d  of 
June,  1883: 

RESOURCES. 

Loans  and  discounts $147,747  22 

Overdrafts 2,474  43 

U.  S.  bonds  to  secure  circulation 50,0o0  00 

Due  from  approved  reserve  agents 8,589  37 

Due  from  other  National  Banks 24,648  47 

Real  estate,  furniture  and  fixtures 27,300  00 

Current  expenses  and  taxes  paid 1,701   78 

Bills  of  other  banks 5,110  00 

Fractional  paper  currency,  nickles  and  pennies 56  36 

Specie 20,638  00 

Legal  tender  notes 3,200  00 

Redemption  fund  with  United  States  Treasurer  (5  per  cent 

of  circulation) 2,250  00 

Total $293,715  63 

LIABILITIES. 

Capital  stock  paid  in $100,000  00 

Surplus  fund 25,000  00 

Undivided  profits 21,138  53 

National  Bank  notes  outstanding 45,000  00 

Individual  deposits  subject  to  check 51,985  40 

Demand  certificates  of  deposit 50,591  70 

Total $293,715  63 

The  Mitchells  are  doing  a  limited  banking  business  in  the  town. 

EDUCATION   AT    THE    COUNTY    SEAT. 

But  little  can  be  learned  of  the  early  schools  of  Martinsville.  No 
school  was  probably  taught  until  1823,  and  might  have  been  as  late  as 
1824,  but  at  that  date  there  was  certainly  a  school  taught  during  the 
warm  months  on  the  porch  of  an  old  house  on  the  west  side  of  the 
square,  by  Dr.  John  Morrison.  The  names  of  all  the  early  teachers 
cannot  be  stated.  After  Ihaf  date,  school  was  held  more  or  less  every 
year,  in  private  dwellings,  in  houses  that  had  been  vacated  by  the  owner, 
and  in  the  old  log  court  house  on  the  southwest  corner  of  the  square. 
Some  have  said  that  the  first  school  at  Martinsville  was  taught  by  James 
Cunning,  in  a  barn  northeast  of  town,  said  to  have  been  the  property  of 
Samuel  Scott.  Amy  Magee  was  an  early  teacher  also.  In  1827,  an 
old  vacated  log  building  on  the  square  was  used  for  school  purposes. 
All  these  schools  were  supported  by  subscription,  the  parents  paying 
from  $1  to  $2  for  each  of  their  children  for  the  term  usually  of  three 
months.  About  the  year  1833,  a  small  frame  schoolhouse  was  erected 
near  the  present  residence  of  Mr.  Branch,  which  was  used  continuously 
until  1839.  Two  of  the  teachers  in  this  house  were  William  Lee  and  a 
Mr.  Welch.     It  is  stated  that  a  man  named  Hiram  Lamb  taught  in  the 


96  HISTORY  OF  MORGAN  COUNTY. 

town  as  early  as  1828  or  1829.  His  name  is  one  of  the  earliest  that  can 
be  mentioned.  He  taught  reading  in  the  testament,  writing  on  rude  pa- 
per with  a  quill  pen,  and  "ciphering"  from  Pike's  arithmetic.  Welch 
taught  several  terms,  and  was  a  man  of  considerable  learning.  He  was 
a  strict  disciplinarian,  and  flogged  his  pupils  on  the  least  provocation 
with  a  long  hickory  gad  well  seasoned  in  the  hot  embers  of  the  fire.  Mr. 
Lee  was  club-footed,  and  also  had  some  peculiar  deformity  of  his  hands 
or  arms.  He  knew  how  to  whip.  The  old  "dunce  cap  "  was  a  favorite 
institution  of  his,  and  many  a  time  and  oft  did  it  grace  the  heads  of  of- 
fending pupils. 

In  about  1839,  the  first  school  was  taught  in  the  county  seminary  by 
an  eccentric  Irishman  named  David  Anderson.  He  was  well  educated 
for  that  day,  and  was  an  accomplished  instructor  and  disciplinarian.  As 
the  seminary  was  an  institution  of  the  county,  it  was  well  attended  from 
the  start,  not  only  by  the  young  men  and  women  of  the  county  seat,  but 
by  others  from  distant  portions  of  the  county,  the  latter  boarding  in 
town  during  each  session  of  school.  The  smaller  children  of  the  town 
were  largely  excluded,  and  were  provided  for  in  the  old  frame  schoolhouse 
and  elsewhere.  The  educational  center,  however,  was  the  seminary. 
Excellent  schools  were  held,  many  of  the  higher  branches  being  taught 
there  from  the  first,  and  a  thorough  preparation  for  college  being  fur- 
nished a  few  years  later.  The  present  common  school  system  of  to-day 
was  unknown  then.  All  the  ordinary  schools  were  sustained  by  private 
means,  and  by  the  proceeds  from  the  sale  of  the  sixteenth  section  in 
Congressional  townships.  The  advocates  of  popular  taxation  for  the  sup- 
port of  public  schools  were  regarded  as  fanatical  and  wholly  unjust  in 
their  views.  Then  the  burden  fell  upon  the  parents  of  large  families, 
who,  owing  to  their  poverty,  were  the  least  able  to  educate  their  children. 
Citizens  in  good  circumstances,  but  without  children,  escaped  the  burden. 
The  county  seminary  scheme  was  quite  popular,  as  it  furnished  an  educa- 
tion higher  than  could  be  secured  at  the  subscription  schools.  But  as 
time  passed  public  sentiment  was  molded  in  favor  of  making  property 
the  basis  of  taxation  for  the  support  of  public  schools  and  not  the  number 
of  children.  This  led  eventually  to  the  adoption  of  the  foundation  of  the 
present  free  public  school  system,  first  in  1843  and  later  in  1852.  Dur- 
ing the  forties,  the  steady  decadence  of  the  seminary  system  transpired. 
That  institution  in  Morgan  County  lost  favor,  and  gradually  became  a 
school  for  the  county  seat  and  vicinity,  and  not  for  the  whole  county. 

The  attendance  from  abroad  steadily  decreased  until  in  1846  the 
institution  Avas  no  longer  one  for  the  whole  county.  After  1853,  school- 
houses,  built  and  supported  by  taxation  upon  property,  sprang  up  in  all 
portions  of  the  county,  and  the  seminary  was  ordered  sold,  and  the  pro- 
ceeds became  part  and  parcel  of  the  common  school  fund.  The  old  sem- 
inary did  good  service  in  its  day. 

About  the  time  the  seminary  was  sold,  two  or  three  small  frame  school- 
houses  were  erected  in  Martinsville,  one  in  the  southern  part,  one  in  the 
northeastern,  and  one  in  the  northwestern.  They  were  not  built,  how- 
ever, at  the  same  time,  but  at  intervals  during  the  fifties.  Why  one 
large  building  with  two  or  three  rooms  was  not  built  is  not  clear.  But 
the  novelty  of  the  common  school  system,  and  the  prevailing  ignorance 


WASHINGTON  TOWNSHIP  AND  MARTINSVILLE.  97 

of  its  practical  working,  prevented  it  for  a  period  of  years  from  exclud- 
ing the  old  private  or  subscription  schools,  which  had  formerly  been  the 
universal  source  of  education  of  the  masses  from  the  town,  and  accord- 
ingly during  the  fifties  numerous  private  schools  were  taught,  a  strong 
demand  existing  for  the  higher  branches.  In  1855,  M.  L.  Johnson 
opened  the  "  Martinsville  Female  Academy,"  in  the  rooms  over  Mr. 
Crary's  store.  Several  terms  were  taught,  and  considerable  energy  was 
manifested,  but  the  institution  did  not  sustain  the  hopes  of  its  founder. 
Various  other  schools  of  a  similar  character  were  conducted  for  short  pe- 
riods about  the  same  time.  In  about  1860,  the  old  Baptist  Church, 
which  had  stood  unused  for  some  time,  was  transformed  into  a  high  school 
building  under  the  private  control  of  Dr.  Snoddy,  who,  if  reports  are  cor- 
rect, conducted  a  select  school  of  great  excellence  for  about  two  years.  He 
was  succeeded  in  1862  by  Miss  M.  F.  Jones  (now  Mrs.  Wigginton),  who 
taught  with  universal  favor  for  three  consecutive  years.  In  1865,  R.  V. 
Marshall  succeeded  Miss  Jones,  and  had  as  assistants  A.  M.  Cunning 
and  Miss  Comer.  Marshall  was  a  capable  man,  having  been  educated 
at  the  State  University  at  Bloomington.  In  1867,  the  front  part  of  the 
present  high  school  building  was  constructed  at  a  cost  of  about  $13,500, 
William  Orner  being  the  contractor.  About  one-third  of  the  cost  was  paid 
by  Washington  Township.  As  yet,  the  town,  though  incorporated,  was  one 
of  the  common  school  districts  of  the  township.  Mr.  Marshall,  with  two  as- 
sistants and  with  a  salary  of  $1,000,  was  employed  to  commence  theschool 
in  the  new  building,  which  he  did,  continuing  for  about  two  years.  His  suc- 
cessor was  Prof.  Webster,  who  remained  but  a  short  time.  In  1870,  the 
town  became  an  independent  school  district,  and  immediately  purchased 
for  $4,000  the  interest  which  Washington  Township  owned  in  the  high 
school  building.  In  1877,  a  fine  addition  to  the  building  was  erected 
for  $6,000.  Mrs.  Stanford  succeeded  Prof.  Webster,  and  was  in  turn 
succeeded  by  Prof.  French.  The  present  Principal,  Prof.  Starkey,  took 
charge  of  the  school  about  six  years  ago.  Under  his  management  the 
usefulness  of  the  school  has  been  doubled.  He  is  a  man  of  fine  talent  and 
culture.  The  school  is  one  of  the  best  of  the  kind  in  the  State.  In 
July,  1883,  the  town  Trustees  purchased  an  entire  block  in  the  south- 
eastern part  of  town  for  $2,000,  upon  which  a  temporary  frame  school- 
house  is  to  be  erected.  This  was  rendered  necessary  by  the  inefficacy  of 
the  present  house  to  meet  the  wants  of  the  town.  After  a  few  years,  the 
frame  building  to  be  erected  will  be  converted  into  a  janitor's  residence, 
and  a  fine  brick  school  building  will  take  its  place.  This  is  glancing 
ahead,  however. 

RELIGION  AT  THE   COUNTY  SEAT. 

Circuit  riders  of  various  religious  denominations  came  to  Martinsville 
early  in  the  twenties,  but  if  any  attempt  was  made  to  found  a  class  it  resulted 
in  nothing  but  failure.  Late  in  the  twenties,  however,  a  small  class  of  Meth- 
odists was  partially  organized,  the  greater  number  of  the  few  members 
living  outside  of  the  town.  This  small  class  of  Methodists  was  organized 
at  the  old  log  court  house  in  1827,  among  the  earliest  members  being  G. 
A.  Phelps.  James  Epperson,  John  Craig,  Edward  Talbot,  Noah  Allison, 
Benjamin  Bull,  Dr.  Francis  A.  Matheny,   Jacob  Harryman,  Archibald 


98  HISTORY  OF  MORGAN  COUNTY. 

Cramer.  Fred  Gardner  and  their  families  and  others.  Late  in  the  thirties 
and  early  in  the  forties,  the  class  met  at  the  house  of  Mr.  Gardner  for  wor- 
ship. Ministers  of  the  Presbyterian,  Christian,  Baptist  and  other  de- 
nominations appeared  and  preached  to  motley  assemblages  of  citizens  in 
the  court  house  and  the  schoolhouse.  The  second  permanent  class  organ- 
ized in  the  town  was  that  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian.  .  It  was  fully 
organized  in  1841,  by  Rev.  Elam  McCord,  with  the  following  member- 
ship :  Isaac  D.  and  Thurzea  Sheppard,  John  Taggart  and  wife,  William 
Morgan  and  wife,  James  Maxwell  and  wife,  Robert  Hamilton,  Grand- 
mother Bothwell,  Polly  Ray,  Mrs.  John  Cox,  Mrs.  Anna  Williams,  Mrs. 
Franky  Wilson.  It  was  organized  in  the  court  house.  Soon  after  this, 
Mr.  Sheppard  circulated  a  subscription  list  to  raise  means  to  build  a 
church.  He  soon  had  about  ^600  subscribed.  The  few  Methodists  and 
Christians  in  the  town  about  this  time  discovered  what  Mr.  Sheppard  had 
accomplished,  whereupon  members  of  those  denominations,  not  to  be  out- 
done, also  circulated  subscription  lists,  but  were  met  with  the  objection 
that  it  was  out  of  the  question  to  try  to  build  three  churches  in  the  town 
at  that  time,  and  the  attempts  by  these  denominations  were  abandoned 
for  the  time.  The  Presbyterians  were  so  active  that  their  church,  a  small 
brick  structure  yet  standing  in  the  town,  was  constructed  by  James  Craw- 
ford the  following  year,  1842.  The  total  cost  was  about  $1,500.  Addi- 
tions later  cost  $500.  Rev.  McCord  served  the  class  for  seven  consecu- 
tive years — from  1840,  when  he  first  visited  the  town,  to  1848.  James 
Ray,  William  Orner,  Samuel  Downing,  Benjamin  Sweet,  carpenters, 
worked  out  their  subscriptions  on  the  building.  This  old  church  was 
used  until  two  years  ago,  when  the  present  fine  brick  structure  was  erected 
by  the  same  class  at  a  cost  of  over  $6,000.  The  class  has  been  prosper- 
ous since  the  start,  and  has  had  a  Sunday  school  the  greater  portion  of 
the  time.  W.  H.  Miller,  a  most  excellent  man  for  the  place,  and  a  lead- 
er of  the  church,  is  the  present  Superintendent.  The  missionary  work 
done  by  this  class  is  said  to  be  the  largest  in  the  conference.  This  is 
largely  due  to  Mr.  Miller's  efi'orts  and  management. 

The  Methodists,  as  has  been  stated,  had  an  organization  at  the  coun- 
ty seat  as  early  as  1827.  The  Grays,  Crawfords  and  Warrens  belonged 
later.  The  church  was  not  built  until  about  1848-49.  It  cost  about 
$1,000.  Among  the  members  at  this  time  were  Jacob  and  Catharine 
Harryman,  Charity  Gardner,  Mr.  McCormack's  family,  A.  D.  Rose, 
Susan  Rose,  Thomas  Downing,  Nancy  Downing,  William  Downing,  E. 
T.  Harryman,  John  Edwards,  Elizabeth  Barrickman,  Hester  Barrick- 
man,  Mathew  Whetstine  and  wife,  Mr.  Elliott,  Martha  Orner,  W.  W. 
Wilson,  and  those  mentioned  above,  and  others  to  the  number  of  about 
forty.  The  frame  church  was  used  until  1873,  when  the  new  brick  struct- 
ure was  built  at  a  cost  of  nearly  $17,000.  Among  the  ministers  have 
been  Tinsley,  Williams,  Dorsey,  Clifford,  Powell,  Dane,  Wharton,  Lath- 
rop.  Smith,  Sutton,  McCan,  Culmer,  Grim,  Asbury,  Thompson,  Chap- 
man, Hayes,  Binkley,  Talbot,  Brant,  McGinnis,  and  the  present  minister, 
J.  H.  Ketcham.  The  church  has  a  membership  of  about  300,  and  has 
had  a  prosperous  Sunday  school  for  many  years. 

The  Christian  class  was  organized  early  in  the  forties,  and  a  church 
was  built  about  1846.     Among  the  members  were  P.  M.  Parks,  Perry 


BROWN  TOWNSHIP  AND  MOORESVILLE.  99 

Blankenship,  Benjamin  Sweet,  James  Jackson,  John  Sims,  William  Ma- 
jor, Job  Hastings,  Joel  Wilson,  W.  H.  Craig,  Samuel  Tucker,  Thomas 
Hess,  Allen  Hess,  Jackson  Warner,  W.  J.  Sparks  and  others,  including 
the  families  of  the  above.  The  class  has  been  one  of  the  most  prosperous 
at  the  county  seat.  The  same  building,  to  which  many  improvements 
have  been  added,  is  yet  in  use.  A  Sunday  school  was  organized  at  an 
early  day,  and  has  endured  until  the  present  with  a  large  increase  in  the 
membership.  The  Tuckers  have  been  prominent  in  the  church  since  the 
first. 

The  Baptists  organized  at  Martinsville  as  early  as  1850.  A.  B. 
Alsip,  the  Frinks,  and  others  were  members.  The  brick  church  was  built 
about  1857,  but  for  some  reason  was  not  finished.  The  leading  Baptists 
removed  from  the  town,  and  the  building  was  transformed  into  a  school- 
house,  being  thus  used  until  after  the  last  war,  when  it  was  purchased  by 
the  Catholics  for  $700,  and  has  since  been  used  by  them.  Father  Gillig 
was  the  first  priest.  Among  the  members  who  have  belonged  are  B.  Gil- 
lig, George  Frisz,  Mrs.  Magee,  Mrs.  Singleton,  Mrs.  Woods,  Pat 
King  and  family,  Peter  Miller  and  family,  Mrs.  Lockhart,  Mrs.  Max- 
ville,  Peter  Rooney,  Mrs.  Gillig,  George  Estling,  Charles  Schrader.  The 
priests  since  Father  Gillig  have  been  Father  Snell,  Father  Erceneus, 
Father  Victor  and  Father  Stanislaus,  the  present  priest,  who  visits  the 
class  onoe  a  month. 

POPULATION. 

In  1823,  there  were  about  ten  families  at  Martinsville.  In  1830, 
the  population  was  about  175  ;  in  1840,  about  400 ;  in  1850,  about  525 ; 
in  1860,  about  700;  in  1870,  about  1,350;  in  1880,  about  1,943;  and  in 
1883,  about  2,300. 


BROWN   TOWNSHIP   AND    MOORESVILLE. 


THE  PIONEERS. 


THERE  are  many  interesting  historical  items  connected  with  Moores- 
ville  and  vicinity.  The  settlement  there,  after  it  had  begun,  was  so 
rapid,  and  the  settlers  were  so  intelligent,  moral  and  thrifty,  that  the 
northern  part  of  the  county  was  not  surpassed  by  any  other  portion  for 
enterprise  and  general  advancement  and  excellence.  It  is  difficult  to  give 
with  any  certainty  the  name  of  the  first  settler  in  Brown  Township,  as 
several  came  in  about  the  same  time.  If  carefully  sifted  reports  are  re- 
liable, there  was  no  permanent  settler  until  1819,  at  which  time  a  half 
dozen  or  more  arrived.  The  first  man  was  probably  either  Hiram  Mat- 
thews, Benjamin  Cuthbert,  Charles  Reynolds,  Thomas  Lee,  Samuel  Bar- 
low or  William  Ballard,  all  of  whom  entered  the  township  for  permanent 
residence  in  1819.  It  is  thought  that  Mr.  Ballard  was  the  first,  as  he 
opened  a  tavern  on  the  old  "Whetzel  Trace  "  early  in  1819.  Among  others 
who  came  during  the  next  three  or  four  years  were  John  H.  Bray,  Eli 
Hadley,  Harris  Bray,  Asa  Bales,  William  McPherson,  James  Hadley, 


100  HISTORY  OF  MORGAN  COUNTY. 

Barclay  Burris,  Edward  Bray,  R.  G.  Burris,  John  D.  Carter,  then  a  boy, 
Joel  Dixon,  Thomas  Ballard,  Richard  Day,  Nathaniel  Carter,  Charles 
Vertrees,  Joshua  Carter,  Levi  Plummer,  William  Rooker,  Samuel 
Jones,  William  Gregory,  I.  W.  Rooker,  Ira  Mendenhall,  William  Reason, 
Henry  McCracken,  William  Bales,  Benjamin  White,  William  McCracken, 
Benjamin  Thornburg,  John  Wilson,  Thomas  McNeff,  William  McNeff, 
William  Matlock,  Samuel  Barlow,  Joseph  Moon,  Eli  Harvey,  Samuel 
Moore  and  many  others.  The  poll-tax  payers  in  1842  were  Gary  Bea- 
8on,  Edward  Brady,  William  Brady,  Caleb  Beason,  Harris  Bray,  John 
B.  Burt,  John  Blanton,  R.  G.  Burris,  Smith  Boyd,  W.  M.  Black,  Bar- 
clay Burris,  Martin  Beason,  John  Caveness,  Alexander  Conduitt,  John 
Carter,  J.  H.  Combs,  Joshua  Cox,  J.  L.  Cox,  John  D.  Carter,  Perry 
Carpenter,  Gabriel  Coble,  Daniel  Cox,  Nathaniel  Carter,  William  Day, 
Aiken  Daiken,  Daniel  Day,  Thomas  Dunegan,  Nathan  Dixon,  Riley 
Dixon,  John  Day,  Samuel  Edmundson,  Samuel  Evans,  John  E.  Fultz, 
Isaac  Ferrand  (a  cooper),  William  Fogleman,  William  Fields,  Dr.  A.  V. 
Gray,  Daniel  Greeson,  M.  T.  Hadley,  Eli  Harvey,  Simon  Hadley,  Will- 
iam Hadley,  Dr.  John  Hiner,  Job  Hadley,  David  Harvey,  Robert  Har- 
vey, W.  B.  Harrold,  Reuben  Harris,  Noah  Housand,  Joseph  Hiatt, 
William  Hardridge,  John  Hardrick,  Jabez  Hunt,  Soloman  Hunt,  William 
Hinson,  Thomas  Herrold,  T.  E.  Johnson,  Hezekiah  Jessup,  John  John- 
son, P.  P.  Johnson  (a  tailor),  James  Johnson,  George  Kimbro,  J.  R. 
Kerr  (a  weaver),  J.  S.  Kelley,  Obed  King,  James  Lindley,  Aaron  Lloyd, 
William  Leathers,  Joel  Landrum,  Alfred  Moore,  Samuel  Moore,  G-  D. 
May,  Hiram  Matthews,  John  Matthews,  John  B.  Moon,  William  Mc- 
Cracken, Henry  McCracken,  Riley  McCrary,  William  McPherson, 
Thomas  McNeff,  Ricks  Newby,  Robert  Newby,  M.  L.  Orell,  James  Pad- 
dock, John  J.  Pfoff,  John  Pope,  Dixon  Pennington,  R.  E.  Preston  (a  school- 
teacher), Michael  Rusee,  Jesse  S.  Rooker,  Isaac  Reed,  Thomas  Rariden, 
James  Richardson,  Allen  Robertson,  T.  H.  Rooker,  J.  W.  Richards, 
Jacob  Shanafelt,  Pleasant  Sumner,  Henry  Shanafelt,  J.  E.  Starr,  S.  V. 
Scott,  B.  D,  Scott,  John  W.  Thompson.  Benjamin  Thornburg,  William 
Towell,  I.  W.  Rooker,  George  Rosier,  Reuben  Rariden  and  Eli  Vestal. 
This  list  is  given  to  preserve  the  names  of  as  many  old  settlers  as  possible. 

INDUSTRIAL  DEVELOPMENT  AND  INCIDENTS. 

White  Lick  Creek  was  the  attraction  in  early  years.  The  land  bor- 
dering it  was  nicely  rolling,  and  was  largely  alluvial,  and  almost  inexhaust- 
ible in  fertility.  Log  cabins  arose  in  every  direction  along  its  banks,  and 
in  a  very  short  period  waving  seas  of  wheat  and  other  grain  could  be  seen. 
Richard  Day  built  a  small  corn  cracker  on  the  creek  as  early  as  1822. 
A  small  dam  was  built  across  the  stream,  and  a  short  race  conveyed  water 
to  the  old  "  flutter  wheel,"  which  propelled  a  small  pair  of  buhrs  made  of 
sand  stone.  The  flour  that  was  made  at  this  mill  invariably  contained 
sand  from  the  old  stones.  The  settlers  were  accordingly  full  of  sand  in 
more  respects  than  one.  Their  teeth  were  always  sharp  and  their  appe- 
tites good,  both  being  whetted,  no  doubt,  on  the  sand.  It  was  a  cheap 
grindstone.  People  were  not  as  fastidious  then  as  regards  what  they  ate 
as  they  are  now.  Now  we  have  this  patent  fandangled  process  that 
turns  out  flour  so  fine  that  you    cannot  see  it   with   a  microscope.     Mr. 


BROWN  TOWNSHIP  AND  MOORESVILLE.  101 

Moon  erected  his  ^w  mill  on  the  East  Fork  in  1823.  It  was  a  rude 
affair,  but  furnished  considerable  native  lumber  for  a  few  years.  Mr. 
Moore  says  that  when  he  reached  the  township  in  1823,  wolves,  bears  and 
numerous  herds  of  deer  were  almost  every-day  sights  where  Mooresville 
now  stands.  John  H.  Bray  started  the  first  fulling  mill  in  the  central 
part  of  Indiana.  It  was  located  a  short  distance  west  of  Mooresville,  and 
commenced  operation  a  year  or  two  before  1830.  It  was  a  rude  affair, 
but  it  served  the  purposes  of  the  neighborhood.  He  did  not  even  card. 
The  settlers  were  obliged  to  do  that  themselves  by  hand.  They  bought 
their  cards  of  Samuel  Moore,  who  purchased  them  in  the  East  with  his 
goods.  Mr.  Moore  also  brought  in  huge  bales  of  cotton,  which  were  pur- 
chased and  transformed  into  cloth  by  hundreds  of  wives  for  miles  around.  A 
calico  dress  at  37^  cents  per  yard  (only  four  yards),  was  then  regarded 
as  the  most  stylish  costume  in  the  woods.  Mrs.  Thornburg  brought  with 
her  her  silk  wedding  dress,  but  folks  would  have  called  her  "  stuck  up  " 
if  she  had  dared  to  wear  it.  She  used  it  to  make  winding  sheets  for  the 
children  that  died  in  the  neighborhood.  Soon  after  the  Thornburgs 
reached  the  township  their  horses  were  stolen,  and  while  the  men  were 
gone  for  a  week  or  more  in  pursuit,  Mrs.  Thornburg  was  left  alone  with 
three  or  four  small  children.  She  worked  nearly  all  the  time  they  were 
gone,  burning  brush  and  logs,  and  getting  ready  for  the  coming  crop.  She 
was  the  daughter  of  Rev.  Peter  Monical,  a  Methodist  minister  of  more 
than  ordinary  ability  and  piety.  The  Thornburgs  have  since  been  among 
the  most  enterprising  and  respected  citizens  of  the  county.  John  H. 
Bray  was  a  large  man,  and  wielded  great  influence  wherever  he  moved. 
During  the  winter  of  1821-22,  he  is  said  to  have  killed  twenty-eight  deer 
without  going  hunting.  That  shows  how  numerous  those  animals  were. 
Their  hides  were  worth  about  $1,  and  often  their  flesh  was  worth  little 
more  than  nothing.  Coons  were  numerous  and  their  hides  were  worth 
about  a  drink  of  whisky.  It  is  told  on  the  venerable  Samuel  Moore,  that, 
on  one  occasion,  a  coon  skin  was  traded  him  for  a  drink  of  whisky.  He 
threw  the  skin  up  in  the  loft  and  resumed  his  place  behind  the  counter. 
Some  thirsty  fellow  took  it  down  unnoticed  by  Mr.  Moore,  and  traded  it 
to  him  a  second  time  for  a  drink.  The  crowd  assembled  caught  the  idea, 
and  the  cheat  was  repeated  again  and  again  until  Mr.  Moore  imagined  he 
had  a  loft  full  of  fine  skins.  It  is  quite  likely  that  the  fellow  who  told 
this  story  had  been  reading  the  life  of  David  Crockett,  and  had  borrowed 
the  tale  to  tell  at  Mr.  Moore's  expense.  Mr.  Moore  bought  and  traded 
for  coon  skins,  however,  but  he  recollects  nothing  about  finding  his  loft 
full  of  emptiness.  The  tale  is  a  myth.  How  foolishly  credulous  some 
persons  are,  and  how  many  will  base  fact  on  fiction  ! 

CONTINUED     REMINISCENCES, 

The  old  Moon  Saw  Mill  continued  to  operate  for  several  years.  Har- 
ris Bray  owned  a  saw  mill  about  a  mile  and  a  half  east  of  town,  and  also 
conducted  a  small  distillery  there  for  a  number  of  years.  When  Hiram 
Matthews  came  to  the  township  in  1820,  a  heavy  fall  of  snow  had  just 
fallen.  He  crossed  the  tracks  of  seventeen  different  bears,  all  turned 
south  except  one.  Benjamin  Thornburg  came  in  1822.  He  had  no  corn, 
and  could  get  none  in  the  settlement,  and   went  up  northeast  of  Indian- 


102  HISTORY  OF  MORGAN  COUNTY. 

apolis  to  Strawtown,  where  he  obtained  a  supply  which  was  floated  down 
White  River  to  the  Bluffs,  and  then  hauled  out  by  wagon.  He  helped 
his  neighbors  roll  logs  thirty  days  of  the  first  season,  and  in  return  had 
his  rolled.  It  was  a  sight,  no  doubt,  to  see  thirty  or  forty  men  in  a  big 
field  where  logs  and  brush  lay  in  every  direction.  The  men  would  be 
divided  into  companies  with  Captains,  and  each  party  would  try  to  outdo 
the  others.  Four  strong,  skillful  men  with  handspikes  would  pick  up 
and  carry  an  enormous  log.  It  would  take  about  a  score  of  men  nowa- 
days with  half  a  dozen  derricks  to  lift  such  a  log  !  You  are  not  required, 
reader,  to  believe  that  statement  unless  you  so  desire.  The  women  would 
usually  gather  to  do  the  cooking,  and  the  times  in  and  around  the  cabins 
were  about  as  lively,  and  far  more  attractive  than  out  in  the  field,  for  our 
mothers  were  young  then,  and  strong,  and  had  the  bright  faces,  round 
forms  and  light  jokes  and  laughter  which  we  so  well  remember  in  our 
boyhood  days.  We  cannot  be  too  kind  to  the  old  grandfathers  and  grand- 
mothers whose  feet  never  tired  waiting  upon  us  when  we  were  helpless. 

BEAR    STORIES. 

One  day  in  September,  about  the  year  1829,  Nathaniel  Carter  went 
to  Richmond,  Ind.,  to  attend  the  Quaker  annual  meeting.  While  he  was 
gone,  along  during  the  evening  Ira  Mendenhall  came  over  to  his  house  to 
get  help  to  haul  in  a  large  bear  that  he  had  just  killed.  He  said  that  he 
had  gone  out  to  get  his  cows,  and  had  discovered  the  bear,  whereupon  he 
fired  and  wounded  it.  He  chased  it  and  wounded  it  with  a  second  shot. 
This  so  disabled  the  bear  that  he  was  enabled  to  get  close  enough  to  fin- 
ish it,  which  he  did  with  a  shot  through  the  head.  It  was  a  very  large 
animal,  and  was  hauled  to  the  house  with  a  horse.  J.  D.  Carter,  then  a 
large  boy,  walked  behind  to  see  that  the  bear  kept  on  its  belly  so  that  its 
hair  would  not  be  injured.  The  hide  was  taken  off  and  put  to  soak. 
Mr.  Rooker  was  asked  to  come  over  to  judge  whether  the  meat  would  do 
to  eat.  He  pronounced  it  good,  and  the  neighbors  were  accordingly  re- 
galed with  choice  bear  steak.  They  also  pronounced  it  good.  One  day 
J.  D.  Carter  was  digging  ginseng  root  near  the  woods.  Upon  looking 
up  suddenly,  he  was  astonished  to  see  a  large  bear  on  a  limb  not  many 
rods  distant.  He  was  considerably  scared,  and  ran  to  the  house  to  get  his 
father.  Mr.  Carter,  Sr.,  hurried  out  with  his  gun,  and  brought  Mr. 
Bruin  down  at  the  first  fire.     The  animal  weighed  about  300  pounds. 

A    SNAKE    STORY. 

In  April,  1823,  the  rattlesnakes  were  very  numerous  where  Richard 
Day  lived,  near  the  toll  gate  east  of  Mooresville.  There  was  a  den  of 
them  in  the  big  spring  there.  The  Day  boys  and  Carter  boys  secured 
several  tall  sycamore  gums  and  placed  them  by  the  springs,  and  then  by 
watching  with  long  poles  succeeded  in  throwing  thirty-six  of  the  venomous 
reptiles  into  the  gums,  whence  they  could  not  get  out.  On  Sunday,  sev- 
eral neighbors  gathered  to  see  the  snakes.  Blood  was  taken  from  the  arm 
of  some  man  present,  and  held  in  a  cup,  while  the  snakes  were  maddened 
with  a  stick,  and  permitted  to  strike  several  times  into  a  small  piece  of 
cloth,  and  then  the  cloth  thus  poisoned  was  dipped  in  the  blood.  Ac- 
cording to  J.  D.  Carter,  who  witnessed  the  experiments,  the  blood  "boiled 


BROWN  TOWNSHIP  AND  MOORESVILLE.  103 

and  boiled."  After  the  blood  had  been  thoroughly  poisoned,  the  cele- 
brated rattlesnake  root  was  crushed  up  and  placed  in  the  cup,  whereupon 
the  boiling  instantly  ceased.     This  is  a  snake  story. 

SAMUEL    MOORE. 

This  well-known  man  who  is  yet  living  in  Mooresville,  at  the  age  of 
eighty-four  years,  with  recollection  not  a  whit  impaired  by  the  ravages  of 
time,  came  to  Brown  Township  in  1823.  He  had  been  a  resident  of 
Salem,  Ind.,  for  a  short  time  previously,  and  had  there  formed  a  partner- 
ship with  Mr.  Newby,  of  the  firm  of  Booth  &  Newby,  of  Paola,  by  which 
the  latter  was  to  furnish  $1,500  for  three  years,  and  Mr.  Moore  was  to 
furnish  $600  and  his  services  for  three  years,  to  conduct  a  general  mer- 
cantile business,  at  some  good  point  in  the  New  Purchase  that  was  then 
rapidly  settling  up.  Mr.  Moore  came  with  his  $2,000  worth  of  goods, 
and  placed  the  same  in  a  blacksmith  shop,  which  had  previously  been 
built  and  operated  by  a  smith,  named  Charles  Vertrees  on  the  old  Indian 
Trace,  but  which  was  then  vacant.  That  amount  of  goods  then  was  in 
bulk,  only  about  one-third  as  large  as  at  present.  Calicoes,  37  J  cents  per 
yard,  and  other  things  in  proportion,  greatly  reduced  the  bulk  from  what 
it  would  be  at  present.  The  goods  completely  filled  the  little  log  building 
that  stood  at  the  foot  of  the  hill,  about  a  quarter  of  a  mile  south  of 
Mooresville,  and  hence  was  not  in  Mooresville  at  all.  Here  Mr.  Moore 
lived  for  three  years,  boarding  with  some  of  the  families  near  by,  and 
enjoying  a  lucrative  trade  for  that  time  and  place  with  the  white  settlers, 
and  often  with  Indians  who  had  furs  to  dispose  of  for  trinkets  and  ammu- 
nition. At  the  end  of  three  years,  the  partnership  between  Mr.  Newby 
and  Mr.  Moore  was  at  an  end,  and  as  the  latter  had  cleared  enough  to 
furnish  him  with  a  satisfactory  capital,  without  the  aid  of  a  partner,  he 
concluded  to  settle  with  Mr.  Newby,  and  continue  the  business  on  his  own 
responsibility.  The  net  profits  for  the  three  years  were  $3,000.  After 
the  business  had  been  settled,  Mr.  Moore  returned  with  a  fresh  stock,  and 
opened  the  first  store  in  Mooresville  proper,  which  was  then  a  total  wilder- 
ness of  heavy  trees,  in  a  frame  building,  which  was  erected  by  Joshua 
and  Nathaniel  Carter,  carpenters,  and  Samuel  Harryman,  mason. 

MOORESVILLE. 

The  first  house  upon  the  present  site  of  the  town  was  built  by  Asa 
Bales  in  the  fall  of  1824.  About  the  same  time,  Charles  Wilcox,  Samuel 
Moore,  William  B.  Harrold  and  Dr.  Curtis  G.  Hussey  built  houses. 
The  latter  is  now  a  millionaire  of  Pittsburgh,  Penn.  Mr.  Moore's 
house  was  a  frame  structure,  the  lumber  coming  from  Mr.  Moon's  saw 
mill.  It  stood  where  Mr.  Woodward's  store  now  stands.  William 
G.  Lear,  Thomas  Harrold,  Jacob  Combs,  Isaac  Edwards,  Eli  Tansey, 
William  Cline  and  others,  were  other  early  residents  of  the  little  town 
which  grew  rapidly.  Mr.  Moore  of  course  had  the  first  store.  In  1826, 
Alexander  Worth  &  Co.  opened  the  second  store,  with  a  stock  worth 
about  $4,000.  Worth  had  been  interested  in  the  Salem  firm  of  Booth  &; 
Newby,  the  senior  member  of  the  firm  being  the  father  of  Senator  Booth, 
of  California.     He  had  formerly  been  a  clock  peddler  in  the  Carolinas. 


104  HISTORY  OF  MORGAN  COUNTY. 

He  afterward  moved  his  business  from  Salem  to  Terra  Haute,  where  he 
did  a  mammoth  business  and  became  rich.  He  is  said  to  be  living  there 
yet.  Mr,  Worth  was  really  the  agent  of  this  firm,  whose  goods  he  was 
intrusted  with.  W.  G.  Lear  opened  the  third  store  in  18i:6,  and  Silas 
Stapp,  the  fourth,  in  the  fall  of  1827.  Pemberton  Dickens  opened  a 
liquor  shop  in  1828.  He  afterward  went  to  Danville,  where  he  engaged 
in  the  grocery  business.  He  could  not  write,  and  was  in  the  habit  of 
using  signs  in  keeping  his  book  accounts.  One  day  one  of  his  patrons 
went  to  him  to  make  the  semi-annual  settlement,  and  found  among  other 
articles  that  he  was  charged  with  a  whole  cheese.  He  denied  having 
purchased  such  an  article  of  diet,  but  there  on  the  day  book  which  Mr. 
Dickens  proudly  exhibited,  was  the  big  O,  the  sign  representing  the  cheese. 
The  patron  still  denied  it,  and  after  reflecting  a  moment,  stated  that  he 
had  bought  a  grindstone.  "  Oh  yes,"  exclaimed  Mr.  Dickens,  "  that's  so, 
I  forgot  to  make  the  hole."  Whereupon  he  completed  the  entry  in  his 
day  book  thus  O. 

"  In  1830,  Worth  &  Kelley  went  into  partnership  in  the  mercantile 
business.  Armstead  Jackson  was  the  tavern  keeper  in  1832.  A  Mr. 
Worthington  went  into  partnership  with  Mr.  Moore  in  about  1834  or 
1835.  He  was  related  to  the  latter  by  marriage.  John  J.  Cox  opened  a 
tavern  and  grocery  about  the  same  time-  It  may  be  said  here  that 
Samuel  Moore  sold  goods  at  Mooresville  for  forty-four  consecutive  years. 
He  was  the  leading  business  man  of  his  day  in  the  northern  part  of  the 
county.  J.  S.  Kelley  was  probably  next  in  business  activity.  Both 
kept  excellent  stores  during  the  thirties  and  forties,  often  having  as  high 
as  $15,000  worth  of  goods,  which  were  purchased  in  Eastern  markets  twice 
a  year.  William  Yarborough  kept  a  tailor  shop  in  town  about  1840. 
Along  in  the  forties,  Mr.  Worth  failed  in  the  pork  business  and  was  suc- 
ceeded by  Hadley  &  Worthington.  Among  the  residents  and  industries 
about  1836-37  were  the  following:  Samuel  Moore,  J.  S.  Kelley,  Alex- 
ander Worth,  merchants;  Israel  Hunt,  Gabriel  Coble,  W.  M.  Black,  J. 
M.  Leathers,  John  Cox,  Jeremiah  Blankenship,  Joseph  Hiatt,  A.  Jack- 
son, W.  C.  Cline,  Solomon  Hunt,  Joshua  Cox,  J.  H.  Combs  (wagon- 
maker),  W.  H.  P.  Woodward  (a  young  man  just  arrived),  Fred  Lester 
(shoe-maker),  B.  Wood,  Joseph  Wood,  George  D.  May,  B.  B,  Ball,  Isaac 
Williams,  Thomas  Murphy  (wagon-maker),  Samuel  Watts,  James  Richard- 
son, Charles  Wilcox,  George  Crayton,  Solomon  Dunegan  and  his  three 
sons — Lemuel,  Thomas  and  Frank,  all  blacksmiths  and  the  father  a  Bap- 
tist preacher.  Cox,  Blankenship  and  Jackson  were  the  liquor  sellers  and 
tavern  keepers.  Mr.  Bray's  saw-mill  and  distillery,  east  of  town,  were 
running.  Richardson  and  Wilcox  made  hats  from  lamb's  wool;  Watts  was 
a  tailor.  Mr.  Woodward  commenced  the  business  with  him  in  1835 
and  continued  the  business  many  years,  until  his  health  began  to  fail  him, 
when  he  abandoned  the  business,  as  he  says,  just  about  the  time  sewing 
machines  came  into  use.  A  Frenchman  named  Segart  was  a  tailor  also. 
Isaac  Williams  conducted  a  saddlery  and  harness  shop.  J.  S.  Kelley 
erected  a  pottery  a  short  distance  west,  and  Ball  was  his  potter.  They 
manufactured  many  excellent  crocks,  jars,  jugs,  etc.,  some  of  which  may 
yet  be  seen  in  neighborhood.  Several  thousand  of  these  useful  household 
articles  were  made  annually  and  found  a  ready  sale  for  many  miles 


BROWN  TOWNSHIP  AND  MOORESVILLE.  106 

around.  Alexander  Worth's  carding  mill  was  another  important  enter- 
prise. At  first  nothing  but  carding  was  done,  but  later,  in  obedience  to 
the  demand,  spinning  and  weaving  machinery  was  purchased  and  a  Mr. 
Bastian,  a  practical  weaver,  was  employed.  Flannels,  jeans  and  sat- 
inets were  woven.  At  this  time  (late  in  the  thirties)  the  village  had  a 
population  of  over  300,  and  business  of  all  descriptions  was  very  active. 

MERCANTILE    TRADE,    PORK-PACKING,    ETC. 

Mr.  Moore  established  branch  stores  at  the  Bluffs  and  at  Martins- 
ville, the  business  at  the  latter  place  being  conducted  by  Mr.  Worthing- 
ton.  He  had  over  |30,000  invested  in  general  merchandise  at  the  three 
places  during  the  forties.  His  book  accounts  were  enormous,  and  hie 
trade  equally  as  extensive.  He  cleared  thousands  of  dollars.  He  erected 
a  big  grist  mill  early  in  the  thirties  on  White  Lick  Creek  near  the  town, 
and  there  was  not  a  larger,  better  or  more  active  grist  mill  at  the  time  in 
the  central  part  of  the  State.  That  alone  added  more  than  any  other 
one  thing  to  the  rapid  development  of  Mooresville.  Large  quantities  of 
flour,  corn  meal,  wheat  and  corn  were  shipped  by  boat  from  the  mill  down 
the  creek  to  the  river  and  thence  down  to  Southern  markets.  He  also 
engaged  extensively  in  the  pork-packing  business,  employing  many  hands 
in  the  packing  season  during  the  colder  months  to  do  the  slaughtering. 
He  owned  a  big  pork  house  at  the  Bluff.  He  sent  off  as  high  as  five 
boat  loads  of  pork  and  produce  in  one  year.  John  Scott,  Reuben  Hen- 
derson, Perry  Carpenter,  Jacob  Peyton  and  others  were  his  pilots.  He 
sent  a  total  of  nearly  thirty  boat  loads  down  the  river  while  he  was  in 
the  business.  He  bought  nearly  100  horses  in  1833,  and  drove  them  to 
Virginia  to  market.  They  were  taken  to  the  large  sugar  plantations  on 
the  island  of  Cuba.  Large  numbers  of  the  hogs  bought  were  not 
slaughtered  at  all  here,  but  were  driven  into  Ohio  and  sold  at  the  big 
markets  there.  He  took  off  as  high  as  3,000  hogs  at  one  time  in  this 
manner,  separating  them  for  convenience  in  handling  into  droves  of  600 
or  800,  and  driving  the  droves  a  few  miles  apart.  Many  men  were 
needed  to  take  care  of  them  and  feed  them  on  the  way.  The  hogs  then 
were  not  as  they  are  now.  They  were  older,  poorer,  and,  hence,  were 
much  better  travelers.  J.  S.  Kelley  also  did  considerable  business  in 
pork  packing  and  shipping.  Mr.  Moore  conducted  a  saw  mill  in  con- 
nection with  his  big  grist  mill. 

LATER    BUSINESS    ENTERPRISES. 

Among  the  business  men  during  the  forties  were  John  W.  Thompson, 
Conduitt  &  Brother,  Samuel  Moore,  J.  S.  Kelley,  Sheets  &  Brothers,  S. 
Hunt,  Alfred  Moore  &  Co.,  Riley  Dixon,  Hawk  &  Yarborough,  J.  W. 
Parker,  Holman  and  D.  J.  Johnson  were  the  leading  merchants.  Bur- 
roughs &  Manker,  cabinet-makers ;  S.  S.  &  J.  Ellis,  saddles  and  harness ; 
Isaac  Williams,  same;  Black,  Wilkins  &  Co.,  tanning  and  currying. 
Mr.  Worth's  woolen  factory  was  burned  not  far  from  1840,  but  was  then 
commenced  in  his  old  pork-packing  building  which  was  fitted  up  for  the 
purpose.  Here  it  was  that  spinning  and  weaving  were  done.  John 
Carter  conducted  a  linseed  oil  mill  in  the  northern  part  of  town  on  a 
small  scale.     The  machinery  was  operated  by  cattle  on  an  inclined  plane. 


106 


HISTORY  OF  MORGAN  COUNTY. 


PLATTING   OF   THE    VILLAGE. 

In  the  fall  of  1824,  Mr.  Moore,  who  had  purchased  the  land  where 
the  town  now  stands,  employed  a  surveyor  and  laid  out  the  village,  which 
was  named  in  his  honor.     The  plat  was  as  follows  : 

North. 


BLOCK  £ 
16  Lots. 


BLOCK  4, 
16  Lots. 


"West. 


Main 


Street. 


BLOCK  2, 
16  Lots. 


BLOCK  1, 
16  Lots. 


South. 


East. 


INCORPORATION    OF    MOORESVILLE. 

The  growth  of  the  village  during  the  twenties  was  so  rapid  that  in 
1831  the  population  was  over  200,  and  every  business  industry  was  full 
of  promise.  In  March,  1831,  the  question  of  incorporating  the  town 
was  submitted  to  the  citizens,  and  carried  by  a  majority  of  twenty-four 
votes,  the  total  vote  being  thirty-two.  At  the  same  time,  a  large  addition 
of  140  lots  was  laid  out  and  offered  for  sale,  with  many  buyers.  The 
town  was  accordingly  incorporated,  and  the  following  men  were  the  first 
Trustees  :  Samuel  Moore,  Asa  Bales,  W.  C.  Cline,  J.  S.  Kelley  and 
James  Bradshaw.  After  about  two  years,  the  municipal  government  died 
out,  but  was  again  revived  in  1838,  since  which  time,  if  reports  are  cor- 
rect, it  has  been  maintained.  A  jail  was  built  in  the  thirties,  to  accom- 
modate the  disorderly.  The  town  ordinances  were  published  in  the 
Chronicle,  edited  at  Mooresville  in  1846  and  until  about  1851  by  T.  J. 
Worth.  This  paper  was  an  important  factor  at  Mooresville,  but  was  not 
supported  to  satisfy  the  owner,  who  removed  it  to  the  county  seat.  The 
surrounding  country,  however,  could  not  afford  to  do  much  better,  as  it 
was  taken  in  all  families. 

LATER    INDUSTRIAL    PURSUITS. 

Sheets  &  Brothers  engaged  in  the  mercantile  business  soon  after  1850- 
W.  H.  P.  Woodward  began  in  1857,  his  partner  being  Mr.  Fogleman. 
Later  came  Thornburg  &  Son,  Robert  R.  Scott,  A.  B.  Gregory,  Calvin 
Moore,  who  owned  the  first  drug  store  ;  Woodward  &  Hinson,  grocers  ; 
Joseph  Pool,  drugs  ;  G.  W.  Ross,  same ;  Frank  Hadley,  same  ;  Harvey, 
same  ;  Clinton  Hadley,  the  present  druggist ;  Rusie  &  Richardson,  stoves, 
about  twenty  years  ago  ;  Michael  Rusie,  hardware,  in  the  fifties,  and 
many  others.     The  population  of  the  town  in  1850  was  about  500. 


BROWN  TOWNSHIP  AND  MOORESVILLE.  107 

PRESENT    BUSINESS    ENTERPRISES. 

Dry  goods,  J.  H.  Thompson  &  Son,  Fred  Sheets  &  Bro.,  W.  H.  P. 
Woodward,  Parker  &  Co.;  hardware,  T.  A.  Richardson  ;  grocers,  John 
A.  Newman,  W.  H.  P.  Woodward,  Leathers  Bros.,  Peter  Farmer  ;  drugs, 
G.  W.  Bass,  C.  C.  Hadley,  S.  M.  Hadley  ;  millinery,  Carrie  Rusie  ; 
restaurants,  L.  D.  Comer  ;  butchers,  T.  H.  Prather,  Chris  Egler  ;  livery, 
Hamilton  Jackson  &  Bro.,  Charles  Wellman  ;  harness,  B.  F.  Jones  ; 
carriages,  Leander  Shanafelt,  W.  H.  White  ;  grist  mill,  Smith  &  Hiatt ; 
saw  mill  and  planing  mill,  Mathew  Comer;  tile  factory,  A.  W.  Hadley  & 
Bro.;  lumber  yard,  Eli  Sumner  ;  grain  buyers.  Smith  &  Hiatt,  Mr.  Mars- 
ley  ;  creamery,  Jordan  &  Co.;  photographer,  I.  P.  Calvert ;  printing 
offices,  W.  H.  Hunt,  Larkin  Elliott  ;  hotels,  Merrick,  Wellman,  Mc- 
Cracken  ;  barbers,  William  Woods,  Solomon  Russell ;  furniture,  J.  H. 
Rusie ;  boots  and  shoes,  0.  E.  Rooker  ;  brick,  Ayres  &  Dane,  P.  Fields, 
Cooper,  Mr.  Dolan  ;  contractors,  Manker  &  Cooper,  Comer  &  Marine. 

THE    EARLY    AND    SUBSEQUENT    SCHOOLS. 

It  is  said  that  Grant  Stafford  taught  school  near  Judge  Hiram  Mat- 
thews' during  the  winter  of  1821-22.  If  this  is  a  fact,  it  was  no  doubt 
the  first  in  the  township.  The  writer  has  been  unable  to  get  at  the  facts. 
It  is  known  that  school  was  taught  in  that  vicinity  very  early.  Barclay 
Burris  taught  about  a  mile  east  of  Mooresville  in  1823,  or  perhaps  1821. 
Sessions  were  held  almost  continuously  in  these  two  neighborhoods  after 
these  first  terms.  Log  schoolhouses  were  erected  in  both  neighborhoods 
about  1826.  A  school  was  started  by  the  Friends  a  mile  or  two  west  of 
town  about  the  same  time.  This  school  for  many  years  was  the  best  in 
the  township,  not  even  excepting  the  one  at  Mooresville.  They  were 
prominent  people,  and  many  of  them  being  in  good  circumstances  could 
afford  to  have  good  schools  early.  Asa  Bales,  the  first  resident  of  Moores- 
ville, with  whom  Samuel  Moore  boarded  while  engaged  early  in  his  store, 
was  no  doubt  the  first  teacher  in  the  town.  He  taught  in  a  small  log 
cabin,  and  had  about  ten  scholars,  including,  if  reports  are  correct,  sev- 
eral of  his  own.  After  this  the  growth  of  the  town  was  so  rapid  that 
schools  were  taught  there  continuously.  Horatio  N.  Teacle  was  an  early 
teacher  east  of  town,  in  the  Bray  neighborhood.  Willis  Conduitt,  father 
of  A.  B.  Conduitt,  of  Indianapolis,  taught  school  in  the  Carter  neighbor- 
hood during  the  very  cold  winter  of  1825-26.  When  the  teacher 
reached  the  house  on  Christmas  morning,  he  found  that  his  large  scholars 
had  barred  the  door,  and  he  was  refused  entrance  unless  he  treated.  He 
accordingly  went  to  town  and  bought  about  a  gallon  of  whisky,  which  he 
divided  out  among  his  pupils,  and  was  then  permitted  to  resume  his  duties 
in-doors.  Some  of  the  boys  became  too  full  (fool)  for  utterance,  and  were 
sent  home  in  disgrace.  J.  D.  Carter  was  one  of  the  number.  He  went 
home  swaggering,  happy  as  a  lark,  loaded  to  the  muzzle  with  a  ceaseless 
fire  of  talk,  but  his  father  quietly  took  down  the  big  gad  and  gave  the 
boy  a  dressing  that  he  remembers  until  the  present.  The  remedy  was 
corrective,  as  that  was  the  first,  last  and  only  boozy  experience  Mr.  Car- 
ter ever  had. 

By  the  year  1828,  the  schools  of  Mooresville  had  become  so  excellent 


108  HISTORY  OF   MORGAN   COUNTY. 

that  the  citizens  organized  or  established  the  Mooresville  School  Society. 
The  meeting  was  held  at  the  house  of  Samuel  Moore,  and  the  following 
oflScers  of  the  society  were  elected:  W.  C.  Conduitt.  President;  Asa 
Bales,  Secretary ;  D.  G.  Worth,  W.  C.  Conduitt,  Alexander  Worth, 
Joel  Dixon  and  Asa  Bales,  Trustees.  The  President  of  this  educational 
society  was  an  experienced  school  teacher  himself,  and  a  man  of  consid- 
erable learning.  He  taught  quite  early  in  town.  Late  in  the  twenties,  a 
brick  schoolhouse  was  built  in  the  village  under  the  direction  of  the 
society.  It  was  a  substantial  building  containing  one  room,  in  which 
good  teachers  were  employed  at  comfortable  wages.  The  house  cost 
about  ^600,  and  was  constantly  used  for  religious  purposes  and  as  a  debat- 
ing and  lecturing  room.  Two  teachers  in  this  house  were  E.  H.  Waugh 
and  R.  E.  Preston.  Late  in  the  forties,  it  was  succeeded  by  a  frame 
building  containing  two  rooms,  which  cost  $800.  This  house  was  used 
until  the  Friends'  Schoolhouse  was  built  in  1861  in  the  western  part  of 
town,  at  a  cost  of  $4,500.  Much  of  the  fund  was  raised  by  donation 
from  all  the  citizens  who  were  to  be  permitted  to  send  their  children 
there,  though  the  Friends  were  to  have  control.  In  about  1870,  the  town 
became  an  independent  school  district,  whereupon  the  schoolhouse  was 
purchased  of  the  Quakers  for  $5,000,  and  the  latter  very  justly  refunded 
the  amount  with  interest,  which  had  been  donated  by  the  other  citizens 
in  1861.  Prof.  Stewart  was  the  first  teacher  in  this  house,  his  term  being 
the  winter  of  1861-62.  He  continued  to  teach  for  three  years,  when  he 
was  superseded  by  Joseph  Poole.  After  the  independent  district  was 
formed,  the  first  Principal  was  Harrison  Hubbard.  He  was  paid  $3.89 
per  diem.  His  assistants  were  Isaac  Jones,  who  received  $2.75  per  day, 
and  Emma  Clawson,  who  received  $2  per  day.  Since  then  the  Princi- 
pals have  been  John  H.  Beason,  William  C.  Hinson,  James  Hunt,  Mary 
McNabb,  William  M.  Hadley,  A.  W.  Macy,  Stephen  Hunt,  F.  J.  By  era, 
0.  C.  Charlton,  C.  P.  Eppert,  two  years ;  Elam  Harvey,  three  years. 
The  assistants,  beginning  in  1871,  have  been  Louisa  Harvey,  Eloise  Tay- 
lor, James  Hunt,  Mary  JitHunt,  Mattie  Pray,  Mary  McNabb,  Edna  C. 
Street,  Cecilia  Hadley,  Elam  Harvey,  Elvira  Harnaday,  Emma  Thomp- 
son, Susan  Wilson,  Hattie  Cox,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Perigo,  J.  H.  Woods, 
Anna  Hadley,  A.  W.  Macy,  Elvira  Perce,  Rolena  Hadley,  Jennie  Til- 
ford  and  Frank  Manker.  As  high  as  five  teachers  have  been  employed 
at  one  time.  A  large  addition  to  the  schoolhouse  is  being  constructed  the 
present  year,  which  will  cost  about  $4,000. 

SECRET    SOCIETIES. 

The  writer  endeavored  to  get  access  to  the  records  of  the  Masonic 
Lodge  at  Mooresville ;  but  as  the  members  he  talked  with  seemed  to 
care  but  little  whether  a  sketch  of  it  was  written  or  not,  and  made  no  efi"ort 
to  furnish  the  necessary  facts,  they  cannot  appear  in  these  pages.  The 
lodge  is  an  old  one,  extending  back,  if  reports  are  reliable,  into  the  forties. 
Morgan  Lodge,  No.  211,  Odd  Fellows,  was  established  in  July,  1859, 
with  the  following  charter  members  :  W.  G.  Cook,  John  H.  Rusie,  B.  B. 
Wright,  T.  N.  Peoples,  A.  T.  Manker,  Reuben  Harris  and  Richard  P. 
Johnson.     The  first  officers  were  W.  G.  Cook,  N.  G.  ;  B.  B.  Wright,  V. 


BROWN  TOWNSHIP  AND  MOORESVILLE.  109 

G.  ;  T.  N.  Peoples,  Secretary.  In  1881,  their  fine  brick  building  was 
destroyed  by  fire,  and  ■vvith  it  all  their  personal  effects.  The  building  has 
been  rebuilt.  The  lodge  is  in  excellent  financial  condition,  with  property, 
including  cash,  valued  at  $5,000.  In  1866,  Mooresville  Encampment, 
No.  74,  was  established. 

THE    BANKING    BUSINESS. 

The  Savings  Bank  of  Mooresville  was  established  in  August,  1872, 
the  first  officers  being  A.  W.  Reagan,  President ;  Allen  Hadley,  Vice 
President :  Alexander  Worth,  Secretary  and  Cashier.  In  1873,  the  estab- 
lishment became  known  as  the  Farmers'  Bank,  with  a  cash  capital  of 
^30,000,  which  was  afterward  increased  to  $50,000,  but  later  decreased 
to  $35,000.  The  following  men  were  stockholders  :  Dr.  A.  W.  Reagan, 
Joseph  Pool,  L.  M.  Hadley,  Eli  J.  Sumner,  Allen  Hadley,  F.  Sheets  & 
Bro.,  Giles  B.  Mitchell,  J.  L.  Moffitt,  Joel  Jessup,  Alexander  Worth, 
Jackson  Jessup,  Ilolman  Johnson,  J.  F.  Hadley,  Joseph  N.  Taylor, 
Aaron  Mills,  Ira  M.  Bray,  W.  B.  Thompson  and  John  Sheets.  The 
Presidents  of  the  bank  have  been  Giles  B.  Mitchell,  Charles  Reeve  and 
H.  Satterwhite.  The  Cashiers  have  been  A.  Worth,  J.  A.  Taylor,  W.  F. 
Hadley.     The  following  is  the  present  financial  condition  of  the  bank  : 

LIABILITIES. 

Capital $35,000  00 

Surplus 4,5:^5  00 

Interest 3,337  65 

Deposit 55,969  02 

Certificate 8,132  79 

Unpaid   Dividend 56  00 


Cash 

RESOURCES. 

..     $4  008  47 

Bills  Receivable. 

68,558  33 

Real  Estate 

Expense 

..     14,278  45 
1,258  31 

Furniture 

Tax     . 

..       2,513  81 

239  86 

Indianapolis  National  Bank.. 

Winslow  &  Co 

Drafts 

..     20,837  23 

318  83 

7  17 

Total 

..$107,020  46 

Total $107,020  46 


RELIGIOUS    DEVELOPMENSv' 

Since  the  earliest  times,  the  religious  sentiment  has  been  stronger  in 
Brown  Township  than  perhaps  any  other  portion  in  the  county  of  equal 
or  less  extent.  The  first  settlements  were  no  sooner  formed  than  min- 
isters began  to  appear,  and  classes  began  to  arm  themselves  for  the  good 
fight.  The  organization  of  all  the  classes  cannot  be  given,  though  many 
of  the  names  of  those  prominently  connected  with  religious  interests  have 
been  wrested  from  swift-approaching  oblivion.  The  Methodist  class  at 
Mooresville  was  really  founded  by  Eliza  Moore,  wife  of  Samuel  Moore, 
not  far  from  the  year  1828.  Indeed,  she  was  about  the  only  member  at 
first,  but  she  was  soon  joined  by  Eli  Tansey  and  wife,  Jesse  S.  Rooker 
and  wife,  Joseph  Hunt  and  wife,  and  William  C.  Cline  and  wife.  The 
Sunday  school  for  this  class  was  established  in  1835,  by  Rev.  John  Will- 
iams. In  1839,  the  members  of  this  church  were  the  families  of  the 
following  persons:  Samuel  J.  Black,  James  Kelley,  Samuel  Stevenson,  Isaac 
Williams,  William  Herrold,  Daniel  Cox,  Jacob  L.  Pfoff,  Alexander  Worth, 
Daniel  May,  William  McClelland,  William  Carlisle,  Jonathan  Hunt,  Jacob 
Shanafelt,  Joseph  L.  Cox,  David  Shanafelt,  Daniel  Day,  Joseph  Hiatt, 
William  M.  Black,  J.  W.  Richards,  William  C.  Cline,  Eliza  Moore,  John 


110  HISTORY   OF   MORGAN   COUNTY. 

Hardrick,  Harris  Bray,  William  A.  Blair,  Gabriel  Coble  and  J.  W. 
Thompson.  A  very  large  revival  had  occurred  two  years  before,  by  which 
the  class  had  been  multiplied  nearly  tenfold.  The  old  brick  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church  was  built  in  1839,  under  the  direction  of  James  Kelley, 
William  McClelland.  Daniel  Day,  W.  M.  Black  and  J.  W.  Richards, 
Trustees.  The  fund  was  raised  by  subscription,  the  following  men  head- 
ing the  list:  James  S.  Kelley,  ^200;  Samuel  Moore  (who  was  not  a 
member),  ^200;  Alexander  Worth,  $125  ;  Joseph  Hiatt,  ^50;  Daniel 
Day,  §50;  Joseph  Moon,  §50.  The  total  subscription  was  ^1, 713. 82; 
shrinkage,  §1^^6.95;  expended  upon  the  church,  §1, 516. 87.  This  church 
was  dedicated  in  the  fall  of  1839  by  Bishop  Simpson.  Isaac  Crawford 
and  Thomas  S.  Rucker  were  the  ministers  in  charge  of  the  class  when  the 
house  was  built.  This  old  house  was  used  until  the  present  fine  brick 
structure  was  built  in  1882,  at  a  cost  of  about  $6,000.  The  class  has 
ever  been  strong  and  prosperous. 

The  old  Methodist  class,  about  three  miles  southwest  of  town,  was 
organized  about  182^.  Among  the  early  members  were  the  families  of 
Benjamin  Cuthbert.  Jeremiah  Johnson,  Thomas  Gripham,  Nathan  Nich- 
ols, John  Cole,  Charles  Fowler.  Mr.  Cuthbert  furnished  about  an  acre 
of  land  for  the  nominal  sum  of  ^1,  to  be  used  for  church  purposes.  This 
class  was  a  branch  of  the  old  one,  near  the  residence  of  Benjamin  Thorn- 
burgh.  It  is  likely  that  the  latter  class  was  the  first  Methodist  Episcopal 
organization  in  Morgan  County^.  The  first  sermon  was  preached  at  the 
house  of  John  Martin,  by  Rev.  Reuben^Claypool,  in  the  year  1821.  The 
marriage  of  Mr.  Claypool  to  Martha  Russell  is  said  to  have  been>the  first 
in  the  county.  The  ceremony  was  performed  before  the  county  was  or- 
ganized. The  class  was  fully  organized  in  1821,  and  meetings  were  mostly 
held  that  year  at  the  cabin  of  Mr.  Martin,  and  the  following  year  at  that  of 
William  Rooker.  Among  the  first  members  were  John  Maitin,  class  leader, 
Mary  Martin,  William  Gregory,  Thomas  Gregory,  Daniel  Gregory.  Levi 
Plummer,  Patsey  Plummer,  George  Crutchfield,  Anna  Crutchfield,  Catha- 
rine Crutchfield,  Nancy  Crutchfield,  Thomas  Gresham,  Sarah  Gresham, 
Samuel  Jones,  Jesse  Rooker,  Candes  Rooker,  Mother  Monical.  William 
Rooker,  Nancy  Rooker,  Rev.  Peter  Monical,  Hannah  Monical,  Wesley 
Monical.  Catharine  Monical.  Benjamin  Thornburg,  Susan  Thornburg, 
Eli  Tansey,  Edith  Tansey,  Hiram  Tansey,  Able  Tansey  and  many  others 
later.  By  the  year  1825,  the  class  was  large  and  prosperous.  In  1826, 
Rev.  John  Strange  held  a  famous  revival,  which  largely  increased  the 
membership  of  the  church.  Several  of  the  early  ministers  were  Peter 
Monical,  Samuel  Hamilton,  James  Armstrong,  Allen  Wiley  and  E.  R. 
Ames.  This  first  church  was  built  late  in  the  twenties,  and  was  the  first 
in  the  county.  This  class  is  yet  in  existence,  and  has  five  or  six  branches. 
•Vll  of  the  early  Methodist  Churches  in  that  vicinity  sprang  from  this. 
It  was  called  the  White  Lick  Methodist  Church.  The  Quakers  fully 
organized  their  class  in  1822,  at  the  house  of  Asa  Bales,  where  meetings 
were  held  for  some  time.  In  a  few  years  the  class  was  about  as  strong 
as  that  of  the  Methodists ;  indeed,  these  two  classes  were  the  strongest 
and  most  important  features  in  the  northern  part  of  the  county  in  early 
years.  Under  the  supervision  of  the  Quakers,  the  Sulphur  Spring  School, 
in  the  western  part  of  Brown  Township,  became  at  that  time  the  largest, 


JACKSON  TOWNSHIP.  Ill 

most  prosperous  and  most  important  school  in  Morgan  County.  Their 
church  was  called  the  White  Lick  Society  of  Friends.  The  Quaker 
Church  in  the  eastern  part  of  Monroe  Township  is  a  branch  of  this. 
Their  first  building  was  erected  late  in  the  twenties.  Among  the  leading 
members  w^ere  the  Doans,  the  Hadleys,  the  Harveys,  the  Tanseys,  the 
Baleses,  the  Bowleses,  the  Dixons,  and  many  others.  Their  second 
church  was  built  in  Mooresville  during  the  last  war.  The  Christians 
have  a  class  at  Mooresville  at  present.  The  class  was  organized  in  the 
forties,  and  their  church  was  built  soon  after  1850.  Other  classes  have 
flourished  in  the  township. 


JACKSOxN  TOWNSHIP. 


THE    ENTRY    OF    LAND. 

THE  location  of  Jackson  Township,  remote  from  any  considerable 
water-course,  delayed  its  settlement  for  a  few  years.  The  valley  of 
Indian  Creek,  however,  was  too  rich  a  tract  of  country  to  remain  long  in 
its  primitive  state,  and  about  the  middle,.of  the  twenties  the  settlers  began 
to  arrive,  but  not  in  considerable  numbers  until  the  thirties,  at  which  time 
the  greater  portion  of  the  land  was  entered  by  actual  residents.  The 
first  man,  if  accounts  are  correct,  to  locate  permanently  in  the  township 
was  John  Hamilton.  He  came  to  the  township  in  1825,  and  the  follow- 
ing year  entered  a  tract  of  land  where  now  stands  the  thriving  little  vil- 
lage of  Morgantown.  He  had  a  family  of  five  or  six  children.  He  was 
scarcely  in  the  township  before  he  was  joined  by  Daniel  Troxel,  Thomas 
Teeter,  Samuel  Teeter,  Robert  Bowles,  John  Shrura,  William  Williams, 
Sampson  Canatsey  and  a  few  others,  all  ot  whom  located  in  the  vicinity 
of  Morgantown  on  Sections  24  and  25.  It  cannot  be  stated  with  any 
certainty  that  Mr.  Hamilton  was  the  first  settler.  Indeed  there  are  evi- 
dences that  he  was  not.  The  first  land  entered  from  the  Government  in 
the  township  was  on  Section  1  in  July,  1821,  by  William  W.  Drew  and 
Elisha  Herndon,  but  if  reports  are  reliable  neither  of  these  men  resided 
in  the  township.  William  Harriman  entered  a  tract  on  Section  26  in 
1824,  but  it  is  stated  that  he  did  not  reside  there.  He  lived  in  Wash- 
ington Township.  William  Knox  came  in  1828,  locating  on  Section  25, 
and  Charles  Ross  in  1827,  on  Section  26.  Henry  Adams  bought  land 
on  Section  13  in  1828,  and  Jesse  Daugherty  on  Section  21  the  same  year, 
Finney  Courtney  and  Jonathan  Hostettei'  entered  land  on  Section  26  in 
1826,  but  no  traces  of  their  residence  in  the  township  could  be  found. 
They  probably  soon  sold  out  to  actual  residents.  Thomas  Hudiburgh 
entered  a  tract  on  Section  26  in  1828,  and  another  tract  on  Section  27 
the  same  time.  These  were  about  the  only  land  owners  who  had  entered 
their  farms  from  the  Government  in  the  twenties,  but  there  were  other 
families  in  the  township  who  were  too  poor  to  purchase  land,  and  then 
again,  there  were  other  families  who  had  bought  their  farms  second-hand. 
The  names  of  such  cannot  be  given. 


112  HISTORY   OF   MORGAN  COUNTY. 

The  settlement  receiveil  great  aocassioiis  early  in  the  thirties.  It  was 
the  custom  in  that  day,  and  naturally  enough,  for  families  to  locate  near 
each  other.  Occasionally  a  man  had  the  hardihood  to  go  out  into  the 
woods  eight  or  ten  miles  from  any  other  resident,  but  circumstances  of 
this  kind  usually  only  occurred  with  the  very  earliest  families,  who  were 
sure  to  be  soon  joined  by  others,  and  thus  a  small  settlement  or  colony 
would  be  formed  with  the  said  first  settler  as  the  founder  thereof.  Early 
in  the  thirties,  families  began  to  locate  in  all  parts  of  the  township,  and 
the  neighborhoods  of  unijnproved  land  were  soon  a  thing  of  the  past. 
Among  those  who  bought  land  and  settled  in  the  township  were  the  fol- 
lowing: James  Blair.  Robert  Grant,  Elijah  VandergriiT,  John  Gross, 
Benjamin  Roberts,  Francis  Helton,  Thomas  Barnes,  Abraham  Cooper, 
John  Francis,  James  Hamilton,  James  Dillon,  Robert  Bowles,  Edward 
Choat,  Jacob  Haase,  Samuel  Kemp,  Henry  Kephart,  James  T.  Hickman, 
Emery  Norman,  Alexander  B.  Kelso,  Charles  B.  Kelso,  William  Nor- 
man, John  Whitington,  William  Kent,  .John  Kemp,  Jacob  Adams,  Josiah 
Clendenen,  Samuel  Troxell,  James  B.  Kelso,  Avery  Magee,  Randolph 
Lawrence,  Peter  Epperson,  Daniel  Shireman.  David  Haase,  Daniel 
Avery,  Hugh  Adams,  Milton  Hickson,  Daniel  Adams,  Henry  Hamilton, 
William  Kemp,  Wilburn  Kemp,  Peter  Dill,  Abraham  Kephart,  Samuel 
H.  Voils,  Stephen  Howell,  William  Howell,  Thomas  Ross,  Mitchell  Ross, 
James  Little,  Ctiarles  Leonard,  Isaac  Gross,  Benjamin  Reynolds,  John 
Lake,  James  Kemp,  W.  W.  Helton,  Joshua  Bowles,  Evan  Reynolds, 
Samuel  Hudiburgh,  Abraham  2vlull,  Jacob  Sipes,  Joseph  Reeder,  Tal- 
mon  Groves,  William  Williams,  William  Norman,  J.  M.  Coonfield,  Peter 
Reeder,  Anthony  Bowles,  Thomas  Owen,  Henry  Lawrence,  John  Kenley, 
and  many  others  in  the  thirties. 

POLL  TAX  PAYERS  OF  1842. 

Jacob  Adams,  Henry  Adams,  Hugh  Adams,  Daniel  Avery,  William 
Armstrong,  Sampson  Canatsey,  Lewis  M.  Coffey,  Joshua  Canady,  Will- 
iam Bowles,  Alexander  Blair,  Peter  Bandy,  Joshua  Bowles,  Anthony 
Bowles,  Benjamin  Bowles,  Peter  Dill,  George  Downing,  Preston  Doty, 
William  D.  Dunn.  Peter  Epperson,  Thomas  Edwards,  William  Fesler, 
John  Fesler,  John  Farley,  Jacob  Gross,  Reuben  Griffith,  Charles  Garri- 
son, M.  R.  Guthridge,  Wesley  Gross,  John  Gerbalt,  William  Howell. 
John  Hackney,  John  G.  Hine,  John  Haase,  William  Hamilton,  Samuel 
Hamilton,  Samuel  Hudiburgh,  David  Haase,  W.  W.  Helton,  Charles 
Hess,  Christopher  Hess,  Absalom  Haase,  David  Howell,  Noah  Haase, 
Ephraim  Haase,  A.  B.  Hart,  B.  Johnson,  William  Jenkins,  John  John- 
son, William  Kent,  John  Kenley,  Samuel  Kemp,  John  Kelso,  John 
Kemp,  William  Kemp,  William  Kephart,  Harvey  Keeney,  Andrew. 
Knox,  William  Keeney,  Jackson  Keeney,  George  Kephart,  James  J. 
King,  Charles  Landers,  Owen  Lloyd,  Timothy  Lake,  John  Lake,  Hiram 
Logston,  George  Lake,  Lewis  Lake,  Amos  Lawrence,  Fred  Miller,  Abe 
Mull,  Mordecai  Meadows,  Christian  Miller,  James  Norman,  Emery  Nor- 
man, William  Norman,  Daniel  Norman,  Thomas  Owen,  Timothy  Open- 
chain,  Benjamin  Perry,  Stephen  Perry,  William  Palmer,  Thomas  Ross, 
Joseph  Reeder,  William  Roach,  Benjamin  Roberts,  Irvin  Reynolds,  Will- 
iam   Reeder,    W.  E.   Roach,    George    Troxell,    John    Trower,  John    B. 


JACKSON   TOWNSHIP.  118 

Thacker,  Samuel  Voils,  Joseph  Voils,  Samuel  VandergrifF,  Elijah  Van- 
dergriff,  Blisha  Vandergriff,  William  Woods,  William  Wallace,  J.  F. 
Whetstine,  Edward  Watson,  John  Williams,  Emanuel  Whetstine,  Joel 
Williams,  Frank  Worley,  Abijah  Watkins  and  Charles  Whitaker. 

REMINISCENCES  AND  NOTES. 

By  the  year  1842,  the  township  tvas  quite  well  settled  and  the  citi- 
zens were  in  better  circumstances  and  more  comfortable.  The  log  cabin 
was  still  the  rule,  but  a  few  frame  houses  had  made  their  appearance. 
The  wild  animals  had  largely  disappeared.  Even  deer  had  become  some- 
what scarce,  though  down  in  Brown  County  among  the  precipitous  ra- 
vines and  almost  impenetrable  woods,  all  of  the  native  wild  animals  could 
still  be  found,  not  excepting  bears  and  panthers.  These  were  rare,  but 
still  they  were  there  for  the  hunter  who  had  sufficient  courage  to  follow 
them  to  their  lairs.  Deer  were  very  numerous  there  yet,  and  many  in- 
teresting incidents  could  be  told  of  the  hairbreadth  escapes  of  those  of 
Jackson  Township  who  went  down  there  on  hunting  excursions.  Deer, 
wolves,  catamounts,  foxes,  wild  turkeys,  myriads  of  squirrels,  snakes, 
wild  cats,  etc.,  etc.,  were  still  found  in  Jackson  in  greater  or  less  abun- 
dance. The  earliest  settlers  in  Jackson  had  a  picnic,  so  to  speak.  John 
Hamilton,  who  lived  near  Morgantown,  tells  of  shooting  wild  turkeys  and 
deer  on  the  present  town  site  almost  every  morning,  or  whenever  they 
were  required  for  food  or  otherwise.  He  would  get  up  just  as  the  light 
began  to  break  in  the  East,  take  his  rifle,  walk  out  a  few  hundred  yards 
from  his  cabin,  and  in  a  few  minutes  the  crack  of  his  rifle  would  announce 
the  death  of  either  a  deer  or  a  wild  turkey.  The  latter  in  the  fall  of  the 
year  became  often  very  fat.  It  is  stoutly  averred  by  old  settlers,  that 
sometimes  when  they  were  shot  from  the  top  of  the  high  trees  and  fell  the 
long  distance  on  the  hard  ground,  the  skin  upon  their  backs  burst  open 
like  a  ripe  pod.  This  sounds  "fishy ''  now,  but  no  doubt  the  old  settlers 
state  the  truth.  Take  such  a  bird,  pluck  it  and  dress  it,  and  roast  it  to 
a  ripe  brown  before  the  fire-place,  and  then  garnish  it  with  rich  dressing 
and  smother  it  in  delicious  gravy  and  the  old  settlers  had  a  least  fit  for 
the  gods.  It  makes  the  mouth  water  to  think  of  it.  A  great  sport  in 
early  times  was  the  hunting  of  bee  trees.  It  may  not  be  generally  known, 
yet  it  is  a  fact  that  wild  bees  are  unknown  far  out  in  the  wilderness,  hun- 
dreds of  miles  from  human  habitation.  They  are  like  the  pioneer  hunters, 
and  just  precede  the  advance  guard  of  pioneers.  It  required  some  experi- 
ence to  be  able  to  find  bee  trees  readily.  In  the  summer  the  flight  of  the 
bees  was  watched  and  the  direction  taken  followed.  A  close  and  experi- 
enced observer  could  thus  trace  them  to  their  store  of  sweets.  It  could 
be  told  fairly  well,  also,  when  a  bee  was  coming  from  the  hive  or  return- 
ing. An  examination  of  its  honey  bags  would  reveal  whether  it  was 
loaded  or  not.  If  it  was  loaded  and  on  the  wing,  its  course  was  a  "bee 
line"  for  its  hive,  otherwise  it  was  seeking  some  flowery  pasture.  In  the 
winter  time  when  the  snow  was  on  the  ground,  bees  would  venture  out  of 
their  trees  on  warm  days,  would  be  frozen  to  death  and  would  drop  on  the 
snow,  where  their  bodies  would  cause  a  yellow  discoloration  of  two  or 
three  inches  in  diameter.  A  cluster  of  these  yellow  spots  could  be  seen  a 
long  distance — often  twenty  or  thirty  rods,  and  the  location  of  the  bee 


114  HISTORV    OF   MORGAN   COUNTY. 

trees  could  thus  be  found.  The  Hamiltons,  on  one  occasion,  discovered  a 
fine  bee  tree  on  the  present  site  of  Morgantown,  from  which  almost  a  tub- 
ful  of  the  finest  candied  honey  was  obtained.  The  old  settlers,  many  of 
them,  did  not  fare  so  badly  after  all. 

INCIDENTS    OF    THE    CHASE. 

One  day  Mr.  Daugherty  discovered  a  half-grown  bear  near  his  cabin. 
The  details  of  the  encounter  which  occurred  are  not  fully  known,  but 
were  about  as  follows  :  He  took  his  rifle  and  a  big  butcher  knife  and  ac- 
companied by  his  dog  cautiously  approached  the  bear,  which  he  fired  upon, 
but  for  some  reason  only  gave  it  an  ugly  wound.  The  shock  prostrated 
the  animal  and  Mr.  Daugherty,  who  was  near,  hurried  up  to  bleed  it,  but 
when  within  a  few  feet  of  it  the  savage  animal  sprang  up,  and  in  a 
moment  was  upon  the  settler  with  mouth  open  and  eyes  of  fire.  Mr. 
Daugherty  was  a  man  of  great  physical  strength  and  courage,  and  when 
he  thus  found  himself  in  the  embrace  of  the  bear,  he  began  to  ply  his 
butcher  knife  with  all  his  strength  and  skill.  Ere  many  blows  were 
struck,  however,  the  knife  was  knocked  from  his  hand.  In  the  meantime, 
the  dog  had  been  gnawing  industriously  at  the  posterior  extremity  of  the 
bear,  but  seemed  to  make  scarcely  any  impression.  About  the  time  the 
knife  was  knocked  down,  Mrs.  Daugherty  appeared  upon  the  scene, 
armed  with  a  sharp  case-knife,  and  probably  the  broom,  and  Mr.  Daugh- 
erty called  out  to  her  to  hand  him  the  knife,  which  she  quickly  did,  and 
the  bear,  which  was  weakening  from  the  effects  of  the  rifle  shot,  was  soon, 
dispatched.  The  struggle  had  been  very  short,  and  was  within  a  few 
rods  of  the  cabin.  The  above  is  the  way  the  story  was  told  to  the  writer. 
Another  incident  is  told  of  one  of  the  Kemps,  equally  as  thrilling.  This 
settler,  while  hunting  in  the  woods  with  his  big  dog,  saw  a  catamount, 
which  he  shot  at  and  wounded  in  the  shoulder.  He  was  so  close  to  the 
animal  that  as  soon  as  he  had  fired,  enraged  with  the  pain  of  the  shot,  it 
turned  and  bounded  for  the  hunter,  but  was  met  by  the  dog,  and  in  an 
instant  the  two  animals  were  fiercely  locked  together.  Notwithstanding 
the  wound  which  had  been  inflicted  upon  the  catamount,  the  fight  had 
scarcely  begun  ere  it  became  evident  that  the  dog  would  come  out,  so  to 
speak,  at  the  little  end  of  the  horn.  The  catamount  seized  it  by  the  neck 
and  was  furiously  shaking  it,  when  Mr.  Kemp,  who  could  not  bear  to  see 
his  faithful  old  dog  torn  in  pieces,  rushed  up,  knife  in  hand,  leaped  as- 
traddle of  the  beast  and  drove  his  knife  into  its  neck.  This  stroke  seemed 
to  settle  affairs,  as  the  catamount  released  its  hold  on  the  dog,  and  was 
soon  dead.  During  the  first  few  years,  wolves  were  very  numerous  and 
often  troublesome.  Sometimes  in  the  night,  when  the  weather  was  very 
cold  and  snow  lay  deep  upon  the  ground,  they  became  so  hungry  and 
fierce  that  they  did  not  hesitate  to  attack  even  man.  On  one  occasion, 
Hugh  Adams  went  probably  in  the  southern  part  of  the  township  for  a 
piece  of  fresh  beef,  and  upon  his  return  was  somewhat  belated.  He  had 
gone  but  a  short  distance  before  the  wolves  scented  the  fresh  meat  and 
were  soon  stealthily  following  him.  The  settler  with  his  meat  on  his 
shoulders,  all  he  could  conveniently  carry,  first  heard  the  howl  of  a  soli- 
tary wolf.  This  was  repeated,  and  another  was  heard  and  then  another 
and  another,  until  the  woods  behind  him  were  filled  with  a  chorus  of  the 


JACKSON  TOWNSHIP.  115 

terrifying  sounds.  The  traveler,  anxious  for  his  own  safety  as  well  as  for 
that  of  the  beef,  hurried  on  as  fast  as  he  could  with  his  load.  The  wolves 
came  closer  and  closer  and  then  seemed  to  hesitate,  though  they  still 
kept  coming  up.  On  ran  the  settler  and  on  came  his  pursuers.  In  a  little 
while,  the  clearing  of  home  was  reached,  and  soon  both  meat  and  settler 
were  safe  in  the  cabin.  It  was  a  narrow  escape,  as  he  would  no  doubt  have 
been  attacked.  He  could  have  thrown  down  his  beef,  which  would  have 
delayed  them,  but  they  would  have  been  all  the  hungrier  and  fiercier  for 
the  morsel.     Incidents  like  these  might  be  multiplied  without  limit. 

MILLS,    DISTILLERIES,    ETC. 

About  the  year  1830,  Joshua  Whiteley  built  a  small  corn-cracker  on 
Indian  Creek,  just  east  of  Morgan  town.  Of  course,  water  was  the 
motor,  and  the  wheel  was  of  the  tub  or  bucket  kind.  It  is  said  the  owner 
would  leave  it  for  hours  at  a  time,  and,  upon  returning,  would  find  the 
grist  ground.  He  had  an  old  dog  that  became  very  fond  of  corn  meal, 
and  sometimes  when  the  master  had  left  the  mill  to  run  itself  the  old  dog 
would  enter,  seat  himself  on  his  haunches  and  lick  up  the  meal  as  fast  as 
it  fell  from  the  spout.  The  manufacture  of  meal  was  so  slow  that  it 
would  not  come  down  as  fast  as  the  canine  desired,  whereupon  he  would 
howl  dismally  until  another  mite  had  fallen.  The  reader  may  take  the 
story  for  what  it  is  worth.  A  few  years  after  this  corn-cracker  was  built, 
James  Blair  erected  another  on  the  creek  a  short  distance  west  of  town. 
This  was  operated  until  about  1840.  when  it  was  abandoned.  Joshua 
Bowles  also  built  a  grist  mill  near  town  late  in  the  thirties,  which  ran  for 
eight  or  ten  years  and  did  good  work.  The  old  Vansicke  Mill  at  Maha- 
lasville  was  built  in  the  forties,  and  under  various  owners  and  with  many 
improvements  is  yet  in  operation.  It  was  originally  built  by  John  Coon- 
field.  David  Haase  owned  a  small  distillery  where  apple  and  peach 
brandy  and  corn  and  rye  whisky  were  manufactured.  Considerable  good 
liquor  was  made  here.  It  was  moved  across  the  line  into  Washington 
Township,  and  was  conducted  after  the  last  war. 

MORGANTOWN. 

This  town  was  first  laid  out  in  the  month  of  March,  1831,  by  Robert 
Bowles  and  Samuel  Teeters,  owners  and  proprietors.  Fifty-two  lots  were 
laid  out  on  the  east  half  of  the  northwest  quarter  of  Section  25,  and  the 
east  half  of  the  southwest  quarter  of  Section  24,  Township  11  north. 
Range  2  east.  For  some  reason  this  plat  was  not  satisfactory,  as  in  1836 
the  lots  were  laid  out  anew  (on  the  south  side  of  the  main  east  and  west 
street  at  least).  The  first  resident  on  the  present  town  site  was  no  doubt 
Samuel  Teeters,  who  located  there  in  1828.  He  was  afterward  joined  by 
John  Bowles,  John  Whitington,  Avery  Magee,  Andrew  Shell,  Thomas 
Hudiburgh,  Hugh  Adams,  Thomas  Lockhart,  John  Fee,  Samuel  Law- 
rence, William  Woods,  James  Mclntire.  John  Fesler,  William  Fesler, 
James  Pratt,  John  Francis,  Timothy  Obenchain,  Henry  Hamilton,  Robert 
McNaught,  Reuben  GriSitt,  John  Hudiburgh,  William  Fee,  Col.  John 
Vawter,  Samuel  Lawrence,  Gabriel  Givens,  Thomas  Teeters,  D.  D.  Med- 
del,  James  Blair,  J.  J.  Kelso,  and  many  others.     In  1836,  the  village  had 


116  HISTORY   OF   MORGAN   COUNTY. 

a  population  of  about  fifteen  families,  or  seventy  persons.  Dr.  Samuel  R. 
Trower  was  the  first  resident  physician  ;  James  Pratt  and  William  Fesler 
were  the  first  blacksmiths ;  John  Fee  was  the  first  Postmaster  ;  Lewis 
Lake  made  the  first  set  of  harness  in  the  town ;  William  Adams  began 
selling  liquor  in  1831,  and  Thomas  Hudiburgh  opened  a  general  store  in 
1832  ;  Henry  Hamilton  began  selling  liquor  in  1833  ;  Samuel  and  Henry 
Lawrence  and  Avery  Magee  opened  a  liquor  store  in  1834.  At  this 
time  the  sale  of  liquor  was  certainly  in  a  flourishing  condition.  It  will 
be  remembered  that  many  of  the  early  settlers  came  from  Kentucky — the 
land  of  good  whisky,  fast  horses  and  beautiful  women.  In  1835,  Col. 
John  Vawter  sent  a  stock  of  general  merchandise,  worth  about  $  3,000,  in 
charge  of  James  Chambers,  to  Morgantown,  but  did  not  go  there  himself 
until  years  afterward.  John  Fee  opened  the  first  store  of  goods,  how- 
ever, in  1834.  He  started,  it  is  said,  with  about  $2,000  worth  of  goods. 
In  1835,  Thomas  Lockhart  opened  a  liquor  store.  Liquor  establishments 
in  those  days  were  called  "groceries."  The  other  term  is  used  here  to 
prevent  misunderstanding.  Mr.  Lockhart  soon  changed  his  stock  to 
general  merchandise.  John  McKinley  opened  a  "grocery"  in  1836, 
and  James  Norman  the  same  soon  afterward.  James  Reville,  an  old 
bachelor,  commenced  selling  liquor  in  1836.  Thomas  Edwards  opened  a 
shoe  shop  in  1837.  It  was  during  this  year  that  Martin  &  Crocker 
brought  to  the  village  about  $4,000  worth  of  goods.  A  few  years  later, 
the  firm  became  Seaman  &  Crocker.  S.  R.  Trower  &  Son  became  mer- 
chants in  1837,  and  Preston  Doty  the  same  year.  Eli  Murphy  sold  mer- 
chandise in  1838.  In  1839,  H.  C.  Martin,  who  had  been  in  with 
Crocker,  started  a  new  store  on  his  own  account.  E.  St.  John  sold  liquor 
in  1839.  Vawter,  Hudiburgh,  Trower,  Fee,  the  Lawrences,  Hamilton, 
Peter  Keeney,  and  perhaps  others,  were  in  business  in  1839  and  1840. 
In  1841,  Downing  &  Guthridge  opened  a  store.  During  the  forties,  the 
leading  merchants  were  several  of  the  above,  also  Fesler  &  Seaman, 
James  Baldwin,  Fesler  &  Egbert,  Rogers  &  Coleman,  and  others. 
Afterward  came  John  W.  Knight,  Andrew  S.  and  James  Hickey, 
John  Collett,  and  on  still  later,  Col.  W.  A.  Adams,  Butler,  Patter- 
son &  Neeley.  Col.  Vawter  continued  in  business  until  his  death  in 
about  1864.  He  started  back  in  the  thirties,  but  did  not  live  in  the 
village  until  later.  He  became  a  prominent  citizen.  R.  M.  Dill  came 
later.  William  Fesler  was  Col.  Vawter's  partner,  and  continued  the  busi- 
ness after  the  latter's  death,  and  until  his  own  death  in  1868.  Samuel 
Hamilton  was  in  the  mercantile  business  in  the  sixties.  His  successor 
was  James  Horton.  Horton's  partner  later  was  Rosengarden.  James 
Hickey,  J.  0.  &  J.  S.  Coleman,  hardware ;  Freeman  &  Montgomery, 
Mate  Kerlin,  drugs,  about  1857.  The  first  harness  shop  of  consequence 
was  kept  by  George  and  Milton  McNaught,  in  the  forties.  Thomas  A. 
Rude,  drugs ;  A.  C.  Payn,  drugs ;  Knox  &  McPheters,  drugs  ;  Ar- 
nold &  Neal,  drugs  ;  J.  S.  Kephart,  livery,  in  the  sixties ;  Rude  & 
Canatsey,  same,  burned  down ;  Israel  Egbert,  livery ;  Lee  &  Enos, 
same ;  Mrs.  Eliza  Walker,  millinery  goods,  in  the  sixties. 

MANUFACTORIES. 

Obenchain  &  Lake  owned  and  conducted  quite  an  extensive  cabinet 


JACKSON  TOWNSHIP.  117 

shop  early  in  the  forties.  The  Feslers  were  in  the  same  business,  together 
with  wagons  and  buggies,  in  the  thirties.  T.  J.  Lamb  conducted  a  wagon 
shop  later.  It  is  said  that  William  Wood  manufactured  the  first  wagons 
in  town.  One  of  the  earliest  and  most  noteworthy  industries  was  the 
linseed  oil  mill  built  by  John  Fee  about  the  year  1835.  Much  more 
flax  was  raised  in  those  times,  comparatively,  than  now.  Almost  every 
farmer  owned  a  flax  field.  The  seed  found  its  way  into  Fee's  mill,  where 
it  was  crushed  by  iron  rollers,  heated  until  the  oil  had  run  out  and  then 
pressed  into  cakes,  and  sold  for  food  to  stock.  Five  or  six  hands  were 
constantly  employed,  and  hundreds  of  gallons  of  the  oil  were  barreled 
and  transported  to  market.  The  enterprise  continued  eight  or  ten  years. 
Early  in  the  fifties,  James  McAllister  built  a  woolen  mill,  where  for  four 
or  five  years  large  amounts  of  wool  were  carded,  but  no  spinning  or 
weaving  was  done.  He  also  owned  a  saw  mill.  Mr.  Lang  built  the  big 
grist  mill  near  the  depot  many  years  ago.  The  grinding  has  run  down 
at  present.  William  "Hickey  manufactured  large  quantities  of  plug 
tobacco  about  twenty  years  ago,  continuing  about  three  years.  He  used 
all  the  tobacco  raised  for  miles  around,  and  brought  in  considerable  from 
outside  points.     The  present  population  of  the  town  is  about  800. 

PRESENT  BUSINESS  PURSUITS. 

Dry  goods,  Clarence  H.  Jones,  G.  W.  Buckner,  W.  B.  Hill,  J.  H. 
Hickey  &  Son,  Mrs.  M.  L.  Walker.  Groceries,  I.  N.  Coonfield,  Gibson 
&  Son,  Moses  Wooden.  Hardware,  George  Montgomery.  Drugs,  W. 
M.  Berry  &  Co.,  M.  T.  Hancock.  Furniture  and  undertaking,  Peter 
Fesler.  Millinery,  Mrs.  M.  L.  Walker,  Paulina  Vandergrifl",  Mrs.  L.  G. 
Karst.  Agricultural  implements,  C.  H.  Obenchain,  J.  W.  Crawford  & 
Son.  Barber,  A.  L,  Gross.  Hotels,  Charles  Saltcorn,  James  Santifer. 
Photographer,  James  Walker.  Butchers,  George  Overstreet,  Harry 
Jackson.  Carpenters  and  builders,  Fesler  Brothers,  Jeremiah  Kelso. 
Doctors,  R.  C.  Griffitt,  W.  H.  Butler,  Mr.  Seifridge,  Ira  Willen.  Saw 
mill  and  lumber,  M.  J.  Bell.  Grist  mills,  R.  M.  Dill,  W.  S.  Coleman. 
Harness,  J.  M.  Neeley.  Boots  and  shoes,  James  Hickey.  Liveries,  J. 
K.  Cofifman,  W.  H.  Fesler.  Lawyers,  Judge  Ramsey,  W.  L.  Rude,  J. 
V.  King.  Common  sense  bee  hives,  Sprague  &  Patterson.  High  School 
Professor,  James  Henry,  1882-83.  Secret  societies,  Masons,  Odd  Fel- 
lows and  Knights  of  Honor.  The  village  was  incorporated  about  1870, 
but  was  not  continued  thus. 

EDUCATION. 

Schools  were  started  in  the  vicinity  of  Morgantown,  under  the  pat- 
ronage of  the  residents  of  that  neighborhood,  about  the  year  1830.  A 
log  schoolhouse  was  built  east  of  town,  and  was  used  until  about  1834, 
when  another  was  built  in  town.  This  was  used  until  1840,  when  a 
frame  schoolhouse  took  its  place.  John  Fee  donated  the  lot.  The  first 
teacher  in  town  cannot  be  named.  Milton  Guthridge,  John  Vitito  and 
James  Hogeland  were  early  teachers,  but  not  the  first.  Early  in  the  fifties 
a  new  frame  schoolhouse  was  built  which  was  used  continuously  until  the 
present  brick  building  was  built,  about  ten  years  ago,  at  a  cost  of  $3,700, 
Mr.  Demoss  being  the  contractor.     Cathcart,  Kennedy,  Shuck,  Morris 


118  HISTORY   OF   MORGAN   COUNTY. 

and  others  have  taught  in  this  house.  It  is  a  fine  two-story  brick  build- 
ing, and  is  a  credit  to  the  town  and  township.  It  was  built  by  the  town- 
ship, and  is  called  the  Jackson  Township  High  School.  It  was  during 
the  latter  part  of  the  decade  of  the  thirties  that  schools  were  started  in  the 
western,  southern  and  northern  portions.  In  1840,  there  were  four  es- 
tablished schools,  and  in  1850,  three  more. 

RELIGIOUS    CLASSES. 

A  class  of  the  Christian  denomination  was  organized  at  Morgantown 
early  in  the  forties,  among  the  members  being  the  families  of  John  Fesler, 
Albert  Roberts,  John  Trower,  George  W.  McNaught  and  others.  The 
class  was  small  and  did  not  grow  rapidly.  After  a  few  years  they  were 
strong  enough  to  build  a  frame  church  in  the  eastern  part  of  the  town. 
This  house  was  used  until  the  present  brick  was  erected  early  in  the  sev- 
enties, at  a  cost  of  about  $8,000.  The  Methodists  had  the  first  class  in 
Morgantown.  It  was  organized  not  far  from  1836.  The  early  member- 
ship comprised  among  others  the  families  of  Reuben  Grifiitt,  A.  S. 
Hickey,  David  Howell,  James  Pratt,  John  Cochran,  Samuel  C.  Hamilton, 
James  A.  Coeplin,  Daniel  H.  Warner,  Larkin  DeHart  and  others.  In 
December,  1844,  James  Pratt,  for  |10,  deeded  to  the  class  a  piece  of 
land  31x31  feet  on  Lot  64.  upon  which  the  following  year  a  log  church 
was  built.  This  house  was  used  until  about  the  beginning  of  the  last 
war,  when  the  present  frame  structure  was  erected  at  a  cost  of  $2,000. 
The  class  is  considerably  run  down  at  present,  and  needs  some  evangelist 
to  stir  it  up.  About  1845,  a  German  Methodist  class  was  organized  in 
the  northern  part.  The  families  of  Christian  Hess,  George  Weamer, 
Michael  Knipstine,  Fred  Miller,  David  Bowling,  Conrad  Muth,  Fred 
Truckess  and  others  belonged.  The  class  divided  soon,  one  branch  be- 
coming German  Lutherans,  at  the  head  being  Michael  Knipstine,  Henry 
Cook,  Andrew  Gross  and  others.  Their  church  was  built  after  a  few 
years.  Late  in  the  forties,  the  Mount  Nebo  Methodist  Church  was  organ- 
ized. William  Howell,  Daniel  Moore,  Mansfield  Moore,  Martin  L. 
Creed,  Ed  Ferguson  and  William  H.  Jackson  were  leading  members,  the 
latter  being  pastor  in  1851.  Their  church  was  built  after  a  few  years. 
A  Baptist  Church  was  built  at  Morgantown  in  the  fifties,  the  whole  ex- 
pense, or  nearly  so,  being  borne  by  Col.  Vawter.  It  was  a  brick  build- 
ing, and  is  said  to  have  cost  $2,000.  This  church  was  succeeded,  four  or 
five  years  ago,  by  the  present  frame  building,  which  cost  $2,100.  Later 
churches  have  been  started  by  the  Methodists  and  Baptists.  There  are 
now  in  the  township  nine  churches.  This  speaks  well  for  the  morals  of 
the  township. 


CLAY  TOWNSHIP.  119 


CLAY  TOWNSHIP. 

THE    BARNES    FAMILY. 

IN  the  month  of  December,  1819,  Benjamin  Barnes,  a  resident  of 
Connersville,  Ind.,  packed  what  little  household  goods  he  owned  in  a 
wagon  drawn  by  a  yoke  of  oxen,  and  with  his  wife  and  family  of  two  sons 
and  four  daughters  started  westward  for  the  "  White  River  Country." 
This  country,  or  that  portion  of  it  known  as  the  New  Purchase,  had  been 
secured  by  treaty  from  the  Indians  only  a  little  more  than  a  year  before, 
and  was  already  attracting  the  attention  of  settlers  seeking  homes.  Mr. 
Barnes  and  family  were  accompanied  by  John  Butterfield,  Sr.,  and 
Hiatt  Butterfield  (who  was  not  a  relative  of  John  Butterfield's),  both  of 
whom  came  out  with  him  to  look  at  the  country  with  a  view  to  future 
settlement.  Not  a  hog,  sheep,  horse  or  a  head  of  cattle  except  the  yoke 
of  oxen,  was  brought  out.  Mr.  Barnes  was  poor,  and  had  not  even  enough 
money  to  enter  a  tract  of  land  had  the  same  been  in  market,  which  was 
not  yet  the  case.  The  family  crossed  White  River,  either  at  the  bluffs,  or, 
which  is  more  likely,  at  the  Stotts  settlement,  a  few  miles  farther  down 
the  river,  and  soon  arrived  at  a  point  about  two  miles  southeast  of  Center- 
ton,  where  Mr.  Barnes  decided  to  make  a  permanent  location.  The 
weather  was  cold,  and  a  temporary  camp  was  prepared  for  the  comfort  of 
the  family,  and  the  men  immediately  afterward  began  to  cut  logs  for  a 
cabin.  The  rude  building  was  completed  in  two  or  three  days,  and  the 
family  were  soon  ensconced  therein,  and  made  as  comfortable  as  possible. 
The  floor  was  the  bare  earth,  the  roof  was  bark  and  clap-boards  hastily 
cut  out,  and  the  door  was  of  the  same  material.  The  most  important 
feature  in  the  room  was  a  big  fire-place,  filled  with  blazing  logs  which  im- 
parted heat,  cheerfulness  and  comfort  to  the  small  room.  A  floor  of 
puncheons  was  afterward  added  as  soon  as  possible.  Mr.  Barnes  and  all 
the  members  of  his  family,  as  soon  as  their  home  was  made  comfortable, 
went  to  work  to  clear  and  deaden  a  tract  of  land  for  a  crop  for  the  coming 
season.  By  April,  1820,  they  had  thirty  acres  deadened,  and  partly  cleared, 
the  greater  portion  of  which  was  planted  with  corn  and  vegetables,  the 
former  having  been  brought  out  the  December  before,  and  the  latter  about 
seeding  time.  Here  the  Barnes  family  lived  for  several  years.  Their 
first  land  was  bought  on  the  5th  of  September,  1820,  the  second  day  of 
the  sale. 

OTHER    EARLY    SETTLERS. 

As  soon  as  the  Barnes  cabin  had  been  built,  John  Butterfield  went 
back  to  Connorsville  where  his  family  resided.  In  the  following  Septem- 
ber, he  went  to  Terre  Haute,  and  bought  160  acres  of  land  on  Section  1, 
Township  12  north.  Range  1  east,  lying  about  a  mile  and  a  half  south- 
east of  Centerton,  and  early  the  following  spring  (1821)  came  out  with  his 
sons  Veloriis  and  John  H.,  and  three  hired  men,  named  respectively 
Adams,  Sanford  and  Bliven,  and  in  a  few  weeks  cleared  about  six  acres. 


120  HISTORY   OF   MORGAN   COUNTY. 

and  erected  a  cabin.  A  crop  of  corn  was  cultivated  during  the  summer 
by  one  of  the  boys,  who  boarded  with  the  Barnes  family.  In  the  fall  of 
1821,  the  Butterfield  family,  consisting  of  the  father,  mother,  five  sons 
and  one  daughter,  took  up  their  permanent  residence  in  this  new 
home. 

Some  time  after  the  establishment  of  the  Stotts  settlement  in  Green 
Township  in  1819,  the  date  not  being  known,  but  certainly  prior  to  the 
1st  of  March,  1820,  Maj.  James  Stotts  and  his  son  Robert  C.  built  a 
cabin,  and  permanently  located  on  a  tract  of  land  about  three  miles  south- 
east of  Centerton.  It  is  likely  that  this  occurred  during  the  fall  of  1819, 
or  the  winter  of  1819-20.  About  the  same  time  the  family  of  John 
Hodge  located  in  the  same  neighborhood.  On  Tuesday  the  3d  of  April, 
1820,  George  Matthews  and  his  three  sons,  John,  Alfred  and  Calvin,  ac- 
companied by  a  man  named  William  Dorman,  came  in  a  wagon  drawn  by 
a  yoke  of  oxen  to  the  cabin  of  Maj.  Stotts.  There  the  rude  wagon  road 
that  had  been  cut  out  ended,  and  the  men  were  obliged  to  cut  their  way 
onward.  After  several  hours  they  reached  the  present  site  of  Centerton, 
where  Mr.  Matthews  concluded  to  locate  permanently.  A  log  cabin  was 
built  and  the  work  of  clearing  and  deadening  was  begun.  John  Matthews 
says  that  there  were  but  three  families  in  Clay  Township  when  he 
arrived  as  above  stated,  and  they  lived  on  the  east  side  of  White  Lick 
Creek.  They  were  those  of  Benjamin  Barnes,  Maj.  James  Stotts  and 
John  Hodge.  Several  other  families  arrived  later  in  1820,  among  them 
being  those  of  Jacob  Case,  John  Clark,  Isaiah  Drury,  Elijah  Lang.  With- 
in the  next  three  or  four  years  there  came  John  Stipp,  George  A.  Phelps, 
Alexander  Cox,  Jonathan  Lyon,  Ezekiel  Slaughter,  James  Lang,  David 
Matlock,  Benjamin  and  Enoch  McCarty,  Francis  Brock,  Martin  McDan- 
iel,  William  Jones,  John  McMahon,  William  Matlock,  Hiram  Matthews, 
John  A.  Stipp,  Abraham  Stipp,  David  Spencer,  Lewis  Deaton,  William 
Powell,  G.  W.  Bryant,  John,  David,  Samuel  and  William  Scott,  Michael 
Stipp,  Edward  Brady,  John  McDaniel,  Moses  Slaughter,  Dr.  Eli  Run- 
nels and  many  others.  Still  later  came  William  Morgan,  Eli  Rinker, 
David  Collins,  Jesse  and  Eli  Overton,  Abraham  Griggs,  James  Noble,  J. 
B.  Maxwell,  Dabney  Gooch,  John  Robb,  John  Albertson,  Adam  Spoon, 
Jesse,  William  and  Jeremiah  Poe,  Jesse  Gooch,  William  Moss,  Levi  Col- 
lins, William  Collins  and  others.  The  sons  of  John  Butterfield  were 
Velorus,  John  H.  and  Merannoe.  Those  of  Alexander  Cox  were  John, 
Paul  and  William.  Those  of  George  Matthews  were  John,  Alfred,  Cal- 
vin, James  and  George.  Those  of  Jonathan  Lyon  were  Harrison  and 
Jonathan,  Jr. 

The  following  men  were  assessed  a  poll  tax  in  Clay  Township  in  1842  : 
J.  P.  Anderson,  Samuel  Allen.  A.  Ayres,  M.  Brody,  Cyrus  Bowles, 
John  Bowles,  W.  T.  Bull,  John  Boyd,  Lorenzo  D.  Bain,  William  Boyd, 
J.  S.  Bryant,  Eli  Bray,  Anderson  Brown,  Valorus  Butterfield,  Thomas 
Bryant,  Eli  Bowles,  Archibald  Boyd,  David  Bowles,  L.  G.  Butterfield, 
D.  A.  Butterfield,  Wesley  Creed,  Charles  Cox,  William  Cox,  Paul  Cox, 
James  Carder,  Alexander  Clark,  W.  F.  Childs,  James  Cox,  William 
Kennedy,  Robert  A,  Childs,  James  Cross,  John  Creed,  D.  L.  Collins, 
W.  E.  Garter,  Joseph  Claghorn,  David  Collins,  John  Crank,  John  Cox, 
William  Dorman,  Brently  Deaton,  A.  J.  Deaton,  James  Deaton,  John 


CLAY  TOWNSHIP.  121 

Dunegan,  White  Davidson,  James  Donavan.  David  Ely,  Reuben  Ely, 
Elijah  Ervin,  John  Edwards,  Simeon  K.  Ely,  G.  W.  Fields,  Evis  Fowler, 
John  Fowler,  Dabney  Gooch,  James  Griggs,  Eli  Greeson,  Franklin  Gar- 
rison, Nathan  Goble,  Jesse  Gooch,  A.  Hutchinson,  Garrison  Hubbard, 
S.  H.  Harcoat,  Jesse  Hubbard,  Beverly  Gregory's  heirs,  William  Hard- 
rick,  Samuel  Jackson,  Thomas  Kirkendorf,  David  Kirkendorf,  James 
Kitchen,  Jonathan  Lyon,  Jr.,  Harrison  Lyon,  Hardin  Leggett,  William 
Lang,  M.  T.  Lang,  James  Lowder,  James  Lang,  Emery  Lloyd,  William 
McNeff,  H.  R.  McPherson,  John  McDaniel,  Simeon  McDaniel,  Henry 
Myers,  Calvin  Matthews,  George  Matthews,  James  Matthews,  Alfred 
Matthews,  John  Maxwell,  Joseph  Monical,  Thomas  Morgan,  George 
Monical,  John  McCracken,  Gary  Matthews,  James  Noble,  G.  W.  Olds, 
Ell  Overton,  Jared  Olds,  Francis  Patram,  Anthony  Poe,  William  Poe, 
Jeremiah  Poe,  Andrew  Parsley,  Andrew  Paul,  William  Pinter,  Noah 
Rinker,  Alexander  Rich,  S.  H.  Reynolds,  William  Rinker,  Eli  Rinker, 
Samuel  Ray,  Daniel  Reeves,  John  Ramsey,  Thomas  Ray,  Simeon  Robb, 
Alfred  Robinson,  George  Sheets,  Andrew  Stafford,  David  Spencer,  John 
S.  Spurdock,  John  Scott,  John  Sheets,  Nathaniel  Simpson,  Peter  Spoon, 
Adam  Spoon,  Robert  C.  Stotts,  John  C.  Stotts,  Robert  Stewart,  David 
Scott,  Benjamin  Stipp,  Joseph  Strade,  Isaac  Strader,  Ezekiel  Slaughter, 
Moses  Slaughter,  Young  Sellers,  W.  H.  Sailor,  Abraham  Stipp,  Benja- 
min Stafford,  John  Stuart,  Jeremiah  Tacket,  Jacob  Tinkle,  William 
Tacket,  William  Wall,  J.  W.  Wakefield,  Solomon  Wear,  Samuel  Wilson, 
David  Wear,  William  Wear,  Joshua  Wilson,  Jr.,  Jeptha  Williams,  John 
Wright,  Andrew  Wright,  William  Whitrel,  Samuel  R.  Wright  and  Sam- 
uel Zollinger.  The  heaviest  tax- payers  were  as  follows:  John  Butter- 
field,  $19.58  ;  Aiken  Daken,  $14.02 ;  John  Hodge,  $19.12;  Jonathan 
Lyon,  Jr.,  $18.58;  Harrison  Lyon,  $17.16;  M.  T.  Lang,  $12.50  ;  Calvin 
Matthews,  $11.46 ;  Robert  C.  Stotts,  $14.93  ;  Ezekiel  Slaughter,  $19.93 ; 
G.  A.  Worth,  $13.53. 

BROOKLYN. 

So  far  as  can  be  learned,  the  first  improvement  made  by  white  men 
in  the  township  of  Clay  was  the  corn-cracker  erected  on  the  creek  at 
Brooklyn,  in  the  summer  of  1819,  by  Benjamin  Cuthbert.  The  struct- 
ure was  built  of  logs,  was  about  18x18  feet,  and  was  operating  when  Ben- 
jamin Barnes  came  to  the  township  in  December,  1819.  The  stones  were 
"nigger-heads"  which  had  been  made  from  granite  bowlders  by  Mr. 
Cuthbert,  and  the  dam  was  built  of  brush,  logs,  stones,  etc.  Mr.  Cuth- 
bert lived  northward  in  Brown  Township,  about  two  miles  above  the 
mill.  He  would  go  down  to  his  little  mill  and  remain  there  nearly  a 
week  without  going  home,  doing  in  the  meantime  the  most  of  his  own 
cooking  in  the  fire-place  in  the  mill.  It  is  said  that  he  could  bake  an 
excellent  johnny-cake,  and  was  an  expert  at  roasting  meat.  He  no 
doubt  lived  on  the  fat  of  the  land.  All  the  settlers  throughout  the 
northern  part  of  the  county  went  to  his  mill  for  their  meal,  and  all 
complained  of  the  'grit"  contained  in  the  corn-bread  baked  therefrom. 
As  this  bread  was  the  chief  article  of  diet,  the  complaints  from  the 
women,  especially,  multiplied.  Mrs.  Barnes  was  probably  the  only  ex- 
ception to  this  statement.     She  had  an  impediment  in  her  speech   which 


122  HISTORY   OF   MORGAN  COUNTY. 

limited  her  conversation  to  the  merest  monosyllables. .  Mr.  Barnes  was 
envied  as  the  luckiest  man  in  his  domestic  relations  in  all  the  surround- 
ing country. 

In  1823,  Jonathan  Lyon,  who  had,  in  1820,  purchased  quite  a  tract 
of  land  at  what  is  now  Brooklyn,  came  to  the  township,  secured  the  old 
mill  of  Mr.  Cuthbert,  greatly  improved  it  and  the  dam,  built  a  saw  mill 
on  the  opposite  side,  and  soon  afterward  built  a  storehouse,  in  which  he 
placed  a  stock  of  goods  worth  about  $2,000.  It  is  likely  that  the  goods 
were  not  brought  on  until  1824.  Mr.  Lyon  had  several  grown  sons,  who 
managed  the  mills  and  the  store  for  him,  while  he  remained  the  most  of 
the  time  at  his  home  in  another  portion  of  the  State.  In  1825,  or  pos- 
sibly 1826,  Mr.  Lyon  erected  a  distillery  and  a  tannery,  and  paid  James 
S.  Kelley  $600  to  conduct  them  both  for  a  few  years,  at  the  end  of  which 
time  they  were  to  be  returned  to  the  owner,  Mr.  Lyon.  The  profits  as 
well  as  the  expenses  of  the  enterprises  were  to  be  borne  by  the  owner. 
Mr.  Lyon  also  started  a  battery  soon  afterward.  The  store,  the  distillery, 
the  tannery,  the  battery,  the  grist  mill  and  the  saw  mill  were  conducted 
successfully  by  Mr.  Kelley,  the  Lyon  boys  and  considerable  hired  help 
until  about  the  year  1880,  when  Mr.  Kelly's  contract  with  Mr.  Lyon  ex- 
pired, and  the  former  went  to  Mooresville  and  engaged  in  the  mercantile 
pursuit.  The  sons  of  Mr.  Lyon  continued  the  enterprises.  Early  in  the 
thirties,  in  addition  to  the  other  pursuits,  pork-packing  was  commenced, 
and  was  carried  on  for  many  years  quite  extensively.  These  industries 
served  to  make  the  place  one  of  the  most  important  industrial  points  in 
the  county.  Of  course,  no  town  had  yet  been  started  there.  Late  in 
the  forties,  the  Lyons  sold  out  their  interests  or  abandoned  them.  Long 
before  this,  however,  or  about  1835,  they  had  built  a  steam  distillery, 
which  took  the  place  of  the  one  first  built,  and  had  a  much  greater 
capacity.  Probably  as  high  as  100  barrels  of  whisky  were  manufactured 
annually,  a  considerable  portion  of  which  found  a  ready  sale  at  home,  the 
remainder  being  shipped  to  distant  points.  This  distillery  was  destroyed 
by  fire  about  the  year  1843,  and  thereby  hangs  a  tale  which  the  old  set- 
tlers may  tell.     Ask  them. 

The  township  had  all  the  distilleries  necessary  in  early  years.  Eli 
Bray  owned  one ;  also  William  Darman,  Thomas  Richardson  and  Ben- 
jamin Barnes.  The  latter  built  a  small  corn  cracker,  which  was  propelled 
by  horses.  It  was  erected  for  the  purpose  of  supplying  the  distillery. 
Rye  was  also  ground  there.  It  is  said  that  at  some  of  these  early  dis- 
tilleries, pumpkins,  potatoes,  etc.,  were  manufactured  into  whisky  or 
brandy.  All  old  settlers  agree  that  the  liquor  of  that  day  was  far  supe- 
rior to  the  poisonous  stuff  of  these  later  degenerate  days.  They  probably 
know  what  they  are  talking  about.  And  then,  again,  people  did  not  get 
drunk  as  often  as  they  do  now.      The  halcyon  days  have  indeed  gone  by. 

MODERN  BROOKLYN. 

In  about  1853,  Frank  Landers  opened  a  store.  He  began  about 
Christmas,  and  the  following  March  laid  out  the  town,  which  began  to 
grow  as  the  railroad  was  being  built,  that  is,  the  grading  had  commenced. 
Quite  a  number  of  families  soon  located  in  the  town.  Griggs,  Cook  & 
Scott  opened  a  store  about  1859.     The  merchants  since  then,  in  order. 


CLAY  TOWNSHIP.       I  123 

have  been  Dill  &  Griggs,  Cox  &  Landers  (near  the  close  of  the  last  war), 
Gregory  &  Clark,  Gregory  &  Council,  Gregory  &  Robbins,  J.  N. 
Gregory,  P.  S.  McNeff  &  Bro.  (1872),  Silas  Rinker,  McNeff  &  Rinker, 
Gregory  &  Son,  Ira  McDaniel,  P.  S.  McNeff,  Richardson  &  Morgan, 
William  McNeff.  The  present  merchants  are  P.  S.  McNeff,  Philips  & 
Bro.,  Richard  Lash,  F.  R.  Miller,  Daniel  Thornburg. 

M.  0.  &  F.  M.  Pierce  started  a  woolen  factory  about  1866,  in  a 
building  that  had  been  built  by  William  Sparks.  They  carded  and  spun 
for  about  two  years,  and  then  retired  from  the  business.  The  present 
grist  mill  was  built  in  1852  by  William  and  John  Paddock.  After  a  few 
years,  they  were  succeeded  by  John  and  William  Butterfield,  and  a  year 
later  by  Griggs  &  Clark.  William  Sparks  bought  it  during  the  war. 
The  present  owner,  John  McDaniel,  bought  it  late  in  the  sixties.  It  has 
been  an  excellent  mill.  It  is  now  being  refitted,  iron  rolls  being  inserted 
in  the  place  of  stone  buhrs.  The  town  has  had  one  or  more  saw  mills 
since  the  earliest  time.  J.  R.  Hardin  is  the  present  owner.  The  popu- 
lation of  the  town  is  greater  now  than  ever  before,  and  is  about  360. 

CENTERTON. 

This  village  was  laid  out  in  March,  1854,  by  Calvin  Matthews,  ad- 
ministrator of  the  estate  of  James  Matthews,  deceased.  Hiram  T.  Craig 
was  the  surveyor,  and  is  said  to  have  named  the  town  from  its  location 
in  the  county.  There  was  a  time  when  Centerton  could  have  secured  the 
prize  of  the  county  seat.  This  was  in  the  fifties,  just  before  the  present 
court  house  was  built,  and  later  just  before  the  railroad  was  completed. 
Sufficient  influence  was  not  brought  to  bear  upon  the  points  of  success. 
Almost  every  unprejudiced  person  will  readily  say  that  the  county  seat 
should  be  located  either  at  Centerton  or  on  the  railroad  in  its  immediate 
vicinity.  There  can  be  no  question  of  the  justice  and  future  public  pol- 
icy of  this  fact.  It  is  well  known  that  pecuniary  interests  are  the  only 
considerations  which  keep  it  where  it  is.  Might,  not  right,  rules.  Of 
course  there  are  parties  at  Martinsville,  who,  wise  as  serpents,  will  not 
admit  these  statements,  though  the  heavens  fall.  The  citizens  of  the 
county  should  see  that  the  next  court  house  is  built  at  Centerton. 

The  first  store  in  Centerton  was  opened  by  William  Spencer  soon  after 
the  lots  were  laid  out.  He  became  the  first  agent  of  Uncle  Sam.  Thom- 
as Hardrick  was  the  second  merchant,  and  S.  S.  Cox  the  third.  The 
leading  merchants  since  then  have  been  Silas  Rinker,  J.  T.  Piercy,  Stipp 
&  Green,  Alexander  Hardrick,  William  Gooch,  D.  S.  Clements,  Allen 
English,  Bush  Brothers,  Miles  Matthews  and  Lewis  Campbell.  The  lat- 
ter and  Bush  Brothers  are  yet  in  business.  Among  the  early  families  in 
Centerton  were  those  of  Calvin  Matthews,  William  Spencer,  William 
Cox,  Thomas  Hardrick,  Dr.  Skelton,  Paul  Sims,  Joseph  Robb,  John 
Shields,  Mr.  Hunt,  James  Adams  and  John  Butterfield.  The  present 
population  of  the  village  is  about  200.  The  first  blacksmith  was  Hiram 
Cox.  W.  J.  Manker  owned  and  conducted  the  first  saw  mill.  Saw 
mills  have  since  been  owned  and  operated  by  Madison  Matthews,  Dixon 
&  Shields,  John  Butterfield,  Washington  Patrick,  Gamble  Brothers. 
Centerton  has  in  its  vicinity  the  best  fire  brick  clay  in  the  State.  The 
brick  for  the  new  State  house  are  being  manufactured  about   two   miles 


12  4  HISTORY   OF   MORGAN   COUNTY. 

* 

^outhwest  of  the  town.  Jackson  Record,  an  old  settler  of  the  county, 
who  located  in  Washington  Township  in  1833,  has  been  a  resident  of 
Clay  Township  since  1853.  The  county  has  had  no  citizen  of  greater 
prominence  and  worth. 

TEACHERS. 

The  first  schoolhouse  built  in  Clay  Township  was  erected  in  the  But- 
terfield  neighborhood  in  1823,  and  during  the  summer  of  that  year  the 
first  school  in  the  township  was  taught  therein  by  Hiram  Collins. 
The  house  was  a  round-log  structure,  with  a  big  fire-place,  paper  windows^ 
puncheon  seats  and  door.  Butterfield,  Barnes,  Case,  Hodge,  Stotts  and 
others  helped  to  erect  the  building.  Collins  was  a  good  teacher,  but  was 
afi'ected  with  the  phthisic,  which  often  made  him  cross.  That  was  the  sig- 
nal for  indiscriminate  whipping.  Hiatt  Thomas  taught  in  the  same 
house  the  following  winter.  He  was  a  jovial  fellow,  and  at  noon  would 
hunt  coons  with  his  larger  boys.  George  A.  Phelps  was  an  early  teacher 
in  this  house.  After  several  years,  this  house  was  succeeded  by  a  better 
one  built  a  short  distance  east.  Another  early  teacher  in  the  first  house 
was  a  Mr.  Williams.  A  school  was  taught  in  the  neighborhood  of  the 
Matthews  at  Centerton  very  early,  but  the  facts  could  not  be  learned. 
Several  schools  started  up  in  the  thirties,  and  additional  ones  in  the  for- 
ties. The  frame  schoolhouse  in  Brooklyn  was  built  early  in  the  fifties. 
It  was  destroyed  by  fire  in  1883.  The  first  teacher  in  Brooklyn  is  for- 
gotten. A  new  brick  schoolhouse  will  be  built  there  within  the  next 
year  or  two,  at  a  cost  of  about  $5,000.  The  first  schoolhouse  in  Center- 
ton  was  built  early  in  the  fifties.  Thomas  Skelton  was  probably  the  first 
teacher.  A  man  named  Moore  was  the  second.  This  house  was  used 
until  1883,  when  a  fine  brick  structure  was  constructed  at  a  cost  of  about 
|5,000.  The  building  is  44x58  feet,  is  two  stories  high,  has  four  rooms, 
two  above  and  two  below,  has  a  wide  hall  and  stairway  on  the  west  side, 
and  the  cost  is  borne  by  the  township.  The  first  teacher  in  this  building 
was  Prof.  Smith.     Clay  has  excellent  schools. 

PREACHERS. 

It  is  said  that  the  first  sermon  preached  in  the  township  was  delivered 
by  Rev.  Proctor,  an  eminent  minister  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  who 
was  on  his  way,  in  1823,  from  his  home  in  Indianapolis  to  Bloomington, 
Ind.,  where  he  had  an  appointment  to  hold  religious  services.  He  stopped 
at  the  house  of  John  Butterfield,  and  entertained  that  family  and  a  few  of 
the  neighbors  who  gathered  to  hear  him.  The  Church  of  Christ,  in  the 
southeastern  part,  was  organized  in  the  thirties,  and  for  some  time  meet- 
ings were  held  at  the  houses  of  Velorus  Butterfield,  Thomas  Morgan  and 
family,  Abraham  Griggs  and  family,  James  Noble,  Levi  Plummer.  The 
ground  for  the  church  was  furnished  by  Mr.  Plummer,  and  was  on  Section 
30,  Township  13  north.  Range  2  east.  The  log  church  was  erected  early 
in  the  forties.  A  number  of  years  afterward  it  was  burned  down,  and  a 
frame  church  was  erected  in  its  place.  The  Methodists  had  an  early 
organization  in  the  Rinker  neighborhood,  and  in  the  forties  a  log  church 
was  erected  at  what  was  called  Rinker's  Corner.  After  many  years  a 
frame  house  took  its  place.  The  Methodist  Church  in  Brooklyn  was 
erected  in  1869,  and  dedicated  in  1870.     The  membership   is  now  quite 


MONROE  TOWNSHIP.  125 

large.  The  Christian  Church  in  Brooklyn  was  built  three  or  four  years 
after  the  Methodist  Church,  and  the  class  is  in  a  prosperous  condition . 
The  Christian  Church  at  Centerton  was  moved  there  about  two  years  ago. 
It  formerly  stood  in  the  Rinker  neighborhood,  in  the  eastern  part  of  the 
township,  and  then  was  occupied  by  the  Methodists. 


MONROE   TOWNSHIP. 


THE    PIONEERS. 


MONROE  TOWNSHIP  is  one  of  the  oldest  portions  of  the  county, 
and  in  some  respects  the  most  interesting.  It  is  a  fine  tract  of 
rolling  land,  well  drained,  and  the  greater  portion  of  the  soil  is  a  rich 
sandy  loam,  one  of  the  best  kinds  for  general  and  inexhaustible  cultivation. 
The  first  tract  of  land  entered  in  the  township  was  on  Section  29,  in  the 
northeastern  part,  by  William  Pounds,  in  1820 ;  but  Mr.  Pounds  did  not 
come  to  the  township  for  several  years,  and  was  therefore  not  the  first 
settler.  It  cannot  be  certainly  stated  who  the  first  was,  but  the  burden 
of  evidences  is  in  favor  of  John  H.  Bray,  who  lived  to  the  remarkable 
age  of  ninety-four  years.  He  located  on  Section  28,  in  the  northeastern 
part  of  the  township  in  the  year  1822.  He  was  born  in  North  Carolina 
during  the  Revolutionary  war,  and  lived  until  seven  or  eight  years  ago. 
He  was  a  young  man  at  the  beginning  of  the  present  century,  and  was 
middle-aged  at  the  time  of  the  war  of  1812-15.  He  was  a  man  of  stal- 
wart frame,  and  possessed  an  iron  constitution.  During  his  long  resi- 
dence in  the  county,  he  was  one  of  the  most  prominent  and  public-spirited 
of  the  citizens.  Among  those  who  came  in  soon  after  him  were  Jeremiah 
Hadley,  Charles  Allen,  Thomas  Rubottom,  Zimri  Allen,  James  Hadley, 
John  Doan,  Robert  McCracken,  James  Demoss,  Henry  Brewer,  Lot  M. 
Hadley,  T.  E.  Hadley,  Philip  Johnson,  Samuel  Hadley,  Jonathan  Doan, 
Joseph  Hobson,  William  Bray,  Joshua  Carter,  Oliver  Kimberton,  David 
Collins,  Moses  Hougham,  Simon  B.  Hadley,  Jesse  Overman,  Enoch 
Hadley,  Jesse  Ballard,  Elijah  Tansey,  William  Tansey,  Abel  Thompson, 
John  C.  Burris,  Hiram  Tomlinson,  Eneas  Ward,  Ephraim.Doan,  William 
Johnson,  George  Crutchfield,  John  Hadley,  George  Seaton,  Timothv  H, 
Jessup,  William  Carter,  Martin  Davenport,  Daniel  Beals,  Job  and  Jesse 
Johnson,  Isaac  Hougham,  and  a  little  later  John  P.  Lamb,  Isaac  Hobson, 
David  Lindley,  John  Bryant,  Samuel  Harper,  Alfred  Elliott,  James 
Reynolds,  Jonathan  Mendenhall,  Elisha  Gregory,  Jesse  Allen,  Nicholas 
Johnson,  John  S.  Hubbard,  Peter  Coble,  Aaron  Lindley,  George  Hub- 
bard, Edward  Lindley,  James  Lindley,  Joshua  Lindley,  Owen  Lindley, 
Aaron  Shaw,  Thomas  Edwards,  James  Pruitt,  Benjamin  K.  Williams, 
Woodson  Lewallen,  Iva  Stout,  Jesse  Baldwin,  Eli  Vestal,  William  Wisner, 
James  Marley,  Daniel  Ferree,  Amos  Marker,  Joseph  Pray,  Thomas 
Nichols  and  others.     A  few  of  these  never  lived  in  the  township. 


126  HISTORY   OF   MORGAN   COUNTY. 

POLL    TAX    PAYERS    OF    1842. 

Thomas  Anderson,  Zimri  Allen,  Charles  Allen,  Jesse  Baldwin,  13. 
Bales,  Daniel  Carter,  William  Chambers,  Isaac  Chew,  Samuel  Chew, 
David  Doan,  Joseph  Doan,  Jesse  Doan,  Robert  Doan,  Jonathan  Doan, 
William  Doan,  James  Demoss,  John  Edwards,  Samuel  Edwards,  Nathan 
Edwards,  Alfred  Elliott,  Abe  Elliott,  Peter  Farmer,  Jesse  Faulkner, 
John  Ferree,  Daniel  Ferree,  David  Greeson,  Peter  Greeson,  Elias  Gregory, 
Daniel  Hornaday,  T.  M.  Hadley,  Aaron  Hadley,  S.  B.  Hadley,  William 
Hornaday,  James  Hadley,  Isaac  Hobson,  Elias  Hadley,  David  Johnson, 
Nicholas  Johnson,  Gideon  Johnson,  David  Lindley,  Edward  Lindley, 
Woodson  Lewallen,  Owen  Lindley,  J.  T.  Marlett,  Robert  McCracken, 
John  Marley,  James  Marley,  William  McClellan,  John  McClellan,  Nathan 
Nichols,  James  Pitman,  George  Rubottom,  Aaron  Shaw,  Iva  Stout, 
Alexander  Shore,  David  Shanafelt,  Jesse  Tansey,  Eli  Townsend,  Elijah 
Tansey,  William  Wisner,  Benjamin  Wilson  and  some  others,  whose  names 
cannot  be  made  out. 

TOWN    OF    MONROVIA. 

In  the  month  of  June,  1834,  Gideon  Johnson  and  George  Hubbard 
employed  a  surveyor  and  laid  out  forty-five  lots  on  Section  12,  Township 
13  north.  Range  1  west,  and  named  the  village  thus  founded  Monrovia — 
a  variation  of  the  name  of  the  township.  The  first  merchants  were 
Gideon  Johnson  and  Ira  Hadley,  each  of  whom  owned  a  store.  If  one 
began  selling  before  the  other,  such  fact  is  not  now  remembered.  In 
1837,  Mr.  Johnson  sold  out  to  Thomas  Edwards  &  Co.,  for  $600,  Lots 
1,  2,  13  and  14,  Block  3,  together  with  all  the  appurtenances  thereunto 
belonging.  This  company  was  composed  of  Thomas  Edwards,  I.  B. 
Edwards  and  C.  G.  Hussey.  This  company  owned  about  $2,000  worth 
of  a  general  assortment  of  goods.  About  the  time  this  sale  was  effected, 
John  Carter  laid  out  an  addition  of  sixteen  lots  to  the  town.  Mr.  Hadley 
still  continued  his  business,  taking  in  a  partner  in  1838.  Mr.  Johnson 
must  have  opened  another  store  soon  after  his  sale,  as  he  took  out  a 
license  in  1839  to  sell  merchandise.  Eli  Vestal  was  an  early  merchant 
in  the  village.  Henry  and  Noah  York  engaged  in  the  same  pursuit  early 
in  the  forties.  Irvin  Caveness  was  the  first  tavern  keeper.  Samuel 
Wilhite  and  John  Valentine  were  probably  the  first  blacksmiths.  A  man 
named  Halfhill  opened  a  saddle  and  harness  shop,  and  John  Edwards 
began  making  wagons.  The  growth  of  the  village,  though  not  rapid,  was 
steady  and  permanent.  For  several  years,  beginning  about  1842,  there 
was  no  store  in  town.  This  is  said  to  have  been  due  to  the  hard  times 
resulting  from  the  crash  of  1837.  Owen  Johnson  opened  a  store  about 
1845,  and  soon  afterward  Ira  Hadley  resumed  his  business,  which  had 
been  temporarily  abandoned.  Collins,  an  Irishman,  opened  a  store  about 
1850.  Milton  Lindley  was  engaged  in  the  same  pursuit  about  the  same 
time,  or  possibly  before.  Benjamin  Young  came  in  with  goods  a  little 
later,  and  Porter  &  Breedlove  still  later.  After  them  came  Samuel  Had- 
ley, Joseph  Fulghman,  M.  B.  Shaw,  Butler  &  Mendenhall,  Mendenhall 
&  Thompson,  W.  B.  Thompson,  Philips  &  Johnson,  R.  P.  Johnson  &  Co., 
and  several  others,  whose  names  are  forgotten.  A  steam  grist  mill  was 
built  in  the  town  not  far  from  the  vear  1837,  and  was  the  first  of  the 


MONROE  TOWNSHIP.  127 

kind  in  the  central  part  of  the  State.  But  the  machinery  was  too  rude 
to  compete  yet  with  the  numerous  powerful  water  mills,  and  the  mill 
proved  a  failure,  and  was  soon  abandoned,  and  the  machinery  was  removed. 
George  Hadley  built  a  wool-carding  establishment  about  1840,  the  motor 
being  cattle  on  an  inclined  plane.  It  passed  to  Silas  Gregory,  who  con- 
ducted it  until  about  1850.  No  spinning  or  weaving  was  done.  A  man 
named  Dunning  manufactured  saddles  quite  extensively  in  the  forties. 
Halfhill  followed  the  same  occupation.  Ira  Fowler  owned  a  distillery 
some  distance  south  of  town,  where  lovers  of  ardent  spirits  could  secure 
their  favorite  potations.  Mershon  was  a  cabinet  and  coflSn  maker,  and 
was  probably  the  first  undertaker  in  the  town.  Mr.  Caveness  kept  a 
shoe  shop  in  connection  with  his  tavern.  William  Wisner  conducted  a 
tannery,  beginning  about  1836.  It  is  said  that  Joseph  Pray  started  the 
business,  but  soon  sold  out  to  Wisner.  A  saw  mill  was  conducted  in  con- 
nection with  the  steam  grist  mill.  Harris  &  Goddard  built  the  present 
steam  grist  mill  in  1856.  A  woolen  mill  was  added  to  it.  John  McDaniel 
bought  both  mills  about  1861,  but  soon  sold  out  to  Charles  Smith,  who> 
made  money  during  the  war.  Hadley  &  Taylor  succeeded  Smith.  In 
about  1868,  the  two  mills  were  separated,  each  being  owned  by  different 
parties.  John  Stanton  bought  the  woolen  mill,  and  Hadley  &  Taylor 
owned  the  grist  mill.  Mr.  Taylor  is  the  present  owner  of  the  grist  mill. 
The  woolen  mill  was  an  important  industry.  Spinning  and  weaving  was 
done.  Flannels,  jeans  and  other  cloths  were  manufactured.  Various 
other  industries  have  flourished  from  time  to  time,  but  the  above  are  the- 
more  important. 

PRESENT    BUSINESS    INTERESTS. 

Dry  goods,  Samuel  Philips,  Pacely  Thompson ;  drugs,  J.  C.  Hiatt  & 
Co.,  McCracken  Brothers;  groceries,  Hobbs  &  Johnson,  Wilson  Brothers, 
Fish  &  Son,  S.  H.  Henley  ;  hardware  and  agricultural  implements,  Hobbs 
&  Johnson  ;  milliners,  Johnson  Sisters,  Alma  Jeffries,  Mattie  Hubbard  ; 
barber,  Henry  Book  ;  grist  mill,  Albert  Taylor ;  harness,  J.  H.  Hunt ; 
livery,  Daniel  Brewer;  photographer,  Mr.  Calvert;  tile  factory,  John  M, 
Davis ;  carriages  and  wagons,  Henry  Binkley ;  undertaker,  Jerry  Wellr 
man. 

A  newspaper  was  started  in  the  town  about  1880,  by  a  man  named 
Stotzell.  After  a  checkered  career  of  about  six  months,  it  became  de- 
funct. Late  in  the  sixties,  the  village  became  the  "  incorporated  town  of 
Monrovia,"  Ordinances  were  adopted,  streets  were  drained,  sidewalks 
were  built,  etc.,  but  after  a  few  years  the  municipal  government  was 
abandoned. 

SCHOOLS    OF    MONROE    TOWNSHIP. 

It  is  not  positively  known  where  the  first  school  was  taught,  as  several 
years  elapsed  after  the  first  settlement  before  an  attempt  was  made  to  es- 
tablish a  school  in  the  township,  owing  to  the  fact  that  within  a  mile  or 
two  in  Brown  Township,  good  schools  had  been  started  some  years  before, 
and  the  older  children  in  Monroe  could  attend  there  during  the  winter 
months,  and  the  younger  ones  during  the  summer  months,  which  was  then 
regarded  as  sufficient  schooling  for  large  and  small  children  for  the  year. 
It  is  likely  that  terms  of  school  were  held  in  private  residences  before  the 


128  HISTORY   OF  MORGAN   COUNTY. 

first  established  school  came  into  existence.  The  first  school  of  which 
any  distinct  remembrance  is  had  was  taught  in  the  West  Union  Church 
east  of  Monrovia  during  the  winter  of  1832-33  by  Joshua  Lindley.  He 
was  paid  by  subscription,  and  had  a  full  school.  David  Lindley  taught 
in  the  church  after  him.  At  the  end  of  about  three  years,  the  Quakers 
built  a  schoolhouse  adjoining  the  church,  and  in  this  building  Evan  Had- 
ley  was  the  first  teacher.  After  that  date  the  school  was  one  of  the  best 
in  the  northern  part  of  the  county.  A  schoolhouse  was  built  west  of 
Monrovia  about  1836.  A  school  was  also  started  up  in  the  southeastern 
part  and  another  in  the  northeastern  part  about  the  same  time.  In  each 
of  these  neighborhoods,  however,  terms  of  school  had  been  taught  in 
private  houses  for  several  years  before  the  public  schools  were  firmly  es- 
tablished. The  first  teacher  in  Monrovia  was  a  well-educated  man  named 
Butterfield,  who  taught  a  three  months'  term  during  the  winter  of 
1837-38,  in  a  schoolhouse  that  had  been  erected  the  summer  and  autumn 
before. 

Mr.  Butterfield  was  an  educator  in  advance  of  his  time,  and  was  re- 
garded as  a  "crank"  on  the  subject  of  his  own  theories  of  public  instruc- 
tion. Instead  of  being  really  "cranky,"  he  simply  earnestly  favored  and 
publicly  advocated  a  system  of  education,  which  has  since  developed  into 
the  high  schools  of  to-day.  The  only  difference  between  his  theory  and 
the  present  system  was  the  manner  of  obtaining  funds  for  the  support  of 
the  schools.  It  is  stated  that  he  favored  public  taxation  for  the  support 
of  the  schools  for  the  masses,  but  as  his  theory  in  this  respect  was  un- 
popular in  his  day,  or  more  specifically  at  Monrovia,  he  took  the  next  best 
course  he  could,  and  urged  the  support  of  public  schools  by  systematic 
rate  bills  and  tuition.  He  was  very  energetic,  and  issued  a  printed  cir- 
cular, advertising  his  school,  specifying  the  branches  taught,  the  tuition 
required  and  asking  for  pupils  who  were  promised  unusual  advantages  in 
acquiring  a  higher  education  than  could  be  secured  at  the  insignificant 
subscription  schools  then  starting  into  life  throughout  the  township.  But 
there  were  three  serious  obstacles  in  the  way  of  the  success  of  the  enter- 
prise of  Mr.  Butterfield  :  First — It  cost  considerable  to  attend  his  school. 
Second — There  was  no  demand  for  advanced  education.  Third — The 
theories  of  Mr.  Butterfield  were  regarded  as  unusual,  suspicious,  if  not  un- 
just. The  result  was  that  the  school  was  a  failure,  and  Mr.  Butterfield 
left  in  disgust  for  more  promising  fields.  Within  fifteen  years  after  he 
left,  the  very  system  he  had  advocated  became  the  most  popular  and  judi- 
cious plan  of  public  education  ever  established  up  to  that  time.  The  com- 
mon school  system  of  to-day  is  the  child  of  this  advance.  This  school  of 
Mr.  Butterfield's  was  taught  in  a  portion  of  the  "  Monrovia  House,"  yet 
standing  and  in  use. 

The  first  schoolhouse  in  Monrovia  was  erected  about  1858,  the  town 
children  before  that  going  east  and  west  to  the  district  schools.  The  house 
built  was  an  ordinary  frame  structure,  which  was  used  until  the  two-storied 
brick  building  was  erected  about  four  years  ago.  The  house  is  28x64 
feet,  has  four  rooms  in  which  four  teachers  are  necessary  to  instruct  the 
town  youth,  cost  about  |4,000,  and  is  a  credit  to  the  town,  which  surpasses 
any  other  in  the  county,  in  proportion  to  population,  in  activity  in  the 
cause  of  education.     The  school  is  thoroughly  graded,  and    competent  in- 


MONROE  TOWNSHIP.  129 

atructors  are  employed.  Sooa  after  the  last  war,  the  citizens  of  Monrovia 
and  vicinity  organized  a  Teachers'  Institute,  which  is  still  in  existence. 
The  citizens  subscribed  liberally  to  support  the  institute,  encouraged  the 
valuable  course  of  instruction  and  drill  afforded  the  teachers,  and  those 
•citizens  who  were  competent  lectured  to  the  assembled  teachers  on  ques- 
tions of  education  and  school  government.  In  view  of  the  difficulty 
attending  an  organization  of  this  character — the  great  expense,  the  small- 
ness  of  the  town,  and  the  limited  number  of  teachers  likely  to  attend — 
the  enterprise  has  been  remarkably  prosperous,  the  influence  much  more 
widely  felt  than  was  thought  possible,  and  the  zeal  of  teachers  and  citi- 
zens in  the  cause  of  education  places  the  little  town  head  and  shoulders 
above  every  other  portion  of  the  county.  Not  content  with  this  excellent 
showing,  the  teachers  and  citizens,  in  March,  1882,  organized  the  "  Mon- 
rovia Normal  and  High  School  Association,"  every  public-spirited 
citizen  of  the  vicinity  subscribing  from  $5  to  $25  for  its  support.  This 
association  is  yet  in  its  infancy,  yet  the  future  will,  no  doubt,  record  its 
important  achievements. 

CHRISTIAN  ORGANIZATIONS. 

It  is  likely  that  the  first  religious  class  organized  in  Monroe  Town- 
ship was  the  one  known  as  the  West  Union  Meeting  of  Friends,  which 
had  its  origin  late  in  the  twenties,  from  the  older  or  parent  class  of 
Friends  in  Brown  Township.  Among  the  members  were  George  Ru- 
bottom,  William  Johnson,  Aaron  Lindley,  Jerry  Hadley,  William  Allen, 
Ashley  Johnson,  Philip  Johnson.  Eli  Townsend,  Jesse  Baldwin,  Jona- 
than Doan,  Sr.,  Jonathan  Doan,  Charles  Allen,  Lot  Hadley,  Silas  Greg- 
ory and  others.  Their  frame  church  was  built  in  1832.  This  class  is 
yet  in  existence. 

The  Methodist  class  at  Monrovia  was  organized  soon  after  1840,  by 
Rev.  H.  S.  Dane,  who  was  the  pastor  for  a  number  of  years.  Some  of 
the  members  were  Edward  Lindley,  Walker  Caveness,  Isaac  Johnson, 
William  Mull,  Joel  C.  McClellan.  C.  Marvin,  D.  C.  Doan,  James  R. 
Williams,  William  Best,  A.  M.  Dilley,  J.  K.  Best,  James  Hudson,  L.  B. 
Lewis  and  others.  The  pastor  in  1856  was  Rev.  J.  R.  Williams.  Their 
church  was  built  about  1850. 

The  Christian  Church  at  Monrovia  was  established  in  the  sixties. 
Among  the  leading  members  were  Jeremiah  Wellman,  Dr.  Reagan,  Jo- 
seph Allison  and  Robert  McCracken. 

The  Methodist  Church  in  the  southeastern  part  of  the  township  was 
organized  about  1835,  some  of  the  early  members  being  James  Demoss, 
Thomas  Grisham,  Peter  Farmer,  Simon  Hadley,  William  Tansey,  Able 
Tansey,  Jesse  Tansey,  William  Hornaday  and  others.  Meetings  were 
•often  held  at  the  houses  of  Thomas  Grisham  and  James  Demoss.  After 
a  number  of  years,  'their  church  was  built.  The  Antioch  Methodist 
Church  east  of  Monrovia  was  established  at  a  later  date.  Their  church  is 
worth  about  $700.     The  township  has  excellent  religious  advantages. 

THE    UNDERGROUND    RAILROAD. 

One  of  the  things  of  which  the  citizens  of  Monroe  Township  boast 
is  the  position  taken  by  the  older  residents  on  the  question  of  slavery. 
The  anti-slavery  sentiment  came  to  the  county  with  that  noble  class  of 


130  HISTORY   OF   MORGAN   COUNTY. 

Christian  people,  the  Friends,  and  from  the  earliest  settlement  until  slav- 
ery was  blotted  out  of  the  nation,  no  opportunity  was  lost  to  strike  it  a 
blow.  Anti-slavery  societies  were  organized  at  an  early  day,  and  public 
measures  were  adopted  to  bring  the  enormity  of  the  "institution" 
squarely  before  the  public  eye.  The  Friends  posted  themselves  thoroughly 
on  the  question  from  a  social,  moral  and  Biblical  standpoint,  and  man- 
aged to  "worst"  those  of  sufficient  courage  to  meet  them  in  public  de- 
bate. The  Underground  Railroad  was  an  organization  to  assist  runaway 
slaves,  escaping  from  their  masters,  on  their  way  to  Canada.  The  Friends 
everywhere  were  prominently  connected  with  this  route,  or  routes,  rather, 
as  hundreds  of  different  paths  extended  from  the  Southern  States  to  the 
dominion  of  the  British  Queen.  The  procedure  was  a  violation  of  the 
law  of  the  land,  but  the  Friends  and  Abolitionists  knew  they  were  right 
morally,  and  deliberately  disobeyed  the  law.  The  routes  were  called 
"  underground "  because  they  were  usually  only  operated  at  night  to 
avoid  detection  and  pursuit.  Slaves  that  were  worth  from  ^600  to  $1,200 
each  were  not  permitted  to  leave  their  masters  without  an  effort  being 
made  to  capture  them.  Bloodhounds  were  used,  and  every  other  measure 
to  secure  their  return.  The  Friends  constantly  thwarted  the  slave  catch- 
ers. A  slave  who  made  up  his  mind  to  run  away  would  ascertain  about 
the  route  to  be  taken,  and  get  the  name  of  the  first  Friend  on  the  route, 
and  just  where  his  residence  could  be  found.  Then,  under  the  cover  of 
night,  vrith  his  little  bundle  of  clothes  on  his  shoulder,  he  would  resolute- 
ly turn  his  face  northward,  and  make  for  the  first  station  on  his  way.  If 
that  point  was  reached  about  morning,  the  agent  of  the  railroad  would 
feed  the  tired  traveler,  and  then  secrete  him  in  some  safe  place  about  the 
premises  until  night  came,  when  horses  would  be  hitched  to  carriages  or 
wagons,  and  the  runaway  would  be  rapidly  driven  northward  ten  or  fif- 
teen miles  to  the  next  station.  If  considerable  time  yet  remained  before 
morning,  the  agent  of  the  second  station  would  hitch  up  as  the  first  agent 
had  done,  and  convey  the  slave  to  the  third  station,  and  the  first  agent 
would  return  home.  In  this  way,  after  the  lapse  of  many  weeks,  often 
through  the  direst  dangers  of  pursuit,  the  slave  would  be  safely  landed 
in  Canada,  where  pursuit  would  end,  and  where  the  hunted  man  would 
draw  his  first  breath  of  freedom.  Two  or  three  routes  extended  across 
Morgan  County,  all  of  them  passing  through  Monroe  or  Brown  Town- 
ship. All  of  the  Quakers  were  ready  to  assist  runaway  slaves,  as  were 
many  Abolitionists  who  were  not  Quakers,  but  only  a  few  men  in  the 
county  were  really  members  of  the  organization  called  "  Underground 
Railroad."  The  leading  members  in  Monroe  Township  were  Jonathan 
Dean  and  his  sons  and  relatives.  They  were  known  to  take  many  a  run- 
away to  some  point  in  Marion  or  Hendricks  County.  On  one  occasion, 
they  conveyed  a  load  of  five  slaves  northward.  They  no  doubt  helped  off 
scores  of  them.  Eli  J.  Sumner,  of  Mooresville,  was  a  prominent  Aboli- 
tionist, but  he  did  not  belong  to  the  railroad,  though  he  did  not  hesitate 
an  instant  if  a  slave  called  upon  him  for  assistance.  William  Bowles  was 
the  agent  at  Morgantown  ;  Mr.  Kelso  also.  Several  at  Martinsville 
afforded  assistance,  though  none  there  were  members  of  the  organization. 
Many  now  claim  to  have  been  connected  with  the  road  who  at  the  time 
were  either  neutral  or  inclined  to  capture  the  runaways  and  return  them 
to  their  masters  and  get  the  large  reward. 


HARRISON  TOWNSHIP.  131 


HARRISON  TOWNSHIP. 


TREATY  WITH  THE  DELAWARES. 


NO  Other  portion  of  Morgan  County  is  surrounded  with  greater  his- 
torical interest  than  Waverly  and  vicinity.  Here  it  was  that 
the  first  settlement  in  the  county  was  made  while  the  Indians  were  yet 
occupying  the  soil,  and  while  all  the  species  of  wild  animals  of  this 
latitude  yet  roamed  almost  wholly  unmolested  in  the  trackless  forest.  The 
"New  Purchase,"  of  which  Morgan  County  was  a  part,  was  secured  from 
the  Indians  by  the  treaty  of  St.  Mary's,  Ohio,  in  October,  1818;  but  by 
the  provisions  of  the  treaty,  the  natives  were  to  have  the  privilege  of  re- 
siding upon  the  soil  and  of  hunting  thereon  until  1820.  The  land  could 
not  be  formally  thrown  upon  the  market  until  after  the  expiration  of  this 
privilege  of  occupancy,  but  the  whites  could  enter  the  territory,  select 
their  farms  and  improve  the  same,  and  be  in  readiness  to  purchase  when 
the  land  became  marketable.  This  was  done  in  Morgan  County  to  a 
hmited  extent. 

THE  FIRST  SETTLER  OF  THE  COUNTY. 

In  the  summer  of  1818,  before  the  lands  of  the  New  Purchase  had 
been  ceded  to  the  Government  by  the  Indians,  Jacob  Whetzel,  brother 
to  the  famous  Indian  fighter,  Lewis  Whetzel,  and  an  Indian  fighter  him- 
self, went  to  the  camp  of  the  Delaware  chief,  Anderson,  whose  principal 
village  was  where  the  city  of  Anderson  now  stands,  to  get  permission  to 
cut  a  trace  from  White  Water  River  in  the  eastern  part  of  the  State  to 
the  Bluflfs*  on  White  River,  the  object  being  to  secure  a  road  from  such 
eastern  point  to  the  Bluffs,  the  remainder  of  the  way  to  Vincennes  to  be 
by  the  river.  Mr.  Whetzel  had  in  view  then  a  permanent  location  at  or 
near  Vincennes.  Permission  was  granted  by  Anderson,  and  the  following 
autumn  Mr.  Whetzel,  accompanied  by  his  son  Cyrus,  and  supplied  with 
the  necessary  axes,  guns,  provisions,  etc.,  blazed  this  route  through  to  the 
Bluffs.  This  blazed  road  through  the  wilderness  was  probably  the  first 
in  this  part  of  the  State,  and  became  a  famous  highway  for  fam- 
ilies seeking  homes  in  the  New  Purchase.  It  may  yet  be 
seen  in  some  places,  and  is  still  known  as  "Whetzel's  Trace." 
Mr.  Whetzel  was  so  pleased  with  the  Bluffs  and  the  surrounding  country 
that  he  resolved  to  go  no  farther  toward  Vincennes  with  a  view  of  settle- 
ment, whereupon  he  selected  a  piece  of  land  in  the  valley  of  White  River 
a  short  distance  north  of  the  present  residence  of  his  grandson-in-law, 
Mr.  McKenzie,  and  resolved  to  send  out  his  son,  Cyrus,  the  following 
spring  to  clear  a  small  tract  and  raise  a  crop.  Early  the  next  spring 
(March,  1819),  Jacob  and  his  son  Cyrus,  with  the  necessary  seeds,  im- 
plements   and   arms,    came   via  Whetzel's  Trace  to    the  Bluffs,  estab- 

*A  mile  and  a  half  northeast  of  Waverly,  where  old  Port  Koyal  used  to  stand,  generally  called 
"The  Bluflfs." 


132  HISTORY  OF  MORGAN  COUNTY. 

lished  with  stakes  the  permanent  boundary  of  about  sixty  acres  of  land 
just  below  Waverly,  and  after  erecting  a  rude  log  cabin  the  father  went 
back  to  his  family,  leaving  Cyrus  to  clear  immediately  a  few  acres  for  a 
crop  of  corn,  wheat  and  vegetables,  and  to  deaden  a  larger  tract  during 
the  summer.  The  second  night  after  the  father  had  gone,  a  heavy  snow 
fell,  and  Cyrus  built  a  large  fire  to  drive  off  the  wolves  and  the  cold. 
During  the  night,  he  felt  something  creep  under  the  blanket  under  which 
he  was  sleeping,  but  was  too  unconcerned  to  make  further  discoveries 
until  the  next  morning  when  he  was  somewhat  surprised  to  learn  that 
his  sleeping  companion  was  none  other  than  a  huge  Delaware  Indian. 
This  discovery  was  not  sufficient  to  scare  very  perceptibly  a  man  in  whose 
veins  ran  the  distinguished  blood  of  the  Whetzels.  Cyrus  was  but 
eighteen  years  of  age,  yet  he  felt  no  fear  in  the  wilderness,  though  sur- 
rounded with  wild  and  dangerous  animals,  and  with  the  scarcely  less  wild 
and  dangerous  Indians. 

THE  FIRST  FARM. 

Cyrus  Whetzel,  assisted  by  a  young  man  whose  name  is  no  longer 
recollected,  and  who  came  out  soon  after  the  young  man  did,  cleared  off 
a  small  "truck  patch,"  where  corn,  vegetables  and  a  small  quantity  of 
wheat  were  raised.  Ten  or  fifteen  acres  of  heavy  timber  were  also  dead- 
ened. The  following  autumn  the  family  came  out  to  stay  permanently. 
This  settlement  may  justly  be  dated  from  the  fall  of  1818,  one  year  be- 
fore the  family  came  out,  as  the  farm  was  then  selected  and  the  intention 
fully  matured  to  locate  thereon  permanently.  The  elder  Whetzel,  Jacob, 
was  a  professional  hunter,  knew  but  little  of  farming,  and  practiced  less, 
but  he  perhaps  never  had  an  equal  in  the  county  in  woodcraft,  and  in 
experience  of  the  Indian.  Much  of  his  time  was  spent  in  hunting  until 
1827.  when  he  died.  He  manufactured  his  own  powder,  and  dressed 
almost  altogether  in  buckskin.  He  did  some  coopering.  His  son  Cyrus 
inherited  the  Whetzel  constitution  and  sagacity,  and  in  his  younger  years 
gained  an  extensive  acquaintance  with  the  Indian  character.  He  soon 
married  and  became  one  of  the  foremost  men  of  the  county.  He  after- 
ward represented  the  county  in  the  Legislature.  He  was  brave  enough 
and  farseeing  enough  to  look  beyond  the  day  in  which  he  lived,  and  to 
take  the  advanced  and  nobler,  liberal  position  of  to-day  on  the  subject  of 
religion.  He  died  in  1876,  full  of  years,  respected  by  all  true  men,  and 
lies  buried  near  the  residence  of  his  son-in-law,  Mr.  McKenzie. 

INCIDENTS. 

At  a  very  early  date,  a  number  of  Delaware  Indians  came  to  the 
cabin  of  Jacob  Whetzel,  and  a  big  brave  named  "Nosey"  (part  of  his 
nose  had  been  cut  off,  and  hence  the  name)  bantered  Cyrus  to  shoot  at  a 
mark.  The  challenge  was  accepted,  but  Cyrus  proved  to  be  the  better 
marksman.  This  threw  Nosey,  who  possessed  a  violent  temper,  into  a 
furious  rage,  but  his  fear  of  the  stalwart  and  courageous  young  man  pre- 
vented any  serious  results  to  the  latter.  The  party  soon  left,  but  one  of 
them,  who  dared  to  taunt  the  Indian  with  his  defeat,  was  instantly  killed 
by  the  still  enraged  savage.  The  latter  was  given  one  year,  according  to 
custom,  to  redeem  his  life  by  furnishing  100  deer  skins  to  the  murdered 


HARRISON  TOWNSHIP.  133 

man's  relatives.     This  could  easily  have  been  done,  but  no  effort  was 
made,  and  Nosey  was  accordingly  put  to  death  by  torture. 

Mr.  Whetzel  one  day  loaned  a  Delaware  his  "gig"  to  spear  fish, 
and  when  it  was  returned  one  of  the  prongs  was  gone,  the  Indian  stating 
that  he  had  broken  it  off  in  a  log.  A  few  days  later,  Mr.  Whetzel 
came  upon  the  same  Indian  on  the  river  where  he  had  speared  a  wagon 
load  of  the  finest  fish,  with  a  gig  made  from  the  broken  prong,  which  had 
been  driven  into  the  end  of  a  tough  slender  pole.  This  Indian  was  en- 
gaged in  drying  the  fish.  He  was  so  expert  that  he  could  strike  a  fish 
eight  or  ten  yards  away.  Many  years  ago,  the  Whetzels  discovered  about 
a  half  bushel  of  bullets  of  all  sizes  from  a  shot  to  a  half-ounce  ball  on 
the  bottom  near  Waverly.  They  had  been  scattered  out  over  several 
rods,  by  the  action  of  the  water  no  doubt,  but  how  they  came  there  is  a 
mystery  yet  to  be  solved. 

ADDITIONAL  EARLY  SETTLERS. 

The  name  of  the  second  settler  in  Harrison  Township  is  not  certain- 
ly known.  Among  those  who  came  in  soon  after  the  Whetzels  were 
Christopher  Ladd,  Jesse  Tull,  Benjamin  Mills,  David  E.  Allen,  Henry 
Rout  (who  remained  but  a  short  time),  John  Paul,  John  Hamilton,  Thomas 
Ingles,  George  Powell,  Joseph  Bennett,  Thomas  Gardner,  William  Good- 
win, James  Burch,  Robert  C.  Stott,  Barlow  Aldridge,  Joseph  Frazee, 
William  Etter  and  many  others  whose  date  of  settlement  cannot  be  cer- 
tainly fixed.  The  following  list  of  men  paid  poll  tax  in  Harrison  Town- 
ship in  1842,  the  list  being  given  here  to  preserve  the  names  of  as  many 
of  the  early  residents  as  possible.  A  few  of  the  men  never  resided  in  the 
township:  Barlow  Aldridge,  J.  D.  Bromwell,  J.  F.  Brenton,  James 
Burris,  Joseph  Brenton,  Joseph  Baker,  James  Duke,  J.  W.  Davis, 
Dixon  Dee,  Daniel  Etter,  Cornelius  Free,  J.  G.  A.  Frydinghire,  George 
Haslett,  Elijah  Henderson,  John  Harrow,  Benjamin  Harrold,  William 
Harrold,  Benjamin  Holland,  Abner  Hightour,  G.  Kershner,  Richard 
Dee,  J.  M.  Laughlin,  J.  A.  Laughlin,  Lewis  Leach,  J.  S.  Leach,  Alan- 
son  Lewis,  Benjamin  Mills,  Allen  McLain,  Thomas  Mitchell,  G.  J.  Mills, 
Daniel  Newkirk,  J.  H.  B.  Nowland,  J.  M.  Norton,  George  Powell,  W. 
Prescot,  Aaron  Prescot,  Jason  Rust,  David  Rust,  Frederick  Swartz, 
George  Smith,  Robert  Smith,  John  Stephenson,  I.  W.  Tacket,  William 
Tull,  Drury  Trusty,  Cyrus  Whetzel  and  Jesse  Wharton. 

THE  BLUFFS,  OR  PORT  ROYAL. 

The  Blufis  were  known  before  there  was  a  solitary  settler  in  the  county. 
Frenchmen  from  Vincennes  and  vicinity  had  come  up  the  river  before  the 
war  of  1812;  and  if  tradition  is  correct  had  established  temporary  trad- 
ing stations  with  the  Delaware  Indians,  who  then  occupied  the  country. 
Various  adventurers  and  speculators  had  visited  the  spot,  and  it  became 
called  The  Bluffs.  It  is  likely  that  Christopher  Ladd  was  the  first  white 
settler  at  the  point.  He  located  there  either  in  1819  or  early  in  1820. 
He  it  was  who  claimed  the  location  of  the  capital  of  the  State  at  the 
Bluffs.  Several  of  the  Commissioners  appointed  by  the  Legislature  to 
permanently  fix  the  capital  voted  in  favor  of  the  Bluffs.  Mr.  Ladd  be- 
gan keeping  tavern  there  before  the  county  was  organized,  and  was  the 


134  HISTORr   OF   MORGAN   COUNTY. 

first  man  in  the  county  to  take  out  the  necessary  license  to  keep  tavern 
and  sell  liquor.  The  corpse  of  a  man  was  found  on  the  river  bottom 
near  his  house,  and  Mr.  Ladd  was  arrested  and  tried  for  the  murder,  but 
not  a  shadow  of  substantial  evidence  was  found  against  him.  He  was 
acquitted,  and  his  lack  of  means  only  prevented  him  from  prosecuting  his 
defamers,  as  they  no  doubt  deserved.  This  was  the  first  noteworthy  trial 
of  the  county.  Cyrus  Whetzel  and  Mr.  Ladd  were  intimate  friends,  and 
the  former  always  insisted  on  the  latter's  innocence.  Mr.  Whetzel  always 
suspected  an  Indian,  who,  after  the  murder,  was  found  in  possession  of  a 
horse  and  saddle,  a  black  silk  handkerchief,  a  red  morocco  pocket-book, 
etc.,  of  which  he  failed  to  give  a  satisfactory  account.  No  doubt  the 
murdered  man  had  come  out  to  buy  land,  and  falling  in  with  the  Indian 
was  foully  murdered  for  his  effects. 

The  town  was  surveyed  and  platted  before  the  county  was  organized, 
James  Borland  being  the  surveyor.  It  was  laid  out  about  the  middle  of 
September,  1821,  on  the  north  half  of  the  southeast  quarter  of  Sectioa 
13,  Township  13  north,  Range  2  east,  in  the  Brookville  Land  District. 
Forty- three  lots  were  laid  out  on  the  blufis  of  White  River.  Thomas 
Lee  was  the  proprietor. 

The  Blufi"s,  or  Port  Royal,  as  it  became  called  afterward,  attracted 
settlers  early.  Ladd  was  the  first.  Robert  Bradshaw  was  probably  the 
second.  Daniel  Allen  was  about  the  third.  He  was  the  first  tailor.  He 
sold  liquor  in  1827  and  merchandise  in  1828.  Bradshaw  sold  liquor  in 
1826.  Ladd's  tavern  was  a  great  rendezvous  for  those  who  loved  the 
flowing  bowl.  It  was  a  great  pleasure  for  the  early  settlers  at  Port  Royal 
to  gather  round  his  blazing  bar-room  fire  when  the  nights  were  icy  cold 
and  the  bitter  wind  dashed  the  falling  snow  in  eddies  around  the  old  log 
tavern,  to  listen  to  the  stories  of  the  travelers  who  stopped  there  for  rest. 
It  became  a  famous  place.  The  early  members  of  the  Legislature  from 
the  southern  part  of  the  State  would  make  Ladd's  tavern  their  last  stop- 
ping place  before  reaching  the  capital  and  the  first  place  after  leaving  it. 
Mrs.  Ladd  was  a  genial,  hospitable  woman,  a  good  conversationalist,  and 
a  woman  who  could  not  be  excelled  in  the  manufacture  of  good  tea  and 
coffee.  Her  guests  discovered  this  latter  fact,  and  a  word  of  praise  was 
sufficient  to  insure  a  beverage  rarely  found  in  the  backwoods.  On  one 
occasion,  her  supply  failed  so  nearly  that  she  was  obliged  to  mix  tea  and 
coffee  as  a  last  desperate  resort.  A  traveler  sipped  the  steaming  bever- 
age, raised  his  eyebrows,  curled  up  the  corners  of  his  mouth  in  a  saga- 
cious smile,  and  speaking  to  his  hostess,  said,  "  Mrs.  Ladd,  if  this  is  tea 
bring  me  coffee,  and  if  it's  coffee  bring  me  tea."  The  good  lady  was 
obliged  to  explain  the  situation,  which  satisfied  the  polite  traveler,  who 
resumed  his  meal. 

The  Blairs,  the  Paytons,  the  Hollands,  the  Wheatleys,  the  Davises, 
the  Armstrongs,  the  Balls,  the  Beattys  and  others  were  among  the  early 
residents  of  Port  Royal.  Ladd  sold  the  first  merchandise  in  about  the 
year  1823.  His  stock  was  insignificant,  but  was  kept  to  accommodate  a 
few  of  the  residents.  Robert  Stafford,  Peter  Hennison,  Hugh  Endsley, 
William  Agness  and  Henry  Riddle  were  in  business  early.  Bradshaw 
sold  calicoes,  etc.,  about  1827.  John  Wheatley  was  probably  the  first 
blacksmith.     David  Allen  had  a  few  hundred  dollars'  worth  of  goods  late 


HARBISON  TOWNSHIP.  1  35 

in  the  twenties.  Luce  &  Allen  opened  the  first  goods  store  in  1832. 
Their  stock  was  worth  more  than  $1,000.  M.  C.  Rust  sold  liquor  in 
1832  and  groceries  in  1833.  C.  H.  Hayes  &  Co.  began  selling  from  a 
large  general  stock  late  in  1832.  Ayres  &  Pinney  were  the  leading  mer- 
chants in  1833  ;  they  were  the  successors  of  Luce  &  Ayres.  About  this 
time,  the  town  was  at  the  zenith  of  its  prosperity,  and  contained  a  popu- 
lation of  about  150.  Cyrus  Whetzel  took  out  a  grocery  license  in  1834. 
McCarty  &  Williams,  H.  Saunders,  D.  Rust  were  other  merchants  late 
in  the  thirties.  The  town  began  to  die  about  1840.  Nothing  is  left  of 
it  now. 

VILLAGE    OF    WAVERLY. 

This  little  village  started  up  when  the  canal  was  being  constructed, 
about  1837.  J.  H.  B.  Nowland,  now  a  resident  of  Indianapolis,  the 
author  of  one  or  more  interesting  volumes  on  the  early  settlement  of  this 
part  of  the  State,  opened  the  first  store  of  consequence  on  the  "  Island," 
in  about  1838.  A  number  of  "  shanties  "  had  been  erected  before  for  the 
accommodation  of  the  canal  workmen,  in  one  or  more  of  which  provisions  ■ 
were  kept  to  supply  the  tables.  Mr.  McLain  was  a  superintendent.  The 
first  storehouse  was  built  by  Cornelius  Free.  Brown  and  Robinson  each 
owned  a  tavern.  Various  rude  dwellings  soon  went  up,  and  the  town 
began  to  grow.  Mr.  Brannon  really  sold  the  first  goods.  The  canal 
men  made  it  lively  of  nights  at  the  saloons.  Cornelius  Free  was  the 
central  figure  from  the  start.  He  built  a  large  grist  mill  in  1837,  four 
stories  and  a  half  high,  with  four  or  five  runs  of  buhrs.  This  mill  was 
one  of  the  finest  ever  in  this  part  of  the  State,  was  the  life  of  Waverly,  and 
received  a  patronage  over  a  radius  of  forty  miles.  Attached  to  it  was  a 
saw  mill  and  a  woolen  factory,  where  carding  only  was  done  at  first,  but 
later  spinning  and  weaving.  An  attachment  for  kiln-drying  corn  was  soon 
added,  and  the  united  enterprises  received  an  enormous  patronage.  Mrs. 
McKinzie  said  she  had  seen  more  than  a  hundred  teams  stand  waiting 
their  turn  to  be  waited  upon.  The  corn  was  ground  in  the  mill,  then 
kiln-dried,  then  shipped  by  boat  to  Southern  markets.  Benjamin  Sweet, 
of  Martinsville,  was  the  leading  carpenter  who  built  the  big  mill.  The 
water  which  operated  these  industries  was  from  the  canal  feeder,  and  was 
purchased  of  the  State  by  Mr.  Free.  After  a  few  years,  Jacob  Corman 
leased  the  mill,  and  late  in  the  forties  the  property  was  sold  to  John 
Carlisle.  Samuel  Moore  and  J.  S.  Kelley,  of  Mooresville,  packed  a  con- 
siderable pork  at  Waverly,  shipping  the  same  by  flat-boat  down  White 
River.  Dr.  Paris  was  an  early  physician.  Dr.  Overstreet  was  his  part- 
ner. They  owned  an  apothecary's  shop,  the  ancestor  of  the  modern  drug 
store.  The  Breeces,  the  Kershners,  the  Swopes,  the  McLains,  the  Now- 
lands,  the  Wishards,  the  Stevensons  and  others  were  among  the  leading 
residents  in  the  thirties.  A  Polander  named  Frydingshire  packed  pork 
at  Waverly.  McLain  conducted  a  big  saw  mill,  and  shipped  consider- 
able lumber  down  the  river.  Howe  afterward  conducted  this  mill. 
Among  the  merchants  of  the  forties  were  McLain,  Boles,  Jones,  Nowland, 
Frank  and  Washington  Landers,  John  Huntsinger.  Abe  Breneman. 
Margarum  owned  a  cooper  shop  ;  Harrah  and  Reese,  carpenter  shops, 
and  John  Gleason,  a  cabinet  shop.  Dr.  White  practiced  medicine.  It  is 
said  that  James  Burris  opened  the  first  carpenter  shop  in  Waverly,  and 


136  HISTORY   OF   MORGAN   COUNTY. 

a  man  named  Robinson  the  first  wagon  shop.  This  was  about  the  year 
1887.  Waverly  was  laid  out  and  recorded  in  1841,  by  M.  H.  Brown, 
0.  G.  Kershner  and  D.  W.  Howe,  owners  and  proprietors.  Fifty-five 
lots  were  laid  out  on  the  southeast  side  of  the  Central  Canal,  and  a  large 
lot  was" left  for  a  public  square.  The  principal  street — the  one  extending 
northeast  and  southwest — was  Main  street. 

WAVERLY  IN  LATER  YEARS. 

Merchants  since  1850  have  been,  among  others,  Landers  Brothers,  J. 
L.  Knox,  Peter  Baxter,  Ezra  Allman,  James  Griggs  &  Son,  John  Cook, 
Thomas  Hussey,  Cannon,  Smith  &  Dunn,  A.  J.  Tarleton,  John  Graves, 
W.  W.  Dorman,  Howe  &  Etter,  F.  M.  Fields  at  present,  G.  Scroggs,  Eli 
Paddock  at  present,  Jacob  Duncan  &  Son  at  present,  and  Vincent  & 
Dukes  at  present.  The  greatest  population  of  Waverly  has  been  about 
250.  Carpenters,  blacksmiths,  coopers,  wagon-makers,  etc.,  etc.,  have 
come  and  gone  like  an  endless  chain.     The  present  population  is  about  150. 


Several  terms  of  school  were  taught  in  Port  Royal  quite  early  in  the 
twenties  in  an  old  log  cabin,  or  rather  in  several  old  log  cabins.  The 
names  of  the  teachers  cannot  be  given.  A  schoolhouse  was  built  near 
the  town  about  1829,  where  the  town  children  attended  as  long  as  there 
were  town  children  to  go,  which  was  until  about  1840.  Schools  were 
first  held  in  Waverly  about  1842.  The  few  children,  however,  usually 
went  south  to  the  country  schoolhouse  which  stood  southwest  of  town  on 
Mr.  McKenzie's  farm.  This  house  was  used  many  years,  or  until  the 
present  one  was  erected,  about  1850.  This  building,  though  over  thirty 
years  have  elapsed  since  it  was  built,  is  in  a  fine  state  of  preservation, 
and,  owing  to  the  fresh  coat  of  paint,  looks  like  a  new  house.  In  Sep- 
tember, 1826,  there  was  formed  at  Port  Royal  a  "  Union  Society  for  the 
Encouragement  of  Learning  and  Religion,"  at  the  head  of  which  were 
Danial  Boaz  and  Henry  Brown,  of  Johnson  County,  and  David  Allen 
and  others  of  Port  Royal  and  vicinity.  This  society  furnished  excellent 
schools  for  that  day,  employed  competent  teachers,  and  the.  town  soon 
acquired  quite  a  reputation  for  its  advancement  in  learning  and  morals. 
The  enterprise  died  out  in  the  thirties. 

CHURCHES. 

No  doubt  the  first  class  in  the  township  was  established  at  Port  Royal. 
Late  in  the  twenties,  the  Methodists  formed  a  small  class  there.  Scarcely 
anything  is  known  of  the  class,  as  it  soon  died.  In  1840,  the  Methodists 
formed  a  class  on  Section  36,  Harrison  Township,  and  soon  after  were  the 
owners  of  a  small  church.  Among  the  members  were  the  families  of  John 
Taylor,  of  Johnson  County,  Thomas  Mitchell,  Jacob  L.  Bromwell,  James 
Epperson,  Henry  Brenton,  Gideon  Drake  and  others.  Land  for  the 
church  was  furnished  by  Mr.  Bromwell.  Rev.  Zelots  S.  Clifford  was  the 
pastor  in  1846.  This  was  called  the  Shiloh  Church.  The  Trustees  in 
1846  were  James  Epperson,  Gideon  Drake,  William  Robe,  Lewis  W.  St. 
John  and  Josiah  Drake.  This  society  flourished  for  many  years.  Early 
in  the  forties,  the  Presbyterians  formed  a  small  class  at  Waverly.     They 


RAY  TOWNSHIP.  137 

met  to  worship  in  residences  and  in  the  saw  mill  of  Mr.  Free.  Here  it 
was  that  Henry  Ward  Beecher  preached  several  consecutive  days.  His 
auditors  sat  on  rude  plank  benches  around  him,  and  the  since  famous 
minister  so  stirred  them  up  with  his  eloquence  that  his  sermons  are  yet 
distinctly  remembered  by  many.  The  Methodists  had  a  nominal  organi- 
zation at  Waverly  in  about  1840,  and  soon  afterward  a  small  class  was 
partially  organized  by  Rev.  Hammond.  About  1857,  the  class  had  be- 
come strong  enough  to  build  a  church,  which  the  members  proceeded  to 
do,  getting  a  large  subscription  from  other  denominations  and  from  out- 
siders, with  the  understanding  that  the  building  should  be  open  to  all 
Christian  denominations  and  to  all  moral  public  lectures.  The  building 
was  erected,  but  after  a  number  of  years  the  Methodists  took  absolute 
possession  and  control  of  the  house,  and  refused  to  allow  other  denomina- 
tions or  lecturers  to  use  it  without  the  arbitrary  consent  of  their  Trustees. 
How  strange  it  is  that  so  many  Christian  denominations,  after  solemnly 
dedicating  a  church  to  the  service  of  God,  can  piously  turn  around  with 
a  prayer  on  their  lips  and  fraudulently  obtain  absolute  possession  of  the 
building  which  is  at  least  partially  owned  by  others.  Christians  do  not 
act  thus.  Among  the  early  Methodists  were  John  Graves,  Barlow  Al- 
dridge,  Aaron  T.  Wiley,  William  J.  Knox,  George  Rinker,  Robert  P. 
Gray,  E.  A.  Allman,  Cyrus  Etter,  James  Griggs  and  their  families.  Cy- 
rus Whetzel  paid  liberally  toward  the  construction  of  the  People's  Church. 
M.  W.  Brenton  was  pastor  in  1856.  This  church  was  really  a  branch 
of  the  Shiloh  and  Mount  Olive  organizations. 


RAY  TOWNSHIP. 


THE    BUTLER    CREEK    SETTLEMENT. 

IT  is  not  certainly  known  who  was  the  first  permanent  settler  in  Ray 
Township.  Neither  is  the  exact  time  of  the  first  settlement  known. 
A  settlement  was  made  in  the  western  part  of  the  township  on  Butler 
Creek  in  1821  certainly,  and  probably  in  1820.  The  settlement  of  Owen 
County  had  an  earlier  date  than  that  of  Morgan  County,  and  Gosport  was 
one  of  the  oldest  points.  Ephraim  Goss,  Sr..  had  located  there  as  early, 
probably,  as  1818,  and  others  had  selected  farms  near  him.  Then  down  the 
river  were  several  other  settlements,  especially  in  the  vicinity  of  Spencer, 
where  several  scores  of  families  had  established  themselves.  Before  there 
was  a  white  family  in  Morgan  County,  and  even  before  the  purchase  of 
the  soil  from  the  Indians,  the  country  had  been  visited  by  numerous 
home  seekers  from  the  older  localities  down  the  river  and  elsewhere. 
Then,  as  soon  as  the  purchase  became  known,  the  territory  was  invaded 
by  prospective  pioneers  and  speculators.  As  early  probably  as  1820,  and 
certainly  as  early  as  1821,  several  families  established  themselves,  as 
above  stated,  on  Butler  Creek,  about  a  mile  north  of  the  river  and  near 
the  western  boundary  of  the  county.  This,  so  far  as  can  be  learned,  was 
the  first  settlement  in  Ray  Township.     There  is  a  tradition  to  the  efi'ect 


138  HISTORY   OF   MORGAN   COUNTY. 

that  several  years  before  this  colony  was  formed,  a  professional  hunter 
and  his  family  had  lived  a  year  or  more  on  the  banks  of  this  creek.  One 
thing  is  certain.  After  the  settlement  had  been  formed,  and  even  after 
several  years  had  elapsed  and  other  portions  of  the  township  had  per- 
manent families,  the  remains  of  an  old  cabin  and  other  evidences  of  human 
occupancy  were  still  plainly  discernible  on  the  creek.  Some  have  stated 
that  the  name  of  this  family  was  Butler,  and  that  the  creek  received  its 
christening  from  that  circumstance ;  but  the  better  opinion  seems  to  be 
that  the  stream  took  its  name  from  a  Mr.  Butler  who  lived  thereon  across 
the  line  in  Owen  County  at  a  very  early  date.  The  families  of  James 
McKinney,  Solomon  Tucker  and  Thomas  Thompson  were,  so  far  as  is 
now  known,  the  first  to  locate  permanently  in  what  is  now  Ray  Town- 
ship. The  three  families,  no  doubt,  moved  there  in  1820,  and  the  follow- 
ing year,  when  the  land  was  thrown  into  market,  each  entered  a  tract  of 
land  where  his  log  cabin  had  been  previously  built.  The  old  settler, 
Philip  Hodges,  thinks  these  families  were  the  first  in  the  township,  but 
which  was  first,  or  whether  either  was  first,  he  does  not  certainly  know. 
He  did  not  move  to  the  township  until  1824,  but  he  had  passed  up  the 
river  on  more  than  one  occasion  on  a  tour  of  inspection  a  year  or  two 
before  the  land  was  thrown  into  market,  and  possibly  before  the  New 
Purchase  had  been  secured  by  treaty  with  the  Indians  in  October,  1818. 
When  he  first  became  aware  of  the  presence  of  these  families  in  the  town- 
ship, he  no  longer  recollects. 

The  first  tract  of  land  entered  was  the  east  half  of  the  southwest  quarter 
of  Section  22,  on  the  16th  of  February,  1821,  by  Abner  Alexander.  The 
second  was  the  west  half  of  the  northwest  quarter  of  Section  27,  on  the 
29th  of  May,  1821,  by  Solomon  Tucker.  The  third  was  the  northeast 
quarter  of  Section  23,  on  the  9th  of  March,  1821,  by  William  Anderson. 
The  fourth  was  the  west  half  of  the  southwest  quarter  of  Section  22,  on 
the  20th  of  July,  1821,  by  Daniel  Goss.  The  fifth  was  the  east  half  of 
the  northwest  quarter  of  Section  27,  on  the  27th  of  July,  1821,  by  James 
McKinney.  The  sixth  was  the  west  half  of  the  southwest  quarter,  on  the 
4th  of  August,  1821,  by  Thomas  Thompson.  A  few  other  entries  were 
made  in  1821,  by  Wiley  Williams,  Joseph  Ribble,  David  Fain  in  the 
eastern  part,  and  Philip  Hodges  on  Section  14.  Fred  Buckhart  bought 
land  on  Section  8  in  1822,  and  Ephraim  Goss,  Jr.,  on  Sections  2  and  35, 
in  1823.  Solomon  Watson  and  Scott  Young  bought  land  in  the  north- 
western part  in  1823.  Joshua  Crow  bought  on  Section  27  in  1823. 
Philip  Hodges  and  Charles  D.  Seaton  bought  on  Section  3  in  1824.  Vor- 
daman  Fletcher  purchased  a  tract  on  Section  13  the  same  year.  Jacob 
Johns  and  Benjamin  Freeland  bought  on  Section  34,  in  1824,  and  Fred 
Stigerwalt,  Thomas  Sandy  and  William  Asher  on  Section  35  the  same 
year.  William  Thompson,  Abraham  Lafaver,  John  Thompson,  Lev-i 
Walter,  Levi  Whitaker,  Elijah  Bowen,  Richard  Fletcher,  Joseph  Rhodes. 
John  Vickery,  John  Berry,  Amos  Meyers,  Elisha  Boyd,  Henry  Ratts 
entered  land  in  the  township  later  in  the  twenties.  Among  the  entries  in 
the  thirties  were  the  Whitakers,  Jefferson  Farr,  William  Deal,  Abe  Riley, 
James  Johnson,  William  Voshels,  P.  Howell,  Samuel  Fletcher,  Presley 
Asher,  William  Guy,  Peter  Ester.  Joseph  Yount,  Jacob  Beaman,  Dabney 
Miller,  Joel  Eliott,  Anderson  Poseley,  John  and  William  Duckworth,  J. 
S.  Johnson,  Elijah  Duckworth,  William  Adkins  and  others. 


RAY  TOWNSHIP.  139 

The  first  colony  in  the  township  then  was  on  Butler  Creek.  The 
second  was  in  the  northwest  corner  founded  by  Ephraim  Goss,  Jr.,  who 
entered  a  tract  of  land  there  in  January,  1823,  and  the  following  spring 
came  out  and  built  a  log  cabin,  into  which  he  moved  his  family.  He  had 
scarcely  become  established  before  he  was  joined  by  Solomon  Watson,  Levi 
Walters,  Vordaman  Fletcher,  Ike  Fletcher,  Abe  Fletcher,  Philip  Hodges 
and  others.  Mr.  Hodges  came  to  reside  in  the  township  in  1824.  He 
came  up  the  river  with  a  yoke  of  oxen,  but  no  wagon,  in  1824,  to  the  land 
he  had  just  entered  on  Section  3.  He  immediately  went  to  work  cutting 
down  trees,  cutting  out  logs  and  hauling  them  with  the  oxen  to  the  spot 
selected  for  his  cabin.  All  this  was  done  in  one  day.  The  next  day  Mr. 
Hodges  was  assisted  by  Levi  Walters,  John  Asher,  John  Matlock  and 
others,  who  helped  him  erect  the  hewed-log  cabin,  his  first  home  in  Mor- 
gan County.  The  building  was  one  of  the  typical  sort,  with  puncheon 
floor,  clapboard  roof  and  door,  and  the  indispensable  fire-place.  All  this 
work  was  done  in  one  day.  Soon  after  this,  the  family,  then  consisting  of 
the  mother  and  two  children,  were  moved  into  this  backn^oods  home;  here 
the  family  lived  for  many  years.  Mr.  Hodges  bought  the  first  tract  of 
land  in  the  New  Purchase.  It  was  on  the  first  day  of  the  public  sale  of 
land  at  Terre  Haute  on  the  4th  of  September,  1820.  Col.  John  Vawter 
was  the  "  crier  "  of  the  sale.  Mr.  Hodges  bid  in  at  the  Government 
price  of  $1.25  per  acre  in  Township  11  north,  Range  1  east,  now 
in  Washington  Township,  about  two  miles  east  of  Martinsville,  the  west 
half  of  the  northwest  quarter  of  Section  1,  and  the  east  half  of  the  north- 
east quarter  of  Section  2,  the  two  lots  aggregating  151.45  acres.  Im- 
mediately after  the  hammer  fell,  the  crier  said  to  Mr.  Hodges  :  "  You 
are  the  first  freeholder  in  the  New  Purchase."  This  fact  was  not 
thought  as  much  of  then  as  it  is  now. 

POLL    TAX    PAYERS    OF    1842.* 

Hiram  Alexander,  Tobias  Butler,  William  Deal,  Elijah  Eaton,  James 
Farr,  Jefferson  Farr,  Ephraim  Goss,  Hezekiah  Guy,  Isham  Guy,  Philip 
Hodges,  James  Johnson,  Amos  Myers,  Enoch  Myers,  Solomon  Mvers, 
James  McGinnis,  Cyrus  Marsh,  Thomas  McGinnis,  James  D.  Newton, 
Bartholomew  Pearson,  Caleb  Stirewalt,  Adam  Stirewalt,  Elijah  Watters, 
John  Worthen,  William  Worthen,  Levi  Whitaker,  Jr.,  G.  B.  Whitaker, 
Scott  W.  Young.  This  is  not  a  complete  list,  but  is  the  best  that  can  be 
given. 

INCIDENTS    AND    IMPROVEMENTS. 

The  settlement  and  improvement  of  the  township  was  slow  but  sure. 
A  good  industrious  class  of  people  came  in  largely  from  the  Southern 
States,  many  of  whom  left  there,  as  they  did  not  care  to  rear  their  fami- 
lies where  slavery  was  regarded  as  a  "divine  institution."  The  free 
States  settling  upon  the  north  side  of  the  Ohio  River  was  the  point  of 
attraction,  and  the  southern  half  of  Indiana  and  Illinois  received  large 
ascessions  to  the  pioneers.  Many  species  of  wild  animals  infested  the 
forests  of  Ray  Township,  even  for  several  years  after  the  first  settlement. 
Deer,  especially,  were  very  numerous ;  scores  were  often  seen  in  one 

*  The  list  of  tax  payers  for  1842  is  given  here,  in  order  to  preserve,  as  far  as  possible,  the  names  of  the 
early  residents.    There  is  no  record  of  the  tax  payers  earlier  than  1842. 

9 


140  HISTORY   OF   MORGAN  COUNTY. 

herd,  and  almost  every  cabin  had  venison  steak  at  all  meals.  Corn  bread, 
venison,  fat  pork,  wild  honey  or  maple  sirup  or  sugar,  wild  turkeys, 
potatoes,  pumpkins  and  wild  fruits  constituted  the  principal  pioneer  diet. 
Occasionally  light  wheat  bread  could  be  had,  but  this  was  a  delicacy  not 
the  commonest.  Ephraim  Goss,  Jr., was  one  of  the  most  successful  hunt- 
ers in  the  township.  His  uncle,  Ephraim,  Sr.,  who  lived  in  Owen 
County,  was  a  famous  hunter,  and  on  more  than  one  occasion  killed  bears. 
The  nephew  had  learned  much  of  the  chase  from  the  uncle,  and  finally 
became  almost  as  skillful.  If  he  killed  any  game  larger  than  deer  in 
Ray  Township,  such  fact  is  not  now  known.  Philip  Hodges  relates  the 
following  incident  of  Mr.  Goss  :  One  season,  during  a  period  of  several 
weeks,  the  wolves  had  been  very  troublesome.  At  times  they  would  vent- 
ure so  close  to  the  cabin  or  the  stable  as  to  endanger  the  swine,  fowls, 
calves  and  sheep,  and  all  these  domestic  animals  had  to  be  carefully 
watched  during  the  day,  and  penned  securely  up  in  high  substantial  in- 
closures  at  night.  This  caused  a  great  deal  of  trouble,  which  Mr.  Goss 
concluded,  if  possible,  to  terminate.  He  selected  a  point  where  the  wolves 
would  be  likely  to  pass,  and  there  built  a  high  log  or  pole  pen  held  firmly 
in  place  by  stakes.  Fresh  meat  was  placed  therein,  and  the  trap  was  so 
contrived,  that  when  an  animal  entered  the  doorway  to  get  the  meat  the 
trigger  would  be  struck  and  the  gate  would  fall,  closing  securely  the 
means  of  egress.  When  all  had  been  made  satisfactory,  the  trap  was 
baited  and  left  to  perform  its  work.  Ere  many  days  had  elapsed,  a  large 
wolf  was  found  in  the  trap.  An  opening  was  made,  through  which  the 
animal  thrust  its  head  in  an  effort  to  escape,  when  the  gate  was  pushed 
down  on  its  neck,  pinning  it  fast  against  the  log.  Here  its  mouth  was 
securely  tied  up,  and  a  chain  was  tied  tightly  aroung  its  neck,  after  which 
the  gate  was  opened,  and  the  animal  permitted  to  jump  out.  Several 
large  dogs  had  been  standing  about,  anxious,  no  doubt,  for  a  chance  at 
the  wolf,  but  they  were  put  off  until  after  the  fierce  animal  had  been 
led  home.  It  was  then  resolved  to  ham-string  the  wolf,  cut  the  ropes 
around  its  mouth,  and  let  it  fight  the  dogs.  This  was  done,  and  the  half 
crippled  animal  was  savagely  attacked  by  the  big  dogs.  But  the  curs 
soon  learned  "to  go  slow."  The  double  row  of  long  white  teeth  would 
snap  together  like  a  steel  trap,  and  cut  the  skin  of  the  dogs  like  a  knife. 
After  the  fight  had  been  witnessed  for  a  long  time,  the  wolf  was  shot. 
This  was  rather  cruel  sport,  but  the  spectators,  of  whom  Mr.  Hodges  was 
one,  greatly  enjoyed  it. 

PARAGON. 

This  village  started  up  early  in  the  fifties.  J.  D.  Newton,  who  had 
been  selling  goods  a  few  miles  northeast,  started  a  store  there  about  1852. 
His  brother  Thomas  conducted  the  store,  which  was  continued  about  fif- 
teen years.  Near  the  close  of  the  war,  Scott  &  McMillan  opened  a  store. 
Lehman  &  McMillan  succeeded  them.  Newton,  Hodges  &  Co.  began 
about  1870.  Since  then  the  leading  merchants  have  been  Raber  &  Mc- 
Cord,  Samuel  Rosengarden,  Frank  Cunningham,  drugs ;  J.  W.  Prater, 
drugs;  Clarence  H.  Jones,  drugs,  a;nd  others.  The  present  merchants  are 
Mr.  Raber,  J.  K.  Stout,  William  Brown  &  Co.,  Goss  &  Co.  Andrew 
Fletcher  was  the  first  blacksmith ;  P.  M.  Blankenship,  the  first  carpenter. 


RAY  TOWNSHIP.  141 

The  following  men  have  owned  saw  mills  :  P.  M.  Blankenship,  George 
and  Henry  Lincoln,  Goulding  &  Harden,  Levi  Frederick,  T.  &  H.  My- 
ers, J.  W.  Prater,  and  at  present  Philip  Blankenship.  ^v  Ed  Robinson 
owned  a  grist  mill  in  town  for  two  or  three  years,  beginning  about  1871, 
at  the  end  of  which  time  it  was  moved  away.  Dr.  Charles  Holman  was 
the  first  physician  and  J.  D.  Newton  the  first  Postmaster.  The  village 
has  a  population  of  about  250.     It  has  important  lumber  interests. 

SCHOOLS  AND  CHURCHES. 

Where  and  when  the  first  school  was  taught  in  the  township  cannot 
fully  be  determined.  The  first  one,  so  far  as  known,  was  taught  in  the  settle- 
ment in  the  northwestern  part  in  the  year  1832,  by  Levi  Johnson.  This 
could  not  have  been  the  first  in  the  township.  In  all  probability,  school  was 
taught  in  the  southern  part  as  early  as  1828,  and  possibly  earlier.  In  1840, 
there  were  four  established  schools,  all,  of  course,  being  supported  by  sub- 
scription. Soon  after  Paragon  started  into  life,  a  schoolhouse  was  built 
there,  and  Joseph  Fletcher  became  the  first  teacher.  This  house  was  erected 
by  Perry  M.  Blankenship.  It  was  used  until  about  1866,  when  a  larger 
house  was  built  on  the  same  lot.  The  present  fine  brick  school  building 
was  constructed  in  1882,  at  a  cost  of  about  $2,500.  I.  E.  Kerlin  was 
the  first  Principal.  He  had  two  assistants.  The  township,  as  a  whole, 
has  good  schools. 

The  first  sermon  in  the  township  was  preached  in  1822  by  Rev. 
Thomas  Thompson,  a  minister  or  elder  of  the  Dunkard  Church,  and  one 
of  the  earliest  residents  of  the  township.  He  preached  at  his  own  and  at 
his  neighbors'  cabins  quite  often,  but  so  far  as  can  be  learned  no  organ- 
ization was  efiected. 

A  Baptist  Church  was  organized  on  the  northern  boundary  of  the 
township  late  in  the  twenties,  among  the  members  being  Levi  Asher, 
William  Manon,  Elijah  Bowen,  John  Durham,  John  Burnam  and  others. 
Perhaps  a  majority  of  the  members  lived  in  Ashland  Township  or  in 
Owen  County.     It  was  called  the  Samaria  Baptist  Church. 

A  Lutheran  Church  was  organized  in  Ray  Township  in  the  forties, 
Lewis  Tucker,  Henry  Miller,  Ambrose  Seachrist  and  others  belonging. 

A  Christian  Church  was  organized  west  of  Paragon  in  the  forties,  and 
for  many  years  used  a  frame  dwelling  that  had  been  vacated  for  a  church. 
The  class  built  a  church  in  1859.  Perry  M.  Blankenship  was  one  of  the 
leading  members.  The  Methodists  have  a  class  at  Paragon  of  a  later 
.  origin. 


142  HISTORY   OF   MORGAN   COUNTY. 


ADAMS   TOWNSHIP. 


NATURAL    RESOURCES. 

THE  northwestern  part  of  the  county  was  not  settled  as  early  as 
other  portions,  for  the  reason  that  it  contained  no  navigable  streams, 
or  was  remote  from  White  River,  then  the  great  commercial  highway.  In 
ancient  times  civilization  sought  the  sea.  Almost  all  of  the  ancient  cities 
of  great  commercial  importance  were  on  some  body  of  water.  This  was 
due  to  the  fact  that  water  was  the  chief  highway.  But  when  steam  was 
harnessed  and  driven  at  an  amazing  rate  of  speed  to  the  heart  of  the  con- 
tinent, inland  towns  of  great  power  sprang  up,  and  many  on  the  larger 
water-courses  died,  yielding  their  seeds  of  life  to  the  new. 

The  general  settlement  of  Adams  Township  did  not  take  place  until 
the  thirties,  at  which  time  the  greater  portion  of  the  land  was  purchased 
by  actual  residents.  The  tardiness  of  settlement  was  not  the  result  of 
the  poverty  of  the  soil,  as  the  greater  portion  is  rich  bottom  land,  well 
watered  by  Mill  Creek  on  the  west  and  its  tributaries.  There  is  a  low, 
wet  tract  of  country  extending  across  the  township  from  east  to  west, 
usually  known  as  the  Lake,  which,  when  fully  drained  and  reclaimed, 
will  be  the  most  valuable  land  in  the  township.  The  northwestern  part 
is  drained  by  Mud  Creek,  which  finds  its  outlet  in  Mill  Creek. 

For  several  years  before  any  permanent  settlers  lived  in  the  township, 
the  woods  were  thoroughly  hunted  over  by  ambitious  Nimrods  from  the 
older  localities  along  White  River  and  White  Lick  Creek.  The  game  in 
the  vicinity  of  the  river  had  become  scarce,  but  out  northwest  in  the  forests 
of  Adams,  bears  and  an  abundance  of  less  dangerous  wild  animals  could 
be  found.  Benjamin  Cuthbert,  who  lived  in  Brown  Township,  was  a 
professional  hunter,  and  only  a  few  of  the  early  settlers  could  excel  him 
with  the  rifle.  He  killed  hundreds  of  deer  annually  (in  the  thirties, 
largely  in  Adams  Township),  and  made  his  living  wholly  from  the  sale  of 
their  skins,  at  from  75  cents  to  $1.60  each,  and  the  sale  of  their  "sad- 
dles." Many  an  old  settler  living  in  the  northern  part  of  the  county 
remembers  eating  venison  of  his  killing.  It  is  said  that  he  killed  two 
bears  in  Adams  Township  in  the  woods  on  Mud  Creek  at  a  very  early 
day.  He  shot  the  mother  bear,  and  then  was  obliged  to  use  his  knife  on 
the  cub.  He  was  an  experienced  deer  hunter,  and  knew  enough  to  keep 
away  from  a  wounded  buck  or  doe.  The  wolves  were  very  troublesome 
in  the  township  at  the  time  of  the  first  settlement.  The  Staleys  had 
stock  killed  by  them,  and  no  doubt  others  were  served  in  a  similar  man- 
ner, as  wolves  are  no  respecters  of  persons. 

THE    EARLY    SETTLEMENT. 

The  name  of  the  first  settler  is  not  known.  It  is  likely  that  the  Sta- 
leys, who  came  in  about  the  year  1825  or  1826,  were  the  first.  Several 
families  of  Treats  came  in  about  1828  or  1829.     Thomas  Shoemaker  was 


ADAMS  TOWNSHIP.  143 

one  of  the  first,  if  not  himself  the  first.  He  came  to  the  township  in 
1826,  and  entered  considerable  land,  and  soon  built  up  a  comfortable 
home.  Other  early  residents  of  the  township  were  James  Pruitt,  John 
Johnson,  B.  Pruitt,  Terrell  Brewer,  William  Brewer,  George  Seaton, 
Richard  Osborn,  Nathaniel  Wheeler  (who  entered  nearly  300  acres),  John 
Linn,  Allen  Wheeler,  Amaziah  McLain,  Thomas  Barker,  George  Elliott, 
Thomas  Stringer,  Garland  Gentry,  Thomas  McCarty,  John  Tomlinson, 
Daniel  Elliott,  Eli  Pruitt,  Richard  Wiley,  George  Erlinger,  Thomas 
Hulse,  James  Broadstreet,  Benjamin  Freeland,  M.  A.  Miller,  Nathan 
Wheeler,  John,  James,  William,  Richard  and  Stephen  Treat  (who  came 
in  the  twenties),  David  A.  Curtis,  Jonathan  McCullom,  Philip  A.  Fox- 
worthy,  Jeremiah  Matthews,  Jesse  Pritchett,  Larkin  Parish,  John  Rat- 
liff,  Allen  Taylor,  James  Dorsett,  Robert  Walters,  Miller  Howell.  John 
Bowman,  Gideon  Brasier,  Logan  Gray,  John  Craven,  George  Moore, 
G.  W.  Bowman,  John  L.  Ashbaugh,  John  and  James  Taylor,  William 
Edwards,  William  and  Edward  Bowman,  Israel  Lewis,  Robert  Walter^ 
Hiram  Brasier,  Isaac  Brasier,  Andrew  Thompson,  Solomon  Watson, 
James  Ogles,  Joseph,  William  and  Robert  Walters,  Joseph  Donaldson, 
William  Wigal,John  Burnan,  George  Shape,  Silas  Nichols,  A.D.Blunk, 
John  Reeves  and  others.  All  of  the  above  men,  however,  did  not  reside 
in  Adams.  Some  were  speculators,  and  some  were  residents  of  neighbor- 
ing townships. 

The  poll  tax  payers  in  1842  were  as  follows  :  William  Allen,  William  ' 
Alexander,  Benjamin  Alexander,  William  Aldred,  A.  J.  Bowman,  John 
Bennett,  Peter  Bryant,  Simon  Bundy,  Hardin  Bundy,  Alfred  Bundy,  Ter- 
rell Brewer,  David  D.  Blunk,  Amos  D.  Blunk,  William  Brewer,  Samuel 
Beadle,  C.  B.  Bowman,  J.  M.  Bryant,  W.  T.  Boyd,  William  and  Reu- 
ben Bryan,  N.  B.  Chambers,  William  Clark,  Ignatius  Clark,  David  A. 
Curtis,  Alfred  Delavan,  S.  A.  Duncan,  W.  S.  Drake,  John  Dunham, 
High  Dobbs,  Abijah  Dorsett,  James  Dorsett,  Duty  Dorsett,  Charles 
Duncan,  Joseph  Donaldson,  William  Estes,  Frank  Elliott,  Peter  Elmore, 
S.  M.  D.  Elmore,  Jared  Elsey,  A.  J.  Franklin,  W.  A.  Franklin,  Josiah 
Graves,  Aaron  Goodwin,  Francis  Gibbons,  Samuel  Goodwin,  Thomas  L. 
Gray,  Stephen  Grimes,  Garland  Gentry,  William  Gumm,  George  Guy, 
Daniel  Goodwin,  Asa  Hadley,  J.  T.  Hall,  George  Horner,  Johnson 
Hutchinson,  Edward  Jackson,  John  Johnson,  M.  B.  Johnson,  B.  S.  John- 
son, Hezekiah  Johnson,  Moses  Kenney,  Nathaniel  Ludlow,  John  M. 
Ludlow,  Job  Lewis,  John  Moser,  William  Moser,  Bryce  Miller,  M.  D. 
Miller,  Jonathan  McCollum,  Edward  Miller,  John  McGinnis,  William 
Norton,  W.  A.  Nunn,  Andrew  Ogle,  Zachariah  Ogle,  Richard  Osborn, 
Benoni  Peterson,  Bright  Pruitt,  Lorenzo  Padget,  John  Pritchett,  Paul 
Peters,  Andrew  Pottorff,  Larkin  Parish,  W.  H.  Parker,  Eli  Pruitt,  Jr., 
John  Reeves,  James  Ruston,  John  R.  Robards,  Samuel  Rowland,  John 
Ratliff,  J.  G.  Russell,  Peter  Staley,  Thomas  Shoemaker,  James  Snoddy, 
Jacob  Stitts,  Reuben  Stringer,  William  Staley,  John  Staley,  Eli  Staley, 
James  Stringer,  Sampson  Staley,  Jacob  Shake,  Joseph  Smith,  A.  S. 
Smith,  Aaron  Smith,  Jacob  Surber,  David  Shields,  Joseph  Snodgrass, 
James  Sallust,  Abraham  Turner.  Richard  Treat,  William  Trammell,  J. 
W.  Treat,  W.  W.  Treat,  Nathan  Wood,  Nathaniel  Wheeler,  L.  P.  Whit- 
taker,  Elisha  Wood,  Gideon  Wright,  Isaac  Wilcox,  Payton  Wheeler,  Eli- 


144  HISTORY    OF   MORGAN   COUNTY. 

jah  Wallace,  Thomas  Wheeler,  Enoch  Wallace,  Edmond  Worley,  Allen 
Wheeler,  Richard  Walters,  William  Wigal.  Several  of  the  above  men 
never  lived  in  the  township.     They  were  non-residents. 

SCHOOLS. 

The  early  schools  were  taught  first  in  private  dwellings.  The  early 
teachers  were  residents  who  possessed  some  little  education,  enough  to 
furnish  rudimentary  instruction  in  reading,  writing  and  arithmetic,  and 
to  furnish  correction  with  hickory  gads.  These  old  instruments  of  pun- 
ishment were  always  present,  and  usually  hung  on  wooden  hooks  over  the 
old  fire-place,  so  that  they  became  so  hardened  by  seasoning  from  the 
heat  that  they  resisted  the  severest  exercise  of  the  teacher  in  an  applica- 
tion on  some  ofi'ending  pupil,  and  even  cut  the  wooden  benches  as  the 
teacher  in  his  fervor  pursued,  round  and  round,  the  howling  culprit.  The 
big  whip  was  indispensable.  A  "  master  "  who  could  successfully  teach  a 
term  of  school  without  using  a  whip,  or  could  get  along  perhaps  without 
any  such  corrective,  was  a  rare  object,  and  when  one  was  found  he  was 
looked  upon  with  suspicion,  so  prevalent  was  the  belief  in  the  efficacy  of 
the  rod.  The  old  settlers  were  firm  believers  in  the  oracle  of  Solomon, 
"spare  the  rod  and  spoil  the  child,"  and  as  they  did  not  care  to  have 
their  ofispring  spoiled,  they  usually  employed  an  Irishman  who  possessed 
both  the  energy  and  temper  to  apply  the  rod  to  the  unlimited  satisfaction 
of  parents  anxious  that  their  children  "  should  be  trained  up  in  the  way 
they  should  go."  It  is  worthy  of  note  that  the  earliest  professional  teach- 
ers throughout  the  West  were  Irishmen.  They  were  about  the  only 
class  that  appeared  to  find  satisfactory  emoluments  in  continuous  teaching. 
Coming  themselves  from  an  humble  stock,  and  trained  in  the  rough  school 
of  poverty,  they  seemed  to  enjoy  the  rude  fare  always  obtained  by 
"boarding  around,"  and  seemed  contented  with  the  meager  amounts 
doled  stingily  out  by  parents  of  the  backwoods.  It  is  stated  that  the  first 
school  held  in  the  township  was  near  Eminence,  in  about  the  year  1835. 
A  rude  log  cabin  that  had  been  occupied  a  short  time  by  some  early  fam- 
ily and  had  then  been  vacated,  was  fitted  up,  and  a  school  was  taught  by 
some  stranger,  probably  an  Irishman,  who  came  along.  A  school  was 
taught  soon  afterward  in  the  northern  part  of  the  township,  the  Wheelers 
being  the  principal  patrons.  It  is  said  that  one  of  them  was  the  teacher. 
This  school  was  taught  about  the  year  1836.  Another  was  taught  east 
of  it  within  a  year  or  two  afterward.  In  1840,  there  were  four  estab- 
lished schools,  two  in  the  northern  part,  one  near  the  center,  and  one  near 
Eminence,  or  near  what  afterward  became  Eminence.  The  real  develop- 
ment of  the  school  system  of  the  township  began  with  the  passage  of  the 
common  school  law  of  1852.  Frame  houses  were  built,  and  public  funds 
provided  better  wages  for  teachers,  and  thus  secured  better  instructors. 
Now  there  are  eight  or  nine  schools  in  the  township,  and  the  value  of  the 
school  property  is  about  $5,500. 

CHURCHES. 

It  is  likely  that  the  Baptists  at  Eminence  had  the  first  permanent 
religious  organization  in  the  township.  The  class  was  established  about 
the  year  1837  or  1838,  at  the  house  of  Thomas  Shoemaker,  or  as  others 


ADAMS  TOWNSHIP.  145 

State,  at  that  of  Joseph  Donaldson.  These  men  and  their  families  were 
prominent  members,  and  at  the  organization  of  the  class  were  about  the 
only  ones.  Joseph  Applegate  was  an  early  member.  Mr.  Shoemaker 
donated  a  small  tract  of  ground  for  a  church  and  cemetery  in  1841. 
This  church  became  widely  known,  and  was  called  Mount  Eden.  It  had 
a  large  membership  during  the  forties,  and  did  great  good  throughout  all 
that  portion  of  the  county.  It  is  yet  in  a  prosperous  condition  at  Emi- 
nence. The  Methodists  organized  a  class  west  of  Mill  Creek  about  1840, 
which  met  for  worship  at  the  house  of  William  Brick.  This  is  not  now 
in  Morgan  County,  but  it  was  then.  Among  the  members  were  the  fam- 
ilies of  John  Clark,  Logan  Gray,  A.  J.  Bowman,  Josiah  Graves,  Thomas 
Champion,  J.  P.  Goodwin,  Norman  Nunn  and  others.  Rev.  Isaac  Craw- 
ford was  the  pastor  of  the  class  early  in  the  forties.  The  class  often  met 
at  the  residence  of  John  Clark.  Another  early  class  was  the  Lake  Valley 
Methodist  Church.  It  was  organized  in  the  forties,  among  the  early 
members  being  the  families  of  William  Wilhite,  Hezekiah  Johnson,  Cole- 
man Brown,  James  Pruitt,  James  McClellan.  In  1852,  the  pastor  was 
Rev.  H.  S.  Talbot.  This  class  is  yet  in  existence.  The  Oak  Grove 
Christian  Church,  in  the  northern  part,  was  organized  in  the  forties, 
some  of  the  early  members  being  A.  M.  Delaven,  Richard  Treat,  Bright 
Pruitt,  John  Boyd  and  others.  This  class  is  in  a  flourishing  condition  at 
present.     Other  religious  organizations  have  existed  in  the  township. 

EMINENCE. 

This  is  a  thriving  village  of  about  350  people.  It  was  laid  out  in 
July,  1855,  on  Section  33,  Township  13  north.  Range  2  west,  by  Will- 
iam Wigal,  proprietor.  Twenty  lots  were  laid  out  at  that  time,  to  which 
no  further  addition  was  made  until  1865,  when  Jacob  Surber  increased 
the  town  proper  by  a  number  of  lots.  The  early  owners  of  lots  were  Abe 
Hadden,  J.  S.  Holmes,  Daniel  N.  Holmes,  Elison  Sliger,  E.  W.  Spencer, 
G.  L.  Wigal,  T.  A.  Adkins,  H.  R.  Flook,  Miller  Howell,  Solomon  Wat- 
son. In  1862,  George  Kirkham,  J.  M.  Reed,  Louisa  Twiss,  McDonald 
Walters,   bought  lots.     Later  came  C.   C.  Buchanan,  Frank  Mathis,  J. 

E.  Patrick,  Isom  Ward,  Matt  Watson,  A.  C.  Modell,  J.  F.  Myrick,  John 

F.  Ray,  J.  C.  Rhea,  B.  F.  Card,  J.  W.  Alexander,  C.  E.  Nichols,  Pre- 
cilla  Bowman,  Card  &  Brewer,  Andrew  Gum,  W.  H.  Greenway,  J.  H. 
Hulse,  John  Hulse,  J.  G.  Hamilton,  John  Hancock  and  many  others 
after  1867. 

It  is  said  that  Joseph  W.  Ray  was  the  first  merchant  in  Eminence. 
Others  have  been  McDonald  Walters,  Howard  Hulse,  Eli  Watson,  Emery 
Nichols,  Hulse  &  Watson,  Dossett  &  Hulse,  Enoch  Patrick,  John  Dur- 
mington,  Hiram  Staley,  John  Summers,  Jacob  Arnold  and  many  others. 
About  six  years  ago,  the  town  was  almost  wholly  destroyed  by  fire.  The 
Pierce  Brothers  built  a  woolen  factory  there,  several  years  after  the  town 
was  started.  The  enterprise  started  out  well  at  carding,  spinning  and 
weaving,  and  numerous  hands  were  required  to  conduct  the  divers  pieces 
of  machinery.  After  continuing  a  few  years,  the  enterprise  was  abandoned. 
The  principal  feature  of  the  town  in  early  years,  and  indeed  long  before  a 
town  was  thought  of,  was  the  grist  mill  owned  and  conducted  by  William 
Wigal.     The  building  of  the  mill  soon  concentrated  other  interests  there, 


146  HISTORY  OF  MORGAN  COUNTY. 

which  demanded  the  laying  out  of  a  town.  The  growth,  however,  was 
very  slow,  and  did  not  progress  rapidly  until  after  the  war,  even  if  it  did 
then.  The  town  has  had  numerous  saw  mills,  wagon- makers,  cabinet- 
makers and  artisans,  and  mechanics  of  all  other  crafts  almost.  There  is 
not  a  livelier  town  of  its  size  in  the  county.  This  is  accounted  for  by 
reason  of  the  location  of  the  village  in  the  center  of  a  rich  tract  of  country, 
and  its  distance  from  railroad  towns  and  the  enterprise  of  the  citizens. 
The  present  industries  may  be  summed  up  as  follows :  General  stores, 
Daniel  N.  Holmes,  C.  E.  Nichols  &  Bro.,  Ray  &  Watson,  Nicholas  & 
Rhea,  Parker  &  Son,  Rhea  &  Ryan  ;  drugs,  J.  K.  Burges,  Joel  Parker 
and  Dr.  Pottoff;  undertakers,  Slage  &  Rhea;  millinery,  H.  Nicholas, 
Miller  Sisters :  hotel,  Gideon  Brasier,  Mrs.  Gum  ;  saw  mill,  M. 
Miller ;  grist  mill,  Summers  &  Tarleten ;  saw  mill,  Twomey,  Pottoflf  & 
Co.  ;  harness,  Braisier  &  Hubbell,  C.  J.  Aren  &  Son.  There  are 
three  churches — Methodist,  Baptist  and  Christian, 


JEFFERSON   TOWNSHIP. 


LAMB  S    BOTTOM. 

ONE  of  the  earliest  settlements  in  Morgan  County  was  in  the  small) 
fertile  and  famous  valley  in  the  southern  part  of  Jefferson  Town- 
ship, known  by  the  above  name.  Here  it  was  that,  according  to  some, 
the  first  permanent  settlement  in  the  county  was  made.  It  should  be 
known  that  the  counties  down  the  river  (Owen,  Monroe,  Greene,  etc.) 
were  settled  from  six  to  ten  years  before  the  county  of  Morgan.  Before 
the  latter  had  any  permanent  white  settlers,  its  territory  had  been  fre- 
quently invaded  by  prospectors  who  knew  that  ere  many  years,  the  Gov- 
ernment would  secure  the  soil  and  open  it  to  settlement,  and  by  adventur- 
ous hunters  and  trappers  who  penetrated  its  natural  fastnesses  in  quest  of 
game  and  a  livelihood.  The  country  along  the  river,  especially,  was 
hus  often  inspected,  but  of  course  no  permanent  settlement  could  be 
made,  or  at  least  was  made,  until  after  the  Indian  treaty  of  St. 
Mary's,  Ohio,  at  which  time  the  fine  tract  of  country  called  the  New  Pur- 
chase, of  which  the  county  of  Morgan  formed  a  part,  was  ceeded  to  the 
United  States.  Settlers  in  the  lower  and  older  counties  had  waited 
patiently  for  this  event,  and  the  ratification  of  the  treaty  was  no  sooner 
announced  than  the  adventurous  home  seekers  penetrated  the  New  Pur- 
chase for  permanent  settlement.  The  survey  of  the  land  was  ordered, 
undertaken  and  completed  during  the  years  1819  and  1820,  and  on  the 
4th  of  September  the  first  sale  took  place  at  Terre  Haute. 

Early  in  the  spring  of  1819,  the  exact  date  not  being  known,  but 
probably  in  the  month  of  March  or  April,  three  men  in  one  of  the  lower 
counties  (Jeremiah  Lamb,  Joseph  Munden  and  Humphrey  Harris),  loaded 
with  provisions  and  implements,  and  armed  with  rifles  and  knives, 
journeyed  up  White  River  until  the  valley  above  mentioned  was  reached, 
when,  after  examining  the  country  there  thoroughly,  they  concluded  to 


JEFFERSON  TOWNSHIP.  147 

make  a  permanent  location,  and  began  immediately  to  erect  a  rude  log 
cabin  in  which  to  live  while  they  were  clearing  a  few  acres  for  a  crop, 
and  until  better  houses  could  be  reared  for  the  families  that  were  to  be 
brought  out  in  the  fall.  The  temporary  cabin  was  hastily  built,  and  the 
three  men  went  resolutely  to  work  to  clear  a  few  acres  for  a  crop  of  corn 
and  vegetables.  They  concluded  to  farm  the  first  year  in  common,  and 
after  clearing  about  five  acres,  they  planted  the  same  with  corn  and  gar- 
den "truck,"  and  two  of  them  went  back  whence  they  came  and  the 
third  remained  to  care  for  the  crop.  The  others  returned  and  assisted. 
The  three  men  "bached"  during  the  summer,  often  joining  their  families 
for  provisions  and  to  care  for  property  there.  One  or  more  of  them  was 
always  present  at  the  new  home.  During  the  summer,  three  substantial 
log  cabins  were  built  for  the  three  families,  and  three  small  tracts  were 
cleared  and  larger  tracts  deadened.  In  the  fall,  the  families  were  brought 
out  and  domiciled  in  the  cabins.  For  two  or  three  years,  this  settlement 
became  well  known,  and  was  universally  known  as  "Lamb's  Bottom," 
called  thus  for  Mr.  Lamb,  the  most  prominent  of  the  three  settlers.  The 
cabins  of  these  men  became  great  resorts  for  all  the  hunters,  who  came  up 
the  river  during  the  years  1819  and  1820,  and  for  numerous  home  seek- 
ers. Game  was  very  abundant  then,  and  the  cabins  were  always  sup- 
plied with  wild  turkeys,  venison  steak  and  quite  probably  sometimes  with 
bear  steak. 

In  January,  1820  (or  perhaps  the  following  January,  1821),  the  fam- 
ily of  Mr.  Munden  had  been  so  closely  housed  for  some  time  by  excessive 
cold  weather  that  the  supply  of  meat  ran  short,  and  one  morning  when 
the  cold  seemed  somewhat  modified  and  the  approaching  day  seemed  aus- 
picious, Mr.  Munden  took  his  rifle  aud  went  out  in  quest  of  game.  After 
three  or  four  hours  had  elapsed,  it  suddenly  clouded  up,  and  the  snow  be- 
gan to  fall  heavily,  and  in  a  comparatively  short  time  lay  upon  the  ground 
twelve  or  fifteen  inches  deep.  The  snow  then  ceased  to  fall,  the  wind 
veered  round  to  the  northwest  and  it  became  intensely  cold.  To  increase 
the  horror  of  being  out,  the  light  snow  was  raised  in  clouds  by  the  wind, 
and  scarcely  a  foot  could  be  seen  in  advance.  The  day  wore  away,  but 
Mr.  Munden  did  not  return.  His  family  became  uneasy,  but  hoped  for 
his  appearance  before  night.  Inky  darkness  settled  over  the  earth,  the 
storm  continued  with  unabated  fury,  and  still  the  hunter  did  not  return. 
The  night  slowly  passed,  and  at  daybreak,  as  Mr.  Munden  did  not 
appear,  his  family,  with  direful  forebodings,  hurried  to  the  cabins  of  the 
neighbors  and  told  them  of  the  ominous  condition  of  affairs.  It  was  in- 
stantly resolved  to  go  in  search  of  the  missing  man.  The  cold  was  yet 
bitter,  but  the  wind  had  died,  and  the  snow  lay  in  huge  drifts.  Five  or 
six  men,  including  several  who  had  lately  come  to  the  neighborhood,  ac- 
cordingly started  out  in  groups  of  two.  After  many  hours  of  tiresome 
walking,  two  of  the  men  came  upon  human  tracks  nearly  filled  with  snow. 
These  were  five  or  six  miles  from  home,  and  were  followed  as  rapidly  as 
possible.  They  led  in  a  rambling  way  toward  the  settlement,  and  finally 
struck  the  old  Indian  trace.  Here  it  was  found  that  the  man  had  lain 
down  in  the  snow  to  rest.  The  half  concealed  tracks  were  followed,  and 
soon  another  resting  place  was  found.  This  was  repeated  six  or  seven 
times,  the  resting  places  coming  nearer  and  nearer  together,  until  at  last 


148  HISTORY  OF  MORGAN  COUNTY. 

the  dead  body  of  Mr.  Munden  was  found,  frozen  stiff,  and  half  covered 
with  snow.  He  was  in  a  half-sitting  posture  with  his  gun  in  his  hands, 
and  when  overtaken  by  death  was  no  doubt  attempting  to  raise  himself 
to  his  feet  with  the  assistance  of  his  rifle,  in  another  effort  for  his  life. 
Intense  was  the  sorrow  of  his  family  when  the  news  became  known.  The 
corpse  was  taken  home  and  buried.  The  family  remained  in  the  settle- 
ment a  year  or  more  and  then  left,  and  their  subsequent  movements  are 
unknown.  How  long  Mr.  Lamb  and  Mr.  Harris  remained  in  the  settle- 
ment cannot  be  learned,  but  it  was  not  to  exceed  about  three  years.  What 
became  of  them  could  not  be  learned.  Their  farms,  which  they  did  not 
own,  were  purchased  by  others,  and  the  names  of  all  except  that  of  Mr. 
Lamb  are  well-nigh  forgotten. 

CONTINUED    SETTLEMENT. 

Among  those  who  bought  land  early  in  the  township  were  James  K. 
Hamilton,  John  Burnett,  Samuel  Newell,  Hiram  Stroud,  John  Kennedy, 
Abraham  Stroud,  Jacob  Cutler,  John  Conner,  Fred  Fry,  Abraham  Fry, 
William  McDaniel,  Samuel  Ashton,  Andrew  Waymore,  Thomas  Clark. 
These  men  made  their  purchases  prior  to  1825,  and  all  located  their  land 
in  Lamb's  Bottom.  Later  entries  were  made  by  Alexander  McKinney,  Fred- 
erick Buckhart,  and  still  later  by  Solomon  Watson,  J.  W.  Powers,  George 
Shultz,  P.  Duckworth,  John  Hynds,  Levi  Walters,  William  Stiles,  William 
Riddle,  Isaac  Fletcher,  Amos  and  Aaron  Stout,  William  Bragg,  George 
Malf,  Andrew  Scott,  Craven  P.  Hester,  Solomon  Teag,  James  Newton, 
Emanuel  Isenhower,  George  Elliott,  John  Burnett,  Hiram  McKinney, 
William  Goodwin,  John  B.  Gibson,  Jacob  Stierwalt,  Christopher  Shultz, 
J.  M.  Worthington,  Samuel  Fletcher,  Henry  French,  John  Taggart,  Jo- 
seph Whitson,  James  Warren,  Robert  Burge,  Nathan  Dow,  Joel  Beam, 
John  Fowler,  John  Smith,  Thomas  Lockhart,  Reuben  Robertson,  Joseph 
Elder,  Martha  Townsend,  Lawrence  Fonts,  Ingraham  Collins,  H.  S. 
Cunningham,  William  Crone,  W.  H.  Allison.  Robert  Miller,  John  Plas- 
ters, John  O'Neil,  John  A.  Worthen,  David  Lee,  William  Shearer,  Will- 
iam Watson,  Thomas  Dixon,  Gideon  Lewis,  Charles  B.  Butler,  John 
Hudson,  Fred  Bronjon,  David  Snodgrass,  T.  Shipley,  Allen  Smith,  Silas 
Bartholomew,  Joseph  Snodgrass,  Gideon  Farris,  Henry  Richardson, 
Gideon  Reynold,  J.  W.  Cox,  Philip  Engle,  George  Winters,  John  Nutter, 
R.  D.  Worthington,  Jonathan  Powers  and  Hiram  Collins. 

POLL  TAX  PAYERS  OF  1842. 

Lewis  Asher,  William  Bragg,  James  Browning,  Robert  Bragg,  Mil- 
ton Burpoe,  James  Ball,  Noah  Ball,  Robert  Burge,  Walter  Best,  Joel 
Beam,  Daniel  Bailiff,  Wesley  Ballinger,  William  Cox,  J.  W.  Cox,  Will- 
iam N.  Cunningham,  Pleasant  Duckworth,  Nathan  Dow,  Thomas  Dixon, 
William  Dixon,  John  Duckworth,  Joel  Elliott,  C.  W.  Eaton,  George 
Elliott,  Thomas  Fipps,  Henry  French,  Robert  Foster,  Joseph  Fry,  Sam- 
uel Fletcher,  Jesse  Grifiith,  D.  C.  Gladson,  Lawson  Grunt,  David  Grunt, 
Henderson  Hutton,  George  Hensley,  Thomas  Hines,  John  Hynds, 
Thomas  Hynds,  Emanuel  Isenhower,  James  Kirby,  L.  'C.  Kennedy, 
William  Kirk,  Amos  Kirby,  Gideon  Lewis,  Robert  Miller,  George  Miller, 
James  McKinney,  Peter  Miller,  John  Miller.  Henry  Miller, Marsh, 


JEFFERSON  TOWNSHIP.  149 

William  Preston,  John  O'Neal,  Jesse  Overton,  Robert  Pattison,  William 
Payton,  Henry  Richardson,  Felix  Rinehart,  Edward  Shipley,  Jesse 
Stanton,  Talbot  Shipley,  George  Shultz,  David  Smith,  Allen  Skelton, 
Amos  Stout,  Jacob  Stierwalt,  William  Stiles,  John  Stout,  William  Stout, 
John  Taggart,  William  Teag,  John  Wallace,  David  Woods,  William 
Widner,  James  Warman,  Ira  Worthen,  John  Woods,  George  Winter 
and  Richard  Weathers. 

RELIGIOUS    ORGANIZATIONS. 

The  first  church  organized  in  the  township  was  the  Mt.  Gilead  Bap- 
tist society,  founded  soon  after  1840.  The  leading  members  in  early 
years  were  Luke  C.  Kennedy,  Harvey  Sheppard,  A.  J.  Duncan,  Alex- 
ander Knox,  W.  C.  Townsend  and  others.  After  a  few  years  a  church 
was  built.  The  class  is  yet  in  existence.  Late  in  the  forties,  the  Chris- 
tian Church  in  Lamb's  Bottom  was  organized,  the  leading  members  be- 
ing Thomas  Wilson,  James  Farr,  Alexander  Wilson,  Hezekiah  Guy  and 
Ephraim  Hodges.  The  Mt.  Olive  Methodist  class  was  organized  later, 
as  was  also  the  Presbyterian.  The  meeting  house  at  Crone's  has  been 
well  attended  at  times.  The  township  is  well  supplied  with  facilities  for 
worship. 

THE  SCHOOLS. 

The  first  schools  were  taught  in  Lamb's  Bottom.  Several  had  been 
started  there  before  any  other  portion  of  the  township  was  thus  represent- 
ed. A  log  cabin  about  a  mile  and  a  half  southwest  of  Hyndsdale  was 
transformed  into  a  temple  of  learning  about  the  year  1834,  and  a  session 
was  taught  therein  by  some  man  whose  name  is  no  longer  remembered. 
Another  school  was  started  southwest  of  that  point,  near  the  township 
line,  about  the  same  time.  It  has  been  stated  that  school  was  taught  in 
the  twenties  in  the  vicinity  of  Hyndsdale,  but  if  so  the  facts  could  not 
be  ascertained.  During  the  forties,  several  schools  were  established  in 
the  central  and  northern  parts  of  the  township.  In  almost  every  case, 
log  cabins,  with  huge  fire-places,  stick  and  clay  chimneys,  rude  clapboard 
seats  and  desks,  were  the  first  schoolhouses.  The  books  were  extremely 
limited,  and  early  teachers  were  obliged  to  resort  to  slates  and  blackboards 
of  the  rudest  description  in  order  that  the  scholars  might  have  the  re- 
quired advantages.  Sometimes  one  book  served  a  whole  class,  being 
passed  along  as  it  was  needed.  In  1850,  there  were  six  established 
schools.     Now  there  are  eight. 

HYNDSDALE. 

This  little  village  was  founded  soon  after  the  railroad  was  put  in  run- 
ning order.  It  has  usually  had  a  store  of  general  merchandise,  a  post 
office  and  a  blacksmith  shop.  Considerable  timber  is  shipped  during  the 
season.  The  Stouts  have  been  in  business  there.  The  village  is  conven- 
ient for  the  neighborhood. 


150  HISTORY  OF  MORGAN  COUNTY. 


ASHLAND     TOWNSHIP. 

FORMATION   AND   BOUNDARY. 

THIS  township,  as  it  now  is,  was  formed  out  of  Ray  Township 
soon  after  the  close  of  the  rebellion.  Some  portions  are  hilly, 
with  a  predominating  clay  soil,  especially  on  the  ridge;  but,  on  the  whole, 
the  township  is  well  suited  for  agriculture.  Enormous  crops  of  all  the  cereals 
are  grown  annually  on  the  lower  lands,  which  are  as  rich  and  fertile  as 
any  in  the  Mississippi  Valley.  The  township  is  made  up  of  Sections  7, 
8,  17,  18,  19,  20,  29  and  30  in  Township  12  north.  Range  1  west,  and 
all  of  Township  12  north,  Range  2  west,  except  Sections  19,  20,  21.  28, 
29,  30,  31,  32,  33,  34,  35,  36,  the  last  three  being  in  Ray  Township  and 
the  others  in  Owen  County. 

THE    EARLY    SETTLEMENT. 

No  doubt  Joseph  Rhodes  was  the  first  settler  of  the  township.  He 
located  on  the  creek  which  bears  his  name  in  1822.  and  built  a  rude  log 
cabin.  He  had  no  personal  property  worth  mentioning,  but  went  reso- 
lutely to  work  to  prepare  a  more  comfortable  home.  George  Nicholas 
appeared  soon  afterward,  locating  on  the  same  section  (16).  John  Man- 
non  also  bought  land  in  1822  on  Section  17.  Benjamin  Dunkin  came  in 
1825  and  located  on  Section  17.  Aaron  Blunk  established  himself  on 
Section  17  in  1824,  and  William  Evans  on  Section  18  in  1825.  Sol- 
omon Watson  came  to  Section  18  in  1829,  and  R.  R.  Manning  in  1832. 
K.  S.  Whitaker  located  on  Section  22  in  1825,  John  Matlock  in  1826, 
William  Asher  in  1824,  Levi  Whitaker  in  1829,  William  Cotter  in  1833, 
William  Brown  1834,  and  Elisha  Brown  in  1834.  Jacob  Bullen  bought 
land  on  Section  23  in  1828,  David  Seachrist  in  1830,  Daniel  Seachristin 
1834,  William  Johns  in  1834,  Mathias  Zink  in  1834,  and  Felix  Seachrist 
in  1836.  George  Knoy  bought  land  on  Section  24  in  1829,  Henry  Hed- 
rick  in  1831,  John  Knoy  in  1832,  Lewis  Tucker  in  1834,  and  James  Foster 
in  1838.  George  Shultz  bought  land  on  Section  26  in  1824,  William 
Johnson  the  same  year,  Hiram  Alexander  in  1825,  Levi  Meafieldin  1825, 
Jacob  Bullen  in  1826,  and  Jacob  Seachrist  in  1829.  On  Section  27, 
Elijah  Bowen  entered  land  in  1831,  Benjamin  Beels  in  1834,  John  Snod- 
grass  in  1835,  Levi  Whitaker  in  1829,  and  Joel  Skelton  in  1839.  On 
Section  25,  Ephraim  Goss  bought  land  in  1825,  David  Myers  in  1826, 
Street  Cox  in  1826,  and  J.  S.  Harlan  in  1837.  On  Section  17,  David 
W.  Gray  bought  land  in  1836.  On  Section  15,  Isaac  Skelton  bought  in 
1836,  E.  B.  Chenoweth,  1836,  and  John  Brown  in  1837.  On  Section  14, 
Eli  Myers  in  1837.  On  Section  13,  Adam  Lingle,  Sr.,  in  1829,  H.  Knox 
1833,  Lewis  Tucker,  1834,  Eli  Pomeroy,  1836,  John  Wingler,  1836,  James 
Foster,  1838,  and  John  Fonts,  1839.   On  Section  12,  George  Moore,  1835, 

B.  G.  Edwards,  1835,  Daniel  Shultz,  1835,  Jeremiah  Sturgeon, , 

Henry  Whitaker,  1836,  and  William  Ball,  1839.     On  Section  11,  S.  D. 


ASHLAND  TOWNSHIP.  151 

Spain,  1836,  Napoleon  B.  Chambers,  1839,  and  David  Lipps,  1839.  On 
Section  9,  William  Elmore,  1836,  William  Cotter,  1837,  and  A.  J.  Proctor, 
1839.  On  Section  8,  William  Baldwin,  1835,  and  W.  R.  Mannon,  1837. 
On  Section  7,  Isaac  Wamsley,  1839.  On  Section  6,  Abe  Fletcher,  1837, 
J.  W.  Gladson,  1838,  James  Ogle,  1838,  Richard  Bittle,  1839,  and  Isaac 
Bolden,  1839.  On  Section  5,  William  Asher,  1832,  Simeon  Watson, 
1833,  Andrew  Ogle,  1835,  George  Pattorff,  1837,  and  Solomon  Watson, 
1839.  On  Section  4.  G.  W.  Shake,  1836,  Henry  Littimore,  1838,  and 
K.  S.  Risinger,  1839.  On  Section  3,  Benjamin  Edwards,  1837.  On 
Section  2,  William  Brasier,  1834,  Jesse  Shoemaker,  1835,  John  Cart- 
right,  1836,  Isaac  Carter,  1837,  S.  D.  Spain,  1837,  and  George  Blunk, 
1839.  On  Section  1,  M.  M.  Taylor,  1835,  Tobias  Moser,  1835,  Jacob 
Moser,  1836,  J.  L.  Ashbough,  1836,  and  Alexander  Moser,  1838.  Dur- 
ing the  thirties  the  following  men  bought  land  on  the  six  sections  in  the 
eastern  part:  John  Knoy,  Jesse  Thacker,  Edward  Powers,  J.  T.  Mur- 
phey,  William  Murphey,  A.  C.  Murphey,  Alfred  Powers,  W.  H.  Bryant, 
Peter  Shuler,  Daniel  Bayliff,  William  Greenlee,  Henry  Ratts,  George 
Boss,  Hezekiah  Butler,  Henry  Hedrick,  David  Hedrick,  Jacob  Johns, 
Henry  Lee,  Elijah  Rogers,  John  Litterman,  Dempsey  Trowbridge  and 
Noah  Gallimore. 

PARTIAL    LIST    OF    POLL  TAX    PAYERS. 

In  1842,  the  following  men  among  others  were  assessed  poll  tax  in 
what  is  now  Ashland  Township,  then  a  part  of  Ray  Township:  James 
Craycroft,  Isaac  Carter.  Lewis  Caston,  Isaac  Caston,  Jesse  Coffey,  W.  K. 
Mannon,  William  Massey,  George  Elliott,  David  Hedrick,  Henry  Hed- 
rick, Joshua  Kenoy,  George  McKinley,  Ephraim  Ratts,  Elijah  Rogers, 
John  Shuler,  Joel  Skelron,  John  Carpenter,  Wiat  Carpenter,  Philip 
Foxworthy,  Benjamin  Gray,  Adam  Lingle,  Jeremiah  Moser,  David 
Myers,  Eli  Pomeroy,  Kinner  Risinger,  Stephen  Spain,  Jacob  Seachrist, 
Jesse  Shoemaker,  Daniel  Seachrist,  Felix  Seachrist,  David  Seachrist, 
John  Skelton,  Lewis  Tucker,  Daniel  Thompson,  Simon  Watson,  John 
Whitaker,  K.  Whitaker,  John  Wingler  and  others  whose  names  cannot 
be  given. 

PIONEER     INCIDENTS. 

The  first  thing  to  be  done  was  to  erect  a  log  cabin  in  which  to  live, 
and  usually  these  huts  were  of  the  rudest  description.  They  were  often 
built  of  small  logs  or  poles,  and  often  the  head  of  a  tall  man  would  sweep 
the  studding  above.  Short  men  and  women  were  fortunate.  Their  heads 
escaped  the  bumps  not  located  by  phrenologists ;  and  then  again,  which 
was  perhaps  a  more  important  consideration  in  view  of  the  alarming 
scarcity  of  victuals,  short  people  did  not  have  so  much  bony  surface  over 
which  to  spread  their  fleshiness.  Tall  men  and  women  in  the  woods  were 
always  so  thin  that  dogs  would  follow  them,  thinking  no  doubt  that  they 
were  bones.  After  the  house  was  up,  the  men  (and  women,  too)  worked 
day  and  night  to  prepare  a  "truck  patch."  Potatoes,  garden  "  sass," 
corn  and  a  few  acres  of  wheat  were  the  first  considerations  of  an  agricult- 
ural character.  The  men  would  cut  down  the  trees,  cut  and  roll  the 
logs,  and  the  women  would  burn  the  brush.  Ten  o'clock  at  night  often 
lound  them  thus  engaged.    Deer  were  everywhere,  and  venison  was  in 


152  HISTORY   OF   MORGAN   COUNTY. 

almost  every  house.  Some  were  not  followers  of  Nimrod  and  did  not 
try  to  hunt,  but  they  could  easily  get  venison  of  those  who  did.  Rattle- 
snakes were  as  thick  as  pioneer  children.  A  large  den  of  them  was  dis- 
covered in  an  opening  on  Stone  Ridge  in  1824.  The  repulsive  reptiles 
were  forced  out  and  killed  by  hundreds  during  the  period  of  several  years. 
On  Section  16  was  an  Indian  burying  ground.  It  consisted  of  a  mound 
of  earth,  and  when  opened  in  1837,  by  John  Brown  and  Isaac  Skelton 
(two  of  the  bravest  men  that  could  be  found),  six  Indian  skeletons  were 
disclosed,  each  reposing  in  a  stone  coffin,  made  by  placing  flat  stones  up 
endwise,  and  then  others  over  the  top.  The  skeletons  were  left  undis- 
turbed, and  the  mound  was  rebuilt.  The  old  settlers  did  not  care  to 
be  haunted  like  Macbeth  by  the  spirit  of  some  ferocious  and  revengeful 
old  warrior. 

MANUFACTURES. 

The  first  mill  in  the  township  was  a  small  corn-cracker,  erected  on  the 
west  bank  of  Rhodes'  Creek,  by  Benjamin  Gray,  in  1886.  It  was 
operated  by  water-power,  and  owing  to  the  lack  of  that  propelling  ele- 
ment, could  run  only  about  three  months  of  the  year,  during  the  spring 
months.  When  a  heavy  shower  came  up  during  any  other  month,  the 
owner  would  drop  all  other  business,  and  operate  the  mill  to  its  fullest 
capacity  as  long  as  there  was  sufficient  water  to  conduct  it.  It  did  not 
run  many  years.  After  a  few  years,  horse  mills  were  adopted  in  other 
portions  of  the  township,  by  Solomon  Knoy,  George  Pottorflf  (who  had 
served  in  the  war  of  1812),  Jacob  Bullen  and  others.  Many  steam  saw 
mills  have  been  conducted  from  time  to  time  in  later  years  in  different  por- 
tions of  the  township. 

SCHOOLS    AND    SCHOOLHOUSES. 

If  any  term  of  school  was  taught  in  the  township  prior  to  1830,  such 
fact  is  not  now  known.  In  that  year  the  first  school  edifice  of  the  town- 
ship was  built  by  Solomon  Watson,  John  Reeves,  Daniel  Stevens,  Will- 
iam Mannon,  Sr.,  and  John  Brown,  on  the  line  between  Sections  16  and 
17.  Hickory  and  ash  poles  were  used  in  the  construction.  The  roof  was 
of  rough,  hewed  planks,  held  in  their  place  by  heavy  poles  fastened  on 
with  wooden  pins.  The  fire-place  could  take  in  a  huge  log  six  or  eight 
feet  in  length,  and  was  built  of  limestone,  and  sent  its  roaring  flames  and 
smoke  up  a  tall  stick-and-mud  chimney.  Slab  seats  were  fashionable,  but 
not  soft.  The  first  pedagogue  was  Stephen  F.  Hancock.  He  handled 
his  hickory  gad  like  a  sword-player.  But  his  system  was  to  educate  as 
well  as  to  stimulate.  The  latter  exceeded  the  former,  not  because  there 
was  an  abundance  of  gads,  but  because  there  was  not  an  abundance  of 
books  or  even  of  scholars.  The  school,  despite  these  drawbacks,  was  re- 
garded as  a  surprising  success.  In  the  following  three  or  four  years, 
other  schools  of  a  similar  character  were  established  in  the  southern  part 
of  the  township,  in  the  eastern  part,  in  the  northeastern  part  and  in  the 
northwestern  part.  Districts  were  divided  and  subdivided  as  time  passed 
and  as  the  center  of  settlement  in  neighborhoods  shifted.  The  first 
houses  were  logs,  but  after  the  school  law  of  1852,  which  provided  a  fund 
by  tax  upon   property,  frame  houses  took   their  place.     Several   brick 


ASHLAND  TOWNSHIP.  153 

houses  have  been  built  of  late  years.     Now  there  are  seven  or  eight  estab- 
lished schools.     Ashland  is  above  the  average  in  matters  of  education. 

EARLY    CHURCH    ORGANIZATIONS. 

The  Samaria  Baptist  Church  was  organized  in  1830,  the  first  mem- 
bers being  Street  Cox,  John  Brown  and  their  families  only.  The  first 
meetings  were  held  in  the  houses  of  these  old  settlers,  but  later  in  school- 
houses,  and  still  later  in  their  church.  The  Trustees  in  1835  were  Levi 
Whitaker,  William  Mannon,  Grafton  B.  Whitaker  and  Elijah  Baum. 
About  this  time,  David  Gibbon  donated  about  an  acre  of  land  for  a 
church,  which  was  soon  erected.  The  old  Liberty  Church  was  built  in 
1838,  on  Section  16,  by  David  Gray,  Sr.,  S.  W.  Young,  Ephraim  Goss, 
Daniel  Y.  Smith,  John  Brown  and  others.  The  carpenters  were 
Fred  Caveness  and  Henry  York.  This  was  the  first  frame  build- 
ing in  the  township.  So  rapid  did  this  congregation  grow  that 
in  1847  the  membership  numbered  over  200.  It  was  the  leading 
church  of  all  that  vicinity  for  years,  and  is  yet  in  existence, 
though  greatly  changed.  Many  of  the  leading  Christian  families  of  the 
township  have  worshiped  in  this  building.  Temporary  church  organiza- 
tions were  established  in  several  portions  of  the  township  during  the 
thirties,  forties  and  fifties,  and  indeed  up  to  the  present.  Schoolhouses 
were  the  churches.  Much  good  was  accomplished  by  these  small  classes, 
which  gave  localities  without  other  churches  a  place  to  attend  and  wor- 
ship. The  Salem  Lutheran  Church  was  organized  in  the  thirties,  among 
the  leading  families  being  those  of  David  Seachrist,  Adam  Lingle,  Amos 
Myers,  Jacob  Seachrist,  Felix  Seachrist,  Enoch  Myers,  George  Lech- 
enbill  and  John  Wingler.  This  church  was  large  and  prosperous  for 
many  years.  At  present  there  are  five  church  organizations  in  the  town- 
ship, which  can  be  said  to  the  credit  of  the  citizens. 


This  is  a  small  village  near  the  Owen  County  line,  started  up  many 
years  ago.  It  was  first  known  as  Sheasville,  and  has  usually  contained 
about  a  dozen  families.  A  store  and  post  office  have  been  there  the  most 
of  the  time,  also  a  blacksmith  shop,  wagon  shop,  cooper  shop  and  milliner 
shop.  Several  prominent  physicians  reside  there.  A  church  and  a  res- 
ident pastor  adds  dignity  and  piety  to  the  unpretentious  little  village. 
The  name  Lewisville  was  applied  a  number  of  years  ago  to  a  small  collec- 
tion of  houses  half  a  mile  east  of  Alaska.  The  latter  town  is  not  as 
frigid  as  its  name  would  seem  to  imply. 


154  HISTORY  OF   MORGAN  COUNTY. 


GREGG  TOWNSHIP. 


THE  FIRST  WHITE  MEN. 

THIS  fine  tract  of  country  was  not  settled  as  soon  as  those  portions 
along  the  river.  The  real  influx  of  pioneers  occurred  in  the  thir- 
ties, but  about  six  or  seven  families  appeared  for  permanent  residence  late 
in  the  twenties.  The  first  families  were  those  of  Solomon  Dunegan, 
Allen  R.  Seaton,  Charles  D.  Seaton,  Philip  A.  Foxworthy,  Daniel  Smith, 
John  Williams  and  others.  Solomon  Dunegan  was  perhaps  the  first  per- 
manent settler  in  the  township.  He  was  a  Baptist  minister,  and  came 
from  South  Carolina  in  1826,  and  purchased  a  tract  of  land  since  known 
as  the  Thomas  Wilhite  farm.  He  became  a  very  influential  man  in  the 
township,  was  strictly  moral  and  did  a  great  deal  for  the  early  churches  in 
his  vicinity.  Philip  Foxworthy  came  to  the  township  in  1827  or  1828, 
and  entered  eighty  acres  of  land  upon  which  he  erected  a  hewed-log  cabin. 
This  was  on  the  JeS"  Wooden  farm.  He  had  a  rough  time  clearing  his 
first  land,  worked  day  and  night,  and  was  assisted  by  his  wife,  who 
burned  brush.  His  nearest  neighbors  were  Solomon  Dunegan,  the  Ship- 
leys  and  Joseph  Moser.  In  1829,  he  had  a  few  hogs  of  which  he  thought 
a  great  deal.  They  had  cost  him  hard  labor,  and  he  was  careful  to  have 
them  properly  marked  with  "  an  under  half  crop  in  the  right  ear  and 
a  swallow  fork  in  the  left."  They  ran  wild  in  the  woods,  requiring  no 
feeding  other  than  the  rich  and  abundant  mast  of  nuts,  twigs,  herbs,  etc., 
which  covered  the  forest  ground  at  all  seasons  of  the  year,  especially 
during  the  fall.  So  abundant  was  this  mast  that  hogs  feeding  exclusively 
on  it  often  attained  a  weight  of  200  pounds.  But  they  generally  were 
poorer,  and  when  designed  for  the  market  or  for  home  consumption  were 
usually  fed  corn  in  addition  to  the  mast.  Every  few  weeks  they  were 
carefully  looked  up,  especially  if  they  had  been  missing  for  a  few  days. 
The  owners  usually  fed  them  a  little  corn  in  the  morning  for  the  purpose 
of  keeping  them  at  home  or  in  the  neighborhood  of  home.  Sometimes 
the  owner  did  not  care  to  take  the  trouble  either  to  feed  them  or  watch 
them.  They  then  wandered  off"  into  the  depths  of  the  unsettled  woods  in 
quest  of  food,  and  quite  often  were  lost.  Some  of  them  became  utterly 
wild,  especially  young  animals,  littered  out  in  the  woods,  far  from  any 
house.  They  would  run  like  wolves  through  the  brush  at  the  sound  of  a 
human  voice  or  the  sight  of  a  human  being,  and  it  was  often  necessary  to 
shoot  them  like  any  other  wild  animal  in  order  to  get  them.  When  they 
were  looked  up  to  be  marked  or  killed  late  in  the  fe,ll,  they  were  often  so 
savage  that  they  were  managed  with  great  difficulty  and  danger.  They 
were  usually  enticed  into  some  pen,  which  was  then  hastily  closed,  but 
the  process  of  enticing  them  was  often  unaccompanied  with  favorable  re- 
sults only  after  the  lapse  of  weeks  of  gradual  advances.  The  males  were 
extremely  savage,  with  tushes  sometimes  six  inches  in  length,  and  when 
pushed  too  closely  would  turn  with  tigerish  ferocity  upon  man   or  dog. 


GREGG  TOWNSHIP.  155 

Then  there  would  be  a  scattering.  All  of  the  prominent  early  settlers 
who  owned  hogs  had  their  individual  ear-marks.  Solomon  Dunegan's 
mark  was  "a  swallow  fork  in  the  left  ear,  and  a  slit  in  the  right."  His 
number  was  133,  showing  that  132  had  established  before  him.  Mr. 
Foxworthy,  in  1829,  had  a  fine  drove  of  sus  scrofa.  One  night  they 
were  attacked  by  one  or  more  bears  where  Hall  now  is,  and  one  or  more 
of  them  was  killed  and  partly  consumed.  A  bear  did  not  stop  long  to 
inquire  the  name  of  the  owner  before  falling  upon  wandering  swine  and 
making  a  merry  meal  of  them.  It  is  even  doubted  whether  they  cared 
seriously  who  the  owner  was.  They  probably  thought  that  "  possession 
was  nine  points  in  law,"  and  accordingly  took  possession  without  further 
ceremony.  They  would  rush  upon  a  drove  of  hogs,  seize  one  by  the 
back  of  the  neck,  and  begin  to  tear  with  teeth  and  claws  regardless  of  the 
piercing  death  cries  of  the  struggling  victim.  In  a  few  minutes  the  hog 
would  be  torn  to  pieces,  and  would  then  furnish  a  sweet  repast  for  bruin. 
Mr.  Dunegan  had  hogs  killed  by  bears,  as  did  many  others  of  the  earliest 
settlers. 

Among  the  early  residents  was  John  Williams,  who  came  to  the  town- 
ship in  1830.  The  first  winter,  his  own  and  two  other  families  lived  in  a 
log  cabin  18x18  feet,  and,  as  is  humorously  stated  by  an  old  settler,  "had 
room  to  spare  for  another  family."  The  men  worked  constantly  in  the 
woods.  Mr.  Seaton  came  in  1832;  his  cabin  was  built  of  round  logs,  had 
a  clapboard  roof,  stick  and  clay  chimney,  huge  fire-place,  dirt  hearth  and 
a  loft  communicated  with  by  a  pole  stairway.  Here  was  where  the 
children  slept.  His  first  stable  was  built  of  rails,  and  his  oxen  were  as 
proud  as  could  be  expected.  They  were  not  "  stuck  up  "  and  aristocratic 
as  cattle  are  nowadays.  They  chewed  the  cud  of  contentment  (that  was 
often  all  the  cud  they  had),  and  were  honest  in  all  their  dealings  with 
their  master.  The  settlers  of  Gregg  (it  was  Adams  Township  then) 
obtained  their  mail  at  Mooresville.  They  paid  25  cents  for  a  letter,  and 
the  envelope  and  letter  were  one  and  the  same  piece  of  paper.  Letters 
were  appreciated  in  those  days,  and  people  when  they  wrote  letters  did 
not  cut  their  friends  off  with  a  half  dozen  lines.  They  wrote  half  a  dozen 
pages,  and  then  carefully  folded  them  with  a  blank  page  on  the  outside, 
upon  which  the  superscription  was  written.  Philip  Foxworthy  claims  to 
have  planted  the  first  orchard  in  the  township.  The  apples  were  seed- 
lings, that  is,  they  grew  from  the  seed  and  not  from  grafts.  Daniel 
Smith  settled  in  the  township  in  1833.  During  the  following  winter  he 
cut  down  seven  acres  of  timber  and  burned  the  brush.  Early  in  the 
spring  he  spent  four  consecutive  weeks  in  rolling  logs  for  his  neighbors, 
and  in  turn  had  his  logs  all  nicely  rolled.  While  he  was  away  helping 
his  neighbors  for  five  or  six  miles  around,  his  wife  finished  burning  brush 
at  home,  and  when  he  returned  of  nights  he  would  work  until  10  or  11 
o'clock  at  night  "mending  up"  the  fires  which  she  had  started.  He 
would  also  split  rails,  during  the  time,  to  inclose  his  first  little  field. 
Hundreds  of  such  incidents  might  be  narrated. 

LATER  SETTLEMENT. 

Among  the  residents  of  the  township  in  the  thirties  were  the  follow- 
ing men:  Joshua  Wilhite,  John  Jones,  Joseph  Rhodes,  Eli  Staley,  Golds- 

10 


156  HISTORY  OF  MORGAN  COUNTY. 

by  Blunk,  William  Hinkle,  Nathan  Ludlow,  Jacob  and  Isaac  Crum, 
William  Pruitt,  John  R.  Robards,  R.  S.  Frederick,  W.  W.  Philips, 
Anderson  Williams,  V.  W.  H,  H.  King,  Joseph  Nicholson,  Washington 
Knight,  Frederick  Brewer,  C.  Marvin,  Harlan  Stout,  David  Shields, 
Simon  Moon,  Abijah  Bray,  Samuel  Hackett,  John  Moots,  William  Har- 
vey, S.  D.  Dooley,  Ezekiel  Dooley,  William  Brewer,  Archibald  Boyd, 
James  W.  Ford,  Hiram  W.  Williams,  Noah  Wilhite,  Frank  Garrison, 
Jeremiah  Sturgeon,  S.  C.  Yager,  Maddox,  Harper,  Craven,  Bartholo- 
mew, Russell  Wilhite,  John  Caveness,  Joel  Kivett,  Walker  Caveness, 
Iram  Hinshaw,  James  Cummings,  Fred  Caveness,  Benoni  Pearce,  Zacha- 
riah  Ford,  Jackson  Jordan,  Ed  Shipley,  Wilson  Moore,  Joseph  Moore, 
Aaron  Kivett,  Tamech  Wilhite,  Henry  Wood,  George  Brown,  John  Mur- 
phey,  Enoch  Myers,  Tobias  Moser,  N.  B.  Brown,  John  Brown,  Andrew 
Knoy  and  many  others.  A  few  of  this  list  never  resided  in  the  township. 
They  owned  the  land  which  was  afterward  conveyed  to  other  parties. 

POLL   TAX    LIST    OF    1842. 

Elijah  Allison,  Joseph  Applegate,  John  Brown,  Coleman  Brown, 
Rice  Brown,  William  Brown,  George  Brown,  Wiles  Bradley,  Lawrence 
Bradley,  Lancaster  Bell,  John  Baldwin,  Frederick  Brewer,  J.  C.  Brewer, 
Francis  Cummings,  Thomas  Callahan,  James  Cummings,  William  Dune- 
gan,  Silas  D.  Dooley,  Thomas  Edwards,  James  Fitzgerald,  Tobias  Fer- 
guson, William  Greenlee,  Jonathan  Hadley,  Jeremiah  Hadley,  Uriah 
Hadley,  Samuel  Harper,  William  Hinshaw,  William  Halloway,  Jackson 
Jordan,  Joel  Kivett,  John  Long,  Clase  Marvin.  John  T.  McPherson, 
Bryson  Martin,  Daniel  McDaniel,  William  Maddox,  John  Motto,  Hugh 
Nichols,  John  Nichols,  Thomas  S.  Philips,  Milton  Philips,  Michael 
Pruitt,  J.  H.  Philips,  James  Philips,  G.  W.  Shake,  Allen  Seaton,  Daniel 
Smith,  Harlan  Stout,  John  Scotten,  W.  M.  Wellman,  John  Whitaker, 
Hiram  Williams,  John  Williams,  Joshua  Wilhite,  John  Wilson,  Aaron 
Wilhite,  Oran  Williams,  Samuel  Wilhite  and  Russell  Wilhite. 

VILLAGES. 

The  township  of  Gregg  has  three  spots  that  are  called  villages. 
Wilbur  and  Herbemont  are  of  a  late  origin,  and  consist  of  one  or  two 
stores,  a  blacksmith  or  two,  a  carpenter,  a  saw  mill,  a  post  office,  and 
from  a  half  dozen  to  fifteen  families.  The  only  village  of  note  is  Hall. 
The  first  residences  there  were  built  long  before  the  town  was  thought  of. 
Philip  Foxworthy  and  Michael  Pruitt  both  erected  dwellings  there  soon 
after  1830.  The  town  really  started  about  the  year  1851  or  1852.  A 
man  named  Breedlove  erected  a  storehouse,  and  he  and  a  Mr.  Porter, 
under  the  partnership  name  of  Porter  &  Breedlove,  placed  therein  about 
$1,500  worth  of  a  general  assortment  of  goods.  The  store  soon  at- 
tracted a  few  families,  and  soon  a  blacksmith,  a  carpenter  and  other 
tradesmen  appeared.  Mr.  Brewer  bad  some  interest  in  the  store  of  Por- 
ter &  Breedlove.  John  Whitaker  opened  a  store  soon  afterward.  Jacob 
Stogsdill  was  connected  with  him.  John  Williams  and  Benjamin  Ypung 
began  selling  goods  some  time  afterward.  After  them,  from  time  to  time, 
in  about  the  order  here  given,  the  following  merchants  were  present  in  the 
village  :  Brewer  &  Mattox,  Joshua  Wilhite,  Col.  Hendricks,  A.  J.  McCoy, 


GREGG  TOWNSHIP.  157 

Sparks  &  Hendricks,  John  B.  Johnson,  Milton  Johnson,  Frank  Philips, 
Philips  &  Co.,  Philips  &  Brown,  and  Henry  Brown  at  present.  Rader 
&  Wilhite  erected  a  saw  mill  at  Hall  in  about  the  year  1869,  which  is 
yet  in  successful  operation.  The  grist  mill  was  built  in  1875  by  Long  & 
Wilhite  at  a  cost  of  about  $3,500.  It  is  yet  running,  and  is  doing  a  fair 
business.  Mechanics  and  artisans  have  held  forth  from  time  to  time. 
The  village  and  vicinity  has  a  brass  band  which  took  the  second  premium 
at  the  county  seat  on  the  4th  of  July,  1883.  The  villagers  are  frequently 
regaled  with  strains  of  sweet  music.  Perhaps,  too,  the  birds  of  the  air, 
the  beasts  of  the  field,  and  even  the  trees  and  shrubs  gather  around  to 
listen  to  the  divine  melody  as  they  did  in  mythologic  time  to  the  music 
from  the  harp  of  Orpheus.  Hall  was  not  laid  out  until  the  autumn  of 
1861,  at  which  time  John  P.  Rader,  Noah  Wilhite,  Michael  Pruitt  and 
Jefiersori  H.  Woodsmall  employed  a  surveyor  and  laid  out  ten  blocks, 
several  of  them  being  large  and  the  others  small.  The  village  is  on  Sec- 
tion 21,  Township  13  north.  Range  1  west,  and  has  had  a  population  as 
high  as  200. 

EDUCATION. 

The  first  school  in  the  township  was  taught  near  Hall,  but  when  it 
was  or  what  the  teacher's  name  was  cannot  be  stated.  It  was  not  far 
from  the  year  1834.  The  children  of  Solomon  Dunegan,  Philip  Fox- 
worthy,  Joseph  Moser,  John  Williams,  Daniel  Smith,  Allen  Seaton  and 
others  attended  the  school.  After  a  few  years,  probably  about  1838,  a 
log  schoolhouse  was  erected  in  the  northern  part  of  the  township,  which, 
for  many  years,  was  the  principal  seat  of  learning.  Schools  were  started 
in  the  eastern  and  southern  portions  about  1840,  or  very  soon  thereafter. 
In  1840,  if  reports  are  reliable,  there  were  only  three  established  schools 
in  the  township,  and  one  of  them  was  not  in  a  house  that  had  been  built 
expressly  for  school  purposes.  A  dwelling  which  had  been  vacated  was 
transformed  into  a  temple  of  learning.  During  the  forties,  several  new 
houses  were  erected,  and  by  1850  there  were  five  or  six  good  schools. 
Now  there  are  seven  schoolhouses. 

RELIGION. 

The  Mount  Pleasant  Christian  Church  at  Hall  was  organized  in  the 
thirties,  and  about  the  year  1841  the  first  church  was  erected.  Among 
the  early  members  were  the  families  of  Richard  L.  Frederick,  Joshua 
Wilhite,  Bryson  Martin,  Noah  Wilhite,  John  Williams  and  others.  The 
class  is  yet  in  existence,  and  has  its  second  building.  A  Methodist  class 
was  organized  in  the  schoolhouse  near  Hall  late  in  the  thirties,  the  lead- 
ing members  being  Michael  Pruitt,  Tamech  Wilhite,  Thomas  Callahan, 
Hiram  Williams,  J.  S.  Phelps,  Daniel  McDaniel  and  Thomas  Edwards. 
Their  church  was  built  in  the  forties,  on  land  that  had  been  donated  by 
Michael  Pruitt.  The  Harmony  Methodist  Church  was  organized  late  in 
the  forties,  or  early  in  the  fifties,  and  meetings  were  held  at  schoolhouses 
and  at  the  residences  of  the  members.  Rev.  Dane  is  said  to  have  organ- 
ized the  class.  Among  the  members  were  Terrell  Hinson,  Moses  Dooley, 
Jesse  Griffith,  Simon  Carsley,  Abraham  Long,  Stephen  L.  Dane,  John 
Faulkner,  James  Mason,  George  Kirkham  and  Marshall  E.  Dane.  The 
church  was  built  at  Wilbur  late  in  the  fifties.  Several  other  church  or- 
ganizations have  flourished  in  the  township. 


158  HISTORY  OF  MORGAN  COUNTY. 


MADISON  TOWNSHIP. 


THE    FIRST    PIONEER. 


IT  is  certain  that  Abner  Cox  was  tiie  first  permanent  settler  in  Madison 
Township.  Other  families  had  lived  there  before  his  appearance,  as, 
when  he  came,  he  found  rude  cabins,  or  rather  bark  wigwams,  where 
white  people  had  temporarily  resided.  It  is  well  known  that  the  van- 
guard of  civilization  was  a  rude  class  of  hardy  white  people,  who  seemed 
capable  of  leading  a  comfortable,  at  least  a  satisfactory  life,  remote  from 
settled  communities.  At  the  first  appearance  of  permanent  settlers,  the 
country  became  too  densely  populated  for  these  hunters  and  their  families, 
whereupon  they  took  up  their  march  twenty  or  thirty  miles  out  into  the 
trackless  forest,  where  their  only  companions  were  the  Indians  and  a 
multitude  of  wild  animals.  They  were  the  ones  who  made  game  scarce 
at  the  time  of  the  permanent  settlement.  Bears  had  almost  wholly  dis- 
appeared, driven  away  by  the  inroads  of  these  experienced  hunters. 
Deer  were  still  numerous,  but  not  that  superabundance  found  by  the 
squatters,  as  the  temperary  residents  were  called,  from  the  fact  of  their 
not  owning  the  land  upon  which  they  resided.  There  was  scarcely  a 
township  that  did  not  have  these  earlier  residents.  In  1821,  Abner  Cox, 
with  his  large  family,  came  to  the  township,  as  has  been  stated,  for  per- 
manent residence.  He  entered  considerable  land  in  the  northern  part, 
and  built  a  log  cabin  about  eighteen  feet  square,  without  floor  of  any  kind 
except  earth,  without  door  or  window  except  the  apertures  over  which 
were  hung  blankets,  and  without  roof  except  a  leaky  one  of  rude  clap- 
boards hastily  hewed  out  with  a  broadax  from  some  soft  wood.  A  huge 
chimney  made  of  sticks,  stones  and  clay  completed  this  typical  pioneer 
dwelling.  It  is  stated  that  when  the  Beelers  or  other  families  came  to 
that  neighborhood  soon  afterward,  they  were  all  accommodated  at  this 
cabin — to  the  number  of  about  twenty.  The  beds  were  given  to  the 
women  and  children,  and  the  men  deposited  themselves  on  the  floor.  It 
is  humorously  told  that  the  floor  was  so  thick  with  them  that  when  morn- 
ing came,  the  one  nearest  the  door  was  obliged  to  roll  out  of  doors  in 
order  to  give  the  others  a  chance  to  move.  After  about  a  dozen  had 
rolled  out,  there  was  then  room  enough  to  breathe.  How  would  you  like 
this,  dear  reader  ? 

OTHER  EARLY  SETTLERS. 

Thomas,  George  H.  and  Joseph  Beeler  came  and  entered  land  in 
1821.  The  former  afterward  became  the  first  Clerk  and  Recorder  of  the 
county.  They  located  in  the  Cox  neighborhood.  Joseph  Henshaw  lo- 
cated in  the  northeast  corner  in  1821.  The  Landers  family  came  in 
1822  and  erected  cabins  near  Mr.  Cox.  James  Curl,  John  Sells,  Thomas 
Dee,  Joseph  Frazier,  William  McDowell,  James  Basket,  Jesse  McCoy, 
David  Price,  Joseph  Sims,  John  Hamilton,  John  Barns  and  others  came 


MADISON  TOWNSHIP.  159 

in  1821  or  1822.  These  men,  except  a  few  who  did  not  reside  in  the 
township,  located  in  the  northern  half,  and  by  1823  the  Cox  settlement 
was  populous  and  prosperous.  Other  early  settlers  were  Robert  Furnace, 
Frederick  Beeler,  Edward  R.  Watson,  Aaron  Mendenhall,  John  and 
Thomas  McNabb,  Solomon  and  Francis  Edraundson,  Stephen  McPher- 
son,  Solomon  Steel,  Levi  Carpenter,  John  Spray,  Daniel  Vort,  John  and 
Enoch  Sumners,  Daniel  Stephens,  Charles  Hicklin,  Michael  and  John 
Carpenter,  John  Moffett,  Levi  Plummer,  Charles  Kitchen,  Allen  Field 
and  many  others.  The  poll  tax  payers  in  1842  were  William  Allen,  Hugh 
Boyd,  M.  P.  Bradley,  Reuben  Burcham,  W,  A.  Blair,  John  Beasley, 
Martin  Burris,  William  Blackwell,  Philip  Ballard.  Isaac  Clark,  Philip 
Chubb,  Abner  Coble,  M.  W.  Carpenter,  J.  M.  Carpenter,  Jacob  Coble, 
Fielding  Carpenter,  Levi  Carpenter,  Larkin  Cox,  Levi  Cassady,  Isaac 
Canady,  John  Canady,  William  Dorman,  James  B.  Duree,  Jesse  Evans, 
Evan  Evans,  A.  R.  Fowler,  Jeremiah  Garret,  Giles  Garret,  John  Garret, 
Michael  Goodposture,  Daniel  Gregory,  John  Hasty,  Allen  Hicklin, 
Henry  Hoffman,  Murdock  Hasty,  Robert  Henderson,  John  House, 
Thomas  Hicklin,  Nelson  Howe,  Abner  Jessup,  Henry  Knox,  William 
Knox,  Samuel  Knox,  Nelson  King,  George  Kitchen,  Moses  Lear,  John 
R.  Leathers,  Thomas  Leathers,  Madison  Leathers,  Abner  Lowe,  James 
Leathers,  Langford  Leathers,  James  Landers,  William  Landers,  Mathias 
Lambert,  Martin  Long,  John  Morgan,  T.  H.  Moreland,  John  Mendenhall, 
Isaac  Mendenhall,  John  McNabb,  Thomas  McNabb,  Thomas  Mills,  Wil- 
lis Martin,  James  Morton,  James  Morgan,  William  Myers,  William  Mor- 
gan, Jr.,  Henry  McNabb,  Andrew  J.  McNabb,  Andrew  McNabb,  Aaron 
Mendenhall,  William  Parker,  George  Perkypile,  David  Perkypile,  Abner 
Ross,  John  Roe,  James  Reynolds,  Richard  Rivers,  Gabriel  Stone,  John 
Stone,  John  Scott,  Henry  and  John  V.  Swearingen,  John  Simpson,  Rob- 
ert Sanders,  James  Sanders,  George  Sanders,  G.  W.  Swearingen,  James 
Stokesbury,  R.  T.  Steel,  Martillus  Summers.  Daniel  Vert,  Joseph 
Thompson,  Thomas  Tinsley,  Blufert  Tinsley,  Jesse  Thompson,  William 
Woodward.  Thomas  Woodward,  William  West,  Richard  Wilkins  and 
Goram  Worth. 

INCIDENTS    AND    PIONEER   CUSTOMS. 

It  is  interesting  to  draw  contrasts  between  the  old  times  and  the  pres- 
ent. The  farmer  was  not  as  well  equipped  with  agricultural  implements 
as  now.  Corn  was  planted  and  almost  wholly  cultivated  with  the  hoe. 
A  man  who  could  raise  eight  or  ten  acres  of  corn  had  a  large  field.  If  he 
had  three  or  four  boys  and  as  many  women,  he  could  manage  to  cultivate 
successfully  about  that  number  of  acres.  Even  the  hoes  were  not  as 
bright  and  hard  as  now.  Often  they  were  wooden.  The  birds  and 
squirrels  were  so  numerous  and  voracious  that  the  farmer  had  to  guard 
his  corn  crop  constantly.  Wheat  was  sown  broadcast  and  very  often  har- 
rowed in  by  hand  or  by  brushes  pulled  around  by  horses  or  oxen.  All 
reaping  was  done  with  the  historic  old  sickle.  Think  of  it !  Less  than 
fifty  years  ago  the  old  sickle  that  had  been  in  use  from  time  immemorial, 
had  been  used  in  Egypt  before  the  pyramids  were  built,  had  been  used  in 
the  fields  of  Boaz  long  before  the  Christian  era,  in  fact  had  been  in  use  at 
such  a  remote  period  in  the  history  of  the  world,  long  before  authentic 
history  began,  that  the  myths  and  fables  of  barbarous  man  reveal  its 


160  HISTORY  OF  MORGAN  COUNTY. 

existence.  For  thousands  of  years  it  had  been  the  only  reaper.  Labor 
had  lost  dignity,  if  it  ever  possessed  any,  in  olden  times  in  the  minds  of 
man,  and  invention  was  not  permitted  to  interfere  with  implements  whose 
use  was  sanctioned  by  the  Deity.  Personal  liberty,  with  wealth  and  in- 
dependence in  view,  was  limited  to  the  domain  of  a  serfdom  constantly 
guarded  by  the  blind  and  unscrupulous  opulent.  None  but  serfs  were 
farmers.  Children  were  compelled  to  conform  to  caste  and  follow  the 
occupation  of  their  fathers.  Personal  fitness  was  undreamed  of.  For  the 
poor  to  be  ambitious,  aspiring  and  intelligent  was  a  disobedience  of  the 
organic  law  and  a  sacrilege  beyond  the  power  of  repentance.  No  wonder 
that  agriculture  made  no  advance,  and  that  the  sickle  of  barbarous  man 
was  unimproved  by  intelligence.  It  is  less  than  fifty  years  ago  that  the 
old  cradle  came  into  general  use.  Farmers  considered  it  a  model  of  use- 
fulness and  a  Godsend.  It  is  a  remarkable  fact  that  as  soon  as  the 
nobility  of  labor  was  generally  conceded — only  fifty  or  sixty  years  ago, 
and  in  the  United  States — the  direction  of  invention  was  changed  to  that 
channel,  and  the  stimulation  to  rapid  and  extensive  agriculture  revived 
every  other  pursuit,  and  led  to  thousands  of  contrivances  to  quickly  save 
the  crop  and  safely  transport  it  to  the  consumer.  The  application  of 
steam  to  a  movable  engine  was  due  to  the  demand  for  quick  transporta- 
tion of  farm  products.  Hence  came  that  wonder,  the  railroad.  As  soon 
as  labor  became  no  longer  ignoble,  the  rapidity  of  the  invention  of  farm 
machinery  became  marvelous.  Now  the  farmer  can  sit  as  independent 
as  a  king  (he  is  the  only  one  truly  independent  when  he  has  a  good  farm, 
good  habits  and  is  out  of  debt),  and  almost  see  his  crops  sown  and  har- 
vested by  machinery  before  his  eyes.  The  farmer  boy  who  has  a  good 
farm  is  foolish  to  leave  it  and  rush  ofi"  to  the  city  to  contract  vices  that  will 
kill  him  and  possibly  damn  him.  "  Stick  to  the  farm  and  it  will  stick 
to  you." 

WILD    ANIMALS. 

There  was  scarcely  a  family  that  did  not  habitually  have  venison.  The 
poorest  hunter  could  occasionally  kill  a  deer,  but  the  old  hunters,  those  who 
did  little  else  but  hunt,  were  in  the  habit  of  furnishing  such  families  with 
deer  meat.  The  Beelers  were  quite  prominent  in  their  locality.  The 
girls  were  as  fearless  as  the  boys.  It  is  said  that  two  of  them  on  one 
occasion  saw  a  bear  in  the  woods,  and  while  one  remained  to  watch  the 
animal  the  other  hurried  to  the  men,  who  were  in  the  woods  near  by,  to 
apprise  them  of  the  discovery  and  hurry  them  out  to  kill  Mr.  Bruin. 
What  the  outcome  was  cannot  be  stated.  One  day,  a  transient  man 
named  Capp,  in  the  western  part  of  the  township,  was  chopping  in  the 
woods  when  he  discovered  a  bear  near  him.  He  instantly  gave  the  alarm, 
and  dogs  were  put  upon  the  trail.  The  bear  made  lively  tracks,  running 
through  the  bushes  and  tumbling  over  rail  fences  that  were  in  the  way. 
The  dogs  soon  came  up  with  it,  and  in  a  few  minutes  several  men  also, 
one  of  whom  fired  and  wounded  the  animal.  On  it  went,  pursued  by 
dogs  and  men,  and  soon  another  shot  wounded  it  again.  One  of  the  men 
was  so  excited  that  when  he  fired  he  missed  the  bear  and  wounded  one  of 
the  dogs.  The  third  shot  killed  the  bear,  which  was  divided  out  in 
the  neighborhood  for  consumption. 


MADISON   TOWNSHIP.  161 


The  first  school  in  the  township  was  taught  in  1823.  either  in  the 
dwelling  of  Abner  Cox  or  in  a  vacant  log  dwelling  standing  near.  The 
first  teacher  was  one  of  the  Beeler  girls  ;  she  had  a  school  of  eight  or 
ten  scholars.  The  second  school  was  taught  in  the  northeastern  part  of 
the  township  about  1824,  and  another  soon  afterward  in  the  northwestern 
corner.  The  first  schoolhouse  was  built  in  the  Cox  neighborhood  in 
about  1827.  The  first  teacher  in  this  house  is  no  longer  remembered. 
The  second  schoolhouse  was  built  south  of  the  gravel  road  in  the  western 
part  not  far  from  1830,  and  about  the  same  time  one  or  two  more  were 
erected  in  the  township.  The  first  old  house,  above  mentioned,  had 
greased  paper  for  windows,  and  a  big  fire-place  of  course.  The  lumber 
for  the  desks  and  seats  was  obtained  at  Moon's  saw  mill  in  Brown.  In 
1840,  there  were  five  schools  in  the  township.  In  1843,  the  school  law 
came  into  effect,  by  which  public  money  was  raised  by  taxation  to  be 
used  in  the  maintenance  of  schools.  All  schools  before  that,  or  nearly 
all,  had  been  supported  by  subscription.  In  1852,  the  foundation  of  our 
present  school  system  was  laid,  since  which  Madison  Township  has  had 
good  schools. 

CHURCHES. 

ISo  other  portion  of  the  county,  unless  it  is  Brown  Township,  has  bet- 
ter facilities  for  religious  worship  than  Madison  Township.  It  has  six 
or  seven  church  organizations  and  five  buildings.  As  early  as  1830,  the 
Baptists  had  an  organization  in  the  northern  part,  the  leading  members 
being  William  Landers,  Andrew  McNash,  Grimes  Dryden,  John  Dun- 
ham, John  Burnam,  S.  B.  Parker.  Joshua  Cox,  Jefferson  Jones,  John 
Bray,  William  Pope  and  others.     This  church  was  built  in  the  thirties. 

The  Mt.  Gilead  Christian  Church  was  organized  about  the  same  time, 
among  the  members  being  Enoch  Summers,  David  McCarty,  Samuel  B. 
Duree,  and  some  of  the  McNabbs.  The  ground  for  the  church,  which 
was  built  late  in  the  thirties,  was  donated  by  Thomas  McNabb. 

The  Siloam  Methodist  Church  was  organized  in  the  thirties,  among 
the  early  members  being  Joel  Jessup,  Reuben  Burcham,  Samuel  Pfoff, 
Hugh  Boyd,  Charles  Allen,  John  Inman,  John  Bingham,  J.  M.  Jackson 
and  Aaron  Thurman.  This  church  was  built  early  in  the  forties.  Later 
members  were  James  Stokesbury,  Abner  Jessup,  Jesse  Baker,  William 
Allen,  and  T.  G.  Beharrell,  pastor.  The  Centenary  Methodist  Church 
was  of  a  later  date,  as  was  the  Mt.  Olive  Methodist  Church. 


162  HISTORY  OF  MORGAN  COUNTY. 


GREEN  TOWNSHIP. 

THE    FIRST    SETTLEMENT. 

THE  second  settlement  of  the  county  was  in  Green  Township.  In  the 
spring  of  1819,  James  Stotts,  William  Offield,  Hiram  T.  Craig,  Daniel 
Higgins,  Nimrod  Stone  and  two  others  came  from  Lawrence  County,  and 
located  farms  on  a  small  stream  which  was  named  in  honor  of  James 
Stotts.  As  soon  as  the  farms  were  staked  out,  all  of  the  settlers  except 
Mr.  Stotts  started  back  to  Lawrence  County  to  bring  out  loads  of  seed- 
corn  and  wheat,  vegetables,  provisions,  household  implements,  and  to 
drive  out  hogs,  sheep  and  cattle.  Of  these  seven  first  settlers  of  Green 
Township.  Craig  and  Stotts  were  the  only  two  single  men  of  the  party. 
The  following  is  quoted  from  Mr.  Craig's  reminiscences  of  the  trip  back  : 
High  water  prevented  our  return  as  soon  as  we  anticipated,  but  we 
finally  concluded  to  try  the  plan  of  loading  our  baggage  on  a  two-horse 
wagon,  considering  it  easier  on  our  horses  than  to  load  them  with  such 
heavy  packs,  as  much  of  our  route  lay  through  a  dense  wilderness,  it 
being  the  same  old  trace  we  had  first  traveled,  and  the  road  had  to  be  cut 
so  as  to  admit  the  passage  of  a  wagon,  which  made  our  progress  very  slow, 
so  that  the  noon  of  the  second  day  found  us  still  on  Little  Salt  Creek. 
Here,  in  attempting  to  cross  an  insignificant  little  stream,  our  wagon  stuck 
fast  in  the  mud.  Our  only  chance  was  to  unload  the  wagon,  pry 
it  up  and  make  our  team  haul  it  out.  In  doing  so,  we  had  to  make 
a  short  turn  and  unfortunately  broke  an  axletree.  Here  was  a  fix,  twenty 
miles  at  least  from  any  shop  where  repairing  could  be  done.  The  only 
alternative  was  to  make  a  new  axletree  from  the  green  timber  of  the 
forest.  All  hands  went  to  work  on  the  part  assigned  them.  Mine  was 
to  prepare  some  dinner.  I  will  give  the  bill  of  fare.  I  took  my  gun, 
and  in  less  than  an  hour,  perhaps,  had  killed  nine  fat  gray  squirrels.  I 
dressed  them  as  nicely  as  any  lady  could  desire,  and  put  them  to  boil  with 
a  sufficient  slice  of  fat  pork  and  some  salt  to  give  them  the  proper  sea- 
soning. While  hunting  for  the  squirrels,  I  had  discovered  near  the  creek 
a  bountiful  crop  of  wild  onions  growing  ten  or  twelve  inches  high,  and 
very  tender.  These  I  picked  and  cleaned,  cut  them  up  and  put  them  in 
the  pot  when  the  squirrels  were  done,  and  succeeded  in  making  a  first-class 
pot  of  soup.  This  was  the  dinner,  and  it  was  a  good  one.  By  the  usual 
time  of  starting  next  morning,  our  repairing  was  completed  after  a  fash- 
ion, and  we  proceeded  on  our  way.  But  our  newly  made  axletree  caused 
our  wagon  to  run  so  heavily  that  we  had  to  divide  the  load.  A  sack  con- 
taining three  bushels  of  corn  seed  was  committed  to  my  charge  and  about 
the  same  amount  of  corn-meal  to  Mr.  Offield,  and  we  were  told  to  push 
on  and  not  wait  for  the  wagon.  We  were  on  horseback,  and  upon  reach- 
ing Big  Salt  Creek  we  found  a  settlement  and  were  told  to  take  the  road 
for  Bloomington.  Nothing  of  note  occurred  until  we  reached  Big  Indian 
Creek,  where  we  found  that  White  River  and  its  tributaries  were  on  a 


GREEN   TOWNSHIP.  163 

bender.  Offield  could  not  swim,  but  finally  after  a  long  time  I  succeeded 
in  carrying  our  loads  across  the  stream  on  my  back,  crossing  on  logs  and 
a  heap  of  driftwood  that  had  formed  across  the  creek.  We  took  dinner 
on  Mr.  Cunningham's  land  northeast  of  Martinsville,  and  in  the  evening 
reached  the  settlement  on  Stott's  Creek,  where  we  found  everything  in 
good  shape. 

This  extract  is  quoted  from  Mr.  Craig's  writings  to  illustrate  the  com- 
mon experience  of  the  early  settlers  in  coming  to  the  new  country,  and 
in  going  from  place  to  place  after  they  had  become  established  in  their 
new  homes.  After  Mr.  Craig  had  been  out  a  short  time,  Mr.  Ladd,  of 
Port  Royal,  was  charged  with  the  murder  of  a  stranger  whose  corpse  was 
found  half  eaten  by  wolves  and  buzzards  on  White  River  near  the  bluffs. 
The  prosecution  was  favored  by  Mr.  Stotts,  Mr.  Craig  and  several  others 
who  were  prosecuting  witnesses ;  but  Mr.  Ladd  was  acquitted,  and  so 
slight  was  the  evidence  and  so  bitter  had  been  the  prosecution  that  Mr. 
Ladd  commenced  action,  either  for  libel  or  false  imprisonment,  and  seemed 
so  likely  to  succeed  that  Mr.  Craig  returned  hurriedly  to  Kentucky,  his 
former  home,  and  Mr.  Stotts  and  others  effected  a  compromise  with  the 
injured  man,  and  thus  the  matter  was  forever  dropped.  The  stranger 
had  no  doubt  been  killed  by  an  Indian. 

CONTINUED    SETTLEMENT. 

Immediately  after  this  first  settlement  on  Stotts  Creek,  others  began 
to  appear  and  locate  in  the  neighborhood  and  farther  up  on  the  same 
stream  and  its  branches.  Early  settlers  in  those  times  always  sought  the 
streams,  which  were  the  great  commercial  highways  as  well  as  the  sources 
of  water,  water-power  and  fresh  springs.  Among  the  earliest  settlers 
were  James  Stotts,  Robert  Stotts,  Andrew  Stotts,  H.  T.  Craig,  William 
Ofifield,  two  or  three  families  of  Laughlins,  Zachariah  Davee,  James 
Ennis  (who  had  several  large  sons),  Thomas  Stockton,  Samuel  Speaks 
and  his  sons  Thomas  and  James,  William  Perry,  Andrew  Stevens,  John 
Pierce  (the  cooper),  John  Pierce  (the  blacksmith),  Elisha  Hamden,  Thomas 
Irons,  Jonathan  Williams,  James  Shields,  Abe  Hammons,  Jacob  Hammons, 
Jacob  Case,  John  Dyer,  John  Marker,  Edward  Jones,  Peter  King,  Aaron 
Holdman,  and  a  little  latter  H.  W.  Brazeale,  Henry  Harper,  Benjamin 
Bryan,  Washington  Duke,  James  and  Bartholomew  Carroll,  Daniel 
Drake,  Erastus  Robinson,  H.  M.  Collins,  J.  B.  Maxwell,  H.  W.  Williams, 
J.  S.  Wilson,  William  Lane,  Nathan  Laughlin,  Philip  Collins,  B.  Rob- 
bins,  James  Williams,  Gideon  C.  Drake,  J.  M.  Frazer,  Mahlon  Snyder, 
Joseph  Sanders,  Jacob  L.  Bromwell,  H.  B.  Greenwood,  William  Duke, 
John  and  Anthony  Brunnemer,  Jacob  Grosclose  and  many  others. 

THE  POLL  TAX  PAYERS  OF  1842. 

The  following  is  the  list  in  full :  Benjamin  Bryant,  Anthony  Brunne- 
mer, Tilford  Bailey,  Amos  Bailey,  Allison  Bailey,  Joseph  Bailey,  Hiram 
Brock,  S.  W.  Bream,  Richard  Bream,  B.  F.  Badgley,  Clark  Badgley, 
Francis  Badgley,  Nehemiah  Bailey,  William  Cumpton,  John  Clary, 
Philip  Collins,  John  Caldwell,  William  Carroll,  W.  H.  Carroll,  Ishmael 
Carroll,  Isaac  Caldwell,  John  Choat,  William  Cain,  W.  Creed,  Caleb 
Cobb,  Samuel  Carroll,  G.  W.  Cain,  H.  M.  Collins,  H.  B.  Childs,  J.  D. 


164  HISTORY  OF  MORGAN  COUNTY. 

Davis,  Caleb  Day,  George  Douglass,  George  Davis,  William  Day,  Wash- 
ington Duke,  William  Duke,  George  Drake,  Daniel  Drake,  James 
Egbert,  Josiah  Eaton,  Archibald  Ennis,  T.  Ennis,  Michael  Ennis,  Joseph 
Elkins,  Richard  Elkins,  Walker  Ennis,  David  Elkins,  James  Ferren, 
Bart  Ferren,  Adam  Flake,  William  Franklin,  Jack  Galloway,  J.  A. 
Grear,  James  Grear,  David  Gregory,  Daniel  Gardner,  Abraham  Huff, 
Levi  Hall,  William  Harper,  William  Hughes,  Eb  Henderson,  Jess  Hen- 
derson, Henry  Harper,  Bolin  Harper,  Joseph  Johnson,  Peter  Kemper, 
Isaac  Knox,  William  King,  Rev.  Peter  Klinger,  Ransom  King,  Elijah 
Koons,  William  Lewis,  J.  T.  Laughlin,  Thomas  Laughlin,  J.  0.  Laugh- 
lin,  Samuel  Musser,  W  H.  Mallow,  Edward  Moon,  B.  C.  Moon,  Abra- 
ham McGrew,  Thomas  Miles,  B.  Mulligan,  Eli  Musgrove,  Elisha  and 
John  McGrew,  John  Moffett,  J.  M.  Oliver,  Obediah  Perry,  William 
Perry,  Leonard  and  N.  B.  Palmer,  John  and  Nathan  Perry,  John  and 
Henry  Price,  James  Prather,  Artemas  Pringle,  Charles  Robinson,  Erastue 
Robinson,  William  and  James  Robe,  George  Rule,  Charles  Richards, 
Anderson  and  R.  H.  Scroggins,  John  and  J.  E.  Skaggs,  Thomas  Shields, 
Josiah  Stewart,  Samuel  Scott,  James  Speaks,  James  Tracy,  James  Thomp- 
son, James  and  Jackson  Trent,  Scipio  Sedgwick,  Simon  Taylor,  James, 
Lewis,  William,  Pleasant  and  John  Williams,  Isaac  Welch,  John  Watts, 
W.  L.  Warman,  Arnold  Westfall  and  Jacob  Yount. 

MILLING     INTERESTS. 

Zachariah  Davee  owned  a  small  grist  mill  during  the  twenties.  It 
was  located  on  Stotts  Creek,  contained  a  small  set  of  nigger-head  buhrs, 
and  was  propelled  by  water  from  a  small  log  dam.  In  about  1830,  the 
mill  passed  to  James  Ennis,  who  conducted  it  for  a  few  years.  This  was 
probably  the  first  mill  in  the  township.  The  Hammons  owned  a  saw  mill 
for  a  short  time  in  early  years.  The  old  Hawkins  Mill  was  built  thirty- 
five  or  forty  years  ago  by  an  enterprising  German,  who  soon  afterward 
sold  it  to  Mr.  Hawkins.  It  did  good  work  in  its  day.  After  1838,  much 
of  the  flour  was  obtained  at  Free's  mammoth  grist  mill  at  Waverly.  Salt 
was  obtained  at  Jackson's  Salt  Works  in  Monroe  County,  or  at  Martins- 
ville, Waverly,  or  at  other  towns,  at  $2  per  bushel.  The  corn  and  pork 
were  sold  to  buyers  on  the  river,  who  shipped  them  down  to  Southern  mar- 
kets. People  dressed  in  buckskin,  or  linsey-woolsey  or  tow.  Clothing, 
shoes,  hats,  etc.,  were  manufactured  at  home  by  the  good  old  mothers. 
They  knew  how  to  make  the  spinning-wheels  hum. 

The  township  was  quite  well  settled  by  1840.  Almost  every  section 
of  land  had  its  log  cabin  and  its  small  clearing,  where  wheat,  corn  and 
vegetables  could  be  seen  growing. 

HUNTING  EXPLOITS. 

Eight  or  ten  bears  were  killed  in  the  township  in  early  years.  Zach- 
ariah Davee  was  a  successful  bear  hunter.  He  killed  twelve  or  fifteen,  but 
not  all  in  Green  Township.  He  owned  a  large,  savage  dog  that  was 
thoroughly  trained  to  the  uses  of  its  master,  and  was  an  ally  upon  whom 
the  hunter  could  depend  in  an  emergency.  The  dog  had  been  pretty 
well  used  up  in  encounters  with  bears,  while  it  was  yet  young  and  unsophis- 
ticated, in  the  embraces  of  those  animals  or  in  the  sweeping  blows  from 


GREEN  TOWNSHIP.  165 

their  paws,  and  had  resorted  to  canine  sagacity  to  serve  its  master  in  sub- 
sequent encounters.  On  a  hunt  it  would  chase  a  bear  to  some  rough  tree 
selected  by  the  latter  animal  as  one  easy  to  climb,  and  when  the  bear  had 
gone  up  about  four  feet,  the  dog  would  sieze  it  behind,  and  by  tugging 
and  bracing  itself  against  the  tree  would  dislodge  bruin,  and  both  would  come 
tumbling  to  the  ground  together.  The  dog  would  leap  up  and  scamper  off. 
closely  pursued  by  bruin  for  a  few  rods,  when  the  latter  would  return  and 
again  commence  to  ascend  the  tree  only  to  be  again  pulled  down  by  the 
dog.  Sometimes  this  procedure  was  repeated  several  times,  or  until  the 
hunter  came  up  and  shot  the  bear.  On  one  occasion,  when  Mr.  Davee 
was  out  hunting,  he  came  suddenly  upon  a  bear,  but  owing  to  the  thick- 
ness of  the  brush,  succeeded  only  in  giving  it  a  bad  wound  as  it  shambled 
off.  The  dog  followed  the  wounded  animal  a  long  distance,  keeping 
up  a  barking  that  guided  the  hunter  in  the  pursuit,  but  keeping  beyond 
the  reach  of  the  bleeding  Ursus  Americanus.  At  last  the  bear  became  so 
weak  from  loss  of  blood  that  it  stopped  to  rest,  but  could  get  none  owing 
to  the  persistent  and  courageous  attacks  of  the  dog.  Mr.  Davee  came  up 
and  ended  the  fight  by  a  ball  through  the  bear's  head.  On  still  another 
occasion,  as  Mr.  Davee  was  walking  through  the  woods  with  his  gun  on 
his  shoulder,  he  came  suddenly  within  four  feet  of  a  large  bear  that  was 
lying  behind  a  log.  The  animal  instantly  reared  up  with  an  angry 
growl,  displaying  two  rows  of  gleaming  teeth,  and  reaching  out  with  its 
powerful  arms  to  clasp  the  startled  settler  in  its  embrace,  but  the  latter 
leaped  back,  cocked  his  rifle,  and  ere  the  bear  could  touch  him,  sent  a 
ball  through  its  throat.  In  a  few  minutes  the  animal  was  dead.  Had  the 
rifle  missed  fire,  it  would  have  fared  hard  with  the  hunter.  On  still 
another  occasion,  Mr.  Davee  shot  and  instantly  killed  a  bear  which  was 
passing  near  his  cabin.  The  flesh  was  divided  out  among  the  neighbors. 
William  Hughes  was  tardy  in  his  demands  and  was  forced  to  content  him- 
self with  a  pair  of  the  legs.  Bear  meat  is  much  like  pork.  It  is  said  that 
Tilford  Bailey  killed  a  bear  in  early  years.  He  saw  it  in  the  woods,  and 
though  much  scared  and  nervous,  fired  and  killed  it.  Joseph  Doty  also 
killed  one  under  about  the  same  circumstances.  Several  others  killed 
bears  in  the  township. 

THE    WOUNDED    DEER. 

Mr.  Davee  had  his  dog  so  trained  that  the  dumb  brute  seemed  almost 
capable  of  reason.  One  day  the  hunter  shot  and  wounded  a  deer,  which 
ran  off  through  the  woods  at  full  speed.  Away  went  the  dog  in  pursuit, 
followed  as  fast  as  possible  by  its  master.  Drops  of  blood  could  be  seen 
upon  the  leaves,  showing  that  the  deer  had  been  badly  hurt.  After  some 
time  the  dog  returned,  skulking  along  to  its  master,  which  act  was  so 
unusual  that  Mr.  Davis  took  his  ramrod  and  gave  the  animal  a  sound 
thrashing,  and  again  ordered  it  on  in  pursuit  of  the  deer.  Away  it  went 
again,  fiercer  than  ever,  as  if  to  make  good  the  loss  of  its  master's  confi- 
dence. The  hunter,  thinking  that  the  dog  would  not  have  come  back 
unless  the  deer  was  so  strong  as  to  have  gotten  entirely  away,  concluded 
to  give  up  the  chase  and  return  to  his  cabin,  which  he  accordingly  did. 
Hours  elapsed  and  the  dog  did  not  return.  At  last  the  hunter  took  his 
gun,  resumed  the  trail,  and  after  several  hours   of  rapid  walking  came 


166  HISTORY  OF  MORGAN  COUNTY. 

upon  a  sight  that  made  him  sick.  The  tall  weeds,  grass  and  bushes  over 
a  quarter  of  an  acre  were  torn  to  pieces  and  beaten  flat,  and  near  the 
center  lay  the  wounded  deer,  dead,  and  terribly  torn,  and  near  it  was  the 
old  dog,  covered  with  blood  and  bruised,  and  torn  almost  in  pieces  by  the 
sharp  hoofs  and  antlers  of  the  desperate  deer.  The  noble  animal  could 
scarcely  move,  yet  it  wagged  its  tail  at  the  sound  of  its  master's  voice, 
and  looked  up  for  praise  over  the  successful  issue  of  the  terrible  struggle. 
The  faithful  creature  was  taken  home  where  its  wounds  were  caretully 
dressed,  but  the  best  care  could  not  restore  the  mutilated  limbs  and 
broken  bones.  The  dog  lived  a  year  or  more,  but  scarcely  ever  left  the 
yard. 

THE    DELAWARES. 

Mr.  Davee  had  an  extended  experience  of  the  Indian  character. 
He  was  not  afraid  of  them  and  liked  to  be  with  them  for  the  sport  they 
afforded  him.  He  could  beat  any  of  them  shooting  at  a  mark,  and  won 
much  of  their  property  in  that  manner.  The  Indians,  except  a  few  small 
roving  bands,  had  been  removed  a  short  time  before  he  came  to  the  town- 
ship. One  day  five  or  six  of  them,  including  two  or  three  squaws, 
camped  on  the  creek  near  his  cabin,  whereupon  he  went  over  to  make 
their  acquaintance.  They  seemed  glad  to  see  him,  and,  after  a  short 
time,  all  shot  at  a  mark,  and  of  course  the  white  man  beat  them.  The 
Indians  then  proposed  to  jump,  and  one  of  them  suggested  that  they 
should  see  which  could  jump  farthest  over  a  large  log-heap  fire  that  was 
burning  near.  One  or  two  including  Mr.  Davee  made  the  jump  success- 
fully, and  finally  a  very  boastful  young  fellow  with  many  a  flourish 
started  to  perform  the  same  feat.  He  made  a  short  dash,  but  just  as  he 
was  rising  on  the  jump  Mr.  Davee  tripped  him,  and  the  half-naked  fellow 
pitched  heels  over  head  into  the  log-heap  fire.  He  howled  dreadfully, 
and  made  the  fire  and  ashes  fly.  and  no  wonder.  He  was  out  in  a  flash, 
badly  burned,  exclaiming  !  "  Heap  bad  shimokaman  ;  heap  bad  !  "  The 
reader  will  probably  agree  with  him,  but  Mr.  Davee  and  the  other  Indi- 
ans laughed  heartily  at  his  expense. 

A    MYSTERIOUS    DEATH. 

A  few  years  ago,  John  Radcliff  went  out  to  his  barn-yard  one  morning 
with  his  little  girl  to  do  the  milking.  The  last  the  girl  saw  of  her  father 
he  was  standing  with  his  back  against  the  barn.  At  noon,  Mrs.  Radcliff 
made  inquiries  for  him,  and  sent  a  child  out  to  find  him  at  the  barn,  but 
his  whereabouts  were  not  discovered.  In  the  evening  he  was  found  near 
the  barn,  dead,  and  very  much  mangled  by  the  hogs.  The  discovery 
created  great  excitement  in  the  neighborhood,  and  led  to  the  arrest  of  a 
young  man  who  was  soon  acquitted.  On  the  day  of  the  death,  two  gen- 
tlemen passing  by  the  house  saw  Mr.  Radcliff  talking  with  a  stranger  at 
the  barn.  Who  this  man  was  could  not  be  ascertained.  Whether  Mr. 
Radcliff  was  murdered  or  whether  he  had  a  fit  will  probably  remain  a 
mystery  to  the  end  of  time. 

EDUCATIONAL   INTERESTS. 

The  first  school  in  the  township  was  taught  on  Stotts  Creek  in  1820, 
by  the  old  settler,  Hiram  T.  Craig.     The  second  and  third  were  taught 


GREEN  TOWNSHIP.  167 

in  the  same  neighborhood,  all  being  very  rude,  and  being  taught  in  pri- 
vate cabins.  Reading  was  done  mostly  out  of  the  Testament ;  writing 
was  done  with  a  goose  quill  sharpened  or  "mended  "  by  the  teacher,  and 
a  little  "ciphering"  was  done  on  a  rude  blackboard.  Mr.  Collins  suc- 
ceeded Mr.  Craig.  Late  in  the  twenties,  other  schools  were  started  far- 
ther up  the  creek.  The  first  schoolhouse  was  built  in  the  Stotts  settle- 
ment in  about  1827,  and  was  a  rough  log  structure  built  in  one  day  by  a 
few  men  who  were  anxious  to  have  their  few  children  educated.  In  1880, 
if  reports  are  reliable,  there  were  only  three  log  schoolhouses  in  the  town- 
ship, and  one  of  those  was  a  deserted  dwelling.  In  1840,  there  were  five 
or  six,  but  the  standard  of  education  was  yet  at  a  very  low  ebb.  The 
teachers  were  paid  by  subscription,  which  was  usually  $1.50  for  each 
scholar  for  the  term  of  three  months.  The  teacher  would  have  from  eight 
to  fifteen  scholars,  so  it  is  easy  to  figure  what  the  "master's  "  compensa- 
tion would  be.  Whoever  saw  a  wealthy  school  teacher  ?  Such  a  creature 
is  an  invisible  quantity  even  to  this  day.  Take,  then,  the  pedagogue  of 
ye  olden  time,  who  was  forced  by  the  fiat  of  events  to  "  board  around  "  at 
the  log  cabins,  where  fat  bacon  and  corn  bread  were  considered  delicacies 
fit  for  the  gods,  and  who  can  imagine  a  more  desolate  prospect  ?  This 
was  repeated  scores  of  times  in  Green  Township.  In  1852,  the  common 
school  law  came  into  existence,  and  the  progress  of  education  since  then 
has  been  remarkable.  Neat  frame  houses  were  erected  soon  after  the  pas- 
sage of  the  law,  and  a  permanent  fund  for  the  payment  of  the  teacher  and 
the  support  of  the  school  changed  the  intellectual  bill  of  fare  into  all  the 
higher  branches.  Now  there  are  ten  fine  country  schoolhouses  where 
many  of  the  teachers  employed  are  qualified  to  instruct  in  analysis  of  the 
English  sentence,  natural  philosophy,  physical  geography,  botany,  elocu- 
tion, rhetoric,  ornamental  penmanship,  etc.,  etc.  Green  Township  has 
good  schools. 

RELIGIOUS    INTERESTS. 

Late  in  the  thirties,  a  small  class  of  the  Church  of  Christ  was  organ- 
ized on  Section  15,  the  leading  members  being  Adam  Flake,  Benjamin 
Bryan,  Peter  Comper,  Eli  Musgrove  and  their  families  and  others.  Adam 
Flake  agreed  to  donate  one  acre  of  ground  for  a  church  and  cemetery. 
Whether  a  building  was  erected  cannot  be  learned.  The  class  lived  many 
years,  and  numbered  as  high  as  forty  or  fifty  members.  In  about  1840, 
the  Methodists,  near  the  residence  of  Levi  Rinker,  organized  a  class,  among 
the  members  being  the  families  of  Robert  C.  Stotts,  Levi  Rinker,  Simeon 
Ely,  F.  A.  Harryman,  William  Stewart,  Daniel  Demott,  George  Rinker, 
John  Holsapple,  William  Cain,  James  Epperson  and  James  Laughlin. 
The  pastor  in  1844  was  Daniel  Demott,  and  in  1846  Henry  S.  Dane. 
The  class  belonged  to  the  Mooresville  Circuit.  Several  early  classes  were 
organized  in  schoolhouses.  Now  there  are  four  churches  in  the  township — 
Mount  Olive,  Methodist,  in  the  northwestern  part ;  Union  Chapel,  Meth- 
odist, two  miles  east  of  Cope ;  Bethel,  Methodist,  in  the  eastern  part,  and 
Centennial  Union  Church,  a  mile  northeast  of  Cope.  The  township  has 
excellent  opportunity  for  Christian  worship,  and  the  citizens  are  sober, 
moral  and  industrious. 

CLEVELAND. 

In  the  month  of  April,  1838,  Ezekiel  St.  John  employed  a  surveyor 


lt)8  HISTORY  OF  MORGAN  COUNTY. 

and  laid  out  a  village  of  thirty-four  lots  and  eight  large  outlota  on  the 
northeast  quarter  of  the  northeast  quarter  of  Section  8,  Township  12 
north,  Range  2  east,  the  same  being  on  the  bank  of  Stotts  Creek,  and 
within  about  half  a  mile  of  its  mouth.  A  few  houses  were  built,  and  some 
little  improvement  was  made,  but  the  village  soon  died,  without  hope  of 
resurrection. 

VILLAGE    OF   COPE. 

This  was  started  up  on  Section  28  many  years  ago.  James  Crocker 
and  Henson  Martin  opened  the  first  store  there  in  a  log  cabin.  They 
were  succeeded  by  Wesley  Knight.  Isaac  B.  Wilson  was  next,  and  Lem- 
uel Guthridge  next.  A  post  office  has  been  established  there  in  later 
years.     Few  villages  can  cope  with  Cope  in  limitation  and  negation. 


BAKER   TOWNSHIP. 


THE  EVILSIZER    FAMILY. 

THE  earliest  settlement  of  Baker  Township  is  enshrouded  in  mystery. 
It  is  certain  that  white  families  lived  therein  as  early  as  1820,  and 
possibly  in  1819.  A  family  named  Evilsizer  was  living  there  on  the  old 
Thomas  Hodges  farm  when  the  first  permanent  residents  arrived,  but 
how  long  they  had  been  there  cannot  be  learned,  even  if  it  be  known  by 
any  one  now  living  in  the  township  or  county.  It  is  believed  by  some 
that  this  family  lived  there  before  the  cession  treaty  of  1818,  but  this 
must  be  regarded  with  some  grains  of  doubt.  The  family  consisted  of 
the  father,  mother,  two  or  three  sons  and  a  daughter  or  two.  They  were 
professional  pioneers,  and  preferred  to  live  in  the  woods  remote  from  the 
settlements.  The  father  and  the  boys  were  skillful  hunters  and  trappers, 
and  several  times  a  year  visited  the  older  settlements  in  the  southern  part 
of  the  State  to  sell  their  furs  or  exchange  them  for  ammunition,  traps, 
weapons,  tobacco,  or  some  article  of  clothing  for  the  women.  The  men 
dressed  almost  wholly  in  deer  or  raccoon  skins,  and  spent  their  time  in 
hunting  and  trapping,  in  which  they  were  very  expert.  As  a  matter  of 
fact,  much  that  is  said  of  them  rests  largely  on  tradition,  as  they  left  for 
remote  localities  about  the  time  the  permanent  settlers  began  to  arrive. 
They  had  a  garden,  consisting  of  about  half  or  three-quarters  of  an  acre, 
which  was  cultivated  by  the  women,  as  the  men  were  above  that  sort  of 
degradation.  Accounts  vary  as  to  the  intelligence  of  the  family.  It  is 
quite  certain,  however,  that  their  intellectual  attainments  were  not  of  the 
highest  order.  They  were  guilty  of  sufficient  acuteness  to  be  able  to 
hunt  and  cook,  but  they  would  not  have  cut  a  remarkably  high  figure, 
either  socially  or  mentally,  in  the  settled  communities  of  that  day.  Ac- 
cording to  tradition,  the  men  on  one  occasion  had  considerable  difficulty 
with  a  band  of  four  or  five  Indians  that  stopped  at  their  cabin.  The 
trouble  arose  over  a  trade  of  furs  on  the  part  of  the  Indians  for  ammu- 
nition and  trinkets  on  the  part  of  the  whites.  Arms  were  drawn,  wounds 
were  given,  but  the  difficulty  was  adjusted  before  anything  serious  result- 


BAKER  TOWNSHIP.  169 

ed.  It  is  said  that  this  family  killed  many  bears  in  various  portions  of 
Morgan  County.  Within  two  or  three  years  they  left  the  township,  go- 
ing, no  one  knows  whither,  but  certainly  out  into  the  wilderness. 

PERMANENT    SETTLERS. 

The  first  tract  of  land  was  purchased  on  Section  28,  on  the  8th  of 
November,  1820,  by  Thomas  Hodges,  who  did  not  reside  in  the  township 
until  years  afterward.  William  Burton  bought  land  on  Section  32  in 
1823.  The  Burtons  afterward  became  prominent  citizens.  George  W. 
Baker  came  in  late  in  the  twenties,  with  a  retinue  of  relatives,  that  was 
afterward  considerably  enlarged.  Perhaps  himself  and  relatives  did  more 
for  Baker  Township  than  any  other  family.  The  township  took  its  name 
from  this  family.  They  were  among  its  most  prominent  and  respected 
citizens. 

The  Lafavers  came  in  soon  after  1830,  and  soon  exerted  a  wide  influ- 
ence in  township  affairs.  The  family  of  John  Hodges  was  also  very 
prominent. 

The  township  was  mainly  settled  in  the  thirties,  although  a  few  fami- 
lies were  residents  before.  Among  those  who  entered  land  were  James 
Kerley,  William  Teag,  George  W.  Baker,  John  Buckner,  Jonathan  Man- 
ley,  Frederick  Buckhart,  W.  T.  Clark,  Page  Henslow,  John  Manley, 
Richard  Long,  Jackson  Long,  Elisha  Long,  Elijah  D.  Long,  John 
Hodges,  Jr.,  Thomas  Hodges,  Thomas  Mitchell,  James  R.  Elston,  John 
Burton,  Isaac  Lafaver,  Josiah  Goodwin,  Robert  Finchum,  Ivison  Ellis, 
David  Low,  Josiah  Vandeventer,  John  Muncey,  Stephen  Collier,  William 
Burton,  Jacob  Evans,  Presley  Johnson,  P.  Smith,  Chris  Shultz,  J.  B. 
Gibson,  William  Goodwin,  Hiram  McKinney,  John   Burnett  and  others. 

THE  POLL  TAX  PAYERS  OF  1842. 

Barnard  Arnold,  Winard  Buskirk,  Jesse  Belzer,  Daniel  Beals,  Felix 
Belzer,  John  W.  Burton,  Benjamin  Campbell,  Joseph  Childers,  John 
Campbell,  Caleb  Collier,  Jacob  Evans,  Robert  Finiham,  William  Gregs- 
ton,  James  Goodwin,  James  Gregston,  Thomas  L.  Hicks,  Thompson 
Harden,  John  Hodges,  Zachariah  Haller,  Samuel  Harryman,  Joseph 
Kenley,  Jonathan  Kegley,  Daniel  Lafaver,  Jacob  Lafaver,  Isaac 
Lafaver,  Andrew  H.  Low,  John  McCollister,  John  E.  Myers,  Jacob 
Meyers.  James  Martin,  John  G.  Manley,  John  Martin,  Joshua  Muncey, 
David  T.  Neal,  Dempsey  Neal,  L.  iM.  R.  Pumphrey,  William  W.  Paul, 
Abraham  Stutesman,  Phlegman  Smith,  Daniel  Weathers,  Amos  H.  Vande- 
venter. 

The  old  Pumphrey  Grist  Mill  on  White  River  was  an  important 
feature  in  early  times.  The  store  which  was  started  there  about  1839 
was  continued  several  years. 

EDUCATION. 

Schools  were  not  started  in  this  township  until  comparatively  late. 
The  settlement  was  slow,  and  the  families  had  something  else  to  think 
about  than  education.  Too  many  parents  in  those  days  thought  as  the 
Spanish  proverb  directs : 

"  Follow  your  father,  my  son, 
And  do  as  your  father  has  done." 


170  HISTORY  OF  MORGAN  COUNTY. 

They  reasoned  that  their  children  ought  to  do  as  well  in  life  as  they 
had  done,  which  was  to  pass  from  the  cradle  to  the  grave  with  only  "'edi- 
cation  "  enough  to  read  a  little,  write  a  little  and  cipher  a  little.  A  man 
who  had  "  larnin'  "  enough  to  attack  and  attempt  to  analyze  an  English 
sentence  was  regarded  a  prodigy. 

"  And  still  the  wonder  grew 
That  one  small  head  should  carry  all  he  knew." 

The  first  school  in  the  township,  so  far  as  can  be  learned,  was 
taught  in  about  the  year  1838,  on  Section  28.  The  schoolhouse  was 
of  round  logs,  a  wide  fire-place  filled  the  dark  room  with  a  ruddy  glow, 
and  in  one  end  was  a  rude  table,  a  sacred  piece  of  furniture,  belong- 
ing exclusively  to  the  teacher,  from  which  oracles  as  wise,  no  doubt, 
as  those  of  Solomon  were  revealed  to  the  wondering  children.  The  second 
school  was  started  about  the  same  time  on  Section  31  or  32.  These 
were  the  only  established  schools  for  several  years,  but  along  in  the  forties, 
when  the  good  effects  of  the  school  law  of  1843  began  to  be  felt,  other 
terms  were  taught  in  the  northeast  corner  and  in  the  southeast  corner. 
The  township  in  1850  had  three  established  schools,  and  a  neighborhood 
or  two  where  terms  were  taught  semi-occasionally  in  buildings  that  had 
been  built  for  dwellings  and  which  were  fitted  up  specially  for  the  pur- 
pose. The  school  system  of  Baker  Township,  and  the  excellence  of  the 
instruction  furnished,  are  not  excelled  by  any  other  country  township  in 
the  county. 

FACILITIES    FOR    WORSHIP. 

Baker  Township  has  been  well  supplied  since  the  earliest  settlement 
with  abundant  opportunity  for  Christian  worship.  The  Mount  Zion 
Methodist  Church,  on  the  line  between  Sections  31  and  32,  was  organized 
about  1840  at  the  residence  of  Jacob  Lafaver.  The  first  class  did  not 
exceed  ten  members.  Among  the  earliest  families  belonging  were  those 
of  Jacob  Lafaver,  Isaac  Lafaver,  William  D.  Payne,  Joshua  Jones,  Alfred 
Abel,  John  Myers.  Isom  Guy,  Andrew  Smith  and  others.  Wesley  Dorsey 
organized  the  class  and  was  the  first  preacher  in  charge.  Henry  S.  Dane 
succeeded  him.  The  church  was  built  in  the  fifties.  This  class  is  yet 
in  existence.  The  two  other  churches — a  Methodist  and  a  Baptist — 
were  organized  later,  and  are  in  flourishing  condition  for  country  churches. 
The  citizens  of  the  township  generally  are  moral  and  industrious.  The 
township  is  next  to  the  smallest  in  the  county.  During  the  early  stages 
of  the  last  war,  it  furnished  more  men  in  proportion  to  population  than 
any  other  township  in  the  county. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 


WASHINGTON    TOWNSHIP    AND    MARTINSVILLE. 

GEORGE  A.  ADAMS,  attorney  and  Representative,  is  a  native  of 
Morgan  County,  Ind.,  and  was  born  June  4, 1849.  The  county  which 
gave  him  birth  has  made  him  a  home.  In  his  youth,  after  attending  the 
common  schools  of  the  county,  he  went  to  the  State  University  atBloom- 
ington,  Ind.,  for  two  years,  and  from  which  he  graduated  in  the  profes- 
sion of  law  in  1872.  He  was  Principal  of  the  High  Schools  of  Morgan- 
town  one  year,  after  which,  in  April,  1873,  he  engaged  in  the  practice  of 
his  profession,  and  has  continued  the  same  since  that  time.  December 
28,  1876,  he  married,  at  Brazil,  Clay  County,  Miss  Mattie  Bennett, 
which  union  has  given  birth  to  two  children — an  infant  and  Roy  B.  (de- 
ceased). Mr.  Adams  is  a  Republican,  and  was  sent  to  the  Legislature, 
as  a  Representative  of  Morgan  County  in  November,  1882.  He  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  venerable  Masonic  fraternity,  and  also  of  the  Beta  7'heta  Pi 
— a  college  organization — and  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  Mr. 
Adams  is  the  possessor  of  a  line  property  in  Martinsville,  and  is  a  much 
esteemed  citizen. 

WILLIAM  R.  ASHER  is  a  native  of  Johnson  County,  Ind.,  and  was 
born  on  the  30th  of  November,  1861.  When  he  had  reached  the  age  of 
eight  years,  he  was  removed  by  his  parents  to  this  town,  where  he  was 
reared,  attended  and  graduated  from  the  Martinsville  High  School,  and 
afterward  became  a  student  of  the  State  University  in  September,  1878, 
in  a  course  of  four  years'  study.  In  the  month  of  March,  1883,  he  en- 
tered into  the  oratorical  contest,  with  four  contestants,  for  the  privilege 
of  representing  the  University  in  the  State  contest,  and  which  privilege 
he  won;  consequently,  he  represented  the  University  of  Indiana  in  the 
State  oratorical  exhibition,  which  took  place  at  Indianapolis  April  17, 
1883,  in  which  effort  he  was  successful,  coming  out  number  one  from  a 
list  of  six,  each  representing  a  college,  and  also  winniog  the  prize,  $50. 
This  success  at  the  State  capital  bestowed  upon  him  the  right  of  contend- 
ing in  the  inter- State  contest  of  oratory,  held  at  Minneapolis  May  2, 
1883,  from  which  engagement  he  came  forth  third  in  honor. 

J.  G.  BAIN,  editor  Martinsville  Republican,  and  Postmaster,  was 
born  in  Jefferson  Township,  Morgan  County,  on  April  29,  1844,  and  is 
the  son  of  John  and  Bridget  (Gallagher)  Bain,  early  settlers  of  Jefferson 
Tovraship.  Our  subject  passed  his  early  life  on  a  farm  and  attending  a 
district  school  until  he  was  seventeen  years  of  age,  when  he  enlisted  in 
Company  C,  Thirty-third  Indiana  Infantry,  in  August,  1861,  for  three 
years  and  participated  in  every  march,  battle  and  skirmish  which  the 


172  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

regiment  was  in.  Near  the  close  of  the  three  years'  term,  the  regiment 
"veteranized."  During  the  Atlanta  campaign,  the  regiment  elected  offi- 
cers, and  was  under  the  fire  of  the  enemy  while  balloting,  and  one  man 
killed.  Mr.  Bain  was  elected  Second  Lieutenant,  and  remained  with  his 
command  until  the  close  of  the  war,  having  been  mustered  out  August 
20,  1865,  after  four  years'  service.  Some  of  the  battles  and  skirmishes 
in  which  the  regiment  was  engaged  are  as  follows:  Wildcat,  Cumberland 
Gap,  Thompson's  Station,  Tenn.  (where  the  entire  brigade  was  captured 
and  confined  in  Libby  Prison  two  months),  Eesaca,  Cassville,  Burnt 
Hickory,  Golgotha  Church,  Pumpkin  Vine,  Peach  Tree  Creek,  the  Atlanta 
campaign,  Sherman's  ''march  to  the  sea,"  and  through  the  Carolinas, 
being  in  the  battles  of  Averysboro  and  Benton ville;  thence  to  Raleigh, 
on  to  Richmond,  and  in  the  "grand  review"  at  Washington;  thence 
to  Louisville,  Ky.,  where  the  regiment  was  mustered  out.  After  his 
return  home,  our  subject  attended  Mooresville  Seminary  six  months,  then 
Earlham  College,  Richmond,  Ind.,  three  years,  and  then  the  State  Uni- 
versity at  Bloomington,  graduating  from  that  institution  in  the  law 
course  in  the  spring  of  1870,  after  which  he  came  to  Martinsville  and 
engaged  in  the  practice  of  law.  In  August,  1870,  he  became  connected 
with  the  Republican,  which  sprang  into  existence  that  year,  and  was 
made  its  managing  editor.  In  December,  1870,  with  H.  A.  Smock,  he 
purchased  the  paper,  and  continued  its  publication  for  four  years.  Since 
September,  1874,  Mr.  Bain  has  been  the  sole  proprietor.  He  has  added 
to  and  improved  the  paper,  now  using  a  Campbell  steam  press,  with  a 
circulation  of  1,700.  In  October,  1872,  Mr.  Bain  was  made  Postmaster 
of  Martinsville,  and  has  held  the  office  ever  since.  He  has  always  been 
an  active,  influential  politician  in  the  Republican  party,  and  is  ranked 
among  the  energetic  and  progressive  citizens,  and  as  one  of  the  repre- 
sentative men  of  Southern  Indiana.  In  February,  1876,  he  was  married 
to  Sallie  Johnson;  a  native  of  Morgan  County,  and  daughter  of  Dr.  J. 
J,  Johnson.  Four  children  have  been  born  to  them — Mary  E,,  Katie  R., 
Jarvis  J.  and  Dora  I.  Mr.  Bain  is  a  consistent  member  of  the  Presbyte- 
rian Church,  and  his  wife  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  He  is 
also  a  member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity,  and  of  the  G.  A.  R.  Since 
Mr.  Bain  has  been  Postmaster,  the  office  has  increased  its  receipts  three- 
fold; and  it  is  at  present  one  of  the  best  appointed  and  conducted  post 
offices  of  any  town  of  its  size  in  the  State. 

JAMES  P.  BALDWIN,  second  son  in  a  family  of  eight  children, 
was  born  March  17,  1849,  in  Jennings  County,  Ind.  His  parents,  James 
M.  and  Sarah  (Thomas),  natives  of  Indiana,  were  married  in  Jennings 
County,  where  they  settled,  remaining  until  1861,  the  father  following 
merchandising.  Removing  thence  to  Martinsville,  he  went  into  the  mill- 
ing business,  and  three  years  later,  his  mill  being  destroyed  by  fire,  he 
retired  from  business,  and  is  at  present  one  of  Martinsville's  most  influ- 
ential citizens.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  reared  and  educated  in 
Martinsville.  When  sixteen  years  of  age,  he  was  employed  as  brake- 
man  on  the  Y.  F.  &  M.  R.  R.,  where  he  remained  for  six  months,  then 
for  six  months  on  the  I,  &  V.  R.  R.  as  fireman,  and  afterward  on  the 
main  line  of  the  Indianapolis  &  St.  Louis  Railroad  as  fireman  between 
La  Fayette,  Ind.,  and  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  for  some  time.  He  was  then 
given  an  engine,  working  in  this  capacity  until  1872,  after  which  he 
worked  for  one  year  on  the  F.  F.  &  M.  R.  R.  again.  In  1873,  he 
entered  the  employ  of  Johnson  &  Long,  druggists,  of  Martinsville,  for  a 


WASHINGTON  TOWNSHIP  AND  MARTINSVILLE.  173 

short  time,  afterward  forming  a  partnership  with  J.  H.  Hart  in  the  same 
business,  and  at  present  is  so  engaged  doing  a  lucrative  business.  He  is 
a  member  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F.,  and  is  an  active  member  in  the  Republican 
party.  November  13,  1872,  he  was  married  to  Maryetta  K.  Johnson, 
daughter  of  Dr.  J  J.  Johnson,  one  of  the  leading  citizens  of  Martins- 
ville. They  had  four  children,  none  of  whom  are  living.  Mr.  Baldwin 
and  wife  are  identified  with  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 

QUINCY  A.  BLANKENSHIP,  attorney  at  law,  is  a  native  of  this 
county,  born  November  15,  1851.  He  was  reared  in  the  locality  of  his 
birth,  attended  the  schools  and  high  school  of  Martinsville,  also  the 
Northwestern  at  Indianapolis.  He  began  farming  in  1874;  now  owns 
200  acres  in  Ray  Township,  and  is  a  partner  with  his  brother  in  farming 
and  stock-dealing;  they  handle  about  100  head  of  cattle, each  year.  In 
1879,  he  went  into  the  County  Clerk's  office  as  Deputy,  at  which  he 
served  four  years.  Afterward  he  began  the  study  of  law,  was  admitted 
to  practice  February,  1883,  and  April  17  of  that  year  he  married  Miss 
Fannie  Miller.  The  father  of  our  subject.  Perry  M.  Blankenship,  was 
born  in  Jennings  County,  Ind.,  December  11,  1811.  His  parents  died 
when  he  was  quite  young,  and  he  was  bound  to  Mr.  John  B.  New,  and 
learned  the  trade  of  cabinet-making,  at  which  he  worked  several  yeai-s,and 
while  yet  a  young  man  removed  to  this  county. 

JOHN  BOTH  WELL  was  born  in  County  Moneghan,  Ireland,  March 
17,  1803,  and  is  a  son  of  Charles  and  Mary  Bothwell,  also  natives  of 
County  Moneghan,  Ireland.  The  father  of  our  subject,  John  Bothwell, 
Sr. ,  was  a  native  of  Ireland,  where  he  married  and  died,  having  reared 
five  children — James,  David,  Mary,  Margaret  and  Charles.  Charles 
Bothwell,  while  in  Ireland,  married  Mary  Gordon;  emigrated  in  1809  to 
America,  and  settled  in  Pennsylvania,  where  he  closed  his  life.  He  was 
the  parent  of  the  following:  Samuel,  William,  Ann  J.  and  John.  Our 
subject,  John  Bothwell,  married,  January  14,  1832,  Miss  Nancy,  daugh- 
ter of  John  and  Elizabeth  Loraign,  The  following  spring  Mr.  Bothwell 
moved  to  Montgomery  County,  Penn.,  and  in  1838  to  Morgan  County, 
Ind.,  when  he  settled  in  this  township,  which  has  since  been  his  home. 
Mrs.  Bothwell  died  April,  1856,  and  some  time  after  Mr.  Bothwell 
wedded  Mrs.  Weathers,  widow  of  Richard  Weathers,  who  died  Feb- 
ruary  1,  1883.  Mr.  Bothwell  has  been  father  to  the  following  children: 
Samuel,  Anna,  Mary,  David,  John,  Hugh,  Sarah,  James,  Ann  J.,  Isabel, 
Martha  and  Margaret. 

DAVID  BOTHWELL  is  a  native  of  Morgan  County,  Ind. ,  was  born 
October  12,  1841,  and  is  one  of  the  twelve  children  composing  the  fam- 
ily of  John  and  Nancy  Bothwell.  He  obtained  the  rudiments  of  an  ed- 
ucation from  the  district  schools;  afterward  fitted  himself  for  the  duties 
of  a  teacher,  and  has  taught  thirteen  consecutive  terms  of  school  suc- 
cessfully in  this  county.  February  28,  1883,  he  married  Mary  E., 
daughter  of  W^illiam  M.  and  Mary  C.  Duckworth,  of  this  county.  Miss 
Duckworth  was  born  in  this  county  March  23,  1857.  After  marriage,  Mr. 
Bothwell  occupied  and  managed  the  farm  on  which  he  now  lives.  It 
comprises  215  acres,  and  is  well  cultivated  and  improved.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Bothwell  are  highly  respected  among  their  neighbors. 

FRANK  O.  BRAKE, native  of  Ohio,  was  born  in  Licking  County  Octo- 
ber 10,  1853.  His  parents,  Samuel  and  Sarah  (Moore)  Brake,  were  mar- 
ried in  Ohio,  their  native  place,  in  1841,  where  they  located,  and  the 
father  was  stationed  as  a  United  Brethren  minister.     In  1863,  they  re- 


174  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

moved  thence  to  Union  County,  and  settled  on  a  farm,  where  they  re- 
mained for  two  years;  then  went  into  the  mercantile  business  in  Frank- 
fort. In  1878,  he  sold  his  stock  of  goods,  and  was  then  in  Shelby 
County  for  four  years.  Early  in  1883,  he  embarked  in  the  insurance 
business,  and  at  piesent  is  so  engaged.  On  December  23,  1877,  his 
mother  died.  Subject  is  third  son  and  child  in  a  family  of  four  chil- 
dren, and  was  reared  and  educated  in  his  native  couaty.  When  seven- 
teen years  of  age,  he  began  teaching  school  in  Ohio.  He  continued 
teaching  for  live  years,  and  in  March,  1875,  he  entered  the  office  of  Dr. 
Levi  Stuck,  a  dentist  of  Bryan,  Ohio,  remaining  with  him  for  one  year. 
He  then  went  with  Dr.  Myers,  of  Defiance,  Ohio,  remaining  for  five  years, 
meanwhile  attending  the  Ohio  Dental  College  at  Cincinnati,  where  he 
graduated  in  March,  1880.  In  1881,  he  came  to  Martinsville,  where  he 
has  a  lucrative  practice.  Mr.  Brake  is  a  member  of  the  A.,  F.  &  A.  M., 
Martinsville  Lodge,  No.  74;  of  the  American  Legion  of  Honor,  Fort  De- 
fiance, Lodge,  No.  497.  In  politics,  ho  is  a  Kepublican.  On  September 
26,  1877,  he  was  married  to  Josephine  Winfield,  daughter  of  John  Win- 
field  of  Ohio.  By  this  union  there  is  one  child,  Edith  Harlan.  Both 
himseJf  and  wife  are  members  ol  the   Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church. 

ELLIOTT  F.  BRANCH,  Treasurer  of  Morgan  County,  Ind.,  is  a  na- 
tive of  Johnson  County,  and  was  born  April  16,  1845.  He  was  reared  in 
the  county  in  which  he  first  saw  the  world's  light,  with  fair  facilities  for 
education,  and  in  1866  commenced  the  grain  trade  at  Martinsville,  and 
now  continues  the  same  in  partnership  with  his  brother,  under  the  firm 
title  of  Branch  &  Bro. ;  they  own  the  Martinsville  FJouring  Mills,  and 
are  doing  a  large  business,  over  $250,000  annually.  Mr.  Branch  shipped 
the  first  carload  out  of  the  town  on  the  new  railroad.  He  is  owner  of 
320  acres  in  Johnson  County,  the  same  number  three  miles  east  of  this 
place,  and  his  wife  also  has  a  like  quantity  near  the  town.  From  1865 
to  1878,  he  was  engaged  in  merchandising  and  the  stave  business,  in 
connection  with  milling  and  farming.  May  13,  1868,  he  married  Miss 
Alice  Pai-ks,  daughter  of  P.  M.  Parks,  which  union  has  been  graced  by 
four  children — Olive,  Leafy,  Emmett  Forest  and  Frank  Oak.  Mr.  Branch 
is  a  stanch  Eepublican,  and  was  elected  County  Treasurer  in  1878.  He 
is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity  and  of  the  State  committee  for  this 
Congressional  district. 

ROBERT  H.  BRANCH  was  born  in  Johnson  County,  Ind.,  on  April 
7,  1852.  A  sketch  of  parents'  life  appears  elsewhere  in  this  work.  He 
was  fourth  son  and  ninth  child  in  a  family  of  twelve  children,  and  was 
reared  in  his  native  county.  When  eighteen  years  of  age,  he  began  work- 
ing on  his  father's  farm,  which  he  continued  to  do  for  two  years.  He 
then  came  to  Martinsville,  and  was  employed  by  his  brother,  E.  F.  Branch, 
in  the  grain  business,  with  whom  he  continued  until  January,  1874.  At 
this  time  he  became  a  partner  in  the  firm,  and  continued  so  for  three 
years,  when  his  brother  sold  his  interest  to  D.  D.  Cramer.  Three  years 
later,  the  firm  was  dissolved,  R.  H.  Branch  and  D.  D.  Cramer  selling  their 
interests.  Our  subject  then  purchased  a  half  interest  in  the  flouring  mills 
and  elevator,  which  was  destroyed  by  fire  on  June  22,  1883,  the  loss  being 
about  $26,000.  An  elevator,  the  capacity  of  which  is  125,000  bushels, 
has  since  been  built,  in  place  of  the  one  destroyed,  and  business  was  re- 
sumed on  December  1,  1883,  which  most  undoubtedly  will  prove  as  great 
a  success  as  formerly.  Mr.  Branch  is  a  member  of  the  A.  F.  &  A.  M. 
He  is  also  an  active  member  and  worker  in  the  Chi'istian  Church.     Politi- 


WASHINGTON  TOWNSHIP  AND  MARTINSVILLE.  175 

cally  he  is  a  Kepublican,  and  quite  influential  in  this  party.  He  is  liberal 
as  a  citizen,  and  highly  respected  by  all  who  know  him. 

H.  E.  BRANCH  is  the  eldest  son  and  child  in  a  family  of  two  chil- 
dren, born  January  12,  1855,  in  Franklin,  Johnson  County,  Ind.  His 
parents  were  John  W.  and  Louisa  (Alexander)  Branch,  natives  of  Ken- 
tucky and  Indiana  respectively.  They  were  married  in  Gosport,  Ind., 
October  5,  1853,  and  then  settled  in  Franklin,  remaining  until  1858, 
when  they  moved  to  Gosport,  where  they  I'emained  until  1866.  He  was 
appointed  Deputy  Collector,  and  moved  to  Terre  Haute,  remaining  until 
1878,  when  they  moved  to  Martinsville  and  engaged  in  the  stave  trade, 
and  at  present  reside  in  Indianapolis.  The  subject  was  reared  in  Frank- 
lin, Gosport  and  Terre  Haute,  in  the  latter  place  of  which  he  received 
a  good  education  in  the  graded  schools.  In  September,  1877,  he  came 
to  Martinsville,  and  took  the  position  of  book-keeper  for  E.  F.  Branch  & 
Bro.,  and  is  so  engaged  at  present.  On  February  12,  1878,  he  married 
Sarah  A.  Comer,  daughter  of  Mathew  Comer,  a  pioneer  of  Mooresville. 
By  this  union  there  were  two  children.  Mr.  Branch  is  a  member  of  the 
K.  of  P.  He  is  an  active  member  of  the  Republican  party,  and  highly 
esteemed  in  the  community  in  which  he  lives.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
Campbellite  Church.  During  the  years  1872,  1873,  1874,  1875,  he  was 
telegraph  operator  in  Terre  Haute. 

MRS.  MARTHA  A.  BROUGHTON  (widow  of  John  Broughton), 
is  a  native  of  Botetourt  County,  Va.,  and  was  born  May  9,  1837, 
the  daughter  of  Jacob  and  Nancy  Echolds,  both  natives  of  Virginia, 
where  they  married.  They  afterward  moved  to  Kentucky;  thence  to 
Madison  County,  Ind. ;  thence  to  Johnson,  and  thence  to  Morgan  County. 
Their  family  consisted  of  Jeremiah,  Martha  A.,  Nancy  J.,  William, 
Jennie,  Eliza,  Anna  and  Joseph.  In  Johnson  County,  Ind.,  our  subject 
married  James  Childs,  and  they  moved  to  Effingham  County,  111.,  in 
which  locality  Mr.  Childs  died.  In  1852,  Mrs.  Childs  returned  to  John- 
son County,  Ind.,  and  was  there  wedded  to  Thomas  Stout,  with  whom, 
in  1858,  she  moved  to  this  county,  where  he  died  in  1872;  finally  she 
wedded  John  Broughton,  who  left  the  world  in  1879.  Mrs.  Broughton 
has  been  the  mother  of  eight  children,  as  follows:  By  Mr.  Childs,  two. 
Roan  H.  and  an  infant  deceased;  and  by  Mr.  Stout,  six — Charlie  T., 
Albert  L.,  Nancy  A.,  William  W.,  Hattie  F.  and  Joseph  H.  Mrs.  Brough- 
ton is  an  exemplary  and  highly  esteemed  lady. 

COL.  JAMES  E.  BURTON  was  born  in  Monroe  County,  Ind.,  Septem- 
ber, 23,  1824,  is  a  son  of  John  and  Nancy  (Wishard)  Burton,  the  former  a 
native  of  Virginia,  born  1784;  the  latter,  a  native  of  Delaware,  born 
1782,  who,  after  their  marriage  about  1819,  emigrated  to  Monroe  County, 
Ind.,  where  Mr.  Burton  built  a  mill  and  also  engaged  in  farming.  He 
was  a  soldier  of  the  war  of  1812,  and  was  the  owner  of  more  than  1,000 
acres  at  his  death  in  1860;  his  wife  survived  him  sixteen  years.  Their 
family  was  Susan  L.,  Jesse  M.,  Henry  W,,  Elizabeth  J.,  John  W., 
Sytha  A.,  Martha  L.,  Josiah  P.  and  James  E.  The  grandfather  of  our 
subject,  Josiah  Burton,  was  a  native  of  England,  who  first  located  near 
Philadelphia,  Penn.,  then  moved  to  Virginia,  then  to  Kentucky,  and 
about  1826  to  Morgan  County,  Ind.,  where  he  closed  his  life.  He  had 
been  twice  married  and  the  father  of  ten  children.  James  E.  Burton  was 
married  March  23,  1848,  to  Miss  Cynthia  A.,  daughter  of  James  V.  and 
Maria  Buskirk,  and  born  in  Monroe  County  January  31,  1830.  They 
have  had  three  children — David  P.,  John  M.   (deceased)  and  James   S. 


176  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

Soon  aftftr  marriage,  Mr.  Burton  moved  to  and  remained  in  Morgan 
County.  In  1861,  he  enlisted  in  Company  H,  Thirty-third  Indiana 
Volunteer  Infantry,  of  which  he  became  Captain  and  served  three 
years.  He  was  wounded  in  the  thigh  June  22,  1864,  and  in  Septem- 
ber was  promoted  Colonel,  which  he  held  until  mustered  out,  August, 
1865.  Mr.  Burton  has  been  Justice  of  the  Peace,  and  is  a  member  of  the 
Masonic  order  and  of  the  M.  E.  Church.  He  resides  upon  his  own  farm 
of  249  acres. 

PATKICK  CAIN  is  a  native  of  Ireland;  was  born  January,  7,  1829, 
and  is  one  of  the  four  children  born  to  Thomas  and  Katie  Cain,  both  of 
whom  were  natives  of  Ireland.  In  1846,  Patrick  Cain  emigrated  from 
Ireland  to  Kentucky,  and  in  the  autumn  of  that  year  moved  to  Clark 
County,  Ind.,  and  subsequently  to  Morgan  County,  and  settled  in  Wash- 
ington Township,  where  he  has  since  made  a  home,  and  is  the  owner  of 
480  acres  of  fine  land,  and  also  where  he  married  Ellen  Murkenroy,  which 
union  has  resulted  in  the  births  of  seven  children — Francis  T.,  Edward 
I.,  William,  Patrick  H.,  Joseph,  Mary  and  Rosie.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Cain 
are  highly  esteemed  members  of  their  community,  and  are  communicants 
of  the  Catholic  Church. 

EDWIN  V/.  CALLIS  was  born  in  Flemington,  Hunterdon  County, 
N.  J.,  on  January  17,  1827.  His  parents  were  natives  of  that  State.  He 
attended  school  until  he  was  about  thirteen  years  of  age,  when  he  was  ap- 
prenticed to  the  printing  business  in  the  office  of  the  Hunterdon  (N.  J.) 
Democrat.  He  had  a  natural  inclination  and  taste  for  that  business,  and 
served  an  apprenticeship  of  five  years.  After  that  he  worked  in  various 
cities  and  towns,  in  New  Jersey  and  Pennsylvania,  until  the  year  1847, 
when  he  purchased  a  half  interest  in  the  Mt.  Holly  (N.  J.)  Herald,  a 
Democratic  paper,  and  took  the  editorial  control  of  that  paper  until  1851, 
when  he  came  to  the  conclusion  that  he  would  like  to  master  the  "  art 
preservative  of  all  arts  "  in  its  various  details.  Then  he  sold  his  interest 
in  the  Herald,  and  removed  to  Philadelphia,  Penn.,  where  he  worked  in 
the  leading  book,  job  and  newspaper  offices,  and  edited  and  published  a 
literary  and  pictorial  paper  called  the  Family  Casket.  He  remained  in 
that  city  until  1855,  when  he  came  West,  to  Martinsville,  Ind.,  and 
bought  the  Morgan  County  Gazette,  as  the  paper  was  then  called.  It  was 
the  first  Republican  paper  published  in  Morgan  County,  and  continued 
in  that  faith  until  1870,  when  local  differences  arose,  and  the  editor  and 
paper  filed  into  the  Democratic  party — the  party  to  which  Mr.  Callis  orig- 
inally belonged.  It  has  been  thoroughly  Democratic  ever  since,  under 
his  editorial  control,  and  has  done  efficient  and  faithful  service  for  the 
Democratic  cause.  Mr.  Callis  is  a  natural  and  thorough  newspaper  man, 
from  editor  to  pressman,  and  stands  at  the  head  of  his  profession  wherever 
known.  He  has  a  wife  and  six  children.  The  latter,  four  girls  and  two 
boys,  range  in  age  from  fourteen  to  thirty  years,  and  were  all  brought  up 
at  the  "  case.  " 

WILLIAM  P.  CLARK  is  a  native  of  Morgan  County,  Ind. ,  born 
August  23,  1835,  and  is  the  fourth  of  the  seven  children  of  John  and 
Isabella  (Major)  Clark,  both  born  in  Indiana  and  in  the  same  year,  1810. 
Soon  after  their  marriage,  they  moved  to  Tippecanoe  County,  and  thence 
to  Morgan  County,  settling  in  this  township,  where  Mr.  Clark  died  in 
1844.  Mrs.  Clark  subsequently  married  William  H.  Craig,  and  died  in 
1881,  by  the  latter  marriage  becoming  the  mother  of  three  children. 
William  P.  Clark  married,  February  12,  1857,  Miss  Keziah,  daughter  of 


WASHINGTON  TOWNSHIP  AND  MARTINSVILLE.  177 

John  and  Sarah  Eudicel.  Mrs.  Clark  died  May  17,  1863,  and  May 
17,  1S64,  he  married  Alzina  H.,  daughter  of  Lewis  and  Hannah  War- 
ren. Soon  after  this  marriage,  Mr.  Clark  moved  to  Martinsville,  and  in 
1872  purchased  the  Martinsville  Flouring  Mills,  in  which  business  of 
milling  he  was  engaged  for  five  years.  In  June,  1883,  lie  removed  to 
the  farm  on  which  he  now  lives.  Mr.  Clark  has  been  the  father  of  five 
children,  two  by  his  first  wife,  Noah  J.  (deceased)  and  Minnie  (deceased), 
aud  three  by  his  second  wife — Lulu,  Gettie  and  John  W. 

JOHN  N.  COBB  is  a  native  of  Morgan  County,  Ind.,  born  August 
30,  1860,  and  is  descended  from  Van  B.  and  Harriet  A.  (Nutter)  Cobb, 
natives  respectively  of  Kentucky  and  Indiana.  They  were  married, 
September  20,  1859,  in  this  county,  where  Mrs.  Cobb  died  October  21, 
1860,  after  which  our  subject  was  taken  by  his  grandfather,  John  Nutter, 
to  rear,  with  whom  he  remained  until  1881.  July  30,  1882,  he  mar- 
ried Annettie,  daughter  of  A.  J.  and  Perlina  (Dyer)  Lafary,  of  Martins- 
ville, and  born  in  this  county  March  20,  1859.  Mr.  Cobb  is  a  very  much 
esteemed  and  promising  young  man  and  a  member  of  the  Knights  of 
Pythias.     He  and  wife  are  parents  of  one  son — William  A. 

COFFEY  &  LIVINGSTON.  Walter  S.  Coffey,  senior  partner  of 
this  firm,  is  the  fifth  child  of  Wiley  and  Harriet  (McDonald)  Coffey,  na- 
tives of  Indiana.  He  was  born  six  miles  southeast  of  Spencer,  Owen 
County,  Ind.,  May  16,  1858.  His  parents  were  married  in  Owen  County, 
and  located  on  a  farm  in  Clay  Township  in  that  county,  where  the  father 
died  in  1879,  leaving  his  widow  with  several  small  children,  which  she 
has  reared.  She  is  now  living  on  the  old  farm,  hale  and  hearty. 
Walter  S.  Coffey  was  reared  on  the  home  farm  in  Owen  County,  where 
he  received  an  ediication  in  the  district  schools  of  the  neighborhood. 
By  persistent  effort  and  close  application,  he  attained  a  proficiency  in 
music  seldom  excelled.  When  twenty- one  years  of  age,  he  was  employed 
by  F.  G.  White,  the  well  known  manager  and  actor,  as  leader  of  his 
orchestra,  and  for  three  years  traveled  with  him.  In  July,  1883,  he 
formed  a  partnership  with  W.  N.  Livingston  in  the  grocery  business  in 
Mai'tinsville,  and  they  are  at  present  doing  a  large,  lucrative  business. 
Mr.  Coffey  is  a  member  of  the  Christian  Church,  in  good  standing,  and 
an  active  and  influential  one  in  upholding  its  principles.  In  politics,  he 
is  liberal. 

William  N.  Livingston  was  born  in  Clay  Township,  Owen  Co., 
Ind.,  August  21,  1860.  His  parents,  Nathan  F.  and  Elizabeth 
(Neill)  Livingston,  natives  of  Virginia  and  Indiana  respectively,  were 
married  in  Greene  County,  Ind.,  in  1857,  and  located  on  a  farm, 
where  they  remained  for  a  number  of  years,  and  thence  came  to  Owen 
County.  They  then  settled  in  White  Hall,  Clay  Township,  where  they 
sold  dry  goods  for  some  time.  At  present  they  reside  nine  miles  south- 
east of  Spencer,  on  a  farm  in  Clay  Township.  William  N.  Livingston 
is  the  second  son  and  third  child  in  family,  and  was  reared  and  educated 
in  his  native  township.  When  nineteen  years  of  age,  he  was  employed 
by  F.  G.  White  as  a  member  of  his  band  and  orchestra.  He  traveled 
with  him  for  three  years.  In  July,  1883,  Mr.  Livingston  went  into  the 
grocery  business,  in  partnership  with  W.  S.  Coffey,  in  Martinsville,  where 
at  present  they  are  doing  a  successful  business.  In  October,  1882,  he  was 
married  to  Ruth  Coffey,  daughter  of  Wiley  and  Harriet  Coffey,  natives 
of  Indiana,  and  old  pioneers  of  Owen  County.  Mr.  Livingston  is  polit- 
ically a  Democrat. 


178  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

MATTHIAS  B.  COLLINS,  second  child  in  a  family  of  threo,  was 
born  Frebruary  18,  1842,  in  Butler  County,  Ohio.  .  His  parents,  Jacob 
and  May  A.  (Arbuckle)  Collins,  natives  of  Pennsylvania  and  Virginia 
respectively,  were  married  in  Ohio,  in  1837,  and  located  near  Cincinnati, 
where  the  father  followed  the  cooper's  trade  and  farmed  up  to  the  pres- 
ent time.  His  mother  died  November  6,  1877.  Matthias  was  reared  and 
educated  in  Clermont  County,  Ohio,  and  when  nineteen  years  of  age 
came  to  Indiana  and  entered  the  employ  of  carriage  manufacturers,  with 
whom  he  remained  until  July,  1862.  He  enlisted  in  Company  I,  Thirty- 
third  Indiana  Volunteers,  under  Capt.  Houser;  served  three  years,  and 
participated  in  the  following  engagements:  Thompson's  Station,  Resaca, 
Cassville,  Kenesaw  Mountain,  Peach  Tree  Creek,  Bm-nt  Hickory  and 
Dallas  Woods;  he  then  marched  with  Sherman  from  Atlanta  to  the  sea, 
and  took  part  in  the  battles  at  Savannah,  Bentonville  and  Averysboro; 
near  Groldsboro,  he  was  taken  prisoner,  and  first  imprisoned  at  Danville, 
then  at  Libby.  Shortly  after,  he  was  paroled,  and,  going  to  Camp  Chase, 
Ohio,  was  granted  a  furlough,  and  on  June  10,  1865,  was  honorably 
discharged.  Returning  to  Bartholomew  County,  Ind.,  he  resumed 
work  at  carriage- making.  On  March  25,  1866,  he  was  married  to 
Minerva  L.  Rominger,  of  Bartholomew  County.  One  year  later,  they 
removed  to  St.  Louis,  Ind.,  where  he  engaged  in  wagon-making, 
remaining  until  1872;  removing  thence  to  Miamiville,  Ohio,  he  engaged 
in  photography  (which  he  had  learned  while  in  the  army),  traveling 
with  a  portable  gallery  until  in  1879,  when  he  came  to  Martinsville  and 
has  since  been  successfully  engaged  there  in  the  same  business.  Mr. 
Collins  is  Senior  Warden  of  the  A.  F.  &  A.  M.,  Martinsville  Lodge,  No. 
74,  and  Officer  of  the  Guard  of  Post  No.  77,  G.  A.  R.  He  is  a  Repub- 
lican, and  he  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 
They  have  four  children— Ella  F.,  Eugene  O.,  Willie  A.  and  Mary  E. 

JOHN  C.  COMER  was  born  December  8,  1842,  in  Wayne  County, 
Ind.  His  parents,  Joseph  and  Esther  (Compton)  Comer,  were  natives  of 
South  Carolina  and  Ohio  respectively.  The  former  came  to  Indiana  in 
1808,  when  seven  years  of  age;  married  in  Ohio  in  1826,  and  lived  in 
Hendricks  and  Morgan  Counties  for  ten  years,  when  he  again  went  to 
Wayne  County,  returning  to  Morgan  County  in  1862  and  locating  in 
Mooresville.  He  died  in  February,  1876.  The  mother  died  in  January, 
1868.  John  C.  Comer  is  the  eighth  son  and  eleventh  child,  and  was 
reared  in  Wayne  and  Randolph  Counties  until  eight  years  of  age,  when 
he  went  with  his  parents  to  Iowa.  In  June,  1861,  he  enlisted  in  Com- 
pany I,  Fourteenth  Iowa  Volunteers,  under  Capt.  Warren  C.  Jones.  He 
served  for  three  and  a  half  years,  and  took  part  in  the  battles  of 
Fort  Henry,  Fort  Donelson,  Shiloh,  Corinth,  Jackson,  Tenn. ;  Holly 
Springs,  Vicksburg,  Canton,  Miss.  He  was  in  the  Red  River  cam- 
paign, and  at  Pilot  Knob.  In  December,  1864,  he  was  mustered  out, 
and  came  to  Morgan  County,  Ind. ;  purchased  a  flouring  mill  at  Moores- 
ville, ran  it  for  two  years,  and  then  purchased  a  saw  mill,  which  he  ran 
until  1870.  He  next  farmed  for  two  years,  and  then  embarked  in  the 
lumber  business,  following  it  for  eight  years.  He  was  elected  Sheriff  of 
the  county  in  1878,  and  two  years  later  was  re-elected.  After  faithfully 
fulfilling  the  duties  of  this  office  for  four  years,  he  bought  a  farm  of  253 
acres  in  Brown  Township,  and  is  at  present  farming.  In  April,  1869, 
he  was  married  to  Miss  Annie  Gilbert,  of  Morgan  County.  They  have 
had   six   children,  four  of  whom  are  living — Ella,  Robei-t,  Mattie  and 


WASHINGTON  TOWNSHIP  AND  MARTINSVILLE.  179 

Dolly.  Mr.  Comer  is  a  member  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F.,  K.  of  H.,  the  K.  of 
P.,  and  of  the  G.  A.  Jl.  He  is  a  Republican,  and  with  his  wife  is  a 
member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 

JAMES  F.  COX,  attorney  at  law,  was  born  in  Monroe  County,  Ind. , 
May  15,  1852,  and  is  a  son  of  Rev.  J.  Bridgeman  and  Martha  (Mosier) 
Cox.  He  was  reared  on  a  farm,  attended  the  county  schools,  and  when 
fifteen  began  his  own  support,  and  divided  his  time  between  labor  and 
schooling.  At  nineteen,  he  became  a  teacher,  and  attended  the  State 
University  for  three  years,  after  which  he  taught  during  winter  and 
studied  law  during  summer.  He  became  an  earnest  politician  before  he 
became  a  voter.  He  cast  his  first  vote,  in  pride,  for  Horace  Greeley,  and 
came  before  the  Democratic  convention  as  a  candidate  for  Prosecuting 
Attorney  of  the  Fifteenth  Circuit.  He  was  defeated  meagerly  after  be- 
ing nominated  over  three  prominent  competitors  from  this  county,  by  a 
coalition  of  Greene  and  Owen  Counties,  the  latter  receiving  the  Judge  and 
the  former  the  Prosecutor.  In  1878,  he  was  made  Deputy  County 
Prosecuting  Attorney,  as  which  he  served  eighteen  months  before  resign- 
ing to  matriculate  in  the  Law  Department  of  the  University  of  Michigan, 
from  which  he  graduated  March  24,  1880,  and  returned  to  this  county 
and  resumed  practice.  August  1,  1877,  he  married,  in  Brown  County, 
Ind.,  Miss  Mattie  E.  Armstrong,  who  died  February  14,  1880,  leaving  one 
child — Leon  J. 

WILLIAM  COX,  a  native  of  Ohio,  was  born  near  Dayton  October 
5,  1820,  and  is  the  eldest  son  and  second  child  of  John  and  Nancy  (Swish- 
ard)  Cox,  natives  of  Pennsylvania.  They  came  to  Morgan  County  in 
1820,  and  built  what  is  known  as  High  Rock  Mills  in  Jefi'erson  Town- 
ship, on  White  River,  which  they  ran  until  in  1850.  The  father  then 
went  to  California,  where  he  died  in  March,  1850.  The  mother  died  in 
1843.  Subject  was  reared  in  Morgan  County,  where  he  was  educated, 
and  remained  until  1843,  and  assisted  his  father  in  the  mill.  He  then 
went  to  Wisconsin,  and  worked  in  the  lead  mines  for  two  years;  thence 
returning  to  his  home,  he  went  on  a  flat-boat  to  New  Orleans,  and  acted 
as  pilot  on  a  flat-boat  for  twenty  years.  In  1853,  he  purchased  a  farm  in 
Jefferson  Township,  and  farmed  after  his  twenty  years  on  the  river  until 
1877.  He  then  sold  his  farm,  and  removed  to  Martinsville,  where  in 
May  he  was  appointed  City  Marshal,  and  is  at  present  serving  in  that 
capacity.  In  1856,  he  was  elected  Township  Trustee,  and  served  two 
years.  In  1847,  he  was  married  to  Jane  Mills,  daughter  of  Judge  Mills, 
a  pioneer  of  Morgan  County.  By  this  union  there  have  been  six  children, 
four  of  whom  are  living — Lida,  Katie,  George  W.  and  Stephen  J.  Mr. 
Cox  is  a  member  of  the  A.  F.  &  A.  M,  Martinsville  Lodge,  No.  74.  He  is 
politically  a  Republican.     His  wife  is  a  member  of  the  Christian  Church. 

GEORGE  W.  CRAMER  was  born  in  Morris  County,  N.  J. ,  October 
27,  1829,  and  is  a  son  of  Archibald  and  Margaret  Cramer,  the  former 
born  July,  1803,  the  latter  in  1802.  Ar3hibald  Cramer  was  a  son  of 
Abram  and  Rachel  (More)  Cramer,  who  were  natives  of  New  Jersey,  where 
they  lived  and  died,  the  parents  of  eleven  children.  Archibald  Cramer 
married  Margaret  Stephens,  and  after  living  in  Sussex  and  Morris  Coun- 
ties, emigrated  to  Moi'gan  County,  Ind.,  in  1839,  and  died  May  7,  1883, 
the  father  of  six  children — Sarah,  George  W.,  Emeline,  Dayton  D.,  Will- 
iam S.  and  Nelson.  George  W.  Cramer,  December  22,  1853,  in  this 
county,  married  Sarah  A.,  daughter  of  James  and  Delilah  Crawford,  and 
born  in  this  county  December  17,  1834.     This  union  brought  forth  nine 


180  BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES: 

children — Mary  E.,  Lenora  A.,  Hannah M.,  James  C,  Julia,  Charles  L., 
Rosa  L. ,  Archie  and  Delilah  M.  After  marriage,  Mr.  Cramer  located  on 
his  home  farm  of  267  acres  of  well  improved  and  valued  land.  He  is  a 
much  esteemed  citizen,  and  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 

WILLIAM  S.  CEAMER,  a  son  of  Archibald  and  TMargaret  Cramer, 
was  born  in  this  county  March  19,  1841.  August  2,  1862,  he  enlisted  in 
Company  H,  Seventieth  Indiana  Volunteers,  and  served  until  the  close 
of  the  war.  He  was  wounded  May  15,  1864,  at  the  battle  of  Resaca,  Ga., 
in  the  left  shoulder,  by  which  he  was  disabled  for  a  time,  but  has  a  good 
ai-my  record.  In  1866,  in  partnership  with  his  father  and  a  brother,  he 
purchased  a  saw  mill  and  threshing  machine,  all  engaging  in  said  enter- 
prise. This  continued  until  1871,  when  the  sons  bought  their  father's 
interest,  and  continued  the  business  until  1876,  when  William  purchased 
the  interest  of  his  brother,  and  has  since  managed  the  business  alone;  he 
is  also  interested  in  farming.  January  4,  1870,  at  Indianapolis,  he  mar- 
ried Miss  Patience  M.,  a  daughter  of  Thomas  J.  Breedlove,  who  died 
March  19,  1874,  having  borne  three  children— Frederick  S.,  Laura  L. 
(deceased),  and  Lillie  B.  October  18,  1876,  Mr.  Cramer  married  a 
second  wife,  Elizabeth  E.,  daughter  of  W^iiliam  and  Mary  A.  Lockhart, 
with  an  issue  of  five  children — Arthur  V.  and  a  twin  (still-born),  John  N., 
Thomas  G.  and  Nellie.  Mr.  Cramer  has  served  his  township  as  Assessor. 
He  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 

C.  S.  CRARY,  born  in  Franklin  County,  Ind.,  March  21,  1845,  is  the 
youngest  of  seven  sons  and  twelve  children,  and  was  reared  in  Indiana 
and  Ohio.  Of  his  father,  the  Martinsville  Republican  of  August  16, 1883, 
publishes  the  following:  "On  the  14th  inst.,  Gen.  Willis  Crary  suddenly 
died  at  his  home,  near  Olney,  111.  Gen.  Crary  was  eighty-one  years  old 
past.  He  was  a  native  of  Vermont,  and  moved  to  Cincinnati  in  1813, 
where  he  resided  for  thirty  years,  when  he  removed  to  Franklin  County, 
Ind.  He  was  in  his  earlier  days  a  prominent  politician  of  Cincinnati. 
He  was  well  acquainted  with  Gen.  William  Henry  Harrison,  and  was  a 
schoolmate  and  chum  of  his  son,  Scott  Harrison,  the  father  of  Senator 
Ben  Harrison.  Shortly  after  he  attained  his  majority,  he  was  mai'ried  in 
Cincinnati  to  Miss  Almira  Spencer,  a  native  of  New  York  State,  who  died 
in  1863.  During  the  internal  improvement  furor  in  this  State,  he  was  a 
heavy  contractor  in  the  building  of  the  White  Water  Canal,  in  which  he 
lost  over  $20,000,  which  was  a  liberal  fortune  in  those  days.  Of  late 
years,  he  had  resided  in  Illinois."  In  1859,  the  subject  of  this  sketch 
went  with  his  parents  to  McLean  County,  111.  He  received  a  good  En- 
glish education,  and  in  August,  1861,  he  enlisted  in  the  Fourteenth  Indi- 
ana Cavalry,  under  Col.  T.  Lyle  Dickey,  serving  for  four  years.  He 
took  part  in  the  following  engagements:  Fort  Henry,  Fort  Donelson 
and  Shiloh  (at  which  he  was  Orderly  to  Gen.  Hurlbut).  From  exposure, 
he  was  taken  with  the  typhoid  fever,  and  after  lying  in  the  hospital  for 
some  time  he  was  discharged  for  disability.  In  the  fall  of  1862,  he 
assisted  in  raising  a  company  and  returned  to  the  front.  On  the  19th 
of  March,  1863,  he  was  commissioned  Second  Lieutenant,  One  Hundred 
and  Thirtieth  Illinois  Infantry,  and  had  the  honor  of  being  the  youngest 
commissioned  officer  in  Illinois,  then  being  but  seventeen  years  of  age.  In 
the  battle  of  Fort  Gibson,  his  Captain  was  wounded,  and  the  First  Lieu- 
tenant in  the  hospital,  so  he  assumed  the  command  of  his  company 
through  the  battles  of  Raymond,  the  entire  siege  of  Vicksburg,  Jackson, 
Miss.,  and  some  few  others,  after  which  he  was  promoted  to  First  Lieu- 


WASHINGTON  TOWNSHIP  AND  MARTINSVILLE.  181 

tenant.  His  regiment  spent  the  winter  of  1868-64  on  the  coast  of  Texas, 
after  which  they  returned  to  New  Orleans,  and  on  the  organization  of  the 
Ked  River  Campaign,  he  was  appointed  on  the  staff  of  Gen.  W.  H.  Bald- 
win, of  the  Second  Brigade,  Fourth  Division  of  the  Thirteenth  Army 
Corps,  and  served  in  that  capacity  during  the  entire  campaign.  In  1865, 
he  received  an  honorable  discharge  and  returned  home.  He  entered  the 
State  University  at  Bloomington,  Ind.,  remaining  one  year.  In  1866, 
he  began  farming  in  Morgan  County,  and  five  years  later  moved  to  Mar- 
tinsville, renting  his  farm  of  200  acres  in  Jefferson  Township.  He  then 
went  into  the  insurance  business,  and  continued  in  it  until  1881,  when 
he  went  into  the  employ  of  the  Gould  Southwest  Railroad  System,  with 
headquarters  at  Galveston,  Tex.,  as  traveling,  freight  and  passenger 
agent,  remaining  nearly  two  years.  In  December,  1882,  he  resigned  his 
position  and  returned  to  Martinsville,  where  he  at  present  resides.  He 
is  a  member  of  the  G.  A.  R.  and  a  Republican. 

N.  T.  CUNNINGHAM,  of  the  firm  of  Cunningham,  Bollinger  & 
Phelps,  dealers  in  general  merchandise,  dry  goods,  groceries,  boots  and 
shoes,  etc.,  is  a  representative  business  man  of  Morgan  County,  and  was 
born  in  Martinsville  October  1,  1832.  He  is  the  son  of  James  and  Huldah 
(Lizenby)  Cunningham,  natives  of  Kentucky,  who  were  married  in  that 
State  August  15,  1826,  and  immediately  came  to  this  township.  The 
father  at  first  engaged  in  farming,  but,  being  a  business  man  was  soon 
occupied  in  stock  trading,  hotel -keeping,  general  merchandising,  flat- 
boating,  etc.  He  died  in  Martinsville  July  19,  1856,  his  widow  follow- 
ing May  1,  1861.  N.  T.  Cunningham  was  reared  a  farmer  until  eighteen 
years  of  age,  when  he  came  to  Martinsville  with  his  parents  and  assisted 
his  father  in  his  hotel  and  other  business,  after  which  he  returned  to 
farming  for  two  years.  In  1858,  he  opened  a  general  store  in  Martins- 
ville under  the  firm  name  of  Cunningham  &  Stevens;  three  years  later,  he 
purchased  the  interest  of  Mr.  Stevens,  and  has  continued  business  to  the 
present  time,  associated  with  various  others,  including  W.  B.  Sheppard, 
S.  McCracken,  James  Sheppard  and  T.  Phelps,  during  the  war  carrying 
on  two  stores.  The  present  firm  was  formed  in  1880,  the  partners  being 
James  Bollinger  and  T.  Phelps,  and  the  firm  is  doing  a  thriving  trade. 
Mr.  Cunningham  has  also  given  much  attention  to  stock  raising  and 
trading.  He  owns  about  800  acres  in  Morgan  County,  mostly  improved; 
he  has  laid  out  two  additions  to  Martinsville,  owns  five  rooms  ia  Union 
Block,  and  has  invested  much  money  in  building  enterprises.  He  was 
married  in  1862  to  Miss  Nettie  C.  Sheppard,  native  of  Morgan  County, 
and  daughter  of  Isaac  D.  Sheppard,  one  of  the  early  settlers.  Two 
children  have  blessed  this  union — C.  Sherman  and  Julie  M.^  Mr.  Cun- 
ningham is  a  Republican  and  Mrs.  Cunningham  is  a  member  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 

MARION  CUNNINGHAM,  one  of  the  most  energetic  and  successful 
young  farmers  in  Morgan  County,  was  born  in  Jefferson  Township  Au- 
gust 3,  1850.  His  parents  were  William  N.  and  Nancy  (Lankford)  Cun- 
ningham, natives  of  Kentucky  and  Virginia  respectively,  who  were  mar- 
ried in  Morgan  County  in  an  early  day,  and  were  well  known  among  the 
earliest  and  most  prominent  settlers.  Our  subject  was  the  second  son  in 
a  family  of  four  children,  and  was  reared  in  Morgan  County,  obtaining 
in  the  district  schools  the  rudiments  of  a  good  education.  On  the  22d 
day  of  September,  1870,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Nancy  Teverbaugh, 
daughter  of  William  Teverbaugh,  an  influential  and  respected  citizen  of 


182  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

Martin  County,  Ind.  For  about  one  year  after  his  marriage,  he  farmed 
in  Morgan  County,  going  thence  to  Daviess  County,  Ind.,  where  he 
farmed  for  two  years,  at  the  end  of  which  time  he  returned  to  Morgan 
County,  and  continued  farming  until  early  in  1881,  when  his  father  gave 
him  the  splendid,  well- improved  farm  of  297  acres,  one  mile  south  of 
Martinsville,  where  he  at  present  resides.  In  connection  with  his  farm- 
ing interests,  he  is  also  extensively  engaged  in  the  stock  business,  and 
his  energy  and  industry  rank  him  among  the  successful  farmers  of  the 
county. 

CYRUS  E.  DAVIS,  attorney  at  law,  was  born  in  Washington  County, 
Ind.,  December  17,  1856,  and  is  a  son  of  James  and  Martha  E.  Davis. 
Cyrus  was  reared  on  a  farm;  attended  school  during  the  winter,  and  when 
seventeen  years  old  the  Salem  High  School  some  time,  in  1876  the  South- 
ern Indiana  Normal  School,  and  in  the  autumn  of  that  year  was  enrolled 
in  the  State  University  at  Bloomington;  was  a  student  four  years,  and 
graduated  therefrom  in  June,  1880.  In  July  of  that  year,  he  came  to 
Martinsville,  engaged  in  reading  law  under  Col.  Jordan;  became  a  part- 
ner with  Hon.  A.  M.  Cunning  in  1881 ;  graduated  from  the  Law  Department 
of  the  Michigan  University  in  1882;  returned  to  Martinsville;  continued 
the  practice  with  Mr.  Cunning  and  afterward  became  associated  with  E. 
C.  Steele,  under  the  fii-m  name  of  Davis  &  Steele.  Mr.  Davis  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  "Sigma  Chi"  fraternity. 

BENJAMIN  DESSAUER  is  the  fifth  son  and  eighth  child  in  a  fam- 
ily of  eleven  born  to  Aaron  and  Fannie  (Goldsmith)  Dessauer,  natives  of 
Germany.  His  parents  were  married  in  Baltimore,  Md.,  in  1836,  where 
his  father  followed  his  vocation  as  merchant  tailor;  thence  he  removed 
to  Missouri;  remained  until  in  1842,  and  then  went  to  Ohio;  located  in 
Cincinnati,  and  engaged  in  the  clothing  business.  In  1852,  he  embarked 
in  the  general  booking  business,  and  was  thus  engaged  for  eight  years, 
when  he  ^'etired  from  business.  He  died  November  16,  1866;  his  wife 
on  October  29,  1866.  Benjamin  Dessauer  was  reared  in  Cincinnati,  ob- 
tained a  good  education  in  the  graded  schools  of  that  city,  and  when 
eighteen  years  of  age  took  a  complete  course  in  Nelson's  Commercial  Col- 
lege. When  twelve  years  of  age,  he  began  clerking  in  a  general  mer- 
chandise store  in  Thorntown,  Ind,;  then  clerked  at  various  points  until 
3875.  He  then  came  to  Martinsville  in  September  of  that  year,  and 
formed  a  partnership  with  his  brother  David  in  the  clothing,  boot  and 
shoe  business,  in  which  they  have  been  so  successfully  engaged,  their 
business  rooms  being  two  of  the  largest  in  the  town.  On  June  10, 1879, 
he  was  married  to  Rebecca  Kronenberger,  daughter  of  Max  Kronenber- 
ger,  a  native  of  Germany.  Mr.  Dessauer  is  a  member  of  the  K.  of  P. 
Lodge,  No.  89. 

GEORGE  W.  EGBERT  (deceased)  was  born  in  Warren  County, 
Ohio,  August  25,  1824.  He  removed  with  bis  parents  to  Dearborn  Coun- 
ty, where  they  remained  fof  some  time;  thence  they  removed  to  Green 
Township  while  George  W.  was  but  a  lad,  in  which  community  he  grew  up 
to  manhood  respected  and  held  in  high  esteem  by  all  who  knew  him.  He 
was  married  to  Miss  Mary  Williams,  February  11,  1847.  He  survived  his 
wife  six  years.  He  at  one  time  served  as  Trustee  of  Green  Township.  In 
1870,  he  was  elected  Treasurer  of  Morgan  County.  Such  was  the  con- 
fidence reposed  in  him  by  the  people  that  they  committed  to  his  care 
the  guardianship  and  settlement,  as  administrator,  of  many  estates,  all 
of  which  was  honestly  and  conscientiously  performed.      He  was  in  the 


WASHINGTON  TOWNSHIP  AND  MARTINSVILLE.  183 

drug  trade  as  a  member  of  the  firm  of  Tarleton  &  Egbert,  which  position 
he  occupied  until  his  failing  health  admonished  him  that  he  must  with- 
draw from  active  business,  after  which  he  gradually  sank,  suffering  in- 
tolerable pain.  He  died  February  18,  1882,  in  the  fifty-eighth  year  of 
his  age.  He  was  a  prominent  citizen  and  highly  esteemed.  He  was  ef- 
ficient as  an  officer,  performing  all  duties  devolving  upon  him  with 
fidelity  to  the  county  and  credit  to  himself. 

DK.  URIAH  H.  FARE  was  born  in  tliis  county  October  23,  1846, 
and  is  a  son  of  Daniel  C.  and  Susanna  (Teague)  Farr.  Daniel  C.  Farr 
was  born  in  Jefferson  County,  Ky.,  May  8,  1816,  moved  with  his  parents 
to  this  State  in  1822,  and  was  married  in  this  county  February  20,  1834. 
to  Miss  Susanna  Teague.  He  afterward  engaged  at  farming  in  Ray 
Township  with  success,  and  by  industry  was  soon  enabled  to  enter  land 
until  he  owned  300  acres.  He  was  father  of  three  children,  and  died 
August  14,  1850.  August  6,  1862,  Dr.  U.  H.  Farr  enlisted  in  Company 
B,  Seventieth  Indiana  Volunteer  Infantry,  in  which  he  served  three 
years,  and  was  in  the  following  battles:  Resaca,  New  Hope  Church, 
Kenesaw  Mountain,  Peach  Tree  Creek,  the  Atlanta  campaign,  the  march 
to  the  sea,  Savannah  and  Bentonville.  He  was  discharged  June,  1865, 
and  March  16,  1866,  maiTied  Miss  Sarah  Blankenship,  with  a  result  of 
four  children — Anna  A.,  Kate  E.,  Montana  E.  and  Daniel  B.  Dr.  Farr 
continued  farming  until  1874,  when  he  began  the  study  of  medicine  and 
attended  lectures  at  the  College  of  Physicians  and  Surgeons,  Indianapo- 
lis, from  which  he  graduated  in  1876.  After  practicing  at  Paragon  until 
1882,  he  removed  to  this  town.  Dr.  Farr  also  took  a  course  of  lectures 
at  the  University  of  Pennsylvania,  and  received  the  ad  eundem  degree 
therefrom. 

LEVI  FERGUSON  is  a  native  of  Pike  County,  Ind.,  and  born  May 
29,  1841.  He  was  also  reared  in  Pike  County,  and  commenced  the  study 
of  law  at  the  age  of  fifteen,  which  he  continued  four  years.  August  9, 
1860,  he  married  Miss  Mary  B.  Montgomery,  who  died  February  13, 
1866,  leaving  one  child — Florence.  July  1,  1861,  Mr.  Ferguson  en- 
listed in  Company  A,  First  Indiana  Cavalry,  serving  in  this  and  in  the 
infantry  until  1863,  at  which  time  he  was  promoted  to  a  Captaincy  and 
assigned  to  Provost  Marshal  duty  in  the  Second  Division,  Army  of  the 
Shenandoah,  after  the  experience  of  battle  in  many  sanguinary  engage- 
ments and  skirmishes.  After  the  war,  he  engaged  in  the  practice  of  law 
in  Petersburg,  Ind.,  where  he  continued  until  1877,  and  served  two 
terms  as  County  Auditor.  In  the  same  year,  he  removed  to  Martinsville 
and  transferred  his  law  practice  hither.  In  1868,  he  married  Miss 
Amelia  Thomas,  which  union  was  honored  by  two  children — Ray  and 
Minnie.  In  1872,  Mr.  Ferguson  was  a  delegate  to  the  National  Repub- 
lican Convention,  and  in  1876  a  Hayes  elector  for  the  Second  Congres- 
sional District  for  this  State. 

JOHN  J.  FERTIG  is  the  elder  of  two  children  born  to  John 
S.  and  Frances  (Sarhmann)  I'ertig,  natives  of  Germany,  who  were  mar- 
ried in  1858,  in  Indiana,  where  they  removed  in  1854.  His  father  was  a 
carpet  weaver,  and  since  his  marriage  has  resided  in  Madison,  Jefferson 
County,  Ind.  His  wife  died  January  29,  1873.  John  Fertig  was 
born  March  1,  1860,  in  Madison,  where  he  was  reared,  and  received  a 
good  English  and  German  education.  When  fifteen  years  of  age,  he  be- 
gan learning  the  trade  of  saddletree  making,  which  he  followed  for  two 
years.       He  also  learned  the  barber's  trade,    in  Madison,  where  he  fol- 


184  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

lowed  it  for  three  years.  In  the  summer  of  1880,  he  came  to  Martins- 
ville and  worked  at  his  trade  until  in  1882.  In  March,  1883,  he  pur- 
chased a  barber-shop  of  T.  M.  Gillig,  which  he  refitted,  and  is  at  pres- 
ent conducting.  Mr.  Fertig  is  a  member  of  the  Catholic  Church,  and 
active  in  its  support.  In  politics,  he  is  a  Democrat,  and  a  good  citizen, 
always  ready  to  assist  in  every  benevolent  undertaking  in  public  enter- 
prise. 

JAMES  FISHER  was  born  in  Pickaway  County,  Ohio,  June  9,  1840, 
and  is  a  son  of  William  and  Nancy  (Fitzsimons)  Fisher,  natives  of  New 
York  and  Maryland  respectively.  The  former  was  killed  in  1840,  by  the 
falling  of  a  tree,  and  in  1845  his  mother  moved  with  her  family  to  this 
county,  afterward  marrying  Barney  Donohue,  and  residing  in  the  county 
until  her  death  in  1874.  She  was  the  mother  of  ten  children — nine  by 
Mr.  Fisher  and  one  by  Mr.  Donohue.  James  Fisher  is  the  youngest 
child  of  his  father's  family.  He  came  with  his  mother  and  has  since 
resided  in  this  county.  October  17,  1859,  he  married  Miss  Elizabeth, 
daughter  of  Samuel  R.  and  Mary  J.  Black,  and  born  October  17,  1838. 
After  his  marriage,  Mr. Fisher  located  in  this  township,  of  which  he  is  a 
worthy  citizen.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Fisher  have  nine  children — William,  Mary 
A.,  Ellen,  Francis,  Lawson,  Ida  E.,  Alice  B.,  Jennie  and  Minnie.  Mr. 
Fisher  was  a  soldier  of  the  late  war,  having  enlisted  in  Company  H, 
One  Hundred  and  Forty- eighth  Indiana  Volunteers,  and  served  from 
February,  1864,  until  the  end  of  the  war. 

WILLIAM  L.  FULKERSON  is  a  native  of  Scott  County,  Va. ;  was 
born  October  13,  1824,  and  is  one  of  the  family  of  Frederick  and  Lovina 
(Lawson)  Fulkerson,  both  of  whom  were  natives  of  Scott  County,  Va., 
where  they  were  married,  and  whence,  in  1832,  they  moved  to  Monroe 
County,  Ind.,  and  there  closed  their  labors  of  life.  Their  family  com- 
prised seven  in  number — Nancy,  Sarah,  Elizabeth,  Catherine,  William 
L.,  Mary  and  Abraham.  William  L.,  our  subject,  married  in  Monroe 
County,  Ind.,  June  22,  1848,  Miss  Sarah,  daughter  of  Eli  and  Mary 
Abernathy,  and  born  in  Lincoln  County,  N.  C. ,  May  7,  1825.  In  the 
spring  of  1873,  Mr.  Fulkerson  moved  to  Morgan  County,  and  eettled  on 
the  farm  which  he  now  occupies  as  a  home,  and  where  he  manages  a 
dairy  and  supplies  the  town  of  Martinsville  with  milk,  butter  and  cheese. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Fulkerson  have  no  children. 

WILLIAM  O.  GARRISON,  a  native  of  Gregg  Township,  Morgan 
County,  Ind.,  was  born  December  25,  1840.  His  parents,  W^illiam  and 
Phebe  (Norris)  Garrison,  natives  of  Kentucky,  were  married  in  1840,  in 
Morgan  County,  Ind.,  and  located  in  Gregg  Township,  where  they  con- 
tinued to  live  until  1848,  when  they  removed  to  a  farm  in  Jefferson 
Township.  There,  in  1852,  the  mother  died.  The  father  is  at  present 
living  in  Warren  County,  Iowa.  He  came  to  Indiana  in  1825,  and  is 
one  of  the  earliest  and  best  citizens  of  Morgan  County.  William  G. 
Garrison  is  the  eldest  of  five  children,  and  was  reared  in  Gregg  and 
Jefferson  Townships  until  April,  1861.  He  enlisted  in  Company  K,  Sev- 
enth Indiana  Volunteers,  under  Capt.  Jeff  K.  Scott,  in  the  three 
months'  service.  His  company  immediately  went  into  active  service,  and 
he  took  part  in  the  battles  of  Philippi,  Cheat  Mountain,  Garrick's  Ford, 
etc.  He  was  mustered  out  August  3,  1861,  and  in  July,  1862,  he  re- 
enlisted  in  Company  H,  Seventieth  Indiana  Volunteers,  under  Capt.  A. 
D.  Cunning.  He  served  until  June  19,  1865,  and  took  part  in  the  bat- 
tles of  Russellville,  Resaca,  Cassville,  New  Hope  Church,  Lost  Mount- 


WASHINGTON  TOWNSHIP  AND   MARTINSVILLE.  185 

ain,  Kenesaw,  Marietta,  Peach  Tree  Creek,  Atlanta,  Savannah, 
Averysboro  and  Bentonville.  During  Sherman's  march  to  the  sea,  he  wa& 
considered  an  expert  forager,  and  some  of  his  narrow  escapes  on  various 
expeditions  are  interesting  in  the  extreme.  In  March,  1862,  he  was 
married  to  Sarah  Winter,  daughter  of  George  and  Mary  Winter,  pioneers 
of  Morgan  County.  After  his  return  from  the  war  in  1866,  he  followed! 
his  trade  as  stationary  engineer,  until  July,  1873,  when  he  was  severely 
attacked  with  acute  rheumatism  in  his  right  leg,  which  made  him  incapa- 
ble of  labor.  In  October,  1876,  he  was  elected  as  Recorder  of  Morgan 
County,  on  the  Republican  ticket,  and  four  years  later  was  re-elected  to 
the  same  office.,  in  the  discharge  of  which  duties  he  is  at  present  en- 
gaged. He  is  a  member  of  the  G.  A.  R  His  wife  is  an  active  and 
faithful  member  of  the  Christian  Church.  They  have  had  eight  children 
— Orestes,  Harriet  E.,  Thomas  O.  (deceased)  May,  Luther,  Dot,  Annie 
(deceased)  and  Perry. 

JOHN  GIBBS  was  born  in  Wayne  County,  Ky.,  April  2,  1823,  and 
is  a  son  of  James  and  SfaryGibbs,  both  natives  of  Kentucky.  The.grand- 
f  ather  of  our  subject,  John  Gibbs,  was  a  native  of  Ireland,  who  emigrated 
to  America,  where  he  married,  lived  and  died,  the  parent  of  six  children. 
James  Gibbs  was  born  in  Wayne  County,  Ky.,  July  16,  1800,  where  he 
married  Mary  Helton,  and  in  1830  moved  to  Morgau  County,  Ind., 
where  both  closed  their  lives,  the  parents  of  thirteen  children.  John 
Gibbs  moved  with  his  parents  to  this  State  in  1830,  and  January  27, 
1848,  married  Miss  Sarah,  daughter  of  Ralph  and  Rosina  Cartwright, 
and  born  in  Washington  County,  Ind.,  April  27,  1825,  a  union  which 
was  followed  by  ten  children — James  E.,  Joseph  D.,  John  F.,  Florence 
A.,  Alice  C,  Mary  E.,  Martha  J.  (deceased),  Kizzie  B. ,  Sarah  A.  and 
Andrew.     Mr.  Gibbs  is  a  highly  respected  citizen. 

CHARLES  M.  GRAVIS  is  the  eldest  son  and  third  child  born  to 
Sebastian  and  Minerva  (Barker)  Gravis,  natives  of  Pennsylvania  and 
Ohio  respectively,  and  married  in  Williamsburg,  Ohio,  in  1839.  In 
1863,  they  removed  to  Indianapolis,  where  the  father  at  present  resides. 
The  mother  died  in  July,  1849.  Charles  M.  Gravis  was  reared  and  edu- 
cated in  Ohio.  When  seventeen  years  of  age,  he  enlisted  in  Company  B, 
Eighty-ninth  Ohio  Volunteers,  under  Capt.  William  A.  Townsend.  He 
served  for  three  years,  during  which  time  he  participated  in  the  battles  at 
Hoover's  Gap  and  Chickamauga.  At  the  latter,  he  was  captured,  and  put 
in  the  prison  on  Belle  Island,  but  was  soon  after  transferred  to  "  Libby," 
where  he  remained  for  about  two  years.  From  there  he  was  sent  to  Dan- 
ville, Va.,  and  incarcerated  for  five  months,  when  he  was  transferred  to 
Andersonville.  He  remained  there  for  seven  months  when  he  was  paroled, 
and  soon  after  exchanged,  immediately  returning  to  his  company.  He 
participated  in  the  battle  at  Bentonville  and  a  number  of  skirmishes.  At 
the  close  of  the  war,  he  returned  to  Clermont  County,  Ohio,  soon  after 
coming  to  Indiana,  where  he  learned  the  brickmason  trade  with  his  father. 
He  afterward  studied  medicine  with  Dr.  D.  Wiley,  for  three  years.  In 
March,  1871,  he  graduated  at  the  Indiana  Medical  College,  at  Indian- 
apolis. In  September,  1870,  he  was  married  to  Sarah  C.  Smock,  a  native 
of  Indiana.  They  had  six  children — Walter,  Charles,  William,  Ursula, 
all  of  whom  are  dead;  Gracie  B.  and  Frederick  L.  are  living.  In  1871, 
he  began  the  practice  of  his  profession  in  Southport,  Ind.,  and  from  there,  - 
eighteen  months  later,  removed  to  Indianapolis.  He  there  entered  into 
practice,  and  in  the  di-ug  business,  which  he  continued  for  three  years, 


186  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

returning  thence  to  Southport,  where  he  remained  until  September,  1880. 
He  was  in  partnership  with  Dr.  George  Spees,  in  Glenn's  Valley, 
where  he  remained  eighteen  months,  when  he  came  to  Martinsville,  where 
he  is  at  present  engaged  in  the  practice  .of  his  profession.  He  has  filled 
all  the  chairs  in  the  I.  O.  O.  F.,  Southport  Lodge,  No.  394,  and  of  the 
Grand  Lodge.  He  is  also  a  member  of  the  G.  A.  R.,  and  is  a  Repub- 
lican.     Himself  and  wife  are  members-  of  the  Baptist  Church. 

SAIVTUEL  S.  GRIFFITT,  dealer  in  groceries  and  queensware,  is  car- 
rying a  stock  of  $3,000,  with  about  $15,000  annual  sales.  The  father  of 
our  subject,  Reuben  Griffitt,  was  born  in  Tennessee  in  1797;  there  mar- 
ried, in  1824,  to-  Miss  Lovina  Shell,  and  in  1834  removed  to  this  county, 
and  farmed  near  Morgantown,  where  he  died  November,  1871.  Samuel 
S.  Grifi&tt  was  born  in  this  county  February  13,  1836;  reared  on  a  farm; 
taught  school  some  time;  engaged  in  merchandising  at  Morgantown  from 
1856  to  1859;  then  served  as  Deputy  County  Clerk  one  term,  and  in  the 
Auditor's  office  for  several  years.  Februaiy,  1863,  he  married  Miss  Re- 
becca M.  Drumheller,  which  union  gave  issue  to  two  children,  Mary  and 
Neddie.  After  1871,  Mr.  Griffitt  engaged  in  the  hardware  trade  for  five 
years,  and  served  one  year  as  Superintendent.  In  1881,  he  engaged  in 
his  present  business,  in  which  he  has  been  uncommonly  successful.  Mr. 
Griffitt  is  in  politics  a  Republican. 

HON.  GEORGE  W.  GRUBBS,  attorney,  Martinsville,  was  born  in 
Franklin,  Johnson  County,  Ind.,  September  26, 1842.  He  was  the  second 
son  of  Richard  L.  and  Louisa  (Ai-mstrong)  Grubbs.  His  ancestors  came 
from  Pennsylvania.  His  Grandfather  Armstrong  was  a  soldier  in  the 
war  of  1812.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  graduated  from  Franklin  County 
in  1861,  and  at  once  enlisted  in  Company  I,  Seventh  Indiana  Volunteer 
Infantry.  From  this  time  until  the  spring  of  1866,  he  was  on  active 
duty,  and  for  meritorious  conduct  he  rose  successively  from  private  to 
Lieutenant,  Brevet  Captain,  and  in  the  summer  of  1864  was  commis- 
sioned Major  of  the  Forty-second  Regiment  Colored  Infantry,  General 
of  the  First  Brigade,  Third  Division,  Twentieth  Army  Corps.  He  was 
in  all  the  important  engagements  in  which  his  regiment  participated, 
and  while  commanding  the  Forty- second  Regiment  was  engaged  in  the 
Nashville  campaign.  From  the  close  of  the  war  until  he  was  mustered 
out  of  service,  he  was  stationed  as  commander  at  Decatxu',  Ala.  Im- 
mediately upon  his  return  from  the  field,  he  entered  the  law  office  of  Por- 
ter, Harrison  &  Fishback,  at  Indianapolis,  and  began  the  study  of  the 
profession.  He  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  1868,  and  removed  to  Mar- 
tinsville the  same  year.  In  1876,  he  was  elected  by  the  Republicans  of 
his  district  to  the  Legislature,  and  served  with  ability,  being  honored 
with  the  chairmanship  of  Judiciaiy  Committee.  He  was  elected  to  the 
State  Senate  in  1878,  and  was  appointed  a  member  of  the  same  commit- 
tee. As  an  attorney,  the  reputation  of  Mr.  Grubbs  is  high.  He  was  a 
delegate  to  the  National  Convention,  which  nominated  Gen.  Grant  for  the 
Presidency  in  1868,  and  the  later  one  which  nominated  R.  B.  Hayes  in 
1876.  He  was  also  a  member  of  the  Electoral  College  in  1872,  and  as- 
sisted in  the  re-election  of  Gen.  Grant.  He  has  also  been  a  constant  at- 
tendant of  the  Republican  State,  district  and  county  conventions. 

SAMUEL  M.  GUTHRIDGE  is  the  second  child  in  a  family  of  ten, 
and  was  born  on  August  30,  1854,  in  Green  Township,  Morgan  Co., 
Ind.  His  parents,  Lemuel  and  Elizabeth  (Feeters)  Guthridge,  natives 
of  Ohio  and  Indiana  respectively,  shortly  after  marriage  located  on  a 


WASHINGTON  TOWNSHIP  AND  MARTINSVILLE.  187 

farm  in  Green  Township,  Morgan  County,  where  they  remained  until 
.1865.  They  removed  thence  to  Cope,  Green  Township,  where  the  father 
engaged  in  the  mercantile  business,  and  continued  there  for  three  years, 
when  he  was  elected  County  Treasurer  on  the  Democratic  ticket.  He 
served  for  two  years,  and  then  formed  a  partnership  with  J.  A.  Lewis  in 
the  general  merchandise  business,  which  firm  at  present  is  doing  a  lucra- 
tive trade.  Sarauel  M.  Guthridge  was  reared  and  educated  in  his  native 
township.  In  1872,  he  entered  the  Martinsville  High  School,  which  he 
attended  for  two  years;  during  the  winters  of  1872-73-74,  he  taught 
school  in  Green  Township.  In  February,  1875,  he  entered  the  Northern 
Indiana  Normal  at  Valparaiso,  remaining  until  August,  when  he  returned 
to  his  home  and  went  to  work  on  his  father's  farm.  In  1878,  he  removed 
with  his  parents  to  Martinsville  and  took  a  position  under  his  father  as 
Deputy  County  Treasurer.  January  1,  1879,  he  formed  a  partnership 
with  W.  H.  Miller  in  the  hardware  and  implement  business,  under  the 
firm  name  of  Miller  &  Guthridge.  He  is  a  member  of  the  A.  F.  &  A. 
M.,  Martinsville  Lodge,  No.  74,  and  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F.,  Martinsville 
Lodge,  No.  274.  He  is  also  a  member  of  the  K.  of  P.,  Anniversary 
Lodge,  No.  89,  and  politically  he  is  a  Democrat.  He  was  married  on 
December  25,  1879,  to  Alice  Egbert,  daughter  of  G.  W.  Egbert,  of 
Morgan  County.  They  have  had  three  children,  Bernice,  George  E. 
(deceased)  and  Nellie. 

WILEY  S.  HALTON,  Sheriff  of  Morgan  County,  is  a  native  of  Owen 
County,  Ind.,  and  was  born  April  28,  1843;  he  was  reared  in  the  county 
of  his  birth,  where,  April  15,  1861,  he  enlisted  in  Company  H,  Four- 
teenth Indiana  (three  months')  Volunteers,  after  which  service  he  re-en- 
listed, in  October  of  the  same  year,  in  Company  A,  Fifty-ninth  Indiana 
Volunteers,  and  served  in  the  following  engagements:  New  Madrid, 
Corinth,  Eaymond,  Jackson,  Champion  Hills,  siege  of  Vicksburg,  Mis- 
sionary Ridge  and  Sherman's  campaign  through  Georgia  and  to  Wash- 
ington. After  his  discharge — July  25,  1865, — he  resumed  farming  in 
Owen  County,  at  which  he  continued  three  years,  when  he  removed  to 
this  county  and  farmed  until  1882,  except  four  years  passed. at  Eminence 
and  Louisville,  in  this  county.  December  7,  1867,  he  married  Catherine 
Munday,  with  the  result  of  five  children — Minnie,  Alpha,  Daisy,  Ethel 
and  Clarence  (twins).  In  1882,  Mr.  Halton  was  elected  Sheriff  by  the 
Republicans.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity,  and  also  of 
the  G.  A.  R.  He  owns  a  half  interest  in  a  store  and  has  other  property 
in  Louisville. 

E.  R.  HAMILTON  was  born  in  Vermont,  on  September  15,  1843.  He 
is  the  youngest  of  nine  children.  His  parents,  James  and  Sarah  (Plum- 
ley)  Hamilton,  natives  of  Scotland  and  Vermont  respectively,  were  married 
in  Vermont,  and  located  in  Brattleboro,  removing  thence  to  Randolph, 
Vt. ,  where  they  remained  for  some  time.  In  1849,  they  went  to 
Lowell,  Mass.,  where  the  father  died  in  1854.  The  mother  at  present 
resides  in  Martinsville,  eighty-two  years  of  age.  E.  R.  Hamilton 
was  reared  in  Massachusetts  and  Vermont  until  nineteen  years 
of  age.  In  1861,  he  went  to  Iowa,  remaining  for  a  short  time,  and 
then  went  to  Tennessee,  where  he  clerked  for  six  months.  He  then  went 
to  Memphis,  and  kept  iDooks  for  the  Elmwood  Cemetery  for  one  year. 
Returning  to  Vermont,  he  took  a  course  at  "Eastman  Business  College," 
and  graduated  in  the  fall  of  1863.  He  then  returned  to  Memphis,  and 
took  a  clerkship  under  Gen.  Ornee  (Special  Agent  of  the  United  States 


188  BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES: 

Treasury  Department),  and  he  remained  until  1865,  going  thence  to  Ver- 
mont and  then  to  Columbus,  Ind, ,  where  he  kept  books  for  J.  H.  Phil- 
brooks,  a  dry  goods  merchant.  Two  years  later  they  formed  a  partner- 
ship, and  in  1872  Mr.  Hamilton  purchased  his  partner's  interest,  and 
carried  it  on  by  himself  for  three  years.  He  then  came  to  Martinsville, 
and  went  into  the  "walnut  lumber"  business,  in  which  he  is  now  engaged. 
In  June,  1864,  he  was  married  to  Cora  L.  Plumley,  of  Albany,  Vt. 
They  had  one  child  which  died  when  young.  His  wife  dying,  he  next 
married,  in  1876,  Mary  A.  McEwen.  They  have  two  children,  Mary  A. 
and  Samuel.     Mr.  Hamilton  is  a  stanch  Republican, 

JOHN  T.  HAMMANS  was  born  in  Morgan  County,  Ind.,  December 
31,  1830,  and  is  a  son  of  Pry  or  and  Matilda  (Burk)  Hammans,  both  of 
whom  came  to  this  county  in  the  early  days,  married  and  passed  the 
larger  portion  of  their  lives;  Mr.  Hammans  died  in  1866,  but  Mrs. 
Hammans  is  yet  living  in  this  county.  Their  children  were  by  name 
Joshua,  William,  Harvey,  Andrew,  Mahala,  Mary,  George,  Martin,  Elijah, 
Adeline,  Hester,  Elizabeth,  Ehoda,  Nancy,  Martha  and  John  T.  Our 
subject  married  in  this  county,  August  16,  1857,  Delilah,  daughter  of 
Ivan  and  Irena  Voyles,  with  an  issue  of  eleven  children,  Catherine, 
James,  Irena,  Robert,  Mary,  John.  Maria,  Sarah,  Clarissa,  Burley  and 
Margaret.  In  August,  1862,  Mr.  Hammans  enlisted  in  Company  H, 
Seventieth  Indiana  Volunteers,  and  served  until  September,  1864,  on 
July  23  of  which  year,  at  Atlanta,  he  was  wounded  by  a  gunshot  passing 
through  his  cheek  and  cutting  his  tongue.  Mr.  Hammans  is  an  honored 
citizen,  and  he  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Baptist  Church. 

A.  S.  HART  is  the  ninth  child  in  the  family  of  A.  B.  and  Sarah  A, 
(Chipps)  Hart,  both  natives  of  Sussex  County,  N.  J.,  where  they  married, 
and  in  1840  moved  to  Morgan  County,  Ind.,  and  made  there  a  home. 
Their  family  was  made  up  as  follows:  Mercy,  Margaret,  Amos  S.,  Mary, 
Aaron  R.,  Mahala,  John  W.,  Elizabeth  and  Emma,  A.  S,  Hart,  our  sub- 
ject, was  born  in  Morgan  County  December  12,  1845.  November  24, 
1870,  he  married  Miss  Emeline,  a  daughter  of  Maxville  and  Sarah  Shire- 
man,  and  a  native  of  this  county,  born  July  10,  1848.  This  union  was 
endeared  by  the  following  family:  Harry  M.  (deceased),  Ora  A.,  Maggie 
M.,  Laura  A.  and  Adie,  Mr,  Hart  is  a  highly  esteemed  gentleman,  a 
member  of  the  order  of  Odd  Fellows,  and  likewise  of  the  Methodist  Epis- 
copal Church, 

J,  H.  HART,  eldest  son  and  eighth  child  of  Henry  and  Catharine 
(Bricker)  Hart,  natives  of  Pennsylvania,  was  born  in  Franklin  County 
February  14,  1852.  His  father  was  a  blacksmith,  which  trade  he  fol- 
lowed in  Mercersburg,  Franklin  County,  from  the  time  of  his  marriage 
until  the  fall  of  1852,  when  he  removed  to  Salem,  Owen  County,  Ind. 
Remaining  two  years,  he  went  to  Quincy,  Owen  County,  where  he  died 
in  December,  1880,  J,  H.  Hart  was  reared  in  Quincy,  Owen  County, 
where  he  received  his  education.  When  thirteen  years  of  age,  he  began 
working  with  the  farmers  in  the  neighborhood;  continued  for  three  years, 
and  then  came  to  Martinsville;  he  was  employed  in  a  drug  store  here 
until. 1874,  when  he  went  to  Indianapolis;  returning  in  a  short  time,  he 
formed  a  partnership  in  the  drug  business  with  James  P.  Baldwin.  Con- 
tinuing for  two  years  in  this,  he  sold  out,  and  for  several  months  acted 
as  Deputy  Clerk  to  Willis  Record.  In  February,  1876,  he  was  married 
to  Arra  Lindley,  daughter  of  Robert  and  Cynthia  Lindley,  of  Monrovia, 
He  is  the  father  of  two  children,  Lillian  E.  and  Beryl.     In  the  fall  of 


WASHINGTON  TOWNSHIP  AND  MARTINSVILLE.  189 

1876,  Mr.  Hart  opened  a  drug  store  in  Monrovia,  removing  his  stock 
two  years  later  fco  Martinsville,  where  he  is  at  present  doing  a  lucrative 
business. 

CLARKSON  C.  HARVEY  was  born  in  Brown  Township,  Morgan 
County,  Ind.,  October  12,  1852,  His  parents,  Robert  and  Sarah  (Hadley) 
Harvey,  were  natives  of  Ohio  and  North  Carolina  respectively,  and  of 
Scotch-Irish  extraction.  They  are  Quakers,  and  in  1833  settled  in  Brown 
Township  on  a  farm  of  200  acres,  where  they  have  since  resided.  Clark- 
son  C.  Harvey  is  the  seventh  son  and  ninth  child  in  a  family  of  twelve 
children,  and  being  raised  on  the  farm,  received  a  very  ordinary  educa- 
tion in  the  district  schools  of  his  native  township,  remaining  at  home 
until  in  his  twenty-first  year,  when  he  went  into  the  employ  of  a  grocery 
merchant  in  the  town  of  Mooresville.  About  seven  months  later,  he  went 
to  Illinois,  and  worked  for  some  time  at  farming  in  Ford  County.  In 
September,  1874,  he  removed  to  Martinsville,  where  he  opened  a  restau- 
rant, and  at  present  enjoys  a  lucrative  business.  Mr.  Harvey  is  identified 
with  the  Republican  party.  He  was  married,  January  14, 1877,  to  Annis 
H.  Gregory,  a  daughter  of  M.  W.  and  O.  D.  Gregory,  pioneers  of  Mor- 
gan County.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Church  in  good  standing. 
His  wife  has  been  attentive  to  her  duties  as  a  member  of  the  Christian 
Church.     They  have  two  childien,  Harlon  and  Olivia. 

CHARLES  HASTINGS  is  a  native  of  Franklin  County,  Ind.,  was 
born  September  2,  1820,  and  is  a  son  of  Job  and  Keziah  Hastings.  Job 
Hastings  was  born  near  Pittsburgh,  Penn.,  whei'e  he  married;  afterward 
removed  to  Franklin  County,  Ind.,  and  thence,  in  1835,  to  Morgan 
County,  where  he  ended  his  life.  His  family  was  as  follows:  Matilda, 
Mary,  Reese,  Sarah,  Charles,  Kelly,  Hannah  C,  Rebecca,  Eliza  J.  and 
Martha  A.  The  grandfather  of  oar  subject,  Isaac  Hastings,  was  a  native 
of  England  who  settled  near  Pittsbui'gh,  Penn.,  but  died  in  E'ranklin 
County,  Ind.,  the  father  of  nine  children.  Charles  Hastings  married, 
January  1,  1850,  Susanna,  daughter  of  John  and  Sarah  Rudicel,  and 
soon  afterward  located  at  his  present  home,  which  comprises  a  farm  of 
475  acres  of  fruitful  and  improved  land.  He  is  a  genial  gentleman  and 
respected  citizen.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hastings  have  been  parents  of  four 
children — Louisa  I.,  Mary  A.  (deceased),  Evangeline  and  William  C. 

AUSTIN  HAT  LEY  was  born  in  Chatham  County,  N.  C,  September 
15,  1822,  and  is  the  eldest  of  the  family  of  William  and  Martha  (Bow- 
ers) Hatley,  natives  respectively  of  North  and  South  Carolina,  who 
moved  to  this  State  and  county  in  1832,  where  they  closed  their  lives — 
he  in  1847,  and  she  eight  years  later.  They  were  parents  of  ten  chil- 
dren— Harriet,  Jacob,  William,  James,  Leroy,  Minerva,  Eliza,  Polly, 
Elizabeth  A.  and  Austin.  Our  subject  has  remained  in  this  county  since 
brought  hither  by  his  parents.  December  19,  1850,  he  married  Cathe- 
rine, daughter  of  Harvey  and  Susan  Williams.  In  1869,  Mr.  Hatley 
located  on  his  present  farm,  previous  to  which,  in  1868,  his  wife  died, 
and  afterward  he  married  Sarah  Wilson,  who  died  in  1872,  whereupon, 
in  1873,  he  married  Frankie  E.  Martin.  Mr.  Hatley  has  been  the  par- 
ent of  fifteen  children  in  all — William  H.,  Martha  A.  (deceased),  Henry 
J.,  Elizabeth  J.,  George  W.,  Thomas  M.  (deceased),  Lafayette  and  three 
unnamed,  by  his  first;  Sarah  C.  (deceased)  and  Harriet  M.  (deceased),  by 
his  second,  and  Mary  A.,  tlichard  P.  (deceased)  and  Nancy  E.,  by  his 
third  wife. 


190  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

LEEOY  S.  HATLEY,  fifth  son  and  sixth  child  of  William  and  Mar- 
tha (Giles)  Hatley,  natives  of  North  Carolina,  and  of  Scotch  and  English 
extraction,  was  born  April  7,  1837,  in  Washington  Township,  Morgan 
County,  Ind.  His  parents  came  to  Indiana  from  North  Carolina,  where 
they  were  married,  and  located  in  Morgan  County,  where  the  father  died 
July  3,  1847.  The  mother  died  April  15,  1855.  The  father  entered  a 
farm  of  220  acres,  which  he  farmed  during  the  last  few  years  of  his  life. 
Leroy  S.  Hatley,  when  nineteen  years  of  age,  went  into  the  employ  of 
J.  M.  &  S.  M.  Mitchell,  worked  on  their  farm  for  three  years,  and  after- 
ward worked  for  P.  M.  Parks  until  April,  1861.  He  then  enlisted  in  the 
three  months'  service,  in  Company  K,  Seventh  Indiana  Infantry,  under 
Capt.  Jeff  K.  Scott.  He  participated  in  the  battles  at  Philippi, 
Bealington,  Laurel  Hill  and  Carrick's  Ford,  and  at  the  expiration  of 
this  term  of  service  he  returned  to  his  home.  On  July  7,  1862,  he  en- 
listed in  Company  H,  Seventieth  Indiana  Volunteers,  under  Capt.  A.  D. 
Cunning,  and  participated  in  the  following  engagements:  Russellville, 
Resaca,  Marietta  and  Atlanta.  He  marched  with  Sherman  to  the  sea, 
and  took  an  active  part  at  Bentonville,  and  then  on  with  Sherman  to 
Washington.  After  the  battle  at  Atlanta,  he  was  promoted  to  Second 
Lieutenant,  which  position  he  filled  until  June  8,  1865,  when  he  re- 
ceived an  honorable  discharge  at  Washington.  After  the  war  closed,  he 
returned  home,  and  for  two  years  farmed,  removing  then  to  Illinois, 
where  for  two  years  he  was  again  engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits,  after 
which  he  returned  to  Morgan  County,  locating  in  Martinsville  shortly 
afterward.  He  owns  129  acres  of  excellent  farm  land  in  the  county, 
the  cultivation  of  which  he  superintends.  He  was  for  two  y#ars  As- 
sessor of  Washington  Township,  also  served  the  same  length  of  time  as 
Township  Trustee.  He  was  Deputy  Sheriff  for  one  year,  and  for  some  time 
City  Marshal.  March  20,  1872,  he  married  Kate  Watkins,  daughter  of 
John  A.  Watkins,  a  pioneer  of  Morgan  County.  Mr.  Hatley  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  K.  of  P.,  Anniversary  Lodge,  No.  89,  an  active  Republican, 
and  he  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Christian  Church.  They  have  had 
three  children — Oscar  (deceased),  Bessie  and  Maudie. 

EBENEZER  HENDERSON  (ex-Auditor  of  State)  was  born  in  this 
county  June  2,  1833.  His  duties  called  him  to  Indianapolis  quite  often, 
and  he  resided  there  from  January,  1875,  until  1879.  His  parents, 
James  C.  and  Mary  (Piercy)  Henderson,  natives  of  Shelby  County,  Ky., 
were  married  in  July,  1831.  They  came  to  Morgan  County  the  following 
fall,  and  the  father  entered  eighty  acres  of  land  five  miles  south  of  Mar- 
tinsville. He  built  a  cabin,  and  began  to  clear  the  wilderness.  At  his 
death,  January  8,  1867,  he  owned  360  acres  of  land.  The  mother  died 
in  Martinsville,  October  25,  1879.  Ebenezer  Henderson  was  educated 
in  Morgan  County  in  the  three-months'  winter  schools.  At  the  age  of 
twenty,  he  entered  the  State  University  at  Bloomington,  where  he  re- 
mained for  two  years.  On  returning  home,  he  took  charge  of  his  father's 
farm  and  traded  in  stock,  fast  accumulating  money.  He  was  married,  in 
1856,  to  Ann  C.  Hunt,  daughter  of  a  neigboring  farmer,  soon  after  which 
he  was  appointed  Deputy  County  Treasurer,  in  which  office  he  served  for 
four  years.  In  1860,  he  received  the  nomination,  on  the  Democratic 
ticket,  for  County  Treasurer.  In  1868,  he  was  nominated  for  State  Sen- 
ator for  the  counties  of  Morgan  and  Johnson,  was  elected,  and  served 
four  years.  On  retiring  from  this  office,  he  gave  his  attention  to  his 
extensive  farm,  and  the  erection  of  a  large  pork-packing  house  in  Mar- 


WASHINGTON  TOWNSHIP  AND  MARTINSVILLE.  191 

tinsville,  which  was  run  under  the  firm  name  of  Henderson,  Parks  &  Co. 
until  1880,  and  now  under  the  firm  name  of  Harrison,  Parks  &  Co.  In  1874, 
he  was  elected  Auditor  of  State,  and  was  re-elected  one  year  later,  serv- 
ing for  three  years.  He  was  chosen  by  the  Democratic  party  in  their 
State  Convention  a  member  of  the  State  Central  Committee  for  the  In- 
dianapolis District,  which  position  he  occupied  for  two  years.  At  pres- 
ent, he  resides  in  Martinsville,  in  the  full  vigor  and  prime  of  his  man- 
hood. He  is  the  father  of  six  children— Fannie,  Ella,  Maggie  June, 
AVilliam,  Howard  and  Court. 

CORNELIUS  HILL,  a  native  of  Indiana,  was  born  August  23, 
1836,  in  Richmond,  Wayne  County.  His  parents,  Thomas  and  Elizabeth 
(White)  Hill,  native  of  Indiana  and  North  Carolina  respectively,  were 
married  in  Indiana  in  1833,  and  locating  in  Richmond,  the  father  fol- 
lowed the  carpenter's  trade.  In  1838,  they  removed  to  Grant  County, 
to  a  farm,  where  in  August,  1843,  the  father's  death  occurred.  The  mother 
died  in  April,  1865.  Cornelius  was  the  eldest  son  and  second  child,  and 
was  reared  in  Grant  County  until  eight  years  of  age;  then  with  his  mother 
he  went  to  Washington  County.  Shortly  after,  they  removed  to  Orange 
County,  where  he  obtained  a  good  education.  When  seventeen  years  of 
age,  he  began  working  on  a  farm,  which  he  continued  until  the  fall  of 
1856,  when  he  came  to  Morgan  County  and  farmed  near  Mooresville  for 
some  time.  In  1859,  he  went  into  the  confectionery  business,  and  about 
one  year  later,  he  went  to  Kentucky,  farmed  for  some  time,  returning 
thence  to  Indianapolis.  In  1862,  he  enlisted  in  Company  B,  Seven- 
tieth Indiana  Volunteers,  under  Samuel  Harriman,  and  served  for  nearly 
three  years,  acting  as  Corporal.  He  took  part  in  the  battles  at  Resaca, 
Atlanta,  Peach  Tree  Creek,  Averysboro,  Cassville,  Kenesaw  Mountain 
and  Bentonville.  After  the  close  of  the  war,  he  located  in  Martin  County, 
Ind.,  as  stationary  engineer.  In  March,  1869,  he  was  married  to  Letha 
A.  Greeson,  of  Morgan  County.  They  have  one  child — Mabel  Pearl.  In 
1874,  he  went  into  the  confectionery  business  again.  Iq  November  of 
1879,  he  sold  a  half  interest  and  added  a  stock  of  groceries.  In  August 
of  the  next  year,  he  went  to  Wabash  and  opened  a  bakery  and  confec- 
tionery, which  he  continued  to  run  for  one  year,  when  he  came  back  to  Mar- 
tinsville, where  he  is  at  present  engaged  in  a  lucrative  business.  Mr. 
Hill  is  a  member  of  the  A.  F.  &  A.  M.  and  of  the  G.  A.  R.,  and  is 
politically  a  Republican.  His  wife  is  an  active  member  of  the  Meth- 
odist Church. 

JARVIS  J.  HILTON,  a  native  of  Indiana,  was  born  September  21, 
1855,  in  Morgantown,  Morgan  County.  He  was  the  second  son  and 
fourth  child  of  Emsley  C.  and  Sarah  A.  (Jones)  Hilton,  natives  of  Indi- 
ana and  Kentucky  respectively.  His  parents  were  married  in  Johnson 
County,  Ind.,  where  they  remained  for  some  time,  removing  thence  to 
Morgan  County,  where  his  father  followed  cabinet-making  and  carpenter- 
ing until  his  death,  which  occurred  October  5, 1877.  The  mother  at  pres- 
ent resides  in  Morgantown.  In  April,  1869,  Jarvis  J.  Hilton  was  em- 
ployed as  clerk  in  a  general  merchandise  store,  where  he  remained  for 
three  years.  He  then  went  into  the  employ  of  the  National  Publishing 
Company  for  a  short  time,  after  which  he  was  in  Franklin,  Ind.,  for  some 
time.  Returning  to  Morgantown,  he  clerked  for  Samuel  Rozengarten, 
a  merchant  in  that  place,  until  in  the  fall  of  1877;  afterward  for  another 
merchant  in  the  town  until  December,  1878.  Meanwhile  he  had  been 
reading  law,  and  in  November,  1877,  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  Morgan 


192  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

County.  He  is  at  present  extensively  engaged  in  the  practice  of  law 
and  pension  business  in  Martinsville.  In  1881,  he  was  appointed  Deputy 
Prosecuting  Attorney  and  served  creditably  for  about  two  years.  In 
April,  1877,  he  was  married  to  Ida  M.  Skinner,  daughter  of  George  W. 
Skinner,  a  pioneer  of  Morgan  County.  By  this  union  there  was  one 
child— Fred  H.,  November  19,  1879.  His  wife  dying,  he  was  next  mar- 
ried, May  6,  1880,  to  Flora  B.  Pervis,  daughter  of  George  C.  Pervis,  a 
citizen  of  Johnson  County.  Mr.  Hilton  is  a  member  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F., 
and  is  at  present  Prelate  of  the  K.  of  P.,  Anniversary  Lodge,  No.  89. 

D.  L.  HINE  was  born  in  Lincoln  County,  N.  C,  May  26,  1829,  and 
is  the  youngest  child  of  Philip  and  Mary  M.  (Shufford)  Hine,  the  former 
born  in  Germany  in  1774,  the  latter  in  Lincoln  County,  N.  C,  in  1784 
Philip  Hine  emigi-ated  to  America  in  1795,  and  located  in  Lincoln  Coun- 
ty, N.  C,  where  he  married  in  1803.  In  1836,  they  moved  to  Morgan 
County,  Ind.,  where  they  ended  their  days,  he  in  1856,  she  in  1844. 
Their  family  comprised  eleven  children — Elizabeth,  George  J.,  Barbara, 
Daniel  S.,  Henry,  Anna,  Philip  J.,  Clara,  John  W.,  Sarah  and  David  L. 
Our  subject  married  in  this  county,  July  6,  1856,  Miss  Sarah,  daughter 
of  Cutter  and  Elizabeth  Salmon,  and  born  in  Morris  County,  N.  J.,  July 
21,  1824;  she  died  December  25,  1876,  having  borne  one  child— Flora  B. 
February  19,  1879,  Mr.  Hine  married  Miss  Jennie,  daughter  of  "William 
and  Cynthia  Clark,  and  born  in  Appanoose  County,  Iowa,  November  11, 
1856.  The  result  of  this  union  was  two  children — Gentry  S.  and 
Edna  M. 

HIRAM  J.  HINSON  was  born  in  Mooresville,  Morgan  County,  De- 
cember 31,  1850.  His  parents,  William  H.  and  Mary  (Butner)  Hinson, 
natives  of  North  Carolina,  were  married  in  Morgan  County,  and  located 
in  Mooresville,  where  the  father  has  farmed,  and  they  at  present  reside. 
Hiram  J.  Hinson  is  the  fourth  son  and  o.hild  of  a  family  of  nine  children. 
He  was  reared  and  educated  in  his  native  town.  When  sixteen  years  of 
age,  he  began  working  on  a  farm  in  the  neighborhood  and  continued  to 
farm  for  five  years.  In  1861,  he  began  learning  the  cabinet-making  with 
his  uncle  in  Mooresville.  Remaining  with  him  for  two  and  a  half  years, 
he  came  to  Martinsville.  Here  he  entered  the  employ  of  Lewis  &  Co., 
and  in  1873  he  opened  a  shop  of  his  own  in  Monrovia,  Morgan  County, 
and  after  one  year  in  this,  he  returned  to  Martinsville.  He  then  en- 
tered the  employ  of  J.  A.  Lewis,  a  furniture  dealer,  with  whom  he  re- 
mained for  four  years.  On  December  23,  1878,  he  became  a  partner  of 
W.  W.  Kennedy  in  the  same  business,  having  bought  his  stock  of  Mr. 
Lewis.  Three  years  later  he  purchased  the  other  half  interest,  and  has  since 
carried  on  the  business  by  himself,  at  present  being  one  of  Martinsville's 
most  successful  and  enterprising  merchants.  He  has  a  stock  of  furniture 
worth  $4,000,  and  is  also  doing  a  superior  class  of  undertaking.  Mr. 
Hinson  is  a  member  of  the  A.  F.  &  A.  M.,  Martinsville  Lodge,  No.  74. 
Politically  he  is  a  Republican. 

GEORGE  HUBBARD,  born  in  Columbus,  Bartholomew  Co.,  Ind., 
June  31,  1843,  is  the  fifth  of  six  sons  born  to  John  C.  and  Hannah 
(Brice)  Hubbard,  natives  of  Connecticut  and  Pennsylvania.  In  August, 
1862,  he  enlisted  in  Company  A,  Ninety-third  Indiana  Volunteers,  under 
Capt.  Charles  Hubbard.  He  served  for  three  years,  and  took  part  at 
Jackson,  Miss.,  Vicksburg  and  the  Mobile  campaign.  After  the  war,  he 
resided  in  Edinbur^  until  1869,  and  then  went  to  Columbus,  Ind. ,  where 
he  remained  four  years  in  the  general  merchandise  business.       In  1873, 


WASHINGTON  TOWNSHIP  AND  MARTINSVILLE.  193 

he  went  into  the  himber  business  and  ran  a  saw  mill  in  Bartholomew  Coun- 
ty for  three  years,  when  he  again  went  into  the  general  merchandise  bus- 
iness in  Columbus.  In  the  fall  of  1878,  he  removed  to  Seymour,  Ind. ; 
went  into  the  saw  mill  business  again,  afterward  going  to  Bartholomew 
County  and  engaging  in  the  same  business  for  a  shoi't  time.  In  1880,  he 
was  appointed  Deputy  Sheriff  in  that  county,  serving  for  two  years,  when 
he  came  to  Martinsville,  where,  becoming  a  partner  in  the  saw  and  plan- 
ing mills,  he  manufactures  doors  and  sashes  and  builders'  and  general  mer- 
chandise. September  11,  1882,  he  was  married  to  Hannah  B.  Stevens, 
daughter  of  John  and  Mary  Stevens,  citizens  of  Ohio.  Mr.  Hubbard  is 
a  member  of  the  K.  of  P.,  and  in  politics  is  a  stanch  Republican.  His 
wife  is  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  Church. 

D.  P.  KENNEDY,  M.  D.,  was  born  in  Morgan  County  February  19, 
1845>  and  is  the  son  of  Luke  C.  and  Jane  (Blockford)  Kennedy,  who  were 
born  and  married  in  Kentucky,  but  were  early  settlers  of  Jefferson  Town- 
ship, this  county,  where  the  father  still  resides.  The  mother  died  in 
1854,  leaving  seven  children,  of  whom  D.  P.  is  the  youngest.  The 
early  days  of  Dr.  Kennedy  were  passed  on  the  home  farm  and  attending 
the  district  school.  At  the  age  of  seventeen,  he  enlisted  in  Company  H, 
Seventieth  Indiana  Infantry,  in  August,  1862,  and  served  three  years, 
taking  part  as  private  and  non-commissioned  officer  in  the  fights  at  Buz- 
zard Roost,  Resaca,  Golgotha  Church  and  Peach  Tree  Creek;  he  was  104 
days  under  tire  in  the  Atlanta  campaign,  and  went  through  with  Sher- 
man to  tixe  sea;  he  saw  the  surrender  of  Johnston  and  was  in  the  grand 
review  at  Washington.  At  Golgotha,  he  was  shot  through  the  nose  and 
mouth;  his  muster-out  took  place  in  June,  1865.  On  his  return,  he 
farmed  in  Jefferson  Township  one  year;  then  attended  and  taught  school 
two  years;  then  commenced  the  study  of  medicine  at  Paragon  with  Dr. 
John  Kennedy,  with  whom  he  remained  nearly  three  years.  He  grad- 
uated from  the  Cincinnati  Eclectic  Medical  College  in  1870,  returned  to 
Paragon,  and  for  seven  years  was  in  practice  in  partnership  with  his 
brothel'.  In  March,  1877,  he  came  to  Martinsville,  where  he  has  ever 
since  enjoyed  an  extensive  and  lucrative  patronage.  He  is  a  member  of 
the  State  Eclectic  Medical  Society,  of  the  G.  A.  R,  and  K.  of  P.,  and  in 
politics  is  a  Republican.  In  1871,  he  married  Miss  M.  Olive  Chambers, 
who  has  borne  him  two  children — Alexander  R.  and  Park  W.  Mrs.  Ken- 
nedy is  a  native  of  Hendiicks  County,  Ind.,  and  is  a  member  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 

THOMAS  A.  KENNEDY  is  the  sixth  son  and  tenth  child  of  John  and 
Mary  K.  (Alexander)  Kennedy,  natives  of  Virginia,  and  of  Scotch-Irish 
descent.  He  was  born,  October  18,  1843,  in  Georgetown,  Brown  Co., 
Ind.  His  parents  were  married  in  or  near  Greenville,  Tenn. ,  about 
1825,  where  they  lived  for  seven  years,  removing  thence  to  Indiana.  They 
located  in  Johnson  County,  and  in  1838,  moved  to  Brown  County.  Lo- 
cating in  Georgetown,  his  father  followed  merchandising  for  several 
years,  and  afterward  engaged  in  farming,  which  he  followed  until  his 
death  in  1864;  his  mother  is  still  living  in  Brown  County  at  the  age  of 
seventy- eight.  Thomas,  when  eighteen  years  of  age,  enlisted  in  Com- 
pany C,  Twenty-second  Indiana  Volunteers,  under  Col.  Jeff  C.  Davis. 
He  served  for  four  years,  and  took  part  in  the  fights  at  Pea  Ridge,  Stone 
River  and  Mission  Ridge,  and  in  almost  every  encounter  from  the  last- 
named  battle  to  Peach  Tree  Creek,  where  he  was  made  a  prisoner  of  war, 
being  placed  in  Andersonville  Prison,  and  thence  removed  to  Charleston, 


194  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

S.  C. ;  then  to  Florence,  remaining  a  prisoner  altogether  about  eight 
months,  when  he  was  discharged  under  a  general  order.  He  re-enlisted 
and  took  part  in  the  Chattanooga  campaign.  He  went  to  the  relief  of 
Burnside  before  Knoxville,  and  thence  returned  to  Chattanooga.  In 
June,  1865,  he  received  an  honorable  discharge  and  retm-ned  to  his  home 
in  Brown  County,  where,  in  January  following,  he  was  married  to  Sa- 
mantha  Davis,  of  Virginia.  They  have  seven  children — William  D,, 
Eosa,  Clement  R.,  Orrin  and  Odell  (twins),  Earl  and  Pearl  (twins). 
After  his  marriage,  he  farmed  in  Brown  County  and  then  in  Illinois  for 
three  years,  after  which  he  removed  to  Johnson  County  and  became 
agent  for  the  Singer  Sewing  Machine  Company.  In  February,  1878,  he 
came  to  Martinsville,  where  he  has  since  resided,  representing  the  same 
company.  Mr.  Kennedy  is  a  member  of  the  K.  of  P.,  and  with  his  wife 
is  an  active  member  of  the  Missionary  Baptist  Church.  Politically  he  is 
a  Democrat. 

JAMES  P.  KENNEDY  was  born  in  Brown  County,  Ind.,  on  May 
3,  1846.  His  parents,  John  and  Mary  (Alexander)  Kennedy,  were  na- 
tives of  Virginia.  James  P.  is  the  youngest  of  a  family  of  seven  chil- 
dren. He  was  reared  and  educated  in  Brown  County.  When  he  was 
nineteen  years  of  age,he  entered  the  employ  of  William  Stafford,  a  farmer 
in  Johnson  County,  where  he  remained  for  one  year.  He  was  then  em- 
ployed by  George  W.  Ware,  of  Amity,  to  work  in  a  saw  mill  and  stave 
factory,  with  whom  he  remained  for  three  years.  He  then  began  farming 
in  Johnson  County  and  continued  for  eight  years,  after  which,  in  1879, 
he  sold  out  and  came  to  Martinsville.  He  was  here  employed  by  the 
Singer  Stowing  Machine  Company.  In  February,  1882.  he  formed  a 
partnership  with  A.  P.  Shields,  and  purchased  the  "Red Cloud"  saloon, 
where  he  is  at  present  enjoying  a  lucrative  trade.  He  was  married  on 
December  17,  1868,  to  Addie  Mitchell,  daughter  of  James  A.  Mitchell, 
a  citizen  of  Johnson  County.  They  have  four  children — Willie  E., Wal- 
ter A.,  Maudie  and  Cecil  C.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Kennedy  are  identified  with 
the  Christian  Church,  and  Mr.  Kennedy  is  politically  a  Democrat. 

DR.  CHARLES  A.KESSINGERwasborn.February8,  1853,  in  Athens 
County,  Ohio.  He  is  the  eldest  child,  and  second  son  of  Joseph  L.  and 
Mary  (Jewett)  Kessinger,  natives  of  Ohio,  who  were  married  in  their  na- 
tive place.  The  father  was  elected  Sheriff  of  the  county  in  1852,  and 
served  for  four  years.  In  1868,  he  was  appointed  Internal  Revenue  Col- 
lector, which  office  he  filled  for  ten  years.  He  served  all  through  the 
war,  and  was  commissioned  Captain  of  the  Fortieth  Ohio  for  meritorious 
conduct.  Charles  A.  Kessinger  was  reared  in  Athens  County,  where  he 
received  a  good  collegiate  education  in  the  Ohio  University.  In  1873, 
he  began  reading  medicine  with  Dr.  A.  B.  Frame,  of  Athens,  and  con- 
tinued for  three  years,  during  which  time  he  graduated  at  the  Ohio  Med- 
ical College  at  Cincinnati  in  the  spring  of  1876.  April  8,  1876,  he  was 
appointed  Superintendent  of  the  Ohio  Penitentiary  Hospital,  and  served 
five  years.  In  March,  1883,  he  came  to  Martinsville  and  entered  the 
regular  practice,  and  is  at  present  so  engaged.  On  September  19,  1883, 
he  was  married  here  to  Julia  D.  Blackstone,  daughter  of  Dr.  D.  B.  Black- 
stone.  Mr.  Kessinger  is  a  member  of  the  A.  F.  &  A.  M.,  Parmacetia 
Lodge,  Athens,  Ohio.  Politically  he  is  a  Republican.  He  is  eminent  as  a 
practitioner  and  respected  as  a  citizen. 

LINDEN  LAUGHLIN  is  a  native  of  Owen  County,  Ind.,  was  bom 
May  9,  1832,  and  is  directly  descended  from  William  and  Nancy  (Mac- 


WASHINGTON  TOWNSHIP  AND  MARTINSVILLE.  195 

kindley)  Laughlin,  natives  respectively  of  Tennessee  and  Indiana,  and  of 
Irish  extraction.  They  were  parents  of  four  children,  namely:  Mary  J,, 
John,  Matilda  and  Linden.  The  subject  of  this  sketch.  Linden  Laugh- 
lin, married,  January  11,  1856,  in  this  county,  Miss  Mary,  daughter  of 
William  and  Sarah  Sraver,  and  a  native  of  this  county,  born  October  25, 
1835.  This  union  was  endeared  and  cemented  by  the  blessing  of  two 
children— Francis  M.  and  Margaret  J.,  both  of  whom  are  deceased.  Mr. 
Laughlin  is  a  well-known  and  much-respected  citizen. 

FRANCIS  C.  LLOYD  is  the  youngest  son  in  a  family  of  eight  chil- 
dren, born  to  Owen  and  Sarah  (Coleman)  Lloyd,  natives  of  Ireland  and 
Ohio,  respectively.  He  was  born  in  Morgan  County,  Ind. ,  September 
10,  1852.  His  parents  were  married  in  Ohio  and  lived  there  until  1840, 
when  they  came  to  Indiana  and  located  in  Morgan  County,  on  a  farm  of 
320  acres,  a  part  of  which  he  entered,  and  where,  in  the  full  enjoyment  of 
excellent  health,  they  at  present  reside.  Francis  C.  Lloyd  was  reared 
on  the  old  home  farm  in  Morgan  County,  where  he  obtained  a  good  edu- 
cation in  the  district  schools.  In  1871,  he  went  to  Indianapolis 
and  entered  the  wholesale  and  retail  meat  business,  where  he  re- 
mained for  two  years.  He  then  went  to  Morgan  County  and  commenced 
farming  there.  In  1877,  he  went  into  the  meat  business  in  Morgan- 
town,  Morgan  County;  removing  thence  to  Martinsville,  he  opened 
a  meat  market  and  after  two  years  in  this  was  elected  Deputy  Sheriff. 
In  April,  1883,  he  entered  the  grocery  business  and  is  at  present  carrying 
on  quite  a  successful  business,  one  door  north  of  the  post  office.  In  Oc- 
tober, 1871,  he  was  married  in  Paris,  111.,  to  Miss  Margaret  Norman,  a 
daughter  of  Hiram  and  Annie  Norman,  old  and  respected  citizens  of 
Morgan  County.  By  this  union  there  were  six  children — Ira,  Bertha, 
Edna,  Edgar  (deceased)  Effie  and  Harry.  Mr.  Lloyd  and  wife  are  mem- 
bers of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  He  is  a  member  of  the  I.  O. 
O.  F. ,  Martinsville  Lodge,  No.  274,  and  is  a  Republican. 

CHARLES  LONG  is  a  native  of  Morgan  County,  Ind. ,  and  was  born 
July  24,  1829,  his  parents  being  Samuel  and  Nancy  (Smith)  Long,  both 
of  whom  were  natives  of  North  Carolina,  and  who  at  a  very  early  time  emi- 
grated to  this  county,  where  they  lived  until  overtaken  by  death.  Samuel 
Long  was  twice  married,  and  was  the  father  of  twelve  children — James 
R.,  Charles,  Alexander,  Minerva,  "William,  Elijah,  Lizah,  Erastus,  Eras- 
pus  and  three  others.  Charles,  having  remained  in  the  county  of  his 
birth,  married,  November,  1849,  Elizabeth  Asher.  They  had  a  family  of 
fourteen  children — Minerva,  Nancy,  Alice,  George  (deceased),  Martha 
(deceased),  Charles,  "William,  Alexander,  Cosey,  Julia,  Edwin,  and  three 
who  died  in  infancy.  Mr.  Long  is  a  pleasant  gentleman  and  a  gi-eatly 
respected  citizen. 

HARVEY  McDANIEL  is  a  native  of  Pulaski  County,  Ky.,  was  bom 
August  29,  1825,  and  is  the  fifth  of  the  family  of  Spencer  and  Martha 
McDaniel,  natives  of  Virginia  and  Tennessee  respectively.  The  grand- 
father of  our  subject  was  also  a  native  of  Virginia,  where  he  married,  and 
in  the  early  time  emigrated  to  Pulaski  County,  Ky. ,  there  continuing  to 
reside  until  his  decease.  His  family  consisted  of  Polly,  "William,  Eliz- 
abeth, John  and  Spencer.  Spencer  McDaniel  was  born  in  1782,  and  in 
Kentucky  married  Martha  Derosset,  with  whom,  in  1834,  he  moved  to 
Monroe,  and  the  following  year  to  Morgan  County,  Ind.,  where  he  closed 
his  life  January  21,  1871.  He  had  been  a  soldier  in  the  war  of  1812, 
and  the  parent   of    eight  children — Mary,  Hardin,  Elizabeth,  Channa, 


196  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

Samantha,  Julia,  Clarinda  and  Harvey.  Harvey  McDaniel,  January  10, 
1850,  married  Rebecca  A,  Darrell,  who  died  May  25,  1853.  He  next 
married,  March  24,  1880,  Martha  Owens,  widow  of  Jacob  Owens.  Mr. 
McDaniel  is  the  father  of  two  children — Elizabeth  (deceased)  and  Martha 
E.  (now  Mrs.  Beattie,  residing  in  Wisconsin). 

JAMES  M.  McGOWEN  is  a  native  of  this  county,  was  born  January 
3,  1840,  and  is  one  of  the  seven  children  of  John  and  Malinda  (Thomas) 
McGowen,  natives  respectively  of  Tennessee  and  Kentucky.  They  were 
married  in  Kentucky,  whence  at  an  early  day  they  moved  to  this  county, 
and  lived  the  remainder  of  their  days,  having  been  parents  of  seven  chil- 
dren— Polly  A. ,  Andrew  J. ,  Thomas,  Greenberry,  Sarah,  Elizabeth  and 
James  M.  In  August,  1862,  our  subject  enlisted  in  Company  H, 
Seventieth  Indiana  Volunteers,  in  which  he  served  until  discharged, 
November,  1864.  March  15,  1865,  in  Monroe  County,  Ind.,  he  married 
Nancy  A.,  daughter  of  John  and  Adaline  Martin,  from  which  union  re- 
sulted seven  children — John,  Rebecca  J.,  Mary  E.,  Nancy  A.,  James  M. 
(deceased),  Nora  A.  and  William  J.  After  marriage,  Mr.  McGowen  settled 
here,  but  four  years  later  purchased  a  farm  in  Monroe  County,  to  which 
he  removed,  and  where  he  remained  until  1873,  at  which  period  he  pur- 
chased and  occupied  his  present  home  and  farm,  embracing  490  acres  of 
valuable  land.     Mr.  McGowen  is  much  regarded  by  his  neighbors. 

WILLIAM  MABEE,  Township  Trustee,  is  a  native  of  Sussex 
County,  N.  J.;  was  born  March  8,  1822;  was  reared  in  his  native  county, 
and  there  maiTied  November  2,  1849,  to  Miss  Catherine  Peters.  In 
1854,  he  emigrated  to  this  State,  located  in  this  county,  and  engaged  at 
carpentering  in  this  town  until  1865,  when  he  purchased  ninety  acres 
three  miles  from  town,  and  combined  farming  labor  with  his  trade.  In 
April,  1882,  he  was  elected  School  Trustee,  which  office  he  now  fills. 
Mr.  Mabee  is  a  Democrat.  He  enlisted  as  a  volunteer  for  the  Mexican 
war,  took  active  part  at  Contreras  and  Churubusco,  and  in  the  latter  bat- 
tle was  wounded.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Mabee  are  the  parents  of  five  children, 
which  are  thus  named:  Jacob,  Abraham,  Elizabeth  (Mrs.  Thomas),  Katie 
J.  (Mrs.  Bergman),  and  Sarah  H.  (Mrs.  Dyer). 

SYLVANUS  MAJOR  is  a  native  of  Morgan  County,  Ind.,  born  April 
26, 1849,  and  is  the  second  child  of  Noah  J.  and  Mary  E.  Major.  Noah  J. 
Major  is  a  son  of  William  A.  Major,  born  August  14,  1823.  In  1844, 
he  wedded  Hannah  Hastings,  and  after  her  decease  married,  in  1846, 
Mary  E.  Rudicel,  to  which  union  were  born  five  children — Isabel,  Syl- 
vanus,  Amanda  (deceased),  Mary  E.  (deceased),  and  Laura.  She  also 
died,  and  he  thereafter  married  in  1875  Mrs.  Margaret  A.  Piercy.  Mr. 
Major  is  a  very  prominent  citizen,  having  been  three  times  elected  to 
the  Legislature  and  for  thirty  years  a  member  of  the  Christian  Church. 
Sylvanus  Major,  our  subject,  married,  March  20,  1872,  Mary  E.,  daugh- 
ter of  Thompson  and  Mary  J.  Hendricks,  and  native  of  this  county,  born 
January  6,  1856,  which  union  has  produced  five  children — William  H, 
Zora  I.,  Amanda  J.  (deceased),  Otis  H.  and  Mary  J.  Soon  after  his 
marriage,  Mr.  Major  settled  on  his  farm  and  present  home  of  224  acres  of 
valuable  land.     He  is  a  much  respected  gentleman. 

HON.  JAMES  J.  MAXWELL  was  born  in  Morgan  County,  Ind., 
February  27,  1839,  and  is  the  eldest  of  the  family  of  John  and  Cather- 
ine Maxwell,  natives  of  Ireland.  The  grandfather  of  our  subject  was  a 
native  of  England,  who  emigrated  to  Ireland,  and  thence,  in  1805,  to 
America,   where   he  settled  at    Germantown,    Columbia   County,    N.  Y. 


WASHINGTON  TOWNSHIP  AND  MARTINSVILLE.  197 

About  1813,  he  moved  to  Lebanon,  Ohio,  thence  to  Dearborn  County, 
Ind.,  and  finally,  in  1842,  to  Morgan  County,  where  death  laid  claim  to 
him.  He  was  by  trade  a  weaver,  and  that  was  his  life-long  business. 
His  family  comprised  seven  children — Robert,  James,  William,  Henry, 
Nancy,  Ellen  and  John.  John  Maxwell  was  born  in  County  Down,  Ire- 
land, July  24,  1805,  and  was  married  in  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  1837,  to 
Catherine  Graham,  born  in  1812.  After  marriage,  Mr.  Maxwell  located 
near  Lawrenceburg,  Ind.,  and  in  1838  moved  to  Morgan  County,  pur- 
chased land  and  settled  in  Washington  Township,  where  he  died  Febru- 
ary, 1872.  His  family  was  as  follows:  Susan  (deceased),  Jane  (deceased), 
Susanna,  John  (deceased),  Robert  F.,  Catherine  and  James  J.  James  J. 
Maxwell  was  educated  in  the  district  schools  in  part,  but  which  educa- 
tion he  completed  at  Cincinnati.  February  14,  1866,  in  this  county,  he 
married  Cynthia  A.,  daughter  of  John  and  Lucy  Hodges,  and  born  Jan- 
uary 18,  1848,  a  union  which  gave  being  to  eight  children — Josie,  Min- 
nie (deceased).  Otto  (deceased),  Franklin  R.,  Howard,  Nora  (deceased), 
Mittie  M.  and  Don.  Mr.  Maxwell  was  elected  to  the  Legislature  in 
1874,  H  position  which  he  filled  with  honor.  He  is  a  highly  respected 
citizen  and  a  member  of  the  Christian  Church. 

JAMES  H.  MAXWELL  is  a  native  of  Morgan  County,  Ind. ;  was 
born  February  6,  1855,  and  is  the  only  son  of  James  and  Eleanor  Max- 
well, natives  of  Dearborn  County,  Ind.  The  grandfather  of  our 
subject  was  a  native  of  Ireland,  who  at  an  early  day  emigrated  to  Amer- 
ica, and  reached  Dearborn  County,  whence,  in  1840,  he  moved  to  Morgan 
County,  where  he  died  in  1849,  aged  seventy-four  years.  James  Max- 
well, his  son,  was  born  in  Dearborn  County  September  26,  1810,  and 
there  married  to  Eleanor  Paden,  with  issue  of  the  following  children: 
Mary  J.  (deceased),  Martha,  Eliza  A.,  Nancy  E.  (deceased).  Prudence  M., 
Nancy  J.  and  James  H.  In  1839,  he  moved  to  Morgan  County,  and  died 
October  30,  1865.  Mrs.  Maxwell  is  still  living.  James  H.  Maxwell, 
since  the  death  of  his  father,  has  had  charge  of  the  homestead  farm, 
which  he  is  managing  in  addition  to  forty  acres  of  his  own.  He  is  a 
very  excellent  and  intelligent  young  gentleman,  yet  unmarried  and  a 
member  of  the  Christian  Church. 

WILLIAM  H.  MILLER,  hardware  merchant,  is  a  native  of  Shelby 
County,  Ind.,  and  was  born  December  10,  1840.  He  was  reared  in 
his  native  county,  and  there  remained  until  1873;  he  attended  the  high 
school  at  Shelbyville,  took  a  commercial  course  in  Bryant  &  Stratton's 
College,  and  afterward  engaged  in  teaching.  April  21,  1861,  he  enlisted 
for  three  months  and  afterward  served  almost  three  years  in  Company  D, 
Thirty-third  Indiana  Regiment;  was  later  transferred  to  Company  E, 
One  Hundred  and  Thirty-second  Indiana  Volunteer  Infantry,  and  took 
part  in  the  following  actions:  Philippi,  Laurel  Hill,  Cheat  River,  Wild 
Cat,  Thompson  Station,  Peach  Tree  Creek  and  the  Atlanta  campaign. 
He  was  discharged  September  7,  1864;  returned  to  Shelby  County;  was 
elected  County  Sui'veyor  in  1866,  and  re-elected  in  1868.  December  21, 
1864,  he  married  Miss  Marthena  Toner,  with  a  result  of  five  children — 
Laura  B.,  Albert  L.,  Alice,  Edgar  and  Mary  B.  At  this  time,  Mr.  Miller 
engaged  in  merchandising  and  dealing  in  grain,  which  he  continued 
until  1873,  when  he  removed  to  this  town  and  purchased  a  hardware 
store.  He  represents  himself  in  the  firm  of  J^Iiller  &  Co. ;  they  also  deal 
in  agricultural  implements,  have  some  $10,000  invested,  and  do  from 
$40,000  to  $50,000  per  year.  Mr.  Miller  is  a  Mason  and  an  Odd  Fellow; 
and  has,  besides  a  good  town  residence,  160  acres  in  Jasper  County,  111. 


198  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES: 

SAMUEL  M.  MITCHELL  was  born  in  Charlston,  Clarke  County, 
Ind.,  July  7,  1814.  His  parents,  Giles  and  Maiy  (Moore)  Mitchell,  were 
natives  of  Virginia  and  Kentucky  respectively,  and  were  married  in  1807 
in  Kentucky.  Three  years  later  they  came  to  Indiana,  and  settled  in 
Charleston,  where  there  was  but  a  fort  and  one  block -house.  He  followed 
his  trade  as  brick-layer  until  1820,  when  he  came  to  Bartholomew  County 
and  remained  until  1833,  removing  thence  to  Martinsville,  where  he  built 
the  first  court  house,  thus  continuing  at  his  trade  until  his  death,  which 
occurred  July  5,  1865.  The  mother  died  August  3,  1828.  Samuel  M. 
Mitchell  is  the  third  son  and  fourth  child  in  a  family  of  six  children. 
He  was  reared  in  Clarke  County  until  six  years  of  age;  then  removed  to 
Bartholomew  County,  where  he  remained  for  twelve  years.  He  then  came 
to  Martinsville,  and  entered  the  employ  of  his  brother,  a  dealer  in  gen- 
eral merchandise.  He  remained  with  him  one  year;  then  went  to  Salem, 
Ind.,  where  he  attended  school  for  one  year.  Thence  he  went  to  Madi- 
son, Ind. ,  and  afterward  was  appointed  second  clerk  of  the  "  Livingston,"  a 
steamboat  between  Cincinnati  and  New  Orleans.  He  returned  in  one 
year,  and  going  to  Martinsville  became  partner  of  his  brother  in  the 
general  merchandise  store,  and  continued  in  that  until  1867.  He  then 
sold  his  interest  and  formed  a  partnership  with  his  son  William  in  the 
same  business,  and  is  at  present  so  engaged,  enjoying  a  lucrative  busi- 
ness. In  June,  1867,  he  opened  a  private  loan  and  deposit  bank  in 
Martinsville,  which  is  still  flourishing.  In  1840,  he  was  married  to  Jane 
M.  Dietz,  daughter  of  David  Dietz,  a  citizen  of  Columbus,  Ind.  By  this 
union  there  were  two  children — William,  and  Mariah  J.  (deceased).  His 
wife  died  in  January,  1846,  and  in  December,  1849,  he  married  Mrs. 
Annie  Eslinger,  a  daughter  of  Jeremiah  Sandy,  a  citizen  of  Gosport.  By 
this  union  there  were  eight  children,  six  of  whom  are  living — Catharine, 
Dr.  Giles  S.  (now  of  Cincinnati),  Mary  E.,  Eobert  B.  (at  present  the 
Cashier  of  Mitchell's  Bank),  India  and  Anna.  Mr.  IMitchell  and  wife 
are  members  of  the  Christian  Church,  and  he  is  Republican. 

JAMES  V.  MITCHELL,  attorney  at  law,  is  a  native  of  this  county, 
born  October  15,  1842,  and  was  here  reared.  After  attending  the  pre- 
liminary schools  he  became  a  student  of  and  graduated  from  the  State 
University  at  Bloomington  in  1862,  after  which  he  began  the  study  of 
law  with  Messrs.  Barbour  &  Howland,  and  later  formed  a  partnership 
with  Alfred  Ennis,  but  is  now  a  member  of  the  firm  of  Mitchell  &  Cox. 
In  1863,  he  married,  in  Monroe  County,  Ind.,  Miss  Addie  Draper, 
daughter  of  Jesse  Draper;  she  died  November  7,  1869,  in  San  Jose,  Cal., 
leaving  two  children — May  Pearl  and  Dick  Draper.  April  26,  1871,  he 
wedded  his  second  wife,  Mrs.  Sallie  F.  Lawson.  INIr.  Mitchell  was  in 
early  life  a  Douglas  Democrat;  during  the  war, he  voted  with  the  Repub- 
licans, and  after  the  great  struggle  he  again  joined  the  Democratic  ranks. 
In  1868,  he  was  elected  to  the  Legislature  from  this  county  by  the  Re- 
publicans, and  was  the  only  member  of  that  party  who  voted  and  fought 
against  the  fifteenth  amendment.  In  1871,  he  was  elected  by  the  Legis- 
lature Trustee  of  the  Wabash  &  Erie  Canal.  Mr.  Mitchell  is  a  member 
of  the  Masonic  fraternity, 

JOHN  S.  NEWBY,  attorney  at  law,  of  the  firm  of  Adams  &  Newby, 
is  a  native  of  this  county,  of  which  he  is  also  a  citizen,  and  was  born 
December  20,  1848.  After  attending  the  general  schools  of  the  county, 
the  Mooresville  High  School  and  the  State  University  at  Bloomington, 
Ind.,  in  which  he  took  a  four  years'  course  and  from  which  he  graduated 


WASHINGTON  TOWNSHIP  AND  MARTINSVILLE.  199 

in  the  literary  department  as  B.  S.  in  1873,  and  in  the  law  department 
in  1874,  in  the  autumn  of  which  year  he  located  in  Martinsville  for  the 
practice  of  his  profession,  and  in  1877  he  made  a  partnership  with  Mr. 
Adams.  January  21,  1880,  be  married  in  Martinsville  Miss  Mary  Miller. 
Ml'.  Newby  is  a  Kepublican,  and  takes  deep  interest  in  the  success  of 
that  party.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic,  also  of  the  Phi  Gamma 
Delta,  college  fraternity,  and  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  He 
has  a  farm  of  120  acres  in  Section  28,  Washiugton  Township,  one-half 
mile  north  of  Martinsville,  and  likewise  a  pleasant  residence  in  the  town. 

WILLIAM  NICHOLSON  was  born  in  Salem  County,  N.  J.,  July 
20,  1830.  His  parents,  Isaac  and  Rebecca  (Fogg)  Nicholson,  natives  of 
Maryland  and  New  Jersey  respectively,  were  married  in  Philadelphia, 
and  shortly  afterward  removed  to  Salem  County,  N .  J. ,  where  the  father 
carried  on  the  manufacture  of  edged  tools  until  a  few  years  prior  to  his 
death  in  1868.  The  mother  died  in  1873.  William  Nicholson  is  the 
third  son  and  fourth  child  in  family,  and  was  reared  in  New  Jersey, 
where  he  obtained  a  good  education  in  the  schools  of  his  native  town. 
When  iifteen  years  of  age,  he  came  to  Milton,  Wayne  County,  Ind., 
where  he  learned  the  blacksmith's  trade  with  his  brother  John,  with 
whom  he  remained  for  three  years;  returning  thence  to  New  Jersey,  he 
followed  his  trade  until  1866,  when  he  began  the  study  of  dentistry  with 
his  brother  George,  and  one  year  later  purchased  the  business  of  his 
brother.  The  spring  of  1869,  he  removed  to  Wilson  County,  Kan.,  and 
practiced  dentistry  until  in  1875.  He  then  came  to  Indiana,  and  opened 
an  office  in  Xenia,  Miami  County,  where  he  remained  only  a  short  time. 
Removing  to  Plainfield,  he  engaged  in  his  practice  there,  and  in  1878, 
came  to  Morgan  County  and  opened  an  office  in  Mooresville,  where  he 
lived  until  June,  1882,  when  he  came  to  Martinsville  and  is  at  present 
here  engaged  very  successfully.  On  March  4,  1852,  he  was  married  to 
Emily  Sickler,  of  Salem,  N.  J.  They  had  five  children — William  S., 
Albert  A.,  Harriet  E.,  Anna  B.  (deceased)  and  an  infant.  His  wife  died 
August  20,  1866,  an  active  member  of  the  Baptist  Church.  On  May  15, 
1868,  he  married  to  Sallie  D.  Price,  daughter  of  Jacob  and  Mary  Price, 
of  Salem,  N.  J.  They  have  had  four  children — Mary  D.,Harry,  Fannie  and 
Frank  (deceased).  Mr.  Nicholson  is  a  member  of  the  K.  of  .H.,  Moores- 
ville Lodge,  No.  997;  in  politics,  he  is  a  Republican,  and  he  and  wife  are 
members  of  the  Christian  Church. 

JOHN  NUTTER  was  born  in  Fayette  County,  Ky.,  August  29,  1817, 
and  is  a  son  of  Hewitt  and  Susan  Nutter,  also  natives  of  Fayette  County, 
Ky.  Hewitt  Nutter,  a  son  of  Thomas  Nutter,  was  born  in  1785;  married 
in  Kentucky,  Susan  Talbott,  removed  to  Warrick  County,  Ind.,  in  1823, 
and  thence  in  1828  to  Morgan  County.  Mrs.  Nutter  died  in  1837,  after 
which  Mr.  Nutter  married  Catherine  Wilson,  and  died  February  26,  1846, 
the  father  of  seventeen  children — thirteen  by  his  first  and  four  by  his  last 
wife.  John  Nutter  came  with  his  parents  to  this  county,  where  he  has 
since  remained.  August  26,  1841,  he  married  Sarah  Wilson,  a  native  of 
Franklin  County,  and  daughter  of  Joel  Wilson,  who  emigrated  to  that 
county  in  1811.  This  union  was  graced  by  three  children — Harriet  A. 
(deceased),  Albert  H.  and  an  infant  unnamed.  After  his  marriage,  Mr. 
Nutter  located  on  a  farm  at  Indian  Creek,  and  in  1842  purchased  a 
boat  and  ferried  over  White  River  until  1849,  when  he  purchased  and 
occupied  his  present  farm.  He  began  life  unaided,  but  now  owns  over 
2,000  acres,  being  one  of  the  most  extensive  farmers  and  stock  dealers  in 
the  county. 


200  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

CLEMENT  H.  NUTTER  was  born  in  Fayette  County,  Ky.,  Decem- 
ber 7,  1820,  and  is  descended  from  Hewitt  and  Susan  (Talbott)  Nutter, 
also  natives  of  Fayette  County,  Ky.,  the  former  born  in  1785,  the  latter 
in  1787.  In  1823,  they  moved  to  Warrick  County,  Ind.,  and  thence  in 
1828  to  this  county,  where,  in  1837,  Mrs.  Nutter  died.  Mr.  Nutter  died 
in  1846,  having  previously  married  Catherine  Wilson.  His  family  was 
as  follows:  Ellen,  Rebecca,  Sarah,  John  (deceased),  Richard,  Edwin, 
John,  Cassandra,  Clement  H.,  Daniel  G.,  David,  William,  Thomas,  Mary 
A.,  Isaac  W.,  Robert  W.,  and  an  infant,  deceased.  Clement  H.  Nutter 
married  in  this  county,  November  13,  1846,  Julia  A.,  daughter  of  Will- 
iam H.  and  Julia  Craig,  and  born  in  this  county  February  15,  1831; 
she  died  February  13,  1866,  having  borne  a  family  of  six — Sarah  E., 
Mary  A.,  Emma  (deceased),  Walter  E.,  Hattie  and  William  (deceased). 
Mr.  Nutter  is  a  greatly  esteemed  gentleman,  and  a  consistent  member  of 
the  Christian  Church. 

ALBERT  H.  NUTTER  first  saw  the  light  of  this  world  in  Morgan 
County,  Ind.,  on  the  2d  day  of  May  and  of  the  year  1854.  He  is  a  son 
of  John  and  Sarah  Nutter,  and  a  young  man  of  uncommon  excellence 
and  much  promise.  September  2,  1875,  he  married  Miss  Charlotte  T., 
daughter  of  Thompson  and  Mary  J.  Hendricks,  and  a  native  of  this 
county,  having  been  born  August  29,  1858.  To  this  happy  union  have 
been  born  two  children— William  C.  and  Edith  E.  Mr.  Nutter  is  highly 
respected  in  his  community,  and  resides  on  one  of  the  farms  belonging 
to  his  father,  in  Section  21. 

HENRY  H.  OLDS,  proprietor  of  the  "Eureka  House,"  was  born  in 
this  county  June  6,  1840,  where  he  was  reared  and  has  made  a  home. 
George  W.  Olds,  father  of  our  subject,  was  born  in  Connecticut  Janu- 
ary 11,  1810.  He  came  early  to  this  county,  where  he  married,  June  6, 
1834,  Miss  Eliza  A.  Wall,  who  died  August  18,  1842,  leaving  two  chil- 
dren— William  (deceased)  and  Henry  H.  He  next  married,  August  10, 
1843,  Miss  Louisa  Rudicel,  which  union  gave  being  to  five  children- 
Harriet  E.,  Francis  A.  (deceased),  Charles  W.,  Lina  E.  and  Eliza  Ann 
(deceased).  Mr.  Olds  was  a  carpenter,  and  worked  many  years  thereat. 
He  built  the  first  steam  saw  and  grist  mills  in  the  town — the  former  in 
1848,  the  latter  in  1858.  In  July,  1861,  Henry  H.  Olds  enlisted  in  Com- 
pany K,  Twenty-first  Indiana  Volunteer  Infantry,  which  regiment  was 
assigned  to  the  Fifteenth  Army  Corps,  marching  to  Newport  News,  and 
thence  to  New  Orleans.  He  was  in  many  skirmishes,  and  was  wounded 
in  the  battle  of  Baton  Rouge,  which  wound  was  severe,  shattering  a  bone 
and  making  him  a  cripple.  He  served  three  years,  was  promoted  to  a 
First  Lieutenancy,  and  resigned  on  the  death  of  his  father.  February  20, 
1863,  he  man-ied  Sarah  Koons,  who  died  October  8,  1872,  the  mother  of 
three  children — Butler  (deceased)  William  A.  and  Perry.  He  next  mar- 
ried Mrs.  Alice  Raniez  November  23,  1873,  and  that  year  he  sold  his 
farm  interest,  moved  to  Martinsville,  worked  at  carpentering,  and  in 
1880  became  landlord  of  the  "Eureka  House."  Mr.  Olds  is  a  Free- 
mason, a  member  of  the  G.  A.  R.  and  a  Republican,  by  which  party  he 
was  elected,  November,  1882,  County  Recorder. 

WILLARD  E.  PARKS  was  born  in  Martinsville,  November  7,  1855. 
He  was  the  youngest  of  nine  children  born  to  Perminter  M.  Parks,  a  na- 
tive of  North  Carolina.  He  came  to  Indiana  when  seven  years  of  age, 
and  in  twenty-two  years  was  married  and  living  in  Martinsville  with  a 
family  growing  up  around  him.     He  was  quite  a  prominent  man  in  In- 


WASHINGTON  TOWNSHIP  AND  MARTINSVILLE.  201 

diana;  his  death  occurred  on  July  24,  1867,  in  his  sixtieth  year.  The 
subject  of  this  sketch  was  reared  in  Martinsville,  and  educated  in  the 
public  schools.  In  1873,  he  entered  Wabash  College  at  Crawfordsville, 
which  he  attended  for  one  year.  In  1875,  he  entered  Washington  and 
Lee  University  at  Lexington,  Ky.,  where  he  stayed  for  one  year.  In 
1874,  he  had  attended  the  Christian  University  at  Indianapolis  one  year. 
Shortly  after  he  was  through  college,  he  began  speculating,  and  is  so  en- 
gaged at  present.  On  December  4,  1879,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Fannie 
Henderson,  daughter  of  Ebenezer  Henderson,  of  Martinsville.  They 
have  two  children — Myra  and  Robin.  Mr.  Parks  is  a  member  of  the  K. 
of  P.  Anniversary  Lodge,  and  also  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F.,  Martinsville  Lodge, 
No.  274.     In  politics  he  is  Democratic. 

EATON  W.  PAXSON  was  born  in  Warren  County,  Ohio,  January 
13,  1854.  His  parents,  William  and  Margaret  (Shrack)  Paxson,  natives  of 
Virginia  and  Pennsylvania  respectively,  and  of  Scotch,  Irish  and  Grerman 
extraction,  were  married  in  Warren  County,  Ohio,  in  3853.  Thence, 
three  years  later,  they  removed  to  Greene  Township,  Morgan  Co.,  Ind., 
and  located  on  a  farm  of  160  acres,  to  which  the  father  added  122  acres 
before  his  death,  which  occurred  June  26, 1883.  The  mother  is  now  liv- 
ing on  the  home  farm,  seventy-two  years  of  age.  Eaton  W.  Paxson  is 
the  elder  of  two  sons,  and  was  reared  in  Green  Township,  Morgan 
County,  where  he  received  a  good  education.  When  twenty  years  of 
age,  he  began  teaching  school.  His  first  two  years  he  taught  in  Green 
Township.  He  then  entered  Valparaiso  Normal  College,  and  three  years 
later  graduated.  Ho  is  also  a  graduate  of  the  commercial  course  there. 
After  this  time  until  June,  1881,  he  farmed  and  taught  school.  He  was 
then  elected  County  Superintendent  on  the  Democratic  ticket,  and  in 
1883,  having  faithf  ally  served  his  term  of  o£&ce,  he  was  re-elected  and  at 
present  is  in  discharge  of  the  duties  devolving  upon  him.  Mr.  Paxson  is 
a  member  of  the  A.  F.  &  A.  M.,  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F.  and  also  of  the  En- 
campment. In  September,  1875,  he  was  united  in  marriage  to  Mary  E. 
Koons,  a  native  of  Morgan  County,  and  a  daughter  of  James  and  Rebecca 
Koons,  respected  pioneei's  of  Morgan  County. 

VAN  B.  PEARCY  was  born  in  Johnson  County,  Ind.,  September 
15,  1843,  and  is  one  of  the  thirteen  children  of  Henry  and  Lovina  Pearcy, 
natives  of  Kentucky  and  Indiana  respectively.  The  grandfather  of  our 
subject,  Robert  Pearcy,  was  a  native  of  Kentucky,  where  he  married. 
Subsequently  he  removed  to  Jennings  County,  Ind.,  where  he  died  about 
1852.  He  was  twice  married  and  reared  a  large  family.  Henry  Pearcy 
was  the  eldest  of  his  father's  family.  He  was  born  July  24,  1815,  and 
after  coming  to  Jennings  County  married  Miss  Lovina  Whitsitt,  then 
moved  to  Johnson  County,  and  in  the  spring  of  1847  to  Morgan  County, 
where  he  closed  his  life.  His  children  were  by  names — Jacob,  Robert, 
John,  George,  Van  B.,  Mary,  Martha,  Charity,  Harriet,  William,  Joseph, 
Nancy  and  Hiram  T.  Van  B.  Pearcy,  our  subject,  married  November  9, 
1865,  Miss  Caroline,  daughter  of  Charles  and  Louisa  Hess,  and  a  native 
of  this  county,  born  August  22,  1844.  Shortly  after  marriage,  Mr.  Pearcy 
moved  to  Crawford  County,  111.,  and  remained  until  1867,  when  he  re- 
moved to  this  county,  and  located  on  a  good  farm  of  139  acres,  all  well 
improved.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Pearcy  have  had  seven  children — George  R. 
(deceased),  Charles  H.,  John  W.,  Wilford  B.,  Annettie,  Robert  and  an 
infant  daughter  (deceased). 


202  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

FRANCIS  p.  A.  PHELPS,  attorney  at  law,  was  bom  in  Jackson 
County,  Ind. ,  December  4.  1822.  His  parents,  Geoige  A.  and  Rebecca 
Phelps,  removed  to  this  county  in  1824,  shortly  after  its  organization, 
and  settled  on  what  was  subsequently  the  site  of  Brooklyn.  In  1826, 
Mr.  Phelps  was  elected  Sheriff,  the  second  person  who  held  that  office, 
and  removed  to  Martinsville.  In  1828,  he  was  elected  Clerk  of  the  county, 
the  second  incumbent  of  that  office,  which  position  he  held  at  his  death, 
February  25,  1833,  aged  thirty-six.  He  served  as  Drum  Major  of  a  Bal- 
timore regiment  in  the  war  of  1812;  his  wife  survived  him  until 
February  25,  1863,  and,  strangely  true!  died  on  the  same  day  and 
month  thirty  years  afterward.  They  were  the  parents  of  five  chil- 
dren, two  of  whom  are  living  and  reside  in  Martinsville.  Francis  P.  A. 
had  but  meager  facilities  for  education  in  boyhood,  yet  later  attended  two 
sessions  at  the  county  seminary.  At  the  age  of  twenty-one,  he  served  as 
Deputy  Sheriff,  with  full  management  of  the  office.  In  1846,  he  was 
elected  Sheriff,  re-elected  in  1848,  and  on  October  21  of  that  year  mar- 
ried Miss  Eleanor  E.  Tull;  they  have  seven  children — Zerilda,  Tull,  Al- 
len H.,  Francis  P.  A.,  William  C,  Eleanor  E.  and  Thursa  R.  After  this 
time,  Mr.  Phelps  engaged  in  the  drug  business  at  Martinsville  for  five 
years,  during  which  he  studied  law,  engaged  in  its  practice  in  1857,  and 
in  February,  1883,  was  appointed  Prosecuting  Attorney  for  this  district. 
He  was  a  Whig,  is  a  Republican,  and  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church.     He  has  a  good  residence  in  town,  and  220  acres  adjacent. 

TULL  PHELPS,  eldest  son  and  second  child  of  F.  P.  A.  Phelps, 
was  born  January  26,  1851,  in  Martinsville,  where  he  was  reared  and 
educated.  When  nineteen  years  of  age,  he  went  into  the  employ  of  N. 
T.  Cunningham,  a  general  merchandise  merchant  of  Martinsville,  and  re- 
mained with  him  for  about  one  year.  He  then  attended  Bryant  & 
Stratton's  Commercial  College  at  Indianapolis,  where  he  took  a  course  in 
book-keeping.  Returning  to  Martinsville,  he  began  the  study  of  law  with 
his  father,  which  he  continued  for  some  time,  afterward  being  again  em- 
ployed by  the  same  firm,  in  which  he  had  formerly  been  as  book-keeper. 
In  1875,  he  took  an  intere.st  in  this  business,  and  it  was  continued  under 
the  firm  name  of  N.  T.  Cunningham  &  Co.  for  five  years,  when  a  third 
interest  was  purchased.  The  business  has  since  then  been  conducted 
under  the  firm  name  of  Cunningham,  Bollinger  &  Phelps,  and  is  in 
a  flourishing  condition.  Mr.  Phelps  was  married  December  20,  1876,  to 
Lina  E.  Olds,  daughter  of  George  Olds,  a  pioneer  of  Morgan  County,  the 
Rev.  W.  T.  Furgeson  performing  the  ceremony.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Phelps 
are  identified  with  the  Presbyterian  Church,  and  Mr.  Phelps  is  a  prom- 
inent member  of  the  Republican  party. 

JAMES  PRATHER,  Sr.  ,  was  born  in  Fleming  County,  Ky. ,  August 
4,  1806,  and  is  the  eldest  of  the  family  of  Basil  and  Mary  (George) 
Prather,  natives  respectively  of  Virginia  and  North  Carolina,  the  former 
born  in  1785,  the  latter  in  1784.  They  were  married  in  Kentucky,  and 
remained  there  until  1817,  when  they  moved  to  Jackson  County,  Ind., 
where  Mrs.  Prather  died  in  1839.  Subsequently,  Mr.  Prather  married  a 
Mrs.  Dobson,  and  died  in  1874,  the  father  of  six  children — Susan,  Mar- 
garet, Thomas,  Elizabeth,  Jane  and  James.  February  6,  1824,  in  Jackson 
County,  Ind.,  James  Prather  married  Josephine  Hagard,  born  January 
1,  1808.  In  1834,  he  moved  to  Morgan  County,  where  Mrs.  Prather  died 
August  16,  1846,  and  March  5,  1847,  he  married  Mrs.  Almira  Taylor, 
widow   of   Simeon    Taylor,   a  native  of    Plymouth  County,  Mass.     Mr. 


WASHINGTON  TOWNSHIP  AND  MARTINSVILLE.  203 

Prather  has  been  the  parent  of  twelve  children — John,  Martha,  Mary, 
Judith,  Basil,  Thomas,  James,  William,  Edward,  Elizabeth  and  two  that 
died  in  infancy, 

JOHN  FEATHER  is  a  native  of  Morgan  County,  Ind.,  was  born 
October  10,  1849,  and  is  a  son  of  James  H.  and  Susan  (Townsend) 
Prather,  both  natives  of  Indiana,  the  former  born  in  1817,  the  latter  in 
1815.  They  were  married  in  Morgan  County,  where  Mr.  Prather  died  in 
1879,  and  where  Mrs.  Prather  now  resides  on  the  homestead.  Their 
family  consisted  of  William  E.,  Hannah,  Robert,  Julia  A.  (deceased), 
John,  George,  Jennie,  Amanda  and  Joseph.  Our  subject,  John  Prather, 
married,  l^'ebruary  27,  1876,  in  this  county,  Mary  E.,  daughter  of  Henry 
and  Jane  Remer,  and  born  February  10,  1856.  The  issue  of  this  union 
was  two  children — Emma  J.  and  James  M.  Mr.  Prather  resides  at  Ma- 
halasville,  where  he  is  proprietor  of  fifty  acres  of  superior  land.  He  is 
now  engaged  in  the  lumber  business,  and  is  a  reputable  citizen. 

WILLIAM  Y.  PRATT  was  born  in  Henry  County,  Va.,  June  3,  1834 
His  parents,  James  A.  and  Leanna  (Lake)  Pratt,  natives  of  Virginia,  and 
of  Irish  and  German  descent  respectively,  were  married  in  Henry  County 
in  1832,  where  the  father  followed  his  trade  as  blacksmith  until  1836, 
when  he  came  to  Indiana,  and  located  in  Morgan  County.  He  worked  at 
his  trade  a  number  of  years  and  then  began  farming,  which  he  continued 
until  January,  1879,  when  he  died.  The  mother  died  in  March,  1850. 
William  Pratt  is  the  eldest  child  in  a  family  of  six  children,  and  was 
reared  in  Jackson  Township,  Morgan  County,  where  he  obtained  the  ru- 
diments of  a  good  education.  When  twenty-two  years  of  age,  he  began 
learning  the  carpenter's  trade  with  E.  Hilton,  and  worked  with  him  for 
four  years.  He  then  moved  to  Martinsville  and  formed  a  partnership 
with  Alfred  Carver,  and  carried  on  the  carpentering  business  with  him  for 
three  years.  In  1876,  he  was  elected  Justice  of  the  Peace  of  Washington 
Township  for  four  years,  at  the  expiration  of  which  time  he  was  re-elected, 
and  at  present  is  in  the  discharge  of  the  duties  of  that  ofiice.  In  April, 
1857,  he  was  married  in  Johnson  County,  Ind.,  to  Lydia  C.  Winchester, 
daughter  of  Jordon  Winchester,  a  citizen  of  Johnson  County.  By  this 
union  there  were  four  children — Meliuda  J.,  George  N.,  James  (deceased), 
and  Joe.  Mr.  Pratt  is  a  member  of  the  K.  of  P.  Lodge,  No.  89,  and  he 
and  wife  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Church.  In  politics,  he  is  a  Re- 
publican. 

JOHN  F.  RAY,  Justice  of  the  Peace,  is  a  native  of  Wayne  County, 
Ky.,  was  born  January  26,  1830,  and  is  a  son  of  James  and  Polly  Ray, 
who  in  that  year  removed  to  Bloomington,  Ind.,  and  in  1831  to  Washing- 
ton Township.  James  Ray  was  a  carpenter,  and  for  many  years  labored 
as  such,  and  died  in  March,  1875;  Mrs.  Polly  Ray  is  still  living.  John  F. 
Ray  learned  the  trade  of  a  carpenter  under  his  father,  and  followed  the 
same  for  a  long  time.  He  served  as  Deputy  Clerk  of  this  county  from 
1852  to  1856,  in  which  year  he  went  to  Kentucky,  and  on  May  29  mar- 
ried Miss  Angeline  Bogle.  He  remained  there  until  1863,  when  he  came 
again  to  Martinsville.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ray  are  parents  of  five  children, 
namely,  James  D.,  Delia  V.,  Jennie,  John  B.  and  Eddie.  In  1872,  Mr. 
Ray  was  appointed  Deputy  Auditor,  as  which  he  served  about  two  years. 
He  is  politically  a  Democrat,  and  was  elected  in  1880  a  Justice  of  the 
Peace  for  a  four  years'  term. 

FELIX  A.  REINHART,  Justice  of  the  Peace,  is  a  native  of  Lincoln 
County,  N.  C. ;  was  born  August   17,  1815,  and  is  a  son  of  John  C.  and 


204  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

Elizabeth  L.  Reinhart.  Felix  was  reared  in  that  county,  with  the  ordinary- 
advantages  for  education,  and  there  married,  October  1,  1835,  Miss  Mary 
Havner,  after  which  he  engaged  in  farming,  and  in  1838  emigrated  to 
Morgan  County,  Ind. ,  where  he  also  engaged  in  farming,  and  continued 
the  same  since,  except  1854-55,  during  which  years  he  acted  as  hotel- 
keeper.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Odd  Fellows  of  Indiana. 
He  is  politically  a  Republican;  was  appointed  to  till  a  vacancy  as  Justice 
of  the  Peace,  and  was  afterward  elected  to  the  position;  he  has  also 
served  as  Deputy  Sheriff  of  the  county.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Reinhart  have 
had  born  to  them  a  family  of  seven  children,  of  which  number  four  are 
yet  living — Lewis  A.,  John  C,  George  W.  and  Felix  A.  He  and  wife 
are  members  of  the  Christian  Church. 

CAPT.  FLETCHER  D.  RUNDELL,  born  January  5,  1839,  in  Rich- 
land County,  Ohio,  is  the  tifth  son  and  seventh  child  of  Hiram  R.  and 
Mercy  (Wyatt)  Rundell,  natives  of  New  York,  and  of  English  and  French 
descent.  His  parents  were  married  in  New  York,  whence  they  moved  to 
a  farm  in  Richland  County,  Ohio,  and  lived  until  1842,  when  they  came 
to  Indiana.  They  entered  eighty  acres  of  land  in  Green  Township,  Mor- 
gan County,  which  they  continued  to  improve  for  several  years.  In  1850, 
they  removed  to  a  farm  near  Morgantown,  where,  in  November  of  the 
same  year,  the  father's  death  occurred.  The  mother  still  lives  in  Morgan 
County.  Capt.  Rundell  was  reared  at  home  until  after  his  father's  deaths 
and  he  was  then  employed  to  help  on  a  farm  in  the  immediate  neighbor- 
hood. He  kept  this  situation  until  in  1860,  when  he  began  learning  the 
carpenter's  trade  in  Morgantown,  continuing  until  1861.  He  enlisted  in 
April,  1861,  in  Company  K,  Seventh  Indiana  Volunteers,  under  Capt.  J. 
K.  Scott,  and  on  September  12,  1861,  he  enlisted  in  the  three  years^ 
service  in  Company  G,  Twenty-seventh  Indiana  Volunteers,  under  Capt, 
J.  R.  Fessler.  He  served  nearly  four  years,  and  took  part  in  the  follow- 
ing engagements:  Philippi,  Laurel  Hill,  Carrick's  Ford,  Antietam, 
Chancellorsville,  Gettysburg,  Atlanta,  and  a  large  number  of  smaller 
engagements.  After  the  battle  of  Antietam,  he  was  promoted  to  Second 
Lieutenant.  April  5,  1863,  he  was  promoted  to  First  Lieutenant  for 
meritorious  conduct,  and  soon  after  to  the  rank  of  Captain.  He  received 
an  honorable  discharge  November  4, 1864,  and  returning  to  Morgantown 
was  soon  afterward  married  to  America  A.  Holman,  daughter  of  William 
P.  Holman,  of  Morgan  County.  By  this  union  there  was  one  child, 
Chester  Q.  His  wife  died  August  12,  1867.  On  June  17,  1870,  he  mar- 
ried Mary  A.  Moran,  daughter  of  John  Moran,  an  old  citizen  of  Martins- 
ville, They  have  one  child,  Eunice  May,  In  1867,  the  Captain  came  to 
Martinsville,  and  has  since  resided  there,  engaged  in  carpentering.  He 
is  a  Past  Chancellor  of  the  Knights  of  Pythias,  and  is  politically  a  Re- 
publican; and  he  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Church. 

ALFRED  W.  SCOTT  is  a  native  of  Fayette  County,  Ind.,  having 
been  born  on  the  8th  of  November,  1856.  He  was  reared  on  a  farm  near 
Connersville,  in  this  State,  and  attended  the  common  schools  of  his 
county,  an  academy  at  Spiceland,  and  later  the  State  University  at 
Bloomington,  from  which  he  graduated,  after  a  four  years'  course,  in 
1881,  Previous  to  his  collegiate  course,  he  had  studied  law  at  Indian- 
apolis. In  1881, he  came  to  Martinsville  and  engaged  in  the  practice  of 
the  legal  profession.  Recently, he  formed  a  partnership  with  Mr.  Phelps, 
and  is  now  Deputy  Prosecuting  Attorney  for  this  judicial  district.  In 
politics,  he  is  an  earnest  and  active  Republican;  he  is  also  a  member  of 
the  L  O.  O.  F, 


WASHINGTON  TOWNSHIP  AND  MARTINSVILLE.  205 

ISAAC  D.  SHEPPARD  was  born  October  30,  1811,  in  Cumberland 
County,  N.  J.  His  parents,  Harvey  and  Amelia  (Davis)  Shep- 
pard,  natives  of  New  Jersey,  came  to  Indiana  in  1818,  and  located  near 
Madison,  removing  thence,  in  1834,  to  Martinsville,  Morgan  County,  Ind., 
where,  in  1852,  the  father  died.  The  mother  died  in  1880,  in  Franklin, 
Ind.  Isaac  D.  Sheppard  is  the  eldest  in  a  family  of  five  children,  and  was 
reai'ed  on  a  farm  near  Madison,  Ind.  He  received  his  education  in  the- 
district  schools  in  the  neighborhood,  and  when  fifteen  years  of  age  began 
to  learn  harness-making  in  Madison.  After  five  and  a  half  years  of  serv- 
ice, he  worked  in  various  places  until  1834,  when  he  came  to  Martins- 
ville. He  here  opened  a  harness  shop,  and  at  the  present  time  is  doing 
a  successful  business.  Mr.  Sheppard  is  a  member  of  the  Republican 
party.  He  was  married,  in  September,  1836,  to  Thiirza  Tull,  of  Martins- 
ville, and  he  and  wife  are  identified  with  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church, 
and  are  active  workers  in  its  cause.  By  their  union  they  have  three  chil- 
dren— William,  James  and  Letitia. 

JAMES  S.  SHEPPARD  is  the  second  son  and  child  of  Isaac  D.  and 
Thurza  (Hess)  Sheppard,  natives  of  New  Jersey  and  Kentucky  respect- 
ively. He  was  born  November  11,  1839,  in  Martinsville,  Moi-gan 
County,  Ind.  James  Sheppard  was  reared  in  Martinsville,  where  he  ob- 
tained a  good  English  education.  When  thirteen  years  of  age,  he  en- 
tered his  father's  harness  shop  and  began  learning  the  trade,  at  which 
he  worked  until  June  16,  1862,  when  he  enlisted  in  Company  C,  Six- 
teenth Indiana  Volunteers,  under  Capt.  Paul  J.  Beachbard.  He 
served  more  than  three  years,  participating  in  the  battles  at  Richmond, 
Ky.,  Arkansas  Post,  siege  of  Vicksburg  (Red  River  campaign), 
Black  River,  Sabine  Cross  Roads,  and  some  few  others.  After  the  close 
of  the  war,  he  returned  to  his  home,  where  he  resumed  his  trade,  which, 
in  1875,  he  gave  up,  becoming  a  partner  of  N.  T.  Cunningham,  of  Mar- 
tinsville, in  the  general  merchandise  business.  He  continued  in  the 
business  for  five  years,  when,  his  health  failing,  he  sold  his  interest  and 
retired  from  business  for  one  year.  In  January,  1881,  he  became  agent 
for  pianos  and  organs  in  Martinsville,  and  at  present  is  so  engaged  very 
successfully.  On  September  19,  1867,  he  was  married  to  Lydia  S.  Me- 
ginnis,  a  daughter  of  the  Rev.  William  Meginnis, '  one  of  the  oldest 
Methodist  ministers  in  the  Indiana  conference.  By  this  union  there  are 
two  children — Harry  A.  and  Lulie  A.  Mr.  Sheppard  is  a  member  of  the 
I.  O.  O.  F.  Lodge,  No.  274,  and  also  of  the  G.  A.  R.  Politically,  he  is 
a  Republican. 

JOHN  SHEERER  is  a  native  of  Morgan  County,  Ind.,  was  born 
November  15,  1838,  and  is  the  son  of  Joseph  and  Phebe  Sheerer,  both 
natives  of  Ireland,  who  were  brought  to  America  when  very  young. 
They  were  married  in  W^ashington  County,  ]\Id.,  April  30,  1837,  and 
the  same  year  moved  to  Morgan  County,  Ind. ,  and  settled  near  Mar- 
tinsville, where  Mr.  Sheerer  was  killed  by  the  limb  of  a  tree  falling  upon 
him  March  29,  1842.  Mrs.  Sheerer  subsequently  married  a  Mr.  Thomas 
McClure,  with  whom  she  moved  to  Martinsville  for  a  time,  and  then  re- 
turned to  her  present  abode;  Mr.  McClure  died  January  11,  1867.  Mrs. 
McClure  is  the  mother  of  eight  children,  two  by  her  former  husband^. 
John,  and  Robert  (deceased),  and  six  by  her  latter  husband — Nancy  A. 
(deceased),  Lida,  Isabel  W.,  Francis,  Martha  A.  and  Thomas.  John 
Sheerer,  our  subject,  was  married  in  this  county,  May  17,  1872,  to  Maria 
J.   Morbley,  and  afterward  settled  on  the  old  homestead,  which  is  still 


206  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES: 

his  home.  This  wife  died  October  15,  1872,  and  March  16,  1879,  Mr. 
Sheerer  wedded  Sarah  Stewart.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Sheerer  have  no  family, 
but  have  a  good  home  of  180  acres  of  excellent  land. 

ABEL  P.  SHIELDS  was  born  in  Bartholomew  County,  Ind.,  October 
8,  1842.  His  parents,  Samuel  and  Elizabeth  (Roberts)  Shields,  natives 
of  North  Corolina  and  Indiana  respectively,  were  married  in  Indiana  in 
1838,  and  located  on  a  farm  near  Columbus,  Ind.,  where  they  lived  until 
their  deaths — the  mother's  occurring  in  1859,  the  father's  in  1875.  Abel 
P.  is  the  second  son  and  child  in  a  family  of  five  children,  and  was  reared 
in  Bartholomew  County  until  twenty  years  of  age,  when  he  enlisted  in 
Company  D,  Sixty-seventh  Indiana  Volunteers,  under  Capt.  Abbott. 
He  served  for  two  years,  and  took  part  at  Mun ford vi lie  (where  he  was 
captured,  and  soon  after  paroled,  then  discharged),  Yazoo  Swamps  (near 
Vicksburg),  Arkansas  Post,  Yicksburg,  the  battle  between  Alexandria  and 
Brashear  City  (where  he  with  his  regiment  was  captured;  after  remaining 
in  prison  for  thirteen  days  he  escaped,  and  finally  reached  his  own  line). 
Cross  Roads,  Plainfield  and  the  entire  Red  River  campaign.  In  July, 
1864,  he  received  an  honorable  discharge  at  Baton  Rouge,  La.,  and  re- 
turned to  his  home,  where  he  commenced  work  on  his  father's  farm,  re- 
maining about  two  years.  On  February  25,  1865,  he  was  married  to 
Margaret  Davis,  daughter  of  Enoch  Davis,  a  eitizen  of  Brown  County. 
They  have  one  child — Elizabeth  Luella.  After  his  marriage,  he  farmed 
for  eight  years,  and  then  went  to  Edinburg,  Ind.,  where  he  acted  for  two 
years  as  agent  for  the  Singer  Sewing  Machine  Company.  He  soon  after- 
ward came  to  Martinsville  and  acted  in  the  same  capacity  until  February, 
1882,  when  he  purchased  the  Red  Cloud  Saloon,  which  he  is  now  running. 
He  is  a  Democrat. 

MAXVILLE  SHIREMAN  is  a  son  of  Michael  and  Elizabeth  (Shuf- 
ford)  Shireman,  and  was  born  in  Lincoln  County,  N.  C,  November  2, 
1821.  In  1835,  his  parents  removed  to  Morgan  County,  Ind.,  where  Max- 
ville  grew  to  manhood.  March  6,  1846,  he  married  Miss  Sarah,  daughter 
of  Archibald  and  Margaret  Cramer.  After  his  marriage,  he  settled  on  the 
farm  which  is  now  his  home,  and  which  he  has  improved  to  be  a  good 
property,  embracing  a  territory  of  317  acres  of  superior  land.  Mr. 
Shireman  is  an  honorable  and  esteemed  citizen,  and  the  parent  of  thirteen 
children — Emeline,  Henry,  Archibald,  Mahala,  Lewis,  Andrew,  James, 
Margaret,  Robert,  Edward,  Dayton,  Harry  and  one  unnamed. 

HENRY  SHIREMAN,  Sr.,  is  a  native  of  Lincoln  County,  N.  C, 
was  born  December  18,  1823,  and  is  a  son  of  Michael  and  Elizabeth 
(Shufford)  Shireman,  both  natives  of  North  Carolina — the  former  born  in 
1783,  the  latter  in  1789.  They  were  married  in  Lincoln  County,  and  in 
1835  emigrated  to  Morgan  County,  Ind.,  where  they  made  a  local  habi- 
tation. Mrs.  Shireman  died  March  31,  1846,  after  which  Mr.  Shireman 
married  Catherine  Clodfelter,  and  died  in  Washington  Township,  the 
father  of  the  following  family:  Polly,  Anna,  Barbara,  Daniel,  Elizabeth, 
Rhoda,  Maxville,  Catherine,  Michael,  Susan,  John  S.  and  Henry.  Our 
subject,  Henry  Shireman,  on  the  13th  of  April,  1854,  married  Miss  Maria, 
a  daughter  of  Isaac  and  Lydia  Deturk.  After  his  marriage,  Mr.  Shire- 
man purchased  and  located  on  the  farm  he  yet  holds.  He  is  now  owner 
of  more  than  500  acres  of  land,  and  is  comfortably  and  independently 
situated.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Shireman  have  been  the  parents  of  ten  children 
— Mary  E.,  Louisa  A.,  William  A.,  Ellen  A.,  Isaac  (deceased),  Charles  E., 
Harriet  C,  Maxville,  Flora  B.  and  Eugene  C. 


WASHINGTON  TOWNSHIP  AND  MARTINSVILLE.  207 

HENRY  SHIREMAN,  Jr.,  is  a  native  of  Morgan  County,  Ind. ;  was 
born  November  13,  1849,  and  is  one  of  the  thirteen  children  born  to 
Maxville  and  Sarah  Shireman,  of  this  county.  October  28,  1874,  he 
married  Margaret,  daughter  of  John  and  Martha  Rothwell,  and  a  native 
of  this  county,  horn  December  3,  1856.  In  1876,  Mr.  Shireman  moved 
to  the  farm  he  now  occupies.  He  is  a  very  promising  young  man,  greatly 
esteemed  and  liberally  educated,  having  taught  successfully  six  succes- 
sive terms  of  school.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Shireman  are  the  parents  of  four 
children — Frederick,  Martha,  Sarah  and  an  infant  son,  which  died  before 
receiving  a  name.  Mr.  Shireman  is  a  member  of  the  order  of  Odd 
Fellows. 

ABRAHAM  SIMMS  is  a  native  of  Surrey  County,  N.  C,  was  born 
April  29,  1820,  and  was  the  third  of  the  family  of  John  and  Frances 
Simms,  both  natives  of  North  Carolina,  the  former  born  August  8,  1793, 
the  latter  May  18,  1784.  They  were  married  in  Surrey  County  October 
27,  1814;  in  1832,  moved  to  Shelby  County,  Ky.,  and,  in  1833,  to  Hen- 
dricks County,  Ind.,  and  one  year  later  to  Morgan  County,  locating  on 
the  identical  farm  now  occupied  by  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  where 
they  both  closed  their  lives,  he  August  22,  1837,  and  she  September  3, 
1854.  They  reared  a  family  of  five — Cyrus,  Elizabeth,  Matthew,  Nim- 
rod  and  Abraham.  Abraham  Simms  came  with  his  parents  to  this  county 
in  1834,  where  he  grew  to  manhood  and  married,  March  29,  1843,  Miss 
Ellen,  daughter  of  Daniel  and  Sophia  Graver,  who  died  April  15,  1877, 
having  been  the  mother  of  five  children — Sarah  J.  (deceased),  Catherine, 
Sophia,  Susanna  and  George  W.  Mr.  Simms  is  sole  owner  of  the  home- 
stead created  by  his  father;  he  is  a  member  of  the  Baptist  Church,  an 
excellent  man  and  a  respected  citizen. 

HENRY  A.  SMOCK,  attorney  at  law,  is  a  native  of  Marion  County, 
Ind.,  was  born  October  11,  1847,  and  is  a  son  of  Abraham  V.  and  Re- 
becca J.  (Brenton)  Smock,  the  former  a  native  of  Kentucky.  Henry  was 
reared  in  Iowa,  whither  his  parents  had  removed,  and  where  they  after- 
ward died.  After  working  on  a  farm  he  learned  the  trade  of  a  printer, 
at  which  he  was  employed  in  several  large  cities  before  coming,  in  1870, 
to  Martinsville,  where  he  worked  in  the  Republican  office,  then  purchased 
a  half  interest  therein,  continued  until  1874,  when  he  sold  said  interest 
to  considerable  advantage  after  he  had  raised  the  paper  to  be  a  first-class 
one.  November  11,  1873,  he  married  Miss  Dora  T.  Barnard,  and  they 
have  had  born  to  them  three  children — Thomas  B.,  Mary  I.  (deceased) 
and  Antoinette.  In  1875,  Mr.  Smock  began  the  study  of  law,  and  was 
admitted  to  the  bar  in  1880,  forming  a  partnership  with  Mr.  Ferguson; 
they  are  doing  a  good  practice.  Mr.  Smock  also  manages  the  real  estate 
of  the  Northwestern  Life  Insurance  Company.  He  is  an  active  Repub- 
lican, and  has  sei'ved  as  Secretary  of  the  Central  Committee  of  this 
county  since  1880.  Mr.  Smock  is  a  Knight  of  Pythias,  and  owner  of  a 
good  farm  five  miles  north  of  town. 

THOMAS  M.  SOMERVILLE,  a  native  of  Indiana,  was  born  in 
Ripley  County  March  30,  1841.  His  parents,  Thomas  W.  and  Sarah 
(McCreery)  Somerville,  natives  of  Pennsylvania  and  Ireland  respectively, 
were  married  in  Versailles,  Ripley  County,  and  shoi'tly  afterward  settled 
in  Pennsylvaniaburg,  where  the  father  farmed,  and  has  since  resided. 
He  is  sixty-seven  years  of  age.  His  wife  is  sixty-four  years  old. 
Thomas  M.  is  the  eldest  son  and  second  child  in  a  family  of  five.  He 
was  reared  and  educated  in  his  native  county.     When  twenty  years  of 


208  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

age,  he  enlisted  in  Company  D,  Sixteenth  Indiana  Volunteer  Infantry, 
under  Capt.  J.  C.  McQuistine.  After  his  return  from  the  war,  he  entered 
the  employ  of  the  I.  C.  &  L.  E.  R.  Company  asbrakeman  for  three  months, 
and  was  then  promoted  to  conductor.  He  remained  in  this  capacity 
until  1872,  when  he  was  put  in  charge  of  the  yards  of  the  same  com- 
pany at  Indianapolis.  After  two  years  in  this,  he  again  took  charge  of 
a  train  as  conductor.  On  February  14,  1881,  he  was  appointed  General 
Manager  of  the  F.  F.  &  M.  R.  R.,  which  position  he  has  since  filled.  He 
was  married  in  Versailles,  Ripley  County,  to  Maggie  Mathes,  daughter  of 
Andrew  Mathes,  a  citizen  of  Dearborn  County.  By  this  union  there  are 
three  children — Flora  E  ,  Melville  D.,  Elmer  W.  Mr.  Somerville  is  a 
member  of  the  A.,  F.  &  A.  M.,  Lawrenceburg  Lodge,  No.  21;  of  the  I. 
O.  R.  M.,  Red  Cloud  Tribe,  No.  18,  at  Indianapolis.  Is  a  Republican, 
and  he  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Baptist  Chui'ch. 

JESSE  R.  STARKEY,  second  son  and  third  child  in  a  family  of 
nine  children,  was  born  August  12,  1849,  in  Madison  County,  111.  His 
parents,  Joel  W.  and  Jane  C.  (Hagerman)  Starkey,  natives  of  Illinois 
and  Indiana  respectively,  were  married  in  Illinois  in  1844,  and  located 
on  a  farm  in  Madison  County,  where  they  lived  until  1869.  Removing 
thence  to  a  farm  in  Logan  County,  they  have  since  resided  there.  Jesse 
Starkey  was  reared  and  educated  in  his  native  county.  When  he  was 
twenty  years  of  age,  he  entered  Lincoln  University  at  Lincoln,  111.,  from 
which  he  graduated  in  1874  after  four  years  of  hard  study.  During  the 
winter  following  (1874-75),  he  was  Principal  of  the  schools  at  Broad- 
well,  111.*,  and  during  the  two  succeeding  winters  taught  select  school  in 
Boyle  County,  Ky.  In  the  fail  of  1876,  he  took  the  Princi])alship  of  the 
Martinsville  Schools,  where  he  at  present  resides.  On  December  21, 
1876,  he  was  married  to  Phibbie  H.  Caldwell,  daughter  of  R.  H.  Cald- 
"well,  a  resident  of  Boyle  County,  Ky.  By  this  union  there  have  been 
iour  children — Lucy  C.  (deceased),  Ella,  Horace  L.  and  Russell  I.  Mr. 
Starkey  is  a  member  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F.,  Martinsville  Lodge,  No.  274,  and 
in  politics  is  a  Democrat.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Starkey  are  members  of  the 
Cumberland  Presbvterian  Church. 

E.  F.  STIMSON  was  born  in  Iredell  County,  N.  C,  December  13, 
1829,  and  is  the  fifth  of  the  eighteen  children  of  Henry  E.  and  Annie 
L.  (Brandon)  Stimson,  natives  of  Halifax  County,  Va.,  where  they  mar- 
ried and  afterward  moved  to  Iredell  County,  N.  C.  In  1845,  they  moved 
to  Monroe  County,  Ind.,  and  there  remained  till  death.  Their  children 
were  Robert  T.,  Sarah  J.,  Elizabeth,  George,  Erasmus  F.,  Mary  A.,  John 
W.,  Henry  A.,  Lafayette,  William,  Louisa,  Joseph,  Wilbur,  Edward, 
and  others  who  died  in  infancy.  E.  F.  Stimson  moved  with  his  parents 
to  Monroe  County,  and  in  1856  removed  to  Morgan  County,  where,  June 
10,  1860,  he  man-ied  Mercy  A.,  daughter  of  Jacob  and  Mabala  Vansickel, 
and  a  native  of  Morris  County,  N.  J.  To  this  union  were  born  nine 
children — Jacob,  Harry,  Louisa  (deceased),  Dayton  C,  Anson  R.,  Maha- 
la,  Mary,  Anson  M.  (deceased),  and  Evalina.  In  1861,  Mr.  Stimson  en- 
listed in  Company  G,  Twenty-seventh  Indiana  Volunteer  Infantry,  and 
served  until  September,  1864.  After  his  discharge,  he  moved  to  his 
present  place  and  engaged  in  farming.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Stimson  are  mem- 
bers of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 

AUSTIN  SWEET  is  a  native  of  Fleming  County,  Ky. ,  was  born 
August  16,  1881,  and  is  the  youngest  of  the  three  children  of  Benjamin 
and   Harriet  (Mills)   Sweet,  natives  respectively  of  Kentucky  and  Vir- 


WASHINGTON  TOWNSHIP  AND  MARTINSVILLE.  209 

ginia.  Benjamin  Sweet  was  born  in  1798,  his  father,  William  Sweet,  hav- 
ing been  one  of  the  earliest  pioneers  of  Fleming  County,  Ky.,  and  the 
parent  of  eight  sons  and  two  daughters.  Benjamin  moved  to  Morgan 
County,  Ind.,  in  1884.  where  he  and  wife  closed  their  lives.  Our  sub- 
ject, Austin  Sweet,  married  in  this  county,  November  22,  1855,  Hannah 
K.,  daughter  of  John  and  Isabel  Clark,  and  born  March  11,  1838.  This 
union  gave  being  to  six  children — Benjamin  F.,  Halleck  (deceased),  Ed- 
ward M.,  Harriet  A.,  Ann  (deceased)  and  Otis  A.  Mr.  Sweet  is  a  worthy 
and  genial  gentleman,  as  Avell  as  a  respected  citizen. 

ROBERT  H.  TARLETON,  M.  D.,  druggist,  was  born  in  Mason 
County,  Ky.,  March  24,  1822,  and  reared  in  Brookville,  in  that  State. 
During  his  boyhood,  he  attended  the  schools  of  the  day,  and  when  seven- 
teen one  of  a  higher  grade.  At  the  age  of  twenty- one,  he  removed  to 
Missouri,  but  soon  returned  to  Kentucky,  and  engaged  in  teaching  and 
in  the  study  of  medicine.  In  1846,  he  located  as  a  practitioner  near 
Edinburg,  Ind.;  in  1847,  came  to  this  county,  and  in  1849  attended  lect- 
ures at  and  in  1850  graduated  from  the  Ohio  Medical  College,  during 
which  year  he  removed  to  Kentucky  and  there  married  Miss  Maria  Pra- 
ther  April  18,  1850.  He  then  located  at  Patriot,  Ind.,  where  he  lost  his 
wife  in  1851,  and  afterward  came  to  this  town,  where  he  has  since  been 
engaged  in  the  practice  of  his  profession,  together  with  the  drug  basi- 
ness,  which  he  established  in  1852,  in  which  he  has  now  a  partner  in  his 
nephew,  W.  B.  Tarleton,  and  does  a  business  of  from  $15,000  to  $18,000 
annually.  March  2,  1852,  he  married  Miss  Elizabeth  S.  Wampler,  with 
an  issue  of  eight  children — Carrie,  Emma  J.  B.,  Harriet  S.,  James  W., 
Harry  H.,  Edgar,  June  and  Maurice.  In  1867,  he  laid  out  the  beautiful 
Hillsdale  Cemeteiy.  In  addition  to  his  store  building,  Dr.  Tarleton 
owns  a  fine  residence  and  other  property.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Ma- 
sons and  a  Democrat.  In  1879,  he  was  appointed  Trustee  of  the  Indiana 
Hospital  for  the  Insane,  and  re-nominated  in  1881. 

WILLIA]^[  B.  TAYLOR  was  born  in  Lawrence  County,  Ind.,  Sep- 
tember 15,  1819.  His  parents,  Joshua  and  Mary  (Armstrong)  Taylor, 
natives  of  Virginia  and  Kentucky  respectively,  came  to  Indiana  in  1809, 
and  settled  on  a  farm  in  Washington  County,  where  they  remained  for 
eight  years,  removing  thence  to  Lawrence  County.  In  February,  1821, 
they  came  to  Morgan  County,  locating  on  a  farm  one  mile  from  Martins- 
ville. In  1834,  the  mother  died,  and  ten  years  later  the  father,  with  his 
children,  moved  to  Green  Township,  where  he  died  in  June,  1855. 
AVilliam  B.  Taylor  is  the  fourth  son  and  seventh  child  in  a  family  of 
eleven  children  reared  in  Morgan  County,  and  when  fifteen  years  of  age 
he  began  learning  the  blacksmith  trade.  After  one  year  at  this,  he 
worked  for  the  neighboring  farmers  until  1839.  He  then  worked  on  a 
flat-boat  between  New  Orleans  and  Martinsville  for  Mitchell  Bros,  until 
1842.  For  some  time  he  worked  in  lead  mines  in  Wisconsin,  and  in  Au- 
gust, 1845,  he  was  married  to  Jane  Estlinger,  a  native  of  Washington 
County,  Ind.  They  have  two  children — Mary  A.  and  Sarah  A.  His 
wife  died  in  November,  1854,  and  one  year  later  he  was  married  to  Caro- 
line Hough.  By  this  union  there  is  one  child,  Lillie.  After  his  first 
marriage,  he  farmed  near  Martinsville,  in  Washington  Township,  for 
nine  years,  and  then  sold  his  farm  and  purchased  another  one  in  Green 
Township.  Here  he  farmed  for  thirteen  years.  In  1869,  he  began  trad- 
ing in  stock,  and  at  present  resides  in  Martinsville,  engaged  in  the  same 
way.     Mr.  Taylor  is  an  active  member  of  the  Republican  party.     He 


210  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

was  County  Commissioner  for  two  years,  re-elected,  and  served  six  years 
longer.  He  was  Township  Trustee  for  two  years.  He  filled  the  unex- 
pired term  of  office  for  Mr.  Perham  (deceased)  in  1861,  and  was  again 
elected  in  1862  and  1863,  and  again  in  1866.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Taylor  are 
members  of  the  Cumberland  Church. 

JOHN  THOMAS  is  a  native  of  Tennessee,  was  born  January  2,  1817, 
and  is  the  eldest  of  the  ten  children  of  Peter  and  Sarah  Thomas,  both  of 
whom  were  natives  of  North  Carolina.  John  Thomas,  the  subject  of  this 
sketch,  came  with  his  parents  to  this  State  in  1823,  who  settled  in  this 
county,  and  here  John  has  remained.  April  1,  1841,  he  married  Miss 
Nancy,  a  daughter  of  Thomas  and  Elizabeth  Maxwell,  and  born  in  this 
county  November  11,  1823.  After  his  marriage  Mr.  Thomas  located  in 
this  township,  where  he  has  since  made  his  home.  Mrs.  Thomas  died 
October  17,  1859,  and  March  31,  1861,  Mr.  Thomas  married  Mrs.  Lucy 
J.,  widow  of  Joshua  King,  and  a  daughter  of  Henry  and  Mary  Harper.  Mr. 
Thomas  is  the  parent  of  three  children — Sarah,  Harrison  and  an  infant 
daughter,  which  died  unnamed.  Mr.Thomas  is  a  generally  respected  citizen. 

ELI  THOMAS  was  born  in  Morgan  County,  Ind.,  on  the  farm  on 
which  he  stil)  resides  October  15,  1830,  and  is  a  son  of  Peter  and  Sarah 
Thomas,  both  natives  of  Orange  County,  N.  C,  the  former  born  Decem- 
ber 15,  1791,  the  latter  May  3,  1795.  The  grandfather  of  our  subject, 
Abram  Thomas,  was  a  native  of  Wales,  who  emigrated  to  America  during 
the  last  century  and  settled  in  North  Carolina,  where  he  married,  reared 
a  family  of  nine  children  and  passed  away.  Peter  Thomas  married,  in 
1816,  Miss  Sarah  Graves,  soon  after  settled  near  Knoxville,  Tenn. ;  in 
1818,  moved  to  Clarke  County,  Ind.,  and  thence  in  1822  to  Morgan  County, 
where  he  died  December  2,  1868,  and  his  wife  December  25,  1878.  They 
were  parents  of  ten  children — John,  Henry,  Daniel,  Solomon,  Lucinda, 
Louisa,  Eli,  George  W.,  Elizabeth  and  Nancy  A.  Eli  Thomas  married, 
December  2,  1855,  Miss  Ruth,  daughter  of  Abraham  and  Nancy  A.  Huff, 
and  a  native  of  Monroe  County,  Ind.,  born  May  14,  1831.  After  mar- 
riage, Mr.  Thomas  settled  on  a  small  farm  previously  purchased,  and  in 
1869,  having  purchased  the  homestead,  moved  thereon.  In  1864,  he  en- 
listed in  Company  C,  Thirty- third  Indiana  Volunteers,  and  served  until 
the  struggle  ended.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Thomas  have  had  six  children — Albert 
W.,  Nancy  E.  (deceased),  Sarah  E.,  Mary  E.,  Francis  M.  (deceased),  and 
an  infant  (still-born). 

ELI  THOMAS,  Jr.,  is  a  native  of  Morgan  County,  Ind. ,  wa&  born 
September  11,  1852,  and  is  a  son  of  Daniel  Thomas,  also  a  native  of  said 
county.  Daniel  Thomas  was  twice  married,  and  the  parent  of  nine  chil- 
dren, viz. :  By  the  first  wife  five — Eliza,  Elizabeth,  Allen,  John  and  Eli, 
all  of  whom  are  deceased  except  the  subject  of  this  writing;  by  the  sec- 
ond wife  four  children — Sarah,  David  D.,  Susanna  and  Charles  ^\.,  all 
of  whom  are  living.  Eli  Thomas  married  in  this  county  December  31, 
1874,  Miss  Anna  L.,  daughter  of  William  and  Katie  Maybee,  and  born 
February  2,  1857,  »  union  which  was  conspicious  in  the  birth  of  four 
children — Bertha  M.  (deceased),  Charles  O.,  Daisy  (deceased),  and  Ger- 
tie. Mr.  Thomas  is  an  energetic  and  genial  gentleman,  and  much  es- 
teemed among  his  fellow- citizens. 

HARRISON  THOMAS  is  a  native  of  Morgan  County,  Ind.,  was  born 
April  25,  1852,  and  is  one  of  the  family  of  three  children  born  to  John 
and  Nancy  Thomas.  October  28,  1875,  our  subject  married  Miss  Martha 
A.,  daughter  of  John  and  Martha  Bothwell,  and  a  native  of  this  county,. 


WASHINGTON  TOWNSHIP  AND  MARTINSVILLE.  211 

born  July  4,  1854.  This  union  has  been  endeared  by  the  birth  of  two 
children — John  and  Harry.  Mr.  Thomas  is  a  most  promising  and 
greatly  regarded  gentleman,  as  well  as  practical  and  enterprising  farmer. 
His  farm  comprises  215  acres  of  rich  and  cultivated  land. 

AMOS  THOENBURG,  of  the  firm  of  Thornburg  &  Small,  dealers  in 
grain  and  proprietors  of  the  Union  Mill  and  Elevator,  was  born  in  this 
county  February  27,  1827,  and  likewise  reared  here.  His  father,  Benja- 
min Thornburg,  was  born  near  Harrodsburg,  Ky.,  September  25,  1797; 
reared  in  Washington  County,  Ind.,  and  in  1822  removed  to  this  county; 
settled  near  Brooklyn,  and  entered  in  all  160  acres,  100  of  which  are  now 
in  cultivation.  He  was  rigidly  temperate,  and  thus  set  a  fair  example  to 
the  pioneers;  a  life-long  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  also 
an  exhorter  and  class-leader;  he  was  an  old-time  Whig,  and  later  a  Re- 
publican. In  1817,  he  married  a  Miss  Susan  Monical,  who  died  in  1876, 
having  borne  fourteen  children,  seven  of  whom  survive — Rachel  (Mrs. 
Moon),  Hannah  (Mrs.  Davis),  Amanda  (Mrs.  Hornor),  Ada  (Mrs.  Dryden), 
John  H.,  Peter  F.  and  Amos.  Our  subject  engaged  in  farming  for  his 
father  several  years,  and  in  1856  purchased  sixty  acres  in  Brown  Town- 
ship, to  which  he  added  forty  afterward.  He  continued  farming  until 
1877,  when  he  moved  to  this  town  and  engaged  successfully  in  the  mill- 
ing line,  having  one  of  the  best  mills  in  the  country,  with  buhr  and  roller 
combined.  Their  elevator  is  also  very  superior,  having  capacity  of 
40,000  bushels;  they  can,  too,  load  and  weigh  a  car  of  wheat  in  eight 
minutes.  Mr.  Thornburg  has  been  twice  married — first,  April  10,  1854, 
to  Miss  Caroline  E.  Doughty,  of  Vermont,  who  died  January,  1876,  leav- 
ing three  living  children — James  D.,  Benjamin  E.  and  Albert  M. ;  second, 
October  3,  1877,  to  Mrs.  Amanda  B.  Wilson.  Mr.  Thornburg  is  an  Odd 
Fellow,  a  Republican  and  strictly  temperate  and  prudent. 

SALEM  A.  TILFORD,  M.  D.,  was  born  in  Jefferson  County,  Ind.,  Feb- 
ruary 2,  1827,  with  good  opportunities  for  education  in  the  Madison  High 
School.  In  1845,  he  took  up  the  study  of  medicine  under  Dr.  J.  H.  D. 
Rogers,  of  Madison;  afterward  attended  lectures  at  the  University  of 
Louisville  and  the  Indiana  Medical  College,  at  Indianapolis;  graduated 
from  the  latter,  and  took  'the  ad  eundem  degree  in  1879.  In  1848,  he 
located  here  and  has  continued  his  practice  successfully.  November  28, 
1849,  he  married  Miss  Emeline  Major,  who  died  in  May,  1853,  leaving 
one  child — Ella  R.,  now  a  well-known  teacher  in  this  county.  April  1, 
1857,  he  married  Miss  Ann  Wolfe,  which  union  was  favored  with  eleven 
children — Isabel,  Benjamin  W.,  Lulie,  Jennie,  Ann,  Alex  S.,  Mary,  Jo- 
seph W.,  Amanda,  Harry  and  Roy  E.  Dr.  Tilford  was  a  Whig,  but 
afterward  became  a  Republican;  was  zealous  during  the  war,  but  later 
affiliated  with  the  Democrats,  by  which  party  he  was  elected,  in  1870, 
Auditor  of  Morgan  County,  having  served  about  eighteen  months  pre- 
viously as  said  officer.  Dr.  Tilford  is  a  Chapter  Mason.  When  he  came 
first  to  this  town  there  were  only  350  souls  therein. 

BENJAMIN  W.  TILFORD,  physician  and  druggist  was  born  in  this 
town  November  8,  1859,  where  he  was  reared  and  attended  the  high 
school.  In  1878,  he  began  the  study  of  medicine  under  his  father's  in- 
struction; also  attended  lectures  at  the  Indiana  Medical  College  at  In- 
dianapolis in  1879  and  1880;  graduated  in  March,  1881;  came  home  to 
Martinsville,  and  in  the  autumn  engaged  in  the  drug  trade.  He  has  a 
$2,000  stock,  and  has  done  a  satisfactory  business. 


212  BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES: 

J.  E.  TONER,  a  native  of  Shelby  County,  Ind.,  was  born  on  January 
21,  1841,  and  is  the  son  of  John  and  Nancy  (Parker)  Toner,  natives  of 
Pennsylvania  and  Kentucky  respectively.  The  father  still  resides  in 
Shelby  County,  the  mother  having  died  in  1856,  leaving  four  children, 
of  whom  our  subject  is  one.  The  father  subsequently  remarried,  and  has 
four  children  by  his  last  wife.  One  subject  was  engaged  in  early  life  on 
the  farm  and  attending  school;  later  entered  the  Northwestern  (now  But- 
ler) University,  at  Indianapolis.  From  this  university  he  enlisted  in 
April,  1861,  in  Company  D,  Seventh  Indiana  Infantry  (three  months' 
service),  went  to  Virginia  and  was  a  participant  in  the  battles  of  Philippi, 
Laurel  Hill  and  Carrick's  Ford.  Returning  home  after  his  time  expired, 
he  re-enlisted  for  three  years  in  Company  D,  Thirty-third  Indiana  In- 
fantry, proceeded  with  his  regiment  to  Kentucky,  and  participated  in  the 
battle  of  Wild  Cat,  siege  of  Mill  Spring  and  Cumberland  Gap.  At  the 
latter  place  he  was  taken  prisoner  by  Morgan,  held  for  seven  weeks,  when 
he  was  paroled  and  sent  to  Columbus,  Ohio,  Parole  Camp,  where  he  re- 
mained four  weeks,  and  then  decamped  and  came  home.  On  January  8 
following,  he  was  exchanged,  and  returned  to  his  regiment  at  Nashville, 
TenD.  He  with  his  command  took  part  in  the  battle  of  Thompson's  Sta- 
tion, where  a  large  portion  of  his  regiment  was  captured  by  the  enemy. 
Our  subject,  with  about  eighty  others,  escaped.  Returning  to  Franklin, 
he  was  discharged  for  disability,  and  again  returned  home.  In  January 
following  he  again  re-enlisted  in  Company  D,  Sixteenth  Indiana  (mounted) 
Infantry,  served  sixteen  months,  and  was  engaged  in  the  siege  of  Vicks- 
burg,  in  the  Red  River  campaign,  and  at  the  battle  of  Sabine  Cross 
Roads.  After  his  regiment's  term  of  service  expired,  he  was  transferred 
to  Company  C,  'I  hirteenth  Indiana  Cavalry,  and  served  with  it  until  De- 
cember, 1865,  when  he  was  mustered  out  at  Vicksburg,  Miss.  He  was 
wounded  at  Thibodeaux,  La.,  in  the  left  leg,  the  enemy's  bullet  severing 
the  main  artery  near  the  groin.  Upon  his  return  home,  he  assisted  his 
father  on  the  farm  until  he  was  twenty-seven  years  old.  On  September 
24,  1867,  he  was  married  to  Sophia  Salla,  a  native  of  Rush  County,  Ind. 
Then  for  seven  years  he  farmed  for  himself  in  Shelby  County.  In  1875, 
he  came  to  Martinsville  and  embarked  in  the  grocery  trade,  continuing 
nine  years,  when  he  purchased  the  Mason  House,  and  has  since  been  con- 
ducting it.  This  is  the  only  first-class  hostelry  in  town.  Mr.  Toner  is  a 
Republican,  and  served  as  Chairman  of  the  City  Council  seventeen  months. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  A.  O.  U.  W.,  the  K.  of  P.,  and  of  the  G.  A.  R. 
He  and  wife  are  both  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Toner  have  five  children  living — Ottway  C,  Edward,  John, 
Grace  and  Annis;  an  infant  deceased.  He  is  one  of  the  liberal  and  en- 
terprising citizens  of  Martinsville. 

ERVIN  TOWNSEN.D,  a  son  of  Silas  and  Hannah  Townsend,  was 
born  in  Washington  County,  Ind.,  November  20,  1820.  The  grand- 
father of  our  subject,  William  Townsend,  was  a  native  of  South  Caro- 
lina; moved  to  Washington  County,  Ind.,  in  1810,  and  to  Morgan  County 
in  1821,  where  he  died.  He  was  a  soldier  for  seven  years  in  the  Revolu- 
tionary war.  Silas  Townsend  married  in  Washington  County,  Ind., 
Hannah  Nogles,  about  1813,  who  died  in  1821.  In  1822,  Mr.  Townsend 
moved  to  Morgan  County,  where  he  married  Susan  Thacker,  after  which 
he  removed  to  Louisville,  Ky.,  and  ended  his  days.  He  was  father  to 
five  children — Robinson,  Susan,  Huston  and  Ervin  by  first  wife,  and 
Martha  by  second  wife.     He  was  a  soldier  in  the  war  of  1812.     Ervin 


WASHINGTON  TOWNSHIP  AND  MARTINSVILLE.  213 

Townsend  came  to  Morgan  County  with  his  grandparents,  with  whom  he 
remained  until  December  31,  1840,  when  he  married  Mary  A.,  daughter 
of  Richard  and  Rebecca  Deakins,  and  a  native  of  Washington  County, 
Tenn.,  born  May  25,  1825.  After  marriage,  Mr.  Townsend  settled  in 
this  township,  where  he  has  an  improved  farm  of  240  acres.  Mrs. 
Townsend  died  June  5,  1883,  having  borne  twelve  children — Sarah  J., 
Thomas  J.,  Martha,  William,  Franklin  P.,  James  (deceased),  Rebecca, 
Emma  ¥.,  John,  Hattie,  Maggie  and  Nora  E.  Mr.  Townsend  is  an 
esteemed  citizen. 

THOMAS  J.  TOWNSEND,  sou  of  William  and  Mary  Townsend,  natives 
of  North  Carolina,  was  born  May  16,  1840,  in  this  towDship.  His  par- 
ents were  married  in  South  Carolina,  and  immigrated  to  Indiana,  locating 
in  Washington  County,  whence  they  shortly  afterward  removed  to  Mor- 
gan County,  and  settled  on  a  farm  in  Washington  Township,  where  the 
father  farmed  until  1847.  He  then  removed  to  Missouri  and  remained 
until  the  spring  of  1857,  when  he  returned  with  his  family  to  Morgan 
County.  In  the  fall  of  1857,  the  father  died.  The  mother  in  November, 
1865.  Thomas  Townsend  was  reared  in  his  native  county,  and  educated 
in  Missouri.  When  seventeen  years  of  age,  he  returned  to  Morgan 
County  with  his  parents,  finally  locating  on  a  farm  of  130  acres  in 
Washington  Township,  which  he  inherited  upon  his  father's  death.  He 
remained  there  for  twenty-three  years,  when  he  removed  to  Martinsville, 
where  he  at  present  resides.  In  1863-64,  he  served  as  Township  Assessor. 
He  also  served  several  times  as  Supervisor  of  Roads  in  the  township. 
On  December  13,  1860,  he  was  united  in  marriage  to  Melinda  J.  Cox, 
daughter  of  John  L.  Cox,  an  old  and  respected  citizen  of  Morgan  Coun- 
ty. By  this  union,  there  have  been  eight  children — Mary  E.  (deceased), 
William  L.,  Thomas  A.,  Ruth  A.  (deceased),  Viola  (deceased),  Maggie, 
Nettie  and  Lillie.     Mr.  Townsend  is  a  Republican. 

SAMUEL  TUCKER  was  born  in  Henry  County,  Ky.,  May  26,  1819, 
and  is  a  son  of  James  and  Mary  (Kitcher)  Tucker,  natives  respectively 
of  Ireland  and  Virginia.  James  Tucker  emigrated  from  Ireland  to 
America  and  settled  in  Eeyette  County,  Ky. ,  when  twenty  one  years  old, 
where  he  married.  In  1836,  he  moved  to  Marion  County,  Ind.,  located 
near  Indianapolis,  and  shortly  after  died,  his  wife  surviving  him  about 
twelve  years.  Their  family  consisted  of  Robert,  William.  James,  Har- 
vey, Margaret,  James  R.,  Stephen,  Sarah  and  Samuel.  When  Samuel 
was  eighteen  years  of  age,  he  became  an  apprentice  to  the  cabinet-mak- 
ing trade,  after  completing  which,  in  1839,  he  moved  to  Martinsville, 
worked  for  a  time,  and  then  comrdenced  business  for  himself,  which  he 
continued  a  number  of  years.  April  23,  1843,  he  married  Sarah  C, 
daughter  of  Jeremiah  and  Nancy  Vincent,  and  born  in  Franklin  County, 
Ind.,  February  2.  1823.  To  this  union  were  bequeathed  a  family  of 
eight — Nancy  A.  (deceased),  Ledgard  R.,  Clarinda,  Rees  H.,  Isaac  W., 
Ida  A.,  Palmanora  and  Lily  P.  In  1865,  Mr.  Tucker  moved  to  Indiau- 
apolis  and  engaged  in  hotel-keeping  one  year,  then  returned  to  Martins- 
ville and  purchased  the  Mason  House,  which  he  managed  eighteen 
months,  and  finally  moved  to  his  present  home  and  farm.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Tucker  are  members  of  the  Christian  Church. 

REV.  AARON  TURNER  was  born  in  Greene  County,  Ohio,  June  4, 
1835.  His  parents,  Joseph  and  Mary  (Burnsides)  Turner,  natives  of 
Ohio,  were  married  in  Ohio  in  1830,  removing  thence,  in  1849,  to  Rush 
County,  Ind.      His  father,  a  Methodist  minister,  resides  in  Pike  County, 


214  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

Ind.,  at  the  advanced  age  of  seventy-three  years.  The  mother  died  in 
1849.  The  subject  was  the  third  son  and  fourth  child  in  a  family  of 
fourteen  children,  and  was  reared  in  his  native  county  until  fourteen 
years  of  age,  removing  thence  to  Eush  County,  Ind.,  where  he  taught 
school  for  two  years.  In  1857,  he  entered  the  ministry  at  the  Annual 
Conference,  held  at  New  Albany,  over  which  Bishop  Morris  presided. 
His  first  appointment  was  on  the  Poseyville  Circuit,  where  he  remained 
for  one  year,  then  receiving  an  appointment  to  Owensvillo  Circuit.  At 
the  end  of  his  first  year  at  Owensville  he  was  ordained  "  Deacon "  at 
Bloomington,  Ind.,  by  Bishop  Scott.  His  third  appointment  was  Sullivan 
Station,  where  he  remained  for  two  years.  After  his  first  year  at  Sullivan, 
he  was  ordained  "Elder"  by  Bishop  Simpson  at  Rockport.  He  was  at 
Greencastle,  during  which  time  he  was  appointed  agent  for  the  Asbury 
University,  which  position  he  filled  for  two  years;  for  the  past  five  months 
has  been  located  in  Martinsville.  In  1870,  the  Wesleyan  University 
conferred  upon  him  the  degree  of  "A.  M.,"  and  in  June,  1883,  the  Asbury 
University  conferred  upon  him  the  degree  of  "D.  D. "  In  October,  1858, 
he  was  married  to  Mary  E.  Van  Sickle,  daughter  of  Jacob  Van  Sickle,  a 
pioneer  of  Morgan  County.  There  was  one  child  by  this  union,  Luella 
(deceased).  His  wife  died  in  1861.  August  21,  1866,  he  married  Lucy 
Bowles,  daughter  of  Henry  Bowles,  of  Evansville,  Ind.  By  this  union 
there  are  two  children,  Helen  and  Jessie.  Rev.  Aaron  Turner  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  A.  F.  &  A.  M. ,  also  of  the  K.  of  P. ,  and  is  a  Republican. 

JOHN  A.  WAGNER  is  a  native  of  Germany,  was  born  July  6,  1821, 
and  is  a  son  of  Adam  F.  and  Wilhelmina  Wagner.  In  1848,  he  emigrated 
with  his  mother  to  America,  his  father  having  died  in  his  native  country 
in  1840.  January  2,  1849,  in  Onondaga  County,  N.  Y.,  our  subject 
married  Miss  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  Adam  and  Hannah  Ditze,  and  born 
May  6,  1824.  Shortly  after  his  marriage,  Mr.  Wagner  moved  to  the 
State  of  Ohio,  thence  to  Indianapolis,  Ind..  and  finally,  in  1865,  to 
Morgan  County,  where  he  has  since  resided.  Mr.  Wagner  is  the  owner 
of  183  acres  of  very  excellent  land,  which  is  well  improved  and  cultivated. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Wagner  are  the  parents  of  five  children — Catherine,  Charlie, 
Frank,  John  and  Louisa.     Both  are  highly  respected  in  their  community. 

GEORGE  M.  WALKER  is  a  native  of  Monroe  County,  Va.,  was 
born  October  5,  1830,  and  is  a  son  of  Goodlow  and  Rebecca  (Henderson) 
Walker,  both  natives  of  Virginia;  the  former  born  1800,  the  latter  1804. 
Goodlow  Walker  was  a  son  of  George  Walker,  also  a  native  of  Virginia, 
who  married  a  Miss  Adams,  then  moved  to  Tennessee,  and  finally  to 
Madison  County,  Ind.,  where  he  died.  He  was  twice  married  and  the 
father  of  ten  children.  Goodlow  Walker  moved  to  Hendricks  County, 
Ind.,  in  1835,  and  there  died  in  1864,  the  father  of  five  children,  James 
D.,  Harriet  S.,  Clarinda  J.,  John  E.  and  George  M.  Our  subject  mar- 
ried, October  6,  1853,  Mary  T. ,  daughter  of  John  M.  and  Martha  E. 
(Branch)  Satterwhite,  and  born  March  27,  1836.  In  1851,  Mr.  Walker 
moved  to  Montgomery  County,  Ind.,  and  September,  1862,  enlisted  in 
Company  F,  Fifty-fourth  Indiana  Volunteer  Regiment,  in  which  he  served 
until  December,  1863,  during  which  time  his  family  moved  to  Martins- 
ville, where  our  subject  made  a  home  after  his  discharge  from  the  service. 
He  is  now  serving  most  satisfactorily  as  Superintendent  of  the  Poor.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Walker  have  a  family  of  seven  children — James  H.,  Susan  M., 
Ida  T.,  Louisa  E.,  George,  Nettie  B.  and  William  A. 


WASHINGTON  TOWNSHIP  AND   MARTINSVILLE.  215 

A.  B.  WALKER,  eldest  son  of  Michael  and  Mary  (Andrews)  Walker, 
natives  of  Maryland  and  Ohio,  respectively,  was  born  in  Johnson  County, 
Ind.,  October  20,  1855.  His  parents  located  in  Milford,  Ohio,  after 
marriage,  where  the  father  followed  his  trade  of  cooper  for  a  short  time, 
removing  thence  to  Indianapolis,  where  he  began  the  manufacture  of 
barrels.  His  property  there  being  destroyed  by  lire,  he  went  to  Franklin, 
Ind.,  his  present  residence.  A.  B.  Walker  was  reared  in  Johnson 
County,  Ind.  He  received  a  good  education  in  the  graded  schools  at 
Franklin,  and  at  the  age  of  seventeen,  was  employed  by  the  F.  F.  &  M. 
R.  R.  in  the  office  of  John  M.  Johnson,  at  Franklin.  Two  years  later, 
he  was  appointed  agent  at  Martinsville  for  the  same  road,  and  is  at  pres- 
ent acting  in  that  capacity.  In  1878,  he  began  buying  timber  and  for 
two  years  past  he  has  also  been  dealing  in  coal.  In  August,  1883,  he 
built  a  factory  for  the  manufacture  of  hubs,  spokes  and  staves,  and  has 
thus  far  been  very  successful.  In  February,  1882,  he  was  married  to 
Louisa  A.  Clapper,  daughter  of  W.  G.  and  Martha  Clapper,  Martins- 
ville. Mr.  Walker  is  a  charter  member  of  the  K.  of  P.,  Anniversary 
Lodge,  No.  89,  is  a  Republican,  and  he  and  wife  are  members  of  the 
Christian  Church. 

F.  M.  WARNER  is  second  of  four  children  born  to  Andrew  J.  and 
Judith  (Lockhart)  Warner,  natives  of  Kentucky.  He  was  born  in  this 
township  August  3,  1842.  His  parents  located  on  a  farm  in  Morgan 
County  after  marriage,  where  they  lived  for  some  time,  removing  thence 
to  a  farm  one  mile  south  of  Martinsville.  Four  years  later,  they  moved 
to  Martinsville,  where  the  mother  at  present  resides.  F.  M.  Warner 
remained  with  his  parents  until  nineteen  years  of  age.  He  received  his 
education  in  the  graded  schools  at  Martinsville.  He  was  refused  enlist 
ment  in  the  army  in  1861,  being  under  age;  he  afterward  entered  his 
father's  employ  in  a  livery  stable,  which  he  purchased  three  years  later, 
and  is  now  profitably  conducting.  Mr.  W^arner  is  a  Republican,  and 
acted  as  Councilman  of  the  Fourth  Ward  for  two  years.  In  October, 
1878,  he  was  married  to  Laura  F.  Bogle,  of  Putman  County,  Ind.  She 
was  a  good  Christian,  and  at  the  time  of  her  death,  which  occurred 
August  15,  1879,  she  was  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Church. 

WILLIAM  WILLIAMS  was  born  near  Paoli,  Ind.,  May  1,  1816, 
a  son  of  Jonathan  and  Celia  (Silcox)  Williams,  natives  respectively  of 
Tennessee  and  North  Carolina.  Jonathan  Williams  was  a  son  of  tfohn 
R.  Williams,  of  East  Tennessee,  who  married  Margaret  Reed,  and  in  the 
early  time  moved  to  Morgan  County,  Ind.,  where  he  died  about  1830, 
the  parent  of  ten  children,  seven  boys — William,  Lewis,  John  R.,  Isaac, 
Key  ton,  Robert  and  Jonathan.  He  was  born  in  Tennessee  February  17, 
1795,  came  to  this  territory  when  young,  and  in  1820  to  Morgan 
County,  where  he  and  wife  died,  the  former  September  15,  1845,  the 
latter  July  26,  1868.  He  was  one  of  the  first  County  Commissioners 
who  located  the  city  of  Martinsville.  He  was  elected  Sheriff  in  1834, 
again  in  1836,  and  in  1838  was  elected  to  the  Legislature.  He  was  with 
Gen.  Jackson  in  his  first  battle,  was  a  prominent  and  respected  citizen, 
and  the  father  of  the  following  family:  William  Pleasant,  John,  Jona- 
than, David,  Jackson,  James,  Polly  and  Nancy.  William  has  resided 
here  since  he  came  with  his  parents  in  1820.  December  3 1,  1846,  he 
married  Emma,  daughter  of  John  King,  to  which  union  three  children 
followed:  Celia  A.,  Howard  (deceased)  and  an  infant  (deceased).  After 
Mrs.  Williams'  death,  February  25,  1849,  he  wedded  Martha  J.,  daughter 


216  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

of  William  A.  Major,  with  an  issue  of  seven  children — Angeline  (deceased), 
Franklin,  Perry  (deceased),  Eobert  H.,  Dora  E.,  Jennie  (deceased), 
and  California.     Mr.  Williams  has  served  as  Sheriff  and  is  now  Township 

EDWARD  WOODS  was  born  in  Morgan  County,  Ind.,  July  12, 
1848,  and  is  one  of  the  five  children  composing  the  family  of  Patrick  and 
Mary  (Dougherty)  Woods,  natives  of  Ireland  and  Ohio  respectively. 
Patrick  Woods  was  born  in  1811,  emigrated  to  America,  and  in  1813  to 
the  State  of  Ohio,  where  he  man-ied  the  same  year,  and  afterward  moved 
to  Morgan  County,  lad.,  and  settled  on  the  identical  land  where  our 
subject  now  resides,  which  was  his  home  until  his  death  in  1865.  Mrs. 
Woods  subsequently  wedded  Thomas  Dougherty,  and  is  yet  living,  her 
family  comprising  five  in  number — James,  Thomas,  Edward,  Patrick  and 
Catherine.  Edward  Woods  married  in  this  county,  October  8,  1873, 
Miss  Mary  E.,  daughter  of  William  and  Ruth  Kemp,  and  a  native  of 
Morgan  County,  born  February  13,  1857.  Mrs.  Woods  died  April  15, 
1881,  having  been  the  mother  of  six  children — Rosie  A.,  Mattie,  Alice, 
Thomas,  William  (deceased)  and  Mary  E.  (deceased).  Mr.  Wood  is 
much  respected  by  his  fellow-citizens. 

OWEN  WOODS  is  a  native  of  Ireland,  and  was  born  June  24,  1814, 
and  is  the  youngest  of  the  family  of  James  and  Mary  (Welch)  Woods, 
both  natives  of  Ireland,  where  they  were  married  and  died.  They  were 
the  parents  of  four  children — Thomas,  Patrick,  Catherine  and  Owen.  Our 
subject  was  married  while  in  Ireland,  in  1835,  to  Ellen  McCarugh. 
After  emigrating  to  the  United  States,  he  settled  in  Morgan  County,  Ind., 
in  the  year  1848,  on  the  farm  on  which  he  now  lives,  and  where  he  is  com- 
fortable and  independently  situated.  Mr,  and  Mrs.  Woods  are  members 
of  the  Catholic  Church,  and  have  been  the  parents  of  eight  children — 
Mary  (deceased),  Catherine  (deceased),  Bridget  (deceased),  Mary,  Ellen 
(deceased),  Katie  (deceased),  Ann  and  James.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Woods 
are  greatly  respected  in  the  community. 

A.  R.  VANSICKEL  was  born  at  Martinsville,  this  county,  February 
27,  1842,  and  is  one  of  the  eight  children  of  Jacob  and  Mahala  (Salmon) 
Vansickel,  natives  of  Sussex  County,  N.J.  Jacob  Vansickel  was  born  in 
1814,  his  wife  in  1812,  and  in  1838  they  moved  to  Henry  County  Ind., 
and  thence  to  Morgan  County,  where  Mr.  Vansickel  died  in  1860,  and 
Mrs.  Vansickel  twelve  years  later.  Their  family  was  Mercy  A.,  Mary 
E.,  Sarah  S.,  John  D.,  Andrew  R.,  Alonzo,  George  W.  and  Susan  R. 
Our  subject,  August,  1861,  enlisted  in  Company  G,  Twenty- Seventh 
Indiana  Volunteers,  and  served  until  September,  1864,  with  much 
experience  in  many  severe  battles.  After  his  discharge  and  return  to 
this  county,  he  married,  November  24,  1864,  Mary  L.,  daughter  of  Hemy 
and  Phebe  Miller,  and  a  native  of  New  Jersey,  born  February  20,  1840, 
which  union  was  favored  with  six  children — Otis  H.  (deceased),  Sarah 
E.,  William  F.,  Maggie  A.,  Joseph  A.  and  Mary  E.  Mr.  Vansickel  is  a 
member  of  the  Masonic  order,  of  the  G.  A.  R.,  and  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church. 

ALBERT  VOYLES  was  born  in  Morgan  County,  Ind.,  August  20, 
1842,  and  is  a  son  of  Ivan  and  Irena  (Elgin)  Voyles,  natives  of  Indiana; 
the  former  born  in  1813.  Mrs.  Voyles  died  in  1855,  after  which  Mr. 
Voyles  married  Catherine  Shireman;  he  died  in  1880.  The  grandfather 
of  our  subject,  Moses  Voyles,  was  one  of  the  earliest  settlers  of  Wash- 
ington County,  Ind.,  whence  he  moved  to  Morgan  County,  and  there  lived 


BROWN  TOWNSHIP  AND  MOORESVILLE.  217 

out  his  days;  he  was  a  soldier  of  the  war  of  1812.  Albert  Voyles  is  the 
youngest  of  the  four  children  of  his  parents.  August  11,  1862,  he  be- 
caroe  a  soldier  of  Company  H,  Seventieth  Indiana  Volunteers,  in  which 
he  served  until  June,  1865.  In  October,  1868,  he  married  Susan, 
daughter  of  Joshua  and  Ehoda  Gilpin,  and  born  in  this  county  February 
20,  1849,  which  union  was  cemented  by  two  children — Mamie  D.  and 
James  K.     Mr.  Voyles  is  a  practical  man  and  a  respected  citizen. 


BROWN  TOWNSHIP  AND  MOORESVILLE. 

GEORGE  W.  BASS  is  a  native  of  Johnson  County,  Ind.,  and  was 
born  June  20,  1812.  His  parents,  Josiah  H.  and  Elizabeth  (Robinson) 
Bass,  natives  of  Kentucky,  had  seven  children,  of  which  George  W.  was 
the  sixth,  and  with  three  older  brothers.  His  youth  was  spent  upon  the 
farm,  and  his  education  acquired  at  Greenwood  High  School  in  his  na- 
tive county.  In  the  summer  of  1862,  he  enrolled  at  Springfield,  Mo., 
in  Company  I,  First  Missouri  Calvary,  and  served  to  the  close  of  the 
war.  The  first  year  of  his  service  was  spent  scouting  in  Southwestern 
Missouri  and  Northeastern  Texas;  and  he  also  participated  in  the  battle 
of  Prairie  Grove  and  the  Van  Buren  (Arkansas)  raid.  He  was  at  the 
siege  of  Vicksburg  as  Orderly  to  Gen.  Herron,  and  afterward  saw  service 
at  the  following  places  in  their  order:  Yazoo,  Miss.,  Baton  Rouge, 
CarroUton,  Morganza  Bend,  and  New  Orleans,  La.  From  Brownsville, 
Tex. ,  he  returned  to  Baton  Rouge,  where  he  had  charge  of  the  division 
mail  for  some  time,  when  he  was  ordered  to  his  regiment,  then  at  Little 
Rock,  Ark.,  from  which  place  he  was  honorably  discharged  from  the  serv- 
ice. After  leaving  the  army,  he  clerked  awhile  in  a  dry  goods  house,  a 
di'ug  store,  and  finally,  in  the  year  1874,  settled  down  in  the  drug  busi- 
ness at  New  Augusta,  Ind.,  where  he  remained  four  years.  In  1878,  he 
removed  to  Mooresville,  where  he  has  since  been  engaged  in  the  drug 
business.  On  November  8,  1871,  he  was  married  at  Greenwood,  Ind.,  to 
Mary  E.,  daughter  of  W.  A.  Woods,  Esq.  By  this  marriage  he  has  had 
born  to  him  three  children — Frank  R.,  Charlie  W.  and  Nellie  B.  The 
mother  of  these  children,  died  March  30,  1880,  and  October  27,  1881, 
Mr.  Bass  was  married  in  Morgan  County  to  Martha  T.  (Turley)  Bysly. 
Both  he  and  his  wife  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church, 
and  Mr.  Bass  belongs  to  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  and 
Knights  of  Honor,  of  which  latter  lodge  he  is  present  Financial  Re- 
porter. He  owns  a  small  farm  in  Johnson  County,  and  his  residence  in 
Mooresville,  as  also  the  business  property  in  which  he  carries  a  lucrative 
drug  trade. 

JAMES  M.  BISHOP,  a  promising  young  lawyer  of  Mooresville,  was 
born  in  Hamilton  County,  Ind.,  May  31,  1850.  His  parents,  Joseph  and 
Nancy  (Chew)  Bishop,  were  natives  of  Virginia,  and  of  English  descent. 
They  had  eight  children,  our  subject  being  the  seventh,  with  two  older 
brothers.  He  grew  up  in  Westtield,  and  finished  his  education  at  the 
Mooresville  High  School.  In  May,  1873,  he  began  the  study  of  law 
with  Ford  &  Blair  in  Shelbyville,  Ind.,  and  in  the  year  following  was 
admitted  to  the  bar  in  Indianapolis,  and  from  there  came  soon  afterward 


218  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

to  Mooresville.  As  a  practitioner,  he  is  successful,  and  we  bespeak  for 
him  a  prominent  place  in  the  very  front  rank  of  his  profession  at  no  dis- 
tant day.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Chm'ch,  an  active 
Republican,  a  good  debater,  and  a  public  speaker  of  much  more  than 
average  ability.  He  made  his  first  political  speech  in  1876,  and  has 
since  taken  an  effective  part  in  all  the  election  campaigns.  The  declin- 
ing years  of  his  aged  mother  and  father  are  made  comfortable  and  happy 
by  the  generosity  and  kind  attention  of  an  ever  dutiful  son. 

HARRIS  BRAY,  a  pioneer  of  Brown  Township,  Morgan  County,  Ind. , 
a  native  of  Chatham  County,  N.  C,  is  the  sixth  child  and  fourth  son  of 
six  sons  and  eight  daughters  of  William  and  Peggy  (Brooks)  Bray,  na- 
tives of  North  Carolina,  and  of  English  descent,  and  was  born  December 
24,  1798;  came  into  Morgan  County  in  the  year  1822;  entered  from  the 
Government  a  tract  of  land  in  the  year  1823;  settled  upon  it,  and  here  as 
a  farmer  he  has  since  lived.  Until  nearly  twenty-one  years  of  age,  he 
lived  with  his  parents  in  North  Carolina.  His  education  was  limited  to 
that  of  reading,  and  something  of  penmanship  was  acquired  at  the  sub- 
scription schools  of  his  native  place.  In  September,  1819,  he  was  mar- 
ried in  North  Carolina  to  Rachel  Moon,  by  whom  he  had  born  to  him  ten 
children — Brantley,  now  in  Iowa;  Austin, now  in  Iowa;  Nancy,  now  in 
Iowa;  Eli,  now  in  Kansas;  Wesley,  now  in  Iowa;  Riley,  now  in  Morgan 
County,  Ind.;  Alfred,  now  in  Kansas;  William,  died  in  the  army  at 
Buford,  S.  C. ;  Ellen,  wife  of  David  Sheets,  in  Morgan  County,  Ind. ; 
and  Younger,  died  at  the  age  of  thirty-eight  years.  The  mother  of  these 
children  died  in  April,  1876,  at  the  age  of  seventy-eight  years.  Mr. 
Bray  joined  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  when  about  forty-five  years 
of  age,  and  has  since  lived  the  life  of  a  consistent  Christian.  His  de- 
ceased wife  was  a  member  of  the  same  church  many  years  of  her  life, 
and  was  noted  for  her  purity  of  life  and  Christian  conduct.  Together, 
these  two  people  labored  as  only  pioneers  of  a  new  country  can  appre- 
ciate. Their  home  was  for  many  years  the  headquarters  for  all  immi- 
grants to  the  "  new  purchase, "  and  what  they  had  they  gave  freely. 
They  inherited  nothing  but  cheerful  hearts  and  strong  arms,  and  their 
worldly  goods  were  acquired  by  their  united  industry.  Mr.  Bray  en- 
tered from  the  Government  from  time  to  time  in  Indiana  about  240  acres 
of  land,  and  has  put  about  100  acres  in  cultivation.  He  owns  now  a 
fine  farm,  where  he  lives,  of  108  acres,  all  in  cultivation  and  well  im- 
proved. He  has  upon  this  farm  a  magnificent  quarry  of  blae  sandstone 
of  much  value.  About  1831,  he  erected  a  still-house  on  the  East  Fork  of 
White  Lick,  about  one  mile  from  where  Mooresville  now  stands,  and  for 
twelve  years  ran  it  with  a  capacity  of  about  thirty  gallons  per  day. 
After  his  conversion,  he  abandoned  the  trade  in  liquor.  About  the  year 
1841,  he  put  into  operation  a  grist  mill  at  the  confluence  of  the  East 
Fork  and  the  main  White  Lick  Creeks,  and  ran  it  about  three  years.  As 
the  mill  was  run  mostly  to  supply  meal  for  his  distillery,  he  parted  with 
it  soon  after  going  out  of  the  liquor  business.  He  is  a  Democrat.  He 
has  been  a  liberal  giver  to  both  chui'ch  and  school. 

JAR  VIS  P.  CALVERT  was  born  in  New  York  City  June  17,  1842, 
and  is  the  youngest  of  four  children  of  John  T.  and  Sarah  (Reese)  Cal- 
vert, of  Rhode  Island  and  Pennsylvania  respectively,  and  of  English  ex- 
traction. WheD  he  was  but  an  infant,  his  parents  removed  to  Cincin- 
nati, Ohio,  where  his  mother  died  in  the  year  1844,  and  his  father  in  less 
than  a  year  afterward.     Until  about  ten  years  of  age,  Jarvis  P.  existed  a 


BROWN  TOWNSHIP  AND  MOORESVILLE.  2l9 

part  of  the  time  in  Louisville,  Ky.,  and  a  longer  period  at  Columbus, 
Ohio.  From  the  age  of  ten  to  twenty- one  years,  he  lived  on  a  farm  in 
Ohio,  and  attended  the  public  schools.  In  the  spring  of  1863,  he  came 
to  Indiana  and  stopped  a  few  months  at  Plainfield,  and  October  26,  1863, 
he  enrolled  at  Indianapolis  in  Company  I,  Sixty-third  Indiana  Volun- 
teer Infantry.  From  this  command  he  was  transferred  to  Company  H, 
One  Hundred  and  Twenty-eighth  Indiana  Volunteer  Infantry  in  the  spring 
of  1865,  and  was  finally  mustered  out  of  the  service  April  10,  1866. 
While  in  the  Sixty-third  Regiment,  he  saw  much  hard  service,  and  took 
part  in  some  nine  or  ten  regular  battles,  and  any  number  of  hot  skir- 
mishes. With  the  One  Hundred  and  Twenty-eighth  Regiment,  his  service 
was  lighter,  having  been  most  of  the  time  on  detached  duty  as  clerk 
about  headquarters.  He  returned  to  Plainfield  and  there  studied  photog- 
raphy, and  in  February,  1867,  opened  his  art  gallery  in  Mooresville, 
where  he  has  since  made  great  progress  in  his  profession.  May  19,  1868, 
he  married  Delia  Perce,  by  whom  he  has  had  born  to  him  five  children — 
Archie  B.,  Lennetta  May  (deceased),  Gertrude  (deceased),  Percy  H.  and 
Bertha  Emma.  Mr.  Calvert  is  Steward  and  Chorister  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church.  He  is  a  member  of  the  I.  O,  O.  F.  and  K.  oE  H.  He 
is  a  Republican  in  politics,  and  an  advocate  of  prohibition. 

JOHN  D.  CARTER  was  one  of  the  pioneers  of  "  the  new  purchase," 
a  wealthy  farmer  of  Brown  Township,  a  native  of  Ashe  County,  N.  C,  is 
the  son  of  Nathaniel  and  Ann  (Ramsy)  Carter,  and  was  born  March  1, 
1811.  His  parents  came  to  Indiana  in  1814,  and  settled  in  Orange 
County,  where  they  lived  eight  years,  coming  to  Morgan  County  in  1822, 
when  they  located  upon  a  small  tract  of  land  entered  from  the  Govern- 
ment, and  at  once  proceeded  to  erect  a  log  cabin,  upon  the  dirt  floor  of 
which  they  stowed  away  their  little  family  and  scant  supply  of  household 
goods.  Their  stock,  consisting  of  horses,  cattle,  sheep,  hogs,  geese  and 
ducks,  they  brought  with  them  from  Orange  County.  From  a  journal,  writ- 
ten by  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  in  which  it  faithfully  recounted  the  many 
experiences  of  this  family,  we  quote:  "We  saw  hard  times  the  first  win- 
ter; we  had  to  cut  down  green  beech  and  sugar  trees  for  our  cattle  to  eat 
the  buds;  had  to  go  from  twenty  to  thirty  miles  for  corn  to  make  bread; 
and  five  to  six  miles  for  help  to  raise  the  cabin. "  But  their  experiences 
were  but  repetitions  of  those  of  hundreds  of  brave  pioneers  whose  hard- 
ships and  privations  are  recounted  upon  the  pages  of  the  early  history  of 
our  country.  November  26,  1834,  Mr.  Carter  was  married  to  Ruth  Pick- 
ett, in  the  manner  and  form  peculiar  to  the  Friends'  Society,  of  which 
they  were  both  birthright  members.  This  union  has  been  blessed  with 
ten  children — George,  Amos  (deceased),  Vincent,  Sarah  Ann  (deceased), 
Mary,  Ella  (deceased),  William  P.,  Nathaniel,  Benjamin,  Harriet  B.  and 
Emma.  Three  of  his  sons,  George,  Vincent  and  Nathaniel,  are  promi- 
nent attorneys  at  law  in  the  city  of  Indianapolis,  and  his  son  William 
lives  in  San  Antonio,  Tex.  Mr.  Carter  has  been  one  of  the  hardest  work- 
ing men  of  the  county.  His  children  have  all  been  thoroughly  educated, 
and  as  they  have  arrived  at  the  estate  of  men  and  women,  have  received 
bountifully  of  the  world's  goods  from  the  munificent  hand  of  an  ever  gen- 
erous parent.  The  declining  years  of  his  life  are  being  happily  spent 
upon  his  magnificent  farm  of  about  350  acres,  one  and  a  half  miles  south- 
east of  Mooresville,  where  at  least  once  a  year  he  assembles  around  his 
hearthstone  and  at  his  sumptuous  table  his  children  and  grandchildi-en, 
and  where  the  merry  romp  and  laughter  of  the  little  folks  are  subdued  to 


220  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

breathless  silence,  as  they  listen  to  the  tales  of  pioneer  life,  as  they  come 
from  the  lips  of  one  who  has  been  an  actor  in  scenes  that  seem  to  their 
young  ears  fraught  with  wondrous  impossibilities.  In  politics,  Mr.  Car- 
ter has  always  been  a  Republican  of  the  most  pronounced  type.  He  is  a 
consistent  Christian  gentleman,  and  lives  supremely  happy  in  the  glori- 
ous anticipation  of  eternal  life  in  Heaven. 

NATHANIEL  CARTER,  native  of  Orange  County,  Ind.,  the  sixth 
child  and  third  son  of  Nathaniel  and  Ann  (Ramsey)  Carter,  natives  of 
North  Carolina,  and  of  Irish  and  Scotch  extraction  respectively,  was 
born  March  25,  1815.  His  parents  came  into  Morgan  County  in  1821, 
and  located  upon  land  entered  from  the  Government,  and  where  the  two  old 
people  spent  the  remainder  of  their  days,  and  where  Nathaniel  has  since  re- 
sided. He  attended  a  little  at  the  subscription  schools  and  learned 
something  of  reading  and  writing.  November  23,  1837,  he  was  married 
at  Plainfield,  Ind.,  to  Martha,  daughter  of  Edward  Chamness,  a  native 
of  North  Carolina.  She  bore  him  six  children — James  R.,  Hannah, 
Thomas  F.,  Mary  B.,  Nathaniel  W.  and  William  Edgar.  His  son, 
Thomas  F.,  was  killed  at  the  battle  of  Chattanooga,  Tenn.,  on  May  31, 
3865.  The  mother  of  these  children  died  October  2,  1871,  at  the  age  of 
fifty-four  years,  and  February  13,  1873,  subject  was  married  at  Mon- 
rovia, Ind. ,  to  Louisa  Jane  (Hubbard)  Blair,  daughter  of  George  lEub- 
bard,  deceased,  native  of  North  Carolina.  Our  subject  and  wife  are 
birthright  members  of  the  Friends'  Church.  He  is  a  Republican  in  pol- 
itics, and  a  strong  advocate  of  temperance.  He  gave  the  land  gratis 
upon  which  is  located  public  school  building  No.  1.  What  Mr.  Carter 
possesses  he  has  toiled  for,  and  after  giving  away  considerable  land  to 
his  children,  he  yet  owns  a  nice  farm  of  ninety  seres,  all  in  cultivation 
and  well  improved.  He  lived  with  his  parents  and  took  care  of  them 
till  their  death.  His  religious  work  and  charities  are  mostly  among  the 
poor  of  the  country,  and  in  such  labor  he  is  endeavoring  to  do  the  will  of 
the  Everlasting  Father. 

MATTHEW  COMER  is  the  second  son  of  Joseph  and  Hester  (Comp- 
ton)  Comer,  natives  of  North  Carolina  and  Ohio,  and  of  Irish  and  English 
extraction  respectively.  Joseph  Comer  came  to  Indiana  Territory  in 
1804,  and  located  upon  the  site  now  occupied  by  the  city  of  Richmond, 
and  Matthew  was  born  Jiily  1,  1825.  He  lived  twenty-one  years  with 
his  parents,  learned  the  habits  of  a  farmer,  and  attended  a  few  terms  at  the 
subscription  schools.  The  first  twelve  years  of  his  majority  were  devoted 
to  the  carpenter's  trade,  an  apprenticeship  to  which  he  began  a  short 
time  before.  He  was  married  in  Randolph  County,  Ind. ,  in  November, 
1846,  to  Adila  J.  Harris,  who  died  March  27,  1881,  having  borne  seven 
children — Mary  Jane,  Jabez  S.,  Sarah  A.,  Levi  C,  William  C,  Minnie  H. 
and  Mattie  F.,  all  of  whom  are  living  at  this  writing  (December,  1883).  The 
Comer  and  Harris  families  were  of  the  Quaker  faith,  but  having  refused  to 
"  marry  in  meeting  "  young  Comer  and  wife  were  peremptorily  dismissed, 
and  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  immediately  gained  two  new  mem- 
bers. August  13,  1862,  Mr.  Comer  enlisted  at  Richmond,  Ind.,  in  Com- 
pany B,  Fifth  Indiana  Cavalry,  and  served  to  the  close  of  the  war.  His 
Company  was  the  first  tc>  charge  upon  and  occupy  the  town  of  Knoxville, 
Tenn.  They  also  took  a  prominent  part  in  the  capture  of  the  famous 
command  of  John  A.  Morgan.  He  came  to  Mooresville  in  1865,  and  soon 
afterward  embarked  in  the  saw  mill  business,  which  he  has  since  fol- 
lowed, and  at  which  he  has  made  considerable  money.     He  is  a  strict 


BROWN  TOWNSHIP  AND  MOORESVILLE.  221 

temperance  man,  a  Republican  in  politics,  and  a  citizen  of  unimpeachable 
integrity. 

PAUL  COX  (deceased)  was  a  native  of  Pennsylvania,  son  of  Alexan- 
der and  Elizabeth  Cox;  was  born  November  6,  1808,  and  died  March  15, 
1876.  He  had  four  brothers  and  two  sisters,  two  of  the  brothers  being 
older  than  himself.  He  was  reared  a  farmer  and  followed  it  all  his  life, 
though  he  was  a  brick -mason  by  trade,  and  also  did  a  great  deal  in  that 
line.  His  parents  removed  from  Pennsylvania  to  Ohio,  and  later  on  to 
Indiana,  and  settled  near  Centreton,  where  they  spent  most  of  their  after 
lives.  Paul  received  at  the  neighborhood  schools  in  Indiana  such  educa- 
tion as  was  practicable  in  so  new  a  country.  He  was  first  married  when 
quite  young  to  Mary  Mathews,  who  bore  him  seven  children — Milton, 
Morgan,  Elizabeth  Ann,  Emily,  Harriet  (deceased),  Margaret  and  Oeorge. 
The  mother  of  these  children  died  in  April,  1846,  and  in  the  fall  follow- 
ing Mr.  Cox  was  married  in  Morgan  County  to  Elizabeth  Chandler,  who 
bore  him  seven  children — Morris,  Alfred,  Madison,  Mariah,  Ida,  Laura 
and  Austin.  Mr.  Cox  was  a  consistent  member  of  the  Christian  Church, 
as  is  also  his  widow.  He  inherited  a  small  tract  of  land  from  his  father, 
but  the  rest  of  his  property  he  worked  for,  leaving  his  family  a  handsome 
patrimony  which  his  widow  has  managed  with  skill.  She  was  left  with  four 
minor  children,  which  she  reared  and  cared  for,  educated  and  made  of 
them  honored  and  respected  men  and  women.  Mr.  Cox  was  one  of  the 
best  citizens  of  Morgan  County,  strictly  honest  and  upright  in  all  his 
dealings,  beloved  byhis  neighbors,  and  respected  by  all  who  knew  him. 

NATHAN  DAY  is  the  son  of  John  and  Edith  (Lowder)  Day,  who  were 
born  in  North  Carolina,  where  they  met,  loved  and  married,  and  from 
whence,  as  hopeful  young  pioneers  they  came  to  Indiana  in  the  year 
1820.  They  located  at  once  upon  a  tract  of  land  which  they  entered 
from  the  Government,  and  which  lies  about  half  a  mile  southeast  from 
the  present  town  of  Mooresville,  in  Morgan  County.  Here  they  under- 
went the  trials  and  hardships  incident  to  pioneer  life.  Here  their  chil- 
dren were  born;  here,  by  their  united  effort  and  direction,  the  primitive 
forests  were  reduced  and  replaced  by  broad  and  fertile  fields,  and  from 
here,  when  life  was  no  longer  fraught  with  privations  and  anxious  cares,  they 
took  their  final  leave  of  all  earthly  things,  and,  their  spirits  returning  to 
Him  who  gave  them,  their  bodies  were  laid  away  to  await  the  final  resur- 
rection morn.  They  were  members  of  the  Friends'  Church,  and  died  in 
the  sixtieth  and  fiftieth- fourth  years  of  their  ages  respectively.  Nathan 
is  their  third  son  and  the  only  one  of  the  family  now  living.  He  was 
born  June  29,  1843,  and  has  always  lived  upon  the  old  homestead  which 
he  now  owns.  He  was  married  November  24,  1864,  to  Candace  C, 
daughter  of  Asbury  Kooker,  and  has  had  born  to  him  two  children — 
Nellie  E.  and  Francis  R.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Day  are  members  of  the  Friends' 
Church,  and  he  belongs  to  the  I.  O.  O.  F.  He  is  a  strict  temperance 
man,  and  in  politics  a  Republican.  His  farm,  consisting  of  120  acres,  is 
one  of  the  best  improved  and  most  valuable  in  the  neighborhood. 

JOSEPH  H.  EDWARDS  is  the  son  of  Henry  J.  and  Hannah  (Davis) 
Edwards,  natives  of  Virginia  and  North  Carolina  respectively;  was  born 
in  Grayson  County,  Va.,  May  4,  1833,  and  was  brought  by  his  parents  to 
Indiana  in  1837.  They  settled  first  in  Wayne  County,  where  they  lived 
about  twelve  years,  and  where  the  mother  died.  The  family  afterward 
removed  to  Randolph  County,  where  the  father  is  living  at  this  writing. 
Joseph  H.  was  married   in  Hendricks  County,    November  24,    1855,  to 


222  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

Sarah  Jane  Mills,  who  has  borne  him  seven  children — Lucinda  A..  Ase- 
nath  D. ,  Martha  A.,  Lima  J.,  EffieM. ,  Lottie  C.  and  an  infant  deceased, 
not  named.  Mr.  Edwards  was  reared  upon  a  farm,  and  sent  to  the  neigh- 
borhood schools  when  a  boy,  whei-e  he  learned  something  of  the  element- 
ary studies.  In  the  spring  of  1856,  he  came  into  Morgan  County,  lived 
a  few  years  at  Mooresville,  and  removed  to  his  farm  where  he  has  since 
resided.  He  was  taken  seriously  ill  in  July,  1882,  and  has  never  fully 
recovered.  He  has  sold  his  farm  property  with  a  view  to  removing  into 
Mooresville,  where  he  will  make  his  future  home.  Mr.  Edwards  is  a 
self-made  maa.  His  mother  died  when  he  was  but  thirteen  years  of  age, 
and  his  father  turned  him  at  once  upon  the  world.  He  worked  four 
years  for  one  man  at  $50  per  year,  and  two  years  after  at  something  of 
an  increase.  Thus  he  began  life,  and  slowly  but  surely  he  has  crept  up. 
He  has  given  each  of  his  children  $2,000,  and  reserved  to  himself  a 
handsome  competency.  Both  he  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church,  having  come  into  that  organization  from  the  Society 
of  Friends. 

GEORGE  FARMER  is  a  farmer,  a  native  of  Guilford  County,  N. 
C,  is  the  third  of  ten  children — four  sons  and  six  daughters — of  Jacob 
and  Peoa  (Shoffner)  Farmer,  natives  of  North  Carolina  and  of  German 
descent,  and  was  born  April  11,  1821.  His  parents  came  to  Morgan 
County  in  1824,  and  after  about  eight  years'  residence  in  Brown  Town- 
ship removed  to  Hendricks  County,  where  they  lived  the  remainder  of 
their  days,  the  father  dying  in  September,  1861,  in  the  seventy-ninth 
year  of  his  age,  and  the  mother  in  August,  1865,  in  the  sixty-eighth 
year  of  her  age.  George  was  reared  upon  a  farm,  at  the  subscription 
school  learned  something  of  reading,  writing  and  arithmetic,  and  lived 
with  his  parents  until  twenty-eight  years  of  age,  when,  on  December  24, 
1848,  he  was  married  in  Monroe  Township,  Morgan  County,  to  Lydia 
Elliott,  daughter  of  Alfred  Elliott,  also  a  native  of  North  Carolina,  and 
by  this  marriage  he  has  had  born  to  him  eleven  children,  the  first  of 
whom  died  in  infancy  not  named.  The  others  were  Jacob  (died  at  the 
age  of  seven  years),  Mary,  Caroline,  Alfred,  William,  Catharine,  John, 
Alvaro  (died),  George  and'  Leonard  R.  Both  Mr.  and  Mrs.  F.  are  mem- 
bers of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  and  Mr.  F.  is  a  member  of  the 
I.  O.  O.  F.  at  Mooresville.  He  removed  from  Guilford  Township,  Hen- 
dricks County  to  Brown  Township,  Morgan  County,  in  August,  1858, 
where  he  purchased  and  settled  upon  the  farm  he  has  since  owned  and 
occupied.  He  was  one  of  the  incorporators  of  the  Mooresville  Monitor. 
He  and  his  wife  inherited  from  their  respective  parents  a  small  sum  of 
money,  and  the  rest  of  their  possessions  have  been  acquired  by  their 
united  industry.  He  owns  at  present  a  splendid  farm  of  200  acres, 
mostly  in  cultivation,  well  improved,  stocked  and  equipped  for  agricult- 
ural purposes.  In  politics,  he  is  a  Republican.  He  is  an  ardent  tem- 
perance man  and  an  advocate  of  prohibition.  He  is  a  good,  substantial 
citizen,  held  in  high  esteem  by  his  neighbors  and  those  who  come  in 
contact  with  him. 

ABNER  HADLEY,  farmer,  Brown  Township,  Morgan  Co.,  Ind.,  is  a 
native  of  Hendricks  County,  Ind.,  and  the  third  of  four  children  of 
Joshua  B.  and  Mary  T.  (Hadley)  Hadley,  natives  of  North  Carolina. 
He  was  bom  December  28,  1828;  reared  upon  a  farm;  at  the  public 
schools  of  Indiana  acquired  a  good  English  education,  and  in  his  early 
manhood  taught  two  terms  in  Hendricks  County.     His  father  died  in  the 


BROWN  TOWNSHIP  AND  MOORESVILLE.  223 

twenty- eighth  year  of  his  age  when  our  subject  was  about  three  years  of 
age.  His  mother  died  in  Hendricks  County  November  19,  1880,  in  the 
seventy-third  year  of  her  age.  Subject  lived  with  his  mother  until  he 
was  about  twenty-one  years  of  age,  when  he  set  out  in  the  world  for  him- 
self. On  March  21,  1850,  he  was  married,  at  West  Union,  Morgan 
County,  to  Ann,  daughter  of  Uavid  and  Mary  Lindley,  natives  of  North 
Carolina.  By  this  marriage  he  had  born  to  him  four  children — Charles 
(farmer  in  Hardin  County,  Iowa),  Mary  E.  (wife  of  Thadeus  S.  Town- 
send,  now  at  Albany,  Oreg.),  Franklin  M.  (in  Morgan  County),  and  Flora 
E,  (wife  of  James  P.  Henley,  of  Hendricks  County,  Ind. ).  The  mother 
of  these  children  died  February  1,  1862,  in  the  thirty-third  year  of  her 
age.  On  April  15,  1863,  he  was  next  married  to  Beulah,  daughter  of 
William  and  Ann  Hadley,  natives  of  North  Carolina.  By  this  marriage 
two  children  were  born,  Joshua  and  Edgar.  Mr.  Hadley' s  second  wife 
died  February  24,  1867,  in  the  thirty- seventh  year  of  her  age,  and  on 
January  14,  1869,  he  married  for  his  third  wife  Sallie  A.,  daughter 
of  William  B.  and  Ludah  E.  Hubbard,  natives  of  North  Carolina.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Hadley  are  both  birthright  members  of  the  Friends'  Society, 
and  are  at  present  Elders  in  the  White  Lick  Church  of  that  denomina- 
tion; Mr.  H.  is  also  one  of  the  Trustees  of  this  church.  He  is  a  liberal  giver 
to  all  churches  and  schools  in  his  vicinity  without  regard  to  sect  or  creed. 
In  politics,  he  is  a  Republican;  is  also  an  ardent  temperance  man  and  ad- 
vocate, and  a  friend  of  prohibition  at  all  times.  From  the  estate  of  his 
father,  he  inherited  a  tract  of  land  of  small  value,  The  rest  of  his  prop- 
erty he  has  acquired  by  his  own  industry.  He  owns  at  present  a  line 
farm  of  285  acres,  nearly  all  in  cultivation,  well  improved  and  stocked 
with  horses,  hogs  and  cattle.  The  farm  and  stock  receive  his  personal 
supervision  and  management.  He  came  into  Morgan  County  in  the 
spring  of  1863,  and  located  upon  the  farm  since  owned  and  occupied  by 
him,  about  one-half  mile  north  of  the  town  of  Mooresville.  He  is  a 
reputable  and  influential  citizen,  respected  by  his  neighbors  and  esteemed 
by  his  church  as  one  of  its  most  substantial  pillars  and  supporters.  His 
wife  is  a  woman  of  unquestionable  merit,  and  noted  for  her  charities  and 
Christian  conduct. 

CLINTON  C.  HADLEY,  druggist,  Mooresville,  Ind.,  was  born  in 
Brown  Township,  Morgan  County,  Ind.,  May  11,  1855,  and  is  the  young- 
est of  four  children  of  Isaiah  and  Emily  (Hadley)  Hadley,  natives  of 
Ohio  and  Indiana  respectively.  He  was  but  about  two  years  of  age  when 
his  father  died.  The  first  sixteen  years  were  spent  by  Clinton  C.  upon 
the  farm,  and  by  devoting  a  portion  of  the  time  to  his  studies  at  the 
Mooresville  school  he  acquired  a  good  English  education.  At  the  age 
of  eighteen,  he  began  the  drug  business  as  clerk  for  Joseph  Pool,  and 
two  years  afterward, in  the  fall  of  1875,  he  went  to  Mt.  Carmel,  111.,  and 
for  one  year  had  charge  of  a  drug  house  belonging  to  his  brother.  Re- 
turning to  Mooresville  he  clerked  for  Hadley  &  Harvey,  druggists,  -until 
the  summer  of  1880,  when  he  bought  out  the  interest  of  the  senior  mem- 
ber of  the  firm,  and  shortly  afterward  became  the  sole  owner  of  the  estab- 
lishment. Mr.  Hadley  is  a  "birthright"  member  of  the  Friends'  Church, 
and  fills  official  chairs  in  the  Subordinate  Lodge  and  Encampment  of  the 
I.  O.  O.  F.  He  is  unmarried,  and  in  consequence  very  popular  with  the 
ladies,  a  wide-awake  Republican  politically,  and  possessed  of  all  the  es- 
sential requisites  to  an  upright  citizen  and  gentleman. 


224  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

JOHN  FRA.NKLIN  HADLEY  is  of  the  sturdy  old  Quaker  stock,  and 
adheres  faithfully  to  the  teachings  of  that  unostentatious  society.  A 
native  farmer  and  stock  grower  of  Brown  Township,  is  the  youngest  son 
of  Aaron  and  Lydia  (Hadley)  Hadley,  originally  of  North  Carolina,  was 
born  January  14,  1840,  and  educated  at  the  Friends  White  Lick  School. 
He  was  married,  March  13,  1860,  to  Lydia  Ann,  daughter  of  William 
Macy  (deceased),  and  has  had  born  to  him  four  childi-en — William  A., 
Linnie,  Mahlon  and  Cora.  His  son  William  is  studying  medicine,  Mah- 
lon  is  at  Earlbam  College,  and  the  accomplishments  of  his  daughters  are  not 
being  neglected.  In  the  fall  of  1880,  Mr.  Hadley  was  elected  County 
Commissioner,  and  re-elected  thereto  in  1882.  He  was  one  of  the  organ- 
izers of  the  Farmers'  Bank  of  Mooresville,  and  for  eight  years  was  one 
of  its  directors.  Though  a  straight  Republican  politically,  he  is  not 
radically  partisan,  and  to  this  fact  was  due  his  first  nomination  for  the 
office  of  County  Commissioner.  His  second  nomination  and  election  re- 
sulted naturally  from  the  efficient  manner  in  which  the  affairs  of  the 
office  were  administered  during  his  first  incumbency.  Mr.  Hadley  holds 
the  office  of  Assistant  Dictator  in  the  order  of  K.  of  H. ;  he  is  an  unqual- 
ified advocate  of  prohibition,  and  was  among  the  very  first  public  men  in 
Morgan  County  to  oppose  the  system  of  legally  licensing  the  whisky  traffic. 
Mr.  H.  owns  and  resides  upon  the  farm  upon  which  he  was  born  and 
reared. 

ARNOLD  W.  HADLEY  was  born  at  Mooresville,  Ind.,  May  8, 1846. 
His  parents,  Jeremiah  and  Eliza  (McCracken)  Hadley,  had  eight  chil- 
dren, of  whom  our  subject  was  third,  with  two  brothers  older.  He  lived 
upon  the  farm  with  his  parents  until  he  was  twenty-one  years  of  age, 
spending  about  one-third  of  his  "  school  age"  in  pursuit  of  an  education. 
In  1867,  he  went  to  Kansas,  and  remained  six  years — four  years  in  mer- 
cantile business,  and  two  dealing  in  live  stock.  Returning  to  Indiana  in 
1873,  he  for  the  next  succeeding  ten  years,  in  company  with  his  brother, 
ran  the  Mooresville  Elevator,  handling  large  quantities  of  grain,  and  also 
dealt  extensively  in  coal.  September  16,  1873,  he  was  married  at  Mon- 
rovia to  Almeda,  daughter  of  Amos  Hunt,  deceased,  and  has  had  born  to 
him  two  children — Edward  d.  and  Hermon  A.  In  April,  1883,  as  the 
head  and  sole  manager  of  the  firm  of  A.  W.  Hadley  &  Bro.,  he  began  the 
manufacture  of  drain  tile  at  Mooresville,  and  at  this  writing  they  have 
one  of  the  most  extensive  works  of  the  kind  in  Morgan  County..  Mr. 
Hadley  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Friends'  Church,  and  he  is  Deputy 
(District)  Grand  Dictator  of  the  Order  of  Knights  of  Honor.  Subject  is 
a  Republican  in  politics,  an  active  worker  in  the  cause  of  temperance, 
and  prominently  identified  with  the  educational  interests  of  Mooresville. 

WILLIAM  FOSTER  HADLEY  was  born  in  Brown  Township, 
Morgan  County,  Ind.,  August  3,  1855.  His  parents,  Jeremiah  and 
Eliza  E.  (McCracken)  Hadley,  were  North  Carolinians,  and  traced  their 
ancestral  blood  to  the  persecuted  Quakers  of  the  British  Isle.  They 
accompanied  their  respective  parents  into  Indiana  probably  about  half  a 
century  ago,  and  here  they  married  and  reared  a  family  of  eight  children, 
William  F.  being  the  youngest  son  and  seventh  child.  The  subject  of 
this  sketch  spent  the  first  eight  years  of  his  life  upon  the  farm,  and  his 
education,  which  consisted  of  a  thorough  English  course,  was  acquired 
before  he  was  seventeen  years  of  age.  At  the  age  of  twelve  years,  he  was 
placed  in  charge  of  the  M.  &  M.  Gravel  Road  Toll  Gate,  just  west  of. 
Mooresville,  and  at  this  time  his  business  career  commenced.      At  the  age 


BROWN  TOWNSHIP  AND  MOORESVILLE.  225 

of  fifteen,  he  entered  the  grocery  house  of  R.  R.  Scott,  at  Mooresville,  as 
clerk,  and  the  following  year  studied  the  mysteries  of  pharmacy  in 
the  drug  store  of  J.  Edwards.  It  will  not  be  forgotten  that  up  to  this 
time  his  winters  had  been  regularly  spent  at  school.  In  the  fall  of  1872, 
he  went  into  the  Mooresville  office  of  the  Indianapolis  &  Vincennes  Rail- 
road, and  there  learned  the  art  of  telegraphy,  which  he  followed  profes- 
sionally for  the  next  nine  years.  December  29,  1880,  he  was  married  in 
Morgan  County  to  Cassie,  daughter  of  George  Farmor,  and  has  had  born 
to  him  one  child — Everard  F.  May  16,  1881,  he  was  elected  cashier  of 
the  Farmers'  Bank  of  Mooresville,  and  has  since  filled  that  position.  In 
the  spring  of  1882,  the  citizens  tendered  him  the  office  of  Treasurer  of 
Mooresville,  but  the  trust  was  declined  for  reasons  of  his  own.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  firm  of  A.  W.  Hadley  &  Bro. ,  in  the  manufacture  of  drain 
tiles,  and  up  to  June,  1883,  was  largely  interested  in  the  grain  and  coal 
business.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  and  in 
politics  a  Republican.  He  is  a  thorough  business  man,  a  gentleman  and 
a  scholar. 

S.  M.  HADLEY,  eldest  son  of  John  and  Elenor  (Chambless)  Hadley, 
natives  of 'North  Carolina,  was  born  in  Morgan  County,  Ind.,  October  12, 
1838.  He  grew  to  manhood  upon  a  farm,  and  during  his  youth  received 
a  good  English  education  at  the  subscription  and  public  schools  of  his 
native  county,  supplemented  by  a  coui-se  at  the  Parke  County  Graded 
School.  October  2,  1858,  he  was  married  to  Samira  Ann  Kemp,  a  native 
of  Parke  County,  Ind.,  and  has  had  born  to  him  two  children — Curtis  J. 
(dead)  and  Lizzie  E.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hadley  are  birthright  members  of 
the  Friends'  Church,  and  Mr.  Hadley  belongs  to  the  order  of  Knights  of 
Honor.  In  politics,  he  is  a  Republican,  and  with  the  anti -temperance 
element  he  admits  of  no  compromise.  He  removed  from  his  farm  into 
Mooresville  about  the  year  ]  872,  and  engaged  at  once  in  the  drug  business, 
which  he  has  since  followed.  He  owns  a  nice  farm  of  eighty  acres,  well 
improved,  stocked  and  cultivated,  and  in  addition  to  his  many  other 
duties,  he  has  been  for  several  years  past  Deputy  United  States  Postmas- 
ter at  Mooresville.  His  worldly  acquisitions  are  the  results  of  his  indi- 
vidual effort  and  management. 

JOHN  W.  HINSON  was  born  at  Mooresville,  Ind.,  on  January  2, 1842, 
and  is  the  eldest  of  eleven  children  born  to  his  parents,  William  H.  and 
Mary  (Putner)  Hinson,  of  North  Carolina.  His  early  life  was  spent  upon 
the  farm,  and  his  education  acquired  at  the  Mouresville  High  School.  On 
August  15,  1861,  he  enrolled  in  Company  C,  Thirty- third  Indiana  Volun- 
teer Infantry,  and  served  until  September,  1865,  having  veteranized  with 
his  regiment  in  1863.  He  took  part  in  many  hard-fought  battles,  and  at 
Kenesaw  Mountain,  June  29,  1863,  as  a  result  from  a  shot  fired  from  a 
Mississippi  rifle,  lost  his  right  leg  above  the  knee.  December  27,  1869, 
he  was  married  at  Mooresville  to  Margaret  Elliott,  who  died  October  9, 
1881,  having  borne  him  three  children — Viola,  Maude  (deceased),  and 
Ethel  E.  Mr.  Hinson  was  elected  Assessor  of  Brown  Township  in  1866, 
and  held  the  office  about  five  years.  In  1869,  he  was  appointed  Post- 
master of  Mooresville,  and  has  since  been  the  incumbent  of  that  office. 
To  his  present  wife — Flora  B.  Roseberry — he  was  married  at  Cofi"man, 
Mo.,  August  1,  1883.  Mr.  Hinson  owns  both  residence  and  business 
property  in  Mooresville,  and  while,  with  reference  to  worldly  goods,  he 
is  comfortable  generally,  nothing  has  been  given  him.  He  is  a  member  of 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  and  in  politics  a  Republican. 


226  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

HENRY  HOUSE,  native  of  Prince  William  County,  Va.,  and  third 
of  eight  children  of  John  and  Catharine  B.  (Bless)  House,  natives  of 
Germany,  was  born  March  23,  1823.  His  parents  came  to  America  in 
the  year  1800,  and  into  Morgan  County  in  1836,  where  they  spent  the 
remainder  of  their  lives.  Our  subject  was  reared  upon  a  farm;  remained 
with  his  parents  till  twenty-one  years  of  age,  and  at  the  neighborhood 
schools, both  in  Virginia  and  Indiana,  acquired  a  fair  English  education. 
His  father  died  in  1874,  at  the  age  of  eighty-four  years,  and  his  mother 
two  years  earlier,  at  the  age  of  seventy-seven.  On  September  5,  1845, 
our  subject  was  married,  at  Mooresville,  to  Elizabeth  King,  a  native  of 
Indiana,  who  died  September  28,  1848,  leaving  two  children — Sarah  Jane 
and  Harriet.  Sarah  Jane  died  at  the  age  of  five  years.  On  October  25, 
1849,  he  married  Sarah  E.  Fultz,  of  Tennessee,  and  by  her  had  born  to 
him  eleven  children — Anna,  Virginia,  Charlotte  (deceased),  Nathaniel 
(deceased),  Dora,  Douglas,  John,  Otto,  Catharine,  Gertrude  (deceased), 
and  Ethel.  Mr.  H.  is  a  class  leader  in  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church, 
a  Democrat  in  politics,  and  a  temperance  man  from  principle.  He  is  an 
industrious  and  successful  farmer  and  stock-grower,  and  his  property  ac- 
cumulations are  due  solely  to  his  own  industry.  He  owns  400  acres  of 
fine  land  in  Morgan  County,  to  the  management  of  which  he  gives  his 
personal  attention.  He  is  a  lover  of  learning,  and  a  liberal  supporter  of 
churches  and  benevolent  institutions  without  reference  to  sect  or  creed. 

WILLIAM  A.  HUNT,  editor  of  the  Mooresville  Monitor,  is  a  native 
of  Martinsville,  Ind.,  and  is  the  only  child  of  Nathan  A.  and  Mary  A.  (Coble) 
Hunt,  natives  of  the  State  of  North  Carolina,  and  of  English  and  Ger- 
man extraction  respectively.  ^Villiam  A.  was  born  August  5,  1853,  and 
his  parents  removed  to  Mooresville  in  the  year  1854.  where,  with  the  ex- 
ception of  two  years  spent  in  Danville,  Ind.,  our  subject  has  since  resided. 
At  the  age  of  fourteen  years,  he  was  thrown  upon  his  own  resources,  and 
his  schooling,  limited  to  about  eight  months  in  the  aggregate,  was  pro- 
cured after  that  age.  In  1865,  he  entered  the  confectionery  store  of  his 
grandfather,  at  Mooresville,  and  remained  up  to  1874.  At  this  time,  his 
grandfather  having  died,  he  embarked  in  business  on  his  own  account, 
and  for  two  years,  though  nearly  destitute  of  financial  capital,  he  man- 
aged, young  as  he  was,  to  support  himself,  his  mother  and  grandmother, 
both  the  latter  being  confirmed  invalids.  In  1877,  he  entered  the  office 
of  the  Mooresville  Herald,  as  a  "  printer's  devil,"  where  he  remained 
three  years,  learning  the  trade  of  a  printer  in  the  meantime,  and  in  1880 
engaged  as  a  compositor  on  the  Mooresville  Monitor,  and  in  1881,  upon 
the  retirment  of  A.  W.  Macy,  Mr.  Hunt  was  appointed  by  the  directors, 
editor,  which  position  he  has  since  held,  and  the  duties  of  which  he  has 
discharged  with  credit  to  himself  and  to  the  satisfaction  of  his  patrons. 
Since  becoming  the  editor  of  the  Monitor — which  is  owned  by  a  joint- 
stock  company — he  has  by  industry  and  economy  been  able  to  possess  him- 
self of  two-thirds  of  its  stock,  and  is  at  this  writing,  December,  1883,  the 
owner  of  a  controlling  interest.  January  9,  1877,  he  was  married,  in 
Mooresville,  to  Mary  E.  Dickinson,  by  whom  he  has  had  born  to  him  two 
children — Dwite  A.  and  Margaret  A.  Mr.  Hunt  is  a  consistent  member 
of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Charch,  and  is  Reporter  or  Secretary  of  the 
Lodge  of  the  Knights  of  Honor.  He  is  also  Secretary  of  the  Old  Set- 
tlers' Association,  of  the  district  comprising  the  counties  of  Morgan, 
Hendricks,  Johnson  and  Monroe.  He  is  a  writer  of  more  than  ordinary 
ability,  and  the  Monitor,  under  his  management,  is  rapidly  increasing  in 
popularity. 


BROWN  TOWNSHIP  AND  MOORESVILLE.  227 

GEORGE  ANDREW  JACKSON  was  born  in  Stokes  County,  N.  C, 
June  1,  1842,  and  is  the  sixth  of  the  twelve  children  born  to  William 
and  Celia  (Gorden)  Jackson.  He  was  reared  a  farmer,  and  came  to  this 
county  in  February,  1866;  he  resided  for  some  time  in  Madison  Town- 
ship, and  then  came  to  Brown  Township  and  purchased  a  farm  of  100*' 
acres,  which  he  has  well  stocked  and  improved.  May  21,  1871,  he  mar- 
ried Lucy  J.  Perkey,  daughter  of  George  and  Lucy  (Landers)  Perkey, 
and  to  this  marriage  have  been  born  the  following  children:  Violette  J,, 
Laura  Etta,  AVilliam  Sidney,  George  Amer,  Louisa  Jane  and  Allen  Hick- 
lin.  Mr.  Jackson  is  a  member  of  Mooresville  Lodge,  No.  78,  F.  &  A.  M., 
and  Mrs.  Jackson  is  a  member  of  the  Christian  Church. 

BENJAMIN  FRANKLIN  JONES,  carriage- trimmer  and  harness- 
maker  at  Mooresville,  Ind.,  is  a  native  of  Warren  County,  Ohio;  is  the 
youngest  of  ten  children,  four  sons  and  six  daughters,  of  Nathan  and 
Margaret  (Hawkins)  Jones,  natives  of  New  Jersey  and  Ohio,  and  of 
Welsh  and  English  extraction  respectively,  and  was  born  INIay  9,  1846, 
He  was  reared  upon  a  farm,  and  at  the  public  schools  of  Ohio  acquired  a 
good  English  education.  September  2,  1864,  he  enrolled  at  Waynesville, 
Ohio,  in  Company  B,  One  Hundred  and  Eightieth  Ohio  Volunteer  In- 
fantry, and  served  to  July  25,  1865.  when  he  was  honorably  discharged 
with  the  rank  of  Duty  Sergeant  on  account  of  cessation  of  war.  While 
in  the  service,  he  participated  in  the  battle  of  Kingston,  N.  C,  and  a 
number  of  skirmishes.  Soon  after  enlistment,  he  was  detached  and  put 
into  garrison  duty.  Mr.  Jonen  came  to  Mooresville  in  November,  1870, 
and  took  service  with  Dorland  &  Gregory,  dealers  in  hardware  and  agri- 
cultural implements.  In  January,  1873,  he  began  the  trade  of  harness- 
maker  and  carriage-trimmer,  and,  in  1876,  set  up  in  business  on  his  own 
account.  April  26,  1876,  he  was  married  at  New  Albany,  Ind.,  to  Emma 
Thompson,  a  native  of  Indiana,  and  daughter  of  Rev.  I.  N.  Thompson, 
and  by  this  marriage  he  has  had  born  to  him  one  child — Bertram  T. 
After  returning  from  the  army,  he  was  engaged  in  the  dry  goods  business 
at  Lebanon,  Ohio,  during  the  year  1867  and  a  part  of  1868,  and,  in 
1869-70,  he  was  at  Oskaloosa,  Iowa,  in  the  grocery  business.  Aside 
from  a  small  inheritance  from  the  estate  of  his  father,  he  has  worked  for 
what  he  has,  and  owns  a  nice  residence  property  and  the  splendid  brick 
building  in  which  he  carries  on  his  business.  In  politics,  he  is  a  wide- 
awake Republican,  a  temperance  man  and  an  advocate  of  prohibition. 
From  1879  to  1882,  he  carried  on  the  manufacture  of  carriages  and  bug- 
gies in  addition  to  his  other  business,  and  altogether  his  industrious 
efforts  have  proved  satisfactorily  remunerative.  He  is  a  highly  respected 
citizen  and  a  reliable  business  man.  In  1876,  he  was  Town  Clerk  of 
Mooresville,  and  as  such  wrote  and  compiled  the  town  ordinances.  The 
father  of  our  subject  died  in  August,  1865,  at  the  age  of  sixty-eight 
years.  His  mother  yet  lives  at  the  age  of  about  seventy-eight  years,  and 
makes  her  home  with  him. 

THOMAS  ELWOOD  LAWRENCE  was  born  in  Grant  County,  Ind., 
June  19,  1847,  and  was  the  eldest  of  eight  children — four  sons  and  four 
daughters — of  William  and  Priscilla  (Williams)  Lawi'ence,  natives  re- 
spectively of  North  Carolina  and  Indiana.  When  eighteen  years  of  age, 
our  subject  accompanied  his  parents  to  Morgan  Coiinty,  where  he  has 
since  lived,  and  where  his  father  died  in  1883,  at  the  age  of  sixty-four 
years,  and  his  mother  eight  years  before,  at  the  age  of  fifty-one.  Subject 
was    educated  at  the  public  schools,  five  terms  of   which  he  afterward 


228  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

taught  in  Morgan  County.  He  married  Delphina  Harvey  April  26,  1871, 
and  has  two  children — lvalue  and  Gertrude.  He  is  a  birthright  member 
of  the  Friends'  Church,  in  which  society  his  mother  was  for  tifteen  years 
4 preceding  her  death  a  prominent  minister.  Mr.  L.  is  a  prominent  Odd 
Fellow,  a  Republican  politically,  and  an  ardent  temperance  worker,  In 
1882,  he  rented  out  his  farm,  and  engaged  in  the  lumber  business  at 
Mooresville,  Martinsville  and  other  points,  and  is  to-day  one  of  the  most 
extensive  hard-wood  lumber  dealers  in  the  county,  dealing  extensively  in 
walnut  lumber.  To  give  an  idea  of  the  present  value  of  walnut  lumber, 
we  will  state  that  Mr.  Lawrence  has  just  shipped  one  car  load  of  five- 
eights  walnut,  of  14,230  feet,  which  brought  him,  loaded  on  car  at 
Mooresville,  $825.35. 

JAMES  MADISON  LEATHERS  (deceased),  native  of  Franklin 
County,  Ky.,  was  born  May  15,  1814,  and  died  July  3,  1880.  In  1828, 
he  accompanied  his  l^rother  Thomas  J.  into  Indiana,  and  spent  the  rest  of 
his  life  in  Morgan  County.  His  school  advantages  were  very  limited, 
though  he  learned  something  of  reading,  writing  and  arithmetic  by  at- 
tendance at  the  subscription  schools  when  not  engaged  upon  the  farm. 
He  married  Martha  Jane  McDonald  September  15,  1835.  and  she  bore 
him  twelve  children — William  W.  (deceased),  Charles  S.,  Nancy  A., 
Mary,  Theodore  (deceased),  John  (deceased),  Margaret  (deceased),  Sam- 
uel (deceased),  Sarah  M.,  Harrison,  Douglass  and  Mintie  E.  From  the 
age  of  fourteen  years  until  the  day  of  his  death,  subject  was  a  consistent 
member  of  the  Christian  Church,  and  was  for  many  years  a  Master  Ma- 
son. His  first  wife  died  March  4,  1871,  and  November  5,  of  the  same 
year,  he  was  married  in  Morgan  County,  Ind.,  to  Phoebe  T.  Jones,  daugh- 
ter of  the  Rev.  H.  T.  Burge.  By  this  marriage  he  had  born  to  him 
three  children — Florence  Mabel,  Bessie  B.  (deceased),  and  Samuel  M. 
Mr.  L.  left  his  family  a  nice  property,  consisting,  among  other 
things,  of  a  tine  farm  of  183  acres,  which  his  widow  manages  with  skill 
and  success.  He  was  a  great  religious  worker,  educated  his  children,  and 
voted  the  Democratic  ticket  with  persistent  regularity. 

RILEY  McCRARY  is  a  native  of  North  Carolina,  but  the  name  of 
his  father  and  the  date  of  his  birth  are  unknown.  He  was  left  an  orphan 
at  a  very  early  period  of  his  existence,  and  bound  out  until  twenty-one 
years  of  age.  He  was  taught  only  in  manual  labor,  and  has  turned  his 
accomplishments  in  that  direction  to  good  account.  He  was  about  twen- 
ty one  years  of  age  when  he  came  into  Morgan  County,  probably  about 
1834-35,  and  for  several  years  carried  on  the  blacksmith  business  at 
Mooresville,  at  which  he  made  considerable  money.  On  April  2,  1837, 
he  married  Oracle  Staley,  who  bore  him  twelve  children — Mary  Jane, 
John  Wesley,  William  A.,  James  F.  (deceased),  Samuel  L.,  Margaret  M. 
(deceased),  Sarah  M.  (deceased),  Rebecca  (deceased),  Elizabeth  E., 
George  T.,  Joseph  W.  (deceased),  David  J.  (deceased).  The  mother  of 
these  children  died  in  1870,  and  January  3,  1873,  he  married  Mary  Jane 
Lockwood,  who  has  borne  him  three  S(ms — Franklin  (deceased),  Charles 
and  Frederick.  He  lives  now  upon  his  farm,  about  one  mile  north  of 
Mooresville,  and  makes  a  specialty  of  breeding  thoroughbred  hogs.  In 
addition  to  hi  a  home  place  of  186  acres,  he  owns  a  fine  farm  in  Hendricks 
County.  He  has  done  as  much  hard  work  as  any  man  of  his  age  in  any 
country.  He  is  a  consistent  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church, 
a  Democrat  in  politics,  and  has  never  in  his  life  used  tobacco  or  whisky, 
nor  had  one  dollar  given  to  him. 


BROWN  TOWNSHIP  AND  MOORESVILLE.  229 

PHILIP  McNAB,  M.  D.,  a  native  of  Morgan  County,  Ind.,  only 
son  of  Henry  and  Casandra  (Evans)  McNab,  natives  of  Kentucky,  and 
of  Scotch  and  Welsh  extraction  respectively,  was  born  July  12,  1833. 
Philip  was  reared  upon  a  farm  and  educated  at  the  Northwestern  Chris- 
tian University  at  Indianapolis.  In  the  summer  of  1859,  he  entered 
the  office  of  Dr.  Ford  at  Wabash,  Ind.,  and  began  the  study  of  medicine, 
and  the  following  fall  and  winter  took  a  full  course  of  lectures  at  Ann 
Arbor  (Mich.)  University.  Returning  to  Wabash  for  the  summer,  he 
attended  the  succeeding  fall  and  winter  at  Ann  Arbor,  from  whence  he 
graduatedjin  chemistry  in  the  spring  of  1863  ,andin  May  of  this  year(l861), 
he  opened  an  office  at  La  Gro,  Ind.,  and  practiced  medicine  for  the  next 
two  years.  In  March,  1863,  he  entered  Long  Island  Hospital  College, 
Brooklyn,  and  in  June,  1863,  graduated  therefrom  with  the  degree  of 
Doctor  of  Medicine,  and  after  another  short  stay  at  La  Gro  removed  to 
Indianapolis, where  in  the  beginning  of  1864,  he  formed  a  partnership  with 
Dr.  R.  T.  Brown,  Professor  of  Natural  Sciences  in  the  Northwestern  Chris- 
tian University,  and  for  four  years  following  pursued  his  profession  of 
physician  and  surgeon.  In  the  fall  of  1868,  he  came  into  Morgan  County, 
and  the  following  year  opened  an  office  iu  West  Newton,  in  Marion 
County,  where  he  remained  about  three  years.  In  November,  1872,  he 
removed  to  Mooresville,  Ind.,  where  he  immediately  took  rank  among  the 
leading  men  of  his  profession.  On  July  29,  1861,  he  was  married  at 
Bethel,  Me.,  to  Mary,  daughter  of  Aaron  and  Ruble  Mason,  of  that  State, 
and  by  this  union  he  has  had  born  to  him  two  children — Solon  Mason, 
now  a  student  at  Butler  University,  and  Howard  Barlow,  a  resident  of 
Arizona  Territory.  Dr.  McNab  is  respected  for  the  knowledge  he  has 
gaioed  in  his  profession,  in  the  practice  of  which  he  has  enjoyed  more 
than  ordinary  experience.  Some  years  since,  he  was  associated  with  Dr. 
L.  D.  Waterman,  of  Indianapolis,  as  expert  in  the  chemical  analysis  of 
the  stomach  of  a  Mrs.  Dr.  Beason,  who,  it  was  alleged,  had  been  mur- 
dered by  her  husband  at  Kokomo,  Ind.,  and  was  one  of  the  most  cele- 
brated cases  of  the  day.  Later  on,  in  1873,  he  was  employed  in  the 
same  capacity  in  the  case  of  Basil  Bailey,  another  notorious  case,  at 
Frankfort,  Ind.,  and  was  the  author  of  the  exhaustive  synopsis  of  the 
analysis  published  in  the  Mooresville  Enterprise,  June  19,  1873.  Upon 
the  analysis  m  the  case  first  named,  he  was  highly  complimented  by  the 
celebrated  Prof.  Blainey,  of  Chicago,  who  fully  indorsed  it  in  every  par- 
ticular. The  subject  of  this  sketch  is  a  man  of  versatile  ability.  His 
lectures  on  "  Medical  Sciences  "  before  the  society  of  physicians  and  sur- 
geons,  upon  Physiology  before  the  high  school,  and  upon  temperance  be- 
fore the  people,  are  noted  for  their  purity  of  diction  and  originality  of 
thought  and  eloquence  of  delivery.  At  this  writing  (November  1883), 
Dr.  McNabb  is  Secretary  of  the  Mooresville  Lodge  of  Free  and  Accepted 
Masons;  member  of  both  County  and  State  Medical  Societies,  an  active 
Republican  in  politics,  an  ardent  "  Prohibitionist,"  a  consistent  member 
of  the  Christian  Church,  and  in  the  enjoyment  of  a  lucrative  practice  iu 
the  community  where  he  is  best  known,  and  therefore  most  highly 
esteemed. 

REV.  PERRY  T.  MACY,  a  wealthy  and  influential  farmer  and  stock 
grower,  was  born  in  Randolph  County,  Ind.,  August  19,  1825,  and  there 
lived  upon  the  farm  with  his  parents,  William  and  Hannah  (Hinshaw) 
Macy,  until  he  was  twenty-three  years  old.  His  parents,  who  were  na- 
tives  of    North   Carolina,   and    descended  from  the    English  and  Irish 


230  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES: 

respectivfily,  had  thirteen  children  (seven  sons  and  six  daughters),  of 
whom  our  subject  was  the  ninth,  with  five  older  brothers.  The  subscrip- 
tion schools  supplied  the  source  of  his  education,  which  was  limited  to 
elementary  studies.  Though  he  continued  to  reside  in  his  native  county 
until  the  spring  of  1856,  he  was  married  in  Morgan  County  September 
14,  1848,  to  Charity,  daughter  of  Henry  Mills.  She  bore  him  four 
children,  thi-ee  of  whom,  Albert  W.,  Charles  L.  and  Ida  Ellen,  were  liv- 
ing at  her  death,  which  occurred  December  27,  1863.  August  26,  1869, 
he  married  in  Dallas  County,  Iowa,  Rebecca  Hadley,  daughter  of  George 
Bowles,  and  has  had  born  to  him  two  children — Oliver  P.  and  Vernon  D. 
Rev.  Mr.  Macy  has  been  many  years  regular  recorded  minister  o  f  the  Friends 
Church,  and  since  moving  to  Morgan  County  he  has  owned  and  occupied 
the  farm  upon  which  he  now  resides,  about  one  mile  west  of  Mooresville. 
From  1860  to  1872,  he  was  superintendent  of  the  business  department  of 
the  Mooresville  High  School,  and  for  two  years,  1873-74,  was  proprietor 
of  the  Mooresville  Entei^prise,  a  weekly  paper  now  known  as  the  Moores- 
ville Monitor.  His  son,  Albert,  W.,  is  at  this  writing  (December,  1883) 
the  talented  editor  of  the  Richmond  (Ind.)  Palladium.  Our  subject  is 
well  supplied  with  this  world's  goods,  nearly  all  of  which  have  been  ac- 
quired by  his  own  industry. 

ALLEN  T.  MANKER  was  born  in  Highland  County,  Ohio,  April  15, 
1827;  is  the  sixth  son  of  nine  children  (eight  sons  and  one  daughter)  of 
Jacob  and  Marion  (Jones)  Manker,  natives  of  Ohio.  His  mother  died 
when  he  was  five  years  of  age,  and  the  succeeding  eleven  years  of  his  life 
were  spent  at  different  places  in  the  neighborhood  of  his  nativity.  He 
acquired  something  of  an  education  by  a  few  months'  attendance  at  the 
winter  schools  in  his  neighborhood, and  in  1841,  in  the  town  of  Hillsboro, 
Ohio,  began  the  trade  of  carpenter  and  served  an  apprenticeship  of  three 
years.  He  came  into  Morgan  County  in  1845,  and  has  since  recognized 
Mooresville  as  his  home.  In  1854-55,  he  ran  a  grist  mill  in  Montgome- 
ry County,  and  from  1874  to  1880  had  charge  of  the  Magnolia  Mills  at 
Mooresville  two  different  times,  aggregating  something  over  three  years. 
Going  thence  to  Brooklyn,  Ind. ,  he  closed  his  mill  experience  by  about 
one  year's  service.  In  1856-57, he  was  engaged  in  the  livery  business  at 
Mooresville,  and  the  rest  of  his  life  has  been  devoted  to  the  business  of 
contractor  and  builder.  He  was  married  at  Darlington,  Ind.,  April  16, 
1857,  to  Nancy  J.  Gaskill  and  has  had  born  to  him  seven  children — Frank 
E.,  Clinton  W.,  Mary  I.,  James  M.,  John  W.,  Charles  and  Livingston. 
In  1852,  he  "bull-whacked"  across  the  plains  from  Iowa  to  Portland, 
Oreg.,  and  returned  to  New  York  via  the  Isthmus.  The  best  buildings  in 
Mooresville  are  marks  of  his  handiwork.  He  superintended  the  erection 
of  the  new  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  drew  the  plans  of  the  Masonic 
building,  and  erected  the  Odd  Fellows  Hall.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  belongs  to  the  Masons  and  Knights  of 
Honor;  is  a  strict  temperance  man,  and  in  politics  an  out  and-out  Demo- 
crat. 

GILES  BEFORD  MITCHELL,  M.  D.  (deceased),  was  born  in  Bar- 
tholomew County,  Ind.,  November  17,  1822.  His  parents,  Giles  and 
Mary  (Moore)  Mitchell,  natives  of  Virginia  and  Kentucky  respectively, 
were  married  in  Kentucky  in  1807,  and  emigrated  to  Indiana  in  1810, 
locating  in  Charleston, Clarke  County,  when  the  only  buildings  there  were 
a  block-house  and  a  log  fort.  In  1820,  they  removed  into  Bartholomew 
County,  and  in  1833  settled  in  Martinsville,  Morgan  County,  where  Giles 


BROWN  TOWNSHIP  AND  MOORESVILLE.  231 

Beford,  who  was  the  fourth  of  a  family  of  nix  children,  acquired  the 
rudiments  of  an  English  education.  In  about  1837,  he  began  the  study  of 
medicine  with  Dr.  Barnard,  of  Martinsville,  and  at  the  end  of  one  year 
entered  the  Ohio  Medical  College  at  Cincinnati,  from  which  institution 
he  subsequently  graduated  as  M.  D.  He  practiced  medicine  a  few  years 
in  Martinsville,  and  from  1847  to  1857  in  Mooresville,  when  he  returned 
to  Martinsville  and  embarked  in  the  mercantile  business.  This  he  fol- 
lowed about  three  years,  but  growing  dissatisfied  sold  out  and  returned 
to  Mooresville,  where  he  resumed  his  practice  which  he  continued  up  to 
within  a  few  days  of  his  death,  which  occurred  October  6,  1878.  He 
was  a  man  of  much  more  than  ordinary  mental  caliber,  and  his  success 
through  life  was  due  to  his  own  industry,  energy,  and  indomnitable 
perseverance  in  the  pursuit  of  knowledge.  He  was  married,  November 
30,  1847,  at  Mooresville,  to  Sarah  Reagan,  daughter  of  Eeason  Reagan, 
an  early  settler  of  Morgaa  County,  and  had  born  to  him  six  children — 
Mary  E.,  Laura  A.  (deceased),  John  (deceased),  Ida  E.  (deceased),  Sarah 
V.  (deceased),  Emma  G.,  and  William  L.  At  his  death.  Dr.  M.  had 
been  many  years  a  consistent  member  of  the  M.  E.  Church,  and  a  Mason 
in  high  standing.  He  was  one  of  the  organizers  of  the  Farmers'  Bank 
of  Mooresville,  and  for  several  years  its  President.  In  politics,  he  was 
an  unswerving  Democrat,  and  was  at  one  time  his  party's  candidate  for 
Representative  in  the  State  Legislature.  He  esteemed  his  profession 
above  all  other  employments  in  which  he  was  engaged,  and  devoted  him- 
self to  the  bank  only  because  the  accumulation  of  his  toil  required  it. 
His  aim  was  to  be  a  successful  practitioner,  and  he  allowed  nothing  to 
conflict  with  his  darling  purpose.  His  perceptions  were  very  keen,  and 
in  the  treatment  of  acute  diseases  he  was  very  successful.  Much  of  his 
extensive  practice  was  due  to  the  promptness  of  his  calls.  He  attended 
strictly  to  work,  and  was  careful  not  to  neglect  any  of  his  patients.  He 
took  hold  with  a  firm  hand,  and  the  result  was  not  doubtful.  His  suc- 
cessful career  is  a  brilliant  example  of  what  can  be  accomplished  by 
earnest  devotion  to  present  duty.  He  started  with  nothing,  having  to 
sign  a  note  for  borrowed  money  with  which  to  prosecute  his  studies  in 
the  medical  college.  As  a  business  man,  he  was  exact  in  his  habits  and 
prided  himself  on  system  in  all  that  belonged  to  his  affairs.  When  he 
received  certain  premonition  of  his  approaching  death,  he  arranged  to 
settle  his  business,  that  future  embarrassment  might  be  avoided.  He  be- 
lieved in  applying  bank  principles  to  ordinary  business  affairs,  and  this 
system,  no  doubt,  had  much  to  do  with  his  success  in  temporal  matters. 
He  deserved  great  credit  and  reaped  a  liberal  harvest  for  his  painstakings 
in  departments  of  duty.  He  left  his  family  a  handsome  patrimony, 
which  has  been  skillfully  managed  by  his  surviving  widow. 

JOHN  NAUGLE,  blacksmith  and  wood  worker,  Mooresville,  Ind., 
second  son  of  Emanuel  and  Delinda  (Reede)  Naugle,  natives  of  Pennsylva- 
nia and  Virginia,  and  of  German  and  English  extraction  respectively;  was 
born  in  Scott  County,  Ind.,  October  25,  1832.  He  was  reared  upon  a 
farm,  and  at  the  common  schools  acquired  the  rudiments  of  an  English 
education.  On  January  1,  1854,  he  was  married  at  Salem,  Washington 
County,  Ind.,  to  Charlotte  A.  Hoggett,  by  whom  he  has  had  born  to  him 
ten  children,  two  of  whom  died  in  infancy,  not  named;  the  others  were 
named  as  follows:  John  Albert,  Joseph  Wilburn,  Edward  Emanuel,  Alice 
Irene,  Leonora  (deceased),  George  Elmer  (deceased),  Ernest  Morton  (de- 
ceased) and  Archibald  T.     Both  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Naugle  are  members  of  the 


232  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  Mr.  Naugle  came  to  Mooresville  in  Feb- 
ruary, 1864,  and  for  the  next  five  years  followed  blacksmithing.  Having 
patented  a  garden  and  field  hoe,  he  for  a  few  months  traveled  from  place 
to  place  introducing  them.  He  next  perfected  other  patents,  and  devoted 
his  time  to  them  for  about  three  years.  In  1871,  he  removed  with  his 
family  to  Center  Valley  in  Hendricks  County,  and  lived  there  four  years. 
He  then  lived  seven  years  at  Valley  Mills,  in  Marion  County,  and  carried 
on  a  blacksmith  and  wood  working  shop.  His  shops  having  been  con- 
sumed by  fire,  he  returned  to  Mooresville  in  August,  1883,  and  again 
embarked  in  his  old  business.  He  now  owns  a  nice  residence  property, 
and  the  handsomest  blacksmith  and  wood  working  shop  combined  in  the 
county.  He  employs,  aside  from  his  own  labor,  two  skillful  workmen 
and  is  rapidly  placing  himself  at  the  head  of  this  particular  branch  of 
business  in  the  town  of  Mooresville.  What  he  has  of  this  world's  goods 
he  has  worked  for. 

EGBERT  BARCLAY  NEWBY  was  born  at  Salem,  Washing- 
ton County,  Ind.,  July  21,  1827,  and  lived  there,  following  farming  as  an 
occupation,  until  eighteen  years  of  age.  He  is  the  eldest  son  and  third 
child  of  five  boys  and  three  girls  born  to  Micah  and  Mary  (Cofdn)  Newby, 
natives  of  North  Carolina  and  of  English  descent.  Robert  B.  was 
schooled  at  the  Washington  County  Seminary,  and  in  the  year  1845, 
came  to  Mooresville,  where  he  has  since  resided.  His  first  service  here 
was  with  S.  Moore,  as  clerk  in  a  mercantile  establishment,  going  into  a 
partnership  with  him  at  the  end  of  five  years.  After  being  with  him  three 
years  Mr.  Newby  retired  from  the  mercantile  business,  but  continued  a 
partnership  with  Mr.  Moore  in  farming  and  stock  business  for  several 
years.  June  16,  1850,  he  mamed  his  partner's  daughter,  Jane  M.,  who 
died  in  August,  1853,  after  having  borne  him  two  children — Samuel  M. 
and  Frank  W.  (deceased).  Mr.  Newby  married  his  second  wife,  Mary 
Rariden,  in  Morgan  County  in  April,  1870.  Since  1870,  he  has  been 
farming  and  stock  trading.  In  1879,  he  was  elected  Marshal  of  Moores- 
ville, and  held  the  ofiice  one  year,  and  since  1882,  has  been  Justice  of 
the  Peace  of  Brown  Township,  and  in  addition  to  the  duties  of  that  ofl&ce, 
is  carrying  on  a  general  collecting  agency.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Ma- 
sonic order,  and  in  politics  an  active  Republican. 

WILLIAM  D.  OVERTON  is  the  third  son  of  James  H.  and  Ann  M. 
(Parker)  Overton,  who  spent  their  lives  in  North  Carolina;  he  was  born 
in  Northampton  County  that  State,  July  4,  1852;  came  to  Morgan  County, 
Ind.,  in  the  winter  of  1874,  and  up  to  the  spring  of  1882  farmed  near 
Monrovia.  At  this  town,  after  a  short  trip  West,  Mr.  Overton  entered  the 
hardware  store  of  Hobbs  &  Johnson,  as  clerk.  In  July,  1883,  he  bought 
out  the  Mooresville  elevator  and  has  since  been  engaged  in  the  grain 
business.  On  November  19,  1878,  he  was  married  at  Hillsdale,  to 
Maggie  Lankford,  who  died  March  21,  1881,  leaving  her  husband  one 
child— William  Henry.  In  1860,  Northampton  County,  N.  C,  cast  14 
votes  for  Abraham  Lincoln  for  President  of  the  United  States  and  James 
H.  Overton  was  one  of  the  number.  On  account  of  his  anti- Southern 
principles,  he  was  compelled  to  leave  home  during  the  war,  and  the 
mother  dying  in  the  meantime,  the  family  was  completely  broken  up. 
So  it  will  be  readily  understood  that  so  far  in  life  William  D.  Overton 
has  "paddled  his  own  canoe."  He  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Epis- 
copal Church,  an  earnest  supporter  of  the  cause  of  temperance,  belongs 
to  the  Masonic  order  and  votes  the  Republican  ticket. 


BROWN  TOWNSHIP  AND  MOORESVILLE.  233 

BENJAMIN  HENRY  PERCE,  M.  D.,  prominent  physician  and  sur- 
geon of  Mooresville,  Ind.,  is  eldest  of  live  children  of  Prosper  and 
Mary  O.  (Robinson)  Perce,  natives  of  New  York  and  New  Hampshire, 
and  of  English  and  Scotch-Irish  extraction  respectively,  was  born  in  St. 
Joseph  County,  Mich.,  June  27,  1838.  His  father  having  died  in  1854. 
leaving  the  family  in  somewhat  straitened  circumstances,  the  sub- 
ject of  this  sketch  was  thrown  early  in  life  upon  his  own  resources.  He 
had  acquired  some  knowledge  of  sign  writing  and  ornamental  painting, 
and  did  considerable  work  in  that  line,  by  which  he  accumulated  a 
small  sum  of  money,  the  most  of  which  he  liberally  gave  to  his  mother 
and  young  sister,  and  with  $3  in  his  pocket  and  his  extra  wearing  appar- 
rel  rolled  up  in  an  old  silk  handkerchief,  young  Perce  left  the  place  of 
his  nativity,  and  took  up  his  march  in  search  of  a  livelihood.  Trudging 
onward,  stopping  occasionally  to  saw  wood  for  bread,  he  arrived  finally 
at  the  crossing  of  the  New  Albany  &  L.  S.  R.  R.  Footsore,  tired,  hun- 
gry and  discouraged,  he  thrust  his  cane  into  the  sand  and  allowed  its 
failing  to  decide  the  course  of  his  further  travel.  It  bent  its  head  to  the 
south,  and  in  the  year  1857,  after  sleeping  in  fence  corners  and  feasting 
ofif  dry  crackers  alone  as  sable  night  spread  her  wings  over  hill  and  dale,  our 
subject  landed  at  Greencastle,  Ind.,  the  sole  possessor  of  but  25  cents. 
He  retired  without  supper  and  began  work  before  breakfast,  so  that  when 
dinner  arrived — a  good  one  to  which  he  was  kindly  invited — the  manner 
in  which  he  attacked  the  eatables,  made  the  eyes  of  his  generous  host 
and  hostess  stand  out  from  very  wonder.  He  alternated  the  two  succeed- 
ing years  between  Greencastle  and  Plainlield  in  following  his  trade,  and 
in  the  spring  of  1859,  came  to  Mooresville,  and  a  year  afterward  formed 
a  partnership  with  a  Mr.  Mitchell  in  the  manufacture  of  carriages  and 
buggies,  which  enterprise  failed  in  the  following  year.  As  "journey- 
man," he  followed  his  old  trade  at  different  places  up  to  the  summer  of 
1862,  when  he  raised  a  company  preparatory  to  entering  the  army,  and 
drilled  it,  but  declined  a  commission  as  its  commander  in  favor  of 
Capt.  Peoples.  In  August  of  this  year,  he  entered  as  a  Corporal  in  Com- 
pany E,  Twelfth  Indiana  Volunteer  Infantry,  and  served  up  to  June, 
1865.  In  July,  1864,  at  Marietta,  Ga.,  he  received  a  sunstroke  which 
resulted  in  the  destruction  of  his  right  eye.  In  October,  1864,  he  was 
placed  upon  detached  duty  as  Hospital  Steward  in  the  provisional  divis  • 
ion  of  the  Army  of  the  Tennessee,  going  from  there  to  Washington  in 
the  same  capacity  in  the  Auger  General  Hospital,  and  here  received  his 
final  discharge.  Dr.  Perce  is  a  self-educated  man,  having  attended 
school  but  about  eighteen  months  of  his  early  life.  His  first  ideas  of 
medicine  were  acquired  while  in  the  army,  and  in  the  winter  of  1872-73 
he  took  a  course  of  lectures  at  the  Indiana  Medical  College,  where  the 
following  winter  he  held  the  office  of  Prosector  to  the  Chair  of  Anatomy. 
At  the  end  of  this  session  he  graduated  as  Doctor  of  Medicine,  and  in 
February,  1879,  took  adeicndem  degree  at  the  Medical  College  of  Indiana. 
In  the  spring  of  1873,  he  began  the  practice  of  medicine  at  Mooresville, 
and,  growing  rapidly  into  popularity,  he  to-day  (December,  1883),  ranks 
among  the  foremost  in  his  profession.  May  14,  1867,  he  was  married  at 
Mooresville  to  Eunice  Ann,  daughter  of  Jacob  and  Jemima  Coombs. 
By  this  marriage  he  had  born  to  him  two  children — Henry  (deceased  in 
infancy),  and  Elsie  Gertrude.  The  mother  of  these  children  died  Sep- 
tember 18,  1874,  and  in  April,  1876,  the  Doctor  married  at  Plainfield, 
Ind.,  his  present  wife,  Elvira,  daughter  of  Simon  and  Martha  Hornaday. 


234  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES: 

Two  children,  Edith  (deceased  in  infancy)  and  Mary,  have  crowned  this 
union.  The  Doctor  is  a  consistent  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church,  belongs  to  the  I.  O.  O.  F. ,  is  a  Master  Mason,  a  Knight  of 
Honor;  has  filled  most  all  the  official  chairs  in  these  societies  and  is  at 
present  Examiner  of  the  one  last  named.  In  Masonry  and  Odd  Fellow- 
ship, he  belongs  to  the  Grand  Lodges  of  the  State.  He  is  a  member  of 
both  county  and  State  Medical  societies,  of  the  first  of  which  he  has 
been  twice  President.  He  is  in  the  enjoyment  of  a  lucrative  position, 
owns  a  handsome  property,  is  proud  of  his  profession,  and  justly  so  of 
his  successes;  he  votes  the  Kepublican  ticket. 

AMOS  W.  REAGAN  M.  D. ,  a  prominent  physician  and  surgeon  of 
Mooresville,  Ind.,  is  the  fourth  son  of  Eeason  and  Diana  (Wilson)  Rea- 
gan, natives  of  South  Carolina,  and  probably  of  Irish  and  English 
extraction  respectively.  Amos  W.  was  born  in  Marion  County,  Ind., 
April  3,  1826,  and  the  first  sixteen  years  of  his  life  were  spent  upon  a 
farm,  alternating,  in  the  usual  manner  of  farmers'  sons,  the  duties  thereof 
with  occasional  attendance  at  the  common  schools.  In  1845,  he  entered 
Asbury  University,  where  for  three  years  he  assiduously  devoted  himself 
to  study,  acquiring  a  thorough  English  education  and  a  fair  familiarity 
with  the  classics.  January,  1847,  in  the  office  of  Dr.  G.  B.  Mitchell, 
at  Mooresville,  he  began  the  study  of  medicine,  and  at  the  end  of  one 
year  entered  the  Ohio  Medical  College  at  Cincinnati,  from  whence  he 
graduated  in  the  spring  of  1851  with  the  degree  of  M.  D.  Returning 
to  Mooresville,  the  Doctor  formed  a  partnership  with  his  old  preceptor, 
and  for  the  next  succeeding  twenty -two  j'ears,  interrupted  only  by  a  three 
years'  service  in  the  army,  carried  on  the  practice  of  medicine.  Dr.  Rea- 
gan rose  rapidly  in  the  profession,  and  ere  many  years  was  ranked  among 
the  most  successful  practitioners  in  Morgan  County.  Early  in  July, 
1862,  he  entered  the  service  of  the  United  States,  and  was  at  once  com- 
missioned Surgeon  of  the  Seventieth  Indiana  Volunteer  Infantry.  From 
his  enrollment  to  the  close  of  the  war,  his  command  was  never  without 
his  services,  and  the  last  eighteen  months  of  the  time  he  was  Acting  Bri- 
gade Surgeon  of  the  First  Brigade,  Third  Division,  Twentieth  Army 
Corps.  The  distinguished  services  of  the  old  Seventieth  Indiana  are 
immortalized  in  the  already  written  history  of  our  country,  and  it  is  not 
essential  to  the  purposes  of  this  sketch  that  many  bloody  engagements 
be  here  detailed  or  even  referred  to.  Suffice  it  to  say  that  in  bivouac  or  in 
battle,  its  sick,  its  wounded  and  its  dying  were  never  without  the  attend- 
ance of  one  of  the  most  skillful  surgeons  of  the  army.  While  at  Bow- 
ling Green,  Ky. ,  in  September,  1862,  the  Doctor  contracted  chronic 
diarrhoea,  resulting  in  disease  of  the  heart.  From  the  efifects  of  this,  he 
has  never  recovered;  but,  on  the  contrary,  the  symptoms  have  grown 
perceptibly  worse  within  the  past  few  years.  From  1872  to  1875,  our 
subject  was  associated  with  Dr.  Perce  at  Mooresville,  since  the  dissolu- 
tion of  which  partnership  he  has  been  alone  in  the  practice.  He  has 
been  thrice  married,  and  is  the  father  of  three  children,  two  only  of 
whom  are  living.  His  first  wife  was  Nancy  Rooker,  daughter  of  Jesse 
Rooker,  who  died  in  the  fall  of  1858,  after  having  been  married  about 
three  years.  His  second  wife  was  Sarah  E. ,  a  younger  sister  of  his  first 
wife.  She  lived  about  five  years  of  married  life,  and  died  without  issue 
in  October,  J871.  To  his  present  wife,  a  Mrs.  Ella  Elliott,  who  has 
borne  him  one  child,  he  was  married  in  November,  1882.  In  1860,  he 
was  elected  to  his  third  term  of  Trustee  of  Brown  Township,  but  entered 


BROWN  TOWNSHIP  AND  MOORESVILLE.  235 

the  United  States  Army  before  the  term  of  his  office  expired.  At  this 
writing  (November,  1883),  Dr.  Keagan  is  enjoying  a  lucrative  practice; 
is  a  prominent  member  of  both  County  and  State  Medical  Societies;  be- 
longs t(;  the  Masonic  order,  and  to  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church;  has 
been  for  the  past  nine  years  member  of  the  JMooresville  High  School 
Board;  is  a  Republican  in  politics,  an  upright  gentleman,  and  rightfully 
holds  the  esteem  and  confidence  of  the  community  in  which  his  life  has 
so  far  been  spent. 

THOMAS  A.  RICHAEDSON  was  born  in  Hendricks  County,  Ind., 
September  8,  1837.  His  parents,  James  and  Rachel  (Little)  Richai'dson, 
natives  of  Virginia,  came  to  Mooresville  when  Thomas  A.  was  an  infant, 
and  here  the  father  died  in  1882,  at  the  age  of  seventy-eight  years.  Up 
to  fifteen  years  of  age,  our  subject  lived  in  town,  and  the  next  five  years 
he  spent  upon  the  farm.  His  education  was  limited  to  such  as  could  be 
had  at  the  public  schools,  and  having  learned  the  tinner's  trade  at 
Mooresville,  he,  in  1861,  went  to  Wabash,  Ind.,  at  which  place  and  at 
Indianapolis  he  worked  as  tinsmith  for  the  next  six  years.  October  5, 
1865,  he  was  married  at  Mooresville,  to  Miss  Hawk,  daughter  of  Dr. 
Charles  Hawk,  and  has  had  bora  to  him  three  childi-en  -  an  infant  (de- 
ceased) not  named,  Oracle  and  Florence.  Mr.  Richardson  is  one  of  the 
Stewards  of  the  Methodist  Church;  Treasurer  of  the  "Morgan"  Lodge, 
No.  211, 1.  O.  O.  F.,  and  "  Guide  "  of  "  Vesty  "  Lodge,  No.  997,  K.  of  H. 
In  the  spring  of  1880,  he  was  elected  Trustee  of  Brown  Township,  and 
re-elected  thereto  in  the  spring  of  1882.  In  the  fall  of  the  year  last 
named,  he  was  defeated  in  his  candidacy  for  Clerk  of  the  Circuit  Court. 
In  politics,  he  is  a  Democrat,  and  his  preferment  in  a  township  largely 
Republican  at  once  indicates  his  popularity  and  his  fitness  for  the  office 
to  which  he  has  been  twice  called.  In  the  spring  of  1868,  in  partner- 
ship with  J.  H.  Rusie,  he  embarked  in  the  stove  and  tin  business  at 
Mooresville,  and  here  he  has  since  remained  and  has  been  successful. 
He  is  a  self-made  man,  and  the  result  is  an  upright  and  honorable  mer- 
chant,  conscientious  alike  in  his  dealings  and  his  public  trusts. 

DR.  CLARK  ROBBINS  is  the  son  of  Alford  and  Isabel  (Griggs) 
Bobbins,  who  were  natives  of  Ohio,  and  of  Irish  extraction.  They  came 
into  Indiana  about  a  half  a  century  ago,  and  settled  in  Morgan  County, 
where  on  July  10,  1836,  their  second  son,  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  was 
born.  Clark  alternated  the  duties  of  farm  life  with  attendance  at  the 
public  schools.  He  lost  his  father  when  but  fourteen  years  of  age,  and 
since  that  time  has  "  paddled  his  own  canoe."  At  the  age  of  nineteen,  he 
began  the  study  of  medicine  in  the  office  of  Dr.  Hutchinson  at  Moores- 
ville, and  in  the  winter  of  1856-57  took  a  full  course  of  lectures  at  Ann 
Arbor  (Mich.)  University.  The  following  winter,  he  spent  profitably  at 
the  Cincinnati  (Ohio)  Medical  College,  and  in  August,  1858,  began  the 
practice  of  medicine  at  Monrovia,  Ind.  At  the  end  of  two  years,  he  re- 
moved to  Brooklyn,  Ind.,  where  for  the  ensuing  sixteen  years  he  pur- 
sued his  profession  with  flattering  success.  The  superior  school  advan- 
tages of  Martinsville  took  him  to  that  town  in  the  spring  of  1876,  and 
from  Martinsville  he  removed  to  Mooresville  in  the  fall  of  1880.  Here 
he  has  since  plied  his  profession  with  credit  to  himself  and  to  the  satis- 
faction of  his  patrons.  September  29,  1859,  he  was  married  in  Monro- 
via to  Eliza  J.,  daughter  of  John  K.  Wilhite,  and  has  had  born  to  him 
one  child — John  A.  Mrs.  Bobbins  having  died,  the  Doctor  was  married, 
December  10,  1863,  at  Centreton,  Ind.,  to  Melissa  Hardwick,  by  whom 


236  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

he  has  had  born  to  him  three  children — Ella,  Minnie  and  Schuyler.  He 
and  family  are  all  members  of  the  Methodist  Protestant  Church,  the 
Doctor  in  fact  being  one  of  its  most  substantial  pillars.  He  is  class 
leader,  Financial  Steward,  and  Superintendent  of  the  Sabbath  school. 
For  twenty-three  years,  he  was  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church,  but  in  February,  1881,  joined  the  above  body  and  has  since 
been  an  earnest  worker.  The  only  political  office  the  Doctor  ever 
aspired  to  was  that  of  Trustee  of  Clay  Township,  and  this  office  he  held 
for  ten  consecutive  years.  Dr.  Bobbins  was  by  education,  early  training 
and  many  years'  practice,  identified  with  the  "  allopathic  system,"  but  a 
few  years  since  he  chose  to  adopt  a  more  liberal  course,  so  he  cut  loose 
from  "  creeds  and  ethics,"  and  now  praftices  under  the  best  authorities 
of  the  allopathic,  eclectic   and  homoeopathic  schools. 

ISAAC  W.  EOOKER  was  born  in  Blount  County,  Tenn.,  November 
25,  1806,  and  came  to  Indiana  in  1818,  with  his  parents,  who  settled  in 
Wayne  County.  I'rom  Wayne  the  family  removed  into  Morgan  County 
in  1822,  and  located  upon  land  entered  from  the  United  States  Govern- 
ment in  Brown  Township,  and  here  the  father  and  mother,  William  and 
Nancy  (Saffell)  Booker,  spent  the  remainder  of  their  Jives.  They  were 
natives  of  England  and  Old  Virginia  respectively,  and  lived  to  a  very  old 
age,  being  each  about  eighty-four  years  when  they  departed  this  life. 
They  were  married  in  Virginia,  and  lived  together  as  man  and  wife  about 
sixty-five  years,  rearing  a  family  of  eleven  children,  five  sons  and  six 
daughters,  of  which  number  Isaac  W.  was  tenth.  He  was  reared  as  a 
farmer,  and  had  the  benefit  of  about  nine  months'  schooling  in  Brown 
Township,  but  seems,  however,  to  have  improved  his  opportunities  for 
learning,  for  he  was  employed  several  months  at  teaching  the  young 
children  in  his  neighborhood.  April  6,  1826,  Mr.  Booker  was  man-ied 
in  Morgan  County  to  Polly  Ballard,  a  native  of  Ohio,  by  whom  he  had 
born  to  him  nine  children — Elizabeth  J.,  Nancy  A.  (deceased),  Bachael 
E.  (deceased),  Mary  Ann,  Calvin  F.,  Rufus  B.  (deceased),  John  W., 
William  A.  (deceased),  and  Catharine  L.  William  A.  died  in  the  United 
States  Army,  and  the  mother  of  these  children  died  October  8,  1883,  at 
the  age  of  about  seventy-six  years.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  B.  both  became  mem- 
bers of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  when  young,  and  Mrs.  R.  lived 
and  died  as  a  Christian  should.  His  property,  aside  from  a  small  in- 
heritance from  the  estate  of  his  father,  has  been  acquired  by  his  own  in- 
dustry, and  like  most  of  the  pioneers  of  a  new  country,  he  learned  lessons 
of  hardship  and  privation,  and  has  eaten  of  the  bread  earned  by  the  sweat 
of  the  brow.  He  has  always  been  of  a  somewhat  retiring  disposition, 
and  to  attend  strictly  to  his  own  business  and  allow  other  people  to  do 
the  same,  has  been  the  rule  of  his  actions  through  life.  His  declining 
years  are  being  spent  peacefully  upon  his  old  homestead,  where  his  wants 
are  administered  to  by  his  daughter  and  her  husband, who  live  with  him, 
and  who  spare  no  efforts  to  make  his  old  age  comfortable  and  happy, 

CAPT.  SAMUEL  M.  BOOKEB,  citizen  of  Mooresville,  Ind.,  is  the 
third  son  of  Jesse  S.  and  Candace  L.  (Conduitt)  Booker,  natives  of  Ten- 
nessee, and  descendants  from  the  German  and  the  French,  respectively. 
He  was  born  at  Mooresville  May  22,  1824.  He  was  trained  to  farm  life, 
and  educated  at  the  public  schools.  His  parents  came  into  Morgan 
County  in  the  year  1816,  and  here  spent  the  remainder  of  their  years, 
his  father  dying  in  1843,  at  the  age  of  forty- nine  years,  and  his  mother 
ten  years  earlier,  at  the  age  of  thirty- eight.     He  was  maiTied,  February 


BROWN  TOWNSHIP  AND   MOORESVILLE.  237 

24, 1844,  to  Nancy  McNeff,by  whomhehad  born  to  him  six  children — Mary 
Candace  (deceased),  Marion  Howard  (deceased),  Kansas,  Adalide,  Otto  E. 
and  Mattie  B.  August  13,  1862,  he  entered  the  service  of  the  United 
States  as  Captain  of  Company  E,  Twelfth  Indiana  Volunteer  Infantry, 
and  five  months  thereafter  was  compelled  to  resign  on  account  of  phys- 
ical disability.  Though  out  but  a  short  time,  he  saw  considerable  real 
service,  having  participated  in  the  battle  of  Richmond,  Ky.,  and  any 
number  of  skirmishes.  Returning  from  the  war,  he  engaged  in  the  mer- 
cantile business  at  Mooresville,  from  which  he  retired  in  about  a  year, 
and  built  the  Magnolia  Mills,  and  conducted  them  twelve  or  thirteen 
years.  He  has  bought  and  sold  over  4,500  acres  of  valuable  lands  in 
Brown  Township;  dealt  extensively  in  grain,  and  been  an  active  business 
man  generally.  The  panic  of  1875-76  cost  him  over  $20, 000,  and  in  Novem- 
ber, 1881,  his  residence  in  Mooresville  was  completely  destroyed  by  fire. 
So,  with  all,  Capt.  Rooker  has  had  his  share  of  theups  and  downs  of  life, 
and  still  rides  the  waves.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church;  high  up  in  the  order  of  Odd  Fellows;  a  Democrat  in  politics;  a 
farmer  by  occupation,  and  takes  life  easy  in  his  new  splendid  residence, 
into  which  he  has  just  moved. 

WILLIAM  ASBURY  ROOKER  (deceased)  was  born  in  Wayne 
County,  Ind.,  January  6,  1819,  and  died  at  Mooresville,  Ind.,  August 
16,  1849.  He  was  the  second  son  of  Jesse  S.  and  Candace  L.  (Conduitt) 
Rooker,  and  had  one  brother  and  six  sisters  younger  than  himself.  At 
the  age  of  about  twelve  years,  he  entered  a  dry  goods  house  as  clerk,  and 
remained  nine  or  ten  years.  On  December  26,  1839,  he  was  married  to 
Susan  Rusie,  daughter  of  Michael  and  Catharine  (House)  Rusie,  of 
Mooresville,  and  had  born  to  him  four  children — Thomas  B.  D., Candace  C, 
Mary  C.  and  Wallace  A.  (deceased).  Soon  after  the  death  of  his  father, 
which  occurred  in  1843,  our  subject  purchased  the  old  homestead,  consist- 
ing of  about  200  acres,  the  title  to  which  descended  to  his  widow,  who  yet 
owns  and  manages  it  with  the  skill  of  an  adept.  His  early  education  was 
limited  to  such  as  the  neighborhood  schools  of  the  day  afforded,  but  lived 
to  be  a  self-taught  and  self-made  man,  and  at  the  time  of  his  death  was  a 
superior  scholar.  In  1837,  he  was  elected  Treasurer  of  Morgan  County, 
and  was  the  incumbent  of  that  office  when  he  died.  He  was  a  consistent 
member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  and  a  Master  Mason,  under 
and  by  the  rites  and  ceremonies  of  which  order  he  was  buried.  In  poli- 
tics, he  was  a  Democrat,  but  his  election  to  the  office  of  Treasurer  of  Mor- 
gan County  was  due  not  alone  to  his  rank  and  standing  in  that  party,  but 
to  his  true  worth  and  merit  as  a  good  citizen  as  well.  His  widow  was 
left  with  four  small  children,  whom  she  has  reared  and  cared  for  as  only 
a  Christian  mother  could.  Wallace  A.  died  at  the  age  of  twenty-three 
years.  Thomas  resides  at  home  with  his  mother,  and  the  two  daughters, 
married,  and  with  families  of  their  own,  live  in  the  immediate  neighbor- 
hood. 

HENRY  ROSSIER,  a  native  of  Canton  Vaud,  Switzerland,  was  born 
December  11,  1839,  and  came  to  America  in  the  spring  of  1862.  He  was 
well  educated  in  the  French  language,  and  before  he  was  nineteen  years 
of  age  had  mastered  the  trade  of  watch-maker.  His  parents,  Jacques  and 
Margaret  (Tetaz)  Rossier,  had  five  sons  and  five  daughters,  and  of  the  ten 
children  our  subject  was  next  to  the  youngest,  and  the  only  one  who  ever 
came  to  America.  From  1862  to  1867,  Henry  alternated  between  New 
York,  Indianapolis  and  Terre  Haute,  the  first  three  years  at  his  trade,  and 


238  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

the  last  two  in  the  grocery  business.  January  20,  1865,  he  was  married 
in  Terre  Haute  to  Emily  Drotz,  who  has  borne  him  five  children — William, 
Katie,  Emil,  Charles  and  Walter  (deceased).  By  persistent  effort  and  the 
application  of  a  naturally  superior  mind,  Mr.  Rossier  has  possessed  him- 
self of  a  good  English  education,  and  is  at  this  writing  (December,  1883) 
one  of  the  Trustees  of  the  Mooresville  High  School.  He  was  brought  up 
in  the  Presbyterian  faith,  but  is  now  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church.  He  belongs  to  the  T.  O.  O.  F.,  A.  F.  &  A.  M.  and  K.  of  R  at 
Mooresville,  where  he  has  been  engaged  in  the  jewelry  business  since  the 
year  1867. 

JOHN  H.  RUSIE,  born  in  Prince  William  County,  Va.,  December  22, 
1834;  came  here  with  his  parents,  Michael  and  Catharine  (House)  Rusie, 
natives  of  Germany,  who  settled  at  Mooresville  in  1836,  and  here  spent  the 
remainder  of  Iheir  years.  In  his  youth,  our  subject  learned  the  tinners 
trade,  and  received  a  fair  English  education.  In  1855.  he  engaged  in  the 
hai'dware  and  tin  business,  and  followed  it  for  five  years;  sold  out,  and 
for  the  next  two  years  managed  the  business  for  his  successors.  In  Sep- 
tember, 1857,  he  married  Mary  J.  Olleman,  daughter  of  James  Olleman, 
of  Mooresville,  and  has  had  born  to  him  three  children — Arameda,  James 
H.  and  Frederick.  August  17,  1862,  Mr.  Rusie  entered  the  service  of  the 
United  States  as  Fourth  Daty  Sergeant  of  Company  E,  Twelfth  Indiana 
Volunteer  Infantry,  and  served  to  the  close  of  the  war,  when  he  was  honor- 
ably discharged,  having  in  the  meantime  been  promoted  to  the  rank  of 
First  Lieutenant.  He  took  an  active  part  in  the  battles  of  Richmond, 
Ky. ;  Jackson,  Miss. ;  Missionary  Ridge,  Atlanta,  Gridersville,  and 
Savannah,  Ga.;  Columbia,  S.  C. ;  Bentonville,  N.  C,  and  in  Sherman's 
celebrated  campaign  from  Atlanta  to  the  s(fa.  He  returned  to  Moores- 
ville in  1865,  and  again  embarked  in  the  stove  and  tin  business,  to  which 
was  subsequently  added  hardware.  In  the  spring  of  1882,  he  sold  oat 
to  his  partner,  Mr.  T.  A.  Richardson,  and  engaged  at  once  in  his  present 
business — of  furniture  and  undertaking.  'He  is  a  member  of  the  Meth- 
odist Episcopal  Church;  a  prominent  Mason  and  Odd  Fellow,  and  in 
politics  an  uncompromising,  first-class  Democrat. 

ROBERT  R.^SCOTT  was  born  in  Franklin  County,  Ind.,  July  16, 
1833,  and  lived  in  the  State  of  Wisconsin  from  1842  to  1853,  since  which 
time  he  has  made  Brown  Township,  INForgan  County,  his  home.  The  first 
seventeen  years  of  his  life  were  spent  upon  a  farm,  since  when  he  has 
been  in  mercantile  business  as  much  as  twenty-five  years.  August  13, 
1862,  he  enrolled  in  Company  E,  Twelfth  Indiana  Volunteers,  and 
served  three  years.  He  was  promoted  to  Orderly  Sergeant  almost  im- 
mediately upon  his  entering  the  service,  and  was  next  raised  in  order  to 
the  rank  of  Second  Lieutenant,  First  Lieutenant,  and  in  June,  1863,  to 
that  of  Captain  of  the  company.  He  was  with  his  command  in  all  the 
deadly  battles  through  which  it  passed,  and  the  history  of  Indiana's 
soldiery  is  augmented  no  little  by  the  brilliant  achievements  of  the  "  gal- 
lant Twelfth."  Capt.  Scott  retired  from  the  mercantile  business  in  1883, 
and  has  since  been  upon  his  farm  recuperating  his  health,  which  had  been 
somewhat  depleted  by  long  confinement  at  indoor  labor.  He  entered  the 
directory  of  the  Mooresville  Bank  in  1880,  and  was  elected  its  Vice 
President  the  year  following.  In  addition  to  his  Mooresville  property, 
he  owns  five  fine  farms  in  Morgan  County.  All  his  property  has  been  ac- 
quired since  the  late  war  by  his  own  industry,  and  in  a  strictly  legitimate 
way.     January,  1866,  he  was  married  to  Mary  Hadley,  who  died  in  August, 


BROWN  TOWNSHIP  AND  MOORESVILLE.  239 

1869,  and  in  June,  1872,  he  married  Louisa  H.  Harvey,  who  has  borne 
him  five  children — Mary,  Carie,  Jennie,  Robert  H.  and  Sallie.  Capt. 
Scott  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  belongs  to  the 
Masonic  Order,  is  a  Republican  in  politics,  and  is  a  citizen  of  whom 
Mooresville  may  well  be  proud. 

FREDERICK  SHEETS,  merchant,  farmer  and  stock  grower,  was  born 
in  Prince  William  County,  Va.,  February  24,  1823.  His  parents,  George 
and. Margaret  (House)  Sheets,  were  natives  of  Germany,  and  came  to 
America  in  1814  or  1815,  and  in  1836  took  up  their  abode  at  Mooresville, 
and  here  spent  the  remainder  of  their  days,  the  former  dying  in  1877  at 
the  age  of  ninety-one  years,  and  the  latter  in  the  year  of  1847  at  the 
age  of  fifty-seven  years.  Our  subject  learned  the  carpenter's  trade  with 
his  father,  and  followed  it  about  eight  years.  He  was  first  married,  at 
Mooresville,  to  Charlotte,  daughter  of  Dr.  Charles  Hawk,  and  has  had 
born  to  him  six  children — Laura  Alice  (deceased),  William  O.,  Kate  Alma, 
Harry  O.,  Hattie  L.  and  Mertie.  The  mother  of  these  children  having 
died,  Mr.  Sheets  was  married,  October  20,  1879,  to  Caroline  Peoples,  his 
present  wife.  In  1851,  the  firm  of  F.  Sheets  &  Bro.  was  organized  at 
Mooresville,  and  has  since  existed.  They  do  a  large  mercantile  business, 
and  carry  on  four  extensive  farms  in  Morgan  and  Hendricks  Counties. 
Aside  from  the  firm  property,  F.  Sheets  owns  some  half  dozen  pieces  of 
town  property,  among  them  the  finest  residence  in  Mooresville.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  Republican  County  Central  Committee,  belongs  to  the 
Masonic  order,  and  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 
His  property  has  all  been  acquired  by  his  individual  effort  and  enterprise. 

DANIEL  SHEETS,  a  native  of  Prince  William  County,  Va.,  and 
younger  brother  of  Frederick  Sheets,  was  born  June  18,  1825,  and  came 
with  his  parents  into  Morgan  County  in  1836.  He  remained  with  his 
parents  until  he  was  about  twenty-two  years  of  age.  His  early  life  was 
spent  upon  the  farm,  and  at  the  neighborhood  schools  he  acquired  a  fair 
English  education.  Since  1851,  he  has  been  an  active  partner  in  the 
firm  of  F.  Sheets  &  Bro.  He  was  one  of  the  organizers,  and  for  two 
years  Director  of  the  Farmers'  Bank,  Mooresville.  He  is  a  member  of 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  and  Treasurer  of  the  Mooresville  Lodge 
of  A.  F.  &  A.  M.  He  is  an  enterprising  bachelor,  a  good  business  man, 
an  upright  citizen  and  a  Republican. 

REV.  HUGH  STACKHOUSE,  present  resident  minister  of  the 
Methodist  Protestant  Church,  Mooresville,  lud.,  was  born  in  Breckinridge 
County,  Ky.,  November  9,  1837.  His  parents,  William  and  Jane(McNab) 
Stackhouse,  natives  of  England  and  of  North  Carolina  respectively, 
came  to  Indiana  in  the  year  1841,  settled  in  Orange  County,  and  there 
ended  their  days.  They  had  eleven  children — eight  sons  and  three 
daughters — and  six  of  the  sons  and  one  of  the  daughters  were  older  than 
the  subject  of  this  sketch.  Up  to  eighteen  years  of  age,  Hugh  Stackhouse 
lived  upon  a  farm,  and  from  his  father  (who  was  a  superior  scholar),  and 
through  a  pretty  regular  attendance  at  the  public  schools,  he  received  a. 
good  English  education.  About  this  time,  he  began  his  theological 
studies,  and  in  the  year  1859  was  received  into  conference  at  Morristown, 
Ind.,  and  two  years  thereafter  regularly  ordained  Elder  of  the  church. 
After  being  received  into  conference  in  1859,  he  was  at  once  assigned  to 
Richland  Circuit,  which  embraced  twelve  places  for  preaching,  and  held 
this  charge  three  years.  The  year  following  he  occupied  the  Monroe 
Circuit;  and  on  April  29,  1863,  he  was  married  at  Solsberry,   Ind.,  to 


240  BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES: 

Nancy  Jane,  daughter  of  William  and  Mary  Hannum,  of  Ohio,  and  has 
had  born  to  him  four  children — Urbine,  Charles  H.  (deceased),  Arthur 
and  Cora  May.  Since  entering  the  ministry,  the  Rev.  Mr.  Stackhouse 
has  been  kept  constantly  on  duty,  and  during  the  time  has  held  some  of 
the  most  important  charges  in  the  United  States.  He  is  a  thorough 
theologian,  and  ranks  high  among  the  many  eloquent  ministers  of  the 
Methodist  Protestant  Church.  In  addition  to  his  pastoral  duties,  he  is 
the  occasional  correspondent  for  several  Church  periodicals,  and  holds 
the  position  regularly  of  Corresponding  Elder  for  the  Methodist  Recorder. 
He  has  represented  his  conference  in  four  General  Conferences  and  two 
General  Conventions;  is  a  Royal  Arch  Mason,  a  Republican  in  politics 
and  a  stanch  advocate  of  the  cause  of  temperance. 

ELI  J.  SUMNER  was  born  in  Highland  County,  Ohio,  May  28,  1812. 
His  parents,  Absalom  and  Priscilla  (Jackson)  Sumner,  were  natives  of 
Surrey  County,  N.  C,  and  of  Welsh  aud  Scotch  extraction  respectively. 
Eli  J.  Sumner  received  a  respectable  common  school  and  academic  edu- 
cation, and  subsequently  became  a  teacher  in  Union  Seminary,  in  his 
native  county.  In  the  fall  of  1830,  he  visited  Mooresville  for  the  first 
time,  spent  a  few  weeks  in  prospecting,  and  then  returned  to  Highland 
County,  where,  June  13,  1833,  he  married  Anna  E.  Boxley,  daughter  of 
George  Boxley,  of  Spottsylvania  County,  Va.  May  5,  1834,  Mr.  Sum- 
ner's wife  died.  In  the  fall  of  the  same  year,  he  came  on  horseback  to 
Mooresville,  and  the  following  winter  taught  in  the  Moon  Schoolhouse, 
near  by.  January  21,  1836,  he  was  married  in  Morgan  County  to  Jane 
E.,  daughter  of  Joshua  Carter,  and  at  once  settled  on  a  tract  of  land  pre- 
sented to  him  by  his  father,  about  six  miles  west  of  Mooresville.  In  the 
fall  of  1849,  he  purchased  a  large  floui'ing  and  saw  mill  near  the  village, 
and  operated  it  until  the  spring  of  1853,  when  he  removed  to  Sharpsville, 
Tipton  County,  and  engaged  in  the  manufacturing  and  shipping  of  lum- 
ber for  a  few  months,  and  then  returned  to  his  farm  near  Mooresville, 
where  he  remained  until  1865  (in  the  meanwhile  carrying  on  a  lumber 
trade  in  the  Wabash  Valley),  when  he  moved  to  Wabash.  In  the  spring 
of  1868,  he  moved  to  Indianapolis,  and  in  the  fall  of  1869  returned  to 
Mooresville.  By  his  second  wife  he  became  father  of  seven  children,  all 
born  in  Morgan  County — Thomas  C,  William  C,  Caswell  B.,  James  O., 
Anna  E.,  Hannah  C.  and  Nancy  E. ;  of  these,  the  eldest  two  only  are 
living.  Mr.  Sumner  has  been  identified  with  several  religious  denomi- 
nations, but  is  now,  with  his  wife,  a  consistent  Methodist.  In  politics, 
he  is  a  Republican,  and  he  has  always  been  an  active  worker  in  the  cause 
of  temperance. 

GEORGE  P.  THOMPSON,  a  farmer  of  Brown  Township,  was  born 
in  Chatham  County,  N.  C,  September  5,  1814,  and  came  to  Indiana  in 
1833.  After  spending  a  few  months  in  Morgan  County,  he  returned  to 
his  native  State,  but  before  the  end  of  1834  he  was  back  in  Morgan 
County,  where  he  has  since  lived.  His  life  has  been  spent  upon  a  farm, 
and  his  schooling  acquired  at  the  Friends'  School,  White  Lick.  Decem- 
ber 18,  1836,  he  was  married  in  Brown  Township  to  Millie,  a  daughter 
of  George  A.  Schoffner,  a  native  of  North  Carolina,  who  came  into  Mor- 
gan County  in  1826,  and  was  one  of  the  four  men  drowned  in  1829  while 
attempting  to  cross  White  Lick  Creek  in  a  canoe.  Mr.  Thompson  has 
had  born  to  him  eleven  children — Louisa  (dead),  Margaret,  Mary  A., 
Asbury,  Sylvester,  Anson,  Spencer,  Malinda  (dead),  Sarah,  Fremont  and 
Samuel.     Mr.  Thompson's  parents,  Samuel  and  Sarah  (Womble)  Thomp- 


BROWN  TOWNSHIP  AND  MOORESVILLE.  241 

son,  were  natives  of  North  Carolina.  The  Thompsons  came  originally 
from  England,  and  the  two  old  people  emigrated  into  Indiana  in  1869 
and  located  in  Hamilton  County,  where  the  mother  died  in  1881  at  the 
age  of  eighty-four  years.  The  father,  however,  died  in  North  Carolina, 
whence  he  had  returned  in  1872,  at  the  age  of  ninety-five  years.  Our 
subject  owns  a  tine  farm  of  100  acres,  upon  which  he  resides;  is  a  stock- 
holder in  the  M.  &  M.  Gravel  Road  Company,  and  was  for  fifteen  years 
one  of  the  Directors  of  said  company.  His  property  has  been  acquired 
by  the  united  industry  of  himself  and  wife.  They  are  both  consistent 
members  of  the  Christian  Church,  and  have  been  for  more  than  a  quarter 
of  a  century. 

JAMES  O.  THOMPSON  is  the  son  of  Jonathan  H.  and  Elizabeth  E. 
(Latta)  Thompson,  who  were  born  and  mai'ried  in  North  Carolina,  and 
there,  in  the  county  of  Orange,  on  August  11,  1839,  the  subject  of  this 
sketch  first  saw  the  light  of  day.  The  family  came  to  Indiana  in  the 
year  1845,  and  for  the  next  two  years  lived  about  four  miles  west  of 
Mooresville,  when  they  removed  to  Tipton  County,  where  a  change  of 
county  lines  subsequently  placed  them  in  Howard  County,  and  here  they 
lived  up  to  the  year  1867.  Returning  thence  to  Morgan  County,  they 
lived  again  two  years  upon  their  old  homestead,  when  they  removed  to 
Mooresville,  and  the  firm  of  J.  H.  Thompson  &  Son,  dry  goods  mer- 
chants, first  became  known  to  the  business  world.  The  father,  Jonathan 
H.,  was  a  highly  respected  and  enterprising  citizen  of  both  the  town 
and  county.  He  died  February  5,  1884,  aged  sixty-seven  years.  Prior 
to  1869,  J.  O.  Thompson  lived  upon  a  farm,  and  his  education  was  the 
best  possible  to  his  circumstances  and  surroundings.  December  20, 
1866,  he  was  married,  in  Howard  County,  Ind.,  to  Gulic  E,,  daughter  of 
Jonathan  Lee,  Esq.,  and  by  her  had  born  to  him  five  children— William 
L.,  two  infants  not  named,  Gulic  and  Ella,  the  four  last  all  dying  in  in- 
fancy. The  mother  of  these  childi'en  having  died,  our  subject  was  mar- 
ried, May  14,  1874,  at  Irvington,  Ind-,  to  Melissa  R.  Ritter,  who  has 
borne  him  three  children — Ralph  R.,  Harry  H.,  and  Clyde  C.  (deceased 
in  infancy).  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Thompson  are  members  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church,  and  he  is  an  Odd  Fellow  and  a  Knight  of  Honor, 
He  was  elected  Trustee  of  Brown  Township  in  1876,  and  held  the  office 
two  terms.  As  a  business  man,  he  is  enterprising  and  successful,  and  as 
a  politician,  an  active  Republican, 

JOHN  HARBISON  THORNBURGH  is  the  second  son  of  Benjamin 
and  Susan  (Monical)  Thornburgh,  and  was  born  in  Washington  County, 
Ind.,  November  4,  1821,  He  was  reared  upon  the  farm,  and  acquired 
the  rudiments  of  an  English  education  at  the  neighborhood  schools.  At 
the  age  of  twenty -two  years,  he  left  the  parental  roof,  and  for  the  next 
four  years  taught  school  during  the  winter  months  and  farmed  during 
the  summer.  He  was  married,  December  24,  1846,  in  Mooresville,  to 
Eliza  Gray,  widow  of  Dr.  Gray  (deceased)  and  daughter  of  Reason  Rea- 
gan (also  deceased).  Their  first  born,  Thomas,  died  in  infancy,  and  his 
daughters  are  Elizabeth  (wife  of  A.  W.  Conduitt),  Alice  L.  (widow  of 
Dr.  Wharton),  and  Susie  (wife  of  O.  E.  Rooker).  At  the  age  of 
forty  years,  our  subject  gave  up  farming,  and  for  fifteen  years  followed 
merchandising  in  Mooresville,  and  in  the  spring  of  1881  engaged  in 
general  insurance,  real  estate  and  money  brokerage,  which  he  has  since 
followed.  He  has  been  thrice  Trustee  of  Brown  Township,  and 
Deputy  Revenue  Collector  for  Morgan  County  under  Grant's  administra- 


242  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

tion.  The  late  panic  came  nearly  bankrupting  him  financially,  but 
left  his  energy  and  business  ability  unimpaired.  He  is  a  prominent 
member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  a  Eepublican,  an  advocate 
of  temperance,  and  a  public  speaker  of  merit  and  a  progressive  citizen. 

BENJAMIN  THORNBUKGH  (deceased)  was  born  September  25, 
1797,  in  Mercer  County,  Ky.  In  1808,  his  parents  moved  to  Indiana 
Territory,  and  settle!  one  mile  southwest  of  Salem,  on  Blue  River,  in 
Washington  County.  He  lived  with  his  father  on  the  farm  until  his 
twentieth  year,  when  he  was  married  to  Susan  Monical  on  the  20th  day 
of  February,  1817,  by  Rev.  James  Harbison.  During  the  war  of  1812, 
he  joined  the  Territorial  army  of  the  frontier  under  the  proclamation  of 
Gov.  Jennings,  and  helped  to  build  several  block-houses  for  defense, 
into  which  the  early  settlers  fled  for  protection  from  the  Indians.  He 
enlisted  under  Maj.  William  Hockett,  and  they  sent  out  pickets  who 
passed  over  the  country  from  where  Fredericksburg  now  stands  to  Liv- 
onia and  Brownstown.  They  built  a  fori  near  Salem,  in  which  his  par- 
ents remained  about  three  months  before  the  close  of  the  war.  In  April, 
1822,  he  moved  to  Morgan  County  and  settled  on  the  east  side  of  White 
Lick,  near  where  Brooklyn  now  stands.  He  assisted  his  father-in-law, 
Peter  Monical,  in  building  the  first  permanent  dam  across  White  Lick, 
at  Brooklyn.  In  about  1825,  he  entered  the  land  from  Congress,  which 
he  cultivated  and  lived  upon  until  his  death,  which  occurred  on  the  13th  of 
November,  1883,  at  the  advanced  age  of  eighty -six.  He  joined  the  Meth- 
odist Episcopal  Church  in  August,  1816,  and  was  licensed  as 
an  exhorter  in  1833,  by  Eli  P.  Farmer.  He  was  a  firm  believer  in  the 
truth  of  the  Bible  and  in  the  Christian  religion,  and  tried  to  follow  out 
every  day,  during  his  long  and  eventful  life,  the  principles  taught  in 
that  great  Book.  He  was  among  the  first  to  speak  out  against  licensed 
saloons  in  Mooresville.  He  never  had  a  law  suit  with  any  one,  but  peace 
seemed  to  crown  his  pathway,  and  he  closed  his  life  iji  full  hope  of  im- 
mortality and  eternal  life. 

BENJAMIN  F.  TROGDON,  farmer  and  stock  dealer  of  Brown 
Township,  Morgan  County,  Ind.,  second  of  the  twelve  children  of  Joel 
J.  and  Sallie  I.  (Julian)  Trogdon,  was  born  in  Randolph  County,  N.  C, 
February  15,  1847.  His  parents  emigrated  from  Carolina  to  Missouri, 
and  from  there  came  to  Indiana  in  1865,  our  subject  having  at  that  time 
been  in  Morgan  County  about  five  years.  Benjamin  grew  to  manhood 
on  a  f  arnj,  and  at  the  common  schools  acquired  the  rudiments  of  an  En- 
glish education.  On  February  9.  1864,  he  enlisted  in  Company  L, 
Twenty-first  Regiment,  First  Indiana  Heavy  Artillery,  and  served  until 
January  10,  1866.  August  17  following,  having  laid  aside  the  accou- 
terments  of  war,  he  donned  those  of  a  true  civilian,  and  forgetting  not  the 
many  pretty  promises  he  had  made,  and  remembering  the  heart  that  beat 
most  wildly  as  two  tearful  eyes  glanced  over  the  dispatches  that  told  of 
the  booming  of  the  cannon  at  the  siege  of  Mobile,  he  led  to  the  altar  El- 
mira  J.  Moon,  and  there  took  upon  himself  the  obligation  which  enrolled 
him  again  in  the  service  of  his  country,  and  though  his  commission  en- 
titles him  not  to  gilt  bands  and  epaulets,  he  is  nevertheless  captain  of 
the  host  which  to  the  time  of  sweetest  music  engendered  by  happy  hearts 
goes  marching  on,  making  the  world  better  for  having  lived  in  it.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Trogden  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 
They  have  had  born  to  them  four  childx-en — Ada  B.  (deceased),  Lena 
D.,  Glenney  V.  and  Ida  May.     Mr.  T.  is  a  self-made  man,  and  there  is 


BROWN  TOWNSHIP  AND  MOORESVILLE.  243 

nothing  in  his  make-up  that  he  need  be  ashamed  of.  He  belongs  to  the 
I.  O.  O.  F.  and  G.  A.  K. 

EEV.  JOHN  ANTHONY  WAED  was  born  in  Eock  Island  County, 
111. ,  December  25,  1839,  and  is  the  second  son  and  fourth  child  born 
to  Stephen  and  Adaline  (Baxter)  Ward,  natives  respectively  of  North 
Carolina  and  Ohio,  and  of  English  extraction.  The  family  came  into 
Indiana  in  1846  and  located  in  Putnam  County,  where  they  resided  several 
years,  coming  finally  into  Morgan  County  in  1857.  John  Anthony  was 
reared  upon  a  farm,  and  educated  at  the  public  schools,  two  terms  of 
which  he  afterward  taught.  On  February  16,  1860,  he  was  married  in 
Morgan  County  to  Sylvina  Farmer,  and  on  August  12,  1862,  enrolled 
at  Indianapolis  in  Company  D,  Seventieth  Indiana  Volunteer  Infantry, 
and  served  about  three  years.  He  was  with  this  regiment  in  many 
bloody  engagements  and  escaped  without  injury.  At  Peach  Tree  Creek, 
Ga.,  he  contracted  chronic  dysentery,  from  which  he  has  never  fully 
recovered.  He  has  six  children  living — Laura  L.,  Charles  Gr. ,  Luella 
Ann,  Harry  H.,  John  S.,  Walter  E.  and  Francis  Asbury  (deceased).  He 
united  with  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  in  1858,  and  in  the  fall  of 
1865  was  licensed  local  preacher,  and  a  year  afterward  entered  the 
traveling  connection.  In  1868,  he  was  ordained  Deacon,  and  in  Septem- 
ber, 1870,  graduated  in  the  theological  course  of  study,  and  was 
regularly  ordained  Elder  at  Bloomington,  Ind.  In  the  fall  of  1866,  he 
was  assigned  to  Francisco  Circuit  (Gibson  County,  Ind.),  and  has  since 
devoted  his  entire  time  to  the  service  of  the  Master.  The  Eev.  Mr. 
Ward  is  a  forcible  and  argumentative  speaker.  He  has  received  into 
church  membership  not  less  than  1,200  persons.  He  ook  charge  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  congregation  at  Mooresville  in  1881,  and  is  at  this 
time  upon  the  last  year  of  the  maximum  limit  according  to  the  rules  of 
the  church.  He  is  purely  a  self-made  man;  belongs  to  the  Masonic 
order,  and  ignores  politics. 

WILLIAM  FLETCHEE  WHITE  was  born  in  Putnam  County,  Ind., 
November  1,  1842,  and  is  the  second  son  and  fourth  child  of  John  and 
Cynthia  (Euggles)  White,  natives  of  Virginia  and  Kentucky  respectively. 
William  F.  was  twenty-eight  years  of  age  before  he  left  the  parental 
roof  for  the  purpose  of  making  a  home  for  himself.  The  vigorous  exer- 
cises incident  to  farm  life,  and  the  tutelage  of  the  public  schools  had 
supplied  him  with  both  muscle  and  a  fair  English  education  before  he 
arrived  at  his  majority.  In  the  spring  of  1861,  he  enlisted  in  the  three 
months'  service  as  a  private  in  Company  H,  Tenth  Indiana  Volunteer 
Infantry,  and  in  the  summer  of  1862,  did  the  sixty-day  service  in  the 
Seventy-eighth  Indiana.  At  Uniontown,  Ky.,  the  enemy  "  gobbled  him 
up"  and  put  a  temporary  "  embargo "  upon  his  soldiering.  However, 
being  full  of  patriotism  and  ' '  fight, "  and  having  been  exchanged  as 
prisoner  of  war,  he  enlisted  October,  1863,  in  Company  F,  One  Hundred 
and  Twenty-eighth  Indiana  Volunteer  Infantry:  was  promoted  to  a  non- 
commissioned office,  and  stayed  with  them  until  August  25,  1865.  He 
fought  the  enemy  at  Eichmond,  Ky.,  Eesaca,  Ga. ,  and  in  the  Atlanta 
campaign,  at  Nashville,  at  Franklin,  at  Kingston,  N.  C,  and  at  Kene- 
saw  Mountain;  and  when  the  war  was  over,  returned  to  his  home  as  sound 
as  a  dollar.  From  1866  to  1871,  he  worked  at  carriage-making  in  Green- 
castle,  and  in  1872  canvassed  a  few  months  in  the  picture  business.  He 
came  to  Mooresville  in  October  of  the  latter  year,  and  for  five  years 
worked  as   "journeyman"  at  his  trade.     In  1877,  the  firm  of  White  & 


244  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

Shanafelt,  carriage  manufacturers,  was  organized,  and  has  proved  a  suc- 
cess. Mr.  White  was  married,  December  25,  1873,  to  Ladoskey  Jenkins, 
and  has  had  born  to  him  two  children — Jessie  Pearl  and  Arthur  Earl. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  White  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church, 
and  the  voting  one  of  the  family  is  a  Eepublican. 

MICHAEL  M.  WILSON  was  born  in  Guilford  County,  N.  C,  on 
July  6,  1838,  and  was  twenty  years  old  when  he  came  to  Morgan  County. 
His  life  has  been  spent  upon  the  farm,  and  his  learning,  consisting  of  a 
fair  English  education,  was  not  acquired  at  school.  He  was  married, 
February  10, 1861,  atMooresville,  to  Margaret,  daughter  of  Hiram  Staley, 
and  has  had  born  to  him  ten  children — William  M.,  John  B.,  Mary  C, 
Peter  F.,  Charley  O.  (deceased),  Michael  M.,  Cora  (deceased),  Thomas 
M.  (deceased),  Robert  R.  and  India  P.  His  parents,  Louis  and  Mary 
(Coble)  Wilson,  were  natives  of  North  Carolina;  came  to  Indiana  in  1865, 
and  have  since  resided  in  Morgan  County,  and  at  this  writing  are  both 
octogenarians.  They  had  five  children,  four  sons  and  one  daughter;  the 
eldest  being  the  subject  of  this  sketch.  Since  July,  1883,  M.  M.  Wilson, 
in  addition  to  his  farming  and  stock  growing,  has  been  engaged  in  the 
buying  and  shipping  of  grain  at  Mooresville.  He  is  well  fixed  financially, 
every  dollar  of  which  has  been  acquired  by  his  own  industry.  He  be- 
longs to  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church;  holds  official  positions  in  both 
Masonic  and  Odd  Fellows  societies,  and  in  politics  is  a  Democrat. 

WILLIAM  HENRY  PRESLY  WOODWARD  is  descended  from  the 
English  and  Welsh.  His  parents,  William  and  Lavina  (Munsee)  Wood- 
ward, spent  their  | lives  in  Virginia — the  mother,  who  lived  seventeen 
years  after  the  death  of  the  father,  having  died  in  1834.  Thev  had 
three  children;  the  youngest.  W^iHiam  H.  P.,  was  born  in  Lee  County, 
Va. ,  September  30,  1816,  and  came  to  Mooresville  in  the  spring  of  1835, 
having  walked  all  the  way.  From  fourteen  to  eighteen  years  of  age,  he 
learned  the  tailor's  trade,  and  followed  it  for  several  years  after  coming 
to  Mooresville.  October  17,  1839,  he  was  married  to  Keziah  Bray, 
daughter  of  John  H.  Bray,  one  of  the  early  settlers  of  Morgan  County. 
She  bore  him  five  children,  two  of  whom — Sarah  and  Ella — were  living 
at  her  death,  December  1,  1858.  August  25,  1859,  our  subject  married 
Lydia  E.  Thompson,  who  has  borne  him  one  child — Mattie,  wife  of  W. 
A.  Comer,  of  Martinsville,  Ind.  In  1853,  Mr.  Woodward  accepted  a 
clerkship  with  Holman  Johnson  in  the  mercantile  business,  and  at  the 
end  of  four  years,  in  partnership  with  D.  Fogleman,  bought  his 
employer  out,  since  which  time  he  has  continued  in  the  goods  busi- 
ness, Mr.  Fogleman  having  retired  from  the  firm  in  1856.  July  3,  1881, 
his  business  house  was  consumed  by  fire,  as  was  also  much  of  his  stock; 
but  by  the  fall  of  the  same  year  he  had  rebuilt,  and  was  again  in  busi- 
ness at  the  old  stand.  He  received  little  schooling.  His  father  was  a 
school-teacher,  but  his  step-father  took  no  interest  in  him.  Mr.  W.  is  a 
prominent  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  and  a  Republican. 
He  inherited  from  his  father  one  old  book,  and  from  his  grandfather  $65. 
What  else  he  has  has  been  acquired  by  his  industry,  and  though  some- 
what crippled  by  the  burning  of  his  store  and  by  friends  (?),  for  whom 
he  unwisely  indorsed,  he  is  yet  full  of  life  and  euergy,  and  possessed  of 
sufficient  property  to  insure  ease  and  tranquillity  to  his  declining  vears. 
HENRY  L.  WOODWARD  is  the  fourth  son  of  Clark  an.d  Ann 
(Warren)  Woodward,  natives  of  Vermont  and  Ohio  respectively,  and 
was  born  in  Jefferson  County,  Ind. ,  October  26,  1840.     He  accompanied 


JACKSON  TOWNSHIP  AND  MORGANTOWN.  245 

his  parents  to  Mooresville  in  the  summer  of  1861,  and  here  he  has  since 
remained.  His  father,  who  died  at  the  age  of  seventy-two  years,  was 
Postmaster  at  Mooresville  from  the  year  1861  to  1864-65,  and  was  suc- 
ceeded therein  by  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  who  held  the  office  for  several 
years,  carrying  on  the  boot  and  shoe  business  at  the  same  time.  In  1873, 
he  formed  a  partnership  with  Reuben  Harris  in  the  grocery  business. 
In  1875,  Mr.  Harris  sold  out  to  James  Hinson,  and  the  business  was  con- 
tinued under  the  firm  name  of  Woodward  &  Hinson  until  November, 
1879,  since  which  time  Mr.  Woodward  has  been  alone.  In  February, 
1873,  he  was  married  in  Mooresville  to  Ai-tie,  daughter  of  William  Rose, 
of  Ohio,  and  has  had  born  to  him  four  children — Luther,  Walter, 
Charles  and  Sadie.  From  about  the  year  1868  to  1880,  excepting  prob- 
ably one  year  of  the  time,  Mr.  Woodward  held  the  office  of  Clerk  of  the 
town  of  Mooresville.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist  ^  Episcopal 
Church,  a  Republican,  a  good  citizen,  an  honorable  merchant,  and  does 
the  leading  grocery  business  of  Mooresville. 


JACKSON  TOWNSHIP  AND  MORGANTOWN. 

HUGH  ADAMS,  pioneer  farmer  and  stock-raiser,  was  born  April  11, 
1808,  in  Henry  County,  Ky.,  and  is  the  eleventh  of  the  fourteen  children 
of  David  and  Polly  (Kephart)  Adams,  the  former  a  native  of  Ireland,  the 
latter  of  Germany,  and  respectively  of  Irish  and  German  descent.  David 
Adams  came  to  this  county  about  1830,  remained  awhile  and  returned  to 
Kentucky,  then  came  back,  and  here  finished  his  course  of  hfe.  Hugh 
Adams  was  brought  up  to  farming,  and  located  in  this  township  in  1832, 
which  has  since  been  his  residence,  he  living  now  upon  his  original  entry 
of  1 20  acres,  to  which  he  has  added  180,  making  a  large  farm,  well  improved 
and  stocked.  W^hen  he  was  eighteen  years  old,  he  became  an  apprentice 
to  the  blacksmithing  trade,  which  he  set  up  in  Morgantown  and  continued 
five  years.  He  afterward  engaged  in  farming,  working  alternately  on  the 
land  and  in  his  shop;  but  after  1869,  he  devoted  himself  entirely  to  his 
farm  and  stock-raising.  Mr.  Adams  has  been  twice  married — first,  Janu- 
ary 8, 1829,  with  Miss  Ruth  Paton.  who  bore  ten  children — Charity,  David, 
Mary  J.,  Elizabeth,  Christina,  Ruth  (deceased),  C.  H.,  Amy,  Sarah  (de- 
ceased), and  an  infant  deceased.  His  second  marriage  was  with  Mrs. 
Eunice  Kephart,  August  26,  1875.  Mr.  Adams  is  a  Democrat,  and  gave 
his  first  vote  for  Gen.  Jackson.  His  career  has  been  honorable  and  his 
life  a  useful  one.     He  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Baptist  Church. 

JACOB  ADAMS,  farmer  and  stock  raiser,  was  born  in  this  township 
July  24,  1829,  and  is  the  eldest  of  the  six  children  of  Henry  and  Amy 
(Kephart)  Adams,  both  natives  of  Kentucky,  and  of  Irish  and  German 
descent  respectively,  who  came  to  and  settled  in  this  vicinity  in  1828. 
Jacob  attended  school  some  time  during  the  winters,and  worked  on  the  farm 
in  other  seasons  until  he  was  twenty-five  years  of  age,  when  he  began  the 
effort  of  taking  care  of  himself,  as  a  help  to  which  he  received  100  acres 
of  rich  land  as  a  parental  reward.  April  13,  1854,  he  wedded  Miss  Mary 
Lake,  a  native  of  Virginia,  which  marriage  gave  being  to  six  children — 
George  A,,  Rebecca  A.  (deceased),  Henry  A.,  John  J.  C,  Hendricks  V. 


246  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

and  infant.  Mr.  Adams  is  an  esteemed  member  of  the  Masonic  frater- 
nity, of  the  Knights  of  Honor,  and  also  of  the  Democratic  party,  and  has 
served  his  township  seven  years  as  Trustee  and  four  years  as  Assessor. 
He  is  an  advocate  of  all  good  and  progressive  measures,  a  well-to-do 
farmer  and  able  manager.  Mrs.  Adams  is  a  member  of  the  Missionary  Bap- 
tist Church. 

SAMUEL  T.  ADAMS,  farmer  and  stock-raiser,  is  a  native  of  this 
township,  was  born  May  19, 1848,  and  is  the  fourth  of  the  eight  children 
of  Henry  and  Nancy  (Slusser)  Adams.  Samuel  T,  Adams  received  a 
common  school  education,  and  was  reared  to  the  venerable  business  of 
farming.  He  worked  for  his  parents  until  he  was  twenty -five  years  of 
age,  at  which  period  he  began  life  on  his  own  account,  his  father  pre- 
senting him  with  eighty  acres  of  good  land,  on  which  he  has  erected 
buildings  and  added  other  improvements,  making  a  good  home  and  a  de- 
sirable property.  May  25,  1873,  he  married  Miss  Jemima  Kephart,  a 
native  of  Owen  County,  and  to  which  union  five  children  have  been  be- 
stowed— Nancy  O.,  deceased;  William  H.;  Charity  J-,  deceased;  Ida  M., 
deceased;  and  an  infant  unnamed.  Mr.  Adams  is  an  ^aergetic  Demo- 
crat, a  rational  and  charitable  gentleman,  and  a  prosperous  fSrmer  and 
stock  breeder.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Adams  are  highly  respected  members  of  their 
community. 

JOSEPH  ADAMS,  stock-raiser  and  farmer,  is  a  native  of  this  town- 
ship, was  born  March  22,  1852,  and  is  the  eighth  of  the  twelve  childi-en 
of  Henry  and  Nancy  (Sluser)  Adams,  the  former  a  native  of  Kentucky, 
the  latter  of  Virginia,  and  of  English  and  German  extraction  respect- 
ively. Joseph  Adams  was  reared  to  the  farming  profession,  and  received 
a  fair  education.  He  is  the  owner  of  eighty  acres  of  good  land;  his 
father — who  is  now  residing  with  him  in  his  age — having  given  to  each 
of  his  children  some  assistance.  Recently  Mr.  Adams  has  added  forty 
acres  to  the  paternal  gift,  making  a  valuable  property  and  a  desirable 
home.  He  is  a  Democrat  by  political  preference,  and  a  liberal  and  re^ 
garded  citizen.  Thus  far  he  has  been  successful  in  the  battle  for  inde- 
pendence, and,  with  his  good  management  and  bright  foresight  he  must 
become  one  of  the  prosperous  farmers  of  his  section. 

JOHN  ADAMS,  farmer  and  stock- raiser,  was  born  December  14, 1834, 
in  this  township,  and  is  the  second  of  the  fourteen  children  of  Jacob  and 
Julia  A.  (Shell)  Adams,  the  former  a  native  of  Kentucky,  the  latter  of  East 
Tennessee,  and  of  Irish  and  German  descent  respectively.  Jacob  Adams 
came  hither  about  1830,  married,  went  back  to  Kentucky  for  about  two 
years,  when  he  returned  to  this  county  and  reared  a  family.  In  1862,  he 
was  elected  County  Treasurer;  he  is  now  a  resident  of  Kansas.  John 
Adams  gave  his  boyhood  to  the  labor  of  the  farm,  during  which  he  ob- 
tained about  three  months"  schooling  each  year;  but  he  qualified  himself 
by  self- study,  and  has  taught  two  terms  of  school.  November  20,  1856, 
he  married  Miss  Ann  Lake,  a  native  of  this  county,  which  union  was  fol- 
lowed by  ten  children,  eight  of  whom  were  named  Leroy,  Joseph  S., 
Jacob  (deceased),  Mary  A.,  William  K.,  Amanda  C,  Elizabeth  and  George 
H.  Mr.  Adams  has  managed  his  business  successfully,  now  having  two 
good  farms,  and  dealing  somewhat  in  stock.  In  politics,  he  has  always 
been  a  Democrat,  and  was  elected  Township  Trustee  in  1866,  which  office 
he  held  for  three  terms,  Mr.  Adams  is  a  liberal  citizen,  an  advocate  of 
public  education,  and  a  member  of  the  Knights  of  Honor.  Mrs.  Adams 
is  an  esteemed  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 


JACKSON  TOWNSHIP  AND  MORGANTOWN.  247 

GEN.  WILL  A..  ADAMS  (deceased)  was  born  near  Greenville,  E. 
Tenn. ,  October  24,  1839,  and  was  the  eldest  of  the  family  of  David  B. 
and  Desdemona  (Orto)  Adams,  natives  of  Tennessee,  and  of  Scotch  de- 
scent, who  moved  to  Brown  County,  Ind.,  in  1849,  where  our  subject  was 
educated.  During  the  war — 1861 — he  enlisted  in  Company  C,  Twenty- 
second  Indiana  Volunteers,  at  which  time  he  was  Clerk  of  the  Circuit 
Court  of  Brown  County.  He  was  made  Second  Lieutenant,  and,  from 
efficiency  and  valor,  promoted  again  and  again,  until  at  the  close  of  the 
war  he  was  Colonel  of  the  One  Hundred  and  Forty-fifth  Indiana  Regi- 
ment, and,  when  discharged,  a  Brigadier  General.  He  was  a  brave,  hon- 
orable, worthy  officer,  and  an  affable  and  respected  gentleman.  After  the 
war,  he  engaged  in  merchandising  in  Brown  County,  in  which,  as  in  all 
his  efforts,  he  was  signally  successful,  and  happy  in  obtaining  the  confi- 
dence of  the  community.  Mr.  Adams  married,  July  9,  1861,  Miss  Mary 
K.  Butler,  of  Belmont  County,  Ohio,  with  an  issue  of  four  children — 
Amanda  (born  September  19,  1865),  Ada  L.  (born  May  1,  1868,  died 
January  12,  1869),  Edwin  B.  (born  January  19,  1870,  died  August  6, 
1876)  and  Emma  D.  (born  August  11,  1872).  In  the  midst  of  his  useful- 
ness', and'in  all  his  well-earned  glory,  the  great  ravager,  consumption, 
laid  untimely  hands  upon  him,  and  carried  him  through  death  to  greater 
victory  than  any  earth  had  given  him.  He  was  a  true  member  of  the 
Masonic  fraternity,  and  also  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  His 
funeral  was  large,  and  his  body  was  interred  in  the  peerless  ceremony  of 
Freemasonry.  In  politics,  he  was  Eepublican.  He  left  his  widow  well 
cared  for,  and  provided  for  his  children  a  fair  beginning. 

EZRA  H.  BRIGGS,  stock-raiser  and  farmer,  was  born  October  8, 
1823,  in  Franklin  County,  Mass.,  and  is  the  ninth  of  the  thirteen  chil- 
dren born  to  Simeon  and  Elizabeth  (Saddler)  Briggs,  natives  of  Massa- 
chusetts and  of  English  extraction.  Ezra  was  reared  a  farmer,  and 
remained  in  his  native  county  until  he  was  twenty  six  years  old,  at  which 
time  he  came  to  this  State  and  settled  in  Dearborn  County,  where  he  was 
engaged  at  farming  for  several  years.  In  1863,  he  came  to  Morgan 
County,  which  has  since  been  his  home.  Mr.  Briggs  is  a  member  of  the 
Republican  party,  by  which  he  is  very  highly  regarded,  and  was  elected 
in  the  spring  of  1872  Assessor  of  this  township.  He  is  a  man  of  liberal 
views,  of  generous  character  and  a  prosperous  farmer  and  raiser  of  stock. 

GEORGE  E.  BRONSON  was  born  in  Summit  County,  Ohio,  Janu- 
ary 25,  1823.  He  is  a  deaf  mute,  in  consequence  of  early  inflammation 
of  the  drums  of  the  ears.  He  graduated  at  the  Deaf  and  Dumb  Insti- 
tute at  Columbus,  Ohio,  where  he  remained  five  years,  and  later  learned 
the  printing  trade  in  Cleveland;  but,  becoming  discouraged,  he  went  to 
work  for  the  Recorder  of  Lenawee  County,  Mich. ;  moved  thence  to  De- 
troit and  was  in  the  Auditor's  office,  where  he  remained  three  months; 
thence  he  went  to  Milwaukee  and  thence  to  Iowa  City,  where  he  became 
a  legislative  clerk,  and  afterward  worked  in  the  Recorder's  office  at  St. 
Louis.  He  was  later  appointed  Principal  of  the  Deaf  and  Dumb  Insti- 
tute at  Nashville,  Tenn.,  where  he  remained  until  the  war  began,  after 
which  he  purchased  200  acres  of  land,  and  made  a  trial  of  farming. 
July  14,  1852,  he  married  Lucy  C.  Blacknall,  of  Tennessee,  the  result  of 
which  union  was  ten  children — Josephine  Alice,  Charles  Egbert,  Benja- 
min Franklin,  Emma  Dora,  Abraham  Lincoln,  Fannie  Lisslie,  Clarence 
Ashley,  Silas  Ailing,  Mildi-ed  ISiIaggie  and  Ida  Lucy.  After  the  death  of 
his  first  wife,  Mr.  Bronson  wedded,  in  Logansport,  Ind.,  Annie  Barnes; 


248  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

this  marriage  took  place  May  5,  1874,  and  was  followed  by  five  children: 
Effie  Nellie,  Cassie  Mabel,  Jessie  Edna,  Myrtle  Maud  and  George  Eg- 
bert, Jr.  In  1868,  he  sold  his  Tennessee  property  and  moved  to  Morgan- 
town,  Ind.  His  father  bequeathed  him  $15,000  and  his  uncle  a  like 
amount. 

W.  H.  BUTLER,  M.  D.,  prominent  physician  and  surgeon  of  Mor- 
gantown,  was  born  January  15,  1846,  in  Jennings  County,  Ind.,  and 
is  the  fourth  of  the  six  children  of  George  and  Eliza  (Stott)  Butler,  na- 
tives of  Kentucky,  and  of  Irish  and  English  descent  respectively.  They 
removed  to  Bartholomew  County,  Ind. ,  where  our  subject  received  some 
education,  worked  on  the  farm,  and  grew  to  manhood,  having  sufficient 
money  to  pay  for  three  years'  tuition  at  Hartsville.  December  4,  1863, 
he  enlisted  in  Company  A,  One  Hundred  and  Twentieth  Regiment  In- 
diana Volunteer  Infantry,  served  at  the  battles  of  Dalton,  Marietta,  Ken 
esaw  Mountain,  Atlanta,  Columbia,  Franklin,  Nashville  and  Kingston. 
He  was  discharged  January  8,  1866,  after  which  he  prepared  himself  for 
teaching;  taught  two  terms;  became  salesman  in  a  drug  store,  and  be- 
gan the  study  of  medicine  under  Dr.  McLeod,  of  Barnesville,  which  he 
continued  two  years,  then  attended  lectures  at  the  Indiana  Medical  In- 
stitute, at  Indianapolis,  and  graduated  in  1879,  -having  previously  prac- 
ticed at  Middlebury,  where  he  continued  for  a  time.  May  31,  1877,  he 
married  Miss  Jennie  Horner,  with  a  result  of  two  children — Chloe  A. 
and  George  J.  In  1880,  Dr.  Butler  came  to  Morgantown,  in  which 
place  he  has  established  a  good  and  growing  practice.  He  is  a  member 
of  the  Masonic  fraternity,  and  an  active  Republican.  Mrs.  Butler  is  a 
member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 

MOSES  T.  COFFEY,  stock-raiser  and  farmer,  is  a  native  of  this 
county,  was  born  May  24,  1831,  and  is  the  fifth  of  the  ten  children  of 
Lewis  and  Delilah  (Turpin)  Coffey,  natives  of  Kentucky,  and  respectively 
of  English  and  Irish  descent.  Lewis  Coffey  emigrated  to  this  county  in 
1828;  entered  land,  which  he  afterward  cleared  and  sold,  then  engaged 
in  flat-boating  to  New  Orleans  and  died  in  the  spring  of  1844.  Moses 
was  reared  on  the  paternal  farm,  and  received  the  rudiments  of  an  edu- 
cation from  subscription  schools.  After  the  death  of  his  father,  the  care 
of  the  family  descended  upon  him,  and  to  which  he  gave  the  wages 
earned  by  monthly  labor;  yet  now,  as  a  result  of  his  economy  and  appli- 
cation, he  owns  a  good  farm  of  fifty  acres,  containing  stock,  and  being' 
generally  well  improved.  March  11,  1852,  he  married  Miss  Lucinda 
Renner,  a  native  of  Ohio,  born  March  24,  1834,  a  union  which  has  been 
prolific  in  thirteen  children,  only  eight  of  whom  received  names — George 
W.,  Mary  J.,  John  D.,  Philip  L.,  Barbara  A.,  Eliza  C,  Martha  P.  and 
William  T.  Mr.  Coffey  is  a  radical  and  active  Democrat,  by  which  party 
he  was  elected  Justice  of  the  Peace  in  1874,  for  a  term  of  four  years. 
He  is  a  liberal  gentleman  and  his  wife  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church. 

F.  M.  COLEMAN,  retired  farmer,  was  born  April  10,  1823,  in  the 
State  of  Ohio,  and  is  the  fifth  of  the  eight  children  of  Jacob  and  Eliza- 
beth (Thomas)  Coleman,  the  former  a  native  of  Virginia,  the  latter  of 
Pennsylvania,  and  respectively  of  German  and  English  descent.  F.  M. 
Coleman  was  reared  a  farmer,  and  received  but  sixteen  days'  schooling; 
yet  he  has  made  himself  a  fair  scholar  by  application.  When  he  was 
sixteen  years  old,  his  parents  moved  to  Johnson  County,  Ind.,  where  he 
remained  until  1880,  engaged  in  farming,  at  which  time  he  sold  his  place 


JACKSON  TOWNSHIP  AND  MORGANTOWN.  249 

and  retired  to  Morgantown.  He  began  business  when  of  age;  was  al- 
ways successful  and  industrious,  and  when  young  worked  at  wagon-mak- 
ing, coopering  and  blacksmithing,  when  not  employed  on  his  farm.  He 
has  also  dealt  largely  in  and  been  a  shipper  of  stock  May  14,  1845,  he 
married  Miss  Mary  A.  Woolard,  who  died  August  6,  1877,  having  borne 
seven  children — Eliza  J.,  Jacob  (deceased),  Lavica,  MarandaH.,  Ophelia, 
Margaret  (deceased)  and  Marion.  His  second  wife  was  Miss  Ada  Wright, 
a  graduate  of  Lebanon  College,Ohio,the  ceremony  taking  place  December 
24,  1881.  This  lady  died  in  less  than  one  year.  His  third  wife  is  Re- 
becca Stephens,  a  native  of  Putnam  County,  Ind.,  and  also  a  graduate  of 
Lebanon  College,  which  ceremony  was  performed  May  17,  1883.  Mr. 
Coleman  is  an  active  member  of  the  Masonic  and  Odd  Fellow  fraterni- 
ties. He  is  a  liberal  and  respected  gentleman,  and  votes  with  the  Dem- 
ocratic party. 

JAMES  S.  COLEMAN  (deceased),  was  born  in  Hartford,  Conn.,  No- 
vember 29,  1848,  and  was  the  third  of  the  four  children  of  Jesse  O.  and 
Salina  M.  (Gardner)  Coleman,  both  natives  of  Connecticut,  who  moved 
to  Columbus,  Ind.,  in  1850,  and  thence  to  Edinburg.  James  S.  received 
a  good  school  education,  and  early  evinced  an  aptitude  for  business,  for 
when  but  twelve  years  old  he  bought  and  sold  tax  titles  on  speculation, 
and  when  thirteen  assisted  his  father  in  his  store.  In  1863,  he  enlisted 
in  Compary  I,  Ninety-third  Indiana  Volunteers,  and  served  through  the 
war,  being  discharged  November  29,  1865.  In  the  following  spring,  he 
entered  into  partnership  with  his  father  in  the  stove,  tin  and  hardware 
business.  In  1872,  he  purchased  his  father's  interest,  and  after- 
ward he  sustained  several  heavy  losses,  but  soon  resumed.  He  was 
also  owner  of  a  saw  and  planing  mill,  and  was  one  of  the  most  enter- 
prising and  successful  men  of  his  time.  May  10,  1870,  he  married  Miss 
Harriet  Lake,  with  an  issue  of  five  children — Jesse,  deceased;  James  O., 
born  June  15,  1874;  Cora  E.,  born  September  8,  1877;  Walter  Z.,  born 
October  8,  1879;  and  Cecil  C,  born  July  5,  1882.  Mrs.  Coleman  was 
born  March  17,  1851.  Mr.  Coleman  died  January  9,  1883.  He  was  an 
earnest  member  of  the  order  of  Odd  Fellows,  an  active  laborer  for  the 
Republican  party,  and  a  lamented  citizen.  Mr.  Coleman  left  his  family 
in  comfortable  circumstances,  with  several  farms  and  a  good  town  prop- 
erty. 

ROBERT  C.  DAVIS,  merchant  at  Mahalasville,  was  born  December 
18,  1833,  in  Hancock  County,  W.  Va. ,  and  is  the  eldest  of  the  family  of 
Enoch  and  Nancy  (Cunningham)  Davis,  natives  of  West  Virginia,  and 
respectively  of  Welsh  and  Irish  descent.  Robert,  in  company  with  his 
parents,  moved  to  Washington  County,  Penn.,  where  he  attended  the 
high  school  and  acquired  a  good  education.  He  early  showed  a  tact 
for  business,  and  when  seventeen  engaged  as  traveling  salesman,  which 
he  followed  some  years,  and  then  peddled  on  his  own  account.  In  1862,  he 
and  parents  moved  to  Georgetown,  Brown  County,  where  he  continued  in 
business  until  1877;  during  this  trip  he  lost  his  goods  by  the  sinking  of 
the  boat  transporting  them.  January  1,  1856,  he  married  Miss  Louisa 
H.  Ritchey,  of  Ohio,  with  the  following  issue:  John  C,  William  W.  and 
James  W.  (twins),  Ella  M.,  Eva  E.,  Nancy  J.,  Robert,  Charley  C,  Edgar 
and  Lela.  While  in  Ohio,  Mr.  Davis  served  two  terms  as  Trustee.  He 
is  Postmaster,  railroad  agent  and  express  agent;  carries  a  large  stock  of 
goods,  and  is  an  upright  and  efficient  business  man.  He  is  a  member  of 
the  Masonic  fraternity  and  of  the  Knights  of  Honor.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Davis  are  members  of  the  Presbyterian  Church. 


250  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES: 

DAVID  S.  DODSON,  blacksmith  and  wagon-maker  at  Mahalasville, 
is  a  native  of  Hardin  County,  Ky. ;  was  born  August  2,  1834,  and  is  a 
son  of  John  B.  and  Catharine  (Ament)  Dodson,  the  former  a  native  of 
Kentucky,  the  latter  of  Holland,  and  of  English  and  German  extraction 
respectively.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  received  a  good  common -school 
education;  was  reared  a  farmer,  and  remained  with  his  parents  until  his 
twenty-fifth  year,  at  which  age  he  coramenced  learning  his  trade,  which 
he  has  since  almost  constantly  followed,  besides  having  served  nearly 
four  years  in  the  regular  army.  In  the  fall  of  1862,  he  began  business 
for  himself  at  his  present  location.  The  spring  of  1868,  he  married  Miss 
Sarah  E.  Helton,  a  native  of  Morgan  County,  Ind. ,  who  died  after  hav- 
ing borne  one  child — Judiah  K.  (deceased).  Mrs.  Dodson  was  a  member 
of  the  M.  P.  Church.  Mr.  Dodson  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  frater- 
nity, the  I.  O.  O.  F.  and  the  United  Order  of  Honor.  He  is  an  enthu- 
siastic Democrat,  by  which  party  he  was  elected  Justice  of  the  Peace  in 
1878,  and  again  in  the  spring  of  1882. 

CAPT.  PETER  FESLER,  Justice  of  the  Peace  and  cabinet-maker 
at  Morgantown,  is  a  native  of  Botetourt  County,  Va.,  was  born  April  27, 
1836,  and  is  the  third  of  the  family  of  John  and  Rebecca  (Bickner)  Fes- 
ler,  natives  of  Virginia  and  of  German  extraction,  who  came  to  this 
county  in  1838,  and  remained  until  their  deaths.  Peter  Fesler  received 
a  plain  education,  worked  on  the  farfta,  and  when  eighteen  years  old 
settled  to  learn  carpentering,  which  he  afterward  followed.  April,  1861, 
he  enlisted  for  three  months  in  Company  K,  Seventh  Indiana  Volunteer 
Infantry;  was  in  the  first  engagement  of  the  war  at  Philippi,  Va.  After 
this  term  he  re-enlisted  in  Company  G,  Twenty-seventh  Indiana  Volun- 
teer Infantry;  was  made  First  Lieutenant  and  afterward  Captain;  served 
three  years, and  was  in  all  the  battles  of  the  Potomac  division.  After 
his  service  expired,*he  was  retained  and  given  command  of  Company  E, 
Seventieth  Indiana  Regiment,  and  so  served  until  the  end,  being  dis- 
charged at  Washington,  D.  C.  On  returning  to  peace,  he  resumed  his 
trade,  and  in  1880  began  business  for  himself.  December  31,  1869,  he 
maiTied  Miss  Emma  Collett,  of  Johnson  County,  Ind.,  to  which  union 
have  followed  three  children — Leo  K.,  Mayo  R.  and  Luna  A.  Mr.  Fes- 
ler is  an  ardent  Republican,  and  was  made  Justice  of  the  Peace  in  1882. 
He  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 

WILLIAM  THOMAS  GIBSON,  merchant  at  Morgantown,  was  born 
March  8,  1862,  in  Greene  County,  Tenn.,  and  is  the  second  of  the  nine 
children  of  Charles  and  Sarah  E.  (Kelton)  Gibson,  the  former  a  native 
of  Tennessee,  the  latter  of  Virginia,  and  both  of  English  descent,  who 
first  moved  to  Franklin,  Ind. ;  remained  two  years, and  then  to  Nashville, 
Ind.,  where  they  now  reside.  William  Thomas  remained  at  home  until 
he  was  twenty  years  of  age,  at  which  period  he  came  to  Morgantown 
and  engaged  in  his  present  enterprise,  first  as  a  grocery  trade,  to  which 
he  has  added  dry  goods  and  notions,  of  which  he  has  always  a  full  line 
and  carries  a  $3,000  stock.  He  has  a  good  practical  education  and  is  a 
first-clasH  business  man,  having  begun  business  with  $10  cash  capital. 
September  21,  1881,  he  married  Miss  Amanda,  daughter  of  Col.  W.  S. 
Adams  (deceased),  a  long  resident  of  Morgantown.  Mr.  Gibson  is  a 
member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity;  inclined  to  the  Republican  party  po- 
litically, and  is  a  promising  young  merchant.  Mrs.  Gibson  is  a  member 
of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 

REUBEN  C.  GRIFFITT,  M.  D.,  physician  and  surgeon  at  Morgan - 
town,  was  born  December  28,  1845,  in  the  identical  dwelling  in   which 


JACKSON  TOWNSHIP  AND  MORGANTOWN.  251 

he  now  resides,  and  is  the  thirteenth  of  the  fourteen  children  of  Keuben 
and  Lovina  (Shell)  Griffitt,  natives  of  Sullivan  County,  E.  Tenn.  They 
were  early  settlers  of  this  township,  and  here  ended  their  days.  Reuben 
C.  Griffitt  was  reared  in  Morgantown,  and  went  to  school  and  worked  on 
the  farm  until  he  was  eighteen  years  of  age.  February,  1864,  he  became 
a  soldier  of  his  country;  was  in  the  range  of  battles  from  Chattanooga 
to  Atlanta;  captui'ed  at  Jonesboro,  September  1,  1861;  confined  at  Ander- 
sonville,  Florence  and  Charleston,  in  all  six  months,  and  released  February 
26,  1865.  On  account  of  disability,  he  received  a  furlough,  which  was 
renewed  uutil  his  discharge,  June,  1865.  He  then  attended  school  until 
1868,  when  he  studied  medicine  under  Dr.  Johnson,  of  Martinsville,  for 
two  years,  and  attended  lectures  and  graduated  at  the  University  of 
Louisville  in  1870,  soon  after  which  he  opened  an  office  at  Morgantown; 
practiced  until  1875;  then  attended  lectures  in  New  York,  receiving  there 
the  ad  eundem  degree.  He  then  resumed  his  practice,  with  honor  and 
renown.  August  14,  1872,  he  married  Miss  Minerva  D.  Prosser  (sister  of 
the  present  Auditor),  and  his  union  has  been  favored  with  three  children 
— Harry  D.,  Bessie  L.  and  Delia  M.  Dr.  Griffitt  is  a  member  of  the  Ma- 
sonic fraternity,  and  his  wife  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 

JAMES  HAMILTON,  stock  raiser  and  farmer,  is  a  native  of  Wayne 
County,  Ky.,  was  born  January  13,  1815,  and  is  the  fourth  of  the  eleven 
children  of  John  and  Elender  (Collett)  Hamilton,  the  former  a  native  of 
North  Carolina,  the  latter  of  South  Carolina,  and  of  Scotch-Irish  and 
English  extraction,  who  came  to  and  settled  in  this  township  in  1825. 
John  Hamilton  was  a  pioneer,  and  made  the  third  entry  of  land.  He, 
with  the  assistance  of  his  family,  improved  a  good  farm  from  these  prim- 
itive wilds,  and  here  closed  his  useful  life.  James  i-eceived  a  frontier 
education,  and  was  reared  to  assist  his  father,  with  whom  he  remained 
until  his  twenty-second  year;  then  receiving  from  his  sire  the  sum  of 
$50,  with  which  to  begin  his  own  sustaining;  and  with  this  he  entered 
forty  acres,  which  has  grown  to  be  200  of  choice  and  valuable  land,  well 
improved — all  the  outcome  of  labor  and  frugality.  October  20,  1836, 
he  wedded  Miss  Teresa  Dorothy,  of  Kentucky  birth,  and  this  marriage 
was  cemented  by  five  children — Elender,  Lucinda,  William  R.,  Jesse 
(deceased)  and  Louisa  (deceased).  Mr.  Hamilton  is  a  stanch  Repub- 
lican; a  liberal  and  benevolent  gentleman, now  rearing  the  three  children 
of  bis  youngest  daughter.  He  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Meth- 
odist Episcopal  Church. 

JOHN  F.  HAMILTON,  farmer  aud  stock-raiser,  was  born  April  12, 
1833,  in  this  county,  and  is  the  fourth  of  the  seven  children  of  James 
H.  and  Hannah  (Francis)  Hamilton,  natives  of  Kentucky,  and  respect- 
ively of  Irish  and  German  descent.  James  H.  Hamilton  moved  to  John- 
son County,  Ird.,  in  1829,  remained  two  years,  then  moved  to  this  town- 
ship, where  he  died.  He  was  one  of  the  first  settlers  and,  with  the  aid 
of  his  son  John,  made  one  of  the  best  farms  in  the  township.  John  F. 
Hamilton  was  bred  a  farmer,  and  afibrded  such  education  as  the  schools 
could  give.  After  the  death  of  his  father,  which  took  place  in  the  win- 
ter of  1861,  he  took  charge  of  the  farm  and  remained  with  his  mother 
until  her  death  in  1881.  He  then  purchased  the  homestead,  containing 
120  acres,  to  which  he  added  forty,  and  has  now  a  good  farm,  with  many 
and  valuable  improvements.  January  28,  1864,  he  married  Miss  Matilda 
Ferguson,  born  October  8,  1841,  by  which  union  they  have  become  par- 
ents of  nine  children — Lucy  A.,  William  F.  (deceased),  Mary  B.,  Al- 
io 


252  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

mira  M.,  James  E.,  Iia  W.,  Minnie,  John  E.  and  Clarence  U.  Mr. 
Hamilton  is  an  able  manager  of  his  affairs  and  a  prosperous,  liberal  gen- 
tleman. He  and  his  wife  are  communicants  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church. 

ABRAM  B.  HART,  stock-raiser  and  farmer,  is  a  native  of  this 
township;  was  born  July  13,  1819,  in  Sussex  County,  N.  J.,  and  is  the 
third  of  four  children  born  to  Nathaniel  and  Mercy  (Rose)  Hart,  natives 
of  New  Jersey,  and  respectively  of  English  and  Irish  extraction.  Abram 
was  reared  a  farmer,  and  in  1841  came  to  this  county,  locating  where  he 
still  resides.  With  the  help  of  $1,300,  he  has  succeeded  in  life,  and 
owns  a  farm  of  220  acres,  150  of  which  are  under  tine  cultivation,  with 
good  orchard  and  many  improvements.  February  8,  1840,  he  married 
Miss  Sarah  A.  Chipps,  daughter  of  Morris  and  Margaret  Chipps,  of  New 
Jersey,  with  a  result  of  nine  children — Mercy,  Margaret  A.,  Amos  S. , 
Mary  (deceased),  Aaron  R.  (deceased),  Mahala  E.,  John  W.,  Sarah  E. 
and  Emma  M.  Mr.  Hart  is  a  practical  and  prosperous  farmer,  and  a 
life-long  Democrat,  having  given  his  first  vote  for  Mr.  Van  Buren.  He 
is  a  man  of  progressive  ideas,  and  a  model  father  and  husband,  and  a 
very  greatly  esteemed  citizen. 

MATTHEW  T.  HANCOCK,  druggist  at  Morgantown,  was  born  May 
1,  1849,  in  Harrison  County,  Ind. ,  and  is  the  third  of  the  seven  children 
of  Benjamin  H  and  Margaret  A.  (Senssensney)  Hancock,  the  former  a 
native  of  Tennessee  and  of  Irish,  the  latter  of  Virginia  and  of  German 
descent,  who  now  reside  in  Washington,  in  this  State.  Matthew  was 
reared  a  farmer,  and  continued  to  labor  as  such  until  he  was  eighteen 
years  of  age,  when  he  engaged  as  salesman  at  Bloomfield,  and  remained 
in  that  employment  more  than  two  years,  afterward  at  Bowling  Green, 
and  then  began  business  on  his  own  account  in  Lancaster,  Owen  County, 
with  a  stock  of  drugs,  and  continued  this  two  years.  After  disposing  of 
his  stock,  he  became  a  salesman  for  Robinson  &  Co.,  of  Terre  Haute,  for 
one  year.  July,  1880,  he  came  to  Morgantown  and  engaged  in  his  pres- 
ent enterprise,  in  which  he  has  been  signally  successful.  Mr.  Hancock 
has  always  been  a  diligent  student  and  a  close  observer.  May  3,  1882, 
he  married  Miss  Effie  C.  Johnson,  of  Spencer,  a  member  of  the  Method- 
ist Episcopal  Church.  Mr.  Hancock  belongs  to  the  Masonic  fraternity. 
He  has  the  promise  of  becoming  a  leading  business  man  of  his  section, 
having  begun  business  with  but  $50,  and  being  now  worth  probably 
$5,000. 

W.  W.  HELTON,  farmer  and  stock-raiser,  was  bom  October  25,  1807, 
in  East  Tennessee,  aud  is  the  fifth  of  the  eight  children  of  Beecher  and 
Susan  (Winkler)  Helton,  natives  of  North  Carolina,  and  respectively  of 
English  and  German  extraction.  After  the  death  of  his  father,  our  sub- 
ject moved  with  his  mother  to  Kentucky,  where  he  was  reared  on  a  farm. 
In  1828,  he  came  to  this  county  and  entered  the  land  on  which  he  now 
resides — having  once  owned  310  acres  in  the  county,  and  now  has  190. 
For  several  years  he  followed  the  Irade  of  a  shoemaker.  September  6, 
1827,  he  married  Miss  Nancy  Hale,  of  Tennessee,  with  an  issue  of  ten 
children — James  B.,  Eliza  J.,  Julia  A.,  Harriet  L.  (deceased),  Sarah  E. 
(deceased),  Mary  C,  Nancy  (deceased),  Miranda  (deceased),  John  W. 
and  Susan  C.  Mr.  Helton  is  a  strong  Democrat,  having  first  voted  for 
Gen.  Jackson;  he  also  took  an  active  part  in  the  late  Grange  movement. 
He  is  a  worthy  citizen,  and  has  the  blessed  record  of  a  well-spent  life. 
He  and  wife  have  been  members  for  fifty  years  of  the  Methodist  Epis- 
copal Church. 


JACKSON  TOWNSHIP  AND  MORGANTOWN.     •  253 

JAMES  HICKEY,  stock-raiser  and  farmer,  is  a  native  of  Sullivan 
County,  E.  Tenn. ;  was  born  January  5,  1824,  and  is  the  eldest  of  the 
nine  in  family  of  John  and  Catherine  (Shell)  Hick(?y,  the  former  a  na- 
tive of  East  Tennessee,  and  of  English,  the  latter  of  Pennsylvania  and  of 
German  descent,  who  emigrated  to  this  township  in  1843,  and  lived  and 
died  here.  James  Hickey  received  the  rudiments  of  an  education 
from  the  public  schools,  in  the  meantime  working  on  the  home  farm  and 
assisting  his  father  at  the  trade  of  brick-laying.  He  continued  to  per- 
form these  duties  until  he  was  twenty-four.  In  1854,  he  commenced 
mercantile  business  at  Morgantown,  and  was  recognized  as  a  successful 
and  leading  merchant  until  his  retirement,  November  1,  1883.  He  now 
resides  on  a  snug  and  attractive  farm  of  thirty-five  acres,  cultivated  and 
improved,  and  still  deals  largely  and  only  in  the  purchase  and  disposi- 
tion of  timber.  November  23,  1848,  he  married  Miss  Hulda  Swain, 
which  union  was  blessed  by  five  children — George  S.  (deceased),  John 
H.  (deceased),  Mary  C,  Elbert  M.,  and  Walter  S.  (deceased).  Mr.  Hick- 
ey is  an  old-time  member  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F.,  an  active  Republican  since 
the  rebellion  and  a  liberal  and  benevolent  gentleman.  He  and  wife  are 
members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 

\  JAMES  H.  HICKMAN,  stock- raiser  and  farmer,  is  a  native  of  John- 
son County,  Ind. ;  was  born  December  2,  1833,  and  is  the  fourth  of  the 
six  children  of  James  T.  and  Dorothy  (Hamilton)  Hickman,  natives  of 
Kentucky,  and  respectively  of  English  and  Irish  descent,  who  came  to 
this  section  of  the  State  in  1832;  afterward  moved  to  near  Morgantown, 
where  he  closed  his  life.  James  H.  Hickman  was  reared  to  the  business 
of  farming.  He  began  for  himself  on  reaching  manhood,  and,  although 
.he  received  but  $600  as  an  aid  in  the  struggle  of  life,  has  accumulated 
350  acres  of  fine  land,  in  good  cultivation  and  with  many  improvements. 
March  2,  1854,  he  married  Miss  Elender  Hamilton,  of  Morgan  County, 
which  union  has  been  crowned  by  six  children — Theresa  J.,  deceased; 
Louisa  I.;  William  H.,  deceased;  Joseph  P.,  James  N.  and  Ira  E. ; 
they  have  also  adopted  a  daughter — Louisa  I.  Donnell.  Mr.  Hick- 
man is  a  Republican,  and  was  an  active  member  of  the  Grange  organiza- 
tion. He  is  a  liberal  contributor  to  every  good  work,  and  an  esteemed 
citizen.  He  and  wife  are  efficient  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church. 

JOHN  S,  HINE,  stock-raiser  and  farmer,  was  born  in  Lincoln 
County,  N.  C,  January  3,  1836,  and  is  the  second  child  of  John  G.  and 
Mary  M.  (Bolinger)  Hine,  both  of  whom  were  born  in  the  "  Old  North 
State,"  and  of  German  extraction.  Our  subject  remained  at  home  until 
he  was  twenty-eight  years  old;  then  began  efforts  for  himself,  and,  with- 
out any  assistance,  has  obtained  a  good  home  and  farm,  embracing  sixty- 
seven  acres,  well  situated,  drained,  stocked,  and  containing  various  im- 
provements. He  was  reared  a  farmer,  working  during  summer  and  going 
to  school  during  winter.  August  27,  1863,  he  married  Miss  Marietta  A. 
Prather,  born  November  10,  1844,  in  this  State.  This  union  gave  issue 
to  two  children — David  L.,  born  February  22,  1866,  and  Jarvis  E.,  de- 
ceased, March  30,  1872.  Mr.  Hine  took  an  earnest  part  in  the  late 
Grange  organization,  and  is  an  active  Democrat,  having  given  his  first 
suflfrage  for  Stephen  A.  Douglas.  He  is  a  genial,  generous,  enlightened 
and  progressive  citizen,  also  an  advocate  of  public  education.  In  1882, 
he  was  elected  Road  Superintendent.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hine  are  communi- 
cants of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 


254  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

OLIVER  L.  HINE,  farmer  and  stock-raiser,  is  a  native  of  this 
county,  was  born  November  22,  1846,  and  is  the  sixth  of  eleven  children 
born  to  John  G.  and  Mary  M.  (Bolinger)  Hine,  both  natives  of  North 
Carolina,  who  came  hither  about  1837,  at  which  early  period  the  country 
was  a  wild,  but  of  which  they  have  made  a  desirable  home  and  valuable 
property,  comprising  302  acres  well  situated  and  improved,  with  full 
amount  of  stock.  He  and  his  wife  are  members  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church.  Oliver  L.  Hine  is  now  managing  his  father's  farm.  He  is  a 
promising  and  energetic  gentleman,  a  stanch  Democrat  and  a  member  of 
the  I.  O.  O.  F.  Like  his  father,  he  is  liberal  in  character  and  progressive 
in  ideas,  and  is  a  useful  and  appreciated  member  of  society. 

HAKRY  JACKSON  was  born  May  29,  1843,  in  Jefferson  County, 
Ind.,  and  is  the  fifth  of  the  eight  children  of  Samuel  and  Jane  (Hillis) 
Jackson,  the  former  a  native  of  North  Carolina,  the  latter  of  Indiana. 
Harry  remained  with  his  parents  on  the  farm  until  he  was  sixteen  years 
of  age,  when  he  began  the  struggle  of  life  for  himself,  working  by  the 
month  until  August  12,  1862,  when  he  enlisted  in  Company  I,  Seventieth 
Indiana  Voluntary  Infantry,  serving  in  the  battles  of  Dallas,  Resaca, 
Marietta,  Savannah,  New  Hope  Church,  Atlanta,  Peach  Ti-ee  Creek  and 
Bentonville^  where  he  was  captured  and  sent  to  Libby  Prison,  being 
made  to  march  170  miles,  and  with  but  one  meal  in  three  days.  He  was 
held  captive  from  February,  1864,  until  the  day  before  Mr.  Lincoln's 
assassination,  and  was  discharged  June  30,  1865.  After  his  return,  he 
purchased  a  farm  in  Johnson  County,  and  September  26,  1867,  married 
Miss  Ollie  F.  Miller,  who  died,  leaving  four  children — Rosa,  Guy,  Roy 
and  Eddie;  she  was  a  member  of  the  Christian  Church.  His  second  wife 
was  Miss  Sarah  A.  Lake,  whom  he  married  Febi'uary  27,  1880.  Until 
the  fall  of  that  year, Mr.  Jackson  followed  farming  and  buying  and  sell- 
ing stock,  but  afterward  came  to  Morgantown  and  engaged  in  the  keeping 
of  a  bakery  and  butcher  shop.  Mr.  Jackson  is  a  Republican,  and  he  and 
wife  are  members  of  the  Christian  Church. 

GEORGE  W.  KEMP,  farmer  and  stock-raiser,  was  born  December  9, 
1849,  in  this  county,  and  is  the  sixth  of  the  nine  children  of  James  and 
Christina  (McGowan)  Kemp,  natives  of  Kentucky,  and  respectively  of 
English  and  German  extraction.  James  Kemp  was  a  son  of  John  and 
Nancy  Kemp,  of  North  Carolina.  He  came  to  this  county  in  1826,  where 
our  subject  was  educated  to  farm  work,  grew  to  manhood,  and  has  ever 
remained.  He  continued  at  home  until  he  was  twenty-three  years  of 
age,  when  he  began  business  for  himself,  with  no  capital  but  a  bold 
heart  and  a  strong  will.  February  14,  1872,  he  married  Mrs.  Caroline 
(Norman)  Hamilton,  of  this  county,  born  March  3,  1844.  This  marriage 
was  honored  by  three  children — Rebecca  J.,  Andrew  J.  and  Sarah  E.  Mr. 
Kemp  has  been  reasonably  successful  in  his  efforts  for  independence. 
He  has  a  farm  of  165  acres,  well  located,  cultivated  and  improved.  He 
is  an  ardent  Democrat,  and  socially  an  honorable  and  benevolent  gentle- 
man.    Mrs.  Kemp  is  a  member  of  the  Separate  Baptist  Church. 

SAMUEL  KEMP,  farmer  and  stock-raiser,  was  born  February  6, 
1842,  in  this  coimty,  and  is  the  eighth  of  the  nine  children  of  Samuel 
and  Tabitha  (Hicks)  Kemp,  both  natives  of  Tennessee,  and  of  English 
extraction.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  received  a  fair  education,  and  was 
reared  to  the  plow  by  his  father,  who  located  in  this  township  about 
1840,  and  where  he  died,  having  acquired  200  acres,  which  he  sold  to 
his  son  Samuel,  who  now  cultivates  150  acres  thereof.     February  9, 1865, 


JACKSON  TOWNSHIP  AND  MORGANTOWN.  255 

be  married  Miss  Nancy  J.  Kent,  a  native  of  this  county,  which  union  has 
been  cemented  by  four  children — George  (born  November  29,  1865), 
Lewis  (born  May  23,  1868), David  (born  September  13,  1870),  and  Corda 
E.  (born  June  26,  1874).  Mr.  Kemp  takes  proper  pride  in  bestowing 
education  on  his  children,  and  is  liberal  and  progressive  in  his  character. 
He  is  a  shrewd  manager  and  a  careful  investigator,  a  good  business  man 
and  a  respected  citizen.  In  political  matters,Mr.  Kemp  is  a  solid  Dem- 
ocrat. 

JAMES  KEPHAET,  stock-raiser  and  farmer,  was  born  in  Henry 
County,  Ky.,  July  17,  1823,  and  is  the  second  of  the  family  of  William 
and  Elizabeth  (Herrel)  Kephart,  also  natives  of  Kentucky,  and  of  German 
and  English  extraction  respectively.  James  was  brought  to  Clark  County, 
Ind.,  by  his  parents  in  1824,  where  they  lived  two  years;  then  removed  to 
Johnson  County  and  remained  thirteen  years,  after  which  they  came  to 
this  county,  where  James  received  some  education  and  was  taught  farm- 
ing. March  26,  1846,  he  married  Misg  Mary  A.  Moore,  of  Kentucky, 
who  died  a  devoted  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  and  the 
mother  of  eight  children — Serilda,  Kobert  M.,  John  W.,  Christina,  Clar- 
inda,  Mahala  (deceased)  and  two  infants  (deceased).  Mr.  Kephart  re- 
ceived no  assistance  in  his  early  struggles  for  honie  and  land,  but  has 
now  160  acres,  favorably  located  and  well  improved  and  cultivated,  with 
many  improvements.  He  is  a  stalwart  Democrat,  a  good  business  man- 
ager and  a  respected  citizen.  His  son  is  now  managing  his  farm  mechan- 
ically and  he  overseeing. 

ISAAC  KNIGHT,  farmer  and  stock-raiser,  was  born  in  Nansemond 
County,  Va. ,  October  16.  1830,  and  is  the  sixth  of  the  eighteen  children 
of  Levin  and  Emily  (Ellis)  Knight,  both  natives  of  Virginia,  and  respect- 
ively of  English  and  German  extraction,  who  emigrated  to  Monroe 
County,  Ind.,  in  1832,  remained  seven  years,  thence  moved  to  Brown 
County  for  twelve  years,  and  thence  to  Iowa.  Isaac  Knight  was  reared 
a  farmer,  with  the  rudiments  of  an  education.  In  1852,  he  came  to  Mor- 
gan Coimty  and  settled  in  the  village  of  Cope,  where  he  engaged  in  busi- 
ness for  two  years,  and  afterward  took  up  farming.  He  has  been  very  suc- 
cessful in  his  efforts,  being  the  owner  of  120  acres  of  good  and  improved 
land,  together  with  eight  residences,  a  brick  block  and  a  public  hall — 
these  the  result  of  his  ability  and  energy,  he  having  received  but  $2,500 
from  his  father-in-law's  estate.  May  14,  1854,  he  married  Miss  Emily 
Briant,  which  union  has  been  favored  with  nine  children,  eight  having 
lived  to  receive  names— Benjamin,  John  W.,  William  B.,  Annie  M., 
Nettie,  Alonzo,  Clarence  and  Lulie.  Mr.  Knight  is  a  member  of  the 
Masonic  fraternity  and  an  active  Kepublican;  he  cast  his  first  vote  for 
Henry  Clay.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Knight  are  members  of  the  Christian  Church, 
having  been  such  since  they  were  seventeen  years  of  age. 

JOHN  W.  KNIGHT,  school  teacher  and  merchant  at  Morgantown, 
was  born  February  11,  1857,  in  this  county,  and  is  the  second  of  the  nine 
children  of  Isaac  and  Emily  (Briant)  Knight,  the  former  a  native  of 
Virginia,  and  the  latter  of  this  county.  Our  subject  was  reared  a  farmer, 
and  obtained  a  good  education,  having  been  a  one-year  student  of  Butler 
University.  He  remained  at  home  until  he  was  twenty-two  years  of  age, 
when  he  began  life  for  himself  as  a  teacher,  and  as  which  he  has  been 
remarkably  successful.  September  1,  1883,  he  purchased  the  grocery 
stock  of  Abraham  Wootten,  and  has  since  managed  the  business  satisfac- 
torily, having  a  salesman  to  attend  to  his  store  while  engaged  in  teaching. 


256  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

February  27, 1879,  he  married  Miss  Lizzie  Blackburn,  of  Brown  County, 
Ind. ,  wliich  union  has  been  favored  with  two  children — Omar  (born  Decem  ■ 
ber  20, 1880)  and  Otto  M.  (born  December  14,  1883).  Mr.  Knight  is  a  suc- 
cessful man,  and  is  in  prospect  of  a  large  and  increasing  trade,  being  a 
good  observer  and  a  shrewd  manager.  He  is  a  liberal  Republican  politi- 
cally, and  a  generous  and  valued  citizen.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Knight  are  both 
members  of  the  Christian  Church. 

JACOB  T.  LEACH,  stock-raiser  and  farmer,  was  born  September  10, 
1850,  in  Johnson  County,  Ind.,  and  is  the  seventh  of  the  eleven  children 
of  John  A.  and  Abigail  (Miller)  Leach,  both  natives  of  Kentucky,  and 
of  Scotch  and  German  extraction  respectively.  In  1853,  these  parents 
moved  to  this  county  and  located  in  Green  Township.  Jacob  T.  Leach 
has  made  his  home  in  this  locality  since  the  coming  of  his  father,  for 
whom  he  labored,  except  during  school  periods,  for  several  years. 
When  seventeen  years  old,  he  began  the  experiment  of  life  for  himself, 
and,  being  industrious  and  economical,  saved  the  money  to  found  his 
success.  September  22,  1872,  he  married  Miss  Sarah  I.  Adams,  a  native 
of  this  township.  Five  children  have  crowned  this  union — John  H., 
Joseph  B.,  William  B.,  Nancy  B.  and  Robert  T.  (deceased).  Mr.  Leach 
is  a  practical  farmer,  an  energetic  worker,  a  liberal  and  respected 
citizen,  and  an  active  Democrat.  He  has  made  his  own  way  with  but 
little  aid,  although  his  wife  received  $2,000  from  her  parents  as  a  re- 
ward of  her  fidelity  to  them. 

OWEN  LLOYD,  stock-raiser  and  farmer,  is  a  native  of  Ireland;  was 
born  March  21,  1807,  and  is  the  seventh  of  the  ten  children  of  Owen 
and  Margaret  (Murdock)  Lloyd,  both  natives  of  Ireland.  Owen  received 
a  good  ordinary  education  and  was  reared  a  farmer.  His  grandfather 
and  a  brother  received  from  Oliver  Cromwell  a  grant  of  1,900  acres  of 
land,  and  his  father  was  a  large  land  owner  and  extensive  farmer.  In 
1834,  our  subject  emigrated  tq,  these  shores,  settled  in  Cleveland,  Ohio, 
for  four  years,  and  thereafter,  in  1839,  came  to  his  present  home  and 
farm.  To  his  original  forty  acres  he  added  until  he  owned  at  one  time 
360  acres,  most  of  which  he  has  bestowed  among  his  children.  When 
quite  a  young  man,  Mr.  Lloyd  manifested  a  predilection  for  trading,  in 
which  he  was  generally  successful,  and  is  indebted  to  no  one  but  himself 
for  his  progress  and  prosperity.  April  7,  1838,  he  married  Miss  Sarah 
Coleman,  a  native  of  Ohio.  To  this  union  were  bestowed  nine  children 
— Robert  C.  (deceased),  Edwin  (deceased),  Owen,  Davis  (deceased), 
Clotilda,  Alice,  Francis  C,  Eliza,  and  an  infant  unnamed.  Mr.  Lloyd 
is  a  Democrat,  and  was  twice  elected  Trustee  of  this  township;  he  is 
also  a  benevolent  and  worthy  citizen.  Mr.  Lloyd  is  a  member  of  the 
Episcopal;  and  Mrs.  Llovd  of  the  Missionary  Baptist  Church. 

JOHN  F.  MAXWELL,  liveryman  at  Morgantown,  is  a  native  of 
Butler  County,  Ohio;  was  born  August  14,  1849,  and  is  the  third  of  the 
seven  children  of  John  K.  and  Ellen  (McElwain)  Maxwell,  the  former 
a  native  of  Pennsylvania,  the  latter  of  New  Jersey,  who  moved  to 
Johnson  County,  Ind.,  in  1860.  John  F.  Maxwell  began  the  way  of 
life  for  himself,  when  seventeen  years  of  age,  by  taking  charge  of  a 
woolen  factory  at  Eminence,  Ind..  having  formerly  worked  in  such  a 
place.  This  he  continued  for  eighteen  months,  when  he  moved  to 
Brownsburg  and  had  charge  of  the  weaving  department  for  about  three 
years;  thence  he  went  to  Crawfordsville,  and  there  had  charge  of  a 
woolen  factory  for  about  six  years,   and  finally  came  to  Morgantown  and 


JACKSON  TOWNSHIP  AND  MORGANTOWN.  257 

began  his  present  enterprise — livery  and  stave-making.  In  1883,  he 
shipped  about  3,500,000  staves.  Mr.  Maxwell  has  been  twice  married 
— first,  to  Miss  Mary  J.  Gibson,  who  died  after  bearing  two  children — 
both  of  whom  departed  before  getting  names;  second,  to  Miss  Minerva 
J.  Julian,  who  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  Mr. 
Maxwell  is  an  energetic  business  man,  an  esteemed  citizen  and  an  active 
Democrat. 

GEORGE  M.  MONTGOMERY,  hardware  merchant  at  Morgantown, 
is  a  native  of  Johnson  County,  Ind.,  and  is  the  second  child  of  his  par- 
ents, Duncan  and  Li  His  (Holman)  Montgomery,  the  former  a  native  of 
Scotland,  the  latter  of  Indiana.  Mr.  Montgomery  emigrated  to  Amer- 
ica in  1832.  George  M.  was  born  December  15,  1853;  was  reared  a 
farmer,  and  worked  thereat  and  attended  school  until  he  was  sixteen 
years  old,  at  which  time  he  became  a  cripple,  and  thus  incapacitated  from 
farm  labor,  although  he  is  owner  of  137 J  acres  of  excellent  land,  im- 
proved and  cultivated.  In  the  summer  of  1880,  he  moved  to  Morgan - 
town  and  purchased  the  hardware  business  of  James  S.  Comer,  which 
he  has  since  managed  successfully  and  satisfactorily.  He  carries  a 
varied  stock  of  about  $3, 500,  which  is  increasing.  October  17,  1876,  he 
married  Miss  Mary  E.  Bass,  and  to  them  have  been  born  two  children — 
Arthur  D.  and  Ivey  M.  Mr.  Montgomery  is  a  Liberal  in  politics,  an 
upright  and  watchful  merchant  and  a  generally  esteemed  citizen. 

CAPT.  WILLIAM  MOUNT,  farmer  and  stock-raiser,  was  born  in 
Hamilton  County,  Ohio,  October  25,  1827,  and  is  the  eldest  of  the  four 
children  of  Obadiah  B.  and  Gitty  A.  (Skillman)  Mount,  both  natives  of 
Ohio,  who  moved  to  Union  County,  Ind.,  about  1837,  on  the  2d  of  Feb- 
ruary of  which  year  Mr.  Mount  departed  this  life.  William  Mount  re- 
ceived a  fair  education  from  the  common  schools,  and  learned  the  ancient 
vocation  of  farming,  which  he  followed  until  the  summer  of  1862-,  then, 
together  with  W.  W\  Wingett,  raised  Company  G,  of  the  Sixty  ninth 
Regiment  Indiana  Volunteers,  Mr.  Mount  being  made  First  Lieutenant, 
but  was  acting  Captain  most  of  the  time,  that  officer  being  on  detached 
duty.  He  was  in  the  following  engagements:  Richmond  (Ky.),  Arkansas 
Post,  Thompson's  Hill,  Raymond,  Baker's  Creek,  Black  River  Bridge, 
and  with  Gen.  Grant  at  Vicksburg.  After  his  regiment  was  transferred 
to  Texas,  he  participated  at  the  battle  of  Mobile,  where  he  received  a 
slight  wrist  wound  and  was  mustered  out,  but  discharged  at  Indianapolis 
in  August,  1865.  The  war  being  over,  he  removed  to  Columbus,  Ind., 
where  he  engaged  in  the  grocery  business  for  several  years,  when  he  sold 
the  same,  removed  to  Indianapolis,  and  was  some  time  on  the  special 
police  force;  thence  he  removed  to  this  county  in  1879,  where  he  has 
since  resided  on  a  good  farm  of  100  acres.  December  1,  1847,  he  mar- 
ried Miss  Eleanor  Dare,  with  a  result  of  one  child — Edward  F.  (deceased). 
Capt.  Mount  is  an  energetic  Republican,  a  liberal,  charitable  gentleman, 
a  shrewd  man  of  business  and  a  valued  citizen.  His  mother  resides  with 
him,  and  is  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  since  girlhood. 

JOSEPH  H.  NORMAN,  farmer  and  stock-raiser,  was  born  in  this 
township  October  8.  1839,  and  is  the  sixth  of  the  eight  children  of  James 
and  Sarah  A.  (Harrison)  Norman,  the  former  a  native  of  North  Carolina, 
the  latter  of  Tennessee,  and  both  of  Irish  descent.  James  Norman  emi- 
grated to  this  county  in  1831;  then  returned  to  Tennessee  for  three  years, 
when  he  came  back  to  this  county  and  finished  his  days;  he  was  pos- 
sessed of  320  acres  of  land.     His  wife  survives  him  and  resides  with  the 


258  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

subject  of  this  sketch.  Joseph  H.  was  reared  a  farmer,  and  has  a  good 
farm,  embraciug  ninety-six  acres,  well  cultivated  and  with  stock  and  im- 
provements. March  28,  1861,  he  married  Miss  Ruth  Kemp,  a  native  of 
this  coiinty,  which  union  has  been  fruitful  of  five  children — George  W., 
Robert  C,  Harriet  V.,  Samuel  A.  and  Edward.  Mr.  Norman  received 
some  aid  in  the  beginning  of  his  career,  but  has  succeded  by  means  of 
his  will  and  management.  He  is  a  good  husband,  father  and  citizen,  an 
unchangeable  Democrat,  and,  with  his  wife,  a  valued  member  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 

JOSEPH  T.  NORMAN,  farmer  and  stock-raiser,  is  a  native  of  Over- 
ton County,  Tenn.;  was  born  October  1,  1823,  and  is  the  youngest  of  the 
twelve  children  of  William  and  Mary  (Kemp)  Norman,  natives  of  North 
Carolina  and  of  English  extraction.  William  Norman  came  to  this 
county  in  the  fall  of  1830,  where  he  enterM  land,  and,  with  the  assist- 
ance of  his  sons,  made  a  very  excellent  farm,  which  continued  to  be  his 
home  until  removed  by  death.  He  had  been  a  soldier  of  the  war  of  1812. 
Joseph  T.  Norman  was  reared  a  farmer  under  his  father,  obtained  a  pio- 
neer education  and  remained  with  his  parents  until  he  was  about  twenty- 
two  years  of  age,  engaged  in  rail-making,  log-rolling  and  clearing  land. 
In  1844,  he  married  Miss  Betsey  E.  W^illiams,  of  North  Carolina,  who 
lived  to  bear  eleven  children — Caroline,  Nancy,  Sarah,  Catherine,  Jeffer- 
son, Joseph  L.,  Frank  P.,  George  W.,  William  (deceasjed),  Rutha  J. 
(deceased)  and  Thomas  A.  He  next  married,  September  7,  1864,  Mrs. 
Nancy  R.  Thomas,  a  native  of  Indiana,  to  which  union  were  bestowed 
four  children — Grant,  Sheridan,  Daniel  W.  and  Sherman  (deceased).  Mr. 
Norman  has  been  successful  in  his  efforts  toward  independence,  being 
possessed  of  600  acres  of  land,  much  of  which  is  improved,  cultivated 
and  stocked.  ,  He  cast  his  first  vote  for  James  K.  Polk,  but  adopted  the 
Republican  party  as  soon  as  born,  and  has  adhered  to  it.  He  is  a  charita- 
ble, liberal  citizen,  and  much  esteemed. 

JOHN  J.  NORMAN,  fai^mer  and  stock-raiser,  is  a  native  of  this 
county;  was  born  January  17,  1850,  and  is  the  fifth  of  the  eleven  children 
of  Joseph  T.  and  Elizabeth  (Williams)  Norman,  the  former  a  native  of 
Tennessee,  the  latter  of  North  Carolina,  and  respectively  of  English  and 
German  extraction.  John  J.  Norman  was  reared  a  farmer,  received  the 
rudiments  of  an  education,  and  remained  with  his  parents  until  he  was 
twenty- one  years  of  age,  at  which  time  he  began  life  for  himself,  receiv- 
ing from  his  parents  a  horse  and  cow  to  begin  with.  May  26,  1870,  he 
married  Miss  Emeline  Lake,  a  native  of  this  county,  by  which  union  suc- 
ceeded two  children — Delie  (born  February  17,  1871)  and  George  W. 
(born  April  18,  1874).  Mr.  Norman  is  now  residing  on  the  farm  of  his 
father.  He  is  a  Republican  by  political  preference,  a  liberal  gentleman 
and  an  esteemed  citizen;  he  is  likewise  a  practical  farmer,  whose  success 
is  due  to  his  energy  and  wise  management. 

W.  W.  RAPER  is  a  native  of  this  county,  was  born  August  28,  1861, 
and  is  the  second  of  the  family  of  nine  children  bestowed  on  Andrew  J. 
and  Julia  A.  (Helton)  Raper,  the  former  a  native  of  Monroe  County, 
Ind.,  the  latter  of  this  county,  and  both  of  English  extraction.  The 
subject  of  this  sketch  was  reared  to  the  ancient  business  of  husbandry, 
and  acquired  some  education  from  the  common  schools.  He  is  now  act- 
ing as  overseer  of  the  farm  of  his  grandfather.  Mr.  Helton  is  an  ener- 
getic, industrious  and  promising  young  man,  a  practical  farmer  and  an 
esteemed  gentleman.  In  political  preference,  he  is  a  member  of  the  Dem- 
ocratic party. 


JACKSON  TOWNSHIP  AND  MORGANTOWN.  259 

HENRY  RENNER,  proprietor  of  a  saw  mill  and  grist  mill  at  Maha- 
lasville,  also  a  farmer  and  stock-raiser,  was  born  January  15,  1828,  in 
Wayne  County,  Ohio,  and  is  the  second  child  of  Philip  and  Mary  (Bidle- 
man)  Renner;  the  former  a  native  of  Pennsylvania,  the  latter  of  Ohio, 
and  both  of  German  extraction,  who  came  to  this  section  in  1839.  Henry 
Renner  was  brought  up  to  the  farm  and  the  school,  thus  acquiring  some 
education  and  learning  the  farming  vocation.  By  industry  and  frugality, 
he  has  acquired  a  good  property,  having  a  tine  farm  of  246  acres,  much 
cultivated  and  variously  improved;  he  is  also  in  enjoyment  of  a  liberal 
patronage  in  his  mills  and  purchases  grain  largely.  January  15,  1852, 
he  married  Miss  Jane,  a  daughter  of  James  and  Mary  A.  Gibbs,  to  which 
union  eight  in  family  have  been  bestowed — Philip,  Mary,  Eliza  E.,  James 
W.,  Martha  A.,  Louisa,  Retta  and  Eddie.  Mr  Renner  is  a  gentleman  of 
enterprise  and  liberality,  an  uncompromising  Democrat  and  a  worthy 
citizen.      Mrs.  Renner  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 

GEORGE  W.  SKINNER,  farmer,  was  born  June  15,  1825,  in  Bel- 
mont County,  Ohio,  and  is  the  fifth  of  the  family  of  Philip  and  Hannah 
(Coon)  Skinner;  the  former  a  native  of  Pennsylvania,  the  latter  of  West 
Virginia,  and  both  of  German  descent.  George  W.  received  only  a  ru- 
dimentary education,  but  has  been  a  close  student,  thereby  acquiring  much 
practical  knowledge.  In  1844,  he  located  in  Morgantown,  and  after  the 
death  of  his  parents  he  received  a  small  amount  of  means  with  which  to 
begift  life;  he  first  purchased  forty-four  and  then  forty  acres  of  the 
homestead,  and  has  dealt  also  in  lumber  and  timber.  June  29,  1846,  he 
married  Miss  Partheny  Lake,  a  native  of  Virginia,  which  union  gave 
issue  to  ten  children — William  (deceasedj,  Mary,  Elizabeth  A.  (deceased), 
Emma  (deceased),  Samuel,  Ida  (deceased),  John  A. ,  Caleb  and  Barbara 
(twins,  the  latter  deceased)  and  Burto.  Mr.  Skinner  has  been  usually 
successful  in  his  undertakings,  having  a  clear  perception  and  much  exe- 
cutive capacity.  He  is  a  warm  adherent  of  the  Republican  party,  a 
stanch  friend  to  humanity  and  a  good  citizen.  He  and  wife  belong  to 
the  Missionary  Baptist  Church. 

IRA  C.  WILLAN,  M.  D.,  one  of  the  leading  physicians  and  surgeons 
of  Morgantown,  Ind.,  was  born  July  27,  1859,  in  Hart  County,  Ky.,  and 
is  the  third  of  the  eight  children  of  Dr.  Elzy  B.  and  Carrie  R.  (Murrey) 
Willan,  natives  of  Kentucky,  and  of  English  extraction,  who  moved  to 
Trafalgar,  Johnson  County,  Ind.,  in  1861,  where  Ira  grew  to  manhood, 
and,  in  his  father's  drug  store,  received  an  early  medical  training,  having 
served  as  clerk  for  eighteen  months  therein.  After  receiving  a  good  ed-" 
ucation  at  the  schools,  he  entered  on  the  study  of  medicine  under  his 
father  for  two  years,  after  which  he  attended  two  courses  at  the  Indiana 
Medical  College,  department  of  Butler  University,  from  which  he  gradu- 
ated in  the  class  of  1883,  and  with  great  honors.  July  26,  1883,  he 
opened  a  medical  oflQce  at  Morgantown,  and  has  even  now  been  success- 
ful in  establishing  himself  with  the  people  as  a  young  practitioner  of 
ability  and  promise.  We  predict  for  him  a  lucrative  practice  and  gen- 
eral renown. 

FREDERIC  WILLIAMS  (deceased)  was  born  May  3,  1828,  in 
North  Carolina,  and  was  the  fourth  of  the  eleven  children  of  William 
and  Catherine  (Haase)  Williams,  also  natives  of  North  Carolina,  and  of 
Irish  and  German  descent  respectively.  Frederic  came  to  this  county 
when  quite  young,  which  was  his  home  until  his  decease — July  21,1882. 
He  received  his  education  from  the  pioneer  schools,  and  was  reared  on  a 


260  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

farm.  Tie  settled  in  the  forest,  and,  with  some  help  from  his  father  and 
rigid  economy,  accumulated  sufficient  to  make  his  family  comfortable. 
March  12,  1858,  he  married  Miss  Rutha  J.  Kemp,  a  native  of  this 
county,  and  to  their  union  were  bestowed  eleven  children,  nine  of  whom 
lived  to  be  named — George  W.  (born  December  8,  1860),  Aaron  (born 
November  22,  1861),  John  J.  (born  May  5,  1863),  James  W.  (deceased), 
Andrew  J.  (born  June  22,  1866),  Robert  E.  L.  (January  16,  1869),  Fred- 
eric (born  April  10,  1870),  Nelson  (born  February  13,1872)  and  Cordelia 
(born  May  1,  1874).  Mr.  Williams  was  possessed  of  about  200  acres  of 
farm  land,  and  was  a  man  of  energy  and  endurance  toward  the  end  of 
becoming  independent.  He  was  liberal,  genial  and  esteemed.  In  polit- 
ical matters,  he  was  an  active  Democrat 


CLAY  TOWNSHIP. 


WILLIAM  BLACK,  J.  P.,  Brooklyn,  is  the  second  of  four  children 
of  Samuel  J.  and  Mary  J.  (Lewis)  Black,  and  born  in  Mooresville,  Mor 
gan  County,  on  February  29,  1836.  Samuel  J. ,  the  father,  was  born  in 
Erie  County,  Fenn.,  on  June  16,  1812,  and  came  to  Indiana  in  1824, 
settling  near  Indianapolis, but  coming  soon  to  Mooresville,  Morgan  County. 
On  October  17,  1833,  he  married  Mary  J.  Lewis.  He  died  on  March  19, 
1851;  his  wife  September  5,  1855.  Our  subject  was  reared  upon  a 
farm,  and  received  but  a  limited  education.  In  1848,  he  went  to  Iowa 
with  an  uncle,  sojourning  in  that  State  ten  years,  when  he  returned  to 
Indiana  in  October,  1859.  On  July  6,  1861,  he  enlisted  in  Company 
K,  Twenty-first  Indiana  Infantry,  served  until  December  16,  1863,  when 
he  "  veteranized"  and  continued  in  the  service  until  the  close  of  the  war. 
On  the  organization  of  his  company  he  was  made  Corporal,  but  was  pro- 
moted to  First  Sergeant  before  his  discharge.  He  participated  in  the 
battle  of  Baton  Rouge,  sieges  of  Port  Hudson,  Fort  Morgan,  Fort  Span- 
ish and  Fort  Blakely.  At  the  time  of  his  discharge,  January  22,  1866, 
he  had  contracted  a  disability  from  which  he  will  probably  never  recover. 
While  at  home  on  a  furlough,  he  was  married,  on  December  7,  1865,  to 
Sarah  Steele,  a  native  of  Morgan  County.  Mrs.  Black's  father  was  in 
the  Mexican  war,  and  died  in  that  service.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Black  have 
been  born  four  children.  Both  are  members  of  the  Christian  Church, 
as  is  also  their  eldest  daughter.  Mr.  Black  is  a  member  of  the  I.  0.0.  F., 
and  a  stanch  Republican.  He  held  the  office  of  Trustee  of  Clay  Town- 
ship from  1872  to  1874.  He  is  at  present  a  Justice  of  the  Peace  of  this 
township.     By  trade  he  is  a  carpenter. 

BARNARD  B.  BUSH,  of  the  firm  of  Bush  &  Brother,  dealers  in  gen- 
eral merchandise,  was  born  in  Orange  County,  N.  Y.,  on  September  18, 
1856,  and  is  a  son  of  George  B.  and  Mary  (Lyon)  Bush,  having  been  the 
second  of  their  four  children.  The  firm  of  Bush  &  Brother  does  a  thriv- 
ing business,  is  carrying  a  stock  of  13,000,  and  trading  annually  to  the 
amount  of  $10,000  at  Centerton,  Ind.  Barnard  B.  was  reared  on  a  farm, 
and  attended  the  public  schools  a  sufficient  length  of  time  to  enable  him 
to  teach.  Mr.  Bush,  Sr..  and  his  wife  came  to  Indianapolis  from  New 
York,  and  from  there  moved  to  Centerton.     On  the  breaking-out  of  the 


CLAY  TOWNSHIP.  261 

war, he  went  into  the  service,  but  never  returned  to  his  home.  Barnard 
B.  began  life  for  himself  at  nineteen  years  of  age,  at  farming,  and  con- 
tinued in  that  pursuit  until  1880,  when  he  engaged  in  the  mercantile 
business,  and  ever  since  has  been  doing  a  thriving  trade  in  that  line  at 
Centerton.  Mr.  Bush  was  married,  on  September  30,  1878,  to  Emma 
Ferguson,  a  native  of  Morgan  County,  Ind. ,  and  by  her  he  has  had  two 
childi-en— May,  born  May  2,  1880,  and  Lee,  born  September  23,  1883. 
Mrs.  Bush  is  a  consistent  member  of  the  Christian  Church,  Mr.  Bush  is 
a  Kepublican  and  holds  the  office  of  Trustee  of  the  township,  being  now 
in  his  second  term.  After  his  first  election, he  made  a  special  levy  of  35 
cents  on  the  1100,  for  the  purpose  of  building  a  graded  schoolhouse  of 
four  rooms.  This  became  an  issue  in  his  second  election,  and  he  having 
been  successful, the  building  was  completed,  and  a  school  is  taught  there 
which  is  a  credit  to  any  township.  Mr.  Bush  is  a  self  made  man,  not 
having  depended  upon  any  one  for  help  in  climbing  the  ladder  to  pros- 
perity. 

CALVIN  ELY  is  the  fourth  of  the  five  children  born  to  David  and 
Mary  E.  (McCracken)  Ely,  natives  of  Virginia  and  North  Carolina,  and 
of  English  descent;  was  born  in  Clay  Township,  Morgan  County,  Ind., 
May  3,  1849,  and  passed  his  childhood  on  his  father's  farm.  He  received 
instruction  at  the  public  schools  sufficient  to  enable  him  to  become  one  of 
our  county's  teachers.  Mr.  Ely  attended  the  State  Normal  School  at 
Terre  Haute  during  1874  and  1875,  and  also  graduated  from  the  Inter- 
national Business  College  of  Indianapolis  June  1,  1872.  As  he  was 
then  fully  competent  as  a  teacher,  he  followed  that  profession  for  about 
eight  years,  at  the  same  time  engaging  in  book-keeping  In  the  mean- 
time,he  served  as  Deputy  in  the  Auditor's,  Treasurer's  and  Clerk's  offices 
at  Martinsville.  On  January  10,  1878,  Mr.  Ely  was  married  to  Frances 
A.  Staflbrd,  a  native  of  Morgan  County,  and  daughter  of  Wiley  and 
Sarah  (Slaughter)  Stafibrd,  natives  of  Morgan  County,  Ind.,  and  of  Eng- 
lish and  German  descent.  By  this  union  they  have  had  one  child  born 
to  them — Charles,  born  August  2,  1881.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ely  belong  to  the 
Christian  and  to  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Churches  respectively.  Mr. 
Ely  is  a  member  of  the  A.  F.  &  A.  M.  Since  his  marriage,  he  has  been 
engaged  in  farming  192  acres  which  he  owns,  and  has  highly  improved. 
On  this  place  is  a  fine  residence,  barn,  fences,  orchard,  etc. ;  it  is  stocked 
with  hogs,  horses,  sheep  and  cattle,  and  further  provided  with  all  neces- 
sary farming  implements.  In  collecting  this,  Mr.  Ely  has  depended 
upon  himself  only  and  has  received  nothing  from  any  man. 

A.  J.  ^FIELDS  was  born  in  Madison  Township,  Morgan  County, 
August  20,  1830,  and  is  the  son  of  Allen  and  Elizabeth  (Ritcher)  Fields, 
natives  respectively  of  North  Carolina  and  Virginia.  The  parents  came 
to  Indiana  in  1828,  and  located  in  Madison  Township,  where  they  resid- 
ed until  their  death.  Our  subject  was  reared  upon  a  farm,  received  a 
rather  limited  education,  and  came  to  Clay  Township  on  January  1, 
1853,  and  continued  farming,  being  at  present  located  upon  a  farm  of 
138  acres  of  well-improved  land,  of  which  he  is  the  owner.  He  has  been 
twice  married.  First  to  Clarissa  Butterfield,  on  December  18,  1853. 
She  was  a  native  of  Morgan  County,  and  daughter  of  Veloris  and  Clarissa 
Butterfield.  Seven  children  were  born  to  them — Omer  A.,  born  February 
12,  1856,  died  July  17,  1870;  Francis  O.,  born  August  10,  1860,  died 
March  30,  1882;  Martin  A.,  born  November  30,  1868,  died  May  18,  1882; 
George  A.,  born  December  4,  187 J,  died  November  25,    1874:     Ada  A., 


262  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

born  August  18,  1858;  William  F.,  born  July  13,  1864;  Annetta,  born, 
July  15,  1862.  The  mother  of  these  children  died  on  October  2,  1872, 
a  consistent  member  of  the  Christian  Church.  He  was  next  married,  on 
March  20,  1874,  to  Eleanor  Butterlield,  who  was  born  on  January  15, 
1837.  She  is  the  daughter  of  John  H.  and  Eleanor  Butterfield.  They 
have  no  children.  Both  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Fields  are  members  of  the  Christian 
Church,  in  which  he  has  been  Deacon  for  the  past  twenty  years.  Con- 
sistent in  his  piety,  lavish  in  his  gifts  to  charity,  upright  in  his  dealings 
with  his  fellow-man,  Mr.  Fields  is  respected  by  all  who  know  him.  Mr. 
F.'s  father,  Allen  Fields,  was  born  on  March  18,  1789,  and  died  on  Oc- 
tober 24,  1877;  his  mother,  Elizabeth  Fields,  was  born  on  December  2, 
1793,  and_died  on  April  23,  1864. 

W.  C. 'GEEESON,  harness -maker,  Brooklyn,  is  the  youngest  of 
fourteen  children  born  to  John  and  Barbara  (Spoon)  Greeson,  natives  of 
North  Carolina,  and  respectively  of  German  and  English  extraction. 
The  parents  emigrated  from  their  native  State  to  Indiana  in  about  1840, 
coming  to  Mooresville,  Morgan  County,  and  there  lived  until  their  death, 
respectively  in  1851  and  1852,  both  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church.  W.  C.  Greeson  was  born  in  Mooresville  November  18,  1844, 
and  grew  to  manhood  upon  a  farm,  receiving  a  common  school  education. 
At  about  eighteen  years  of  age,  Mr.  Greeson  enlisted  in  Company  E, 
Twelfth  Indiana  Infantry,  and  served  three  years.  He  was  promoted  to 
Corporal  in  1863.  He  took  part  in  battle  of  Richmond,  Ky.  He  was 
here  captured  August  27,  1862;  was  paroled  on  the  30th,  and  in  No- 
vember was  exchanged.  He  was  sent  from  Indianapolis  to  Cairo,  111., 
and  thence  to  Memphis,  and  finally  to  winter  quarters  at  Tallahassee 
Bottoms.  In  the  spring  the  regiment  went  to  Vicksburg,  and  there  took 
part  in  that  severely  contested  engagement.  In  September,  after  the 
evacuation  of  the  city,  they  went  to  Memphis,  Tenn.  Corp.  Greeson 
was  also  engaged  in  the  battles  of  Jackson,  Miss.,  Missionary  Ridge, 
Resaca,  Dallas,  New  Hope  Church,  Kenesaw  Mountain,  Nickajack  Creek, 
Atlanta,  Jonesborc,  Savannah,  Griswoldville,  Columbia,  S.  C,  Benton- 
ville  and  Raleigh,  N.  C,  and  in  Sherman's  "  march  to  the  sea." 
Through  exposure,  our  soldier  subject  became  afflicted  with  chronic 
diarrhoea,  and  also  received  a  severe  wound  with  "an  ax  in  his  left  leg  at 
Vicksburg.  He  was  discharged  June  20,  1865.  He  was  married  Novem- 
ber 9,  1865,  to  Mary  A.  Peek,  a  native  of  this  township,  and  a  member 
of  the  Christian  Church.  Mr.  Greeson  is  a  Mason;  was  Junior  Warden 
for  three  and  Senior  Warden  for  two  years,  and  was  also  Trustee  of 
Clay  Township  for  five  years,  and  is  a  Republican.  Mr.  Greeson  owns 
ninety -three  acres  of  land,  well  improved,  six  lots,  two  dwellings,  and  a 
shop  in  Brooklyn.  In  1876,  Mr.  Greeson  left  his  farm  and  came  to 
Brooklyn,  where  he  is  engaged  in  harness-making,  and  has  since  been  do- 
ing a  good  business. 

JOHN  HINER  GREGORY  (deceased)  was  born  in  Morgan  County, 
Ind.,  July  4,  1842,  and  is  the  son  of  Daniel  and  Mary  (Cox)  Gregory,  of 
English  lineage.  John  H.  was  reared  upon  a  farm,  and  was  educated  at 
the  common  schools.  February  7,  1866,  he  was  married  to  Amanda  J., 
a  native  of  Morgan  County,  born  February  14,  1844,  and  a  daughter  of 
William  and  Eleanor  (Clark)  Rinker.  Three  children  were  given  them 
— Oliver  L.  (deceased),  Albert  and  Melva  I.  The  father  died  on  April 
7,  1882,  in  the  membership  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  to  which 
his  wife  belongs.     Mrs.  Gregory  is  living  upon  a   farm  of   122  acres  of 


CLAY  TOWNSHIP.  263 

land,  well  improved  and  abundantly  stocked.  Mr.  Gregory  enlisted 
August  6,  1862,  in  Company  H,  Seventieth  Indiana  Infantry,  and  served 
three  years.  He  participated  in  the  following  battles:  Russellville, 
Resaca,  Cassville,  New  Hope  Church,  Lost  Mountain,  Kenesaw  Mount- 
ain, Marietta,  Peach  Tree  Creek,  Atlanta,  Savannah,  and  was  also  with 
Sherman  on  his  "march  to  the  sea."  He  was  honorably  discharged  on 
June  8,  1865.  He  then  resumed  farming,  was  always  a  most  devoted 
husband  and  father,  as  well  as  a  respected  citizen.  Being  early  left  an 
orphan,  Mr.  Gregory  lived  with  an  uncle  until  he  had  nearly  attained 
his  majority,  when  he  returned  to  Morgan  County,  Ind.  Mrs.  Gregory 
is  residing  on  the  old  homestead  of  Levi  Rinker. 

ALEXANDER  HARDWICK  was  born  November  10,  1842,  in  Clay 
Township,  Morgan  County,  Ind.  His  father,  "William  Hardwick,  was 
born  in  Tennessee  in  1808,  and  while  he  was  quite  young  his  parents 
moved  with  him  to  Kentucky.  He  then  went  with  them  to  Mooresville, 
at  the  age  of  fifteen,  and  in  1835  married  Elizabeth  Cox,  who  was  born 
in  Pennsylvania  in  1815.  She  went  to  Ohio  with  her  parents  in  early 
youth,  and  thence  to  Morgan  County.  Here  she  was  married  to  William 
Hardwick,  and  they  have  been  living  in  this  county  ever  since.  Mr. 
Hardwick  was  of  English-Scotch,  and  his  wife  of  Irish-Dutch  descent. 
Alexander,  their  son,  and  our  subject,  was  born  and  reared  near  Center- 
ton.  His  advantages  for  an  education  were  limited,  but  he  improved 
such  opportunities  as  he  had,  and  thus  acquired  sufficient  learning  to  be- 
come a  successful  teacher.  This  profession  he  has  followed  for  about 
ten  years.  He  has  been  for  six  years  engaged  in  the  flouring-mill  and 
in  the  grain  business.  For  about  two  years  he  was  engaged  in  the  mer- 
cantile business.  Mr.  Hardwick  never  aspired  to  any  public  ofiice,  but 
was  elected  Trustee  of  the  township  in  1874,  which  position  he  resigned 
at  the  expiration  of  the  first  year.  He  has  been  a  member  of  the  I.  O. 
O.  F.,  Martinsville  Lodge,  No.  274,  since  1868.  In  i860,  he  began  to 
do  business  for  himself,  and  in  March,  1868,  married  Eliza  E. ,  daughter 
of  Joel  and  Elizabeth  Matthews.  Joel  was  a  son  of  Hiram,  or  Judge 
Matthews,  as  he  is  commonly  known.  Elizabeth  Rooker  is  a  daughter 
of  Wilson  and  Polly  Rooker,  all  old  settlers  of  Morgan  County,  and  have 
lived  and  are  living  near  Mooresville.  Mr.  Hardwick's  present  occupa- 
tion is  teaching,  of  which  he  is  seemingly  fond. 

HON.  FRANKLIN  LANDERS  was  born  in  Morgan  County,  Ind., 
March  22,  1825.  His  father,  William  Landers,  was  one  of  the  pionbers 
of  the  New  Purchase,  and  here  Franklin  was  reared  a  farmer  and  edu- 
cated at  the  country  schools.  After  reaching  his  majority,  he  followed 
teaching  a  few  terms,  and  with  his  earnings  therefrom,  added  to  those 
from  his  farm  labors,  in  company  with  his  brother,  Washington,  he 
opened  a  general  store  at  Waverly,  Ind.  A  few  years  later,  he  purchased 
a  section  of  land  in  this  township,  laid  out  the  town  of  Brooklyn, 
brought  his  merchandise  here,  and  for  several  years  sold  goodb,  farmed, 
reared  and  dealt  in  stock,  and  before  he  was  of  middle  age,  became  one 
of  the  wealthiest  men  in  the  country.  He  accumulated  money  without 
an  apparent  effort,  and  spent  it  like  a  prince.  Objects  of  charity  and 
benevolent  institutions  were  the  recipients  of  his  bounty,  and  the  poor 
and  the  needy  who  knew  him  have  every  reason  to  bless  him.  He  has 
established  no  less  than  five  churches  upon  his  lands,  and  to  their  sup- 
port has  given  liberally.  In  1860,  he  was  nominated  for  State  Senator, 
and  defeated  his  opponent,  Samuel  Oyler,  one  of  the  most  popular  men 


264  BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES: 

of  Indiana,  by  a  large  majority.  In  the  Legislature,  he  acquitted  him- 
self with  honor,  and  to  the  satisfaction  of  his  constituency.  He  favored 
a  vigorous  prosecution  of  the  war  for  the  preservation  of  the  Union;  he 
advocated  the  enforcement  of  military  law  wher^  civil  law  was  overthrown, 
and  upon  all  questions  tending  to  establish  the  supremacy  of  a  united 
government,  his  voice  was  in  the  affirmative.  He  removed  to  the  city  of 
Indianapolis  in  1864,  where,  in  company  with  other  well-known  gentle- 
men, he  engaged  in  the  wholesale  dry  gootis  business,  which  he  has 
since  followed.  He  is  also  the  head  of  the  firm  of  Landers  &  Co. ,  pork 
packers  and  commission  merchants,  and  is  one  of  the  most  extensive 
farmers  in  the  State.  He  owns  four  fine  farms,  aggregating  2, 100  acres, 
in  Morgan  County,  one  of  250  acres  in  Marion,  and  one  of  160  acres  in 
Hamilton,  all  of  which  receive  his  personal  supervision.  He  was  candi- 
date for  Presidential  elector  on  the  McClellan  ticket  in  1864  In  1874, 
he  was  elected  to  Congress,  where  he  took  rank  as  leader  upon  all  ques- 
tions of  finance.  In  1875,  the  Greenback  party  nominated  him  for  Gov- 
ernor, but  the  Democratic  convention  before  which  his  name  was  pre- 
sented for  indorsement,  finding  the  contest  between  Mr.  Landers  and  the 
Hod.  W.  S.  Holman  to  be  so  warm  as  to  preclude  the  possibility  of  har- 
mony in  the  party,  both  those  gentlemen  were  withdrawn,  and  a  com- 
promise effected  upon  the  Hon.  James  Williams.  Over  his  protest,  Mr. 
Landers'  friends  nominated  him  for  Congress  in  1876,  and  though  de- 
feated, he  ran  ahead  of  his  ticket  over  800,  and  his  candidacy  added 
much  to  the  strength  of  the  Democracy,  and  led  to  the  election  of  Mr. 
Williams  as  Governor,  and  carried  the  State  of  Indiana  for  Tilden  and 
Hendricks.  In  1880,  he  led  the  Democratic  hosts  as  their  candidate  for 
Governor,  the  result  of  which  campaign  is  a  part  of  the  history  of  our 
country.  Mr.  Landers  has  been  twice  married;  first  to  Miss  Mary  Shuf- 
fleberger,  who  died  in  1864,  leaving  two  children,  and  next  to  Mrs. 
Martha  Conduitt,  by  whom  he  has  had  born  to  him  four  children. 

DR.  CHAMBERS  M.  LINDLEY  was  born  in  Crawford  County,  111., 
on  January  1,  1832.  His  father  came  from  North  Carolina,  and  settled 
in  Orange  County,  Ind.,  while  the  country  was  yet  a  wilderness  and  in- 
habited by  the  Indians.  Shortly  afterward,  he  moved  to  Crawford  Coun- 
ty, near  Huntsville,  111.,  and  the  country  being  wild  and  unsettled,  he, 
with  all  the  early  settlers,  endured  many  hardships  and  privations.  He 
was  a  member  of  the  Friends'  Church,  and  his  ten  children  were  brought 
up  under  its  influence.  He  died  in  1837.  Chambers  M. ,  the  subject  of 
this  sketch,  was  reared  on  a  farm.  At  the  age  of  fifteen,  he  lost  an  arm 
by  a  runaway  horse.  After  a  season  at  the  pioneer  schools,  he  came  to 
Parke  County,  Ind. ,  and  attended  the  Bloomingdale  School,  conducted 
by  the  Friends.  Then  he  taught  for  a  period  of  three  years.  He  then 
began  the  study  of  medicine,  and  attended  the  medical  colleges  at  Ann 
Arbor,  Mich.,  and  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  graduating  from  the  latter  institu- 
tion in  1860.  He  then  began  the  practice  of  medicine  at  Waverly,  Mor- 
gan County,  where  he  continued  in  his  profession  ten  years.  Failing  in 
health,  he  retired  to  a  farm,  where  he  remained  six  years;  thence  came 
to  Brooklyn,  where  for  twelve  years  he  has  been  actively  engaged  in  the 
practice  of  medicine  and  snrgery.  In  May,  1856,  he  was  married  to 
Elizabeth  J.  Province,  of  Pleasureville,  Ky.  She  has  borne  him  two 
children — Ella  and  Minnie.  The  Doctor  and  wife  are  members  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  He  is  also  a  member  of  the  Brooklyn 
Lodge,    No.  47 1,  A. ,  F.  &  A.  M.     As  a  farmer,   he  owns  260  acres  of 


CLAY  TOWNSHIP.  265 

well-improved  land.  The  Doctor  has  a  tine  medical  library,  as  well  as 
the  works  of  nearly  all  the  standard  authors  on  miscellaneous  subjects. 

P.  S.  McNEFF  was  born  in  1834,  near  Brooklyn,  Morgan  County. 
He  lived  on  the  farm  until  the  autumn  of  1852,  when  he  went  to  Iowa, 
where  he  worked  on  a  farm  for  two  years,  and  then  served  time  at  the 
carpenter's  trade,  and  worked  at  it  until  the  spring  of  1856,  when  he  re- 
turned to  Indiana,  and  remained  until  September  of  the  same  year.  He 
then  returned  to  Iowa,  and  in  1858  went  to  Lawrence,  Kan.;  thence 
again,  in  1859,  to  Iowa;  thence,  in  September  of  the  same  year,  to  New 
Albany,  Ind. ;  thence  to  Salem,  Ind.  After  a  short  sojourn  South,  he 
returned  to  Salem,  Ind.,  where  he  remained  until  March,  1861.  In  the 
meantime,  he  was  married  to  Catharine,  daughter  of  Jonathan  and  Eliza- 
beth Winslow.  After  a  trip  to  Iowa,  he  returned  to  Salem,  and  bought 
a  farm  near  that  town,  on  which  he  remained  until  March,  1869,  owning 
meantime  different  farms.  He  then  sold  out  and  moved  to  French  Lick, 
Orange  Co.,  Ind.,  and  engaged  in  the  dry  goods  business,  following  it 
several  years,  when  he  closed  out  his  stock  and  returned  to  Brooklyn, 
Morgan  County,  having  been  absent  nineteen  years.  Here  he  purchased 
a  stock  of  goods,  formed  a  partnership  with  his  brother,  W.  A.  McNeff, 
and  remained  in  the  business  five  years,  when  our  subject  retired  from 
the  firm  and  moved  to  Monrovia,  Ind.,  and  again  engaged  in  the  mer- 
cantile trade.  After  over  two  years'  experience  in  the  business,  he  moved 
his  stock  to  Louisville,  on  the  county  line  between  Morgan  and  Owen. 
In  February,  1881,  he  disposed  of  his  stock,  and  again  returned  to 
Brooklyn  and  purchased  another  stock  of  goods.  At  the  end  of  sixty 
days,  he  again  sold  out,  and  purchased  his  brother's  stock,  and  is,  just 
at  this  time,  engaged  in  the  mercantile  business,  having  a  successful 
trade. 

WILLIAM  A.  McNEFF,  farmer,  was  born  in  Brown  Township, 
Morgan  County,  Ind.,  March  25,  1838,  and  is  the  seventh  of  the  ten  chil- 
dren born  to  Thomas  W.  and  Sarah  (Smith)  McNeff,  natives  of  Kentucky 
and  Pennsylvania,  and  respectively  of  Scotch- Irish  and  German  descent. 
William  A.  was  reared  upon  the  home  farm,  and  attended  the  subscrip- 
tion schools.  His  father  brought  him  to  Indiana  in  an  early  day,  coming 
to  Harrison  Township.  There  he  was  married,  and  afterward  came  to 
Morgan  County.  In  1852,  William  A.  went  from  Indiana  to  Iowa  with 
his  father,  and  there  remained  until  1862.     Mr.  McNeff,  Sr.,  died   in 

1856.  After  returning  to  Indiana,  William  A.  went  to  Washington 
County,  and  afterward  went  to  Orange  County,  and  came  to  Morgan 
County  in  1871.  Since  that  time,  he  has  resided  in  this  township.  He 
is  engaged  in  cultivating  a  farm  of  120  acres,  improved,  and  having  a  fine 
residence,  besides  other  appliances  necessary  to  a  finished  farm.  It  is  also 
stocked  with  horses,  hogs,  cattle  and  sheep.  On  December  28,  1872,  ho 
was  married  to  Mary  C.  Rinker,  a  native  of  Clay  Township,  Morgan 
County,  and  a  daughter  of  William  and  Eleanor  Rinker.  They  have  had 
two  children — Leslie,  born  February  8,  1874,  and  Don  Clyde,  born  Sep- 
tember 13,  1882.  Mrs.  McNeff  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity,  and  is  a  Democrat, 
having  cast  his  tirst  ballot  for  James  Buchanan.  In  earning  a  com- 
petence, he  has  been  aided  by  no  one,  having  been  dependent  entirely 
upon  himself. 

DR.  GRANT  MONICAL,  resident  of  Brooklyn,  was  born  February  18, 

1857,  and  is  a  native  of   Morgan  County,  Ind.     He  was  reared  upon  a 


266  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

farm,  but  received  a  good  education,  and  liually  began  teaching  school, 
which  pursuit  he  followed  for  five  years.  On  March  1,  1879,  Grant  be- 
gan studying  medicine  with  Dr.  C.  M.  Lindley,  and  afterward  took  a 
course  of  study  at  the  Medical  College  of  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  and  graduated 
from  that  institution  in  1881.  Dr.  Monical  then  located  at  Brooklyn, 
Ind. ,  and  has  a  good  practice.  He  is  universally  regarded  as  a  most 
promising  young  physician,  and  one  who  is  rising  rapidly  in  his  profes- 
sion. 

■  O.  C.  MOON,  farmer,  was  born  in  Brown  Township,  Morgan  County, 
Ind.,  May  1,  1852,  and  is  the  second  of  three  children  born  to  L.  D.  and 
Rachel  (Thornburg)  Moon,  natives  of  Warren  County,  Ohio,  and  of  Mor- 
gan County,  Ind.,  and  of  English  ancestry.  O.  C.  was  reared  upon  a 
farm,  and  received  sufficient  instruction  to  enable  him  to  teach  school, 
later,  in  the  schools  of  this  county.  He  was  very  successful  in  this,  and 
followed  it  for  ten  years.  He  attended  the  business  college  at  Indian- 
apolis, and  graduated  from  there  in  1877.  March  13,  1879,  he  was  mar- 
ried to  Jennie  Grriggs,  a  native  of  this  county  and  township,  and  daughter 
of  Clark  and  Margaret  (Marrow)  Griggs.  After  marriage,  Mr.  Moon 
engaged  in  farming,  and  is  now  living  upon  a  farm  of  360  acres,  near 
Brooklyn,  and  which  belongs  to  his  father-in-law,  Clark  Griggs.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Moon  belong  to  the  Methodist  Episcopal  and  Christian  denomina- 
tions respectively.  He  is  a  member  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F.,  and  a  Republican. 
PERRY  O.  PHILLIPS,  dealer  in  groceries  and  stationery,  was  born 
in  Clay  Township,  Morgan  County,  Ind.,  May  22,  1857,  and  grew  to 
manhood  upon  a  farm.  He  received  some  instruction  in  the  common 
branches  of  study,  and  after  he  had  attained  his  majority,  began  life  in- 
dependently, by  farming.  Mr.  Phillips  has  been  married  twice.  On 
February  2,  1879,  he  wedded  Nancy  J.  Everling,  a  native  of  Johnson 
County,  lud.  She  died  on  Novembei-  24,  1880,  leaving  an  infant,  which 
died  soon  after.  Mrs.  Phillips  was  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church.  Mr.  Phillips  was  next  married  to  Eliza  E.  (Stafford)  Koons, 
who  was  born  June  1,  1855.  One  child  was  born  to  them,  on  August  28, 
1883.  The  parents  belong  to  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  Mr. 
Phillips  is  a  Republican  and  a  Mason,  and  is  now  holding  the  office  of 
Assessor  of  Clay  Township. 

ELI  T.  RINKER  (deceased)  was  born  in  Ohio,  May  15,  1812,  and, 
while  yet  a  small  boy,  came  with  his  parents  to  Washington  County,  Ind. 
He  came  to  Morgan  County  some  forty  years  ago.  On  October  21, 1841, 
Mr.  Rinker  was  married  to  Charity,  daughter  of  David  and  Sarah  (Clay- 
pool)  Ely,  Virginians.  David  Ely  emigrated  to  Indiana,  located  in 
Hendricks  County,  and  remained  there  until  his  death,  July  20,  1845. 
Sarah  Ely  died  at  the  residence  of  her  sons,  in  Morgan  County,  October 
25,  1857,  in  her  seventy-fourth  year,  having  been  a  faithful  member  of 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  for  Hf  ty-two  years.  For  sixteen  or  seven- 
teen years,  her  house  was  used  as  a  place  of  holding  services,  and  the 
weary,  wandering  minister  always  found  a  welcome  home  at  "  Mother 
Ely's."  Mrs.  Ely  was  the  mother  of  twelve  children.  To  Mr.  E.  T. 
Rinker's  marriage  have  been  born  two  children,  one  of  whom  died  in  in- 
fancy, and  the  other,  Simeon  K.,  at  twenty  years  of  age.  On  March  12, 
1873,  Mr.  Rinker  departed  this  life.  Since  1837,  he  had  been  a  member 
of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  and  was  a  consistent  Christian,  and 
in  losing  him  the  community  sustained  a  bereavement  which  will  long 
be  felt.     His  wife  belongs  to  the  Methodist   Episcopal  Chui'ch,  and  is 


CLAY  TOWNSHIP.  267 

living  upon  the  home  place  of  140  acres,  which  her  husband  had  im- 
proved. She  is  over  sixty-four  years  of  age,  and  dwells  there  alone,  hav- 
ing neither  husband,  children,  father  nor  mother,  and  being  much  lo^ed 
and  respected  by  all  her  friends.  In  Morgan  County,  on  January  18, 
1862,  Simeon  K.  Binker  departed  this  life,  aged  twenty  years,  and  was 
the  only  child  of  Eli  and  Charity  Rinker.  Simeon  K.  was  trained 
in  religious  matters  by  his  parents,  and  at  thirteen  years  of  age  united 
with  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  He  was  a  kind,  affectionate  and 
obedient  son,  and,  although  the  Master  called  for  him  so  early,  his  work 
was  done,  and  as  he  left  his  weeping  friends  in  his  father's  house  below, 
it  was  but  to  pass  to  the  fellowship  of  those  who  had  "  gone  before  "  to 
his  Father's  house  above 

NOAH  R.  RINKER  was  born  in  Washington  County,  Ind.,  March 
22,  1820,  and  is  the  son  of  Levi  Rinker,  who  was  born  October  5,  1790, 
and  died  July  24,  1858.  Levi  Rinker  married  Elizabeth  Cracraft,  who 
was  born  October  13,  1794,  and  died  December  22,  1852.  They  were 
natives  respectively  of  Virginia  and  Kentucky,  and  were  married  in  Ohio, 
in  1815.  They  came  from  Ohio  to  Indiana  in  an  early  day,  locating 
in  Washington  County,  and  from  there  coming  to  Morgan  County  in 
183(*.  They  were  early  pioneers,  and  lived  here  until  their  death.  Levi 
was  a  soldier  of  1812;  Noah  was  reared  upon  a  farm  and  received  a  lim- 
ited education.  On  September  1,  1842,  he  was  married  to  Lydia  Ann 
Griggs,  who  was  born  November  15,  1819,  in  Clinton  County,  Ind.  By 
her  he  had  born  to  him  seven  children,  of  whom  four  are  living- -Eliza- 
beth (Allen),  Margaret  (Underwood),  Martha  E.  (Williams)  and  Christo- 
pher C.  The  mother  died  October  7,  1855,  a  member  of  the  Christian 
Church.  On  March  27,  1856,  Mr.  Rinker  took  for  his  second  wife  Lydia 
E.  Johnson,  a  native  of  North  Carolina,  who  was  born  August  19,  1823. 
They  have  had  seven  children,  three  of  whom  are  living — A.  Dayton, 
Mary  A.  and  Orlando  O.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Rinker  are  members  of  the  Meth- 
odist Episcopal  Church.  Since  bis  tenth  year,  Mr.  Rinker  has  been  a 
resident  of  this  county  and  township.  He  belongs  to  the  I.  O.  O.  F., 
and  is  a  Democrat.  Through  his  own  exertions,  he  has  become  inde- 
pendent. 

SILAS  RINKER  was  born  September  17,  1835,  in  Clay  Township, 
Morgan  Co.,  Ind.,  and  is  the  son  of  Levi  and  Elizabeth  (Cracraft)  Rinker. 
Silas  was  reared  upon  a  farm,  received  ordinary  school  advantages,  and 
at  the  age  of  eighteen  started  out  for  himself.  Since  that  time  he  has 
followed  farming,  with  the  exception  of  fifteen  months  in  the  mercantile 
business.  He  is  living  now  upon  fifty-seven  acres  of  land  near  Brooklyn. 
Mr.  Rinker  has  been  twice  married.  On  October  10,  1852,  he  was  mar 
ried  to  Melissa  Jane,  of  Monroe  County,  and  daughter  of  Joseph  and 
Lucinda  (Harper)  Hiatt.  By  this  union  there  were  eight  children,  of 
whom  four  are  living — George  W.,  William  E.,  Louella  J.  and  Silas  E. 
The  mother  died  May  26,  1876,  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church.  Mr.  Rinker  was  next  wedded,  on  August  12,  1876,  to  Lu  E. 
Reaves,  a  native  of  Gibson  County,  Ind.,  and  a  daughter  of  William  and 
Eleanor  (Burton)  Reaves,  Indianians,  of  Irish  and  German  extraction  re- 
spectively. Two  children  have  crowned  this  union — Levi  R.  and  Burton 
C.  Both  Mr.  Rinker  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church,  and  belongs  to  the  I.  O.  O.  F.  Mr.  Rinker  is  a  politician  of 
Democratic  proclivities,  and  through  life  has  risen  by  his  own  efforts  to 
his  present  independent  position. 


268  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

WILLIAM  KINKER  (deceased)  was  born  in  Washington  County, 
Ind.,  on  July  30,  1816,  and  died  in  Morgan  County  on  May  6,  1881. 
He  came  to  Morgan  County  with  his  parents  in  ]S30,  where  he  lived  un- 
til his  death.  In  1846,  he  became  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church,  and  for  thirty-five  years  testified  his  faith  in  the  Savior,  his  joy 
in  the  Holy  Ghost,  and  his  hope  of  a  blessed  immortality.  His  disease 
was  erysipelas,  and  for  four  long  weeks  his  sufferings  were  terrible,  but 
he  endured  them  with  Christian  fortitude,  and  he  was  never  heard  to 
murmur  or  complain.  When  questioned  as  to  his  feelings,  he  replied 
that  he  was  trusting  in  the  Lord,  that  all  was  well  with  him,  and  that 
he  had  not  missed  praying  every  day  for  fifty  years.  Although  he  was 
remarkably  diffident  as  to  his  ability  as  a  useful  man,  he  remained  an  ac- 
ceptable member  of  the  church  until  his  death.  He  was  truly  an  affec- 
tionate husband,  ever  treating  his  companion  kindly  and  tenderly,  and 
ever  striving  to  render  her  life  agreeable  and  happy.  As  a  father,  he 
dearly  loved  his  children,  by  whom  in  return  he  was  beloved.  His  chil- 
dren, some  of  whom  are  young  men  beginning  life  for  themselves,  miss 
his  wise  counsels,  his  kind  advice,  his  Christian  example.  In  his  tem- 
poral affairs  he  was  signally  successful,  never  undertaking  anything 
that  he  considered  in  the  least  hazardous,  and  by  his  industry  and  fru- 
gality he  accumulated  considerable  means,  which,  while  it  afforded  him 
and  his  family  luxury  as  well  as  comfort,  also  enabled  him  to  con- 
tribute liberally  to  charity,  and  in  being  a  kind  neighbor  and  useful 
citizen.  At  his  death,  he  owned  a  farm  of  500  acres  of  land,  well  im- 
proved and  stocked.  In  politics,  he  was  a  Democrat,  being  at  the  time 
of  his  demise  a  member  of  the  Board  of  County  Commissioners.  On 
January  25,  1844,  he  was  married  to  Eleanor  Clark,  a  native  of  Ohio, 
born  January  16,  1823,  and  daughter  of  John  and  Rebecca  (Matthews) 
Clark.  Eleven  children  were  born  to  them — John  M.,  E.  A.  (deceased), 
Amanda  J.,  Mary  C,  Leonidas,  Margaret  A.  (deceased),  Rebecca  (de- 
ceased), Lewis  A.  (deceased),  Ida  E.  (deceased),  George  D.  and  Oscar  B. 
Mrs.  Rinker  a  consistent  Christian,  a  kind  mother,  yet  survives  her 
husband.  Although  she  mourns  the  loss  of  her  husband,  father,  sister, 
three  of  her  grown  childi'en,  a  son  and  daughter-in-law — all  of  whom 
have  passed  away  within  the  last  two  years — she  still  holds  fast  to  her 
faith  in  the  Lord,  with  a  hope  of  meeting  them. 

BARTLEY  SELLERS,  a  prominent  farmer  and  stock-raiser,  was 
born  in  Guilford  County,  N.  C,  October  21,  1830,  and  is  the  second  of 
nine  children  born  to  Jordan  and  Mary  (Mason)  Sellers,  natives  of 
Virginia  and  of  English  and  Irish  extraction.  Mr.  Mason  was  a  soldier 
of  the  Revolutionary  war.  Bartley's  parents  came  from  North  Carolina 
to  Indiana  in  the  fall  of  1850,  and  located  in  Brown  Township,  in  this 
county,  where  they  remained  until  Mrs.  Sellers'  death,  in  1856.  She 
was  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  Mr.  Sellers,  Sr.,  is 
also  a  member  of  that  church,  and  he  is  now  residing  with  his  son  Peter, 
in  Hendricks  County.  Bartley  was  reared  upon  a  farm,  received  limited 
schooling,  and  at  nineteen  years  of  age  began  life  independently  in 
North  Carolina,  and  when  he  had  earned  money  enough  for  the  trip,  he 
came  to  Indiana  in  1851,  and  located  in  Morgan  County  with  |1 
in  his  pocket,  engaged  in  farming,  and  worked  at  $15  per  month.  Au 
gust  12,  1855,  Mr.  Sellers  was  married  to  Mary,  a  daughter  of  Andrew 
and  Elizabeth  Wright,  and  a  native  of  Morgan  County,  by  whom  he  has 
had  three  children — Andrew,  John  and  an  infant  unnamed.     Mr.  Sellers 


CLAY  TOWNSHIP.  269 

and  wife  belong  to  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  He  owns  and  man- 
ages a  farm  of  140  acres  of  well-improved  land,  all  cultivated.  His  farm 
is  supplied  with  a  fine  orchard  and  a  commodious  residence,  and  stocked 
with  horses,  hogs,  cattle  and  sheep.  Mr.  Sellers  is  engaged  extensively 
in  shipping  stock  to  Indianapolis,  Cincinnati  and  Pittsburgh.  He  belongs 
the  A.  F.  &  A,  M.  Lodge,  No.  78,  Mooresville,  Ind.,  and  has  had  three 
brothers  who  were  in  the  late  war.  Mr.  Sellers  has  built  up  his  own 
fortune,  has  had  no  assistance  whatever  from  anybody  except  his  indus- 
trious wife,  and  the  couple  are  rewarded  by  tife  possession  of  their  com- 
fortable home. 

BENJAMIN  STAFFORD,  pioneer  farmer  of  this  county,  was  born 
in  Highland  County,  Ohio,  May  28,  1810,  and  is  the  third  of  the  seven 
children  born  to  Robert  and  Sarah  (Bullick)  Stafford,  natives  of  North 
Carolina,  and  of  English  ancesti-y.  Benjamin  accompanied  his  parents 
from  Ohio  to  Indiana  in  1818.  They  located  in  Monroe  County,  and  re- 
mained there  until  March,  1820,  at  which  time  the  family  came  to  this 
county.  The  county  was  then  a  wilderness,  and  was  not  then  organized, 
the  Indians  roaming  at  their  sweet  pleasure  through  the  leafy  forests. 
Robert  Stafford  entered  land,  and  made  a  home  in  the  wilderness,  amid 
bears,  wolves,  panthers  and  other  wild  animals,  and,  with  the  poorest 
advantages  for  an  education,  Benjamin  grew  to  manhood.  On  February 
15,  1830,  he  was  married  to  Rutbie  Gifford,  a  native  of  Indiana,  and  a 
daughter  of  Jesse  and  Sarah  (Marshall)  Gifford.  They  had  one  child^ 
Sarah  (deceased),  and  the  mother  dying,  Mr.  Stafford  was  married  to 
Margaret  Price  on  March  17,  1835.  Eight  children  were  born  to  this 
union,  of  whom  six  are  living — Nancy  J.  (Woods),  John,  Marion,  Will- 
iam Benjamin,  Barnard  and  Grant.  Mrs.  Stafford  having  departed  this 
life,  Mr.  Stafford  was  again  married.  He  took  for  his  third  wife  Mrs. 
Susan  Fry,  by  whom  he  has  had  seven  children,  of  whom  six  are  living 
— Mary  (Passor),  James,  Priscilla  (McKinley),  Martha  (Myrick),  Eme- 
line  (Gooch)  and  Oliver  P.  M.  Mr.  Stafford  and  wife  are  members  of 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  Mr.  Stafford  began  life  by  clearing 
out  a  farm  in  the  wilderness,  and  enduring  great  privations.  He  has 
succeeded,  and  now  owns  seventy  acres  in  this  township.  He  alone  has 
made  from  the  green  woods  the  home  which  he  now  occupies.  His  only 
help  has  been  a  faithful  and  saving  wife,  who  has  been  indeed  a  help- 
meet in  all  his  struggles  and  adversities.  Although  Mr.  Stafford  is 
seventy-three  years  of  age,  he  has  a  robust  constitution  and  promises  to 
live  many  years  of  usefulness  in  the  township  which  he  has  helped  to 
build  up.  He  is  very  strong  in  Christian  faith,  and  faithful  in  the  per- 
formance of  his  duties,  and  has  read  his  Bible  through  nearly  fifty  times 
during  the  last  twelve  years.  He  could  not  read  a  word  until  he  was 
forty  years  old.  Mr.  Stafford  is  much  prized  as  a  good  neighbor  and  cit- 
izen, and  is  fully  appreciated  in  the  community  in  which  he  has  moved 
so  long. 


270  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES: 


MONROE   TOWNSHIP. 

JOSEPH  H.  ALLISON  was  boru  fn  Oldham  County,  Ky.,  July  22, 
1833,  and  is  the  son  of  Elijah  and  Margaret  (Frederick)  Allison,  natives 
of  Kentucky,  who  moved  to  this  State  in  1834,  and  settled  in  Gregg 
Township,  where  they  drew  from  the  wilderness  a  farm  and  home,  resided 
thereon  thirty- two  years,  and  in  1866  removed  near  by,  where  they  have 
remained.  Joseph  H.  lived  with  his  parents  until  he  was  twenty-one 
years  old.  A.ugust  11,  1855,  he  married  Miss  Nancy  J.  Wellman,  a  na- 
tive of  Kentucky,  and  to  them  was  born  one  child — Charles  S.  In  1868, 
Mr.  Allison  removed  to  Monrovia,  where  lie  had  charge  of  the  Monrovia 
Flouring  Mills,  and  since  then  he  has  driven  a  hack  between  Monrovia 
and  Mooresville.  He  is  at  present  Treasurer  of  Monrovia  Lodge,  A.  F. 
&  A.  M.  He  is  a  Republican,  a  most  exemplary  man  and  citizen,  and 
he  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Christian  Church. 

EDWARD  WILLIAM  BRAY,  pioneer  of  Orange  County,  Ind. ,  was 
born  June  5,  1820,  and  is  a  son  of  John  H.  and  Hannah  (Shelton)  Bray, 
natives  respectively  of  North  Carolina  and  Virginia,  who  moved  to  Ken- 
tucky and  were  there  reared;  they  had  four  sons  and  eight  daughters, 
and  came  to  this  State  in  1815,  into  this  coanty  in  1823,  and  finished 
their  lives  in  this  township — he  in  1875,  aged  ninety-six,  and  she  in 
1873,  aged  eighty-four  years.  Edward  W.  Bray  is  well  educated,  and 
was  a  teacher,  from  his  twenty-third  to  his  twenty-eighth  year,  in  the  pub- 
lic schools.  November  5,  1840,  he  married  at  Belleville,  Ind.,  Lucy 
Jane  Gilmer,  to  which  union  were  born  ten  children — Mary  E.,  Hannah 
A.,  Eunice  A.,  Sarah  E.,  Mildred  (deceased),  John  W.,  Thomas  W., 
Henry,  Alexander  Gilmer  and  Shelton.  In  1876,  Mr.  Bray  was  elected 
Justice  of  the  Peace  of  this  township,  and  was  re-elected  four  years 
afterward.  He  is  an  active  Republican  and  an  original  thioiker,  having 
taken  out  a  patent  for  an  improved  shuttle;  he  is  also  active  in  Sabbath- 
school  labor. 

DAVID  W.  BREWER,  dealer  in  groceries,  hardware,  glass  and 
queensware  at  Monrovia,  was  born  in  this  county  June  16,  1835,  and  is 
the  second  child  of  Henry  and  Sarah  (Hadley)  Brewer;  the  former  a  na- 
tive of  West  Virginia,  the  latter  of  North  Carolina,  and  both  of  English 
descent.  David  was  reared  to  farming,  and  soon  after  his  majority  mar- 
ried Maria  L.  Rennard,  who  died  August  22,  1876,  leaving  two  children 
— Cynthia  and  William  A.  ftlarch  31,  1879,  Mr.  Brewer  married  IMattie 
M.  Vihman,  who  died  October  6,  1882.  In  August,  1861,  Mr.  Brewer 
enlisted  in  Company  A,  Thirty-third  Regiment  Indiana  Volunteers, 
served  three  years,  and  was  taken  prisoner  at  Thompson's  Station,  and 
confined  sixty  days  in  Libby  Prison;  afterward  paroled,  and  fought  in 
many  battles,  as  Buzzard  Roost,  Resaca,  Peach  Tree  Creek,  Kenesaw 
Mountain  and  others.  After  his  discharge,  he  engaged  in  farming  near 
Monrovia;  was  afterward  engaged  in  the  produce  business,  and  in  1879 
entered  the  livery  business  until  1882,  with  a  branch  at  Mooresville,  and 
in  1883  returned  to  Monrovia  and  engaged  in  his  present  business.  Mr. 
Brewer  cast  his  first  vote  for  Gen.  Fremont  in  1856.  He  is  a  member  of 
the  I.  O.  O.  F. 


MONROE  TOWNSHIP.  271 

JAMES  A.  BRICK,  of  Monrovia,  was  born  in  this  county  August  6, 
1845,  and  is  the  fifth  of  eleven  childx-en  born  to  William  and  Sarah 
(Graves)  Brick,  natives  of  Ohio.  When  he  was  sixteen  years  of  age,  he 
left  the  home  farm,  and  enlisted  in  Company  H,  Thirty-third  Indiana 
Regiment,  in  which  he  served  three  years,  and  then  became  a  veteran. 
He  was  taken  prisoner  at  Thompson's  Station,  was  confined  thirty-two 
days  in  Libby  Prison;  was  then  exchanged,  returned  to  active  duty,  and 
was  with  Gen.  Sherman  in  his  historic  march  to  the  sea;  then  sailed  for 
Fortress  Monroe,  and  was  discharged  at  Indianapolis  July  18,  1865.  Mr. 
Brick  was  sunstruck  at  Peach  Tree  Creek.  After  coming  home,  he  en- 
gaged in  farming,  but  was  compelled  to  abandon  labor  on  account  of  im- 
poverished health.  August  6,  1865,  he  married  Jane  Brewer,  which 
union  was  cemented  by  five  children — Anna  Eliza,  Mary  F.,  Minnie  J., 
Elsie  D.  and  Ella  M.  Mr.  Brick  controls  a  good  and  well -improved 
farm,  is  a  successful  agriculturist,  and  a  worthy  citizen.  He  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  G.  A.  R.,  and  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  and  Mrs. 
Brick  of  the  Friends'  Society. 

REV.  JOHN  BRUNER,  A.  M.,  is  a  son  of  Elias  and  Jiney' (Tarrant) 
Bruner,  natives  respectively  of  Virginia  and  North  Carolina,  and  of  Ger- 
man and  English  descent.  He  was  born  in  Monroe  County  October  31, 
1828,  whither  his  parents  removed  in  1820,  and  settled  on  a  tract  of 
Government  land,  whex'e  they  remained  until  1835,  when  the  mother 
died;  the  father  died  in  1871  in  Arkansas.  Rev.  Mr.  Bruner  was  reared 
to  farming,  and,  after  some  study  and  preparation,  became  a  teacher,  as 
which  he  served  about  two  years.  In  1853,  he  entered  Asbury  Univer- 
sity, and  graduated  therefrom  after  six  years,  with  the  degrees  of  A.  B. 
and  A.  M.,  an  attainment  which  he  secured  unaided.  He  desired  at  first 
to  become  a  lawyer,  which,  however,  he  gave  up  for  the  ministry  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  receiving  for  his  first  year's  service  the 
sum  of  $142,  and  was  ordained  Deacon  in  1862.  His  first  charge  was 
Bloomington,  in  which  he  was  very  successful.  He  has  now  a  record  of 
admissions  amounting  to  1,000  persons.  April  5,  1860,  he  married  Re- 
becca S.  Mason,  which  union  gave  being  to  nine  children — Mary  (de- 
ceased), Belle,  Mason,  Frank,  Maggie,  Anna  L.,  Burke,  Hugh  and  Maud. 
Rev.  Mr.  Bruner  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity.  He  was  as- 
signed to  the  charge  of  Monrovia  City  in  1883. 

JOHN  BUND Y  was  born  in  Perquimans  County,  N.  C,  August,  1805, 
and  is  a  son  of  Jeremiah  and  Elizabeth  (Lowe)  Bundy,  natives  of  North 
Carolina,  and  of  English  extraction.  John  Biindy  was  i-eared  on  a  farm 
to  industry  and  usefulness.  March  10,  1831,  he  married  Mary,  daugh- 
ter of  Jesse  and  Mary  (Morris)  Moore,  and  this  union  was  productive  of 
the  following  children:  William  P.,  Samuel  C,  Jesse  M.,  Daniel  W., 
Martha  E.,  Sarah  J.,  Semirah  E.,  Mary  D.  and  John  E.  In  1858,  Mr. 
Bundy  moved  to  this  township,  and  purchased  120  acres  near  Monrovia, 
where  he  yet  resides.  He  is  a  practical  farmer,  a  Republican,  and  he 
and  family  are  birthright  members  of  the  Friends'  Society.  J.  E.  Bun- 
dy, son  of  John  Bundy,  is  a  native  of  Guilford  County,  N.  C. ;  was  born 
May  1,  1853,  and  was  reared  like  his  father  to  the  farm  and  industry. 
In  boyhood,  he  devoted  much  time  to  the  art  of  drawing,  in  which  he 
has  made  much  proficiency;  he  has  also  painted  many  model  and  valu- 
able works  in  oil,  as  well  as  being  engaged  in  giving  instruction  in  this 
divine  endowment. 


272  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

JOHN  M.  DAVIS  is  a  native  of  Henry  County,  Ind.,  and  the  fourth 
son  of  John  and  Lydia  (Davis)  Davis,  natives  respectively  of  North  Caro- 
lina and  Virginia,  and  both  of  Scotch  extraction.  Our  subject  first  saw 
the  light  April  4,  1836;  spent  the  first  twelve  years  of  his  life  in  Henry 
County,  at  which  period  his  parents  moved  to  Wabash  County,  where  he 
lived  until  he  was  thirty  years  of  age,  when  his  mother  died,  and  where 
his  father  yet  lives,  aged  ninety-four  years.  September  16,  1857,  our 
subject  married  Eliza  J.,  daughter  of  Abraham  Nordyke,  and  with  an 
issue  of  eight  children — Alice,  Sabinus  A.,  Marietta,  Evington  E.,  Albert 
L.,  Leoto,  Ulyssus  and  Elmer  (deceased).  In  1865,  Mr.  Davis  moved  to 
Hendricks  County,  was  engaged  in  mercantile  business  at  Plainfield,  and 
in  1870  he  came  Monrovia,  where  he  has  been  engaged  in  manufacturing 
drain  tile.  Mr.  Davis  has  acquired  his  property  and  business  position 
by  his  unaided  industry  and  energy.  He  is  a  much  respected  citizen, 
and  he  and  wife  and  children  belong  to  the  Society  of  Friends. 

JAMES  D.  HADLEY,  farmer  and  stock-raiser,  is  a  native  of  Chat- 
ham County,  N.  C,  was  born  August  30,  1807,  and  is  the  eighth  of  the 
nine  children  of  Jeremiah  and  Ruth  (Maris)  Hadley,  also  natives  of  North 
Carolina,  who  moved  to  this  State  about  1823,  located  in  this  township, 
and  entered  720  acres  of  Government  land,  on  which  they  lived  and  died. 
James  began  the  struggle  of  life  on  the  home  farm,  and  obtained  what 
education  he  could  command  from  the  public  schools.  October  1,  1831, 
he  married  Matilda  Morris,  of  North  Carolina,  and  to  this  union  were 
granted  the  following  children:  Esther  (deceased),  Ruth,  Eli  (deceased), 
Martha  J.  (deceased),  Enos  (killed  in  the  late  war),  Eli  A.,  Martha  J. 
and  Nathan  R.  Mr.  Hadley  is  the  owner  of  a  good  farm  of  120  acres, 
and  has  been  owner  of  600,  much  of  which  he  has  given  to  his  children, 
and  all  of  which  he  acquired  by  well-directed  industry  and  frugality. 
He  is  a  Republican  in  politics,  a  liberal  gentleman,  an  vipright  citizen, 
and,  with  his  wife,  one  of  the  adherents  of  the  Society  of  Friends, 

SAMUEL  HADLEY,  a  pioneer  farmer  of  this  township,  was  born  in 
Randolph  County,  N.  C,  January  1,  1811,  and  is  the  third  of  the  six 
children  born  to  John  and  Hannah  (Allen)  Hadley,  both  natives  of  North 
Carolina,  and  respectively  of  Irish  and  English  extraction.  Samuel  was 
reared  on  the  farm,  and  attended  the  subscription  schools,  and  studied  so 
as  to  be  prepared  for  teaching,  which  he  followed  until  1835,  when  he 
came  by  horseback  and  located  at  Monrovia,  Ind.,  and  the  following 
winter  taught  school  here.  He  afterward  engaged  in  mercantile  business 
for  some  twelve  years.  March  18,  1839,  he  married  Jane  Clark,  who 
died  eleven  years  thereafter,  and  after  he  wedded,  in  1852,  Eliza  W., 
widow  of  Jesse  Reynolds,  to  which  union  was  born  one  child — Jesse  H. 
Mr.  Hadley  is  a  practical  farmer,  owning  177  acres  of  well-cultivated  and 
improved  land,  containing  good  residence,  barns,  fencing,  orchards,  etc. 
He  is  now  a  Republican,  but  gave  his  maiden  vote  for  Henry  Clay  in 
1832.  He  has  been  School  Examiner,  and  has  held  the  office  of  Postmas- 
ter of  Monrovia.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hadley  are  members  of  the  Society  of 
Friends. 

LOT  M.  HADLEY,  pioneer  farmer  and  stock-raiser,  is  a  native  of 
Chatham  County,  N.  C,  was  born  February  15,  1811,  and  is  the  young- 
est of  the  nine  children  of  Jeremiah  and  Ruth  (Maris)  Hadley.  Lot  M. 
came  to  this  State  in  1823,  whtm  the  family  located  on  Government  land 
near  Mooresville.  Mr.  Hadley  lived  to  be  about  eighty  years  of  age,  and 
Mi's,  Hadley  to  be  within  four  years  of  one  hundred.     Lot  M.  received  a 


MONROE  TOWNSHIP.  273 

fair  education,  which  he  has  continually  improved  by  study  and  reading. 
January  1,  1832,  he  married,  in  this  township,  Eunice  HaydocJi,  of  North 
Carolina,  which  union  produced  six  children — Nathan,  Asenath,  Ann 
(deceased),  Amy,  Julia  and  Jared  C.  (deceased).  After  the  death  of  Mrs. 
Hadley,  July  5,  1867,  Mr.  Hadley  wedded,  March  4,  1868,  Sophia  Craw- 
ford, by  which  marriage  he  became  the  father  of  two  children — Arthur 
M.  and  Estella  B.  Mr.  Hadley  is  a  Republican,  and  was  once  a  Whig. 
He  was  one  of  the  founders  of  the  Farmers'  Bank  at  Mooresville,  and  is 
now  a  Director  and  one  of  the  finance  committee.  He  has  also  a  good 
farm  of  130  acres,  where  he  resides.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Friends' 
Society,  as  was  his  first  and  is  his  second  wife. 

EVAN  HADLEY  was  born  in  Chatham  County,  N.  C. ,  September  26, 
1816,  bhe  year  in  which  Indiana  was  admitted  to  the  Union.  His  father, 
James  Hadley,  died  in  1843;  his  mother,  Mary  Hadley,  died  in  1874. 
In  1819,  the  parents  came  to  Orange  County,  this  State,  where  a  num- 
ber of  relatives  and  acquaintances  had  settled  within  a  few  years,  and 
after  the  harvest  of  1820  James  Hadley  and  others  made  a  careful  ex- 
amination of  a  large  portion  of  the  "  New  Purchase,"  selected  land  in  the 
White  Lick  country,  and  bought  at  the  public  sale  at  Terie  Haute.  The 
settlement  of  this  land  is  thus  described  by  Evan  Hadley:  "  As  father 
had  with  his  brother  Eli  Hadley  been  first  to  leave  his  native  State,  he 
was  first,  with  a  brother-in-law,  John  Jones,  to  move  to  the  newer  part 
of  the  country,  where  many  of  their  friends  and  relatives  expected  to  fol- 
low as  soon  as  circumstances  permitted.  So  they  loaded  the  two  families 
and  provisions  for  the  winter  in  wagons,  and  set  out  for  the  promised 
land,  accompanied,  as  I  have  heard  my  parents  say,  by  seven  men.  in- 
cluding a  hand  that  father  hired,  to  stay  and  assist  in  clearing  land  for  a 
crop  the  next  season.  This  hand  assisted  my  father  seventy  days,  and 
they  cleared  and  fenced  ten  acres  of  ground  and  raised  a  cora  crop  on  it 
the  next  season.  The  wagons  and  emigrants  arrived  on  the  twentieth  day 
of  eleventh  month,  1820,  at  the  cabin  of  Thomas  Ballard,  near  where  the 
William  Macy  brick  house  now  stands,  and  by  the  kindness  of  the  newly 
formed  neighbors,  the  women  and  children  obtained  shelter  with  them, 
and  the  men  of  the  party  proceeded  to  camp  on  my  father's  land,  being 
the  quarter  section  adjoining  south  of  the  Macy  farm.  They  entered  at 
once  on  the  work  of  building  a  cabin  for  a  residence,  and  iu  seven  days 
they  had  a  house  completed  with  stick  and  clay  chimney,  cracks  well 
stopped,  door,  shutter,  floor,  and  all  complete  without  a  nail,  pane  of  glass 
or  scrap  of  sawed  lumber;  what  light  there  was  when  the  door  was  closed 
came  down  the  chimney;  the  family  and  assistants  took  possession  and 
proceeded  to  housekeeping  in  a  comfortable  manner,  and  the  men  all 
joined  in  the  erection  of  a  smaller  cabin  on  an  adjoining  tract  of  land, 
for  the  use  of  Uncle  and  Aunt  Jones,  before  mentioned,  which  was  soon 
completed,  when  those  who  came  to  assist  returned  to  Orange  County, 
taking  the  wagons  and  teams  with  them.  A  few  families  had  '  squatted ' 
on  some  tracts  of  land  the  previous  spring,  and  had  partially  cleared 
some  patches  of  ground,  and  had  raised  a  small  supply  of  soft  corn, 
pumpkins  and  squashes.  I  remember  two  families  of  Ballards,  Mc- 
Crackens,  Virtrees,  Lockharts,  Barlows,  Reynolds  and  perhaps  others,  all 
of  whom  have  long  since  disappeared,  except  Thomas  Lockhart,  who, 
something  over  ninety  years  old,  resides  in  Hendricks  County.  In  the 
spring  following,  father  and  his  hired  hand  walked  back  to  Orange  Coun- 
ty for  the  team  and  wagon  and  stock,  of  which  there  were  cattle,  sheep 


274  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

and  hogs,  some  assistance  coming  back  with  father  to  help  get  the  stock 
along.  An  additional  supply  of  provision  was  also  brought  out;  a  cow 
and  a  young  calf  had  been  procured  from  a  neighbor,  which  had  supplied 
a  much  needed  article  of  diet  for  some  of  the  children,  and  I  have  heard 
my  mother  say  that  cow  did  as  well  without  feeding  any  as  others  have 
done  since  with  plenty  of  food  given  them.  Some  of  the  hogs  '  went 
wild;'  the  old  ones  being  ear-marked,  gave  a  right  by  law  of  custom  to  a 
'  wild-hog  claim,'  and  the  proprietor  of  the  '  mark'  was  justified  in  tak- 
ing what  he  could  capture  that  herded  with  those  of  his  mark,  as  the 
addition  was  supposed  to  be  the  natural  descendants  of  the  original 
marked  ones,  and  sometimes  by  strategy  all  would  be  decoyed  into  a  kind 
of  trap  pen  by  finding  where  they  bedded  in  winter,  and  erecting 
the  strong  pen  near  the  place,  then  continuing  to  place  corn  around  and 
leave  it  for  them  to  find  it  until  they  would  follow  it  into  the  pen.  and  by 
interfering  with  a  bait,  properly  arranged,  spring  the  trap,  and  find 
themselves  confined,  when  the  young  would  be  marked,  and  thus  perpet- 
uate the  claim.  Wolves  were  some  trouble  to  the  sheep,  but  as  the  wool 
was  indispensable  for  winter  clothing,  much  care  was  taken  to  protect 
sheep  by  housing  them  of  nights,  and  at  times  wolves  howl  around  the 
sheep  house  very  tumultuously  when  disappointed  by  being  unable  to 
reach  their  prey.  Wolves  were  sometimes  caught  in  strongly  constructed 
pen  traps,  by  baiting  with  the  fresh  carcass  of  sheep  which  they  had  re- 
cently killed.  Summer  clothing,  bed  cords  and  plow  lines  were  sometimes 
made  from  the  lint  of  the  native  nettle,  after  the  woody  portion  had  be- 
come sufficiently  tender  to  be  separated  from  the  lint  in  the  same  man- 
ner that  flax  is  prepared  for  spinning.  I  recollect  a  visit  from  a  large 
black  bear  to  our  house,  or  near  there,  where  he  stopped  when  passing, 
sat  down  on  haunches  like  a  dog  does,  and  deliberately  viewed  the  sur- 
roundings for  some  time,  turning  his  attention  toward  the  house,  where 
he  could  see  the  persons,  though  my  mother  and  the  children  were  all 
there  were  at  home  at  the  time.  Late  in  the  evening,  too,  some  of  the 
children  were  a  good  deal  alarmed,  but  mother  did  what  she  could  to  con- 
vince us  that  there  was  not  likely  to  be  any  danger,  at  any  rate  when  we 
were  in  the  house.  After  satisfying  his  curiosity,  he  deliberately  walked 
away  in  the  same  direction  he  was  going  when  he  stopped,  as  though  he 
knew  where  he  was  going;  after  he  was  gone,  mother  went  to  my  uncle, 
W^illiam  Hadley's,  about  a  quarter  of  a  mile,  and  informed  him  of  our  vis- 
itor; he  procured  some  company  hastily  and  attempted  to  pursue  with  a 
view  of  capturing  or  at  least  attacking  "  Bruin,"  but  it  soon  became  so 
dark  that  the  chase  was  abandoned.  Bears  frequently  in  the  fall  of  the 
year,  and  especially  when  there  was  a  good  crop  of  mast,  came  in  quite 
plentiful,  but  were  seldom  killed,  as  there  were  few,  if  any,  expert  bear 
hunters  amongst  the  settlers.  I  remember  seeing  a  few  young  bears  af- 
ter they  were  killed,  but  never  saw  a  grown  one  caught  or  killed.  Deer 
were  plentiful,  and  in  winter  would  come  around  the  clearings  and  pick 
buds  from  the  green  brush,  but  were  very  shy  of  exposing  themselves  to 
danger,  so  that  it  required  considerable  stratagy  to  secure  them,  though 
many  were  killed  and  furnished  a  very  agreeable  change  of  diet.  Wild 
turkeys  were  abundant,  and  I  suppose  all  the  families  had  considerable 
supplies  of  that  luxury  in  the  fall  and  winter.  After  corn  crops  had  be- 
come plenty,  and  some  remained  in  the  fields  till  winter  closed  in,  so  as 
to  shut  off  access  to  the  mast  in  the  woods,  both  turkey  and  deer  would 
congregate  in  the  cornfields,  when  turkeys  could  be  caught  in  rail  pens, 


MONROE  TOWNSHIP.  275 

by  building  a  few  rails  high,  and  covering  the  top  with  rails,  then  mak- 
ing a  narrow  ditch  from  the  outside  through  under  one  side  to  the  inside, 
coming  up  toward  the  middle;  a  few  rails  were  placed  over  it  next  the 
wall  of  the  pen  then  bated  by  sprinkling  shelled  corn  in  the  ditch  clear 
through  to  the  inside,  and  some  was  scattered  around  on  the  ground  out- 
side to  first  arrest  their  attention;  when  they  had  used  up  what  was  scat- 
tered around,  they  would  follow  the  trail  through  the  ditch  to  the  inside, 
and  as  soon  as  they  would  discover  they  were  inclosed,  they  would  devote 
themselves  to  active  eftbrts  to  escape  through  the  openings  between  tbe 
rails  of  the  walls  and  overhead,  and  when  the  proprietor  of  the  pen  dis- 
covered them,  he  would  readily  capture  them  by  placing  a  man  or  boy  in- 
side (I  have  been  used  for  that  purpose),  who  would  catch  and  hand  them 
out.  A  few  panthers  and  wild  cats  or  catamounts  infested  the  country 
and  did  some  damage  by  destroying  young  stock,  but  never,  that;  I  know  of, 
attacked  any  person.  During  the  first  year,  there  was  no  use  for  mills,  as 
there  was  nothing  to  grind;  all  provision  was  brought  from  older  settle- 
ments. The  first  mill  was  built  where  McDaniels'  Brooklyn  Mill  now 
is;  that  served  to  grind  corn;  the  buh)-s  wei-e  cut  out  of  native  bowlders. 
A  mill  was  early  built  by  Joseph  Moon  at  the  present  Moon  Ford,  which 
had  a  bolt  to  separate  bran  from  flour;  the  customer  had  to  do  his  own 
bolting  by  turning  a  crank  similar  to  the  operation  of  turning  a  grind 
stone.  He  also  had  to  elevate  the  ground  flour  from  the  flour  chest  on 
the  lower  to  the  third  floor,  by  hand,  to  the  hopper  of  the  bolt.  My  father 
sowed  an  acre  or  two  of  wheat  about  the  second  year,  which  made  a  crop 
of  very  poor  grain,  on  account  of  the  wild,  green  nature  of  the  soil;  he 
had  some  of  it  ground  as  corn,  and  sifted  by  a  fine  hair  sieve,  and  from 
this  flour  our  first  native  wheat  bread  was  made.  The  people  became 
quite  anxious  for  religious  association,  and  the  Friends  first  met  in  volun- 
tary meetings  for  worship  in  1822,  if  I  mistake  not,  at  the  cabin  of  Asa 
Bales,  on  what  is  now  the  Moon  farm;  in  1823,  they  obtained  authority, 
according  to  their  rules,  from  the  organized  superior  meetings  in  Wash- 
ington and  Orange  Counties  to  organize  religions  meetings  in  these  parts, 
which  was  done,  and  they  have  from  that  beginning  originated  all  the 
meetings  of  that  order  in  Central,  Northern  and  Western  Indiana  and 
Eastern  Illinois.  My  father  and  his  brother-in-law.  Jones,  before  spoken 
of,  with  their  families,  were  the  first  members  of  the  Friends'  Church 
who  settled  in  Central  Indiana.  The  Methodists  (Episcopal)  had  some 
religious  services  in  the  neighborhood  of  the  present  White  Lick  Church 
of  that  denomination,  perhaps  a  little  earlier  than  the  Friends  had.  The 
education  of  the  children  of  the  new  settlement  early  claimed  attention, 
and  a  cabin  for  the  purpose  of  a  schoolhouse  was  built  near  where  R.  R. 
Scott's  brick  dwelling  now  stands  in  Mooresville,  and  Asa  Bales  was  the 
first  teacher.  This  schoolhouse  at  first  was  designed  to  accommodate 
both  sides  of  White  Lick,  but  as  the  crossing  was  often  difficult  then  as 
well  as  now,  and  as  the  settlement  on  the  south  and  west  of  the  creek 
soon  increased  sufficiently  to  sustain  a  school  on  that  side  of  the  creek,  in 
1824  the  original  Sulphur  Spring  Schoolhouse  was  built,  and  school  was 
opened  in  it  by  my  father,  who  taught  several  terms  of  three  or  six 
months,  counting  thirteen  weeks  of  five  days'  school  to  each  week  for 
three  months;  the  schools  were  paid  for  by  the  patrons  by  subscription 
of  about  $1.50  per  scholar  for  three  months.  I  omitted  to  mention  in 
connection  with  the  introduction  of  milling  another  device  for  preparing 
grain  for  bread  now  out  of  use,  called  a  hominy  mortar,  made  usually  by 


276  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

burning  out  of  the  top  of  some  solid  green  stump,  a  bowl-shaped  cavity, 
which  was  dressed  out  smooth  after  burning  to  a  sufficient  size;  a  post 
was  then  placed  at  a  suitable  distance  from  the  mortar,  and  a  spring  pole 
placed  on  the  top  of  the  post  or  fork;  a  pestle  was  then  fastened  to  the 
end  of  the  pole  over  the  mortar,  then  the  corn  was  placed  in  the  cavity, 
and  the  pestle  brought  down  on  it  with  a  sudden  jerk,  when  the  elasticity 
of  the  pole  would  immediately  jerk  the  pestle  up.  So,  by  oft  repeating 
this  operation,  the  corn  would  be  mashed  into  good  hominy,  and  some- 
times could  be  made  into  bread.  A  water-power  hominy  mill  was  some- 
times erected  by  balancing  a  considerable  beam,  leaving  one  end  heavier 
than  the  other.  A  cavity  was  made  in  a  substantial  block  and  placed 
solidly  under  the  heavy  end  of  the  beam,  water  was  then  conveyed  by  a 
small  race  across  some  creek  of  a  branch,  and  conveyed  by  some  kind  of 
spout  into  a  trough  prepared  in  the  light  end  of  the  beam,  till  the  weight 
became  sufficient  to  lower  that  end  and  lift  the  other  up  till  sufficient 
water  ran  out  to  reverse  the  balance  of  the  beam,  when  the  pestle  would 
down  on  the  corn  with  forcible  effect,  and  thus  the  operation  would  con- 
tinue as  long  as  was  necessary.  *  *  *  In  conclusion,  I  might  state  I 
have  continuously  resided  within  six  miles  and  less  of  the  place  where 
my  father  first  located,  and  I  think  I  have  had  the  longest  residence  in  the 
White  Lick  part  of  the  county  than  any  now  living.  My  father's  family  are 
all  gone  to  the  next  world,  except  a  sister,  who  has  long  resided  in  the 
West.  I  might  further  say  that  my  wife,  who  was  Mary  Ann  Ballard, 
daughter  of  Jesse  and  Sarah  Ballard,  both  deceased,  was  born  in  Monroe 
Township  in  1826,  and  has  continuously  resided  in  the  township  ever 
since,  and  is  believed  to  be  the  oldest  native  born  person  in  the  town- 
ship." 

ALLEN  HADLEY  (deceased)  was  born  August  14,  1828,  and  was 
the  seventh  of  thirteen  children  born  to  John  B.  and  Elizabeth  Hadley, 
the  former  having  died  October  12,  1845,  in  his  forty-seventh  year;  the 
latter  December  22,  1858,  in  her  fifty-ninth  year.  They  were  natives  of 
North  Carolina,  located  in  Morgan  County,  founded  a  home,  and  lived 
until  their  deaths,  both  members  of  the  Friends'  Society.  Allen 
Hadley  was  a  native  of  this  township,  where  he  grew  to  manhood. 
March  20,  1851,  he  married  Nancy  T.,  daughter  of  Eli  and  Cecilia 
Townsend,  to  which  union  were  born  three  children — Cecilia  A.,  John  F. 
and  Allen.  After  his  marriage,  he  followed  farming,  and  continued  the 
same  until  his  decease,  September  10,  1881.  He  was  owner  of  166  acres 
of  improved  land;  a  birthright  member  of  the  Friends'  Society,  a  Repub- 
lican and  a  Prohibitionist.  Mrs.  Hadley  resides  on  the  farm  owned  by 
her  husband,  near  Mooresville. 

DANIEL  C.  HADLEY,  farmer,  is  a  native  of  this  township,  was 
born  March  1,  1834,  and  is  the  eldest  of  the  five  children  of  Hiram  and 
Louisa  J.  (Carter)  Hadley,  both  being  natives  of  the  "Old  North  State." 
Daniel  was  reared  on  a  farm,  working  and  going  to  school,  and  later  he 
attended  college  at  Richmond,  where  he  obtained  a  good  education. 
January  23,  1857,  he  married  Sarah  J.  Ballard,  which  union  gave  being 
to  three  children — Byron,  born  November  9,  1857;  Arthur  J.,  June  18, 
1860;  and  Lizzie  D.,  May  14,  1863.  Mrs.  Hadley  died  October  6,  1869, 
in  her  thirty-second  year.  Mr.  Hadley  afterward  married  his  second 
wife,  Sallie  W.,  widow  of  Clark  Hadley.  Mr.  Hadley  is  an  enterprising 
farmer,  and  the  owner  of  a  home  and  farm  comprising  185  acres,  well 
cultivated,  and  under  good  improvement.     He  is  a  Republican  by  polit- 


MONROE  TOWNSHIP.  277 

ical  preference,  and  he  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Society  of 
Friends. 

WALTER  HADLEY  is  a  native  of  this  county,  was  born  June  10, 
1857,  and  is  the  third  child  comprising  the  family  of  Hiram  and  Juliana 
(Painter)  Hadley.  Our  subject  was  reared  to  farming,  and  obtained  a 
good  common  school  education,  having  been  for  a  time  at  the  high  school 
at  Jennings,  and  a  student  of  Earlham  College,  at  Richmond.  November 
15,  1878,  he  married  Louisa  A.,  daughter  of  Silas  and  Rebecca  (Hola- 
way)  Portis,  and  a  native  of  North  Carolina,  to  which  union  were  born 
three  children — Julia  E.,  Jacob  E.  and  an  infant.  JVlr.  Hadley  is  a 
practical  farmer,  has  a  good  place  adjoining  Monrovia,  which  is  well  cul- 
tivated and  handsomely  improved,  having  good  fencing,  orchards,  etc., 
and  generally  stocked  with  horses,  cattle,  sheep  and  hogs.  He  is  Repub- 
lican as  a  voter,  and  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 

NIXON  HENLEY,  Trustee  of  Monroe  Township,  was  born  in  Ran- 
dolph County,  N.  C,  October  30,  1846,  and  is  the  second  of  the  eight 
children  of  John  and  Asenath  (Hadley)  Henley,  natives  of  North  Caroli- 
na, and  of  English  extraction.  Nixon  was  reared  to  the  farming  busi- 
ness, but  received  a  fair  education,  which  he  improved  until  he  was  com- 
petent to  teach,  and  that  duty  he  followed  with  satisfaction  for  thirteen 
years,  farming  during  the  summer  seasons,  but  abandoned  the  same 
after  being  elected  Township  Trustee.  April  16,  1869,  he  married  Alida 
C,  daughter  of  Evan  and  Mary  Ann  Hadley,  which  union  gave  issue  to 
five  children — Lena,  Everett  Evan,  Phebe  A.,  Sibbie  and  Ruth  Angle. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Henley  are  birthright  members  of  the  Society  of  Friends, 
under  the  rules  of  which  they  were  married.  Mr.  Henley  is  a  practical 
farmer,  and  owns  160  acres,  with  good  improvements,  and  furnished  with 
residence,  barns,  and  containing  fencing,  orchards  and  the  like;  he  has 
also  a  stock  of  Poland-Chma  hogs,  shortrhorn  cattle,  and  long-wool  sheep, 
some  of  which  are  imported  from  Canada.  Mr.  Henley  is  a  straightout 
Republican,  and  has  been  Township  Trustee  for  two  terms.  He  is  like- 
wise a  member  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F. 

JOHN  S.  HUBBARD,  farmer  and  stock-raiser,  was  born  September 
22,  1811,  in  Stokes  County,  N.  C,  and  is  the  third  of  the  nine  children 
of  George  and  Nancy  (Shields )  Hubbard,  natives  of  North  Carolina.  He 
was  reared  on  a  farm,  and  in  1826  emigrated  to  Indiana  with  his  parents, 
who  located  in  Wayne  County;  moved  to  Morgan  County  in  1830,  and 
purchased  the  site  of  Monrovia,  where  they  remained  until  their  deaths, 
in  1865  and  1866  respectively.  After  his  majority,  John  S.  Hubbard 
worked  as  a  laborer  until  able  to  pay  for  eighty  acres;  he  also  entered 
forty,  which  he  prepared  for  cultivation.  February  29,  1836,  he  mar- 
ried Abigail  Henshaw,  a  union  cemented  by  four  children — Jesse,  Will- 
iam, John  I.  and  George  E. ,  all  soldiers  in  the  late  war.  Mrs.  Hubbard 
died  in  1865,  and  November  15,  1866,  Mr.  Hubbard  married  Catharine 
Day.  which  marriage  was  crowned  by  one  child — Mary  B.  Mr.  Hubbard 
is  the  owner  of  230  acres,  well  cultivated,  stocked,  impi'oved  and  ap- 
pointed. He  is  a  Republican,  and  voted  first  for  Henry  Clay,  in  1832. 
He  has  served  three  terms  as  Justice  of  the  Peace,  two  as  Commissioner, 
five  as  Notary,  and  has  also  been  Township  Trustee.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hub- 
bard are  members  of  the  Friends'  Society,  advocates  of  temperance,  work- 
ers in  all  charities,  and  highly  respected  in  their  community. 

NATHAN  E.  HUBBARD  was  born  in  this  township  February  24, 
1840,  and  is  the  fourth  of  the  nine  children  of  William  B.  and  Ludah 
(Vestal)  Hubbard,  natives  of  North  Carolina,  and  of  English  extraction. 


278  BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES: 

William  B.  Hubbard  settled  in  this  county  in  1827,  where  his  parents 
had  entered  land.  Here  he  lived  and  made  a  home  for  his  family,  and 
at  the  age  of  tifty-three  laid  down  his  useful,  quiet  life;  his  wife  sur- 
vived him  about  six  months.  Nathan  was  reared  to  the  life  of  a  farmer, 
but  received  a  fair  education;  attended  the  Bloomingdale  Academy,  be- 
came a  teacher,  and  followed  the  same  about  seven  years.  October  15, 
1863,  he  married  Elizabeth  A.,  daughter  of  Uriah  Ballard,  of  North  Car 
olina,  a  union  which  gave  being  to  five  children — William  B.,  Ludah  E. 
(deceased),  Byron  C,  Homer  S.  and  Edith  E.  Mr.  Hubbard  is  a  Repub- 
lican, and  has  served  as  Township  Trustee.  He  gives  his  time  and  at- 
tention to  stock-raising  and  farming,  and  has  a  magnificent  place  of  324 
acres,  in  good  and  profitable  condition.  He  is  a  respected  and  worthy 
citizen,  and  he  ^.nd  wife  are  connected  with  the  Friends'  Society. 

PHILIP  JOHNSON  was  a  native  of  Stokes  County,  N.  C,  w^s  born 
June  21,  1804,  and  died  in  this  township  January  19, 1879.  His  parents, 
William  and  Elizabeth  Johnson  were  natives  of  North  Carolina,  came  to 
this  State  in  1818,  settled  at  Richmond,  remained  some  years  and  then 
moved  to  this  county,  where  they  finished  their  useful  lives.  Philip  was 
brought  up  to  the  importance  of  a  farmer's  life,  with  some  attendance  at  the 
subscription  schools,  and  in  1828  settled  upon  land  near  Monrovia  entered 
by  his  father.  July  25, 1827,  he  married  Martha  S.  Hubbard,  which  union 
gave  issue  to  nine  children,  of  which  number  are  living  Emeline,  Eliza, 
Mahlon  and  Mahala  (twins),  and  George  H,  Mr.  Johnson  was  for  many 
years  of  his  life  an  Elder  in  the  Friends'  meeting,  and  for  twelve  years 
an  Overseer.  He  left  his  family  a  full  competency  for  the  needs  of  the 
present  life.  He  was  a  consistent  Christian,  a  benevolent  and  liberal 
gentleman,  and  an  honored  citizen. 

EDWIN  JOHNSON  was  born  in  this  township  April  14,  1833,  and 
is  the  fourth  of  five  children  of  Ashley  and  Lydia  R.  (Rhodes)  Johnson; 
the  former  a  native  of  North  Carolina  and  the  latter  of  Ohio.  Ashley 
Johnson  emigrated  to  Indiana  when  sixteen  years  old,  and  located  in 
W^ayne  County,  where  he  lived,  married  and  entered  land  for  a  home.  He 
died  in  1870,  a  member  of  the  Friends'  Society;  his  wife  survives  him 
and  resides  in  Iowa.  Edwin  Johnson  remained  on  the  home  farm  until 
April  20,  1854,  at  which  time  he  married  Miss  Asenath  Hadley,  of  this 
county,  of  which  union  four  children  were  the  issue — Elizabeth  A., 
Eudora,  Lydia  Alice  and  Joseph.  Mr.  Johnson  owns  and  manages  an 
excellent  farm,  comprising  127  acres  of  improved  and  well-appointed 
land,  having  a  good  residence,  barns,  orchards,  etc.,  and  thoroughly 
stocked  with  horses,  cattle,  sheep  and  hogs.  Mr.  Johnson  is  a  Repub- 
lican, a  Prohibitionist,  and  he  and  wife  are  birthright  members  of  the 
Society  of  Friends. 

DAVID  B.  JOHNSON,  dealer  in  hardware,  groceries,  stoves,  glass 
and  queensware,  is  a  native  of  this  county,  born  July  9,  1851,  and  is  a 
son  of  Thomas  A.  and  Elizabeth  (Jessup)  Johnson,  natives  of  North  Caro- 
lina, and  of  English  extraction,  who  emigrated  to  this  State  in  1830, 
locating  in  Wayne  County  until  1831,  when  they  moved  to  this  county 
and  entered  eighty  acres.  David  B.  Johnson  was  reared  a  farmer,  and 
attended  the  county  schools,  by  which  he  obtained  a  fair  education, 
became  a  teacher  in  the  public  schools,  and  followed  the  same  success- 
fully for  three  yeai's,  when  he  took  up  the  mercantile  business  with  his 
brother;  then  he  went  to  Illinois  for  a  time,  after  which  he  returned  and 
united  with  Mr.  S.  Phillips,  in  Monrovia,  which  association  was  contin- 


MONROE  TOWNSHIP.  279 

tied  for  three  years;  he  then  became  a  partner  with  Hobbs  &  Johnson, 
and  in  1883  succeeded  to  the  business,  having  successfully  continued  the 
same  onward.  November  15,  1867,  Mr.  Johnson  married  Hattie  Carter, 
with  an  issue  of  one  child — Howard  (born  April  20,  1883).  He  has 
been  a  successful  merchant,  a  member  of  the  I.  O.  G.  T.,  is  n  Republican, 
and  first  voted  for  Gen.  Grant.  He  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Friends' 
Society. 

AARON  D.  LINDLEY  was  a  native  of  Chatham  County,  N.  C,  was 
born  March  1,  1827,  and  died  October  18,  1878.  His  parents  were  David 
and  Mary  (Hadley)  Lindley,  natives  of  North  Carolina,  who  moved  to 
this  State  and  located  on  a  tract  about  fourteen  miles  from  where  is  now 
Monrovia,  whence,  in  1865  they  moved  to  Iowa,  where  the  father  died 
in  1877,  but  his  widow  is  still  living.  Aaron  was  reared  to  farming, 
received  some  education  from  the  common  schools,  and  afterward 
attended  Earlham  College  for  a  time.  He  devoted  his  life  to  agricult- 
ure, and  died  where  he  had  passed  his  days.  September  20,  1849,  he 
married  Martha  Painter,  of  Ohio,  which  union  gave  birth  to  six  children 
— Jacob  P.,  Samuel  (deceased),  Mary  (deceased),  Irwin  D.,  Sibyl  J.  and 
Howard.  Mrs.  Lindley  died  April  11,  1864,  and  on  the  11th  of  Septem- 
ber, 1865,  Mr.  Lindley  wedded  Sarah  Maxwell,  of  Wayne  County,  and 
to  this  union  was  born  one  child — John  M.  Mr.  Lindley  was  a  birth- 
right member  of  the  Friends'  Society.  He  left  his  family  well  provided 
for,  and  his  farm  has  been  well  managed  by  his  widow.  He  was  a 
worthy  and  progressive  citizen,  and  made  great  effort  to  have  the  Indian- 
apolis &  Sullivan  Railroad  completed,  but  did  not  live  to  see  that  enter- 
prise consummated. 

GEORGE  A.  LONG  was  born  in  Hendricks  County,  Ind.,  July  21, 
1850.  and  is  the  second  of  the  fom-  children  born  to  Avington  F.  and 
Esther  (Elliott)  Long,  natives  of  Indiana.  Mr.  Long  died  in  this  town- 
ship July  1,  1859,  a  member  of  the  Christian  Church,  and  father  of  four 
children  Mrs.  Long  is  now  living  at  Gasburg,  a  member  of  the  Meth- 
odist Episcopal  Church.  George  A.  Long  worked  on  a  farm,  and  went 
to  school  during  boyhood.  He  also  labored  in  a  saw  mill;  in  1878  he 
purchased  a  half  interest  in  said  mill,  which  was  destroyed  in  1881. 
Soon  after  the  mill  was  rebuilt,  Mr.  Long  became  proprietor  in  self,  and 
is  now  doing  a  thriving  business.  He  is  also  manager  of  a  threshing 
machine.  Mr.  Long  has  been  solely  dependent  on  his  own  exertions  for 
his  success  and  attainments.  He  is  a  Republican,  and  a  member  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 

JOEL  C.  McCLELLAN  is  a  native  of  Kentucky,  was  born  June  16, 
1822,  and  is  the  second  of  the  ten  children  of  William  and  Elizabeth 
(Cline)  McClellan,  respectively  of  Irish  and  German  extraction,  who 
emigrated  to  this  county  in  3836,  and  located  in  Mooresville,  where  Mr. 
McClellan  followed  his  trade — that  of  tanner — for  considerable  time. 
He  then  moved  to  Monrovia,  and  soon  after  purchased  land  and  cleared 
a  farm,  on  which  he  resided  until  his  death  in  1844,  a  member  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  as  is  Mrs.  McClellan,  who  is  yet  living  at 
Lake  Valley.  Joel  C.  was  reared  in  the  town,  and  from  the  common 
schools  obtained  a  good  education.  When  he  was  fourteen  years  old,  he 
went  as  an  apprentice  to  carpentering,  at  which  he  served  three  years, 
and  became  a  journeyman.  November  7,  1844,  he  married  Eliza  N.  John- 
son. No  children  have  followed  this  union.  Mr.  McClellan  is  an  up- 
right man  and  a  worthy  citizen.     He  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  order, 


280  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

a  Republican  in  politics,  and,  with  his  wife,  a  member  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church,  of  which  he  has  been  many  years  a  class-leader,  and 
assisted  in  organizing  the  first  Sabbath  School  at  Monrovia  in  1881. 

JOSEPH  M.  McCOLLUM,  farmer  and  stock-raiser,  was  born  in 
Randolph  County,  N.  C,  April  4,  1828,  and  is  the  fifth  of  the  seven  chil- 
dren of  Joseph  and  Mary  (Kobson)  McCollum,  natives  of  North  Carolina, 
and  respectively  of  Scotch-Irish  and  English  extraction.  Joseph  was 
reared  to  farming  in  his  native  State,  and  attended  the  subscription 
schools.  He  remained  with  his  parents  until  his  majority,  and  with  the 
family  emigrated  to  Indiana  in  1849,  and  located  in  this  county,  where 
he  worked  on  a  farm  and  in  a  saw  mill.  February  26,  1852,  he  married 
Miss  Matilda,  daughter  of  William  and  Rachael  Weesner,  to  which  union 
succeeded  six  children — Delphna,  Elmira,  Mary  Jane,  Louisa,  John  L. 
and  Joseph.  Mrs.  McCollum  is  a  birthright  member  of  the  Friends' 
Church.  Mr.  McCollum  is  a  practical  farmer,  and  controls  285  acres  of 
improved  land,  having  a  good  residence,  fences,  orchards,  etc.,  aQd  well 
stocked  with  horses,  cattle,  sheep  and  hogs.  He  is  a  Republican  voter, 
and  is  a  charitable  gentleman  and  a  respected  citizen, 

P.  THOMPSON,  dealer  in  dry  goods,  groceries  and  general  merchan- 
dise, was  born  in  North  Carolina,  December  1,  1850,  and  is  the  eldest 
of  the  eight  children  of  Thomas  and  Margaret  J.  (Tate)  Thompson,  na- 
tives of  North  Carolina,  and  of  English  extraction.  Our  subject  grew  to 
manhood  on  the  farm,  and  received  some  rudimentary  instruction  from 
the  common  schools.  His  parents  having  moved  to  this  county,  they 
purchased  a  farm,  which  they  afterward  sold  and  removed  to  Hendricks 
County,  there,  too,  purchasing  land.  After  farming,  our  subject,  in 
1881,  engaged  in  mercantile  business,  in  which  he  has  continued  with 
much  success.  March  17,  1881,  he  married  Julia  Kellum,  a  member  of 
the  Society  of  Friends.  Mr.  Thompson  is  an  efficient  and  diligent 
business  man,  a  good  citizen,  and  a  truly  self-made  man. 

WILLIAM  O.  THOMPSON,  stock-raiser  and  farmer,  was  born  in 
Orange  County,  N.  C. ,  November  17,  1825,  and  is  the  twelfth  of  the 
fifteen  children  of  Abel  and  Martha  (Hadley)  Thompson,  natives  of 
North  Carolina.  William  O.  was  reared  on  a  farm,  and  attended  the 
subscription  schools  of  the  time,  wherefrom  he  received  a  fair  education. 
Shortly  after  his  majority,  he  emigrated  to  Indiana,  and  located  in  this 
township,  where  he  has  continued  to  reside.  He  devoted  his  time  to 
farming,  and  manages  a  good  farm  of  400  acres,  well  improved,  stocked 
and  appointed — a  valuable  property  and  home;  he  has  also  considerable 
stock  in  the  Bank  of  Mooresville,  all  made  by  his  own  application  and 
direction.  April  29,  1852,  he  married  Mary  Ann,  daughter  of  Isaac  and 
Rosanna  Marshall,  to  which  marriage  were  allotted  six  children — Abel, 
Anson  H.,  Atlas  M.,  Martha  R.,  Lydia  J.,  and  Sarah  E.  Mr.  Thomp- 
son is  Republican  in  politics,  and  an  esteemed  and  worthy  citizen.  He 
and  wife  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Protestant  Church  of  Antioch. 

JOHN  WEESNER  was  born  in  Orange  County,  N.  C.,May  14,  1835, 
and  was  brought  by  his  father,  Josiah  Weesner,  to  this  State  in  1838; 
he  is  of  German  extraction,  paternally,  and  a  descendant  of  Michael 
Weesner,  who  settled  in  North  Carolina  about  the  middle  of  the  eight- 
eenth century.  He  was  reared  a  farmer  and  also  learned  to  be  a  carpen- 
ter. He  acquirecT  a  fair  education  at  the  school  in  Hopewell,  at  the  Al- 
len Schoolhouse,  West  Union,  and  at  No.  6,  now  called  the  Gasburg 
School,    supplemented   with   one   term   at  the  Friends'  Manual  Labor 


MONROE   TOAVNSHIP.  281 

School,  and  subsequently  taught  a  public  school.  November  15,  1866. 
he  married  Jane  Allen,  daughter  of  Charles  Allen,  and  shortly  afterward 
purchased  a  few  acres  ofif  the  northeast  corner  of  his  father's  farm, 
erected  a  carpenter  shop,  and  engaged  at  his  trade — lumber  dealing  be- 
ing now  a  part  of  his  business.  In  1864,  he  was  commissioned  Post- 
master at  the  new  office  of  Qasburg,  a  position  he  has  held  ever  since. 

JEREMIAH  L.  WELMAN  is  a  native  of  Oldham  County,  Ky. ;  was 
born  June  10,  1831,  and  is  a  son  of  Andrew  N.  and  Elizabeth  (Williams) 
Welman,  natives  respectively  of  Virginia  and  Kentucky.  His  father 
having  died,  his  mother  and  family  moved  to  this  county  in  1845,  where 
he  has  since  lived,  and  where  his  mother  died  August  1,  1883,  in  her 
eighty-fifth  year.  Our  subject  was  reared  as  a  farmer,  and  followed  the 
same  until  he  was  thirty-five  years  of  age.  March  20,  1856,  he  married 
Elzina  Lewallen,  a  native  of  Kentucky.  Mr.  Welman  began  the  carpen- 
tering business  in  1863,  and  devoted  himself  thereto  for  about  ten  years; 
and  then,  coming  to  Monrovia,  engaged  iu  the  furniture  and  undertaking 
line,  which  he  has  continued  without  competition.  He  owns  a  comfort- 
able residence  and  good  business  property.  August,  1861,  he  enlisted  in 
Company  A,  Thirty-third  Indiana  Volunteers,  served  about  eleven  months, 
and  was  discharged  from  physical  disability,  having  contracted  typhoid 
fever  in  the  service.  Mr.  Welman  is  Tiler  of  Monrovia  Lodge,  261,  A., 
F.  &  A.  M. 

DAVID  WILSON  is  a  native  of  North  Carolina,  and  was  born  De- 
cember 10,  1835.  His  father  resides  in  Monrovia,  Morgan  County, 
where  our  subject  grew  to  manhood.  April  19,  1861,  David  enlisted  for 
three  months,  and  afterwai-d  joined  the  Eleventh  Indiana  Regiment,  and 
served  three  years.  He  participated  at  Fort  Henry,  Fort  Donelson,  Shi- 
loh,  Vicksburg,  and  with  Gen.  Banks  in  the  Gulf  campaign.  The  regi- 
ment re-enlisted  as  veterans  in  1864,  served  under  Gen.  Sheridan,  and 
was  afterward  assigned  to  duty  at  Fort  Henry.  The  regiment  was  also 
on  duty  in  Georgia  when  Jeff  Davis  was  captured.  He  vfas  slightly 
wounded  at  Cedar  Creek,  and  left  the  service  with  the  rank  of  Captain 
in  August,  1865.  August  8,  1867,  he  married  Miss  Samantha,  daughter 
of  Gideon  Johnson,  one  of  the  founders  of  Monrovia.  Two  children 
were  born  to  them,  one  of  whom  is  living — Otis  G.  Mr.  Wilson  has 
given  attention  to  the  study  of  law,  and  was  admitted  to  practice  in 
1870;  he  now,  however,  gives  all  his  attention  to  his  farm.  He  has 
served  three  terms  as  School  Trustee,  and,  in  1880,  he  was  nominated  on 
the  Republican  ticket  for  Representative  in  the  Legislature,  being  elected 
by  310  votes.  He  was  appointed  Chairman  of  the  Committee  of  Fees 
and  Salaries.      Mr.  Wilson  is  a  highly  respected  citizen. 

JOHN  A.  WILSON  is  a  native  of  Randolph  County,  N.  C. ,  was  born 
December  2,  1830,  and  when  eighteen  years  of  age,  came  to  Indiana 
with  his  parents,  who  located  in  Wayne  County,  and  afterward  in  this 
township,  where  his  father  died  in  1883  in  his  seventy  eighth  year,  his 
mother  being  yet  alive  and  in  her  eighty  fourth  year;  is  a  member  of 
the  M.  P.  Church.  John  A.  grew  to  manhood  on  a  farm,  and  also 
attended  the  public  schools  and  acquired  a  fair  education.  August, 
1861,  he  enlisted  in  the  Eleventh  Indiana  Regiment,  served  three  years, 
and  participated  in  the  glorious  record  of  said  regiment.  Mr.  Wilson 
has  been  twice  married,  first  to  Rebecca  Pearson  November  15,  1866, 
who  bore  one  child  now  living — Lena  E.;  the  mother  died  March  13, 
1872,  a  consistent  Christian.     December  28,   1876,  Mr.  Wilson  married 


282  ^  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

Mary  A.  Allen,  who  also  bore  one  child,  now  deceased.  Mr.  Wilson  has 
been  located  in  Monrovia  for  the  past  six  years,  having  charge  of  the 
post  office;  he  also  deals  in  stationery,  school  books,  clocks,  watches,  etc. 
In  1882,  he  added  a  stock  of  groceries,  and  is  doing  a  good  business.  In 
politics,  he  is  a  Republican;  he  is  a  Freemason,  and  a  Trustee  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  of  which  his  wife  is,  too,  a  member. 


HARRISON    TOWNSHIP. 


REUBEN  S.  ALDRICH,  stock- dealer  and  farmer,  was  born  October 
9,  1824,  and  is  a  son  of  Barlow  and  Phebe  Aldrich.  Barlow  Aldrich 
was  born  in  Massachusetts  in  1799,  and  his  wife  in  Ohio  in  1800,  where 
they  married  in  1821.  They  came  to  Decatiir  County,  Ind. ;  located  on 
160  acres,  whence  they  moved  to  this  county,  and  purchased  117  acres. 
Reuben  married  Miss  Susan  K.,  daughter  of  Joseph  and  Sarah  Wharton, 
who  died  in  1872,  having  borne  one  child — an  infant,  deceased.  October 
7,  1873,  he  married  Mary  E.,  daughter  of  Samuel  and  Nancy  Province, 
and  to  them  were  born  three  children — Minnie  S.,  infant  (deceased)  and 
Gracie  S.  Mr.  Aldrich  owns  688  acres  of  land  in  this  township,  all  of 
wTiich  is  under  cultivation,  and  contains  good  residence,  buildings  and 
other  adornments.  Mr.  Aldrich  resides  at  this  time  on  the  homestead 
farm,  surrounded  by  the  many  necessities  and  comforts  which  make  life 
desirable.  He  has  served  his  township  as  Justice  of  the  Peace  and  as 
Trustee.  In  politics  he  is  Republican.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Aldrich  are  mem- 
bers of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  he  having  joined  in  1874. 

FRANCIS  M.  FIELDS  is  a  son  of  Allen  and  Elizabeth  (Pitcher) 
Fields,  the  former  a  native  of  North  Carolina,  born  1789;  the  latter  of 
Virginia,  born  1792.  They  were  married  in  North  Carolina,  and  parents 
of  nine  children,  and  in  1826  moved  to  what  is  now  Mooresville,  this 
State,  and  one  year  later  moved  on  to  eighty  acres,  on  which  he  remained 
until  death,  having  reared  ten  children.  Francis  M.  married  Miriam 
Shafer,  a  union  smiled  upon  by  six  children — -Martin,  Mary  A.,  Minnie, 
George  (deceased),  Anna  B.  (deceased)  and  Effie.  Mrs.  Fields  died  Sep- 
tember 8,  1874,  and  on  January  8,  1878,  he  married  Mrs.  Mary  A.  Loy. 
After  marriage,  Mr.  Fields  purchased,  in  conjunction  with  his  brother- 
in-law,  160  acres,  which  they  cultivated  about  seven  years,  when  Mr. 
Fields  purchased  130  acres  alone,  and  to  this,  in  1871,  added  iifty-six 
acres.  Some  of  this  he  afterward  sold,  and  engaged  in  mercantile  busi- 
ness at  Waverly.  His  lands  will  average  a  value  of  $50  per  acre.  Mr. 
Fields  is  a  Democrat,  and  was  elected  Township  Trustee  in  1882.  He 
is  also  a  member  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F.,  and  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church. 

GEORGE  PAUL  was  born  July  7,  1812,  in  West  Virginia.  He  mar- 
ried Miss  Eliza  A.,  daughter  of  Joseph  and  Sarah  (TuU)  Wharton,  in 
1841,  as  a  result  of  which  union  were  born  eight  childi-en — Julia  A. 
(deceased),  John,  Joseph,  Farendine,  Catherine,  Jacob,  George  D.  and 
Frank.  After  his  marriage,  Mr.  Paul  purchased  a  small  corn-mill  on 
Crooked  Creek,  in  partnership  with  his  brother-in-law,  John  Brenton, 
to  whom  he  subsequently  sold  said  mill,  and  engaged  in  farming  on  160 


RAY  TOWNSHIP.  283 

acres,  giving  some  attention  to  the  raising  of  stock.  This  farm  has 
grown  by  aggregation  to  be  812  acres,  containing  500  head  of  stock, 
which  feed  on  blue  grass  pasture.  Mr.  Paul  is  a  Republican.  He  had 
two  sons  in  the  war  of  the  rebellion — John,  in  the  Thirty-third  Indiana, 
and  Joseph  in  the  One  Hundred  and  Forty-eighth  Indiana  Regiments. 
Mr.  Paul  is  a  practical  farmer  and  successful  business  manager,  a  fact  of 
which  the  best  evidence  is  given  in  his  prosperity  and  success. 

PHILIP  PAUL  was  born  at  West  Liberty,  W.  Va.,  May  21,  1816, 
and  is  a  son  of  John  and  Keziah  (Mills)  Paul.  John  Paul  moved  his 
family  to  Cincinnati,  and  thence  to  Brookville,  Ind.,  in  1821,  where  he 
soon  after  purchased  160  acres.  He  also  purchased  land  on  White  River 
bluffs,  whither  he  went  alone,  fell  a  victim  to  fever,  was  brought  home 
and  died.  After  this  event,  Mrs.  Paul  removed  to  the  land  on  the  bluffs. 
Philip  Paul  remained  with  bis  mother  until  her  death,  after  which  his 
brother  and  he  lived  on  the  homestead  with  one  sister,  both  brothers  be- 
ing unmarried.  The  family  suffered  many  privations  in  that  new  local- 
ity, which  will  ever  be  remembered.  Our  subject  united  with  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church  at  a  camp-meeting  in  1846,  and  has  been  a 
consistent  adherent  of  that  faith.  He  is  an  honored  citizen,  a  genial 
gentleman  and  a  Democrat  politically. 


RAY  TOWNSHIP. 


ANDREW  J.  BAKER  was  born  January  31,  1840,  in  Monroe  Coun- 
ty. Ind.,  and  is  the  sixth  of  the  seven  children  of  James  H.  and  Nancy 
(Kemper)  Baker,  natives  respectively  of  Tennessee  and  Kentucky.  An- 
drew was  reared  as  a  farmer,  and  received  some  education  from  the  public 
schools.  In  August,  1861,  he  became  a  soldier  of  Company  H,  Thirty- 
third  Indiana  Volunteers,  and  served  in  the  following  battles:  Wild  Cat, 
Thompson's  Station,  where  he  was  wounded  in  the  leg,  taken  prisoner 
and  confined  two  months  in  Libby  Prison.  He  was  then  exchanged  and 
fought  afterward  at  Resaca,  Keneaaw  Mountain,  New  Hope  Church,  Mar- 
ietta, Atlanta,  Peach  Tree  Creek,  siege  of  Savannah,  Bentonville  and 
the  famous  march  to  the  sea.  He  was  also  present  in  the  grand  review 
at  Washington,  and  was  discharged  August  8,  1865.  August  17,  1865. 
he  married  Mrs.  Margaret  J.  Goss,  widow  of  Sims  H.  Goss,  which  union 
produced  five  children,  three  of  whom  are  living— Alvina  H.,  John  and 
Franklin.  Mr.  Baker  has  been  elected  Justice  of  the  Peace  of  this  town- 
ship, as  which  he  is  now  serving,  and  is  a  Republican. 

Henry  E.  Goss  was  born  December  S,  1862,  and  is  one  of  the  two 
children  of  Sims  H.  and  Margaret  J.  (Stanger)  Goss,  the  former  of  Ger- 
man descent.  Henry  attended  the  public  schools,  and  was  brought  up  a 
farmer,  having  inherited  200  acres  of  excellent  land  from  his  father.  He 
is  an  energetic  and  promising  young  man,  an  earnest  Republican  and  a 
good  citizen. 

I.  C.  BAKER  is  a  native  of  Kentucky,  was  born  June  10,  1828,  and 
is  the  eldest  of  the  family  of  James  H.  and  Nancy  (Kemper)  Baker,  na- 
tives of  Kentucky,  and  of  English  and  German  descent,  respectively, 
who  removed  to  Morgan   County,  Ind.,  and  located  in  Baker   Township 


284  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

until  1839,  when  they  moved  to  Monroe  County  and  occupied  land  en- 
tered by  Mr.  Baker  previously.  In  1847,  they  moved  to  a  farm  near 
Martinsville,  then  to  Paragon  about  1855,  and  linally  to  Gosport  about 
1865,  where  Mr.  Baker  died.  I.  C.  Baker  remained  on  the  home  farm 
until  he  was  nineteen  years  old,  when  he  left  to  learn  cabinet-making. 
He  worked  by  day  and  studied  by  night,  thereby  making  up  for  neglect 
of  education  in  boyhood.  After  finishing  his  trade,  he  worked  as  a 
journeyman — often  until  10  o'clock  at  night — until  1853,  being  consid- 
ered a  master  workman.  July  1,  1852,  he  married  Cinderella,  daughter 
of  Isaac  and  Lodicea  (Maskel)  Rogers,  which  union  gave  issue  to  nine 
children,  of  whom  five  remain — Salem  A.,  Charles  F.,  Jessie  B.  (now 
Mrs.  Pierson),  Maggie  B.  and  Anna  L.  August  15,  1862,  Mr.  Baker  en- 
listed in  Company  H,  Seventy-ninth  Indiana  Volunteer  Infantry,  and 
was  assigned  to  the  Army  of  the  Cumberland.  In  1862,  during  a  grand 
review,  he  became  exhausted,  from  which  e£foct  he  has  never  recovered; 
he  also  suffered  from  blindness  following  impure  vaccination,  and  was 
discharged  August  11,  1863.  Since  returning  home,  being  unable  to  do 
hard  labor,  he  has  followed  wagon-making.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Baker  are 
members  of  the  Christian  Chui'ch. 

WILLIAM  H.  BEACH  is  a  native  of  Erie  County,  N.  ¥.,  was  born 
March  22,  1830,  and  is  the  fourth  of  the  nine  children  of  Asher  and 
Mercy  (Yaw)  Beach,  natives  of  Vermont  and  of  English  descent.  Will- 
iam secured  all  the  advantages  for  education  which  came  to  his  lot,  and 
was  reared  to  the  business  of  farming,  at  which  he  worked  by  the  month. 
His  parents  moved  to  Winnebago  County,  111.,  in  1838,  to  reach  which 
they  passed  through  Chicago,  then  merely  a  village,  where  Mr.  Beach 
was  offered  land,  now  part  of  the  city,  for  $2. 50  per  acre.  When  our  sub- 
ject became  of  age,  he  moved  to  Wisconsin,  where  he  endured  many  pri- 
vations of  pioneer  life.  After  one  year,  he  moved  to  Michigan,  where, 
March  7,  1852,  he  married  Catherine  Brown,  of  North  Carolina.  Six 
children  followed  this  union,  of  whom  five  are  living — Lucy  E.,  Andy 
F.,  Lora  I.,  Julia  E.  and  Effie  L.  After  leaving  Michigan,  Mr.  Beach 
returned  to  Illinois,  then  moved  to  Wisconsin,  where  he  engaged  in  farm- 
ing and  saw  milling.  In  1856,  he  moved  to  Dunn  County,  Wis.,  and 
was  some  time  engaged  in  milling.  In  1874,  he  moved  to  Cumberland 
County,  111.,  where  he  lost  his  wife  in  February,  1875.  In  1879,  he 
moved  to  this  county,  and  married  a  second  wife,  Mrs.  Catherine,  widow 
of  Franklin  Marsh,  whose  parents,  David  and  Barbara  Secrist,  were  pio- 
neers of  Illinois;  the  former  moving  thither  in  1823,  and  the  latter  in 
1825.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Beach  have  had  born  to  them  two  children — Kitty 
C.  (deceased)  and  Ray  Garfield.  Mr.  Beach  is  owner  ol:  forty  acres  in 
Illinois,  and  his  wife  of  184  acres  in  this  county. 

P.  H.  BLANKENSHIP,  business  man  and  farmer,  is  a  native  of  this 
township,  was  born  August  22,  1846,  and  is  the  second  of  the  nine  chil 
dren  born  to  Perry  M.  and  Bethsheba  (Hodges)  Blankenship.  Mr.  Blank- 
enship  was  reared  on  a  farm,  and  given  a  good  education.  September, 
1869,  he  married  Delilah  Craig,  which  union  has  given  birth  to  four  chil- 
dren— Lora,  Craig,  Claude  and  Aibin.  During  the  war,  Mr.  Blanken- 
ship enlisted  in  the  Twenty-first  Indiana  Volunteer  Regiment,  First 
Artillery,  and  was  discharged  June,  1865.  He  is  possessed  of  170  acres, 
which  is  well-cultivated  and  improved,  in  addition  to  which  he  is  en- 
gaged in  the  lumber  business  and  in  brick-making.  Mr.  Blankenship 
was  formerly  largely  interested  in  stock- dealing,  but  this  he  has  disoon- 


RAY  TOWNSHIP.  285 

tinned.     He  Js  a  Republican  in  political  faith,   and   he  and  wife   are 
members  of  the  Christian  Church. 

PERRY  M.  BLANKENSHIP,  a  leading  and  enterprising  farmer  and 
stock-raiser,  was  born  near  Paragon,  Ind.,  November  30.  1858,  and  is 
the  sixth  of  the  nine  children  of  Perry  M.  and  Bethsheba  (Hodges)  Blan- 
kenship,  natives  respectively  of  Jenning  and  Morgan  Counties,  Ind. ,  and 
of  Dutch  and  English  extraction,  being  among  the  earliest  settlers  of  this 
township.  Our  subject  was  reared  to  the  plow  and  the  independent  vo- 
cation of  farming,  during  which  early  period,  he  attended  school  at  times, 
and  obtained  a  rudimentary  education.  So  far,  Mr.  Blankenship  is  a 
successful  gentleman.  He  is  possessor  of  145  acres,  eighty-five  of  which 
amount  is  cleared  and  well  cultivated,  improved,  stocked  and  adorned 
with  good  dwelling,  barns  and  other  outbuildings,  a  result  mainly  due 
to  the  strictest  attention  to  business  and  the  ablest  management.  Mr. 
Blankenship  is  a  member  of  the  Christian  Church,  a  liberal,  benevolent 
gentleman,  and  an  estimable  citizen. 

ELIJAH  BOW  EN,  a  pioneer  and  leading  farmer  of  this  county,  was 
born  September  23,  1807,  one  mile  east  of  Nicholasville,  Ky.,  and  is  the 
seventh  of  the  elev«^n  children  of  Elijah  and  Nancy  Bowen,  natives  of 
Virginia.  The  grandfather  of  our  subject  was  one  of  the  first  settlers  in 
old  Kentucky.  Our  subject  was  reared  on  a  farm  near  the  cave  of  Daniel 
Boone,  where  that  hero  and  family  lived  three  months.  In  1830,  Elijah 
moved  to  Owen  County,  Ind.,  and  soon  after  to  Morgan  County,  where 
he  had  purchased  120  acres,  on  which  is  his  present  home.  August,  1830, 
he  married  Nancy,  daughter  of  Abner  and  Polly  (Hill)  Alexander.  This 
union  gave  being  to  ten  children,  five  of  whom  are  living.  Mr.  Bowen, 
being  a  good  manager  and  industrious  man,  succeeded  in  acquiring  063 
acres,  and  a  good  home  as  well.  Of  this  land,  which  was  highly  im- 
proved, he  has  sold  560  acres,  and  given  the  proceeds,  about  $18,000,  to 
his  children,  retaining  the  residue  for  himself.  Mrs.  Bowen  died,  De- 
cember 1 3,  1882,  and  Mr.  Bowen  married  a  second  wife,  Mrs.  Margaret, 
widow  of  John  Asher.  Mr.  Bowen  is  a  member  of  the  Christian  Church, 
as  was  his  first  wife,  who  left  at  her  death  a  legacy  of  about  $5,000  and 
eighty  acres  to  her  youngest  daughter.  Mr.  Bowen  gave  his  first  vote 
for  Henry  Clay,  and  has  been  n^cently  Republican. 

JAMES  M.  BROWN  is  a  native  of  Kentucky,  was  born  June  6,  1833, 
and  is  the  second  of  the  nine  childi'en  born  to  Francis  O.  and  Mary  E. 
(Wright)  Brown,  respectively  of  Irish  and  Dutch  extraction.  James  M. 
was  brought  up  a  farmer,  as  which  he  labored  and  also  attended  school 
during  his  minority.  November  7,  1856,  he  married  Sarah  Jane,  daugh- 
ter of  Louis  and  Elizabeth  (Smith)  Carroll,  to  which  were  born  two  chil- 
dren— William  L.  and  Mary  E.  Francis  O.  Brown  entered  land  soon 
after  coming  to  this  State  in  1834,  near  Bloomington,  where  he  and  wife 
yet  reside.  James  came  to  Morgan  County  when  fourteen  years  of  age, 
and  commenced  the  care  of  himself,  so  that  he  began  the  world  under 
rather  discouraging  circumstances;  but  he  is  now  possessed  of  a  good 
home  and  eighty  acres  in  Monroe  County,  which  are  improved  and  culti- 
vated; he  has  also  a  good  house  and  store  in  Paragon,  having  been  en- 
gaged in  the  mercantile  and  butchering  business  for  the  past  six  years. 
Mr.  Brown  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Christian  Church,  and  very 
greatly  esteemed  by  the  people  of  their  neighborhood. 

TOBIAS  D.  BUTLER,  stock-raiser  and  farmer,  was  born  February 
4,  1838,  in  this  township,  and  is  the  youngest  child  of  Tobias  H.  and 


286  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

Sallie  (Goss)  Butler,  natives  respectively  of  Maryland  and  South  Caroli- 
na. Tobias  D.  was  reared  on  a  farm,  with  but  small  opportunities  for 
education,  and  when  nineteen  years  old  began  to  work  for  himself.  July 
6,  1861,  he  enlisted  in  Company  B,  Twenty -first  Infantry  (afterward 
First  Heavy  Artillery),  and  ,took  part  at  the  battles  of  Baton  Rouge, 
Brashear  City.  Bayou  Teche,  and  was  forty-two  days  in  the  siege  of  Port 
Hudson.  He  was  in  three  years'  active  service,  and  discharged  August 
10,  1864  October  20,  1864,  he  married  Mary  S.,  daughter  of  Allen  and 
Sarah  Asher.  To  this  union  were  born  nine  children — Thomas  (deceased), 
Edward,  Frank,  Blanche,  Daisy  (deceased),  Leota,  Richard,  Walter  and 
Mary  S.  Mr.  Butler  has  a  valuable  farm  of  238  acres,  situated  in  Owen 
and  Morgan  Counties,  which  is  in  a  good  state  of  cultivation,  well  stocked 
and  improved.  He  has  been  generally  successful  in  life  by  great  atten- 
tion to  business.  He  ie  a  Republican  in  politics,  and  served  as  Assessor 
of  Harrison  TowQship  one  term.  He  is  a  liberal  and  respected  citizen, 
and  he  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Baptist  Church. 

WILLIAM  J.  GOSS,  farmer  and  stock-raiser,  was  born  November 
10,  1835,  in  Owen  County.  Ind.,  and  is  fifth  of  the  eleven  children  of 
Ephraim  and  Sarah  (Goss)  Goss,  natives  of  North  Carolina  and  of  Dutch 
descent  His  grandparents  emigrated  to  the  West,  and  settled  in  what 
is  now  Washington  County  in  1810,  and  in  1817  moved  to  the  present 
site  of  Gosport.  His  parents  came  to  this  county  when  he  was  a  child, 
locating  about  one  mile  from  where  he  now  lives,  and  where  his  father 
had  entered  land.  When  AVilliam  was  sixteen  years  old,  his  father  died, 
whereupon  he  assumed  care  of  the  family.  January  11;  1856,  he  mar- 
ried Sarah  C,  daughter  of  Joseph  and  Delilah  (Sandy)  Goss,  a  union 
productive  of  five  children,  four  of  whom  yet  live — Theodore  D.,  Joseph 
L.,  Corna  L.  and  Dollie  D.  By  dint  of  persistent  and  well-directed  labor. 
Mr.  Goss  has  acquired  a  property  of  -140  acres  of  as  fine  land  as  the 
commonwealth  affords,  which  is  well  stocked,  improved  and  cultivated, 
as  well  as  adorned  with  convenient  dwelling,  barns,  orchard  and  the  like. 
He  also  owns  a  store  in  Paragon,  managed  by  his  son.  Mr.  Goss  is  a 
Republican  in  politics,  and  a  good  business  man  and  respected  citizen. 
Mrs.  Goss  is  a  consistent  member  of  tliH  Christian  Church, 

HENRY  C.  GOSS,  farmer  and  stock-raiser,  was  born  May  18,  1838, 
on  the  farm  on  which  he  now  resides,  the  land  having  been  entered  by 
his  father  in  or  about  1823,  and  is  the  second  of  three  children  now  liv- 
ing of  Ephraim  and  Sarah  Goss.  He  was  reared  to  farming  as  a  busi- 
ness, and  has  resided  here  continuously,  except  for  a  period  of  three 
years  when  his  mother  moved  to  Gosport.  Mr.  Goss  is  possessed  of  280 
acres  of  land,  in  the  highest  state  of  cultivation  and  improvement,  also 
made  desirable  by  the  erection  of  a  tine  residence,  barns,  a  necessary 
amount  of  stock,  a  growing  orchard,  and  other  valuable  additions.  Mr. 
Goss  has  living  with  him  Elizabeth  Myers  and  Joseph  Magers,  who  take 
care  of  the  place.  He  is  a  Republican  in  the  political  lit  e,  and  a  liberal 
and  greatly  valued  citizen. 

J.  H.  GOSS,  enterprising  farmer  and  stock-raiser,  is  a  native  of  this 
township,  was  born  September  10,  1845,  and  is  the  tenth  of  a  family  of 
Ephraim  and  Sarah  Goss,  natives  of  North  Carolina.  After  going  to 
school  for  a  time,  our  subject  worked  for  his  parents  on  the  home 
farm.  December  3,  1874,  he  married  Amanda,  daughter  of  William 
C.  and  Mary  Welton,  which  union  was  favored  with  one  child,  Oliver 
P.  Morton;  they  have  also  one  they  are   rearing,  Marian  J.  Robinson. 


RAY  TOWNSHIP.  287 

Mr.  Goss  owns  450  acres  of  land  on  White  River  bottom,  which  is  a 
well  improved  and  cultivated  farm,  fairly  supplied  with  stock,  and  having 
a  good  orchard.  He  is  an  active  Republican,  and  was  elected  Township 
Trustee  in  1876.  He  has  been  a  successful  farmer,  and  is  a  much  re- 
spected citizen.     Mr.  and  Mrs.  Goss  are  members  of  the  Christian  Church. 

REV.  GEORGE  GOSS  is  a  native  of  Wayne  Township,  Owen  Co., 
Ind. ,  was  boi'n  September  26,  1845,  and  is  the  second  of  the  nine  chil- 
dren of  Ephraim  and  Margaret  M.  (Halbert)  Goss,  the  former  a  native  of 
Indiana,  the  latter  of  Kentucky,  and  respectively  of  Dutch  and  Scotch 
extraction.  His  great-grandfather  came  to  this  locality  about  1810,  and 
was  the  founder  of  Gosport.  George  was  reared  to  farm  labor,  and  at- 
tended school  some  time  during  the  winter  seasons.  March  10,  1867,  he 
married  Margaret  A.,  daughter  of  Thomas  and  Cynthia  A.  (Whitaker) 
Applegate,  natives  of  Kentucky.  This  union  was  followed  by  three  chil- 
dren— Rosie  E.,  Sarah  J.  and  Alice  M.  In  December,  1874,  Mr.  Goss 
was  licensed  to  preach  by  the  Baptist  Church,  and  was  ordained  minister 
April  13,  1876,  since  which  time  he  has  given  his  attention  to  religious 
duties.  He  has  twenty-nine  acres  of  well- cultivated  and  improved  land, 
making  a  desirable  home.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  and  Odd  Fel- 
low fraternities,  a  greatly  esteemed  minister  and  citizen,  and  one  of  the 
stanchest  Republicans  of  the  township. 

THEODORE  D.  GOSS,  an  enterprising  and  promising  young  busi- 
ness man  of  Paragon,  is  a  native  of  Ray  Township,  Morgan  Co. ,  Ind. , 
was  born  August  11,  1859,  and  is  a  son  of  AV.  J.  and  Sarah  C.  Goss, 
both  of  German  descent.  Our  subject  was  reared  on  a  farm,  and  in  the 
interim  of  labor  thereon  attended  the  public  schools  of  his  district  until 
he  was  eighteen  years  of  age,  at  which  period  he  became  a  student  of 
Bedford  College  for  three  terms.  In  February,  1883,  he  engaged  in 
mercantile  business  at  Paragon,  and  in  this  venture  has  been  prominently 
successful,  his  whole  energy  and  time  being  given  to  his  business.  Few 
men  at  his  age  have  had  so  flattering  an  assurance  of  a  prosperous  and 
useful  career.     Mr.  Goss  is  an  earnest  and  honorable  Republi(5an. 

EPHRAIM  L.  GOSS,  one  of  Morgan  County's  youngest  and  most 
promising  farmers  and  stock-raisers,  was  born  July  21,  1860,  and  is  the 
first  child  born  to  Sims  H.  and  Margaret  J.  (Stanger)  Goss,  natives  re- 
spectively of  Morgan  and  Monroe  Counties,  Ind. ,  and  of  Dutch  descent. 
Our  subject  is  a  grandchild  of  Ephraim  Goss,  one  of  the  oldest  settlers 
in  Indiana  Territory,  and  founder  of  Gosport.  He  was  reared  to  the 
occupation  of  his  predecessors — farming;  received  what  education  he 
could  from  the  common  schools,  and  has  since  been  industrious  and  fru- 
ga).  Mr.  Goss  is  well  situated  for  so  young  a  man,  being  possessed  of 
208  acres  in  good  cultivation  and  much  improved  by  dwelling  house  and 
barns  and  other  valuable  additions;  he  has  also  considerable  stock.  More 
particularly  of  late  he  has  given  much  attention  to  the  breeding  of  Jer- 
sey Red  and  Poland  hogs,  and  has  been  successful  in  that  enterprise. 
Mr.  Goss  has  the  promise  of  much  usefulness  and  prominence  in  the  fut- 
ure time,  inasmuch  as  he  is  greatly  respected  generally.  He  is  active 
as  a  member  of  the  Republican  partv. 

DR.  JOHN  J.  HARRIS  was  born  in  Ellettsville  November  15, 
1848,  and  is  the  fourth  of  the  twelve  children  born  to  James  M.  and 
Sarah  A.  (Fletcher)  Harris,  natives  respectively  of  Kentucky  and  Indiana. 
James  M.  Harris  is  a  retired  physician.  Our  subject,  after  attending  the 
graded  schools,  engaged  with  his  brother  in  the  hardware  business,  and 


288  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

was  later  in  the  drug  business  with  his  father,  which  he  has  since  con- 
tinued. About  1867,  he  commenced  studying  medicine  with  his  father, 
afterward  attended  lectures  at  Oxford  Medical  College,  Cincinnati,  and 
has  since  practiced  medicine  at  Ellettsville,  Stinesville  and  Paragon. 
He  afterward  graduated  at  Rush  Medical  College,  Chicago,  and  has  been 
a  successful  practitioner  since  that  event.  September  22,  1869,  he  mar- 
ried Rebecca  A.,  daughter  of  Allen  Mills,  by  which  union  they  had  four 
children — Fred  C,  Clara  E.,  Delia  M.  and  John  R.  Dr.  JEarris  has 
served  as  Town  Clerk  and  Trustee  of  Ellettsville.  He  has  been  and  is 
now  successful  as  a  physician,  and  has  the  confidence  of  the  community. 
He  is  a  Republican  in  politics. 

PHILIP  HODGES,  the  oldest  living  settler  in  Ray  Township,  was 
born  October  31,  1797,  in  Randolph  County,  N.  C,  and  is  the  youngest 
of  the  seven  children  of  John  and  Margaret  (Lacy)  Hodges,  of  English 
and  Irish  descent  respectively.  John  Hodges  was  a  native  of  Herford- 
shire,  England,  was  born  in  1749,  and  hj  trade  a  glover.  About  the 
beginning  of  the  Revolutionary  war,  he  emigrated  to  America  and  served 
three  years  in  that  heroic  campaign,  soon  after  which  he  married 
Margaret  Lacy.  Philip  Hodges  was  reared  to  farming,  with  the  advan- 
tage of  some  schooling.  When  of  age,  October,  1818,  he  moved  to  In- 
diana, or  Northwest  Territory,  and  took  a  lease  of  land  near  Grosport, 
and  where.  May,  1819,  he  wedded  Miss  Mary  Goss  (then  but  fifteen 
years  old),  daughter  of  Ephraim  and  Anna  (Workman)  Goss,  founders  (>f 
the  town  of  Gosport.  Ten  children  were  born  to  them — Ephraim,  John 
(deceased),  Bethsheba  (deceased).  Noah,  Joseph,  Sarah  (Mrs.  Sims), 
Thomas,  Anna  (deceased),  Harvey  (deceased)  and  Henry  0.  In  1820,  at 
the  Terre  Haute  land  sale,  he  purchased  160  acres  in  Sections  1  and  2, 
Range  1  east,  11  north — the  first  land  sold  from  the  Indian  pui'chase  of 
818.  In  1824,  he  located  on  eighty  acres  of  land  he  had  entered  in 
Ray  Township,  among  the  hills,  and  afterward  entered  220  more, 
where  he  remained  until  1833,  where  he  entered  and  occupied 
160,  where  he  now  resides.  To  this  he  added  140  acres,  all  of  which  he 
constantly  improved,  thus  possessing  810  acres  of  good  and  well-culti- 
vated land.  In  1837,  he  built  his  residence,  then  one  of  the  finest  in  that 
section.  With  but  a  legacy  of  $150  he  began  life,  and  has  succeeded  by 
industry  and  skill.  Mr.  Hodges  is  yet  hale,  and  useful  and  benevolent. 
His  present  politics  is  Republican;  he  was  formerly  a  Whig,  and  gave 
his  first  Presidential  vote  for  Mr,  Adams.  He  and  wife  are  members  of 
the  Christian  Church. 

EPHRAIM  HODGES,  stock-raiser  and  farmer,  was  born  July  19, 
1820,  in  Owen  County,  Ind.,  where  now  stands  Gosport.  He  is  the 
eldest  of  the  ten  children  of  Philip  and  Mary  (Goss)  Hodges,  natives  of 
North  Carolina.  Our  subject  attended  the  subscription  schools  of  his 
boyhood,  and  was  reared  to  farming.  Afterward  he  became  an  instruc- 
tor, and  taught  many  terms  of  school.  September  5,  1845,  he  married 
Ann,  daughter  of  Daniel  T.  and  Polly  (Crums)  Smith,  with  the  issue  of 
nine  children — Noah  (deceased),  May,  John  Q.,  Clarinda,  Joseph  C, 
Charles  S.,  Maliuda,  Philip  S.  and  Cora.  Mr.  Hodges  was  a  member  of 
the  fir.3t  Board  of  Trustees  held  in  his  township,  and  served  as  Commis- 
sioner from  1862  to  1868.  He  is  possessed  of  about  600  acres  of  land 
under  fair  cultivation  and  with  many  improvements,  good  residences, 
barns,  outbuildings,  oi'chard  and  the  like,  all  of  which  possession  is  the 
outcome  of  his  enerirv  and  able  manairement.     Mr.  Hodsres  is  a  member 


RAY  TOWNSHIP.  289 

of  the  Masonic  order,  the  Republican  party  and  the  Christian  Church,  a 
generally  respected  citizen  and  liberal  gentleman. 

DR.  JOHN  KENNEDY  is  a  native  of  Lamb's  Bottom,  this  county, 
and  was  born  September  30,  1833.  His  father  was  a  native  of  Kentucky, 
and  of  Irish  descent;  his  mother  wai  also  of  Kentucky,  and  of  German 
descent.  Both  have  been  residents  of  this  county  since  1830.  After  re- 
ceiving home  instruction,  Dr.  Kennedy  attended  Belleville  Academy,  and 
also  the  Edinburg  Grammar  School,  of  which  he  became  an  assistant 
teacher  in  1855.  About  this  time,  he  began  the  study  of  medicine  under 
Dr.  Clark,  of  Edinburg.  Soon  afterward,  he  returned  to  the  home  farm 
to  recover  his  impaired  health,  after  which  he  taught  school  in  Sanga- 
mon County,  111.,  and  spent  his  leisure  time  in  studying  medicine,  and 
in  1858  became  a  student  of  Dr.  Osgood,  of  Gosport.  During  the  win- 
ter of  that  year,  he  attended  lectures  at  the  Cincinnati  Medical  Institute, 
and  afterward  commenced  practice  near  his  old  home,  where  he  obtained 
a  reputation  for  being  one  of  the  ablest  practitioners  in  his  neighbor- 
hood, and  he  is  now  at  Gosport,  which  is  his  residence.  April,  1862,  he 
married  Angeline,  daughter  of  Richard  Laughlin,  of  Owen  County,  with 
an  issue  of  eight  children.  In  1874,  Dr.  Kennedy  was  elected  to  the 
State  Legislature,  where  he  served  two  years  most  faithfully.  He  is  a 
Republican,  a  member  of  the  Christian  Church,  and  active  as  a  Sunday 
school  worker. 

CASPER  LINGLE,  a  prominent  stock-raiser  and  farmer,  was  born  in 
Burke  County,  N.  C,  March  7,  1823,  and  is  the  eighth  of  the  ten  chil- 
dren of  Adam  and  Catherine  (Tipps)  Lingle,  of  German  descent.  In 
1829,  he  came  with  his  parents  to  what  is  now  this  township;  was  reared 
to  farming,  and  has  been  an  important  personage  in  the  development  of 
the  county.  The  first  township  election  was  held  at  his  father's  house, 
and  continued  so  to  be  for  twenty  years,  when  the  same  were  held  at 
Salem.  June  7,  1845,  he  wedded  Matilda,  daughter  of  Henry  and  Re- 
becca (Goss)  Ratts,  who  died  about  three  months  after  his  marriage. 
Augiist  9,  1846,  he  married  Catherine,  daughter  of  Thomas  and  Rebecca 
Sandy,  to  which  union  succeeded  five  children — John  S.,  William  A., 
James  E.,  Jeremiah  S.  and  Thomas  Lincoln.  In  1857,  he  removed  to 
Missouri  for  three  years,  after  which  time  he  returned  home.  While  there 
he  built  a  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  the  last  payment  on  which  he  made 
after  leaving  that  State.  Mr.  Lingle  has  been  a  successful  man,  having 
acquired  a  possession  of  700  acres  of  land,  but  now  having  sold  some, 
and  given  much  to  his  children,  retains  only  132  acres,  which  are,  how- 
ever, well- cultivated,  stocked,  improved  and  adorned.  His  only  ally  was 
his  faithful  wife,  who  died  August  9,  1882,  a  member  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church.  Mr.  Lingle  is  an  enlightened  citizen,  an  advocate  of 
public  education,  an  active  Republican  and  a  member  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church. 

WILLIAM  A.  LINGLE,  a  successful  stock-raiser  and  farmer,  was 
born  in  Ray  (now  Ashland)  Township,  November  16,  1849,  and  is  the 
second  in  the  family  of  five  belonging  to  Casper  and  Catherine  (Sandy) 
Lingle,  respectively  of  Dutch  and  Irish  descent.  William  worked  on  his 
father's  farm,  and  went  also  to  school,  when  not  so  engaged,  until  man- 
hood. May  11,  1871,  he  wedded  Martha  J.,  daughter  of  Hiram  Groun, 
and  this  marriage  was  made  happy  by  two  children— Newton  D.  and 
Perry  E.  (deceased).  Mr.  Lingle  is  the  possessor  of  forty  acres  of  land, 
which  are  in  a  state  of  superior  cultivation,  with   good  dwelling,  barns, 


290  BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES: 

stock  in  variety,  a  young  orchard  and  every  necessary  improvement  for 
comfort  and  profit.  Mr.  Lingle  is  a  leading  Republican,  and  has  served 
as  Township  Assessor  one  term.  He  is  a  liberal-minded  man,  and  a 
promising  and  enterprising  agriculturist. 

JEREMIAH  S.  LINGLE  was  born  in  Ray  (now  Ashland)  Township 
October  10,  1855,  and  is  the  fourth  of  those  comprising  the  family  of  his 
parents,  Casper  and  Catherine  (Sandy)  Lingle.  Jeremiah,  in  common 
with  the  other  sons  of  his  father,  was  reared  to  the  dignified  and  ancient 
calling  of  tilling  the  soil.  After  atten,ding  school  for  a  time  in  his  boy 
hood,  he  continued  to  labor  at  home  until  he  attained  his  majority,  where- 
upon he  married  Martha  E. ,  daughter  of  John  and  Catherine  (Haase) 
Shelton.  These  young  people  have  had  born  to  them  four  children,  of 
which  ntmiber  three  are  living— Orville  E.,  Minnie  Catherine  and  Orra 
E.  Mr.  Lingle  has  largely  assisted  his  father  in  developing  the  home 
place,  and  is  an  enterprising,  able  and  promising  young  farmer. 

FIELDING  MARtSH,  a  leading  farmer  and  stock-raiser,  came  into 
life  December  26,  1826,  in  Washington  County.  Ind.,  and  is  the  fifth  of 
the  nine  children  of  Cyrus  J.  and  Elizabeth  (^Shultz)  Marsh,  respectively 
of  English  and  Dutch  descent.  During  his  minority,  Fielding  worked 
by  the  month,  with  occasional  attendance  at  school.  In  May,  1847,  he 
volunteered  for  the  Mexican  war,  in  the  Foui'th  Indiana  Regiment;  was 
landed  at  Brazos  Island,  and  marched  up  the  Rio  Grande  to  join  Gen. 
Taylor.  After  his  discharge  in  1848,  he  resumed  farming  for  a  time, 
then  followed  flat-boating  on  the  Mississippi  River,  and  afterward  lo- 
cated his  land  warrant  for  160  acres  in  Marion  County.  March  24,  1853, 
he  maiTied  Rachel,  daughter  of  Benjamin  and  Rachel  (Milton)  Mugg,  a 
union  which  produced  three  children — Amanda  E.  (Mrs.  Smith),  Cincin- 
natus  and  Curtis.  February  14,  1865,  he  enlisted  in  the  One  Hundred 
and  Forty-eighth  Indiana  Volunteer  Infantry,  and  was  discharged  in 
September  of  that  year.  Mr.  Marsh  is  possessed  of  a  good  home,  com- 
prising 157  acres  of  excellent  land,  well  cultivated,  stocked  and  improved, 
being  the  homestead  of  his  father;  there  is  also  a  good  orchard.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Marsh  are  members  of  the  Missionary  Baptist  Church. 

GABRIEL  ROBINSON  is  a  native  of  Anderson  County,  Ky. ;  was 
born  January  31,  1828,  and  is  the  sixth  of  the  eight  children  of  Gabriel 
and  Mary  (Rice)  Robinson,  of  Irish  and  German  extraction.  Our  sub- 
ject was  reared  on  a  farm,  and  secured  but  one  month's  schooling  during 
his  youth.  At  the  age  of  thirteen,  he  became  a  learner  of  the  blacksmith 
trade,  at  Middletown,  Ky.,  where  he  remained  until  1852;  then  moved 
to  Washington  County,  and  thence  to  Leesville,  Ind.,  where  he  worked 
at  wagon-making,  and  also  managed  a  blacksmith  and  wagon  shop  until 
1864,  when  he  came  to  this  county,  where  he  carries  on  the  same  busi- 
ness. December  25,  1847,  he  married  Mary  E.  Gwathmey,  to  which 
union  were  born  two  children — Kate  M.  and  Camden.  In  May,  1846, 
Mr.  Robinson  enlisted  for  the  Mexican  war,  in  Company  I,  First  Ken- 
tiicky  Volunteer  Infantry.  He  served  in  the  battles  of  Monterey,  having 
made  a  forced  march  of  sixty-nine  miles  in  seventeen  hoiirs,  and  Buena 
Vista,  being  discharged  in  May,  1847.  Mr.  Robinson  was  also  in  our 
late  war,  a  recruit  of  Company  K,  Sixty-seventh  Indiana  Regiment,  go- 
ing out  as  private,  and  being  promoted  to  a  Lieutenancy,  as  which  he 
resigned  in  April,  1863,  having  served  at  Munfordville,  siege  of  Vicks- 
burg  and  other  engagements.  Mr.  Robinson  is  a  member  of  the  L 
O.  O.  F. 


RAY  TOWNSHIP.  291 

JOHN  A.  SANDY,  stock-raiser  and  farmer,  was  born  in  Montgomery 
County,  Ind.,  March  19,  1843,  and  is  the  sixth  of  the  eleven  children  of 
William  H.  and  Lucinda  (Thompson)  Sandy,  natives  respectively  of  Ten- 
nessee and  Kentucky,  and  of  English  and  Irish  descent.  William  H. 
Sandy  emigrated  to  Washington  County,  Ind..  about  1810,  thence  moved 
to  Owen  County  about  1812,  and  after  his  marriage  settled  near  Gosp(^rt, 
about  1830,  and  thence  moved  to  Montgomery  County,  locating  near 
Crawfordsville.  In  1852,  the  family  moved  to  Morgan  County,  where 
Mr.  Sandy  yet  resides.  John  H.  Sandy  passed  his  boyhood  on  the  pa- 
ternal farm,  and  in  going  to  school.  In  1861,  he  enlisted  in  Company 
H,  Thirty-third  Indiana  Volunteer  Infantry;  was  assigned  to  the  Fourth 
Corps,  Army  of  the  Cumberland;  was  mostly  engaged  in  skirmishes,  and 
was  discharged  November,  1862,  after  which,  being  unable  to  work,  he 
went  to  school  for  a  time,  then  farmed  until  February,  1865,  when  he 
re-enlisted  in  Company  F.One  Hundred  and  Forty-eighth  Regiment,  and 
served  until  Septembei'.  August  30,  1866,  he  married  Susanna,  daughter 
of  Kobert  and  Nancy  W^alters,  to  which  union  was  born  one  child — James 
S.  Mr.  Sandy  owns  iBighty-two  acres  of  good  land,  well-cultivated  and 
improved,  thus  being  in  comfortable  circumstances.  In  1880,  he  engaged 
in  the  drug  business  for  one  year  with  fair  success.  Mr.  Sandy  is  an 
Odd  Fellow,  and  he  and  wife  are  members  c>f  the  Christian  Church. 

WILLIAM  A.  SHARP  is  a  native  of  Ellettsville,  in  this  State;  was 
born  April  10,  1855,  and  is  the  third  of  the  live  children  of  George  W. 
and  Agnes  (Ashbrook)  Sharp,  both  natives  of  Indiana.  William  A.  was 
reared  on  a  farm,  and  obtained  some  education  from  the  common  schools. 
His  father  died  when  he  was  seven  years  old,  after  which  he  lived  with 
his  grandfather  until  May  13,  1877,  when  he  married  Theresa,  daughter 
of  Gideon  Holiday,  by  which  union  were  produced  two  children — Ida  and 
Roy  C.  After  his  marriage,  Mr.  Sharp  moved  to  Ellettsville,  where  he 
labored  as  a  quarryman  for  thirteen  years.  In  July,  1883,  he  moved  to 
Paragon,  to  take  charge  of  his  mother's  farm  of  ninety-three  acres  on 
White  River  bottoms.  Mr.  Sharp  is  in  comfortable  circumstances,  hav- 
ing a  house  and  two  lots  in  Ellettsville.  He  is  a  member,  and  was  First 
Commander  of  Sons  of  Veterans'  Camp,  No.  2,  and  is  a  Republican  in 
politics.  His  father,  George  W.  Sharp,  was  a  soldier  of  the  late  war, 
and  died  in  the  service.      Mrs.  Sharp  is  a  member  of  the  Baptist  Church. 

JOHN  A.  STIRWALT,  stock-raiser  and  farmer,  was  born  November 
18,  18-49,  in  the  house  in  which  he  now  dwells — his  father  having  pur- 
chased the  same  about  1828— and  is  the  eighth  of  the  nine  children  of 
Adam  and  Lucy  (Sandy)  Stirwalt, natives  of  North  Carolina,  and  of  Dutch- 
English  extraction.  John  was  brought  up  to  labor  on  the  home  farm, 
and  when  not  so  engaged  attended  the  free  schools,  thus  receiving  the 
rudiments  of  an  education.  November  2,  1872,  he  married  Martha  E., 
daughter  of  Andrew  and  Elizabeth  (Lingle)  Knox,  natives  of  North  Car- 
olina, a  union  which  produced  three  children,  two  of  whom  are  living — 
Jasper  E.  and  Mary  Lavina.  Mr.  Stirwalt  is  the  owner  of  100  acres, 
well  improved,  cultivated  and  stocked,  with  good  residence,  young  or- 
chard and  the  like.  He  has  been  largely  successful,  and  is  a  diligent, 
careful  manager.  He  is  a  Democrat  in  politics,  a  most  reputable  citizen, 
and  a  trusted  member  of  the  Baptist  Church. 

DANIEL  H.  VOSHELL,  pioneer  farmer  and  stock-raiser,  was  born 
in  this  township  February  8,  1826,  about  one  mile  west  of  his  present 
residence,  and  is  the  second  of  the  ten  children  of  William  H.  and  Polly 


292  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

(Sandy)  Voshell,  natives  respectively  of  Delaware  and  North  Carolina, 
and  of  French  and  German  descent.  William  H.  Voshell  emigrated  from 
Maryland  to  Ohio,  and  thence  to  Jackson  County,  Ind.,  about  1820.  He 
also  lived  in  Owen  County  about  1825,  and  located  land,  likewise,  in 
this  township,  making  an  aggregate  of  400  acres.  Daniel  lived  with  his 
parents  until  he  was  twenty  years  old,  having  entered  160  acres.  His 
opportunities  for  education  were  of  the  most  meager  character,  having  to 
labor  almost  incessantly.  February  17,  1846,  he  wedded  Delilah,  the 
widow  of  Joseph  Goss,  which  union  gave  issue  to  six  children,  three  be- 
ing now  alive — Mary  A.  (Mrs.  McGinnis),  William  S.  and  Thomas  S. 
Mr.  Voshell  is  possessor  of  307  acres  in  Morgan,  and  180  in  Knox  Coun- 
ty, Ind.,  all  under  the  best  cultivation,  well  stocked,  improved,  and  with 
as  good  a  residence  as  one  may  find  in  the  township.  Mr.  Voshell  is  one 
of  the  most  upright  and  respected  of  citizens,  a  man  whose  record  is  duty 
well  done.      He  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Christian  Church. 

LEVI  J.  VOSHELL,  farmer  and  stock-raiser,  was  born  at  his  pres- 
ent residence — the  land  having  been  entered  by  his  father  about  1825 — 
passed  his  boyhood  on  the  farm,  and  received  but  little  schooling.  He 
remained  at  home  until  his  majority,  and  October  19,  1859,  married  Miss 
Sarah,  daughter  of  William  R.  and  Rebecca  S.  (Chambers)  Mannan.  na- 
tives respectively  of  Virginia  and  North  Carolina.  To  this  union  were 
born  three  children,  two  of  whom  are  living — Manda  A.  (now Mrs.  Whit- 
taker)  and  Emma  R.  In  September,  1864,  Mr.  Voshell  enlisted  in  Com- 
pany F,  Twenty-fifth  Indiana  Volunteer  Infantry,  serving  in  the  Atlanta 
campaign;  he  was  also  in  Gen.  Sherman's  famous  march  to  the  sea,  and 
was  engaged  in  the  taking  of  Savannah  and  Columbia.  After  the  grand 
review  at  Washington,  he  was  discharged  June,  1865,  and  returned  to 
his  home  and  the  duties  of  his  farm,  having  588  acres  in  Morgan,  Owen 
and  Putnam  Counties,  which  are  well  improved,  cultivated  and  adorned, 
containing  a  number  of  short-horn  cattle  and  other  stock.  Mr.  Voshell, 
aided  by  his  wife,  has  been  more  than  usually  successful.  They  are 
members  of  the  Baptist  Church,  and  respected  members  of  their  commu- 
nity. Mr.  Voshell  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity,  and  a  very 
earnest  Democrat. 

JOHN  M.  VOSHELL,  farmer  and  stock-raiser,  was  born  August  15, 
1848,  where  he  now  resides,  and  is  the  second  of  the  five  children,  two  of 
whom  are  yet  living,  born  to  Thomas  S.  and  Catherine  (Stierwalt)  Voshell, 
natives  of  Owen  County,  Ind.  John  was  reared  on  a  farm  and  to  the  hon- 
ored and  independent  business  of  farming.  His  father  died  when  he  was 
but  five  years  of  age,  so  that  he  acquired  only  a  spare  education,  having  to 
give  his  services  at  home.  September  3,  1874,  he  married  Miss  Mollie, 
daughter  of  Adam  and  Annie  E.  (Miller)  Renner.  Mr.  Voshell  has  a 
good  home  and  farm  of  133  acres,  which  are  well  improved,  in  fine  cul- 
tivation, and  supplied  with  stock  and  all  necessary  appurtenances.  For 
the  past  few  years,  he  has  given  most  attention  to  stock  trading,  in  which 
enterprise  he  has  been  fairly  successful.  He  is  an  active  young  Demo- 
crat, and  he  and  his  ^nie  and  mother  are  consistent  members  of  the 
Baptist  Church. 

ASHBEN  W.  WA.LTERS  was  born  in  this  township  October  3,  1856, 
and  is  the  sixth  child  of  Robert  S.  and  Nancy  A.  (Duckworth)  Walters, 
the  former  a  native  of  Owen  County,  Ind.,  the  latter  of  Kentucky. 
Our  subject  was  brought  up  on  a  farm  and  remained  there  until 
he  was  twenty-two  years  old,  when  he  engaged  in  the   dry  goods   bus- 


RAY  TOWNSHIP.  293 

iness  at  Paragon,  and  also  attended  two  terms  at  Bedford  xicademy  in 
1878.  He  remained  in  business  one  year;  then  returned  to  the  farm  for 
two  years,  after  which  he  engaged  with  his  brother-in-law  in  the  drug 
basiness  at  Paragon;  he  afterward  went  to  Colorado,  and  engaged  in 
mining  for  a  short  time,  when  he  returned  home  and  resumed  farming 
on  the  land  entered  by  his  grandfather.  Mr.  Walters  is  a  radical  Dem- 
ocrat, a  member  of  the  Baptist  Chui'ch,  a  liberal  gentleman  and  an  es- 
teemed citizen. 

S.  G.  W.  Walters,  a  young,  successful  and  enterprising  farmer, 
was  born  at  his  present  residence  September  11,  18B4 — a  farm  cleared 
by  his  father — and  is  the  youngest  of  the  eleven  children  of  Kobert  S. 
and  Nancy  Walters,  who  were  among  the  earliest  settlers  of  this  township, 
both  members  of  the  Baptist  denomination,  and  known  as  liberal  and 
benevolent  persons;  the  father  died  July,  18S1;  the  latter  June,  1877. 
They  were  possessed  of  300  acres  of  land,  acquired  by  diligence  and 
perseverance.      Mr.  Walters  politically  is  a  Democrat. 

DR.  E.  D.  WHITAKER  was  born  in  this  township  November  27, 
1834,  and  is  the  fourth  of  the  seven  children  of  Grafton  B.  and  Mar- 
garet (Gregg)  Whitaker.  During  his  boyhood,  our  subject  worked  at 
farming  and  attended  subscription  school,  and  at  the  age  of  twenty-two, 
at  an  academy  in  Belleville,  Hendricks  County.  Soon  aftei*,  he  began 
the  study  of  medicine  under  Dr.  Stuckey.  of  Gosport,  and  attended 
lectures  at  Louisville  during  the  sessions  of  1858,  1859  and  1860.  In 
April.  1862,  he  entered  the  service;  went  to  Pittsburg  Landing,  was 
assigned  to  the  Medical  Department  as  Acting  Assistant  Surgeon,  and, 
after  six  months,  commissioned  Assistant  Surgeon  of  the  Fifteenth  Ken- 
tucky Infantry.  After  the  expiration  of  this  regiment's  term  of  service, 
he  was  made  Surgeon  of  the  Thirty- eighth  Indiana,  as  which  he  con- 
tinued until  the  war  was  closed.  Succeeding  his  discharge,  he  located 
as  a  practitioner  at  Gosport,  which,  after  one  year,  he  gave  up  for  the 
purpose  of  attending  to  his  farm.  December,  1867,  he  married  Martha 
J.,  daughter  of  Wiley  and  Rebecca  (Crow)  Williams,  who  died  Novem- 
ber, 1874,  leaving  one  child,  Wiley  W.  December,  1877,  he  wedded 
Amanda  A. ,  daughter  of  Harman  and  Elizabeth  (Guy)  Vickery,  to  which 
marriage  succeeded  two  children — Eli  G.  and  Margaret  Elizabeth.  Dr. 
Whitaker  has  a  most  excellent,  highly  cultivated  and  well-stocked  farm 
of  240  acres,  a  portion  of  which  was  entered  by  his  father.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity  and  of  the  Baptist  Church,  and  is  a 
liberal  gentleman  aad  a  Democrat;  he  was  once  nominated  for  Repre- 
sentative, but  declined  the  same. 

DR.  RALPH  B.  WILLIAMSON  was  born  near  Watford,  Ont.,  March 
4,  1851,  and  is  the  ninth  of  the  fourteen  children  of  John  and  Margaret 
(Calbert)  Williamson,  the  former  a  native  of  Ireland,  the  latter  of  France. 
Dr.  Ralph  B.  Williamson  was  reared  on  a  farm,  and  when  fifteen  years 
old  clerked  for  his  father,  and  continued  so  to  do  for  five  years.  He 
attended  the  public  school,  a  commercial  college  at  London,  and  after- 
ward began  the  study  of  medicine  with  Dr.  Harvey,  and  attended  lectures 
at  Ann  Arbor,  and  at  the  Cincinnati  College  of  Medicine,  from  each  of 
which  he  received  a  diploma.  In  July,  1876,  he  located  at  Vandalia,  re- 
mained three  years,  removed  thence  to  Santa  F6,  Owen  County,  and  thence 
to  Paragon.  October  9,  1877,  he  married  Alice  E.,  daughter  of  William 
and  Jane  Williams,  of  Owen  County.  This  union  furnished  two  chil- 
dren— Lionas  Listwell  Dufferein  and  Damietta  Bell.     Dr.  Williams  was 


294  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

formerly  an  Odd  Fellow,  and  is  in  politics  a   Democrat.     He  and   wife 
are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 

JOHN  H.  YOUNG,  farmer  and  stock-raiser,  was  born  in  this  county, 
and  is  the  tenth  of  the  eleven  children  of  Scott  W.  and  Polly  (Mathews) 
Young,  natives  respectively  of  Virginia  and  Kentucky.  John  H.  was 
reared  on  a  farm,  and  has  had  good  advantages  for  education,  having 
attended  a  high  school  two  terms,  the  Indianapolis  Commercial  School 
and  the  Normal  School  at  Terre  Haute.  He  has  been  some  time  teacher 
in  this  State  and  in  Kansas.  After  his  father's  death,  in  1873,  he  took 
charge  of  the  home  farm,  entered  by  his  father,  who  came  to  the  State 
in  1822.  Our  subject  is  owner  of  140  acres,  well  cultivated,  stocked  and 
improved,  with  commodioiis  residence,  built  about  forty  years  ago.  Mr. 
Young  is  an  active  Eepublican,  a  good  citizen,  and  one  of  the  best  in- 
formed men  in  his  township. 


ADAMS  TOWNSHIP. 


JOHN  W.  ALEXANDER,  farmer,  was  born  in  Putnam  County,  lud., 
March  4,  1830,  and  is  the  fifth  child  in  a  family  of  twelve  children  born 
to  William  and  Jane  (Wallace)  Alexander,  the  former  of  whom  was  a 
native  of  the  "  Old  Dominion,"  and  the  latter  of  East  Tennessee.  They 
were  of  English  and  Irish  decent  respectively.  William  Alexander  re- 
ceived his  early  education  in  his  native  State.  While  yet  a  young  man, 
be  removed  with  his  parents  to  East  Tennessee,  where  he  was  afterward 
married,  and  engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits  for  several  years.  From 
Tennessee,  he  removed  to  Kentucky,  and  from  thence,  in  about  1827,  to 
Putnam  County,  Ind.,  where  he  bought  a  partially  improved  farm,  and 
resided  until  about  1838.  He  then  removed  to  that  part  of  Morgan 
County,  Ind.,  which  has  since  become  Mill  Creek  Township,  Putnam 
County.  Here,  he  farmed  for  several  years;  then  opened  a  small  country 
store,  and  was  engaged  in  merchandising  until  his  death,  which  occurred 
February  8,  1881,  in  his  eighty-second  year.  From  early  life,  until  his 
first  wife's  doath,  which  occurred  in  1808,  both  were  members  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  After  that  event,  he  joined  the  Christian 
Church.  He  was  Justice  of  Peace  in  Putnam  and  Morgan  Counties  for 
some  thirty  years.  During  this  time,  he  was  robbed  of  some  $400,  which 
he  afterward  recovered,  and  sent  the  thief  to  penitentiary.  John  W. 
Alexander,  the  subject,  received  only  a  limited  common  school  education, 
but  has  acquired  a  fair  practical  business  education  by  his  own  exertions 
since  he  became  a  man.  He  was  employed  on  his  father's  farm  until  he 
was  twenty-one  years  old.  He  then  farmed  on  shares  in  Putnam  County, 
Ind.,  for  several  years.  In  1860,  he  bought  a  farm  in  Adams  Township, 
Morgan  County  Ind. ,  and  has  since  been  engaged  in  farming,  threshing 
and  stock-dealing.  He  was  for  two  years  Trustee  of  Adams  Township, 
and  has  held  various  lesser  offices.  He  was  married,  August  27,  1850,  to 
Miss  Martha  J.  Patrick,  a  native  of  Putnam  County,  Ind.  Twelve  chil- 
dren were  the  fruit  of  this  union,  nine  of  whom — five  sons  and  four 
daughters — are'  yet  living.  He  is  a  member  of  Eminence  Lodge,  No.  440, 
A.  F.  &  A.  M.,  where  he  has  held  various  official  positions.     Mrs.  Alex- 


ADAMS  TOWNSHIP.  295 

ander  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  In  politics,  Mr. 
Alexander  is  a  Democrat. 

WILLIAM  ANDERSON,  wagon  and  carriage  manufacturer,  was  born 
in  Johnson  County,  Ind.,  May  4,  1844,  and  is  the  youngest  in  a  family  of 
seven  children  born  to  James  and  Mary  (Coy)  Anderson,  both  natives  of 
Kentucky,  and  of  English  descent.  James  Anderson  was  educated  and 
married  in  his  native  State.  In  1828,  he  removed  to  Bartholomew  County, 
Ind.,  then  almost  a  wilderness.  Here  he  entered  land  and  commenced 
improving  a  farm,  but  remained  only  two  years.  In  1830,  he  removed  to 
Johnson  County,  Ind.,  where  he  entered  120  acres  of  land,  and  improved 
a  farm,  upon  which  he  resided  until  his  death,  which  occurred  in  Sep- 
tember, 1865.  Himself  and  wife  were  members  of  the  Separate  Baptist 
Church.  William  Anderson,  the  subject,  received  a  fair  common  school 
education,  and  was  employed  on  his  father's  farm  until  he  was  twenty- 
one  years  old.  He  then  farmed  on  shares  for  some  four  years,  after  which 
he  commenced  to  learn  the  carriage  and  wagon  maker's  trade,  serving  an 
apprenticeship  of  three  years,  and  has  followed  the  trade  ever  since.  In 
the  fall  of  1881,  he  removed  to  Gosport,  Owen  County,  Ind.,  and  in  the 
following  spring  came  to  Eminence,  iVforgan  County,  Ind.,  where  he 
opened  a  shop,  and  has  since  been  doing  a  good  business.  He  was 
married,  December  22,  1865,  to  Emarine  N.  Slack,  a  native  of  Johnson 
County,  Ind.  Six  children  blessed  their  union,  five  of  whom— two  sons 
and  three  daughters— are  yet  living.  In  politics,  he  is  identified  with  the 
National,  or  Greenback,  party,  and  is  one  of  the  enterprising  mechanics 
and  business  men  of  the  township  and  county. 

THOMAS  S.  AREND,  harness-maker,  was  born  in  Ashland  Town- 
ship, Morgan  Co.,  Ind.,  April  5,  1857,  and  is  a  son  of  Christopher  J.  and 
Rebecca  F.  (Russell),  Arend,  the  former  a  native  of  Bavaria,  Germany, 
and  the  latter  of  Johnson  County,  Ind.,  but  of  English  descent.  Chris- 
topher J.  Arend  received  a  good  common  school  education  in  Bavaria. 
At  the  age  of  fifteen,  in  1846,  he  emigrated  to  the  United  States,  accom- 
plishing the  journey  alone.  He  first  settled  in  Monmouth  County,  N.  J., 
where  he  learned  the  tanner's  trade,  serving  an  apprenticeship  of  three 
years.  He  then  followed  his  trade  as  a  journeyman  for  several  years, 
and  in  ]854  located  at  Martinsville,  Ind.,  where  he  took  charge  of  a 
shop,  receiving  half  the  profits  for  conducting  the  business.  Here  he 
was  married,  and  resided  for  a  short  time.  He  then  removed  to  Ashland 
Township,  same  county,  where  he  started  a  tannery,  and  is  still  engaged 
in  that  business.  Mrs.  Arend  departed  this  life  May  18,  1883.  She  was 
a  member  of  the  Christian  Church,  to  which  Mr.  Arend  also  belongs. 
Thomas  S.  Arend,  the  subject,  received  a  fair  common  school  education, 
and  taught  for  a  time.  At  the  age  of  twenty- three,  he  commenced  to 
learn  the  harness -maker's  trade,  and  has  followed  that  business  ever 
since,  now  owning  a  shop  in  Eminence,  where  he  has  a  good  trade.  He 
was  married  January  14,  1883,  to  Amanza  J,  Modrell,  a  native  of  Putnam 
County,  Ind.  Mr.  Arend  is  a  member  of  Eminence  Lodge,  No.  317, 
I.  O.  O.  F.,  of  which  lodge  he  is  at  present  N.  G.  In  politics,  he  is  a 
Republican. 

COL.  WILLIAM  C.  BANTA,  M.  D.,  was  born  in  Hendricks 
County,  Ind.,  August  31,  1839,  and  is  one  of  ten  children  born  to  Cor- 
nelius and  Rebecca  (Eckles)  Banta;  both  natives  of  Kentucky.  The  an- 
cestors of  the  former  were  of  Italian  and  Scotch  extraction.  Cornelius 
Banta  came  to  Madison  County,  Ind.,  at  a  date  prior  to  the  organization 


296  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

of  the  State.  After  a  few  years,  he  removed  to  what  was  known  as  the 
Brick. Tavern,  near  Stilesville,  Hendricks  Co.,  Ind.  His  place  was  a 
regular  stopping  place  for  stage-coaches  over  the  old  National  pike,  run- 
ning between  St.  Louis  and  Cincinnati.  In  1838,  he  removed  to  Belle- 
ville, where  he  remained  until  1850,  when  he  removed  to  Whitley  County, 
Ind.,  where  he  bought  a  farm  and  resided  two  years;  then  returned  to 
Belleville,  where  he  again  engaged  in  mercantile  pursuits  and  resided  un- 
til his  death,  which  occurred  in  1857.  Mr.  Banta  and  wife  were  mem- 
bers of  the  Christian  Church.  William  C.  Banta,  the  subject,  received  a 
good  common  school  and  academic  education,  and  was  employed  in  his 
father's  store  until  the  latter's  death,  after  which  the  support  of  the  fam- 
ily devolved  upon  him.  When  in  his  eighteenth  year,  he  commenced 
teaching  school  and  studying  medicine  under  the  instruction  of  Drs. 
Moor  &  Kennedy,  of  Belleville.  In  April,  1861,  he  resigned  his  school, 
went  to  Indianapolis  and  enrolled  in  Company  A,  Seventh  Indiana  Vol- 
unteer Infantry,  the  first  Indiana  regiment  recruited  for  the  three 
months'  service.  They  participated  in  the  battle  of  Philippi.  At  the 
close  of  the  three  months'  service,  in  August,  1861,  Col.  Banta  re- 
organized and  filled  up  his  company,  A,  from  seventy  to  one  hundred 
men,  in  a  day. and  night,  for  the  three  years'  service,  and  was  chosen 
Captain.  After  about  one  year,  he  was  promoted  to  Major,  and  soon  after 
to  Lieutenant  Colonel.  The  Colonel  of  the  regiment,  I.|,G.  Grover,  was- 
captured  in  the  battle  of  the  Wilderness,  after  which  Col.  Banta  com- 
manded until  the  regiment  was  mustered  out.  He  also,  for  a  short  time, 
commanded  the  First  Brigade,  of  the  First  Division,  of  the  First  Army 
Corps.  Col.  Banta  participated  in  all  the  principal  battles  in  which  the 
Armies  of  West  Virginia  and  the  Potomac  were  engaged  to  the  fall  of 
1864.  In  1862,  at  the  battle  of  Port  Republic  he  was  severely  wounded 
in  the  right  shoulder  by  a  shell,  and  was  mustered  out  with  his  regiment 
at  Indianapolis,  in  September,  1864.  He  then  engaged  in  the  drug 
trade  at  Belleville,  Ind.,  and  continued  the  same  some  five  years;  he  also 
resumed  his  medical  studies.  In  the  spring  of  1870,  he  graduated  from 
"The  Indiana  Medical  College,"  at  Indianapolis,  and  in  June  of  the 
same  year  came  to  Eminence,  Morgan  Co.,  Ind.,  where  he  has  since 
practiced  his  profession  with  excellent  success.  He  was  married,  August 
25,  1861,  to  Elizabeth  May,  a  native  of  Montgomery  County,  Ind. 
Eight  children,  three  sons  and  five  daughters,  blessed  their  union,  all  of 
whom  are  yet  living.  The  Doctor  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Christiaa 
Church.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  and  I.  O.  O.  F.  fraternities, 
and  has  been  a  member  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  State  in  both  orders. 
In  politics.  Col.  Banta  is  a  stanch  Republican,  and  is  one  of  the  leading 
and  representative  men  of  the  county. 

JOSEPH  BLUNK,  stock-raiser  and  farmer,  is  the  son  of  Goldsby 
and  Elizabeth  (Pritchett)  Blunk,  the  former  a  native  of  Indiana,  the  lat- 
ter of  Kentucky.  The  paternal  grandfather  of  our  subject  was  a  Virgin- 
ian and  a  soldier  of  the  Revolution.  He  was  known  as  Aaron  Blount, 
which  surname  has  been  since  changed  to  Blunk.  Goldsby  Blunk  was 
a  farmer,  but  labored  as  a  steamboatman  on  the  Lower  Mississippi  River 
for  several  years,  and  in  1827  married  and  began  farming  where  our  sub- 
ject now  resides,  having  entered  eighty  acres  of  timber.  He  cleared  his 
land,  and  was  the  first  settler  in  that  part  of  this  township.  He  was  an 
expert  hunter  and  marksman,  a  man  of  strong  will,  owner  of  237^  acres, 
and  died  February  4,  1857,  aged  fifty-eight.     Mrs.  Blunk  died  in  1871, 


ADAMS  TOWNSHIP.  297 

aged  sixty- three  years.  They  were  parents  of  five  sons  and  five  daugh- 
ters, and  members  of  the  Christian  Church.  Joseph  Blunk  was  born 
February  14,  1841.  He  received  but  a  fraction  of  schooling,  yet  by 
well-directed  study  he  has  obtained  a  fair  education.  When  he  was  six- 
teen years  old,  his  father  died,  and  he  remained  with  his  mother  until 
he  was  of  age.  April  10,  1862,  he  married  Elizabeth  Cown,  a  native  of 
Illinois,  born  November  9,  1840,  which  union  gave  being  to  nine  chil- 
dren, of  whom  six  sons  and  two  daughters  are  living.  After  marriage, 
Mr.  Blunk  located  near  his  present  home,  to  which  he  removed  in  1874. 
This  farm  comprises  fifty-three  acres,  valued  at  about  |60  per  acre, 
is  well  improved  and  supplied  with  good  stock,  and  the  yield  of  his  in- 
dustry and  care.  Mr.  Blunk  is  a  progressive  citizen,  and  he  and  wife 
are  members  of  the  Christian  Church. 

HENRY  BOURN,  farmer  and  stock-raiser,  was  born  in  Ray  Township, 
Morgan  Co.,  Ind.,  January  29,  1837,  and  is  the  fourth  child  in  a  family 
of  ten  children  born  to  Elijah  and  Nancy  (Alexander)  Bourn,  the  former 
a  native  of  Jessamine  County,  Ky.,  and  the  latter  of  Owen  County,  Ind., 
where  her  father,  Abner  Alexander,  was  one  of  the  earliest  pioneers. 
Our  subject  received  a  fair  common  school  education,  and  was  employed 
on  his  father's  farm  until  he  was  twenty-one  years  old.  He  then  came 
to  Adams  Township,  Morgan  Co.,  Ind.,  where  he  bought  the  farm  of  16Q 
acres  upon  which  he  stilJ  resides,  adding  to  it  until  he  has  now  some  400 
acres,  well  improved,  making  one  of  the  best  farms  in  Adams  Township. 
He  was  married.  September  23,  1858,  to  Miss  Milla  S.  McGinnis,  a  na- 
tive of  Owen  County,  Ind.  Seven  children  blessed  this  union,  five  of 
whom,  three  sons  and  two  daughters,  are  yet  living.  Mr.  Bourn  and 
wife  are  consistent  members  of  the  Christian  Church,  in  which  he  is  and 
has  been  for  several  years  a  Ruling  Elder.  Mr.  Bourn  is  a  stanch  Re- 
publican. 

ELISHA  A.  BOURN,  teacher  and  farmer,  was  born  June  23,  1859, 
and  is  a  son  of  Henry  Bovirn,  of  whose  family  he  is  the  eldest.  He  was 
reared  to  the  hard  but  honest  labor  of  a  farmer's  life,  and  attended  school 
considerably  in  early  life,  thus  laying  the  foundation  for  a  life  of  useful- 
ness as  an  instructor  of  youth.  Mr.  Bourn  also  attended  the  State  Nor- 
mal School  for  a  time  in  furtherance  of  his  purpose,  and  has  qualified 
himself  thoroughly.  He  has  the  happy  faculty  of  imparting  knowledge 
to  his  pupils,  and  has  been  very  successful,  having  taught  seven  school 
years  in  succession,  in  alternation  with  farming,  in  which  he  is  also  en- 
gaged, and  also  in  raising  the  ordinary  grades  of  stock.  March  7,  1882, 
he  married  Miss  Clara  E.,  daughter  of  James  Wallace,  and  born  in  this 
township  February  27,  1862.  To  this  union  has  been  born  one  daughter 
— Mamie  E.  Mr.  Bourn  is  a  practical  farmer,  an  energetic  and  promis- 
ing gentleman,  and  a  Republican  in  political  faith. 

POWEL  S.  BRASIER,  dentist,  was  born  in  Owen  County,  Ind,, 
March  9,  1850,  and  is  one  of  four  living  children  born  to  Gideon  and 
Sarah  (Jones)  Brasiei%  both  natives  of  Kentucky,  and  of  English,  Welsh 
and  Irish  descent.  Oideon  Brasier  received  no  education  in  youth,  there 
being  no  school  of  any  kind  on  the  Indiana  frontier  at  that  time.  He 
-was  employed  on  the  home  farm  until  twenty -one  years  old,  then  learned 
the  carpenter  trade,  and  has  followed  the  same  part  of  the  time  ever 
since.  In  early  manhood,  he  followed  flat-boating  from  Gosport  to  New 
Orleans,  having  made  nineteen  trips.  In  March,  1865,  he  enlisted  in 
Company  F,  Eleventh  Indiana  Volunteer  Infantry,  and  served  until  the 


298  ■  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

following  August.  In  the  fall  of  1865,  he  came  to  Eminence,  Morgan 
Co..  Ind.,  where  he  was  engaged  in  the  hotel  business  until  March,  1883, 
when  he  moved  to  New  Winchester,  Hendricks  Co.,  Ind.,  where  he  now 
resides.  He  was  married  February  3,  1840.  Mr.  Brasier  and  wife  are 
members  of  the  Baptist  Church.  In  politics,  he  is  a  stanch  Democrat, 
and  is  one  of  the  pioneers  of  Morgan  County.  Powel  S.  Brasier,  our 
subject,  received  a  fair  common  school  education.  At  the  age  of  four- 
teen, he  went  to  learn  the  harness- maker's  trade,  afterward  learning  the 
carpenter  trade  and  dentist  profession,  which  latter  he  is  still  following 
at  Eminen\?e,  Ind.  He  has  had  some  eight  years'  experience  in  the  fruit 
tree  business,  and  intends  to  resume  that  occupation  in  a  short  time.  He 
also  clerked  for  a  time  in  both  a  dry  goods  and  drug  store.  Mr.  Brasier 
is  yet  unmarried;  is  a  member  of  Eminence  Lodge,  No.  440,  A.,  F.  &  A. 
M.     In  politics,  he  is  a  Democrat. 

ATLAS  BRAY,  fai-mer  and  stock-raiser,  was  born  in  Chatham  Coun- 
ty. N.  C,  July  7,  1826,  and,  is  the  second  child  of  seven  sons  and  three 
daughters  born  to  James  and  Sarah  (Edwards)  Bray,  the  former  a  native 
of  North  Carolina,  born  1796,  the  latter  of  the  same  State,  born  1802. 
James  Bray  was  a  farmer,  who  located  in  Hendricks  County,  Ind.,  about 
1834;  farmed  on  rented  land;  then  removed  to  this  county,  where  he  se- 
cured land.  This  he  afterward  sold  and  went  to  Missouri  about  1853, 
and  to  Kansas  in  1869,  where  he  now  enjoys  a  retired  life.  Mrs.  Bray 
is  also  living,  aged  eighty-two  years.  They  are  long-established  mem- 
bers of  the  Baptist  Church.  Atlas  Bray  remained  at  home  until  he  was 
of  age,  when  he  worked  at  farming  in  jobs  at  37  cents  per  day.  Not- 
withstanding this  poor  labor,  he  was  enabled  after  a  time  to  purchase 
forty  acres  of  timber  land,  which  he  set  about  to  clear  and  improve;  af- 
terward sold  the  same  and  purchased  280  acres  in  Iowa,  and  finally  ex- 
changed for  the  farm  on  which  he  now  resides,  combining  153  acres.  He 
likewise  possesses  a  good  farm  in  Monroe  Township.  In  July,  1849,  he 
maiTied  Emily  Craven,  by  which  union  were  born  to  them  seven  chil- 
dren— John  F.  (deceased),  Enos,  Mary,  Sarah,  Clara,  Oscar  and  Luther. 
Mr.  Bray  has  been  a  successful  farmer  and  is  a  worthy  citizen.  He  and 
family  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 

JAINEES  K.  BURGESS,  druggist,  was  born  in  Putnam  County,  Ind., 
October  12.  1844,  and  is  the  third  child  in  a  family  of  seven  children 
born  to  Dawson  and  Catherine  (Holbert)  Burgess,  natives  of  Kentucky, 
the  former  of  German  and  the  latter  of  Irish  descent.  Dawson  Burgess 
received  his  early  education  in  his  native  State.  While  yet  a  young  man, 
he  removed  to  Putnam  County,  Ind.  Here  he  bought  100  acres  of  wild 
land,  and  improved  a  farm,  upon  which  he  resided  until  December,  1868, 
when  he  removed  to  Stilesville,  Hendricks  Co.,  Ind.,  where  his  death 
occurred  August  12,  1878,  in  his  sixty- fourth  year.  James  K.  Burgess, 
the  subject  of  our  sketch,  received  a  fair  common  school  education,  and 
was  employed  on  the  home  farm  until  he  was  twenty  years  old.  In  Octo- 
ber, 1864,  he  enlisted  in  Company  H,  Forty-third  Indiana  Volunteer  In- 
fantry, and  served  with  that  regiment  in  all  its  marches  and  engagements 
until  the  close  of  the  war.  being  mustered  out  at  Indianapolis  in  June, 
1865.  After  his  return  from  the  army,  he  farmed  the  home  place  on 
shares,  and  ran  a  threshing  machine  for  three  years.  He  then  removed 
to  Hendricks  County,  Ind.,  near  Stilesville,  where  he  remained  one  year, 
then  returned  to  Putnam  County,  and  engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits 
until  March,  1880.     He  then  came  to  Eminence,  Morgan  Co.,  Ind.,  where 


ADAMS  TOWNSHIP.  299 

he  has  since  been  engaged  in  the  drag  trade.  He  was  married,  October 
14,  1869,  to  Elizabeth  Dobbs,  a  native  of  Putnam  County,  Ind.  Two 
daughters  have  blessed  their  union,  viz.,  Dora  and  Claudia.  In  politics, 
Mr.  Burgess  is  a  Democrat. 

STEPHEN  H.  CHENOVVBTH,  blacksmith,  and  Justice  of  the  Peace, 
was  born  in  what  is  now  Ashland  Township,  Morgan  Co.,  Ind.,  July  8, 
1837,  and  is  a  son  of  Ephraim  B.  and  Mariah  (Risinger)  Chenoweth,  the 
former  a  native  of  the  "Old  Dominion,"  and  the  latter  of  Kentucky. 
They  were  both  of  German  descent.  When  three  years  old,  Ephraim  B. 
Chenoweth  removed  with  his  parents  to  Jefferson  County,  Ky.,  where  his 
early  education  was  received,  and  where  he  was  afterward  married.  Here 
he  learned  the  cabinet-maker's  trade,  and  followed  the  same  for  several 
years.  Later,  he  engaged  in  agricultural  pui'suits.  In  1835,  he  came 
with  his  wife  and  family  to  what  is  now  Ashland  Township,  Morgan  Co., 
Ind.,  where  he  entered  160  acres  of  wild  land,  and  improved  a  farm,  to 
which  he  added  until  he  was  the  owner  of  a  farm  of  240  acres.  In 
1855,  he  sold  this  farm,  and  bought  another  in  Adams  Township,  same 
county,  where  he  resided  until  his  death,  which  occurred  May  8,  1875, 
in  his  seventieth  year.  He  was  for  several  years  one  of  the  Township 
Trustees  under  the  old  constitution.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Christian, 
Mrs.  Chenoweth  of  the  Baptist  Church.  Stephen  H.  Chenoweth,  the 
subject,  received  a  limited  education  in  the  primitive  schools  of  the 
Indiana  frontier,  and  was  employed  on  his  father's  farm  until  he  was 
twenty-one  years.  Ho  then  farmed  on  shares  until  the  spring  of  1862, 
when  he  enlisted  in  Company  B,  Fifty-ninth  Indiana  Volunteer  Infantry. 
He  served  with  that  regiment  until  the  close  of  the  war,  being  mustered 
out  at  Richmond,  Va.,  in  May,  1865.  He  then  farmed  for  two  years, 
when  he  commenced  blacksmithing  at  Eminence,  Ind. ,  and  has  followed 
that  business  ever  since.  He  has  been  three  times  elected  Justice  of  the 
Peace,  but  only  qualilied  once.  He  is  now  holding  that  office.  He  was 
married,  in  1859,  to  Bena  M.  Gray,  a  native  of  Ashland  Township,  Mor- 
gan Co. ,  Ind.  Seven  children  blessed  their  union,  only  two  of  whom, 
one  son  and  one  daughter,  are  now  living.  Both  himself  and  wife  are 
members  of  the  Christian  Church.  He  is  also  a  member  of  Eminence 
Lodge,  No.  440,  A.,  F.  &  A.  M.,  and  of  the  O.  A.  R.  In  the  former 
order  he  is  a  Past  Master.  In  politics,  he  is  a  Democrat,  and  is  one  of 
the  early  settlers  of  the  township  and  county. 

DAVID  A.  CURTIS  (deceased)  was  born  in  Randolph  County,  N.  C, 
September  17,  1§06,  and  was  the  eldest  of  the  two  sons  and  one  daughter 
of  Jesse  W.  and  Judy  Curtis,  natives  of  North  Carolina  and  of  Eaglish 
extraction.  Our  subject  was  reared  to  farming  with  but  little  education. 
He  married,  after  becoming  of  age,  Miss  Tabitha  Staler,  who  proved  a 
faithful  spouse  for  fifty-six  years.  In  1837,  Mr.  Curtis  moved  to  this 
State  and  located  on  Government  land,  where  he  built  a  cabin  and  pro- 
ceeded to  found  a  home,  in  which,  after  some  years  of  discouragement 
and  toil,  he  succeeded.  On  the  morning  of  February  24,  1883,  he  arose 
well,  ate  a  usual  breakfast,  and  died  peacefully  soon  after,  his  wife  and 
daughter  supposing  him  to  be  asleep.  He  was  an  industrious  and  suc- 
cessful man,  and  at  one  period  owned  1,750  acres.  He  was  the  father  of 
fourteen  children,  eleven  of  whom  lived  to  maturity.  He  was  an  upright 
man  and  honored  citizen,  a  Democrat  in  politics,  and  a  Patron  of  Hus- 
bandry.    Mrs.  Curtis  yet  survives,  aged  seventy-six.      Mr.  Curtis  was   a 


300  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES : 

member  of  the  Christian  Church,   and  Mrs.   Curtis  now  adheres  to  the 
same  denomination. 

Emezire  D.  Curtis,  stock-raiser  and  farmer,  was  born  in  this  town- 
ship July  27,  1839,  a  son  of  D.  A.  Curtis.  He  was  practiced  in 
industry,  and  kept  at  home  until  he  was  twenty-one  years  old,  when  he 
began  the  labor  of  life  where  he  is  now  living,  his  father  having  given 
him  eighty  acres  as  a  beginning,  on  which  he  has  built  a  good  residence, 
and  also  variously  improved  his  farm,  as  well  as  adding  thereto  140 
acres,  now  a  desirable  home  and  valuable  estate.  He  is  now  raising  the 
better  grades  of  sheep,  being  well  supplied  with  stock,  which  he  feeds 
from  his  own  grain.  In  1867,  he  married  Miss  Rachel  Mosier,  with  an 
issue  of  seven  sons.  He  is  a  Democrat,  and  has  held  several  township 
offices.     Mr.  and  Mrs.  Curtis  are  members  of  the  Christian  Church. 

CALVIN  CURTIS,  farmer  and  stock- raiser,  is  a  native  of  Randolph 
County,  N.  C,  was  born  April  26,  1828,  and  is  the  eldest  of  the  family. 
He  was  nine  years  of  age  when  his  father  moved  to  this  county,  whom 
he  assisted  to  make  a  home  in  the  wilds  of  nature.  When  twenty- four 
years  old,  he  located  on  eighty  acres  of  timber  land,  from  which  he  made 
his  present  home,  having  lived  in  a  cabin  until  1865,  at  which  time  he 
built  a  good  house.  The  farm  comprises  220  acres,  160  of  which  are  in 
full  cultivation;  he  also  possesses  a  forty-acre  tract  in  Gregg  Township. 
March  24,  1852,  he  married  Miss  Rosie  York,  who  died  two  years  later, 
leaving  one  daughter — Martha.  November,  1857,  he  wedded  Miss  Eu- 
phemia  Johnson,  who  also  left  the  world,  March  22,  1879,  leaving  four 
children — David  A.  M.,  Lieudary  A.,  Daniel  andLaurena.  Mr.  Curtis  is  a 
practical  farmer,  an  industrious  man  and  good  citizen;  he  raises  a  high 
breed  of  geese  and  turkeys,  Plymouth  Rocks,  Light  Brahmas,  Cxolden 
Spangle  chickens,  etc.  Mr.  Curtis  has  been  a  prominent  hunter,  and  is 
an  expert  rifle-shot. 

WESLEY  CURTIS,  farmer  and  stock-raiser,  is  a  native  of  Randolph 
County,  N.  C,  was  born  September  26,  1830,  and  is  the  second  son  of 
David  A.  Curtis.  He  was  reared  by  his  father,  a  fax'mer;  received  almost 
no  education,  and  early  began  to  do  for  himself.  As  an  aid,  he  received 
eighty  acres  of  timber  land,  on  which  he  toiled  while  living  at  home 
until  1857,  at  which  period  he  married  Miss  Elizabeth  Jones,  of  Bar- 
tholomew County,  and  shortly  after  located  on  his  own  land.  He  soon 
built  a  house,  which  was  biu-ned.  in  1872,  and  has  now  one  of  the  b.est 
two-story  brick  houses  in  the  township,  having  as  well  cleared  and  estab- 
lished a  desirable  farm,  which  comprises  320  acres,  besides  sixty  acres 
in  Jasper  County,  111.,  and  some  town  property.  He  is  a  practical 
farmer,  and  has  a  fair  supply  of  horses,  cattle,  sheep  and  hogs.  After 
the  decease  of  his  wife,  who  left  two  sons  and  one  daughter — Margaret 
E.,  Francis  M.  and  George  W. — Mr.  Curtis  wedded  Miss  Jane  Carman, 
an  orphan  of  this  county.  Mr.  Curtis  is  a  liberal  and  well-intentioned 
citizen,  a  Democrat  in  politics,  and  he  and  wife  are  members  of  the 
Christian  Church.  Mr.  Curtis  has  made  a  property  valued  at  $30,000, 
and  has  in  all  a  yearly  income  of  $3,000. 

SOLOMON  DORSETT,  farmer,  was  born  in  Chatham  County,  N.  C, 
February  2t,  1832,  and  is  a  son  of  Duty  and  Rachel  (Edwards)  Dorsett, 
natives  of  North  Carolina.  The  former  was  of  German  and  the  latter  of 
English  descent.  Duty  Dorsett,  was  a  farmer  by  occupation,  and  also 
followed  vai'ious  mechanical  pursuits.  In  the  fall  of  1840,  he  came 
with  his  family  to  what  is  now  Mill  Creek  Township,  Putnam  County, 


ADAMS  TOWNSHIP.  301 

Ind.  Here  he  bought  a  farm,  upon  which  he  resided  until  his  death, 
which  occurred  in  November,  1844.  Both  himself  and  wife  were  mem- 
bers of  the  Baptist  Church.  He  was  a  soldier  during  the  war  of  1812. 
Solomon  Dorsett,  the  subject,  received  only  a  very  limited  education  in 
the  schools  of  the  Indiana  frontier.  After  attaining  to  manhood,  how- 
ever, he  acquired  by  his  own  exertions  a  good  practical  education,  and 
taught  subscription  and  public  schools  during  the  fall  and  winter  for 
seventeen  years.  He  was  employed  on  the  home  farm  until  he  was 
twenty-one  years  old.  He  then  farmed  on  shares  for  five  years,  after 
which  he  bought  a  partially  improved  farm  of  forty  acres  in  Adams 
Township,  Morgan  County,  Ind.,  to  which  he  afterward  added  150 
acres.  On  this  farm  he  resided  until  the  fall  of  1872,  when  he  came  to 
Eminence,  same  township,  and  engaged  in  the  general  mercantile  trade, 
continuing  in  that  business  some  sixteen  months.  He  then  bought  a  resi- 
dence in  Eminence  and  a  farm  of  130  acres  adjoining  the  village.  Here 
he  has  ever  since  resided,  and  has  been  mainly  engaged  in  agricultural 
pursuits.  His  dwelling  burned  in  January,  1879,  which  he  replaced  by 
one  of  the  best  brick  residences  in  the  township  or  county.  Mr.  Dorsett 
has  also  been  engaged  in  the  local  practice  of  law  for  the  past  fifteen 
years,  and  is  now  Deputy  Prosecuting  Attorney  for  Adams  Township. 
He  was  alpo  Trustee  of  Adams  Township  for  thirteen  years,  and  in  1864 
was  a  candidate  for  County  Treasurer.  He  was  married,  March  8,  1853, 
to  Sylvania  C.  Marley,  a  native  of  Kandolph  County,  N.  C.  To  this 
union  were  born  eight  children,  only  two  of  whom,  both  daughters,  are 
still  living.  Mrs.  Dorsett  died  April  21,  1874.  She  was  a  member  of 
the  Christian  Church.  Mr.  Dorsett  was  next  married  October  1,  1874, 
to  Martha  W.  Parker,  a  native  of  Putnam  County,  Ind.  Four  children, 
two  sons  and  two  daughters,  have  blessed  their  union.  Both  Mr.  Dor- 
sett and  wife  are  members  of  the  Christian  Church.  He  is  a  member  of 
Blue  Lodge  and  Chapter  in  the  Masonic  fraternity,  being  a  charter  mem- 
ber, and  Post  Master  of  Eminence  Lodge,  No.  440,  F.  &  A.  M.  In  politics, 
he  is  a  Democrat,  and  is  one  of  the  prominent  citizens  of  the  township 
and  county. 

THOMAS  FELKINS,  stock-raiser  and  farmer,  is  a  native  of  Garrard 
County,  Ky. ,  and  is  the  youngest  of  the  family  of  eight  born  to  William 
and  Jane  (Williams)  Felkins,  natives  respectively  of  Virginia  and  Ken- 
tucky, and  of  Irish  extraction.  The  paternal  grandfather  of  our  subject, 
John  Felkins,  was  a  Revolutionary  soldier,  and  was  once  taken  prisoner 
by  the  British.  William  Felkins  was  a  soldier  of  the  war  of  1812,  after 
which  he  located  in  Kentucky,  married,  and  farmed  until  1852.  when  he 
moved  to  Arkansas  and  died  in  18G9,  aged  seventy-two.  He  was  a  Dem- 
ocrat, and  a  member  of  the  Christian  Church.  Thomas  Felkins  was  born 
November,  1825,  and  left  motherless  when  eight  years  of  age.  and 
remained  at  home  until  he  was  nineteen,  when  he  faced  the  world  on  his 
own  account,  and  came  to  this  county  with  $2.50  in  cash  and  one  horse. 
He  made  h's  home  with  his  brother,  and  worked  at  farming  on  shares  for 
some  time.  September,  1850,  he  married  Miss  Martha  Wheeler,  of  this 
county,  but  a  native  of  Kentucky,  which  union  gave  birth  to  eight  chil- 
dren, of  which  number  three  sons  and  three  daughters  survive.  After 
marriage,  Mr.  Felkins  lived  in  a  log  cabiu  on  land  he  had  previously  en- 
tered, and  afterward  took  charge  of  his  father-in-law's  farm,  where  he 
lived  until  1858,  at  which  period  he  purchased  132  acres  known  as  the 
"Old  Joe  Rhodes"  farm.      This  he  has   improved  and  added  to  until  he 


302  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

DOW  owns  218  acres  under  good  cultivation  and  well  stocked.     Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Felkins  are  members  of  the  Christian  Church. 

SAMUEL  G.  GASH,  farmer,  was  born  in  Lincoln  County,  Ky.,  Jan- 
uary 3,  1828,  and  is  the  eldest  of  live  children  born  to  Thomas  and  Eliza 
(Wilson)  Gash,  natives  of  Kentucky,  and  of  Scotch  and  Irish  descent  re 
spectively.  Thomas  Gash  was  educated  and  married  in  his  native  State, 
where  in  early  life  he  learned  the  carpenter's  trade,  and  followed  the 
same,  in  connection  with  farming,  all  his  life.  He  and  his  wife  were 
members  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church.  The  death  of  Mrs. 
Eliza  Gash  occurred  March  6,  1835,  and  that  of  Mr.  Gash  October  5, 
1840.  Samuel  G.  Gash,  the  subject,  received  a  fair  common  school  edu- 
cation. After  his  father's  death,  he  made  his  home  with  his  uncle,  David 
R.  Wilson,  until  he  attained  to  his  majority,  with  whom,  during  that 
time,  he  learned  the  blacksmith's  trade.  After  leaving  his  uncle,  he  was 
employed  as  a  laborer  on  a  farm  for  some  four  years.  He  then  farmed 
on  shares  in  Kentucky  for  one  year,  after  which,  in  the  fall  of  1853,  he 
came  with  his  wife  and  family  to  Adams  Township,  Morgan  Co.,  Ind., 
where  he  bought  a  partially  improved  farm  of  forty  acres,  upon  which 
he  still  resides  and  to  which  he  has  added  another  forty  acres.  In  1846, 
he  enlisted  for  service  in  the  war  with  Mexico,  but  was  never  engaged  in 
active  service.  He  was  married,  August  7,  1852,  to  Miss  Margaret  S. 
Reid,  a  native  of  Jefferson  County,  Ky.,  and  a  daughter  of  John  and 
Esther  (Gilliland)  Reid,  who  were  among  the  early  pioneers  of  Jefferson 
County,  Ky.  One  son  has  blessed  the  union  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Gash,  viz., 
John  T.  Mr.  Gash  was  at  one  time  Adjutant  in  the  Kentucky  militia, 
and  for  a  time  carried  the  mail  from  Eminence  to  Quincy.  Himself  and 
wife  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  and  are  earnest 
advocates  of  the  temperance  cause.      In  politics,  he  is  a  Democrat. 

ELERSON  GENTRY,  farmer  and  stock-raiser,  is  a  native  of  Hen- 
dricks County,  Ind. ;  was  born  January  19,  1833,  and  is  the  eldest  son  of 
Garland  and  Susan  (Stringer)  Gentry,  natives  of  Kentucky,  and  of  English 
extraction.  The  grandparents  of  our  subject  were  natives  of  Virginia, 
lived  in  Kentucky,  and  removed  to  and  farmed  in  Indiana.  Garland 
Gentry  moved  from  Kentucky  to  this  State  about  1831,  thence  to  this 
township,  and  subsequently  to  Texas,  Arkansas,  and  again  to  Indiana, 
where  he  now  lives  in  retirement,  aged  seventy-seven  years.  He  is  a 
Democrat,  a  member  of  the  Christian  Church.  Was  twice  married,  and 
is  the  father  of  three  children  by  the  first  and  nine  by  the  second  mar- 
riage. Elerson  Gentry  was  reared  a  farmer  by  his  father,  whom  he 
accompanied  to  Texas  and  Arkansas;  resided  in  Missouri  four  years; 
returned  to  Hendricks  County,  Ind.,  and  thence  to  this  county.  When 
twenty-one  years  of  age,  he  left  his  father's  house  to  struggle  for  him- 
self, and  worked  for  three  years  by  the  month;  then  leased  land  for  sev- 
eral years;  finally  purchased  eighty  acres  of  his  father-in-law's  estate, 
and  now  owns,  in  addition,  eighty  acres  west  of  Mud  Creek.  December 
29,  1855,  he  married  Miss  Mary  M.  Smith,  of  this  county,  born  February 
2,  1838.  This  union  produced  six  childi'en — Theresa  A.,  Franklin  A., 
Susan  A.,  William  A.,  Mary  Etta  and  Thomas  A.  Mr.  Gentry  is  a  Free- 
mason and  a  Democrat,  and  he  and  wife  are  worthy  members  of  the 
Christian  Church. 

HARRISON  GENTRY,  farmer  and  stock-dealer,  was  born  in  Adams 
Township,  Morgan  County,  Ind.,  September  28,  1846,  and  is  the  fourth 
in  a  family  of  ten  children  born  to  Barry  M.  and  Elizabeth  J.  (Ludlow) 


ADAMS  TOWNSHIP.  303 

Gentry,  both  of  whom  were  born  near  Lexington,  Ky.,  and  were  of 
English  and  German  descent  respectively.  When  but  live  or  six  years 
old,  in  about  1825,  Bary  M.  Gentry  came  with  his  parents  to  what  is  now 
Hendricks  County,  Ind.,  then  a  part  of  Morgan  County.  Here  his  father 
entered  160  acres  of  land,  and  improved  a  farm,  upon  which  young  Barry 
passed  his  early  life.  He  received  such  an  education  as  could  be 
obtained  at  the  subscription  schools  of  that  frontier  settlement.  He  was 
married  at  the  age  of  eighteen,  and  soon  after  commenced  for  himself, 
and  farmed  on  shares  for  several  years.  In  about  1850,  he  came  to 
Adams  Township,  Morgan  County,  Ind.,  where  he  bought  eighty  acres  of 
wild  land,  and  to  which  he  has  added,  now  owning  a  well-improved 
farm  of  some  230  acres.  In  June,  1871,  he  removed  to  Stilesville,  Hen- 
dricks County,  Ind.,  where  he  has  since  been  engaged  in  the  dry  goods 
trade.  He  was  one  of  the  Commissioners  of  Morgan  County  for  some 
sixteen  years,  and  has  held  various  township  offices.  Mr.  G.  acd  wife 
are  members  of  the  Christian  Church.  He  cast  his  first  vote  for  William 
H.  Harrison,  but,  since  1856,  has  been  identified  with  the  Republican 
party.  Harrison  Gentry,  the  subject,  received  a  fair  common  school 
education,  and  was  employed  un  the  old  homestead  until  he  was  twenty - 
one  years  old.  He  then  farmed  on  shares  for  some  ten  years,  after  which 
he  bought  a  farm  of  sixty  acres  in  Adams  Township,  Morgan  County, 
upon  which  he  still  resides.  The  farm  is  well  improved.  He  was  mar- 
ried, November  10,  1870,  to  Miss  Eliza  J.  Hubble,  a  native  of  Hendricks 
County,  Ind.  Two  children,  one  son  and  one  daughter,  have  blessed 
their  union — Clara  M.  and  Conard.  In  politics,  Mr.  Gentry  is  a  stanch 
Republican. 

DAVID  H.  GOSS,  farmer  and  stock-raiser,  was  born  in  what  is  now 
Davie  County,  N.  C,  May  28,  1819,  and  is  the  sixth  in  a  family  of  nine 
children  born  to  Daniel  and  Martha  (Ingram)  Goss,  the  former  of  whom 
was  a  native  of  Pennsylvania,  and  the  latter  of  North  Carolina.  They 
were  of  German  and  Welsh  descent  respectively.  When  a  lad,  Daniel 
Goss  removed  with  his  parents  to  North  Carolina,  where  he  received  a 
fair  German  education,  and  where  he  was  afterward  married,  and  en- 
gaged in  agricultural  pursuits  for  a  time.  In  the  spring  of  1821,  he 
emigrated  with  his  wife  and  family  to  Owen  County,  Ind.,  and  settled 
near  Gosport,  where  he  entered  some  700  acres  of  wild  land,  erected  a 
log  house  and  improved  a  farm,  to  which  he  added  some  200  acres,  and 
upon  which  he  resided  until  his  death,  which  occurred  February  14, 
1834,  in  about  his  fiftieth  year.  Both  himself  and  wife  were  members 
of  the  Christian  Church.  Mrs.  Martha  Goss  departed  this  life  in  Feb- 
ruary, 1835.  David  H.  Goss,  the  subject,  received  his  education  at  the 
subscription  schools  of  the  Indiana  frontier.  After  the  death  of  his  par- 
ents, he  lived  with  his  guardian,  Abner  Alexander,  until  he  was  married, 
which  was  in  his  twentieth  year.  He  then  farmed  on  shares  for  one 
year,  after  which  he  moved  on  to  160  acres  of  the  old  homestead  in  Owen 
County,  Ind.,  which  had  been  willed  to  him  by  his  father.  To  this  he 
afterward  added  other  lands,  and  here  he  resided  until  January,  1880, 
when  he  sold  the  old  farm  and  bought  another  in  Adams  Township, 
where  he  now  resides.  He  was  first  married,  August  20,  1838,  to  Miss 
Marietta  Johns,  a  native  of  Morgan  County,  Ind.  To  this  union  were 
born  three  children,  two  of  whom,  both  sons,  are  yet  living.  Mrs.  Goss 
died  May  17,  1843.  She  was  a  member  of  the  Christian  Church.  Mr. 
Goss  was  next  married,  May  3,  1844,  to  Miss  Zerilda  E.  Littell,  a  native 


304  BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES: 

of  Clarke  County,  Ind.  Eight  children  blessed  their  union,  five  of  whom, 
three  sons  and  two  daughters,  are  yet  living.  Both  himself  and  wife  are 
members  of  the  Christian  Church.  He  is  also  a  member  of  Eminence 
Lodge,  No.  440,  A.  F.  &  A.  M. ;  Gosport  Chapter,  R.  A.  ]M. ,  and  of  the 
Council  at  Gosport  of  R.  &  S.  M.  Mrs.  Goss  is  a  member  of  the  Order 
of  the  Eastern  Star,  and  of  the  W.  C.  T.  A.  In  politics,  Mr.  Goss  is 
identified  with  the  National  or  Greenback  party.  He  is  also  an  earnest 
advocate  of  the  temperance  cause,  having  been  fi'om  early  manhood  a 
member  of  the  old  Washingtonian  society. 

DANIEL  N.  HOLMES,  merchant,  was  born  in  Decatur  County,  Ind., 
June  10,  1831,  and  is  the  fourth  child  in  a  family  of  five  children  born 
to  Jacob  and  Frances  (Stogsdale)  Holmes,  natives  of  Kentucky  and  of 
Irish  descent.  In  early  life,  Jacob  Holmes  emigrated  to  Decatur  County, 
Ind. ,  where  he  was  educated  and  married,  and  was  engaged  in  agricult- 
ural pursuits  until  his  death,  which  occurred  in  1840.  Himself  and 
wife  were  members  of  the  Baptist  Church.  Daniel  N.  Holmes,  the  sub- 
ject, received  a  limited  common  school  education.  He  has  since,  however, 
acquired  a  fair  practical  business  education  by  his  own  exertions.  At 
the  age  of  thirteen,  he  went  to  learn  the  blacksmith's  trade,  and  served 
an  apprenticeship  of  some  six  years  in  Decatur,  Shelby  and  Johnson 
Counties,  Ind.  In  1856,  he  came  to  Eminence,  Ind.,  where  he  followed 
his  trade  for  some  thirteen  or  fourteen  years.  He  then  bought  a  farm  in 
Adams  Township,  Morgan  County,  Ind.,  and  was  engaged  in  agricultural 
pm-suits  and  the  stock  trade  until  the  spring  of  1879,  when  he  rented  the 
farm  and  returned  to  Eminence.  Here  he  opened  a  general  store,  and 
has  been  successfully  engaged  in  merchandising  ever  since.  He  was 
first  married  in  February,  1857,  to  Martha  A.  Fidler,  a  native  of  Ken- 
tucky. To  this  union  were  born  eight  children,  six  of  whom,  five  sons 
and  one  daughter,  are  yet  living.  Mrs.  Martha  A.  died  May  27,  1877. 
She  was  a  member  of  the  Baptist  Church.  Mr.  Holmes  was  next  mar- 
ried, July  4,  1878,  to  Miss  Mariah  H,  Smith,  a  native  of  Indiana.  In 
politics,  Mr.  H.  is  a  Republican. 

ELIAS  HUBBARD,  farmer  and  stock-raiser,  was  born  in  Guilford 
County,  N.  C,  October  23,  1813,  and  is  a  son  of  George  and  Nancy 
(Shield)  Hubbard,  natives  respectively  of  Virginia  and  Maryland.  The 
paternal  grandfather  of  our  subject  was  a  Revolutionary  soldier.  George 
Hubbard  was  a  soldier  of  the  war  of  1812,  and  by  occupation  a  farmer. 
In  1822,  he  moved  to  Wayne  County,  Ind.,  purchasing  eighty  acres,  and 
entering  eighty  of  timber,  on  which  he  made  a  good  home  for  his  family 
and  endured  the  privations  of  a  pioneer.  He  died  in  1867,  aged 
eighty-one,  and  his  wife  one  year  later,  at  the  same  age.  They  were 
upright  and  honored  people.  Elias  Hubbard  was  reared  a  farmer,  and 
in  1828  moved  to  this  county,  and  after  a  time  began  life  in  earnest. 
October  18,  1839,  he  married  Miss  Margaret  J.  Gray,  a  native  of  Indiana, 
whose  parents  were  pioneers  of  Clarke  County.  To  this  union  were  be- 
stowed, of  whom  survive,  Mary  J.,  Marilda,  Malinda,  Margaret,  Abigail, 
David  W.,  Mahala  and  Anna.  In  1846,  Mr.  Hubbard  purchased  forty 
acres  of  his  present  home,  and  after  many  struggles  and  hardships  has 
succeeded  in  making  a  comfortable  property.  He  is  a  stanch  Republican, 
and  he  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Christian  Church. 

WILLIAM  H.  JOHNSON,  merchant  aad  farmer,  is  the  second  son 
in  the  family  of  Hezekiah  and  Eliza  (Green)  Johnson,  natives  of  North 
Carolina.     Hezekiah  Johnson  was  a  farmer,  married  in  his  native  State, 


ADAMS  TOWNSHIP.  305 

and  emigrated  to  this  county;  entered  land  in  this  township,  erected  a 
cabin  of  logs,  and  resided  until  1867,  when  he  moved  to  Clayton  and 
embarked  in  mercantile  business,  in  which  he  continued  with  his  son 
Elhanon  until  his  death,  in  1870,  at  the  age  of  sixty-one.  He  was  once 
a  Whig,  later  a  Republican,  an  honored  citizen,  and  about  1840  was 
licensed  to  preach  in  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  but  later  joined 
the  Christian  Church,  and  previous  to  his  death  held  a  large  revival  at 
Mount  Tabor.  Mrs.  Johnson  was  a  Methodist,  and  died  in  1872.  Will- 
iam H.  Johnson  was  born  in  this  township  November  12,  1835,  and 
named  after  President  Harrison.  He  is  a  natural  mechanic,  and  when 
but  a  boy  made  from  seven  to  nine  flour  barrels  a  day.  He  remained 
under  his  parents'  care  until  his  thirtieth  year,  looking  after  the  home 
farm.  March  29,  1859,  he  married  Mary  Shoemaker,  with  an  issue  of 
five  children — Eliza  J.,  William  S.,  John  Edmund,  Hezekiah  and  Miran- 
da F.  After  marriage,  Mr.  Johnson  managed  his  father's  homestead  for 
a  time,  and  afterward  purchased  a  11,200  stock  of  merchandise  at  La- 
Clair,  and  three  years  later  removed  to  Lake  Valley.  He  carries  a  select- 
ed and  full  stock  of  goods,  and  is  a  very  popular  dealer.  March,  1877, 
he  was  made  Postmaster  at  Lake  Valley.  He  has  invented  a  grain  tally 
and  other  valuable  devices.  He  is  a  Kepublican,  a  Freemason,  and  he 
and  wife  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 

MILO  D.  LITTELL,  farmer,  was  born  in  Clarke  County,  Ind. ,  June 
29,  1816,  and  is  the  fifth  child  in  a  family  of  eleven  children  born  to 
Abraham  and  Elizabeth  (Van  Buskirk)  Littell,  the  former  a  native  of 
Fayette  County,  Penn. ,  and  the  latter  of  Ohio.  They  were  of  English- 
Scotch  and  Holland-English  descent  respectively.  When  but  a  lad  thir- 
teen years  old,  in  1799,  Abraham  Littell  emigrated  with  his  parents  to 
the  Northwest  Territory.  In  that  year,  his  father,  Absalom  Littell,  who 
was  a  veteran  of  the  Revolutionary  war,  settled  on  Silver  Creek,  Clarke's 
Grant,  in  what  is  now  Clarke  County,  Ind.  Here  young  Abraham 
received  his  early  education,  and  learned  the  blacksmith's  trade,  which 
he  followed  in  connection  with  farming  all  his  life.  He  was  also  married 
in  Clarke  County,  where  he  owned  a  farm  which  he  afterward  lost  in  con- 
sequence of  a  defective  title.  In  1819,  he  emigrated  to  Monroe  County, 
Ind.,  where  he  entered  eighty  acres  of  land  and  commenced  to  improve  a 
farm.  In  1822,  he  sold  this  place,  and  moved  to  Owen  County,  Ind., 
where  he  again  entered  land  and  improved  a  farm,  upon  which  he  resided 
until  about  1860,  when  he  left  the  farm  and  moved  to  Alaska,  where  his 
death  occurred  March  8,  1862.  He  was  Justice  of  the  Peace  in  Owen 
County  for  three  terms,  and  Township  Trustee  for  a  like  period.  He  en- 
listed during  the  war  of  1812,  but  was  not  in  active  service.  Both  him- 
self and  wife  were  members  of  the  Christian  Church.  He  was  also  an 
earnest  advocate  of  the  temperance  cause,  being  a  member  of  the  old 
Washingtonian  Society.  Milo  D.  Littell,  the  subject,  received  such  an 
education  as  could  be  obtained  at  the  rude  log  schoolhouses  of  the  Hoosier 
frontier  settlements,  and  was  employed  on  his  father's  farm  until  he  was 
thirty-four  years  old.  During  this  time,  and  for  some  three  years  after 
he  left  home,  he  followed  flat-boating  down  the  White,  Wabash,  Ohio  and 
Mississippi  Rivers  to  New  Orleans.  He  was  also  a  successful  hunter. 
In  1845,  he  entered  120  acres  of  land  in  Adams  and  Ashland  Townships, 
Morgan  County,  Ind..  and  improved  the  farm  upon  which  he  still  resides, 
and  to  which  he  added  until  he  was  the  owner  of  a  well -improved  farm 
of   184  acres,  a  part  of  which  he  has  since  deeded  to  his  children.     He 


306  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES: 

was  married,  September  11,  1853,  to  Martha  Donaldson,  a  native  of  Jeffer- 
son County,  Ky.  Seven  children  blessed  their  union,  six  of  whom,  five 
sons  and  one  daughter,  are  yet  living.  Mr.  Littell  and  wife  are  mem- 
bers of  the  Christian  Church.  In  polities,  he  is  independent,  but  is  an 
earnest  advocate  of  the  temperance  cause. 

W.  H.  H.  McCLOUD,  farmer,  is  a  native  of  Hendricks  County, 
Ind.,  was  born  February  14,  1841,  and  is  the  fourth  of  the  ten  children 
born  to  George  W.  and  Eunice  (Bray)  McCloud,  natives  respectively  of 
Virginia  and  North  Carolina.  Our  subject  was  reared  a  farmer's  boy, 
with  but  slender  opportunities  for  education,  and  was  thrown  on  his  own 
efforts  at  the  age  of  sixteen,  whereupon  he  worked  as  an  engineer,  and 
also  drove  cattle  for  several  years.  In  1861,  he  enlisted  in  Company  A., 
Thirty-third  Indiana  Volunteers,  which  formed  for  a  time  part  of  the 
Army  of  the  Ohio,  and  was  afterward  transferred  to  the  Army  of  the 
Cumberland.  His  first  experience  as  a  soldier  was  at  the  battle  of 
"Wild  Cat,  then  at  Richmond  (when  he  was  detailed  in  the  artillery), 
Thompson's  Station,  Resaca,  Marietta,  Kenesaw  Mountain,  Peach  Tree 
Creek,  and  was  discharged  September,  1864.  March  9,  1865,  he  married 
Miss  Mary  Appleby,  a  union  by  which  they  became  parents  of  eight 
children,  three  daughters  and  five  sons.  After  marriage,  Mr.  McCloud 
engaged  in  farming,  and  continued  until  March,  1879,  when  he  moved 
to  this  county,  where  he  has  since  resided.  Mr.  McCloud  was  one  of  the 
first  to  use  the  thresher,  and  has  continued  the  same  for  sixteen  years; 
he  has  also  a  portable  saw-mill,  and  his  whole  machine  outfit  is  valued 
at  $2,000.     He  is  a  Republican,  and  a  member  of  the  G.  A.  R. 

JOHN  W.  MAHORNEY,  M.  D.,  was  born  in  Hendricks  County, 
Ind.,  January  13,  1857,  and  is  the  only  living  child  born  to  Morgan  D. 
and  Julia  A.  S.  (Reese)  Mahorney,  the  former  a  native  of  Kentucky  and 
the  latter  of  Hendricks  County,  Ind.,  and  both  of  Irish  descent.  Mor- 
gan D.  Mahorney  received  his  early  education  in  his  native  State,  but 
when  a  lad  of  thirteen  summers  removed  with  his  parents  to  Hendricks 
County,  Ind.  At  the  age  of  fifteen,  he  left  home  and  was  employed  as  a 
laborer  on  a  railway  for  some  three  years,  after  which  he  worked  on  a 
farm  for  some  three  years  longer.  At  the  age  of  twenty-one,  he  was  mar- 
ried, after  which  he  farmed  on  shares  until  1859,  when  he  bought  a  farm 
in  Franklin  Township,  Hendricks  Co.,  Ind.,  upon  which  he  still  re- 
sides. John  W.  Mahorney,  the  subject  of  our  sketch,  received  a  good 
common  school  education.  His  mothei-  died  when  he  was  only  five  years 
old,  after  which  he  made  his  home  with  an  uncle  for  four  years, 
when  his  father  was  again  married  and  he  returned  home,  remain- 
ing until  he  was  twenty-one  years  old.  In  the  spring  of  1878,  he  com- 
menced the  study  of  medicine  with  Dr.  J.  N.  Green,  of  Stilesville,  Hen- 
dricks Co.,  Ind.,  and  graduated  from  the  Medical  College  of  Indiana,  at 
Indianapolis,  in  March,  1883.  In  the  following  April,  he  located  at 
Little  Point,  Morgan  Co.,  Ind.,  where  he  now  resides,  and  is  rapidly 
building  up  a  lucrative  practice,  and  is  regarded  as  one  the  rising  young 
physicians  of  the  county.  He  was  married,  October  24,  1883,  to  Miss 
Mary  E.  Smith,  a  native  of  Morgan  County,  Ind.  Dr.  Mahorney  and 
wife  are  members  of  the  church — he  of  the  Regular  Baptist  and  ahe  of  the 
Christian.    In  politics,  the  Doctor  is  a  liberal  Republican. 

JOHN  R.  MANNAN,  general  merchant,  was  born  in  Owen  County, 
Ind.,  January  16,  1859,  and  is  a  son  of  William  C.  and  Margaret  E. 
(Carter)  Mannan,  the  former  a  native  of  Morgan  and  the  latter  of  Owen 


ADAMS    TOWNSHIP.  307 

County,  Ind.  Both  were  of  English,  Irish  and  German  descent.  William 
C.  Mannan  received  a  good  education  at  the  common  schools  of  his  na- 
tive county,  and  also  attended  Asbury  University,  of  Greencastle,  Ind., 
for  a  time.  At  the  age  of  nineteen,  he  left  home;  followed  various  pur- 
suits for  some  seven  years.  He  was  married  in  1856,  and  soon  after 
bought  wild  land  in  Ashland  Township,  Morgan  Co.,  Ind.,  where  he 
improved  tlie  farm  upon  which  he  still  resides.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
Baptist  Church  and  of  the  Patrons  of  Husbandry.  John  R.  Mannan, 
the  subject  of  our  sketch,  received  a  good  common  school  education,  and 
was  employed  on  his  father's  farm  until  he  was  twenty  cue  years  old. 
He  then  taught  school  during  the  fall  and  winter  in  his  native  county 
for  three  years,  being  employed  on  a  farm  during  the  summer  season. 
He  clerked  in  a  general  store  at  Eminence  for  one  year.  In  March,  1883, 
he  bought  this  store  in  company  with  Mrs.  H.  H.  Nicholas.  Mr.  Man- 
nan was  married,  September  7,  1880,  to  Laura  M.  Nicholas,  a  native  of 
Clay  County,  Ind.  Two  sons  have  blessed  their  union.  Mr.  Mannan  is 
a  member  of  Eminence  Lodge,  No.  317,  I.  O.  O.  F.,  of  which  lodge  he 
is  at  present  V.  G.     In  politics,  he  is  a  Democrat. 

MICHAEL  E.  MILLER,  proprietor  of  Eureka  Flouring  Mills,  was 
born  in  Botetourt  County,  Va.,  February  10,  1824,  and  is  a  son  of  John 
and  Elizabeth  (Vinyard]  Miller,  both  natives  of  the  "  Old  Dominion," 
and  of  German  descent.  John  Miller  was  educated  aud  married  in  his 
native  State,  where  in  early  life  he  learned  the  tanner's  trade,  and  fol 
lowed  the  same  for  several  years.  In  1830,  he  came  with  his  wife  and 
family  to  Morgan  County,  Ind.,  and  opened  a  tannery  near  where  the 
village  of  Brooklyn  is  now  situate,  and  remained  some  ten  years.  He 
then  removed  to  Hendricks  County,  Ind.,  and  started  a  tannery  near 
Belleville,  where  he  resided  until  his  death,  which  occurred  in  February, 
1876.  Both  himself  and  wife  were  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church.  He  was  a  soldier  during  the  war  of  1812.  In  1822,  he  came 
to  Indianapolis,  then  only  a  small  village,  on  a  prospecting  tour.  The 
State  was  then  almost  an  unbroken  wilderness;  there  being  no  roads,  they 
were  obliged  to  make  their  way  by  the  blazed  lines  of  the  Government 
surveys.  Both  the  grandfathers  of  our  subject  were  veterans  of  the 
Revolutionary  war.  Michael  E.  Miller,  our  subject,  received  such  an 
education  as  could  be  obtained  in  the  schools  of  the  Indiana  frontier. 
He  learned  the  tanner's  trade  with  his  father,  and  followed  the  same  in 
Hendricks  County,  Ind.,  for  more  than  twenty  years.  In  1872,  he  en- 
gaged in  the  saw  and  planing  mill  business  at  Eminence,  Morgan  Co., 
Ind. ,  which  he  followed  until  the  fall  of  1883,  when  he  bought  a  half- 
interest  in  the  Eureka  Flouring  Mills  at  same  place.  He  still  owns, 
however,  the  saw  and  planing  mill.  He  was  married,  August  25,  1849, 
to  Jane  Cox,  a  native  of  Hendricks  County,  Ind.  Six  children  were 
born  to  them,  five  of  whom — two  sons  and  three  daughters — are  yet  liv- 
ing. Mr.  Miller  was  for  many  years  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episco- 
pal Church,  but  at  present  belongs  to  no  church.  Mrs.  Miller  and  daugh- 
ters are  members  of  the  Christian  Church.  In  politics,  Mr.  Miller  is  a 
Democrat,  and  has  been  for  many  years  an  earnest  advocate  of  the  tem- 
perance cause. 

JOHN  T.  MILES,  blacksmith,  was  born  in  Orange  County,  N.  C, 
August  13,  1849;  is  a  son  of  James  W.  and  Nancy  N.  (Squires)  Miles, 
both  born  in  North  Carolina,  and  were  of  German  and  Irish  descent. 
James  W.  Miles  was  educated  and  married   in  his  native  State;  he,  in 


508  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

-early  life,  learned  the  wagon-maker's  trade,  also  followed  agricultural 
pursuits  and  undertaker's  business  in  connection  with  the  same  for  many 
years.  In  the  fall  of  1868,  he  came  with  his  family  to  Monroe  Town- 
ship, Morgan  Co.,  Ind.,  where  he  remained  for  one  year;  then  moved  to 
Orange  County,  Ind. ,  and  remained  some  four  or  five  years,  after  which 
he  returned  to  Gregg  Township,  Morgan  Co.,  Ind.,  residing  there  until 
his  death,  which  occurred  in  the  fall  of  1879,  in  his  sixty-seventh  year. 
John  T.  Miles,  our'  subject,  received  a  fair  common  school  education. 
At  the  age  of  seventeen,  he  came  to  Hendricks  County,  Ind.,  and  com- 
menced to  learn  the  blacksmith's  trade,  following  the  same  in  Missouri  and 
Indiana  ever  since.  In  1873,  he  removed  to  Hall,  and  in  December, 
1881,  came  to  Eminence,  Morgan  Co.,  Ind.,  where  he  now  resides.  Mr. 
Miles  was  married,  February  11,  1877,  to  Martha  A.  Mannan,  a  native 
of  Owen  County,  Ind.  Four  children  bless  their  union,  three  of  whom, 
one  son  and  two  daughters,  are  yet  living.  Mrs.  Miles  is  a  member  of 
the  Christian  Church.  Mr.  Miles  is  a  member  of  Eminence  Lodge,  No. 
440,  A. ,  F.  &  A.  M. ,  having  been  a  member  of  that  order  for  the  past 
fourteen  years.      In  politics,  he  is  a  Democrat. 

THOMAS  MILLS,  farmer, was  born  in  Carroll  County,  Ohio,  Atril  8, 
1838,  and  is  the  sixth  in  a  family  of  seven  children  born  to  William  and 
•Catherine  (Strawn)  Mills,  natives  of  Tuscarawas  County,  Ohio,  and  of 
Scotch-English  and  German  descent  respectively.  William  Mills  was 
educated  and  married  in  his  native  county.  Soon  after  his  marriage,  he 
removed  to  Carroll  County,  Ohio,  where  he  was  engaged  in  agricultural 
pursuits  for  several  years.  In  1841,  he  removed  to  Putman  County,  Ohio, 
where  he  bought  120  acres  of  wild  land,  which  he  improved  and  lived 
upon  until  his  death  in  April,  1846.  Mrs.  Catherine  Mills  departed  this 
life  in  March,  1856.  She  was  a  member  of  the  Christian  Church. 
Thomas  Mills,  the  subject  of  our  sketch,  received  a  fair  common  school 
education,  and  was  employed  on  the  old  homestead  in  Ohio  until  he  was 
fourteen  years  old,  when  the  family  removed  to  Gilboa,  Putnam  County, 
Ohio.  In  1856,  he  removed  to  Cataract  Falls,  Owen  County,  Ind.,  where 
lie  was  employed  in  a  floui'ing  mill  for  some  four  years.  In  August, 
1862,  he  enlisted  in  Company  B,  Ninety-seventh  Indiana  Volunteer  In- 
fantry, and  was  mustered  out  with  the  same  at  Washington,  D.  C,  in 
June,  1865.  He  participated  in  the  battles  at  Vicksburg  and  Jackson, 
■campaigns  in  Mississippi,  Missionary  Ridge,  Resaca,  Kenesaw  Mount- 
ain, and  on  return  march  of  Sherman's  famous  raid  to  the  sea.  He 
was  three  times  wounded — first  at  Jackson,  Miss.,  severely  by  a  cannon 
ball  in  the  right  side;  second,  June  15,  1864,  at  Kenesaw  Mountain, 
slightly  in  the  right  hand;  third,  June  27,  1864,  at  Kenesaw  Mountain, 
severely  in  the  left  thigh.  From  the  first  and  third  he  has  not  and 
never  will  fully  recover.  After  his  return  from  the  army  he  bought  a 
small  farm  in  Adams  Township,  Morgan  County,  Ind. ,  where  he  remained 
about  one  year;  then  removed  to  Putnam  County,  Ind.,  where  he  resided 
another  year.  In  the  spring  of  1868,  he  returned  to  Adams  Township, 
Morgan  County,  Ind.,  and  bought  a  partially  improved  farm  of  some 
200  acres,  upon  which  he  still  resides.  He  was  married,  October  23, 
1860,  to  Miss  Amanda  E.  Williams,  a  native  of  Green  Township,  Mor- 
gan County,  Ind.,  and  a  daughter  of  Louis  and  Mary  (Cultion)  Williams, 
who  were  among  the  early  pioneers  of  Morgan  County.  To  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Mills  have  been  left  six  children,  two  sons  and  four  daughters.  Mr. 
Mills  is  a  member  of  Eminence  Lodge,  No.  440,  A.,  F.  &  A.  M.  In 
politics,  he  is  a  stanch  Republican. 


ADAMS    TOWNSHIP.  309 

CYRUS  E.  NICHOLAS  (deceased),  was  born  in  Hendricks  County, 
Ind.,  March  5,  1836,  and  was  the  third  child  in  a  family  of  eight  chil- 
dren born  to  John  and  Parmelia  (Huff)  Nicholas,  the  former  of  whom 
wa3  a  native  of  Kentucky,  and  the  latter  of  New  York.  They  were  of 
Scotch-Irish  and  French  descent  respectively.  When  a  lad  of  some  sev- 
en or  eight  summers,  the  parents  of  John  Nicholas  removed  to  Owen 
County,  Ind.  Here  his  father's  death  soon  afterward  occurred,  in  about 
1815.  His  early  education  was  extremely  limited.  Afterward,  however, 
by  his  own  exertions  and  the  assistance  of  his  wife,  he  acquired  a  fair 
practical  education.  From  Owen  County,  while  yet  a  single  man,  he 
came  to  Monroe  Township,  Morgan  County,  Ind.,  where  he  entered  land 
and  improved  a  farm.  From  thence  he  removed  to  Heudricks  County, 
and  afterward  to  Pulaski  County,  Ind.  In  the  spring  of  1868,  he  re- 
turned to  Morgan  County,  Ind.,  settling  at  Eminence,  where  he  was  en- 
gaged in  the  general  mercantile  trade  until  his  death,  which  occurred  in 
March,  1870,  in  his  sixty-third  year.  Himself  and  wife  were  members  of 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  in  which  church  he  was  for  some  forty 
years  a  local  preacher.  Mrs.  Parmelia  is  yet  living,  and  resides  at  Emi- 
nence, being  now  in  her  eighty-first  year.  Our  subject.  Cyrus  E.  Nich- 
olas, received  a  fair  common  school  education,  and  was  employed  on  the 
home  farm  until  he  was  twenty- one  years  old.  He  then  learned  the 
brick-mason's  trade,  which  he  followed  for  a  number  of  years.  In  1866, 
he  engaged  in  the  general  mercantile  trade  at  Eminence,  Ind.,  and  con- 
tinued the  same  until  his  death,  which  occurred  June  7,  1882.  He  was  a 
member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  and  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F.  Feb- 
ruary 6,  1859,  he  was  united  in  marriage  with  Hester  H.  Rhea,  a  native 
of  Washington  County,  Va.,  and  a  daughter  of  George  G.  and  Dorcas 
(Lowrey)  Rhea  (a  sketch  of  whom  will  be  found  in  this  volume).  Hes- 
ter H.  received  a  good  common  school  education.  She  is  and  ha  sbeen 
through  life  an  extensive  and  careful  reader,  being  well  informed  on  all 
the  current  topics  of  the  time,  the  current  literature  of  the  day  as  well  as 
ancient  and  modern  history.  Since  her  husband's  death,  she  has  con- 
tinued his  business,  that  of  general  merchandising,  at  Eminence,  being 
now  in  partnership  with  her  son-in-law,  Mr.  John  R.  Mannan.  She  is 
a  consistent  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Chui'ch,  and  has  been 
blessed  with  a  family  of  three  children,  two  of  whom,  both  daughters, 
are  yet  living. 

LEVI  OGLES,  farmer  and  stock-raiser,  was  born  in  Adams  Town 
ship,  Morgan  County,  Ind.,  June  17,  1843,  and  is  the  youngest  of  the 
ten  children  born  to  James  and  Hannah  (Salliers)  Ogles,  the  former  of 
whom  was  a  native  of  Tennessee,  and  the  latter  of  the  Old  Dominion. 
They  were  of  German  and  English  descent  respectively.  James  Ogles 
was  educated  and  first  married  in  his  native  State,  removing  from  thence 
to  Washington  County,  Va.,  where  he  lost  his  wife,  and  was  again  mar- 
ried to  the  mother  of  our  subject.  In  1829,  he  came  to  Adams  Township, 
Morgan  County,  Ind.,  entered  eighty  acres  of  land  and  improved  the 
farm  upon  which  he  resided  until  his  death,  which  occurred  in  February, 
1865,  in  his  seventy-fifth  year.  To  his  first  purchase  he  added  until  he 
was  the  owner  of  some  280  acres.  In  politics,  he  was  a  Whig,  until 
1856,  after  which  he  was  identified  with  the  Republican  party.  Mrs." 
Hannah  Ogles  is  yet  living,  and  resides  with  her  son  Ira,  in  Adams 
Township,  being  now  in  her  eighty-fourth  year.  Levi  Ogles,  the  sub- 
ject of  our  sketch,  received  only  a  limited  common  school  education,  and 


310  BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES: 

« 
was  employed  on  the  home  farm  until  he  attained  his  majority,  when  his 
father  deeded  him  a  farm  of  eighty  acres,  near  the  old  homestead,  to 
which  he  has  added  aoother  eighty,  and  upon  which  he  still  resides.  In 
addition  to  farming,  Mr.  Ogles  is  also  quite  extensively  engaged  in  stock- 
raising,  and  gives  special  attention  to  the  breeding  of  Norman  horses. 
He  was  married,  May  -4,  1865,  to  Miss  Margaret  E.  Summers,  a  native  of 
Jefferson  County,  Ky.  Five  sons  have  blessed  their  union,  viz.:  George 
W.,  James  G.,  John  L.,  Orlando  E.  and  Orie  D.  In  politics,  Mr.  Ogles 
is  a  Democrat. 

MARTIN  PARKER,  merchant,  was  born  in  Adams  Township,  Mor- 
gan County,  Ind.,  October  3,  1834;  is  the  eldest  of  ten  children  born  to 
William  H.  and  Barthenia  P.  (Dobbs)  Parker,  the  former  a  native  of 
East  Tennessee,  and  the  latter  of  Kentucky.  They  were  of  English  and 
Scotch-Irish  descent  respectively.  William  H.  Parker  emigrated  with 
his  parents  from  Tennessee  to  Putnam  County,  Ind.,  when  only  ^fourteen 
years  old,  in  1827.  From  thence  they  came,  after  about  one  year,  to 
what  is  now  Adams  Township,  ^Morgan  County,  Ind.  Here  the 
father  of  William  H.  entered  eighty  acres  of  wild  land,  and  with  the  help 
of  his  son  and  only  heir  improved  a  farm.  This  place  William  H.  inher- 
ited at  his  father's  death,  and  to  it  he  added  until  he  was  the  owner  of 
a  well-improved  farm  of  some  400  acres.  In  this  county  he  was  also 
married.  In  1846  or  1847,  he  engaged  in  the  general  mercantile  trade, 
in  connection  with  farming,  and  continued  the  same  at  Mount  Washing- 
ton and  Eminence  for  some  twenty-five  or  twenty-six  years.  He  was  one 
of  the  Township  Trustees,  under  the  old  constitution,  for  several  terms, 
and  was  also  Postmaster.  He  was  one  of  the  men  who  helped  to  grub 
the  right  of  way  of  the  old  National  Plank  Road,  through  the  present  vil- 
lage of  Stilesville.  Himself  and  wife  were  members  of  the  Baptist  Church. 
His  death  occurred  in  September,  1875,  and  that  of  Mrs.  Parker  in  Sep- 
tember of  the  previous  year.  Martin  Parker,  the  subject,  received  an 
education  in  the  subscription  schools  of  the  Indiana  frontier.  He  re- 
mained on  the  home  farm  until  he  was  twenty  years  old.  He  then  took 
a  lease  of  twenty  acres,  which  he  cleared  and  upon  which  he  remained 
one  year.  After  this  he  moved  onto  a  partially  improved  farm  of  forty 
acres  belonging  to  his  wife,  where  he  remained  another  year.  He  then 
farmed  the  home  place  on  shares  for  one  year.  After  this  he  farmed  on 
shares  in  Putnam  County  for  four  years.  In  the  spring  of  1861,  he 
moved  onto  113  acres  of  wild  land  in  Adams  Township,  Morgan  County, 
Ind.  Here  he  improved  a  farm, which  he  still  owns,  and  here  he  resided 
until  the  fall  of  1878,  when  he  rented  the  farm  and  came  to  Eminence, 
where  he  owns  valuable  residence  property,  and  also  owns  the  best  two- 
story  brick  business  building  in  the  place,  in  which  he  intends  opening  a 
general  store  in  the  spring  of  1884.  Mr.  Parker  was  married,  May  21, 
1854,  to  Margaret  E.  Meek,  a  native  of  Morgan  County,  Ind.  Ten  chil- 
dren blessed  their  union,  of  whom  only  two  sons  are  now  living.  Mr. 
Parker  is  a  member  of  Eminence  Lodge,  No.  440,  A.,  F.  &  A.  M.  In 
politics,  he  is  a  member  of  the  Greenback  or  National  party,  and  is  one 
of  the  earliest  pioneers  of  the  township  and  county. 

NOAH  N.  PATRICK,  farmer  and  stock-dealer,  was  born  in  Putnam 
County,  Ind.,  October  25,  1835,  and  is  the  sixth  child  in  a  family  of 
eleven  children  born  to  Gabriel  and  Keziah  (Williams)  Patrick,  a  sketch 
of  whom  will  be  found  in  this  volume.  Our  subject  received  only  a  very 
limited  education,  but  by  his  own  exertions,  since  he  became  a  man,  has 


ADAMS    TOWNSHIP.  311 

acquired  a  fair  business  education.  He  was  employed  on  his  father's 
farm  until  he  was  twenty  years  old,  after  which  he  farmed  a  part  of  the 
home  place  on  shares  for  some  seven  years.  In  September,  18G2,  he 
enlisted  in  Company  B,  Fifty-ninth  Indiana  Volunteer  Infantry,  and 
served  with  that  regiment  until  the  close  of  the  war,  being  mustered  out 
at  WashingtoQ,  D.  C,  in  June,  1865.  Ho  participated  with  his  regiment 
in  the  battles  of  Corinth,  Missionary  Ridge,  Resaca,  the  Atlanta  cam- 
paign and  Sherman's' march  to  the  sea,  and  many  other  lesser  engage- 
ments. After  his  return  from  the  army,  he  was  employed  in  agricultural 
pursuits  and  the  stock  trade  in  Morgan  County  for  several  years.  He 
was  then  employed  as  a  salesman  in  a  general  store  at  Eminence  for 
some  two  years,  after  which  he  returned  to  his  farm  in  Adams  Township, 
Fame  county,  remaining  until  the  spring  of  1884.  when  he  sold  the  farm 
and  came  to  Eminence,  where  he  now  lives.  He  has  been  for  the  past 
five  or  six  years  Assessor  of  Adams  Township.  He  was  married,  Decem- 
ber 6,  1855,  to  Pheba  A.  AUee,  a  native  of  what  is  now  Mill  Creek  Town- 
ship, Putnam  Co. ,  Ind.  Three  children,  two  sons  and  one  daughter, 
were  the  fruit  of  this  union.  Mr.  Patrick  and  wife  are  members  of  the 
Baptist  Church.  He  is  also  a  member  of  Eminence  Lodge,  No.  440,  A., 
F.  &  A.  M.,  in  which  lodge  he  has  tilled  every  station  and  is  a  Past 
Master.  He  is  also  a  member  of  Gosport  Chapter,  R.  A.  M.  tn  politics, 
he  is  a  Democrat. 

ENOCH  A.  PATRICK,  carpenter,  was  born  in  Putnam  County,  Ind., 
August  14,  1837,  and  is  the  seventh  child  in  a  family  of  eleven  children 
born  to  Gabriel  and  Keziah  (Williams)  Patrick,  the  former  of  whom  was 
a  native  of  Virginia,  and  the  latter  of  Bath  County,  Ky.  They  were  of 
English  and  Irish  descent,  respectively.  Gabriel  Patrick  received  a  good 
common  school  and  academic  education  in  Bath  County,  Ky.,  where  he 
married,  and  soon  afterward,  in  1826,  removed  to  Putnam  County,  Ind., 
where  he  had  the  year  before  entered  forty  acres  of  wild  land  near 
Greencastle,  erected  a  rude  log  cabin,  and  improved  a  farm.  To  this  he 
afterward  added  forty  acres,  and  erected  one  of  the  first  brick  dwellings 
in  Putnam  County.  In  1837,  he  sold  this  farm  and  bought  another  of 
160  acres,  in  the  southeast  part  of  the  same  county,  where  he  resided 
until  1847.  He  then  came  to  Adams  Township,  Morgan  Co.,  Ind.,  and 
bought  a  farm  of  211  acres,  upon  which  he  resided  until  his  death,  which 
occurred  in  May,  1864,  in  his  sixtieth  year.  Mr.  Patrick  was  also  a 
veteran  teacher,  having  taught  for  more  tban  twenty  consecutive  winters. 
He  and  wife  were  members  of  the  Baptist  Church.  Enoch  A.  Patrick, 
the  subject,  received  a  limited  common  school  education.  At  the  age  of 
eighteen,  he  went  to  learn  the  carpenter's  trade,  which,  after  serving  an 
apprenticeship  of  one  year,  he  followed  for  another  year.  He  then  en- 
gaged in  agricultural  pursuits  for  about  six  years,  when  he  resumed  the 
carpenter's  trade.  In  1873,  he  was  employed  as  a  salesman  in  a  general 
store  at  Eminence.  After  about  one  year,  he  bought  an  interest  in  the 
store,  continuing  therein  until  in  January,  1881,  when  he  sold  out,  and 
was  engaged  in  the  saw  mill  business  for  two  years.  He  then  resumed 
the  carpenter's  trade,  and  is  still  so  employed.  In  March,  1876,  he  lost 
both  his  store  and  dwelling  house  by  fire,  sustaining  a  loss  of  $3,000.  In 
1878,  he  erected  a  two  story  brick  store  building  at  Eminence,  which  he 
still  owns.  He  was  married,  January  8,  1857,  to  Elizabeth  A.  Leonard, 
a  native  of  Putnam  County,  Ind.  Eleven  children  have  been  born  to 
them,  only  five  of  whom,  three  sons  and  two  daughters,  are  now  living. 


312  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

Mr.  Patrick  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Baptist  Church.  He  is  also  a 
member  of  Eminence  Lodge,  No.  440,  A.,  F.  &  A.  M.,  in  which  lodge  he 
was  the  first  man  raised,  and  of  which  lodge  he  is  a  Past  Master.  He  is 
also  a  member  of  Gosport  Chapter,  R.  A.  M.  In  politics,  he  is  a  Dem- 
ocrat, and  is  one  of  the  old  and  representative  citizens  of  the  township 
and  county. 

WILLIAM  A.  POTTORFF,  M.  D.,  druggist,  was  born  in  Jefierson 
County,  Ky.,  August  20,  1839,  and  is  a  son  of  Simeon  and  Eliza  A. 
(McKewen)  Pottorfif,  both  natives  of  Jeflferson  County,  Ky.  The  former 
was  of  German  and  the  latter  of  Irish  descent.  Simeon  Pottorff  was 
educated  and  married  in  his  native  State,  where  in  early  life  he  was 
employed  at  the  carding  business  in  a  woolen  factory,  at  Jefferson, 
Ky. ;  afterward  he  engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits,  and  continued  the 
same  until  the  spring  of  1877,  when  he  came  to  Eminence,  Morgan 
County  Ind.,  and  made  his  home  with  his  son,  our  subject,  until  his 
death,  which  occurred  March  23,  1878,  in  his  eightieth  year.  Both  him- 
self and  wife  were  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  he  hav- 
ing been  a  member  for  more  than  seventy  years.  William  A.  Pottorff, 
the  subject,  received  a  good  common  school  education  in  his  native 
State,  and  was  employed  on  his  father's  farm  until  he  was  twenty-one 
years  old.  He  then  went  to  Southern  Kentucky,  where  he  was  engaged 
in  teaching  for  two  years,  and  afterward,  for  a  short  time,  was  employed 
as  salesman  in  a  general  store.  In  the  spring  of  1864,  he  commenced  the 
study  of  medicine,  in  Jefferson,  Ky.,  with  Dr.  M.  L.  Cooper,  and  gradu- 
ated from  the  Medical  Department  of  the  Louisville  University  in  the 
spring  of  1867.  He  then  commenced  the  practice  of  his  profession  in 
his  native  county,  where  he  remained  some  three  years.  In  January, 
1871,  he  came  to  Eminence,  Morgan  County,  Ind.,  where  he  has  since 
practiced  his  profession  with  excellent  success.  In  June,  1883,  he 
bought  a  drug  store  at  Eminence,  and  is  now  conducting  that  business  in 
connection  with  his  profession.  The  Doctor  was  married,  February  15, 
1870,  to  Mary  E.  Butler,  a  native  of  Louisville,  Ky.  Four  children,  two 
sons  and  two  daughters,  have  blessed  this  union,  all  of  whom  are  yet 
living.  Both  himself  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church.  The  Doctor  is  also  a  member  of  Eminence  Lodge,  No.  440,  A., 
F.  &  A.  M.  In  politics,  he  is  a  Democrat,  aiid  is  one  of  the  leading  and 
prominent  citizens  of  the  township  and  county. 

DANIEL  PRUITT,  farmer,  brick-maker  and  brick-layer,  was  born 
in  Oldham  County,  Ky.,  December  3,  1823,  and  is  the  third  child  in  a 
family  of  eleven  children  born  to  Eli  and  Nancy  (Williams)  Pruitt,  the 
former  of  whom  was  a  native  of  North  Carolina  and  the  latter  of  Wash- 
ington County,  Ky.  They  were  of  German  and  English  decent  respect- 
ively. When  but  a  lad  of  some  four  summers,  in  1795,  Eli  Pruitt  emi- 
grated with  his  parents  from  North  Carolina  to  Kentucky,  which  was 
then  almost  an  unbroken  wilderness.  They  settled  near  the  present  site 
of  Lexington,  where  his  father.  Bright  Pruitt,  bought  some  600  acres 
of  military  lands,  which  he  lost  in  consequence  of  a  defective  title. 
Afterward  he  entered  400  acres  in  what  is  now  Oldham  County,  Ky. , 
where  still  later  he  built  and  operated  a  distillery  until  1830,  when  he 
came  to  Gregg  Township,  Morgan  Co.,  Ind.,  where  he  resided  until  his 
death.  Young  Eli  received  a  very  fair  education  at  the  rude  log  school- 
houses  of  the  Kentucky  frontier,  and  learned  the  cooper's  trade  with  his 
father,  which  he  followed  for  a  number  of  years.     At  the  age  of  twenty- 


ADAMS    TOWNSHIP.  313- 

seven  he  was  married,  soon  after  which  he  bought  a  farm  in  Oldham 
County,  Ky.,  and  was  engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits  in  connection 
with  his  trade  until  the  fall  of  1835,  when  he  came  with  his  family  to 
Adams  Township,  Morgan  County,  Ind. ,  entered  and  bought  743 
acres  of  wild  land,  and  improved  a  farm  upon  which  he  resided 
until  his  death,  which  occurred  March  28,  1868,  in  his  seventy- seventh 
year.  He  was  an  enrolling  officer  in  Kentucky  during  the  war  of  1812, 
and  Township  Trustee  for  one  term  after  he  came  to  Indiana.  Himself 
and  wife  were  members  of  the  Christian  Church.  In  politics,  he  was 
identified  with  the  Democratic  party,  and  was  one  of  the  pioneers  of 
Morgan  County.  Daniel  Pruitt,  the  subject,  received  a  fair  common  school 
education,  and  was  employed  on  the  home  farm  until  he  was  twenty-one 
years  old.  He  then  went  to  Mooresville,  where  he  remained  one  year, 
and  learned  the  brick-making  and  brick-mason's  trades,  which  he  fol- 
lowed in  connection  with  farming  for  some  thirty-five  years.  In  1846, 
his  father  deeded  him  forty  acres  of  wild  land  in  Adams  Township,  Morgan 
Co.,  Ind.,  to  which  he  added,  now  owning  a  well- improved  farm  of  113 
acres,  upon  which  he  resides.  He  was  married,  December  29,  1846,  to 
Elizabeth  Arnold,  a  native  of  Harrison  Couaty,  Ind.,  and  a  daughter  of 
Richard  and  Lovina  (Potts)  Arnold,  who  were  among  the  early  settlers 
of  Morgan  County.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Pruitt  have  been  born  eleven 
children,  ten  of  whom,  four  sons  and  six  daughters,  are  yet  living. 
Both  himself  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Christian  Church.  In  politics, 
he  is  a  stanch  Democrat. 

REV.  ELI  PRUITT,  farmer  and  stock- raiser,  is  the  eldest  son  of  James 
and  Polly  (Wilhite)  Pruitt,  natives  respectively  of  South  Carolina  and  Vir- 
ginia. James  Pruitt  was  a  soldier  of  the  war  of  1812,  and  was  in  the 
battle  of  New  Orleans.  He  moved  to  Kentucky,  there  married,  and  farmed 
until  1832-33,  when  he  came  to  this  county,  and  located  on  land  he  had 
previously  entered.  He  built  a  cabin,  but  lost  his  health  the  first  year, 
and  died  with  consumption  in  1846,  upward  pf  sixty  years  old.  He  was 
possessor  of  nearly  1.000  acres,  was  a  Democrat  and  an  upright  citizen. 
Mrs.  Pruitt  afterward  lived  with  our  subject  until  her  decease  in  1866, 
being  sixty-six  years  old.  Eli  Pruitt  was  born  in  Oldham  Couaty,  Ky. , 
August  19,  1820,  was  reared  to  honest  farm  toil,  and  is  largely  self-edu- 
cated. When  he  was  twenty-two  years  old,  he  located  where  he  now  re- 
sides, having,  however,  previously  entered  forty  acres  adjoining,  and 
beginning  with  but  a  horse  and  a  cow,  his  outfit  being  of  the  most  primi- 
tive kind.  Being  an  expert  with  the  ax,  he  soon  accumulated,  by  industry 
and  care,  a  farm  consisting  of  200  acres.  September  29,  1842,  he  mar- 
ried Miss  Barbara  M.  Kivett,  a  native  of  North  Carolina,  by  which  union 
were  produced  two  sons  and  four  daughters,  of  whom  are  living  John 
M.,  Belinda  A.,  Paulina  J.  and  Sarah  M.  Mr.  Pruitt  has  been  a  leader 
in  society,  and  is  a  licensed  minister  of  the  Christian  Church;  he  has 
held  several  large  revivals,  made  many  ba])tisoQs  and  solemnized  a  num- 
ber of  marriages.  His  conduct  proves  his  professions,  and  he  is  greatly 
esteemed. 

JOSEPH  W.  RHEA,  farmer  and  attorney,  was  born  in  Washington 
County,  Va.,  December  28,  1825.  and  is  one  of  ten  children  born  to 
George  G.  and  Dorcas  (Lowrey)  Rhea,  a  sketch  of  whom  will  be  found 
elsewhere  in  this  volume.  Joseph  W.  Rhea,  the  subject  of  our  sketch, 
received  a  good  common  school  education  in  youth,  and  was  employed  on 
his  father's  farm  until  he  was  seventeen  years  old.     He  then  attended  an 


314  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES: 

academy  in  Washington  County,  Va.,  for  three  years,  after  which  he 
taught  in  Virginia  for  six  months.  In  the  fall  of  1847,  he  removed  to 
Jefferson  County,  Ky.,  where  he  taught  continuously  for  five  years,  near 
Louisville.  In  the  fall  of  1852,  he  came  to  Adams  Township,  Morgan 
County,  Ind.,  where  he  built  the  first  dwelling  house  on  the  site  of  the 
present  village  of  Eminence,  which  was  laid  out  the  following  year. 
Here  he  was  engaged  in  general  merchandising  for  two  years,  when  he 
sold  the  store  and  went  to  East  Tennessee  to  visit  his  father,  whom  he 
brought  with  him  on  his  return  to  this  township  and  county.  In  the 
spring  of  1855,  he  moved  onto  a  partially  improved  farm  of  ninety-five 
acres,  one-half  mile  north  of  Eminence,  where  he  has  since  resided.  To 
this  farm  he  has  added  till  he  now  owns  some  500  acres.  Soon  after  he 
came  to  Adams  Township,  he  was  elected  Justice  of  the  Peace,  which 
office  he  held  continuously  for  thirteen  years.  He  purchased  a  law  li- 
brary and  commenced  the  study  of  law,  which  profession  he  has  practiced 
since  with  excellent  success.  He  was  regularly  admitted  to  the  bar  in 
1874.  He  also  taught  school  nearly  every  winter  from  1855  to  1879. 
He  was  first  married  in  March,  1852,  to  Sirrintha  A.  Odair,  a  native  of 
Jefferson  County,  Ky.  To  this  union  were  born  three  children,  two  sons 
and  one  danghtert  Mrs.  Rhea  died  in  May,  1864.  She  was  a  member 
of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  Mr.  Rhea  was  next  married  in 
December,  18G4,  to  Elizabeth  Shoemaker,  a  native  of  this  township  and 
county.  Two  children — one  son  and  one  daughter — blessed  their  union. 
In  politics,  Mr.  Hhea  is  a  Democrat.  In  1872,  he  was  a  candidate  for 
the  Lower  House  of  the  State  Legislature.  Mr.  Rhea  is  one  of  the  pioneers 
and  prominent  citizens  of  the  county.  The  grandsire  of  our  subject  was 
one  of  several  brothers,  who  emigrated  from  Ireland  to  the  United  States, 
all  of  whom  then  spelled  their  names  Ray,  but  he,  our  subject's  grand- 
father, became  acquainted  with  a  certain  school  teacher,  who  advised  him 
to  change  the  spelling  of  the  name  to  Rhea,  which  he  did,  and  so  his 
descendants  have  spelled  it  ever  since;  but  the  other  brothers  and  their 
descendants  still  spell  the  name  Ray. 

JOHN  L.  RHEA,  farmer  and  stock-dealer,  was  born  in  Washington 
County,  Va.,  February  15.  1837,  and  is  the  sixth  in  a  family  of  ten  chil- 
dren born  to  George  G.  and  Dorcas  (Lowrey)  Rhea.  Our  subject  re- 
ceived a  fair  English  education  at  the  common  and  high  schools  of 
Tennessee  and  Indiana.  He  was  employed  on  his  father's  farm  until 
eighteen  years  of  age,  when  he  went  to  learn  the  carpenter's  trade,  and 
followed  the  same  until  the  breaking-out  of  the  late  civil  war.  In  Oc- 
tober, 1861,  he  enlisted  in  Company  B,  Fifty-ninth  Indiana  Volunteer 
Infantry,  and  served  with  that  regiment  in  all  its  marches  and  engage- 
ments until,  in  March,  1865,  when  he  was  discharged  at  Indianapolis, 
his  term  of  service  having  expired.  He  participated  in  the  capture  of 
Island  No.  10,  the  siege  and  battle  of  Corinth,  the  battles  of  the 
Jackson  and  Vioksburg  campaign,  Missionary  Ridge  and  many  other 
lesser  engagements.  After  his  return  from  the  army,  he  followed  his 
trade  for  some  five  or  six  years.  He  then  bought  a  farm  of  140  acres, 
adjoining  Eminence  on  tbe  east,  where  he  was  engaged  in  farming  and 
the  stock  trade  until  1871.  He  then  sold  this  farm  and  bought  another 
of  160  acres,  in  same  township,  one  mile  west  of  Eminence,  where  he  is 
still  engaged  in  the  same  business.  He  was  first  married  in  1861,  to 
Miss  Nancy  Walters,  a  native  of  Morgan  County,  Ind.  Two  children 
were  the  fruit  of  this  union,  only  one  of  whom,  viz.,  Hattie  L.,  is  now 


ADAMS  TOWNSHIP.  315 

living.  Mrs.  Nancy  died  November  3,  1865.  She  was  a  member  of  the 
Baptist  Church.  Mr.  Rhea  was  next  married,  December  17,  1869,  to 
Miss  Nancy  J.  Mugg,  a  native  of  Owen  County,  Ind.  Three  children — 
one  son  and  two  daughters — have  blessed  their  union.  Both  Mr.  Rhea 
and  wife  are  members  of  the  church,  he  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  and 
she  of  the  Baptist.  He  is  also  a  member  of  Eminence  Lodge,  No.  440, 
A.,  F.  &  A.  M.,  of  which  lodge  he  is  a  charter  member,  and  was  its  first 
Master.      In  politics,  he  is  a  stanch  Republican. 

WILLIAM  C.  RHEA,  attorney,  was  born  in  Washington  County, 
Va. ,  September  24,  1845,  and  is  a  son  of  George  G.  and  Dorcas  (Low- 
rev)  Rhea,  both  natives  of  the  "  Old  Dominion. "  They  wei*e  of  Irish 
and  Scotch-Irish  descent  respectively.  George  G.  Rbea  removed  to  Jef- 
ferson County,  East  Tenn.,  in  1848,  where  he  purchased  a  farm  and  re- 
sided until  1854.  He  came  to  Adams  Township,  Morgan  County,  Ind., 
where  he  bought  a  farm  upon  which  he  resided  until  his  death,  which  oc- 
curred March  29,  1864.  He  and  wife  were  members  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church.  Although  reared  in  a  slave  State,  Mr.  Rhea  was  from 
his  youth  an  Abolitionist  and  an  ardent  advocate  of  the  cause  of  liberty. 
William  C.  Rhea,  the  subject,  received  a  fair  education  at  the  common 
schools,  and  also  attended  Asbury  University  for  one  year.  After  this, 
he  taught  in  this  (Morgan)  and  Johnson  Counties  for  some  twelve  years 
during  the  fall  and  winter.  During  this  time,  he  also  commenced  the 
study  of  law.  In  1874,  he  engaged  in  general  merchandising  at  Emi- 
nance,  Morgan  Co.,  Ind.,  and  also  practiced  his  profession.  In  Febru- 
ary, 1883,  he  sold  out  his  store,  and  has  since  been  exclusively  engaged 
in  the  practice  of  his  profession.  He  was  Justice  of  the  Peace  in  Adams 
Township  from  1878  to  1882.  In  September,  1862,  he  enlisted  in  Com- 
pany D,  Seventieth  Indiana  Volunteer  Infantry,  first  commanded  by 
Gen.  Benjamin  Harrison.  He  served  with  his  regiment  in  all  engage- 
ments until  the  close  of  the  war,  being  mustered  out  with  his  regiment 
at  Washington,  D.  C,  in  May,  1865.  He  was  married,  June  15,  1875, 
to  Frances  A.  Watson,  a  native  of  Morgan  County,  Ind.  Two  daughters 
have  blessed  this  union,  viz.,  Elma  M.  and  Mary  Y.  Mr.  Rhea  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Methodist  Episcopal,  and  Mrs.  Rhea  of  the  Baptist  Church. 
He  is  also  a  member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity.  In  politics,  he  is  a  Dem- 
ocrat, and  is  one  of  the  old  and  prominent  citizens  of  the  township  and 
county. 

JOSEPH  C.  RHEA,  Postmaster  and  merchant,  was  born  in  Wash- 
ington County,  Va.,  May  6,  1838,  and  is  the  fourth  child  in  a  family  of 
ten  children  born  to  Robert  H.  and  Frances  G.  (Dungan)  Rhea,  both  na- 
tives of  the  "Old  Dominion,"  and  of  Irish  descent.  Robert  H.  Rhea 
was  educated  and  married  in  his  native  State,  where  in  early  life  he 
learned  the  millwright's  trade,  which  he  followed  in  connection  with  ag- 
ricultural pursuits  all  his  life.  He  owned  a  farm  in  both  Washington 
and  Smith  Counties,  Va.,  and  at  one  time  was  the  owner  of  three  flour- 
ing mills.  His  death  occurred  in  Washington  County,  Va.,  June  27, 
1855,  in  his  fifty-fifth  year.  He  was  for  many  years  Adjutant  General 
of  the  Virginia  militia,  and  he  and  wife  were  life-long  members  of  the 
Methodist  Church.  Joseph  C.  Rhea,  the  subject,  received  an  excellent  com- 
mon school  and  academic  education  in  youth,  and  also  attended  Emory  and 
Henry  College,  of  Washington  County,  Va. ,  for  a  time.  At  the  age  of 
sixteen,  he  commenced  teaching,  and  taught  three  years  in  his  native 
State.     In  the  spring  of  1861,  he  fled,  a  refugee,  from  Virginia  to  Emi- 

20 


316  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES: 

nence,  Morgan  Co.,  Ind.,  where  he  taught  for  one  term,  and  then,  Octo- 
ber 18,  1861,  he  enlisted  in  Company  B,  Fifty-ninth  Indiana  Volunteer 
Infantry,  and  served  with  that  regiment  in  all  its  marches  and  engage- 
ments until  September,  1862,  when  he  was  discharged  on  account  of  dis- 
ability. He  was  First  Sergeant  of  his  company  for  a  time,  and  was  after- 
ward company  Clerk.  In  August,  1863,  here-enlisted  in  Company  D,  One 
Hundred  and  Seventeenth  Indiana  Volunteer  Infantry,  and  served  with 
that  regiment  in  all  its  marches  and  engagements  until  March  25,  1864, 
when  he  was  mustered  out  at  Indianapolis.  In  this  company  he  also  served 
as  First  or  Orderly  Sergeant.  After  his  return  from  the  army,  he  again 
engaged  in  teaching,  and  taught  for  seventeen  winters,  being  employed 
at  the  carpenter's  trade  in  the  summer  season.  In  March,  1883,  he  en- 
gaged in  the  general  mercantile  trade  at  Eminence,  and  is  still  so  en- 
gaged. At  the  same  time,  March,  1883,  he  was  appointed  Postmaster  at 
Eminence,  and  is  now  holding  that  office.  From  1874  to  1876  inclusive, 
he  served  as  Commissioner  of  Morgan  County,  Ind.  He  was  married, 
September  21,  1865,  to  Margaret  A.  Ogles,  a  native  of  Adams  Township, 
Morgan  County,  Ind.  Mr.  Rhea  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episco- 
pal, and  Mrs.  Ehea  of  the  Baptist  Church.  He  is  also  a  member  of  Em- 
inence Lodge,  No.  440,  A.,  F.  &  A.M.,  and  of  Eminence  Lodge,  No.  317, 
I.  O.  O.  F.  In  the  latter  order,  he  has  passed  all  the  chairs,  and  is  now 
D.  D.  G.  M.  In  politics,  he  is  a  stanch  Republican,  and  is  one  of  the 
leading  and  prominent  citizens  of  the  township  and  county. 

JAMES  H.  RHEA,  carpenter,  was  born  in  Smith  County,  Va.,  No- 
vember 23,  1842,  and  is  the  sixth  child  in  a  family  of  ten  children  born 
to  Robert  H.  and  Frances  G.  (Dungan)  Rhea.  He  received  only  a  very 
limited  education  in  yoiath,  but  has  since  by  his  own  exertions  acquired 
a  fair  practical  business  education.  In  June,  1861,  he  enlisted  in  Com- 
pany H,  Thirty -seventh  Virginia  Volunteer  Infantry,  the  regiment  being 
assigned  to  Gen.  R.  E.  Lee's  army  of  North  Virginia,  and  to  the  com- 
mand of  the  famous  Gen.  "  Stonewall"  Jackson,  until  the  latter's  death. 
He  served  with  his  regiment  in  all  its  marches  and  engagements  until 
the  battle  of  Spottsylvania  C.  H.,  May  12,  1864,  when  he  was  taken 
prisoner  and  confined  at  Fort  Delaware  until  March  22,  1865,  when, 
through  the  influence  of  friends  and  the  recommendation  of  Gov.  Mor- 
ton, he  was  released.  He  participated  in  the  battles  of  Petersbui'g,  Fred- 
ericksburg, the  Wildnerness,  Spottsylvania,  and  many  other  engagements. 
After  being  released  from  Fort  Delaware,  he  came  to  Eminence,  Morgan 
Co.,  Ind.,  where  he  immediately  learned  the  carpenter's  trade,  and  has 
followed  the  same  ever  since.  He  landed  at  Eminence  with  only  $2  in 
money,  and  no  property  of  any  description,  but  by  industry  and  economy 
has  since  amassed  a  handsome  property.  He  was  married,  September  9. 
1866,  to  Miss  Sarah  J.  Sligar,  a  native  of  Owen  County,  Ind.  Six  chil- 
dren blessed  their  union,  five  of  whom,  four  sons  and  one  daughter,  are 
yet  living.  Both  Mr.  Rhea  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church.  He  is  also  a  member  of  Eminence  Lodge,  No.  317, 
I.  O.  O.  F.,  in  which  lodge  he  has  passed  all  the  chairs,  and  is  now  a 
member  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  State.  In  politics,  he  is  a  Demo- 
crat, and  is  one  of  the  enterprising  mechanics  and  prominent  citizens  of 
the  township  and  county. 

JAMES  G.  RYAN,  farmer,  was  born  in  Mercer  County,  Ky.,  Octo- 
ber 11,  1836,  and  is  the  fifth  child  in  a  family  of  eight  children  born  to 
Patrick  D.  and  Permelia  A.  (Grayham)  Ryan,  the  former  a  native  of  the 


ADAMS  TOWNSHIP.  317 

"Old  Doninion,"  and  the  latter  of  Kentucky.  They  were  of  Irish  and 
English  descent  respectively.  Patrick  D.  Eyan  received  his  education 
in  his  native  State.  In  early  life,  he  removed  with  his  parents  to  Ken- 
tucky, where  he  was  afterward  married,  and  where  for  twenty  years  he 
followed  teaming,  from  Louisville  to  various  points  in  Kentucky,  Ten- 
nessee and  Virginia.  He  then  engaged  in  agricultural  pursuit?,  and  fol- 
lowed the  same  in  Oldham  and  Jefferson  Counties,  Ky.,  until  his  death, 
which  occurred  June  4,  1852.  James  G.  Ryan,  the  subject,  received  an 
ordinary  education  in  the  common  schools  of  Kentucky  and  Indiana. 
In  November,  1852,  the  family  came  to  A.dams  Township,  Morgan  Co., 
Ind. ,  where  they  rented  a  farm  and  engaged  in  agricultural  pui'suits. 
Our  subject  remained  at  home  until  he  was  nineteen  years  old,  after 
which  he  was  employed  as  a  laborer  on  a  farm  for  some  three  years.  In 
July,  1861,  he  enlisted  in  Company  B,  Twenty-tirst  Indiana  Volunteer 
Infantry,  afterward  known  as  the  First  Indiana  Heavy  Ai'tillery.  He 
served  with  that  regiment  in  all  its  marches  and  engagements  until 
April,  1862,  when  he  was  discharged  by  reason  of  disabilities  at  Ship 
Island.  October  23,  1863,  he  enlisted  in  Company  D,  One  Hundred  and 
Seventeenth  Indiana  Volunteer  Infantry,  recruited  for  the  six  months' 
service,  and  served  until  the  expiration  of  their  term  of  service,  being 
mustered  out  with  the  regiment  in  April,  1864.  October  25,  1864,  he 
again  enlisted  in  Company  H,  Twenty-ninth  Indiana  Volunteer  Infantry, 
and  served  with  that  regiment  in  all  its  marches  and  engagements  until 
the  close  of  the  war,  being  mustered  out  with  the  regiment  at  Dalton, 
Ga.,  June  23,  1865.  After  his  return  from  the  army  he  engaged  in  agri- 
cultural pursuits,  and  has  been  so  employed  ever  since  in  Adams  Town- 
ship, Morgan  County,  with  the  exception  of  two  years,  from  1867  to 
1869,  when  he  resided  in  Illinois.  For  the  past  three  or  four  years,  he 
has  been  employed  part  of  the  time  at  blacksmithing.  He  was  married, 
July  17,  1859,  to  Marticia  Surber,  a  native  of  Adams  Township,  Morgan 
Co.,  Ind.  One  daughter  has  blessed  their  union — Luena  G.  In  politics, 
he  is  a  Republican. 

WILLIAM  A.  RYAN,  farmer  and  stock-raiser,  was  born  in  Campbell 
County,  Tenn.,  September  26,  1825,  and  is  the  second  child  in  a  family 
of  six  children  born  to  John  and  Elizabeth  (Dag  ley)  Ryan,  both  of  whom 
were  natives  of  Tennessee,  and  were  of  Irish  and  Holland  descent  re- 
spectively. John  Ryan  was  educated  and  married  in  his  native  Tennes- 
see, where  he  was  for  many  years  engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits.  In 
the  spring  of  1833,  he  sold  the  farm  in  Tennessee,  and,  with  his  wife 
and  family,  started  for  Indiana,  but  died  on  the  way  at  New  Albany, 
where  he  was  buried,  and  where  he  had  resided  some  eighteen  months. 
He  was  a  member  of  no  church,  but  belonged  to  the  Masonic  fraternity. 
After  Mr.  Ryan's  death,  in  August,  1835,  the  family  removed  to  Owen 
County,  Ind.,  where  they  were  engaged  in  farming  for  some  four  or  live 
years.  They  then  came  to  Adams  Township,  Morgan  County,  Ind.  Here 
the  death  of  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Ryan  occurred  October  3,  1849,  in  her  forty- 
fifth  year.  From  early  life  she  was  a  devoted  and  consistent  member  of 
the  Missionary  Baptist  Church.  William  A.  Ryan,  the  subject  of  our 
sketch,  received  sucli  an  education  as  could  be  obtained  at  the  subscrip- 
tion schools  taught  in  the  primitive  log  schooihouses  of  the  Indiana 
frontier.  He  was  employed  at  home  with  his  moth  er  until  twenty-three 
years  old.  He  then  settled  on  a  partially  improv  ed  farm  in  Adamg 
Township,  Morgan  County,  w  hich   had  been  deeded  him  and  wife  by  his 


318  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

father-in-law.  He  also  entered  and  bought  wild  land  in  what  is  now 
Ashland  Township,  same  county,  which  he  improved  and  subsequently 
sold.  In  1870,  he  bought  a  partially  improved  farm  half  mile  north  of 
Eminence,  in  A.dams  Township,  Morgan  County,  upon  which  he  now  re- 
sides, which  is  one  of  the  best  improved  farms  in  the  township.  He 
continued  to  add  to  his  real  possessions  until  he  was  the  owner  of  some 
840  acres  of  well-improved  land,  a  part  of  which  he  has  since  deeded  to 
his  children.  He  was  married,  October  29,  1848,  to  Miss  Louisa  J. 
Walters,  a  native  of  Owen  County,  Ind.  Nine  children  blessed  their 
union,  eight  of  whom — four  sons  and  four  daughters — are  yet  living.  Mrs. 
Louisa  J.  Ryan  departed  this  life  October  22,  1883.  She  was  and  had 
been  from  childhood  a  devoted  and  consistent  member  of  the  Missionary 
Baptist  Church.  Mr.  Ryan  also  is  and  has  been  from  early  life  a  mem- 
ber of  the  same  church,  having  been  a  Deacon  in  the  same  for  many 
years.  He  is  also  a  member  of  Eminence  Lodge,  No.  317,  I.  O.  O.  F., 
in  which  lodge  he  has  passed  all  the  chairs,  being  a  member  of  the 
Grand  Lodge  of  the  State.  In  politics,  he  is  a  Republican,  and  is  one 
of  the  early  settlers,  prominent  farmers,  and  respected  citizens  of  the 
township  and  county. 

ADAM  R.  SHAKE,  farmer,  was  born  in  Jefferson  County,  Ky.,  April 
25,  1821,  and  is  the  youngest  in  a  family  of  five  children  born  to  George 
and  Cristiann  (Donaldson)  Shake,  natives  of  Jefferson  County,  Ky.,  and 
of  German  and  Scotch  descent  respectively.  George  Shake  was  educated 
and  married  in  his  native  State,  where  he  owned  a  small  farm,  and  was 
■engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits  until  the  fall  of  1835,  when  he  came 
with  his  family  to  Adams  Township,  Morgan  County,  Ind.  B!ere  he  en- 
tered and  bought  400  acres  of  wild  land  and  improved  a  farm,  upon 
which  he  resided  until  his  death,  which  occurred  in  1848,  in  his  iifty- 
sixth  year.  Mr.  S.  was  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church 
and  his  wife  of  the  Baptist  Church.  He  was  also  a  member  of  the  Ma- 
sonic fraternity.  Adam  R.  Shake,  the  subject,  received  only  a  limited 
common  school  education,  and  was  employed  on  his  father's  farm  until 
he  was  twenty-oue  years  old.  His  father  then  deeded  him  160  acres  of 
wild  land  adjoining  the  old  homestead,  which  he  improved  and  upon 
which  he  still  resides,  having  240  acres,  upon  which  is  the  best  sugar 
orchard  in  the  township.  Mr.  Shake  was  married,  January  7,  1841,  to 
Miss  Martha  B.  Whitaker,  a  native  of  Shelby  County,  Ky.  Nine  chil- 
dren blessed  their  union,  six  of  whom — two  sons  and  four  daughters — are 
yet  living.  Mr.  Shake  and  wife  are  devoted  members  of  the  Christian 
Church.  He  is  also  a  member  of  Eminence  Lodge,  No.  440,  A.,  F.  &  A. 
M.,  of  which  lodge  he  is  a  Past  Master.     In  politics,  he  is  a  Republican. 

LEONARD  B.  SHAW  (deceased  farmer  and  stock  dealer)  was 
born  in  Ohio,  June  18,  1832,  and  was  the  eldest  in  a  family  of 
eight  children  born  to  Upton  and  Susan  (Branam)  Shaw,  the  for- 
mer a  native  of  the  "Old  Dominion"  and  the  latter  of  Ohio,  and  of 
English  and  German  descent  respectively.  Upton  Shaw  received  his 
early  education  in  his  native  State.  When  only  a  lad,  he  removed  with 
his  parents  to  Ohio,  where  he  was  married.  In  about  1840,  he,  with  his 
wife  and  family,  went  to  Putnam  County,  Ind.,  where  he  bought  wild 
land  and  improved  a  farm,  upon  which  he  resided  until  his  death,  which 
occurred  in  1875.  Mrs.  Susan  Shaw  is  yet  living  and  resides  on  the  old 
homestead  in  Putnam  County.  She  is  and  has  been  from  early  life  a 
devoted  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.     Leonard  B.  Shaw, 


ADAMS  TOWNSHIP.  319 

the  subject,  received  a  fair  common  school  education  in  youth  in  Ohio 
and  Indiana.  When  but  a  small  boy,  his  parents  removed  to  Putnam 
County,  Ind.,  where  he  was  afterward  married,  and  where  he  was  en- 
gaged in  agricultural  pursuits  for  a  time.  After  this  he  resided  in  Mor- 
gan and  Hendricks  Counties,  Ind.,  and  in  Douglas  County,  111.,  for  a 
time,  where  he  was  employed  at  farming.  He  then  returned  to  Morgan 
County,  Ind,,  remaining  only  a  few  months.  He  then  moved  to  Stilesville, 
Hendricks  County,  where  he  was  engaged  in  the  milling  business  for 
some  three  years  and  afterward  at  farming  in  the  same  county,  In  the 
spring  of  1869,  he  came  to  Adams  Township,  Morgan  County,  where  he 
bought  a  partially  improved  farm  of  eighty  acres,  to  which  he  added 
until  he  became  the  owner  of  500  acres  of  well-improved  land,  upon 
which  he  resided  until  his  death,  which  occurred  August  26,  1880.  He 
was  Postmaster  at  Little  Point  for  some  two  or  three  years.  He  was 
married,  March  27,  1855,  to  Amanda  J.  Wallace,  a  native  of  Tennessee. 
Eight  children  blessed  their  union,  five  of  whom  are  still  living,  viz.: 
Mary  E.,  James  B.,  William  A.,  Elijah  U.  and  Amber  E.  Mrs.  Amanda 
J.  Shaw  still  resides  on  the  old  homestead,  and  with  her  three  of  the 
children,  viz.:  James  B.,  who  was  born  May  3,  1857;  Elijah  U.,  born 
August  8,  1861,  and  Amber  E.,  born  May  23,  1866.  James  B.  has 
recently  started  in  a  religious  life,  but  has  not  as  yet  identified  himself 
with  any  church.  He  is  also  a  member  of  Morgan  Lodge,  No.  211,  I.  O. 
O.  F.  William  A.  Shaw  was  born  December  16,  1858,  and  was  married 
January  5,  1882,  to  Miss  Mary  A.  Ryan,  a  native  of  Morgan  County,  Ind. ; 
one  son — an  infant  not  named — has  blessed  their  union.  Mrs.  Mary' 
A.  is  a  member  of  the  Baptist  Church,  and  Mr.  Shaw,  also,  has  recently 
started  in  the  Christian  life,  but  has  not  as  yet  identified  himself  with 
the  church.  The  Shaw  family  have  been  and  are  among  the  early  set- 
tlers and  prominent  citizens  of  Morgan  County.  In  politics,  they  are 
identified  with  the  Democratic  party. 

ELLISON  SLIGAR,  cabinet-maker  and  undertaker,  was  born  in 
Bullitt  County,  Ky.,  October  11,  1822,  and  is  the  youngest  of  ten  chil- 
dren born  to  David  and  Margaret  (Stafibrd)  Sligar,  both  of  whom  were 
natives  of  Pennsylvania,  and  of  German  and  Scotch  descent  respectively. 
David  Sligar  was  edacated  and  married  in  his  native  State.  In  about 
1797,  he  emigrated  to  Bullitt  County,  Ky.,  then  an  unbroken  wilderness. 
Himself  and  wife,  with  several  other  families,  came  down  the  Ohio  River 
in  flat-boats  from  Pittsburgh,  landing  at  the  present  site  of  Louisville,  Ky., 
which  then  contained  only  a  few  log  cabins.  He  proceeded  immediately 
to  Bullitt  County,  where  he  entered  263  acres  of  land,  which  he  was 
obliged  to  pay  for  twice  in  consequence  of  a  defective  title.  Here  he 
improved  a  farm,  upon  which  he  resided  until  his  death,  which  occurred 
January  4,  1832,  in  his  seventy-fifth  year.  Ellison  Sligar,  the  subject 
of  our  sketch,  received  such  an  education  as  could  be  obtained  at  the 
primitive  log  schoolhouses  of  the  Kentucky  frontier.  After  his  father's 
death,  he  resided  with  his  brother  Thomas  until  he  was  seventeen  years  old. 
He  then  went  to  learn  the  carpenter's  and  cabinet-maker's  trades,  serving 
an  apprenticeship  of  three  years,  and  has  followed  one  or  both  of  these 
trades  ever  since.  In  1843,  he  removed  to  Gosport,  Owen  County,  Ind., 
where  he  resided  two  years;  thence  to  Adams  Township,  Morgan  County, 
Ind.,  and  settled  near  the  present  site  of  Eminence,  where  he  still 
resides.  He  erected  the  first  two  buildings  in  the  village  of  Eminence. 
In  1851,  he  bought  wild  land  and  has  since  improved  the  farm  where  he 


320  BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES: 

now  lives,  and  for  the  last  twenty-five  years  has  been  engaged  in  agri- 
cultural pursuits  in  connection  with  his  trade.  He  was  for  a  time 
one  of  the  Trustees  of  Adams  Township  under  the  old  constitution. 
He  was  married  March  25,  1844,  to  Margaret  Gilliland,  a  native  of 
Pennsylvania,  and  a  daughter  of  Thomas  and  Margaret  (Stogdal)  Gilli- 
land, natives  of  Ireland,  who  emigrated  to  the  United  States  in  1793. 
They  were  lifelong  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  The 
former  died  in  1825,  in  his  sixty-sixth  year,  and  the  latter  in  1869,  in  her 
one  hundred  and  second  year.  To  our  subject  and  wife  have  been  born 
one  daughter,  viz. ,  Sarah  J.,  now  Mrs.  James  H.  Rhea.  Mr.  and  Mr's. 
Sligar  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  He  is  also  a 
member  of  Eminence  Lodge,  No.  440,  A.,  F.  &  A.  M.,  of  which  lodge  he 
has  been  Chaplain  for  some  ten  years.      In  politics,  he  is  a  Democrat. 

WILLIAM  H.  SMITH,  farmer,  and  Justice  of  the  Peace,  was  born  in 
Hendricks  County  Ind.,  March  22,  1843,  and  is  the  fifth  in  a  family 
of  nine  children  born  to  Hackney  and  Rebecca  T.  (Duty)  Smith,  natives . 
of  North  Carolina.  Our  subject  received  only  a  very  limited  education, 
but  by  his  own  exertions  since  he  attained  to  manhood's  estate,  has  ac- 
quired a  fair  practical  business  education.  He  is  an  extensive  reader, 
being  well  informed  in  general  history  and  the  current  literature  of  the 
times.  His  father  died  when  he  was  fourteen  years  old,  and  he  remained 
on  the  old  homestead  with  his  mother  until  he  was  seventeen,  after  which 
he  was  employed  as  a  laborer  on  a  farm  until  in  Augu.st,  1861.  He  then 
enlisted  in  Company  A,  Thirty-third  Indiana  Volunteer  Infantry,  and 
served  with  that  regiment  until  the  close  of  the  war,  being  mustered  out 
at  Louisville,  Ky.,  in  August,  1865.  He  was  twice  slightly  wounded. 
At  Thompson's  Station,  Tenn.,  March  5,  1863,  the  brigade  to  which  he 
belonged  was  captured,  but  after  about  one  month  was  exchanged.  He 
participated  in  the  battles  of  Resaca,  Dallas  Woods,  Culp's  Farm,  Ken- 
esaw  Mountain,  all  the  battles  of  the  Atlanta  campaign  and  the  march 
with  Sherman  to  the  sea.  After  his  return  from  the  army,  he  came  to 
Adams  Township,  Morgan  County,  Ind.,  where  he  has  ever  since  resided 
and  been  engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits.  He  bought  the  farm  where 
he  now  lives  in  1872.  He  is  now  serving  his  second  term  as  Justice  of 
the  Peace,  and  has  held  various  other  township  offices.  He  was  married, 
July  29,  1866,  to  Juliet  E.  Shake,  a  native  of  Morgan  County,  Ind. 
Seven  children  blessed  their  union,  six  of  whom,  two  sons  and  four 
daughters,  are  yet  living.  Mr.  Smith  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Chris- 
tian Church,  and  are  earnest  advocates  of  the  temperance  cause.  In  pol- 
itics, Mr.  Smith  is  a  Republican. 

ALFRED  M.  SMITH,  teacher,  was  born  in  Adams  Township,  Mor- 
gan County,  Ind.,  November  24,  1851,  and  is  a  son  of  Hackney  and 
Rebecca  T.  (Duty)  Smith,  both  natives  of  North  Carolina,  and  of  En- 
glish descent.  Hackney  Smith  was  educated  and  married  in  his  native 
State,  where  he  was  engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits  until  the  fall  of 
1838.  He  then  removed  with  his  wife  and  family  to  Hendricks  County, 
Ind.,  and  settled  near  Belleville,  where  he  farmed  on  shares  for  some  five 
years.  In  1843,  he  came  to  Adams  Township,  Morgan  County,  Ind., 
entered  a  tract  of  land  and  improved  a  farm,  upon  which  he  resided  un- 
til his  death,  which  occurred  in  1855.  Both  himself  and  wife  were 
members  of  the  Baptist  Church.  Alfred  M.  Smith,  the  subject,  received 
a'good  common  school  and  academic  education.  His  mother  died  in 
1860,  but  he  remained  on  the  home  farm  with  his  sister  until  1866,  after 


ADAMS  TOWNSHIP.  321 

which  he  made  his  home  with  Solomon  Dorsett  until  the  fall  of  1871. 
He  then  commenced  teaching,  and  has  taught  during  the  fall  and  winter 
ever  since,  being  employed  as  a  salesman  or  at  farming  in  the  summer. 
He  was  married,  in  December,  1874,  to  Nellie  J.  Ogles,  a  native  of  Mor- 
gan County,  Ind.  Three  children  blessed  their  union,  only  one  of  whom, 
Lena  F.,  is  now  living.  Mrs.  Smith  died  in  October,  1880.  She  was  a 
member  of  the  Baptist  Church,  of  which  church,  Mr.  Smith  is  also  a 
member.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  and  Odd  Fellows  fraternities. 
In  politics,  he  is  a  Democrat,  and  is  one  of  the  enterprising  and  respected 
citizens  of  the  township  and  county. 

JOSEPH  J.  SMITH,  farmer,  was  born  in  Chatham  County,  N.  C, 
April  8,  1818,  and  is  one  of  the  family  of  Jonathan  and  Martha  (Hack- 
neyj  Smith,  also  natives  of  North  Carolina.  The  grandparents  of  our 
subject  were  Quakers  and  natives  of  Pennsylvania,  who  soon  after  the 
Revolutionary  war  joined  a  Friends'  colony  in  North  Carolina.  Jona- 
than Smith  was  born  February  22,  1783,  was  reared  a  farmer  and  had  a 
good  education,  afterward  becoming  a  teacher.  He  was  also  a  Major  of 
cavalry  in  the  war  of  1812.  In  1837,  he  settled  near  Monrovia  in  this 
State,  soon  after  locating  on  the  farm  where  our  subject  now  resides. 
He  was  married  in  1807,  was  a  Baptist,  a  Whig,  and  died  October  24, 
1859,  his  wife  February  19,  1867,  aged  seventy-five.  Joseph  J.  Smith 
was  reared  by  his  parents,  received  a  fair  education,  and  worked  as  a  farm 
hand  for  several  years.  He  came  to  this  township  in  1840  and  took 
charge  of  the  homestead,  March  2,  1854,  he  married  Nancy  J.  Bray, 
by  which  marriage  he  became  the  parent  of  three  living  sons  and 
four  living  daughters.  Except  an  absence  of  four  years,  Mr.  Smith  has 
resided  where  he  now  is,  on  a  farm  of  80J  acres,  solely  acquired  by  him- 
self. He  raised  the  first  barn  in  the  township,  and  used  the  first  thresh- 
er and  the  first  separator  here  operated.  He  is  an  active  Republican, 
and  has  served  as  Justice  twenty- four  and  as  Constable  four  years.  He 
has  likewise  held  many  township  offices.  He  is  a  public-spirited  citizen, 
and  was  a  member  of  the  Central  Committee  from  1844  to  1874,  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Smith  are  members  of  the  Friends'  Society. 

ELI  AS  R.  SMITH,  farmer,  is  a  native  of  Chatham  County,  N.  C, 
was  born  June  7,  1834,  being  the  second  of  three  sons  born  to  George 
and  Celia  (Paschal)  Smith,  both  natives  of  North  Carolina,  and  respect- 
ively of  English  and  Scotch  descent.  George  Smith  was  a  soldier  of 
the  war  of  1812,  and  by  occupation  a  farmer.  His  father,  David  Smith, 
was  a  soldier  of  1776  and  a  Quaker.  George  Smith  was  Secretary  of  a 
Quaker  colony,  and  died  in  1857.  He  was  a  Whig  and  an  Abolitionist. 
His  wife  closed  her  life  in  1846,  a  consistent  Baptist.  Elias  R.  Smith 
was  reared  a  farmer,  obtained  but  little  education  except  what  is  self- 
acquired,  and  when  of  age  reached  out  for  himself.  He  took  charge  of 
his  father's  business  when  said  father  passed  away.  In  1858,  he  came 
to  this  county,  mainly  because  of  his  anti-slavery  predilections,  and 
farmed  on  rented  land.  In  1863,  he  located  where  he  has  since  resided, 
his  farm  now  embracing  138  acres  of  well-improved  land.  March  1, 
1863,  he  married  Mary,  daughter  of  John  and  Polly  McCollum,  a  union 
rich  in  the  birth  of  nine  children — Mary  E.,  John  E.,  William  L.,  Celia 
A.,  Minnie  B.,  Roxanna  P.,  Effie  J.,  Ellen  S.  and  Florence  L.  Mr. 
Smith  is  a  stanch  Republican,  a  member  of  the  great  order  of  Masonry 
and  a  Patron  of  Husbandry.  His  youngest  brother  was  a  soldier  of  the 
ebellion,  and  perished  in  the  service.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Smith  are  members 
of  the  Christian  Church. 


322  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

GEOKGE  T.  SUMMEES,  farmer,  was  born  in  Jefferson  County, 
Ky.,  July  27,  1843,  and  is  the  second  child  and  eldest  son  in  a  family  of 
nine  children  born  to  George  G.  and  Diana  (Gilliland)  Summers,  both 
of  whom  were  natives  of  Kentucky  and  of  Irish  descent.  George  G. 
Summers  was  educated  and  married  in  his  native  State,  where  he  was  en- 
gaged in  agricultural  pursuits  until  1852,  when  he  came  to  Adams  Town- 
ship, Morgan  County,  and  bought  200  acres  of  wild  land  and  improved 
a  farm.  In  1876,  he  left  the  old  home  farm,  which  he  afterward  divid- 
ed among  his  children,  and  removed  to  Eminence,  where  he  resided  un- 
til his  death,  which  occurred  December  24,  1883,  in  his  sixty-fourth  year. 
He  was  enlisted  and  mustered  for  the  war  with  Mexico,  but  was  dis- 
charged before  going  into  active  service.  He  was  educated  in  the  Cath- 
olic faith,  but  belonged  to  no  church.  For  many  years  he  was  a  member 
of  the  Masonic  fraternity.  George  T.  Summers,  the  subject,  received  a 
fair  common  school  education,  and  also  attended  commercial  college  at 
Indianapolis.  He  was  employed  on  his  father's  farm  until  he  was  twen- 
ty years  old.  In  October,  1863,  he  enlisted  in  Company  D,  One  Hun- 
dred and  Seventeenth  Indiana  Volunteer  Infantry,  recruited  for  the  six 
months'  service,  and  was  mustered  out  with  same  in  April,  1864.  After 
his  return  from  the  army,  he  engaged  in  the  live  stock  trade,  mainly 
horses  and  cattle,  for  a  number  of  years.  He  also  taught  for  three  win- 
ters, and  was  employed  for  a  time  as  a  salesman  in  a  notion  store  at  In- 
dianapolis, and  still  later  as  a  salesman  in  a  general  store  at  Eminence. 
He  is  at  present  engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits.  He  was  married,  Sep- 
tember 15,  1870,  to  Sarah  F.  Mosier,  a  native  of  Morgan  County,  Ind. 
To  this  union  were  born  three  sons,  all  of  whom  are  living.  Mrs.  S.  died 
in  April,  1881.  Mr.  Summers  was  next  married,  February  1,  1883,  to 
Mrs.  Elizabeth  E.  (Voshell)  Miller,  a  native  of  Morgan  County,  Ind. 
Mrs.  Summers  is  a  member  of  the  Baptist  Church.  In  politics,  Mr. 
Summers  is  a  Democrat,  and  is  one  of  the  early  settlers  and  enterprising 
citizens  of  the  township  and  county. 

JAMES  S.  SUMMEES,  farmer,  was  born  in  Jefferson  County,  Ky.. 
August  25,  1845,  and  is  the  third  in  a  family  of  nine  children  born  to 
George  G.  and  Diana  (Gilliland)  Summers,  whose  sketch  will  be  found 
above.  James  S.  Summers,  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  received  a  fair 
common  school  education.  He  was  employed  on  his  father's  farm  until 
he  was  of  age.  He  then  farmed  on  shares  for  several  years,  during 
which  time  he  bought  property  in  Eminence,  where  he  resided  three 
years.  In  1875,  he  removed  back  to  the  old  homestead  in  Adams  Town- 
ship, Morgan  County,  a  part  of  which  he  bought  and  upon  which  he  now 
resides.  He  was  married,  January  28,  1866,  to  Cynthia  A,  Sligar,  a 
native  of  Bullitt  County,  Ky. ,  and  a  daughter  of  Thomas  Sligar,  who 
was  also  a  native  of  Bullitt  County,  Ky.,  where  he  was  born  in  1803. 
He  now  lives  with  the  subject  of  our  sketch  and  is  in  his  eighty-first 
year.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Summers  have  been  born  six  children— three  sons 
and  three  daughters — all  of  whom  are  yet  living  and  take  a  great  interest 
in  music.     In  politics,  Mr.  Summers  is  a  Democrat. 

WILLIAM  E.  SUMMEES,  farmer,  was  born  in  Morgan  County,  Ind., 
August  1,  1852,  and  is  the  sixth  in  a  family  of  nine  children  born  to 
George  G.  and  Diana  (Gilliland)  Summers.  Our  subject  received  a 
very  fair  common  school  education  and  was  employed  on  his  father's 
farm  until  he  was  twenty-one  years  old.  He  then  continued  to  farm  the 
home  place  on  shares  for  several  years.      He  now  owns  a  part  of  the 


ADAMS  TOWNSHIP.  323 

home  farm,  near  Eminence,  to  which  he  has  added  other  land.  He  was 
married,  February  17,  1878,  to  Miss  Loda  A.  Skelton,  a  native  of  Audrain 
County,  Mo.,  and  a  daughter  of  Thomas  and  Rachel  (McCord)  Skelton, 
natives  of  Indiana  and  of  Scotch  and  English  descent  respectively.  To 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Summers  have  been  born  three  children,  viz.:  Nettie  M., 
Charles  G.,  and  an  infant  not  named.  Mr.  Summers  is  a  member  of 
Eminence  Lodge,  No.  440,  A.,  F.  &  A.  M.     In  politics,  he  is  a  Democrat. 

JOHN  H.  TWOMEY,  proprietor  sawmill,  and  a  lumber  dealer,  was 
born  in  New  Albany,  Ind.,  December  20,  1848,  and  is  a  son  of  Evan  E. 
and  Mary  E.  (McKinly)  Twomey,  Our  subject  received  a  good  C(jmmon 
school  and  academic  education,  and  at  the  age  of  seventeen  engaged  in 
the  saw  mill  business  in  company  with  his  father  and  others  at  New 
Albany,  Ind.,  remaining  some  two  years.  He  was  then  employed  in  the 
sheet  iron  works,  at  the  same  city.  In  March,  1868,  he  came  to  Ashland 
Township,  Morgan  Co.,  Ind.,  where  he  farmed  for  one  year,  and  then 
again  engaged  in  the  saw  mill  and  lumber  business  in  company  with  his 
father  and  brother  and  has  been  so  employed  ever  since.  In  the  fall  of 
1873,  they  moved  the  mill  to  Adams  Township,  same  county,  near  En^i- 
nence.  Mr.  Twomey  is  at  present  Constable  of  Adams  Township.  He 
has  been  twice  married,  first,  February  9,  1871,  to  Lydia  E.  Spain,  a 
native  of  Morgan  County,  Ind.  Mrs.  Lydia  E.  died  January  9,  1872. 
She  was  a  member  of  the  Christian  Church.  Mr.  Twomey  was  next 
married  October  21,  1878,  to  Mary  J.  Shake,  a  native  of  Adams  Town- 
ship, Morgan  Co.,  Ind.  Three  children,  one  son  and  two  daughters, 
have  blessed  their  union.    In  politics,  Mr.  Twcjmey  is  a  stanch  Democrat. 

WILLIAM  E.  VARLEY  (boots  and  shoes)  was  born  July  4,  1855,  in 
Richland  County,  Ohio,  and  is  a  son  of  Joseph  and  Lucy  (Crawshaw) 
Varley,  both  natives  of  England.  Joseph  Varley  received  a  very  limited 
education,  but  by  his  own  exertions  after  he  became  a  man,  he  became 
well  informed.  In  about  1848  or  1849,  he  emigrated  to  the  United  States 
on  the  Great  Eastern,  on  her  first  trip.  His  family  afterward  joined  him. 
He  first  settled  in  Utica,  N.  Y.,  where  he  worked  in  a  brass  foundry  for 
two  years.  He  then  removed  to  Newcastle,  Richland  Co. ,  Ohio,  remaining 
about  two  years,  returning  to  Utica.  After  a  few  years,  he  moved  to 
Mansfield,  thence  to  Marion,  remaining  there  until  1868.  He  then  re- 
moved to  Clay  County,  Ind.,  where  he  still  resides,  following  his  trade, 
that  of  watch-making.  Mrs.  Varley  died  in  1873;  was  a  member  of 
the  Baptist  Church,  of  which  Mr.  Varley  is  a  member  also.  William  E. 
Varley,  our  subject,  received  a  common  school  education.  At  the  age  of 
eighteen,  he  commenced  to  learn  the  trade  of  a  shoe-maker,  serving  an 
apprenticeship  of  two  and  a  half  years,  after  which  he  worked  as  a 
journeyman  about  two  years.  In  the  fall  of  1877,  he  came  to  Eminence, 
Ind.,  and  set  up  a  shop  of  his  own,  where  he  is  doing  a  thriving  bus- 
iness. He  held  the  office  of  Postmaster  at  Eminence  for  one  year;  was 
married,  November  1,  1883,  to  Sarah  J.  Hazlette,  a  native  of  Morgan 
County,  Ind.  Mr.  Varley  belongs  to  a  subordinate  Lodge  of  the  I.  O.  O. 
F.,  of  which  he  is  P.  G. 

JAMES  WALLACE,  farmer  and  stock-dealer,  was  born  in  Adams 
Township,  Morgan  County,  Ind.,  October  21,  1837,  and  is  the  third  child 
in  a  family  of  eleven  children  born  to  Elijah  and  Melvina  (Manley) 
Wallace,  natives  of  East  Tennessee,  and  of  Irish  and  English  descent 
respectively.  Elijah  Wallace  received  only  a  limited  education  at  the 
subscription  schools  taught  in  the  rude  log  schoolhouses  of  the  East  Ten- 


324  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

nessee  frontier.  Here  he  was  also  married,  and  soon  after,  in  1834,  came 
to  what  was  then  Adams  Township,  Morgan  Co.,  Ind.,  but  is  now  in- 
cluded in  Hendricks  County.  Here  he  bought  and  entered  some  200 
acres  of  land,  which  he  partially  improved,  and  afterward  sold  and 
bought  other  lands  in  the  same  township,  where  he  has  since  improved 
a  farm  to  which  he  added  until  he  was  the  owner  of  some  2,000  acres  in 
Putnam,  Morgan  and  Hendricks  Counties,  Ind.,  a  part  of  which  he  has 
since  deeded  to  his  children.  He  now  lives  in  Hendricks  County,  and  is  in 
his  seventy -fourth  year.  His  father,  David  Wallace,  was  a  veteran  of  the 
war  of  18i2.  James  Wallace,  the  subject,  received  a  fair  common  school 
education,  and  was  employed  on  the  home  farm  until  he  was  twenty-one 
years  old,  afterward  farming  on  shares  for  some  four  years.  He  then 
bought  a  farm  of  190  acres  in  Adams  Township,  Morgan  Co.,  Ind.,  upon 
which  he  still  resides.  The  farm  is  well  improved,  and  Mr.  Wallace  has 
given  especial  attention  to  breeding  fine  stock,  especially  Norman  horses, 
Poland-China  hogs  and  Cotswold  sheep.  He  is  now  serving  his  second 
term  as  Trustee  of  Adams  TownAip.  He  was  first  married  March  21,  1861, 
to  Rebecca  Allee,  a  native  of  Putnam  County,  Ind.  To  this  anion  were 
born  seven  children,  three  sons  and  four  daughters,  all  of  whom  are  yet 
living.  Mrs.  Rebeca  Wallace  died  March  5,  1879.  She  was  a  member 
of  the  Chui'ch  of  God.  Mr.  Wallace  was  next  married  June  15,  1882, 
to  Mrs.  Mary  A.  (Pike)  McFadden,a  native  of  Hendricks  County,Ind.  One 
daughter  has  blessed  their  union — Hattie  M.  In  politics,  Mr.  Wallace  is 
a  Democrat. 

ROBERT  S.  WALTERS,  farmer  and  teacher,  was  born  in  Adams 
Township,  Morgan  Co. .  Ind.,  March  5.  1850,  and  is  the  youngest  of 
seven  children  born  to  Richard  and  Frances  (Asher)  Walters,  natives  of 
Clay  County,  Ky.,  and  of  Welsh  descent.  Richard  Walters  re- 
ceived his  early  education  in  his  native  State.  At  the  age  of  eighteen 
years,  in  1823,  he  emigrated  with  his  parents  to  Owen  County,  Ind. , 
where  he  was  first  married  to  Miss  Susan  Brasier,  who  bore  him  two 
children;  after  her  death  he  was  married,  in  the  same  county,  to  the 
mother  of  our  subject.  In  about  1835,  he  came  to  Adams  Township, 
Morgan  Co. ,  Ind. ,  where  he  entered  and  bought  240  acres  of  wild  land, 
and  improved  a  farm,  upon  which  he  resided  until  his  death,  which  oc- 
curred April  13,  1871,  in  his  sixty-fifth  year;  both  were  members  of  the 
Baptist  Church.  His  wife  died  September  11,  1873,  aged  sixty-six. 
Robert  S.  Walters,  the  subject,  received  a  good  common  school  education, 
and  has  taught  during  the  winter  season  in  his  native  township  and 
county  for  the  past  fourteen  years.  He  has  always  resided  on  the  old 
homestead,  a  part  of  which  he  now  owns  and  cultivates.  He  was  mar- 
ried, April  12,  1874,  to  Miss  Mary  C.  Patrick,  a  native  of  Adams  Town- 
ship, Morgan  Co. ,  Ind.  Three  children  have  been  born  to  them,  only 
one  of  whom,  an  infant,  not  named,  is  now  living.  Mr.  Walters  is  a 
member  of  Eminence  Lodge,  No.  440,  A.,  F.  &  A.  M.  In  politics,  he  is  a 
Democrat. 

ANDREW  J.  WATSON,  merchant,  was  born  in  Ashland  Township, 
Morgan  Co.,  Ind.,  February  23,  1845,  and  is  the  sixth  child  in  a  family 
of  eleven  children  born  to  Simon  and  Samirah  (Bowman)  Watson,  the 
former  of  whom  was  a  native  of  North  Carolina,  and  the  latter  of  Ken- 
tucky. When  but  an  infant  one  year  old,  in  1813,  Simon  Watson's  par- 
ents emigrated  from  North  Carolina  to  Washington  County,  Ind.,  where 
I  ^     y  remained   only   a   few  months.     They   then  removed   to   Jackson 


ADAMS  TOWNSHIP.  325 

County,  Ind.,  where  young  Simon  passed  his  childhood  and  youth,  re- 
ceiving only  a  very  limited  education  at  the  rude  log  schoolhouses  of  that 
frontier  settlement.  In  about  1830,  the  family  came  to  Adams  Town- 
ship, Morgan  Co.,  Ind. ,  where  his  father  entered  land,  and  improved  a 
farm.  Simon  was  married  November  27,  1836,  and  soon  afterward  en- 
tered 160  acres  of  land  in  Ashland  Township,  Morgan  Co. ,  Ind. ,  to 
which  he  has  since  added,  now  owning  a  well-improved  farm  of  200 
acres.  For  more  than  forty-live  years,  he  and  wife  have  been  mem- 
bers of  the  Missionary  Baptist  Church;  he  is  also  a  member  of  the  Emi- 
nence Lodge,  No.  440,  A.,  F.  &  A.  M. ;  and  in  politics  is  a  Democrat. 
ThH  father  of  Mrs.  Samirah  Watson,  viz.,  John  Bowman,  was  one  of  the 
companions  of  Daniel  Boone  in  the  early  settling  of  Kentucky.  Andrew 
J.  Watson,  the  subject  of  our  sketch,  received  a  good  common  school 
education  in  youth,  and  was  employed  on  the  old  homestead,  in  Ashland 
Township,  until  he  had  attained  his  twenty-third  year.  He  then  taught 
in  this  and  Owen  County  during  the  fall  and  winter  seasons  for  some 
sixteen  years,  being  employed  at  the  painter's  trade  during  the  summer 
months.  In  March,  1883,  he  engaged  in  merchandising  at  Eminence, 
Ind. ,  in  company  with  Mr.  Joseph  C.  Rhea,  continuing  in  the  trade  one 
year.  He  is  not  at  present  engaged  in  any  active  business.  Mr.  Watson 
was  married,  June  21,  1874,  to  Miss  Lucretia  A.  Cummings,  a  native  of 
Morgan  County,  Ind.  Two  daughters  have  blessed  their  union.  Both 
Mr.  Watson  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Missionary  Baptist  Church. 
He  is  also  member  of  Eminence  Lodge,  No.  440,  A. ,  F.  &  A.  M.,  of 
which  lodge  he  is  a  Past  Master,  and  has  represented  the  same  in  the 
Grand  Lodge  of  the  State.  In  politics,  he  is  a  Democrat,  and  is  one  of 
the  prominent  citizens  of  Morgan  County. 

ALFRED  A.  WATSON,  blacksmith,  was  born  in  what  is  now  Ash- 
land Township,  Morgan  Co.,  Ind.,  October  22,  1848,  he  being  the  seventh 
in  a  family  of  eleven  children  born  to  Simon  and  Samirah  (Bowman) 
Watson,  a  sketch  of  whom  will  be  found  elsewhere  in  this  volume.  Al- 
fred A.  Watson,  our  subject,  I'eceived  a  good  common  school  education 
in  his  native  county.  At  the  age  of  twenty-two,  he  began  learning  the 
trade  of  blacksmithing,  serving  an  apprenticeship  of  three  years.  He 
then  opened  a  shop  of  his  own  in  Eminence,  Morgan  Co.,  Ind.,  where  he 
is  still  conducting  the  business.  He  was  married,  December  24,  1869, 
to  Mrs.  Jane  (Nicholas)  McMorries.  Six  children  were  born  to  them,  of 
whom  three  daughters  are  still  living.  Mrs.  Watson  dying  Febru- 
ary 23,  1881,  Mr.  Watson  next  united  himself  with  Mrs.  Mary  J.  (Sum- 
mers) Sligar  November  16,  1881.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Watson  belong  to  the 
Baptist  and  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Churches  respectively.  Mr.  Watson 
is  a  member  of  the  Eminence  Lodge,  No,  317, 1.  O.  O.  F.  In  politics,  he 
is  a  Democrat.  He  is  one  of  the  principal  business  men  of  Eminence, 
Morgan  Co.,  Ind. 


BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES 


JEFFERSON   TOWNSHIP. 

DONALD  BAIN,  Sr.,  is  a  native  of  Scotland,  was  born  Mai-ch  17, 
1809,  and  is  descended  from  James  and  Margaret  (Murray)  Bain,  both 
natives  of  Scotland.  The  grandfather  of  our  subject,  John  Bain,  was  a 
native  Scotchman,  who  married  a  Miss  Christina  Tait,  with  an  issue  of 
four  children — William,  Robert,  Ellen  and  James.  James  Bain  was  born 
in  1781,  and  was  married  in  Scotland  to  Slargaret  Mun-ay,  who  died  in 
1814;  he  subsequently  married  a  second  time,  and  died  in  Maryland  August, 
1841.  He  was  father  of  ten  children — Catherine,  John,  Donald,  Chris- 
tina, William,  Robert,  Margaret,  Ozena^  George  and  James.  Donald 
Bain,  March  17,  1839,  in  Scotland,  married  Jeannette  Davidson,  and  in 
the  same  year  emigrated  to  America  and  located  in  the  State  of  Mary- 
land. In  1843,  he  moved  to  this  county  and  State,  and  here  has  made  a 
home.  Mrs.  Bain  died  October  13,  1863,  having  borne  seven  children — 
James  (deceased),  John,  Esther,  Christina,  Catherine,  Donald  and  Will- 
iam.    Mr.  Bain  is  a  highly  regarded  citizen. 

W.  G.  BAIN  was  born  in  this  county  August  23,  1846,  and  is  a  son  of 
John  and  Bridget  (Gallagher)  Bain.  John  Bain  was  born  in  County 
Caithness,  Scotland,  October  13,  1806;  emigrated  to  America,  landing  at 
Halifax,  in  1827;  came  to  the  United  States  in  1828,  and  was  for  several 
years  contractor  for  stone  work  on  the  Chesapeake  &  Ohio  Canal.  In 
1841,  at  Hancock,  Md.,  he  married,  and  in  1843  moved  to  this  State;  lo- 
cated near  Martinsville,  and  there  continued  to  remain  until  his  death, 
September  24,  1872.  After  he  came  West,  he  abandoned  his  trade  of 
stone-cutter  and  adopted  farming,  being  the  owner  at  his  death  of  sev- 
eral hundred  acres.  After  the  death  of  his  wife  in  1855,  he  wedded 
Mrs.  Bethsheba  Abbott  in  1859,  who  survived  him.  He  was  a  Christian 
man,  a  consistent  member  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  and  father  of 
eleven  children — James  G.,  William  G.,  Mary  C.  (deceased),  John  E., 
Charles  F.,  Benjamin  F.,  Emma  E.  (deceased),  Emma,  Alfred  M.,  Henry 
and  Harvey.  Our  subject,  W.  G.  Bain,  received  his  education  at  Rich- 
mond, this  State.  In  1867,  he  was  appointed  Deputy  Sheriff  of  this 
county,  and  afterward  acted  as  clerk  at  Martinsville.  July  29,  1862,  he 
enlisted  in  Company  H,  Seventieth  Indiana  Volunteers,  from  which  he 
was  discharged  March,  1863,  by  reason  of  disability.  In  1869,  he  pur- 
chased an  interest  in  the  Martinsville  Flouring  Mills,  which  he  relin- 
quished after  about  a  year,  and  has  since  engaged  in  farming.  October 
25,  1869,  he  married  Miss  Mary  E.,  daughter  of  William  and  Susanna 
flynds,  who  died  February  11,  1874,  the  mother  of  two  children — Lillie 
B.  and  John  E.  October  25,  1877,  Mr.  Bain  wedded  Laura  J.,  daughter 
of  William  W.  and  Sarah  A.  Yeager,  and  born  in  this  county  July  18, 
1851,  which  marriage  was  followed  by  two  childi'en — Maudie  E.  and 
Mary  E.  In  1878,  Mr.  Bain  was  elected  County  Auditor  for  one  term. 
He  is  a  highly-respected  citizen,  a  member  of  the  A.,  F.  &  A.  M.,  the  K. 
of  P.  and  G.  A.  R.  fraternities. 

WILLIAM  BEST  was  born  in  Muskingum  County,  Ohio,  February 
11,  1814,  and  is  descended  from  George  and  Sarah  (Kelly)  Best,  both 


JEFFERSON  TOWNSHIP.  327 

natives  of  Ireland.  The  grandfather  of  our  subject,  William  Best,  was 
born,  married,  and  died  in  Ireland  at  the  age  of  one  hundred  and  four 
years,  the  father  of  six  children.  George  Best  was  married  in  Ireland, 
and  in  1812  emigrated  to  America;  located  in  Muskingum  County,  Ohio, 
whence  he  removed  to  Morgan  County,  Ind.,  where  he  and  his  wife  died, 
the  parents  of  twelve  children— Valentine,  William,  Robert,  George, 
Walter,  James.  Elizabeth,  John,  Richard  H.,  Joseph,  Isabelle  and  Sarah. 
Our  subject,  William  Best,  began  work  when  eighteen  years  of  age  in  ^a 
flouring  mill,  which  he  continued  for  twenty-one  years.  September  15, 
1836,  he  married  Lydia,  daughter  of  Amos  and  Nancy  Longshore,  who 
died  July  12,  1844,  the  mother  of  four  children— Sarah,  George,  Thomas 
E.  and  Josephine  (deceased).  He  subsequently  married  Ann  Bond,  a 
native  of  New  Jersey,  who  died  in  1863,  the  mother  of  nine  children — 
Harriet  (deceased),  James  (deceased),  Valentine,  Charles  H.  (deceased), 
William  S.  (deceased),  Emma  E.,  Lydia  N.,  and  two  infants  deceased. 
Mr.  Best  finally  married,  in  1864,  Beulah  L.  Bond,  a  sister  of  his  second 
wife,  who  gave  birth  to  foiu-  children — Martha  J.,  Albert  M.,  Franklin 
O.  and  Cora  E. 

DAVID  BOTHWELL  was  born  in  Ireland  June  9,  1815,  and  is  a 
son  of  Hugh  and  Ann  J.  (Gordon)  Both  well,  both  natives  of  Ireland,  the 
former  born  in  1788,  the  latter  in  1796.  They  were  married  and  died  in 
Ireland,  he  in  September,  1854,  and  she  eight  years  later.  Their  family 
was  Mary,  David,  Jane,  Sarah  A.,  Samuel,  John,  Elizabeth,  Martha, 
Henry,  James,  Margaret  and  two  which  died  in  infancy.  David  Bothwell 
emigrated  to  America  in  1841,  visited  Ireland  in  1846,  returned  to  this 
country  in  1852,  settled  in  New  Orleans,  and  shortly  afterward  removed 
to  this  county,  where,  April  8,  1855,  he  married  IMiss  Letitia,  daughter 
of  Robert  and  Jane  Wilson,  and  born  in  Ireland  in  1825,  who  died  Sep- 
tember 18,  1878,  the  mother  of  eight  children — Ann  J.  (deceased),  Hugh 
H.,  John  J.,  Mary,  David,  Charles,  William  and  Andi-ew.  Mr.  Bothwell 
is  a  highly  respected  citizen. 

WILLIAM  A.  CUNNINGHAM  was  born  in  this  county  January 
13,  1847,  and  is  a  son  of  William  N.  and  Nancy  Cunningham.  William 
N.  Cunningham  was  born  in  Woodford  County,  Ky.,  March,  1804, 
whence  he  moved  to  Johnson  County,  Ind. ,  and  afterward  to  Morgan 
County,  where  he  married  Nancy  Lankford.  He  was  twice  married,  and 
the  father  of  six  children— Eliza,  Nancy,  Marion,  Perlina,  Norman  T. 
and  William  A.  Our  subject  married  in  Owen  County,  Ind.,  November 
10,  1867,  Mary  J.,  daughter  of  George  and  Margaret  Dittemore,  and 
born  in  Owen  County  January  6,  1850.  In  1871,  Mr.  Cunningham 
moved  to  and  occupied  his  present  home  and  farm,  which  numbers  445 
acres  of  good  land.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Cunningham  are  parents  of  six  chil- 
dren— Emma  J.,  Laura  E.,  Edward,  Benjamin  F.  and  two  which  died 
before  receiving  names.  Mr.  Cunningham  is  generally  greatly  esteemed, 
and  is  a  hospitable  gentleman. 

CAPT.  WILLIAM  A.  DILLEY  was  born  in  Darke  County,  Ohio, 
January  7,  1840,  and  is  a  son  of  Arthur  M.  and  Elizabeth  (Mclnturf) 
Dilley,  the  former  born  in  Ohio,  December  27,  1814,  the  latter  in  Ten- 
nessee, July  29,  1816;  ti^y  were  married  in  Preble  County,  Ohio,  De- 
cember 27,  1835,  andJ^Hlf2  moved  to  and  settled  in  this  county. 
Their  family  was  Sar^hBIPv^illiam  A.,  Martha  A.,  Mary  E.,  John  W., 
Lucretia  E.,  Elmira  M.,^liver  C,  James  M,  and  an  infant  deceased. 
William  A.  Dilley  enlisted  April  20,  1861,  in  Company  K,  Seventh  In- 


/ 


328  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

diana  Volunteers;  served  three  months  and  re-enlisted  August  15,  1861, 
in  Company  A,  Thirty-third  Indiana  Volunteers.  In  January,  1863,  he 
was  made  Orderly  Sergeant,  and  in  February,  1864,  again  re-enlisted. 
In  April,  1864,  he  married  Lucy  A.,  daughter  of  Stephen  L.  and  Maria 
A.  Dane.  In  November,  1864,  he  was  promoted  First  Lieutenant,  and 
March,  1865,  Captain  of  Company  A,  Thirty-third  Indiana  Volunteers, 
and  served  as  such  until  July  21,  1865.  Mr.  Dilley  saw  considerable 
service;  he  was  wounded  in  the  left  ankle  at  Thompson's  Station,  March 
5,  1863,  and  was  also  a  prisoner  in  the  famous  "  Libby "  one  month. 
In  1866,  he  settled  on  his  present  farm,  which  he  sold  and  moved  to 
Wilson  County,  Kan.,  but  returned  and  repurchased  his  farm  in  1882. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Dilley  have  five  children — Augustus  M.  (deceased),  Minnie 
v.,  Effie  M.,  Pearl  M.  and  Euby;  they  are  members  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church. 

THOMAS  H.  DIXON  was  born  in  this  county  May  4,  1840,  and  is  a 
son  of  Thomas  and  Margaret  (Hynds)  Dixon,  both  natives  of  Ireland, 
Thomas  Dixon  is  a  son  of  Henry  and  Sarah  Dixon,  who  married  and  re- 
mained in  Ireland  until  their  deaths,  and  were  parents  of  nine  children. 
Thomas  Dixon  married  in  Ireland,  emigi-ated  to  America,  and  in  1837 
moved  to  this  State  and  settled  in  this  county,  where  he  now  resides. 
Mrs.  Dixon  died  August,  1866,  the  mother  of  seven  children — Sarah, 
Mary,  Margaret,  Thomas  H.,  William,  John  and  Eobert.  Thomas  H. 
Dixon,  our  subject,  married  in  this  county,  April  11, 1861,  Sarah,  daugh- 
ter of  Isaac  and  Rebecca  Kenworthy,  and  born  in  Marion  County,  Ind., 
May  30,  1844.  In  August,  1862,  Mr.  Dixon  enlisted  in  Company  H, 
Seventieth  Indiana  Volunteers,  and  served  until  January,  1865,  during 
which  he  participated  in  all  the  engagements  of  the  company.  In  1871, 
he  purchased  a  saw  mill,  and  engaged  in  the  lumber  trade  until  1874, 
when  he  sold  out,  removed  to  Martinsville,  and  was  elected  Sheriff  of 
this  county,  which  he  held  for  two  terms.  In  1881,  he  moved  to  his 
home  and  farm.  Mr.  Dixon  is  a  member  of  the  A.,  F.  &  A.  M.,  and  K. 
of  P. 

WILLIAM  H.  DIXON  a  son  of  Thomas  and  Margaret  Dixon,  is  a 
native  of  Morgan  County;  he  was  born  October  18,  1844,  and  was  mar- 
ried in  this  county,  October  24,  1869,  to  Eebecca,  daughter  of  William 
and  Mary  Brown,  and  born  November  16,  1841.  Mrs.  Dixon  died  June 
13,  1883.  Mr.  Dixon  is  a  much  esteemed  citizen,  a  practical  man,  and  a 
member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Dixon  are 
parents  of  five  children,  whose  names  are  as  follows:  Eobert  H.,  John 
P.,  Morgan,  Mary,  and  Lawson  J.  (deceased). 

WILLIAM  DOWNEY  is  a  native  of  County  Tyrone,  Ireland,  and 
was  born  April  17,  1843,  being  a  son  of  John  and  Mary  Downey,  also 
natives  of  County  Tyrone.  The  grandfather  of  our  subject,  James  Dow- 
ney, was  a  native  of  and  married  in  Ireland,  where  he  closed  his  life. 
John  Downey  was  born  June,  1806.  After  his  marriage  he  emigrated  to 
America  in  1857,  located  in  Coshocton  County,  Ohio,  and  in  1863  moved 
to  this  county.  His  family  consisted  of  Margaret,  James,  William, 
Jan  e,  Andrew,  Eobert,  John,  Mary,  and  three  which  died  in  infancy. 
Our  subject,  William  Downey,  came  with  his  parents  to  this  county, 
where,  February  2,  1868,  he  married  Eebecca  J.,  daughter  of  William 
and  Sinah  E.  Bragg,  and  born  in  this  county  December  15,  1848 — a 
union  which  gave  being  to  a  family  of  five — Harriet  T.,  William  M., 
M  ary  E.,  Pearl  A.  and  Edna.      Mr.  Downey  is  the  owner  of  248  acres  of 


JEFFERSON  TOWNSHIP.  329 

superior  land,  a  comfortable  home  and  valuable  property.     He  is  also  a 
worthy  gentleman  and  a  member  of  the  Masonic  brotherhood. 

JAMES  M.  DUCKWOETH  is  a  native  of  this  county,  was  born 
September  10,  1833,  and  is  a  son  of  John  and  Mary  (Gwin)  Duckworth, 
both  natives  of  Virginia.  They  were  married  in  Kentucky,  whence, 
shortly  afterward,  they  moved  to  this  State,  and  settled  first  in  Ray 
Township,  and  then  moved  to  Martinsville,  where  they  finished  their 
cmirses  of  life — he,  October  17,  1867,  and  she  three  years  thereafter. 
Their  family  comprised  Nancy  A.,  William  M.,  Maiinda,  Melvina,  An- 
drew J.,  Mary  A.,  Minerva  G.  and  James  M.  Our  subject  married  in 
this  county,  November  8,  1860,  Nancy  M.,  daughter  of  William  and 
Susanna  Hynds,  and  born  in  this  county  February  14,  1842,  who  died 
April  15,  1882,  the  mother  of  eight  children— Ellen  M.,  Mary  B.,  Ed- 
ward M.,  Susanna,  Minerva  Gr. ,  William  H.,  James  M.  and  John  L. 
After  marriage,  Mr.  Duckworth  settled  on  the  farm  where  he  now  resides, 
and  where  he  has  spent  most  of  his  life.  His  farm  embraces  404  acres 
of  excellent  and  well-improved  land.  Mr.  Duckworth  is  a  valued  citi- 
zen, and  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  Church. 

JAMES  R.  ELMORE  is  a  son  of  John  and  Andalusia  Elmore,  na- 
tives of  Virginia.  The  grandfather  of  our  subject,  James  R.  Elmore, 
was  a  native  of  Virginia  and  a  soldier  of  1812;  he  afterward  moved  to 
Muskingum  County,  Ohio,  and  there  finished  his  life,  the  parent  of  six 
children.  John  Elmore  was  married  in  Ohio,  and  in  1861  moved  to 
Clarke  County,  Ind.,  where  Mrs.  Elmore  died  in  1865.  Mr.  Elmore,  is 
yet  living,  the  parent  of  the  following  family:  Levi  R.,  Elizabeth  J., 
John  T.,  George  A.,  Andakisia  N.  and  James  R.  Our  subject,  James 
R.  Elmore,  married  in  Clark  County,  in  1864,  Malvina  C,  daughter  of 
William  and  Sarah  Sligar,  who  died  in  1871,  leaving  three  children — 
JohnW^,  Selby  S.  and  Mary  R.  In  1872,  Mr.  Elmore  married  Mrs. 
Sarah,  widow  of  Levi  Devore,  which  marriage  gave  issue  to  four  children 
— George  A.,  Jennie  J.,  Levi  L  (deceased)  and  Benjamin  F.  In  1874, 
Mr.  Elmore  moved  to  this  county.  He  and  wife  are  members  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 

LEWIS  T.  HANCOCK  is  a  native  of  Anderson  County,  Ky.,  was 
born  May  22,  1825,  and  is  a  son  of  Stephen  F.  and  Martha  (Lacey)  Han- 
cock, who,  in  1826,  moved  to  Owen  County,  lud.,  and  thence,  in  1847, 
to  this  county,  where  he  remained  until  his  decease,  in  1869,  aged  sev- 
enty six.  Mrs.  Hancock  is  yet  living,  at  the  advanced  age  of  eighty-six. 
Their  family  comprised  six  children — Levi  E.,  John  W.,  Martha  A.,. 
Stephen  L.,  Elizabeth  F.  and  Lewis  T.  Our  subject  married,  December 
24,  1849,  Harriet  Farley,  who  died  March  17,  1872,  having  borne  seven 
children — Lorenzo  D.  (deceased),  Nancy  A.,  Sinah  R.,  William  L.  (de- 
ceased), Thomas  F,,  Mary  J.  and  George  A.  After  his  marriage,  Mr. 
Hancock  settled  in  Ray  Township,  and  later,  in  1854,  moved  to  this 
township,  and  to  the  farm  which  is  now  his  home.  November  23,  1874, 
Mr.  Hancock  wedded  Miss  Emeline,  daughter  of  Lewis  and  Margaret 
Fonville,  and  a  native  of  Tennessee,  born  August  20,  1836.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Hancock  are  respected  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 

W.  J.  lEARRISON  is  a  native  of  Morgan  County,  Ind.,  was  born 
October  5,  1851,  and  is  a  son  of  William  R.  and  Elizabeth  J.  Harrison, 
of  Martinsville.  In  the  year  1872,  on  the  18th  of  July,  subject  mar- 
ried Miss  Margaret  E.,  daughter  of  Christopher  C.  and  Julia  A.  Bishop, 
and   born   in    Guilford   County,  N.  C,  E'ebruary   28,  1856.       After   his 


330  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

marriage,  Mr.  Harrison  settled  on  tlie  farm  which  he  now  cultivates 
and  calls  his  home — a  comfortable  and  valuable  property.  Mr.  Harri- 
son is  now  Township  Trustee,  and  is  a  member  of  the  ancient  brother- 
hood of  Freemasonry.  He  and  wife  are  parents  of  three  children — Bet- 
tie  J.,  Maud  E.  and  William  R. 

BRICE  M.  HOWELL  was  born  in  Hendricks  County,"  Ind.,  January 
7,  1847,  and  is  one  of  the  eight  children  of  Millar  and  ilartha  (Deanty) 
Howell,  both  natives  of  North  Carolina,  the  former  born  in  1808,  the 
latter  in  1814.  They  were  married  in  Chatham  County,  N.  C. ;  moved  to 
Hendricks  County,  Ind.,  and  later  to  Morgan  County,  where  he  now  re- 
sides. Millar  Howell  was  twice  married,  and  the  father  of  fourteen 
children — eight  by  his  first,  and  six  by  his  second  wife.  Brice  M. 
Howell  enlisted,  July,  1863,  in  Company  D,  One  Hundred  and  Seven- 
teenth Indiana  Volunteers;  served  six  months;  re-enlisted  June,  1864,  in 
Company  E,  One  Huudred  and  Thirty-ninth  Indiana  Regiment;  served 
100  days;  again  enlisted  February,  3865,  in  Company  A.  Thirty- 
third  Indiana  Regiment,  aod  served  until  June,  1865.  October  3,  1869, 
he  married  Isabella,  daughter  of  Robert  and  Ellen  Foster,  a  native 
of  this  county,  born  June  12,  1852.  This  union  was  productive 
of  six  children — Martha  E.  (deceased),  Theodosia  E.,  Emma  R.,  Robert 
M.,  William  W.  and  Ethel  E.  In  1869,  Mr.  Howell  moved  to  the  farm 
on  which  he  now  resides.  He  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church. 

L.  C.  KENNEDY  was  born  in  Hardin  County,  Ky.,  August  31,  1804, 
and  is  the  fourth  of  the  family  of  Peter  and  Rachel  Kennedy,  both  na- 
tives of  Pennsylvania.  The  grandfather  of  our  subject,  John  Kennedy, 
was  also  a  Pennsylvanian,  and  of  Irish  descent,  who  removed  to  Hardin 
County,  Ky.,  in  1780,  where  he  closed  his  valued  life,  having  been  a 
soldier  of  the  Revolutionary  war;  he  had  been  twice  married  and  the 
father  of  ten  sons.  Peter  Kennedy  whs  born  in  1769.  When  twelve 
years  of  age, he  was  stolen  by  the  Indians,  remained  nine  years  a  captive, 
and  escaped  and  returned  to  his  parents,  in  Hardin  County,  Ky.  He 
afterward  was  engaged  as  Government  spy  on  the  Kentucky  frontier;  then 
married  Rachel  Calvin  and  settled  on  a  farm,  where  he  passed  his  life. 
He  was  father  to  seven  children — John,  James,  Nancy,  Luke  C,  Sarah, 
Charles  and  Decker.  Our  subject,  Luke  C.  Kennedy,  married,  June  20, 
1830,  in  Hardin  County,  Ky.,  Miss  Jane,  daughter  of  William  and  Sarah 
Blackford.  In  October  following,  Mr.  Kennedy  moved  to  this  county, 
and  purchased  and  settled  on  the  farm  where  he  now  lives.  In  1850, 
Mrs.  Kennedy  died,  and  in  1855  he  married  Isabella,  daughter  of  Will- 
iam and  Mary  Hindes.  Mr.  Kennedy  is  the  owner  of  220  acres  of  good 
land,  and  is  comfortably  situated.  He  is  the  parent  of  seven  children — 
Samuel  (deceased),  John,  James,  Decker,  Marv,  William  and  Daniel  P. 
■  DANIEL  KIRK  was  born  in  Shelby  County,  Ind.,  October  1,  1828. 
His  parents  were  William  H.  and  Elizabeth  (Depew)  Kirk,  natives  of 
Kentucky.  The  grandfather  of  our  subject,  Daniel  Kirk,  was  an  early 
settler  of  Marion  County,  Ky.,  where  he  died,  the  father  of  two  children — 
Lydia  and  William  H.  The  latter  was  born  March  1,  1799.  In  1819, 
he,  with  his  wife,  moved  to  Shelby  County,  Ind.,  where  Mrs.  Kirk  died. 
Mr.  Kirk  subsequently  married  Susanna  R.  Sloan,  and  in  1838  came  to 
this  county,  where  he  died  in  1865,  the  father  of  sixteen  children.  Dan- 
iel Kirk,  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  married,  December  7,  1857,  Martha 
E. ,  daughter  of  Nathan  and  Matilda  Dow,  and  a  native  of  Clarke  County, 


JEFFERSON  TOWNSHIP.  331 

born  September  9,  1835.  This  union  was  cemented  by  thirteen  chil- 
dren— Ellen  M.,  William  H.  (deceased),  Charles  H.,  Harvey  A., Mary  E., 
Benjamin  R.  (deceased),  Susan  M.  (deceased),  James  E.,  Daniel  F,, 
Nathan  F.,  Benjamin  A.,  Martha  J.  (deceased)  and  Maggie  R.  (deceased). 
Mr.  Kirk  is  a  generally  respected  citizen. 

JAMES  H.  LANKFORD  is  a  native  of  Morgan  County,  Ind.,  was 
born  November  6,  1850,  and  is  one  of  the  family  of  William  L.  and 
Martha  (Kirk)  Lankford,  natives  respectively  of  Indiana  and  Kentucky. 
The  grandfather  of  our  subject,  Nathan  Lankford,  was  a  native  of  Vir- 
ginia, where  he  married,  and  in  an  early  day  moved  to  this  county,  where 
he  remained  until  death.  He  was  the  father  of  seven  children.  Will- 
iam L.  Lankford  was  born  August  1(3,  1828,  married  Martha  Kirk,  who. 
was  born  July,  1880,  and  died  December  5,  1883.  They  were  parents  of 
ten  children — Minerva  G.,  James  H. ,  Nathan  M.,  William  P.,  Maggie 
M.,  Harvey  M.,  Edward  S.,  Joseph  H.,  John  H.  and  Toney  H.  James 
H.  Lankford,  our  subject,  married,  March  17,  1875,  in  this  county,  Mrs. 
Mary  J.  Stine,  widow  of  James  P.  Stine,  and  daughter  of  Emanuel  and 
Cynthia  Isenhower.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Lankford  have  a  family  of  two  chil- 
dren— Ida  B.  and  Iva  D.  (twins).  Mr.  Lankford  is  a  worthy  and  much 
respected  citizen. 

L.  B.  LEWIS  is  a  native  of  this  county,  wiis  born  October  2,  1828, 
and  is  a  son  of  Gideon  and  Lewis  (Huston)  Lewis,  the  former  born  in 
Kentucky  in  1794.  After  marriage,  Gideon  Lewis  settled  in  this  coun- 
ty, married,  and  afterward  moved  to  near  Martinsville,  and  in  1836  to  a 
farm  in  this  township,  where  they  remained  until  their  decease,  he  dy- 
ing in  June,  and  she  in  May,  1844,  leaving  the  following  family:  El- 
hanan,  James,  Hunstead,  Harriet,  Jeannette,  Kellis,  William  H.,  Ange- 
line,  Sarah  and  Leander  B.  In  December,  1847,  Leander  B.  Lewis 
married  Julia  A  ,  daughter  of  Benoni  and  Abigail  Pearce,  and  a  native 
of  Chatham  County,  N.  C,  born  J^'ebruary  12,  1823.  After  his  marriage, 
Mr.  Lewis  settled  in  this  township,  and  has  a  very  fine  and  well  im- 
proved farm.  Mr.  and  Mr.  Lewis  are  the  parents  of  ten  children — 
Louisa  J.,  William  H.,  Elizabeth  F.,  Benoni,  Gideon,  Ruth  E.  (de- 
ceased), Daniel  A.,  James  A.  M.  (deceased),  Ann  F.  and  Grant  (deceased). 
He  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 

ROBERT  MILLER  is  a  native  of  Greenbrier  County,  W.  Va. ;  was 
born  July  21,  1810,  and  is  descended  from  John  and  Jane  (Hodge)  Mil- 
ler, both  natives  of  Virginia.  They  were  married  in  Augusta  County, 
Va.,  and  afterward  moved  to  Greenbrier  County,  where  they  ended  their 
lives,  having  been  blessed  with  the  following  family:  Hemy,  James, 
Jane,  Ervin  B.,  Mary  A.,  Margaret  E.,  Alexander,  William  and  Robert. 
Our  subject  married  in  Monroe  County,  W.  Va.,  February  13, 1834,  Miss 
Ankey,  daughter  of  James  and  Elizabeth  Alderson,  which  union  was 
favored  with  seven  children — Alexander,  Louisa  (deceased),  Robert  (de- 
ceased), Oliver,  John,  Martha  and  Isabelle  (deceased).  After  his  mar- 
riage, Mr.  Miller  moved  to  Hancock  County,  Ind.,  and  in  1836,  to  this 
county,  where  he  located  on  the  identical  farm  on  which  he  now  resides. 
Mr.  Miller  is  a  practical  farmer  and  an  esteemed  gentleman  and  citizen. 

W.  C.  MILLER  was  born  in  Lincoln  County,  N.  C,  June  18,  1827, 
and  is  a  son  of  Henry  and  Anna  Miller,  both  natives  of  North  Carolina. 
Henry  Miller  was  born  in  North  Carolina  in  1805,  and  married  in  Lin- 
coln County.  In  1830,  he  moved  to  Owen  County,  Ind.,  and  in  1835  to 
Morgan  County,  where  his  wife  died  in  1858,  the  mother  of  fifteen  chil- 


332  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

dren.  Hi?  second  wife  was  Nancy  Reins,  who  is  the  mother  of  two  chil- 
dren. In  1879,  Mr.  Miller  moved  to  Missouri,  where  he  remains.  Our 
subject  was  married,  March  31,  1853,  to  Hannah,  daughter  of  Archibald 
and  Lucinda  Taylor,  and  a  native  of  Hendricks  County,  Ind. ,  born  May 
6,  1836.  This  union  was  productive  of  fourteen  children — Henry  A., 
Lucinda,  Sarah K,  Mary  E.,  Anna  E.,  John  E.,  William  J.,  Luther  L., 
Silas  C,  Albert  E.  and  four  which  died  in  infancy.  Mr.  Miller  is  a  re- 
spected citizen. 

JOHN  MOSER  was  born  in  Randolph  County,  N.  C,  April  8,  1801, 
and  is  a  son  of  John  and  Mary  Moser,  natives  of  North  Carolina,  and 
respectively  of  German  and  Irish  descent.  The  grandfather  of  our  sub- 
ject, Tobias  Moser,  was  a  German,  and  emigrated  hither  previous  to  the 
Revolutionary  war,  during  which  struggle  he  was  a  soldier.  He  settled 
in  North  Carolina,  and  afterward  moved  to  La  Fayette,  Ind.,  where  he 
died,  aged  one  hundred  and  seven  years.  He  was  also  a  soldier  of  the 
war  of  1812.  His  wife  died  in  Orange  County,  Ind.,  aged  one  hundred 
and  eleven  years.  They  had  a  family  of  seven.  John  Moser  was  mar- 
ried in  North  Carolina,  moved  to  Hamilton  County,  Ohio,  in  1812, 
and  one  year  later  to  Orange  County,  Ind.,  whore  he  was  killed  in 
1821.  After  this  event  Mrs.  Moser  moved  to  Owen  County,  and  thence 
to  Morgan  County,  where  she  died  in  1861.  The  children  of  these  par- 
ents were  named  Rebecca,  Margaret,  Elizabeth,  Mary,  Sarah,  Kezia,  Jane, 
Tobias,  Joseph,  Adam,  Jacob,  Alexander,  Jeremiah  and  John.  Our  sub- 
ject, John  Moser,  married  in  Owen  County,  September  13,  1830,  Miss 
Mary,  daughter  of  David  and  Catherine  Lukinbill,  a  native  of  Washing- 
ton County.  In  1831,  Mr.  Moser  moved  to  this  county,  which  has  since 
been  his  home.  He  and  wife  are  parents  of  eight  children — Kezia,  Da- 
vid (deceased),  Catherine,  Julia  A.,  Mary  E.,  Margaret,  John  and  Will- 
iam. 

JAMES  R.  MOSIER  was  born  in  Lawrence  County,  Ind.,  August 
16,  1844,  and  •  is  a  son  of  John  and  Esther  (Burris)  Mosier,  natives  of 
North  Carolina  and  Ohio  respectively,  who  moved  to  this  county  in  1845, 
where  Mr.  Mosier  died  twenty  years  later.  Mrs.  Mosier  subsequently 
married  Joseph  Lain,  and  still  later  George  Moore.  Our  subject,  James 
R.  Mosier,  enlisted  August  14,  1862,  in  Company  H,  Seventy-ninth  In- 
diana Volunteers,  and  served  until  April,  1863,  having  been  shot  through 
the  shoulder  at  the  battle  of  Stone  River.  September,  1863,  he  re- en- 
listed in  Company  D,  One  Hundred  and  Seventeenth  Indiana  Regiment^ 
serving  six  months,  and  again  enlisted  March,  1864,  in  Company  K, 
First  Indiana  Regiment,  and  served  until  January,  1866.  August  28, 
1868,  he  married  Mrs.  Ann,  widow  of  David  Anderson,  and  daughter  of 
John  and  Ann  Dixon,  by  which  union  they  had  five  children — Sarah  R., 
James  R.,  Hester  A.,  and  two  infants,  deceased.  Mr.  Mosier  is  a  highly 
respected  citizen. 

WILLIAM  R.  NOSLER  was  born  in  Owen  County,  Ind.,  November 
9,  1835,  and  is  a  son  of  John  and  Mary  (Pirtle)  Nosier,  natives  respect- 
ively of  Virginia  and  Kentucky.  The  grandfather  of  our  subject,  Con- 
rad Nosier,  moved  to  this  State  in  an  early  day,  and  finished  his  days 
here.  He  was  a  soldier  of  the  war  of  1812.  and  father  of  five  children. 
John  Nosier  was  born  January  4,  1806,  came  to  Indiana  in  1827,  mar 
ried,  and  settled  near  Spencer,  where  he  and  wife  ended  their  lives — he 
in  September,  1837,  and  she  in  February,  1837;  they  had  three  chil- 
dren— Sarah  A.,  James  and  William  R.     Our  subject  was  reared  by  his 


JEFFERSON  TOWNSHIP.  333 

uncle,  James  L.  Pirtle,  after  his  parents'  death.  In  1850,  he  moved  to 
Fayette  County,  Ind.;  thence,  in  1851,  to  Connersville,  where  he  learned 
saddle  and  harness  making,  and  in  1855  to  Rushville,  where  he  pursued 
his  vocation.  September  13,  1857,  he  married  Viola,  daughter  of  Na- 
thaniel and  Mary  Moore,  who  died  July  13,  1873.  In  1858,  he  moved  to 
Missouri,  and  in  1861  returned  to  Hush  County,  Ind.,  after  which,  in 
1876,  he  came  to  this  county,  and  November  9,  1879,  wedded  Mrs.  Ma- 
tilda J.  Garrison,  widow  of  William  Garrison.  Mr.  Nosier  is  the  parent 
of  six  children — Alethea  M.  (deceased),  Mary  A.  (deceased),  William  E,, 
Sarah  A.  and  two  that  died  in  infancy. 

JOHN  REEVES  is  a  native  of  Mason  County,  Ky.,  and  was  born 
February  20,  1802,  and  is  a  son  of  James  and  Sarah  (Holton)  Reeves, 
the  former  a  native  of  Ireland,  and  the  latter  of  Maryland.  John  Reeves, 
Sr. ,  emigrated  with  his  parents,  Isaac  and  Margaret  Reeves,  to  America 
previous  to  the  Revolutionary  war,  and  when  sixteen  years  of  age  entered 
the  army  under  Gen.  Washington,  serving  the  seven  years.  He  then 
married  and  settled  in  Mason  County,  Ky.,  where  he  and  wife  ended 
their  days.  John  Reeves,  our  subject,  is  the  only  child  of  his  father  liv- 
ing. In  1823,  he  moved  to  Monroe  County,  Ind. ,  and  in  1824  to  Owen 
County,  where  he  married,  in  1828,  Mrs.  Eleanor  Hayward.  In  1829, 
he  removed  to  this  county,  where  Mrs.  Reeves  died  in  1861,  the  mother 
of  eight  children — James,  Nancy,  Abigail,  Austin  S.,  Sarah,  Samuntha, 
Benjamin  and  Julia  A.  In  1863,  he  married  Mrs.  Ann  Edwards.  Mr. 
Reeves  is  an  excellent  gentleman,  and  he  and  wife  are  members  of  the 
Christian  Church,  of  which  Mr.  Reeves  has  been  an  active  worker  for 
fifty  years. 

S.  R.  STILES,  Sk.,  was  born  in  Orange  County,  Ind.,  October  12, 
1830,  and  is  one  of  the  family  of  William  and  Mary  (Bragg)  Stiles,  na- 
tives respectively  of  Georgia  and  Tennessee.  William  Stiles  was  born 
January  22,  1798;  was  married  in  Tennessee,  thence  moved  to  Washing- 
ton County,  Ind.,  and  thence  to  this  county,  where  he  ended  his  life  in 
1872.  He  and  wife  were  parents  of  eight  children — Sarah,  Nancy, 
John  B.,  Abigail,  Jesse,  Stakley  R.,  Harriet  and  Mary  A.  Our  subject, 
S.  R.  Stiles,  was  reared  in  this  county.  December  24,  1852,  he  mar- 
ried Elizabeth  Foster,  who  died  August  24,  1854.  He  next  wedded 
Louisa  Miller,  who  died  in  1858,  and  in  1859  he  married  Eleanor  Se- 
crest.  In  1865,  Mr.  Stiles  enlisted  in  Company  F,  One  Hundred  and 
Forty-eighth  Indiana  Volunteers,  in  which  he  served  for  seven  months, 
and  after  which  he  purchased  and  occupied  his  present  home  and  farm, 
comprising  420  acres  of  desirable  and  productive  land.  Mr.  Stiles  has 
been  the  father  of  four  children — Indiana,  Ida  B.,,Candace,  and  an  in- 
fant, deceased.  He  and  wife  are  consistent  members  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church. 


334  BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES; 


ASHLAND  TOWNSHIP. 


DR.  A.  P.  W.  BRIDGES,  a  leading  jouug  physician  and  surgeon  of 
the  township,  was  born  September  27,  1856,  in  Clay  County,  Ind.,  and 
is  the  fourth  of  the  six  children  born  to  Moses  C.  and  Sophia  J.  (Doyle) 
Bridges,  natives  of  Wayne  County,  Ind.,  and  of  North  Carolina,  and  of 
English  extraction.  A.  i\  W.  Bridges  moved  with  his  parents  to  Clover- 
dale,  Putnam  County,  Ind.,  when  he  was  eight  years  old,  and  there  he 
grew  to  manhood.  Mr.  Bridges,  Sr.,  owned  a  di'ug  store,  and  our  sub- 
ject entered  it  when  he  was  ten  years  old.  He  remained  there  for  about 
nine  years.  He  had  a  liking  for  the  study  of  medicine,  and,  having  an 
opportunity  of  cultivating  this  talent,  he  attended  one  term  of  lectures 
at  the  Indiana  Medical  College,  and  some  time  at  the  College  of  Physi- 
cians and  Surgeons.  Dr.  Bridges  located  finally  at  Jordan,  Owen  County, 
Ind.,  remaining  there  about  three  years.  He  then  went  to  Cloverdaie 
for  one  year,  and  lived  a  short  time  ia  Quincy.  In  February,  1882,  he 
came  to  Alaska,  where  he  now  resides,  and  is  endeavoring  to  insure  suc- 
cess in  his  profession  by  every  means  in  his  power.  Dr.  Bridges  was 
married,  March  25,  1883,  to  Emma  F.  Alverson,  a  native  of  Owen  County, 
Ind.  They  have  one  child — Ralph,  born  December  30,  1883.  Dr.  Bridges 
and  his  wife  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  He  is  a 
firm  Democrat.  The  Doctor  superintends  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Sun- 
day school.  Mrs.  Emma  Bridges  is  the  daughter  of  James  and  Louisa 
(Bartlett)  Alverson,  natives  of  Indiana. 

WILLIAM  BURKHART,  farmer  and  stock-raiser,  was  born  October 
1,  1845,  in  Morgan  County,  Ind.,  and  is  the  fourth  of  the  ten  children 
born  to  Ambrose  and  Ann  (Bragg)  Burkhart,  the  former  a  native  of  In- 
diana, the  latter  of  Tennessee.  William  gi'ew  to  manhood  on  a  farm, 
receiving  the  rudiments  of  a  common  school  education.  His  father  was 
reared  in  Monroe  County.  William  enlisted,  on  August  25,  1861,  in 
Company  H,  Thirty-third  Indiana  Infantry,  remaining  in  the  service 
until  the  close  of  the  war.  At  the  engagement  of  Thompson's  Station, 
he  was  taken  prisoner,  and  confined  in  Libby  Prison  twelve  days,  tb.en 
paroled.  At  the  battle  of  Resaca,  he  was  struck  five  times  with  bullets. 
He  was  in  almost  a  continuous  fight  from  Resaca  to  Peach  Tree  Creek, 
and  was  with  Sherman's  famous  "  march  to  the  sea."  He  was  discharged 
at  Indianapolis.  Ind.,  on  August  5,  1865,  holding  the  rank  of  Sergeant. 
He  was  married,  November  18,  1868,  to  Mary  A.  Ratts  (deceased),  who 
left  him  two  children,  viz..  William  H.,  born  September  9,  1869;  Mary 
A.  (deceased),  born  August  13,  1873.  He  was  next  married  to  Sarah  J. 
Shuler,  on  September  27.  1874.  Two  children  have  been  born  to  them — 
Norman  E.,  born  September  6,  1876;  Robert  O.,  born  September  13,  1878. 
Mrs.  Burkhart  is  the  daughter  of  Charlton  and  Phebe  (Warthen)  Shuler, 
natives  of  Virginia  aad  Indiana,  and  of  German  and  Irish  extraction  re- 
spectively. Mr.  Burkhart  and  wife  are  consistent  members  of  the  Chris- 
tian Church.  He  owns  140  acres  of  land,  very  fairly  improved.  In  poli- 
tics, he  is  a  wide-awake  Republican. 

BENJAMIN  O.  BUTTERFIELD,  a  wide-awake  farmer,  carpenter  and 
millwright,  of  Ashland  Township,  was  born  August   17,  1835,  in  Owen 


ASHLAND  TOWNSHIP.  335 

County,  Ind.,  and  was  the  fifth  of  fourteen  children  born  to  Velorus  and 
Clarissa  (Badgeley)  Butterfield,  natives  of  New  York  and  Virginia,  and 
of  English  descent.  They  settled  in  Owen  County  very  early,  and  built 
a  water  mill,  and,  selling  this,  they  finally  moved  to  Morgan  County,  and 
now  reside  here.  Benjamin  O.  Butterfield  lived  upon  the  farm  until  his 
sixteenth  year,  when  he  learned  the  trade  of  millwright,  and  followed  it 
for  several  years.  He  also  worked  at  that  for  five  years  in  Iowa,  after 
which  he  returned  home  and  purchased  a  farm.  He  and  his  brother 
bought  a  mill  near  the  town  of  Centerton,  in  this  county.  They  moved 
this  to  the  town,  and  ran  it  for  several  years,  when  it  was  sold.  Mr. 
Butterfield  then  purchased  the  farm  which  he  now  owns,  and  which  con- 
sists of  139  acres,  abundantly  supplied  with  spring  water,  and  well  culti- 
vated. On  (September  22,  1859,  Mr.  Butterfield  was  married  to  Sylvania 
Moser.  Three  children  were  born  to  them — Clarissa  E.,  born  November 
7,  1860;  AlfarataB.,  November  17,  1862;  and  Georgie  A.,  December  6, 
1864,  died  November  6,  1865.  The  mother  died  on  December  24,  1865. 
On  February  3,  1867,  Mr.  Butterfield  married  Samantha  E.  (Hedrick) 
Reeves.  They  had  three  children — Benjamin  O.,  born  November  27, 
1867;  LeotaM.,  Mav  8,  1869;  and  Oliver  P.,  December  24,  1870.  Mrs. 
Butterfield  was  born  February  20,  1839,  and  died  September  25,  1872. 
Mr.  Butterfield  was  next  married  to  Mrs.  Louzann  (Brown)  White,  on 
February  14,  1876.  She  died  June  1,  1880.  Leota  M.,  his  daughter, 
keeps  house  for  him.  His  wives  all  belonged  to  the  Christian  Church,  of 
which  he  is  also  a  member.  He  is  a  member  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F.,  and  is 
very  public  spirited.     He  is  a  Republican,  and  is  noted  for  his  generosity. 

W.  T.  COLWELL.  farmer  and  stock-raiser,  was  born  October  29, 
1861,  in  Morgan  County,  Ind,,  and  is  the  fifth  of  the  eight  children  born 
to  Philip  and  Carrie  (Stierwalt)  Colwell,  natives  of  Ireland  and  of  In- 
diana, and  of  Irish  and  German  descent,  respectively.  They  were  early 
settlers  in  the  county,  and  reared  their  son,  W.  T.,  on  a  farm,  sending 
him  to  the  common  schools,  and  giving  him  as  a  start  in  life  forty  acres 
of  land.  Philip  Colwell  owned  over  600  acres  at  his  death.  He  and 
his  wife  ai'e  both  deceased.  Our  subject  deals  some  in  stock  buying  and 
selling.  He  is  an  active  Democrat,  is  very  energetic,  and,  with  his  pres- 
ent start  in  life,  will  succeed. 

MARTIN  L.  MARSH,  farmer  and  stock-raiser  of  Ashland  Township, 
was  born  in  Morgan  County,  Ind.,  February  22,  1836,  and  is  the  eighth 
of  nine  children  born  to  Cyrus  J.  and  Elizabeth  (Shults)  Marsh,  natives 
of  Virginia  and  North  Carolina;  and  of  English  and  German  descent. 
Cyrus  J.  came  to  Washington  County,  Ind.,  in  1817,  soon  married,  and 
there  remained  for  sixteen  years.  He  then  moved  to  Jackson  County, 
Ind.,  remained  two  years,  and  in  1835  moved  to  Morgan  County,  where 
he  lived  until  his  death.  He  owned  240  acres  of  land.  Martin  L.  was 
reared  a  farmer,  and  received  a  very  poor  education.  Two  of  his  broth- 
ers, Daniel  and  Fielding,  were  in  the  Mexican  war.  He  enlisted  in  the 
last  war,  but  was  not  enabled  to  reach  the  battle-field.  On  January  29, 
1857,  he  was  married  to  Lucinda  J.  Sandy,  of  Morgan  County,  Ind. 
They  have  had  six  children — Newton  M.,  Lavena  K.  (deceased),  Henry 
E.,  Ella  B.,  Nettie  and  Eldon  F.  He  and  wife  are  members  of  the 
Christian  Church.  He  is  a  Mason,  and  was  Secretary  of  the  Grange  for 
four  years,  when  that  body  was  in  operation  in  his  locality.  He  was  As- 
sessor of  his  township  for  one  term.  He  has  a  farm  of  120  acres,  em- 
bellished with  many  of  the  modern  improvements.     For  some  time  Mr. 


336  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

Marsh  followed  carpentering.  He  is  a  lover  of  education,  and  has  en- 
deavored to  instill  the  same  into  the  minds  of  his  children.  For  the 
last  year  and  a  half,  he  has,  in  addition  to  farming,  been  selling  pianos 
and  organs. 

ANANIAS  MICHAEL,  farmer  and  stock-raiser,  was  born  March  22, 
1830,  in  Augusta  County,  Va.,  and  is  the  eldest  of  ten  children  born  to 
Jonathan  and  Susan  (Huffer)  Michael,  Virginians,  of  German  descent. 
Ananias  came  with  his  parents,  in  the  fall  of  1834,  to  Clinton  County, 
Ind. ,  and  they  remained  here  until  1849,  when  he  moved  to  Putnam 
County,  where  the  old  people  remained  until  their  death.  Ananias  set- 
tled in  Morgan  County,  Ind.,  in  the  fall  of  1853.  From  his  father's  es- 
tate he  received  about  11,200,  and  has  a  nice  farm  of  158  "acres,  beauti- 
fully situated  and  supplied  with  many  of  the  modern  improvements. 
When  he  first  settled  here,  roads  were  scai'ce,  and  there  were  but  a  few 
houses  scattered  around  for  a  considerable  distance,  the  principal  feature 
being  vast  forests.  Mr.  Michael  was  united  in  marriage,  on  December 
29,  1852,  to  Lucinda  Stanton,  a  native  of  Putnam  County,  Ind.  They 
have  had  sis  children — Mary  A.,  Jonathan,  Sarah  A.,  Susan  A.,  Ida  B., 
and  Minnie  M.  (deceased).  Mrs.  Michael  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Grange,  and  is  a  very  liberal 
citizen.  Mr.  Michael  voted  first  for  President  Taylor,  and  since  that  has 
been  a  Democrat.  Mrs.  Lucinda  Michael  is  a  daughter  of  George  W. 
and  Sarah  (Hood)  Stanton,  natives  of  Tennessee  and  of  Virginia  re- 
spectively. 

JOHN  C.  MILLER,  farmer  and  stock  raiser  of  this  township,  was 
born  February  1,  1846,  in  Morgan  County,  Ind.,  and  is  the  fifth  of  the 
seven  children  born  to  Robert  and  Auka  (Alderson)  Miller,  natives  of 
West  Virginia,  and  of  Irish  and  English  extraction  respectively.  John 
C.  was  reared  upon  a  farm,  and  received  a  rudiuientary  education.  He 
remained  at  his  parents'  home  until  he  was  twenty-three  years  of  age, 
but  since  his  eighteenth  year  has  been  doing  for  himself.  He  takes  great 
pride  in  raising  fine  horses.  One,  a  fine  animal,  "  Shaker  Boy,"  paced  a 
mile  in  two  minutes  and  twenty  seconds,  and  Mr.  Miller  sold  this  horse 
for  $1,200.  He  has  raised  many  other  fine  horses.  Mr.  Miller  married, 
on  November  15,  1866,  Delilah  C.  Whitaker,  a  native  of  Morgan  County, 
Ind.  Four  children  have  crowned  this  union — Charles  G. ,  born  January 
2, '1868;  James  R.,  January  14,  1870;  Margaret  I.,  born  December  27, 
1875,  and  Homer  A.,  September  19,  1879.  His  wife  is  a  member  of  the 
Missionary  Baptist  Church.  Mr.  Miller  received  $1,700.  from  his  wife, 
as  a  start  in  life.  For  several  years  he  followed  the  business  of  buying 
and  shipping  stock.  He  is  now  farming  on  a  place  of  240  acres,  pleas- 
antly situated,  and  having  the  advantages  of  all  the  modern  improve- 
ments. He  is  a  Democrat.  He  gives  liberally  to  all  benevolent  institu- 
tions, which  tend  to  promote  the  welfare  of  the  human  family.  Mrs. 
Miller  is  a  daughter  of  Grafton  and  Margaret  (Gregg)  Whitaker,  na- 
tives of  Shelby  County,  Ky.,  and  respectively  of  Welsh  and  Irish  de- 
scent. They  were  early  settlers  in  this  county,  and  remained  here  until 
their  death.  Mr.  Miller  is  giving  his  children  the  best  of  advantages 
for  an  education.  His  son,  Charles  G.,  is  at  present  attending  Asbury 
University,  and  is  progressing  rapidly  in  his  studies. 

CALEB  A.  PRITCHARD,  a  teacher  in  this  township,  was  born  on 
February  9,  1862,  in  Putnam  County,  Ind.,  and  is  the  eldest  of  three 
children  born   to  Greenbury  and  Margaret  J.  (Buis)  Pritchard,  both  na- 


ASHLAND  TOWNSHIP.  337 

tives  of  this  State,  and  of  English  and  German  extraction  respectively. 
The  father  was  born  in  Owen  County,  and  his  father  moved  to  Morgan 
County  in  an  early  day.  Greenbury,  the  father  of  our  subject,  moved 
to  Illinois  in  the  year  1862,  and  in  the  fall  of  3864  he  enlisted  in  Com- 
pany F,  Eleventh  Illinois  Infantry,  remaining  in  the  service  until  the 
close  of  the  war.  He  took  part  in  the  engagements  of  Fort  Blakely  and 
Spanish  Fort,  which  lasted  fourteen  days  and  nights;  also  in  numerous 
skirmishes.  He  received  his  discharge  at  Baton  Rouge,  La.  The  sub- 
ject of  this  sketch  was  reared  on  a  farm,  and  received  a  good  education. 
He  attended  three  terms  at  the  Central  Normal  School  at  Danville,  Ind., 
and  two  terms  at  the  State  University  at  Bloomington,  Ind.  He  began 
teaching  at  the  age  of  fifteen,  and  has  taiight  seven  terms  very  success- 
fully. Mr.  Pritchard  has  not  really  decided  what  profession  he  will  fol- 
low, other  than  that  in  which  he  is  engaged.  He  has  a  fine  collection  of 
books  on  miscellaneous  subjects.  In  politics,  he  is  an  energetic,  stanch 
Democrat. 

JOHN  W.  SHIELDS,  an  enterprising  farmer  and  stock-raiser  of  this 
township,  was  born  November  20,  1853,  in  Hendricks  County,  Ind.,  and 
is  the  second  of  nine  children  born  to  Harrison  and  Sarah  A.  (Johnson) 
Shields,  both  natives  of  North  Carolina,  and  of  English  extraction.  They 
came  to  Morgan  County  about  the  year  1864,  and  are  still  living  here. 
Our  subject  was  reared  a  farmer,  and  received  a  good  common  school 
education.  He  attended  one  term  at  the  State  Normal  School,  Terre 
Haute,  after  which  he  taught  two  terms  with  success.  The  profession  of 
a  teacher  was  his  chosen  one,  but  he  was  compelled  to  retire  from  it  on 
account  of  failing  health.  January  21,  3877,  he  was  married  to  Mrs. 
Mary  J.  (Whitaker)  Edwards,  from  which  union  two  children  have  re- 
sulted, viz.,  Homer  (deceased),  Cora  M.  (born  September  6,  1879).  Mr. 
Shields  is  a  member  of  the  Christian,  his  wife  of  the  Missionary  Baptist 
Church.  He  is  a  stanch  Republican.  Mrs.  Shields  is  the  owner  of  a 
tine  farm  of  100  acres,  well  improved,  and  under  a  high  state  of  culti- 
vation. 

MICHAEL  STIERWALT,  Sk.,  an  enterprising  farmer  and  stock- 
raiser  of  Ashland  Township,  this  county,  was  born  on  December  3,  1821, 
in  Washington  County,  Ind.,  and  is  the  eldest  of  eleven  children  born 
to  John  and  Elizabeth  (Sandy)  Stierwalt,  both  natives  of  North  Carolina, 
and  of  German  extraction.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  grew  to  manhood 
a  farmer,  and  attended  subscription  schools  about  three  months  of  each 
winter,  during  his  youth,  thus  acquiring  a  common  school  education. 
For  a  start  in  life  he  received  about  $1,500,  with  which  he  purchased 
land.  He  finally  sold  out  and  came  to  Morgan  County,  locating,  in  1851, 
in  Jefferson  Township,  remainiug  four  years,  at  the  end  of  that  time 
coming  to  this  township,  where  he  has  resided  since.  He  owns  a  fine 
farm  of  300  acres,  well- improved.  On  December  11,  1842,  he  was  mar- 
ried to  Adaline  Guy,  a  native  of  North  Carolina.  Eight  children  have 
been  born  to  them,  viz. :  Elizabeth  (Shake),  John  M.,  Martha  (Schrim 
sher),  .Keziah  (Hodges),  Elsie  C.  (Shake),  William^M.,  Michael  A,  and 
Mary  A.  (Knoy).  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Stierwalt  are  members  of  the  Missionary 
Baptist  Church.  He  is  an  active  member  of  the  Grange,  and  cast  his 
first  vote  for  President  for  James  K.  Polk,  being  a  Democrat.  In  1860, 
he  was  elected  Assessor  of  this  township,  having  been  twice  re-elected 
since.  In  the  fall  of  1876,  he  was  elected  Township  Trustee,  re-elected 
in  1878,  again  re-elected  in  the  spring  of  1882,  and  is  at  present  serving 


330  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

in  that  capacity.     Mr.  Stierwalt  is  a  public-spirited  citizen,  an  industri- 
ous, well-to-do  farmer,  and  a  genial  gentleman. 

MICHAEL  A.  STIERWALT,  was  born  on  March  6,  1857,  in  ^lor- 
gan  County,  Ind.,  and  is  the  seventh  child  of  Michael  and  Adeline  (Guy) 
Stierwalt,  natives  of  Indiana  and  North  Carolina  respectively,  and  of 
German  descent.  Our  subject  was  reared  on  a  farm,  received  a  common 
school  education,  and  is  at  present  making  his  home  with  his  parents. 
In  1875,  he  had  the  misfortune  of  losing  his  left  arm,  by  the  bursting  of 
a  gun.  On  December  16,  1880,  he  was  married  to  Joanna  Pritchard,  a 
native  of  Illinois.  Two  children  have  been  born  to  this  union,  viz. : 
Cornie  E.,  born  October  11,  1881;  Eddie  L.,  July  11,  1883.  Mr.  Stier- 
walt is  a  consistent  member  of  the  Missionary  Baptist  Church.  In 
politics,  he  is  a  stanch,  wide-awake  Democrat. 

JOHN  F.  STIERWALT,  an  enterprising  farmer  and  stock-raiser  of 
this  township,  was  born  on  August  12,  1833,  in  Owen  County,  Ind.,  and 
is  the  sixth  of  eleven  children  born  to  John  and  Elizabeth  (Sandy)  Stier- 
walt, both  natives  of  North  Carolina,  and  of  German  extraction.  Our 
subject  was  brought  up  on  a  farm  near  Gosport,  Ind.,  and  received  a 
limited  education.  He  spent  the  most  of  his  early  youth'in  rolling  logs, 
picking  brush,  and  helping  to  clear  land  for  a  farm.  As  a  start  in  life^ 
he  received  about  $1,500,  and  now  owns  a  farm  of  164  acres  of  good 
land,  well-improved.  In  1854,  he  came  to  this  county,  and  has  resided 
here  ever  since.  On  April  11,  1861,  he  was  married  to  Milcha  A.  Shake, 
a  native  of  this  county.  Nine  children  have  been  born  to  them,  viz. : 
Eli  F.  (deceased),  born  November  27,  1862;  Levi  A.,  born  February  28, 
1864;  Martha  E.,  born  November  26,  1866;  Michael  H.,  born  March  1, 
1869;  Robert_W.  (deceased),  born  October  7,  1871;  William  T.,  born 
August  15,  1874;  Rosy  E.,  born  February  24,  1877;  Mary  A.,  born  July 
6,  1879;  Miranda  C,  born  October  7,  1881.  He  and  his  wife  are  mem- 
bers of  the  Missionary  Baptist  Church.  Mr.  Stierwalt  is  a  stanch  Demo- 
crat, and  at  one  time  took  an  active  part  in  the  Grange  movement.  He 
cast  his  first  vote  for  President  for  James  Buchanan.  He  is  a  liberal 
giver  to  benevolent  and  charitable  institutions  and  movements,  is  a 
public-spirited  citizen,  and  much  respected  by  his  associates  and  ac- 
qi^aintances. 

THOMAS  S.  STIRWALT,  farmer  and  stock-raiser,  was  born  De- 
cember 11, 1835,  in  Morgan  County,  Ind.,  and  is  the  third  child  of  Adam 
and  Lucy  (Sandy)  Stirwalt,  natives  of  North  Carolina,  and  of  German 
extraction.  Adam  Stirwalt  was  a  very  early  settler  here,  and  made  him- 
self a  farm  from  the  forests.  Thomas  S.  was  reared  on  this  farm,  re- 
ceiving but  little  education.  At  his  twenty -fourth  year,  he  received 
eighty  acres  from  his  father,  and  by  energy  has  increased  this  to  240 
acres,  and  added  to  it  all  the  modern  improvements.  On  October  19, 
1859,  Mr.  Stirwalt  was  married  to  Lucinda  C.  Mannan,  who  was  born  in 
this  county  October  10,  1841.  Six  children  have  been  born  to  them — 
Sims  H.  and  La  Fayette  (both  deceased),  Cornelius  R.  (deceased),  Benja- 
min F.  (deceased),  Eli  E.,  born  December  11,  1865,  aod  Sarah  C.^  Janu- 
ary 10,  1871.  The  parents  belong  to  the  Missionary  Baptist  Church. 
Mrs.  Stirwalt  is  a  daughter  of  William  R.  and  Rebecca  (Chambers)  Man- 
nan,  natives  of  Indiana,  and  of  German  extraction.  He  is  a  liberal 
citizen,  and  cast  his  first  vote  for  Douglas.  He  is  firmly  stranded  on 
Democratic  rocks,  is  a  most  worthy  gentleman,  and  in  whatever  position 
he  is  placed,  he  will  succeed  well. 


ASHLAND  TOWNSHIP.  339 

EVAN  E.  TWOMEY,  farmer  and  stock  grower,  was  born  in  Eowan 
County,  N.  C,  March  14,  1817,  and  is  the  third  in  a  family  of  fourteen 
children  born  to  William  B.  and  Nancy  (Wayman)  Twomey,  of  Irish  and 
English  extraction  respectively.  When  only  three  years  of  age,  the  sub- 
ject of  our  sketch  removed  with  his  parents  from  his  native  State  to  East 
Tennessee.  There  the  family  remained  some  thirteen  years,  and  there 
our  subject  received  the  rudiments  of  an  English  education.  In  after 
years,  however,  he  acquired  by  his  own  exertions  a  good  practical  busi- 
ness education.  At  a  very  early  age,  he  learaed  the  wagon-maker's  trade, 
and  afterward  learned  the  ship-carpenter's  trade,  which  he  followed  for 
many  years.  In  1834,  he  removed  to  New  Albany,  Ind. ,  where  he  started 
a  ship-yard,  and  also  owned  and  operated  a  saw-mill  aud  foundry.  Still 
later,  he  added  steamboating  to  his  other  business,  which  he  followed  for 
a  number  of  years  on  the  Ohio  and  Mississippi  Rivers,  owning  several 
valuable  boats.  Soon  after  the  war,  however,  he  met  with  severe  finan- 
cial reverses;  but,  nothing  daunted,  in  the  fall  of  1868  he  came  to  Mor- 
gan County,  Ind.,  and  commenced  with  a  stout  heart  and  willing  hands 
to  rebuild  his  shattered  fortunes.  Here,  by  industry  and  economy,  he 
has  again  amassed  a  handsome  property,  now  owning  a  well-improved 
farm  in  Ashland  Township  of  160  acres,  upon  which  he  still  resides,  as 
well  as  other  valuable  property.  August  26,  1836,  he  was  united  in  mar- 
riage with  Miss  Mary  E.  McKinley,  a  native  of  Kentucky,  and  of  Irish 
descent.  Thirteen  children  were  the  fruit  of  this  union,  six  of  whom, 
two  sons  and  four  daughters,  are  yet  living.  Botb  Mr.  Twomey  and  wife 
are  members  of  the  church,  he  of  the  Christian  and  she  of  the  Missionary 
Baptist.  He  is  also  a  member  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F.  and  of  the  Masonic 
fraternity.  He  cast  his  first  vote  for  William  H.  Harrison,  but  is  now 
identified  with  the  Democratic  party. 

THOMAS  S.  VOSHELL,  farmer  and  stock- raiser,  of  Ashland  Town- 
ship, was  born  on  January  14,  1854,  in  Morgan  County,  and  is  the  fourth 
of  the  six  children  born  to  Daniel  H.  and  Delilah  (Goss)  (Sandy)  Voshell, 
natives  of  Morgan  County,  Ind.,  and  residents  of  Ray  Township.  Thomas*^ 
grandfather,  William  Voshell,  was  one  of  the  first  settlers  of  this  county. 
Thomas  S.  was  reared  a  farmer,  but  was  well  educated,  and  attended  an 
academy  in  Henry  County,  Ind.,  and  also  eighteen  months  at  the  Bedford 
College,  in  Lawrence  County,  Ind.  He  has  also  taught  two  terms  of 
school  with  success.  He  and  his  sister,  Mrs.  Mary  A.  McGinnis,  ol  Knox 
County,  Ind.,  are  all  that  are  left  of  his  father's  family.  On  January  1, 
1879,  Mr.  Voshell  was  married  to  Rebecca  E.  Knoy,  a  native  of  this 
county,  who  was  born  July  27,  1854.  Two  children  have  been  given 
them — Daniel  J.,  born  December  29,  1879,  and  died  June  18,  1880,  and 
Mary  D.,  born  January  30,  1881.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Baptist 
and  his  wife  of  the  Christian  Church.  He  is  an  active  member  of  the 
Grange.  He  is  a  Democrat.  Mi-.  Voshell  received  from  his  father  about 
$400,  and  his  wife  was  presented  with  an  eighty-acre  farm  by  her  parents. 
He  has  added  fifteen  acres  to  this  farm.  Mrs.  Voshell  is  a  daughter  of 
Solomon  and  Mary  (Ratts)  Knoy,  natives  of  North  (Carolina  and  Indiana, 
and  of  German  extraction.  Mr.  Voshell  is  a  shrewd  and  industrious 
business  man,  and  from  present  appearances  will  make  a  success  in  life. 
He  is  now  agent  for  the  New  Home  Sewing  Machine  in  this  township. 

PRESTON  D.  WAKELAND,  an  enterprising  farmer  and  stock-raiser 
of  this  township,  was  born  August  23,  1830,  in  Butler  County,  Ohio,  and 
is  the  third  of  the  six  children  born  to  Turner  R.  and  Nianetia  (Arthur) 
Wakeland,  Kentuckians,  of  Irish  and  Scotch-Irish  extraction.     Preston 


340  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

D.'s  parents  brought  him  to  Marion  County,  Ind.,  in  his  fourth  year,' 
and  here  he  attained  manhood  on  the  farm,  and  received  the  rudi- 
ments of  an  education.  In  1856,  he  came  to  Morgan  County,  and 
has  remained  here  ever  since.  He  enlisted,  in  the  fall  of  1862,  in 
Company  H,  Seventieth  Indiana  Infantry.  He  was  in  the  following 
battles:  Resaca,  Kenesaw  Mountain,  and  in  the  sieges  of  Atlanta, 
Bentonville  and  Averyboro,  besides  other  battles  and  numerous  skir- 
mishes. He  was  discharged  at  Indianapolis  in  the  spring  of  1865.  He 
also  accompanied  Sherman  on  his  "march  to  the  sea."  Mr.  Wakeland 
was  married,  on  October  16,  1853,  to  Sarah  P.  Hawkins,  a  native  of  In- 
diana. They  have  had  seven  children — one  deceased  (unnamed),  Ed- 
wilda  J.  (deceased),  Turner  R.,  Clytus  C,  Eliza  J.,  John  J.  and  Charley 
A.  Mrs.  Wakeland  is  a  member  of  the  Christain  Church,  and  he  is  a 
member  of  the  G.  A.  R.  He  has  a  farm  of  ninety-eight  acres,  well  im- 
proved, and  is  a  liberal  giver  to  all  charitable  institutions.  He  is  a  Re- 
publican. He  has  been  acting  as  Deputy  Sheriff,  more  or  less,  for  the 
past  eight  years. 

BLUFORD  CLARK  WATSON,  a  farmer  and  stock-raiser  of  Ash- 
land Township,  was  born  July  29,  1852,  in  Morgan  County,  and  in  the 
ninth  of  eleven  children  born  to  Simon  and  Samirah  (Bowman)  Watson, 
the  former  a  native  of  North  Carolina,  and  the  latter  of  Kentucky.  Our 
subject  was  reared  a  farmer,  but  received  a  good  education  from  the  pub- 
lic schools.  At  the  age  of  twenty  years,  he  commeaced  teaching  school, 
and  has  taught,  with  the  exception  of  one  winter,  ever  since  with  good 
success.  On  February  3,  1876,  he  was  married  to  Sarah  A.  Michael,  a 
native  of  Morgan  County,  born  August  9,  1857.  Three  children  have 
been  born  to  them — Minnie  B.,  born  September  22,  1877;  Maud  E.,  born 
May  17,  1880;  and  Ivy  C,  born  September  29,  1882.  Mr.  Watson  is  a 
member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity  at  Eminence,  this  county.  In  politics, 
he  is  a  stanch  Democrat.  He  owns  a  fine  little  farm  of  110  acres,  acquired 
through  his  own  thrift  and  industry.  Mr.  Watson  is  a  genial,  whole- 
souled  gentleman,  and  very  much  respected  by  his  associates  and  ac- 
quaintances. 

LEVI  B.  WHITAKER,  an  enterprising  farmer  and  stock-raiser  of 
Ashland  Township,  was  born  March  1,  1828,  in  the  western  part  of  this 
county,  near  Owen,  and  is  one  of  the  eleven  children  born  to  Grafton  and 
Margaret  (Gregg)  Whitaker,  Kentuckians,  of  English  descent.  Grafton 
Whitaker  came  to  this  county  in  1826,  and  at  his  death  owned  680  acres 
of  land.  He  was  Colonel  of  the  militia  in  the  county  soon  after  his 
arrival.  He  died  July  19,  1862.  Levi  B.  Whitaker  grew  to  maturity 
on  a  farm,  receiving  a  rudimentary  education.  As  the  schools  were  poor, 
he  studied  at  home  by  the  light  of  the  fire — they  had  no  lamps  then.  He 
remained  with  his  father  until  his  twenty-fifth  year,  when  his  father 
gave  him  200  acres  of  land  in  the  woods,  and  he  began  to  make  him  a 
home.  Mr.  Whitaker  now  owns  540  acres  in  this  county,  pretty  well- 
improved,  and  made  it  by  his  industry.  On  January  21,  1869,  Mr. 
Whitaker  was  married  to  Susan  C.  RobertsoQ,  a  native  of  Owen  County, 
Ind.,  and  a  daughter  of  Thomas  and  Delilah  (Asher)  Robertson,  natives 
of  East  Tennessee  and  Kentucky,  and  of  Irish  and  English  extraction. 
Mr.  Whitaker  is  a  member  of  the  Missionary  Baptist  and  his  wife  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church.  He  is  a  Democrat,  and  was  elected  Trustee  of 
Ashland  Township  in  the  spring  of  1874,  holding  the  position  one  term. 
Mr.  Whitaker  is  a  liberal  giver  to  all  charitable  institutions,  and  by  his 
kind  and  sympathetic  nature  has  won  for  himself  many  friends. 


ASHLAND   TOWNSHIP.  341 

DAVID  L.  WHITAKER  (deceased)  was  born  August  30,  1830,  in 
Morgan  County,  Ind.,  and  died  January  3,  1872,  and  was  one  of 
the  eleven  children  born  to  Grafton  and  Margaret  (Gregg)  Whitaker,  na- 
tives of  Kentucky,  and  of  English  extraction,  and  early  settlers  of  this 
county.  David  L.  was  reared  on  a  farm,  and  received  the  rudiments  of 
an  education.  He  remained  at  home  until  his  twenty-eighth  year,  when 
he  went  to  work  for  himself.  On  November  18,  1858,  Mr.  Whitaker 
married  Mary  J.  Edwards,  a  native  of  Owen  County,  Ind.,  and  born 
February  9,  1841.  Two  children  were  born  to  this  couple — John  S., 
born  on  December  5,  1859;  and  Melinda  B.,  on  April  14,  1863.  Mr. 
Whitaker  was  an  active  member  of  the  Missionary  Baptist  Church.  He 
had  received  100  acres  of  land  from  his  father,  and  at  his  death  owned 
334  aci'es,  which  has  since  been  divided  between  the  two  children  and  his 
widow.  The  children  each  received  117  acres,  and  Mrs.  Whitaker  100 
acres;  each  also  received  an  equal  portion  of  $3,300.  Mr.  Whitaker  was 
a  devout  Christian  gentleman,  and  very  liberal  in  all  his  dealings.  He 
was  a  stanch  Democrat,  and  at  one  time  acted  as  Assessor  of  Ray  Town- 
ship. Mrs.  Wuitaker  is  a  daughter  of  William  and  Lucinda  (Asher) 
Edwards,  natives  of  Indiana. 

JOHN  S.  WHITAKER,  farmer  and  stock-raiser  of  this  township, 
was  born  December  5,  1859,  in  Morgan  County,  Ind.,  and  is  the  eldest 
of  the  two  children  born  to  David  L.  and  Mary  J.  (Edwards)  Whitaker, 
natives  of  Morgan  and  Owen  Counties,  Ind.,  and  respectively  of  English 
and  German  descent.  John  S.  was  reared  upon  a  farm,  but  received  a 
good  education,  graduating  from  the  Spencer  High  School,  and  attend- 
ing two  years  at  the  State  University  at  Bloomington,  Ind.,  where  he 
acquitted  himself  with  honor.  He  has  followed  farming  since  his  return 
home.  November  14,  1882,  he  was  married  to  Alice  Voshell,  a  native 
of  this  county.  He  and  his  wife  belong  to  the  Missionary  Baptist 
Church.  Mr.  Whitaker  belongs  to  the  following:  The  Sigma-Chi  frater- 
nity at  Bloomington,  Ind.,  and  the  Masonic  fraternity  at  Eminence,  Ind. 
He  is  a  wide-awake  Democrat,  and  in  the  spring  of  1882  was  elected  As- 
sessor of  Ashland  Township,  an  office  which  he  holds  four  years.  He  re- 
ceived from  his  father's  estate  117  acres  of  good  land,  takes  great  pride 
in  raising  good  stock,  and  is  an  excellent  business  manager.  Mrs. 
Whitaker  is  a  daughter  of  Levi  J.  and  Sarah  A.  (Mannan)  Voshell,  na- 
tives of  Indiana. 

JOHN  WINGLER,  farmer  and  stock-raiser  of  this  township,  and 
also  a  manufacturer  of  brick,  was  born  March  5,  1842,  in  this  county,  and 
is  the  youngest  of  four  children  born  to  John  and  Eva  (Knoy)  Wingler, 
both  deceased,  natives  of  Indiana  and  North  Carolina,  and  of  German 
extraction.  John  was  reared  a  farmer,  being  poorly  educated.  When 
he  was  quite  young,  his  parents  died,  and  he  lived  with  his  grandfather, 
George  Knoy,  until  his  twentieth  year.  At  that  time  he  enlisted  in 
Company  H,  Seventy-ninth  Indiana  Infantry,  August  20,  1862,  and  re- 
mained in  the  service  until  September,  1863,  wheu  he  was  discharged  on 
account  of  disability.  He  was  engaged  in  numerous  skirmishes,  and  on 
his  return  home  he  engaged  in  farming.  In  the  year  1873,  he  began 
manufacturing  brick,  and  has  since  that  time  burned  about  12,000,000. 
Mr.  Wingler  married,  November  2,  1865,  Milkey  Costin,  of  this  county. 
They  have  had  six  children — Lewis  F.,  Ella  F.*  Katy  E.,  Jesse  E.  and 
two  infants  unnamed.  He  belongs  to  the  I.  O.  O.  P. ,  and  his  wife  to 
he  Christian  Church,  He  is  a  Democrat.  He  is  industrious,  and  is 
ow  cultivating  a  nice  farm  of  forty  acres,  which  is  well  improved. 


342  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES 


GREGG  TOWNSHIP. 


GEORGE  RILEY  BRIANT  was  born  in  Clay  Township,  this  coun- 
ty, August  17,  1843,  being  a  son  of  John  S.  and  Rachel  (Burr is)  Briatit, 
who  came  at  an  early  day  to  this  State,  married,  and  reared  nine  sons 
and  one  daughter.  George  R.  Briant,  after  working  on  the  farm  and 
going  to  school,  enlisted  August  12,  J  801,  in  Company  A,  Thirty-third 
Indiana  Volunteer  Regiment,  and  served  actively  for  three  and  a  half 
years;  he  experienced  many  hard  battles,  and  May  25,  1865,  had  his  left 
arm  shot  off  at  the  sh(julder,  which  led  to  his  discharge  in  February, 
1865.  He  was  previously  taken  prisoner  at  Thompson's  Station,  and 
held  thirty-three  days  in  Libby  Prison,  and  afterward,  in  February, 
1864,  became  a  veteran.  After  the  war  he  engaged  in  farming,  and  in 
1879  commenced  the  photographic  business  at  Wilbur,  in  which  he  is  now 
engaged.  While  on  veteran  furlough,  April  26,  1864,  he  married  Emily 
S.,  daughter  of  W.  Gordon  (deceased),  which  union  gave  issue  to  seven 
children — Franklin  Sherman,  Bennie  Ellsworth,  Lodema  Ellen,  Naomi 
E.  (deceased),  Yiola  Eldora,  Letida  Evaline  and  Dudley  Erech.  In 
1878,  Mr.  Briant  came  into  this  township,  and  has  for  some  years  re- 
sided at  Wilbur.  He  was  Township  Assessor  from  1876  to  1878,  and 
has  served  eight  years  as  Constable.  He  is  owner  of  120  acres  in  Jeffer- 
son, and  of  12^  acres  in  this  township.  Mr.  Bnant  is  an  active  Repub- 
lican, and  he  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 

RICE  EVANS  BROWN  was  born  m  Oldham  County,  Ky.,  January 
27,  1819,  and  is  a  son  of  William  and  Elizabeth  (AVilson)  Brown,  na- 
tives of  Virginia,  whero  they  married  in  1796.  Mr.  Brown  came  to  In- 
diana in  1834,  after  living  in  Kentucky  for  some  years,  where  Mrs. 
Brown  closed  her  life  in  1829,  aged  tifty-two  years.  He  aftei-ward  mar- 
ried Elizabeth  Phillips,  and  died  in  1854,  aged  eighty  years,  in  this 
township.  Rice  Evans  Brown  was  reared  on  the  farm,  and  received  the 
rudiments  of  education  from  the  subscription  schools.  September  7, 
1837,  he  mai-ried  Ann  C,  daughter  of  Bright  and  Elizabeth  Pruitt,  by 
which  union  were  born  to  them  ten  children — William  B.,  Andrew  C, 
Emily  S.,  James  M.,  Sarah  E.,  Amos  (deceased),  Alvin  H.,  Almira  J., 
Mary  M.  (deceased)  and  Ida  May.  Mrs.  Brown  departed  this  life  Au- 
gust 5,  1883,  aged  sixty-two  years,  a  member  of  the  Christian  Church. 
Mr.  Brown  owns  and  cultivates  160  acres,  of  which  Mrs.  Brovra  inherited 
eighty  from  her  father.  Three  of  their  sons — William  B.,  Andrew  C. 
and  James  M. — were  soldiers  in  the  late  war.  Mr.  Brown  is  a  pillai'  of 
the  Christian  Church,  and  a  respected  citizen. 

JAMES  HENRY  BROWN  was  born  in  this  township  September  15, 
1842,  and  is  a  sod  of  Oliver  H.  and  Betsey  (Carter)  Brown,  natives  of 
Kentucky,  whose  parents  moved  to  Indiana  in  the  early  time,  and  located 
in  Morgan  County,  where  the  parents  of  our  subject  were  married. 
James  Henry  is  the  eldest  of  this  family,  and  assisted  his  father  on  the 
homestead  farm.  September  16,  1861,  he  enlisted  in  Company  E,  Thir- 
ty-third Indiana  Volunteer  Regiment,  served  three  years,  and  in  Febru- 
ary, 1864,  became  a  veteran.     He  took  part  in  the  battles  of  Wild  Cat, 


GREGG  TOWNSHIP.  343 

Resaca,  Peach  Tree  Creek,  Atlanta,  the  historic  "  Sherman's  march,"  and 
during  his  service  was  promoted  from  Corporal  to  Captain  of  his  com- 
pany, as  -which  he  left  the  army.  After  his  return,  he  pursued  farming 
for  some  years,  and  in  February,  1871,  engaged  in  mercantile  business 
at  Hall,  which  enterprise  he  has  successfully  continued.  While  at  home 
on  furlough,  April  17,  1864,  he  married  Miss  Emeline,  dau.ghter  of 
Michael  Pruitt,  to  which  union  have  been  born  six  children — Leroy  N. 
(deceased),  Oraola,  Josephine  (deceased),  Ina  Bell,  Daisy  D.  and  Ralph 
Edwin.  In  1866,  Mr.  Brown  was  elected  Township  Trustee,  and  has 
been  Postmaster  at  Hall  since  1876.  He  is  a  stanch  Republican  and  a 
Master  Mason,  and  he  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Christian  Church. 

BENJAMIN  CORN  WELL  was  born  in  Oldham  County,  Ky.,  Decem- 
ber 3,  1844,  and  is  the  eldest  of  the  five  children  of  John  and  Minei'va 
(Williams)  Cornwell,  natives  of  Kentucky,  who  located  in  Washington 
County,  Ind.,  where  our  subject  grew  to  manhood  and  obtained  the  com- 
mon education  the  schools  afforded.  During  boyhood,  Benjamin  learned 
the  blacksmith  trade,  at  which  he  labored  until  August,  1861,  when  he 
enlisted  in  Company  K,  Fifty-third  Indiana  Volunteers,  and  served 
actively  at  Vicksburg,  Black  River,  Bolivar,  Jackson,  Shiloh  and  on  other 
fields;  received  an  honorable  discharge  in  1864,  aad  afterward  engaged 
at  farming  for  one  year;  then  resumed  blacksmithing,  at  which  he  has 
siuce  continued.  November  16,  1865,  he  wedded  Vernilla  Ludlow,  of 
this  county,  and  they  have  become  parents  to  five  children,  three  of 
whom  are  living — John  Milton,  Altha  and  Levada.  Mr.  Cornwell  is  an 
excellent  man  and  a  patriotic  citizen.  Like  all  the  soldiers,  glory  nestles 
around  him  and  shows  him  worthy  of  confidence  and  support.  He  is  an 
esteemed  citizen,  and  Mrs.  C.  is  a  member  of  the  Christian  Church. 

JAMES  COX  was  born  in  Dayton,  Ohio,  August  8, 1823,  and  is  a  son 
of  John  W^.  and  Nancy  (Swisher)  Cox,  natives  of  Pennsylvania,  who 
came  to  this  State  in  1824,  and  settled  in  this  county,  about  three  miles 
from  Martinsville;  they  reared  a  family  of  five — two  sons  and  three 
daughters.  James  Cox,  after  reaching  manhood,  in  conjunction  with  G. 
W.  Clapper,  purchased  his  father's  interest  in  a  mill,  and  managed  the 
same  until  1868,  when  Mr.  Clapper  retired,  and  he  conducted  the  same 
alone.  In  1846,  he  married  Sarah  Rogers,  a  union  cemented  by  six 
children — John  W.,  William  (deceased),  Mattie,  Emma,  Sarah  (deceased), 
and  Aquilla  B. ;  Mrs.  Cox  died  in  December,  1863,  a  member  of  the 
Christian  Church.  May  5,  1864,  Mr.  Cox  wedded  Elizabeth  J.  Hoyt, 
and  to  this  marriage  were  bestowed  three  children — Edgar  G.,  Hattie 
and  Minnie  Bell.  In  1868,  his  mill  at  High  Rock  having  burned,  Mr. 
Cox  moved,  to  Martinsville,  and  in  company  with  another,  erected  a  steam 
flouring  mill,  which  was  continued  nine  years.  In  November,  1882,  he 
removed  to  Hall,  and  purchased  a  half  interest  in  the  steam  saw  and 
flouring  mill,  to  which  he  has  since  devoted  his,  time  and  energy.  Mr. 
Cox  is  an  esteemed  and  worthy  citizen,  and  he  and  wife  are  members  of 
the  Christian  Church. 

REV.  JESSE  BROOKS  JOHNSON  was  born  in  this  county,  January 
20,  1837,  and  is  a  son  of  Brooks  S.  and  Anna  B.  (Green)  Johnson,  natives 
of  North  Carolina,  who  came  to  this  section  about  1835,  and  settled  in 
Adams  Township,  where  Mrs.  Johnson  ended  her  life  in  1858;  Mr.  John- 
son is  still  living,  aged  eighty-five  years.  Rev.  Mr.  Johnson  was  reared 
at  home,  and  is  the  youngest  son  of  eight  children.  He  early  acquired 
a  good    education,  and  afterward  taught  for  some   time,  instructing  in 


344  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

penmanship  for  live  years.  He  grew  up  in  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church,  and  being  gifted  as  a  speaker,  naturally  leaned  toward  the 
ministry;  he  afterward,  however,  affiliated  with  the  Christian  Church  in 
1867,  and  was  ordained  Elder  in  1870.  in  which  denomination  he  has 
continued  to  preach  efficiently.  October  20,  1859,  he  married  Mary  E., 
daughter  of  Allen  R.  Seaton,  and  to  this  union  have  been  bestowed  six 
children — Lieusely,  Charles  S. ,  Melvin  A.,  Carrie,  Ernest  F.  and  Oliver. 
The  mother  of  this  family  came  to  her  death  March  29,  1882,  aged 
forty-three  years,  a  member  of  the  Christian  Church.  Mr.  Johnson 
removed  to  his  farm  in  1871,  comprising  107  acres;  but  he  has  never 
neglected  the  service  of  God  and  the  welfare  of  his  fellow-man.  Dur- 
ing 1883,  he  was  pastor  of  Mount  Pleasant  Church  at  Hall.  He  is  a 
noted  temperance  orator  and  Sabbath  school  worker,  an  upright  man,  a 
persuasive  preacher,  and  belongs  to  the  Masonic  fraternity. 

HOWARD  C.  JONES,  M.  D.,  was  born  in  Hendricks  County,  Ind., 
May  4,  1853,  and  is  the  only  child  of  William  W.  and  Mary  Ann  (Poe) 
Jones,  both  natives  of  Kentucky,  but  married  in  this  State.  Dr.  Jones 
was  reared  at  home,  in  Clayton,  and  afterward  worked  three  years  in  a 
woolen  factory,  but  attended  the  common  schools  a  due  time.  After  pre- 
paring himself,  he  entered,  in  1874,  the  College  of  Physicians  and  Sur- 
geons at  Indianapolis,  from  which  he  graduated  in  1877,  as  Doctor  of 
Medicine.  His  first  experience  was  at  Pittsboro,  whence  he  removed  to 
Marion  County,  and  became  physician  to  the  Marion  County  Asylum. 
December  23,  1877,  he  married  at  Clayton,  Julia  A.,  daughter  of  Robert 
S.  and  Elizabeth  Pearson,  to  which  union  were  bestowed  three  children — 
Rilus,  Pearl  (deceased)  and  Irwin.  Two  months  succeeding  his  marriage, 
he  moved  to  Hall,  in  this  county,  and  began  the  practice  of  his  profes- 
sion, taking  rank  immediately  as  a  practitioner.  He  is  an  old-school 
regular  physician,  and  enjoys  the  confidence  of  his  fellow-citizens,  having 
graduated  No.  1  in  a  class  of  thirty-four.  Dr.  Jones  is  a  Republican  and 
an  esteemed  citizen. 

WILLIAM  KIRK  is  a  native  of  Shelby  County,  Ind.,  having  been 
born  February  7,  1830,  and  his  parents  having  been  William  H.  and 
Elizabeth  (Depew)  Kirk,  both  of  whom  were  natives  of  Kentucky,  who 
came  to  this  State  in  the  eai-ly  days,  and  in  1838  to  this  covmty.  They 
were  blessed  with  five  sons  and  four  daughters.  Our  subject  was  reared 
at  home  and  on  a  farm,  obtained  some  rudimental  education  from  the 
common  schools,  and  began  life  for  himself  when  twenty-two  years  of 
age.  In  1851,  he  married,  in  this  county,  Mary  E  ,  daughter  of  Nathan 
Dow,  and  to  them  were  bestowed  five  children — Nathan  H.  (deceased), 
David  B. ,  Daniel  R.,  Martha  Alice,  and  Nancy  Elizabeth.  Mr.  Kirk  is 
owner  of  217  acres  of  good  farming  land  in  two  tracts,  both  in  this  town- 
ship, and  most  of  which  is  in  fair  improvement  and  cultivation.  Out  of 
this  property,  he  received  but  sparse  assistance  from  his  father's  estate. 
Mr.  Kirk  is  a  practical  farmer,  a  successful  man  in  business,  a  Republican 
in  politics,  and  he  and  his  wife  are  strict  members  of  the  Christian 
Church. 

SMITH  LABERTEW,  farmer,  is  a  native  of  Owen  County,  Ind.; 
was  born  September  25,  1841,  his  parents  being  Joseph  and  Mary  Ann 
(Hart)  Labertew,  natives  of  Ohio,  who  came  to  Indiana  in  an  early  day 
and  settled  near  Gosport,  where  Joseph  Labertew  died  in  1846.  Mrs. 
Labertew  is  still  living,  and  is  about  eighty  years  of  age.  Smith  worked 
on  the  farm  and  attended  school  as  a  boy,  receiving  a  mediocre  education. 


GREGG  TOWNSHIP.  345 

September,  1861,  he  enlisted  in  the  Thirty-third  Indiana  Regiment,  be- 
came a  veteran,  and  served  in  all  nearly  four  years.  He  was  detailed  for 
hospital  duty  in  1863,  and  continued  therein  until  the  end.      March    18, 

1865,  he  was  captured  at  Blackwater,  S.  C,  and  held  eight  days.  Soon 
after,  he  was  sent  to  Tennessee  from  Resaca  with  wounded  men,  and  re- 
turned to  hospital  duty  at  Resaca.  November  22,  1866,  he  married 
Asenath  Lewallen,  from  which  union  has  resulted  one  child — Carl  A. 
Mr.  Labertew  came  to  this  township  in  1870,  settled  where  he  now  li  ves 
on  120  acres  of  well-improved  land,  the  earning  of  his  own  industry  and 
care.  Mr.  Labertew  is  a  Master  Mason;  in  politics  a  Republican,  and, 
in  company  with  his  wife,  a  member  of  the  Christian  Church. 

ROBERT  W.  McNAUGHT  is  a  native  of  Morgan  County,  Ind.,  was 
born  November  28,  1837,  and  is  the  youngest  son  of  Robert  W.  and 
Martha  McNaught;  the  former  a  native  of  Scotland,  the  latter  of  Penn- 
sylvania, who  removed  to  this  State  and  settled  in  Owen  County,  and 
still  later  in  this  county,  where  they  finished  their  lives — Mr.  McNaught 
in  December,  1847,  aged  forty-eight,  and  Mrs.  McNaught  in  November, 

1866,  aged  fifty-five  years,  having  reared  four  sons  and  four  daughters. 
Our  subject  was  reared  in  Martinsville,  attended  the  usual  schools,  and 
afterward  the  University  at  Indianapolis;  and  afterward  married  Mary 
C.  Garrison,  with  an  issue  of  eight  children  in  all — Ada  L.,  Lora  B., 
Emma  A.,  Olive  M.,  Cora,  Joseph  W.,  Frank  and  Walter.  Mr.  Mc- 
Naught served  as  Justice  of  the  Peace  in  1865,  and  was  re-elected  in 
1869.  In  the  spring  of  1871,  he  moved  into  Hall,  and  there  engaged  in 
the  harness  trade,  but  is  now  a  journeyman.  May  25,  1862,  he  enlisted 
in  Company  H,  Seventieth  Indiana  Volunteers,  served  three  years,  was 
engaged  in  the  battles  of  Resaca,  Lost  Mountain.  Rich  Mountain,  Peach 
Tree  Creek,  Marietta,  Atlanta  and  others.  Mr.  McNaught  is  a  Repub- 
lican, and  he  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Christian  Church. 

JOHN  WESLEY  MINTON  was  given  birth  in  Knox  County,  Tenn., 
November  19,  1833,  his  parents  being  Ebenezer  and  Dorcas  (Baldwin) 
Minton,  the  former  a  native  of  Virginia,  the  latter  of  Tennessee,  who 
moved  to  this  State  in  1849;  settled  in  Clark  County  for  two  years,  and 
thence  came  to  this  township,  where  Mr.  Minton  died  in  1877,  aged 
sixty-nine;  Mrs.  Minton  yet  lives,  aged  seventy-five  years;  they  had  five 
sons  and  five  daughters.  Our  subject  grew  up  on  the  home  farm,  and 
when  of  age  went  to  Illinois  for  five  years,  attending  and  teaching 
school;  but  the  greater  part  of  his  education  was  obtained  after  his 
marriage,  which  took  place  September  20,  1856,  in  Illinois,  the  bride  being 
Miss  Mary,  daughter  of  Joseph  Norton,  now  of  Kansas.  The  result  of 
this  union  was  twelve  children — Maria  Elizabeth,  Mary  Alice,  Emma 
(deceased),  Ida  May,  Delilah,  Rufus  Carlton,  Elbert,  "Cuty"  (deceased), 
Dollie,  Lida,  Clyda  and  Lillie.  In  1858,  Mr.  Minton  moved  to  Kansas, 
where  he  farmed  for  twelve  years.  September  10,  1861,  he  enlisted  in 
Company  G,  Seventh  Kansas  Cavalry,  became  Second  Sergeant,  served 
three  years;  re-onlisted  in  1864.  He  was  at  the  battles  of  Corinth, 
luka,  Pilot  Knob  and  many  skirmishes.  In  1871,  he  returned  to  Indiana 
and  settled  in  Wilbur,  where  he  engaged  in  mercantile  business,  and 
was  made  Postmaster  in  1872;  he  was  appointed  Trustee  in  1874,  and 
elected  in  1876,  and  served  in  all  five  years.  Mr.  Minton  has  a  fai-m  of 
217  acres,  which  he  owns  and  manages.  He  is  an  active  Republican  and 
a  progressive  citizen. 

NATHAN  NICHOLAS,  farmer,  is  a  native  of  Washington  County, 
Ky.,  was  born  September  16    1804,  and  is  a  son  of  Nathan  and  Nancy 


346  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

(Gresham)  Nicholas,  natives  respectively  of  North  Carolina  and  Vir- 
ginia, who  emigrated  to  Orange  County,  Ind.,  in  1815.  vphere  Mr.  Nich- 
olas died.  Our  subject  settled  in  this  county  in  1830,  near  Mooresville, 
and  in  this  tovt^nship  in  1848.  Mr.  Nicholas  has  been  twice  married — 
first,  October  23,  1828,  to  Sarah  Kearby,  a  native  of  Kentucky,  with  an 
issue  of  seven  children — Edward  C.  (deceased),  Nancy  M.,  Giles  H., 
Elizabeth  B. ,  Sophia  Jane,  Mary  and  Thomas  K.  (deceased).  The 
mother  of  these  died  in  1843,  and  November  1,  1853,  Mr.  Nicholas  mar- 
ried Mrs.  Lena  Hancock,  by  which  marriage  succeeded  five  children — 
Delphina  (deceased),  Samuel,  Loretta  F.,  Lena  Fiuatta  (deceased)  and 
Arli'ta  T.  Mr.  Nicholas  is  owner  of  eighty  acres  of  excellent  and  im- 
proved land,  which  possession  is  wholly  his  own  acquirement.  He  is  in 
political  matters  a  Republican,  and  he  and  wife  are  communicants  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 

.\LLEN  R.  SEATON  was  born  in  Jefferson  County,  Ky.,  April  28, 
1808,  a  son  of  George  and  Sarah  (Drake)  Seaton,  natives  respectively  of 
Virginia  and  Kentucky,  who  dated  their  ancestry  back  to  the  Scots  and 
Britons.  They  were  married  in  Kentucky  in  1803,  and  raised  a  family 
of  ten.  Allen  grew  to  manhood  with  his  parents  and  remained  with  them 
until  he  was  twenty-two  years  old.  August  11,  1830,  he  married  Sarah 
Pound,  a  union  which  produced  nine  children — John  P.,  George  W., 
Charles,  Richard  (deceased),  Mary  E.  (deceased),  James  P.,  Sarah  J., 
Grafton  W.  and  Apphia  M.  (deceased).  In  1832,  he  came  to  and  settled  on 
a  tract  of  land  entered  by  his  father  in  this  township.  His  sons  Charles 
and  Grafton  are  prominent  physicians  of  this  county,  the  former  being 
now  Treasurer  thereof.  Mrs.  SeattDn  died  at  Hall  January  31,  1884, 
aged  seventy-two  years.  She,  with  her  husband,  joined  the  Christian 
Church  in  1835.  Mr.  Seaton  owns  a  comfortable  eighty -acre  farm  given 
to  him  by  his  father.      He  was  once  a  Whig,  but  is  now  a  Republican. 

Grafton  W.  Seaton,  M.  D.,  was  born  March  5,  1846,  in  this 
county,  and  is  a  son  of  Allen  R.  Seaton.  He  was  bred  to  the  farm, 
attended  public  schools,  and  also  the  N.  W.  C.  University  for  two  terms. 
In  1868,  he  commenced  the  study  of  medicine  with  his  brother  Charles, 
a  physician  at  Hall,  and  at  the  end  of  a  year  attended  Rush  College,  Chi- 
cago; then,  later,  the  Louisville  Medical  College,  from  which  he  gradu- 
ated in  1870,  and  began  practice  with  his  brother  the  same  year.  From 
1878  to  1881,  he  was  in  the  drug  business.  March  2,  1871,  he  wedded 
Sarah  E.  Welman,  with  a  bestowal  of  four  children — Hany  A.,  Guy, 
Edna  E.  and  Nellie.  Dr.  Seaton  is  a  Freemason,  and  he  and  wife  are 
members  of  the  Christian  Church. 

ELI  P.  SHAKE,  farmer,  was  born  in  Gregg  Township,  Morgan  Coun- 
ty, Ind.,  May  21,  1841,  and  is  the  second  child  in  a  family  of  five  chil- 
dren born  to  George  W.  and  Catherine  H.  (Pruitfc)  Shake,  the  former  a 
native  of  Jefferson,  and  the  latter  of  Oldham  County,  Ky.  They  were  of 
German-Scotch  and  German  descent  respectively.  George  W.  Shake  re- 
ceived his  early  education  in  his  native  State,  and  while  yet  a  young 
man,  in  1835,  came  with  his  parents  to  Morgan  County,  Ind.  He  was 
married  at  the  age  of  eighteen,  and  soon  after  bought  160  acres  of  wild 
land  in  Gregg  Township,  where  he  subsequently  improved  the  farm  upon 
which  he  still  resides.  He  was  once  elected  Commissioner  of  Morgan 
County,  but  did  not  qualify.  He  is  an  active  member  of  the  Masonic 
fraternity.  Eli  P.  Shake,  the  subject,  received  a  limited  common  school 
education  in  youth,  and  was  employed  on  his  father's  farm  until  he  was 


GREGG    TOWNSHIP.  347 

twenty-one  years  old.  He  then  leased  forty  acres  of  wild  land  in  Gregg 
Township  for  six  years,  which  he  cleared.  In  the  fall  of  1870,  he  re- 
moved to  Bates  County,  Mo.,  where  he  settled  on  ninety  acres  of  wild  prai- 
rie land  deeded  t6  him  by  his  father.  Here  he  built  a  house,  improved 
a  farm  and  resided  three  years.  He  then  sold  this  place  and  returned 
to  Gregg  Township,  Morgan  Co.,  Ind. ,  where  he  bought  eighty  acres  of 
the  old  homestead,  upon  which  he  resided  until  the  fall  of  1883,  when  he 
sold  out  and  came  to  Adams  Township,  same  county,  where  he  bought 
the  farm  of  eighty  acres  upon  which  he  now  resides.  He  was  married. 
July  24,  1862,  to  Miss  Mary  E.  Yager,  a  native  of  Gregg  Township, 
Morgan  Co.,  Ind.,  and  a  daughter  of  William  W.  and  Sarah  A.  (Hinkle) 
Yager,  who  were  among  the  pioneers  of  Gregg  Township.  Three  chil- 
dren have  blessed  their  union,  of  whom  two  sons — William  W.  and  How- 
ard J.  are  yet  living.  Both  Mr.  Shake  and  wife  are  and  have  been  from 
<^arly  youth,  devoted  and  consistent  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church.     In  politics,  Mr.  Shake  is  a  Democrat. 

JACOB  ALONZO  SHIPLEY  first  saw  the  light  of  this  world  on 
March  4,  1846,  in  Jefferson  Township,  Morgan  County,  being  the  second 
son  of  Tolbert  and  Sarah  (Mclnturf)  Shipley,  natives  of  Tennessee  and 
Ohio  respectively;  they  were  pioneers  of  this  county,  having  lived  in  this 
township  for  forty- five  years.  Jacob  Alonzo  Shipley  spent  his  boyhood 
in  farm  work  and  pursuing  education  in  the  schools.  August  15,  1861, 
he  enlisted  in  Company  A,  Thirdy-third  Indiana  Volunteer  Regiment, 
and  served  four  years,  having  become  a  veteran  in  February,  1864.  He 
was  made  a  Corporal,  and  was  captured  at  Thompson's  Station,  held 
thirty -three  days  and  exchanged.  After  the  war,  he  engaged  in  saw 
milling  for  five  years  in  Jefferson  Township,  after  which  he  resumed 
farming,  which  he  has  since  followed.  October  19,  1871,  he  married 
Victoria  Rouseau,  from  which  union  descended  five  children — Bertie  (de- 
ceased), Percy  (deceased),  Myrtie,  Jesse  and  Hazel.  Mr.  Shipley  was 
elected  Trustee  of  this  township  in  1882,  and  still  serves  as  such.  He 
is  a  Republican  in  politics,  a  member  of  Blankenship  Post,  G.  A.  R., 
and  he  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 

HENRY  B.  SMITH,  farmer,  is  a  native  of  Owen  County,  Ind.,  was 
born  February  11,  1827,  his  parents  being  Daniel  and  Elizabeth  (Crum) 
Smith,  natives  of  Virginia,  who  emigrated  to  Kentucky,  later  to  Indiana 
in  1825,  and  settled  in  Owen  County  until  1831,  whence  they  moved  to 
this  township,  made  a  home  on  entered  land,  and  there  remained  until 
1875,  at  which  time  they  removed  to  Clayton,  -^here  Mr.  Smith  closed 
his  life  in  1879,  aged  about  seventy-nine.  After  this  event,  the  mother 
returned  to  the  homestead,  now  occupied  by  our  subject,  and  ended  her 
life  in  1881,  aged  seventy-six  years;  they  had  a  family  of  ten  children. 
Henry  B.  Smith  was  reared  on  the  homestead  farm,  and  at  seasons 
attended  the  subscription  schools.  December  2,  1847,  he  married  Jane 
Carder,  a  native  of  Kentucky,  to  which  union  have  been  given  nine  chil- 
dren— Vernilla  A.,  Ruth  J.,  Sanders,  Theodore  R.,  Harvey  M.,  Stephen, 
Henry  K.,  Eva  J.  (deceased)  and  Martha  R.  Mr.  Smith  is  the  owner  of 
a  good  farm  of  160  acres,  and  has  a  desirable  home — most  of  which  he 
has  acquired  by  his  own  efforts.  He  is  a  Democrat,  and  he  and  wife  are 
members  of  the  Christian  Church. 

ELIJAH  SMITH,  farmer,  is  a  native  of  Owen  County,  Ind.,  was  born 
February  23, 1829,  and  is  the  second  son  and  third  child  of  Daniel  and  Eliza- 
beth (Crum)  Smith.     He  was  brought  up  and  grew  to  manhood  on  the  home 


348  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

farm,  after  he  had  had  some  advantages  from  the  schools  of  the  time. 
Angust  24,  1852,  he  married,  in  this  township,  Mary  Carder,  by  which 
union  they  had  a  family  of  two  children — Lafayette  C.  and  James  H. 
Mr.  Smith  came  to  this  county  in  company  with  his  parents,  and  here  he 
has  made  a  home,  which  embraces  eighty  acres  of  well  improved  and 
cultivated  land,  the  most  of  which  has  been  gained  by  his  own  unaided 
exertions  and  exacting  frugality.  By  political  preference,  he  is  a  Demo- 
crat, and  by  cotemporary  judgment  a  good  citizen.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Smith, 
are  members  of  the  Christian  Church. 

BAKTHOLOME W  SMITH,  farmer,  was  born  in  Owen  County,  Ind. , 
February  5,  1837,  and  is  the  eldest  of  seven  children  born  to  Marcus  M. 
and  Malinda  (Pierson)  Smith,  the  former  of  whom  was  a  native  of  Mus- 
kingum County,  Ohio,  and  the  latter  of  Bourbon  County,  Ky.  They 
were  of  English  and  Irish  descent  respectively.  Marcus  M.  Smith- 
received  orly  a  very  limited  education  in  youth,  at  the  rude  log  school- 
houses  of  the  Indiana  frontier;  but  by  his  own  exertions,  and  by  the 
light  of  a  shell-bark  fire  afterward  acquired  a  fair,  practical  business 
education  and  became  of  the  best  historians  in  the  country.  After  his 
father's  death,  in  the  fall  of  1824,  the  family  removed  to  Owen  County, 
Ind.,  and  settled  on  some  600  acres  of  land  on  the  White  River,  which 
his  father  had  entered  some  years  before.  Here  young  Marcus  learned 
the  miller's  trade,  which  he  followed  for  several  years,  and  here  he  was 
afterward  married.  Later  he  bought  a  farm  in  Owen  County,  where  he- 
still  resides,  and  is  engaged  in  farming  and  stock-raising.  Both  himself 
and  wife  are  members  of  the  Christian  Church,  in  which  church  he  has 
been  a  minister  for  more  than  thirty  years.  The  father  of  Mrs.  Malinda 
Smith,  Bartholomew  Pierson,  served  under  Gen.  William  H.  Harrison 
at  the  battle  of  Tippecanoe  and  in  that  General's  other  campaigns 
against  the  Indians,  and  his  father,  Shadrach  Pier§on,  was  a  veteran  of 
the  Revolutionary  war,  having  served  seven  years,  or  through  the  entire 
struggle.  Bartholomew  Smith  received  such  an  education  in  youth  as 
could  be  obtained  at  the  primitive  log  schoolhouses  of  the  frontier,  and 
was  employed  on  his  father's  farm  until  he  was  twenty-one  years  old. 
He  was  then  employed  as  a  salesman  for  the  Turner  Scale  Company  for 
about  two  years.  In  September,  1861,  he  enlisted  in  the  Tenth  Indiana 
Battery,  and  served  with  the  same  in  all  its  marches  and  engagements 
until  the  close  of  the  war,  and  was  mustered  out  at  Indianapolis  in 
June,  1865.  He  participated  in  the  battles  of  Stone  River,  Chattanooga, 
Lookout  Mountain,  Missionary  Ridge,  and  the  Atlanta  campaign,  as  well 
as  many  other  lesser  engagements.  At  Dallas,  Ga. ,  he  was  severely  in- 
jured by  the  recoil  of  a  piece  of  artillery,  resulting  in  partial  paralysis. 
For  two  years  after  his  return  from  the  army,  he  was  engaged  in  rail- 
roading. He  then  bought  a  farm  in  Ray  Township,  Morgan  Co.,  Ind., 
where  he  resided  until  October,  1876,  when  he  sold  and  bought  another 
in  Gregg  Township,  where  he  still  resides.  He  was  married,  September 
21,  1861,  to  Miss  Mary  J.  Hancock,  a  native  of  Franklin  County,  Ky. 
Five  children,  two  sons  and  three  daughters,  have  blessed  their  union,  all 
of  whom  are  yet  living.  Mr.  Smith  is  a  member  of  Eminence  Lodge, 
No.  440,  A.,  F.  &  A.  M.,  and  is  also  a  member  of  the  G.  A.  R.  In  pol- 
itics,  he  is  a  Republican,  and  is  a  respected  citizen  of  Gregg  Township^ 

WILLIAM  H.  SMITH,  dealer  in  general  merchandise,  Herbemont, 
Ind.,  was  born  in  this  township  November  5,  1846,  and  is  the  sixth  of 
the  twelve  children  of  Allen  and  Elizabeth  (Brown)  Smith,   natives  of 


GREGG  TOWNSHIP.  349 

Kentucky  and  of  English  descent.  William  H.  Smith  was  reared  to 
farming,  and  received  his  education  at  the  common  schools.  December 
6,  J  866,  he  man-ied  Mollie  E. ,  daughter  of  Thomas  Dickson,  and  became 
the  father  of  seven  children — Ida  B.,  Thomas  A.,  Esta  D.,  Lura  E., 
Iva  (deceased),  Maggie  and  Herman.  In  1874,  Mr.  Smith  embarked  in 
mercantile  business  at  Herbemont,  where  he  has  done  a  thriving  business. 
He  is  a  Master  Mason,  and  has  acted  as  Past  Master.  In  1882,  he  pur- 
chased an  interest  in  a  saw-mill,  with  which  he  has  done  fairly.  He  is 
owner  of  a  good  and  improved  farm  of  sixty  acres,  which  will  always 
furnish  a  tine  home  and  revenue.  He  is  a  Democrat  in  politics,  and  he 
and  wife  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 

JOHN  B.  STALEY  was  born  in  Randolph  County,  N.  C,  February 
21,  1821,  and  is  the  third  son  of  the  thirteen  children  of  Eli  and  Mary 
(Rhodes)  Staley;  the  former  born  January  6,  1794,  the  latter  January  4, 
1796,  married  in  1813,  and  both  natives  of  North  Carolina,  who  moved 
to  this  State  in  1832,  and  settled  in  Adams  Township  on  Groverument 
land,  where  they  resided  for  thirty  years,  and  reared  a  family  of  nine 
daughters  and  three  sons.  John  B.  was  reared  at  home  and  to  farming, 
but  without  education.  July  13,  1840,  in  Paris,  111. ,  he  married  Sarah 
Brown,  a  native  of  Virginia,  as  a  result  of  which  contract  were  born 
twelve  children — an  infant  (deceased),  George  T.  (deceased),  Mary  (de- 
ceased), Elizabeth  (deceased),  Lucinda,  Matilda  (deceased),  Margaret, 
Malinda  J.  (deceased),  Martha  Ann  (deceased),  Delphina  (deceased), 
Sarah  Emily  and  Luella.  Mr.  Staley  is  owner  of  a  line  farm  of  160 
acres  near  the  town  of  Hall,  which,  after  eleven  years'  residence,  he  has 
rented  and  retired  to  the  town.  He  has  been  liberal  to  his  children  in 
matters  of  education,  and  is  an  exemplary  man  generally.  He  is  Demo- 
cratic in  politics,  and  he  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Christian  Church. 

WALTER  C.  STOUT  was  born  in  Randolph  County,  N.  C,  October 
11,  1828,  and  is  the  second  son  of  Allen  and  Sarah  (Brewer)  Stout,  who 
moved  to  this  State  in  1831,  and  settled  in  Monroe  Township,  where  they 
resided  five  years;  then  removed  to  Hendricks  County,  and  entered  320 
acres.  There  Mr.  Stout  died  in  1841,  aged  forty-six  years,  and  Mrs. 
Stout  died  at  Monrovia  in  1852,  aged  fifty-two  years.  Walter  C.  Stout 
passed  his  boyhood  on  the  home  farm,  and  in  school  going.  In  1844, 
be  began  learning  brick-masonry,  at  which  he  worked  fourteen  years. 
May  16,  1848,  he  married  Candace  Williams,  a  union  productive  of  eight 
children — Elvina  E.,  Howard,  John  Wesley,  Crittenden  C,  Mary,  Byron, 
Thomas  and  Ira.  The  mother  of  these  children  died  December  8,  1864, 
when  about  thirty-eight  years  old,  a  member  of  the  M.  E.  Church.  Feb- 
ruary 17,  1868,  he  married  Mrs.  Dartula  Wolf;  this  marriage  gave  being 
to  four  children — Joseph,  Cordelia,  Leotis  and  Ollie  (deceased).  In 
1844,  Mr.  Stout  began  studying  law,  which  he  afterward  gave  up  and 
went  to  farming.  In  1852,  he  was  engaged  in  mercantile  business  at 
Hall.  In  1856-58,  he  was  Deputy  Sheriff*  of  this  county  under  Dick 
Williams.  In  1867,  he  resumed  his  legal  studies,  and  is  at  present  Dep- 
uty Prosecutor  of  this  township.  In  1870,  he  located  in  this  township, 
since  when  he  has  lived  at  Wilbur.  He  is  a  prominent  stump  speaker, 
and  a  radical  Republican. 

THOMAS  WILHITE,  the  seventh  son  of  the  fifteen  children  born  to 
Noah  and  Polly  (Williams)  Wilhite,  came  into  the  world  at  Oldham 
County,  Ky.,  October  9,  1831.  His  parents  moved  to  this  State  from 
Kentucky  in  1835,  and  here  resided  until  death.      Thomas  was  reared  to 


850  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES  : 

farming  in  this  county,  receiving  by  times  some  education  from  the  com- 
mon schools.  After  his  majority,  in  March,  1852,  he  married  Miss  Can- 
dace  Wilson,  which  union  was  united  by  the  birth  of  four  children — 
Perry,  Mury,  John  A.,  and  Grant  (deceased).  The  mother  of  these  chil- 
dren died  March,  1871,  and  five  years  thereafter  Mr.  Wilhite  married 
Eleanor  Kirns,  and  to  this  alliance  was  vouchsafed  one  child — Ernest. 
For  some  years,  Mr.  Wilhite  has  been  engaged  in  the  saw  and  flouring 
mill  enterprise,  which  he  has  managed  very  encouragingly;  previous  to 
this  departure,  his  business  was  farming  and  stock-raising.  He  is  a  Re- 
publican in  politics,  and  an  earnest  temperance  advocate.  He  is  promi- 
nent in  good  and  benevolent  works,  an  honored  citizen,  and  he  and  wife 
are  members  of  the  Christian  Church. 

NOAH  H.  WILHITE  is  a  native  of  this  township,  was  born  April 
26,  1835,  and  is  a  son  of  Noah  and  Mary  (Williams)  Wilhite,  natives  of 
Virginia  and  Kentucky,  who  came  to  this  State  from  Kentucky  in  1834 
and  settled  on  land  in  this  township,  where  they  reared  thirteen  children. 
Our  subject  was  reared  to  the  honorable  pursuit  of  farming,  acquired  a 
fair  education  from  the  public  schools,  and  became  an  adept  in  music, 
both  instrumental  and  vocal.  October  6,  1855,  in  Adams  Township,  he 
married  Mary  A.  Hobbs,  by  whom  he  has  become  father  to  five  children 
— Saletha  Belle,  Urban  C,  John  R.,  Emma  G.  and  George  W.  In  1872, 
Mr.  Wilhite  removed  to  Illinois,  remained  three  years  in  Effingham 
County,  where  he  taught  the  science  of  music,  and  later  returned,  from 
ill  health,  to  Indiana.  For  the  last  five  years,  he  has  managed  the  home- 
stead. The  father  of  our  subject  died  in  March,  1860,  aged  sixty-nine, 
and  his  mother  in  July,  1858,  aged  sixty-two  years.  The  daughter  of 
our  subject — Mrs.  Deer — is  also  a  teacher  of  vocal  and  instrumental 
music. 

AARON  L.  W^ILHITE  is  a  native  of  Oldham  County,  Ky.,  was  born 
June  16,  1824,  and  is  a  son  of  Lamech  and  Mary  (Koebler)  Wilhite,  na- 
tives of  Virginia,  who  moved  first  to  Kentucky,  and  later,  in  1836,  to  In- 
diana, where  they  settled  on  a  tract  of  Government  land  in  this  township; 
thence  they  moved  to  Monrovia,  wherethey  closed  their  lives — he  at  about 
seventy-four,  and  she  at  about  seventy-nine  years  of  age — and  they  had  a 
family  of  seven  sons  and  seven  daughters.  Aaron  worked  for  his  father 
and  attended  school  until  he  reached  the  age  of  twenty-two.  November 
19,  1846,  in  Hendricks  County,  he  married  Rebecca  Wiltz,  which  union 
was  cemented  by  five  children — Alexander,  Sarah  (deceased),  Mattie,  El- 
nora  and  Lafayette.  Mr.  Wilhite  is  agreeably  located  on  a  fine  farm, 
comprising  ninety-nine  acres,  cultivated  and  improved.  He  is  a  liberal, 
charitable  man,  a  strong  temperance  advocate,  a  practical  farmer  and  an 
honored  citizen.  One  of  his  sons  and  one  of  his  daughters  hold  posi- 
tions as  teachers.  He  and  wife  are  communicants  of  the  Methodist  Epis- 
copal Church,  of  which  Mr.  Wilhite  is  a  Steward. 

THOMAS  J.  WILHITE  was  born  in  what  is  now  this  township 
March  25,  1840,  and  is  the  fifth  child  of  Joshua  and  Virginia  A.  (Brown") 
Wilhite,  natives  of  Virginia,  who  married  in  Oldham  County,  Ky. ,  whence 
they  came  to  this  State  in  1831,  and  settled  in  this  county,  where  they 
remained  until  1858;  then  removed  to  Kansas,  where  they  died,  the 
father  in  1867,  aged  sixty-two,  the  mother  in  1879,  aged  seventy-four 
years,  having  reared  a  family  of  six  children.  Thomas  J.  was  bred  to 
farming,  and  attended  the  schools  of  the  time.  July  6,  1861,  he  enlisted 
in  Company  B,  Twenty-first  Indiana  Heavy  Artillery,  in  which  he  served 


GREGG   TOWNSHIP.  351 

actively  until  January,  1866,  being  then  honorably  discharged.  He  took 
part  in  the  battles  of  Baton  Rouge,  Port  Hudson,  Port  Morgan,  Spanish 
Fort,  Mobile  and  many  skirmishes.  Returning  home  on  veteran  furlough 
March  15,  1864,  he  married  Miss  Candace,  daughter  of  John  H.  Phillips. 
This  union  wslb  strengthened  by  seven  children — Minnie  C,  Clara  I., 
Gertrude,  Frank  E.,  Beryl  E. ,  Tennie  E.  and  an  infant  (deceased).  In 
1873,  Mr.  Wilhite  was  elected  Justice  of  the  Peace;  moved  to  Plainfield 
in  1876,  and  to  this  county  in  1879;  farmed  one  year;  embarked  in 
the  harness  business  at  Monrovia,  and  came  to  Hall  in  1881,  where  he 
engaged  in  the  harness  business  for  himself.  In  politics,  he  is  a  Green- 
backer.  Mr.  Wilhite  has  considerable  property,  for  which  he  has  labored 
actively  and  honorably.  He  and  wife  belong  to  the  Christian  Church. 
JACOB  A.   WILHITE  is  a  native  of  this  township,  was  born  June 

10,  1849,  and  is  the  eldest  child  of  Elijah  and  Jane  (Pruitt)  Wilhite, 
natives  of  Kentucky,  who  came  to  this  State  in  early  life  with  their 
parents;  they  married  in  this  township  and  reai'ed  a  family  of  seven 
children.  Jacob  A.  Wilhite  was  reared  to  farming,  and  educated 
at  the  common  schools.  April  7,  1870,  he  married  Miss  Maggie, 
daughter  of  John  B.  Staley,  and  to  them  were  bestowed  four  children — 
Clara,  Minnie,  Bertha  and  Sarah.  Mr.  Wilhite  is  a  practical,  experi- 
enced and  successful  farmer,  who  manages  his  improved  and  adorned 
farm  of  160  acres,  which  is  situated  about  one  and  a  half  miles  west  of  the 
town  of  Hall.  Mr.  Wilhite  is  a  member  of  the  fraternity  of  Odd  Fellows, 
and  a  Republican  in  political  choice.  He  and  wife  are  consistent  and 
useful  members  of  the  Christian  Church. 

JOHN  WILLIAMS  was  born  in  Shelby  County,  Ky.,  August  19, 
1801,  and  is  a  son  of  John  and  Sarah  (Kirkendall)  VVilliams,  natives  of 
Pennsylvania  and  of  German  descent.  He  grew  to  manhood  on  a  farm, 
and  acquired  a  rudimentary  education  at  the  Kentucky  subscription 
schools.  February  1,  1821,  he  married  Elizabeth  Pruitt,  and  to  them 
were  born  nine  children — Zerilda  (deceased),  Tabitha  (deceased),  Can- 
dace  (deceased),  Perlina  (deceased),  John  B.,  William,  Matilda,  Rice 
(deceased)  and  Levi  (deceased).   The  mother  of  these  children  died  March 

11,  1845,  aged  about  forty-eight.  August  7,  1848,  Mr.  Williams  wed- 
ded Elizabeth  K,  Whittaker,  from  which  marriage  resulted  one  child — 
Mary  M.  This  mother  also  died  (October  6,  1883,)  aged  seventy-two. 
Mr.  Whittaker  came  to  this  State  in  1830,  and  located  on  Government 
land.     He  now  owns  a  good  farm  of  300  acres. 

William  Williams  was  born  June  20,  1832,  and  is  a  son  of 
John  Williams.  He  was  reared  a  farmer,  and  March  25,  1854,  married 
Martha  A.,  daughter  of  Samuel  Wilhite,  deceased,  to  Avhich  marriage 
were  allotted  live  children — -Delphina,  Olive  E.,  Charles,  Calvin  and 
Elvin.  January,  1861,  at  Austin,  Mo.,  he  enlisted  in  Company  B., 
Fourteenth  Missouri  State  (iruard:  served  fourteen  months,  and  in  a 
skirmish  suffered  a  broken  hip.  In  1863,  he  returned  to  and  settled  in 
this  State.  Mr.  Williams  has  more  than  on-ce  been  engaged  with  the 
James  and  Younger  outlaws.  He  resides  with  his  father,  and  is  owner 
of  eighty  acres  of  superior  land.  He  is  a  brave,  courageous  man,  and 
feared,  but  respected. 

JOHN  A.  WILSON  is  a  native  of  this  couuty,  was  born  August  28, 
1843,  and  is  a  son  of  John  F.  and  Hannah  (Pruitt)  W^ilson,  natives  of 
Kentucky.  John  A.  Wilson  obtained  an  ordinary  education  and  remained 
at  home  until  he  was  of  age.     July  20,  1863,  he  enlisted  in  Company  L, 


352  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

Twenty-first  Keojiment,  First  Heavy  Artillery,  served  until  February, 
1866,  and  was  discharged  honorably.  After  long  and  active  service  his 
only  casualty  was  an  injury  to  his  little  finger.  After  the  war,  he  en- 
gaged in  farming,  where  he  has  since  made  his  home.  November  22, 
1866,  he  married  in  Cumberland  County,  111.,  Mary  M. ,  daughter  of  John 
Williams,  and  a  native  of  this  township.  To  this  uniou'were  bestowed 
six  children — Otis  E.,  Olin  M.,  Ira  E.,  Myrtie,  Myron  L.  aud  Chauncy 
L.  Mr.  Wilson  manages  his  home  farm  of  fifty-five  acres — a  good,  im- 
proved and  valuable  property.  Except  some  little  time  passed  in  Mis- 
souri and  Kansas,  Mr.  VVilson  has  made  his  home  in  these  parts.  He  is 
Republican  in  political  principles,  and  he  and  wife  are  consistent  and 
honorary  members  of  the  Christian  Church. 

JEFFERSON  WOODEN  was  born  in  Jefferson  County,  Ky.,  May 
27,  1821,  and  is  the  eldest  son  of  Robert  M.  and  Malinda  Wooden,  na- 
tives of  Kentucky,  and  respectively  of  Irish  and  Scotch  descent.  Jeffer- 
son was  brought  up  on  a  farm  and  educated  in  the  subscription  schools  of 
Owen  County,  Ind.,  where  his  parents  had  located,  and  where  they  ended 
their  days.  He  left  his  father's  home  when  he  was  twenty  years  of  age, 
and  January  14,  1844,  married  Mary  E.  Wilson,  and  to  them  were  be- 
stowed four  children — Leanhor,  Thena,  John  R.  and  Malinda  B.  (de- 
ceased). Mr.  Wooden  is  located  on  165  acres  of  improved  land,  making 
a  very  comfortable  home,  nearly  all  of  which  is  his  own  acquirement. 
He  is  a  Republican,  was  elected  County  Assessor  in  1872,  and  is  an  es- 
teemed, quiet  and  useful  citizen.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Wooden  are  members 
of  the  Missionary  Baptist  Church,  and  greatly  regarded  in  their  church 
and  community. 


MADISON    TOWNSHIP. 


JOHN  B.  COX,  deceased,  was  born  November  12,  1829,  in  Morgan 
County,  Ind. ,  and  here  made  his  home  until  the  day  of  his  death,  which 
occurred  October  11,  1865.  He  was  reared  as  a  farmer,  and  educated  at 
the  public  schools  and  at  Franklin  College,  in  Johnson  County,  Ind. 
September  20,  1853,  he  was  married  in  his  native  county  to  Harriet 
Landers,  daughter  of  the  Hon.  William  Landers,  an  early  settler  of  Mor- 
gan County,  and  had  boi-n  to  him  three  children  —  Florence  C, 
Emma  S.  and  Ida  B.,  all  of  whom  were  still  living  at  the  time  of  his 
death.  Mr.  Cox  was  one  of  the  most  extensive  farmers  and  stock-dealers 
in  Morgan' County,  and  was  one  of  the  firm  of  Fee,  Conduitt  &  Cox, 
wholesale  dry  goods  merchants  of  Indianapolis.  He  was  a  cheerful  and 
honorable  man,  a  liberal  and  consistent  Christian,  a  devoted,  active  and 
prominent  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  Upon  his 
death-bed  he  appropriated  $1,000  to  be  expended  in  annual  pay- 
ments toward  supporting  the  circuit  minister  in  charge  of  the  church 
to  which  he  and  his  family  belonged.  He  was  also  a  prominent  Ma- 
son, by  the  rites  and  ceremonies  of  which  order  his  funeral  and  burial 
services  were  conducted.  He  left  an  extensive  property,  most  of  which 
had  been  acquired  by  his  own  industry.  The  three  little  girls,  under  the 
care  and  guidance  of  a  Christian  mother,  have  grown  to  womanhood. 
Two  of  them — Mrs.  J.    L.   Matthews  and  Mrs.  C.  H.   Sheets — reside  at 


MADISON  TOWNSHIP.  353 

Mooresville  (at  which  place  Mrs.  Cox  has  lived  since  1869),  and  the  other, 
Mrs.  Dr.  Stuckey,  in  the  city  of  Indianapolis. 

THOMAS  ELY  is  the  tenth  of  twelve  children  born  to  David  and 
Sarah  (Claypool)  Ely,  natives  of  Virginia,  and  of  German  and  English 
■descent.  Thomas  Ely  was  born  in  Lee  County  Va.,  January  2,  1826  ; 
in  1837,  he  came  with  his  parents  to  Heudi'icks  County,  this  State,  where 
his  father  died  in  1845  ;  he  came  with  his  mother  to  this  county,  in 
1847,  and  located  in  Brown  Township,  but  a  short  time  afterward  came 
to. this  township,  and  here  his  mother  departed  this  life  in  1857.  Mr. 
Ely  has  cleared  from  the  forest  a  tine  farm  of  135  acres,  which  is  well 
tilled  and  equipped,  and  stocked  with  horses,  cattle,  hogs  and  sheep. 
December  28,  1848,  he  married  Martha  J.,  daughter  of  Caltonand  Nancy 
(Jones)  Grisham,  and  a  native  of  Morgan  County.  The  children  born  to 
this  union  are  Reuben,  Elizabeth,  Benjamin  F.  and  Drusilla.  Mr.  Ely 
is  a  Democrat,  and  was  once  elected  Justice  of  the  Peace  of  Madsion 
Township,  but  declined  the  office;  he  is  an  advocate  of  temperance  and 
an  Odd  Fellow,  and  he  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episco- 
pal Church. 

DAVID  T.  EVANS  was  born  in  Metcalf  County,  Ky.,  August  7, 
1843,  is  the  third  of  fifteen  children  born  to  Robert  and  Lucy  (Button) 
Evans,  and  came  to  Indiana  in  1861  with  his  parents.  He  worked  at 
farming  until  1877,  when  he  began  mercantile  business  at  Redhouse, 
now  known  as  Waverly.  Three  years  later,  he  moved  to  Exchange,  Ind. , 
remained  one  year,  and  then  came  to  Landersdale,  where  he  is  now  do- 
ing a  first-class  business.  July  3,  1878,  he  married  SophroniaE.  Smith, 
daughter  of  William  H.  Smith,  and  a  native  of  Kentucky.  Three  chil- 
dren have  been  born  to  this  union — Elsie,  Elmer  and  William  R.  Mr. 
Evans  was  Postmaster  at  Exchange  for  a  year,  and  has  been  Deputy 
Postmaster  at  Landersdale  since  March  1,  1881.  He  is  a  member  of 
Waverly  Lodge,  No.  318,  I.  O.  O.  F.,  and  also  of  the  Methodist  Episco- 
pal Church.     Mrs.  Evans  is  a  member  of  the  Christian  Church. 

ANDREW  J.  GOODP ASTER  (deceased)  was  born  in  Bath  County, 
Ky.,  November  24,  1822,  was  the  son  of  Michael  and  Margaret  (Car- 
penter) Goodpaster,  and  was  reared  a  farmer.  September  19,  1844,  he 
married  Scythia  Carpenter,  also  a  native  of  Bath  County,  born  February 
20,  1824,  and  daughter  of  Michael  and  Sallie  (Jones)  Carpenter.  The 
month  following  his  marriage,  Mr.  Goodpaster  came  to  this  township 
and  settled  on  a  farm  which  had  been  entered  by  his  father-in-law,  built 
a  cabin  and  reduced  the  forest  to  a  home,  where  he  lived  until  his  death, 
July  18,  1865.  His  widow  now  conducts  the  farm,  which  consists  of 
eighty  acres,  and  is  well  cultivated  and  stocked.  She  is  a  consistent 
Christian,  an  amiable  woman,  and  the  mother  of  six  children — Sarah  M., 
Andrew  Jackson,  Mary  M.,  Betsy  Ann,  Nancy  J.  (deceased),  and  Lou, 
the  last  named  now  a  teacher. 

WILLIAM  LANDERS  (deceased)  was  born  in  Virginia  December 
18,  1789,  and  died  in  Madison  Township,  this  county,  December  10, 
1851.  When  be  was  but  a  mere  child,  his  parents  removed  to  the  State 
of  Kentucky,  where  his  mother  died,  and  fi-om  whence  his  father  came 
into  Indiana.  Our  subject  arrived  in  Morgan  County  in  the  year  1819, 
and  at  once  purchased  from  the  Government  a  large  tract  of  land,  upon 
which  he  settled  and  spent  the  rest  of  his  life.  Before  leaving  Ken- 
tucky, he  was  married  to  Ibbe  Stone,  who  died  in  Morgan  County  Octo- 
ber 3,  1821.     She  had  borne  her  husband  five  children,  viz. ,  Jonathan, 


354  BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES: 

William,  Joshua,  Nimrod  and  Jeremiah,  Joshua  being  the  only  one 
now  living.  November  29,  1822,  our  subject  was  maiTied,  in  Jackson 
Township,  to  Delilah  Stone,  a  younger  sister  of  his  first  wife.  She  bore 
him  the  following  children,  viz.,  Washington,  who  died  in  the  thirtieth 
year  of  his  age;  Franklin,  now  the  Hon.  Franklin  Landers,  of  Indian- 
apolis; Sarah,  wife  of  Cyrus  Vickery,  of  Iowa;  Ibbe,  who  died  in  1838 
at  ten  years  of  age;  John,  now  of  Landers  &  Co.,  Indianapolis;  Martin, 
died  in  1852,  about  twenty  years  of  age;  Harriet,  widow  of  J.  B.  Cox; 
and  Jackson,  now  of  Landers  &  Co.,  Indianapolis.  The  mother  of  these 
children  died  March  11,  1883,  and  the  following  from  the  obituary  notice 
published  in  the  Indianapolis  Journal  of  the  following  day  pays  a  fitting 
tribute  to  a  noble  woman:  "The  pioneers  of  the  'New  Purchase'  are 
leaving  one  by  one,  and  in  a  few  years  none  will  remain  to  tell  of  the 
early  settlement  of  this  section  of  the  State.  The  last  to  leave  was  Mrs. 
Delilah  Stone  Landers,  the  venerable  mother  of  the  Hon.  Franklin  Lan- 
ders, who  died  in  this  city  yesterday  morning,  at  the  home  of  her  son, 
Jackson  Landers,  in  the  eighty-fifth  year  of  her  age.  Mrs.  Landers  was 
born  in  Mercer  County,  Ky.,  November  15,  1798.  In  the  fall  of  1819, 
her  father  emigrated  to  Indiana,  and  settled  in  Morgan  County,  near  the 
Marion  and  Johnson  County  lines.  In  1822,  she  was  married  to  William 
Landers,  one  of  the  earliest  settlers  of  this  section  of  the  State.  She 
bore  him  nine  childreD,  six  of  whom  are  now  living,  three  of  them — Hon. 
Franklin  Landers,  John  Landers  and  Jackson  Landers — being  well 
known  residents  of  this  city.  When  Mrs.  Landers  was  married,  her  hus- 
band had  five  small  children  by  a  former  wife.  These,  with  the  nine  she 
bore  him,  grew  up  under  her  care  and  guidance,  and  became  respected 
and  honored  citizens.  What  brighter  crown  than  this  could  gild  her 
brow  ?  *  *  *  After  her  husband's  death,  she  continued  to  reside 
upon  the  farm  and  direct  its  cultivation  until  some  ten  years  ago,  when 
she  removed  to  this  city,  and  has  since  lived  here  with  her  sons.  She 
conducted  her  farming  operations  with  success,  and  added  much  to  the 
patrimony  left  by  her  husband.  She  was  a  member  of  the  first  Baptist 
Church  organized  in  the  section  where  she  lived.  *  *  *  g^ie  died 
in  the  assurance  of  a  blessed  immortality.  *  *  *  Her  memory 
will  be  revered  by  those  who  grew  up  around  her,  for  she  was  a  good 
woman,  abounding  in  those  virtues  which  honor  womanhood  and  make 
the  world  better."  At  his  death,  William  Landers  had  been  for  several 
years  one  of  the  Associate  Judges  of  Morgan  County;  he  was  also  Coun- 
ty Commissioner  for  a  number  of  years,  and  at  a  very  early  date  was 
elected  Justice  of  the  Peace,  and  held  the  ofi&ce  for  about  sixteen  consec- 
utive years.  About  the  year  1835,  he  made  the  race  for  the  Legislature 
against  Dumont,  the  issue  being  based  upon  the  internal  improvement 
schemes  so  largely  undertaken  by  the  State  about  that  time,  Landers 
maintaining  that  the  undertaking  was  too  great,  that  the  State  was  finan- 
cially incapable  of  meeting  such  gigantic  obligations,  and,  though  de- 
feated, he  lived  to  see  his  opponents  go  down,  and  the  correctness  of  his 
theories  demonstrated.  In  politics,  our  subject  was  an  uncompromising 
Democrat,  and  his  life  and  influence  were  such  as  to  mold  and  shape  the 
politics  of  the  community  in  which  he  lived,  and  it  is  somewhat  remark- 
able that,  though  he  has  been  dead  nearly  a  third  of  a  century,  the  town- 
ship in  which  he  lived  and  died  has  never  once  given  a  Republican 
majority.  At  the  time  of  his  death  he  was  a  Master  Mason,  and  had 
been  for  many  years  a  consistent  member  of  the  Baptist  Church. 


MADISON   TOWNSHIP.  355 

GEORGE  W.  LOWE  was  born  in  Guilford  County,  N.  C,  July  4, 
1832,  and  is  the  fifth  of  seven  children  born  to  Absalom  and  Sarah 
(Coble)  Lowe,  natives  of  North  Carolina  and  of  German  extraction.  In 
1832,  while  George  W.  was  yet  an  infant,  the  family  came  to  Hendricks 
County,  this  State,  remained  a  year,  and  then  came  to  this  township, 
purchased  a  farm,  developed  it  from  the  wilderness,  and  here  the  father 
died  in  July,  1877,  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church;  his 
widow,  now  eighty-three  years  of  age,  still  survives.  On  this  farm 
George  W.  Lowe  was  reared  until  eighteen  years  old,  when  he  .entered 
upon  an  apprenticeship  of  three  years  at  carpentering.  June  20,  1858, 
he  married  Sarah  J.,  daughter  of  John  Simpson,  a  native  of  Kentucky; 
and  now  the  mother  of  three  children — William  W\,  Anderson  and  Noel. 
In  politics,  Mr.  Lowe  is  a  Democrat,  and  is  Assessor  of  Madison  Town- 
ship, having  been  elected  for  four  years.  He  and  wife  are  members  of 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  and  his  son  William  is  now  a  teacher. 
The  home  farm  contains  161  acres,  and  is  well  stocked  and  improved. 

EZRA  A.  OLLEMAN  was  born  in  Mercer  County,  Ky.,  October  6, 
1828,  and  is  the  eldest  of  four  children  born  to  James  and  Mary  (Tisin- 
ger)  Olleman,  natives  respectively  of  Virginia  and  North  Carolina.  At 
the  age  of  fourteen,  Ezra  lost  his  father;  he  was  then  employed  at  di'iv- 
ing  cattle  from  Indianaj)olis  to  New  York,  at  $8.50  per  month;  was  thus  en- 
gaged, alternating  with  farming,  until  1846,  when  he  began  a  three  years*^ 
apprenticeship  at  cabinet-making  in  Cincinnati.  In  1849,  he  came  to 
Mooresville,  and  for  three  years  conducted  business  as  cabinet-maker, 
then  sold  out  and  engaged  in  merchandising  at  Waver ly  until  1858;  he 
next  purchased  320  acres  of  land  in  this  township,  on  which  he  has 
since  resided,  with  the  exception  of  three  years.  When  he  was  employed 
as  associate  editor  of  the  Indiana  Farmer  at  Indianapolis.  During  this 
period  he  also  established,  in  company  with  James  Buchanan,  the  Sun, 
the  first  paper  ever  published  in  the  interests  of  the  Greenback  National 
party,  of  which  party  he  was  the  first  Chairman  of  the  State  Central 
Committee,  and  also  first  Chairman  of  the  State  Executive  Committee. 
Through  the  regular  session  of  the  Legislature  of  1863-64,  and  the 
called  session  of  1864-65,  he  served  as  a  Republican,  having  been  elect- 
ed from  a  district  that  usually  gave  700  Democratic  majority.  In  the 
spring  of  1863,  he  enlisted  in  Company  D,  Seventieth  Indiana  Volunteer 
Infantry,  but  was  discharged  on  account  of  physical  disability.  August 
16,  1849,  he  was  married  to  Amanda  M.  Kelley,  daughter  of  James  S. 
and  Eliza  (Whetsel)  Kelley,  natives  of  Harrisburg,  Penn.,  and  Wheeling, 
Va.  Her  father  was  a  soldier  in  the  war  of  1812,  and  the  Whetsel  fam- 
ily came  to  Indiana  in  1819,  and  settled  on  the  banks  of  the  White  Riv- 
er, in  Harrison  Township,  this  county.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Kelley  were  mar- 
ried in  December,  1826;  were  the  parents  of  four  children,  and  died  re- 
spectively in  1862  and  1852,  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Olleman  are  the  parents  of'  five  children — Or- 
lando A.,  Alma  Belle,  Flora  E.,  Laura  E.  and  Edward  L.,  and  are  mem- 
bers of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  INlr.  O.  is  also  a  member  of 
the  Mooresville  Masonic  Lodge,  No.  78. 

JOHN  B.  RINKER,  farmer  and  stock  grower,  was  born  in  Washing- 
ton County,  Ind.,  May  2,  1825,  and  is  the  son  of  Levi  and  Elizabeth 
(Craycraft)  Rinker.  In  1829,  the  family  came  to  Clay  Township,  this 
county,  where  the  parents  closed  their  lives.  John  R.  Rinker  was  edu- 
cated at  the  subscription  schools  of  his  early   days,    and  remained  upon 


356  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES: 

the  home  farm  until  February  2,  1851,  when  he  married  Elizabeth  Clark' 
a  native  of  Morgan  County,  and  daughter  of  John  and  Rebecca  (Mat^ 
thews)  Clark.  The  children  born  to  this  union  were  three — Frank,  El 
M.  and  Anna  E.  Their  mother  died  January  29,  1874,  a  member  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  and  on  March  30,  1875,  Mr.  Rinker  mar- 
ried Ella  Beckley,  a  native  of  Kentucky,  and  daughter  of  James  and 
Elizabeth  (Christie)  Beckley.  One  child,  Walter  A..,  has  crowned  this 
union.  Mr.  Rinker  is  a  Democrat,  and  for  three  years  was  Township 
Trustee.  He  owns  a  well- improved  farm  of  100  acres,  made  by  his  own 
exertions.  His  daughter,  Annie  E.,  is  a  prominent  teacher  in  the  schools 
of  the  county,  and  his  wife,  Mrs.  Ellen  Rinker,  for  twelve  years  taught 
in  Hendricks  and  Morgan  Counties,  this  State,  and  one  term  in  Missouri. 
Mr.  Rinker  is  a  Methodist  and  his  wife  a  Baptist. 

JOHN  SAWYERS,  farmer  and  stock  grower,  was  born  in  Ouilford 
County,  N.  C,  January  22,  1825,  and  is  the  youngest  of  the  eight  chil- 
dren born  to  John  and  Sarah  (Tansy)  Sawyers,  natives  of  the  same  State, 
and  of  English  descent.  The  family  came  to  this  State  about  the  year 
1832,  the  parents  dying  in  this  county.  John  Sawyers  was  reared  on  a 
farm,  and  after  reaching  his  majority  traveled  through  a  number  of  the 
Western  States.  On  his  return,  he  married  Phoebe  Lindley,  daughter  of 
Edward  and  Joanna  (Kirk)  Lindley,  and  to  this  union  have  been  born 
ten  children:  Dayton,  Ella  (now  Eversol),  Anna,  Ola,  Li  Hie  (now  Pugh), 
Mattie,  Ida,  Lewis,  Bernice  and  Wallace.  Mr.  Sawyers  has  always  pro- 
vided for  himself  and  is  now  the  owner  of  740  acres,  well  improved  and 
stocked.  He  makes  a  specialty  of  stock-raising,  and  ships  largely  to 
Indianapolis.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Society  of  Friends,  while  his  wife 
is  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 

RUFTJS  B.  SMITH  was  born  in  Harrison  Township,  this  county, 
October  16,  1845,  and  is  the  second  of  nine  children  born  to  Robert  and 
Cynthia  (Stotts)  Smith,  natives  of  Ohio  and  Indiana  respectively,  and  of 
English  extraction.  He  was  reared  on  the  home  farm,  and  was  educated 
at  the  common  schools.  February  7,  1865,  he  enlisted  in  Company  E, 
One  Hundred  and  Forty-eighth  Indiana  Volunteer  Infantry,  served  seven 
months,  and  was  honorably  discharged  in  September  of  the  same  year. 
February  3,  1868,  he  married  Harriet  P.  Paxton,  a  native  of  Tennessee, 
and  daughter  of  William  and  Mary  Paxton.  The  following  children 
were  born  to  this  marriage:  AnnaGr.,  Guy  O.  (deceased),  Dovie,  Nellie, 
Robert  Walter  and  Bertha.  Mr.  Smith  is  the  owner  of  495  acres  of  well- 
improved  land,  and  is  largely  engaged  in  the  live  stock  trade — growing 
and  buying,  and  shipping  extensively  to  Pittsburgh  and  Indianapolis. 
■On  bis  land  is  also  one  of  the  township  schoolhouses.  In  politics,  Mr. 
Smith  is  a  Republican,  and  he  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church. 

HENRY  T.  SWEARENOIN  was  born  in  Randolph  County,  N.  C. , 
April  19,  1819,  and  came  with  his  parents  to  Morgan  County  in  1836. 
On  the  27th  of  December,  1843,  he  was  happily  married  to  Mary  M. 
Parks,  who  bore  him  eight  children,  of  whom  two  died  in  early  child- 
hood. In  July,  1846,  he  and  wife  were  baptized  in  the  Christian  Church 
at  Mt.  Gilead,  in  which  he  became  a  Deacon  in  1847  and  a  Trustee  in 
1860,  and  of  which  he  continued  a  leading  and  consistent  member  until 
his  death,  January  20,  1884,  at  the  age  of  sixty-four  years  nine  months 
and  one  day.  His  widow  still  resides  on  the  old  homestead  of  500  acres, 
in  the  management  of  which  she  is  assisted  by  two  of  her  sons — the 
youngest  now  twenty-three  years  old.      Mrs.    Swearengin   was  born  in 


MADISON  TOWNSHIP.  357 

Mason  County,  Ky.,  April  10,  1826,  and  is  the  daughter  of  William  and 
Henrietta  (Thoraas)  Parks,  natives  of  Kentucky,  and  of  English  extrac- 
tion; they  came  to  Indiana  in  1840,  located  in  this  township,  and  here 
died  in  1849  and  1879  respectively,  at  the  ages  of  tifty-five  and  seventy- 
nine  years. 

CYRUS  A.  WATSON,  farmer  and  stock- grower,  was  born  in  this 
township  August  17,  1829,  and  is  the  eldest  of  live  children  born  to 
Thomas  and  Mary  Ann  (Royston)  Watson,  natives  respectively  of  Vir- 
ginia and  Tennessee,  and  of  Welsh  and  Irish  descent.  They  erected  the 
iirst  log  cabin  in  Madison  Township  in  1819,  and  came  here  to  reside  in 
1823,  having  purchased  two  farms,  and  also  having  entered  about  400 
acres  of  land.  Here  Thomas  Watson,  who  had  served  his  country  in  the 
war  of  1812,  died  in  1856;  his  widow  still  survives,  at  the  age  of  seventy- 
seven.  Cyrus  A.  Watson  was  reared  a  farmer,  and  at  his  majority  began 
for  himself  by  clearing  away  the  forest,  the  country  still  being  more  or 
less  a  wilderness;  he  is  now  the  owner  of  a  well  improved  and  well 
stocked  farm  of  200  acres.  December  12,  1869,  he  married  Susan, 
daughter  of  Daniel  and  Frances  (Langyer)  Thornberry,  all  natives  of 
Virginia.  To  this  union  one  child,  Samuel,  was  born  January  17,  1871. 
Mr.  Watson  is  a  Freemason,  an  Odd  Fellow  and  a  Democrat,  and  has 
held  the  ofl&ce  of  Township  Trustee  four  terms.  His  wife  is  a  member  of 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 

BENJAMIN  R.  WATSON,  farmer  and  carpenter,  was  born  in  this 
township  October  21,  1838,  and  is  the  fourth  of  the  live  children  born  to 
Thomas  and  Mary  (Royston)  Watson,  natives  of  Virginia  and  North  Car- 
olina, and  respectively  of  Irish  and  English  extraction.  Benjamin  Wat- 
son was  reared  on  a  farm,  but  received  a  good  education  at  the  subscrip- 
tion schools,  and  subsequently  taught  in  the  public  schools  of  Morgan 
County  for  seven  and  one-half  years.  November  22,  1859,  he  married 
Elizabeth  Woodward,  a  native  of  Morgan  County,  who  bore  him  four 
children — Thomas  B.,  Mary  M.,  Andrew  I.  and  Alfred.  December  14, 
1874,  Mr.  Watson,  having  lost  his  wife,  married  Rachel  M.  Perisho,  a 
native  of  Clarke  County,  111.  As  a  farmer,  Mr.  Watson  owns  and  man- 
ages a  farm  of  fifty-six  acres,  and  as  a  carpenter  has  followed  the  trade 
for  over  thirty  years.  He  was  one  year  Secretary  of  Grange  Lodge,  No. 
1246,  at  Brooklyn,  Clay  Township,  and  in  politics  he  is  a  Democrat. 

ANDREW  WRIGHT,  a  pioneer  of  Madison  Township,  was  born  in 
Harrison  County,  Ind.,  August  8,  1808,  and  is  the  eldest  of  ten  children 
born  to  William  and  Mary  (Inyard)  Wright,  natives  respectively  of  Ken- 
tucky and  Pennsylvania.  William  Wright  served  as  a  Lieutenant  in  the 
war  of  1812,  and  came  from  Kentucky  to  Indiana  about  the  year  1807; 
he  settled  in  Harrison  County,  and  there  died,  a  respected  pioneer. 
Andrew  Wright  was  reared  a  farmer.  May  15,  1834,  he  married  Eliza- 
beth Blunk,  who  bore  him  ten  children,  two  of  whom  are  yet  living — 
Mary  A.  and  James.  The  mother  of  these  having  died,  Mr  Wright  mar- 
ried Roema  Harden,  who  bore  him  two  children;  she  died  in  1865.  Mr. 
Wright  next  married  Delia  Hornady.  In  the  spring  of  1834,  Mr.  AVright 
came  to  this  township  and  purchased  120  acres  of  unimproved  land,  to 
which  he  has  since  added  eighty  acres.  His  farm  is  now  well  improved, 
and  well  stocked  with  horses,  cattle,  hogs,  sheep  and  the  necessary  farm- 
ing implements.  In  politics,  Mr.  Wright  is  now  a  Republican,  although 
his  first  ballot  was  cast  for  Andrew  Jackson  for  President.  He  is  an 
advocate  of  temperance,  and  he  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church. 


358  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES; 


GREEN  TOWNSHIP. 

RICHARD  A.  ABRAHAM  was  born  in  Morgan  County,  Ind. ,  July 
4,  1842.  He  is  a  son  of  William  and  Maria  (Arnold)  Abraham,  both 
natives  ot  England.  William  Abraham  was  a  resident  of  this  township 
for  thirty-seven  years.  He  was  born  in  the  Isle  of  Wight,  England,  in 
1815,  and  is  the  son  of  James  and  Sarah  (Pittis)  Abraham.  James  was 
born  in  the  Isle  of  Wight  about  the  year  1777.  His  wife  Sarah  also  was 
born  in  the  Isle  of  Wight.  James  and  Sarah  were  married  in  1810;  on 
May,  .26,  1821,  the  husband,  wife  and  five  children  embarked  for  Amer- 
ica, arriving  in  Philadelphia  July  19,  1821,  and  thence  proceeded  to 
Newcomerstown,  Tuscarawas  County,  Ohio,  and  thence  in  a  few  years  to 
Deersville,  Harrison  County,  Ohio,  where  they  permanently  resided  untjl 
his  death  at  the  age  of  eighty-two  years.  He  was  the  father  of  seven 
children,  three  of  whom  are  still  living,  and  of  whom  William  is  the 
second  son.  The  latter  was  only  six  years  of  age  when  he  crossed  the 
Atlantic,  but  he  still  remembers  many  incidents  of  the  voyage.  After 
reaching  manhood,  he  traveled  down  the  Ohio  River  into  the  then  wild 
regions  of  the  Lower  Mississippi  River  through  the  States  of  Louisiana, 
Mississippi  and  Arkansas,  and  as  far  north  as  W  isconsin.  Returning  home 
to  Deersville,  he  there  married,  on  October  7, 1840,  Maria,  daughter  of  John 
Arnold.  She  was  also  born  in  the  Isle  of  Wight  on  September  18, 
1817.  With  her  parents,  and  in  the  same  vessel  with  the  Abraham  fam- 
ily, she  emigrated  to  America  in  1821.  John  Arnold,  soon  after  his  ar- 
rival, proceeded  with  his  family  to  Rush  County,  Ind.,  and  entered  a  half 
section  of  land  east  of  Rushville,  which  land  is  still  owned  by  his  chil- 
dren, and  on  which  he  died  June  27,  1864,  aged  seventy-six  years.  His 
wife,  Mary  Ann  Cole,  was  also  born  in  the  Isle  of  Wight.  After  his 
marriage,  William  Abraham  proceeded  with  his  young  wife  to  Cumber- 
land, Marion  County,  Ind.,  where,  ten  miles  from  Indianapolis,  he  pur- 
chased 160  acres  of  land,  and  moved  on  it.  The  land  at  that  early  day 
not  being  considered  desirable,  he  soon  disposed  of  it  and  came  to 
Green  Township,  Morgan  County,  and  moved  on  a  fai'm  he  had  previous- 
ly purchased,  and  which  is  at  present  owned  by  his  son,  Richard  A.  He 
moved  on  this  farm  in  December,  1845,  and  lived  here  about  sixteen 
years.  In  1861,  he  moved  to  what  was  known  as  the  John  Hughes  farm 
— now  owned  by  William  R.  Abraham — where  he  lived  until  1882,  when 
he  moved  to  near  Providence,  Johnson  County,  where  he  still  resides. 
During  the  many  years  which  William  Abraham  has  been  a  resident  of 
Morgan  County,  he  and  his  wife  have  braved  many  hardships  and  suf- 
fered many  privations,  but  they  have  been  rewarded  with  a  competence 
for  themselves  and  their  children.  Richard  A.,  the  eldest  of  the  children, 
and  our  subject,  came  to  this  county  with  his  parents,  and,  on  April  6, 
1870,  was  married  to  Mrs.  Mary  A.  Flake,  the  widow  of  Aimor  Flake, 
and  daughter  of  Henry  and  Sarah  (Davis)  Elkins.  She  was  born  in  this 
county  on  March  22,  1849.  After  his  marriage  he  settled  in  this  town- 
ship, where  he  has  since  remained,  moving  on  the  farm  which  he  at 
present  occupies  in  the  year  1873.     He  owns  over  700  acres  of  land.    Mr. 


GREEN   TOWNSHIP.  359 

Abraham  and  wife  are  the  parents  of  three  children,  viz.,  Alfred  O., 
Nora  and  Richard.     Both  are  members  of  the  Christian  Church. 

WILLIAM  ADAMS  was  born  in  Morgan  County,  Ind.,  on  April  9, 
1844,  and  is  a  son  of  Henry  and  Nancy  Adams,  natives  of  Kentucky  and 
Virginia.  Henry  Adams  was  born  February  2,  1804;  married  Emily 
Kephart,  and  moved  to  this  county,  where  he  now  lives.  He  lost  his 
wife  Emily  by  death,  and  subsequently  married  Nancy  Slusser.  His 
family  were  Jacob,  Abraham,  Rebecca,  George  W.,  William,  Eliza- 
beth, Amanda,  Samuel,  Joseph,  Thomas,  Sarah  T.  and  Emily  C.  Will- 
iam Adams  was  married,  in  this  county,  November  31,  1865,  to  Charity, 
daughter  of  Henry  and  Lavina  Pearce.  She  was  born  in  Morgan  Coun- 
ty on  April  4,  1848.  They  have  six  children — Minnie  E.,  JSancy  B., 
Mary  J.,  Martha  C,  Clarence  E.  and  Lavina  D. 

JOHN  F.  BRAUN  was  born  in  Germany  on  September  29.  1819,  and 
is  a  son  of  Christian  and  Eliza  (Schnider)  BrauQ,  natives  of  Germany, 
where  they  remained  until  their  death.  They  had  born  to  them — Chris- 
tian, George  and  John  F.  Our  subject  was  youngest  of  the  three  chil- 
dren, and  at  the  age  of  fourteen  began  learning  the  tailor's  trade  of  his 
father,  and  followed  it  for  a  number  of  years.  Mr.  Braun,  our  subject, 
was  married  in  Germany,  in  1846,  to  Catherine  Miller,  and  in  1850  they 
came  to  the  United  States,  and  settled  in  this  county.  Mrs.  Catherine 
Braun  died  September  22,  1871,  and  on  April  '.i3,  1872,  Mr.  Braun  was 
married  to  Louisa,  daughter  of  Peter  and  Hannah  Schniter.  She  was 
born  in  Germany  July  12,  1842.  Mr.  Braun  is  the  father  of  thirteen 
children — Eliza  B.  (deceased),  Henry,  Frederick,  Elizabeth,  Christian 
(deceased),  Augusta  (deceased),  Mary  J.  (deceased),  Minnie  H.,  George 
W.,  Franklin  A.,  Mary  I.,  and  two  infants  (deceased). 

WILLIAM  CAIN  was  born  in  Brown  County,  Ind.,  January  7,  1850, 
and  is  a  son  of  William  and  Lydia  (Shroyer)  Cain,  natives  of  Pennsyl- 
vania. William  Cain,  Sr.,  was  born  on  February  12,  1812,  and  Lydia 
Cain  on  November  17,  1816.  They  were  married  in  Pennsylvania,  moved 
to  Ohio,  and  subsequently  to  Brown  County,  Ind.,  where  Mr.  Cain  died 
February  14,  1882,  and  his  wife  is  still  living.  They  were  parents  of 
the  following:  Mary,  Jacob,  Barbara,  Marvin,  Lewis,  Elizabeth,  Jonas, 
Hannah  and  William.  William  Cain,  our  subject,  was  married  in  this 
county  on  December  9,  1873,  to  Mary  E.,  daughter  of  James  H.  and  Re- 
becca A.  Gillaspy.  Mrs.  Mary  E.  Cain  was  born  in  this  county  on  March 
20,  1848.  They  are  parents  of  six  children — Ida,  Lucinda,  Ella,  John 
M.,  Rebecca  A.  and  George  I.     Mr.  Cain  is  a  much  respected  young  man. 

JOSEPH  EGBERT  was  born  in  Warren  County,  Ohio,  September  4, 
1835,  and  is  a  son  of  James  and  Sarah  (Brandenburgh)  Egbert,  natives 
of  Pennsylvania.  James  Egbert  was  a  son  of  John  Egbert,  a  native  of 
New  Jersey,  who  was  born  January  13,  1752,  and  in  1774,  married,  in 
Pennsylvania,  Elizabeth  Bowman.  They  moved  to  Wan-en  County.  Ohio, 
and  remained  there  the  rest  of  their  lives.  He  was  a  soldier  of  the  Rev- 
olutionary war.  James,  the  father  of  our  subject,  was  born  in  1798, 
went  to  Ohio  in  1818,  and  on  October  11,  1821,  married  Catherine 
Pauley,  who  was  born  on  June  28,  1803,  bore  her  husband  four  children 
and  subsequently  died.  These  children  were  Lydia  E.,  George  W., 
John  P.  and  Catherine.  Mr.  Egbert,  August  18,  1830,  married  Sarah 
Brandenburgh,  and  by  her  had  ten  children— Israel,  Elizabeth,  Joseph, 
Sarah,  Jonathan,  Celia,  Elvy,  Martha,  James  and. Thomas,  Mrs.  Egbert 
was  born  in  Pennsylvania  on  November  3,  1808.     In  1836,  they  moved 


360  BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES: 

to  Dearborn  County,  Ind.,  and  in  1838  to  this  county,  and  remained  her& 
until  their  death,  on  January  11,  1868,  and  on  September  16,  1875. 
James  accompanied  his  parents  to  this  county  in  1838,  and  married  on 
November  1,  1859,  Julia  A.,  daughter  of  Benjamin  and  Kebecca  Brian. 
She  was  born  in  this  county  April  15, 1839.  After  marriage,  Mr.  Egbert 
settled  on  a  farm  in  Green  Township,  and  has  since  lived  here.  He 
owDs  140  acres  of  land.  They  have  a  family  of  ten  children — Willard 
B.,  Lorcna  A.,  Sarah  J.,  Vilena  (deceased),  Laura  E.,  Luella,  Joseph  O.^ 
Ora,  Elva  P.  and  Dora.  He  and  his  wife  belong  to  the  Christian  Church. 
IVlr.  Egbert  has  been  Township  Assessor  for  three  terms. 

S.  H.  PEARCY  was  born  in  Shelby  County,  Ky.,  on  March  13, 1829, 
and  is  a  son  of  William  and  Mary  (Holly)  Pearcy,  natives  respectively 
of  Virginia  and  Pennsylvania.  William  was  a  son  of  George  Pearcy,  a 
native  of  Pennsylvania.  In  an  early  day,  George  Pearcy  moved  to  Vir- 
ginia, and  there  married  Esther  Campbell,  moved  to  Greene  County,  Tenn., 
and  in  1795  went  to  Fayette  County,  and  two  years  afterward  to  Shelby 
County,  Ky.,  and  there  remained  until  their  death.  Their  children  were 
John,  Hugh,  George,  Henry,  Elizabeth,  Robert,  Ann  and  William. 
William  Pearcy  was  born  in  Rockingham  County,  Va. ,  on  March  4, 1784, 
and  in  Shelby  County,  Ky.,  married  Mary  Holly,  who  was  born  in  Penn- 
sylvania on  January  2,  1790.  In  1836,  Mr.  Pearcy  moved  to  Morgan 
County,  Ind.,  settling  in  Green  Township,  on  the  farm  which  our  subject 
now  occupies.  Here  he  remained  until  death  overtook  him.  His  chil- 
dren were  as  follows:  Charity  J.,  Elizabeth  A.  (deceased),  Jeremiah  H., 
Elizabeth  E. ,  Samuel  H.  and  Mary  A.  Samuel  H.  Pearcy  was  next  ta 
the  youngest  in  the  family,  and  came  to  this  county  with  his  parents  in 
1836,  and  has  lived  here  since  that  time.  On  February  12,  1852,  he  was 
married  to  Mary  H.,  daughter  of  William  and  Jemima  Hughes.  Mrs. 
Pearcy  is  a  native  of  this  county,  and  was  born  April  18,  1832.  They 
have  seven  children — Sarah  E.,  Charity  L.  E.,  Stanton  W.,  William  T., 
Jemima  E.,  John  K.  and  Mary  V. 

JACOB  PIERCE  was  born  in  Greene  County,  Ind.,  and  is  a  son  of 
John  and  Frances  Pierce,  natives  of  Kentucky  and  South  Carolina. 
John  Pierce  was  born  on  January  31,  1797,  and  his  wife,  Frances,  in 
1801.  They  were  married  in  Kentucky,  and  moved  thence  to  Greene, 
and  finally,  in  1834,  to  Morgan  County,  Ind.  Here  they  remained  until 
their  deaths,  Mr.  Pierce  dying  in  1883,  and  his  wife  preceding  him  in 
1865.  Their  children  were  Nancy,  Mary,  Elizabeth,  William,  John  S., 
Eliza  J.,  Jacob,  Rachel,  Sarah,  Angaletta,  George,  James  M.  and  Jeriah. 
Jacob  Pierce,  our  subject,  married,  in  this  county,  on  November  16, 1859, 
Catherine,  daughter  of  Adam  and  Elizabeth  Flake.  She  was  born  in 
Morgan  County,  Ind.,  on  March  16,  1842.  After  his  mai-riage,  Mr. 
Pierce  settled  in  Johnson  County,  where  he  purchased  land,  and  re- 
mained for  about  five  years.  The  family  then  moved  to  this  county,  and 
have  lived  here  since.  To  this  household  were  added  ten  children — 
George  W.  (deceased),  Sarah  A. ,  John,  Arrena  E. ,  Cordelia  (deceased), 
Thomas  W.,  Cornelius,  James,  Oliver  and  Elmer. 

SARAH  RADCLIFF,  widow  of  John  Radcliff  was  born  in  Madi- 
son County,  Ky.,  on  April  1,  1824,  and  is  a  daughter  of  Daniel 
and  Rebecca  (Johnson)  Holman,  natives  of  Virginia.  Daniel  Holman 
was  married  in  Virginia  in  an  early  day,  and  then  moved  to  Kentucky, 
where  he  died.  Mrs.  Holman  afterward  moved  to  this  county,  and  died 
here.     Their  children  were  Alfred,  Joel,  Abel,  Harden,  James,  Harrison, 


GREEN   TOWNSHIP.  361 

Tarleton,  Jackson,  Madison,  Perlina,  Parmelia,  Amanda,  Minerva  and 
Sarah.  Sarah  Holman,  onr  subject,  was  married  in  Anderson  County, 
Ky.,  on  August  15,  1844,  to  Edward  J.  Rice.  The  couple  settled  in 
Mercer  County,  Ky.,  and  in  1848  came  to  Morgan  County,  Ind. ,  where 
Mr.  Rice  died  November  18,  1867.  In  1869,  Mrs.  Sarah  Rice  married 
John  Radcliff,  who  died  on  January  25,  1879.  She  owns  175  acres  of 
very  fine  land.     Mrs.  R.  has  no  family. 

WILLIAM  RADFORD  was  born  in  Shelby  County,  Ky  ,  September 
11,  1833,  of  parents  William  and  Nancy  Radford,  natives  of  the  same 
county  and  State.  William  Radford,  Sr.,  was  a  son  of  George  Radford, 
a  Virginian,  who  married  Catherine  Woodcock.  They  moved  to  Shelby 
County,  Ky. ,  in  an  early  day,  and  resided  there  until  their  death.  He 
was  a  soldier  of  the  Revolutionary  war,  and  was  the  father  of  these 
children:  Jacob,  Henry,  Elizabeth,  Richard,  Mary  and  William.  William 
Radford,  father  of  our  subject,  was  the  youngest  of  these  children,  was 
born  in  1809,  and  in  course  of  time  married  Nancy  Pearcy,  in  Shelby 
County,  Ky. ,  who  was  born  in  1806.  After  marriage,  they  settled  in  that 
county,  where  he  died  in  1833.  She  was  subsequently  married  to  John 
Radcliif,  and  moved  with  her  husband  to  this  county  in  1838,  Mrs.  Rad- 
cliff died  in  1868,  mother  of  two  children — Mary,  and  W^illiam,  our  sub- 
ject. William  Radford  was  married  on  November  31,  1854,  to  Elizabeth, 
a  daughter  of  Enoch  S.  and  Sarah  (Dugan)  Tabor.  She  was  born  on 
March  18,  1838,  in  Nelson  County,  Ky.  After  marriage,  the  couple 
moved  to  Green  Township,  remained  here  until  1871,  when  they  went 
to  Martinsville,  and  there  Mr.  Radford  opened  a  hardware  store.  He 
continued  in  that  business  for  three  years,  and  then  returned  to  this 
township  where  he  has  resided  ever  since.  They  have  had  four  children 
— John  L.,  Mary  (deceased),  Thomas  B.  and  Frances.  Mr.  Radford  was 
elected  Justice  of  the  Peace  in  1876,  and  has  retained  that  office  until 
the  present  time. 

S.  N.  RUNDELL,  M.  D.,  was  born  in  Morgan  County,  Ind.,  August 
6,  1844.  He  is  the  youngest  son,  and  his  parents  were  Hiram  R.  and 
Mercy  (Wyott)  Rundell,  both  natives  of  New  York,  the  father  born  on 
November  9,  1796,  the  mother  on  December  23,  1805.  On  October  16, 
1823,  the  parents  were  married,  in  1837  moved  to  Ohio,  and  in  1842 
came  to  Morgan  County,  where  the  father  died  November  2,  1850.  The 
mother  still  survives,  and  lives  in  Jackson  Township.  Their  children 
were  William  W.,  Hester  A.,  Andrew  J.,  Reuben  J.,  Malvina,  John 
W.  (deceased),  Fletcher,  Amy  I.  and  Samuel  N.  The  latter,  our  sub- 
ject, was  fairly  educated  at  Attica,  N.  Y. ;  from  thence  he  was  sent  to 
Greencastle,  Ind.,  but  completed  his  education  at  Franklin,  Ind. ,  after 
which  he  engaged  in  teaching  school.  In  1869,  he  began  the  study  of 
medicine,  Drs.  Griffith  and  Sparks,  of  Morgantown,  being  his  preceptors, 
until  1870,  when,  in  the  winter  of  1870-71,  he  took  a  course  of  lectures 
at  the  University  of  Louisville,  Ky.  He  then  taught  school  in  Johnson 
County,  Ind.,  continuing  his  studies  in  medicine  in  the  meantime,  and 
in  the  winter  of  1873-74  again  attended  lectures,  graduating  in  Febru- 
ary, 1874.  He  entered  upon  the  practice  of  his  profession  at  Elkinsville, 
Brown  County,  Ind.  He  was  there  married  on  November  21,  1874,  to 
Anna  B.,  daughter  of  Reuben  and  Amanda  Varney.  She  was  born  on 
August  19,  1853.  In  1875,  the  Doctor  moved  to  Cope,  Morgan  County, 
and  resumed  his  practice,  which  he  has  since  pursued  with  flattering 
success.      To  the  Doctor  and  his  wife  have  been  born  four  children — Ora 


362  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES: 

E.,  Mabel  M.,  Reuben  and  Esther.  The  Doctor  is  a  member  of  the  Ma- 
sonic fraternity,   also  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 

FREDERICK  SANDERS  was  born  in  Germany  November  13,  1837, 
and  is  a  son  of  Julius  and  Minnie  (Bundgard)  Sanders,  natives  of  Ger- 
many. They  were  married  in  Germany,  and  in  1846  emigrated  to  the 
United  States,  coming  at  once  to  this  county,  and  Julius  Sanders  still 
lives  here,  but  lost  his  wife  in  October,  1851.  He  next  married  Annie 
E.  Miller.  Mr.  Sanders  has  the  following  children:  Charles,  Dolly,  Au- 
gusta, Robert,  Edward,  Mariah,  Elizabeth  and  Frederick.  Frederick 
Sanders,  the  second  of  the  family,  and  our  subject,  accompanied  his  par- 
ents to  this  county  in  1846,  and  has  lived  here  ever  since.  On  October 
8,  1858,  Mr.  Sanders  married  Mary,  daughter  of  John  Green.  She  was 
born  in  this  county  on  September  25,  1839.  Mr.  Sanders  settled  in  this 
township  and  has  made  it  his  home  ever  since.  Mrs.  Mary  Sanders 
died  on  March  14,  1865,  having  borjie  four  children— John  J.,  Frederick, 
George  W.  (deceased)  and  Jacobina.  Illr.  Sanders  took  for  a  second 
wife  Martha  M.  Bailey, widow  of  Benjamin  Bailey,  on  June  2,  1865.  She 
has  had  six  children — Hanford  E.,  Jacob,  Harriet  S.,  Charley  (deceased), 
Francis  M.  and  Bartholomew  (deceased).  Mr.  Sanders  is  a  member  of 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  and  of  the  Masonic  fraternity. 

ROBERT  H.  SCROGIN  was  born  in  Lexington,  Ky.,  October  22, 
1810,  of  parents  Joseph  and  Martha  (Campbell)  Scrogin,  natives  of  Ken- 
tucky and  Pennsylvania.  The  former  was  a  son  of  Robert  Scrogin,  who 
was  a  native  of  Maryland;  married  a  Miss  Cullinson;  went  to  Fayette, 
and  finally  to  Woodford  County,  Ky.,  and  there  lived  imtil  their  death. 
Robert  was  a  Lieutenant  in  the  Revolutionary  war,  and  the  father  of 
thirteen  children — Nathanial,  Robert,  John,  Samuel,  Luther,  Sarah, 
Nancy,  Millie,  Ann,  Elizabeth,  Julia,  an  infant  (deceased,  unnamed), and 
Joseph  (father  of  our  subject).  Joseph  Scrogin  was  born  in  1790,  and 
his  wife,  Martha,  in  1785,  and  they  died  respectively  on  May  25,  1841, 
and  May  26,  1846.  They  had  these  children:  Nancy,  Robert  H., 
Thomas  B.,  Grandison  J.,  Ann  A.,  Julia  E.,  Cordelia  E.,  Ethelinda  B. 
and  Martha  J.  Robert  H.  Scrogin  married,  on  January  1,  1837,  in  Hen- 
ry County,  Ky.,  Nancy  B.,  daughter  of  James  and  Letitia  (Bryan) Hays. 
She  was  born  in  Washington  County,  Ky.,  on  September  25,  1807.  They 
moved  to  Morgan  County,  Ind.,  in  3839,  and  settled  on  the  farm  upon 
wbich  the  family  has  since  resided.  Mrs.  Scrogin  died  on  October  21, 
1875,  the  mother  of  nine  children — Martisha,  Ethelinda  C,  Ann  E.,  Jo- 
seph S.,  WilliamH.,  Robert  J.,  Thomas  B.  C.,and  two  infants  who  died 
unnamed. 

JOHN  SIGHTING  was  born  in  Germany,  July  22,  1834,  and  is 
the  son  of  Henry  and  Louisa  Sichting,  Germans,  born  respectively  in 
1800  and  in  1807,  and  were  married  in  1830.  They  emigrated  to  the 
United  States  in  1848,  landing  at  Baltimore,  and  from  there  coming  to 
Morgan  County,  Ind.,  and  here  they  still  reside.  They  had  children — 
Maiy,  John,  Minnie,  Augusta,  Caroline  and  an  infant  (deceased).  Of  this 
family,  John  was  next  to  the  oldest,  and  came  with  his  parents  to  this 
county  in  1848,  and  was  here  married  on  March  29,  1859,  to  JMartisha 
E.,  daughter  of  Robert  H.  and  Nancy  B.  Scrogin.  She  was  born  in  this 
county,  August  7,  1839.  After  his  marriage,  Mr.  Sichting  settled  on 
the  farm  which  the  family  now  occupy.  They  had  nine  children — Rob- 
ert H.,  John  G.,  Felix  B.,  Mary  E.,  Minnie  E.,  Nancy  C,  Ida  E.,  Emma 
A.  and  Frederick  W. 


BAKER  TOWNSHIP.  363 

JOHN  S.  SKA.GGS  was  born  in  Morgan  County,  Ind.,  February  5, 
1881,  and  is  a  son  of  John  and  Edna  (Ennis)  Skaggs,  Kentuckians,  born 
respectively  October  16,  1800,  and  in  January,  1801;  they  were  married 
in  Barren  County,  Ky.,  in  1818,  and  came  thence  to  Indiana,  locating 
in  Morgan  County  in  1828.  Mr.  Skaggs  died  in  July,  1870,  and  his 
wife  in  May.  1881.  Their  children  were  James  E.,  Mary  J.,  Thomas  P., 
Zachariah,  Elizabeth  B.,  John  S.,  Eliza  A.,  Jonathan  W.,  Harriet  and 
Madison  V.  John  S.  was  married,  on  September  26,  1854,  to  Perlina, 
daughter  of  William  and  Sarah  Franklin.  She  died  October  1,  1864, 
the  mother  of  six  children — Sarah  E.,  Eliza  C,  Mary  J.  (deceased),  Elva 
A.,  Henriette  and  Lavina.  On  February  15,  1866,  Mr.  Skaggs  married 
Martha  A.  Crawford,  widow  of  James  Crawford,  and  a  daughter  of  James 
and  Matilda  Morris.  Mrs.  Skaggs  was  born  February  20,  1838,  and  by 
her  Mr.  Skaggs  had  born  to  him  three  children — Walter  M.  (deceased), 
Stella  M.  and  Nellie  M.  Mr.  Skaggs  belongs  to  the  Masonic  fraternity, 
is  holding  the  ofl&ce  of  Township  Trustee,  and  is  a  highly  respected  cit- 


BAKER  TOWNSHIP. 


H.  M.  BAKER,  leading  stockbreeder,  was  born  September  28,  1843, 
in  Washington  Township,  Ind.,  and  is  the  third  of  the  four  children  of 
William  and  Delia  (^Manley)  Baker,  natives  of  Kentucky,  and  of  Irish 
descent,  who  removed  to  this  State  about  1822.  Our  subject,  when  a  boy, 
was  inured  to  farm  work,  but  attended  select  school  for  some  time.  Au- 
gust 26,  1861,  he  enlisted  in  Company  H,  Eighty-third  Indiana  Volun- 
teer Infantry,  the  regiment  being  assigned  to  the  Army  of  the  Cumber- 
land, and  taking  active  part  in  the  battles  of  Thompson's  Station  (where 
the  regiment  was  taken  prisoners,  and  exchanged  after  thirty  days),  Res- 
aca,  Dalton,  Kenesaw  Mountain,  Peach  Tree  Creek  and  Atlanta,  and 
was  discharged  September  28,  1864,  the  day  he  attained  his  majority. 
After  returning,  he  served  three  years  as  Deputy  Sheriff.  February  15, 
1871,  he  married  Sarah  J.,  daughter  of  Jefferson  and  Sarah  Farr,  by. 
which  union  were  born  four  children — Zulie  A.,  Emma,  Sarah  D.  and 
Charlie  J.  In  1871,  he  moved  to  his  present  abode — a  farm  of  240 
acres,  well  improved,  cultivated  and  stocked.  Mr,  Baker  has  made  a 
specialty  of  stock-breeding  with  Duke  thoroughbred  cattle,  and  by  in- 
dustry ^nd  ability  has  established  himself  in  life.  He  has  served  two 
terms  as  Township  Trustee,  is  an  active  Republican  and  an  honored  cit- 
izen. 

E.  B.  BUSKIRK  is  a  native  of  this  township,  was  born  September 
30,  1859,  and  is  the  eldest  of  the  seven  children  comprising  the  family 
of  Bennett  Van  and  Arvy  (Smith)  Buskirk,  the  former  a  native  of  this 
township,  born  in  the  same  house  as  our  subject,  the  latter  of  Georgia. 
E.  B.  Buskirk  was  brought  up  a  farmer,  and  received  some  education 
from  the  common  schools,  which  he  attended  by  times  until  sixteen  years 
old.  In  1876,  he  went  to  Texas,  and  engaged  in  buffalo  hunting  and 
herding  cattle  for  about  two  years,  and  later  followed  the  same  line  in 
Nebraska.  In  the  winter  of  1880-81,  he  took  a  departure  for  Wyoming 
Territory,  and  worked  on  a  ranch  near  Cheyenne,  and  engaged  in  herd- 


364  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

ing  on  the  Platte  River  until  the  year  1883,  at  which  period  he  returned 
to  his  father's  home  in  this  township.  In  politics,  he  is  a  Republican. 
JEFFERSON  FARR  (deceased),  was  born  December  25,  1812,  at 
Lexington,  Ky.,  and  was  one  of  the  family  of  James  and  Catherine 
(Kurry)  Farr,  respectively  of  English  and  Irish  descent.  James  Farr 
was  a  soldier  of  the  war  of  1812,  and  came  to  and  settled  in  Ray  Town- 
ship in  1824.  Jefferson  Farr  married,  February  26,  1834,  Sarah  Miller, 
to  which  union  were  bestowed  twelve  children,  eight  of  whom  are  living 
— Julia,  James,  Thomas,  Jane,  Martha,  Joseph,  Angeline  and  William  H. 
In  1841,  Mr.  Farr  moved  to  this  township,  where  he  met  his  death  De- 
cember 29.  1883.  He  was  owner  of  about  300  acres,  well  improved  and 
provided  with  a  good  residence.  During  life,  he  gave  to  each  of  his 
children  about  $1,500.  He  was  an  industrious  and  prudent  man,  by  the 
exercise  of  which  virtues  he  accumulated  his  property.  He  was  a  lead- 
ing Republican  of  his  township,  and  served  several  terms  as  Township 
Trustee.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Farr  were  both  members  of  the  Baptist  Church. 
Charles  H.  Guy  was  born  September  1,  1856,  in  Ray  Township,  this 
State,  and  is  a  son  of  Martin  V.  and  Martha  (Stout)  Guy.  Charles  was 
reared  as  a  farmer,  and  September  J8,  1879,  married  Angeline  A.  Farr, 
daughter  of  Jefferson  and  Sarah  Farr,  by  which  union  were  born  two 
children — Arthur  Roscoe  and  William  A.  Mr.  Guy  died  April  22.  1882. 
He  was  an  active  Democrat,  and  was  elected  Road  Commissioner.  He 
was  a  highly-esteemed  citizen,  and  a  member  of  the  Baptist  Church. 

W^ILLIAM  H.  FARR,  enterprising  young  farmer  and  stock-raiser, 
is  a  native  of  this  township,  was  born  March  23,  1861,  and  is  the  young- 
est of  the  twelve  children  of  Jefferson  and  Sarah  (Miller)  Farr,  natives  of 
Kentucky  and  of  English  extraction.  William  H.  passed  his  youth,  be- 
tween attendance  at  school  and  assisting  at  farming;  he  remained  with 
his  parents  until  August  31,  1879,  when  he  married  Mary  J.,  daughter 
of  Presley  and  Louisa  (Hodges)  Johnson,  and  to  this  union  were  be- 
stowed two  children — Elmer  Edgar  (deceased)  and  Roscoe.  Mi-.  Farr  is 
the  owner  of  160  acres  of  highly  cultivated  land,  with  much  necessary 
stock  and  implements,  also  a  comfortable  dwelling-house,  barns  and  the 
like.  Mr.  Farr  is  a  liberal  and  esteemed  citizen,  a  Republican  and  a 
member  of  the  Baptist,  whil,e  his  wife  united  to  the  Christian  Church 

JONATHAN  H.  HENRY,  stock-raiser  and  farmer,  was  born  August 
3,  1831,  in  Clark  County,  Ohio,  and  is  the  hfth  of  the  nine  children  of 
Hamilton  and  Rebecca  (Dalrymple)  Henry,  natives  respectively  of  Ken- 
tucky and  South  Carolina  Jonathan  was  reared  on  a  farm,  and  attended 
two  terms  of  select  school  in  Fayette  County,  Ohio.  His  father  died  in 
1842,  whereupon  he  assisted  his  mother,  and  also  taught  during  the 
winter.  December  3,  1857,  he  married  Miss  Anna,  daughter  of  Elder 
James  and  Ellen  (Rider)  Simpson,  of  England,  who  emigrated  to  this 
country  and  purchased  land  in  Ohio,  where  they  died;  Mr.  Simpson  was 
a  Baptist  minister.  Three  children  followed  this  union — John  C.  (de- 
ceased), James  H.  and  Ella  N. ;  they  have  also  one  by  adoption — Juniata. 
After  his  marriage,  Mr.  Henry  taught  two  terms  of  school;  then  took 
charge  of  a  Christian  Chui'ch  in  Harrison,  Ohio,  for  two  years;  thence 
he  moved  to  Martinsville,  Ind.,  in  1863,  where  he  had  a  church;  thence 
to  Gosport,  in  charge  of  a  church  for  six  years,  and  also  for  a  time  in 
business.  In  1875,  he  moved  to  where  his  home  now  is,  but  was  some 
time  in  Martinsville,  and  acted  as  Deputy  Treasurer,  and  as  Trustee  twa 
years.      He  has  a  fair  farm  of   120  acres,  with  good  buildings,  stocking 


BAKER  TOWNSHIP.  365 

and  various  improvements.  In  addition  to  preaching,  he  served  as  County- 
Examiner  two  years.  In  1879,  he  was  elected  Trustee  of  Gosport,  and 
afterward  as  a  member  of  the  School  Board.  Mr.  Henry  is  a  member  of 
the  Masonic  fraternity,  a  Republican  and  a  highly-regarded  citizen. 

DR.  WILLIAM  N.  HODGES  was  born  on  the  section  on  which  he 
now  lives  October  22,  1836,  and  is  the  fourth  of  the  twelve  children  of 
John  and  Lucy  (Newlin)  Hodges,  the  former  a  native  of  Indiana,  born 
1810.  The  grandfather  of  our  subject,  Thomas  Hodges,  emigrated  to 
Washington  County,  Ind. ,  about  1808,  and  his  great-grandfather  was  a 
soldier  of  the  Revolutionary  war.  John  Hodges  came  to  this  county  in 
1830,  and  died  in  this  township  September  7,  1856;  he  was  a  pioneer, 
and  owned  about  1,000  acres,  most  of  which  was  improved.  Dr.  Hodges 
was  reared  on  a  farm.  After  studying  medicine,  and  graduating  from 
the  Cincinnati  Medical  School,  he  located  at  Edwardsport,  Ind.,  in  1866, 
as  a  practitioner,  after  which  he  traveled  extensively  until  1871,  when  he 
returned  home  and  engaged  in  farming.  October  1,  1871,  he  married  Mary 
A.  Baker,  which  union  produced  five  children — Louisa  A. ,  John  L. ,  Joseph 
H.,  Lucy  and  Rachel  C.  Dr.  Hodges'  farm  is  well  stocked,  cultivated, 
improved  and  appointed,  and  embraces  300  acres.  In  August,  1862,  he 
enlisted  in  Company  H.  Seventy-ninth  Indiana  Volunteers,  and  served 
in  most  of  the  battles  of  the  Southwest.  He  was  discharged  Jime  7, 
1865.  Dr.  Hodges  is  a  Freemason,  a  Republican,  and  has  served  as 
Justice  of  the  Peace  and  County  Coroner.  He  and  wife  are  members  of 
the  Christian  Church. 

JOHN  P.  HYNDS,  stock-raiser  and  farmer,  was  born  June  10,  1854, 
in  Je£ferson  Township,  Morgan  County,  and  is  the  youngest  of  the  eight 
children  of  William  andfSusanna  (Laakford)  Hynds.  He  was  reared  on 
a  farm,  and  remained  until  manhood.  June  10,  1874,  he  married  Nancy 
C.  Hodges,  of  this  county,  a  union  which  produced  four  children — Em- 
ma, Susanna  E.  (deceased),  William  T.  (deceased),  and  Lilly  B.  Mr. 
Hynds  is  the  possessor  of  127  acres,  eighty-seven  acres  of  which  lie  on 
White  River  bottom,  and  all  of  which  is  in  good  improvement;  the  ad- 
ditions are  a  tine  residence,  with  barns,  outhouses  and  the  like.  Mr. 
Hynds  has  succeeded  well  in  life,  notwithstanding  many  losses;  having 
lost  at  times  his  house  and  barns,  valued  at  $1,500.  He  is  an  active  Re- 
publican, and  has  served  one  term  as  Assessor.  He  and  wife  are  consist- 
ent and  esteemed  members  of  the  Baptist  Church,  as  well  as  liberal  and 
benevolent  neighbors  and  friends. 

PRESLEY  JOHNSON,  stock-raiser  and  farmer,  was  born  August  15, 
1835,  in  Monroe  County,  Ind.,  and  is  the  fourth  of  the  family  of  Joab 
and  Elizabeth  (Smith)  Johnson,  natives  of  Tennessee,  who  emigrated  to 
this  State  in  1832,  settled  in  Monroe  County  and  entered  and  improved 
240  acres,  and  where  Mr.  Johnson  died  October  12,  1846.  After  the 
death  of  his  father,  our  subject  labored  on  the  home  farm,  as  a  conse- 
quence of  which  his  educational  advantages  were  spare.  January  20, 
1859,  he  married  Miss  Louisa,  daughter  of  John  and  Lucy  (Newton) 
Hodges,  to  which  union  were  bestowed  two  children. — Mary  Jane  and 
Jarvis  J.  Mr.  Johnson  was  elected  Trustee  of  this  township  for  two 
terms  of  two  years  each.  He  is  a  member  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F. ,  and  in  pol- 
itics is  a  Democrat.  In  1867,  he  settled  near  where  he  now  resides  on  a 
proprietary  farm  of  256  acres,  well  cultivated,  improved,  and  stocked 
with  short -horn  cattle.  He  is  now  mainly  engaged  in  raising  stock,  and 
is  comfortably  situated,  having  given  to  his  cliildren  and  sold  about  200 


366  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

acres.  Mr.  Johnson  is  an  enterprising  and  esteemed  citizen,  and,  with 
his  wife,  a  member  of  the  Christian  Church. 

ISAAC  LAFAVER  was  born  in  Virginia  in  1801.  He  is  the  third 
of  the  eight  children  of  Abraham  and  Mary  (Brock)  Laf  aver,  natives  of 
Virginia,  the  former  of  French  and  the  latter  of  Dutch  descent.  Isaac 
was  reared  on  a  farm.  His  parents  moved  to  Wayne  County,  Ky. ,  about 
1806,  where  he  attended  the  primitive  schools  of  that  time.  About  the 
year  1816,  his  parents  moved  to  this  State  and  settled  in  Washington 
County, where  they  entered  300,  and  cleared  about  100  acres  thereof.  About 
1823,  they  came  to  this  county,  entered  land  in  this  township,  where 
Abraham  Lafaver  died  in  1840.  October  23,  1823,  Isaac  married  Mary, 
daughter  of  Michael  Cooper,  a  soldier  of  the  Revolution.  To  this  union 
were  born  nine  children — John,  Jacob,  James,  Isaac,  Mary,  Louisa, 
Nancy,  Lovina  and  Abraham  (deceased).  In  1824,  our  subject  came  to 
this  county,  entered  eighty  acres  on  White  River  bottoms,  and  forty 
where  he  now  resides.  To  this,  he  has  added  100  acres,  since  purchased. 
This  land  is  well  stocked,  cultivated  and  improved,  with  good  orchards. 
In  1826,  Mr.  Lafaver  moved  to  this  township.  He  has  been  a  worthily 
successful  man;  has  served  nine  years  as  Justice  of  the  Peace,  and  is  a 
Democrat,  having  given  his  first  vote  for  Gen.  Jackson.  He  is  a  member 
of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  as  was  his  wife,  who  died  in  1880, 
aged  seventy-five  years. 

JAMES  LEMON  is  a  native  of  Johnson  County,  Ind.,  was  born  Feb- 
ruary 6,  1847,  and  is  the  second  of  the  five  children  of  William  P.  and 
Lucinda  Lemon,  natives  respectively  of  Kentucky  and  Indiana,  and  of 
Dutch  and  English  descent.  James  moved  to  Gosport  with  his  parents 
in  1860,  but  returned  to  Johnson  County  in  1871,  and  worked  at  carpen- 
tering and  farming.  October  5,  1873,  he  married  Miss  Cynthia,  daugh- 
ter of  Malachi  and  Sarah  Collier,  by  which  union  they  had  three  children 
— William  E.,  Ira  Francis  and  Thomas  J.  After  marriage,  Mr.  Lemon 
moved  to  this  county,  and  purchased  twenty  acres,  in  good  cultivation, 
and  with  good  dwelling  and  some  improvements.  July  17,  1863.  he  en- 
listed in  Company  G,  One  Hundred  and  Fifteenth  Indiana  Volunteer 
Infantry,  which  regiment  joined  the  Army  of  Cumberland.  He  was  dis- 
charged March,  1864,  and  re-enh'sted  January,  1865,  in  Company  C, 
One  Hundred  and  Forty-ninth  Indiana  Volunteer  Infantry;  was  stationed 
at  Nashville  and  Decatur,  and  finally  discharged  November,  1865.  Mr. 
Lemon  is  a  Democrat,  and  a  much  respected  citizen.  Mrs.  Lemon  is  a 
member  of  the  Baptist  Church. 

JOHN  WESLEY  LEONARD,  stock  raiser  and  farmer,  was  born 
September  26,  1850,  in  Fayetteville,  Ind.,  and  is  the  youngest  child  of 
Isaac  and  Lucy  (Culver)  Leonard,  respectively  of  German  and  French 
descent.  Mi's.  Leonard  had  been  previously  married  to  Mr.  John  Dun- 
ning, and  was  mother  of  two  children.  Our  subject  was  reared  on  a 
farm,  his  parents  having  moved  to  Owen  County,  Ind. ,  when  he  was  one 
year  of  age,  where  they  purchased  a  farm  and  resided  about  six  years; 
this  they  sold  and  removed  to  near  Spencer,  where  they  remained  until 
the  spring  of  1865;  this  land  they  likewise  sold,  and  removed  to  near 
Martinsville,  where  John  resided  until  May  27,  1874,  when  he  married 
Eliza  M.,  daughter  of  James  and  Eleanor  (Peten)  Maxwell,  natives  of 
Indiana.  The  fruits  of  this  union  were  two  children — Nora  M.  and 
Minnie  lolia.  Mr.  Leonard  has  a  farm  of  102  acres,  containing  a  good 
dwelling,  barns  and  other  buildings,  and  which  is  well  cultivated,  stocked 


BAKER  TOWNSHIP.  367 

and  improved,  the  whole  a  result  of  saccessful  farming  and  judicious 
management.  Mr.  Leonard  has  been  twice  elected  Justice  of  the  Peace, 
and  is  now  serving  as  Trustee.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity 
and  an  active  Democrat. 

JOHN  McDANIEL  was  born  January,  1834,  in  Pulaski  County,  Ky., 
and  is  the  fifth  of  the  nine  children  of  John  and  Unia  Elizabeth  (Little- 
john)  McDaniel,  natives  of  Kentucky,  and  of  Scotch  and  Irish  descent. 
John,  our  subject,  was  reared  to  the  plow,  and  in  1852  came  to  this 
county,  lived  with  an  uncle  and  worked  by  the  month  for  several  years. 
About  1858,  he  lived  in  Missouri  and  Kansas,  and  afterward  was  em- 
ployed to  drive  a  cattle  team  across  the  plains.  From  Salt  Lake  he 
assisted  in  driving  one  thousand  head  of  cattle  to  California,  where  he 
engaged  at  farming  by  the  month,  but  soon  afterward  returned  to  his 
present  location.  April  1,  1862,  he  enlisted  in  Company  H,  Thirty-third 
Indiana  Volunteer  Infantry,  the  regiment  marching  immediately  to  join 
the  Army  of  the  Cumberland,  which  took  part  at  the  battles  of  Frank- 
lin, Cumberland  Gap,  the  Atlanta  campaign  and  the  march  through 
Georgia.  While  in  the  hospital,  his  regiment  was  captured  by  the  enemy, 
and  he  was  thereafter  assigned  to  the  heavy  artillery,  in  which  he 
remained  for  ten  months,  and  was  discharged  April,  1865.  January  11, 
1866.  he  married  Mary  A.,  daughter  of  James  and  Ellen  Martin,  which 
union  was  cemented  by  six  children — James  H. ,  William  Franklin,  John 
E.,  Clinton  H. ,  Kelle  B.  and  Ella  J.  Mr.  McDaniel  is  owner  of  eighty 
acres,  being  a  good  farm  and  comfortable  home.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
G.  A.  K.,  and  of  the  Baptist  Church,  also  an  active  Republican. 

BARBAKA  A.  MARTIN  is  a  native  of  North  Carolina,  and  was 
born  December  24,  1828.  Her  parents  emigrated  to  Morgan  County, 
Ind.,  where,  January  28,  1849,  she  was  united  in  marriage  to  Dr.  Isaac 
Martin,  a  native  of  Monroe  C'ounty,  who  died  about  1873,  having  been 
the  father  of  nine  children,  four  of  whom  are  living — William  A.,  John 
M.,  Mary  S.  (Mrs.  Russell)  and  James  L.  The  parents  of  Dr.  Martin 
were  early  settlers  of  Monroe  County,  and  had  traded  considerably  with 
the  Indians. 

Mary  A.  Miller,  one  of  the  oldest  settlers  of  Morgan  County, 
was  born  in  North  Carolina,  January,  1800,  a  daughter  of  Robert  and 
Catherine  (Troutman)  W^arx-en,  also  natives  of  North  Carolina.  Our  sub- 
ject was  marx'ied  to  John  W.  Miller,  a  wagon-maker,  who  afterward 
abandoned  his  trade  and  became  a  farmer.  Their  union  was  made  happy 
by  eleven  children — Robert  A.  (who  perished  in  the  late  war),  John  M., 
Catherine  E.  (Mrs.  Maxley),  Barbara  A.  (Mrs.  Martin),  Susan  (deceased), 
Betsy  L.  (deceased),  Henry  W.  (died  in  the  late  war),  Mary  A.  (Mrs. 
Harvey),  Peter  C,  Zelny  (deceased),  and  Eliza  A.  (Mrs.  Hickson).  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Miller  moved  to  Morgan  County  about  47  years  ago  and  pur- 
chased land  on  White  River  bottoms,  but  afterward  moved  to  the  hills. 
Mr.  Miller  was  about  one  year  older  than  she.  and  died  about  1869,  hav- 
ing cleared  a  good  farm.  Mrs.  Miller  owns  220  acres  of  good  land,  with 
a  comfortable  house  and  productive  orchard.  Mr.  Miller  was  a  member 
of  the  Baptist  Church,  as  has  been  Mrs.  Miller  for  nearlv  fifty  years. 

SARAH  C.  REGESTER  is  a  native  of  Monroe  County,  Ohio,  was 
born  December  30,  1843,  and  is  the  fifth  of  the  seven  children  of  Thomas 
and  Catherine  (Lewis)  Gray,  natives  respectively  of  Pennsylvania  and 
Virginia,  and  both  of  English  extraction.  The  father  of  our  subject  was 
a  Quaker,  and  shortly  subsequent  to  his  marriage,  moved  to  Harrisville, 


368  BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES: 

Ohio,  where  he  labored  as  a  tanner,  and  a  few  years  later  purchased  a 
farm  in  Harrison  County,  whither  he  moved,  and  on  which  he  resided 
for  about  fifteen  years.  While  there  a  reward  of  S2,000  was  offered  for 
his  and  one  of  his  neighbor's  heads,  in  consequence  of  advocating  the 
anti-slavery  movement.  He  was  counseled  to  remain  on  this  side  of 
the  slavery  line,  but,  being  a  man  of  strong  determination,  gave  no  heed 
thereto,  remarking  that,  were  he  slain,  a  thousand  would  rise  in  his 
place.  And  so  he  removed  to  Jay  County,  Ind. ,  aboat  1858,  where  he 
purchased  a  farm,  remaining  until  his  departure  for  Iowa,  where  he  and 
his  wife  are  now  living  with  a  daughter.  Mrs.  Sarah  Kegester  has  been 
twice  married — first  to  John  Sumption,  with  a  gift  of  three  children — 
Mary  E.  (Mrs.  Robbins),  Eva  I.  and  Mercy  Ann  (Mrs.  Rice).  Mr. 
Sumption  died  December  21,  1865.  Her  second  marriage,  November  11, 
1869.  was  to  Robert  Regester,  with  an  issue  of  one  child — John  F.  When 
alive,  Mr.  Regester  was  in  the  hotel  business  in  Jay  County,  and  died  Sep- 
tember 16,  1881.  In  1882,  with  her  two  children,  she  removed  to  Mor- 
gan County  and  purchased  76  acres,  for  the  purpose  of  cultivating  fruit 
and  having  a  congenial  home.  She  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Epis- 
copal Church. 

JOHN  H.  THOMAS  was  born  in  Spencer,  Ind.,  December  13,  1840, 
and  is  the  seventh  of  the  thirteen  children  of  Alvin  and  Jane  (Christison) 
Thomas,  natives  of  Kentucky,  and  of  Irish  descent.  John  H.  Thomas 
was  bred  to  the  farming  profession,  but  received  little  education,  inas- 
much as  his  father  died  when  he  was  eleven  years  old,  and  his  services 
were  required  to  assist  the  family.  July  6,  1861,  he  enlisted  in  Company 
D,  Twenty-first  Regiment  Indiana  Volunteers,  in  which  he  was  engaged  at 
Baton  Rouge,  where  he  was  wounded  in  the  left  thigh,  and  at  the  siege 
of  Port  Hudson.  In  consequence  of  his  wound  he  was  discharged  June, 
1864.  December  5,  1869,  he  married  N.  Frances,  daughter  of  James  M. 
and  Elizabeth  Campbell,  which  union  was  followed  by  seven  children — 
Nettie,  James  Madison,  Cynthia,  Mary,  Bessie,  John  A.  and  Jane.  Mr. 
Thomas  is  the  proprietor  of  102  acres  of  good  farming  land,  which  is  well 
stocked,  cultivated  and  improved,  and  containing  a  good  dwelling  house. 
He  is  a  strong  Republican  in  political  faith,  and  he  and  wife  are  members 
of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 

E.  M.  W^ AMPLER,  farmer  and  stock-raiser,  was  born  August  26, 
1853,  in  Monroe  County,  Ind.,  and  is  the  sixth  of  the  ten  children  of  An- 
drew and  Margaret  (Cowden)  Warupler,  natives  of  Virginia,  and  of  Ger- 
man descent.  Our  subject  was  reared  a  farmer,  yet  received  some  educa- 
tion from  the  public  schools.  When  of  age,  he  went  to  McLean  County, 
111. ,  and  thence  to  Daviess  County,  Ind. ,  where  he  remained  fifteen  months, 
and  then  returned  to  Monroe  County  to  engage  in  farming.  April  12, 
1877,  he  married  Mollie,  daughter  of  Madison  and  Elizabeth  Huston. 
To  this  union  were  born  four  children — Homer  M. ,  Lora  Estella,  James 
C.  and  Maud  E.  Since  his  marriage,  Mr.  Wampler  has  farmed  in  this 
county,  first  on  rented  land,  and  moved  to  his  present  place  in  1881;  this 
comprises  256  acres,  all  in  good  cultivation  and  improvement,  with  valu- 
able stock  and  a  fine  orchard.  Mr.  Wampler  is  a  promising  young  man 
and  a  Democrat  in  political  views. 

ABRAHAM  W^EAVER,  stock-raiser  and  farmer,  is  a  native  of  this 
township,  was  born  November  21,  1830,  and  is  the  fourth  of  the  five 
children  born  to  John  and  Elizabeth  (Davis)  Weaver,  natives  of  Wythe 
County,  Va.,  and  of  German  and  English  descent  respectively,  who  came 


BAKER  TOWNSHIP.  369 

to  Indiana  in  1830  and  entered  land  in  Monroe  County.  Abraham  was 
reared  on  a  farm,  attended  school  but  a  short  time,  working  closely  for 
his  father.  November  5,  1857,  he  married  Mary  Jane,  daughter  of 
Thomas  and  Elizabeth  Languell,  a  union  which  was  followed  by  four 
children — Cyrus,  John  T.,  Henry  Washington  Halleck  and  George  Mc- 
Clelland. Mrs.  Weaver  died  September  13,  1865,  and  December  12,  1866, 
he  wedded  Nancy  S.,  daughter  of  David  and  Eliza  (McCown)  Allen.  To 
this  union  were  Ijorn  three  children — James  S.,  Daniel  Vorhees  (deceased) 
and  Albert  Homer.  Mr.  Weaver  has  taken  two  degrees  in  Masonry.  He 
has  400  acres  of  excellent  land,  which  is  under  fine  cultivation  and  well 
stocked;  also  improved  by  a  comfortable  residence.  Mr.  Weaver  has  been 
generally  successful,  having  lost  $6,000  by  misplaced  confidence.  In 
politics,  he  is  a  Democrat. 

HENRY  W.  H.  WEAVER,  an  enterprising  young  farmer  and  stock- 
raiser,  is  a  native  of  this  township,  was  born  September  8,  1862,  and  is 
the  third  of  the  seven  children  of  Abe  and  Mary  A.  (^Languell)  Wea-vyer, 
natives  respectively  of  Virginia  and  Indiana,  and  both  of  Dutch  descent. 
Henry  was  bred  to  the  independent  profession  of  agriculture,  and  obtained 
the  rudiments  of  an  education  at  the  public  schools.  November  13,  1881, 
he  married  Miss  Matilda,  daughter  of  Stephen"  and  Ellen  (Loller)  Bolin, 
natives  of  the  State  of  Indiana.  Mr.  Weaver  is  the  owner  of  forty  acres 
of  timber  land  in  Monroe  County.  He  is  a  much-esteemed  young  gentle- 
man, a  Democrat  in  political  classification,  and  a  promising  farmer. 

JOHN  C.  WILSON,  farmer,  is  a  native  of  Owen  County,  Ind.,  was 
born  January  24,  1841,  and  is  the  second  of  the  four  children  of  Thomas 
and  Orphy  Wilson,  natives  respectively  of  Kentucky  and  North  Carolina, 
and  of  German  and  Irish  extraction.  John  C.  labored  on  the  home  farm 
during  summer,  and  attended  subscription  school  during  winter.  His 
father  was  one  of  the  early  settlers  of  Monroe  County,  who  there  entered 
land,  and  afterward  moved  to  Owen  County,  where  he  entered  300  acres 
near  Gosport,  and  where  he  died  May  24,  1883,  aged  eighty -six  years. 
He  had  also  entered  about  1,000  acres  in  Jasper  County,  111.,  which  he 
bestowed  among  his  children.  May,  1861,  our  subject  married  Catherine, 
daughter  of  Jefferson  and  Sarah  Farr,  a  union  cemented  by  seven  chil- 
dren, five  of  whom  are  living —Albert  J.,  Frances  (Mrs.  Hodges),  Joseph 
P. ,  Thomas  O.  and  John  Otto.  During  the  war,  Mr.  Wilson  enlisted  in 
Company  F,  Twenty-ninth  Indiana  Volunteer  Infantry,  and  served  until 
July,  1865,  when  he  returned  to  his  home  farm  and  remained  until  Octo- 
ber, 1879,  when  he  removed  to  his  present  abode.  Mrs.  Wilson  died 
January,  1880,  and  on  September  13  he  married  Mrs.  Guy.  Mr.  Wilson 
owns  365  acres  of  fruitful  land,  on  which  has  been  found  a  vein  of  gold, 
yielding  $300  to  the  ton,  becoming  richer  as  descent  is  made.  His  farm 
is  well  improved,  cultivated  and  valuable,  bearing  some  of  the  largest 
poplar  and  tulip  trees  in  the  State,  one  so  large  as  to  admit  of  a  vehicle, 
horse  and  driver  when  hollowed  out.  He  and  wife  are  members  of  the 
Christian  Church. 


HISTORY  OF  MONROE  COUNTY. 

BY    WESTON    A.    GOODSPEED. 

SETTLEMENT,   ORGANIZATION,  ETC 

THE    INDIAN    OCCUPANCY. 

THE  territory  now  comprising  the  county  of  Monroe  was  formerly  the 
undisputed  domain  of  the  Miamis.  This  is  also  true  of  all  of  Indiana. 
At  the  treaty  of  Greenville,  Ohio,  in  1795,  Tiittle  Turtle,  or  Mish-e-ken- 
o-quah,  the  head  chief  of  the  Miamis,  and  one  of  the  most  intelligent  and 
renowned  aboriginal  Americans  of  any  tribe,  that  ever  lived,  stated  to 
the  Government  Commissioners  that  the  Miamis  formerly  owned  all  the 
territory  within  the  following  bounds  :  From  Detroit  south  to  the  Scioto 
River  and  down  the  same  to  the  Ohio,  thence  down  the  Ohio  to  the 
mouth  of  the  Wabash,  thence  up  the  same  to  near  Covington,  thence 
north  to  Lake  Michigan,  thence  east  to  Detroit.  Immediately  after  the 
Revolutionary  war,  the  efforts  to  colonize  the  lands  west  of  the  Atlantic 
coast  were  so  extensive  and  persistent  that  the  natives  inhabiting  those 
regions  were  forced  slowly  back  into  the  wilderness  upon  the  territory  of 
their  Western  brethren,  and  thus  the  broad  domain  of  the  Miamis  was 
invaded  by  homeless  natives  of  various  tribes,  who  were  given  tracts  of 
territory  upon  which  to  hunt  and  live.  At  what  time  the  Delawares, 
Shawanees,  Wyandots,  Pottawatomies,  Piankeshaws,  Weas,  Kickapoos, 
etc.,  gained  a  footing  upon  the  soil  of  Indiana  cannot  be  stated  with 
certainty,  but  there  seems  to  be  no  doubt  that  Little  Turtle  stated  the 
truth  when  he  claimed  all  of  the  above  bounded  territory  as  the  former 
domain  of  his  people — the  Miamis.  It  is  possible  that  some  of  the  tribes 
named  above  occupied  portions  of  Indiana  before  the  Revolutionary  war. 
The  former  home  of  the  Delawares  was  on  the  Delaware  River,  and  later 
in  Western  Pennsylvania  and  Eastern  Ohio,  and  still  later  in  Indiana. 
The  original  home  of  the  Wyandots  was  in  Canada,  and  later  in  Michi- 
gan and  Northern  Ohio,  and  still  later  in  Southern  Indiana.  The 
Shawanees  were  of  Southern  origin,  and  were  wanderers,  but  finally 
were  given  a  home  in  Southeastern  Indiana,  and  also  a  section  of  country 
on  the  Wabash  about  La  Fayette.  The  Pottawatomies  seem  to  have 
owned  territory  in  Northern  Illinois  and  Southern  Wisconsin,  and  to  have 
gained  from  the  Miamis  at  some  early  period  by  invasion  or  conquest 
much  of  the  land  of  Indiana  north  of  the  Wabash.  The  Weas,  Kicka- 
poos, Piankeshaws  and  Pecankeeshaws  seem  to  have  owned  land  along  the 
western  boundary  of  the  State.  At  the  treaty  of  Fort  Wayne  on  the 
30th  of  September,  1809,  the  second  article  was  made  to  read  as  follows: 
"  The  Miamis  explicitly  acknowledge  the  equal   right  of  the    Delawares 


372  HISTORY  OE*  MONROE  COUNTY. 

with  themselves  to  the  country  watered  by  the  White  River.  But  it  is 
also  to  be  clearly  understood  that  neither  party  shall  have  the  right  of 
disposing  of  the  same  without  the  consent  of  the  others,  and  any  im- 
provements which  shall  be  made  on  the  said  land  by  the  Delawares,  or 
their  friends,  the  Mohecans,  shall  be  theirs  forever."  As  to  the  territory 
of  Monroe  County,  it  seems  to  have  been  on  the  boundary  between  the 
land  of  the  Delawares  and  that  of  the  Piankeshaws  and  Pecankeeshaws, 
so  that  it  was  the  home  and  hunting  ground  of  the  three  tribes  as  well  as 
the  Miamis. 

INDIAN    CESSION    TREATIES. 

The  territory  now  composing  the  county  of  Monroe  was  not  obtained 
from  the  Indians  wholly  at  one  time.  The  old  Indian  boundary  which 
extends  from  near  Gosport  in  a  southeasterly  direction,  leaving  the 
county  at  Section  26,  Benton  Township,  divides  two  important  Indian 
cessions.  The  territory  of  Monroe  County  south  of  that  boundary  was 
part  of  Harrison's  Purchase,  obtained  from  the  Indians  by  the  treaty  of 
Fort  Wayne,  September  30,  1809  ;  and  all  of  Monroe  County  above  that 
boundary  was  part  of  the  New  Purchase,  obtained  from  the  Indians  by 
the  treaty  at  St.  Mary's,  Ohio,  October  2  to  6,  1818.  As  Monroe  County 
was  organized  before  the  last-named  treaty  was  effected,  it  will  be  seen 
that  all  of  the  present  county  north  of  the  Indian  boundary  was  not  at 
first  a  part  of  the  county.  The  exact  boundary  of  the  county  when 
first  formed  will  be  seen  from  the  act  creating  the  county,  quoted  entire 
a  few  pages  in  advance. 

THE  SURVEY  AND  FIRST  ENTRIES  OF  LAND. 
The  survey  of  all  the  lands  of  Monroe  County  lying  south  of  the 
old  Indian  boundary  occurred  in  the  autumn  of  1812,  Arthur  Henrie 
and  William  Harris  being  the  surveyors.  All  of  the  county  north  of  the 
Indian  boundary  was  surveyed  in  1819  by  Thomas  Brown  and  J.  Hedges. 
Although  that  portion  south  of  the  old  boundary  was  surveyed  in  1»12, 
the  land  was  not  thrown  into  market  until  1816,  at  which  many  entries 
were  made,  the  following  being  a  complete  list  for  that  year  :  In  Town- 
ship 7  north,  Range  2  west :  William  Bigger,  Richard  Beam,  John 
Kutch,  Isaac  Withers,  John  M.  Sadler,  Archibald  Wood,  William  King, 
John  Storm,  Elzy  Woodward  and  Henry  Speed.  In  Township  7  north, 
Range  1  west :  Henry  Burkhart,  Thomas  Grimes,  William  Anderson, 
Bartlett  Woodward,  Adam  Darling,  Robert  Fields,  Roult  &  Brenton, 
William  Bigger,  Fetters  &  Hughes,  George  Buskirk,  George  Paul,  John 
Musser,  Michael  Buskirk,  John  Vanderoot,  Michael  Harvey,  Jacob 
Mumma,  Jonathan  Lindley,  John  Durham,  Samuel  Caldwell,  John 
White,  William  Carl  and  William  Craig.  Township  8  north.  Range  2 
west:  Arthur  Patterson,  Wright  &  Morgan,  Jacob  Cutler,  William 
Wright,  David  Sears,  James  Parks,  James  Matlock,  John  Cutler,  John 
Allen,  Jonathan  Rains,  John  Carr.  John  W.  Lee,  James  Borland, 
Michael  Wood,  David  Matlock,  John  Collins.  Joseph  Berry,  William 
Wilson,  William  Newcomb,  John  Harvey,  Jonathan  Nichols,  Solomon 
Green,  Levin  Lawrence,  Adam  Bower,  John  Briscoe,  Jesse  Tarkington, 
Thomas  McCrang,  Josiah  Jackson,  John  Johnson  and  Joseph  Richard- 
son.      Township    9    north.    Range    1    west  :    John     Ketchum,     Henry 


HISTORY  OF  MONROE  COUNTY.  373 

Wampler,  Thomas  Smith,  James  Matlock,  William  Julien,  William  J. 
Adair,  John  Kell,  C  and  F,  Bullett,  John  Owens,  Daniel  Stout,  Samuel 
Caldwell,  Roderick  Rollins,  Joseph  Taylor,  David  Raymond,  Jacob  Ben- 
derback,  Eleazer  Dagget,  James  Borland,  Gideon  Frisbee,  John  Lee, 
William  Matlock,  Samuel  Camphreys,  Thomas  Graham,  Abraham  Ap- 
pier, Chris  Esling,  George  Ritchey,  George  Hedrick,  David  Rogers, 
Henry  Rogers,  John  Thompson,  Wheeler  Mallett,  Samuel  Scott,  Nich- 
olas Fleener,  William  Jackson,  John  Jackson  and  Thomas  Heady. 
Township  9  north.  Range  2  west :  Joseph  Evans,  Asa  Osborn,  Lewis 
Noel,  Jonathan  Gilbert,  George  Cutler,  George  Sharp,  James  Goodwin, 
Joseph  Harris,  Ambrose  Carlton,  John  Simons,  John  Gordon,  John 
McCormlck,  William  Thornton,  Abel  Bigelow,  David  Johnson,  John 
FullenjlWilliam  Baker,  David  Sears,  Samuel  Zunicks,  William  Oliver, 
Thomas  Hodges  and  Benjamin  Johnson,  Township  10  north.  Range  2 
west :  John  Fullen  about  all  of  Section  4,  Abner  Evans,  Archibald 
Wood,  Jonathan  Gilbert,  C.  &  F.  Bullett,  Fettus  <&  Hughes,  John  Mc- 
Cormick,  Julius  Woodward,  William  Milliken,  William  Kelso,  John 
Bigger,  Samuel  Jennings,  nearly  all  of  whom  entered  several  hundred 
acres  each.  No  entry  was  made  before  September,  1816,  and  during  the 
remainder  of  that  year  entries  were  only  made  wes't  of  the  meridian  line 
and  south  of  the  old  Indian  boundary.  These  entries  were  all  in  the 
present  townships  of  Clear  Creek,  Indian  Creek,  Van  Buren,  Richland. 
Blooraington  and  Bean  Blossom.  Several  tracts  were  purchased  by 
speculators,  but  the  greater  number  passed  to  actual  residents  or  to  those 
who  became  actual  residents. 

An  Act  fok  the  Formation  of  Monroe  County  out  of  the  County  of  Orange: 

Section  1.  Be  it  enacted  by  the  General  Assembhj  of  the  State  of  Indiana,  That  from 
and  after  the  10th  day  of  April  next,  all  that  part  of  the  county  of  Orange  inclosed  in  the 
following  bounds  shall  form  and  constitute  a  new  county:  Beginning  on  the  line  of 
Orange  and  Jackson  Counties  where  the  line  dividing  Townships  6  and  7  crosses  the  same  ; 
thence  west  with  the  last  mentioned  line  to  the  line  dividing  Ranges  2  and  3  west  of  the 
Second  Principal  Meridian;  thence  north  with  said  range  line  to  the  Indian  boundary ; 
thence  southeastwardly  with  said  boundary  to  the  line  of  Orange  and  Jackson  Coanties  ; 
thenc-i  south  with  the  same  to  the  beginning — to  be  known  and  designated  by  the  name 
and  style  of  the  county  of  Monroe.  And  the  said  county  of  Monroe  shall  enjoy  all  the 
rights,  privileges  and  jurisdictions  which  to  separate  coanties  do  or  may  properly  belong 
or  appeitain. 

Sec.  2.  John  Penicks  and  Jonathan  Jones,  of  Orange  County;  Daniel  Connor,  of 
Daviess  County;  David  Fouts,  of  Washington  County,  and  Samuel  Burcham,  of  Jackson 
County,  be,  and  they  are  hereby  appointed  Commissioners  for  the  purpose  of  fixing  the 
permanent  seat  of  justice  in  Monroe  County,  agreeably  to  an  act  of  Assembly  entitled 
"An  Hct  tixing  the  seat  of  justice  in  all  new  counties  hereafter  laid  off."  The  Commis- 
sioners above  named  shall  convene  at  the  house  of  Abner  Blair,  of  said  new  county,  on 
the  tirst  Monday  of  April  next,  and  then  proceed  to  discharge  the  duties  assigned  them 
by  law. 

Sec.  3.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Sheriff  of  said  new  county  to  notify  the  above- 
named  Commissioners,  either  in  person  or  by  writing,  of  their  said  appointments  and  of 
the  time  and  place  at  which  they  are  required  by  this  act  to  meet,  at  least  six  days  pre- 
vious to  the  day  appointed  for  their  meeting,  and  the  said  Sheriff  shall  be  allowed  a 
reasonable  compensation  for  his  services  out  of  the  first  money  in  the  treasury  of  the  said 
county  of  Monroe  to  be  paid  as  the  county  claims  usually  are. 

Sec.  4.  The  Board  of  County  Commissioners  of  said  new  county  shall,  within  twelve 
months  after  the  permanent  seat  of  justice  shall  have  been  established,  proceed  to  erect 
the  necessary  public  buildings  thereon. 

Sec.  5.  Until  suitable  accommodations  can  be  had  (in  the  opinion  of  the  Circuit 
Court)  at  the  seat  of  justice  for  said  county,  all  the  courts  which  by  law  become  necessary 
to  be  held  at  the  county  seat  shall  be  holden  at  the  house  of  Abner  Blair  aforesaid,  or  at 


374  HISTORY  OF  MONROE  COUNTY. 

any  other  place  in  the  same  neigh Ijorhood  to  which  the  Circuit  Court  may,  for  the  purpose 
of  getting  better  accommodations,  think  proper  to  adjourn,  after  which  time  the  said 
courts  shall  be  adjourned  to  the  seat  of  justice  established  as  aforesaid. 

Sec  6.  The  agent  to  be  appointed  for  the  county  of  Monroe  shall  reserve  in  his 
hands  ten  per  centum  out  of  the  net  proceeds  of  the  sales  of  lots,  which  may  be  made  at 
the  seat  of  justice  of  said  county  for  the  use  of  a  counfy  library,  which  sum  or  sums  of 
money  so  reserved  shall  be  paid  by  said  agent  or  his  successor  in  ofiBce  over  to  such  per- 
son or  persons  as  may  be  authorized  to  receive  the  same,  in  such  manner  and  with  such 
installments  as  may  be  directed  by  law.  This  act  to  take  effect  from  and  after  its  publi- 
cation in  print. 

Approved  January  14,  1818. 

In  accordance  with  the  provisions  of  this  enactment,  the  machinery 
of  the  county  was  immediately  put  in  running  order.  An  election  was 
ordered  held  under  the  supervision  of  the  Sheriif,  John  W,  Lee,  appointed 
by  the  Governor,  for  the  necessary  county  officers.  Bartlett  Woodward, 
Michael  Buskirk  and  James  Parks  were  elected  County  Commissioners ; 
William  Lowe,  County  Clerk  and  Auditor ;  Chesley  Bailey,  Recorder ; 
Joseph  Berry  and  Lewis  Noel,  Associate  Judges.  The  details  of  this 
election  cannot  be  given,  as  the  tally-sheets  were  not  preserved.  The 
election  took  place  early  in  1818.  The  house  of  Abner  Blair  was  the 
first  court  house,  but  Bloomington  was  immediately  laid  out  and  a  log 
court  house  built.  The  Commissioners  appointed  by  the  Legislature  to 
locate  the  county  seat  met,  deliberated,  and  finally  submitted  the  follow- 
ing report  to  the  first  County  Board : 

To  THE  HONOKABLE  BoARD  OF  COMMISSIONERS  FOR  THE  CoUNTY  OF  MONROE  : 

We,  the  undersigned  Commissioners,  appointed  by  an  act  of  the  last  General  Assembly, 
for  fixing  the  pemanent  seat  of  justice  in  and  for  said  county,  having  met  agreeable  to 
the  above  recited  act,  and  after  being  duly  sworn,  proceeded  to  business  as  the  law 
directs  in  such  cases,  to  receive  donations  from  persons  offering  lands  to  fix  the  county 
seat  on,  and  after  examining  the  same  and  taking  into  contemplation  the  future  as  well  as 
the  present  weight  of  population,  together  with  additions  and  divisions  that  may  take 
place  hereafter,  do  agree  that  'the  southwest  quarter  of  Section  33,  in  Range  1  west, 
Township  9  north,  is  the  most  eligible  and  convenient  place  for  the  permanent  seat  of 
iustice  for  said  county,  and  have  accordingly  purchased  the  same  of  D.  Rogers,  at 
$1,200;  also  have  purchased  150  acres  out  of  the  northeast  quarter  of  Section  32,  of 
Robertson  Graham,  for  $900.  in  the  same  range  and  township  above  mentioned,  the  said 
Robertson  reserving  the  balance  of  the  above  described  quarter  section  of  land  to  himself 
in  the  northeast  corner  of  said  quarter  section  of  land,  beginning  »t  the  northeast  corner 
and  running  south  twenty  poles,  thence  west  eighty  poles,  thence  north  twenty  poles, 
containing  ten  acres. 

Given  under  our  hands  and  seals  this  11th  day  of  April,  1818. 

David  Fouts,  ~| 

Samuel  Buecham,      '    Locating  Com- 
JoNATHAN  .Jones,       ]    missioners. 
John  Pernicks,        J 

THE    BOARD    DOING    COUNTY     BUSINESS. 

The  first  meeting  of  the  Commissioners  of  Monroe  County  was  held 
at  the  house  of  Abner  Blair  on  the  10th  of  April,  1818.  The  Commis- 
sioners were  Bartlett  Woodward.  Michael  Buskirk  and  James  Parks,  the 
time  which  each  was  to  serve  being  determined  by  the  comparative  num- 
ber of  votes  polled  for  them.  Mr.  Woodward  received  the  highest  num- 
ber of  votes,  and  was  to  serve  three  years  :  Mr.  Buskirk  the  next  highest, 
and  was  to  serve  two  years ;  and  Mr.  Parks,  the  lowest,  and  was  to  serve 
one  year.  The  first  official  act  was  the  appointment  of  William  Lowe 
County  Clerk,  pro  tempore,  and  the  second  was  the  appointment  of  Capt. 
James  Bigger  as  Lister  or  Assessor  of  the  county  for  the  year  1818,  his 


HISTORY  OF  MONROE  COUNTY.  375 

bond  being  fixed  at  $1,500.  Roderick  Rawlings  was  then  appointed 
County  Treasurer,  and  required  to  give  bond  in  the  sum  of  $20,000. 
On  the  second  day  of  this  first  session,  the  board  adopted  a  temporary 
county  seal,  which  was  simply  a  scrawl  inclosing  the  words,  "  Temporary 
seal  of  Monroe  County."  William  Millikan  was  appointed  Superintend- 
ent of  the  sixteenth  section  in  Township  10  north,  Range  2  west ;  George 
Parks  the  same  in  Township  9  north,  Range  2  west ;  William  Newcomb 
the  same  in  Township  8  north,  Range  2  west;  James  Wright,  the  same 
in  Township  7  north.  Range  2  west ;  John  Storm,  the  same  in  Township 
7  north,  Range  1  west ;  William  Matlock  the  same  in  Township  9  north. 
Range  1  west.  Benjamin  Parks  was  appointed  County  Agent,  with  bond 
at  $20,000.  By  order  of  the  board  the  county  seat  was  to  be  known  as 
Bloomington.  The  Commissioners  who  had  been  appointed  by  the 
General  Assembly  to  fix  the  county  seat  of  Monroe  County  were  ordered 
paid  as  follows:  David  Fouts,  $33;  John  Pernicks,  $30  ;  Jonathan  Jones, 
$30  ;  Samuel  Burcham,  $30.  The  first  petition  for  a  county  road  came 
from  William  Hardin  and  others,  and  was  to  extend  from  Bloomington  to 
Scott's  Ferry  on  Salt  Creek,  and  thence  to  the  Lawrence  County  line. 
William  Jackson,  John  Scott  and  William  Craig  were  appointed  Viewers. 
This  road  was  ordered  built  and  was  the  first  constructed  wholly  at  the 
expense  of  the  county.  The  town  of  Bloomington  was  then  ordered  laid 
off",  the  County  Agent  to  have  exclusive  management.  On  the  third  day 
of  this  first  session  a  double-log  court  house  was  ordered  built  for  the 
temporary  use  of  the  county,  an  account  of  which  will  be  found  else- 
where. On  this  day  the  first  grand  jurors  of  Monroe  County  were 
selected  as  follows :  Dudley  Carl,  William  Chambers,  David  Chambers, 
John  Scott,  John  Mercer,  Thomas  Grimes,  John  Berry,  William  New- 
comb,  Jesse  Tarkginton,  Solomon  Green,  Jonathan  Nichols,  George 
Sharp,  William  Milliken,  George  Parks  Sen.,  Coleman  Puitt,  Eli  Lee, 
William  Hardin  and  Henry  Wampler.  The  Sheriff  in  attendance,  John 
W.  Lee,  was  ordered  to  notify  the  above  men  to  meet  for  action  at  the 
house  of  Abner  Blair.  The  traverse  jury  was  then  selected  as  fol- 
lows :  William  Matlock,  George  Birdrick,  John  Thompson,  Samuel 
Scott,  Thomas  Clark,  Jonathan  Rains,  John  Storm  Jr.,  John  Couch, 
John  Matlock,  John  Cutler,  Joseph  Peeshaw,  David  Sears,  Elijah 
Morgan,  James  Wright  and  James  Matlock.  The  first  county  road 
above  referred  to  was  reported  on  by  the  Viewers  in  May,  1818,  and 
ordered  built.  Jonathan  Rogers,  Robert  Russell  and  Samuel  Scott 
were  appointed  Road  Supervisors.  The  Sheriff,  John  W.  Lee,  was  paid 
$18  for  notifying  the  locating  Commissioners  of  their  appointments,  and 
was  also  paid  $7  for  making  the  returns  of  the  first  election  held  in 
the  county. 

SUBSEQUENT  ACTS  OF  THE  COUNTY  BOARD. 

Bloomington  was  immediately  laid  off,  and  the  lots  were  offered  for 
sale  at  public  auction.  A  full  report  of  these  sales  will  be  found  in  the 
chapter  on  the  town.  The  proceeds  from  the  sale  of  lots  were  the 
principal  source  of  revenue  for  a  number  of  years.  The  board  from  the 
first  were  forced  to  issue  orders  at  a  discount,  which  were  afterward 
ordered  received  for  county  dues.  Wild-cat  bank  issues  were  the  only 
paper  money  then,  and  almost  every  early  report  of  the  Treasurer  shows 


376  HISTORY  OF  MONROE  COUNTY. 

an  entry  to  his  credit  of  certain  per  centum  of  depreciation  on  the 
bank  bills  in  his  possession.  The  holder  of  a  bank  bill  in  those  days 
was  not  sure  that  the  next  morning  would  not  find  his  bill  greatly  de- 
preciated in  value,  if  not  absolutely  worthless.  What  a  contrast  with  the 
excellent  stable  paper  currency  of  the  present. 

Capt.  James  Bigger,  County  Lister,  -was  ordered  paid  $32  for  his 
services.  A  tax  of  37|  cents  was  levied  on  each  horse ;  50  cents  on 
each  100  acres  of  first-class  land ;  48|  cents  on  each  100  acres  of 
second-class  land;  and  25  cents  on  each  100  acres  of  third-class  land. 
In  February,  1819,  the  board  fixed  store  license  at  $7.50  in  Blooming- 
ton,  and  at  §5  in  the  country.  They  also,  curiously  enough,  fixed  the 
charges  of  tavern  keepers  as  follows  :  25  cents  for  breakfast ;  25  cents 
for  dinner  ;  18|  cents  for  supper ;  lodging  6 J  cents  ;  corn  or  oats,  per 
gallon,  12J  cents  ;  horse  at  fodder  or  hay,  25  cents  ;  one-half  pint  of 
whisky,  12|^  cents  ;  one-half  pint  of  brandy,  18  J  cents  ;  one-half  pint  of 
rum  or  French  brandy,  Sl^  cents;  one-half  pint  of  wine,  37i  cents.  We 
may  now  smile  at  the  folly  of  our  fathers  ;  but,  after  all,  are  we  any 
wiser  or  better  ?  The  following  standard  weights  and  measures  were  also 
ordered  obtained  :  A  foot  measure ;  a  yard  ;  a  dry  bushel  of  1,075.2 
cubic  inches  ;  a  dry  half  bushel  ;  a  wine  gallon  of  231  cubic  inches  ;  one 
set  of  avordupois  weights ;  a  quart ;  a  pint,  and  a  half  pint.  Lewis 
Noel  became  Lister  in  1820.  In  August,  1820,  Benjamin  Parks, 
County  Agent,  reported  that  the  total  sales  and  rents  of  the  town  lots 
and  other  donated  lands  amounted  to  the  surprising  sum  of  $27,874.58|^, 
with  which  figures  he  was  charged.  He  was  credited  with  notes  worth 
$18,360.54  ;  with  cash  paid  over,  $9,383.73  ;  with  discounts  on  bad  cur- 
rency, $98.80 ;  balance  on  hand,  $32.51^.  This  exhibits  the  rapid 
growth  of  Bloomington. 

In  August,  1820,  Addison  Smith  succeeded  Benjamin  Parks  as 
County  Agent.  Late  in  1820,  James  Borland  succeeded  Roderick 
Rawlins  as  Countv  Treasurer.  Addison  Smith  was  the  Census  Enumera- 
tor in  1820.  He" was  also  the  Lister  for  1821,  and  C.  J.  Hand  in  1823. 
Jesse  Moore  was  Lister  in  1819. 

POPULATION  OF  MONROE  COUNTY. 

In  1820,  2,679;  in  1830,  6,577;  in  1840,  10,143;  in  1850,  11,- 
286;  in  1860,  12,8-17;  in  1870,14,168;  in  1880,  15,875. 

THE    FIRST    CIRCUIT    COURT    OF    MONROE  COUNTY. 

The  first  term  of  this  court  was  held  on  the  first  Monday  in  June, 
1818,  at  the  house  of  Abner  Blair,  by  Hon.  Thomas  H.  Blake,  President 
Judge,  and  Joseph  Berry  and  Lewis  Noel,  Associate  Judges.  The  first 
act  of  the  court  was  the  issuance  of  a  writ  of  ad  quod  damnum  for  the 
benefit  of  Robert  Hamilton  to  ascertain  what  damage  would  be  caused  by 
his  erection  of  a  grist  and  saw  mill  and  a  dam  on  his  land — on  Section 
24.  Township  8  north.  Range  2  west,  on  Clear  Creek.  The  Sheriff, 
John  W.  Lee,  was  directed  to  summon  twelve  fit  persons  to  ascertain  the 
damage.  They  reported  that  the  land  of  James  Speed  would  be  damaged 
to  the  amount  of  $158.  Nothing  farther  seems  to  have  been  done  until 
the  September  term,  at  which  time  the  first  case  came  to  trial.  It  was 
David    Teague    vs.  Leonard   Nicholson,  trespass  on  the  case  for  words 


HISTORY   OF   MONROE   COUNTY.  377 

spoken,  damages  being  laid  lat  |,000.  The  attorney  for  the  plaintiff 
was  Addison  Smith,  and  for  the  defendant  John  F.  Ross.  Before  suit 
was  begun,  the  defendant  stated  that  if  the  plaintiff  would  desist  from 
farther  prosecution  he  would  pay  all  costs  thus  far  ;  which  proposition 
was  accepted  by  the  plaintiff,  and  the  defendant  was  discharged.  At 
this  term  the  court  convened  at  the  new  log  court  house  in  Bloomington. 
The  following  men  constituted  the  first  grand  jury:  Jonathan  Nichols, 
William  Anderson,  Edward  Armstrong,  John  Treat,  David  McHollen, 
Thomas  B.  Clark,  Abner  Blair,  Julius  Dugger,  John  Tullen,  James 
Ellege,  John  Storm,  Joseph  Cox,  Joseph  Baugh  and  Joseph  Gilbert. 
They  were  sworn,  sent  out,  and  soon  returned  with  the  following  "true 
bills:"  State  of  Indiana  vs.  James  Green,  larceny  (stealing  a  rifled  gun 
owned  by  John  W.  Lee).  John  Law  was  the  Prosecuting  Attorney.  The 
defendant  pleaded  "  not  guilty  "  to  the  charge,  and  the  following  first  petit 
jury  was  impaneled  to  try  the  case  :  Joseph  Perisho,  John  M.  Sadler, 
Isaiah  Wright,   James  Thompson,  George  Parks  Sr.,  Absalom  Morgan, 

John    Wakefield,    Solomon    ,    David    Scott,    Jonathan    Gilbert, 

Granville  Ward  and  John  .     The  evidence    was  heard   and  the 

jury  was  sent  out.  They  returned  the  following  verdict:  "We  of  the 
jury  do  find  the  traverser  guilty."  The  defendant's  counsel  moved  an 
arrest  of  judgment,  which  was  granted  until  the  next  day,  upon  which 
occasion  the  following  reasons  for  an  arrest  of  judgment  were  filed  :  "1. 
It  does  not  appear  upon  the  record  that  the  jurors  sworn  to  try  said 
cause  were  good  and  lawful  men.  2.  It  is  bad  for  uncertainty,  as  it 
does  not  appear  that  Clear  Creek  Township  is  within  Monroe  County,  so 
as  to  preclude  intendment.  3.  It  is  informal  in  its  conclusion,  as  it  does 
not  conclude  in  a  manner  directed  by  the  constitution.  4.  The  verdict 
is  against  law  and  evidence."  The  court  overruled  the  motion  and 
rendered  judgment  as  follows :  The  defendant  to  pay  to  John  W.  Lee 
$30,  to  pay  a  fine  of  $30,  to  pay  costs  of  prosecution,  and  to  stand  com- 
mitted until  sentence  be  complied  with. 

On  the  second  day  of  the  September  term,  the  grand  jury  returned  a 
bill  against  Seth  Goodwin  for  assault  and  battery  upon  Jacob  Leabo. 
The  case  was  continued  until  the  March  (1819)  term  of  the  court,  at 
which  time  Leabo  himself  was  fined  $9.50  for  an  assault.  The  March 
term  of  the  court  was  held  by  the  Hon.  Gen.  Washington  Johnston, 
President  Judge  of  the  First  Judicial  Circuit,  and  Joseph  Berry  and 
Lewis  Noel,  Associates.  George  R.  C.  Sullivan  was  Prosecuting  Attor- 
ney. Seth  Goodwin  was  fined  6J  cents  for  his  assault  on  Leabo.  At 
this  term  also  came  the  action  of  debt,  David  Teauge  vs.  William  Baker. 
Teaugehad  hired  to  Baker  for  $205  to  build  a  miU-dam,  mill,  etc.,  but 
had  failed,  as  alleged  by  the  plaintiff,  to  pay  all  that  was  due.  Suit  was 
dropped,  a  compromise  being  effected.  The  next  case  was  G.  W. 
Harden  vs.  William  Harden  on  a  debt  of  $187.50  with  interest,  which 
amount  was  recovered  by  the  plaintiff.  At  the  June  term,  1819,  the 
Hon.  Jonathan  Doty,  President  Judge,  held  court,  assisted  by  the  above- 
named  Associates. 

THE    FIRST    PROBATE    COURT    OF    MONROE    COUNTY. 

The  first  court  of  this  character  was  held  at  Bloomington  on  the  31st 


378  HISTORY  OF  MONROE  COUNTY. 

day  of  August,  1818,  by  Joseph  Berry  and  Lewis  Noel,  Associate  Judges. 
The  first  act  was  as  follows  :  On  motion  of  Eli  Lee,  it  was  "  ordered  that 
William  Dorsey,  infant  son  of  Joseph  Dorsey  (deceased)  and  Sarah  Dor- 
sey,  born  January  24,  1811,  be  bound  unto  Eli  Lee  and  Sarah  Lee  until 
he  arrives  at  the  age  of  twenty  one  years,  to  learn  the  art  of  agriculture ; 

whereupon  the  said  Eli  Lee  and  Sarah  Lee,  together  with  William , 

their  security,  entered  into  bond  in  the  penal  sum  of  ^500,  conditioned 
that  the  said  Eli  Lee  and  Sarah  Lee  learn  (teach)  him,  the  said  William 
Dorsey,  reading,  writing,  and  arithmetic  as  far  as  the  rule  of  three ;  and 
also  to  find  him  in  wholesome  diet,  washing,  lodging  and  clothing,  and  to 
deal  with  him  in  all  cases  as  an  apprentice  ought  to  be  dealt  with,  and  to 
find  him  upon  his  becoming  of  age  the  sum  of  $10  and  a  good  suit  of 
clothes.  At  this  time  also,  Dorcas  Dorsey,  infant  daughter  of  Joseph 
Dorsey,  deceased,  was  bound  out  to  George  Hedrick.  This  was  the  only 
business  performed  at  the  first  session  of  the  court.  In  vacation,  letters 
of  administration  were  granted  to  David  Chambers  upon  the  estate  of 
James  Sheffield,  deceased. 

At  the  March  term,  1819,  Lory  Loving  was  granted  letters  of  admin- 
istration on  the  estate  and  last  will  and  testament  of  John  Loving,  de- 
ceased. At  this  term.  David  Chambers,  administrater  of  the  estate  of 
John  Henson,  deceased,  returned  the  following  inventory  of  the  sales  of 
such  estate :  One  kettle,  50  cents ;  one  kettle,  $3 ;  one  kettle,  $3 ;  one 
pot,  $2.75;  one  pot,  $2.62| ;  fire  dogs,  $2;  one  shovel,  62h  cents;  one 
plow  (spelled  plough),  $4.40  ;  leather,  $1 ;  leather,  $1 ;  one  steel  trap,  $3; 
one  plate,  $1.25;  three  hoes,  50  cents;  one  basket,  31^  cents;  one 
churn,  6J  cents;  one  cutting  knife,  $1.66^;  smith  tools,  $5.87|- ;  one 
curry  comb,  54  cents;  one  ladle,  12|  cents;  one  reeler,  21  cents;  one 
pair  of  steelyards,  $2.36j;  two  chairs,  62J  cents;  three  pair  of  cards; 
50  cents ;  sheep  shears,  52  cents;  tobacco,  $2.82 ;  one  keg,  46  cents; 
one  barrel,  75  cents;  one  note,  $20.25;  one  note,  $2.25;  one  hackle, 
$4;  one  reed  and  gears,  $1.18f  ;  one  reed  and  gears.  50  cents  ;  total, 

,     This  list  is   given  here  to  show  what    personal  property  our 

grandparents  possessed.  It  will  not  bear  close  inspection  under  the  crit- 
ical and  aristocratic  eye  of  the  present  generation,  but  it  is  an  honest 
record  that  speaks  in  volumes  of  the  self-denial  of  early  times. 

"  Let  not  ambition  mock  their  useful  toil — 
Their  homely  joys  and  destiny  obscure — 
Nor  grandeur  hear  with  a  disdainful  smil^, 
The  short  and  simple  annals  of  the  poor." 

ERECTION    OF    TOWNSHIPS. 

At  the  first  session  of  the  Commissioners,  the  following  townships 
were  laid  off:  Bloomington  Township — Beginning  at  the  corner  of  Sec- 
tions 18  and  19,  where  they  intersect  the  line  dividing  Ranges  1  and  2 
west ;  thence  north  on  said  range  line  to  the  boundary  line  ;  thence  south- 
east with  said  line  to  where  the  Jackson  line  intersects  the  same  ;  thence 
south  of  the  Jackson  line  to  the  middle  of  fractional  Township  8  ;  thence 
through  the  middle  of  Township  8  to  the  place  of  beginning.  Beanblos- 
som  Township — Beginning  on  the  line  dividin>i  Ranges  1  and  2  west,  at 
the  corner  of  Sections  13  and  14,  where  they  intersect  the  same;  thence 


HISTORY   OF   MONROE   COUNTY.  379 

north  on  said  line  to  the  boundary  line  ;  thence  northwest  on  the  bound- 
ary line  to  the  northwest  corner  of  Monroe  County  ;  thence  south  on 
Daviess  County  line  to  the  middle  of  Township  8  ;  thence  through  the 
middle  of  said  town  to  the  place  of  beginning.  Indian  Creek  Township 
— Beginning  at  the  corner  of  Beanblossom  and  Bloomington  Townships, 
on  the  line  dividing  Ranges  1  and  2  west ;  then  south  on  said  line  to  the 
Lawrence  County  line;  thence  west  on  said  line  to  where  it  intersects  the 
county  line  of  Daviess ;  thence  north  on  said  line  to  the  corner  of  Bean- 
blossom  Township  ;  thence  on  the  line  of  the  last-mentioned  township  to 
the  place  of  beginning.  Clear  Creek  Township — Beginning  at  the  cor- 
ner of  the  townships  interlocked  on  the  line  dividing  Ranges  1  and  2 
west ;  thence  south  on  said  line  to  the  county  line  of  Lawrence ;  thence 
east  on  said  line  to  where  it  intersects  the  Jackson  County  line  ;  thence 
north  on  said  line  to  the  corner  of  Bloomington  Township  ;  thence  on  the 
last-mentioned  line  to  the  place  of  beginning.  Granville  Ward  was  ap- 
pointed Inspector  of  Elections  in  Bloomington  Township ;  John  Cutler, 
same  in  Beanblossom  Township  ;  James  Trotter,  same  in  Indian  Creek ; 
and  John  Storm,  same  in  Clear  Creek.  Elections  were  ordered  held  in 
the  above  townships  on  the  9th  of  May  for  two  Justices  of  the  Peace  in 
each,  the  elections  to  be  held  at  the  following  places  :  Bloomington  Town- 
ship, at  the  house  of  David  Rogers ;  Beanblossom  Township,  at  the  house 
of  Coleman  Peets  ;  Indian  Creek,  at  the  house  of  John  Berry  ;  Clear 
Creek,  at  the  house  of  Thomas  Graham. 

In  May,  1821,  Lamb's  Township,  in  the  new  purchase,  was  created  as 
follows :  Beginning  at  the  old  Indian  boundary  line,  where  the  line  of 
Township  10  intersects  the  same;  thence  east  on  the  line  of  Town  10 
until  it  intersects  the  meridian  line ;  thence  north  with  said  line  to  the 
southeast  corner  of  Township  13;  thence  west  on  the  line  between  Town- 
ships 12  and  13  until  it  intersects  the  said  boundary  line;  thence  to  the 
beginning.  This  township  now  composes  the  southwestern  portion  of 
Morgan  County,  and  took  its  name  from  old  man  Lamb,  who  settled  in 
Lamb's  Bottom,  that  county,  in  1819,  before  it  was  a  county.  At  the  same 
time  this  township  was  created.  Walnut  Creek  Township  was  also  erected, 
with  the  following  boundaries :  Beginning  at  the  northeast  corner  of  Lamb's 
Township  on  the  meridian  line ;  thence  north  on  said  line  to  the  north- 
west corner  of  Township  15  north;  thence  west  on  the  line  dividing 
Townships  15  and  16  until  it  intersects  the  boundary  line  ;  thence  south- 
east on  said  boundary  line  until  it  intersects  the  line  of  Lamb's  Township. 
This  township  comprised  the  northwestern  portion  of  Morgan  County, 
At  this  time  also  was  created  Raccoon  Township,  with  the  following 
bounds  :  All  of  Wabash  County  north  of  Walnut  Creek  Township.  All 
this  territory  had  been  attached  by  the  Legislature  to  Monroe  County. 
Reuben  Fullen  was  appointed  Inspector  for  Lamb's  Township,  and  Samuel 
Rogers  the  same  for  Walnut  Creek  Township. 

On  the  1st  day  of  March,  1825,  it  was  "  ordered  that  a  township  be 
laid  oif  in  the  northeast  corner  of  the  county,  to  be  known  by  the  name 
of  Jackson,  and  designated  by  the  following  bounds,  to  wit :  Beginning 
at  the  northeast  corner  of  said  county,  thence  west  eight  miles  to  the  me- 
ridian line,  thence  south  to  the  line  dividing  Townships  8  and  9,  thence 
east  eight  miles  to  the  county  line,  thence  north  on  said  line  to  the  begin- 

24 


380  HISTORY    OF  MONROE  COUNTY. 

ning."  An  election  was  ordered  held  on  the  last  Saturday  of  April,  1825, 
at  the  house  of  Banner  Brummett,  for  the  purpose  of  electing  a  Justice  of 
the  Peace,  with  Elias  Swift,  Inspector.  A  three-mile  strip  on  the  west 
side  of  Brown  County  was  then  a  part  of  Monroe  County. 

In  May,  1825,  Salt  Creek  Township  was  created,  as  follows:  Begin- 
ning at  the  southeast  corner  of  said  county ;  thence  west  to  where  the  me- 
ridian line  intersects  the  same;  thence  north  on  the  meridian  line  to  where 
the  corner  of  Townships  8  and  9  intersect  the  same ;  thence  east  on  the 
line  dividing  said  Townships  8  and  9  to  where  the  same  intersects  the 
county  line  ;  thence  south  on  said  line  to  the  place  of  beginning.  Elec- 
tions were  ordered  held  at  the  house  of  Boston  Bails.  John  Pollard  and 
Ezekiel  Hendricks  were  appointed  Fence  Viewers,  and  George  Todd  and 
Solomon  Butcher,  Overseers  of  the  Poor,  and  Henry  Kendall,  Inspector. 

In  July,  1828,  it  was  ordered  that  all  the  territory  attached  to  Monroe 
County  (on  the  east),  by  an  act  of  the  Legislature  of  1827-28,  should  be 
attached  to  the  townships  of  Salt  Creek  and  Jackson,  as  follows:  Begin- 
ning at  a  point  on  the  line  dividing  Townships  7  and  8,  Range  3  east, 
where  the  line  dividing  Sections  31  and  32  intersect  the  same ;  thence 
north  to  the  line  dividing  Townships  8  and  9 ;  thence  west  to  the  former 
county  line  of  Monroe  County ;  thence  south  to  the  line  dividing  Townships 
7  and  8 ;  thence  east  to  the  place  of  beginning — such  territory  to  form  a 
part  of  Salt  Creek  Township,  Also  :  Beginning  at  the  northeast  corner 
of  Salt  Creek  Township,  as  above  enlarged ;  thence  north  to  the  line  di- 
viding Johnson  and  Barthlomew  Counties ;  thence  west  to  the  northeast 
corner  of  Monroe  County,  thence  south  to  the  northern  boundary  of  Salt 
Creek  Township,  thence  east  to  the  place  of  beginning — such  territory 
should  form  a  part  of  Jackson  Township.  It  will  be  observed  that  the 
territory  thus  attached  to  Salt  Creek  and  Jackson  Townships  now  consti- 
tutes much  of  the  western  half  of  the  present  county  of  Brown. 

In  July,  1829,  two  new  townships  were  erected,  as  follows :  Wash- 
ington Township — Beginning  at  a  point  on  the  meridian  line  between 
Townships  10  and  11  north  ;  thence  west  with  said  line  dividing  Townships 
10  and  11  aforesaid  to  the  line  dividing  Ranges  1  and  2  west ;  thence  south 
with  said  line  dividing  Ranges  1  and  2  aforesaid  to  main  Beanblossom 
Creek ;  thence  in  an  eastern  direction  with  said  creek  to  the  meridian  line  ; 
thence  north  with  said  line  to  the  place  of  beginning.  Richland  Town- 
ship— Beginning  at  a  point  where  the  line  dividing  Ranges  1  and  2  west 
intersects  the  line  dividing  Townships  9  and  10  north ;  thence  west  with 
said  line  last  mentioned  to  the  Owen  County  line  ;  thence  south  with  said 
last-mentioned  line  to  a  point  where  the  line  dividing  Sections.  18  and 
19,  in  Township  8  north.  Range  2  west,  intersect  the  same ;  thence  with 
said  line  last  mentioned  to  the  range  line  dividing  Ranges  1  and  2  west ; 
thence  with  said  range  line  to  the  place  of  beginning.  The  elections  for 
Washington  Township  were  ordered  held  at  the  house  of  John  Scott, 
with  Daniel  Ray,  Inspector.  Those  in  Richland  Township  were  ordered 
held  in  the  house  of  William  D.  Shrevies,  with  James  Parks,  Inspector. 
At  the  January  term,  1830,  it  was  ordered  "that  all  territory  attached 
by  legislative  enactment  to  the  county  of  Monroe  subsequent  to  the  orig- 
inal formation  of  townships  therein  be  and  it  is  hereby  attached  to  and 
included  and  shall  compose  parts  of  the  said  townships  in  the  following 


HISTORY   OF   MONROE   COUNTY.  381 

manner :  By  extending  the  boundary  lines  of  the  townships  which  run 
in  a  direction  perpendicular  to  the  county  boundary  entirely  thereto,  and. 
thereby  attaching  to  the  respective  townships  all  such  territory  as  lies  ad- 
joining thereto." 

In  May,  1830,  pursuant  to  a  petition  signed  by  seventy- one  resident 
citizens,  the  township  of  Perry  was  ordered  erected,  with  the  following 
boundary :  Beginning  at  the  line  dividing  Sections  12  and  13,  Township 
8  north,  Range  1  west ;  thence  west  along  said  line  to  the  west  line  of 
said  Township  8  north.  Range  1  west ;  thence  south  to  the  line  dividing 
Sections  6  and  7,  Township  7  north,  Range  1  west;  thence  east  on  said 
line  to  the  east  line  of  the  last-named  township  ;  thence  north  on  the  east- 
ern line  of  said  township  to  the  place  of  beginning.  An  election  was 
ordered  held  on  the  26th  of  May,  1830,  at  the  house  of  Benjamin  Kenton 
(the  old  Clearwater  place),  for  two  Justices  of  the  Peace,  Mr.  Kenton  to 
serve  as  Inspector.  Jesse  Davis  and  George  A.  Ritter  were  appointed 
Overseers  of  the  Poor;  Solomon  Butcher  and  Finney  Courtney,  Fence 
Viewers. 

In  May,  1833  upon  petition  of  Jacob  Romans  and  others,  Jackson 
Township  was  divided,  and  Benton  Township  was  organized  from  a  part 
thereof,  as  follows  :  Jackson  to  be  divided  into  two  portions  by  the  line 
dividing  Ranges  1  and  2  east,  the  eastern  portion  to  retain  the  name  of 
Jackson,  and  the  western  portion  to  be  known  as  "  Benton  Township,  in 
honor  of  Thomas  H.  Benton,  United  States  Senator  from  Missouri."  An 
election  of  a  Justice  of  the  Peace  was  ordered  held  in  the  new  township 
on  the  last  Saturday  in  September,  1833,  at  the  house  of  John  Young. 

In  March,  1837,  in  pursuance  of  a  petition  from  the  citizens  in- 
terested, the  County  Board  ordered  the  creation  of  a  new  township  to  be 
known  as  Van  Buren,  to  comprise  all  and  no  more  of  Congressional 
Township  8  north,  Range  2  west.  An  election  of  a  Justice  of  the  Peace 
was  ordered  held  on  the  3d  of  April,  1837,  at  the  house  of  Conrad 
,  who  was  appointed  Inspector. 

In  September,  1849,  Salt  Creek  Township  was  divided  and  Polk 
Township  created,  as  follows  :  Commencing  in  the  bed  of  Salt  Creek  on 
the  line  dividing  Township  7,  Range  1  west  and  Range  1  east ;  thence 
due  south  on  said  township  line  to  the  south  county  line ;  thence  due  east 
to  the  southeast  corner  of  the  county,  thence  north  on  the  county  line  to 
the  Muddy  Fork  of  Salt  Creek,  or  where  the  same  crosses  the  county 
line  ;  thence  down  said  stream  to  the  main  Salt  Creek ;  thence  down 
said  stream  to  the  place  of  beginning.  An  election  was  ordered  held 
in  the  new  township  at  he  house  of  John  Todd,  at  Big  Springs,  with 
Peter  Norman  Inspector.  VVylie  Davar  and  Samuel  Axam  were 
appointed  Fence  Viewers,  and  Wylie  Davar  Constable. 

TERRITORY   ATTACHED    TO  MONROE  COUNTY. 

By  an  act  of  the  Legislature,  approved  December  31,  1821,  all  of 
Monroe  County  lying  west  of  White  River  was  attached  to  Owen,  the 
second  section  of  the  act  reading  as  follows :  All  that  part  of  Monroe 
County  lying  west  of  White  River  be  and  the  same  is  hereby  attached  to 
Owen  County,  and  that  all  suits,  pleas,  plaints,  actions  and  prosecutions 
whatsoever,  shall  be  conducted  in  the  same  manner  as  if  no  change  had 


382  HISTORY   OF   MONROE   COUNTY. 

taken  place.  Section  3  of  this  act  reads  as  follows:  So  much  of  the 
New  Purchase  as  is  contained  in  the  following  boundary,  to  wit :  Begin- 
ning on  White  River  where  the  line  dividing  Townships  10  and  11  north 
crosses  the  same ;  thence  east  with  said  line  to  the  corners  of  Sections  4 
and  5,  Township  10  north,  Range  2  east ;  thence  south  to  the  Monroe 
County  line — shall  form  and  constitute  a  part  of  Monroe  County.  It 
will  be  seen  that  this  section  attached  to  the  county  all  of  the  present 
county  north  of  the  old  Indian  boundary,  together  with  a  strip  three 
miles  wide  now  a  part  of  Brown  County.  By  an  act  of  the  Legislature, 
approved  January  16,  1828,  the  following  territory  was  attached  to 
Monroe  County  :  Beginning  at  a  point  on  the  line  dividing  Townships  7 
and  8,  where  the  line  dividing  Sections  31  and  32  intersect  the  same ; 
thence  north  with  the  last-mentioned  line  to  the  line  dividing  the 
counties  of  Johnson  and  Bartholomew  ;  thence  west  with  said  line  to  the 
northeast  corner  of  Monroe  County  ;  thence  south  to  the  line  dividing 
Townships  7  and  8  ;  thence  east  with  the  last-mentioned  line  to  the 
place  of  beginning. 

PUBLIC  BUILDINGS. 

The  first  courts  assembled  in  the  house  of  Abner  Blair,  but  at  the 
first  session  of  the  County  Board  a  double  log  cabin  was  ordered  erected 
on  the  public  square  without  delay,  to  be  used  for  court  purposes  until  a 
better  one  was  built.  It  was  called  the  "temporary  court  house."  The 
order  was  issued  on  the  third  day  of  the  first  session.  The  double  cabins 
were  to  be  20x20  feet  and  12x20  feet  respectively,  were  to  be  ten  feet 
apart  with  covered  entry  connecting  the  two — in  fact,  the  two  cabins  and 
the  entry  were  to  be  covered  by  one  roof.  The  cabins  were  to  be  built 
of  round  logs,  which  were  afterward  to  be  hewed  down.  Each  was  to  be 
ten  feet  high  to  the  eaves,  and  each  was  to  contain  one  door  and  one 
window.  A  few  slight  changes  were  made  to  this  plan,  but  in  the  main 
the  double'  building  has  been  described.  Samuel  Elliott  was  the  con- 
tractor, but  the  contract  price  cannot  be  stated,  though  it  did  not  exceed 
about  $400.  Mr.  Elliott  also  contracted  to  clear  the  trees  from  around 
the  new  court  house,  which  he  did.  So  rapidly  was  the  work  pushed, 
that  the  building  was  ready  for  use  in  August,  1818. 

In  October,  1818,  preparations  were  made  to  build  a  county  jail. 
Roderick  Rawlins  was  authorized  to  draft  the  plan.  It  was  to  be  built  of 
oak  timber  a  foot  thick,  was  to  stand  north  of  the  court  house,  was  to  be 
30x20  feet,  was  to  have  a  dungeon  and  a  criminal's  room,  and  a  jailer's 
room  was  to  be  built  on  the  east  side.  Roderick  Rawlins  took  the  con- 
tract. The  building  as  described  was  soon  completed.  John  Woodward 
built  a  stray-pen  for  the  town,  and  was  paid  $23  for  the  job.  James 
Smith  made  a  set  of  chairs  for  the  court  house.  Joel  Woodward,  John 
Mercer  and  others  dug  a  well  on  the  public  square.  Early  in  1819,  a 
contract  was  called  for  to  inclose  the  public  square  with  a  substantial 
fence,  but  the  work  was  postponed. 

In  February,  1819,  preparations  were  made  to  build  a  permanept  and 
substantial  court  house.  The  plan  prepared  by  William  Low  stated  that 
the  building  was  to  be  of  brick  with  a  stone  foundation,  was  to  be  two 
stories  high,  and  was  to  be  forty-five  feet  long,  east  and  west  and  forty 
feet  wide,  north  and  south.     In  May,  1819,  Robert  Stafford  took  the 


HISTORY   OF   MONROE    COUNTY.  383 

contract,  but  as  he  could  not  give  security  at  the  price  of  his  bond — $20,- 
000 — the  contract  was  re-let  to  John  Ketchum  for  $7,965.  The  work 
was  begun  in  June,  and  in  August  the  first  installment  of  $1,000  was 
paid  the  contractor.  It  was  at  this  time  that  posts  and  railings  were 
erected  around  the  temporary  court  house.  Samuel  Harryman  was  one 
of  the  brick-makers  for  the  new  court  house.  In  February,  1820,  Raw- 
lins, County  Treasurer,  donated  certain  commissions  due  him  on  receipts 
from  the  sale  of  town  lots,  provided  such  donation  was  used  in  the  pur- 
chase of  a  public  clock  for  the  temporary  court  house.  His  offer  was 
accepted.  In  1820,  David  Teauge  finished  clearing  the  timber  from  the 
public  square  for  $24.  In  February,  1820,  some  important  changes 
were  made  in  the  plan  of  the  new  court  house.  At  this  time,  the  county 
jail  was  reported  finished,  but  a  committee  appointed  to  examine  the 
work  found  that  the  debtors'  room  was  incomplete,  and  David  H.  Max- 
well was  employed  to  remedy  the  work.  So  the  old  jail  had  a  debtors 
room,  and  that,  too,  in  Bloomington,  only  sixty  years  ago  !  Well,  no 
wonder;  one  could  be  happily  utilized  now,  when  men  refuse  or  neglect  to 
pay  for  their  county  histories.  Enos  Blair  was  the  first  jailer.  In  Au- 
gust, 1821,  Mr.  Ketchum  was  paid  $4,000  on  his  court  house  contract. 
At  this  time,  the  rough  work  of  the  building  had  been  completed.  David 
Armstrong  was  hired  to  build  a  "  cubola"  (as  the  county  clerk  wrote  it) 
on  the  building.  For  the  three  years  prior  to  December,  1822,  the 
clerk's  office  was  in  the  house  of  Jacob  B.  Lowe.  He  was  ordered  paid 
$60  for  the  rent.  It  was  a  long  time  before  the  court  house  was  fully 
completed.  Just  why,  cannot  be  certainly  stated,  but  probably  because 
the  county  board  paid  the  contractor  before  the  work  was  completed, 
whereupon  he  permitted  the  work  to  languish.  In  1824,  Edward  Borland 
was  paid  $352.70  for  extra  woodwork  on  the  building,  and  David  Arm- 
strong $1,505.20.  Benjamin  Neeld  was  also  paid  $24,  and  others,  $81. 
Mr.  Ketchum  was  not  paid  his  full  contract  price.  The  building  was  not 
fully  completed,  outside  and  inside,  until  1826.  It  cost  about  $8,300. 
The  board  had  great  trouble  about  a  "Franklin  rod,"  which  they  consid- 
ered necessary  for  the  safety  of  the  building.  Austin  Seward  was  hired 
to  paint  the  building  a  bright  red,  and  then  pencil  it  with  white,  and  to 
have  the  work  completed  before  September,  1826.  In  1825,  Samuel 
Dunning  took  the  contract  to  build  a  combined  clerk's  office  and  county 
library  room,  which  he  did  before  November.  Seward  painted  it.  The 
public  square  was  fenced  at  this  time.  Z.  Williams. did  the  wood  work 
on  the  clerk's  office.  Ewing  &  Montgomery  did  the  plastering.  In 
May,  1826,  the  building  was  occupied.  Mr.  Z.  Williams  was  delivered 
the  key  to  the  court  house,  and  instructed  to  keep  it  locked,  permitting 
it  to  be  occupied  only  by  the  courts,  County  Commissioners,  taking  of 
depositions.  Fourth  of  July  celebrations,  elections,  '■"ivTien  any  person 
shall  want  admittance  for  the  purpose  of  acquiring  architectural  knowl- 
edge, and  in  the  discretion  of  the  keeper  to  any  preacher  of  the  Gospel." 
When  the  building  was  fully  completed,  it  was  turned  over  with  all  its 
architectural  excellence  to  the  county  board.  And  it  was  a  fine  building 
for  that  day,  and  Bloomington  was  one  of  the  most  promising  towns  in 
the  State.  In  March,  1827,  the  citizens  petitioned  the  County  Board  as 
follows:     "  To  the  Honorable  Board  of  Justices  of  Monroe  County:    The 


384  HISTORY  OF   MONROE   COUNTY. 

undersigned  petitioners  respectfully  represent  that  they  conceive  that  the 
honor  of  our  county  and  the  future  interest  and  importance  of  Blooming- 
ton,  which  now  ranks  among  the  best  villages  in  the  State,  imperiously 
requires  that  the  court  house  should  be  surrounded  by  a  permanent  in- 
closure,  which  would  add  to  the  convenience  and  beauty  of  our  public 
square,  and  at  the  same  time  hold  forth  a  powerful  inducement  to  the  cit- 
izens of  the  town  to  make  corresponding  improvements  in  the  streets  and 
alleys."  Then  followed  a  long  suggestion  as  to  how  the  fence  should  be 
built — of  brick,  with  a  stone  foundation.  The  prayer  of  the  petitioners 
was  granted  by  the  County  Board.  The  petitioners  were  Thomas  Graham, 
William  Alexander,  Edward  Borland,  John  Hight.  George  Henry,  James 
Whitcomb,  Edmund  Wayman,  Granville  Ward,  Richard  Hardesty,  Will- 
iam S.  Wright,  James  Slocumb,  Robinson  Farmer,  George  H.  Johnson, 
Frederick  Butler,  Jacob  Harsh,  John  S.  Barnes,  "  and  others."  William 
Bannister  and  John  Robinson  did  the  work  on  the  inclosure.  John 
Ketchum,  the  contractor  of  the  court  house,  was  not  fully  settled  with 
until  1828  or  1829.  In  1856-58,  the  court  house  was  remodeled,  the 
work  being  done  under  the  contract  of  John  F.  Rogers,  who  built  the 
two  brick  wings  at  a  cost  of  about  §7,000.  A  few  other  alterations  have 
been  made  in  the  building,  otherwise  it  is  the  same  that  was  erected  over 
sixty  years  ago,  and  is  apparently  as  solid  and  substantial  as  the  day  it 
was  completed. 

In  1837,  the  County  Board  concluded  to  build  a  new  jail  and  ap- 
pointed John  Bowland,  F.  T.  Butler,  William  S.  Wright,  Samuel 
Hardesty,  Joseph  Baugh  and  John  W.  Lee,  a  committee  to  remove  the 
old  jail  and  build  on  the  same  lot  a  new  one.  The  contract  was  awarded 
to  Hardesty,  Graham  &  Chapman,  but  the  contract  price  cannot  be 
given.  The  construction  seems  to  have  been  delayed  somewhat,  from 
what  cause  cannot  be  stated.  The  building  was  a  strong  brick  structure 
and  cost  in  the  whole  about  §5,000.  It  was  not  fully  completed  until 
early  in  the  forties.  There  was  talk  of  building  another  jail  as  early  as 
1856,  but  nothing  definite  was  done  until  1869,  when  bids  were  called 
for  for  a  combined  jail  and  Sheriflf's  residence.  The  following  bids  were 
received. 

George  Finley  &  Co.,  all  the  stone  work $  6,998. 

J.  L.  Farman,  cut  stone,  all  the  stone  work 6,387. 

C.  A.  Nichols,  rubble  and  cut-stone  work 10,071. 

A.  C.  Halstead,  cut  stone  work 5,500. 

The  proposal  of  Finley  &  Co.  being  considered  the  best  was  accepted. 
Adams  &  Denton  bid  in  the  brick  work  for  §1,000.  James  Small  was 
appointed  superintendent  of  the  work.  The  prison  was  to  be  34x41 
feet ;  the  residence  20x44  feet,  and  the  kitchen  and  guard  room  14x33 
feet,  stone  foundation  and  walls  of  brick.  The  building  was  constructed 
according  to  contract,  and  is  yet  in  use. 

COUNTY    POLITICS. 

Unfortunately,  owing  to  the  fact  that  the  election  returns  were  not 
preserved  in  the  office  of  the  County  Clerk,  the  details  of  the  early  elec- 
tions in  the  county  cannot  be  given.  One  thing  is  certain,  however,  that 
the  county  was  uniformly  Democratic.  If  any  innovation  was  made  in 
this  rule  by  any  other  party,  such  fact  is  no  longer  remembered. 
Reference  is  made  to  the  ticket  in  general.     It  was  no  doubt  occasionally 


HISTORY   OF   MONROE   COUNTY.  385 

the  case  that  a  rival  candidate  on  an  opposing  party  ticket  sometimes 
stepped  in  by  reason  of  some  local  sentiment  or  prejudice.  But  the 
Democratic  ticket  as  a  whole  was  invariably  elected.  But  little  attention 
was  paid  to  national  political  questions  until  the  memorable  Presidential 
campaign  of  1840.  Indiana  came  forward  with  her  idol,  William  Henry 
Harrison,  and  the  new  West  united  forces  and  means  to  elect  him.  An 
important  feature  of  the  election  was  the  newly  born  prejudice  existing 
between  the  eastern  and  western  portions  of  the  country.  The  log  cabins 
and  hard  cider  of  "  Injiana  "  were  the  butt  for  Eastern  ridicule,  but  the 
friends  of  Mr.  Harrison  accepting  the  terms  conducted  the  campaign 
with  a  rush  that  was  never  before  known  in  the  history  of  the  nation.  At 
every  political  gathering  of  the  Whigs  barrels  of  hard  cider  and 
miniature  log  cabins  were  the  battle  cries.  Gen.  Harrison's  military 
record  was  the  pride  of  his  friends,  and  another  battle  cry  was  "Tippeca- 
noe and  Tyler  too." 

A  famous  political  song  of  that  campaign,  set  to  the  air  of  "  Rosin 
the  Bow,"  was  sung  on  all  occasions.     One  verse  was  as  follows  : 

'  'And  if  we  get  any  ways  thirsty, 
I'll  tell  you  what  we  can  all  do; 

We'll  bring  down  a  keg  of  hard  cider 
And  drink  to  'Old  Tippecanoe.'  " 

Huge  canoes  were  hauled  around  on  wagons  at  the  political  meetings 
to  advertise  the  claims  of  Gen.  Harrison  to  the  suffrages  of  the  people. 
The  campaign  in  Monroe  County  was  quite  spirited,  and  meetings  were 
held  everywhere.  The  result  of  this  election  can  be  given  of  only  three 
townships,  as  follows  : 

November,  1840. 

DEMOCRATIC.  WHIG. 

Van  Buren  Harrison 

and  and 

Johnson  Tyler. 

Bloomington 587  541 

Salt  Creek 11  0 

Bean  Blossom 117  50 

Totals 715  591 

Although  this  is  only  a  partial  vote  of  the  county,  it  illustrates  the 
Democratic  strength,  and  may  be  taken  as  a  measure  in  degree  of  the 
full  vote.  Mr.  Harrison  was  triumphantly  elected  and  the  East  was  for 
the  first  time  compelled  to  bow  to  the  wild  West.  The  county  of  Monroe 
did  not  cut  much  of  a  figure  in  the  general  result,  but  she  fully 
established  her  claims  to  an  unfailing  Democratic  majority.  Slavery 
began  to  attract  national  attention  about  this  time.  Anti-slavery  or- 
ganizations sprang  up  in  various  portions  of  the  North,  and  the  struggle 
for  an  increase  or  a  decrease  of  slave  territory  began  to  assume  violence 
as  the  territories  clamored  for  admission  into  the  Union.  As  the  Presi- 
dential campaign  of  1844  approached,  it  became  apparent  that  Texas, 
which  had  gained  her  independence  of  Mexico  a  few  years  before,  would 
apply  for  admission  into  the  Union.  The  South  was  gratified,  as  that 
meant  an  increase  of  slave  territory  ;  but  on  the  other  hand  the  North  deter- 
mined if  possible  to  prevent  the  admission  of  the  territory  in  order  to 
limit  the  domain  of  slavery.  The  Democcats  put  forward  James  K. 
Polk,  and  the  Whigs,  Henry  Clay.     Considerable  activity  was  developed 


386 


HISTORY   OF   MONROE   COUNTY. 


in  Monroe  County  during  the  campaign.     The  result  of  the  election  was 
as  follows  : 

November,  1844. 

BEMOCEATIC.  WHIG. 

Polk  Clay 

and  and 

Dallas  Frelinghuysen. 

Bean  Blossom 141  28 

Richland 117  66 

Van  Buren 12  17 

Indian  Creek 146  41 

Clear  Creek 48  49 

Salt  Creek 32  4 

Benton 32  1 

Washington 56  32 

Bloomington 534  483 

Totals 1,118  721 

Polk's  Majority 397 

The  result  of  no  other  Presidential  election  can  be  given  until  1856, 
at  which  time  the  New  Republican  party  appeared.     The  campaign  in 
this  county  was  very  warm.     The  result  was  : 
November,  1856. 

DEMOCRATIC.             REPUBLICAN.  AMERICAN. 

Buchanan                  Fremont  Fillmore 

and                            and  and 

Breckinridge.                Dayton.  Donalson. 

Bloomington 203                      134  79 

Bean  Blossom 144                        25  36 

Benton 81                        22  10 

Clear  Creek 127                        27  41 

Indian  Creek 154                          9  15 

Marion 35                        20  0 

Perry 86                        90  50 

Polk 69                         6  12 

Richland 74                       46  94 

Salt  Creek 84                          5  5 

Van  Buren 56                       61  37 

Washington 78                        53  13 

Totals 1,191                     498  392 

During  the  next  four  years,  people  even  in  the  North  were  almost  on 
the  brink  of  open  war.  In  1858,  the  South  began  to  make  preparations 
to  leave  the  Union.  The  result  in  1860  presented  the  following  singu- 
larly broken  appearance : 

November,  1860. 

NORTHERN              S017THERN            ^^^^^j^^^j,^^  AMERICAN. 
DEMOCRACY,         DEMOCRACY. 

Douglas            Breckinridge             Lincoln  Bell 

and                        and                        and  and 

Johnson.                 Lane.                    Hamlin.  Everett. 

Bean  Blossom 136                     17                        55  6 

Richland 36                    17                      163  25 

Benton 62                    12                        36  2 

Washington  63                    21                        79  0 

Bloomington 109                    84                      316  19 

Van  Buren 21                     36                      129  1 

Marion 30                    11                        24  0 

Indian  Creek 102                     32                        46  0 

Polk 36                    10                        28  1 

Perry 27                     54                     199  4 

Salt  Creek 3                    65                        14  1 

Clear  Creek 91                     36                      109  5          ^ 

Totals  716                   395                   1,198  64 


HISTORY   OF  MONROE   COUNTY.  387 

This  was  a  remarkable  election.  The  noticeable  feature  is  the  very 
heavy  vote  for  the  ticket  of  the  Southern  wing  of  the  Democracy.  The 
Democratic  party  of  the  county  was  "  all  broke  up."  The  large  vote 
polled  for  the  Breckinridge  Electors  from  the  county  Democracy  shows 
the  sympathy  existing  for  the  South.  The  Gubernational  vote  in  the 
county  the  same  fall  (1860)  was  :  Henry  S.  Lane  (Rep.),  1,195  ;  Thomas 
A.  Hendricks  (Dem.),  1,168.  The  vote  for  Governor  in  1856  had  been  : 
Oliver  P.  Morton  (Rep.),  801;  A.  P.  Willard  (Dem.),  1,133.  The 
Democratic  majority  was  broken  down  between  1856  and  1860,  but  it 
rallied  again  during  the  war.  In  1858,  the  vote  for  Representative  in 
Congress  was,  James  Hughes  (Dem.),  964;  W.  M.  Dunn  (Rep.),  1,075. 
The  vote  for  Secretary  of  State  in  1862  was  :  W.  A.  Peelle  (Rep.), 
1,021 ;  J.  S.  Athon  (Dem.),  1,333.  It  will  be  seen  from  this  that  the 
Democracy  of  the  county  had  recovered  herself,  but  by  1864  the  Repub- 
licans began  to  creep  up  again,  the  vote  for  Governor  being :  Morton 
(Rep.),  1,224;  McDonald  (Dem.),  1,220.  The  Presidential  vote  was  as 
follows  : 

November,  1864. 

DEMOCRATIC.  REPUBLICAN. 

McClellan  Lincoln 

and  and 

Pendleton.  Johnson. 

Bean  Blossom 175  57 

Richland 54  195 

Indian  Creek 136  38 

Salt  Creek 98  6 

Clear  Creek 141  79 

VanBuren 48  124 

Washington 93  67 

Benton 96  35 

Perry 99  211 

Polk 78  27 

Marion 42  17 

Bloomington 150  346 

Totals 1,210  1,202 

In  1866,  the  county  became  Republican  by  a  majority  which  the  De- 
mocracy has  failed  to  wholly  extinguish  with  but  one  or  two  exceptions 
up  to  the  present.  In  that  year,  the  vote  for  Representative  in  Congress 
was  :  M.  C.  Hunter  (Rep.),  1,589  ;  H.  W.  Harrington  (Dem.),  1,379. 
The  result  for  Governor  in  1868  was :  Conrad  Baker  (Rep.),  1,484; 
Thomas  A.  Hendricks  (Dem.),  1,402.  The  result  for  President  the 
same  year  was  :  Grant  and  Colfax  (Rep.),  1,496  ;  Seymour  and  Blair 
(Dem.),  1,369.  In  1870,  the  county  again  went  slightly  Democratic,  as 
will  be  seen  from  the  following  :  For  Secretary  of  State,  Norman  Eddy 
(Dem.),  1,462;  M.  F.  A.  Hoffman  (Rep.),  1,457.  Representative  in 
Congress,  Voorhees  (Dem.),  1,471 ;  Dunn  (Rep.),  1,442.  The  result  for 
Governor  in  1872  was  as  follows:  T.  A.  Hendricks  (Dem.),  1,527; 
Thomas  M.  Brown  (Rep.),  1,689.  The  Republicans  again  rolled  up  a 
small  majority.  The  result  for  Representative  in  Congress  in  1872  was 
as  follows:  Hunter  (Rep.),  1,723  ;  Voorhies  (Dem.),  1,485.  The  re- 
sult in  the  county  of  the  Presideatial  contest  of  1872  was  as  follows  : 


388 


HISTORY   OF   MONROE   COUNTY. 


November,   1872. 

BOURBON 

EEPUBLICAN.  DEMOCRATIC.       DEMOCRATIC. 

Grant  Greeley 

and  and 

Wilson.  Brown. 

Bean  Blossom 95  187  — 

Washington 83  120  — 

Marion .31  SO  — 

Benton 57  96  —    * 

Richland 269  91  — 

Van  Buren 131  57  — 

Perry 247  111  2 

Polk 57  87  — 

Salt   Creek 9  110  — 

Clear  Creek 121  136  — 

Indian  Creek 71  116  3 

Bloomington 426  218  — 

Totals  1,597  1,359  5 

The  Presidential  election  of  1876  resulted  as  follows  : 
November,  1876. 

REPUBLICAN.  DEMOCRATIC.  IKDEPENDEKT. 

Hayes  Tilden  Cooper 

and  and  and 

Wheeler.  Hendricks.  Gary. 

Bean  Blossom 112  195  5 

Washington 83  135  16 

Marion 38  37  4 

Benton 47  97  4 

Richland 290  99  6 

Van  Buren 158  73  5 

Perry 264  136  6 

Polk 38  109  15 

Salt  Creek 18  120  1 

Clear  Creek 1.30  179  10 

Indian  Creek 68  153  18 

Bloomington 421  226  35 

Totals 1,667  1,559  125 

The  county  was  still  Republican  by  a  substantial  majority.  In  1878, 
the  result  for  Secretary  of  State  was  as  follows  :  John  G.  Shanklin  (Rep.), 
1,601;  Isaac  S.  Moore  (Dem.),  1,560;  Henry  James  (Ind.),  288.  In 
1880,  the  result  for  Governor  was  :  Albert  G.  Porter  (Rep.),  1,770 ; 
Franklin  Landers  (Dem.),  1,613  ;  Richard  Gregg  (Ind.),  199.  In  1880, 
the  Presidential  election  resulted  as  follows  : 

November,  1880. 

REPUBLICAN.  DEMOCRATIC.  INDEPENDENT. 

Garfield  Hancock  Weaver 

and  and  and 

Arthur.  English.  Chambers. 

Bean  Blossom 108  182  9 

Washington 88  157  8 

Marion 57  56  3 

Benton 51  137  12 

Bloomington .» 508  240  33 

Richland 286  104  5 

Van  Buren 159  73  13 

Perry 255  145  17 

Salt  Creek 26  130  2 

Polk 53  129  24 

Clear  Creek 112  176  35 

Indian  Creek 77  153  4 

Totals 1,780  1,682  165 


HISTORY   OF   MONROE   COUNTY.  389 

The  county  was  still  Republican.  In  1882,  the  vote  for  Secretary  of 
State  was  as  follows:  E.  R.  Hawn  (Rep.),  1,751;  William  R.  Myers 
(Dem.),  1,625  ;    H.  B.  Leonard  (Ind.),  144. 

THE    COUNTY    POOR. 

Monroe  County  has  done  well  by  her  poor.  The  county  was  no 
sooner  organized  than  allowances  began  to  be  made  for  the  temporary  and 
permanent  relief  of  the  indigent.  In  every  township,  Overseers  of  the 
Poor  were  appointed,  whose  duty  was  to  provide  for  those  who  were  help- 
less, and  report  the  expense  to  the  County  Board,  who  allowed  the  same 
as  any  other  county  expense.  It  was  customary,  and  is  even  yet,  to  bind 
children  out  to  learn  some  industry,  and  upon  the  attainment  of  their  ma- 
jority they  were  turned  out  upon  the  busy  world  to  shift  for  themselves, 
with  a  new  suit  of  clothes  and  $10  in  money.  This  was  true  of  the  able- 
bodied.  The  helpless,  on  the  contrary,  were  usually  "  farmed  out,"  as  it 
was  called.  The  keeping  of  them  was  put  up  at  auction,  and  he  who 
would  provide  for  their  necessary  wants  for  the  least  amount  was  burdened 
with  the  responsibility.  It  was  necessary  to  exercise  some  care,  or  other- 
wise the  helpless  fell  into  rude  and  even  cruel  hands,  and  were  half  starved 
and  clothed,  that  a  little  money  might  be  made  in  their  keeping.  The 
system  was  bad,  as  it  led  the  unscrupulous  to  prey  upon  the  helplessness 
of  the  poor.  It  was  better,  however,  than  to  permit  the  unfortunates  to 
die  outright.  A  better  state  of  things  could  not  be  expected  in  the  back- 
woods, where  the  best  were  often  in  want  of  the  necessaries  of  life. 
Much  temporary  and  even  permanent  relief  was  furnished  by  the  town- 
ship, and  no  call  made  upon  the  County  Board  for  reimbursement.  The 
first  order  for  the  relief  of  the  poor  which  could  be  found  upon  the  records 
is  as  follows : 
State  of  Indiana.  ^ 

v         Monroe  County,  Debtor. 
Monroe  County.  J 

To  Solomon  Greeu  for  an  allowance  for 
an  injury  sustained  to  his  bedding  in  keeping,  laying  out  and  burying  Louis  Lee,  a  poor 
person. 

February  5,  1824.  David  Sears,  j  ^^^^^^^^^      ^^^  p^^^ 

AViLLiAM  Moore,  j  -^ 

After  this,  the  settlement  of  the  county  was  so  rapid  that  the  poor  ex- 
pense began  to  increase.  In  1827,  the  county  paid  $46.20,  and  in  1830, 
$75.  Late  in  the  thirties,  the  expense  exceeded  $200  annually.  In  1836, 
it  was  $204.63.  These  amounts  do  not  include  the  help  furnished  in  lo- 
calities and  not  reported  for  county  reimbursement.  The  total  some  years 
would  no  doubt  approximate  $500.  The  number  of  paupers  continued  to 
increase  during  the  early  portion  of  the  thirties,  until  at  last,  in  1836,  the 
propriety  of  having  a  county  poor  farm  and  poor  house  began  to  be  talked 
of.  A  petition  was  presented  to  the  County  Board  in  November,  1836, 
praying  that  a  poor  farm  might  be  bought,  and  in  response  to  this,  John 
Hite,  John  Owens  and  Jesse  Davar  were  appointed  a  committee  to  inspect 
various  farms  with  a  view  of  purchasing.  Nothing  further  seems  to  have 
been  done  until  May,  1838,  when  another  committee,  consisting  of  John 
Owens,  Edward  Borland  and  John  Hite,  were  appointed  for  the  same 
purpose,  the  farm  to  cost  not  less  than  $500  nor  more  than  $1,500,  the 
purchase  price  to  be  paid  in  three  annual  installments.    All  further  action 


390  HISTORY  OF  MONROE  COUNTY. 

seems    to    have    been  postponed  until   1846,    when   another  committee 

(Elias  Abel,  Henry  Tanner  and ),  were  appointed  to  inspect 

some  half  dozen  farms  that  were  for  sale.  The  committee  reported  the 
following  farms  for  sale:  One  owned  by  E.  N.  Elliott,  five  miles  from 
Bloomington,  190  acres,  price  $1,000  ;  G.  H.  Johnson,  seven  miles  from 
Bloomington,  176  acres,  cost  $2,000 ;  John  AcuiF,  five  miles  from 
Bloomington,  120  acres,  cost  $900 ;  Michael  Buskirk,  three  and  a  half 
miles  from  Bloomington,  400  acres,  cost  $2,600 ;  William  Gray,  nine 
miles  from  Bloomington,  198  acres,  $1,000 ;  Henry  Rhorer,  twelve  miles 
from  Bloomington,  160  acres,  $1,200 ;  James  Miller,  two  and  one-half 
miles  from  Bloomington,  160  acres  at  $2,000;  Samuel  McCalla,  eight 
and  one-half  miles  from  Bloomington,  160  acres  at  $800.  The  farm  of 
John  Acuff"  was  bought,  and  he  became  the  first  Poor  Superintendent. 
The  farm  was  on  the  Bloomington  &  Spencer  road,  on  Section  13, 
Township  9  north,  Range  2  west.  Of  the  purchase  price,  $600  was  to  be 
paid  when  the  deed  was  made  and  $300  at  the  end  of  a  year.  Upon  the 
farm  was  an  ordinary  dwelling  of  that  day,  and  in  addition  the  County 
Board  ordered  the  erection  of  a  log  house.  Mr.  Acufi"  was  to  have  the 
use  of  the  farm  for  a  year,  and  was  paid  $100  to  care  for  all  permanent 
paupers.  The  first  pauper.  Crazy  Betsey,  was  taken  to  the  asylum  in 
June,  184*^.  Acufi"  continued  Superintendent  until  1849,  when  he  was 
succeeded  by  Robert  Ray.  At  this  time  the  paupers  numbered  three. 
John  N.  York  was  the  third  Superintendent. 

During  the  fifties,  the  poor  expense  amounted  some  years  to  nearly 
$3,000.  As  high  as  eight  inmates  were  in  the  asylum  at  one  time.  The 
great  burden  of  expense  to  the  county,  however,  really  fell  upon  the 
townships.  Later  in  the  fifties  it  became  evident  that  a  new  asylum 
would  have  to  be  obtained  to  meet  the  wants  of  the  county.  In  1862,  a 
new  farm  of  168  acres  was  purchased  of  Samuel  A.  Smith  for  $6,000. 
It  was  parts  of  Sections  30  and  31,  Township  8  north.  Range  1  west. 
One  of  the  County  Board,  Mr.  Small,  protested  against  the  purchase  of 
this  particular  farm,  alleging :  1,  that  it  cost  too  much ;  2,  the  land, 
though  good,  is  too  rolling  and  exhausted;  3,  scarcity  of  timber,  especially 
rail  timber ;  4,  two  branches  of  Clear  Creek  run  through  the  land,  thus 
making  it  necessary  to  keep  up  several  water  gaps ;  5,  there  have  been 
better  farms  ofi"ered  for  sale.  The  protest  of  Mr.  Small  was  of  no  avail, 
and  the  farm  was  purchased  and  immediate  preparations  were  made  to 
build  thereon  a  poor  asylum  that  would  meet  the  wants  of  the  county. 
The  building  was  erected  by  Milburn  &  McPhetridge,  for  $1,688.  It 
was  a  frame  structure,  about  35x75  feet,  and  contained  nine  rooms  on 
each  side.  Of  the  purchase  price,  $500  was  paid  in  cash  at  the  outset, 
$500  in  September  of  1862,  and  the  balance  at  the  completion  of  the 
work  in  November,  1862.  It  seems  that  the  judgment  of  Mr.  Small  was 
correct,  when  he  stated  that  the  farm  was  not  the  one  wanted  by  the 
county,  and  that  much  better  ones  had  been  offered  for  sale.  This  fact 
became  more  and  more  apparent  as  the  years  passed.  At  last,  in  Decem- 
ber, 1865,  the  farm  was  advertised  for  sale  and  soon  sold  to  John  F.  May 
for  $9,150.  Of  this  price,  $1,000  was  to  be  paid  cash,  $2,000  one  year 
after  date ;  $3,075  two  years  after  date,  and  $3,075  three  years  after 
date.     Mr.  May  became  the  Superintendent,  he  agreeing  to  keep  the 


HISTORY   OF   MONROE   COUNTY.  391 

paupers  for  |2  each  per  week.  Samuel  A.  Smith  had  preceded  Mr.  May 
as  Superintendent.  Immediate  preparations  were  made  to  buy  a  new 
farm.  In  March,  1866,  the  County  Board  bought  of  Peter  Bollenbacker 
six  seminary  lots  known  as  the  Cuff  farm,  about  a  mile  and  a  half  west  of 
town,  each  lot  comprising  ten  acres,  for  $3,000,  the  seller  taking  in  pay- 
ment the  note  of  John  May  for  $2,000  above  mentioned,  the  county  to 
pay  a  mortgage  for  about  the  remainder  held  on  the  lots  by  Robert  Acuff. 
Immediate  possession  was  given  of  the  farm.  Mr.  May,  as  above  stated, 
became  the  Superintendent.  In  May,  1867,  sealed  proposals  were  called 
for  to  build  a  brick  asylum  of  certain  specified  dimensions  on  this  farm, 
the  following  proposals  being  received:  William  H.  Owen,  $6,000; 
Samuel  A.  Smith,  $5,800  ;  R.  A.  Fulk,  $6,500 ;  Payne,  McCalla  & 
Hooper,  $6,300 ;  Glover  &  Blankenship,  $7,728.  The  proposal  of  Mr. 
Smith  being  considered  the  best  was  accepted,  and  the  contract  was 
awarded  him  at  his  bid  of  $5,800.  This  fine  brick  building,  which  was 
immediately  erected,  is  yet  in  use.  It  took  about  two  years  to  complete 
the  building,  however. 

AGRICULTURAL    SOCIETIES. 

So  far  as  can  be  learned,  the  first  action  taken  by  the  citizens  of  the 
county  to  organize  a  society  in  the  interests  of  agriculture  was  in  May, 
1835,  when  the  County  Board  having  been  petitioned  to  that  effect,  or- 
dered that  300  copies  of  a  notice  of  a  public  meeting  to  be  held  at  the 
court  house  on  the  last  Saturday  in  May,  in  pursuance  of  an  act  of  the 
Legislature,  entitled  "An  act  for  the  encouragment  of  agriculture,"  ap- 
proved February  7,  1835,  for  the  purpose  of  organizing  an  agricultural 
society,  should  be  printed,  and  the  Clerk  was  instructed  to  see  that  they 
were  distributed  and  posted,  and  authorized  to  pay  for  the  same.  This 
meeting  was  held,  was  well  attended,  and  an  agricultural  society  was  or- 
ganized, as  will  be  seen  from  the  following  certificate  : 

We,  Michael  Buskirk,  Chairman,  and  Craven  P.  Hester,  Secretary,  of  the  agricult- 
ural society  of  Monroe  County  aforesaid,  certify  that  we  were  elected  according  to  law 
for  the  offices  as  above  mentioned,  and  that  said  society  has  electel  its  officers  and  or- 
ganized itself  agreeably  to  an  act  of  the  Legislature,  entitled  "An  act  for  the  encourag- 
ment of  agriculture,"  approved  February  7,  1835.  Done  on  the  last  Saturday  of  May, 
1835.     Given  under  our  hands  June  4,  1835. 

Michael  Buskirk. 

C.  P.  Hester. 

If  a  fair  was  held  by  this  organization,  such  fact  could  not  be  learned 
by  the  writer.  The  probability  is  that  nothing  of  the  kind  was  held,  or 
some  record  of  it  would  have  been  discovered.  In  about  the  year  1850, 
however,  a  society  was  organized  at  the  county  seat  and  one  or  more  fairs 
were  held,  but  unfortunately  no  account  of  it  can  be  here  given.  The 
society  was  abandoned  after  one  or  two  fairs,  and  not  again  revived  until 
1855.  Austin  Seward  was  the  first  President  of  this  organization,  and 
Lewis  Bollman,  Secretary.  The  following  men  were  the  Drrectors  : 
Henry  Eller,  Asher  Labertew,  Austin  Seward,  W.  S.  Stormont,  Joshua 
Shreve,  Luke  Sanders,  Joseph  Bunger,  James  Givens,  Edward  Blakely, 
Richard  Moore,  Willis  Spencer,  Monroe  Houston,  Thomas  Payne  and 
Lewis  Bollman.  The  first  premium  list  offered  by  this  organization  was 
as  follows,  in  full :  First  annual  fair  of  the  Monroe  County  Agricult- 
ural Society,  to  be  held  at  Bloomington  Wednesday  and  Thursday,  Oc- 
tober 10  and  11,  1855.     Premium  list : 


392  HISTORY  OF   MONROE   COUNTY. 

CLASS    A NO.    1 CATTLE. 

Best  Bull  two  years  old  or  over $3 

Second  best Certificate 

Best  Bull  between  one  and  two  years  old 2 

Second  best Certificate 

Best  Bull  Calf. 2 

Second  best Certificate 

Best  Cow  two  years  old  orover 3 

Second  best Certificate 

Best  Heifer  between  one  and  two  years  old 2 

Second  best Certificate 

Best  Heifer  Calf 2 

Second  best Certificate 

CLASS  A NO.  2. 

Best  pair  of  Working  Cattle |3 

Second  best Certificate 

Best  fatted  for  beef. 2 

Second  best Certificate 

CLASS  A — NO.  3. 

Best  Milk  Cow |3 

Second  best Certificate 

Awarding  Committee — L.  Bollman,  I.  Cron,  Lewis  Shryer. 

CLASS    B — NO.    1 — HORSES. 

Best  Stallion  over  three  years  old f3 

Second  best Certificate 

Best  Stallion  Colt  between  two  and  three  years  old 2 

Second  best Certificate 

Best  Stallion  Colt  between  one  and  two  years  old 2 

Second  best Certificate 

Best  sucking  Horse  Colt 1 

Second  best Certificate 

Best  Mare  over  three  years 3 

Second  best Certificate 

Best  Mare  between  two  and  three  years 2 

Second  best Certificate 

Best  Filly  Colt  between  one  and  two  years 2 

Second  best Certificate 

Best  sucking  Filly 1 

Second  best Certificate 

CLASS   B — NO.  2. 

Best  Saddle  Horse $3 

Second  best Certificate 

CLASS    B NO.  3. 

Best  Draft  Horse. |3 

Second  best Certificate 

CLASS   B — NO.  4. 

Best  pair  Matched  Horses $3 

Second  best Certificate 

Awarding  Committee — Eli  Worley,  J.  B.  Shreve,  John  Dinsmore. 

CLASS  C NO.   1 MULES  AND  JACKS. 

Best  Jack $3 

Second  best Certificate 

Best  Jennet 3 

Second  best Certificate 

Best  Span  of  Mules 3 

Second  best Certificate 

Best  Mule  Colt 2 

Second  best Certificate 

Awarding  Committee — Hugh  Campbell,  James  Buskirk,  Peter  Carmichael. 


HISTORY   OF   MONROE  COUNTY.  393 

CLASS  D NO.   1 LONG  AND  COMMON  WOOLED  SHEEP. 

Best  Buck  over  two  years  old $2 

Second  best Certificate 

Best  Buck  under  two  years 2 

Second  best Certificate 

Best  Buck   Lamb 1 

Second  best Certificate 

Best  Ewe  over  two  years  old 2 

Second  best Certificate 

Best  Ewe  under  two  years  old 2 

Second  best ..Certificate 

Best  Ewe  Lamb 1 

Second  best Certificate 

CLASS  D NO.  2 FINE  WOOLED  SHEEP. 

Best  Buck  over  two  years  old |2 

Second  best Certificate 

Best  Buck  under  two  years 2 

Second  best Certificate 

Best  Buck  Lamb 1 

Second  best Certificate 

Best  Ewe  over  two  years  old 2 

Second  best Certificate 

Best  Ewe  under  two  years  old 2 

Second  best Certificate 

Best  Ewe  Lamb 1 

Second  best Certificate 

Awarding  Committee — Lewis  Shryer,  David  Byers,  Thomas  Carter. 

CLASS    E NO.   1 HOGS. 

Best  Boar  over  one  year  old $3 

Second  best Certificate 

Best  Boar  under  one  year  old 2 

Second  best Certi^.cate 

Best  breeding  Sow  over  one  year  old 2 

Second  best Certificate 

Best  breeding  Sow  under  one  year  old 3 

Second  best Certificate 

Best  pair  of  Shoats  between  six  and  twelve  months 2 

Second  best Certificate 

Best  Sow  and  Pigs 2 

Second  best Certificate 

Awarding  Committee — Samuel  Harbison,  Henry  Eller,  David  Buskirk. 

CLASS  F NO.   1 POULTRY. 

Best  collection  of  Fowls |2 

Best  collection  of  Ducks 2 

Awarding  Committee — John  Orchard,  John  McCrea,  Sol  Hickman. 

CLASS    G NO.   1 FARMING    IMPLEMENTS. 

Best  Mower  and  Reaper,  combined |3  00 

Best  Thrasher  and  Separator 3  00 

Best  Mower 2  00 

Best  Corn  and  Cob  Mill 2  00 

Best  Machine  for  gathering  Clover 3  00 

Best  Horse  Rake 1  00 

Best  Cider  Mill 1  00 

Best  Cheese  Press 1  00 

Best  Churn 1  00 

Best  Straw  Cutter 1  00 

Best  Apple  Parer 50 

CLASS    G — NO.    2. 

Best  Plow  for  Monroe  County P  00 

Best  Plow  for  sod 2  00 


394  HISTORY   OF   MONROE   COUNTY. 

Best  Plow  for  loose  soil $2  00 

Best  Subsoil  Plow 2  00 

Best  Mattock 1  00 

Best  six  Hoes 1  00 

Best  Log  Chain 50 

Best  Cultivator 1  00 

Best  Harrow 50 

CLASS    G NO.    3. 

Best  Farm  Wagon $2  00 

Best  Farm  Cart 1  00 

Awarding  Committee — Mr.  McKinley,  Thomas  Smith,  Joseph  Bunger. 

CLASS  H — NO.   1 — CAKRIAGES,  FUENITITRE,  ETC. 

Best  Buggy $1  00 

Best  Carriage 1  00 

Best  Sofa 1  00 

Best  set  of  Common  Chairs 1  00 

Best  Center  Table 1  00 

Best  Dining  Table 1  00 

Best  pair  of  Side  Tables 1  00 

Best  Work  Stand 1  00 

Best  Secretary  and  Book  Case 1  00 

Best  display  of  Furniture 2  00 

Awarding  Committee — Joseph  G.  McPheeters,  James  Burley,  Michael  Helton. 

CLASS  I NO.   1 LEATHER  AND  LEATHER    MANUFACTURES. 

Best  Double  Carriage  Harness $2  00 

Best  Single  Carriage  Harness 1  00 

N  Best  Wagon  Harness 2  00 

Best  pair  of  Fine  Boots 1  00 

Best  pair  of  Coarse  Boots 1  00 

Best  pair  of  Ladies'  Shoes 1  00 

Best  specimen  of  Harness  Leather 1  00 

Best  specimen  of  Sole  Leather 1  00 

Best  specimen  of  Kip  Leather 1  00 

Best  specimen  of  Calf  Skin  Leather 1  00 

Best  Man's  Saddle 1  00 

Best  Woman's  Saddle 1   00 

Awarding  Committee — John  Garrison,  Van  Swearingin,  J.  W.  Coffey. 

CLASS  K— NO.   1. 

Best  display  of  Tin  Ware |3  00 

Best  display  of  Sheet  Iron  Ware 2  00 

Best  Stone-sawing  Machine 2  00 

Best  Tomb  Stone  or  Monument 3  00 

Awarding  Committee — W.  0.  Fee,  A.  Labertew,  John  Campbell. 

CLASS  L NO.   1 AGRICULTURAL  PRODUCTS  AND  SEEDS. 

Best  ten  acres  of  Corn $2  00 

Best  ten  acres  of  Wheat 2  00 

Best  five  acres  of  Rye 1  00 

Best  five  acres  of  Oats 1  00 

Best  one  acre  of  Clover  Seed 2  00 

Best  one  acre  of  Flax 1  00 

Best  one  half  acre  of  Turnips 1  00 

Best  one-fourth  acre  of  Potatoes 1  00 

Best  display  of  Seed  Corn,  Wheat,  Rye,  Oats,  Clover  Seed,  Pota- 
toes   2  00 

Best  ten  pounds  Butter 1  00 

Best  Cheese 50 

Best  Cured  Ham 50 

Awarding  Committee — William  Millen,  Benjamin  Rogers,  N.  S.  Mayfield. 

CLASS  M NO.  1 DOMESTIC  MANUFACTURES. 

Best  ten  yards  of  Tow  Cloth  $0  50 

Best  ten  yards  of  Rag  Carpet 50 


HISTORY   OF   MONROE   COUNTY.  395 

Best  Woolen  Knit  Stockings  or  Socks 50 

Best  pound  of  Linen  Sewing  Thread 50 

Best  fifteen  yards  of  Carpet 1  00 

Best  Yarn 50 

Best  Quilt 50 

Best  Coat,  Pants  and  Vest 2  00 

Best  Lady's  Dress 1  00 

Best  Ladys  Sacque 50 

Best  Dress  Cap 50 

Best  Mantilla 50 

Best  sample  of  useful  Needlework 1  00 

Best  Home-made  Bread 1  00 

Awarding  Committee — Miss  Ellen  Stone,  Mrs.  Paulina  Hardin,  Mrs.  Louisa  Maxwell, 
Mrs.  Jane  Fee,  Miss  McGinnis,  Mrs.  Benjamin  Neeld,  Mrs.  Bacon. 
[This  committee  may  recommend  discretionary  premiums]. 

CLASS  N — NO.    1 FRUITS  AND  VEGETABLES. 

Best  display  of  Fruits $3  00 

Best  display  of  Garden  Vegetables 2  00 

Awarding  Committee — Lewis  Bollman,  I.  W.  Sanders,  Milton  McPhetridge. 

RULES    AND    REGULATIONS. 

Any  person  may  become  a  member  by  paying  f  1  into  the  treasury. 

Members  will  be  furnished  with  badges,  which  will  admit  them  and  their  wives,  and 
children  under  eighteen,  at.  all  times  during  the  fair. 

Persons  not  members  will  be  admitted  at  the  following  rates,  tickets  to  be  had  at  all 
times  during  the  fair: 

Terms  of  admission  per  day,  each  individual,  20  cents ;  each  horse  and  buggy,  20 
cents  ;  single  horse,  10  cents;  each  carriage,  or  wagon,  and  two  horses,  25  cents;  chil- 
dren under  ten  years  of  age,  free.     All  subject  to  th»  rules  of  the  fair  ground. 

All  competitors  must  first  become  members  of  the  society. 

Persons  employed  for  the  purpose,  and  wearing  appropriate  badges,  will  be  on  the 
ground  and  in  readiness  to  receive  the  articles  intended  for  exhibition  in  the  several  de- 
partments. 

Exhibitors  are  required  to  have  their  articles  entered  on  the  books  at  the  business 
ofiBce  before  they  are  placed  within  the  inclosure.  On  the  entry  of  the  articles  and 
animals,  cards  will  be  furnished  with  the  number  and  class  as  entered  at  the  oflice,  which 
are  to  be  placed  on  the  auimal  or  article  to  be  exhibited.  No  article  shall  be  removed  be- 
fore the  close  of  the  exhibition  without  the  permission  of  some  members  of  the  Ex- 
ecutive Committee.  Every  exhibitor  should  have  his  articles  on  the  ground  and  arranged 
in  their  places  by  10  o'clock  of  the  day  they  are  to  be  exhibited. 


The  Judges  are  requested  to  report  themselves  on  their  arrival  at  the  oflBce  of  the 
Executive  Couinittee,  oa  ttie  gcouads.  Tin  Judges  will  mee .  at,  the  said  office  at  10 
o'clock  on  each  day  of  exhibi  ion,  when  their  names  will  be  called,  vacancies  supplied, 
and  they  will  then  enter  upon  their  duties.  They  are  requested  to  make  their  reports  to 
the  Secretary  at  the  business  office  as  early  as  practicable  each  evening. 

INSTRUCTIONS    TO    JUDGES. 

The  Judges  on  animals  will  have  regard  to  the  symmetry,  early  maturity,  size  and 
general  characteristics  of  the  breeds  which  they  judge.  They  will  make  proper  allow- 
ance for  age  and  other  circumstances  of  the  character  and  condition  of  the  animals. 
They  are  expressly  required  not  to  give  any  encouragement  to  over-fed  animals. 

A  premium  will  not  be  awarded  when  the  animal  or  article  is  not  worthy,  though 
there  be  no  competition. 

REPORTS. 

The  Judges  (especially  those  on  animals)  will  be  expected  to  give  the  reasons  for 
their  decisions,  embracing  the  valuable  and  admirable  qualities  of  the  animals,  or  articles, 
to  which  premiums  are  awarded. 

This  fair  was  held  as  advertised,  and  was  highly  successful.  A  further 
account  cannot  be  given.  The  receipts  and  expenditures  for  the  following 
year  (1856)  were  as  follows  : 

25 


396  HISTORY  OF  MONROE  COUNTY. 

RECK1PT8. 

Money  in  treasury  from  last  year $115  45 

Received  for  badges 260  00 

Received  for  tickets 155  75    . 

Total $533  20 

EXPENDITUBES. 

Paid  Thomas  Rawlings,  for  lumber $410  00 

Paid  hands,  for  building  fence 102  80 

Paid  H.  Coe,  for  printing 27  00 

Paid  W.  Fee,  for  nails 12  70 

Paid  Orchard,  for  posts 1  00 

Paid  A.  Helton  &  Son,  forrope 3  00 

Paid  Balle,  for  work 6  50 

Paid  H.  EUer,  for  superintending  the  work,  and  work  done  by 

him 25  00 

Paid  Orchard,  for  board  of  EUer 6  75 

Total $594  75 

533  20 

Debt  on  work,  etc $61  55 

L.  BoLLMAN,  Secretary. 

The  early  fairs  were  all  held  just  east  of  Bloomington,  on  the  land  of 
Mr.  Dunn,  where  a  small  yard  was  leased  and  inclosed.  The  limits  of 
the  yard  would  not  permit  of  racing.  Annual  fairs  were  held  until  the 
war,  when  they  were  abandoned,  but  were  again  renewed  in  1868,  and 
continued  with  a  few  interregnums  until  a  few  years  ago,  when  they  be- 
came defunct.  The  later  fairs  were  held  on  the  new  ground,  west  of 
town.  The  officers  of  the  society  in  1859  were  as  follows,  with  the  rates 
of  admission :  John  McCrea,  President ;  Ezra  Perring,  Vice  President ; 
Thomas  Smith,  Treasurer;  James  Small,  Secretary;  Pressley  Buckner, 
James  H.  Waugh,  John  Dinsmore,  George  A.  Buskirk,  George  Eller, 
W.  S.  Stormont,  M.  L.  Snodgrass,  Board  of  Managers.  Terms  of  Ad- 
mission— Each  individual  per  day,  25  cents  ;  each  horse  and  buggy  per 
day,  50  cents ;  each  horse  per  day,  25  cents ;  each  two  horses  and  car- 
riage or  wagon  per  day,  $1. 

A  very  popular  organization  was  the  Equestrian  Fair,  established  in 
1857.  It  was  a  district  organization,  as  will  be  seen  by  the  following 
programme: 

Open  to  the  World — Second  annual  fair  of  the  Union  Equestrian  Society,  composed 
of  Lawrence,  Monroe  and  Owen  Counties,  to  be  held  at  the  District  Fair  Grounds,  near 
Gosport,  Ind..  on  Thursday  and  Friday,  the  21st  and  22d  days  of  October  next,  1858. 
The  exhibition  grounds,  containing  thirteen  acres,  are  the  mo^l  beautitul  in  the  State, 
well  fenced  in,  with  two  good  wells  of  water  within  the  inclosure,  and  a  splendid  track 
for  gaited  horses — three  times  around  for  one  mile.  Two  hundred  and  sixty-five  dollars 
in  cash  premiums !  So  bring  on  all  of  your  fine  saddle,  harness  and  match  horses.  The 
premiums  are  worth  competing  for.  A  magnificent  premium  will  be  awarded  to  the  best 
and  second  best  female  equestrian.  Also  to  the  best  male  equestrian.  Young  ladies  and 
gentlemen  from  every  section  are  invited  to  be  present  and  make  an  exhibition  of  their 
proficiency  in  the  art  of  horse  management  and  equestrian  merit.  Certainly  no  art  is 
more  desirable  than  that  of  complete  horsemanship,  and  every  young  lady  and  gentleman 
in  our  proud  Hoosier  State  should  possess  some  just  claim  to  proficiency  in  ihe  art. 
Come  on,  then  ;  if  you  cannot  make  the  display  that  your  friends  can,  come  and  do  your 
best,  which  is  laudable. 

This  fair  was  for  many  years  very  popular.  It  was  held  alternately 
at  Gosport,  Bloomington  and  Bedford,  and  possibly  elsewhere.  A  Miss 
Jackson  for  many  years  took  the  first  premium  as  lady  rider,  in  spite  of  all 


HISTORY  OF  MONROE  COUNTY.  397 

opposers.     The  following  shows  a  portion  of  the  premiums  paid  at  Bloom- 
ington  in  1868. 

Equestrian  Fair — To  be  held  on  tbe  Woodland  Time  Track,  near  Bloomington,  Ind., 
on  Wednesday  and  Thursday,  November  11  and  12,  18S8.  The  following  premiums  are 
offered  :  For  the  best  lady  rider,  $15;  second  best  lady  rider,  $10;  best  gentleman  rider, 
$10  ;  second  best  gentleman  rider,  $5  ;  best  boy  rider  under  fifteen  years,  $5  ;  second 
best  boy  rider  under  fifteen  years,  $3;  best  girl  rider  under  fifteen  years,  $5;  second 
best  girl  rider  under  fifteen  years,  $3  ;  fastest  pacing  gelding  or  mare,  $"25  ;  second  fastest 
pacing  gelding  or  mare,  $5;  best  buggy  horse,  mare  or  gelding,  $10;  tecond  best  buggy 
horse,  mare  or  gelding,  $5;  best  saddle  horse,  mare  or  gelding,  three  distinct  gaits, 
$10 ;  second  best  saddle  horse,  mare  or  gelding,  three  distinct  gaits,  $5 ;  best  pair 
trained  horses,  mares  or  geldings,  $10 ;  second  best  pair  trained  horses,  mares  or  geld- 
ings, $5 ;  fastest  pacing  stallion,  any  age,  $25;  second  faste^t  pacing  stallion,  any  age, 
$10;  fastest  trotting  horse,  mare  or  gelding,  $25  ;  second  fastest  trotting  horse,  mare  or 
gelding,  IplO.  Sweepstakes  on  trotting  and  pacing:  Fastest  pacing  horse,  mare  or  gelding, 
$50  ;  second  fastest  pacing  horse  or  gelding,  $25.  Four  entries  to  be  made,  three  horses  to 
start. 

THE    OLD    SETTLERS, 

In  about  the  year  1852,  an  attempt  was  made  at  the  county  seat  to 
organize  an  old  settlers'  association,  and  a  call,  signed  by  several  of  the 
oldest  residents  of  Bloomington,  was  made  for  a  public  meeting  for  that 
purpose,  but  for  some  reason  nothing  further  was  done.  In  1857,  how- 
ever, the  first  old  settlers'  society  of  the  county  was  established,  as  will  be 
seen  by  the  following,  taken  from  the  Bloomington  Republican : 

OLD    settlers'    meeting. 

In  pursuance  of  previous  notice  for  an  Old  Settlers'  Meeting,  quite  a  large  number  of 
the  old  gray-headed  fathers  and  pioneers  of  Monroe  County  met  in  mass  at  the  court  house 
in  the  town  of  Bloomington,  on  Monday,  the  26th  day  of  April  1857,  for  the  purpose  of 
organizing  a  society  to  be  called  the  Old  Settlers'  Society,  and  make  sui'able  arrangements 
for  its  permanent  organization.  The  meeting  was  called  to  order.  On  motion  of  Mattlie-v 
M.  Campbell,  Jacob  B.  Lowe  was  called  to  the  chair,  and  Morton  C.  Hunter  appointed 
Secretary.  Col.  Campbell,  of  Washington  Township,  moved  that  a  committee  of  five  be 
appointed  by  the  chair  to  make  all  necessary  arrangements  for  an  old  settlers'  meeting 
on  the  4th  i.'ay  of  July  next.  Prof.  M.  M.  Campbell  moved  to  amend  the  motion  by 
striking  out  the  word  " fi\e  "  and  inserting  "one  from  e  ch  township  in  Monroe  County.  ' 
which  amendment  was  accepted  by  Col.  Campbell,  and  the  motion  as  amended  pas.^ed. 
Whereupon  the  chair  appointed  the  following  gentlemen  to  serve  as  said  committee  :  Col. 
Campbell,  of  Washington  Township  ;  John  Hubbard,  of  Marion;  David  Birrow,  of  Ben- 
ton ;  James  P.  Ellis,  of  Salt  Creek  ;  John  Hanson,  of  Polk  ;  Col.  Kt-tcham,  of  Clear 
Creek;  Joseph  S.  Walker,  of  Indian  Creek;  M.  M.  Campbell,  of  Perry;  Ellis  Stone,  of 
Van  Buren  ;  Judge  Reeves,  of  Piichland  ;  James  V.  Buskirk,  of  Bean  Blossom  ;  Elias  Abel, 
of  Bloomington  Township.  To  which  was  added  Paris  C.  Dunning  and  Austin  Seward. 
Eli  P.  Farmer,  of  Richland  Township,  moved  that  twenty-five  years'  residence  in  Monroe 
County  entitle  a  man  to  membership.  George  A.  Buskirk,  Esq.,  moved  to  amend  the 
motion  by  requiring  each  member  to  be  fifty  years  old,  and  have  resided  in  the  county 
thirty  years,  which  amendment  was  accepted  by  vir.  Farmer.  The  motion  as  amended 
passed.  Samuel  H.  Buskirk,  Esq.,  moved  that  a  committee  of  nine  be  appointed  to  mak» 
all  suitable  arrangements  for  the  meeting  of  the  old  settlers  on  the  4th  of  July,  and  ti>. 
prepare  refreshments  for  the  occasion.  The  chair  appointed  the  following  gentlemen 
such  committee  :  Samuel  H.  Buskirk,  F.  T.  Butler,  P.  L.  D.  Mitchell,  Jesse  T.  Cox,  Will, 
iam  Ward,  Aquilla  W.  Rogers,  William  C.  Sadler,  Col.  L.  Gentry,  George  A.  Buskirk. 
The  object  of  organizing  the  Old  Settlers'  Society  is,  that  the  old  gray-heided  fathers 
may  be  called  together  at  stated  periods  for  the  purpose  of  enjoying  a  social  repast  with 
each  other,  and  in  ttieir  own  way  entertain  the  meeting  by  the  narration  of  anecdotes,  as 
well  as  the  hardships  and  perdous  scenes  that  transpire  I  during  the  early  settling  of  this 
country,  in  the  planting  of  civilization,  clearing  up  of  the  lands,  and  subduing  the  red 
man  of  the  forest,  as  also  the  dangers,  perils  and  hardships  of  the  war  of  1812,  that  the 
rising  generation  may  be  kept  in  remembrance  of  the  debt  of  gratitude  that  is  due  from 
them  10  their  pioneer  fathers  for  the  blessings  ttiey  now  enjoy,  and  that  the  pen  of  the 
historian  may  record  those  scenes  for  the  benefit  of  generations  that  may  come  after  us 


398  HISTORY   OF   MONROE   COUNTY. 

All  will  therefore  come  prepared  to  narrate  the  various  incidents  that  came  under  their 
observation.  The  various  committees  above  named  will  meet  at  Bloomington  on  Saturday, 
the  19th  day  of  June,  to  make  all  necessary  arrangements  for  the  meeting,  which  is  to 
take  place  on  the  4th  of  July  next.  No  committeeman  should  fail  to  attend.  On  motion, 
the  proceedings  were  ordered  to  be  published  in  the  Bloomington  Republican.  On  motion 
adjourned. 

Morton  C.  Hunter,  Gen.  Jacob  B.  Lowe, 

Secretary.  President. 

The  first  meeting  of  the  old  settlers  occurred  on  the  day  stated,  but 
unfortunately  a  detailed  account  cannot  be  given.  It  is  said  that  1,500 
persons  were  in  town.  A  fine  dinner  was  enjoyed  by  the  old  people,  who 
afterward  told  over  their  experiences  in  settling  up  the  county.  The  fol- 
lowing, taken  from  the  Republican  of  1858,  gives  an  account  of  the 
second  meeting  of  the  old  settlers  of  Monroe  County  : 

OLD    settlers'    meeting. 

Pursuant  to  previous  notice,  the  old  settlers  of  Monroe  County  met  at  the  court 
house,  in  the  town  of  Bloomington,  on  the  17th  day  of  September,  1858  The  meeting 
was  organized  by  calling  0)1.  John  Ketcham  to  the  chair,  and  appointing  Milton  McPhet- 
ridge  Secretary.  The  proceedings  of  the  meeting  were  opened  by  aa  appropriate  prayer 
by  the  Rev.  Eli  P.  Farmer. 

On  motion  of  Austin  Seward,  Benjamin  F.  Rogers  was  admitted  to  all  the  rights  and 
privileges  of  the  old  settlers,  he  being  forty  years  of  age  and  the  first  white  male  child 
born  in  the  county. 

The  Chairman  requested  every  person  who  was  fifty  years  old  and  upward,  and  who 
had  resided  in  the  county  thirty  years,  to  come  forward  and  have  their  names,  ages  and 
places  of  nativity  registered,  whereupon  eighty- eight  came  forward  and  were  duly 
registered. 

Gen.  Lowe,  who  was  selected  by  the  committee  of  arrangements  to  deliver  an  address, 
not.  bein^  present,  Rev.  Eli  P.  Farmer  was  called  upon,  and  addressed  the  meeting  in  a 
brief,  appropriate  speech,  detailing  many  interesting  incidents  connected  with  the  early 
settling  of  the  couniy.  He  was  followed  by  Col.  John  Ketcham,  M.  M.  Campbell,  John 
M.  Saddler,  James  V.  Buskirk,  Rev.  Solomon  Lucas,  smd  others,  each  giving  an  account 
of  his  trials  and  har  iships  in  the  settling  of  the  county,  and  of  their  bear,  wolf,  deer  and 
panther  hunts,  many  of  which  were  truly  amusing,  and  were  listened  to  with  much  inter- 
est, not  only  by  the  old  settlers,  but  by  a  large  number  of  citizens  who  had  assembled 
on  the  occasion. 

On  motion  of  Mr.  McCoUough,  it  was  Tesolved  that  the  next  annual  meeting  of  the 
old  settlers  be  held  Ht  the  same  place  on  the  17th  day  of  September,  1859,  and  that  each 
member  bring  his  wife,  and  those  that  have  none  are  requested  to  get  one,  or  bring  a 
widow ;  also,  that  all  old  settlers  who  have  nit  registered  their  names  are  requested  to 
do  so  previous  to  the  next  meeting;  and,  on  further  motion  of  Mr.  McCollough,  Col. 
John  Ketcham  was  appointed  Chairman,  and  Milton  McPhetridge  Secretary,  to  serve 
until  the  next  annual  meeting. 

At  half-past  1  o'clock,  a  procession  was  formed,  and  after  marching  around  the  public 
square,  the  old  settlers,  with  many  others,  repaired  to  the  "Young's  House,"  and  sat 
down  to  a  sumptuous  dinuer  prepared  by  mine  host,  Jacob  Young.  The  tables  were  well 
filled  with  everything  necessary  to  satisfy  the  most  fastidious. 

The  best  kind  of  feeling  prevailed  throughout  the  day,  no  incident  occurring  to  mar 
the  harmony  of  the  meeting.  After  dinner  was  over,  the  old  men  got  together,  in  groups, 
and  talked  over  bygone  scenes.  All  seemed  to  enjoy  themselves,  and  will  long  remem- 
ber the  haopy  meeting  of  this  day.  The  company  dispersed  at  a  late  hour  without  any 
formal   adjournment. 

places  of  nativity. 

Kentuclfy,  30 ;  Virginia,  24;  North  Carolina,  10;  Tennessee,  8;  Maryland,  6;  Penn- 
sylvania, 4;   Indiana,  3;  Ohio,  1;  Vermont,  1;   Delaware,  1. 

By  order  of  tbe  Committee  of  Arrangements. 

John  Ketcham,  Chairman. 
Milton  McPhetridge,  Secretary. 

After  this,  annual  meetings  were  held  until  the  war,  when  they  were 
abandoned.  In  about  the  year  1866,  the  society  was  reorganized  and 
held  meetings  until  1870,  when  the  society  joined  the  district  society  at 


HISTORY   OF   MONROE   COUNTY.  399 

Gosport.  But  this  did  not  last  long,  and  soon  afterward  the  old  organiza- 
tion was  revived.  It  died  out  once  or  twice  after  this,  but  at  the  present 
is  in  good  working  order  with  annual  meetings  held  in  various  portions  of 
the  county.  If  the  old  settlers  would  be  as  wise  as  they  have  been  during 
the  long  years  since  they  came  into  the  wilderness,  they  would  record 
their  experiences — their  hunting  stories,  trials,  dangers,  sickness,  sur- 
roundings, etc.,  etc. — so  that  future  generations  might  know  what  they  en- 
dured. As  it  is,  they  unwisely  come  together  to  tell  their  experiences 
without  putting  them  on  record.  At  each  annual  meeting,  let  a  competent 
clerk  be  hired  (pass  around  the  hat  and  raise  the  funds)  to  place  on  record 
the  stories,  facts,  etc.,  regarding  the  county  in  early  years,  and  let  the 
record  be  kept  locked  sacredly  in  the  court  house  vaults. 

An  independent  society  of  old  settlers  was  organized  at  Ellettsville  in 
1878,  as  will  be  seen  from  the  following  official  minutes  of  the  first  meet- 
ing: 

MINUTES    OF    OLD    SETTLERS'    MEETING,   HELD    IN    WORLEY's    GROVE,  ELLETTSVILLE,  SEPTEMBER 

26,  1878. 

In  honor  to  Uncle  Jimmy  Parks,  this  heini]  his  Ninety-seventh  Birthday. — At  11,  there 
were  about  3,000  people  on  the  ground,  and  the  exercises  proceeded  as  follows:  1.  A 
song  by  congregation — "Sweet  By  and  By."  2.  Piayer  by  Rev.  E.  P.  Farmer.  3. 
Music  by  Old  Band.  4.  Song  by  all  over  seventy  years  of  age.  Song,  "  Jesus,  Lover  of 
My  Soul."  5.  Elected  D.  Byers,  President,  William  McNutt,  Secretary.  6.  Speech 
by  James  Parks,  Sr.  7.  The  Autobiography  of  James  Parks,  read  by  Elder  R.  Parks. 
8.  Music  by  New  Band,  followed  by  Old  Band.  10.  Short  speeches  hy  all  over  eighty. 
Robert  Graham,  E.  P.  Farmer,  J.  Campbell,  Elias  Abel  and  L.  Walden  participated.  )1. 
A.  W.  Reeves,  Master  of  Ceremonies,  announced  dinner  adjournment.  2  P.  M.  1.  Music 
by  Old  Band.  Speeches  by  all  over  seventy  years  old  called  for.  A.  Mills,  of  Spencer, 
addressed  the  meeting.  8.  Music  by  Hoadley  String  Band.  4.  Speech  by  David  Byers, 
who  made  a  very  appropriate  speech,  and  thanked  the  people  for  conferring  upon  him 
the  oflBce  of  President.  Then  came  to  the  frout  Abraham  Henry  dressed  in  ancient  style 
— with  £(.  bark-colored  scissor-tailed  coat,  with  an  enormous  collar  which  made  his  head 
lean  slightly  forward.  He  made  us  a  good  speech,  producing  a  splendid  sensation.  5. 
Song  by  the  Galloway  family,  "The  Old  Hearth  Stone."  This  was  an  excellent  piece, 
and  was  well  performed.  Speeches  by  J.  Manis  and  R  M.  Parks  were  next.  7.  Closing 
speech  by  Rev.  S.  C.  Kennedy — presenting  a  wreath  of  beautiful  flowers  to  Mr.  Parks  and 
wife,  as  an  emblem  of  honesty  and  beauty,  unsurpassed  by  the  arts  of  men. 

Some  relics  were  exhibited  by  th«  Rev.  G.  N.  Puett  aud  Johnson  Shwp,  calling  the 
mind  back  to  years  gone  by.  9.  Ordered  the  Secretary  to  publish  the  minutes  of  the 
meeting  in  the  Sun,  requesting  other  county  papers  to  copy.  Adjourned  to  meet  at  this 
place  on  the  26th  of  September,  1879.  Benediction  by  R.  M.  Parks.  The  following  roll 
of  honor  was  prepared  at  the  meeting  and  read: 

ROLL  OF  HONOR. 

James  Parks,  ninety-seven  years  of  age;  Francis  Parks,  eighty-seven;  Biddie  Cox,  sev 
enty-eight;  Susan  Wickens,  seventy-eight;  Elizabeth  Kirby,  eighty-two;  Elizabeth  Parks, 
seventy-eight;  Sarah  Coffey,  seventy-five;  Rebecca  Figi^,  seventy;  Martha  Corder,  seventy- 
four;  Rebecca  Munson,  seventy-three;  Mollie  Reynolds,  seventy;  Mania  Buskirk,  seventy- 
four;  Verlinda  Walden,  seventy-six;  Esther  Griffith,  sixty-eight;  Permelia  Hansford,  six- 
ty-eight; John  Roan,  seventy-six;  John  M.  Berry,  seventy-four;  W.  G.  Anderson,  eighty- 
one;  Robert  Delap,  seventy-five;  Jacob   Wood,  seventy  two;  Rev.   Eli   P.    Farmer,  eighty 

five;  James  Manis,  ;  Robert  Graham,  eighty-three;  Binona  Denny,  seventy-two;  John 

Stanger,  seventy-nine;  Joseph  Campbell,  eighty-three;  James  Hannah,  seventy-three;  John 
Matthews,  seventy-two;  Mary  Campbell,  seventy-four;  Elias  Able,  teventy-eight;  John 
FyfiFe,  seventy-seven;  John  Raper,  seventy-seven;  Anderson  Mills,  seventy-four;  David 
Byers,  seventy-two;  Abraham  Henry,  sixty-three;  Jacob  Holsaple,  seventy-four;  Hosia 
Kyle,  eighty-three;  Joseph  Wampler,  seventy-eight;  Ransom  Parks,  seventy-seven;  Hiram 
Coffey,  seventy-six;  Joseph  Baker,  sixty-eight;  Eld.  Lewis  Walden,  seventy-seven;  An- 
drew McCoy,  sixty-seven;  Jonathan  Kegley.  seventy-three;  William  Brown,  seventy-one; 
Jane  Moore,  eighty-two. 


400  HISTORY   OF   MONROE  COUNTY. 

The  above  honored  fathers  and  mothers  were  seated  upon  the  rostrum.  G.  K.  Perry 
and  G.  W.  Faulkner  assisted  the  Secretary  in  enrolling  the  names.  G.  B.  Moore,  J.  M. 
Harris,  Barton  Acuff,  S.  P.  Thompson,  J.  D.  Coffey,  A.  W.  Reeves  and  Johnson  Sharp, 
Committee.  G.  K.  Perry,  Marshal.  Ample  dinner  was  served  on  thegroundand  the  26th 
of  September  was  an  enjoyable  Jay  in  EUettsville.  The  best  of  order  prevailed.  With 
these  honored  veterans  on  the  rostrum,  the  vast  crowd  felt  like  children,  whose  duty  it  is 
to  honor  our  mothers  and  fathers.  David  Bters,  President. 

William  McNdtt,  Secretary. 

THE      COUNTY    LIBRARY. 

An  early  law  of  the  State  (the  one  which  brought  the  county  of  Monroe 
into  existence)  provided  that  ten  per  cent  of  the  proceeds  of  the  sale  of  town 
lots  should  be  used  to  found  and  maintain  a  county  library.  A  treasurer 
was  appointed  to  take  care  of  the  fund.  The  first  purchase  of  books  was 
made  in  1821,  when  $60  was  spent  for  a  few  dozen  standard  works.  They 
were  bought  of  B.  Ferguson,  whoever  he  may  have  been.  By  July, 
1830,  $2,428,14  had  been  paid  to  the  Library  Treasurer,  the  greater  por- 
tion of  which  had  been  used  in  purchasing  books,  so  at  that  period  the 
county  had  afine  library  of  about  800  volumes.  In  1830,^1,272.68  was  re- 
ceived from  the  Town  Agent  and  another  installment  of  books  was  ob- 
tained. 

In  September,  1830,  settlement  was  made  with  the  County  Agent  for 
the  library  fund  in  his  possession,  which  settlement  in  full  was  as  follows  : 

1.  Proceeds  of  the  sale  of  lots  June  22,  1818, 
one-fifth  in  hand,  balance  in  four  semi-an- 
nual installments $14,326  85 

2.  Of  this,  ten  per  cent  with  interest,  less  sun- 
dry expenses,  is  library  fund |l,94-5  53 

3.  Second  sale  of  lots,  November  3,  1818,  pay- 
able in  three  annual  installments 12,271  75 

4.  Of  this,  ten  percent  with  interest,  less  ex- 
pense, is  library  fund 1,923  22 

5.  First  sale  of  outlets  December  1,  1810,  one- 
fifth  in  hand,  balance  in  four  nine-months 
payments 1,219  62J 

6.  Of  this  ten  per  cent  with  interest,  less  ex- 
pense, is  library  funti 179  05 

7.  Second  sale  of  outlots  December  25,  1820, 

three  annual  installments 976  00 

8.  Of  this,  ten  per  cent  with  interest,  less  ex- 
pense, is  library  fund 139  73 

9.  Third  sale  of  outlots  December  17,  1821,  in 

five  annual  installments 815  00 

10.  Of  this,  ten  per  cent  with  interest,  less  ex- 
pense, is  lilirary  fund 104  35 

11.  Proceeds  of  sale'of  inlots  to  Rawlins,' Blair  & 

Brown 287  50 

12.  Of  this,  ten  per  cent  with  interest,  less  ex- 
pense, is  library  fund 35  44 

13.  Total  proceeds  of  the  sale  of  inlots  and  out- 
lots   29,899  72J 

14.  Total  library  fund 4,327  32 

15.  Amount  already  received  by  tne  library 2,428  14 

Twenty-five  per  cent  loss 357  00 

Loss  by  bad  debts 10  60 

Loss  by  relinquished  lots 258  90 

13,054  64 

16.  Balance  due  library  July  1,  1830 |1,272  68 


HISTORY   OF   MONROE   COUNTY.  401 

The  ten  percentage  from  the  sale  of  town  lots  proved  a  munificent 
fund  for  the  maintenance  of  the  library.  As  no  record  was  kept  of  the 
purchases,  the  additions  to  the  library  cannot  be  given.  As  volumes  wore 
out  by  use  or  otherwise,  they  were  replaced  from  the  constantly  accumu- 
lating fund.  This  old  library,  now  comprising  over  2,000  volumes  of 
standard  works,  is  yet  in  the  same  old  office  that  was  built  during  the 
twenties.  The  McClure  library,  founded  during  the  fifties,  was  another 
useful  mode  of  disseminating  knowledge  among  the  poorer  persons,  but 
the  cheap  books  and  newspapers  of  to-day  have  taken  the  place  of  the  old 
circulating  county  libraries. 

THE    COUNTY    SEMINARY. 

In  early  times,  it  should  be  remembered,  the  free  common  school 
system  of  to-day  was  unknown.  Scholars  then  paid  tuition  to  all  schools. 
As  the  weight  of  the  expense  fell  upon  families  less  able  to  sustain  it, 
the  system,  if  such  it  can  be  called,  was  not  favorable  to  the  education  of 
the  masses.  And  then  there  was  the  lack  of  higher  educational  facilities. 
All  this  led  to  the  creation  of  centers  of  learning  where  private  or  public 
enterprise  or  individual  donations  or  bequests  were  the  sustaining  or 
maintaining  power.  The  County  Seminary  was  designed  to  afford  each 
county  the  means  of  furnishing  a  higher  education  to  her  youth  within 
her  own  borders,  and  for  many  years  was  a  very  popular  institution. 
The  funds  were  obtained  from  fines,  forfeitures,  etc.  In  July,  1829,  the 
fund  in  Monroe  County  amounted  to  $443.89.  About  six  years  later,  the 
fund  amounted  to  nearly  $2,000.  At  that  time  the  old  brick  seminary 
building  was  built  and  school  in  it  was  begun.  In  1852,  when  the  new 
school  law  was  adopted,  the  seminary  was  ordered  sold,  and  was  bought  by 
the  Methodists,  but  soon  Sfterward  went  back  to  the  county  and  was  used 
for  school  purposes  until  purchased  by  Mr.  Leppert  a  few  years  ago.  It 
is  now  used  as  a  dwelling. 

THE    COUNTY    PRESS. 

It  is  conceded  that  Jesse  Brandon  published  the  first  newspaper  in 
Bloomington,  beginning  about  the  year  1826,  having  come  from  Corydon 
with  his  material,  at  which  place  he  had  formerly  been  State  printer.  It 
was  not  long  before  Jacob  B.  Lowe  became  his  associate.  The  paper  was 
called  the  Bloomington  Republican^  as  is  shown  by  the  County  Commis- 
sioners' records,  where  orders  appear  payable  to  Brandon  k  Lowe,  pub- 
lishers of  the  Bloomington  Republican  for  printing  done  the  county. 
The  name  of  the  paper  indicates  its  politics.  How  long  the  issue  was 
continued  cannot  be  stated,  but  not  longer  than  until  1829.  About  the 
1st  of  January,  1830,  W.  D.  McCullough  &  Co.  began  issuing  a  small 
sheet  called  the  Independent  Whig.  It  was  a  small  five-column  folio, 
was  furnished  for  $2  per  year,  and  its  motto  was  "Measures,  not  Men." 
The  sheet  became  defunct  in  1831.  On  the  loth  of  September,  1832, 
Jesse  Brandon  and  Marcus  L.  Deal  issued  the  first  number  of  the  Far 
West,  an  exponent  of  the  Whig  faith,  with  the  motto,  "  Willing  to  praise 
but  not  afraid  to  blame."  D.  R.  Eckles  was  the  publisher.  The  paper 
survived  about  two  years.  During  the  summer  of  1832,  Mr.  Deal  had 
begun  the  publication  of  a  semi-monthly  periodical  called  the  Literary 
Register,  an  issue  devoted  to  the  interests  of  the  Indiana  College ;  but 


402  HISTORY   OF   MONROE   COUNTY. 

when  the  Far  West  was  started  in  the  following  September,  as 
stated  above,  the  Register  was  abandoned.  About  the  1st  of  June, 
1835,  Marcus  L.  Deal  issued  the  first  number  of  the  Bloomington 
Post,  an  organ  of  the  Whig  party.  I.  H,  Brown  and  I.  N.  Morris 
were  associated  with  him  at  times.  This  paper  was  continued 
eight  or  ten  years,  selling  for  $2  a  year  in  advance,  or  ^3  at  the  end  of 
the  year.  In  October,  1838,  the  first  number  of  the  Ben  Franklin  made 
its  appearance,  with  Jesse  Brandon  at  the  helm.  The  politics  of  the  sheet 
was  "  First  choice,  Harrison ;  second  choice.  Van  Buren."  How  long  this 
paper  was  conducted  cannot  be  stated.  Mr.  Deal,  for  a  short  time,  pub- 
lished the  Budget  of  Fun,  date  unknown.  Late  in  the  forties,  C.  Davison 
published  the  Herald,  a  Whig  paper,  for  several  years,  and  during  a  por- 
tion of  the  same  time  J.  S.  Hester  conducted  another  of  opposite  politics. 
About  the  same  time,  also.  Elder  James  M.  Mathes  published  a  monthly 
periodical  called  the  Christian  Record  in  the  interests  of  the  Christian 
Church.  He  also  issued  a  weekly  newspaper  called  the  Independent  Tribune 
and  Monroe  Farmer,  C.  Gr.  Berry  and  Jesse  Brandon  were  connected 
with  this  paper.  The  brightest  paper  up  to  this  time  was  started  in  1852, 
by  James  Hughes,  and  was  called  the  Northwestern  Gazette.  It  was 
issued  about  a  year  and  a  half  In  1853,  G.  H.  Johnson  and  W.  N. 
Connelly  were  connected  with  it.  In  1853,  Eli  P.  Farmer  and  Jesse 
Brandon  published  the  Religious  Times,  afterward  called  the  Western 
Times.  In  1854,  J.  F.  Walker  and  L.  M.  Demotte  bought  the  Times 
office,  and  began  issuing  the  Bloomington  Times.  This  was  the  first 
organ  of  the  Republican  party  in  Monroe  County.  The  office  was  after- 
ward removed  by  Jesse  Brandon  to  Nashville,  Ind.  In  January,  1854, 
A.  B.  and  J.  C.  Carlton  started  the  Bloomington  News  Letter,  a  Demo- 
cratic paper,  the  editor  being  A.  B.  Carlton,  a  man  of  excellent  ability. 
His  political  animosities  were  too  severe  to  secure  public  favor  and  made 
him  many  enemies.  The  following,  taken  from  the  paper  and  appearing 
as  an  advertisement  for  a  boy  to  learn  the  printer's  trade,  shows  the  political 
asperity  of  the  sheet: 

Wanted  Immediately. — A  boy  of  sober  and  industrious  habits,  between  thirteen 
and  fifteen  years  of  age,  can  have  a  tirst-rate  opportunity  to  learn  the  Printing  business 
by  applying  at  this  ofiice  immediately.  He  must  be  a  pretty  good  reader  and  speller,  and 
able  to  read  manuscript.  He  will  not  be  permitted,  while  under  our  charge,  to  use  in  /my 
quantity,  as  a  beverage,  any  intoxicating  liquor.  He  must  be  apprenticed  for  at  least 
three  years — we  would  prefer  five.  Any  one  wishing  to  learn  the  business  will  be  taken 
on  a  trial  of  three  months. 

No  Know-Nothing  boy,  nor  one  who  has  Know-Nothing  parents,  need  apply,  as  we 
want  no  one  about  us  who  is  trained  or  sworn  to  lie,  or  who  is  taught  that  falsehood  is  a 
venial  ofi'ense.  J.  C.  Carlton,  Publisher  News  Letter. 

September  20. 

About  the  last  of  June,  1856,  the  office  of  the  News  Letter  was  sold  to 
Howard  Coe,  who  commenced  the  issue  of  a  seven-column  folio  news- 
paper called  the  Bloomington  Republican,  the  name  indicating  the  poli- 
tics, and  continued  the  sheet  until  the  25th  of  February,  1858,  when  the 
office  was  sold  to  Clement  Walker  and  W.  S.  Bush,  who  issued  the  paper 
under  the  same  name.  Late  in  January,  1859,  Mr.  Bush  severed  his  con- 
nection with  the  office,  leaving  Mr.  Walker  sole  owner  and  publisher. 
Later  in  the  same  year,  J.  F.  Walker  became  connected  with  the  paper, 
but  did  not  purchase  a  half  interest  until  1863.    It  is  said  that  this  paper, 


HISTORY   OF   MONROE  COUNTY.  403 

during  the  war  and  afterward,  attained  the  largest  circulation  of  any 
paper  ever  issued  in  Bloomington.  While  the  Republican  was  issued, 
three  attempts  were  made  to  found  successful  Democratic  papers  in  the 
county  seat.  During  the  winter  of  ISST-O"",  C.  T.  Nixon  issued  thirteen 
numbers  of  the  Bloomington  Advocate,  and  during  the  summer  of  1858 
John  B.  Borland  started  the  Bloomington  Presage,  continuing  it  about 
three  months.  It  was  "  a  paper  reflecting  the  true  principles  of  Democ- 
racy, and  which  is  uncontrolled  by  bolting  demagogues  or  county  politi- 
cians." Another  Democratic  paper  was  started  on  the  3d  of  October, 
1863,  by  C.  H.  Patterson,  and  was  continued  about  six  months  and  then 
abandoned. 

In  May,  1867,  William  A.  Gabe,  the  present  editor  and  proprietor  of 
the  Republican,  purchased  the  office,  changing  the  name  to  the  Blooming- 
ton Progress,  and  later  to  the  Republican  Progress.  In  about  1874,  the 
office  and  outfit  were  destroyed  by  fire,  but  were  replaced,  and  the  issue 
has  since  been  continued  without  interruption.  It  was  issued  first  as  a 
seven-column  folio,  but  later  was  changed  to  an  eight-column  folio.  It 
is  at  present  enjoying  a  fair  patronage  in  all  departments.  In  1868, 
Thomas  C.  Pursel  started  the  Bloomington  Democrat,  and  continued  the 
issue  until  the  entire  office  was  burned  in  1872,  but  within  a  few  weeks 
the  sheet  was  again  published.  Mr.  Pursel  for  a  time  published  the  In- 
diana Student,  a  small  periodical  devoted  to  the  interests  of  the  State 
University,  and  edited  by  a  corps  of  students.  In  August,  1875,  the 
Democrat  office  was  sold  to  0.  G.  Hunt  an»d  J.  V.  Cook,  who  commenced 
the  publication  of  the  Bloomington  Times,  a  Republican  organ.  A  few 
months  after  this  paper  was  started,  or  in  October,  1875,  H.  J.  Feltus 
commenced  the  issue  of  the  Bloomington  Courier,  a  Democratic  paper, 
which  he  has  issued  successfully  until  the  present.  The  publication  has 
a  fair  county  patronage.  In  April,  1877,  Walter  S.  Bradfute  and  a  young 
man  named  Arnott  began  issuing  a  small  publication  about  as  large  as  a 
sheet  of  letter  paper.  It  Avas  designed  to  chronicle  local  news  and  pleas- 
antry, and  seemed  to  strike  the  popular  fancy  from  the  start.  About  the 
1st  of  November,  1877,  Arnott  left,  and  since  that  time  to  the  present  Mr. 
Bradfute  has  continued  the  issue  alone.  The  paper  is  called  the  Bloom- 
ington TelepJwne.  The  first  increase  in  size  was  in  the  fall  of  1878,  the 
second  early  in  1880,  and  the  third  and  last  in  January,  1883.  In  is 
now  a  six  column  quarto,  and  is  in  prosperous  conditon.  James  Marlin 
conducted  a  Greenback  paper  called  the  True  Plan  during  the  campaign 
of  1878.  In  1880,  the  Bloomington  Hawkeye  was  published  for  a  few 
months.  Its  political  face  was  Democratic.  John  East  conducted  a 
small  campaign  sheet  in  1880  for  a  few  months. 

The  only  other  town  in  the  county  where  newspapers  have  been  issued 
is  Ellettsville.  In  1872  or  1873,  Howard  L.  Morris,  editor,  and  S.  B. 
Harris,  proprietor,  issued  the  first  number  of  the  Ellettsville  Republican, 
which  after  two  issues  passed  wholly  to  Mr.  Harris,  and  Mr.  Morris 
stepped  down  and  out.  At  the  end  of  two  issues,  Mr.  Harris  employed 
John  Walker  to  edit  the  sheet,  which  was  done  for  about  six  months, 
after  which  Mr.  Harris  assumed  the  editorial  robes  for  about  two  years. 
He  then  rented  the  office  to  Charles  McPhetridge,  but  before  the  end  of 
that  time  it  went  to  William  B.  Harris,  son  of  S.  B.     After  W.  B.  had 


404  HISTORY  OF  MONROE  COUNTY. 

continued  the  issue  some  time,  he  moved  the  office  to  Spencer,  but  after 
about  a  year  returned,  and  is  yet  the  editor  and  owner.  While  he  was 
away,  a  paper  called  the  Graphic  was  issued  a  short  time  by  a  Mr.  Hyatt. 
S.  E.  Harris  also  issued  the  JVetvs  for  a  short  time.  The  first  paper  was 
the  Republican,  the  second  the  Sun,  the  third  the  People,  the  fourth  the 
Graphic,  the  fifth  the  News,  and  the  sixth  and  present  one  the  Monroe 
County  Oitizen.  The  last  is  now  a  lively  little  sheet,  and  enjoys  a 
thriving  patronage. 

EARLY  JUSTICES  OF  THE  PEACE. 

James  Bigger,  1818  ;  William  Matlock,  1818  ;  William  Edmundson, 
1818  ;  John  Barnes,  1818  ;  William  Chambers,  1818  ;  Jonathan  Nichols, 
1818  ;  James  Wright,  1818 ;  John  Matlock,  1818 ;  James  Borland, 
1819;  William  Harden,  1819;  Joseph  Baugh,  1820;  Joshua  H.  Ludes, 
1820;  Daniel  Hawkins,  1821;  Elery  Woodward,  1821;  Samuel  Dodd, 
1821;  John  Swift,  1823;  James  Mitchell,  1823;  Isaac  Pauley,  1823; 
Samuel  Hartsock,  1823;  David  Kelough,  1823;  Elisha  Pollard,  1823; 
James  Crane,  1823 ;  Joseph  Reeves,  1823  ;  William  Harden,  1824 ; 
Michael  Buskirk,  1825 ;  John  Bowland,  1825 ;  Banner,  Brummett, 
1825 ;  William  Jones,  182  >  ;  Joseph  Baugh,  1825  :  Aquilla  Rogers, 
1825  ;  Elzy  Woodward,  1826 ;  James  Mitchell,  1827  ;  David  Kelough, 
1827  ;  Elisha  Pollard,  1827  ;  Benjamin  Chandler,  1827  ;  Jacob  Moser, 
1827  ;  David  Borrow,  1827  ;  James  Wright,  1827  ;  William  Hite,  1828  ; 
Alexander  Buchanan,  1828  ;  James  Crane,  1829;  Joseph  Reeves,  1829; 
G.  H.  Johnson,  1829 ;  Isaac  Buskirk,  1829 ;  Isaac  Gillaspie,  1829  ; 
David  Byers,  1829  ;  George  Parks,  1830  ;  Henry  Burkett,  1830  ;  Aquilla 
Rogers,  1830  ;  W.  B.  Mars,  1831 ;  James  Kippe,  1831  ;  Jesse  Renow, 
1881  ;  John  W.  Lee,  1832 ;  James  Snodgrass,  1832  ;  Jonathan  Rogers, 
1882;  David  Kelough,  1883;  David  Paddock,  1833;  David  Barrow, 
1833  ;  James  Brummett,  1833  ;  John  Davis,  1833  ;  Benjamin  Chandler, 
1833;  Samuel  Martsock,  1833;  John  C.  Marshall,  1833;  Jacob  Hud- 
sonpiller,  1833;  Ezekiel  Hendrickson,  1833;  Henry  Berkey,  1834;  D. 
G.  Weddel,  1834  ;  Alexander  Buchanan,  1834  ;  James  Crane,  1834  ; 
G.  H.  Johnson,  1834  ;  Joseph  Baugh,  1884  ;  Alexander  Johnson,  1835  ; 
Hugh  McClung,  1835;  Isaac  Buskirk,  1835;  Robert  Hicks,  1835; 
John  McPhetridge,  1835  ;  Emsley  Wood,  1835  ;  Joseph  Mitchell,  1835  ; 
F.  T.  Butler,  1836  ;  Andrew  Wampler,  1836 ;  John  M.  Berry,  1836  ; 
William  Hite,  1836 ;  Elmon  Walker,  1836 ;  William  S.  Wright,  1836  ; 
David  Byers,  1836 ;  Enos  Blair,  1836. 

COUNTY    COMMISSIONERS. 

Bartlett  Woodward,  1818  ;  Michael  Buskirk,  1818  ;  James  Parks, 
1818 ;  Elijah  Morgan,  1819,  vice  Parks  ;  William  Lowe,  1820,  vice  Bus- 
kirk ;  Henry,  Batterton,  1821 ;  Michael  Buskirk,  1821  ;  Elijah  Morgan, 
182:1  ;  Joshua  H.  Lucas,  1828  ;  Henry  Batterton,  1824,  vice  Lucas.  (In 
September,  1824,  the  Justices  of  the  Peace  of  the  county  were  empowered 
by  law  to  transact  the  business  previously  done  by  the  County  Commis- 
sioners. The  names  of  these  Justices  will  be  found  on  another  page.  In 
1831,  three  County  Commissioners  again  took  charge  of  county  busi- 
ness.) Joseph  Reeves,  1831 ;  Samuel  Patten,  1831 ;  William  Jackson, 
1831 ;  Isaac  W.  Young,  1832,  vice  Jackson ;  Elijah  Morgan,  1833,  vice 


HISTORY  OF  MONROE  COUNTY.  405 

Patten.  (In  1834,  county  business  again  passed  to  the  Board  of  Justices 
and  continued  thus  until  1839,  since  which  time  three  County  Commis' 
sioners  have,  without  interruption,  done  the  work.  In  1838  and  1839 
as  high  as  nineteen  Justices  of  the  Peace  assembled  to  do  the  work  which 
has  since  been  done  by  three  men.)  Gideon  Walker,  1839,  for  one  year 
George  Finley,  1839,  for  two  years ;  Benjamin  Rogers,  1839,  for  three 
years;  Isaac  Buskirk,  1840;  George  Finley,  1841;  Benjamin  Rogers 
1842;  Benjamin  Neeld,  1843;  Isaac  Buskirk,  1844;  George  Finley 
1845  ;  Benjamin  Neeld,  1846 ;  David  Barrow,  1847  ;  George  Finley 
1848  ;  John  Graham,  1849 ;  I.  S.  Buskirk,  1850  ;  Joseph  S.  Walker 
1851;  Henry  Eller,  1852;  David  Barrow,  1853;  Benjamin  Rogers, 
1854;  Henry  Eller,  1855;  David  Barrow,  1856;  James  Carmichael 
1857  ;  Reuben  Ward,  1858  ;  Thomas  Y.  Rader,  1859  ;  James  Carmi 
chael,  1860;  James  Small,  1861;  David  Barrow,  186i  ;  Thomas  Oli 
phant,  1863;  George  Eller,  1864;  David  Barrow,  1865;  Clelland  F 
Dodds,  1866;  James  Small,  1867;  T.  Y.  Rader,  1868;  Samuel  H 
Phillips,  1869;  George  Eller,  1870  ;  John  Hupp,  1871  ;  F.  M.  Oliphant 
1872  ;  John  Waldron,  1878  ;  W.  E.  Wood,  1874  :  R.  M.  Wylie,  1875 
George  Eller,  1876 ;  William  Peterson,  1877;  J.  D.  Handy,  1878 
John  Huntington,  1879 ;  W.  S.  Walker,  1880  ;  J.  D.  Handy,  1881 
William  B.  Baker,  1882  ;  D.  P.  Burton,  1883. 

AUDITORS. 

William  C.  Tarkington,  1841  ;  Robert  C.  Foster,  1855;  Milton  Mc- 
Phetridge,  1863;  Henry  F.  Perry,  1867  ;  James  F.  Manley,  1870  ;  R. 
A.  Fulk,  1878  ;    W.  M.  Alexander,  1882. 


William  Lowe,  1818  ;  Jacob  B.  Lowe,  1820 ;  David  Browning, 
1838;  W.  F.  Browning,  1844;  M.  McPhetridge,  1846;  David  Carson, 
1860;  David  Sheeks,  1862;  Robert  C.  Foster,  1866;  John  R.  East, 
1870  ;    William  F.  Browning,  1874  ;    D.  W.  Browning,  1882. 

RECORDERS. 

Chesley  Bailey,  1818 ;  James  H.  King,  1831 ;  David  Browning, 
1839;  Samuel  H.  Buskirk,  1844;  Robert  Acuff,  1845;  James  M. 
Beatley,  1860  ;  William  H.  Jones,  1867  ;  Drury  Rogers,  1870  ;  Thomas 
Howard,  1874;  Oliver  McLellan,  1876;  Robert  Gilmore,  1878;  W. 
N.  Hall,  1880. 

SHERIFFS. 

John  W.  Lee,  1818  ;  Jesse  Wright,  1819  ;  Enos  Blair,  1822  ;  James 
Alexander,  1830 ;  Elias  Blair,  1834 ;  John  M.  Sluss.  1838 ;  John  El- 
ler, 1842  ;  William  F.  Browning,  1846 ;  James  Kelley,  1850  ;  P.  L.  D. 
Mitchell,  1854  ;  Andrew  W.  Reeves,  1858  ;  Aquilla  W.  Rogers,  1862  ; 
Lawson  E.  McKenney,  1866  ;  Richard  A.  Fulk,  1870  ;  L.  E.  McKen- 
ney,  1872;   W.  M.  Alexander,  1876;    Silas  Grimes,  1880. 

TREASURERS. 

Roderick  Rawlins,  1818  ;  James  Borland,  1820  ;  William  Alexan- 
der, 1826  ;  Stephen  P.  Seall,  1840  ;  Elias   Abel,  1841;   Charles  Abel, 


406  HISTORY  OF  MONROE  COUNTY. 

1853;  Samuel  Gentry,  1855  ;  P.  L.  D.  Mitchell,  1858  ;  Johnson  Mc- 
Collough,  1860;  P.  L.  D.  Mitchell,  1862 ;  David  B.  Buskirk,  1866  ;  J. 
M.  Rogers,  1870  ;  John  A.  Reeves,  1874 ;  L.  E.  McKenney,  1878  ; 
Isaac  Claman,  1882. 

CORONERS. 

PurnalChane,  1818;  William  Jackson,  1822;  James  Slocum,  1827; 
Richard  Hardesty,  1828;  John  M.  Sluss,  1832;  John  Hardesty,  1834; 
John  Deaman,  1836  ;  James  Slocum,  1838  ;  Samuel  Kirk,  1844;  Y.  B. 
Pullen,  1850;  James  McBride,  1852;  John  S.  Moore,  1854;  Alexander 
McClelland,  1856  ;  Elbert  Johnson,  1858 ;  J.  R.  Sluss,  1859;  J.  W. 
Pullen,  1862;  John  C.  Hook,  1863;  Wilson  Adams,  1865;  W.  A.  Legg, 
1867  ;  W.  H.  Slerum,  1868  ;  W.  L.  Adams,  1870  ;  G.  P.  Hines,  1872; 
A.  J.  Axtell,  1876;  James  Dodd,  1878;  C.  D.  McLahlen,  1880;  J.  H. 
Gaston,  1882. 

SURVEYORS. 

Jonathan  Nichols,  1818;  William  D.  McCulloch,  1820;  James 
Borland,  1826;  *  *  *  Henry  Farmer,  1846  ;  James  Woodburn, 
1849;  J.  W.  Spencer,  1852  ;  John  J.  Poynter,  1854;  J.  W.  Spencer, 
1855;  I.  S.  Buskirk,  1859  ;  J.  W.  Spencer,  1863  ;  W.  A.  Alexander, 
1864;  E.  P.  Cole,  1867  ;  A.  C.  Spencer,  1870;  Henry  Henley,  ]872; 
M.  H.  Buskirk,  1876;  G.  W.  Varroy,  1878  ;  M.  H.  Buskirk,  1880. 

SEMINARY    TRUSTEES. 

William  Lowe,  1818  :  William  Jackson,  1819  ;  J.  Gregory,  1820  ; 
William  Newcombe,  1820;  Samuel  Irvin,  1821;  Samuel  W.  Moore,  1823; 
William  Lowe,  1824;  P.  M.  Doty,  1829;  F.  T.  Butler,  1830;  Benja- 
min Rogers,  1831.     *     *     * 

PROBATE    JUDGES. 

William  D.  McCulloch,  1829  ;  Aquilla  Rogers,  1833 ;  Stephen  P. 
Sealls,  1838  ;  Henry  Eller,  1840  ;  William  Edrnundson,  1840  ;  Aquilla 
Rogers,  1841 ;  Jacob  B.  Lowe,  1847  ;  F.  T.  Butler,  1847.  (Rogers  en- 
listed in  the  Mexican  war,  and  Lowe  was  appointed  in  his  stead,  but  for 
some  reason  did  not  qualify,  whereupon  Butler  was  appointed.)  In 
1852-53,  the  jurisdiction  of  probate  matters  was  transferred  to  the  Common 
Pleas  Court,  and  the  office  of  Probate  Judge  was  abolished. 

CIRCUIT    COURT    JUDGES. 

Thomas  H.Blake,  1818;  Gen.  Washington  Johnson,  1819;  Jonathan 
Doty,  1819;  W.  W.  Wick,  1822;  John  F.  Ross,  1824;  Bethuel  F. 
Morris,  1825;  John  Law,  1830;  Gen.  W.  Johnson,  1830;  Amory 
Kenney,  1832;  Elisha  M.  Huntington,  1837;  David  McDonald, 
1839;  James  Hughes,  1852;  A.  B.  Carlton.  1856;  James  M.  Hanna, 
1856  ;  Solomon  Claypool,  1858  ;    D.  R.  Eckles,  1865. 

ASSOCIATE  JUDGES. 

Joseph  Berry,  1818;  Lewis  Noel,  1818;  John  Sedwick,  1821; 
William  Matlock,  1823  ;  Michael  Buskirk,  1825;  William  Edmundson, 
1825  ;  Abram  Buskirk,  1832  ;  Stephen  Sealls,  1832  ;  Joseph  Reeves, 
1839;  John  M.  Berry,  1839;   Coonrod  Koons,  1846. 


HISTORY  OF  MONROE  COUNTY.  407 

PROSECUTING    ATTORNEYS. 

George  C.  Sullivan,  1818;  John  Law,  1818;  Addison  C.  Smith, 
1819 ;  John  F.  Ross,  1820  ;  W.  W.  Wick,  1825 ;  Calvin  Fletcher, 
1825  ;  John  Kingsbury,  1826  ;  James  Whitcomb,  1827  ;  E.  M.  Hunt- 
ington,   1829;    John    H.    Dowden,  1832;    Paris   C.    Dunning,    1833; 

McJunkin,  1833;  David  McDonald,  1835;  D.  R.  Eckles,  1838; 

John  S.  Watts,  1839  ;  W.  G.  Quick,  1843;  C.  P.  Hester,  1844;  John 
S.  Watts,  1849;  James  S.  Hester,  1850;  Samuel  H.  Buskirk,  1851; 
William  M.  Franklin,  1852  ;  William  E.  McLean,  1853;  A.  B.  Carlton, 
1853;  G.  A.  Buskirk,  1854;  A.  B.  Carlton,  1854;  Theodore  Reed, 
1855;  Francis  L.  Neff,  1855;  Martin  A.  Osborn,  1857;  Isaac  N. 
Pierce,  1858  :  Willis  G.  NefF,  1861  ;  Michael  A.  Malott,  1865  ;  Jacob 
A.  Broadwell,  1866  ;  John  C.  Robinson,  1868, 

SCHOOL    EXAMINERS    AND    SUPERINTENDENTS. 

Milton  McPhetridge  was  School  Commissioner  during  the  thirties  and 
forties.  Robert  A.  Milligan,  James  Woodburn  and  John  J.  Poynter, 
Examiners,  1853  ;  James  Woodburn,  Ranson  W.  Akin  and  Benjamin 
Wolfe,  1855  ;  James  Woodburn,  M.  M.  Campbell  and  Theophilus  A. 
Wylie,  1856  ;  James  Woodburn,  T.  A.  Wylie  and  Elisha  Ballentine, 
1857 ;  E.  P.  Cole,  D.  J.  Shaw  and  W.  C.  Foster,  1859  ;  E.  P.  Cole, 
1859-63;  D.  E.  Hunter,  1863;  James  H.  Rogers,  18"65;  T.  M. 
Hopkins,  1867  ;  Edward  Wright,  1869  ;  James  H.  Rogers,  1871 ;  M. 
M.  Campbell,  1872;  G.  W.  Rumage,  1877;  John  W.  McGee,  1879. 

In  1849,  Monroe  County  voted  on  the  question  of  having  free  public 
schools,  with  the  following  result : 

FOR  FREE  AGAINST    FREE 

TOWNSHIPS. 

SCHOOLS.  SCHOOLS. 

Bean  Blossom 59  112 

Benton 44  41 

Bloomington 128  307 

Clear  Creek 76  85 

Indian  Creek 40  101 

Marion 16  35 

Richland 59  128 

Perry 127  20 

Salt  Creek 89  60 

Van  Buren 43  113 

Washington 36  38 

667  1,040 

Excess  Against 373 

The  total  receipts  and  expenditures  of  the  county  from  its  organization 
up  to  February  8,  1819,  were  as  follows: 

RECEIPTS. 

June — .     From  Benjamin  Parks,  County  Agent $810  50 

July    7.     From  Benjamin  Parks,  County  Agent 1,315  06 

September  5.    From  Benjamin  Parks,  County  Agent 820  90 

November  3.     From  William  Anderson 190  00 

November  10.     From  Benjamin  Parks,  County  Agent 5  00 

November  10.     From  Benjamin  Parks,  County  Agent 84  10 

December].     From  William  Anderson 38  85 

December  19.     From  J.  W.  Lee 264  47 

December  29.     From  Benjamin  Parks,  County  Agent 226  77 

April  4.     From  John  Grier,  merchandise   license 7  50 

June  6.     From  William  Hardin,  merchandise  license 12  00 


408  HISTORY  OF  MONROE  COUNTY. 

December  7.    From   John  Hayworth,  merchandise  license 20  00 

January  2,  1819.     From  Edmund  Phillips 7  50 

February  7.     From  Benjamin  Parks 244  07 

Februarys.     From  Edmund  R.  Moss,  store  license 7  50 

Total  receipts $4,054  21 

EXPENSES. 

Paid  Robertson  Graham,  on  order $  900  00 

Paid  Jonathan  and  David  Rogers 1,058  60 

Paid  Aquilla  Rogers 13  00 

Paid  John  AVhisenand,  for  whisky „.  10  10 

PaidChesley  Bailey 10  00 

Paid  J.  W   Lee 7  00 

Paid  J.  W.  Lee 18  00 

PaidDavid   Fouts 33  00 

Paid  Jonathan  Nichols 62  40 

Paid  Hon.  Lewis  Noell ,. 10  00 

Paid  Benjamin  Parks 91  26 

Paid  John  Scotf 2  50 

Paid  George  Anderson 5  00 

Paid  James  Parks 16  00 

Paid  James  Smith 2  00 

Paid  AVilliam  Lowe 40  00 

Paid  Bartlett  Woodward 14  00 

Paid  Joseph  Baugo 1  50 

Paid  George  Sharp 3  00 

Paid  Michael  Buskirk 20  00 

Paid  Addison  Smith 2  00 

Paid  David  Rogers 5  00 

Paid  Jonathan  Nichols 3  50 

Paid  John  Nusser 5  00 

Paid  Joel  Woodward 15  00 

Paid  Bartlett  Woodward 16  00 

Paid  Cbesley  Bailey 7  02 

Paid  Coleman  Puetl 3  00 

Paid  Lewis  Noell 4  00 

\              Paid  Thomas  Graham 2  00 

Paid  Roderick  Rawlins 100  00 

Paid  Benjamin  Parks 80  00 

Paid  John  Penick 30  00 

Paid  David  Rogers 1  00 

Paid  Roderick  Rawlins 2  00 

Paid  J.  W.  Lee,  Tax  Collector 15  90 

Paid  J.  W.  Lee,  extra  services 32  50 

Paid  Edward  Armstrong  1  50 

Paid  John  Barnes 5  00 

Paid  J.  W.  Lee 1  98 

Paid  .Jesse  Wright 18  12 

Paid  William    Lowe 85  00 

Paid  Elijah  Morgan 4  00 

Paid  Benjamin  Parks 24  67 

Paid  John  Treat 1  50 

Paid  Abner  Blair 1  50 

Paid  James  Storm 5  00 

Paid  Jonathan  Rains 5  00 

Paid  Julius   Diigger 1  50 

Paid  James  Parks 14  00 

Paid  M.   Buskirk 14  00 

Paid  Patrick  S.  Booth 13  00 

Paid  James  Bigger 32  00 

Paid  Samuel  Burcham 30  00 

Paid  M.  Stout,  of  Vincennes 3  00 

Paid  Samuel  Elliott 43  42 

Paid  Lewis  Noell,  salecrier 10  00 


HISTORY  OF  MONROE  COUNTY.  40^ 

Paid  John  Whisenand,  for  whisky |23  40 

Paid  Robertson  Graham,  chain  carrier 18  60 

Paid  William  Hardin 1  30 

Paid  Joseph  Gilbert 1  50 

Paid  Benjamin  Parks,  for  Indiana  Herald 3  50 

Paid  James  Parks,  clerk  of  sale 6  00 

Paid  Jonathan  Rogers,  selling  whisky 1  00 

Paid  Samuel  Elliott 43  42 

Paid  T.  B.  Clark 1  50 

Paid  Roderick  Rawlins,  on  jail 500  00 

Paid  Roderick  Rawlins 100  00 

Paid  James  Parks 9  42 

Paid  Daniel  Stout 3  00 

Paid  Michiiel  Buskirk 6  68 

Total  expenses $3,685  10 

Treasurer's  percentage 184  86 

Total 13,869  96 

Balance  on  hand 184  25 

Roderick  Rawlins,  Treasurer. 

For  the  calendar  year  1821,  the  total  receipts  of  the  county,  exclusive 
of  course  of  the  proceeds  of  the  sale  of  town  lots,  were  $795.24,  and  the 
total  expenses  $792.80.  This  does  not  include  delinquent  taxes  nor  out- 
standing orders.  In  1827,  the  receipts,  with  the  above  exception,  were 
$829.57,  and  the  expenditures  were  $858.37.  There  had  been  on  hand 
at  the  beginning  of  the  year  a  balance  of  $190.99,  so  that  at  the  end  of 
the  year  there  was  in  the  treasury  $162.19.  These  figures  must  be  re- 
garded only  as  approximately  correct.  The  old  records  are  too  ambig- 
uous for  exact  statements.  In  1836,  the  receipts,  with  the  exception 
mentioned,  were  $1,306.40,  exclusive  of  $303.38  which  remained  from 
the  previous  year.  The  expenses  were  $955.28,  leaving  a  balance  in  the 
treasury  of  $351.12.  In  1839-40,  the  receipts  were  $2,226.74,  and  the 
expenses  $2,450.37.  In  1842-13,  the  county  revenue  was  $3,228.75,  and 
the  total  receipts  $3,411.46.  The  paupers  cost  $582  ;  the  county  ofiicers 
cost  $844.70;  outstanding  orders  redeemed,  $103.42;  total  expenses, 
$3,411.46;  orders  outstanding  and  unredeemed,  $1,462.44.  In  1846- 
47  the  receipts  of  county  revenue  were  $2,540.33  ;  County  Seminary, 
$41.88  ;  on  hand  at  the  beginning  of  the  year,  $1,647.33  ;  total  receipts, 
$5,837.63.  The  expense  on  the  poor-farm  was  $625 ;  the  paupers, 
$268.13;  total  expenses,  $3,955.30.  Owing  to  certain  outstanding  orders, 
the  amount  remaining  in  the  treasury  was  $2,175.02.  In  1852-53,  there 
was  on  hand  at  the  beginning  of  the  year  $422.84 ;  county  revenue  re- 
ceipts, $3,677.98  ;  school  tax,  $1,919.11 ;  Seminary  fund,  $54.15  ;  total 
receipts,  $8,625.55.  The  poor-farm  expenses  were  $262.40  ;  the  paupers 
$456.04  ;  the  county  officers,  $1,048.56  ;  total  expenses,  $6,446.44  ;  on 
hand,  $2,179.11.  In  1856-57,  the  county  revenue  receipts  were  $9,118.- 
11 ;  and  there  was  on  hand  at  the  beginning  of  the  year  $3,047.93  ; 
total  receipts,  $30,956.39.  The  common  school  fund  expended  was 
$4,148.46;  poor-farm  cost  $439.19 ;  the  paupers  cost  $899.83;  county 
officers  cost  $1,425.51  ;  total  expenses,  $26,380.73 ;  old  outstanding 
orders,  $2,746.73;  total  orders  to  be  redeemed,  $29,127.46;  total 
orders  redeemed  during  the  year,  $16,382.04.  In  1860-61,  there 
was    on  hand   at   the    beginning    of    the  year  $1,589.06;    county  rev- 


410  HISTORY    OF    MONROE  COUNTY. 

enue  receipts,  $9,124.02 ;  total  receipts,  $17,154.80.  Of  the  ex- 
penses the  military  cost  $227.55;  the  paupers,  $1,641.51;  the  poor- 
farm,  $103.04;  the  county  officers,  $1,877.40  ;  total  expenses,  $15,612.- 
42  ;  old  outstanding  orders,  $6,756.22 ;  total  to  be  redeemed,  $22,368.- 
64  ;  orders  redeemed  during  the  year,  $15,062.14  ;  outstanding  orders  in 
June,  1861,  $7,306.50 ;  balance  in  the  treasury,  $2,092.66.  In  1864-65, 
there  was  on  hand  at  the  beginning  of  the  year,  $4,058.91 ;  county  rev- 
enue receipts,  $26,757.07  ;  school  tax,  $5,238,98 ;  total  receipts  were 
$39,766.18.  The  poor  cost  $5,693.10  ;  the  county  officers  cost  $3,023.01  ; 
county  orders  paid  out  for  military  bounty,  $81,000  ;  total  orders  issued 
were  $106,054.84 ;  old  outstanding  orders,  $21,96'^.82;  total  orders  to 
be  redeemed,  $128,021.66  ;  orders  redeemed  during  the  year,  $35,006.64  ; 
on  hand  at  the  end  of  the  year,  cash,  $4,759.56 ;  total  county  debt, 
$88,255.46.  In  1868-69,  the  county  revenue  amounted  to  $37,582.49  ; 
special  school  fund,  $7,575.33 ;  total  receipts,  $55,617.18.  The  County 
Asylum  cost  $3,788.97;  county  officers,  $3,855.83;  orders  outstanding 
at  the  beginning  of  the  year,  $26,237.13;  orders  issued  during  the  year, 
$41,671.91;  total  orders  to  be  redeemed,  $67,908.01;  outstanding 
orders  at  the  end  of  the  year,  $12,290.86;  cash  in  treasury,  $2,114.95  ; 
county  debt,  $10,185.91.  In  1872-73,  the  county  fund  was  $22,052  ; 
special  school  fund,  $13,199.30  ;  total  receipts,  $45,228.60.  The  paupers 
and  poor-farm  cost  $3,290.75  ;  the  courts,  $3,107.10  ;  the  county  officers, 
$7,222.80;  the  total  expense  was  $49,207  ;  outstanding  orders  paid,  $13,- 
46i.l0;  in  the  treasury,  $7,615.51;  outstanding  orders,  June,  1873, 
$17,606.84.  In  1875-76,  the  county  fund  was  $35,251.45  ;  special  school 
fund,  $14,390.95;  total  receipts,  $65,506.10;  on  hand  at  the  beginning 
of  the  year,  $2,717.41.  The  paupers  and  poor  asylum  cost  $3,467.10  ; 
the  courts,  $6,354.10;  county  officers,  $8,089.55;  total  expense,  $64,- 
123.80  ;  outstanding  orders,  $14,060.59 ;  in  treasury  at  the  end  of  the 
year,  $2,162.76;  outstanding  orders  June,  1876,  $12,123.24;  county 
debt  June,  1876,  $9,969.48.  In  1879-80,  the  county  revenue  was  $34,- 
789.29;  the  special  school  fund,  $4,902.77  ;  total  receipts,  $82,053.61. 
The  poor  cost  $5,270.96  :  the  county  officers,  $6,281.90  ;  total  expense, 
$69,798.67  ;  receipt  balance,  $12,254.94.  In  1882-83,  the  finances  were 
as  follows :  Balance  on  hand,  $23,617.81 ;  receipts  during  the  year, 
$58,087.21;  total  receipts,  $81,705.02;  orders  redeemed,  $67,099.82  ; 
county  officers  cost  $6,138.16 ;  paupers,  $4,190.86;  poor-farm,  $1,640. - 
45  ;  total  expenses,  $56,453.06;  outstanding  orders  at  the  beginning  of 
the  year,  $41,682.61;  grand  total  expense,  $98,135.70;  outstanding 
orders  June,  1883,  $31,035.88  ;  warrants  redeemed,  $67,099.82  ;  county 
debt,  $16,430.68  ;  balance  in  the  treasury,  $14,605.20.  In  September, 
1883,  county  bonds  to  the  amount  of  $50,000  were  issued  and  sold  to  aid 
in  building  the  new  university  building.  Each  bond  was  of  the  denom- 
ination of  $500,  bore  six  per  cent  interest,  and  was  redeemable  within 
ten  years. 


HISTORY  OF  MONROE  COUNTY. 


411 


The  following  exhibit  of  the  county  was  prepared  by  the  Auditor  in 
1836: 


TOWNSHIPS.* 

POLLS. 

Acres  of 

Cultivated 

Land. 

Value  of 
Land. 

Value  of 
Lots. 

Value  of 
Personal 
Property. 

TOTAL. 

Richland 

181 
55 

128 

123 
76 

175 
85 
60 
66 

303 

20,435 

$162,905 

$44,579 

$207,484 

Perry         

4,205 

10,201 

.    5,517 

13,184 

2,027 

1,064 

1,050 

14,797 

49,247 

88,217 

47,134 

149,166 

7,975 

9,600 

8,400 

176,739 

44,566 
30,572 

9,319 
44,514 
28,868 

5,023 

11,267 

141,668 

93,813 

118,789 

Clear  Creek 

56,453 

Indian  Creek 

193,680 

Salt  Creek 

36,848 



14,623 

::::::::::::::: 

19,667 

1103,329 

421,780 

Totals 

1,252 

72,480 

$699,383 

$103,329 

$360,376 

$1,163,088 

*  The  townships  given  not  only  included  all  of  the  present  Monroe  County,  but  also  a  strip  three 
ihiles  wide  on  the  western  side  of  Brown  County,  and  considerable  more  of  the  latter  county  which  waa 
yet  attached  to  Monroe.    The  statistics  of  Jackson  Township  cannot  be  given. 


RECAPITULATION  OF  TAXES  FOR  THE  FISCAL  YEAR  ENDING  JUNE,  1883. 


TOWNSHIPS. 

Value   of 
Lands. 

Value  of  Value   of 
Im-     Land  and 
prove-  1  Improve- 
ments. 1  ments. 

Value  Of 
Lots. 

Value  of 

Im- 
prove- 
ments. 

Value  of 
lots  and 
Im- 
prove- 
ments. 

Value    of 
Personal 
Property. 

Total 
Value   oflPolls. 
Taxables.  1 

1 

8260,045 
105,955 
50,535 
72.1.55 
271,620 
18,898 
.344,825 
2,635 
256,220 
427,068 
75,430 
71,055 
253,635 
181,470 

837,845      8297,890 
34,760        140,715 
12,765!          63,.300 
17,845          90,000 
65,020        336,640 
7,750          26,648 
79  350         424  175 

$1,540 
155 

85,305 
555 

86,845 
710 

8142,878 
68,790 
40,248 
59,470 
157,060 
750,060 
153,535 
74,330 
176,530 
251,805 
53,825 
50,050 
181,595 
121,155 

8447,613 
210,215 
103,548 
151,025 
493,700 

1,453,948 
577,710 
131,395 
498,000 
837,703 
149,490 
134,900 

236 

167 

76 

340 

1,215 

1,555 

143 

155 

CityofBloomington 
Kichland 

227,230 

450,010 

677,240 

467 
160 

TownofEUettsville. 

9,945 
61,165 
85,175 
20,235 
13,795 
45  495 

12,580 
317,385 
512,243 
95,665 
84,850 
9qqisn 

9,965 

845 

50,860 

34,520 
3,240 
22,795 

44,485 
4,085 
73,655 

120 
173 

Perry 

156 

Salt  Creek 

139 

145 

Clear  Creek 

4,275 

24,520 

28,795 

230 

Indian  Creek 

43;i65!        224;635 

161 



Totals 

$2,391,546 

S534  310   S2  925  8.56 

$295,210 

8542,160 

8837,370 

82,281,331 

86,044,557 

2,530 

' 

TOWNSHIPS. 


STATE 
HOUSE 
TAX. 


STATE 

SCHOOL" 

TAX. 


Bean  Blossom $654  58 

Washington 336  06 

Marion 161  91 

Benton 252  75 

Blobmington 672  64 

City  of  Bloomington 1,980  28 

Richland 773  15 

Town  of  EUettsville j  219  07 

Van  Buren !  685  40 

Perry v 1.083  65 

Salt  Creek 1  249  28 

Polk 2.34  85 

Clear  Creek 726  56 

Indian  Creek I  495  75 

Totals $8,525  93 


$89  42 
42  04 
20  71 
20  20 
99  19 
291  14 
115  53 

26  27 
99  80 

167  59 
29  94 

27  00 
101  90 

69  15 


8833  43 
420  24 
203  28 
313  14 
870  77 
256  68 

1,004  20 
271  73 
885  00 

1,418  82 
309  18 

930  48 
634  16 


;,471  36 
,219  27 
592  19 

;,636  85 
,745  69 
,048  00 
780  37 
;,668  75 
,,346  00 
888  25 
821  50 
1,778  25 
,891  25 


$10,945  96   832,785  85 


206  70 
226  53 
496  35 


135  40 
509  62 
519  03 


151  02 
742  05 


67  57 
254  81 
345  89 


83,294  40 


412 


HISTORY  OF  MONROE  COUNTY. 


TOWNSHIPS. 


SPECIAL 

SCHOOL 

TAX. 


UNIVER- 
SITY 
TAX. 


TOTAL  TAX. 


Bean  Blossom 

Washington 

Marion 

Benton 

Bloomington 

City  of  Bloomington.. 

Bichland 

Town  of  Ellettsville. 

Van  Buren 

Perry 

Salt  Creek 

Polk 

Clear  Greek 

Indian  Creek 


81,341  44 
736  28 


$1,123  70 

315  90 

365  45 

152  70 

1,235  75 


1,158  70 


419  00 
449  65 
405  70 
1,274  10 
519  03 


747  20 
840  95 
225  10 
272  35 
766  10 


S217 
157 

66 
146 
161 
104 
123 

32 
139 
159 
101 
153 
155 
114 


87,424  72 
3,237  30 
1,879  1H 
2,480  06 
7,435  73 

12,756  58 
8,561  98 
1,336  00 
5,750  42 
8,314  91 
2,559  38 
2,412  97 
7,522  30 
5,299  16 


Totals 87,318  52 


50   8302  52   81,827 


877,971  24 


The   followiDg  table  shows  the  condition  of  the  school  lands  (six- 
teenth sections)  of  Monroe  County  in  1846:  


CONGRESSIONAL  TOWNSHIPS. 


ACBES  SOLD. 


Town  10,  Range  2  west 
Town  9,  Range  2  west.. 
Town  8,  Range  2  west.. 
Town  7,  Range  1  west.. 
Town  9,  Range  1  west.. 
Town  7,  Range  2  west.. 
Town  10,  Range  1  west 
Town  9,  Range  1  east.. 
Town  8,  Range  1  east.. 
Town  8,  Range  1  west* 
Town  10,  Range  1  east. 
Town  7,  Range  1  east.., 


638.75 
640 
640 
640 
640 
640 
400 
220 
220 
9,525 
640 
640 


$1,480  00 

1,302  80 

1,205  20 

1,182  20 

1,480  00 

1,082  40 

732  00 

333  40 

605  00 

15,583  99 

No  sale  crdered 

No  sale  ordered 


406  00 
302  80 
804  40 
915  8a 
R80  00 
887  40 
220  80 
216  40 
126  25 
007  76 


*  This  entire  township  (now  Perry)  was,  by  Legislative  enactment  in  1820,  devoted  to  the  founda- 
tion and  maintenance  of  a  State  Seminary,  which,  in  1828,  became  the  Indiana  College,  and  in  1838  the 
State  University,  as  it  is  at  present. 

The  following  table  shows  the  enumeration,  enrollment,  and  the  num- 
ber of  pupils  instructed  in  the  various  branches  during  the  year  1881,  by 
townships  : 


TOWNSHIPS. 


Washington... 

Marion 

Benton 

Bloomington... 

Richmond , 

Van  Buren 

Perry 

Salt  Creek 

Polk 

Clear  Creek  .... 
Indian  Creek., 

Totals 


260  ;  260 


160     160 
292  !  292 


326  I  326  326  t  326 

260  260  :  260  !  260 

353  :  353  353  1  353 

480  '  480  480  '  480 


40 

48  '  68 

59  I  58 
52  :  72 
44  '  59 

60  I  78 
90  I  108 
57  83 


82  I 
55  I 


70     107 
69  I     90 


4368   3766     602 


HISTORY  OF  MONROE  COUNTY. 
ENUMERATION    OF    TOWNSHIPS    BY    DISTRICTS,  1882. 


413 


NUMBER  OF  DISTRICT. 

1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

7 

8 

9 

10 

49 
50 
63 
33 
41 
38 
38 
83 
51 
58 
63 
53 

26 
57 
36 
32 
25 
49 
46 
59 
37 
54 
43 
32 

52 
35 
53 
47 
38 
21 
54 
52 
26 
66 
50 
36 

36 
60 
24 
51 
22 
22 
68 
39 
58 
56 
164 
53 

17 
30 

40 

57 

67 
36 

46 
59 

37 

37 

Benton     

56 
24 
60 
54 
58 
38 
73 
46 
48 

48 
22 
49 
50 
47 
42 
44 
30 
60 

40 
30 
58 
56 
53 
53 
43 
30 
31 

43 
36 
20 

Blooinington  

Richland  

Van  Buren        

Perry 

Salt  Creek 

52 

Polk 

30 
25 
27 

29 
40 

' 

MILITARY  HISTORY  OF  MONROE  COUNTY. 


THE    COUNTY    MILITIA. 

MONROE  COUNTY  was  no  sooner  organized  than  it  was  consti- 
tuted the  district  for  the  organization  of  the  Twentieth  Regiment 
of  Indiana  Militia,  and  John  Storm  was  commissioned  Co'onel,  with 
orders  to  superintend  the  enrollment  of  able-bodied  men  and  the  forma- 
tion of  companies.  This  was  in  1819,  soon  after  the  war  of  1812-15, 
when  the  recollection  of  danger  from  savages  was  fresh  in  the  mind,  and 
when  the  apprehension  of  danger  from  the  same  source  was  still  a  matter 
of  daily  concern,  as  the  natives  were  yet  a  few  miles  north  in  the  New 
Purchase.  The  old  habits  of  watchfulness  on  the  frontier  could  not  so 
soon  be  abandoned,  and,  accordingly  for  several  years,  the  militia  waa 
mustered  often  and  kept  in  readiness  for  any  outbreak  from  the  Indians. 
After  the  removal  of  the  Indians,  the  muster  was  still  continued  for  sev- 
eral years,  though  with  steadily  lessening  interest  or  concern,  and  at  last, 
late  in  the  twenties,  became  little  better  than  a  farce.  In  truth, 
the  system  which  had  been  so  efficient  during  the  Indian  wars,  now 
that  danger  from  that  or  any  other  source  was  past,  degenerated 
into  a  holiday,  where  dram-drinking,  horse-racing  and  athletic  sports 
claimed  the  sole  attention  of  the  boisterous  crowds.  In  1822,  John 
Ketchum  succeeded  John  Storm  as  Colonel  of  the  Twentieth  Regiment  of 
State  Militia,  but  after  that  the  regimental  officers  cannot  be  named. 
William  Lowe  was  Brigidier  General  of  the  Monroe  County  Battalion  for 
a  time.  The  only  circumstance  that  roused  the  militia  was  the  war  with 
Mexico  in  1846-47. 

THE  MEXICAN  WAR. 

Monroe  County  furnished  two  full  companies  for  the  Mexican  war. 
Soon  after  the  call  for  volunteers  in  May,  1846,  the  militia  of  the  county 
met  at  Bloomington  for  regimental  or  battalion  muster.  The  excitement 
over  the  war  was  great,  a  call  was   made,  and  a  full  company  was  raised 


414  HISTORY  OF  MONROE  COUNTY. 

and  ready  by  the  1st  of  June.  The  officers  were  :  John  M.  Sluss,  Cap- 
tain ;  John  EUer,  First  Lieutenant ;  Aquilla  Rogers,  Second  Lieutenant. 
This  company  became  A  of  the  Third  Regiment,  which  rendezvoused  at 
New  Albany,  and  left  Bloomington  on  the  15th  of  June.  A  beautiful 
flag  was  presented  the  boys  by  the  ladies  of  Bloomington,  Miss  Sarah 
Markle  making  the  presentation  speech.  Company  A  was  in  the  battle 
of  Buena  Vista,  where  four  or  five  of  the  boys  (Buskirk,  Applegate, 
Stout  and  Holland)  were  killed  and  about  five  wounded.  The  company 
was  mustered  out  at  the  end  of  the  year.  In  1847,  three  more  regiments 
were  called  for  from  Indiana,  and  Daniel  Lunderman  began  to  raise  a 
company.  It  was  soon  completed  and  became  G  of  the  Fourth  Regiment. 
This  company  was  tendered  a  public  farewell  by  the  citizens  of  Blooming- 
ton, who  presented  the  boys  with  a  national  banner.  The  company  was 
with  Gen.  Scott  on  his  march  from  Vera  Cruz  to  the  Mexican  capital,  and 
participated  in  nearly  all  of  the  battles  on  that  memorable  and  triumphant 
route.  A  number  of  the  boys  was  killed  and  many  more  wounded,  but 
their  names  cannot  be  given.  The  company  returned  at  the  end  of  one 
year.     Several  were  left  in  honoredgraves  in  the  land  of  the  Montezumas. 

AFFAIRS    PRECEDING    THE    FALL    OF    FORT    SUMTER. 

On  the  2d  of  February,  1860,  pursuant  to  notice,  the  citizens  of  the 
county  seat  and  vicinity,  irrespective  of  party,  met  at  the  court  house  to 
take  into  consideration  the  state  of  the  Union.  Judge  G.  A.  Buskirk 
was  made  Chairman,  and  C.  P.  Tuley  and  J.  B.  Mulky,  Secretaries. 
M.  C.  Hunter,  Benjamin  Wolfe,  Dr.  W'.  C.  Foster,  F.  T.  Butler  and  Elias 
Abel  were  appointed  a  committee  to  draft  resolutions  expressive  of  the 
sense  of  the  meeting.  While  the  committee  were  preparing  their  report, 
Gov.  Dunning  was  called  out.  He  stated  that  he  was  a  member  of  no 
party  until  the  existing  difficulties  between  the  two  sections  of  the  country 
were  settled.  Prof.  John  Young  spoke  against  the  "Crittenden  Com- 
promise," and  in  favor  of  the  Constitution  as  it  was,  but  was  willing  to 
accept  the  "  Border  State  Resolutions."  The  committee  then  presented 
the  following  report : 

Resolved,  That  we,  the  people  of  Monroe  County,  are  in  favor  of  the  resolutions  known 
as  the  "  Border  State  Resolutions,"  which  are  as  follows: 

1.  Recommending  the  repeal  of  the  Personal  Liberty  Bills. 

2.  That  the  Fugitive  Slave  Law  be  amended  for  the  preventing  of  kidnaping,  and 
so  as  to  provide  for  the  equalization  of  the  Commissioner's  fee,  etc. 

3.  That  the  (Constitution  be  so  amended  as  to  prohibit  any  interference  with  slavery 
in  any  of  the  States  where  it  now  exists. 

4.  That  Congress  shall  not  abolish  slavery  in  the  Southern  dock-yards,  arsenals,  etc., 
nor  in  the  District  of  Columbia,  without  the  consent  of  Maryland,  and  the  consent  of  the 
inhabitants  of  the  District,  nor  without  compensation. 

5.  That  Congress  shall  not  interfere  with  the  Inter-State  slave  trade. 

6.  That  there  shall  be  a  perpetual  prohibition  o'  the  African  slave  trade. 

7.  That  the  line  of  36  degrees,  3il  minutes,  shall  be  run  through  all  the  existing 
territory  of  the  United  States  :  that  in  all  north  of  that  line  slavery  shall  be  prohibited, 
and  that  south  of  ttiat  line  neither  Congress  nor  the  Territorial  Legislature  shall  hereafter 
pass  any  law  abolishing,  prohibiting,  or  in  any  manner  interfering  with  African  slavery  ; 
and  that  when  any  Territory  containing  a  sufficient  population  for  one  Member  of  Con- 
gress in  any  area  of  60,000  square  miles  shall  apply  f  )r  admission  as  a  State  it  shall  be 
admitted,  with  or  without  slavery,  as  its  Constitution  may  determine. 

The  committee  also  reported  the  fifth  resolution  of  the  "  Crittenden 
Compromise,"  which  was  as  follows: 


HISTORY  OF  MONROE  COUNTY.  415 

5.  Congress  shall  have  power  by  law  to  pay  an  owner  who  shall  apply  the  full  value 
of  a  fugitive  slave  in  all  cases  when  the  Marshal  is  prevented  from  discharging  his  duty 
by  force  or  rescue  made  after  arrest.  In  all  such  cases,  the  owner  shall  have  p'^wer 
to  sue  the  county  in  which  such  violence  or  re«cue  was  made,  and  the  county  shall  have 
the  right  to  sue  the  individuals  who  committed  the  wrong  in  the  same  manner  as  the 
owner  could  sue. 

Before  these  resolutions  could  be  disposed  of,  Dr.  Foster  reported  the 
following  additional  one  : 

Resolved,  That  "  while  the  lamp  holds  out  to  burn,  the  vilest  sinner  may  return." 
That  in  view  of  this  Bible  doctrine,  we  hold  that  all  conciliatory  measures  should  be 
adopted  to  prevent  a  collision  between  the  South  and  the  North,  and  when  all  the  argu- 
ments are  exhausted,  and  all  conciliation  rejected,  then  we  advise  coercive  measures  to  be 
pursued  to  prevent  the  desecration  and  dissolution  of  the  Union.  The  Union  must  be 
preserved  at  all  hazards. 

After  a  warm  discussion,  the  Border  State  Resolutions  were  unanimously 
adopted.  The  fifth  resolution  of  the  Crittenden  Compromise  met  with 
greater  opposition,  but  finally  passed  by  a  fair  majority.  The  resolution 
presented  by  Dr.  Foster  was  handled  severely,  and  finally  rejected  by  a 
majority  vote.  In  the  discussion  on  this  resolution,  violent  and  eloquent 
speeches  were  made  against  the  adoption  of  any  measures  of  coercion  with 
the  seceded  States.     Dr.  J.  G.  McPheeters  then  ofi'ered  the  following  : 

Resolved,  That  the  citizens  of  Monroe  Couuty,  always  lojal  to  the  Union  and  the 
Constitution,  in  view  of  existing  difficulties  which  threaten  the  existence  of  our  glorious 
confederacy,  would  tender  the  foregoing  (meaning  the  Border  State  Resolutions)  com- 
promise as  a  basis  of  settlement ;  but  in  the  event  of  its  rejection,  are  ready  to  declare  for 
the  Union  as  it  is,  the  Constitution  as  it  is,  aud  the  enforcement  of  the  laws. 

This  resolution  also  met  with  fiery  opposition.  A  motion  to  table  the 
resolution  was  lost.  Messrs.  Marlin,  Wolfe,  B.  F.  Williams  and  David 
Sheeks  hotly  denounced  the  resolution  as  coercive  in  its  meaning.  After 
a  sharp  war  of  words  and  passions,  the  resolution  was  finally  adopted. 
The  meeting  then  adjourned.  Among  those  present  were  Gov.  Dunning, 
Dr.  W.  C.  Foster,  Judge  G.  A.  Buskirk,  S.  H.  Buskirk,  C.  P.  Tuley,  J. 
B.  Mulky,  Isaac  Adkins,  Isaac  Cox,  Abraham  Smith,  M.  C.  Hunter, 
Benjamin  Wolfe,  F.  T.  Butler,  Elias  Abel,  Prof.  John  Young,  P.  L.  D. 
Mitchell,  Hugh  Marlin,  Johnson  McCulloch,  Dr.  J.  G.  McPheeters  and 
David  Sheeks.  The  most  noticeable  feature  of  the  meeting  was  the 
strong  sentiment  publicly  and  ardently  manifested  not  to  usej  coercive 
measures  in  any  case  with  the  South.  On  the  other  hand,  a  few  citizens 
warmly  advocated  the  most  advanced  views  of  the  Abolitionists.  The 
meeting  was  largely  attended,  the  court  room  being  crowded  to  its  utmost 
capacity.  The  various  political  sentiments  manifested  at  this  meeting 
illustrate  the  feeling  in  the  county  at  the  time. 

OPENING    SCENES    OF    THE    REBELLION. 

On  Monday,  the  15th  of  April,  1861,  when  the  news  was  received 
that  Fort  Sumter  had  been  surrendered  to  the  rebels,  great  excitement 
was  manifested  by  all  political  parties  at  the  county  seat.  The  news 
spread  like  a  prairie  fire  throughout  the  surrounding  country,  and  a  large 
crowd  of  bewildered  and  anxious  citizens  assembled  to  counsel  what  was 
best  to  be  done  in  the  awful  emergency.  Many  were  so  frightened  that 
their  senses  and  judgment  refused  to  act  with  usual  accuracy,  and  the  first 
thought  was  to  fly  for  Canada  or  the  Pacific  Coast.  A  large  meeting 
was  held  at  the  court  house,  on  the  evening  of  the  15th,  pursuant  to  call, 


416  HISTORY  OF  MONROE  COUNTY. 

to  sound  the  sentiments  of  the  citizens.  Unfortunately,  a  detailed  account 
of  this  meeting  cannot  be  given.  Some  five  or  six  of  the  most  prominent 
citizens  and  ablest  speakers,  whose  judgment  the  assemblage  was  anxious 
to  have  and  willing  to  trust,  were  called  out  to  direct  the  general  mind 
through  the  gloom  and  panic  of  approaching  war  to  some  definite  and 
speedy  action.  Some  spoke  passionately  for  an  immediate  organization 
of  troops  to  crush  the  life  from  the  vandals  who  had  shamefully  outraged 
the  national  honor.  Others,  with  less  fire  and  loyalty,  suggested  concil- 
iatory measures,  and  spoke  doubtfully  of  the  right  of  the  Government  to 
adopt  coercive  measures  with  the  rebellious  States.  One  man  spoke 
severely  against  the  North,  especially  the  Abolitionists,  warmly  declaring 
that  they  were  the  cause  of  the  fratricidal  war  ;  maintained  with  great  in- 
tensity that  coercive  measures  were  unconstitutional  and  unjust,  and 
publicly  announced  that  if  he  fought  at  all  it  would  be  on  the  Southern 
side.  As  the  meeting  progressed,  it  became  clear  that  the  great  majority 
were  in  favor  of  quelling  the  rebellion  at  all  hazards  without  a  moment's 
unnecessary  delay.  A  long  series  of  patriotic  resolutions  was  adopted, 
declaring  as  the  sense  of  the  meeting  that  the  Union  must  be  maintained, 
if  need  be  by  an  appeal  to  arras.  Several  citizens  earnestly  opposed  the 
adoption  of  one  or  more  of  the  resolutions. 

A  few  days  later,  another  meeting  of  equal,  or  greater,  fervor  and 
loyalty  was  held  at  the  court  house,  on  which  occasion  steps  were  taken  to 
organize  a  company  of  volunteers.  The  enlistment  was  continued,  and 
the  organization  was  completed  on  the  20th,  and  the  officers  elected  were 
commissioned  on  the  22d.  The  company  began  drilling  regularly  every 
day,  waiting  in  the  meantime  for  orders  to  report  to  be  mustered  into  the 
three  months'  service,  or  even  into  the  State  service  for  one  year,  or,  if  no 
better  could  be  done,  in  the  three  years'  service.  On  the  10th  of  May, 
the  day  set  for  the  departure  of  the  company  for  Camp  Vigo,  Terre 
Haute,  a  large  assemblage  of  relatives  and  friends  gathered  to  present  the 
boys  a  flag,  and  see  them  off"  on  the  train.  This  was  the  first  company 
raised  for  the  war,  and  was  at  a  time  when  the  sentiments  of  patriotism 
were  fresh  and  strong,  and  when  the  novelty  of  military  preparations 
fired  the  blood  with  the  vehement  loyalty  of  the  hour.  A  fine  banner 
was  presented  to  the  company  by  a  Miss  Mitchell,  it  is  said,  on  behalf  of 
the  ladies  of  Bloomington,  in  a  brief  speech,  which  was  responded  to  on 
behalf  of  the  company  by  Lieut.  Black.  At  the  conclusion  of  this 
beautiful  ceremony,  the  company  marched  down  to  the  depot  accompanied 
by  the  wnole  town.  Old  men  who  had  served  in  the  land  of  the  Monte- 
zumas,  or  even  in  the  war  of  1812,  were  present,  giving  the  boys  a  kind 
word  of  parting  advice.  Parents  were  present  who  saw  their  boys  for 
the  last  time  on  earth.  Wives  and  mothers  who  had  never  known  the 
anguish  of  separation  from  dear  ones  at  the  stern  call  of  a  nation  at  war, 
stood  with  pale  faces  and  streaming  eyes,  tightly  clasping  the  loved  forms, 
and  regretting  at  the  last  moment  to  have  them  go.  At  last  the  train 
came  in,  good-byes  were  spoken  with  pale  lips,  and  the  boys  were 

OFF    FOR    THE    WAR. 

Upon  reaching  Terre  Haute,  it  was  found  impossible  to  enter  the 
three  months'  service,  or  even  the  one  year's  service,  and  the  company 


HISTORY  OF  MONROE  COUNTY.  417 

went  into  camp  of  instruction.  Considerable  dissatisfaction  had  existed 
over  the  selection  of  the  officers,  which  finally  resulted  in  the  division  of 
the  company,  which  formed  the  basis  for  two  companies.  About  two- 
thirds  of  the  company  remained  at  Terre  Haute  under  Capt.  Kelley, 
while  the  other  third  was  transferred  to  Indianapolis  under  the  command 
of  Capt.  W.  S.  Charles.  Both  of  these  incomplete  companies  sent  their 
Captains  and  Lieutenants  home  to  recruit  their  numbers  to  the  lawful 
limit.  This  was  late  in  May  and  early  in  June.  Capt.  Kelley  succeeded 
in  raising  enough  men  to  complete  his  company;  but  Capt.  Charles  in- 
creased his  numbers  to  only  about  fifty.  Kelley's  men  became  Company 
K  of  the  Fourteenth  Regiment,  three  years'  service,  and  were  mustered 
in  on  the  7th  of  June,  1861.  The  regiment  moved  to  Virginia  on  the 
5th  of  July.  About  fifty  men  of  the  company  of  Capt.  Charles  were 
from  Monroe  County,  and  the  others  were  obtained  from  various  localities. 
This  organization  became  Company  H  of  the  Eighteenth  Regiment,  three 
years' service,  and  was  mustered  in  on  the  16th  of  August,  and  on  the  fol- 
lowing day  was  transferred  to  St.  Louis,  Mo.  Milton  L.  McCullough 
was  First  Lieutenant  of  Kelley's  company,  and  Paul  E.  Slocum,  Second 
Lieutenant.  James  S.  Black,  of  Indianopolis,  was  First  Lieutenant  of 
Charles'  company,  and  Hiram  W.  Rooker,  of  Noblesville,  Second 
Lieutenant. 

OTHER    COMPANIES. 

In  June  and  July,  two  or  three  other  companies  were  organized  in  the 
county.  Daniel  Lunderman,  J.  0.  McCullough,  A.  R.  Ravenscroft  and 
others  raised  a  full  company.  James  B.  Mulky  and  others  raised 
another  company,  and  J.  S.  Nutt  soon  had  a  company  of  cavalry.  Peter 
Kop  also  began  to  gather  around  him  a  squad  of  volunteers.  The  bugle 
was  heard  in  every  direction.  The  small  boys  of  Bloomington  had  an 
infantry  company  that  was  armed  with  wooden  swords,  tin-pans,  and 
other  weapons  of  equal  celebrity.  It  was  popular,  then,  to  be  a  volun- 
teer. It  meant  a  thirst  for  bl-l-ood.  Ladies  smiled  like  the  morning 
at  blue  uniforms,  but  gave  the  frown  and  cold  shoulder  to  stalwart  forms 
in  civilian's  dress.  Companies  drilled  almost  daily,  and  attracted  large 
crowds  of  fond  friends  who  saw  no  escape  for  the  rebel  cowards  when  the 
field  of  gore  was  reached.  All  predicted  that  the  rebels  would  be  "  licked 
out  of  their  boots  "  in  a  few  months. 

In  the  issue  of  the  Republican  of  July  13.  appeared  the  following 
editorial  : 

Another  company  of  volunteers  for  the  United  States  service  left  here  on  Tuesilay 
last  for  Madison,  Ind.,  where  the  regiment  is  to  be  formed.  The  company  is  under  the 
command  of  Capt.  Daniel  Lunderman,  of  this  place,  who  has  had  considerable  experience 
as  an  officer  in  the  recent  war  with  Mexico,  and  we  have  no  doubt  he  will  faithfully  at- 
tend to  the  interests  and  welfare  of  the  company  while  they  are  under  his  charge.  Dr. 
J.  0.  McCullough  was  elected  First  Lieutenant  and  Andrew  R.  Ravenscroft,  Second  ' 
Lieutenant,  whom  we  have  no  doubt  will  be  equally  faithful  to  their  trust.  As  many  of 
the  volunteers  were  from  the  surrounding  country,  a  large  concourse  of  people  from  dif- 
ferent parts  of  the  county  were  present,  to  see  them  take  their  departure  and  to  bid  their 
friends  farewell.  The  volunteers  were  escorted  to  the  train  by  Capt.  Mulky's  company 
of  infantry,  and  took  their  departure  amid  a  deafening  salute  of  musketry.  The  Bloom- 
ington Cornet  Band  accompanied  them  to  Madison.  We  learn  that  Camp  Noble,  to  which 
they  are  assigned,  is  beautifully  situated  at  North  Madison,  which  is  ou  a  high  bluflF 
overlooking  the  city  of  Madison  and  the  Ohio  River. 


418  HISTORY  OF  MONROE  COUNTY. 

In  the  same  issue,  the  13th,  also  appeared  the  following  : 

Recruiting. — Pe(er  Kop  and  several  other  gentlemen  of  this  place  are  raising  a  com- 
pany of  grenadiers  for  the  United  States  service.  They  admit  no  recruits  under  five  feet 
ten  inches,  and  equally  stout  and  able-bodied.  We  pity  the  rebel  upon  whose  neck  the 
foot  of"  Big  Pete"  shall  come  down  with  a  vengeance.  There  will  be  no  chance  tor  him 
to  even  say  his  prayer.-!  before  his  life  is  crushed  out  of  him.  Some  of  the  others  engaged 
in  raising  the  company  are  among  our  most  athletic  citizens.  Their  recruiting  ofBce,  we 
believe,  is  at  Williams  &  Sluss'  livery  stables. 

The  company,  under  Capt.  Lunderman,  became  Company  I,  of  the 
Twenty-second  Regiment,  and  was  mustered  into  the  service  on  the  15th 
of  August  at  Camp  Noble,  Madison.  About  thirty  men  of  this  company 
were  from  Owen  County  and  elsewhere,  notably  from  White  Hall.  The 
regimental  commander  was  Col.  Jefferson  C.  Davis.  On  the  17th  of 
August,  the  regiment  started  for  Missouri,  where  the  boys  first  saw  serv- 
ice. The  company  raised  by  Capt.  Kop  and  others  became  F  of  the 
Twenty-seventh  Regiment,  and  was  mustered  into  the  three  years'  service 
at  Camp  Morton,  Indianapolis,  on  the  ll^th  of  September,  1861.  Only 
about  half  of  this  company  was  from  Monroe  County.  During  the  months 
of  August  and  September,  the  enlistment  of  men  was  very  active.  The 
recruiting  ofiicers  visited  all  portions  of  the  county,  holding  war  meetings 
in  schoolhouses  and  churches,  and  using  every  art  or  artifice  to  secure  men 
for  their  companies.  Every  promise  and  inducement  was  held  out  for  vol- 
unteers. It  was  the  fashion  then  for  those  who  expected  to  volunteer  or 
those  who  pretended  that  they  did,  to  declare  that  they  would  enter  no 
company  nor  regiment  that  could  not  see  active  service  on  the  field  of  war, 
and  to  meet  this  boastful  assertion  the  recruiting  officers  invariably  an- 
nounced that  their  regiments  were  destined  to  be  sent  speedily  to  the 
front.  Prominent  citizens  of  the  county — men  of  great  social,  moral  and 
political  standing — were  taken  along  by  the  recruiting  officers  to  give 
proper  assurances  of  good  faith,  secure  large  attendance,  fire  the  blood  of 
young  and  old  with  the  glory  of  war  and  secure  a  large  enrollment  of  men 
anxious  to  vindicate  the  supremacy  of  the  laws  and  wreak  vengeance  upon 
the  vandals  who  had  dared  to  trample  the  old  flag  in  the  dust.  The 
presence  of  ladies  at  these  war  meetings  was  always  especially  desired,  as 
in  their  presence  it  was  much  easier  to  appeal  to  the  courage  and  man- 
hood of  fathers,  brothers  and  husbands,  and  fire  them  to  the  pitch  of  a 
determination  to  do  their  share  in  the  defense  of  their  homes.  The  pecu- 
liarly thrilling  effect  of  the  sounds  of  fife  and  drum  was  also  well  known 
and  a  rousing  martial  band  was  always  present.  Late  in  August  and 
early  in  September,  a  company  of  Zouaves  was  organized  at  Bloomington. 
Early  in  July,  the  ladies  of  Bloomington  gathered  a  large  box  of  blank- 
ets, towels  and  other  useful  articles,  and  sent  the  same  to  the  company  of 
Capt.  Lunderman  at  Madison.  In  September  and  October,  Capt.  Isaac 
S.  Dains,  Lieuts.  Samuel  A.  Harrah,  Albert  Adams  and  others,  recruited 
.Company  D  of  the  Fiftieth  Regiment  in  Monroe  and  Owen  Counties. 
About  half  of  the  company  was  from  Monroe.  Some  of  the  men  were 
mustered  into  the  service  in  August,  some  in  September  and  some  in  Oc- 
tober. The  regiment  was  organized  at  Seymour  on  the  12th  of  Septem- 
ber, and  on  the  25th  of  October,  it  left  for  New  Albany,  marching  through 
the  country  and  obtaining  a  considerable  number  of  recruits.  On  the  25th 
of  December,  it  moved  to  Bardstown,  Ky.,  where  it  went  into  camp  of  in- 


HISTORY  OF  MONROE  COUNTY.  419 

struction.     The  following  concerning  this  company  was  published  in  the 
Republican  of  September  14: 

Off  for  the  War. — Capt.  T.  S.  Dains'  company  left  here  for  Camp  Morton,  Indianapo- 
lis, on  Thursday  last.  This  company  was  raised  mostly  in  this  and  Owen  Counties — a 
number  of  them  being  from  the  vicinity  of  White  Hall.  While  they  were  waiting  for  the 
train  at  the  depot,  a  beautiful  flag  was  presented  to  the  company  from  the  ladies  of  White 
Hall.  Gov.  Dunning,  on  behalf  of  the  ladies,  made  a  suitable  address  on  the  presentation 
of  the  flag,  which  was  responded  to  by  Capt.  Dains  in  a  short  address,  and  by  three  cheers 
from  the  soldiers  for  their  beautiful  flag.  This  makes  the  seventh  company  which  has 
been  raised  principally  in  this  county,  and  left  here  for  the  war.  One  or  two  other  com- 
panies are  now  raising.     Monroe  County  will  be  fully  represented  in  the  contest. 

The  companies  referred  to  in  this  article  were  the  following  :  Com- 
pany K,  of  the  Fourteenth  Regiment,  Capt.  James  R.  Kelley  ;  Company 
H,  of  the  Eighteenth  Regiment,  Capt.  William  Stanley  Charles  ;  Com- 
pany I,  of  the  Twenty-second  Regiment,  Capt.  Daniel  Lunderman;  Com- 
pany F,  of  the  Twenty-seventh  Regiment,  Capt.  Peter  Kop;  Company 
G,  of  the  Thirty-first  Regiment,  Capt.  Henry  L.  McCalla  ;  Company  G, 
of  the  Thirty-eighth  Regiment,  Capt.  James  Secrest ;  Company  D,  of 
the  Fiftieth  Regiment,  Capt.  Isaac  S.  Dains.  The  company  of  Capt. 
Secrest  was  raised  almost  wholly  in  the  vicinity  of  EUettsville  during  the 
months  of  August  and  September,  by  Capt.  Secrest,  Lieuts.  G.  K.  Perry 
and  James  McCormick.  When  this  company  left  EUettsville,  they  were 
given  a  fine  dinner,  at  the  conclusion  of  which  a  beautiful  banner  was 
presented  them  with  appropriate  remarks,  to  which  the  Captain  feelingly 
responded,  and  the  boys  testified  their  approval  with  loud  acclamations. 
It  must  not  be  understood  that  the  seven  companies  mentioned  above 
were  the  only  ones  then  in  the  service  containing  men  from  Monroe 
County.  About  half  a  dozen  men  had  left  the  northern  part  of  the  coun- 
ty for  Indianapolis  at  the  earliest  stage  of  the  war,  and  had  succeeded  in 
getting  into  the  Twelfth  Regiment  in  the  three  months'  service,  though 
they  were  credited  to  other  counties.  So  far  as  known,  these  were  the 
only  men  from  the  county  in  the  three  months'  service.  In  the  Eleventh 
Regiment  was  Chaplain  H.  B.  Hibben,  from  Monroe.  In  the  Twenty- 
first  Regiment,  which  afterward  became  the  First  Heavy  Artillery,  were 
about  ten  men  from  the  county.  Four  members  of  the  Regimental  band 
were  credited  to  Bloomington.  A  small  squad  from  the  northern  part  en- 
tered the  Thirty-third  Regiment,  and  was  credited  to  Morgan  County. 
Taking  into  consideration  these  facts,  and  also  the  fact  that  several  of  the 
companies  above  mentioned  were  only  partly  from  Monroe,  it  may  be 
safely  concluded  that  by  the  middle  of  September  the  county  had  fur- 
nished as  many  as  six  full  companies.     This  was  a  splendid  showing. 

CAVALRY  VOLUNTEERS. 

The  cavalry  company  mentioned  above,  recruited  by  Capt.  Nutt,  con- 
tained only  about  fifteen  men  from  the  county,  the  remainder  being 
obtained  mostly  from  Brazil  and  Delphi.  The  Monroe  boys  left  for 
Indianapolis  about  the  middle  of  September,  where  they  were  joined  by 
the  recruits  from  other  places,  and  where  an  organization  was  effected. 
This  company  became  K,  of  the  Second  Cavalry  (Forty-first  Regiment), 
and  was  mustered  in  on  the  24th  of  December.  Jephtha  M.  Ellington,  of 
EUettsville,  became  the  Captain.  In  September,  1861,  the  authorities 
of  the  State  ordered  that  in  each  county  a  thorough  organization  of  the 


420  HISTORY  OF  MONROE  COUNTY. 

militia  should  be  at  once  effected  ;  and  the  Governor  appointed  James  B. 
Mulky  Colonel  of  the  Monroe  County  militia,  with  instructions  to  pro- 
ceed at  once  with  the  organization.  Under  this  order,  ten  companies 
were  organized  during  the  war,  as  follows :  The  Hoosier  Grays,  Morton 
C.  Hunter,  Captain,  organized  in  the  autumn  of  1861;  the  Ellettsville 
Clippers,  Barton  Acuff,  Captain,  organized  in  the  fall  of  1861 ;  the 
Monroe  Zouaves,  Daniel  Shrader,  Captain,  organized  in  the  fall  of  1861 ; 
the  Richland  Mountaineers,  B.  W.  Rice,  Captain,  organized  in  the  fall  of 
1861 ;  the  Hoosier  Guards,  H.  T.  Campbell,  Captain,  organized  early  in 
1862;  the  Harrodsburg  Guards,  John  M.  Anderson,  Captain,  organized 
in  the  fall  of  1861 ;  the  Richland  Rangers,  John  Wylie,  Captain,  organ- 
ized during  the  summer  of  1863 ;  the  Hughes  Guards,  James  Mathers, 
Captain,  organized  in  the  fall  of  1863  ;  the  Monroe  Guards,  Isaac  S.  Bus- 
kirk,  Captain,  organized  in  the  fall  of  1863 ;  the  Bean  Blossom  Rangers, 
Thomas  M.  Gaskin,  Captain,  organized  in  the  fall  of  1863.  Every  one 
of  these  companies,  in  some  form,  saw  active  service,  as  they  afterward 
enlisted. 

LOYAL    MASS    MEETING. 

On  the  12th  of  October,  1861,  a  large  Union  mass  meeting  was  held 
at  the  court  house  to  consider  the  state  of  the  country.  The  first  speaker 
was  Hon.  Paris  C.  Dunning,  who  delivered  an  address  of  great  power 
and  loyalty.  He  spoke  eloquently  in  favor  of  pushing  the  war  with  all 
the  energy  of  the  North,  and  favored  measures  of  greater  activity  and 
effectiveness  in  securing  volunteers.  His  remarks  were  loudly  applauded. 
The  second  speaker  was  Judge  James  Hughes,  whose  remarks  took  a  bit- 
terly sarcastic,  caustic  vein,  cutting  like  a  sword  of  Damascus  steel  at  the 
heart  of  the  rebellion.  His  splendid  eloquence,  effective  imagery,  fierce 
satire  and  impetuous  logic  carried  his  audience  before  him  like  a  torrent. 
As  he  delivered  thrust  after  thrust  of  wit  and  irony,  and  pungent  mockery, 
he  was  frequently  interrupted  with  tempests  of  cheers.  It  was  conceded 
at  the  time  to  have  been  the  best  Union  speech  ever  delivered  in  Bloom- 
ington.  The  loyalty  of  the  meeting  was  very  decided,  and  had  its  effect 
upon  all  present. 

RECRUITING. 

Late  in  October,  Dr.  J.  G.  McPheeters,  Surgeon  of  the  Thirty-third 
Regiment,  came  home  on  a  furlough,  and  enlisted  a  few  men  for  his  reg- 
iment. About  the  1st  of  November,  Wallace  Hight,  who  had  superin- 
tended the  manufacture  of  a  cannon  at  Seward's  foundry  in  Bloomington, 
left  for  Indianapolis  with  his  piece  of  ordnance  drawn  by  six  horses.  The 
gun  was  made  of  burnished  brass,  was  a  six-pounder,  and  was  an  excel- 
lent specimen  of  workmanship.  He  and  a  squad  of  boys  from  Blooming- 
ton  were  attached  to  the  Ninth  Battery.  About  this  time,  the  attention 
of  the  loyal  was  especially  directed  to  the  movement  of  the  armies  and  to 
the  wants  of  the  boys  in  the  fields  and  hospitals,  and  the  comfort  of  the 
soldiers'  families  at  home  more  than  to  the  enlistment  of  men.  Early  in 
February,  William  McCullough  began  recruiting  men  designed  for  the 
Fifty-third  Regiment,  and  Lieut.  Francis  Otwell  about  the  same  time 
opened  an  enlistment  office  at  Fee's  store  for  the  Twenty-seventh  Regi- 
ment, in  which  was  the  company  of  Capt.  Kop.  He  obtained  about 
fifteen  men.     During  the  months  of  November  and  December,  1861,  and 


HISTORY   OF   MONROE   COUNTY.  421 

January  and  February,  1862,  Oapt.  Thomas  T.  Graves  and  Lieuts.  A.lex- 
ander  Jones  and  John  Phillips  recruited  about  two-thirds  of  a  company 
for  the  Fifty-ninth  Regiment,  which  rendezvoused  at  Gosport,  beginning 
in  October,  1861,  About  the  middle  of  February,  the  regiment  went 
South  over  the  New  Albany  road  for  the  seat  of  war  in  Kentucky.  The 
men  raised  in  Monroe  County  were  mostly  from  the  vicinity  of  Harrods- 
burg.  The  company  became  I  of  the  Fifty-ninth,  Capt.  Graves.  The 
men  of  this  company  were  mustered  into  the  service  on  the  11th  of  Feb- 
ruary, 1862.  Jesse  I.  Alexander,  of  Gosport,  was  Colonel  of  the  regi- 
ment. During  the  latter  part  of  March,  1862,  M.  P.  Burns  recruited 
six  or  eight  men  for  the  Sixty-first  Regiment,  which  rendezvoused  at  Terre 
Haute.  Early  in  April,  Lieut.  Johnson,  of  Capt.  Lunderman's  company 
(Twenty-second  Regiment),  opened  a  recruiting  office  in  Bloomington.  In 
May,  the  members  of  Capt.  Kelley's  company,  Fourteenth  Regiment, 
sent  home  to  their  friends  $2,000.  As  this  time  also  the  body  of  Capt. 
Kelley  was  brought  home  and  buried.  He  had  been  mortally  wounded  at 
the  hotly  contested  battle  of  Winchester,  and  after  lingering  several  weeks 
had  died  at  Cincinnati,  where  he  had  been  brought  by  his  loving  and 
faithful  wife  for  medical  treatment.  His  death  cast  a  gloom  of  sorrow 
over  the  entire  county. 

ARMY  CORRESPONDENCE. 

During  the  spring  months,  the  columns  of  the  Republican  were  full  of 
letters  from  the  boys  in  the  army,  and  while  some  were  dry,  others  were 
extremely  interesting.  The  following,  written  by  Capt.  Henry  L.  McCal- 
la,  is  a  specimen  of  the  more  interesting  letters.  The  battle  referred  to 
was  Pittsburg  Landing: 

Thirty-first  Regiment  Indtana  Volunteers,  "(_ 
Pittsburgh,  Tenu.,  April  8,  1862.  J 

Dear  Brother — This  is  Tuesday,  and  I  take  this  chance  to  tell  you  that  an  awful 
battle  has  been  fought,  commencing  on  Sunday  morning  at  7:30  o'clock,  A.  M.,  lasting 
until  night,  and  continued  again  on  Monday.  Gi'imes  and  I  are  safe.  The  company  be- 
haved nobly.  The  Thirty-first  will  now  get  its  due  meed  of  praise,  I  think.  We  lost 
Orderly  Sergeant  .lames  F.  Fullbright  and  RoUey  Franklin,  both  shot  in  the  head,  and 
seven  wounded,  three  of  them  severely — .Joseph  Lucas,  in  the  hand,  slightly;  Frank 
Johnson  and  Jerry  Serrell,  in  chin,  slightly;  John  Campbell,  in  the  hand  ;  Joseph  Wool- 
ery,  in  the  hip,  severely;  Wesley  Palley,  in  the  shoulder;  Joseph  Gaither,  in  the  fiice, 
the  ball  entering  the  bridge  of  the  nose  and  coming  out  under  the  ear,  cutting  the  tip  of 
the  ear.  Many  more  were  grazed.  I  had  a  bullet  through  the  top  of  my  hat.  John 
McPhetridge  had  his  leg  grazed,  and  Grimes  was  scratched  in  the  knee.  We  will  feel  the 
loss  of  Fullbright.  He  was  the  bravest  man  in  the  regiment — so  modest  and  so  faithful. 
We  buried  our  old  companions  with  the  honors  of  war,  and  marked  their  graves  with 
neat  head-boards. 

I  met  brother  Sam  on  the  field  of  battle  for  the  first  time  since  he  was  in  the  service. 
Thompson's  battery,  with  which  Hight  and  other  Bloomington  boys  are  connected,  were 
in  the  fight  all  Monday.  They  fired  1,200  shots.  Our  regiment  (belonging  to  Hurlburt's 
brigade)  fired  forty  rounds  in  one  place,  repulsed  two  attacks  on  the  center.  Grimes  and 
I  furnished  our  men  with  thirty  rounds  more  as  they  were  lying  down,  and  these  were 
all  expended  by  night.  The  carnage  is  frightful.  The  field  of  battle  covers  over  six 
miles.  Daniel  Iseminger  (formerly  of  Bloomington),  Captain  in  an  Iowa  regiment,  was 
killed.  Our  Major,  Frederic  Arn,  was  killed  ;  the  Colonel  was  wounded  in  two  places  ; 
Adjutant  Rose,  wounded  ;  Capt.  Harvev,  killed ;  and  other  officers  wounded,  all  of  our 
reginif  nt.  Jo.  Roddy  bore  the  colors  through  all  the  two  days'  fight,  onward,  never  fal- 
tering, the  foremost  in  the  advance,  the  hindmost  in  the  retreat. 

The  day  of  the  battle  was  my  first  out-door  service  for  three  weeks,  having  been  sick 
ever  since  we  came  to  this  place.  Hbnky. 

Many  other  letters  were  very  interesting.  Some  contained  spicy 
descriptions  of  camp  life,  detailing  at  length  the  doings  of  the  day,  or 


422  HISTORY   OF   MONROE   COUNTY. 

gave  extended  accounts  of  the  experiences  on  long  and  arduous  marches 
and  expeditions. 

NEW    COMPANIES. 

In  May,  1862,  the  Fifty-fourth  Regiment  was  organized  at  Indianap- 
olis for  an  emergency,  and  a  company  was  raised  in  Monroe  County  by 
Capt.  Daniel  Shrader  and  Lieuts.  W.  J.  Allen  and  I.  S.  Buskirk,  which 
became  Company  A  of  this  regiment.  The  regiment,  including  Company 
A,  commanded  by  the  above  officers,  was  mustered  into  the  three  months' 
service  on  the  3d  of  June,  and  was  placed  on  duty  at  Camp  Morton, 
Indianapolis.  In  August,  it  was  transferred  to  Kentucky,  where  it  re- 
mained until  its  term  of  service  had  expired.  This  regiment  was  after- 
ward re-organized  for  the  one  year's  service,  but  contained  no  company 
from  Monroe  County.  Capt.  Shrader  entered  it,  however,  as  Major,  and 
was  afterward  promoted  to  the  Lieutenant  Colonelcy,  a  most  deserving 
honor.  On  the  11th  of  June,  James  B.  Mulky,  of  Bloomington,  was 
commissioned  Major  of  the  Fifty-fifth  Regiment,  three  months'  service, 
and  became  a  very  efficient  officer.  Frank  A.  Rose,  of  Bloomington,  was 
commissioned  Adjutant  of  the  same  regiment.  These  regiments  were 
specially  organized  to  do  guard  duty  at  Camp  Morton,  where  a  large 
number  of  rebel  prisoners  were  confined. 

On  the  1st  of  July,  1862,  President  Lincoln  called  for  300,000  ad- 
ditional volunteers,  and  the  quota  of  Indiana  was  fixed  at  eleven  regiments. 
The  Republican  of  July  12,  said: 

More  Troops  Wanted. — It  will  be  seen  by  reference  to  another  part  of  our  paper 
that  eltiven  more  regiments  are  to  be  raised  in  our  Slate  in  addition  to  those  already  form- 
ing, one  from  each  Congressional  District.  This  in  our  district  will  be,  on  an  average, 
about  125  men  from  each  county.  We  trust  that  old  Monroe  will  promptly  furnish  her 
quota  as  she  has  done  on  all  former  calls.  She  has  now  nine  companies  in  the  service, 
besides  a  number  of  pers  ms  scattered  in  companies  made  up  elsewht-re — in  fan  try,  cavalry 
and  artillery.  Now  that  harvest  is  past  and  our  young  men  more  at  leisure,  we  think  that 
there  will  be  no  diiSculty  in  raising  this  additionil  quota  of  troops  in  Monroe  County. 
The  regiment  for  this  district  will  rendezvous  at  M«dison,  and  we  notice  that  in  some  of 
the  adjoining  counties  companies  are  already  forming  to  fill  up  the  regtment.  Let  not 
Monroe  be  behind. 

But  the  commencement  of  the  active  work  of  enlistment  was  delayed. 
The  paper  came  out  in  stirring  appeals  to  sustain  the  honor  of  the  county 
by  voluntary  enlistments,  threatening  that  the  draft  would  be  resorted  to 
soon  if  the  quota  was  not  filled.  Influential  citizens  of  the  county  began 
to  stir  themselves,  recruiting  officers  appeared,  and  soon  war  meetings 
were  held  with  a  frequency  and  intensity  unknown  in  the  history  of  the 
county.  Late  in  July,  Lieut.  F.  Otwell  was  commissioned  to  recruit  a 
company  for  the  Sixty-seventh  Regiment  and  opened  an  office  in  Bloom- 
ington. Capt.  Charles,  of  the  Eighteenth  Regiment,  came  home  to  recruit 
for  his  company.  Lieut,  W.  J.  Allen,  of  the  Twentieth  Battery,  called 
for  recruits.  James  L.  Winfrey,  of  Bloomington,  was  also  commissioned 
to  raise  a  company  for  the  Ninety-third  Regiment,  which  was  being  ren- 
dezvoused at  Madison.  Lieut.  Otwell  and  others  raised  about  twenty 
men,  who  became  Company  B  of  the  Sixty-seventh  Regiment,  Samuel 
Denny,  of  Madison,  being  Captain.  An  entire  company  was  raised  for 
the  Eighty-second  Regiment  by  Morton  C.  Hunter,  who  became  the  Colonel 
of  the  regiment,  by  Paul  E.  Slocum,  Alfred  G.  Hunter,  Samuel  Mc- 
Wilie,  John  McKinney,  Samuel  Guy  and  others.  The  men  became 
Company  F,  Samuel  McWilie,  Captain;  McKinney,  First  Lieutenant; 


HISTORY   OF   MONROE   COUNTY. 


423 


Guy,  Second  Lieutenant.  The  men  were  mustered  in  on  the  30th  of 
August,  at  Madison.  A  portion  of  Company  I,  of  the  Eighty-second,  was 
raised  in  Monroe  County  by  William  F.  Neill,  who  became  its  Captain, 
and  by  Lieut.  H.  E.  Lundy  and  others.  There  were  probably  not  more 
than  ten  men  in  the  company  from  this  county.  There  were  more  regi- 
mental officers  from  Monroe  County  in  the  Eighty-second  than  in  any 
other  regiment :  Col.  Hunter;  Major,  and  afterward  Lieut.  Col.,  Slocum; 
Adjts.,  A.  G.  Hunter  and  M.  E.  Bunger ;  Quartermaster,  J.  C. 
Allenworth;  Chaplain,  M.  M.  Campbell;  Surgeon,  W.  H.  Lemon;  As- 
sistant Surgeons,  W.  B.  Harris  and  R.  H.  Campbell.  On  the  1st  of 
September,  the  regiment  moved  to  Louisville,  Ky.  About  thirty  men  of 
Company  F,  of  the  Ninety-third  Regiment,  were  recruited  by  J.  L.  Win- 
frey and  others,  and  were  mustered  in  at  Madison  from  the  15th  to  the 
23d  of  August.  These  efforts  on  the  part  of  the  recruiting  officers  and 
the  more  prominent  and  loyal  of  the  citizens  came  within  a  close  figure 
of  relieving  the  county  from  the  draft.  The  county  was  really  ahead  of 
her  quota,  but  some  of  the  townships  were  behind.  The  draft  was  intended 
to  bring  the  "  stay-at-homes  "  to  the  front. 

The  following  table  was  published  in  the  Republican  of  September  13, 
and  shows  the  situation  of  the  county  at  about  that  time : 


TOWNSHIPS. 

Number 

subject  to 

draft. 

Num- 
ber 
exempt. 

Num- 
ber 
of  vol- 
unteers. 

Num- 
ber 

enroll- 
ed. 

151 
115 

51 
104 
358 
162 
130 
193 

86 
105 
208 
151 

23 
22 
6 
17 
75 
28 
19 
30 
15 
21 
26 
18 

300 

120 

100 

23 

41 

210 

131 

85 

130 

28 

23 

90 

62 

104 

128 

Washington      

93 

45 

Be  ton 

87 

283 

'Rifhlnnd                                                                      .              

134 

111 

163 

Salt  Creek 

71 

Polk        

84 

192 

Indian  Creek                                    

133 

Totals                                                  

1824 

1524 

The  following 

table  was 

also 

published 

in  the 

same 

issue : 

TOWNSHIPS. 

Applicants 
for  exemp- 
tion from 
the  draft. 

Numbers  of 
exemption!. 

Bean  Blossom  .               

40 
39 
10 
30 
110 
45 
38 
39 
40 
42 
38 
28 

23 

Washington                                  

22 

Marion                      .                           

6 

Benton     ....                                          

17 

75 

Richland                                                                 

28 

Van  Buren                                                          

19 

30 

Salt  Creek 

15 

Polk 

21 

26 

18 

499 

300 

424  HISTORY   OF   MONROE  COUNTY. 

On  Saturday,  September  6,  the  citizens  of  the  county  assembled  at 
the  court  house  and  listened  to  a  long  able  address  on  the  state  of  the 
country  from  Hon.  Joseph  A.  Wright,  ex-Governor  of  the  State.  It  was 
a  fine  specimen  of  oratory,  and  was  loyal  to  the  core.  On  the  following 
Monday,  the  citizens  again  assembled  to  listen  to  Hon.  Joseph  E.  Mc- 
Donald, who  delivered  an  address  of  great  power.  He  strongly  favored  a 
cessation  of  hostilities. 

THE  DRAFT  OF  OCTOBER  6,  1862. 

The  first  draft  had  been  announced  to  take  place  on  the  15th  of  Sep- 
tember, 1862  ;  but  at  the  last  moment,  to  give  all  counties  behind  abun- 
dant opportunity  to  redeem  themselves,  the  date  was  postponed  to  the  6th 
of  October,  at  which  time  it  occurred  throughout  the  State.  The  Draft 
Commissioner  was  Ira  Browning;  the  Marshal,  W.  J.  Alexander,  and  the 
Surgeon,  J.  D.  Maxwell,  for  Monroe  County.  On  the  19th  of  Septem- 
ber, the  Enrolling  Commissioner  reported  the  following  facts  to  the  Ad- 
jutant General  :  Total  militia,  1,828;  total  volunteers,  1,039  ;  total 
exempts,  298  ;  total  conscientiously  opposed  to  bearing  arms,  3  ;  total  vol- 
unteers in  the  service,  840  ;  total  subject  to  draft,  1,527.  At  this  date 
(the  19th  of  September),  the  county  lacked  twenty -two  men  of  having 
filled  her  quota,  as  follows  :  Benton,  1  ;  Salt  Creek,  4  ;  Polk,  12;  Clear 
Creek,  3  ;  Indian  .Creek,  2.  This  number  was  reduced  to  one  man  by  the 
6th  of  October,  and  this  deficiency  was  in  Salt  Creek  Township.  A  man 
was  drafted  there,  and  in  a  few  minutes  after  the  draft  was  made,  a  vol- 
unteer was  reported  from  that  township,  and  accepted,  thus  virtually 
clearmg  the  county  from  the  draft  of  October  6,  1862. 

CONTINUED    ENLISTMENTS. 

In  September,  Capt.  Daniel  Shrader,  who  had  taken  a  company  into 
the  special  three  months'  service  of  lSd2,  the  same  being  Company  A, 
of  the  Fifty-fourth  Regiment,  was  commissioned  to  raise  another  company 
for  the  same  regiment,  re-organized  for  the  one  year's  service.  He  estab- 
lished a  recruiting  office  at  Bloomington.  For  some  reason,  he  did  not 
continue,  but  was  soon  appointed  Major  of  the  Fifty-fourth.  About 
the  23d  of  September,  Bloomington,  and  indeed  all  of  Monroe  County, 
in  common  with  the  southern  half  of  Indiana,  was  thrown  into  the  most 
intense  excitement  by  the  news  that  Bragg's  forces  were  rapidly  march- 
ing upon  Louisville  with  the  intention  of  capturing  and  sacking  the  place  ; 
and  at  the  same  time  a  dispatch  was  received  from  Gov.  Morton,  who  was 
then  at  Louisville,  urging  an  immediate  organization  of  the  militia  to  be 
held  in  readiness  to  march  at  a  moment's  notice  in  defense  of  that  city. 
A  meeting  was  promptly  held  at  the  court  house,  and  the  nature  of  the 
emergency  explained  by  Judge  Hughes.  An  adjournment  was  taken 
until  the  evening,  but  during  the  afternoon  nearly  a  full  company  of 
volunteers  was  raised,  which  was  fully  completed  at  the  evening  meeting, 
and  the  officers  elected  as  folloAVS  :  Francis  Otwell,  Captain  ;  Henry  Eller, 
First  Lieutenant ;  W.  H.  McCullough,  Second  Lieutenant.  Early  the 
next  morning,  the  company  was  armed,  and  was  then  ready  to  march  at  a 
moment's  warning.  Within  a  short  time,  however,  it  was  learned  that 
Bragg  would  not  touch  Louisville,  and  the  company  disbanded. 


HISTORY   OF   MONROE  COUNTY.  425 

SUSPENSION    OF    ACTIVE    WORK. 

After  October,  but  little  attempt  was  made  to  enlist  men  for  the  war 
during  the  colder  months.  The  people  eagerly  watched  the  movements  of 
the  contending  armies,  and  waited  anxiously  for  details  as  soon  as  it 
became  known  that  a  great  battle  had  been  fought.  The  Republican  was 
filled  with  letters  from  the  army.  The  following,  referring  to  the  battle 
of  Stone  River,  or  Murfreesboro,  is  a  Sample : 

FROM    THE    EIGHTY-SECOND    REGIMENT. 

Camp  near  Murfreesboro,  Tenn.,  January  8,  1863. 

Messrs.  Editors — Our  brigade,  except  the  Eighry-second  Indiana  (it  had  been  to 
Nashville  to  guard  a  train  through),  arrived  on  the  field  of  battle  We  Ineaday  morning 
about  11  o'clock,  and  were  quickly  formed  in  "line  of  battle"  on  the  right  center.  There 
they  lay  v?ithout  blankets  until  the  battle  closed,  but  were  not  brought  into  action  until 
Friday  evening,  just  at  dark. 

The  cannonading  was  fearful  on  our  side,  the  rebels  using  very  little;  but  above  the 
roar  of  the  cannon  could  be  heard  the  shrill  shriek  of  the  shells  as  they  took  their  way 
through  the  air,  making  a  noise,  as  the  negroes  expressed  it,  which  seemed  to  say,  "  Whar 
is  ye?  " 

I  rode  up  to  where  our  batteries  were  playing,  and  there  for  the  first  time  saw  the 
rebel  banner,  some  half  mile  away,  floating  defiantly  to  the  breeze ;  but  not  many 
minutes  was  it  permitted  to  float  undisturbed.  Our  batteries  leveled  on  it,  and  it  passed 
away — whether  cut  down  by  our  balls  or  removed  by  the  rebels,  I  could  not  determine. 
It  started  a  train  of  thought  which  was  very  soon  interrupted  by  the  descent  of  a  shell 
not  more  than  twenty  feet  distant.  Fortunately  for  me,  it  did  not  burst.  I  changed  my 
position,  still  intent  on  watching  our  batteries,  when  one  of  those  vicious  little  Mississippi 
rifle  balls  passed  across  my  horse's  flank,  and  buried  itself  in  the  earth.  My  curiosity 
was  satisfied ;  I  had  business  of  importance  up  the  road.  The  firing  only  ceased  when 
darkness  rendered  it  necessary. 

Thursday  morning  it  opened  about  daylight,  and  continued  throughout  the  day. 

Friday  was  a  repetition  of  the  others,  until  about  3  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  when 
suddenly  there  arose  a  noise  on  our  left  that  would  have  drowned  the  noise  of  the  loudest 
thunder;  peal  upon  peal  arose  fromihe  thro^its  of  some  sixty  cannon  and  20,000  muskets, 
all  combined  to  make  one  of  the  most  fearful  sounds  ever  heard.  It  was  caused  by  the 
rebels  trying  to  take  our  batteries.  A  desperate  charge  it  was,  and  most  desperately 
were  they  repulsed.  The  loss  of  life  and  limb  were  fearful  on  both  sides.  This  desperate 
charge  lasted  about  three  hours,  when  night  again  shed  her  mantle  o'er  the  scene  of  car- 
nage, to  shut  out,  as  it  were,  the  horrible  sight.  It  was  just  at  nightfall  that  the  First 
Brigade  was  brought  into  action.  They  were  sent  out  to  make  a  reconnoissance  in  force. 
They  succeeded  in  drawing  the  enemy's  fire,  and  returned  it  with  vigor.  We  had  none 
killed,  and  but  eleven  wounded. 

Saturday  was  a  day  of  skirmishing  throughout.  Sunday,  the  rebels  evacuated. 
Monday,  we  took  possession.  Thus  closed  one  of  the  hardest  fought  and  most  sanguinary 
battles  of  the  war.  It  was  a  battle  for  Tennessee;  both  sides  resolved  to  do  their  best. 
The  victory  was  not  as  complete  as  it  might  have  been  under  other  circumstances  ;  but  I 
think  it  will  decide  the  matter  in  Middle  Tennessee  at  any  rate. 

Our  loss  in  killed  and  wounded  amounts  to  about  7,000 ;  taken  prisoners,  4,000. 
We  'ost  ihirty-nine  pieces  of  artillery,  eight  of  which  were  recaptured,  leaving  thirty-one 
in  their  hands.  The  rebel  loss,  as  near  as  I  can  determine  it  (and  my  chances  to  do  so  are 
very  good),  is  about  as  follows  :  Killed  and  wounded,  8,000  ;  taken  prisoners,  7,000.  We 
captured  nine  pieces  of  artillery,  and  quite  a  number  of  small  aru-s,  provisions,  eic. 
Gen.  Dill  wa^  killed  early  on  Tuesday  morning — shot  through  the  eye  ;  Gen.  Willie h  was 
wounded  and  taken  prisoner.  I  shall  not  attempt  a  list  of  the  names  of  eur  ofiicers  killed 
and  wounded — you  have  that  already.  There  are  many  little  incidents  connected  with 
the  fight  that  I  may  pive  you  at  a  future  day.     For  the  present,  I  must  remain, 

Yours,  Carlos. 

There  was  no  time  during  the  continuance  of  the  war  when  some  of 
the  men  were  not  at  home  on  a  furlough.  Some  who  had  been  racked 
by  the  dreadful  camp  diseases  came  home  to  be  nursed  back  to  lite  and 
health  by  loving  friends.  Others,  emaciated  beyond  recognition,  with 
bloodless  faces  and  tottering  steps,  came  home  only  to  die  in  the  arms  of 


426  HISTORY    OF   MONROE   COUNTY. 

sobbing  friends.  Others  came  back,  discharged  from  the  army  with 
broken  constitutions,  to  slowly  die  from  the  effects  of  the  ravages  of  war. 
Sad  stories  of  heroic  death  on  the  battle-field,  where  lead  fell  thick  as  a 
thunder  shower,  and  where  the  sickening  fear  blanched  the  faces  of  the 
brave,  were  told  proudly  in  peaceful  Northern  homes.  One  brave  boy 
from  the  county,  in  the  thickest  of  the  rain  of  dreadful  death,  who  re- 
ceived a  gaping  wound  that  was  mortal,  raised  himseif  partly  up  and  ex- 
claimed, "Oh  God,  if  I  could  see  my  wife!"  and  fell  back  a  corpse. 
And  this  was  war  ! 

DISLOYAL    MASS    MEETING. 

On  the  24th  of  January,  1863,  a  large  meeting  was  held  by  the  dis- 
loyal element  of  the  county  at  the  court  house,  on  which  occasion  Judge 
Eckles,  of  Greencastle,  was  the  principal  speaker.  He  was  an  able  man, 
and  delivered  a  rousing  speech.  He  took  an  ultra  position  in  opposing  a 
further  continuance  of  the  war,  and  was  enthusiastically  applauded  by  his 
andience.  He  denounced  the  administration  of  President  Lincoln  in  the 
severest  terms  ;  heaped  the  responsibility  of  the  war  upon  the  Republican 
party,  especially  the  Abolitionist  wing  ;  declared  that  the  South  were 
justified  in  their  course  in  view  of  the  danger  to  their  favorite  institution — 
slavery — and  insisted  that  not  another  man  nor  dollar  should  be  furnished 
to  continue  the  unnecessary  and  wicked  war.  A  series  of  resolutions  was 
adopted  embodying  the  substance  of  the  speech,  and  the  crowd  dispersed, 
several  cheering  for  Jeff"  Davis  and  cursing  "  Old  Lincoln."  The  State 
Sentinel  spoke  highly  of  the  "spirit  and  determination  of  this  meeting." 
Several  savage  fights  occurred  during  the  day. 

LOYAL    MASS    MEETING. 

Four  Weeks  later,  an  enormous  Union  meeting  was  held  at  the  court 
house,  Capt.  Capps,  of  East  Tennessee,  and  Col.  Hawkins  being  the  prin- 
cipal speakers.  Both  delivered  excellent,  loyal  addresses.  Jacob  B. 
Lowe  was  Chairman  of  the  meeting,  and  Maj.  James  B.  Mulky,  Secre- 
tary. The  following  preambles  and  resolutions  were  unanimously 
adopted  : 

Whereas,  We  are  now  engaged  in  a  deadly  struggle  in  defense  of  and  for  the  per- 
petuity of  every  right  dear  to  us  as  American  citizens,  and  which  requires  the  united 
efforts  of  all  good,  true  and  loyal  men.     And, 

Whereas,  We  have  beheld,  with  deep  regret  and  abhorreoce,  the  malignant  partisan 
spirit  in  our  S'ate,  the  tendency  of  which  is  to  paralyze  and  frustrate  the  measures  of  the 
Federal  and  Slate  authorities  in  their  patriotic  endeavors  to  suppress  this  infamous 
rebellion;  to  create  and  diflfuse  secession  and  treasonable  sentiments  among  the  people; 
and,  finally,  precipitate  them  out  of  the  Union,  and  into  a  league  with  the  Southern  Con- 
federacy, and  into  entangling  alliances  with  France,  or  other  foreign  powers.     Therefore, 

1.  Resolved,  1\\n,i  viQ  tender  to  Gov.  Morton  our  warmest  thanks  for  his  untiring 
zeal  in  organizing,  arming  and  equipping  the  gallant  army  which  Indiana  has  sent  to  the 
tented  field,  and  for  his  timely  and  tender  attention  to  the  want'i  of  our  sick  and  wounded 
soldiers,  and  assure  him  of  our  unswerving  support  in  his  efforts  to  maintain  for  Indiana 
her  present  proud  position  for  pre-eminent  loyalty,  and  ttie  high  character  of  her  citizen 
soldiery. 

2.  Resolved,  That  we  hold  in  utter  detestation,  and  execrate  any  man,  or  class  of 
men,  wlio,  in  this  struggle  for  our  national  existence,  are  found  fomenting  and  making 
factions,  and  malignant  partisan  opposition  to  either  the  Federal  or  State  authorities,  in 
their  effort's  and  measures  for  the  vigorous  prosecution  of  the  war,  for  the  suppression  of 
this  causeless,  wanton,  and  Godless  rebellion. 

3.  Resolved,  That  we  unqualifiedly  repudiate  and  denounce  any  and  all  propositions 
for  an  armistice  or  compromise  with  the  traitors,  other  than  those  uniformly  offered  to 


HISTORY  OF  MONROE  COUNTY.  427 

them  by  tte  proper  authorities  of  the  Federal  Government,  viz.:  That  they  ground  the 
arms  of  their  rebellion,  return  into  the  Union,  and  be  obedient,  law-abiding  citizens  to 
the  government  of  our  fathers,  as  they  made  it.  and  consecrated  it  with  their  precious 
blood,  and  as  by  their  dying  request  they  enjoined  upon  us  to  preserve  and  defend  it, 
and  transmit  it  unimpaired  to  our  posterity. 

4.  Resolved,  That  cowardly  and  traitorous  demagogues  at  home  shall  never  pre- 
cipitate us  into  the  attitude  of  requiring  the  noblest  army  of  freedom  the  world  has  ever 
seen  to  ground  their  arms  i  i  front  of  the  most  perfidious,  inhuman  and  redemptionless 
army  of  traitors  and  outlaws  that  ever  disgraced  the  annals  of  the  earth. 

5.  Resolved,  That  this  rebellion  must  and  shall  be  effectually  and  forever  crushed  out, 
leaving  a  lesson  upon  the  pages  of  our  history  which,  as  long  as  it  shall  continue  to  be 
read,  will  over-awe  and  deter  rebellious  and  wicked  spirits  and  the  enemies  of  freedom 
and  the  human  race  from  ever  again  attempting  to  de'uge  with  the  precious  blood  of  our 
brothers  and  sons  this  otherwise  prosperous,  free  and  happy  land. 

This  meeting  and  the  resolutions  adopted  had  a  most  excellent  effect 
upon  the  county,  and  greatly  encouraged  the  loyal  citizens  during  that 
gloomiest  year  of  the  war — 1863.  A  week  later,  another  Union  mass 
meeting  of  equal  intensity  and  enthusiasm  was  held  at  the  court  house, 
the  speakers  being  Gen.  Kimball,  Hon.  J.  A.  Matson,  Col.  McCrea, 
Revs.  Hopkins,  Farmer  and  Hearb.  Several  of  these  speakers  were 
Democrats,  but  all  spoke  earnestly  of  continuing  the  war.  The  speakers 
addressed  one  of  the  largest  assemblages  ever  in  the  county  seat. 

A  CURIOUS  EDITORIAL. 

Scarcely  any  attempt  was  made  during  the  spring  months  of  1863  to 
raise  volunteers;  The  citizens  waited  and  watched.  The  following  article 
was  published  as  an  editorial  in  the  Republican  of  April  18: 

We  learn  that  our  old  friend,  A.  Sutherland,  sutler  to  the  Fifty-ninth  Regiment,  was 
fined  $10  and  costs  in  the  Common  Pleas  Court  the  other  day  for  bringing  to  this  county 
and  harboring  a  "  contraband  "  picked  up  somewhere  in  the  South,  and  who  accompanied 
him  home  on  a  visit  some  weeks  since.  Good  enough  for  you.  Aleck.  We  have  niggers 
enough  here  now,  and  we  hope  all  who  violate  the  laws  by  bringing  them  into  the  State 
•will  be  compelled  to  pay  the  penalty. 

RESISTANCE  TO  MILITARY  LAW. 

In  April,  the  news  of  the  outbreak  in  Brown  County  near  Georgetown 
was  received,  which  led  to  a  public  meeting  of  the  citizens  at  the  court 
house,  where  a  long  series  of  resolutions  condemning  such  treasonable 
riots  was  adopted,  and  where  preparations  to  thoroughly  organize  the 
militia  company  to  be  in  readiness  for  such  an  outbreak  in  Monroe  County, 
should  one  occur,  were  made.  Francis  A.  Otwell  was  elected  Captain  of 
the  company,  and  active  drilling  was  begun.  About  the  same  time  the 
citizens  of  Yan  Buren  Township  met  at  Schoolhouse  No.  3,  and  organized 
a  militia  company.  John  Koons  was  Chairman  of  the  meeting,  and  W.  M. 
Crossfield,  Secretary.  In  June,  the  enrollment  of  men  liable  to  do  mili- 
tary duty  was  begun  in  the  various  townships  of  the  county.  The  mem- 
bers of  the  Enrolling  Board  for  the  Third  Congressional  District  were 
Simeon  Stansifer,  Provost  Marshal ;  John  R.  B.  Glasscock,  Commis- 
sioner; Albert  G.  Collier,  Surgeon.  In  April,  1865,  James  B.  Mulky 
succeeded  Stansifer  as  Provost  Marshal.  Col.  John  McCrea  was  ap- 
pointed Provost  Marshal  for  Monroe  County  in  June,  1863.  In  one  por- 
tion of  the  county  the  enrolling  officers  encountered  forcible  opposition. 
On  Friday,  June  19,  an  armed  force  of  about  eighty  men  surrounded  W. 
F.  Hensley,  enrolling  officer  of  Indian  Creek  Township,  while  discharging 


428  HISTORY  OF  MONROE  COUNTY. 

his  duty,  and  compelled  him  to  give  up  his  enrolling  papers,  threatening 
him  with  death  if  he  revealed  the  names  of  any  present.  Mr.  Hensley, 
however,  promptly  informed  the  authorities  at  Bloomington  of  what  had 
happened;  and  so  great  was  the  wrath  of  the  "Butternuts"  that  his 
neighbors  thought  best  to  place  a  guard  around  his  person.  On  the  fol- 
lowing Wednesday,  Col.  Biddle,  with  about  six  hundred  members  of  the 
Seventy-first  Regiment,  and  a  company  of  the  Third  Cavalry,  arrived  at 
Bloomington,  and  encamped  just  north  of  town.  Col.  McCrea,  with  sev- 
eral assistants  and  the  cavalry  company,  immediately  started  for  Indian 
Creek  Township,  where  he  arrested  about  sixteen  persons  supposed  to 
have  been  the  leaders  of  the  outrage,  and  recovered  the  enrolling  officer's 
papers.  The  persons  arrested  were  sent  to  Indianapolis  to  be  examined 
by  the  United  States  District  Court.  No  further  trouble  was  encoun- 
tered. About  the  26th  of  June,  a  section  of  the  Twenty-third  Artillery, 
embracing  two  brass  12-pounder  guns  arrived  at  Bloomington  and  en- 
camped. All  this  display  of  force  completely  checked  all  further  resist- 
ance to  the  enrollment  or  enlistment.  Before  this,  the  "  Butternuts  " 
had  been  arming  and  drilling  in  one  or  more  portions  of  the  county,  but 
now  they  were  completely  subdued. 

THE  REBEL    GEN.  MORGAN. 

On  Monday,  the  22d  of  June,  the  news  was  received  that  the  rebel 
Gen.  Morgan,  with  a  large  force,  had  penetrated  Indiana  from  Kentucky, 
and  was  advancing  upon  Paoli,  Orange  County.  All  the  bells  in  town 
were  hastily  rung,  and  soon  a  large  crowd  of  excited  citizens  assembled  at 
the  court  house.  A  company  of  over  one  hundred  "minutemen"  was 
speedily  formed  and  organized  under  the  command  of  Capt.  I.  S.  Bus- 
kirk,  and  service  was  tendered  the  Governor  by  telegraph.  No  answer 
was  received  until  late  at  night,  when  it  was  learned  that  their  services 
would  not  be  needed.     They  accordingly  disbanded. 

NEW    CALLS    FOR     VOLUNTEERS. 

On  the  15th  of  June  came  the  call  of  the  President  for  100,000  six 
months'  men,  and  immediate  steps  were  taken  to  raise  a  company.  An 
enlistment  office  was  opened  over  Fee's  store.  Thos&  who  were  especially 
active  in  obtaining  volunteers  were  W.  B.  Hughes,  J.  Rutledge,  W.  C. 
Smith,  Michael  Gabbert,  H.  C.  Gabbertand  J.  H.  Miller.  By  the  31st  of 
July,  the  company  numbered  about  seventy-five  men,  when  they  were 
ordered  to  report  at  Indianapolis,  which  they  did  on  that  day.  There 
they  remained  until  August  15,  recruiting  in  the  meantime  their  ranks 
from  Monroe  County  to  the  lawful  number  of  men,  when  they  were  mus- 
tered into  the  service,  and  on  the  same  day  sent  to  Kentucky.  The  men 
became  Company  I  of  the  One  Hundred  and  Seventeeth  Regiment,  six 
months'  men,  and  were  officered  as  follows  :  Captain,  William  B.  Hughes  ; 
First  Lieutenant,  Jechonias  Rutledge ;  Second  Lieutenant,  James  H. 
Miller. 

MORE    OF    GEN.    MORGAN. 

The  continued  threatening  character  of  the  news  of  the  invasion  of 
Indiana  by  Gen.  Morgan  soon  gave  a  new  impetus  to  the  organization  of 
militia    companies.     The   company    of   Capt.   Buskirk  was  again   mus- 


HISTORY  OF  MONROE  COUNTY.  429 

tered,  and  on  the  9th  of  July  left  for  Mitchell,  Ind.  A  company  of 
cavalry,  commanded  by  Capt.  VVylie,  left  the  next  day  for  the  same  point, 
and  on  the  same  day  a  militia  company  of  infantry,  under  Capt.  Marion 
Blair,  left  for  Indianapolis.  Another  full  company  left  Ellettsville  for 
Indianapolis  about  the  same  time.  Two  other  full  companies  were  nearly 
completed  in  the  vicinity  of  Bloomington  at  the  same  time.  At  no  peri- 
od during  the  war  did  the  excitement  run  higher  than  at  this  time.  The 
wildest  rumors  were  circulated,  and  business  of  all  kinds  was  almost 
wholly  suspended.  The  streets  of  the  county  seat  were  alive  with  mili- 
tary preparations,  and  great  crowds  assembled  from  the  country  to  learn 
what  was  to  be  done.  Within  one  week,  all  illusions  of  danger  were  dis- 
pelled. The  company  of  which  Marion  Blair  was  Captain  was  mustered 
into  the  service  at  Indianapolis  on  the  10th  of  July,  and  without  leaving 
that  city  was  mustered  out  on  the  15th  of  July.  The  company  was  D  of 
the  One  Hundred  and  Tenth  Regiment,  minutemen.  Barton  A  cuff  was 
Captain  of  the  company  from  Ellettsville,  which  was  both  mustered  in  and 
mustered  out  on  the  same  days  respectively  as  the  company  of  Capt. 
Blair.  Capt.  Acuff 's  company  was  G  of  the  One  Hundred  and  Eleventh 
Regiment,  minutemen.  The  company  of  militia  under  Capt.  Hughes 
(which  immediately  afterward  entered  the  six  months'  service  as  above 
stated)  moved  to  Mitchell,  where  it  became  Company  A  of  the  One  Hun- 
dred and  Twelfth  Regiment,  minutemen.  The  company  was  mustered 
in  July  9,  and  mustered  out  July  17.  This  company  saw  slight  service, 
as  it  with  its  regiment  moved  to  North  Vernon,  which  place  it  assisted  in 
holding  against  Gen.  Morgan,  who  approached  within  a  few  miles.  I.  S. 
Buskirk  was  Major  of  this  regiment.  The  One  Hundred  and  Thirteenth 
Regiment,  minutemen,  contained  one  company  from  Monroe  County, 
commanded  by  Capt.  Henry  L.  McCalla.  This  was  Company  A,  and 
was  mustered  in  July  11,  and  mustered  out  July  16.  It  saw  the  same 
service  as  the  company  of  Capt.  Hughes.  It  will  thus  be  seen  that  within 
about  one  week  Monroe  County  furnished  and  sent  into  the  service  four 
full  companies,  and  had  three  or  four  other  companies  organized  and 
ready.  The  wisdom  of  the  organization  of  the  county  militia  in  1861 
was  thus  demonstrated.  A  fine  company  of  militia  cavalry  was  organ- 
ized in  Perry  Township  (mostly)  in  September,  under  the  command  of 
Capt.  J.  E.  Mathers.  One  of  the  companies  referred  to  above  was  com- 
manded by  Capt.  David  Sheeks. 

THE    CALL    OF    OCTOBER,    1863. 

The  county  was  again  thrown  into  activity  by  the  call  of  the  Presi- 
dent of  October  17  for  300,000  for  the  three  years'  service.  The  quota 
of  the  county  was  143  men.  Calls  for  volunteers  were  made,  and  enlist- 
ment offices  established  si  the  county  seat,  and  for  short  periods  in  sev- 
eral of  the  country  townships.  The  officers  commissioned  to  raise  recruits 
were  Col.  McCrea,  Capt.  Buskirk  and  Henry  Eller.  At  first,  the  vol- 
unteering was  slow,  but  a  war  meeting  was  held  at  the  court  house  on  the 
'28th  of  November,  and  quite  a  large  squad  was  raised.  They  were  sent 
into  camp  of  instruction  at  Columbus,  and  the  recruiting  was  continued. 
The  company  was  so  nearly  completed  by  the  18th  of  December  that  Col. 
McCrea  left  for   Columbus.     On  the  14th   of  January,   1864,  the   men 


430  HISTORY  OF  MONROE  COUNTY. 

were  mustered  in  at  Camp  Shanks,  near  Indianapolis,  but  recruits  con- 
tinued to  be  raised  in  the  county  to  the  number  of  about  twenty,  who 
were  mustered  in  January  24,  March  2.  and  a  few  even  in  April.  The 
officers  of  the  company  were:  Isaac  S.  Buskirk,  Captain;  James  E, 
Mathers,  First  Lieutenant;  G.  P.  Bailey,  Second  Lieutenant.  A  squad 
of  the  men  was  raised  at  Ellettsville.  The  men  became  Company  I  of 
the  Tenth  Cavalry  (One  Hundred  and  Twenty-fifth  Regiment).  The  reg- 
iment did  not  leave  the  State  until  May,  1864,  when  it  moved  to  Nash- 
ville, Tenn.  In  December,  186'^,  and  January,  1864,  about  fifteen  re- 
cruits were  sent  to  Company  K  of  the  Twenty-first  Regiment  (First  Heavy 
Artillery),  and  about  tea  to  the  Twenty-second  Regiment.  A  few  were 
sent  to  the  Twenty-seventh  also.  Sergt.  J.  Frank  Fee  recruited  about 
twenty  men  for  Company  G  of  the  Thirty-first  Regiment  during  the 
month  of  February,  1864.  In  December,  1863,  and  January  and  Feb- 
ruary, 1864,  about  fifteen  recruits  were  sent  to  Company  G  of  the 
Thirty-eighth  Regiment.  They  were  obtained  at  Ellettsville.  About 
half  a  dozen  men  entered  Company  F  of  the  Eighty-second  Regiment. 
A  few  entered  other  regiments. 

ONE    HUNDRED    DAYS'    MEN. 

Under  the  call  for  one  hundred  days'  men  in  April,  1864,  a  large 
war  meeting  was  held  at  the  court  house,  pursuant  to  call,  on  the  evening 
of  April  27,  to  take  steps  toward  raising  a  company.  Gov.  Dunning 
addressed  the  audience,  and  explained  the  nature  of  the  call,  and  the  en- 
listment roll  was  circulated  and  about  a  dozen  names  secured.  After 
passing  a  resolution  asking  the  County  Commissioners  to  offer  a  bounty 
of  $30  for  volunteers,  the  meeting  adjourned.  Active  measures  were 
continued  to  increase  and  complete  the  company.  By  the  3d  of  May, 
the  company,  though  partly  raised  in  Clay  County,  was  completed,  the 
following  being  the  officers :  Jechonias  Rutledge,  Captain ;  A.  B.  Wheeler, 
First  Lieutenant ;  W.  R.  Kress,  Second  Lieutenant,  About  three-fifths 
of  the  company  was  from  Monroe  County,  including  the  Captain.  The 
men  became  Company  K  of  the  One  Hundred  and  Thirty -third  Regi- 
ment, 100  days'  service.  They  were  mustered  in  at  Indianapolis  on  the 
17th  of  May,  and  left  at  once  for  Tennessee. 

THE  FOURTH  OF  JULY,  1864. 

During  the  previous  years  of  the  war,  no  celebrations  of  this  national 
holiday  were  held  at  the  county  seat.  Various  country  celebrations  had 
occurred,  of  which  no  record  was  kept.  Neither  at  this  time  were  prepa- 
rations made  to  soar  the  eagle  to  the  usual  lofty  height  of  American 
patriotism.  An  impromptu  celebration,  or  rather  picnic,  was  held  at  Prof. 
Wylie's  beautiful  grove  in  the  southeastern  part  of  town.  Rev.  J.  M.  Bishop 
acted  as  President  of  the  Day.  Prayer  was  offered  by  Rev.  Covey,  and 
the  Declaration  of  Independence  read  by  J.  P.  Rankin,  Esq.  Rev.  Levi 
Hughes  delivered  a  short  address,  as  did  Prof.  D.  E.  Hunter.  At  intervals 
the  national  airs  were  sung  by  bevies  of  sweet-faced  girls  and  boys.  Their 
voices  were  as  sweet  as  new  harmony  in  the  cool  shade  on  that  hot  day. 
Of  course  the  fire  cracker  was  present.  Swings  were  erected  and  enjoyed 
in  the  afternoon.     Thus  the  great  day  died. 


HISTORY  OF  MONROE  COUNTY. 


431 


THE    HEAVY    CALL    OF    JULY,  1864. 

The  call  of  the  President  on  the  18th  of  July,  1864,  for  500,000  men 
for  one,  two  and  three  years,  staggered  the  county,  and  at  first  but  little 
was  done  in  the  direction  of  raising  volunteers  to  fill  the  quota.  On  the 
6th  of  August,  the  Republican  published  the  following  table  : 

Office  Provost  Marshal,  "1 
Third  District,  Columbus,  July  29,  1864.      j 
Quota  of  Monroe  County  under  call  of  July  18,  H64.  for    500,000  men  : 


TOWNSHIPS. 


Bloomington.. 
Bean  Blossom 
Washington... 

Marion 

Benton 

Richland , 

Van  Buren... 

Perry 

Salt  Creek...., 

Polk 

Clear  Creek... 
Indian  Creek. 

Totals.... 


Excess  ot 
Former 
Calls. 


87 


203 


Deficit  0 
Former 
Calls. 


Quotaunder 

the  Present 

Call. 


56 
27 
17 
8 
17 
28 
19 
33 
15 
12 
34 
21 

287 


Number 

to  be 

Furnished. 


S.  Stansifer, 
Captain  and  Provost  3[arshal  Third  District. 

From  this  exhibit  it  will  be  seen  that,  although  this  call  was  enor- 
mous, not  a  man  was  required  from  either  of  the  townships — Bloomington, 
Richland  or  Clear  Creek.  But,  in  justice  to  the  other  townships,  this 
circumstance  requires  some  explanation.  During  the  earlier  years  of  the 
war,  the  volunteers  were  careless  in  giving  their  true  residence  and  were 
usually,  or  at  least  quite  often,  credited  to  the  places  where  they  enlisted, 
which  were  usually  at  the  largest  towns.  For  instance,  a  volunteer  from 
Benton  Township  would  go  to  Bloomington  to  join  a  company  that  was 
organizing  there,  and  as  that  was  his  post  office  address  he  would  be  credited 
to  Bloomington  Township.  This  accounts  to  some  extent  at  least  for  the 
great  excess  of  men  in  the  townships  containing  towns  where  companies 
were  raised. 

THE  DRAFT  OF  OCTOBER,   1864. 

Time  passed,  but  no  concerted  effort  was  made  to  clear  the  county  of 
her  quota.  A  few  recruits  were  sent  to  the  old  regiments,  but  no  attempt 
was  made  to  raise  a  full  company  of  men.  The  draft  was  threatened, 
but  the  citizens  with  philosophic  indifference  folded  their  arms,  and  quiet- 
ly waited  events.  Perry  raised  her  eleven  men.  Bean  Blossom  raised 
five  men,  Benton  one.  Van  Buren  three;  but  the  other  townships  from 
which  men  were  due — Indian  Creek.  Polk,  Salt  Creek,  Washington  and 
Marion — did  not  furnish  a  solitary  man.  The  townships  which  had  an 
excess  of  men — Bloomington,  Richland  and  Clear  Creek — no  doubt  fur- 
nished a  very  few.  Probably  twenty-five  or  thirty  men  volunteered  under 
the  call.  The  draft  came  off  at  Columbus,  on  the  23d  of  September, 
with  the  following  result:     Bean  Blossom,  37;  Washington,  25;  Marion, 


432 


HISTORY  OF  MONROE  COUNTY. 


14;  Benton,  9;  Van  Buren,  6;  Salt  Creek,  19;  Polk,  17';  Indian 
Creek,  32;  total.  159.  Double  this  number  was  really  drafted  to  make 
allowances  for  those  unfit  for  service.  Considerable  volunteering  was 
done  after  this  draft  took  place,  and  a  number  of  substitutes  were  fur- 
nished by  those  who  could  not  or  would  not  go  to  war.  The  drafted  men 
(those  who  reported  at  all)  and  the  substitutes  were  taken  first  to  Colum- 
bus and  afterward  to  Indianapolis,  where  they  were  assigned  to  the  older 
regiments.  The  following  table,  taken  from  the  Adjutant  General's  Re- 
ports, was  prepared  by  authority  on  the  31st  of  December,  1864,  and 
shows  what  the  county  did  under  the  calls  of  February  1,  March  14,  and 
July  18,  1864;  and  from  this  it  will  be  seen  how  many  of  the  drafted 
men  had  reported  either  in  person  or  by  substitute  up  to  that  time: 


k 

11 

■5 

1 

2 

s 

a 

03 

Credits 
by  Volun- 
tary En- 
listments. 

d 
S 

% 
1 

i 

a 
.&2 

P 
1^ 

2 

8 

2 

I 

a 

.a 

TOWNSHIPS. 

1 
t 

1 

■i 

s 

& 
5 

56 
24 

221     5fi!  335 

134 
61 
3V* 
19 
39 
66 
46 
76 
3.- 
29 
76 
55 

143 
18 
18 
10 
32 
57 
45 
86 
20 
12 
54 
54 

32 
43 

"""i 

26 

1 
1 

""36 
1 

""22 
12 

7 

"19 
17 

1 

175 
61 

40 
22 
40 
83 
46 
87 
39 
29 
84 
55 

175 
61 
14 
6 
30 
83 
38 
76 
16 
12 
84 
23 

41 

10 
6 
3 

11 
8 

12 
6 
5 

13 

27    163 
17      99 
8      50 
171  104 
28i  169 
191  115 
33    198 
15     98 
12      71 
31     188 

Washington  

Ifi 

25 

27 
10 

1 

J 

8 
16 
27 
19 
31 
14 
12 
32 
22 

3 

Be 

1 

Richland 

17 

8 
10 
23 
17 

'""i 

n 

Salt  Creek 

4 

Polk            

8 

Indian  Creek 

9      24    142 



1 

'^TT 

111!  287il727 

675 

649 

135 

77 

761 

142 

2 

617 

86 

From  this  it  will  be  seen  that  by  the  31st  of  December,  1864,  each 
township  had  furnished  her  quota,  either  as  recruits,  substitutes  or  con- 
scripts, and  that  the  county  as  a  whole,  by  reason  of  eight  townships 
having  furnished  a  surplus,  was  ahead  of  all  calls  (except  the  late  call  of 
December  19,  1864)  to  the  number  of  86  men. 

THE  LAST  CALL  FOR  VOLUNTEERS, 

The  call  of  December  19,  1864  (the  last  of  the  war),  for  300,000 
men  for  one,  two  and  three  years,  again  aroused  the  citizens  into  a  reason- 
able degree  of  activity.  The  county  paper  published  an  urgent  editorial 
with  large  offers  of  bounty,  and  called  upon  all  to  assist  in  filling  the 
quota  required.  About  the  middle  of  January,  1865,  the  Deputy 
Provost  Marshal,  Ira  Browning,  called  meetings  in  each  township  to  cor- 
rect the  enrollment  lists.  Early  in  January,  Capt.  S.  W.  Bonsall  opened 
an  enlistment  ofiice  for  veteran  recruits  for  the  First  Veteran  Army 
Corps,  offering  Government  bounties  of  $400,  $500  and  $600,  for  one, 
two  and  three  years  respectively.  His  offer  of  $1,143  bounty  for  one 
year  was  tempting,  and  when  large  offers  of  local  bounty  were  made  the 


HISTORY  OF  MONROE  COUNTY. 


433 


recruits  began  to  appear.  The  County  Board  appropriated  $500  for 
each  volunteer  under  the  call.  Townships  began  to  offer  several  hundred 
dollars  bounty.  Men  felt  encouraged  to  enlist,  for  it  was  known  that  the 
rebellion  was  tottering  on  the  verge  of  the  "last  ditch,"  Maj.  James  B. 
Mulky  was  appointed  general  recruiting  officer  for  the  Third  District, 
with  headquarters  at  Columbus.  He  called  for  a  company  from  Monroe. 
The  county  quota  was  161  men.  Lieuts.  N.  E.  Mathers  and  J.  F.  Douglas 
began  recruiting  men  about  the  middle  of  January.  John  T.  Eller, 
James  H.  Miller,  Ren  C.  Smith  and  others,  also  enlisted  men.  Within  a 
comparatively  short  space  of  time  nearly  a  full  company  was  secured,  the 
remainder,  to  the  number  of  about  fifteen,  being  raised  mostly  in  Brown 
County.  These  men  became  Company  E  of  the  One  Hundred  and 
Forty-fifth  Regiment,  one  year's  service,  with  the  following  officers  :  John 
F.  Douglas,  Captain  ;  James  H.  Miller,  First  Lieutenant ;  Ren  C.  Smith, 
Second  Lietenant.  This  company  was  mustered  in  at  Indianapolis  on 
the  4th  and  5th  of  February,  and  on  the  18th  left  with  its  regiment  for 
Nashville,  Tenn.  About  half  of  Company  I  of  the  same  regiment  was 
raised  in  Monroe  County  immediately  after  the  other  boys  had  left. 
They  were  mustered  in  February  3,  4,  6  and  9.  The  officers  of  this 
company  were  John  P.  Cravens  (of  Madison),  Captain ;  Newton  E. 
Mathers  (of  Bloomington),  First  Lieutenant ;  William  M.  Crossfield  (of 
Smithvillej,  Second  Lieutenant.  The  other  half  of  this  company  came 
from  Madison.  On  the  18th  of  February  Capt.  Douglas,  of  Company 
E,  was  promoted  to  the  Lieutenant  Colonelcy  of  the  regiment,  and  on  the 
same  day  John  T.  Eller,  of  Monroe  County,  was  commissioned  Quarter- 
master. The  subjoined  exhibit  taken  from  the  Adjutant  General's  Re- 
port was  made  out  on  the  14th  of  April,  1865,  at  which  time  all  efforts 
to  raise  troops  were  abandoned  : 


i 

^' 

^ 

« 

Q 

"o 

Oi 

-d 

w  .. 

h 

y 

^"^ 

fl 

Hs 

a 
s 

i 

^ 

^5 

TOWNSHIPS. 

2 

a 

1? 

ii 

ll 

S 
' 

i1 

3i 

1 

^ 

i 

CQ 

& 

03 

tH 

'^ 

"^ 

t^ 

0 

0 

H 

286 

8 

8 

122 

56 

12 

18 

12 

18 

12 
17 

12 

17 

12 
17 

WashiDffton 

1 

Marion        

23 

64 

143 

130 

183 

42 

31 

176 

9 
10 

■"24" 

19 
12 
11 
14 

""{' 

9 
10 

'"24" 
19 
12 
11 
14 

10 
10 
2 
22 
19 
12 
10 
14 

""{' 

10 
10 
2 
22 
19 
12 
11 
14 

10 
10 
2 
22 
19 
12 
11 
14 

1 

Richland                         

""2 

3 

Perry 

Salt  Creek 

Polk 

rilAflr    Prpplr 

Indian  Creek '. 

109 

32 

32 

33 

33 

33 

1 

Totals            .         

1,375 

161 

9 

161 

161 

1 

162 

162 

3 

IS 

434  HISTORY  OF  MONROE  COUNTY. 

By  comparing  this  table  with  the  one  given  above,  there  would  at  first 
seem  to  be  some  ambiguity,  but  when  it  is  recollected  that  the  one  above 
was  prepared  on  the  31st  of  December,  ]  864,  twelve  days  after  the  call 
for  volunteers  of  December  19,  1864,  upon  which  the  last  table  is  based, 
the  matter  becomes  clearer.  In  other  words,  the  second  table  above 
includes  twelve  days  covered  by  the  last  table.  A  few  recruits  were  fur- 
nished for  the  One  Hundred  and  Forty-fifth  Regiment  during  the  month 
of  March.  The  draft  had  been  fixed  for  the  6th  of  January,  and  had 
been  postponed  until  the  15th  of  February,  and  was  then  again  postponed 
until  the  latter  part  of  March.  In  the  mean  time,  recruiting  was  slowly 
continuing  under  the  call  of  Lieut.  Eller.  The  county  did  not  quite 
escape  the  draft,  how6ver,  which  took  place  in  Polk  and  Salt  Creek 
Townships  during  the  last  week  in  March.  Four  or  five  men  only  were 
drafted,  one  of  whom  entered  the  service,  as  will  be  seen  by  the  above 
table. 

SUMMARY  OF  TROOPS  FURNISHED. 

On  the  19th  of  September,  1862,  the  county  was  credited  with  hav- 
ing furnished  1,039  volunteers  for  the  war.  Under  the  six  months'  call 
of  1863,  she  furnished  a  full  company — say  100  men.  The  quota  under 
the  October-  call  of  1863  was  143  men,  and  under  the  four  calls  of 
1864  was  277,  111,  287  and  161  men  respectively.  As  all  these  quotas 
were  filled  by  the  county,  a  close  estimate  may  be  made  of  the  number  of 
men  sent  into  the  army  during  the  war.  At  the  close  of  the  war,  the 
county  had  a  surplus  of  ten  men  to  her  credit.  Taking  the  sum  of  1,039, 
100,  143,  277,  111,  287,  161  and  10,  gives  a  grand  total  of  2,128  men, 
equal  to  over  two  full  regiments.  As  the  total  enrollment  of  county 
militia  in  1861  was  1,727,  it  will  be  seen  how  thoroughly  the  strength  of 
the  county  was  exhausted.  Of  course  each  man  has  been  counted  above 
as  often  as  he  enlisted.  This  estimate  does  not  include  the  four  compa- 
nies that  were  mustered  in  for  the  Morgan  campaign — say  400  men.  As 
they  were  actually  in  the  service  they  should  properly  be  included  in  the 
above  estimate,  thus  raising  the  number  of  troops  to  2,528.  "Old  Mon- 
roe" may  well  be  proud  of  this  showing. 

MISCELLANEOUS    INCIDENTS. 

There  was  considerable  disloyalty  manifested  publicly  throughout  the 
county  during  the  war,  of  which  it  is  better  now  to  write  but  little.  The 
subject  cannot  be  very  well  wholly  escaped.  When  the  rebellious  States 
seceded,  they  claimed  that  they  were  doing  as  they  had  a  right  to  do 
under  the  Constitution.  That  they  really  acted  in  good  faith  in  this  par- 
particular  can  no  longer  be  doubted.  They  were  protecting  the  institu- 
tion of  slavery,  which  had  been  their  chief  source  of  wealth  and  revenue 
since  the  formation  of  the  Government  That  slavery,  of  itself,  was  a 
great  wrong,  has  nothing  to  do  with  what  the  South  considered  her  right 
under  the  Constitution.  The  South  believed  in  State  sovereignty,  in 
nullification  and  in  slavery.  She  thought  the  Union  could  be  broken  by 
any  State  whose  sovereign  rights  were  trampled  upon.  But  it  is  doubtful, 
even  with  this  opinion,  if  she  would  have  seceded  had  she  not  felt  that 
slavery  would  otherwise  receive  its  death  blow.  With  these  thoughts,  is 
it  any  wonder  that  she  seceded?     The  North  took  an  opposite  position 


HISTORY   OF   MONROE   COUNTY.  435 

on  all  these  particulars,  and  was,  of  course,  as  we  now  know,  right.  The 
point  is  :  Did  the  South  act  in  good  faith?  If  she  did,  her  mistake  can 
be  overlooked.  It  was  true  of  Monroe  County  that,  as  many  of  the  cit- 
izens had  come  from  the  South,  and  had  friends  and  relatives  there,  a 
strong  sympathy  was  felt  for  the  old  home.  During  the  winter  of  1860- 
61,  as  the  Southern  States  seceded,  many  of  the  most  prominent  and 
intelligent  citizens  publicly  expressed  their  gratification,  and  when  the 
news  was  received  that  Fort  Sumter  had  been  captured,  openly  rejoiced 
at  the  event.  And  they  were  honest  in  what  they  did — believed  that 
they  were  right.  As  stated  elsewhere,  one  man  declared  in  a  public  meet- 
ing that  if  he  fought  at  all  it  would  be  on  the  Southern  side.  As  the 
summer  and  fall  of  1861  passed,  savage  fights  occurred  in  town  and  county 
over  political  opinion,  and  even  women  were  thus  involved.  On  one 
occasion,  a  man  who  reviled  the  North  was  knocked  down  with  a  heavy 
stick  on  the  streets  of  Bloomington.  On  another,  a  man  who  had  called 
the  Union  soldiers  hard  names  and  had  cheered  for  Jeif  Davis  was 
compelled  to  leave  town  in  short  measure  to  keep  from  being  hung  by  a 
crowd  of  excited  men  who  had  hastily  gathered.  In  some  portions  of  the 
county,  the  other  side  held  the  balance  of  power,  and  if  any  man  spoke 
too  bitterly  against  the  South  he  was  speedily  silenced.  Several  places 
were  dubbed  "  Secessia,"  so  strong  was  the  Southern  sentiment.  The 
worst  year  was  1863.  That  was  the  darkest  for  the  Union  cause. 
Many  brave  hearts  despaired  of  a  restoration  of  the  Union.  On  the 
contrary,  the  opposite  element  was  bold,  audacious  and  outspoken.  The 
enlistment  of  men  was  openly  discouraged,  and  secret  treasonable  organi- 
zations held  nightly  orgies  and  massed  and  drilled  their  forces  prepara- 
tory for what?     Letters  were  written  by  citizens  of  the  county  to 

boys  in  the  field  urging  them  to  desert,  and  promising  them  secretion 
and  protection  from  arrest.  Several  of  these  letters  were  published  in  full 
in  the  Republican,  verbatim  et  literatim.  In  the  early  part  of  1863,  sev- 
eral disloyal  public  meetings  were  held  at  the  county  seat,  which  did  a 
great  deal  to  discourage  enlistment,  but  the  effect  was  soon  counteracted 
by  several  large  Union  meetings  that  were  held  soon  afterward.  As  a 
further  means  to  encourage  loyalty,  there  was  organized  in  March,  1863, 
by  the  Union  citizens  of  Monroe  and  Brown  Counties,  the  National  Union 
Association  of  Monroe  and  Brown  Counties.  The  following  were  two 
planks  of  its  declaration  of  principles  : 

Forgetling  all  past  poliiical  difFerencea  and  placing  the  salvation  of  the  Union  above 
all  party  and  other  predilections,  we  are  for  the  maintenance  of  the  Federal  Government 
against  all  its  enemies  at  home  and  abroad. 

We  will  sustain  the  Federal  Government  in  all  its  measures  for  putting  down  the  rebell- 
ion and  call  for  a  vigorous  prosecution  of  the  war,  until  the  glorious  Union  of  our  fathers 
be  firmly  established  all  over  our  territory, 

David  D.  Grifiin  was  elected  President  of  the  Association,  and  John 
C  Headly,  Secretary.  Late  in  March,  as  a  train  containing  several  hun- 
dred rebel  prisoners  passed  through  the  county  seat  at  night  on  the  way 
North,  the  train  was  boarded  at  the  depot  by  several  disloyal  citizens,  who 
informed  the  rebels  that  if  they  would  break  out  they  would  be  harbored 
and  fed,  but  their  Southern  brethren  refused  to  "break."  As  stated  else- 
where, the  news  of  the  outbreak  in  Brown  County  in  April,  1863,  caused 
much  excitement  in  the  county  and  led  to  the  organization  of  a  company 


436  HISTORY  OF  MONROE  COUNTY. 

to  be  in  readiness  for  an  emergency.  The  disloyal  elements  rejoiced.  In 
June,  the  resistance  to  the  conscript  enrollment  occurred,  an  account  of 
which  is  given  elsewhere. 

Early  in  July,  1863,  came  the  news  of  the  defeat  of  Gen.  Lee  at  Get- 
tysburg, which  caused  universal  and  continued  rejoicing.  It  was  then 
demonstrated  that  the  Army  of  the  Potomac  was  stronger  than  the  Army 
of  Northern  Virginia.  On  the  following  day,  Tuesday,  July  7,  came  the 
news  of  the  surrender  of  Vicksburg  to  Gen.  Grant,  and  the  two  great  vic- 
tories Avere  too  much  joy  to  pass  without  public  demonstration.  "  Lee  is 
whipped!  "  "  Vicksburg  has  surrendered!  "  were  the  cries  that  rang 
through  the  county.  People  felt  instinctively  that  a  brighter  day  had 
been  heralded.  Hundreds  of  people  assembled  in  Bloomington  that  night 
to  mingle  rejoicings  and  jubilees.  An  enormous  bonfire  was  lighted  on 
the  street,  hundreds  of  guns  were  brought  forth,  rockets  were  sent  to  the 
sky,  fire-crackers  resounded,  buildings  were  illuminated  from  garret  to 
cellar,  and  the  wild  populace  shouted  themselves  hoarse  but  happy.  The 
Hon.  G.  A.  Buskirk  was  called  out  and  delivered  a  brilliant  speech.  F. 
T.  Butler  succeeded  him  in  a  speech  of  extraordinary  fire,  power  and 
loyalty.  It  was  full  of  the  most  brilliant  and  beautiful  sallies  of  wit  and 
pathos,  and  was  received  with  loud  acclamations  and  thundering  cheers. 
The  hot  scorn  and  invective  which  he  remorselessly  poured  upon  the  heads 
of  all  traitors,  bewildered  the  crowd  with  delight.  Col.  Charles,  sick  and 
scarcely  able  to  stand,  had  sufficient  strength  under  the  stimulating  news 
to  deliver  a  rousing  speech.     The  jubilee  was  continued  far  into  the  night. 

The  political  campaign  of  1863  was  spirited  and  interesting.  One 
party  came  out  for  a  cessation  of  hostilities  ;  the  other  for  a  renewal. 
Public  meetings,  where  eloquent  speakers  advocated  the  party  policy,  were 
held  everywhere.  The  county  went  Democratic  by  about  170  majority, 
in  a  total  vote  of  2,050.  In  February,  1864,  a  Union  mass  meeting  to 
elect  delegates  to  the  Union  State  Convention  at  Indianapolis  passed  a 
series  of  resolutions,  two  of  which  were  as  follows  : 

Resolved,  That  the  re-nomination  of  Abraham  Lincoln  to  a  second  term,  and  the  exten- 
sion of  his  constitutional  sway  as  Chief  Magistrate  over  the  United  States,  the  loyal  as 
well  as  the  disloyal,  will  forever  demonstrate  the  stability  of  the  American  Government 
and  the  justice  of  the  American  people. 

Resolved,  That  in  view  of  the  eminent  services  and  patriotism  of  our  distinguished 
Executive,  Gov.  0.  P.  Morton,  the  Union  men  of  this  county  are  in  favor  of  his  nomina- 
tion to  the  position  which  he  has  filled  with  credit  to  himself  and  honor  to  the  State. 

In  September  (the  15th),  1864,  the  candidates  for  Congress,  of  the 
two  parties,  were  announced  to  speak  at  the  court  house,  and  a  large  crowd 
of  both  sexes  gathered  to  hear  them.  As  Mr.  Harrington,  the  Democratic 
candidate,  could  not  be  present  his  time  was  filled  by  David  Sheeks,Esq., 
of  Bloomington.  The  speech  of  Mr.  Hill,  the  Union  candidate,  was  one 
of  great  strength  and  eloquence.  A  Mr.  Gunn,  of  Kentucky,  described 
the  deplorable  condition  of  family  and  private  affairs  in  his  State.  The 
National  airs  were  sung  by  a  select  choir  of  ladies  and  gentlemen. 

On  Sunday,  September  11,  an  affray  occurred  at  Simpson's  Chapel, 
near  Way  port,  over  the  wearing  of  butternut  breastpins,  whereby  one  or 
more  persons  were  shot  and  dangerously  wounded  by  two  or  three  soldiers 
at  home  on  a  furlough. 

On  the  evening  of  September  3,  1864,  the  news  was  received  of  the 


HISTORY  OF  MONROE  COUNTY.  437 

capture  of  Atlanta,  and  the  streets  were  lighted  with  bonfires,  guns  were 
fired,  and  speeches  were  made  on  the  street  by  Judge  Buskirk,  Dr.  Sabin 
and  others.  The  entire  evening  was  passed  in  noisy  and  happy  demon- 
stration. On  the  21st,  the  news  of  Sheridan's  victory  at  Opequon 
Creek,  Va.,  near  Wincester,  was  received,  and  the  rejoicing  was  repeated 
with  renewed  vigor.  All  felt,  now,  that  the  rebellion  was  receiving  its 
death  blows,  and  all  were  happy,  or  nearly  all.  On  the  8th  of  October, 
a  soldiers'  picnic  was  held  at  Bloomington,  and  one  of  the  largest  crowds 
ever  in  town  assembled  to  pay  due  respect  to  the  "boys  in  blue,"  m;iny 
of  whom  were  at  home  on  furlough  or  had  been  discharged.  Long  dele- 
gations in  wagons  from  all  parts  of  the  county  came  in  with  banners  fly- 
ing and  drums  beating.  Patriotism  ran  high.  "  The  procession  was  the 
largest  that  was  ever  seen  in  town,"  said  the  Republican.  The  speakers 
were  Col.  Burgess,  of  Indianapolis,  and  Judge  Hughes.  Both  addresses 
were  very  ornate,  eloquent  and  patriotic.  A  dinner  fit  for  the  gods  was 
spread  out  on  temporized  tables  in  the  court  yard,  and  eaten  by  several 
thousand  persons.  Toasts,  loyal  and  amusing,  were  announced,  and  re- 
sponded to  by  prominent  visitors  and  townsmen.  The  wounded  or  sick 
soldiers  were  the  lions  of  the  day.  Select  vocal  music — political  and 
national  airs — was  furnished  by  select  choirs.  ''It  was  the  most  general 
turn  out  of  the  citizens  of  the  county  that  we  have  ever  witnessed  here," 
said  the  Republican.  In  the  evening,  a  deserter  named  Sherrill  was  shot 
and  killed  at  the  Orchard  House  while  trying  to  escape  from  custody. 
On  the  following  Monday,  Gov.  Andrew  Johnson,  of  Tennessee,  visited 
Bloomington.  and  delivered  a  speech  two  hours  in  length  on  the  state  of 
the  war  to  a  large  assemblage. 

THE   POLITICAL  CAMPAIGNS    OF    1864. 

The  October  and  November  campaigns  in  the  county  were  fought  with 
all  the  strength  of  each  party.  Each  felt  that  a  continuance  of  the  war 
was  to  be  decided  by  the  contest,  and  no  effort  was  omitted  that  promised 
a  concribution  to  success.  Men  of  great  prominence  were  secured  from 
abroad  to  voice  the  policy  and  sentiments  of  each  party.  The  result  of 
the  October  election  showed  a  Republican  gain  over  1863  of  over  one  hun- 
dred, and  Gov.  Morton  ran  far  ahead  of  his  ticket,  receiving  a  majority  of 
four  votes,  which  demonstrated  the  great  popularity  of  the  "  War  Gov- 
ernor of  Indiana."  The  result  of  this  election  was  glorious  news  to  those 
in  favor  of  continuing  the  war.  The  struggle  was  continued  that  there 
might  be  no  decrease  in  the  vote  of  November.  Maj.  Popp,  of  the 
Eighteenth  Regiment,  Hon.  Henry  S.  Lane,  Gen.  Kimball,  Col.  Ander- 
son, of  the  Twelfth  Cavalry,  Hon.  M.  R.  Hull,  of  Wayne  County,  Hon. 
P.  C.  Dunning  and  many  others  of  equal  eminence,  addressed  the 
citizens  of  Monroe.  The  result  of  the  election  was  a  majority  of  only 
eight  votes  for  the  Democratic  electors,  showing  a  gain  of  about  forty 
over  the  election  of  October,  and  a  gain  of  about  one  hundred  and  sixty 
over  the  election  of  1863.  This  was  most  gratifying  news  for  the  Union 
cause. 

INCIDENTS. 

During  the  war,  as  the  New  Albany  Railroad  was  the  principal 
highway  between  Kentucky  and  a  large  section  of  country  of  which  Chi- 


438  HISTORY  OF  MONROE  COUNTY. 

cago  was  the  center,  large  numbers  of  regiments  were  continually  passing 
back  and  forth.  It  was  customary  when  it  was  known  that  a  large  body 
of  troops  was  to  pass  through  Bloomington,  especially  wounded  or  sick 
soldiers  from  hospitals  or  battle-fields  South,  to  hastily  prepare  large  quan- 
tities of  provisions  of  every  description,  and  as  soon  as  the  train  stopped, 
board  her  and  distribute  the  delicacies  and  substantials.  This  act  was 
also  true  of  Ellettsville.  On  the  '2 2d  of  December,  1861,  the  Second 
Indiana  Cavalry,  which  was  organized  at  Indianapolis,  marched  through 
town  on  horseback,  and  attracted  a  large  crowd  of  observers.  There  were 
1,200  of  them,  fully  mounted  and  armed,  and  followed  by  a  heavy  supply 
train  of  thirty-eight  wagons.  This  was  probably  the  largest  body  of 
troops  ever  in  the  county  seat  atone  time.  They  camped  over  night  just 
south  of  town,  and  were  visited  by  large  crowds. 

THE  CAPTURE  OF  RICHMOND,  AND  GEN.  LEE'S  SURRENDER. 

On  Tuesday,  April  4,  18o5,  the  news  was  received  that  Richmond 
had  been  evacuated,  and  that  the  Army  of  Northern  Virginia,  under  Gen. 
Lee,  shattered  and  depleted,  was  flying  before  the  army  of  Gen.  Grant, 
This  glorious  news  kindled  a  degree  of  universal  joy  that  was  unknown 
in  the  county  during  the  former  four  years  of  war.  A  large  crowd  gath- 
ered on  the  court  house  square  in  Bloomington  at  night  to  publicly  tes- 
tify their  unbounded  gratification.  Everything  in  the  town  that  would 
make  noise  or  light  was  brought  out.  A  bonfire  was  kept  burning  until 
nearly  midnight.  Every  man,  woman  and  child  seemed  to  be  out  on  the 
streets,  and  all  was  chaos.  Volleys  of  musketry  rang  through  the  night. 
Bands  and  glee  clubs  rendered  patriotic  music,  that  was  appreciated  as  it 
never  had  been  before.  Processions  of  men  and  boys  with  torch  lights 
marched  gaily  around,  led  by  bands  of  martial  music.  Buildings  were 
illuminated  with  hundreds  of  candles  ;  children  swarmed  like  pismires 
disturbed.  Eloquent  speeches  were  delivered  by  Gov.  Dunning,  Judge 
Butler  and  Rev.  Bain.  A  few  citizens  seemed  unhappy,  and  took  no 
part  in  the  demonstration.  They  probably  belonged  to  the  Southern 
Army  of  the  North.  On  Friday  evening  following,  came  the  news  of  the 
surrender  of  Gen.  Lee.  The  jubilee  was  taken  up  where  it  had  been  left 
on  Tuesday,  and  continued  for  hours  with  multiplied  intensity.  The  even- 
ing was,  perhaps,  the  most  brilliant  ever  witnessed  by  the  county  seat. 
Old  men,  who  had  learned  to  love  their  country,  and  had  constantly 
prayed  for  success  and  peace  and  national  honor,  were  overcome  by  the 
glorious  news,  and  acted  like  madmen.  Tears  of  joy,  which  they  could 
not  repress,  and  cared  not  to  conceal,  ran  down  their  furrowed  cheeks  as 
they  clasped  each  other  by  the  hand  and  thanked  God  for  the  national 
preservation.     "  Glory  enough  for  one  day  !  "  exclaimed  the  Republican. 

NEWS    OF    THE    ASSASSINATION    OF    LINCOLN. 

One  week  later,  while  the  people  were  yet  rejoicing,  the  news  came 
that  Lincoln  had  been  assassinated  at  Ford's  Theater.  So  horrible  was 
the  sensation  produced  that  people  at  first  refused  to  believe  it,  and  waited 
anxiously  for  details.  When  the  dreadful  truth  became  confirmed  on  the 
16th,  the  deepest  gloom  of  horror  and  despair  seized  every  heart.  A 
stagnation  like  paralysis  fell   upon  all  business  pursuits.     Men  had  no 


HISTORY  OF  MONROE  COUNTY.  439 

heart  to  think  of  anything  but  the  national  calamity.  Crape  was  instinc- 
tively hung  on  dwellings  and  public  buildings.  On  Sunday,  memorial 
services  were  held  in  the  churches,  in  honor  of  the  beloved  dead.  On 
Monday,  April  17,  pursuant  to  call,  a  large  crowd  of  sorrowing  citizens 
assembled  at  the  court  house,  to  give  public  expression  to  the  sentiments 
agonizing  all ;  to  listen  to  eulogies  of  the  life  and  nobility  of  the  martyred 
President,  and  to  adopt  resolutions  of  sorrow  and  hope.  A  large  portrait 
of  the  dead  was  hung  before  the  audience  and  draped  with  national  colors, 
wreaths  of  evergreen  and  choice  flowers,  and  the  black  crape  of  death. 
Rev.  William  Turner  was  chosen  Chairman,  and  John  H.  Louden,  Sec- 
retary. Dr.  E.  H.  Sabin,  Gov.  P.  C.  Dunning,  Rev.  T.  M.  Hopkins, 
William  F.  Browning,  Esq.,  and  Rev.  S.  T.  Gillett.  were  appointed  to 
prepare  suitable  resolutions.  While  this  was  being  done,  Dr.  Nutt,  Pres- 
ident of  the  State  University,  delivered  a  brief  address  of  great  pathos. 
There  was  scarcely  a  dry  eye  when  he  finished  speaking.  The  following 
resolutions  were  presented  and  unanimously  adopted  : 

Whereas,  Abraham  Lincoln,  our  President,  has  been  assassinated — an  event  extra- 
ordinary in  a  civilized  age  and  nation  and  wholly  at  variance  with  the  spirit  and  genius 
of  a  free  government,  therefore 

Resolved,  That  we  meet  to-day  not  as  partisans  but  as  an  afflicted  and  grief-stricken 
•people  to  express  our  sym|jathies,  sentimeuis  and  sorrows. 

Resolved,  While  this  event  we  regard  as  a  great  national  calamity  and  affliction  and 
as  suddenly  changing  the  hands  that  have  been  guiding  the  ship  of  State  and  tr  msferring 
to  other  minds  cares  and  responsibilities  of  great  magnitude,  and  which  we  deemed  our 
President  amply  competent  to  discharge,  we  must  not  forget  that  there  is  a  "  Divinity 
that  shapes  our  ends,"  a  Providence,  a  God  that  reigns. 

Resolved,  That  in  the  strongest  terms  we  can  use  we  condemn  this  atrocious  act  of 
rebellion  against  justice,  humanity  and  God,  and  regard  it  as  prompted  by  the  same 
wicked  spirit  in  which  the  rebellion  originated,  the  conquering  of  which  has  cost  the  best 
life-blood  of  the  nation. 

Resolved,  That  we  recommend  to  the  proper  authorities  to  bring  to  strict  and  prompt 
punishment  the  perpetrators  of  this  crime  and  all  who  are  connected  with  it. 

Resolved,  That  we  will  faithfully  observe  such  a  day  as  may  be  designated  by  the 
public  authorities  for  the  funeral  obsequies  of  ou--  deceased  Chief  Magistrate  by  closing 
business  and  resorting  to  our  accustomed  places  of  worship. 

Resolved,  That  we  express  our  heartfelt  sympathy  with  the  afflicted  widow  and 
orphan  children  of  our  deceased  President,  and  with  our  revered  Secretary  of  State  and 
his  two  sons  who  have  been  attacked  by  a  murderous  assassin,  praying  most  fervently 
that  the  family  of  Mr.  Lincoln  may  have  consolation  in  this  dark  hour  of  their  deep 
affliction,  and  that  the  wounded  Secretary  may  yet  be  preserved  to  render  our  afflicted 
country  his  invaluable  services  for  years  to  come. 

Resolved,  That  we  tender  our  hearty  support  to  Andrew  Johnson,  as  President  of  the 
United  States,  and  will  withhold  from  him  nothing  that  is  necessary  to  briag  to  a  speedy 
termination  the  direful  rebellion  which  has  for  so  many  years  been  raging  in  our  land. 

Eulogies  of  the  dead  were  delivered  by  Gov.  Dunning,  Maj.  Mulky 
and  Samuel  H.Buskirk,  and  the  meeting  sadly  adjourned.  On  Wednesday 
following,  in  accordance  with  the  recommendation  of  the  Governor,  all 
business  was  suspended,  buildings  were  draped  in  mourning,  bells  were 
tolled,  and  services  were  held  in  all  the  churches.  In  the  afternoon,  all 
the  citizens,  including  the  Masons  and  Odd  Fellows  in  full  regalia,  held  a 
union  memorial  meeting  in  the  college  chapel.  "  We  have  never  seen  a 
day  set  apart  for  such  a  purpose  as  this  so  duly  observed  by  our  citizens," 
said  the  Republican. 

CLOSING  SCENES  OF  THE   REBELLION. 
The  people  gradually  recovered  from  the  shock  of  Lincoln's   death. 
They  joyfully  saw  the  rebellion  close,  and  made  preparations  to   publicly 


440  HISTORY  OF  MONROE  COUNTY. 

receive  the  returning  soldiers.  The  news  of  the  capture  of  Jeff 
Davis,  while  endeavoring  to  escape  in  woman's  attire,  created  much  amuse- 
ment, and  all  said  with  the  Republican:  "  Hang  him  like  Haman  be- 
tween Heaven  and  earth  as  being  fit  for  neither."  Thursday,  June  1, 
the  day  set  apart  by  President  Johnson  as  one  of  humiliation  and  prayer 
on  account  of  the  assassination  of  Lincoln,  was  duly  observed  in  Bloom- 
ington  and  throughout  the  county.  On  the  Fourth  of  July,  1865,  a  re- 
ception and  fine  dinner  were  given  the  boys,  many  of  whom  had  come 
from  the  war.  The  venerable  Gen.  Jacob  B.  Lowe  was  President  of  the 
Day  ;  Maj.  Mulky,  Marshal,  assisted  by  Col.  McCrea  and  Oapt.  Cookerly. 
Early  in  the  morning  of  this  sultry  day,  wagons  and  carriages  loaded  with 
country  iolk  began  to  arrive  through  the  dust.  Many  of  the  townships 
sent  organized  processions,  with  martial  music  and  banners,  and  all  were 
dressed  in  the  light,  airy  garb  of  summer.  About  10  o'clock,  one  grand 
procession  about  a  mile  in  length  was  formed  on  and  near  the  public 
square,  and  the  march  to  the  college  campus  was  commenced  in  the  fol- 
lowing order:  1.  The  Bloomington  Silver  Band.  2.  Ofiicers  of  the 
Day,  Orator,  Reader,  Chaplain  and  distinguished  guests.  3.  Soldiers 
of  the  war  of  1812.  4.  Thirteen  small  girls  dressed  in  white,  with 
badges,  representing  the  thirteen  original  States.  5.  Soldiers  of  the  late 
war  for  the  defense  of  the  Union  and  the  suppression  of  the  rebellion.  6. 
The  Goddess  of  Liberty,  bearing  the  national  flag,  and  thirty-six  young 
ladies,  dressed  in  white,  representing  all  the  States  of  the  Union.  7. 
Citizens  generally — men,  women  and  children.  The  reception  speech, 
one  of  unusual  fervor  and  eloquence,  was  delivered  by  Rev.  S.  T.  Gillett, 
and  was  responded  to  by  Col.  M.  C.  Hunter,  of  the  Eighty-second  Regi- 
ment. The  latter  gave  several  graphic  descriptions  of  experiences  on  the 
battle-field,  especially  on  that  of  bloody  Chickamauga,  where  over  one-half 
of  his  own  regiment  fell,  killed  or  wounded.  These  addresses  were  short, 
and  were  followed  by  that  of  Col.  W.  C.  L.  Taylor,  of  the  Twentieth  Regi- 
ment, Orator  of  the  Day.  It  was  a  long  speech  of  great  power  and  feeling, 
and  moved  scores  in  the  audience  to  tears.  Then  came  the  dinner,  and 
what  a  feast  for  the  brave  boys  !  Eight  long  tables  were  heaped  with  the 
richest  viands  "  Old  Monroe  "  could  furnish,  and  stood  groaning  under 
the  burden  until  relieved  by  the  hungry  multitude.  Thousands  ate  of  the 
bounty  of  the  citizens,  but  the  soldiers  were  given  the  choicest  of  all  and 
were  ''kings  of  the  carnival."     It  was  a  grand  day  grandly  spent. 

RELIEF    AND    BOUNTY. 

During  the  first  few  months  of  the  war  nothing  was  done  by  the  citi- 
zens, as  a  mass,  in  the  way  of  relief,  either  for  soldiers  or  their  families. 
While  the  first  companies  were  yet  in  camp  at  the  places  of  rendezvous, 
they  had  been  sent  blankets,  towels,  clothing  and  luxuries  to  tempt  the 
appetite,  but  nothing  farther  had  been  done.  As  the  cold  month?  ap- 
proached, Gov.  Morton  suggested  that  each  county  should  thoroughly 
organize  its  relief  or  aid  societies,  and  in  response  to  this  appeal  the 
ladies  of  Bloomington  met  at  Dunn's  Hall,  on  the  14th  of  October,  to 
form  such  a  society.  Mrs.  Meginniss  was  elected  President  of  the 
society  ;  Louise  Wylie,  Secretary  ;  Mrs.  Robert  C.  Foster,  Treasurer ; 
Mrs.  Dr.    Dodds,   Mrs.   David  Batterton,   Mrs.  W.  0.  Fee,  Mrs.  Paul 


HISTORY  OF  MONROE  COUNTY.  441 

Slocum,  Mrs.  Leonard.  Mrs.  Hibben,  Mrs.  Jacob  Young,  Mrs.  James 
Gordon,  Mrs.  Press  Harbison,  Mrs.  James  Small,  Mrs.  Sweringen  and 
Miss  Fullerton,  Directresses.  On  the  following  Thursday,  the  society  met 
again,  bringing  in  many  contributions  of  money  and  supplies  for  field  and 
hospital.  Two  barrels  of  supplies  were  sent  to  the  company  of  Capt. 
Kelley,  and  large  quantities  to  those  of  Capts.  Lunderman,  Charles  and 
McCalla.  The  value  of  the  stores  shipped  at  this  time  was  not  less  than 
$300.  Early  in  November,  a  large  quantity  of  supplies,  principally  for 
the  sick  and  wounded,  was  sent  to  the  Monroe  County  boys  with  Lieut. 
M.  L.  McCullough.  As  the  cold  weather  came  on,  urgent  appeals  for 
clothing  and  supplies  of  all  kinds  from  the  army  were  received  and  pub- 
lished in  the  Republican.  Every  company  from  the  county  had  one  or 
more  correspondents  for  the  home  paper.  The  terrible  effects  of  the  rav- 
ages of  disease  and  the  want  of  sufficient  food  and  clothing  and  comfort- 
able quarters  were  painted  in  a  manner  to  wring  the  hearts  of  friends  at 
home,  and  renewed  efforts  were  made  to  obtain  money  and  supplies.  A 
large  box  of  hospital  stores  was  sent  in  December  to  the  company  of 
Capt.  Dains.  and  another  large  box  was  sent  to  Dr.  McPheeters  for  the 
use  of  the  sick  of  the  Thirty-third  Regiment.  On  the  23d  of  January, 
1862,  the  Secretary  of  the  Ladies'  Aid  Society  reported  that  up  to  that 
time  there  had  been  sent  two  boxes  of  supplies  to  Capt.  Kelley's  company 
in  Virginia,  two  to  Capt.  Lunderman's  company  in  Missouri,  one  to 
Capt.  Charles'  company,  one  to  Capt.  McCalla's  company  in  Kentucky, 
one  to  Capt.  Dains'  company,  one  to  the  Thirty-third  Regiment  in  Ken- 
tucky, one  box  to  Capt.  Kop's  company,  four  boxes  and  barrels  to  the 
hospitals  of  Louisville,  and  considerable  local  assistance  to  sick  soldiers. 
The  following  articles  were  sent  as  above  specified :  77  shirts,  68  pairs 
drawers,  47  blankets,  17  coverlets,  17  comforts,  7  quilts,  50  towels,  20 
sheets,  100  pillow  slips,  31  pillows,  45  pairs  of  gloves  and  mittens,  165 
pairs  of  socks,  49  cans  of  fruit,  11  sacks  of  dried  fruit,  16  dozen  eggs,  20 
pounds  of  butter,  2  turkeys,  72  chickens,  and  a  large  quantity  of  hand- 
kerchiefs, bandages,  hospital  stores,  sugar,  rice,  corn-starch,  tumblers, 
spoons,  soap,  wine,  etc.  Besides  these  articles,  there  was  on  hand  thirty- 
two  packages  containing  similar  supplies,  a  large  box  of  supplies  just 
ready  to  be  shipped  to  Capt.  McCalla's  company,  and  five  boxes  and  bar- 
rels full  of  provisions  for  the  Louisville  hospitals.  The  Treasurer's  cash 
report  up  to  this  time  was  as  follows  : 

KECEIPTS.  EXPENDITURKS. 

Donations %20  50  Express  charges $20  85 

Initiation  fees 17  05  Flannel 19  10 

Mr.  Mitchell's  collection...     8(0  Mittens 3  15 

Shoes 1  50 

Total $45  55  


Debt  for  shirts $5  50  Totul $44  60 

Agnes  E.  Foster.  Treasurer. 

During  the  winter  and  spring  months  of  1862,  the  aid  society  did 
extensive  and  highly  meritorious  work  in  providing  soldiers'  families  at 
Bloomington  and  vicinity  with  flour,  meat,  potatoes,  groceries,  etc.  This 
was  true  of  all  portions  of  the  county.  An  aid  society  at  Ellettsville 
did  most  excellent  work,  but,  unfortunately,  as  the  reports  of  the  officers 
were  not  published,  the  details  cannot  be  recorded  in  these  pages.     Early 


442  HISTORY  OF  MONROE  COUNTY. 

in  May,  1862,  the  students  of  the  Female  Seminary  collected  the  follow- 
ing supplies  and  sent  them  to  the  hospitals  of  New  Albany  for  the 
wounded  of  the  battle  of  Pittsburg  Landing  and  for  the  sick  :  Twenty 
cans  of  fruit,  2  cans  concentrated  chicken,  4  bottles  of  wine,  2  bottles  of 
catsup,  2  pounds  of  tea,  5  pounds  of  rice,  15  pounds  of  corn  starch,  2 
pounds  of  nutmegs,  2  bushels  of  dried  fruit,  9  towels,  64  handkerchiefs,  2 
pairs  of  drawers,  1  shirt,  1  sheet,  1  pair  of  pillow  slips,  1,000  yards 
bandages  and  24  pounds  of  butter.  About  the  same  time  the  ladies  of 
Stanford  sent  to  the  same  place  a  large  box  of  similar  supplies  and  received 
a  letter  of  thanks  from  the  Secretary  of  the  Commission  of  that  city. 
Supplies  continued  to  be  sent  off  at  intervals  during  the  warm  months. 
In  September,  several  large  boxes  were  shipped  to  the  hospitals.  In 
October,  about  half  a  dozen  big  boxes  and  barrels  of  supplies  were  sent  to 
New  Albany  for  the  hospitals.  A  barrel  of  nice  new  apples  was  sent 
there,  and  a  letter  from  the  Secretary  described  how  eagerly  the  sick  and 
wounded  boys  devoured  the  mellow  fruit.  The  new  officers  of  the  society, 
elected  in  about  September,  were :  Mrs.  Hibben,  President;  Lizzie  Mc- 
Pheeters,  Secretary. 

A  meeting  of  the  citizens  of  Monroe  County  took  place  at  the  Court 
House  on  Wednesday,  December  24,  1862,  pursuant  to  a  call  signed  by 
sundry  citizens,  to  devise  some  plan  for  the  relief  of  soldiers'  families. 
On  motion,  Mr.  James  Small  was  called  to  the  chair,  and  L.  Forbes 
chosen  Secretary. 

P.  L.  D.  Mitchell  made  a  verbal  report  as  a  member  of  a  committee 
appointed  at  a  former  meeting.  R.  C.  Foster  offered  the  following 
resolution  : 

Resolved,  That  the  Township  Trustee  of  each  township,  with  four  others,  be  appointed 
a  committee  to  inquire  into  the  circuojstances  of  soldiers'  families,  and  solicit  subscrip- 
tions for  their  benefit. 

On  motion  of  Dr.  Nutt  and  others,  the  following  were  appointed  : 

Bean  Blossum  Township. — .James  V.  Buskirk,  Thomas  Willson,  Ed  Pritchetand  Lemuel 
Gentry. 

Richland  Township. — David  Byers,  Isam  W.  Sanders,  James  Campbell,  Burton  AcuflF. 

Van  Buren  Township. — Alexander  JeflFry,  Benjamin  F.  Williams,  W.  C.  Sadler  and 
Francis  A.  Eller. 

Indian  Creek  Township.  —It  being  stated  that  an  organization  already  existed  in  this 
township,  the  meeting  declined  to  make  any  appointments,  but  requested  that  they  meet 
with  and  co-operate  with  us. 

Clear  Creek  Township. — J.  Ketcham,  Jo.  Urmey,  Wilford  Carter,  Samuel  B.  Perry. 

Perry  Township. — Samuel  Mathers,  Milton  McPhetridge,  Rev.  William  Turner  and 
Matthew  McPhetridge. 

Blonmington  Township. — Elias  Abel,  Milton  Hight,  Philip  Crabbs,  John  Blair,  MO«roe 
Houston  and  John  Stonger. 

Pvlk  Township. — John  Todd,  William  A.  Blackwell,  Andrew  Temple  and  Lewis  Hays. 

Salt  Creek  Township. — Isaac  Chandler,  John  Knight,  Robert  Clark  and  John  Elgor. 

Benton  Township. — Isaac  S.  Buskirk,  James  J.  Alexander,  Joseph  C.  Bates  and 
Jonathan  Richardson. 

Marion  Township. — Pres.  T.  Buckner,  John  Hendrickson,  Thomas  Y.  Rader  and 
James  Woodall. 

Washington  Toivnship. — Col.  Joseph  Campbell,  Charles  G.  Core,  James  S.  Rawlings 
and  Frank  0.  Brown. 

This  military  committee  organization  existed  in  some  form  during  the 
remainder  of  the  war,  and  at  times  did  efficient  service.  On  New  Year's 
Day,  1863,  a  cotilion  party  held  at  Tuley's  Hall  donated  $47  to  the  aid 
Bociatv  for  the  benefit  of  sick  and  wounded  soldiers.     About  the  1st  of 


HISTORY   OF   MONROE   COUNTY.  443 

March,  1863,  the  Treasurer  of  the  Aid  Society,  Agnes  E.  Foster,  submit- 
ted the  following  report  since  the  organization  of  the  society  in  1861 : 

RECEIPTS. 

From  subscriptions,  fees  and  collections fl25  89 

From  the  speech  of  Hon.  J.  A.  Wright 30  30 

From  the  speech  of  Hon.  J.  E.  McDonald 13  00 

From  citizens'  dress  ball 47  00 

From  the  speech  of  Col.  Hawkins 14  40 

Total $!230  59 

EXPENDITURES. 

Express  charges $45  74 

Flannel  forshirts 19  10 

Muslin  forshirts 8  90 

Mittens  for  cavalry 3  15 

Shoes  for  cavalry 1  50 

Washing  for  cavalry 75 

Cash  assistance 3  50 

Flour  and  meal  for  soldiers'    families 29  23 

Shoes  for  soldiers'  families 11  55 

Groceries  for  soldiers'  families 12  01 

Clothing  for  soldiers'  families 28  70 

Meat  for  soldiery'  families 10  51 

Cash  for  soldiers'  families 5  70 

Total $180  34 

Balance  in  the  treasury 50  25 

On  the  26th  of  March,  $58.35  net  was  realized  at  a  concert  and 
turned  over  for  the  use  of  soldiers'  families.  Prof.  E.  Marquis  conducted 
the  concert.  Considerable  was  done  during  the  summer  of  1863,  of 
which  no  account  was  published.  Early  in  September,  James  Small,  of 
the  Christian  Commission,  reported  the  following  receipts : 

Second  Presbyterian  Church $12  50 

Reformed  Presbyterian,  Prof.  Wylie's 14  50 

Reformed  Presbyterian,  Mr.  Shaw's 14  50 

First  Presbyterian  Church 7  76 

From  William  Semple 25 

From  Miss  Harbison 2  50 

Total $52  00 

During  the  winter  months  of  1863-64,  the  society  realized  several 
hundred  dollars  by  means  of  lectures,  festivals,  etc.  It  also  sent  away  six 
or  seven  big  boxes  and  barrels  of  hospital  supplies.  Much  assistance  was 
furnished  soldiers'  families.  About  the  1st  of  June,  an  enormous  festival, 
given  in  the  University  Chapel,  netted  the  society  about  |200.  This  was 
one  of  the  most  successful  gatherings  of  the  kind  ever  at  the  county  seat. 
The  chapel  was  beautifully  decorated  with  green  sprigs  and  bright  summer 
flowers,  and  all  came  out  in  the  fairy  costumes  of  June.  On  the  26th  of 
this  month,  $328.40  was  raised  in  a  few  minutes  at  the  Methodist  Church 
for  the  Sanitary  Commission  after  an  eloquent  address  by  Chaplain  J.  H. 
Lozier,  agent  of  the  Commission.  Early  in  August,  $1,225  was  contrib- 
uted to  the  Sanitary  Commission  by  the  citizens  of  Bloomington  and  vicin- 
ity. About  this  time  the  following  soliciting  committees  were  appointed 
for  the  Indiana  Sanitary  Fair  of  October  2  to  8: 

Bloomington— Mrs.  C.  P.  Tuley,   Mrs.  R.  C.  Foster,   Mrs.  W.   M.  Tate,   Mrs.  John 

28 


444 


HISTORY  OF  MONROE  COUNTY, 


Blair,  Mrs.  James  Seward,  Mr.  Thos.  B.  McCune,  Miss  Emma  McCrea,  Miss  Laura  J. 
Browning,  Mrs.  M.  L.  Snodgrass,  Mrs.  David  Sheeks,  R.  C.  Foster,  James  Small  and  C. 
P.  Tuley. 

•  Bloomington  Township — Mrs.  Archibald  Fleenor,  Mrs.  George  Tedrow,  James  M., 
Rogers,  Henry  C.  Owens,  Thomas  Blair,  Henry  Colpits,  William  Johnson,  Ira  Browning 
John  Orchard,  Francis  McKinley,  William  A.  Legg. 

Perry  Township — Samuel  Mathers,  Mrs.  William  N.  Mathers,  Lewis  G  Shryer, 
Dugan  Jones,  Samuel  H.  Phillips,  Matthew  McPhetridge,  Mrs.  Clinton  Carter,  James 
Gordon,   P.  G.  Pauley,  Maj.  John  Hight,  Mrs.  Ezra  Pering,  Samuel  A.  Smith. 

Van  Buren  Township — Frank  EUer,  Miss  Clarinda  Bunger,   Miss   Mattie   Leonard, ' 
William  C.  Sadler,  Dudley  C.  Smith,  Miss  Sallie  Sadler,   Mrs.  Addison  Smith,  Joseph 
Cron,  Joseph  Bunger,  .James  B.  Pauley,  Elder  James  Blankenship. 

Indian  Creek  Township — Ira  I.  Sillivan,  Thomas  Carter,  Benjamin  Adams. 

Clear  Creek  Township— Wilford  Carter,  Capt.  T.  P.  Graves,  W.  M.  Crossfield,  Adso- 
lem  Ketcham,  J.  D.  Urmey. 

Richland  Township — Rev.  W.  H.  Jackson,  Jonathan  Allen,  Nicholas  Mayfield,  Mrs. 
Luke  Sanders,  Andrew  Reeves,  Dr.  J.  M.  Harris,  Mrs.  James  Wooley,  Lieut.  Samuel  A. 
Harrah. 

Bean  Blossom  Township — Josiah  P.  Burton,  J.  V.  Buskirk,  Thomas  Wilson,  George 
Sluss,  David  Buskirk. 

Washington  Township — Capt.  Thomas  Gaskins,  Capt.  Samuel  Denney,  James  S.  Raw- 
lins, William  H.  Buskirk,  Mri  William  R.  Carlton,  Mrs.  Joseph  Turner. 

Marion  Township — Presley  Buckner  and  lady,  Thomas  Y.  Rader,  John  F.  Johnson. 

Benton  Township — David  Griffin,  William  Peterson,  William  Alexander,  John  Barnhill. 

Salt  Creek  Township — Thomas  G.  Crabb,  Elijah  Barrett,  John  Lucas. 

Polk  Township — William  Gray,  Peter  Norman,  Rev.  James  Garrioon,  ^Andrew 
Temples. 

The  aid  society  had  almost  abandoned  work  during  the  warm  months, 
but  in  October,  at  the  approach  of  cold  weather,  was  re-organized.  Sev- 
eral boxes  of  supplies  were  soon  sent  to  the  hospitals  in  Kentucky.  On 
Thanksgiving  Day,  over  $100  worth  of  provisions  was  distributed  to  sol- 
diers' families  in  Bloomington,  and  doubtless  other  portions  of  the  county 
did  as  well  correspondingly.  Early  in  December,  the  County  Board 
appropriated  $1,000,  to  be  distributed  to  the  townships,  under  the  direc- 
tion of  the  Trustees,  for  the  use  of  soldiers'  families.  The  distribution 
was  as  follows : 

Bean  Blossom,  $84.50;  Washington,  $73.50;  Marion,  $32.50; 
Benton,  $57  ;  Bloomington,  $206  ;  Richland,  $95 ;  Van  Buren,  $73 ; 
Perry,  $111 ;  Salt  Creek,  $48  ;  Polk,  $42  ;  Clear  Creek,  $100  ;  Indian 
Creek,  $77.50.  These  amounts  were  duly  distributed.  Oh  the  5th  of 
January,  1865,  a  concert,  under  the  supervision  of  Prof.  Marquis,  netted 
the  aid  society  $58.90.  An  amateur  concert,  under  the  management  of 
W.  B.  Seward,  in  February,  netted  the  society  $77.45.  Various  other 
smaller  amounts  were  received  from  similar  sources.  The  following  table 
shows  what  was  done  by  the  county  as  relief  and  bounty  during  the  war : 


TOWNSHIPS. 


Monroe  County 

Bean  Blossom  Township , 
Washington  Township.... 

Marion  Township  

Van  Buren  Township 

Salt  Creek  Township 

Indian  Creek  Townsaip.. 
All  the  Townships 


Bounty. 


$97,300 
15,625 
1,500 
1,000 
2,550 
2,000 
13,000 


Totals. 


1132,975 


$2,500 


15.000 


$17,500 


Miscella- 
neous. 


$17,000 


$17,000 


Grand  total $167,475 


HISTORY   OF   MONROE  COUNTY.  445 

PENSION    ROLL. 

The  following  is  the  list  of  the  pensioners  of  Monroe  County,  pre- 
pared on  the  Ist  of  January,  1883,  in  pursuance  of  an  enactment  of  the 
United  States  Senate : 

Cagee,  Robert,  leg $  8  00 

Gibbs,  Theodore,  hand 8  00 

Lamkin,  George  W., shoulder 4  00 

Manley,  James  F.,  arm 24  00 

Jackson,  Granville,  two  fingers 8  00 

Webb,  Jesse  F  ,  abdomen 4  00 

Stephenson,  George,  thigh 12  00 

Stepp,  Francis  M.,  shoulder 14  00 

Smith  Reuben,  thumb 4  00 

Skirvin,  James  M.,  thigh 2  00 

Perry,  Henry  F.,  breast 15  QQ 

Roddy,  Joseph  B.,  arm 8  50 

Collins,  Thomas  N.,  knee 4  QQ 

Alexander.  Williamson  M.,  heart  disease 18  00 

Ripley,  John,  heart  disease 4  QQ 

Burk,  Daniel,  diseased  liver 6  00 

Rasco,  Robert,  lost  arm 18  00 

Downing,  Richard  F.,  foot 4  00 

Watson,  William,  diarrhoea 6  00 

Nicholson,  Jonathan,  leg 6  00 

Nichols,  John,  diseased  eyes 4  00 

Sumner,  Benjamin,  diseased  eyes 18  00 

Baker,  Harry,  thigh 16  00 

Campbell,  Samuel,  thigh 2  00 

Campbell,  John,  arm 16  00 

Farmer,  William  M.,  shoulder 6  00 

Haley,  Michael,  leg 8  00 

Massey,  Andrew  T.,  thigh 3  00 

Langley,  John  T.,  leg 18  00 

Mercer,  Thomas  J.,  elbow 12  00 

Keith,  John  L.,  hand  and  leg 8  00 

Harbison,  Joseph  C,  hand 8  00 

McLaughlin,  Daniel,  foot 4  QQ 

Boord,  James  M.,  side 4  00 

Core,  Charles  G.,  diarrhoea 6  00 

Chandler,  Silas   G.,  lungs 8  00 

Reeves,  George  W.,  groin 4  25 

Southern,  William,  lost  eye 18  00 

Weymer,  Lewis,  diarrhoea 12  00 

Hawkins,  Thomas  E.,  leg 4  00 

Kelley,  Alexander,  diseased  eyes 4  00 

Holland,  Edward,  diseased  eyes 2  00 

Getozendanner,  William  H.,  diarrhoea 4  QQ 

McKenney,  Lawson  E.,  thigh 8  50 

Ison,  Henry,  head 2  00 

Eller,  John  T.,  head 4  00 

Freeman,  Joseph  C,  shoulder 4  00 

Billings,  William  E.,  spine 4  00 

Buskirk,  William  H.,  diarrhoea 7  50 

Adams,  William  H.  H.,  abdomen ^  4  00 

Adams,  Wilson,  disease  of  abdomen 4  OQ 

Chandler,  Joshua  D.,  diarrhoea 12  00 

Graham,  Robertson,  survivor,  1812 8  00 

Richeson,  George,  survivor,  1812 8  00 

Bode,  Marie,  survivor,  1812 8  00 

Peterson,  Mary,  survivor,  1812 8  00 

Alexander,  John  A.,  foot  and  ankle 2  00 

Kelloy,  Mary,  widow 20  00 

Keck,  Nancy  J.,  widow 8  00 

Myers,  Mary  R.,  widow 8  00 


446  HISTORY  OF  MONROE  COUNTY. 

Tilly,  Nancy,  widow |8  00 

Helms,  Elizabeth,  widow 18  00 

Gates,  Nancy,  widow 12  00 

Johnson,  Susan,  widow 10  00 

Livingston,  Martha,  widow 8  00 

Roddy,  Mary  A.,  widow 12  00 

Baiky,  Susann   E.,  widow 17  00 

Harris,  Martha  E.,  widow 8  00 

Buskirk,  Elizabeth,  widow 20  00 

Helms,  Eliza  C,  mother 8  00 

Voss,  Lydia,  mother 8  00 

Ballerton,  David,  minorof 10  00 

Bicknell,  Henry  H.,  minor  of ....  10  00 

Maxwell,  Mary  D.,  widow,   1812 8  00 

Fox,  Nancy,  w'idow,  1812 8  00 

Farmer,  Elizabeth  W.,  widow,  1812 8  00 

Slocomb,  Matilda,  widow,  1812 8  00 

Carter,  Amelia  E.,  widow,  1812 8  00 

Cathcart,  Mary,  widow,   1812 8  00 

Fulford,  Jonathan  H.,  thumb 2  00 

Magenis,  Thomas,    thigh 6  00 

Knight,  Elijah,  rheumatism 6  00 

Hacker,  Sarah  A.,  widow 20  00 

Spiers,  Sarah,   widow 8  00 

Rice,  Thomas  E.,  —  2  00 

Sater,  Joseph,  arm 8  00 

Gaskins,  Hosea,  heart 12  00 

Lyons,  John   H.,  arm 4  00 

Woreland,  George  W.,  thigh 18  00 

Jackson,  William  J.,  arm 8  00 

Cooksey,  Vincent  H.,  arm 6  00 

Chestnut,  Thomas  J.,  abdomen 6  00 

Robertson,  James  T.,  diarrhoea 6  00 

Gaskins,  Thomas  M.,  side,  face 6  00 

Leeks,  George,  leg 14  00 

Eakin,  Vanelia  A.,  widow 16  00 

Smith,  Rosanna,  widow 8  00 

Burks,  Susan  P.,  mother  8  00 

Marshall,  Christiana,  widow,  1812 8  00 

Cracraft,  John  T.,  diarrhoea 6  00 

Lewis,  Joseph,  back 4  00 

Millen,  Sophia,  widow 8  00 

Smith,  Mary  E.,  widow 8  00 

Chambers,  David,  arm 18  00 

Meadows,  William  M.,  thigh 6  00 

Moore,  Alvis,  hip 2  00 

Glares,  Isaac  C,  disease  of  lungs 6  00 

Parsons,  Francis,  survivor,  1812 8  00 

McLaughlin,  Ruth,  widow -. 8  00 

Lewis,  Catharine   widow 8  00 

Walker,  Cynthia,  mother 8  00 

East,  Gency,  mother 8  00 

Wolf,  Margaret,  widow,   1812 8  00 

Harrell,  John  C,  leg 2  00 

Crafton,  Henry,  leg 6  00 

Deakard,  William,  foot 2  00 

Howard,  Ruth,  widow 10  00 

Keith,  Hannah,  widow 8  00 

Livingston,  Julia  A.,  widow 8  00 

Lucas,  Elizabeth,  widow 8  00 

Carter,  Clara,  mother  8  00 

Clark,  Sarah,  mother 8  00 

Chandler,  Andrew  .J.,  lungs 8  O'J 

Ross,  James  J.,  partially  deaf 2  00 

Cain,  Melinda,  widow 8  00 

Gaston,  James  H.,arm 18  00 


HISTORY   OF   MONROE   COUNTY.  447 

Bowers,  Eli,  disease  of  gums $4  00 

Walker,  Joseph,  survivor.   1811i 8  00 

Spencer,  Mary  E.,  widow 8  00 

Abram,  Lucinda,  widow 8  00 

Mead,  Marcy  C,  widow 8  00 

Gentry,  Eliza  A.,  widow 8  00 

Gardner,  .Julia  A.,  mother 8  00 

Smith,  Elias,  diarrhoea 4  00 

Briscoe,  Margaret  J.,  widow 8  00 

Spencer,  James  K.,  shoulder 4  00 

Back,  John  H.,  stomach 4  00 

Harris,  .Joseph  S.,  arm 4  00 

Poling,  Sarah,  widow 8  00 

Richardson,  Milly,  widow,  1812 8  00 


THE  ROLL  OF  HONOR. 
FOURTEENTH    REGIMENT,  THREE    YEARS'    SERVICE. 

Capt.  James  R.  Kelley,  died  May  8,  1862,  of  wounds  received  at  Win- 
cliester  ;  Sergt.  John  C.  Cox,  died  at  Huttonville,  Va.,  November  3,  1861  ; 
Jesse  A.  Steele,  killed  at  Antietam,  September  17, 1862;  Alexander  S.  Re- 
tan,  died  April  14,  1862,  of  wounds  received  at  Winchester;  George  Mc- 
Ivery,  died  November,  1862,  of  wounds  received  at  Antietam  ;  Thomas  W. 
Carlow,  killed  at  Antietam,  September,  1862 ;  Andrew  M.  Arthur, 
killed  by  accident,  September,  1861 ;  Elijah  Barrett,  died  April,  1862, 
of  wounds  received  at  Winchester  ;  Lewis  Crump,  died  April,  1862, 
of  wounds  received  at  Winchester ;  James  Degan,  died  November, 
1862  ;  Edward  Duncan,  died  December,  1861 ;  Andrew  Harsh,  killed  at 
Antietam,  September,  1862  ;  Richard  Houston,  killed  at  Antietam,  Sep- 
tember, 1862  ;  James  M.  Hughes,  killed  in  the  Wilderness,  May,  1864 ; 
Joseph  M.  McCalla,  died  August,  1861 ;  Joseph  McDonald,  veteran,  killed 
in  affray  near  Stevensburg,  Va.;  William  Miller,  died  April,  1862,  of 
wounds  received  at  Winchester ;  James  H.  Raper,  died  May,  1864,  of 
wounds  received  at  Spottsylvania  ;  John  Raper,  died  May,  1861 ;  Stacey 
F.  Smith,  killed  at  Antietam,  September,  1862  ;  William  H.  Smith,  died 
June,  1864,  of  wounds  received  at  Spottsylvania;  F.  M.  Wagoner,  killed 
at  Cold  Harbor ;  W.  S.  Thomas,  killed  at  Cold  Harbor ;  W.  A.  Steire, 
died  in  hospital ;  George  W.  Kelley,  died  of  wounds  received  at 
Antietam. 

EIGHTEENTH  REGIMENT,  THREE  YEARS*  SERVICE. 

Lieut.  Col.  William  Stanley  Charles,  died  of  wounds  November  1 0, 1864 ; 
Sergt.  Samuel  W.  Dodds,  diedat  St.  Louis,  Mo.,  November,  1861;  Charles 
H.  Spencer,  died  at  Helena,  Ark.,  September,  1862 ;  Sylvester  Barnett,  died 
at  Cassville,  Mo.,  April,  1862  ;  James  Fox,  killed  by  guerrillas,  Syracuse, 
Mo.,  December,  1861 ;  William  Martin,  died  at  Cassville,  Mo.,  1862  ;  John 
E.  Martin,  died  at  Cassville,  Mo.,  March,  1862;  Michael  Odenwald,  died 
at  St.  Louis,  November,  1861;  Thomas  St.  Clair,  died  at  St.  Louis, 
November,  1862  ;  Alvin  Walker,  died  at  St.  Louis,  November,  1861 ; 
Arthur  Walker,  died  at  Otterville,  December,  1861 ;  Richard  D.  Wylie, 
died  at  Otterville,  Mo.,  October,  1861;  John  Carter,  died  at  Warren, 
Mo.;  John  T.  West,  died  at  New  Albany. 


448  HISTORY   OF   MONROE   COUNTY. 

TWENTY-SECOND  REGIMENT,  THREE  YEARS*  SERVICE. 

Lieut.  Lewis  W.  Daily,  died  of  wounds  received  at  Cassville,  Mo.; 
Sergt.  Benjamin  T.  Gardner,  died  December,  1863,  of  wounds  received 
in  action  ;  William  B.  Miller,  died  December,  1863,  of  wounds  received  in 
action  ;  Verdman  Johnson,  died  April,  1862  ;  of  wounds  received  in  action  ; 
Edward  Graham,  died  at  St.  Louis,  Mo.,  October,  1861 ;  Hezekiah  Brown, 
died  August,  1861  ;  Copernicus  H.  Coffey,  veteran,  died  June,  1864,  of 
wounds  ;  Christopher  C.  Coffey,  flied  at  Farmington,  Miss.,  July,  1862 ; 
"William  H.  Cooper,  died  at  Otterville,  Mo.,  1861 ;  James  M.  Coffey,  died 
at  Syracuse,  Mo.,  December,  1861  ;  Henry  L.  Duncan,  died  at  Harrods- 
burg,  Ind.,  April,  1862  ;  Joseph  Elkins,  died  at  Harrodsburg,  Ind.,  April, 
1862  ;  Charles  M.  Goben,  died  at  St.  Louis,  May,  1862  ;  William  G.  Jen- 
nings, died  at  Lynn  Creek,  Mo.,  February,  1862 ;  Fleming  Johnson,  died 
at  Evansville,  Ind.,  July,  1862  ;  James  H.  Pettus,  killed  at  Perryville, 
Ky.,  October,  1862;  Joseph  S.  Taylor,  killed  at  Perryville,  Ky.,  October, 
1862 ;  William  Warman,  died,  August,  1862  ;  William  H.  Williams,  died 
July,  1863  ;  Elijah  Lyons,  killed  at  Rome,  Ga.,  May,  1864 ;  Joseph  M. 
Mayfield,  died  September,  1864,  of  wounds  received  at  Jonesboro ;  W.  G. 
Jennings,  died  at  Trynne  Creek,  Mo. 

THIRTY-FIRST  REGIMENT,  THREE  YEARS'  SERVICE. 

Sergt.  James  B.  Fullbright,  killed  at  Shiloh,  April,  1862 ;  Miller  M. 
Sutphin,  died  at  Calhoun,  Ky.,  February,  1862  ;  John  Baxter,  died  near 
Elkton,  Ala.,  July,  1862 ;  Benjamin  F.  Taylor,  died  at  Calhoun,  Ky., 
December,  1861 ;  James  M.  Eller,  died  at  New  x\lbany,  July,  1862  ;  Roily 
Franklin,  killed  at  Shiloh,  April,  ]862;  Robert  A.  Harbison,  died  at 
Calhoun,  Ky.,  December,  1861  ;  James  V.  Livingston,  veteran,  killed  at 
Kenesaw,  June, "1864  ;  James  J.  Livingston,  died  at  New  Albany,  May. 
1862 ;  Willis  L.  Mathers,  died  at  Calhoun,  Ky.,  December,  1861 ;  Jacob 
Medows,  killed  at  Stone  River,  December,  1862  ;  Elisha  Robertson,  died 
at  Evansville,  July,  1862  ;  William  H.  Shafer,  died  at  Corinth,  May,  1862  : 
Thomas  Tull,  died  at  Corinth,  May,  1862 ;  Benjamin  H.  Whisenand,  died 
at  Calhoun,  Ky.,  February,  1862  ;  Jacob  Wright,  died  at  Bowling  Green, 
Ky.,  November,  1862  ;  Samuel  E.  Wylie,  died  at  Calhoun,  Ky.,  Febru- 
ary, 1862  ;  William  S.  Butcher,  died  at  Nashville,  Tenn.  ;  Abraham  Floyd, 
died  at  Madison, Ind.,  April,  1865  ;  William  H.  Fox,  died  at  Indianapolis, 
March,  1864 ;  Bedford  Havions,  died  at  Atlanta,  Ga.  ;  Alvin  Howard, 
killed  at  Nashville,  December,  1864  ;  John  Keiih,  died  May,  1864,  of 
wounds  received  at  Resaca;  Alexander  Lucas,  died  at  Atlanta,  August, 
1864  ;  Lewis  W.  Shields,  died  at  Indianapolis,  March,  1864;  John  W. 
Smallwood,  died  at  Huntsville,  Ala.,  March,  1865  ;  Jeremiah  Vanderpool, 
died  at  Nashville,  August,  1864. 

THIRTY-EIGHTH  REGIMENT,  THREE  YEARS'    SERVICE.   . 

First  Lieut.  Joseph  H.  Reeves,  died  March,  15,  1864  ;  Francis  D. 
Mathew,  veteran,  killed  on  picket  near  Atlanta,  August,  1861 ;  John  Ash- 
brook,  died  at  Danville  Prison,  Va.,  January,  1864  ;  James  W.  Nichols, 
died  at  Andersonville  Prison,  December,  1864  ;  John  W.  Smith,  died  in 
Andersonville  Prison  ;  John  M.  Sharp,  died  at  Chattahoochie  River,  Ga., 
July,  1864. 


HISTORY  OF  MONROE  COUNTY.  449 

FIFTIETH  REGIMENT,  THREE  YEARS'  SERVICE. 

Capt.  Isaac  S.  Dains,  died  of  disease  at  Little  Rock,  Ark.  ;  William 
H.  Coffey,  died  at  Little  Rock  ;  William  Lee,  died  at  Little  Rock ;  John 
Thompson,  died  at  Louisburg,  Ark. 

EIGHTY-SECOND  REGIMENT,    THREE    YEARS'     SERVICE. 

Lieut.  Col.  Paul  E.  Siocum,  died  of  wounds  received  in  action  March 
3,  1864 ;  Second  Lieut.  Samuel  Guy,  died  of  disease  May  22,  1863; 
William  J.  Craig,  killed  at  Resaca  May,  1864;  Henry  W.  Bunger,  died 
at  home  December,  1862  ;  James  E.  Bunger,  died  at  home,  August,  1864, 
of  wounds  received  at  Resaca ;  Adam  A.  Copenhaver,  died  of  wounds 
at  Chattanooga  February,  1864 ;  Samuel  Coan,  died  at  Murfrees- 
boro  February,  1863 ;  William  Curry,  died  March,  1864,  of  wounds  re- 
ceived at  Mission  Ridge;  James  R.  Dearman,  killed  at  Chickamauga 
September,  1863;  George  W.  Dubois,  died  at  Gallatin,  Tenn.;  George 
W.  Edwards,  died  at  Murfreesboro  February,  1863  ;  John  L.  Gardner, 
died  at  Nashville,  Tenn.,  March,  1863;  Robert  P.  Hanna,  died  at  At- 
lanta October,  1864;  William  Harbison,  died  at  Louisville,  Ky.;  Dan- 
iel C.  Houston,  died  at  Gallatin,  Tenn.,  November,  1864  ;  Joseph  Lills, 
died  October,  1863,  of  wounds  received  at  Chickamauga  ;  Abram  May. 
died  at  Nashville,  Tenn.,  February,  1863  ;  Clark  McDermott,  killed  at 
Chickamauga,  September,  1863  ;  William  McDermott,  died  of  wounds 
received  at  Chickamauga  ;  Emmett  Mitchell,  died  at  Nashville,  Tenn., 
February,  1863  ;  John  W.  Strong,  died  at  Winchester,  Tenn.,  August 
1863;  Edward  T.  Sluss,  died  September,  1864,  of  wounds  ;  George  W. 
Whitaker,  died  at  Bowling,  Ky.,  June,  1863  ;  James  Russell,  killed  at 
Chickamauga;  John  W.  Temple,  killed  at  Resaca;  J.  B.  Hoover,  died 
at  Louisville,  Ky.;  James  M.  Burris,  died  in  Andersonville  Prison  ;  George 
Yund,  died  at  Chickamauga. 

NINETY-THIRD  REGIMENT,    THEEE    YEARS'    SERVICE. 

David  Meadows,  died  at  Cahaba,  Ala.,  September,  1864  ;  Joseph 
Hooshour,  supposed  to  have  died ;  Isom  Prince,  died  in  Lawrence 
County,  Ind.,  November,  1862  ;  Henry  Southern,  died  at  Walnut  Hills, 
Miss.,  July,  1863  ;  Robert  Alton,  supposed  to  have  been  lost  on  Steamer 
Sultana  :  David  Miller,  died  at  Mound  City,  111.,  August,  1863  ;  James 
Meadows,  died  at  Indianapolis,  January,  1864. 

TENTH  CAVALRY  (ONE  HUNDRED  AND  TWBNTY-FIFTH),  THREE  YEARS' 
SERVICE. 

Capt.  Isaac  A.  Buskirk,  died  of  disease  July  11,  1864;  William  F. 
Alexander,  died  at  Pulaski,  Tenn.,  August,  1864 ;  Horace  L.  Beatly, 
died  at  Jacksonville  Prison,  Fla.,  May,  1865  ;  William  M.  Berry,  died 
July,  1865 ;  Richard  J.  Drake,  died  at  Pulaski,  Tenn.,  August,  1864  ; 
Jonathan  East,  died  at  Louisville,  Ky.,  April,  1865  ;  Richard  R.  Mc- 
Cune,  died  at  Pulaski,  Tenn.,  April,  1864 ;  Thomas  Peterson,  died  at 
Nashville,  Tenn.,  December,  1864  ;  Samuel  Parks,  died  at  St.  Louis, 
Mo.,  January,  1865  ;  John  Quick,  died  at  Columbus,  Ind.,  April,  1864; 


450  HISTORY    OF    MONROE  COUNTY. 

Aaron  J.  Rutledge,  died  at  Bloomington,  Ind.,  April,  ISG-t ;  James  H. 
Waugh,  died  at  Nashville,  Tenn.,  of  wounds  received,  December,  1864  ; 
William  Welch,  died  at  Vicksburg,  Miss.,  August,  1865 ;  Ira  Young, 
died  at  Nashville,  Tenn.,  November,  1864;  Charles  Amor,  died  at 
Corinth,  Miss.;  Eli  Fowler,  died  of  disease  at  Ft.  Gaines;  John  R. 
Fielder,  died  of  disease  at  Mobile,  Ala. 

ONE   HUNDRED  AND    FORTY-FIFTH  REGIMENT,    ONE   YEAR's    SERVICE. 

Hugh  C.  Adams,  died  at  Dalton,  Ga.,  April,  1865  ;  William  Clark, 
died  at  Nashville,  Tenn.,  April,  1865;  James  M.  Craig,  died  at  Louis- 
ville, Ky.,  February,  1865  ;  George  H.  Collins,  died  May,  1865  ;  John 
M.  Hubbard,  died  at  Indianapolis,  Ind.,  February,  1865  :  Tilghman  A. 
Rogers,  died  at  Dalton,  Ga.,  March,  1865 ;  John  Stewart,  died  at  Bain- 
bridge,  Ga  ,  October,  1865;  James  M.  Pauley,  died  at  Dalton,  Ga., 
April,  1865 ;  James  H.  Smithville,  died  at  Cuthbert,  Ga.,  January, 
1866  ;  Jordan  Wisely,  died  at  Dalton,  Ga.,  April,  1865. 

MISCELLANEOUS. 

James  H.  Knight  (Fifty-ninth),  died  at  Nashville,  Tenn.;  Capt.  Fred 
Butler  (Twenty-first  Battery),  died  at  New  Orleans ;  William  Barnes, 
killed  at  Ashley  Gap,  Va.;  Elvin  Farmer,  died  at  Memphis;  Milton  H. 
Mobley  (Second  Cavalry),  died  at  New  Albany;  Wren  Allen  (Second 
Cavalry),  died  in  Andersonville  Prison  ;  Lee  Stewart  (Second  Cavalry), 
killed  at  Newman  Station;  Abraham  (Second  Cavalry)  killed  at  Newman 
Station ;  Daniel  Breakison  (Second  Cavalry),  died  at  Cornith ;  James 
Thompson  (Ninth  Battery),  killed  at  Shiloh ;  Robert  H.  Gourley  (Twen- 
tieth Battery),  died  at  New  Maysville,  Ind.;  Capt.  Peter  Kop  (Twenty- 
seventh),  killed  at  Antietam  ;  J.  J.  Howard,  killed  in  the  service  ;  William 
Rice  (Fourteenth),  died  in  captivity  ;  Capt.  Joseph  Young  (Ninety-seventh), 
killed  at  Kenesaw  ;  James  A.  Butcher  (Ninety-seventh),  died  of  wounds  at 
home;  James  M.  Hodges  (Forty-third),  died  of  disease  at  Helena,  Ark.; 
Hiram  Reed  (Ninety-seventh),  died  of  disease  at  Memphis  ;  Alfred  Bowers 
(Ninety-seventh),  killed  at  Kenesaw ;  William  H.  Carmichael  (Ninety- 
seventh),  died  at  Moscow,  Tenn. ;  James  H.  Sparks  (Ninety-seventh), 
died  at  Camp  Sherman  ;  Enoch  Alexander  (Fifty-ninth),  died  in  Ander- 
sonville Prison  ;  John  D.  Alexander  (Fifty -ninth),  died  at  Chattanooga  ; 
JeflFerson  Smith  (Thirty-third),  killed  at  Thompson's  Station  ;  Lieut.  Isaac 

B.  Buskirk  (Twenty-seventh),  killed  at  Chancellorsville ;  Samuel  Knight 
(Thirty-third),  killed  by  guerrillas  at  Resacca,  Ga.;  Joseph  Richeson 
(Twenty  seventh),  died  at  Williamsport,  Md.;  E.  F.  Jacobs  (Fifty-fourth), 
died  in  Field  Hospital;  Martin  O'Comrel  (Twenty-seventh),  died  in  Field 
Hospital  ;  Thomas  Tull  (Thirty-first),  died  at  Corinth  ;  William  Simpson, 
died  of  disease  at  Nashville,  Tenn.;  A.  B.  Yates  (Second),  killed  at  Vicks- 
burg ;  Henry  Sipes  (Twenty-seventh),  killed  at  Darnestown,  Md.;  Thomas 
Todd  (Twenty-seventh),  died  at  Darnestown,  Md.;  E.  M.  Flatlook  (Twenty- 
seventh),  died  at  Frederick,  Md.;  Reuben  Hendrix,  killed  at  Resaca ; 
George  Edwards  (Twenty-seventh),  killed  at  Resaca ;  Thomas  Pratt 
(Twenty-seventh),  killed  at  Atlanta;  David  Cook,  died  at  Louisville,  Ky.; 

C.  M.  Bowen  (Twenty-seventh),  died  at  Washington  City  ;  J.  W.  Litz 
(Eighty-second),    wounded    and   died   at    Chattanooga;    John    Thomas 


BLOOMINGTON  TOWNSHIP  AND  CITY.  451 

(Twenty-seventh),  killed  at  Atlanta,  Ga.;  John  Trueblood    (Thirty-first), 
died  at  Pulaski,  Tenn. 

"  No  more  shall  the  war  cry  sever, 
Or  the  winding  river  be  red  ; 
They  banish  our  anger  forever 

When  they  laurel  the  gr.ives  of  our  dead  ! 

'■  Under  the  sod  and  the  dew, 
Waiting  the  Judgment  Day  ; 
Love  and  tears  for  the-  Blue, 
Tears  and  love  for  the  Gray.  " 


BLOOMINGTON. 


EARLY    RESIDENTS    OF    BLOOMINGTON   TOWNSHIP. 

THERE  is  abundant  reason  to  believe  that  Bloomington  Township  was 
settled  as  early  as  1816,  and  there  are  some  evidences  which  fix  the 
date  of  the  first  settlement  in  1815  if  not  before.  The  power  of  the  In- 
dians was  crushed  at  the  battle  of  Tippecanoe  in  1811,  but  all  apprehen- 
sion of  danger  from  them  did  not  die  out  for  several  years  afterward.  It 
may  be  stated  as  the  opinion  of  several  of  the  oldest  settlers  in  the  coun- 
ty that  Monroe  was  settled  as  early  as  1810  or  1811  by  a  few  families  of 
professional  pioneers.  Much  of  this,  however,  must  be  regarded  as  tra- 
ditional. In  the  absence  of  definite  data,  it  may  be  presumed  that  Bloom- 
ington Township  received  a  few  of  these  early  settlers.  It  is  certain  that 
several  families  arrived  in  1815,  and  many  more  in  1816,  and,  as  stated 
above,  there  is  strong  evidence  that  permanent  settlers  reached  the  town- 
ship as  early  as  1815.  Of  course,  as  late  as  1816,  the  county  of  Monroe, 
which  as  yet  had  no  boundary  or  existence,  was  a  wilderness  filled  with 
all  varieties  of  wild  animals  inhabiting  this  latitude,  and  was  roamed  over 
by  numerous  bands  of  half  subdued  savages.  In  fact,  all  of  the  county 
north  of  the  old  Indian  boundary  was  yet  the  property  of  the  Indians, 
and  remained  so  until  the  treaty  of  St.  Mary's,  Ohio,  in  October,  1818, 
when  it  was  ceded  to  the  Government  as  part  of  the  "New  Purchase." 
By  the  time  of  the  first  land  sale  of  Bloomington  Township  in  1816, 
there  were  a  score  or  nearly  so  of  families  residing  within  its  limits. 
Among  those  who  entered  land  in  the  township  during  the  first  four  or 
five  years  after  the  first  land  sale — in  fact,  all  who  entered  land  during 
that  period — are  the  following,  with  the  sections  of  land  and  the  years  of 
entry:  David  Rogers,  Section  33,  1816;  Joseph  Taylor,  Section  33, 
1816  ;  George  Ritchey,  Section  33,  1816;  George  Hedrick,  Section  33, 
1816';  John  Ketchum,  Section  6,  1816 ;  Henry  Wampler,  Section  6, 
1816  ;  Adam  Bower,  Section  6,  1816;  Thomas  Smith,  Section  7,  1816; 
William  Julian,  Section  7,  1816;  William  J.  Adair,  Section  7,  1816; 
George  Parks,  Section  8,  1816  ;  John  Kell,  Section  17,  1816  ;  James 
Parks,  Section  17,  1816  ;  John  Owens,  Section  18,  1816  ;  David  Stout, 
Section  19,  1816  ;  Samuel  Caldwell,  Section  19,  1816;  Roderick  Raw- 
lins, Section  20,  1816 ;  Joseph  Taylor,  Section  20,  1816  ;  James  Parks, 
Section  20,  1816  ;    George  Paul,  Section  21,  1816  ;    David   Raymond, 


452 


HISTORY  OF  MONROE  COUNTY. 


Section  21,  1816;  Jacob  Renderbach,  Section  25,  1816  ;  Ebenezer  Dag- 
gett, Section  27,  1816;  James  Borland,  Section  27,  1816;  Gideon 
Frisbie,  Section  28,  1816  ;  John  Lee,  Section  28,  1816  ;  William  Mat- 
lock, Section  28,  1816  ;  Samuel  Camphries,  Section  28,  1816  ;  Thomas 
Graham,  Section  29,  1816  ;  James  Parks,  Section  29,  1816  ;  Abraham 
Appier,  Section  29,  1816  ;  Christopher  Eslinger,  Section  30,  1816 , 
Henry  Wampler,  Section  32.  1816  ;  Henry  Rogers,  Section  34,  1816  ; 
John  Thompson,  Section  34,  1816  ;  "Wheeler  Matlock,  Section  34,  1816; 
Samuel  Scott,  Section  34,  1816  ;  William  Jackson,  Section  35,  1816 ; 
John  Jackson,  Section  35,  1816  ;  Thomas  Heady,  Section  36,  1816  ; 
John  Griffith,  Section  15,  1817;  James  Matlock,  Section  18,  1817; 
James  Wood,  Section  19,  1817;  John  Buskirk,  Section  25,  1817  ;  Law- 
rence Smoyer,  Section  29,  1817  ;  Samuel  Rogers,  Section  30,  1817  ; 
James  Wood,  Section  30,  1817;  Titan  Kemble,  Section  31,  1817;  Si- 
mon Chauvin,  Section  31,  1817  ;  Chesley  D.  Bailey,  Section  32,  1817; 
Robertson  Graham,  Section  32,  1817  :  Granville  Ward,  Section  35, 
1817;  Nicholas  Fletcher,  Section  35,  1817:  William  Goodwin,  Section 
13,  1818;  Thomas  Barker,  Section  19,  1818;  Abraham  Buskirk,  Sec- 
tion 24,  1818  ;  Stephen  P.  Sealls,  Section  26,  1818  ;  0.  F.  Barker, 
Section  30,  1818  ;  Ebenezer  Dickey,  Section  32,  1818  ;  George  Whis- 
enand.  Section  6,  1820  ;  Thomas  Heady,  Section  24,  1821.  These 
were  the  only  entries  in  the  township  previous  to  1822. 

THE    FIRST    RESIDENT    OF    BLOOMINGTON. 

The  first  man  to  settle  permanently  upon  the  present  site  of  the  city 
of  Bloomington  cannot  be  named  with  absolute  certainty.  Neither  can 
the  time  of  this  first  settlement  be  given.  The  first  entries  of  land  were 
as  follows  : 


PURCHASERS. 


George  Ritchey  ...  . 

George  Hedrick 

David  Rogers 

Joseph  Taylor 

Henry  Wampler 

Chesley  Bailey....... 

Robertson  Graham. 
Ebenezer  Dickey... 


Town- 
ship. 


160 
160 


1  !     160 


160 
160 
160 
160 
160 


Sept.  26, 
Sept.  26, 
Sept.  26, 
Sept.  26, 
Sept.  27, 
Feb.  5, 
May  26, 
Feb.  12, 


1816 
1816 
1816 
1816 
1816 
1817 
1817 
1818 


N.  E.  i 
N.  W.  i- 
S.  W.  i 

S.  E.  ^ 
N.  E.  I 
S.  W  1 

S.  E.  1 
N.  W.  i 


The  lots  were  laid  out  on  the  southwest  quarter  of  Section  33,  and 
the  southeast  (quarter  of  Section  32,  which  two  quarters  had  been  entered 
by  David  Rogers  and  Robertson  Graham,  as  shown  by  the  above  table. 
It  is  probable  that  no  man  lived  upon  the  town  site  until  1816,  at  which 
time  both  Rogers  and  Graham  built  log  houses.  Some  fix  the  date  of  the 
erection  of  these  houses  as  1817.  At  all  events,  when  the  first  lots  were 
laid  out,  in  June,  1818,  a  crop  of  wheat  was  growing  on  the  land  that  had 
been  purchased  of  Mr.  Rogers.  Whether  it  was  the  first  or  second  crop 
on  the  same  land  cannot  be  stated.  David  Rogers  entered  the  south- 
west quarter  of  Section  33,  on  which  a  portion  of  the  town  was  laid  out, 
but  Jonathan  Rogers  afterward  obtained  part  interest  in  the  tract,  as  his 
name  appears  upon  the  deed  which  conveyed  the  land  to  the  county. 


BLOOMINGTON  TOWNSHIP  AND  CITY.  453 

PLATTING  OF  THE  VILLAGE. 

On  the  10th  of  April,  1818,  the  first  day  of  the  first  meeting  of  the 
County  Commissioners,  the  county  seat  was  ordered  laid  oiF  and  was 
named  "  Bloomington."  The  County  Agent  was  ordered  to  oversee  the 
work.  He  was  instructed  to  make  the  public  square  measure  276  feet, 
and  to  lay  out  lots  66x132  feet,  and  streets  82|  feet  wide.  The  number 
of  lots  to  be  laid  out  was  left  to  the  discretion  of  the  agent.  The  first 
public  auction  or  sale  of  lots  was  fixed  for  the  22d  of  June,  1818,  and  the 
agent  was  instructed  to  advertize  the  sale  in  the  Western  Sun,  of  Vin- 
cennes  ;  the  Louisville  Correspondent ;  the  Argus  of  Western  America  ; 
the  Western  Eagle,  of  Madison,  and  the  Liberty  Hall,  of  Cincinnati, 
which  so  far  as  known  was  duly  done.  Jonathan  Nichols  was  appointed 
surveyor  to  lay  out  the  town.  The  following  entry  appears  upon  the 
record  of  the  County  Board:  "  On  motion  of  Bartlett  Woodward,  Ordered, 
that  the  agent  of  this  county  procure  one  barrel  of  whisky  and  have  it  at 
the  sale  of  town  lots  in  Bloomington."  When  it  is  remembered  that  the 
proceeds  of  this  first  sale  amounted  to  the  enormous  sum  of  $14,826.85,  it 
will  probably  be  concluded  by  the  reader  that  the  action  of  the  board  was 
not  misplaced — that  is,  on  that  day  over  sixty-five  years  ago.  Of  course 
many  speculators  bought  lots.  The  complete  list  of  those  who  bought  lots 
at  this  sale  is  as  follows:  John  Scott,.  D.  Thompson,  Christian  Eppinger, 
John  Keys,  Arthur  Harris,  W.  A.  Beatty,  W.  P.  Anderson,  William 
Lowe,  Robinson  Graham,  David  Sears,  Floyd  Cummings,  Samuel  Cole- 
man, James  Borland,  George  Hedrick,  W.  D.  Hoof,  David  Rogers,  James 
Dunning,  James  Newman,  Jonathan  Rogers,  Thomas  Smith,  B.  Miller, 
W.  D.  McCullough,  Jacob  B.  Lowe,  Wm.  Curl,  Henry  Wampler,  Coleman 
Pruitt,  Elias  Goodwin,  Abner  Goodwin,  Solomon  Bowers,  John  Owens, 
Samuel  Scott,  Sr.,  Nathan  Julian,  Isham  Sumpter,  Hezekiah  Woodford. 
Solomon  Phillips,  E.  R.  Maxwell,  Benjamin  Freeland,  George  Richey, 
David  Matlock,  Lewis  Noel,  Samuel  Haslett,  James  Denny,  John  Bus- 
kirk,  Zachariah  Williams,  Moses  Williams,  T.  B.  Clark,  Eli  Lee,  Thomas 
Lee,  William  Hardin,  Nelson  Moore,  Ebenezer  McDonald,  J.  W.  Lee, 
Aquilla  Rogers,  John  Foster,  Thomas  Hadey,  Granville  Ward,  James 
Dickens,  Stephen  S.  Bigger,  Susannah  Lee,  Jonathan  Nichols,  Reuben 
Fullen,  Martha  Brown,  W.  B.  Brown,  Joshua  Howe  and  James  Brown, 
The  above  were  the  only  buyers  on  the  22d  and  23d  of  June,  1818,  the 
only  two  days  of  sale,  but  several  of  them  bought  several  lots  or  even  many 
lots.  As  stated  elsewhere,  the  total  proceeds  of  this  sale  were  $14,826.85. 
The  land  upon  which  the  new  town  was  located  had  been  secured  from 
Jonathan  and  David  Rogers  and  Robert  Graham  by  the  locating  Commis- 
sioners. The  Rogers  Brothers  were  paid  $1,200  for  such  land  and  Mr. 
Graham  $900  for  150  acres  soon  after  the  first  sale  of  lots.  When  the 
lots  were  laid  out,  there  was  growing  upon  a  portion  of  them  a  crop  of 
wheat  and  corn,  which  the  Rogers  Brothers  were  permitted  to  harvest 
without  disturbance.  At  the  first  sale  of  lots,  Jonathan  Nichols  was  sur- 
veyor. He  laid  out  208  lots  and  was  paid  30  cents  each.  Benjamin 
Parks,  County  Agent,  was  allowed  $33.50  for  whisky  furnished  at  the 
sale.  The  whisky  was  obtained  of  Whisenand.  Robinson  Graham  was 
chain  carrier  ;  Aquilla  Rogers,  chain  carrier ;  John  Owen,  chain  carrier. 
Lewis  Noel  was  the  "crier"  or  auctioneer.     James  Parks  was  clerk  of 


« 


454  HISTORY   OF   MONROE  COUNTY. 

the  sale.  Jonathan  Rogers  was  "  tapster"  and  dealt  out  the  whisky  to 
the  crowd  of  thirsty  men,  and  was  paid  at  the  rate  of  $1  a  day  for 
his  services.  It  must  be  remembered  that  the  cash  receipts  were  far  short 
of  the  proceeds  of  the  sale — probably  about  15  per  cent.  The  lots  sold 
very  high,  considering  the  unsettled  condition  of  the  county.  A  few  sold 
for  over  $200  each.  The  bidding  was  very  spirited,  but  in  the  end  the 
county  lost  over  30  per  cent  of  the  purchase  price. 

OTHER  BUYERS  OF   LOTS. 

In  November,  1818,  at  the  public  sale,  the  following  men  bought  lots  : 
William  Hoggatt,  Thomas  Bailey,  John  Storm,  James  Parsons,  Samuel 
Harryman,  William  Newton,  James  Gibbs,  Pemberton  Dickens,  Anthony 
Chambers,  Jesse  Wright,  Robert  Hamilton,  Samuel  Scott,  David  Kello, 
Wesley  Whitson,  Haws  Armstrong,  William  Cooley  (colored),  David  Hol- 
land, George  Rodenbaugh,  Solomon  Green,  Isaiah  Buskirk,  Roderick 
Rawlins,  Capt.  Robert  Hamilton,  Jonathan  Nichols,  Amos  Cox,  David 
Clements,  Addison  Smith,  John  Cutler,  Benjamin  Parks,  Jesse  C.  Moore, 
Aaron  Wallace  (colored),  Tilghman  Chance,  Joseph  Lebo,  Joseph  Peri- 
shaw,  George  Groves,  Nelson  Moore,  Washington  Moore,  Joseph  Baugh, 
Jesse  Hughes,  Josiah  Buskirk,  Michael  Buskirk,  Isaac  Lebo,  Chesley 
Bailey,  John  Whisenand,  Thomas  Graham,  John  Ketchum  and  Nathaniel 
Clark.  The  total  amount  of  this  sale  was  |12,274.75.  The  County 
Board  ordered  that  county  orders  should  be  received  in  payment  for  town 
lots.  In  the  spring  of  1819,  the  County  Treasurer  reported  the  following 
cash  receipts  from  the  County  Agent  from  the  sale  of  lots: 

Received  June '24,  1818 $810  50 

Received  July  7 1,315  05 

Received  September  5 820  90 

Received  November  9 6  00 

Received  November  10 38  00 

Received  November  17 46  10 

Received  December  3 228  85 

Received  February  6,  1819 244  07 

Received  March  12 401  22 

Received  April  24 109  65 

Received  May  11 46  00 

Total $4,065  34 

This  was  about  the  fashion  that  the  money  came  into  the  treasury. 
The  cash  receipts  (from  the  sale  of  town  lots  only)  from  November,  1820,  to 
November,  1821,  were  |3,860.42.  Of  this  amount,  $3,207.10  was  ex- 
pended. In  February,  1822,  the  agent  reported  in  his  possession  notes 
from  the  sale  of  lots  to  the  amount  of  over  $18,000.  This  fund  was  the 
most  extensive  and  useful  of  any  in  the  county  at  its  organization, 

THE  EARLY  TOAVNSMEN. 

Among  the  earliest  residents  of  the  town  were  Enos  Blair,  Jonathan 
Rogers,  David  Rogers,  Thomas  Graham,  Robert  Graham,  William  Lowe, 
John  Scott,  Arthur  Harris,  W.  P.  Anderson,  David  Sears,  Christian  Ep- 
pinger,  James  Borland,  James  Dunning,  James  Newman,  Thomas  Smith, 
B.  Miller,  W.  D.  McCullough,  J.  B.  Lowe,  William  Carroll,  John  Owens, 
Samuel  Scott,  Sr.,  Nathan  Julian,  Isham  Sumpter,  Hezekiah  Woodford, 


BLOOMINGTON  TOWNSHIP  AND  CITY.  455 

E.  R.  Maxwell,  Benjamin  Freeland,  George  Richey,  David  Matlock, 
James  Denny,  John  Buskirk,  Zachariah  Williams,  Moses  Williams,  T.  B. 
Clark,  William  Hardin,  Nelson  Moore,  Ebenezer  McDonald,  John  W. 
Lee,  Aquilla  Rogers,  John  Foster,  Thomas  Heady,  James  Dickens,  Ste- 
phen S.  Bigger,  Susannah  Lee,  Jonathan  Nichols,  Martha  Brown,  W.  B. 
Brown,  Joshua  0.  Howe,  James  Brown,  William  Hoggatt,  James  Parsons, 
William  Newton,  James  Gibbs,  Pemberton  Dickens,  Jesse  Wright,  David 
Kello,  Wesley  Whitson,  Haws  Armstrong,  William  Cooley  (colored),  David 
Holland,  George  Rodenbaugh,  Josiah  Buskirk,  Roderick  Rawlins,  Addi- 
son Smith,  David  Clements,  Rev.  Aaron  Wallace  (colored),  George  Groves, 
Washington  Moore,  Jesse  Hughes,  Isaac  Lebo,  Chesley  Bailey,  John 
Whisenand,  and  others.  It  is  possible  that  a  few  of  the  above  did  not  re- 
side in  the  town,  and  a  few  are  known  to  have  remained  not  over  a 
year  or  two. 

At  the  time  of  the  organization  of  the  county,  of  course  the  popula- 
tion was  sufficient  to  warrant  such  organization.  Much  of  this  popula- 
tion was  near  the  center  of  the  county,  or  on  Township  9  north,  Range  1 
west,  where  it  was  known  the  county  seat  was  likely  to  be  located.  As 
soon  as  the  State  Commissioner  had  bought  land  for  the  county  seat  of 
the  Rogerses  and  Graham,  the  land  in  the  vicinity  of  Bloomington  rose 
suddenly  in  value  and  was  in  great  demand.  The  town  was  laid  out,  not 
by  the  State  Commission,  but  by  the  County  Board,  and  while  this  was 
being  done  under  the  direction  of  the  County  Agent,  many  citizens  of 
the  county  visited  the  spot.  The  streets  running  north  and  south,  be- 
ginning on  the  west  were  named  as  follows :  Poplar,  Cherry,  Spring. 
West,  East,  Walnut,  Blue  and  Buck,  and  those  running  east  and  west, 
beginning  on  the  south,  were  Water,  South,  North  and  Washington. 
Some  changes  have  since  been  made  in  these  names.  On  the  days  of  the 
first  sale  of  lots,  a  large  crowd  of  settlers  of  the  county  and  speculators 
gathered  to  look  on  and  possibly  participate,  and  certainly  to  drink  of 
the  free  whisky  furnished  by  order  of  the  County  Board.  Just  why  the 
sales  were  so  large  and  at  such  a  high  figure  cannot  be  stated,  unless  it 
was  because  it  was  known  that  Bloomington  was  destined  to  be  a  great 
educational  center.      One  thing  is  historical : 

The  settlement  of  the  town  was  phenomenal.  At  the  close  of  the 
year  1818,  not  less  than  thirty  families  lived  in  the  town  in  hastily  built 
log  cabins,  or  rude  frame  houses,  from  the  saw  mill  of  old  man  Blair.  A 
log  court  house  had  been  built  in  which  the  first  school  was  being  taught, 
probably  by  Addison  Smith ;  stores  had  been  started  ;  blacksmiths,  carpen- 
ters, tailors  and  saloon  keepers  had  appeared ;  hotels  had  been  thrown 
open  for  public  entertainment,  and  an  irregular  mail  route  had  been  es- 
tablished with  Vincennes  and  probably  with  other  points.  The  town  had 
a  population  of  over  one  hundred  and  forty.  The  year  1819  saw  this 
nearly  double,  as  in  1820  the  population  was  nearly  300.  The  first  store 
was  opened  in  June,  1818,  by  William  Hardin,  who  sold  whisky  prin- 
cipally, and  about  $150  worth  of  notions.  He  kept  tavern  at  the  same 
time.  The  following  year,  George  Whisenand  opened  a  tavern,  and  of 
course  sold  whisky  and  other  liquors  at  the  bar.  About  this  time  or  soon 
afterward,  Joshua  0.  Howe,  Ale:xander  Owens  and  Henry  Batterton 
established   separate   stores    of  much   greater   pretensions  than    that  of 


456  HISTORY   OF   MONROE   COUNTY. 

Hardin,  which  scarcely  deserved  the  name.  The  latter  really  kept 
grocery,  as  liquor  in  those  days  was  classed  as  "wet  groceries,"  and 
saloons,  or  the  name,  were  unknown.  The  three  men  mentioned  did  not 
begin  at  the  same  time,  but  somewhere  from  1819  to  1822,  the  exact 
date  being  unobtainable.  Elias  Abel  says  that  when  he  came  to  Bloom- 
ington  in  1824,  the  population  was  over  500,  and  was  possibly  600. 
Others  who  came  about  the  same  time  fix  the  population  at  about  400  in 
1824.  At  all  events,  Bloomington  at  that  time  was  the  most  prosperous 
town  in  this  portion  of  the  State. 

About  1820,  Austin  Seward  began  manufacturing  wagons,  and  did  a 
general  blacksmithing  as  did  Benjamin  Neal  also.  About  the  same  time, 
William  Alexander  built  a  tannery  in  the  eastern  part  of  town.  Col. 
Joseph  Campbell  started  a  tannery  about  a  mile  west  of  town.  Day, 
Lucas  and  Campbell  had  some  interest  in  the  early  tanneries.  One  stood 
where  the  railroad  turn-table  now  is.  Blair  &  Lowe  owned  an  old  horse 
mill.  David  Thacker  owned  another.  The  grain  was  ground  in  a  rude 
manner,  and  was  then  bolted  by  hand,  the  owner  of  the  grain  doing  the 
turning.  The  toll  was  one-sixth.  Thacker's  mill  supplied  his  small  dis- 
tillery with  ground  grain.  Not  more  than  a  barrel  of  liquor  was  manu- 
factured per  day,  however.  A  man  named  Garner  conducted  a  saw  mill 
near  the  college,  the  motor  being  cattle  or  horses  on  a  tread-wheel.  Ellis 
Stone  started  a  carding  mill  as  early  as  1820.  It  was  operated  by  a 
tread- wheel.  The  building  was  of  logs.  He  continued  more  than  twenty 
years,  and  at  times  did  a  large  business.  He  pinned  up  the  packages  of 
rolls  with  thorns  gathered  from  the  woods  by  boys  whom  he  paid  for  the 
service.  Haws  Armstrong  was  operating  a  fulling  mill  in  1824.  He 
had  started  it  as  early  as  1820,  and  continued  for  a  number  of  years  to 
supply  his  patrons.  Mr.  Armstrong  manufactured  a  superior  article  of 
gunpowder  also.  Samuel  Dodds  operated  a  tannery  where  the  high 
school  building  now  stands.  John  and  Samuel  Orchard  started  a  card- 
ing machine  about  1823,  by  means  of  a  tread-wheel  turned  by  oxen. 
They  also  manufactured  considerable  linseed  oil,  as  did  one  or  two  others 
in  the  busy  little  town.  Mr.  Legg  succeeded  Thacker  in  the  latter's 
tread-mill.  Mr.  Seward  manufactured  axes,  plows,  wagons  and  difficult 
work  of  the  same  character,  and  was  so  well  patronized  that  he  steadily 
increased  his  business  until  at  last  he  began  manufacturing  general 
foundry  work.  E.  C.  Moberly  kept  tavern  in  1823.  Joshua  H.  Lucas 
opened  a  good  store  in  1823,  He  was  an  eccentric  character  of  but  little 
education,  but  of  the  highest  natural  ability.  He  was  a  fluent  speaker, 
and  always  carried  his  audience  with  him.  In  1824,  he  ran  for  the  Leg- 
islature against  William  Alexander.  The  race  was  a  close  one,  but  Mr. 
Lucas  was  victorious,  and  it  is  stated  that  his  victory  was  mainly  due  to 
his  skill  in  telling  stories  and  anecdotes  of  a  quasi  immoral  character, 
which  captivated  the  rabble. 

A.  &  J.  Owens,  Henry  Batterton  and  J.  0.  Howe  still  continued 
their  stores,  steadily  increasing  the  value  and  variety  of  the  stock.  All 
kinds  of  goods  then  sold  for  twice  or  thrice  as  much  as  now.  Calicoes 
and  prints  were  from  25  cents  to  50  cents  per  yard,  and  other  articles 
similarly  high,  and  what  rendered  the  times  harder  was  the  lack  of  mar- 
ket for  farm  productions.     Wheat,  corn,  oats,  etc.,  were  worth  from  20 


BLOOMINGTON  TOWNSHIP  AND  CITY.  457 

cents  to  40  cents  per  bushel,  and  it  was  dilEBcult  to  sell  them  at  that. 
Money  was  scarce — good  money.  Paper  money  was  in  existence  and  was 
worth  all  prices  below  par.  As  the  value  of  the  bills  constantly  fluctu- 
ated, they  were  really  merchantable  property  as  gold  and  silver  were  dur- 
ing the  last  war.  Silver  money  was  scarce  and  gold  scarcer.  The 
smaller  denominations  were  almost  unknown  except  as  they  were  created 
and  used  by  mutual  consent.  A  silver  quarter  was  quartered  or  cut  in 
half,  and  the  pieces  called  "  sharp  shins  "  passed  current  for  6^  cents  or 
12|  cents.  Money  was  so  scarce,  however,  that  merchants  were  forced  to 
barter  their  goods  and  were  compelled  to  do  a  provision,  pork  and  grain 
business.  Farmers  could  trade  live  or  dressed  hogs  for  goods,  the  demand 
regulating  the  supply  and  price.  They  could  also  trade  their  grain  in 
the  same  manner.  This  forced  the  merchants  into  pork  packing  and  grain 
buying,  and  to  the  construction  of  flat-boats  for  the  conveyance  of  their 
products  to  the  Southern  markets.  The  towns  along  the  larger  streams 
had  the  advantage  in  these  particulars,  and  nearly  all  the  heavy  grain 
and  pork  shipments  were  from  such  points.  This  accounts  for  the  fact 
that  extensive  business  in  this  direction  was  not  done  at  Bloomington. 

BUSINESS    MEN. 

During  the  remainder  of  the  decade  of  twenties,  the  merchants  of 
Bloomington  were  :  Alexander  &  John  Owens,  Joshua  0.  Howe,  Henry 
Batterton,  A.  F.  Morrison,  John  Muir  &  Co.,  1824 ;  John  Borland, 
1826  ;  G.  M.  Early,  1826  ;  John  Garner,  1827;  George  Henry  &  Co., 
1828;  Andrew  Todd,  1827  ;  Evans  &  Barnes,  1827;  Patterson  Officer, 
1828;  George  Hardesty,  1828,  and  possibly  others.  One  of  the  most 
noteworthy  features  of  the  town  then  was  the  liquor  traffic.  The  most 
prominent  of  the  merchants  kept  it  on  their  counters  free  for  their  pat- 
rons, and  a  tavern  or  inn  which  did  not  keep  it  at  the  bar,  was  a  rarity, 
probably  unknown  in  the  early  history  of  Bloomington.  Among  the 
liquor  sellers  were  some  of  the  best  citizens,  morally  and  temperately. 
During  the  decade  of  the  twenties  the  following  men  sold  liquor:  Will- 
iam Hardin,  Clem  Dickens,  George  Henry,  John  Borland,  1827  ;  Not- 
ley  Baker,  1827;  Robertson  Graham,  1828;  Isaac  Brown,  1828; 
Albert  Literal,  1828  ;  Jacob  Kelley,  1829  ;  W.  D.  McCullough,  1829  ; 
John  Owens,  1829;  John  M.  Berry,  1829;  and  Barton  Byers,  1829.  A 
man  named  Jordan  manufactured  liquor  in  Bloomington,  though  not  on 
an  extensive  scale.  Mr.  Thacker  also  distilled  a  very  good  article  of 
whisky,  if  the  judgment  of  old  settlers  is  to  be  relied  upon.  As  such 
old  settlers  were  natives  of  Kentucky,  no  attempt  will  be  made  to  con- 
trovert their  opinions.  The  tavern  keepers  during  the  twenties  were 
William  Hardin,  Dr.  E.  C.  Moberly,  William  Nowland,  A.  F.  Morrison. 
John  Sheets,  George  W.  Hardin,  Francis  Taylor,  Thomas  Nesbitt  and 
Mary  Stockwell,  J.  0.  Howe,  Hannah  Sheets,  W.  D.  McCullough.  The 
Orchards  kept  the  "  Temperance  House,"  where,  it  is  said,  liquor  was 
not  "on  tap."  The  early  physicians  were  David  H.  Maxwell,  W.  C. 
Foster,  Roach  and  Jenkins. 

ANECDOTES. 

Bloomington  was  the  rendezvous  for  the  general  muster  of  the  county 
militia  once  every  year.     In  addition  to  that,  there  were  company  and 


458  HISTORY  OF  MONROE  COUNTY. 

regiment  musters,  though  the  battalion  or  general  muster  was  by  far  the 
most  universally  attended.  On  these  occasions,  old  Brig.  Gen.  J.  B. 
Lowe  donned  his  uniform  and  turned-up  continental  hat,  buckled  on  his 
sword,  and  conducted  the  muster  in  person.  On  that  day  men  were  free, 
that  is,  they  were  privileged  from  arrest,  except  for  crime.  They 
could  fight,  run  horses,  drink  all  kinds  of  liquid  hell,  and  rave  through 
the  county  seat  at  will  on  the  public  streets  and  grounds,  and  no  one 
could  molest  or  make  them  afraid.  The  old  muster  or  parade  ground 
was  two  or  three  or  more  blocks  east  of  the  public  square,  that  portion  of 
the  town  being  open  common  at  that  time.  The  muster  was  little  better 
than  a  farce,  and  was  chiefly  enjoyed  for  the  sports  invariably  present. 
Wrestling,  jumping  and  shooting  at  a  mark  were  among  the  popular  sports. 
At  one  of  these  gatherings,  two  men  became  involved  in  a  question  of 
honor,  and  with  true  Kentucky  spirit  proposed  to  settle  the  matter  with  a 
fist  fight.  One  was  an  experienced  fighter,  the  other  was  not,  and  both 
were  athletic,  full  of  pluck  and  wind.  Both  stripped  to  the  waist,  and 
the  experienced  man  stepped  into  a  door  near  by,  where  stood  a  barrel  of 
soft  soap,  which  he  quickly  smeared  over  the  upper  half  of  his  body  and 
resumed  his  position  ready  for  the  fight.  The  slight  delay  led  friends  to 
intercede  and  the  fight  was  compromised  at  this  juncture,  though  the  ex- 
perienced man  refused  to  withdraw  unless  his  antagonist  paid  for  the  soap, 
which  cost  a  picayune,  which  was  accordingly  done.  Many  a  savage  and 
protracted  fight  was  witnessed  on  the  public  square.  Election  days  were 
similarly  observed. 

THE    TOWN    IN    1830-40. 

In  1830,  the  population  of  Bloomington  was  not  less  than  700.  At 
that  time  the  "Indiana  College  "  had  a  large  attendance,  an  excellent 
corps  of  instructors  and  a  superior  curriculum.  This  institution,  which 
was  built  in  1823,  was  the  pride  of  the  town  and  the  means  of  rapidly 
and  greatly  increasing  its  population,  enterprise  and  material  wealth.  The 
town  also  boasted  a  flourishing  newspaper,  if  such  an  issue  can  be  said  to 
have  been  flourishing.  The  citizens  had  incorporated  the  village  a  number 
of  years  before,  and  this  was  another  source  of  joy  and  congratulation. 
In  addition  to  all  this,  there  were  numerous  factories  of  leather,  liquor, 
domestic  and  farming  implements,  flour,  tailor  goods,  oil,  and  numerous 
stores,  shops,  offices,  mechanics,  artisans,  tradesmen,  educators,  profes- 
sional men  and  speculators.  The  incorporated  town  of  Bloomington 
was  a  prosperous  place. 

MERCHANTS,  INDUSTRIES,  ETC. 

The  merchants  during  the  decade  of  the  thirties  were  Alexander  and 
John  Owen,  Joshua  0.  Howe,  Evans  &  Barnes,  Parks  &  Hester,  Henry 
Batterton,  Patterson  Officer,  iSTotley  Baker,  George  H.  Johnson,  John 
Borland,  Labertew  &  King,  William  S.  Wright,  Nichols  &  Roach,  John 
Bennett,  Hardesty  &  Graham,  J.  &  J.  W.  Carter,  John  M.  Sluss,  B.  R. 
Byers,  John  Campbell,  Rogers,  Blakely  &  Co.,  Hardesty  &  Robertson, 
J.  H.  King  &  Co.,  F.  T.  Butler,  John  M.  Berry,  Asher  Labertew,  Sluss 
&  Hall,  Tilford  &  Glass,  John  S.  Barnes,  John  Fee,  William  Alexander, 
Moore  &  Swarengin,  and  perhaps  others.  Among  the  liquor  sellers  were 
Notley  Baker,  George  &  John  Hardesty,  James  Cochran ;  and  among  the 


BLOOMINGTON  TOWNSHIP  AND  CITY.  459 

tavern  keepers  were  Asher  Labertew,  Aquilla  Rogers,  Daniel  Deckard, 
S.  P.  Seall  and  others.  During  this  period,  the  population  of  the  town 
increased  to  nearly  1,000,  and  enterprises  of  all  kinds  multiplied.  The 
county  seminary  had  been  built  in  1835,  and  had  been  so  changed  that 
females  alone  were  admitted.  In  the  State  University,  boys  alone  were 
admitted.  The  students  attending  both  institutions  at  any  time  were 
about  200,  and  the  influence  exerted  by  the  presence  of  such  facilities  for 
education  gave  Bloomington  a  literary  and  social  caste  at  that  time  prob- 
ably possessed  by  no  other  town  in  the  State.  There  were  two  newspa- 
pers, each  enjoying  a  fair  circulation,  and  besides  these  there  was  issued 
by  Marcus  L.  Deal  a  semi-monthly  periodical  in  the  interests  of  the  col- 
lege. The  town  had  three  or  four  churches  attended  by  large  congrega- 
tions, and  served  by  ministers  of  great  ability  and  repute.  Indeed, 
Bloomington  was  the  center  of  the  conference  of  most  of  the  denomina- 
tions, where  the  Presiding  Elder  or  preacher  resided,  and  where  the  re- 
ligious interests  of  this  portion  of  Indiana  found  their  controlling  head. 
The  merchants  had  enlarged  their  stocks  of  goods  and  had  begun  to  pack 
pork,  though  on  a  limited  scale  comparatively.  The  Sewards  were  doing 
a  big  business  in  all  kinds  of  iron  work  ;  D.  Batterton  manufactured 
iron  ware  and  stove  furniture  ;  Philip  Murphy  &  Co..  manufactured  hats 
and  caps,  getting  his  wool  from  the  surrounding  country  ;  Notley  Baker, 
was  the  barber;  J.  McCullough  was  tanner  and  currier;  S.  P.  Seall 
was  proprietor  of  the  Globe  Inn ;  William  Lowe  was  Postmaster  ;  Watts, 
Dunning,  Gorman,  Denny,  J.  B.  Lowe,  J.  A.  Wright  and  others  were 
lawyers ;  McCorkle,  Hamill  and  Foster  were  the  doctors  ;  Chipman  & 
Kirk  made  hats  and  caps  ;  T.  J.  Ryan  manufactured  saddles ;  Day  was 
the  painter  ;  John  McCullough's  tannery  was  an  extensive  establishment 
for  the  time.  The  master  tailors  were  Abram  Funk,  W.  J.  Flurry, 
A.  Labertew,  S.  T.  Hardesty  and  H.  Hardesty.  They  adopted  a  sched- 
ule of  prices  for  cutting  and  making.  In  1837,  the  old  "  market  house  " 
was  erected,  the  County  Board  paying  $200  if  the  town  would  pay  as  much 
more,  which  was  done.  Here  it  was  that  the  townspeople  went  to  market 
instead  of  to  the  groceries  as  at  present.  The  old  house  was  continued 
until  some  time  in  the  fifties.  In  1838,  an  effort  to  secure  a  fire  engine 
failed,  but  the  attempts  directed  attention  to  that  want,  and  not  many 
years  later  the  old  Pioneer  Fire  Company  was  organized.  This  company 
has  endured  until  the  present  day.  During  this  decade  also  a  saxe-horn 
band  was  organized,  which  furnished  the  town  with  public  music  until 
about  the  time  of  the  last  war.  These  are  only  a  few  of  the  enterprises 
of  this  decade. 

THE  TOWN  IN  1840-50. 
The  merchants  during  the  decade  of  forties  were  Peter  Martineau, 
Labertew  &  Ray,  Johnson  &  Stout,  Thomas  McCalla,  E.  P.  Farmer,  J. 
0.  &  J.  M.  Howe,  A.  &  J.  Owens,  John  Campbell,  G.  H.  Johnson, 
Deitch  &  Block,  William  Wylie  &  Co.,  Catharine  Owens,  H.  W.  Wood- 
ward, J.  McCorkle,  Snyder  &  Isaacs,  Andrew  Helton,  G.  W.  Moore,  E. 
E.  &  G.  W.  Sluss,  S.  P.  Chipman,  Coleman,  Levy  &  Co.,  J.  &  W.  0. 
Fee,  Richard  Hardesty,  J.  W.  Carter,  S.  &  J.  Pennington,  Y.  B.  &  J. 
W.  Pullen,  Alexander  Sutherland  and  others.  Among  the  grocers  were 
Richard  Hardesty,  Aquilla  Rogers,  Jacob   Young,   J.    M.    C.    Hunter, 


460  HISTORY  OF  MONROE  COUNTY. 

Felix  G.  Hite  and  Rogers  &  Payne.  It  was  during  this  period  that  the 
temperance  struggle  was  prosecuted  with  such  relentless  vigor  that  nearly 
all  the  dealers  were  driven  from  the  town  mainly  through  the  pressure  of 
public  opinion.  The  leading  business  enterprises  were  the  carding  mill 
of  Thomas  Hardesty ;  Maj.  Hite's  steam  grist  mill  and  carding  mill; 
McCrum's  grist  mill,  the  various  tanneries,  wagon  and  iron  shops,  harness 
and  saddle  manufactories,  batteries,  etc.,  etc.  The  town  had  been  again 
incorporated  in  1847.  The  population  had  increased  to  about  twelve 
hundred. 

THE    TOWN  IN  1850-60. 

During  the  fifties,  the  merchants  were  Sutherland  k  Jones,  Tarking- 
ton  &  Abel,  W.  0.  Fee,  H.  D.  Woodward,  Andrew  Helton,  Jesse  Cox  & 
Co.,  J.  B.  Mulky,  J.  0.  &  J.  M.  Howe,  Thomas  McCalla,  S.  P.  Chip- 
man,  William  McCrum,  G.  H.  Johnson,  E.  E.  Sluss,  Tuley  &  McCrea, 
Samuel  &  Isaac  Kahn,  E.  B.  Pennington,  James  Millen,  J.  W.  Davis  & 
Co.,  Helton  &  Dodds,  Miller  &  Moffett,  Asher  Labertew,  John  Campbell, 
Dunn  &  Co.,  Pennington  &  Tuley,  J.  B.  Hobson  &  Co.,  Pleasant  Wil- 
liams, J.  B.  Mulky,  drugs ;  Carsaw  &  Andrews,  monuments ;  J.  J. 
Cherry  &  Co.,  furniture ;  Tarkington  &  Aiken,  Joseph  Orr,  drugs ; 
Daniel  Shrader,  boots  and  shoes  ;  A.  Helton  &  Sons,  Benjamin  McGee, 
tailors ;  Theodore  Johnson,  saddle  factory  ;  George  Heppert,  butcher ; 
Cox  &  Springer,  drugs  ;  Woodward  &  Buchanan,  drugs ;  D.  F.  Tilford, 
stoves,  etc.;  Slider  &  Tibbetts,  merchandise ;  Mason  k  Faris,  drugs,  and 
a  host  of  kindred  establishments  too  numerous  to  mention.  The  first 
bank  was  established  during  the  fifties.  The  woolen  factory  of  Mr. 
Holtzman  had  become  large  and  prosperous.  The  following  was  his  ad- 
vertisement in  the  county  paper: 

BLOOMINGTON    FACTORY  ! 

The  undersigned  wish  to  inform  the  citizens  of  Monroe  and  the  adjoining  counties, 
that  we  have  built  a  large  addition  to  our  Factory,  and  put  up  steam  power ;  we  are  now 
ready  to  receive  any  quantity  of  wool  to  be  carded  into  rolls  or  spun  into  yarn  at  the  fol- 
lowing prices  :  For  carding  white,  6^  cents  per  pound,  or  one-sixth  of  the  wool.  Mixed, 
8J.  For  Carding  and  Spinning,  17  cents  per  pound,  if  not  reeled;  if  reeled,  20  cents.  All 
wool  should  be  well  washed  and  picked.  The  following  is  the  best  mode  for  washing  fine 
wool :  Fill  a  large  kettle  with  water,  bring  to  near  a  boiling  heat,  add  salt  to  make  it  a 
strong  brine,  put  in  some  of  the  wool,  not  so  much  as  to  crowd  the  kettle,  stir  gently  3  or 
4  minutes,  take  out  the  wool  and  rinse  in  clean  water,  do  not  empty  the  kettle,  keep  up 
the  heat,  keep  it  filled  with  water,  adding  a  little  more  salt.  We  will  also  continue  the 
manufacturing  of  double  Coverlets  and  Carpetings,  of  a  variety  of  Patterns.  The  work 
will  be  done  by  experienced  workmen.     We  do  it  promptly  and  must  have    prompt  pay. 

Bloomingtcn,  Ind.,  May  3,  1858.  A.  Holtzman  &  Son. 

The  grist  mill  of  Mr.  Helton  had  also  become  a  large  concern,  as  will 
be  seen  by  his  advertisement : 

BLOOMINGTON    MILLS  !  ! 

We  would  announce  to  the  citizens  of  the  surrounding  country,  that  these  Mills  are  in 
complete  running  order,  and  would  respectfully  solicit  their  patronage.  We  shall  en- 
deavor to  do  our  "  custom  work  "  with  the  utmost  dispatch.  Having  in  our  employ  men 
of  experience  and  skill,  and  having  the  most  approved  machinery,  we  flatter  ourselves 
that  we  are  able  to  give  general  satisfaction,  both  as  to  quality  and  quontity.  We  will 
grind  either  for  toll,  or  exchange  flour  for  wheat.  Terms:  One-sixth  toll.  Exchange: 
Thirty-eight  pounds  of  flour  for  white  wheat,  and  thirty-six  for  red  wheat,  and  half 
bushel  of  bran  for  each  merchantabJe  bushel  of  whent.  Grists  to  be  ground  we  would  pre- 
fer to  be  as  much  as  8  or  10  bushels.     50,000  bushels  of  wheat   wanted  !     The   highest 


BLOOMINGTON  TOWNSHIP  AND  CITY.  461 

market  price  paid  for  wheat  and  corn.     Flour,  meal  and  feed   always  on  hand  and  for 

sale.     Extra  family  flour  from  selected  white  wheat,  put  up  in  half  and  quarter  barrel 
bags,  and  always  warranted. 

Bloomington,  August  20,  1858.  A.  Helton  &  Co. 

In  1855,  Tarkington  &  Akin  began  to  issue  "  shinplasters  "  of  the 
denominations  of  50  cents  and  $1,  which  were  received  at  first  at 
their  face.  J.  M.  Howe  also  issued  a  small  quantity.  Thig  was  done  to 
facilitate  exchanges,  great  want  being  experienced  for  denominations 
smaller  than  the  banks  or  the  Government  afford.  It  is  said  that  Tark- 
ington &  Akin  issued  several  thousand  dollars  of  these  "shinplasters." 
In  a  year  or  two,  they  began  to  depreciate  in  value,  and  then  the  fun  com- 
menced. In  1858,  the  following  action  was  taken  by  the  leading  business 
men,  the  proceedings  being  published  in  the  Repuhliean,  as  shown  here  : 

"  Shinplasters." — We,  the  undersigned  citizens  of  Bloomington,  Ind.,  pledge  our 
word  and  honor  that  we  will  not  take  any  "  shinplaster"  currency  after  the  1st  day  of 
February,  for  more  than  ninety  cents  to  the  dollar ;  and  that  we  will  not  circulate  any 
more  after  this  date — nor  any  other  paper  currency  not  regularly  chartered  acsordino-  to 
law.     January  20,  1858. 

William  0.  Fee,  M.  L.  McCullough, 

Thomas  Mullikin,  Millen  &  Mofi'ett, 

A.  W.  Campbell,  A.  Adams, 
Kahn  &  Bro.,  Mason  &  Faris, 
Howe  &  Co.,  P.  Henoch, 

W.  D.  Owen,  A.  S.  Mercer, 

0.  L.  Draper,  E.  E.  Sluss, 

Tuley  &  McCrea,  Dunn  &  Co., 

Benjamin  McGee,  E.  Johnson, 

B.  S.  Gowgill,  S.  J.  Wade, 

J.  S.  Tibbets,  J.  0.  McCullough. 

A.  Helton  &  Co., 

The  Bloomington  mails  at  this  time  were  sent  and  received  as  follows  : 

The  Mails. — Arrivals  at  and  Departures  from  the  Bloomington  P.  0. — From  New  Al- 
bany (by  railroad)  arrives  at  5:25  P.  M.,  and  departs  north  immediately. 

From  Michigan  City  (by  railroad)  arrives  at  10:25  A.  M. ;  and  departs  south  at 
10:45  A.  M. 

From  Columbus  (by  two-horse  haak)  arrives  every  Tuesday,  Thursday  and  Saturday, 
at  12  M. ;  and  departs  every  Monday,  Wednesday  and  Friday,  at  10  A.  M. 

From  Bloomfield  (by  hack  when  necessary)  arrives  every  Tuesday  and  Saturday  at 
4  P.  M. ;  and  departs  every  Monday  and  Friday  at  8  A.  M. 

From  Indianapolis,  via  Martinsville  (by  two-horse  hack),  arrives  every  Tuesday  and 
Friday  at  12  M.  ;  and  departs  same  days  at  1  P.  M. 

From  Point  Commerce,  via  White  Hall  (horse-back),  arrives  every  Thursday  at  1  P. 
M. ;  and  departs  same  day  at  1:30  P.  M. 

The  New  Albany  Railroad,  which  had  been  built  through  the  county 
early  in  this  decade  (fifties),  had  added  materially  to  the  growth  and  im- 
portance of  the  county  seat,  and  the  county  as  well.  It  gave  the  town 
the  advantage  of  quick  and  cheap  transportation.  An  account  of  the 
construction  of  this  road  will  be  found  elsewhere.  In  about  185(3,  the 
Seward  &  Chase  Iron  Foundry  doubled  its  capacity,  and  began  doing  a 
large  business.  Iron  ware  of  all  descriptions — stoves,  plows,  castings  for 
all  kinds  of  machinery,  frying  pans,  andirons,  axes,  etc.,  and  a  general 
blacksmithing  business.  The  following  were  the  prices,  in  Bloomington, 
of  sundry  articles  August  27,  1858  : 


462  HISTORY   OF   MONROE   COUNTY. 

Bloomington  Prices  Current. — Corrected  every  Friday  morning  by  Dunn  &  Co.  : 

Wheat,  per  bushel 55  to  65  cents. 

Oats 30  cents. 

Corn 35  to  40  cents. 

Wheat  flour,  per  100  lbs $2  00. 

Corn  meal,  per  bushel 40  to  50  cents. 

Potatoes,  per  bushel .JO  to  75  cents. 

Bacon,  '^  lb 4  to  6^  cents. 

Lard,  'fp  Hi 7  to  8  cents. 

Butter,  "^  Hj  10  to  12  cents. 

Eggs,  "1^  dozen 5  cents. 

Sugar,  %(  H) 11  to  12i  cents. 

CoflFee,  "^  lb 14  to  20  cents. 

MERCHANTS    OF    THE    SIXTIES. 

Among  the  merchants  and  business  men  during  the  decade  of  sixties 
were  Dunn  &  Co.,  J.  M.  Howe,  W.  0.  Fee,  S.  J.  Wade,  George  Bollen- 
bacher.  J.  S.  Faris,  Benjamin  McGee,  Milton  Rogers,  Mercer  &  Adams, 
Seward  &  Sons,  G.  W.  Batterton,  A.  Holtzman  &  Sons,  J.  H.  Hay  & 
Co.,  E,  Johnson  &  Co.,  Small  &  Riddle.  Showers,  Hendrix  &  Co.,  G. 
H.  Morley,  D.  Batterton,  J.  0.  &  M.  L.  McCullogh,  M.  J.  Smith,  John 
McCrea,  C.  P.  Tuley,  A.  P.  Helton,  W.  L.  Bates,  Turner  &  Sidway, 
Cherry  &  McKinley,  Chase  &  Co.,  Munson  &  Doughton,  Stuart  & 
Manley,  Kahn  &  Co.,  J.  Misener,  Carter  &  Pering,  E.  M.  Burt,  T.  B. 
McCune. 

PRESENT    BUSINESS    MEN. 

Dry  goods— W.  W.  Wicks,  Lane  &  Buskirk,  McCalla  &  Co.,  L. 
S.  Fields  &  Co.,  S.  K.  Rhorer,  Mefford  &  Sons.  Groceries— D.  T. 
Raley  &  Co..  Robertson  &  Bro.,  J.  B.  Clark  &  Son,  W.  H.  Meadows, 
Lane  &  Buskirk,  A.  H.  Wilson,  J.  VV.  Robinson,  Dunn  &  Co.,  Col- 
lins &  Karsell,  J.  W.  Johnson,  James  M.  Hunter,  J.  R.  Anderson. 
Hardware — Stuart  &  McPheeters,  W.  J.  Allen.  Ready  Made  Clothing 
— Moses  Kahn,  Queen  City  Clothing  Store,  C.  P.  Turner,  manager; 
Benjamin  McGee.  Merchant  tailors — Benjamin  McGee,  John  W. 
Davis,  John  Ehni.  Books  and  stationery — E.  P.  Cole,  James  D.  Faris, 
Hiram  Lindley,  Lewis  H.  Anderson.  Drugs — H.  Lindley,  J.  D.  Faris, 
Peter  Bowman.  Agricultural  implements — W.  J.  Allen,  Stuart  &  Mc- 
Pheeters, R.  C.  Smith.  Wagons  and  carriages — James  Ryan,  Gilmore 
Bros.,  W.  J.  Clark,  W.  J.  Alexander,  Hoover  &  Dobson.  Jewelry — M. 
J.  Smith,  Leveret  Cochran,  J.  0.  Howe,  Henry  Turner.  Boots  and 
shoes — W.  T.  Blair,  George  Bollenbacher,  George  Atkinson,  W.  W. 
Wicks,  L.  S.  Fields  &  Co.,  McCalla  &  Co.,  C.  C.  Mefford  &  Sons,  S.  K. 
Rhorer.  Milliners  and  dress-makers — Mrs.  Nichols,  Mrs.  Arnott,  Mrs. 
Gregory,  Mrs.  Adams,  Mrs.  Snodgrass,  Mrs.  Atkins,  Mrs.  Harrold, 
Misses  Bullard  &  Cooper,  Mrs.  Tilley,  Misses  Faris.  Restaurants — 
Mrs.  Lucky,  Mrs.  Rott,  George  Buckart.  Hotels — National  House,  L. 
M.  Sanders,  proprietor  ;  Orchard  House.  Walnut  Street  House.  Livery 
— N.  B.  Rogers,  Worley  &  May.  Flouring  mills — Baldridge  &  Gour- 
lev,  Milton  Height.  Saw  mills — Gamel  Peterson,  Joseph  Alexander. 
Woolen  mills — Holtzman  &  Bro.  Spoke  factory — Waldron,  Hill  &  Co., 
Bollenbacher  &  Sons.  Bedstead  factory — Showers  Bros.  Chair  and 
table  factory — Showers,  Dodds  &  Co.  Tannery — John  Waldron. 
Planing  mills — C.  J.  McCalla.     Brick  yard — J.  H.  Garrison.     Lumber 


BLOOMINGTON  TOWNSHIP  AND  CITY.  463 

yard — W.  B.  Hughes.  Builders  and  contractors — Adams  &  Denton, 
H.  J.  Nichols  (architects  also),  M.  D.  Griffey  &  Co.,  W.  C.  Black,  A. 
Robinson.  Stonework  contractors — Byerly  &  Stevenson,  James  Voss. 
Plastering  contractors — H.  H.  &  Benj.  Voss,  R.  N.  Denton.  Furniture 
— Baker  &  Neeld,  Matthews  &  Turner.  Barbers — W.  T.  Voss, 
Ephraim  Hughes,  Benjamin  Boss,  William  Proffet,  Daniel  Pinkston. 
Butchers — Cron  &  Roseberry,  J.  M.  Phillips  &  Co.,  Walker  &  Bro., 
Bult  &  McConnell.  Foundry  and  machine  shops — Seward  Bros.  Cigar 
Manufactory — George  Seiner.  Stone  quarries — Matthew  Dillon,  Moses 
Dunn,  John  Baldoff. 

THE    FIRST    INCORPORATION. 

As  early  as  the  5th  of  March,  1827,  the  citizens  of  Bloomington,  pur- 
suant to  notice,  met  at  the  court  house  to  ascertain  at  the  polls  whether 
the  county  seat  should  become  the  incorporated  town  of  Bloomington. 
Ellis  Stone  was  made  President  of  the  meeting,  and  Benjamin  V.  Peele 
Secretary.  On  motion,  it  was  decided  to  test  the  question  viva  voce^ 
which  was  done  with  the  following  result :  For  incorporation,  18  ;  against 
incorporation,  3  ;  majority  in  favor  of  incorporation,  15.  An  election  of 
the  necessary  Trustees  was  ordered,  and  was  held  with  the  subjoined 
result  as  shown  by  the  returns  of  the  board  of  election  : 

At  an  elecfion  held  in  the  town  of  Bloomington  on  the  8th  of  September,  1828,  to 
elect  Trustees  for  the  incorporation  of  the  town,  agreeably  to  the  act  of  the  General 
Assembly,  we  hereby  certify  that  the  following  persons  were  duly  elected  :  Joshua  0. 
Howe,  William  Alexander,  Astier  Labertew.  Robinson  Graham  and  Jimes  Evans.  Given 
under  our  hands  aad  seals  this  17th  day  of  September,  1828. 

Truly  and  duly  done.  Asher  Labektew, 

Jacob  B.  Lowe,  Clerk.  James  Evans,      ' 

Judges. 

For  some  reason  unobtainable,  the  municipal  government  was  per- 
mitted to  die  out,  and  was  not  again  revived  until  late  in  the  forties.  The 
proceedings  of  the  Legislature  were  as  follows  : 

the  second  incorporation. 
Section  1.  Be  it  enacted  hy  the  General  Assembly  of  the  State  of  Indiana,  That  such 
part  of  the  township  of  Bloomino;ton  in  the  county  of  Monroe  as  is  included  within  the 
following  limits  and  boundaries,  that  is  to  say,  beginning  at  the  northeast  corner  of  Out- 
lot  No.  21,  thence  west  to  the  northwest  corner  of  Outlet  No.  39,  thence  south  to  the 
northwest  corner  of  Outlot  No.  y8,  thence  west  to  the  northwest  corner  of  Outlot  No.  41, 
thence  south  to  the  southwest  corner  of  fractional  Lot  No.  20,  thence  east  to  the  northeast 
corner  of  Outlot  No.  35,  thence  south  to  the  southwest  corner  of  fractional  Lot  No.  9,  thenci 
east  to  the  southeast  corner  of  the  university  square,  thence  north  to  the  southwest  corner 
of  Outlot  No.  72,  thence  east  to  the  southeast  corner  of  Outlot  No.  75,  thence  to  the  north- 
east corner  of  Outlot  No.  21,  the  place  of  beginning,  including  all  the  inlots  and  outlots 
of  said  town,  be  and  ihe  same  is  hereby  erected  into  a  town  corporate  which  shall  hence- 
forth be  known  and  designated  by  the  name  of  the  town  of  Bloomington,  subject,  how- 
ever, to  such  repeal,  alteration  and  regulation  as  the  Legislature  may  from  time  to  time 
prescribe. 

Section  2  of  this  enactment  provided  for  the  election  of  a  Mayor,  a 
Recorder  and  five  Trustees,  who  should  constitute  a  body  corporate  with 
perpetual  succession,  and  to  be  known  as  the  Common  Council  of  Bloom- 
ington. Section  3  provided  for  the  annual  election  of  town  ofiicers. 
Section  4  provided  for  the  administration  of  justice  within  the  corporate 
limits.  Section  5  provided  for  meetings  of  the  Council,  specified  what 
should  constitute  a  quorum,  and  regulated  the  passage  or  adoption  of  town 


464  HISTORY   OF   MONROE   COUNTY. 

ordinances.  Subsequent  sections  regulated  the  municipal  government. 
This  act  was  approved  by  the  Governor  January  13,  1845. 

By  an  act  approved  January  16,  1849,  the  above  act  was  amended  so 
as  to  regulate  the  working  of  streets,  and  another  amendment  approved 
February  12,  1851,  the  corporate  limits  were  changed  as  follows:  "  Said 
town  corporate  shall  include  the  southeast  quarter  of  Section  32,  in  Town- 
ship 9  north.  Range  1  west,  and  the  southwest  quarter  of  Section  33, 
Township  9  north,  Range  1  west,  and  also  the  following:  Beginning  at 
the  southwest  corner  of  Seminary  Outlet  No.  60,  thence  with  and  includ- 
ing the  street  to  the  southeast  corner  of  Seminary  Outlot  No.  76,  thence 
north  with  and  including  the  street  to  the  southeast  corner  of  said  quar- 
ter section  secondly  above  mentioned. 

This  act  also  provided  that  eleven  Trustees  should  be  elected  instead 
of  five,  and  the  name  became  "The  Council  of  Bloomington."  Several 
changes  were  also  made  in  the  administration  of  justice. 

THE    MUNICIPAL    GOVERNMENT. 

In  pursuance  of  the  above  act  of  January,  1845,  the  citizens  of 
Bloomington  met  in  the  court  house  (in  March,  1847),  and  proceeded  to 
ballot  for  a  Mayor,  Recorder,  Marshal,  Treasurer  and  five  Councilmen. 
Upon  counting  the  votes  it  appeared  that  John  Lawrence  was  elected 
Mayor  ;  Robert  Acuff,  Recorder ;  A.  Labertew,  Treasurer ;  D.  B.  Judah, 
Marshal,  and  W.  M.  Smith.  Samuel  Kirk,  J.  M.  Howe,  John  Graham 
and  Joseph  G.  McPheeters,  Councilmen.  The  first  meeting  of  the  Town 
Council  was  held  on  the  6th  of  March,  1847,  in  the  Recorder's  office. 
The  first  act  was  to  appoint  a  committee  to  draft  such  ordinances  as  they 
deemed  necessary  to  be  presented  to  the  full  Council  for  adoption  or  re- 
jection. Orders  were  then  given  for  the  necessary  record  books,  and  the 
Council  adjourned.  At  the  second  meeting,  Samuel  Moore  was  permitted 
to  occupy  a  portion  of  the  street  for  his  brick  shed.  David  B.  Judah 
was  appointed  Street  Supervisor  or  Commissioner.  The  Council  then 
proceeded  to  adopt  sixteen  ordinances  for  the  municipal  government.  One 
of  the  ordinances  (which  the  writer  thinks  was  a  good  one)  was  as 
follows  : 

"  13th.  No  person  shall  be  allowed  to  keep  a  dog  within  the  limits 
of  the  corporation.  Any  person  violating  this  ordinance  shall  be  fined 
50  cents  for  each  dog  so  kept,  provided  that  no  person  shall  be  fined  more 
than  once  during  the  same  year  for  the  same  dog." 

It  will  be  seen  that  the  ordinance  amounted  to  nothing  more  than  an 
annual  tax  of  50  cents  on  each  dog.  At  the  August  meeting  of  the 
Council,  a  petition  signed  by  one  hundred  and  three  citizens  was  pre- 
sented the  Council  praying  that  the  above  ordinance  be  repealed,  and  after 
discussion,  the  prayer  of  the  petitioners  was  granted.  At  the  next  meet- 
ing, the  Mayor  tendered  his  resignation,  which  was  laid  upon  the  table 
until  the  next  day,  and  was  then  refused,  and  after  some  promises  and 
assurances  His  Honor  withdrew  the  document,  and  the  skies  were  bright 
again.  Samuel  M.  Orchard  was  granted  permission  to  erect  hay  scales 
on  Market  street.  Considerable  time  was  spent  in  amending  the  city 
charter,  which  was  then  turned  over  to  the  Representative  in  the  Legisla- 
ture from  the  county,  to  be  passed  at  the  next  session.     In  January, 


BLOOMINGTON  TOWNSHIP  AND  CITY.  465 

1848,  a  tax  of  ten  cents  on  each  $100  worth  of  taxable  property  was  levied 
for  town  purposes.  In  February,  1848,  the  following  was  passed  : 
"  Resolved,  That  Hon.  William  Berry  is  entitled  to  the  thanks  of  this 
Council  for  his  promptness  and  energy  in  securing  the  passage  of  a  new 
charter  in  the  State  Senate,  which  was  all  that  this  board  asked  or  desired 
on  his  part,  and  that  a  copy  of  this  resolution  be  handed  to  him."  Just 
what  change  was  made  in  the  charter  cannot  be  stated.  James  S.  Hes- 
ter was  appointed  Town  Attorney.  Mr.  Smith  resigned  his  position  as 
Councilman,  and  Dr.  R.  C.  Hamill  was  appointed  his  successor.  The 
town  officers  elected  in  1848  were  as  follows :  David  H.  Maxwell, 
Mayor ;  J.  G.  McPheeters,  Recorder ;  D.  B.  Judah,  Marshal ;  Asher 
Labertew,  Treasurer ;  Joseph  M.  Howe,  Elias  Able,  Henry  Tanner,  Will- 
iam Owen  and  Alfred  Mercer,  Councilmen.  Liquor  license  was  fixed  at 
$25.  In  May  and  June,  1848,  active  work  was  done  on  the  streets  and 
sidewalks. 

In  185],  an  ordinance  to  tax  retail  liquor  dealers  with  a  town  license 
of  $500  (additional  to  the  county  license),  after  long  discussion  and  some 
strong  opposition,  was  adopted.  This  was  the  year  of  the  visitation  of 
cholera,  quite  a  number  of  the  citizens  dying.  The  Council  purchased 
200  bushels  of  fresh  lime  to  be  scattered  through  the  town,  and  directed 
that  all  saloons  should  be  closed  temporarily  until  the  scourge  was  past. 
It  was  during  this  year  also  the  construction  of  the  New  Albany  &  Salem 
Railroad  was  going  on  in  the  town.  Changes  were  made  in  the  streets 
to  admit  the  road.  For  several  years  after  this  expensive  work  was  done 
upon  the  streets,  so  much  so  that  a  strong  sentiment  in  opposition  to  a 
continuance  of  a  municipal  government  was  developed.  This  led,  in  Jan- 
uary, 1858,  to  the  opening  of  the  polls  to  determine  whether  the  corpo- 
ration should  be  dissolved.  One  hundred  and  fifteen  ballots  had  on  them 
the  word  "  yes,"  and  101  had  on  the  word  "  no,"  being  a  majority  of 
fourteen  in  favor  of  the  dissolution.  The  municipal  government  was  then 
dissolved. 

The  following  article   appeared  in   the  RepuUican  of  August,  1858 

Corporation  Meeting. — Pursuant  to  public  notice,  a  meeting  of  the  voters  of  the  town 
of  Bloomington  was  held  at  the  court  house  in  said  town,  on  Monday  evening,  the  2d  of 
August,  1858,  for  the  purpose  of  disposing  of  the  property,  money  and  eflfects  belonging 
to  the  late  corporation  of  said  town,  which  corporation  has  been  abolished  by  a  vote  of 
the  legal  voters  of  the  same. 

The  meeting  was  organized  by  calling  Samuel  H.  Buskirk  to  the  Chair,  and  appoint- 
ing Milton  McPhetridge,  Secretary.  The  object  of  the  meeting  was  then  stated  by  the 
Chair. 

Robert  C.  Foster,  President  of  the  Board  of  Trustees  of  said  town,  submitted  the 
following  statement  of  the  property,  money  and  effects  of  said  corporation,  and  liabilities 
of  the  same,  viz.: 

There  is  due  said  corporation  as  follows : 

In  Treasurer  Sluss'  bands $     26  00 

In  Marshal  Hight's  hands  (Citizens  Bank) 133  00 

In  hands  of  Lemuel  Gentry 830  54 

Taxes  unpaid  for  1855  and  1856 1,679  50 

Taxes  unpaid  for  1857 160  00 

Due  from  James  W.  Throop  for  fines 4  00 

Total $2,833  04 

Robert  C.  Foster  offered  the  following  resolutions,  viz.: 

Resolved,  That  the  corporation  suit  now  pending  in  the  Supreme  Court  of  the  State 


466  HISTORY  OF  MONROE  COUNTY. 

of  Indiana,  be  dismissed,  the  appellants  paying  all  the  costs  that  have  accrued  in  the 
Common  Pleas  Court,  Circuit  Court  and  Supreme  Court. 

Resolved,  That  the  funds  in  the  hands  and  now  due  from  Lemuel  Gentry,  Treasurer 
of  Monroe  County,  and  paid  in  on  the  laxep  of  1855  and  1856,  be  distributed  to  each  of 
the  persons  who  have  paid  the  same,  in  proportion  to  the  amount  paid. 

Resolved,  That  a  committee  of  two  be  appointed  by  the  President  of  this  meeting  to 
make  such  distribution,  and  when  so  distributed  issue  certificates  to  the  persons  entitled 
thereto;  when 

Dr.  William  C.  Foster  moved  to  strike  out  the  first  resolution  and  insert  the  following : 

Resolved,  That  a  committee  of  two  be  appointed  to  prosecute  the  suit  in  ihe  Supreme 
Court,  and  to  collect  the  delinquent  taxes  of  1855  and  1856;  which  motion  was  not 
adopted. 

Whereupon  a  division  of  the  question  was  demanded  by  Mr.  McCuUough,  and  a  vote 
taken  on  the  first  resolution,  which  was  adopted  by  the  meeting 

Dr.  McPheeters  moved  to  amend  the  second  resolution,  by  providing  that  the  money 
in  the  hands  of  the  Treasurer  of  Monroe  County  be  applied  as  follows,  viz.:  "  One-half 
thereof  to  be  applied  for  the  purchasing  of  a  bell  for  the  court  house,  and  the  residue 
donated  to  the  Bloomington  Band  ;  which  amendment  was  on  motion  of  P.  L.  D.  Mitchell, 
laid  upon  the  table  ;  whereupon  the  original  resolutions  were  adopted. 

M.  McPhetridge  offered  the  following  resolution  : 

Resolved,  That  we  receive  from  Wallace  Hight,  late  Marshal  of  said  town,  the  notes 
as  money  on  the  Citizens  Bank  of  Gosport,  which  were  received  by  him  for  taxes  in  good 
faith,  and  when  they  were  current  here;  which  resolution  was  adopted. 

On  motion  of  Robert  C.  Foster, 

Resolved,  That  James  M.  Howe  be  appointed  to  settle  the  suit  as  contemplated  by  the 
first  resolution  passed  by  this  meeting. 

Resolved,  That  the  tax-payers  of  1857  who  have  not  paid  their  taxes,  be  released 
from  the  payment  of  the  same ;  which  resolutions  were  adopted  by  the  meeting. 

On  motion  it  was 

Resolved,  That  the  $133  of  the  Citizens  Bank  now  in  the  hands  of  Wallace  Hight,  be 
placed  in  the  hands  of  the  County  Auditor  for  the  purpose  of  aiding  the  County  Board 
to  purchase  a  bell  for  the  use  of  the  court  house;  also,  that  all  the  books,  seal,  etc.,  of  said 
corporation  be  placed  in  the  hands  of  said  Auditor  for  the  use  of  any  future  corporation 
of  said  town. 

On  motion  of  William  F.  Browning,  it  was 

Resolved,  That  the  Bloomington  Republican  and  Bloomington  Presage  be  requested 
to  publish  the  proceedings  of  this  meeting. 

On  motion  the  meeting  adjourned  with  the  thanks  of  the  President  for  the  good  or- 
der and  decorum  which  had  characterized  the  meeting. 

M.  McPflETRiDGE,  Secretary.  Samuel  H.  Buskirk,  Chairman. 

The  following  year  (1859),  the  town  was  incorporated  anew,  not  under 
a  special  act  of  the  Legislature  but  under  the  State  law  which  thus  pro- 
vided.    Since  then  the  corporation  has  continued  without  interruption. 

In  October,  1866,  an  election  was  held  to  determine  whether  the 
town  of  Bloomington  should  become  the  city  of  Bloomington,  with  the 
following  result :  For  incorporation,  one  hundred  and  seventy-eight ; 
against  incorporation,  ninety-three.  As  there  were  five  hundred  and 
thirteen  voters  in  the  town,  and  as  a  majority  of  the  same  had  not  voted 
for  the  incorporation  or  at  the  late  election  at  all,  the  question  of  incorpo- 
rating the  town  as  a  city  was  for  the  time  abandoned.  In  1868,  upon  peti- 
tion of  the  Town  Council  of  Bloomington,  the  County  Commissioners 
conveyed  to  the  Council  and  their  successors  in  office  the  old  county  ceme- 
tery within  the  town  limits.  For  the  year  ending  April  20,  1868,  the 
receipts  of  the  town  were  $2,306,49,  and  the  expenses  $2,268.94.  In 
1870,  the  School  Trustees  of  the  town  reported  that  they  had  purchased 
ground  for  the  erection  thereon  of  a  high  school  building,  and  asked  the 
Council  to  issue  town  bonds  to  the  amount  of  $20,000  to  defray  the  ex- 
pense of  erecting  the  contemplated  building.  Action  on  the  matter  was 
postponed  by  the  Council  until  May,  1871,  when  the  amount  of  bonds  asked 
for  were  issued,  as  follows :  Forty  bonds  of  $100  each,  payable  one  year 


BLOOMINGTON  TOWNSHIP  AND  CITY.  467 

after  date,  with  ten  per  cent  interest ;  sixty  bonds  of  $100  each  ;  ten 
bonds  of  $500  each,  and  five  bonds  of  |1,000  each,  the  last  due  in  eight 
years  with  interest  at  ten  per  cent.  A  tax  of  40  cents  on  each  |100  val- 
uation and  a  poll  tax  of  $1  were  assessed  to  meet  this  expense.  The  re- 
ceipts for  the  fiscal  year  ending  April  30,  1872,  were  $4,989.35,  and  the 
expenses  $4,960.04".  In  August,  1872,  the  School  Trustees  reported 
that  $20,000  was  insufficient  to  cover  the  expense  of  finishing  the  school 
building  then  in  course  of  construction,  and  asked  that  an  additional 
$10,000  worth  of  town  bonds  might  be  sold.  This  was  ordered  done  by 
the  Town  Council,  as  follows:  Fifteen  bonds  of  $100  each,  due  in  one 
year,  interest  ten  per  cent ;  forty-five  bonds  of  $100  each  ;  four  bonds  of 
$500  each  ;  two  bonds  of  $1,000  each,  the  last  due  in  twelve  years,  and 
over  two  years,  interest  ten  per  cent.  The  same  town  tax  as  above 
stated  was  ordered  continued  until  the  principal  and  interest  of  the  bonds 
were  paid.  In  June,  1873,  the  School  Trustees  asked  for  the  sale  of 
additional  town  bonds  to  the  amount  of  $15,000,  to  be  used  in  completing 
the  new  school  building.  This  was  done  as  follows  :  Fifty  bonds  of  $100 
each;  ten  bonds  of $500  each  :  five  bonds  of  $1,000  each, all  to  be  due  within 
twenty  years  and  after  five  years,  interest  ten  per  cent.  The  tax  to  pay 
the  principal  and  interest  of  the  bonds  was  increased  to  50  cents  on  each 
$100  valuation,  with  the  poll  tax  at  $1.  At  this  time  the  entire  corpo- 
ration tax  was  as  follows : 

For  corporation  purposes 20  cents  on  each  $100 

For  road  purposes 5  cents  on  each  $100 

For  general  poll  tax 25  cents  on  each  poll 

For  male  dogs $1  each 

For  female  dogs $1  each 

For  school  building 50  cents  on  each  $100 

For  school  building $1  each  poll  tax 

Total  tax 75  cents  on  each  $100  valuation,  and  a  poll  tax  of  $1.25 

In  1873,  a  large  number  of  fire  buckets,  ladders,  etc.,  were  purchased. 
In  January,  1876,  the  School  Trustees  reported  that  the  new  school 
house  was  completed,  and  that  an  indebtedness  of  $7,000  had  been  in- 
curred in  addition  to  the  bond  indebtedness  of  $15,000,  in  finishing  the 
building,  and  asked  that  $7,000  worth  of  new  bonds  might  be  issued  to 
meet  such  extra  expense.  The  Town  Board  ordered  the  following  bonds 
issued  :  Twenty  bonds  of  $100  each  ;  ten  bonds  of  $500  each  ;  all  to  be 
due  within  twenty  years  and  after  five  years,  interest  ten  per  cent. 

In  July,  1876,  the  Council  were  petitioned  to  take  action  to  have  the 
town  incorporated  as  a  city,  the  petition  being  signed  by  217  citizens. 
An  election  was  held,  and  resulted  as  follows :  For  incorporation  as  a 
city,  184  ;  against  such  incorporation,  169.  The  first  city  officers  were 
C.  W.  Henderson,  Mayor  ;  John  Waldron,  H.  H.  Voss,  W.  N.  Showers, 
A.  T.  Massey,  Andrew  Hoover  and  M.  B.  Dillon,  Councilmen.  The 
first  meeting  of  the  City  Council  was  held  September  13,  1876.  R.  C. 
Greeves  was  Clerk ;  C.  H.  McPheeters,  Treasurer  ;  and  James  Slocum, 
Marshal.  In  a  short  time,  all  the  old-time  ordinances  were  revised,  cor- 
rected, rejected  and  adopted,  and  the  new  municipal  machinery  was  set 
in  effective  motion. 

By  April,  1877,  the  bonded  indebtedness  of  the  city  was  $39,700, 
there  having  been  paid  $12,300.  The  City  Council  ordered  new  bonds, 
bearing  seven  per  cent  interest,  issued  to  the  amount  of  $16,000,   that 


468  HISTORY   OF   MONROE   COUNTY. 

amount  and  $1,700  more  being  then  due,  for  the  purpose  of  refunding 
the  old  bonds  at  a  lower  rate  of  interest ;  120  bonds  of  $100  each,  and  8 
bonds  of  $500  each,  were  ordered  sold.  A  tax  was  ordered  levied  which 
•would  pay  the  interest  on  the  bonds,  and  at  the  same  time  create  a  sink- 
ing fund  of  not  less  than  5  cents  on  each  $100  valuation,  to  be  used  in 
reducing  the  principal  of  the  bonded  debt. 

The  receipts  and  expenses  for  the  fiscal  year  ending  May  1,  1877, 
were:  Receipts,  $3,318.72;  expenses,  $3,316.25.  School  fund  receipts, 
$6,018.95  ;  expenses,  $5,987.05.  The  old  Pioneer  Fire  Company  No.  1 
was  re-organized  at  this  time,  and  fully  provided  with  the  means  of  fight- 
ing fire.  In  August,  an  increase  of  15  cents  on  each  $100  valuation  was 
levied  for  the  school  fund.  C.  F.  Dodds  became  Mayor  in  1878.  In 
January.  1879,  twenty-nine  street  lamps  were  erected  around  the  square 
and  along  the  principal  streets,  at  a  cost  of  about  $75.  In  1880,  permis- 
sion was  granted  to  S.  Solomon  &  Co.,  to  erect  gas  works  and  lay  down 
pipes  through  the  streets  of  Bloomington.  In  November,  1880,  school- 
house  bonds  to  the  amount  of  $32,000  were  refunded  with  new  bonds 
bearing  six  per  cent  interest.  In  1881,  permission  was  granted  the 
Bloomington  Electric  Telephone  Company  to  erect  poles,  and  stretch 
wires  on  the  streets.  In  March,  1883,  the  City  Council  of  New  Albany 
presented  Bloomington  with  a  fine  fire  engine,  as  a  return  for  $500  sent 
by  the  latter  to  the  former  a  few  months  before  during  the  great  flood  on 
the  Ohio.  The  city  has  at  this  writing  (October,  1883)  $1,000  invested 
in  the '' artesian  well"  now  being  bored  on  the  public  square.  Ever 
since  the  war,  the  Town  or  City  Board  has  been  constantly  engaged  in  pro- 
viding the  county  seat  with  good  streets.  The  paving,  macadamizing, 
guttering,  etc.,  have  gone  on  until  all  the  leading  thoroughfares  of  the 
city  are  water  and  mud  proof,  so  to  speak.  Bloomington  has  without  ex- 
ception the  cleanest  and  solidest  streets  of  any  city  in  the  Statp.  The 
present  city  ofiicers  are  :  C.  F.  Dodds,  Mayor;  R.  C.  Greeves,  Clerk: 
G.  W.  Reeves,  Marshal  ;  H.  H.  Friedley,  Attorney  ;  John  Waldron.  N. 
U.  Hill,  J.  W.  Shoemaker,  B.  A.  McGee,  M.  D.  Griffey  and  0.  J. 
Hoover,  Councilmen. 

Following  is  a  table  giving  the  "  section  of  the  bore  "  of  the  artesian 

well  at  Bloomington  :                                                                Depth  of  strata.  Total  Depth. 

STRATA.                                                                                                   Feet.  Feet. 

Surface 6  6 

Limestone  (grayish) 119  125 

Shale  (blue) 630  755 

Shale   (dark  red) 20  775 

Limestone  (blue) 5  780 

Shale  (brown) 10  790 

Slate  (dark) 120  910 

Limestone  (grayish) 15  925 

Limestone  (brown) 240  1,165 

Shaley  limestone  (blue) 15  1,180 

Limestone  (light) 130  1,310 

Flint  limestone 30  1,340 

Limestone  (light,  latter  part  brown  streaks) 170  1,510 

Shale  (blue) 40  1.650 

Limestone  (blue) 40  1,590 

Shale  (blue  streaks  line) 60  1,650 

Shale  (blue) 1,835 

Limestone  (light  brown) 

At  125  feet,  struck  crude  coal  oil,  and  inflammable  gas  at  about  775  feet,  at  end  of 

"  dark  red  shale." 


BLOOMINGTON  TOWNSHIP  AND  CITY.  469 

SECRET   SOCIETIES. 

Cecilia  Lodge,  No.  166,  Odd  Fellows,  was  instituted  by  J.  B.  Ander- 
son, G.  M.,  on  the  1st  of  August,  1853,  the  following  being  the  charter 
members  :  H.  C.  Smith,  John  W.  Smith,  L.  M.  Hays,  C.  H.  Laird, 
Daniel  Shrader,  C.  R.  Miner,  John  Warner,  Theodore  Johnson,  Peter 
Cleminson,  and  Thomas  H.  Sinex.  The  first  officers  were :  Daniel 
Shrader,  N.  G. ;  Peter  Cleminson,  V.  G.  ;  L.  C.  Stinson,  Secretary  ; 
John  Miken,  Treasurer.  This  lodge  has  endured  until  the  present,  and 
is  in  a  highly  prosperous  condition,  with  a  membership  of  nearly  150. 
It  has  a  fine  lodge  room  on  College  avenue.  Herndon  Encampment,  No. 
56,  was  instituted  at  Grosport,  in  August,  1858,  but  in  January,  1862, 
was  removed  to  Bloomington,  where  the  following  officers  were  installed : 
Cyrus  Nutt,  C.  P. ;  C.  P.  Tuley,  H.  P. ;  M.  J.  Smith,  S.  W. ;  Daniel 
Shrader,  J.  W. ;  A.  R.  Yates,  Treasurer.  Arizona  Tribe,  No.  52,  I.  0. 
R.  M.,  was  organized  in  December,  1874,  with  the  following  charter 
members:  J.  C.  Orchard.  J.  F.  Fee,  Adam  Geiger.  D.W.  Browning,  T.  H. 
Sudbury,  C.  P.  Tuley,  J.  B.  Mulky,  C.  J.  Axtell,  W.  W.  Wicks,  I.  W. 
Walker,  D.  J.  Hodges,  A.  T.  Massey,  H.  J.  Nichols,  A.  W.  Rose,  J.  D. 
Walker,  R.  R.  Strong,  J.  A.  May,  J.  M.  Mason,  M.  F.  Arnold,  H.  A. 
Holtzman,  M.  C.  Fee,  R.  A.  Rogers,  J.  M.  May,  C.  S.  Oookerly,  F.  M. 
Bishop,  George  Findley,  T.  S.  Lyons,  Z.  T.  Coffin,  A.  Holtzman,  C.  A. 
Mobley,  R.  H.  Gentry,  Lem.  Whitsel,  Charles  Artz,  Fred  Fess  and  C.  E. 
Vos^.  The  first  officers  were  :  J.  C.  Orchard,  Sachem  ;  J.  F.  Fee,  S.  S. ; 
Adam  Geiger,  J.  S.  ;  D.  W.  Browning,  C.  of  R. :  T.  H.  Sudbury,  K.  of 
W.;   C.  P.  Tuley,  Prophet. 

Bloomington  Chapter,  No.  70,  F.  &  A.  M.,  was  organized  in  1867. 
The  charter  members  were  :  Cyrus  Nutt,  Hiram  Gilmore,  G.  W.  Har- 
din, J.  J.  Durand,  J.  J.  Hight,  Asher  Labertew,  George  Sheeks,  M.  C. 
Hunter,  J.  G.  McPheeters,  M.  L.  McCullough,  J.  B.  Hamilton,  Augustine 
Holtzman,  and  J.  T.  Holtzman.  The  first  officers  were:  J.  J.  Durand, 
H.  P.  ;  A.  Holtzman,  K.  ;  Cyrus  Nutt,  S. ;  M.  L.  McCullough,  C.  of 
H. ;  S.  E.  Holtzman,  P.  S.  ;  J.  T.  Holtzman,  R.  A.  C.  ;  J.  G.  Mc- 
Pheeters, G.  M.  3d  V.  ;  George  Sheeks,  G.  M.  2d  V. ;  L.  Tannenbaum, 
G.  M.  1st  v.;  P.  L.  D.  Mitchell,  Treasurer;  J.  G.  McPheeters,  Jr., 
Secretary  ;  J.  H.  Thacker,  Guard. 

There  are  several  other  lodges  in  Bloomington — the  Masons,  Knights 
of  Honor,  Knights  of  Pythias,  etc.,  but  the  writer  was  unable  to  gain  ac- 
cess to  the  records,  and  hence  must  omit  an  account  or  them. 


The  first  banking  business  was  done  in  the  fifties,  by  Tarkington  & 
Aikin,  who  issued  at  first  only  shinplasters :  J.  M.  Howe  did  the  same. 
In  about  1857,  the  Bloomington  Bank  was  regularly  organized,  with  a 
capital  of  about  $20,000  ;  and  soon  bank  bills  were  issued,  signed  by  the 
above  men.  Missouri  and  other  State  bonds  were  deposited  with  the 
Auditor  of  State,  but  in  1860,  these  bonds  so  depreciated  in  value  as  to 
cause  the  suspension  of  the  home  bank.  Its  paper  was  worth  only  about 
30  cents  on  the  dollar.  Soon  after  this,  a  private  bank  was  organized, 
and  continued  until  about  1870,  when  it  was  transformed  into  the  First 
National  Bank  of  Bloomington,  with  capital  stock  of  $50,000 — since  in- 


470  HISTORY   OF   MONROE   COUNTY. 

creased  to  $100,000.     The  cashier  neglected  to  furnish  the  information 
necessary  for  a  further  sketch. 

The  actual  population  of  Bloomington  in  1866  (August)  was  2,118, 
and  in  July,  1876,  was  2,404.     It  is  now  about  3,200. 

THE    SCHOOLS    OF    BLOOMINGTON. 

The  first  school  in  Bloomington  was  taught  in  the  old  log  court  house 
during  the  winter  of  1818-19,  but  the  name  of  the  teacher  cannot  be 
given,  although  it  was  probably  Addison  Smith.  The  next  summer  a 
log  schoolhouse  was  built  not  far  from  where  the  old  County  Female 
Seminary  now  stands.  The  growth  of  the  town  was  so  rapid,  however, 
that  it  was  found  necessary  within  two  years  to  build  another  log  school- 
house,  which  was  done  in  the  eastern  part.  In  1822,  or  perhaps  1823, 
a  brick  schoolhouse  was  erected,  which,  with  the  two  log  cabins  and 
other  schools  taught  in  private  residences  or  elsewhere,  supplied  the  town 
with  public  schools  for  several  years.  In  the  thirties,  forties  and  fifties, 
other  houses  were  built  mainly  for  the  accommodation  of  smaller  scholars. 
All  these  schools  were  principally  supported  by  subscription,  there  being  no 
free  schools  as  we  now  know  them.  Churches  were  often  used,  and  the 
upper  stories  of  business  blocks  on  the  square  were  rented  for  a  series  of 
years  by  educators,  who  transformed  them  into  seats  of  learning.  All 
these  schools  were  more  for  the  use  of  small  children  who  could  not  enter 
the  seminary  or  university.  Prof.  D.  E.  Hunter  was  prominently  con- 
nected with  the  town  schools  proper  late  in  the  fifties  and  during  the 
sixties.  The  teachers  of  the  public  schools  were  mostly  ladies,  who  were 
scattered  throughout  the  town  in  buildings  which  could  be  rented  or 
leased  for  the  purpose.  No  grading  was  done  ;  the  scholars,  large  and 
small,  in  any  portion  of  the  town,  attended  the  school  nearest  their  resi- 
dence or  the  one  where  the  teacher  was  liked  best.  Many  of  these  schools 
were  of  the  highest  excellence,  being  taught  by  the  graduates  of  the  uni- 
versity or  the  seminaries,  or  had  come  from  abroad  to  follow  their 
profession.  In  1863,  the  subject  of  grading  the  schools  was  strongly 
urged,  the  leader  in  the  movement  being  Prof.  Hunter.  The  first  public 
meeting  of  the  citizens  to  consider  the  subject  was  held  July  21,  a  large 
number  being  present.  Prof.  Hunter  explained  the  character  of  high  or 
graded  schools.  Other  meetings  were  held  and  arrangements  were  com- 
pleted to  open  the  first  graded  school  in  Monroe  County  early  in  Sep- 
tember. The  Principal  was  Prof.  Hunter  ;  assistants  in  the  old  Baptist 
Church,  Miss  Mattie  Cherry,  Miss  Lizzie  Anderson  and  Miss  Laura 
Verbryke ;  assistant  in  new  building,  Miss  M.  McCalla ;  assistant  in 
Second  Presbyterian  Church,  Miss  Mary  Anderson.  The  Principal  held 
forth  in  the  "new  building,"  which  was  none  other  than  the  old  tannery 
on  the  site  of  the  present  fine  high  school  building.  Milton  Hight  was 
the  Trustee,  and  announced  that  the  school  system  was  "  free  to  all  in 
the  corporation."  It  was  found  necessary  to  increase  the  school  fund  by 
several  hundred  dollars,  which  amount  was  raised  by  subscription  among 
the  citizens.  At  the  end  of  three  months,  the  Principal  submitted  the 
following  report  : 

Abstract  from  weekly   reports  for  three  months,   ending  November 
27,  1863: 


BLOOMINGTON  TOWNSHIP  AND  CITY. 


471 


Pupils  ticketed 

Pupils  withdrawn 

Average  daily  attendance 

Tardy  marks  charged  to  pupils.., 
Tardy  marks  charged  to  parent«. 

Cases  of  truancy 

Corporal  punishment 

Parents  visited  by  teacher 

Parents  visited  the  schools 

Other  visitors 

Pupils  promoted 

Pupils  not  tardy 

Pupils  not  absent 

Pupils  neither  tardy  nor  absent.. 


13 


79     64 
7 

50 

7 

27 

2 

10 
50 


111 

5 

48 

106 

30 

5 

1 

36 

15 

10 


381 

29 

272 

384 

358 

23 

20 

129 


Primary  No.  2  was  divided,  and  part  of  the  pupils  sent  to  Primary  No.  3. 

The  following-named  pupils  have  never  been  absent :  Emma  Balterton,  Fransina  E. 
Green,  Laura  A.  Mitchell,  Samuel  W.  McCune,  Caroline  Ehm,  Eugene  Fee,  Samuel 
Curry,  Amelia  Sutter,  Charles  Tourner,  Pauline  Ehni,  William  Finn  and  William  Har- 
rington. 

The  following  named  pupils  have  never  been  either  tardy  or  absent :  Emma  Batter- 
ton,  Fransina  E.  Green,  Samuel  W.  McCune  atd  Caroline  Ehni. 

The  great  want  is  room.  If  our  accommodations  were  suflBcient,  the  number  of 
pupils  ticketed  would  soon  reach  500. 

The  schools  have  been  visited  eighty-nine  times.  Twenty-nine  of  these  visits  were  by 
parents. 

Out  of  six  hundred  and  ninty-two  cases  of  tardiness,  three  hundred  and  fifty-eight 
(more  than  half),  are  charged  to  parents. 

The  daily  attendance  has  never  been  less  ttan  two  hundred  and  forty-nine.  The 
average  is  two  hundred  and  seventy-two. 

The  following  promotions  have  been  made,  viz  :  Ella  Fellowes  from  intermediate  de- 
partment to  grammar  school,  and  Horace  Mulky,  Fannie  Neal,  Jane  Thornton,  Martha 
Winfrey  and  Esther  A.  Smith,  from  primary  department  to  intermediate. 

The  first  session  of  five  months  will  close  .January  29,  1864. 

D.  EcKLET  Hunter, 

Superintendent  B.  6.  S. 

Soon  after  the  school  started,  another  primary  department  was  started 
■with  Mrs.  S.  S.  Getzendanner,  teacher.  The  old  Center  Schoolhouse, 
as  it  was  called,  was  used,  also  a  frame  building  on  Seventh  street,  be- 
tween Lincoln  and  Grant  streets.  The  old  tannery  was  thoroughly  fitted 
up,  and  four  departments  were  there  established  in  1864.  This  was 
about  the  state  of  affairs  until  the  present  high  school  building,  begun  in 
1871  and  finished  in  1875,  was  completed  as  detailed  elsewhere,  at  a  cost 
of  over  $50,000.  Among  the  high  school  Principals  or  Superintendents 
have  been  D.  E.  Hunter,  E.  P.  Cole,  G.  W.  Lee,  James  M.  Wilson,  W. 
R.  Houghton  and  Miss  M.  H.  McCalla.  The  public  schools  of  Bloom- 
ington  are  not  surpassed  by  any  in  the  State,  and  are  far  ahead  of  the 
average  in  discipline,  and  effective,  practical  work.  The  school  under  the 
management  of  Miss  McCalla  is  spoken  of  in  the  highest  terms,  as  a 
model  of  the  result  of  professional  skill. 

Report  of  the  School  Trustees  of  Bloomington  for  the  year  ending 
July  1,  1881  : 


472  HISTORY  OF  MONROE  COUNTY. 

Number  of  school  days 180 

Number  of  male  teachers 4 

Number  of  female  teachers 10 

Male  pupils  enrolled  between  6  and  21  years , 266 

Female  pupils  enrolled  between  6  and  21  years 260 

Males  in  high  school  between  6  and  21  years 71 

Females  in  high  school  between  6  and  21  years 81 

Males  in  high  school  over  21  years 18 

Females  in  high  school  over  21  years 2 

Males  in  colored  school  between  6  and  21  years 30 

Females  in  colored  school  between  6  and  21  years 24 

Males  in  colored  school  over  21  years 2 

Females  in  colored  school  over  21  years 1 

Whole  number  of  males  enrolled 387 

Whole  number  of  females  enrolled 368 

Average  daily  attendance 380 

Salary  of  grades  1,  2,  3,  4.  5  and  6  each $400 

Salary  of  gra^e  7 $450 

Salary  of  grade  8 $500 

Salary  of  two  colored  teachers $-500 

Salary  of  high  school  assistant *600 

Salary  of  Superintendent $700 

Salary  of  music  teacher,  24  days $272 

As  will  be  seen  from  this,  Bloomington  has  a  well-attended  and  in- 
teresting colored  school. 

THE    MONROE    COUNTY    FEMALE    SEMINARY. 

The  old  County  Seminary  was  established  as  soon  as  the  county  was, 
though  no  building  was  erected  until  1835.  The  funds  from  fines, 
penalties,  etc.,  had  continued  to  accumulate  until  at  the  time  of  the  erec- 
tion of  the  house  they  amounted  probably  to  nearly  $2,000.  The 
structure  was  begun  in  1833,  and  completed  in  1835.  Before  this,  how- 
ever, aside  from  the  Indiana  College,  now  the  University,  Prof.  Pering 
had  established  in  the  town  a  Female  Institute,  which,  from  the  afiability, 
culture  and  general  worth  of  the  man,  had  grown  into  considerable 
prominence.  The  popularity  of  this  institute,  the  effective  and  satis- 
factory character  of  its  work,  and  the  fact  that  the  Indiana  College  ad- 
mitted no  females  to  its  course  of  study,  led  the  citizens  of  the  town,  in 
order  to  obtain  the  best  use  of  the  seminary  fund,  and  at  the  same  time 
secure  the  higher  education  of  their  daughters,  to  petition  the  Legis- 
lature to  have  the  County  Seminary  transformed  into  the  County  Female 
Seminary,  and  accordingly,  during  the  session  of  1832-33,  this  was  done. 
This  act  was  approved  January  29,  1833,  and  the  Monroe  County  Female 
Seminary  was  established  with  the  following  incorporators  :  John  Bor- 
land, John  Hight,  William  Alexander,  James  D.  Robertson,  Frederick 
T.  Butler,  Austin  Seward,  Richard  Hardesty,  Ellis  Stone  and  John 
Graham. 

The  building  was  erected  in  1835,  was  a  brick  structure  30x50  feet, 
two  stories  high,  containing  two  large  halls  and  four  smaller  rooms.  The 
halls  were  the  principal  recitation  rooms,  and  extra  care  was  ordered 
taken  by  the  Trustees  to  have  them  well  ventilated.  The  doors  and 
windows  were  ordered  thrown  open  at  hours  of  intermission,  until  the 
entire  volume  of  air  had  been  renewed.  Single  desks  were  ordered  to 
take  the  place  of  longer  desks,  to  prevent  crowding  and  discomfort.  The 
first  Principal,  employed  in  1835,  was  Cornelius  Pering,  A.  M.,  a  profes- 
sional teacher,  never  having  been  engaged  in  any  other  pursuit,  who  about 


BLOOMINGTON  TOWNSHIP  AND  CITY.  47^ 

two  years  previous  to  his  appointment  had  removed  from  London,  En- 
gland, to  Indiana,  and  had  opened  in  Bloomington,  as  already  noticed,  the 
first  female  institute  in  the  State.  He  had  been  educated  at  the  Royal 
Academy,  London,  and  had  become  a  member  of  the  London  Literary 
and  Scientific  Institute.  He  was  eminently  qualified  for  the  position, 
which  he  filled  with  the  highest  credit  to  himself  for  thirteen  years.  His 
assistant  was  Mrs.  Hinkston,  a  lady  of  unusual  mental  and  moral  en- 
dowments, who  had  herself  been  educated  at  the  seminary.  From  the 
summer  of  1^<35  to  September,  1842 — a  period  of  seven  years — nearly 
four  hundred  young  ladies ^m'sAec?  the  seminary  course.  The  following 
tabular  statement  shows  the  attendance: 

Summer  session,  1835 56  pupils. 

Winter  session,  1835-36 38  pupils. 

Summer  session,  1836 .-: 48  puiils. 

Winter  session,  1836-37 37  pupils. 

Summer  session.  1837 62  pupils. 

Winter  session,  1837-38 61  puidls. 

Summer  session,  1838 62  pupils. 

Winter  session,   1838-39 46  pupils. 

Summer  session,  1839 68  pupils. 

Winter  session,  1839-40 60  pupils. 

Summer  session.  1840 79  pupils. 

Winter  session.  1840-41 50  pupils. 

Summer  session,  1841 42  pupils. 

Winter  session,  1841-42 44  pupils. 

Summer  session,  1842 42  pupils. 

Total 795  pupils. 

The  courses  of  instruction  were  divided  into  three  departments — 
primary,  juniors  and  seniors — and  the  branches  taught  in  the  three  de- 
partments were  as  follows  : 

Primary. — Orthography,  reading,  writing,  first  lessons  in  arithmetic 
and  Parley's  geography  and  history  ;  tuition,  $5.  Junior  Class. — 
Orthography,  rhetorical  reading  and  speaking,  writing  in  various  hands, 
arithmetic  in  a  manner  calculated  to  insure  practical  utility,  modern 
geography  and  history,  English  grammar  and  composition  ;  tuition,  $8. 
Senior  Class. — Ancient  and  modern  geography  and  history,  English 
grammar  completed,  natural  philosophy,  chemistry,  astronomy,  geometry, 
mental  and  moral  philosophy,  rhetorical  composition,  etc.;  tuition,  $10. 
Extra  Studies. — French,  $8  ;  music,  with  the  use  of  piano,  $10  ;  draw- 
ing and  painting  in  water  colors,  $8  ;  painting  in  crayon  and  oil,  $10; 
short-hand,  $3.  There  were  two  sessions  annually  of  five  months  each, 
the  summer  session  commencing  the  first  Monday  in  May,  and  the  second 
the  first  Monday  in  November. 

The  seminary  was  conducted  by  Prof  Pering  with  increasing  popu- 
larity and  merit  until  about  1849,  when  Mrs.  E.  J.  McFerson  succeeded 
hira.  In  July,  1855,  the  News  Letter  published  the  following  regarding 
her  success : 

Our  readers  will  find  a  notice  in  another  place  of  the  Examination  and  Commence- 
ment exercises  of  the  Monroe  County  (Mrs.  McFerson's)  Female  Seminary,  to  take  place 
next  week.  The  name  of  Mrs.  McFerson,  the  excellent  Principal  of  this  school,  is  a 
praise  in'our  midst.  By  untiring  efforts  for  seven  or  eight  years  she  has  made  the 
academy  what  it  is,  the  pride  and  ornament  of  the  place,  and  has  won  a  higher  and  wider 
reputation  as  an  educator  than  any  lady  in  Indiana.  We  hope  there  will  be  a  large  at- 
tendance at  the  Examination  and  Commencement  exercises. 


474  HISTORY   OF   MONROE   COUNTY. 

The  seminary  had  greatly  increased  in  usefulness  under  the  superin- 
tendence of  this  lady — not  that  it  was  not  excellent  under  Prof.  Pering, 
but  the  growth  of  the  town,  the  presence  of  the  railroad,  and  the  advanced 
views  on  educational  questions,  led  the  management  of  the  institution  into 
innovations  on  obsolescent  customs,  and  into  theories  and  practices  more 
in  accordance  with  the  times.  The  school  was  the  pride  of  the  town,  and 
the  lady  was  universally  beloved  for  her  rare  elements  of  mind  and  heart. 
In  1855,  a  change  was  made  in  the  mode  of  support,  as  will  be  seen  from 
the  following  advertisement  of  the  seminary  : 

Monroe  County  Female  AcADEJir. — This  institution  will  open  its  fall  session  on 
Thursday,  the  "iOth  of  September,  1855,  under  the  charge  and  superintendence  of  the 
undersigned.  She  would  state  to  the  public  that  a  change  has  been  made  in  the  manage- 
ment of  the  iostitution.  Under  the  present  arrangement  it  is  to  be  self-sustaining.  She 
has  agreed  to  take  charge  of  the  school  and  furnish  her  own  teachers,  subject  to  the  ap- 
proval of  the  Board  of  Trustees,  receiving  as  a  compensation  the  tuition  fees.  She  there- 
fore asks  a  liberal  patronage  from  the  public,  and  requests  prompt  payment  for  her 
services. 

TUITION  FEES. 

Primary  Department $3.00 

Secondary 4.00 

Preparatory , 5.00 

Seminary  proper 6.00 

Music,  with  the  use  of  the  piano 10.00 

A  contingent  fee  of  50  cents  will  be  added  to  the  fall  session  for  the  purpose  of  fur- 
nishing wood.  E.  J.  McFerson,  Principal. 
Bloomington,  September  14. 

In  1857,  Prof.  E.  P.  Cole  succeeded  Mrs.  McFerson  as  Principal  of 
the  seminary.*  The  following  was  the  announcement  of  the  Trustees  in 
1858  :, 

MONROE  COUNTY  FEMALE  SEMINARY. 

Located  at  Bloomington,  Monroe  County,  Ind.,on  the  New  Albany  &  Salem  Railroad. 

BOARD  OF  INSTRUCTORS  : 

E.  p.    Cole,  Principal, 

Miss  Louisa  M.  Morgan, 

Mrs.  E.  P.  Cole,  )■  Assistants. 

Miss  Margaret  McCalla, 

The  next  term  of  this  institution  will  open  on  Monday,  13th  of  September  next, 
and  continue  thirteen  weeks. 

Boarding. — Good  board  can  be  had  in  private  families  at  prices  varying  from  $2.00 
to  $2.25  per  week.     Desirable  facilities  are  afforded  for  ladies  wishing  to  board  themselves. 

Arrangements  will  be  made  by  which  youn^  ladies  can  be  boarded  in  private  fam- 
ilies, into  which  no  male  boarders  will  be  received,  and  where  a  careful  supervision  of 
health  and  the  morals  of  the  students  will  be  exercised. 

Ch'\rgf,s  for  Tuition. — Tuition  in  the  Primary  Department,  $4  per  term  ;  Inter- 
mediate, $5.50  ;  Academic,  $6.50  to  $8.50. 

No  charges  for  contingencies. 

Music,  $10  per  term.     Use  of  instrument  for  practice,  $2  extra. 

Drawing,  painting,  and  fancy  work  in  general  will  be  taught  at  extra  prices. 

The  entire  expense  of  a  student  for  one  year  need  not  exceed  $130.  This  in- 
cludes boarding,  fuel,  lights,  washing,  books  and  tuition  in  all  the  branches  except 
music,  drawing,  painting  and  fancy  work. 

Tuition  and  other  charges  must  be  met  promptly  within  the  first  two  weeks  of 
the  term,  at  which  time  bills  will  be  forwarded. 

No  allowance  for  lost  time,  except  in  case  of  protracted  illness  upon  the  part 
of  the  student  herself  This  position  is  taken,  that  all  inducements  to  irregularity 
may  be  removed.  Irregular  students  receive  but  little  benefit  from  their  casual  attend- 
ance, and  likewise  occasion  much  trouble,  both  to  the  teacher  and  also  to  the  class  with 
which  they  are  associated.  By  order  of  the  boird. 

M.  C.  Hunter,  Sec'y.                                              Rev.  William  Turner,  President. 
Bloomington,  Aug.  20,  1858. 

*  It  will  be  observed  that  the  advertisement  speaks  of  the  institution  as  an  academy.  It  was, 
really ,  the  Monroe  County  Female  Seminary,  made  so  by  the  Legislature  in  1832-33. 


1 


BLOOMINGTON   TOWNSHIP  AND  CITY.  475 

Prof.  Cole  continued  at  the  head  of  this  institution  until  1863.  At 
that  time  the  high  school  was  founded,  taking  from  the  faithful  old  sem- 
inary its  usefulness — or  much  of  it — though  it  still  continued,  under  vari- 
ous Principals — Rev.  J.  S.  Reed  being  one — to  hold  forth  educational 
inducements.  Its  day,  however,  was  soon  over.  The  building  is  now 
used  as  a  dwelling. 

THE    MODEL    SCHOOL. 

A  school  which  flourished  for  a  few  years,  as  a  sort  of  preparatory  de- 
partment of  the  university,  was  the  Model  School,  coaducted  by  Prof. 
H.  D.  Riddile.     The  following  was  the  advertisement : 

The  Model  School. — The  next  session  of  the  Model  School  of  the  Indiana  Univer- 
sity will  commence  on  Thursday,  April  30,  1857,  which  is  the  first  day  of  the  college 
term. 

TERMS : 

Orthography,  Reading  and  Penmanship ; $3.00 

Primary  Geography,  Mental  Arithmetic  and  History 3.50 

Written  Arithmetic,  Geography  with  the  use  of  maps  and  globes,  and 

English  Grammar 4.00 

Natural  Philosophy,  Algebra  and  Physiology 4.50 

All  tuition  will  be  required  in  advance.  No  deduction  in  price  will  be  made  for  ab- 
sence, except  in  cases  of  protracted  illness.  We  hope  the  patrons  of  this  school  will  con- 
tinue their  patronage,  as  we  have  been  at  considerable  expense  in  fitting  up  the  school- 
room with  maps,  &c.,  making  it  more  interesting  for  our  students. 

H.  D.  Riddile, 

Teacher. 

THE    BLOOMINGTON    FEMALE    COLLEGE. 

The  school  law  of  1852-53  provided  for  the  sale  of  county  seminaries, 
and  the  transfer  of  the  proceeds  to  the  common  school  fund.  It  is 
stated  that  the  Methodists  of  Bloomington,  who  had  talked  for  some  time 
of  founding  an  academy  or  seminary  of  their  denomination,  purchased 
the  old  seminary  at  auction ;  but,  becoming  alarmed  regarding  the  title 
to  the  lots  upon  which  the  building  stood,  annulled  the  purchase  before 
the  deed  was  signed.  They  immediately  founded  the  Bloomington  Female 
College,  however,  their  church  being  used  for  that  purpose.  Rev.  T.  H. 
Sinex  became  the  first  President.  The  following  was  his  advertisement 
in  1855 : 

Bloomington  Female  College  and  Academy. — The  fall  term  of  this  institution  will 
-commence  on  the  20th  of  September,  and  continue  thirteen  weeks. 

tuition. 
In  Primary  Department,   1st  Class,  embracing  Orthography,  Reading 

and  Writing,  per  Term $3.00 

In  Primary  Department,  2d  Class,  embracing  the  above  and   Mental 

Arithmetic  and  Primary  Geography 3.50 

In  Academic  Department,  1st  Class,  embracing  Geography,  Arithmetic, 

English  Grammar,  History  and  Analysis 4.50 

In  Academic  Department,  2d  Class,  embracing  the  above  with  Natural 

Philosophy 5.00 

In  Collegiate  Department 6.00 

Music,  including  use  of  Instrument  to  practice 8.00 

Tuition  bills  payable  in  advance.  Thomas  H.  Sinbx,  President. 

Sept.  8,  1855. 

In  1856,  immediately  after  the  spring  session.  Rev.  Sinex  severed  his 
connection  with  the  college,  and  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  M.  M.  Tooke. 
In  1857,  the  courses  of  study,  etc.,  were  as  follows: 

30 


476  HISTORY  OF  MONROE  COUNTY. 

FACULTY. 

Rer.  M.  M.  Tooke,  A.  M.,  President,  Professor  of  Intellectual  and  Moral  Science; 
Samuel  L.  Bankley,  A.  B.,  Professor  of  Ancient  Languages  and  Mathemetics;  Mrs.  L.  P. 
Tooke,  M.  P.  L.,  Adjutant  Principal  Teacher  of  Modern  Languages  and  Ornamental 
Branches;  Miss  Sarah  A.  Purdy,  M.  P.  L.,  Teacher  of  Natural  Science,  and  Assistant 
Teacher  of  English  Branches  ;  Edmond  Jaeger,  Professor  of  Instrumental  and  Vocal  Music. 

COURSE    OF    STUDY. 

Primary. — Orthography — spelling  ;  reading — first,  second  and  third  Indiana  readers  ; 
and  exercises  in  mental  arithmetic. 

Model  School. — Orthography,  reading,  elementary  grammar,  mental  arithmetic,  pen- 
manship, primary  geography  and  history. 

Academic. — United  States  History,  elements  of  physiology,  geography  completed,  com- 
position— Parker's  exercises,  analytical  grammar  and  arithmetic,  continued. 

COLLKOIATK    DEPAKTMENT. 

First  Tear. — Analytical  grammar  completed,  anatomy  and  physiology  completed,  com- 
position continued,  elementary  algebra,  ancient  history,  botany,  modern  history,  elements 
of  the  French  and  Latin  languages  and  orthographical  parsing. 

Junior  Year. — Algebra  completed,  natural  philosophy,  domestic  economy,  chemistry, 
rhetoric,  natural  theology,  geometry,  logic — French  and  Latin,  elective,  with  the  ele- 
ments of  Greek,  also  elective. 

Senior  Year. — Geometry  completed,  evidences  of  Christianity,  science  of  government, 
plane  and  spherical  trigonometry,  German,  elective,  mental  philosophy,  geology,  physical 
geography,  elective,  moral  philosophy,  elements  of  criticism,  astronomy,  Latin  and 
Greek.  Weekly  exercises  in  composition,  oratorical  readings,  etc.,  will  accompany  the 
whole  course. 

EXPENSES. 

Tuition  in  primary  department,  per  term $3  50 

Tuition  in  model  school,  per  term 5  00 

Tuition  in  academic,  per  term 6  50 

Tuition  in  collegiate  department,  first  year 8  00 

Tuition  in  collegiate  department,  junior  year 10  00 

Tuition  in  collegiate  department,  senior  year 11  00 

For  incidentals  and  janitor's  fees — each  term 50 

Vocal  music  through  the  course,  free  of  charge 

EXTRAS. 

Oil  painting $12  00 

Music  on  piano 10  00 

Lessons  on  organ 8  00 

Lessons  on  guitar 8  00 

Use  of  instruments,  each 2  00 

Drawing,  crayoning  and  painting,  each 2  50 

Monochromatics  and  tissue  flowers,  each 3  00 

Pellis,  floral  work 5  00 

Raised   embroidery,  in  worsted  and  common 2  00 

Spanish  and  Italian  languages,  each 6  00 

Gymnastics,  and  ornamental  penmanship  and  bookkeeping 5  00 

Music  on  the  piano,  organ,  etc.,  extra  penmanship,  bookkeeping,  painting  in  oil  and 
water  colors,  may,  with  the  consent  of  the  faculty,  be  substituted  for  those  studies  desig- 
nated in  the  course  as  elective. 

A  large  college  boarding  house  was  kept  on  Sixth  street,  between 
Walnut  and  Washington.  In  1858,  Rev.  A.  D.  Lynch  succeeded  Rev. 
Tooks  as  President  of  this  college.  He  continued  with  satisfactory  suc- 
cess until  about  the  breaking  out  of  the  last  war,  when  the  college  was 
permanently  closed. 

THE  INDIANA  STATE  UNIVERSITY. 

An  early  act  of  Congress  provided  for  the  reservation  of  two  town- 
ships in  each  State  to  be  devoted  to  school  purposes,  and  in  accordance 


BLOOMINGTON  TOWNSHIP  AND  CITY.  477 

with  this  provision  the  General  Assembly  of  Indiana  passed  an  act,  ap- 
proved January  20,  1820,  appointing  a  Board  of  Commissoners  to  locate 
the  two  townships  in  Indiana,  and  appointed  Trustees  to  superintend  the 
sale  thereof,  and  the  appropriation  of  the  proceeds  for  the  establishment 
and  maintenance  of  a  State  Seminary.  In  accordance  with  this  act  of 
the  Legislature,  the  Commissioners  appointed  selected  the  present  town- 
ship of  Perry,  Monroe  County,  as  one  of  the  two  townships,  and  made  ar- 
rangements to  erect  the  necessary  buildings  on  the  present  site  of  the 
State  University.  In  1822,  the  Trustees  let  out  the  building  of  two 
seminary  houses,  one  to  be  used  as  a  dwelling  for  a  teacher,  and  the  other 
for  the  State  Seminary.  William  Snodgrass  was  to  furnish  shingles  at 
$4  per  thousand;  John  Robinson  to  deliver  brick  at  $4.75  per  thousand; 
John  Wright,  father  of  Gov.  Joseph  A.  Wright,  to  do  the  stone  work, 
and  lay  the  brick  in  good  mortar,  made  of  well  sifted  dirt  and  plenty  of 
good  lime,  at  $4.25  per  thousand.  Edward  and  John  Borland,  Samuel 
Hardesty  and  David  Kello,  engaged  to  do  the  carpenter  work  of  the  small 
house,  which  was  to  be  the  size  of  W.  D.  McCullough's  house,  which  he 
had  rented  to  Thomas  Allen,  of  Kentucty,  except  to  be  four  feet  longer. 
These  buildings  were  both  erected.  On  the  20th  of  November,  1824,  the 
Trustees  elected  Rev.  Banard  R.  Hall,  the  first  and  only  teacher  of  the 
seminary,  to  open  school  as  early  as  practicable  in  the  following  spring, 
at  a  salary  of  |250  per  year,  with  the  promise  of  an  additional  sum  if 
the  funds  of  the  seminary  would  admit.  The  tuition  fee  of  students  was 
fixed  at  $2.50  per  session,  and  two  sessiojhs  were  established  for  each 
year.  On  the  15th  of  May,  1827,  the  board  elected  John  H.  Harney 
teacher  pro  tempore  of  mathematics,  natural  philosophy  and  astronomy, 
with  a  salary  of  $150  for  the  first  session  of  five  months,  $40  to  be  paid 
in  advance.  On  the  2d  of  November  following,  upon  the  advice  of  the 
Honorable  Board  of  Visitors,  he  was  elected  permanent  Professor  at  a 
salary  of  $400  and  $40  house  rent,  with  the  promise,  if  the  initiation 
fees  of  the  students  amounted  to  more  than  $100  per  year,  to  divide  the 
overplus  between  the  teachers  to  such  amount  as  would  not  make  their 
salaries  more  than  $6  00. 

THE    INDIANA    COLLEGE. 

At  the  session  of  the  Legislature  in  1827-28,  an  act  was  passed  to 
transform  the  State  Seminary  into  the  Indiana  College,  and  Edward  Bor- 
land, Samuel  Dodds,  Leroy  Mayfield,  Jonathan  Nichols,  James  Blair, 
David  H.  Maxwell,  William  Banester  and  William  Lowe,  of  Monroe 
County,  Seth  M.  Levenworth,  of  Crawford  County,  and  William  Dunn, 
of  Montgomery  County,  were  appointed  to  make  the  alteration  and  estab- 
lish the  new  institution  in  accordance  with  the  provisions  of  the  enact- 
ment. On  the  5th  of  May,  1828,  the  above  named  Board  of  Trustees 
met  in  the  seminary  building  at  Bloomington,  elected  Dr.  D.  H.  Max- 
well President  of  the  board  ;  Rev.  P.  M.  Dorsey,  Secretary  ;  and  James 
Borland,  Treasurer,  and  on  motion  of  Mr.  Dunn,  proceeded  to  the  elec- 
tion of  the  officers  of  the  new  "  Indiana  College."  Rev.  Andrew  Wylie, 
D.  D.,  of  Washington  County,  Pennsylvania,  was  unanimously  chosen  Presi- 
dent of  the  college ;  B.  R.  Hall,  Professor  of  languages  ;  and  John  H. 
Harney,  Professor  of  mathematics  and  natural  philosophy  for  one  session, 
at  a  salary  of  $400  per  year,  with    the   addition  of  $10  to  Harney  for 


478  HISTORY  OF  MONROE  COUNTY. 

house  rent.     The  following  is  a  copy  of  an  allowance  made  to  Joseph  A. 
Wright,  afterward  Governor  of  Indiana : 

May,  12,  1828. 
Ordered,  That  Joseph  A.  Wright  be  allowed  for  ringing  the  college  bell,  making  firea 
in  the  college  building  during  the  last  session  of  the  State  Seminary,  $16.25  ;  also  for 
lock,  bell-rope  and  brooms  $1.37^,  and  that  the  Treasurer  of  the  late  State  Seminary  pay 
the  same. 

In  the  fall  of  1828,  President  Andrew  Wylie,  having  accepted  the 
position  tendered  him  by  the  Trustees,  arrived  in  Bloomington,  and  the 
occasion  was  considered  of  much  importance  ;  a  torch-light  procession  and 
public  illumination  was  given  in  his  honor.  President  Wylie's  connec- 
tion with  the  college  proved  very  advantageous,  not  only  to  that  institu- 
tion, but  to  Bloomington  and  Monroe  County.  He  was  famed  for  his 
learning  all  over  the  East  and  South,  and  soon  students  from  distant 
States  came  to  Bloomington  to  place  themselves  under  his  instruction. 
But  the  sudden  and  permanent  popularity  of  President  Wylie  led  to  bitter 
jealousy  on  the  part  of  Profs.  Hall  and  Harney,  who  no  doubt  envied 
him  his  good  fortune,  and  wished  for  the  possession  of  his  place  and  hon- 
ors. The  unpleasantness  ceased  with  the  permanent  departure  of  Hall 
and  Harney,  in  1832.  The  college  flourished  greatly  under  the  man- 
agement of  President  Wylie,  and  its  influence  was  soon  felt  upon  the  com- 
munity. People  of  culture  and  refinement  came  to  reside  in  the  town ; 
churches  grew  strong,  and  shed  their  influence  abroad,  and  the  presence 
of  superior  intellectual  and  moral  culture  gave  a  tone  to  Bloomington  so- 
ciety that  had  a  marked  eff'ect  upon  youth,  and  made  the  town  justly 
famous  throughout  the  State. 

THE    STATE    UNIVERSITY. 

In  1838,  an  act  was  passed  by  the  Legislature  to  establish  a  univer- 
sity in  the  State,  and  John  Law,  of  Knox  County,  Robert  Dale  Owen,  of 
Posey  County,  Richard  W.  Thompson,  of  Lawrence  County,  Samuel  R. 
Hosovuer,  of  Wayne  County,  P.  C.  Dunning,  James  Blair,  Joshua  0. 
Howe,  Chesley  D.  Bailey,  William  Turner  and  Leroy  Mayfield,  of  Mon- 
roe County,  were  appointed  Trustees  to  make  the  change  from  Indiana 
College  to  Indiana  University.  The  Board  of  Trustees  met  on  the  24th 
of  May,  1838,  elected  Paris  C.  Dunning,  President  of  the  board,  and 
James  D.  Maxwell,  Secretary,  and  made  such  changes  as  they  deemed 
necessary.  A  new  building  was  erected  of  brick,  and  the  course  of  study 
was  widened.  Andrew  Wylie,  D.  D.,  served  as  President  until  his  death 
in  1851,  when,  for  two  years,  Theophilus  A.  Wylie,  Daniel  Reed  and 
Alfred  Ryors  acted  as  such.  In  18oH,  William  M.  Daily  was  appointed 
President,  serving  as  such  until  1858,  when,  owing  to  serious  trouble 
which  arose,  he  resigned.  On  All  Fools'  Day.  1851,  the  college  build- 
ing was  destroyed  by  fire,  which  loss  embarrassed  the  institution  very 
much,  as  not  only  were  the  recitation  rooms  gone,  but  a  valuable  library 
of  rare  works  was  burned.  This  was  no  doubt  the  work  of  an  incendiary. 
The  citizens  immediately  went  to  work  to  raise  funds  for  a  new  building. 
They  received  a  meager  sum  from  the  State,  and  in  1859  completed  the 
present  college  building,  on  the  old  campus  south  of  town.  After  the 
resignation  of  President  Daily,  in  1858,  T.  A.  Wylie  acted  as  such  for  a 
year,  and  John   H.  Lathrop  for  a  year,  or  until  1860,  when  Cyrus  Nutt 


BLOOMINGTON  TOWNSHIP  AND  CITY.  479 

was  appointed,  the  latter  serving  from  1860  to  1875.  In  the  last-named 
year,  Lemuel  Moss,  D.  D.,  LL.  D.,  was  chosen  President,  in  which  ca- 
pacity he  is  still  serving.  A  detailed  history  of  this  university  cannot 
be  given  in  this  volume ;  neither  can  suitable  or  merited  personal  sketches 
be  written  of  the  many  eminent  men  who  have  been  connected  with  it, 
or  who  have  gone  as  students  from  its  halls  to  honored  positions  in  almost 
every  State  in  the  Union.  It  is  appropriate,  however,  to  say  that  the 
institution  has  been  the  soul  of  Bloomington.  A  majority  of  the  older 
citizens  are  graduates  or  under-graduates,  and  their  children  and  grand- 
children are  now  treading  in  their  footsteps. 

The  fine  brick  building,  erected  on  the  old  campus  late  in  the  seventies 
for  the  scientific  department,  was  destroyed  bv  lightning  in  July,  1883. 
The  loss  is  said  to  have  been  $300,000.  The  library  of  12,000  volumes, 
the  Owen  collection  of  fossils,  etc.,  and  other  valuable  articles  were  de- 
stroyed. In  1883,  the  Trustees  of  the  University  purchased  a  tract  of 
twenty  acres  in  Dunn's  Woods,  fronting  Fifth  street,  and  made  prepara- 
tions to  erect  thereon  two  brick  buildings,  one  for  the  main  university  ed- 
ifice, and  another  for  the  scientific  department.  The  estimated  cost  of 
each  building  is  about  $60,000.  The  old  building  is  to  be  used  as  a  pre- 
paratory department.  The  twenty  acres  cost  $6,000.  This  is  the  sit- 
uation at  present  (October  20,  1883). 

THE    CHUCHES    OF    BLOOMINGTON. 

The  Presbyterian  Church  of  Bloomington  was  organized  September 
26,  1819,  by  Rev.  Isaac  Reed,  the  first  members  being  Henry  Kirkraan, 
Mary  Kerkum,  David  H.  Maxwell,  Mary  D.  Maxwell,  John  Ketchum, 
Elizabeth  Ketchum,  Elizabeth  Anderson,  Elizabeth  Lucas  and  Patsey 
Baugh.  The  church  was  organized  at  the  old  log  court  house  which 
stood  where  the  jail  now  does.  The  first  three  baptized  were  the  children 
of  Dr.  Maxwell — Martha  Ann,  James  Darwin  and  Samuel  Franklin. 
The  first  regular  minister  was  Rev.  David  C.  Proctor,  who  assumed  the 
charge  in  1822,  preaching  three-fourths  of  his  time  at  Indianapolis,  and 
the  remainder  at  Bloomington.  In  1825,  he  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  B. 
R.  Hall,  Principal  of  the  State  Seminary  (now  the  University).  Andrew 
Wylie,  D.  D.,  supplied  the  church  from  1830  to  1834.  He  was  Presi- 
dent of  the  Indiana  College,  into  which  the  State  Seminary  had  been 
transformed  in  1828.  Rev.  Ranson  Hawley  served  from  1834  to  1841  ; 
Rev.  W.  W.  Martin,  from  1843  to  1845 ;  Rev.  Alfred  Ryors,  from  1845 
to  1847  ;  Rev.  Levi  Hughes,  from  1847  to  1851 ;  Rev.  Thomas  Alex- 
ander, from  1851  to  1853  ;  Rev.  F.  H.  Laird,  from  1855  to  1856 ;  Rev. 
Lowman  Hall,  from  1856  to  1857  ;  Rev.  T.  M.  Hopkins,  from  1858  to 
1869 ;  Rev.  A.  Y.  Moore  in  1869.  The  first  church  was  erected  in 
1826,  and  the  last,  the  present  one,  in  1859-63. 

In  June,  1852,  the  Second  Presbyterian  Church  was  organized  with 
a  membership  of  eleven,  eight  of  whom  had  been  connected  with  the 
other  church.  Rev.  Bishop  became  stated  supply  of  the  church,  and  con- 
tinued with  it  until  1867.  Rev.  Elisha  Ballentine,  after  1^^54,  supplied 
the  pulpit  during  the  absence  of  Rev.  Bishop.  Rev.  Ballentine  served 
from  1867  to  1869  without  assistance. 

In  April,  1870,  the  First  and  Second  Churches  were  united  under 


480  HISTORY   OF    MONROE   COUNTY. 

the  pastor?ite  of  Rev.  A.  Y.  Moore,  and  were  called  the  Walnut  Street 
Presbyterian  Church.  Thus  the  church  remains  at  present  with  a  mem- 
bership of  about  250.  Since  the  organization  of  the  church  in  1819, 
there  have  been  received  into  its  communion  through  the  First,  Second 
and  United  organizations,  812  members.  Twelve  ministers  of  the  Gospel 
have  gone  forth  from  the  church. 

The  United  Presbyterian  Church  of  Bloomington  is  composed  of 
three  branches — the  Associated  Presbyterian  (Seceder),  the  Associated 
Reformed  Presbyterian  (Union),  and  the  Reformed  Presbyterian  (N.  L. 
Covenanter),  which  were  separately  organized  in  l^SS,  1834  and  1838 
respectively.  The  three  branches  remained  apart  until  1864,  when  the 
Associate  Reformed  under  Rev.  William  Turner  and  the  Associate  under 
Rev.  John  Bryan  came  together  and  formed  the  United  Presbyterian 
congregation.  In  1869,  the  Reformed  congregation,  under  Rev.  T.  A. 
Wylie,  came  into  the  union.  The  early  accounts  of  the  separate  branches 
are  meager.  The  members  were  mostly  from  North  Carolina,  having  left 
there  owing  to  their  abhorrence  to  slavery.  They  were  largely  farmers  and 
were  scattered  outside  of  the  county  seat.  At  the  time  of  union  the  mem- 
bership was  about  200.  It  is  now  nearly  250.  Their  church,  in  the 
northern  part  of  the  city,  was  built  early  in  the  seventies.  Rev.  W.  P. 
McNary  became  pastor  in  1870. 

The  Methodists  organized  their  class  at  Bloomington  in  1820,  and 
built  their  church  about  six  years  later.  Among  the  early  members  were 
Joshua  0.  Howe  and  wife,  Daniel  Rawlins  and  wife,  Benjamin  Freeland 
and  wife,  Samuel  Hardesty  and  wife,  Ebenezer  Shepard  and  wife,  Mrs. 
Wright,  Jonathan  Legg  and  wife,  Naomi  Otwell  and  family,  James  H. 
King  and  wife,  Abraham  Pauley  and  others.  The  Wrights  did  the 
brick  work  on  the  old  church.  Elias  Abel  wheeled  mortar.  The  build- 
ing cost  about  $600.  In  the  forties,  it  was  sold  to  the  Baptists,  and  in 
the  sixties  to  the  Catholics,  who  yet  own  it.  In  about  1846,  the  Method- 
ists erected  a  new  church.  Rev."  Owen  was  pastor  at  the  time.  It  was 
the  early  custom  in  this  church  to  have  a  door-keeper,  and  instead  of  a 
bell  a  great  tin  horn  called  to  the  house  of  worship.  Other  members  in 
early  years  were  the  families  of  John  S.  Watts,  Benjamin  Neeld,  J.  D. 
Robertson,  C.  G.  Ballard,  J.  S.  Jones,  W.  E.  Waugh,  Zimri  Worley, 
John  Henry,  G.  W.  Moore,  J.  W.  Throop,  C.  P.  Hester,  B.  F.  Crary, 
W.  F.  Browning,  J.  W.  Davis,  Wesley  Robertson,  and  others.  The 
present  church  was  built  about  1873  and  cost  about  |12,000. 

The  Christians,  or  Campbellites,  organized  a  class  not  far  from  1820, 
and  built  a  church  late  in  the  twenties.  The  families  of  Haws  Arm- 
strong, David  Batterton,  William  Armstrong,  Eli  Lee,  George  Isominger, 
Johnson  McCullough,  D.  C.  Smith,  D.  Eckles,  J.  W.  Hardin,  John  P. 
Rader,  William  A.  Clark,  Thomas  N.  Williams,  D.  F.  Tilford,  and 
many  others  were  members.     They  have  had  two  houses  since. 

The  Baptists  started  a  small  class  at  a  little  later  period,  the  leading 
members  being  the  Fosters,  the  Stones,  the  Vanoys  and  others.  They 
built  a  brick  church  also,  but  were  not  as  strong  as  the  other  three  de- 
nominations. In  1861,  the  following  statistics  of  the  four  churches — 
Methodist,  Presbyterian,  Christian  and  Baptist — were  ordered  prepared 
by  the  Bloomington  Ministerial  Association ; 


PERRY    TOWNSHIP. 


481 


0.  S.  Presbyterian 

N.  S.  Presbyterian 

U.  Presbyterian  (Prof.  Wylie's) 
U.  Presbyterian  (Mr.  Turner's). 

Methodist , 

Baptist 

Christian 


350 
225 
300 
500 
500 
250 
409 


200 
150 
100 
250 
300 


200 


105 

88 
60 
225 
230 
40 
175 


25 
36 
30 
100 
50 


75 

70 

35 

126 

130 


40 


100 


Totals 2525  1200 


916 


280 


Counting  the  number  from  the  country  attending  the  above  churches, 
as  about  equal  to  the  statistics  of  Mr.  Turner's  church,  we  have  in 
Bloomington,  church  sittings,  2,025;  attending  church,  950;  members, 
690 ;  prayer  meetings,  7  ;  attendance,  180 ;  and  in  Sabbath  school, 
405.  Taking  the  population  of  Bloomington  as  2,200,  and  counting  of 
this  number  600  for  the  children,  we  have  as  not  usually  attending  church 
640 ;  not  members  of  church,  900  ;  children  not  in  Sabbath  school, 
about  200.  Surely,  if  these  statistics  approximate  the  truth,  there  is 
much  ground  still  to  be  occupied. 

Other  religious  classes  have  been  organized  since  then.  The  Cath- 
olics have  a  small  organization,  and  have  a  handsome  brick  church  west 
of  the  railroad,  on  Sixth  street.  The  colored  people  have  two  small  brick 
churches  in  the  city.  Bloomington  may  be  compared  to  Oberlin,  Ohio, 
in  the  number  of  its  colored  population,  and  in  many  other  respects — 
such  as  churches  and  schools.  The  city  contains  over  100  colored  peo- 
ple, many  of  whom  are  well  educated  and  well  mannered. 


PERRY  TOWNSHIP. 


TIMBER,  SOIL,  ETC. 

THERE  is  no  better  soil  in  the  county  than  in  some  portions  of  Perry 
Township.  That  fine,  small  stream,  Clear  Creek,  has  its  source  with- 
in its  limits  ;  and  along  many  of  the  smaller  branches  are  heavy  deposits  of 
mingled  silica  and  alluvium,  which  constitute  the  basis  of  the  very  best 
soil  for  all  the  cereals,  and  for  grass — especially  timothy  and  clover,  the 
staple  grasses  of  the  Mississippi  Valley.  There  is  no  better  soil  in  the 
State  for  wheat  than  in  a  few  places  in  Perry  Township ;  but  corn  re- 
quires more  alluvium  than  the  surface  generally  affords,  though  here  and 
there  are  fields  which  much  resemble  the  black  corn-fields  of  Illinois, 
Iowa  and  Northern  Missouri.  Springs  of  good  water  abound.  In  the 
eastern  part,  a  few  are  slightly  impregnated  with  sulphur.  As  the  early 
settlers  did  not  have  wells  as  we  do  now,  they  usually  located  where  some 


482  HISTORY  OF  MONROE  COUNTY. 

good  spring  promised  an  abundant  supply  of  good  water.      Perry  had 
many  of  these  springs. 

THE    SEMINARY    TOWNSHIP.       . 

Township  8  north,  Range  1  west,  was  one  of  two  in  the  State  of 
Indiana,  devoted  by  Legislative  enactment  to  special  school  purposes. 
The  Indiana  State  University  was  then  unknown,  and  its  future  place  in 
the  social  system  of  humanity  was  unthought  of.  In  the  year  1820,  the 
General  Assembly  of  Indiana,  in  pursuance  of  an  act  of  Congress,  selected 
two  full  Congressional  townships — one  in  Gibson  County,  and  the  other 
in  Monroe  County — to  be  used  in  founding  and  maintaining  two  State 
Seminaries.  The  selection  was  made  through  the  medium  of  commissions 
appointed  by  the  State  Legislature,  such  officers  being  required  to  locate 
the  townships,  and  carry  into  effect  other  provisions  specified.  This  was 
done,  Perry  Township,  or  as  it  was  only  known  then.  Township  8  north, 
Range  1  west,  being  the  one  selected  in  Monroe  County.  Trustees  were 
appointed  to  superintend  the  erection  of  the  necessary  seminary  buildings 
— two,  one  for  the  school,  and  the  other  for  the  Principal  to  occupy. 
This  work  was  done  in  1822,  four  sections  of  land  on  the  north  side  of 
the  township  being  reserved  for  the  grounds,  etc.,  of  the  seminary.  The 
sections  thus  reserved  were  all  of  No.  4,  No.  5,  the  west  half  of  No.  8, 
the  east  half  of  No.  6,  the  west  half  of  No.  9,  and  the  east  half  of  No.  8, 
making  in  all  four  full  sections.  These  sections  were  reserved  from 
sale,  and  squatters  were  not  permitted  to  make  improvements,  such  as 
clearing  the  land,  erecting  buildings,  planting  crops,  etc.  It  was 
different,  however,  on  the  remainder  of  the  township.  The  citizens 
were,  of  course,  aware  that  at  some  future  day  the  lands  of  the  township, 
except  perhaps  the  reserved  sections,  would  be  thrown  into  market  and 
sold  in  parcels  to  suit  purchasers  for  the  highest  price  that  could  be 
obtained.  None  of  the  land  was  remote  from  the  county  seat,  and  much 
of  it  was  near,  and,  in  addition,  the  rapid  growth  of  Bloomington, 
the  location  of  a  State  Seminary  there  and  the  appearance  of  educa- 
tors and  citizens  of  unusual  culture,  caused  the  soil  of  Perry  Township  to 
be  greatly  coveted,  and  early  in  the  twenties  its  bounds  were  invaded  by 
an  army  of  eager  squatters,  who,  regardless  of  the  fact  that  they  had  no 
right  there,  went  to  work  erecting  buildings  in  which  to  live,  cutting 
down  the  forests  to  get  fields  for  agriculture,  constructing  mills,  etc.,  etc., 
as  if  the  land  were  already  their  legal  property.  The  years  passed,  but 
still  the  lands  remained  unsold,  though  quite  numerously  occupied.  The 
squatters  continuously  clamored  for  the  sale  to  be  made,  and  at  last,  in 
1827,  the  Legislature  provided  for  the  appraisement  of  the  land  and  for 
its  appearance  in  market.  This  caused  the  squatters  to  become  anxious. 
Several  of  them  had  made  quite  extensive  improvements  in  clearing  and 
building,  and  the  sale  meant  that  their  claims  should  be  subjected  to  the 
competitive  bids  of  speculators,  prospective  residents  and  themselves.  The 
speculators,  for  instance,  could  bid  on  a  squatter's  claim,  and,  if  willing 
to  buy  the  improvements  which  the  law  of  pre-emption  required  of  him, 
could  run  the  farm  above  the  price  which  the  squatter  himself  was  willing 
or  able  to  give,  and  could  secure  the  home  of  the  settler  in  spite  of  all 
that  he  could  do.  Nothing  serious,  however,  was  done,  though  there  was 
some  sharp  competition  for  tracts  of  land  of  superior  quality,  or  of  favor- 


PERRY  TOWNSHIP.  483 

able  location.     The  appraisement  of  the  land  was  made  by  James  Bor- 
land, in  June,  1827. 

The  rating  of  the  land  was  done  in  June,  1827,  as  will  be  seen  from 
the  following  certificate  of  Mr.  Borland  : 

I  hereby  certify  that  the  above  is  a  plat  of  the  Reserve  1  Township  of  seminary  land 
in  Monroe  County  as  rated  by  me  agreeably  to  an  act  of  the  General  Assembly  of  the 
State  of  Indiana,  approved  January  25, 1827. 

Given  under  my  hand  this  15th  day  of  June,  1827. 

James  Borland,  Commissioner. 

The  poorest  land,  class  3,  could  not  be  sold  for  less  than  the  Govern- 
ment price  of  $1.25  per  acre,  and  might  be  sold  for  any  amount  above 
that  figure.  A  minimum  price  was  also  fixed  for  the  first  and  second 
classes.  The  sale  began  in  October  (the  sections  and  parts  of  sections 
marked  reserved  in  the  plat  not  being  subject  to  sale),  and  during 
the  remainder  of  that  year  (1827)  the  following  men  became  purchasers  : 
Alexander  Kelley,  Joseph  Piercy,  John  Armstrong,  and  John  Griffith 
on  Section  1;  James  G.  Fleener,  Granville  Ward,  Milton  McPhetridge, 
Isaac  Rogers,  Aquilla  Rogers  and  Samuel  Dunn  on  Section  2  ;  Thomas 
Smith  on  Section  3;  George  Henry,  James  Borland,  Ellis  Stone  and 
Hiram  Paugh  on  Section  6 ;  Emsley  Wilson,  Andrew  Dodds,  Abraham 
Pauley,  Richard  Hunter  and  Alexander  Murphy  on  Section  7  ;  Samuel 
Dodds,  Richard  Shipp  and  John  Hight  on  Section  8  ;  William  Bilbo  on 
Section  9 ;  Benjamin  Rogers,  David  Batterton  and  Zachariah  Williams 
on  Section  10 ;  John  Griffith  and  Jacob  Isominger  on  Section  11 ;  Gar- 
rett Moore,  John  A.  Wilson  and  Moses  Williams  on  Section  12;  Benj- 
amin Rogers  on  Section  14 ;  Josiah  Baker  and  Abed  Nego  Walden  on 
Section  15  ;  William  Dunning,  Levi  Thatcher  and  Williams  Knatts  on 
Section  16 ;  Isaac  Pauley,  Daniel  Davis,  Thomas  Carter  and  Absalom 
Kennedy  on  Section  17  ;  Isaac  Pauley,  Edward  Borland  and  Samuel 
Moore  on  Section  18;  Simon  Adamson  on  Section  19;  Jacob  Depue, 
Evan  Dallarhide,  David  Sears  and  John  Mathers  on  Section  20  ;  Robert 
D.  Alexander,  William  Davis,  John  W.  Nicholson,  William  Taylor, 
Michael  Keith  and  David  Findley  on  Section  21 ;  John  Boltinghouse, 
William  Patrick  and  William  Taylor  on  Section  22 ;  Solomon  Butcher, 
Banner  Brummet  and  James  Berryman  on  Section  27  ;  William  Taylor, 
James  Alexander,  William  Alverson,  John  Musser,  Robert  Sanderson, 
James  Brummet  and  Thomas  Abbott  on  Section  28 ;  William  Alverson, 
Carey  James,  David  Sears,  William  Henry,  James  Parsons  and  Charles 
Brookshire  on  Section  29 ;  Samuel  Rhorer,  Solomon  Green,  John  Smith 
and  Absalom  Cooper  on  Section  30 ;  John  Smith  on  Section  31  ;  Will- 
iam Ross  and  Alexander  Miller  on  Section  32 ;  George  Short  and  Moses 
Grantham  on  Section  33 ;  William  Chandler  on  Section  34.  These  were 
the  only  purchasers  in  1827,  and,  of  course,  include  all  the  squatters 
who  were  very  anxious  to  get  a  title  to  the  land  upon  which  they  had 
been  living  and  had  been  for  years  saving  money  for  that  purpose.  Sev- 
eral residents  of  Bloomington  and  other  portions  of  the  county  were 
among  the  buyers.  During  the  following  year,  1828,  the  entries,  though 
quite  numerous,  were  not  half  so  many  as  in  1827.  After  the  first  rush, 
the  sale  languished  and  fell  back  to  its  place  with  the  remainder  of  the 
county.  The  land  was  not  subject  to  entry  in  the  usual  way  at  the  land 
offices.    It  was  under  the  control  of  a  special  Commissioner  who  was  em- 


484  HISTORY    OF   MONROE   COUNTY. 

powered  to  negotiate  the  transfers.     James  Borland  was  for  a  period  of 
years  this  Commissioner. 

ORGANIZATION. 
Previous  to  1830,  the  township  remained  attached  to  Bloomington 
Township  for  election  and  judicial  purposes,  but  at  the  latter  date  it  was 
given  a  separate  organization  and  was  named  in  honor  of  Commodore 
Perry,  the  author  of  the  famous  message,  "  We  have  met  the  enemy  and 
they  are  ours,"  referring  to  his  victory  on  Lake  Erie.  Elections  were 
ordered  held  at  the  house  of  Benjamin  Kenton,  for  two  Justices  of  the 
Peace.  Mr.  Kenton  was  appointed  Inspector ;  Jesse  Davis  and  George 
A.  Ritter,  Overseers  of  the  Poor ;  Solomon  Butcher  and  Finney  Court- 
ney, Fence  Viewers.  The  first  election  was  held  on  the  26th  of  May, 
1830. 

THE   TAX    PAYERS    OF    1841. 

The  poll-tax  payers  of  the  township  in  1841  were  :  Elias  Abrams  ; 
Robert  D.Alexander,  who  owned  158  acres  on  Section  21,  and  paid  a  tax 
of  $12.48 ;  Samuel  Borufi",  on  Sections  4,  22,  27,  whose  tax  was 
$16.48  ;  Edward  Borland,  on  Sections  17  and  18,  paid  $30.73  ;  Solomon 
Butcher,  on  Sections  22  and  27,  paid  $17.01 ;  David  Briggs,  paid  $2.05  ; 
Alexander  Blakely,  on  Section  28,  paid  $7.27  ;  William  Blakely,  on 
Sections  21  and  28,  paid  $14.34  ;  John  M.  Bruster,  paid  $2.40  ;  John 
Berry,  paid  $6.67,  on  Section  14  ;  John  Blakely,  paid  $2.05.  Other 
poll-tax  payers  were  Mansfield  Bennett,  John  Ballenger,  William  Boruff, 
Able  Carter,  Absalom  Cooper,  John  Carlisle,  William  Crossfield,  John 
Cathcart,  William  Campbell,  William  Chandler,  Thomas  Carter,  Andrew 
Dillman,  Joseph  Davis,  Ira  Davar,  James  Dawden,  Bailey  East,  Charles 
Irvin,  John  Fullerton,  Andrew  Fullerton,  David  Finley,  Enoch  Green, 
Solomon  Green,  Thomas  Gorley,  Samuel  Gordon,  Reuben  Guy,  John 
Grimes,  Noah  Hammock,  John  Howard,  Thomas  Hemera,  Sampson 
Hemera,  Tilghman  Howard,  Samuel  Hall,  Robert  Hemphill,  Andrew 
Hemphill,  John  Hornbaker,  Joshua  Hoover,  Joseph  Hobson,  Robert 
Helms,  Robert  Hartness,  William  Harbison,  John  Hines,  Daniel  Isom- 
inger,  Michael  Keith,  Daniel  Ketchum,  Thomas  Kelsey,  Amos  Lock, 
Samuel  Little,  Isaac  Laughhead,  Solomon  Lucas,  David  May,  Ren 
Mitchell,  John  Mitchell,  I.  P.  Mathers,  John  Moffit,  Samuel  Mathers, 
Milton  McPhetridge,  William  McKissick,  Joseph  Mitchell,  Matthew  Mc- 
Phetridge,  John  Moore,  John  Mathers,  Benjamin  Mathers,  Ezra  Bering, 
Fleming  Parish,  David  Perry,  Samuel  Patton,  James  Riley,  Christopher 
Rhorer,  Samuel  Rhorer,  William  Rush,  Jacob  Rhorer,  James  Sutphin,  J. 
P.  Siscal,  James  Steel,  John  Small,  William  F.  Siscal,  Samuel  Snoddy, 
John  Shields.  David  W.  Shields,  Lewis  G.  Shryer,  Arthur  Sutphin, 
Stacey  Smith,  James  Sylvester,  William  D.  Snodgrass,  James  Sarvis, 
Joel  Thrasher,  John  Thompson,  Gilmore  Thompson,  Jacob  Tresler,  John 
Tate,  David  Wells,  William  Wylie,  Edmund  Waugh,  Solomon  Wagoner, 
John  Woodburn,  Robert  White  and  William  White.  The  highest  tax 
payers  were  Edward  Borland,  $30.73  ;  Hugh  Campbell,  $29.68 ;  John 
Ketchum,  $29.96  ;  John  Moffit,  $24.39  ;  Thomas  Carter,  $18.33  ;  Jesse 
Dever,  $17.90  ;  Thomas  Grimes,  $15  ;  Joshua  Hoover,  $16.85 ;  Benja- 
min Mathers,  $15.10  ;  Joseph  Mitchell,  $14.42  ;  James  Rogers,  $15.95  ; 
Samuel  Patton,  $13.90  ;  John  Smith,  $22.55  ;  Samuel  Wylie,  $21.50. 


PERRY  TOWNSHIP. 


485 


THE  TOWNSHIP    SCHOOLS. 

The  country  schools  of  Perry  have  been  as  a  rule  superior  to  the 
average  in  Monroe  County.  This  is  due,  in  a  large  measure,  to  the  in- 
telligence of  the  citizens,  and  to  the  presence  of  the  State  University  in 
the  northern  part.  The  question  of  education  was  brought  directly  to 
their  door  and  appealed  to  their  better  judgment.  Country  schools  were 
taught  in  the  twenties — one  in  the  vicinity  of  the  Pauleys'  and  one  in  the 
southwestern  corner.  Two  houses  were  built  in  the  thirties,  and  one  or 
two  more  in  the  forties.  By  1854  or  1855,  not  less  than  five  houses 
were  standing,  in  which  school  was  taught  regularly — one  on  Section  2, 
another  on  Section  14,  another  on  20,  another  on  27  and  another  on  29. 
If  reports  are  correct,  all  were  log  houses.  The  patrons  of  the  school  on 
Section  2  were  the  Heraphills,  Currys,  Harbisons,  Smiths,  Westbrooks 
et  al.  The  patrons  of  the  school  on  Section  20  were  the  Snodgrasses,  the 
Perings,  the  Carters,  the  Mathers,  the  Rhorers,  the  Hoovers,  the  Finleys, 
et  al.  The  Nichols,  Campbells,  Dillmans,  Rhorers,  Moffits,  Blakelys, 
Rosses,  Searses,  etc.,  sent  to  the  house  on  Section  29.  The  Moflfits,  the 
Adamses,  the  Fullertons,  the  Halls,  the  Butchers,  the  BorufFs,  the  Tates, 
the  Millers,  the  Lucases,  the  Siscos  and  others  sent  to  the  little  house 
on  Section  27.  The  Rogerses,  the  Houstons,  the  Snoddys,  the  Hemp- 
hills,  the  Ervins,  the  Servies,  the  Shieldses,  the  Moores,  etc.,  sent  to  the 
house  on  Section  14.  Since  the  decade  of  the  fifties  the  schools  of  Perry 
have  kept  pace  with  the  development  of  the  township  and  the  county. 
There  are  now  eight  houses,  and  more  of  them  are  brick  than  in  any 
other  township  of  the  county.  The  following  table  shows  the  teachers  of 
1880-81,  the  number  of  the  school  district,  the  enumeration  in  each  school 
(not  the  enumeration  in  each  district)  and  the  kind  of  houses  : 


TEACHERS  OF  1880-81. 


Kate  Phillips.... 
Emma  Baxter ... 

Morris  Cain 

John  Holsapple. 
John  L.  May  .... 
Ella  Vourner.... 

Lida  Pickel 

Josie  Woodward 


Number 

Number 

of 

of 

District. 

Pupila. 

1 

26 

2 

35 

3 

36 

4 

33 

5 

38 

6 

40 

7 

/   43 

8 

48 

Kind  and  Dimensions 
of  House. 


Brick,  20x26  feet. 
Brick,  20x26  feet. 
Brick,  20x26  feet. 

Brick,  22x28  feet. 
Brick,  22x28  feet. 

Brick,  24x30  feet. 


CHURCHES. 

The  Bethesda  congregation  of  Presbyterians  east  of  Bloomington  was 
organized  in  the  thirties,  among  the  earliest  members  being  the  families 
of  James  Faris,  David  Smith,  Thomas  Moore,  John  Gramble,  Robert 
Ewing,  Thomas  Smith,  Martin  Gamble,  Samuel  Curry  and  John  A. 
Russell.  One  acre  of  ground  was  purchased  in  Section  3,  Township  8 
north,  Range  1  west.  Another  early  class  was  composed  of  the  families 
of  Hugh  Campbell,  Andrew  Dillraan,  Joshua  Hoover  and  others.  Mr. 
Campbell  donated  land  in  Section  29,  for  the  church,  which  was  built 
soon  after  1855,  and  was  called  "  Christian  Union." 


486  HISTORY    OF  MONROE  COUNTY. 


BEAN  BLOSSOM  TOWNSHIP. 

SURFACE  FEATURES  AND  GEOLOGY. 

THE  chief  natural  characteristic  of  Bean  Blossom  Township  is  the 
rough,  precipitous  and  stony  appearance  of  the  country.  Out- 
croppings  of  fine  stone  are  seen  all  along  Bean  Blossom  Creek  and  in 
remote  portions  of  the  township.  The  stream  above  mentioned  enters  the 
township  from  the  east  side,  about  two  miles  from  the  southeast  corner, 
and  takes  a  northerly  course,  emptying  into  White  River,  which  forms  a 
portion  of  the  northwestern  boundary.  No  portion  of  Indiana  furnishes 
a  more  superior  quality  of  limestone.  The  stone  belongs  to  the  Warsaw 
division  of  the  Lower  St.  Louis  Group,  and  known  by  the  local  name  of 
American  marble.  It  is  light  gray  with  bluish  streaks,  and  is  susceptible 
of  a  high  polish.  Many  thousands  of  tons  of  this  and  other  varieties  of 
limestone,  noticeably  the  kind  so  rich  in  the  smaller  species  of  fossils, 
are  quarried  annually  and  shipped  to  all  portions  of  this  and  neighboring 
States.  Within  the  last  six  or  eight  years,  the  facilities  for  quarrying 
stone  have  been  wonderfully  improved,  so  that  now  blocks  of  enormous 
size  and  great  value  are  lifted  out,  sawed  by  steam  into  any  shape  and 
size,  and  loaded  with  the  greatest  ease  on  cars  for  transportation.  The 
•'American  marble"  is  used  extensively  for  local  monuments,  affording  a 
cheap,  durable  and  beautiful  means  of  marking  the  last  resting-place  of 
the  dead.  The  geological  section  at  Big  Creek  Quarry,  about  one  mile 
west  of  Stinesville,  where  the  best  marble  is  obtained,  is  as  follows : 

The  Lower  St.  Louis  Group  of  the  AVarsaw  Division  of  limestone,  light 
gray,  clouded  with  bluish  gray  streaks,  pleasing  to  the  eye  and  sus- 
ceptible of  a  high  polish.  It  is  excellently  suited  for  interior 
decorations  and  monumental  work  generally,  as  may  be  seen  at 
Stinesville.  This  is  a  valuable  bed  of  limestone  and  quite  acces- 
sible       4  feet. 

Lower  St.  Louis  Group  of  the  Warsaw  Division  of  limestone,  coarse 
grained,  light,  blue  color,  containing  the  following  fossils  :  Nautilus, 
Collectus,  Bellerophon,  Subleeuus,  Euomphalus  planispira,  E.  spur- 
groneusis,  Terebratula  bovideus,  T.  forniosa,  T.  sub  cuneata,  Rhyckon- 
ella  mutata  and  R.  grosoenari 2  feet. 

Limestone  of  the  same  group,  light  gray  color,  soft  and   easily  worked, 

hardens  on  exposure,  and  is  entirely  without  fossils  6  feet. 

Limestone,  same  group,  dark  gray  in  color,  very   hard  and  containing 

numerous  small  fossils,  highly  silicified 8  feet. 

Total 20  feet. 

The  section  at  the  quarry  half  a  mile  west  of  Stinesville,  is  as  follows  : 

Chert  and  argillaceous  layers 8  feet. 

Limestone  (Warsaw  Division  of  the  Lower  St.  Louis  Group),  light 
gray,  fine  grained,  easily  worked,  without  fossils,  bleaches  white 
and  hardens  on  exposure.  This  stone  is  regularly  bedded  and 
accessible 15  feet. 

Limestone,  same  group,  dark  gray,  coarse  grained  and  containing  fos- 
sils silicified 6  feet. 

Total 29  feet. 


BEAN  BLOSSOM  TOWNSHIP.  487 

The  section  at  the  quarry  adjoining  the  east  on  the  north,  is  as  follows  : 

Ferruginous  clay,  chert  and  argillaceous  layers 8  feet. 

Limestone  (Warsaw  Division  of  the  St.  Louis  Group),  dark  gray,  coarse 
grained,  hard,  water-worn,  containing  numerous  fossils  in  a  silici- 
fied  condition 4  feet. 

Limestone,  same  group,  light  gray,  fine-grained,  free  of  fossils  and  with- 
out partings  or  seams 30  feet. 

Limestone,  same  group,    dark  gray,  with  numerous    small    (Spurgeon 

Hill)  fossils 6  feet. 

Total 48  feet. 

The  formation  on  Section  31,  is  as  follows  : 

Arenaceous  soil 4  feet. 

Chestin  sandstone,  irregularly  bedded,  without  fossils  40  feet. 

Argillaceous  and  cherty  layers,  containing  Zaphreatis  spinulora,  Athy- 
ris  triuncle  a.  A.  lamelosa,  spines  and  plates  of  Archxcidaris  sp. ; 
Springopora  multaitenuata,  Lithostrotwn  mammillare  and  fragments 
of  L.  proliferum 10  feet. 

Limestone,  upper  St.  Louis  Group,  light  gray,  hard,  siliceous  and  reg- 
ularly bedded ., 40  feet. 

Total 94  feet. 

These  tables  illustrate  the  wealth  of  the  township  in  first-class  lime- 
stone. And  the  beauty  of  the  fact  lies  in  the  ease  with  which  the  stone  is 
worked. 

THE    SETTLEMENT. 

The  early  settlement  is  so  remote  that  it  is  difficult  to  get  at  with  any 
degree  of  reliability.  The  entries  of  land  were  early,  but  many  of  the 
heaviest  purchasers  were  speculators  who  did  not  expect  to  reside  in  the 
township,  but  afterward,  from  time  to  time,  sold  to  those  who  located  per- 
manently. John  Fullen  bought  all  of  Section  4,  as  soon  as  the  land  was 
thrown  into  market  in  1816.  Nathaniel  Gilbert,  who  became  a  resident 
soon  afterward,  bought  a  tract  in  1816,  on  Section  15.  He  was  one  of 
the  first  settlers  in  the  township,  if  not  the  first.  John  McCormick,  a 
speculator,  bought  tracts  on  several  sections,  in  1816,  and  during  a  few 
of  the  succeeding  years.  Hugh  Barnes,  another  very  early  resident  of  the 
township,  bought  on  Section  20,  in  1816,  and  Abner  Evans,  who  is  said 
by  several  old  settlers  to  have  been  the  first  permanent  settler  of  Bean 
Blossom  Township,  located  during  the  same  year  on  Section  21.  He 
built  a  saw-mill  on  Jack's  Defeat  Creek,  at  a  very  early  day — probably 
as  early  as  1819,  which  was  operated  by  him  for  a  number  of  years. 
Archibald  Wood,  who  did  not  live  in  the  township,  bought  several  tracts 
quite  early — several  in  1816.  Jonathan  Gilbert  bought  not  only  on 
Section  15,  in  1816,  but  on  Section  22  as  well.  He  was  a  prominent 
citizen  in  early  years.  C.  &  F.  Bullett  and  Fetters  &  Hughs,  speculators, 
bought  several  tracts  at  an  early  day.  Julius  Woodward  bought  on  Sec- 
tion -32,  as  early  as  1816,  and  William  Millikan  on  Section  34  during 
the  same  year.  Millikan  built  a  saw  mill  early,  which  he  operated  a 
series  of  years.  Traces  of  the  old  dam  are  yet  visible,  a  memento  of  the 
early  times.  William  Kelso  bought  on  Section  34  in  1816,  and  soon 
afterward  became  a  resident.  John  Bigger  bought  on  Section  35,  the 
same  year,  but  whether  he  became  a  resident  cannot  be  stated.  Jonathan 
Lindley  who  did  become  a  resident,  secured  a  piece  of  land  on  Section  35 
in  1816.     Phineas  Stevens  became  a  land-holder  on  the  same  section  the 


488  HISTORY  OF  MONROE  COUNTY. 

following  year.  Samuel  Jennings  also  bought  on  Section  36  in  1816. 
These  were  the  only  entries  of  1816.  In  1817,  Robert  Blair  bought 
land  on  Section  15 ;  F.  V.  Hall,  on  Section  17;  James  Bailey,  on  Sec- 
tion 23;  "William  Puett,  bought  on  Section  25;  Moses  Slaughter,  on  the 
same  section ;  Nathaniel  Clark,  on  Section  26,  and  John  Kays,  on  Sec- 
tion 36.  In  1818,  the  entries  were  as  follows :  Isaac  V.  Buskirk,  on 
Section  5;  William  Ray,  on  Section  26.  John  Burton  purchased  a 
piece  of  land  on  Section  9  in  1819,  He  became  one  of  the  most  promi- 
nent and  influential  citizens  of  the  township.  He  founded  the  town  of 
Mt.  Tabor,  established  the  first  grist  and  saw  mill  there,  and  was  actively 
engaged  in  the  early  history  of  the  village.  More  of  this  will  be  found 
further  on  in  this  chapter.  There  does  not  seem  to  have  been  a  single 
tract  purchased  in  the  township  in  1820.  In  1821,  the  following  en- 
tries were  made:  William  Burton  on  Section  2 ;  Francis  Evans  on  the 
same  section  ;  Anthony  Reese  on  Section  18  ;  John  Moore  on  Section  30. 
Reuben  Loving  bought  on  Section  2  in  1824  ;  Simon  Lindley  on  the  same 
section  the  same  year.  John  Lemon  bought  on  Section  3  the  same  year. 
John  Burton  secured  an  additional  tract  on  Section  11,  in  1824,  and 
William  Burton  increased  his  farm  by  a  purchase  on  Section  2,  in  1822. 
Charles  Devore  settled  on  Section  17  in  182-3.  L.  L,  Waldron  bought  a 
tract  on  Section  19  in  1825,  and  has  since  been  a  resident  of  the  town- 
ship. William  Puett  bought  on  Section  19  in  1827,  and  John  Summit 
on  the  same  section  in  1828.  Nicholas  Whisenand  and  Solomon 
Teague  bought  on  Sections  20  and  21,  respectively,  in  1827,  and  Henry 
Ritzel  on  Section  21  in  1826.  Alexander  Wilson  bought  on  Section  27 
the  latter  year.  W.  0.  Stansberry  purchased  a  tract  on  Section  29  in 
1824,  and  George  Sharp  and  Armstead  Puett  on  Section  30  the  same 
year.  In  1823,  Henry  Hopewell  bought  on  Section  33,  and  in  1826 
Martin  Wampler  on  Section  36.  David  Bight  bought  on  Section  32 
in  1829  ;  Joseph  Wampler  on  Section  30,  in  1826 ;  Gilbert  Lytton  on 
Section  28,  in  1828  ;  Samuel  Hartsock,  who  is  said  by  some  to  have  been 
the  first  settler  in  the  township,  on  Section  16,  in  1830.  John  L.  Ash- 
baugh,  another  very  early  settler  and  prominent  man,  on  Section  16,  in 
1831  ;  John  Blain  on  Section  16  in  1830;  Henry  Wallace  on  Section  9,  in 
1829;  Richard  Shirley  on  Section  6,  in  1829;  Peter  Abel  on  Section  3, 
in  1826  ;  Benjamin  Utterback  on  Section  2,  in  1829;  Andrew  Robinson 
on  Section  1,  in  1826,  and  John  Barton  on  the  same  section  in  1828. 
These  were  the  only  entries  prior  to  1830.  The  names  of  all  the  early 
residents,  however,  have  not  been  given. 

ANECDOTES. 

Old  Daniel  McHolland,  who  settled  in  the  vicinity  of  Ketchum's 
Mills,  in  Clear  Creek  Township,  in  the  year  1815,  and  who  was  probably 
the  first  white  man  to  bring  his  wife  and  family  to  the  county  of  Monroe, 
became  a  resident  of  Bean  Blossom  Township  at  an  early  day.  He  was 
a  jovial  old  fiddler  of  exceptional  backwoods  skill,  and  officiated  in  the 
capacity  of  orchestra  at  many  an  early  dance  in  the  township.  His 
musical  proclivity  was  too  preponderant  for  financial  success.  He  owned 
no  land  and  was  content  with  enough  to  eat  and  wear  so  long  as  his  fiddle 
could  be  played  upon.     He  passed  away  with   the  old  times.     At  the 


BEAN  BLOSSOM  TOWNSHIP.  48^ 

early  settlement  of  the  township,  bears  were  quite  numerous  and  several 
were  killed.  Thomas  Allen  killed  several,  and  was  a  famous  hunter  of 
deer.  A  man  named  Wrightsill  killed  a  bear  in  1829  or  1830  south- 
east of  Stinesville.  He  was  hunting  in  the  woods  with  his  dogs  and  suc- 
ceeded in  treeing  the  bear  in  a  large  sycamore.  He  was  a  good  shot, 
and  brought  it  down  at  the  first  fire.  The  ground  was  so  soft  under  the 
tree  that  the  falling  animal  made  a  deep  indentation  which  remained  there 
for  a  year  or  more.  The  marks  of  the  bear's  claws  on  the  bark  of  the 
tree  could  be  seen  there  for  several  years.  Thomas  Wilson  was  another 
skillful  bear  hunter.  At  an  early  day,  he  went  up  to  the  vicinity  of 
Baker  Township,  Morgan  County,  where  he  encamped  in  the  hollow 
trunk  of  an  enormous  sycamore  tree  which  was  yet  standing,  and  re- 
mained there  for  a  week  or  more,  traversing  the  surrounding  country  for 
bears.  He  killed  four  or  five,  it  is  said,  some  under  rather  thrilling  cir- 
cumstances, besides  numerous  deer.  David  Bllett  killed  bears  in  Bean 
Blossom  Township,  it  is  said.  Coleman  Puett  shot  one  near  the  south- 
east corner  of  the  township  during  the  twenties.  Jerry  Devore  crippled 
one  west  of  Stinesville  in  later  years,  but  the  animal  succeeded  in  elud- 
ing all  pursuit.  Old  man  McHolland  was  an  experienced  trapper  and 
deer  hunter.  He  killed  many  of  the  latter  animals  in  the  township. 
The  hides  were  worth  from  25  cents  to  $1  each,  and  were  largely 
used  for  "  breeches  "  by  the  earliest  settlers.  When  the  weather  was 
fair,  they  were  good  enough,  but  in  rainy  or  foul  weather  they  took 
water  like  a  blanket,  and  when  dried  were  stiif  enough  to  stand  alone. 
Then  it  was  laughable  to  see  the  old  settlers  draw  them  on.  The  "  sad- 
dles "  of  the  deer  were  worth  about  the  same  as  the  hides.  The  venison 
was  dry  and  required  lard  in  which  to  be  cooked  before  being  palatable. 
The  old  settlers  much  preferred  fat  and  lean  pork,  combined,  to  any  other 
meat  that  they  could  get.  The  Baileys  and  the  Turners  and  others  were 
skillful  deer  hunters.  It  is  said  that  one  of  the  Baileys  once  had  a  fight 
with  a  wounded  deer,  and  had  the  clothing  nearly  all  torn  from  his  body, 
besides  receiving  numerous  bruises  from  the  sharp  hoofs  and  antlers 
before  he  vanquished  the  enraged  animal. 

POLL-TAX    PAYERS    OF    1841. 

Ephraim  Abel,  John  Ashbaugh,  John  Allen,  John  Adams,  William 
Abel,  Elisha  Allen,  Jacob  Ashbaugh,  Peter  Abel,  Joseph  Ashbaugh, 
William  Brady,  J.  V.  Buskirk,  John  Blain,  Frederick  Burris,  Jeremiah 
Briscoe,  John  Burton,  H.  W.  Burton,  Henry  Berry,  Jesse  Burton,  B.  R. 
Byers,  Solomon  Berry,  Zachariah  Catteran,  Andrew  Cosner,  Valentine 
Cline,  John  S.  Constable,  John  Childers,  Joseph  Campbell,  G.  W.  Cham- 
bers, J.  M.  Campbell,  John  Cooter,  Israel  Clutter,  Luther  Coffee,  Elisha 
Chambers,  John  Cox,  Robert  Camden,  Jacob  Duncan,  Henry  Devore, 
John  Davis,  Squire  Ellett,  D.  W.  EUett,  Tanner,  Moses  Fare,  P.  S. 
Tanner,  W.  F.  Farley,  James  Gentry,  Lemuel  Gentry,  Henry  Gross, 
Joseph  Houston,  Benjamin  Houston,  Lawson  Hewett,  P.  Houston,  Lewis 
W.  Hayes,  James  Hughes,  Felix  G.  Hite,  Nelson  Johnson,  Samuel 
Jemison,  Joshua  Jones,  Joseph  James,  John  Johnson,  Jacob  Keizer, 
James  Lewis,  William  Langwell,  Abraham  Lemmons,  S.  Landy,  Law- 
rence Lytton,  Bartlett  Laman,  Joel  Lytton,  James  Lee,  Charles  May,  G. 


490  HISTORY  OF   MONROE   COUNTY. 

S.  Mayfield,  John  Moore,  John  McHenry,  Harrison  Moore,  William 
Neice,  Calvin  Percival,  Benjamin  Putnam,  William  Puett,  Hines  Paul, 
Jesse  Runnells,  W.  B.  Robertson,  John  Rocket,  A.  Shelburn,  Willis 
Smith,  Noah  Stine,  Daniel  Summit,  Henry  Stine,  John  South,  David 
Stephens,  Christopher  Shover,  Johnson  Stites,  Andrew  Stine,  Peter 
Stine,  Henry  H.  Stine,  Paul  Stine,  Eusepheus  Stine,  Daniel  Stine,  David 
Shook,  Hubbard  Sharp,  John  Summit,  Richard  Shirley,  L.  Shirley, 
James  Turner,  Brinkley  Turner,  Henry  Wilson,  James  W.  Warren,  Eli 
Warren,  Austin  Ward,  Thomas  Wilson*  Lewis  Waldron,  Gideon  Walker, 
Joseph  Wampler,  Hezekiah  Wampler,  Hugh  Warren,  Martin  Wampler, 
Emanuel  Yates,  Thomas  Vint,  Robert  Vint  and  Lewis  Zink.  The  high- 
est tax  payers  were  the  following:  John  Ashbaugh,  $8.10;  John  Allen, 
$22.40;  Peter  Able,  $13.27;  William  Brady,  $10.30;  James  V.  Bus- 
kirk,  $18  ;  Fred  Burris,  $8.51 ;  Isaac  Buskirk,  $15.95 ;  John  S.  Barnes, 
$20.07;  Henry  Burton,  $12.06 ;  George  Bowman,  $8.36  ;  Jesse  Bur- 
ton, $14.15;  B.  R.  Byers,  $16.90  ;  F.  T.  Butler,  $8.80;  John  Burton, 
$17.98;  Lawrence  Cooter,  $11.40:  Reuben  CoiFee,  $16.50;  Elisha 
Chambers,  $7.55;  John  Davis,  $19.10;  Squire  Ellett,  $7.27;  Moses 
Fare,  $26.14;  P.  S.  Tanner,  $13.07  ;  Peter  Goss,  $8.12  ;  William  Hite, 
$14.79;  F.  G.  Hite,  $7.22;  Lavina  James,  $7.70;  Lawrence  Lytton, 
$8.65;  Bartlett  Laman,  $7.27;  John  Moore,  $11.40  ;  John  McHenry, 
$10.30;  William  Neice,  $8.65;  William  Puett,  $14.70;  Jessie  Run- 
nells, $11.67;  John  Rocket,  $10.85;  Arynotte  Shelburn,  $7.96;  Daniel 
Summit,  $7.70;  Christian  Summit,  $10.82;  Christopher  Shover,  $7.41; 
Johnson  Stites,  $13.70;  Henry  Stine,  $23.65;  Hubbard  Sharp,  $13.05; 
John  Summit,  $9.53  ;  Richard  Shirley,  $8.10;  Thomas  Wilson,  $25.15  ; 
Lewis  Waldron,  $14.15;  Gideon  Walker,  $16.61;  Joseph  Wampler, 
$10.75;  Hezekiah  Wampler,  $34.36 ;  Martin  Wampler,  $9.10  ;  Joshua 
Vint,  $11.  The  total  number  of  polls  was  148 ;  acres  of  land,  13,617  ; 
value  of  goods  and  improvements,  $101,605 ;  value  of  lots  and  improve- 
ments, $2,883 ;  aggregate  value  of  taxable  property,  $49,515 ;  total 
amount  of  taxables,  $154,003;  State  tax,  $727.32;  county  tax,  $343.97; 
total  tax,  $1,071.29. 

MT.    TABOR. 

The  most  important  feature  of  Bean  Blossom  Township  in  early  years 
was  the  village  of  Mt.  Tabor.  There  was  a  time  in  the  history  of  this 
village  when  it  was  the  leading  commercial  center  of  Monroe  County,  as 
far  as  grain  and  live  stock  were  concerned.  The  town  was  the  important 
place  before  any  town  was  there,  if  that  is  not  an  ambiguous  statement. 
As  early  as  1820,  John  Burton  erected  a  saw  mill  there  on  a  dam  which 
he  constructed,  and  about  the  same  time,  or  perhaps  a  little  later,  he  also 
began  grinding  corn  and  wheat,  though  the  bolting  of  the  latter  was  done 
by  hand.  These  continued  to  operate  with  a  wide  and  useful  patronage 
for  several  years  before  any  other  buildings  were  erected.  It  is  said  that 
about  1825,  James  Turner  and  Jefferson  Wampler  established  blacksmith 
shops  there,  though  probably  not  at  the  same  time.  William  Ellett 
opened  the  first  salesroom  there  as  early  as  1828,  in  the  shape  of  what 
later  generations  would  demoninate  "a  saloon."  He  sold  whisky  and 
other  kinds  of  liquor,  and  within  a  year  began  to  sell  from  a  small  stock 
of  groceries.      He  remained  but  a  few  years. 


BEAN  BLOSSOM   TOWNSHIP.  491 

In  April,  1828,  the  village  was  properly  laid  out  and  recorded  at  the 
county  seat.  W.  D.  McCullough  was  the  surveyor.  Sixty-six  lots  were 
laid  out  on  the  north  side  of  the  creek,  and  the  old  plat  shows  the  bridge, 
the  saw-mill  and  the  grist-mill. 

In  1829,  James  Gilbert  began  selling  liquor  there,  as  did  Andrew 
Warapler.  It  is  likely  that  these  men  were  not  there  at  the  same  time. 
The  first  store  of  any  consequence  was  opened  by  Parks  &  Hite  in  1829, 
or  perhaps  1830,  and  during  the  latter  year  Hezekiah  k  David  Wampler 
opened  a  combinsd  liquor  establishment  and  grocery.  Saloons  at  that 
day  were  called  groceries,  and  usually  comprised  groceries  as  we  know 
them  and  liquors  which  were  classed  as  '•  wet  groceries."  The  name 
saloon  was  never  applied  to  such  houses.  About  this  time  William  Ellett 
also  sold  a  small  amount  of  merchandise.  In  1831,  Ellett  &  Kirkham 
were  engaged  in  the  grocery  business  together.  In  1832,  Hezekiah 
Wampler  brought  on  a  stock  of  general  merchandise,  which  he  continued 
to  increase  as  the  years  passed,  until  he  had  the  largest  stock,  it  is  said, 
in  the  village.  John  S.  Barnes  started  a  store  in  1834,  and  Gideon 
Walker  a  grocery  the  same  year.  Parks  &  Hite  were  yet  in  business  with 
a  large  stock  and  an  increasing  trade.  The  Wamplers  were  similarly 
situated.  John  Bennett  began  to  sell  goods  in  1835.  J.  K.  Hemp- 
hill was  also  in  business  in  the  town  about  this  time.  After  this 
came  Wampler,  Shelburn  &  Dunning,  in  1836 ;  Ellett  &  Barnes, 
1837;  William  Hite,  1839;  James  Whitesill,  1841;  Felix  G.  Hite, 
1841;  A.  W.  Hill,  1843;  W.  J.  Sparks,  1845;  Sparks  &  Davis, 
1847  (the  Wamplers,  Sparks,  Whitesill.  Hill,  et  al.,  were  yet  in 
business) ;  George  L.  and  Milton  Brown,  1848  ;  William  Houston,  1848  ; 
John  C.  Mays,  1849 ;  Parks  &  Egbert,  1849  ;  Sparks  &  Davis,  1849, 
and  others  later  and  on,  until  about  the  time  of  the  last  war,  when  Levi 
Kean  kept  store,  the  last  one  in  the  village.  William  Chambers  was  an 
early  wheelwright.  The  Posey  Brothers  made  quite  a  number  of  hats 
from  lambs'  wool,  which  were  bought  in  the  surrounding  country. 

In  about  1828  or  1829,  Samuel  Hartsock  bought  the  old  Burton  saw 
mill  and  grist  mill,  and  rebuilt  both  on  a  much  larger  and  better  scale. 
He  also  greatly  improved  the  old  dam,  until  an  excellent  water-power 
was  obtained.  Within  a  year  or  two,  he  sold  out  to  Parks,  Shelburn  & 
Hite,  and  in  1831  Gideon  Walker  bought  a  half  interest.  Other  changes 
were  afterward  made.  The  old  grist  mill  had  a  very  large  local  trade, 
and  in  addition  shipped  by  boat  to  the  Southern  markets  large  quantities 
of  good  flour.  In  the  thirties,  and  during  about  all  of  the  forties,  large 
quantities  of  produce  were  sent  South  by  Nathan  Hill,  Parks  &  Egbert, 
Wampler  &  Co.,  W,  J,  Sparks  and  others.  As  high  as  5,000  hogs  were 
slaughtered  there  in  one  season,  and  shipped  down  the  river.  In  the 
spring  of  the  year,  White  River  rose  so  high  that  back  water  on  Bean 
Blossom  Creek  rose  in  the  town  of  Mt.  Tabor  to  a  suflScient  depth  to 
float  boats.  It  is  said  that  when  a  freshet  would  occur,  a  flat-boat  would 
be  constructed  hurriedly,  loaded  with  pork,  flour,  corn  and  wheat,  and 
sent  down  the  stream.  There  was  but  little,  if  any,  current  in  the  creek, 
so  that  the  boats  were  poled  down  to  the  river  current,  after  which  the 
hand  labor  was  over  until  the  destination  was  reached.  As  high  as  fif- 
teen boat  loads  were  sent  from  Mt.  Tabor  in  one  season ;  and  the  season, 

31 


492  HISTORY  OF  MONROE  COUNTY. 

be  it  remembered,  was  only  during  the  flood  of  the  springs.  Dr.  W.  S. 
Walker  said  he  went  nine  times  to  New  Orleans  with  flat-boats,  and 
Matthias  Berry  went  thirteen  times.  Late  in  the  forties,  it  is  said,  Mr. 
Hill  introduced  steam  into  his  pork  packing  house,  to  scald  the  slaugh- 
tered swine  and  operate  the  machinery  for  hoisting.  The  trade  of  Mt. 
Tabor  extended  far  beyond  Bloomington.  It  is  said  that  Hezekiah 
Wampler  shipped  the  first  boat  load  of  pork,  grain  and  provisions  down 
the  river  about  1836.  Noah  Stine  owned  and  conducted  a  large  cooper 
shop,  where  scores  of  barrels  were  made  for  the  pork  packers  and  the 
grist  mill.  Mr.  Turner  was  an  experienced  gunsmith,  and  had  a  big 
shop.  Mr.  Chambers  manufactured  all  kinds  of  spinning  wheels  and 
reels.  Amsden,  Hatterbaugh  &  Coffin  manufactured  wheat  fans  for  a 
few  years,  beginning  about  1836.  They  employed  as  high  as  twenty-five 
men,  and  kept  four  peddlers,  with  wagons,  on  the  road  all  the  time ;  this 
was  a  very  large  and  important  business.  David  Wampler  conducted  an 
extensive  tannery.  The  well-known  Judge  Eckles  was  married  in  Mt. 
Tabor.  Of  course  the  citizens  gave  him  an  old-fashioned  charivari.  A 
number  of  tin  pans  and  bells  were  fastened  to  the  machinery  in  the  old 
saw  mill ;  the  water  was  then  turned  on,  and  the  Judge  to  be  was  chari- 
varied  by  machinery.  The  Judge  will  furnish  further  details  upon  re- 
quest. The  village  was  at  its  best  from  1 835  to  1852,  and  probably  did 
the  largest  business  early  in  the  forties.  Its  highest  population  was  about 
350.  William  Hite  was  the  first  Postmaster.  Nathan  Hill  and  F.  G. 
Hite  succeeded  him.  Among  the  earliest  residents  were  John  Burton, 
Samuel  Hartsock,  William  Hite,  F.  G.  Hite,  Hezekiah  Wampler,  David 
Wampler,  John  Cox,  David  Keizer,  Widow  Godsey,  William  Ellett.  A 
man  named  Moody  conducted  a  tailor  shop  there  in  about  1832  ;  Edward 
Ellett  succeeded  him,  and  G.  W.  Boyd  succeeded  Ellett.  There  has 
been  nothing  on  the  site  of  the  old  village  for  several  years,  except  the 
old  mills  and  a  residence  or  two.  The  busy  business  houses,  the  thronged 
streets  and  the  buildings  have  disappeared.  In  looking  at  the  site  of  the 
old  village,  one  is  reminded  of  the  lines  of  Goldsmith : 

'*  Sweet  smiling  village,  loveliest  of  the  lawn, 
Thy  sports  are  fled,  and  all  thy  charms  withdrawn. 
Amidst  thy  bowers  the  tyrant's  hand  is  seen, 
And  desolation  saddens  all  thy  green." 

STINESVILLE. 

This  village  owes  its  origin  to  the  New  Albany  Railroad.  It  was  laid 
out  by  Eusebius  Stine,  owner,  and  John  J.  Poynter,  surveyor,  in  1855, 
on  the  southeast  quarter  of  Section  17,  and  consisted  of  114  lots,  15  of 
which  were  on  the  west  side  of  the  railroad.  The  village  began  to  grow 
slowly,  but  received  quite  an  impetus  when  the  Virginia  Company  began 
quarrying  American  marble  west  on  Big  Creek.  Samuel  Briscoe  prob- 
ably started  the  first  store.  John  Mc Henry  &  Son  came  with  goods 
within  a  few  years.  James  Williams  sold  goods  for  a  short  time.  Mr. 
Matheny  was  probably  next,  and  James  Shell  next.  Thomas  Riggs  was 
in  soon  afterward.  C.  C.  Dunn  came  in  a  few  years  ago  and  is  there 
now.  David  Miller  opened  a  store  four  or  five  years  ago,  and  is  yet  in 
business.  The  first  hotel  was  opened  by  William  Easton,  who  has  re- 
mained with  it  since.  Dr.  Mullinix  was  probably  the  first  physician.  Drs. 


BEAN  BLOSSOM  TOWNSHIP.  493 

Allen  and  Greer  are  practicing  at  present.  John  McHenry  was  the 
first  Postmaster.  James  Greer  is  the  present  agent  of  Brother  Jonathan. 
The  owner  of  the  town  was  probably  the  first  blacksmith.  John  Easton 
was  the  first  shoe-maker.  Frank  Ashbaugh  has  been  the  shoe-maker  for 
about  twenty  years.  Eusebius  Stine  built  the  first  saw  mill  at  the  vil- 
lage. He  also  built  a  small  grist  mill.  These  buildings  were  erected 
long  before  the  town  started  into  being.  Among  the  early  residents  of 
Stinesville  were  Eusebius  Stine,  after  whom  the  village  was  named,  Sam- 
uel Brisco,  Thomas  Wilson,  Charles  Miller,  Frank  Ashbaugh,  Mr.  Math- 
eny,  Jackson  Hite,  William  Easton,  George  Pugh  and  their  families,  and 
others.  The  great  feature  of  the  village  during  the  past  five  or  six 
years  is  the  limestone  interest.  Two  or  three  companies  from 
Terre  Haute,  and  one  or  two  from  other  cities,  are  quarrying  and  sawing 
and  shipping  large  quantities  of  excellent  limestone. 


The  first  school,  it  is  said,  was  taught  in  the  Putnam  neighborhood, 
about  the  year  1828,  by  a  Mr.  Taylor.  The  house  was  a  residence  of 
logs,  that  had  been  vacated,  and  was  then  used  for  several  years  for 
school  purposes.  A  school  was  started  about  the  same  time  in  the  north- 
ern part  near  the  Buskirks.  By  183G,  there  were  four  established  schools 
in  the  township — one  east  of  Mount  Tabor,  one  west  of  Mount  Tabor, 
one  a  mile  and  a  half  south  of  Stinesville,  and  the  fourth  about  three 
miles  southeast  of  Stinesville.  Of  course  the  four  houses  were  of  logs. 
In  1846,  the  number  of  districts  had  been  increased  to  five  or  six.  In 
1856,  schoolhouses  were  standing  on  Sections  2,  12,  just  south  of 
Mount  Tabor,  7,  two  houses  on  Section  29,  and  23.  Since  that  day,  the 
schools  have  been  greatly  improved.  Mount  Tabor  had  no  schoolhouse 
but  sent  to  the  country  houses.  The  building  about  a  quarter  of  a  mile 
south  was  the  principal  one,  and  this  was  at  first  used  also  by  the  chil- 
dren of  Stinesville.  Twelve  or  fifteen  years  ago,  a  schoolhouse  was  built 
in  the  latter  town.  About  five  years  ago,  the  building  was  burned  and 
another,  which  is  yet  used,  was  erected  the  same  year.  Three  famous 
teachers  during  the  decade  of  thirties  were  Eusebius,  Euraneus  and 
Ambrose  Hinkle,  brothers,  sons  of  a  wealthy  slave-holder  of  Tennessee, 
and  young  men  of  fine  manners,  finished  education  and  among  the  most 
perfect  disciplinarians  ever  in  charge  of  schools  in  the  township.  Euse- 
bius, the  elder,  was  a  Lutheran  minister,  and  often  preached  in  German 
to  members  of  his  church  who  could  not  understand  English  very  well. 
The  morning  sermon  was  in  German,  and  the  evening  sermon  in  En- 
glish. The  brothers  were  single  men,  though  the  elder  married  one  of 
the  fair  daughters  of  the  township.  These  brothers  were  in  such  demand 
to  take  charge  of  the  schools  that  comparatively  large  amounts  were 
raised  by  subscription  in  addition  to  the  stinted  amount  furnished  by  the 
school  fund,  to  pay  them  for  their  services.  They  introduced  grammar. 
United  States  History  and  algebra  into  their  schools,  and  created  an 
interest  in  improved  and  advanced  education  that  had  a  marked  benefi- 
cial efi"ect  upon  all  the  surrounding  schools.  Clinton  C.  Owens  was 
another  early  teacher  of  pronounced  success.  He  was  finely  educated 
and  his  discipline  was  the  pride  of  the  district  where  he  taught.     At  no 


494 


HISTORY  OF  MONROE  COUNTY. 


time  since  has  the  township  had  better  schools  than  under  Owens  and  Hin- 
kles.  The  township  schools  in  1880-81,  with  the  teachers,  etc.,  were 
as  follows: 


TEACHERS  IN  1880-81. 


Eva  Hall 

Emma  Kocke 

Lizzie  Owens 

William  Hoadlcy 
Hosea  Gaskins... 
Sarah  Williams.. 

James  Morgan 

S.  D.  Coon 

Jane  Stealey 


Number  of 

School 

District 

Enrollment. 

1 

38 

'I 

23 

3 

48 

4 

38 

•5 

35 

6 

40 

7 

60 

8 

40 

9 

24 

Kind  and  Size  of 
Schoolhouses. 


Frame, 
Frame, 
Frame, 
Frame, 
Frame, 
Frame, 
Frame, 
Frame, 
Frame. 


18x22  feet. 
18x22  feet. 
22x28  feet. 
22x30  feet. 
20x24  feet. 
20x24  feet. 
22x30  feet. 
20x22  feet. 
20x26  feet. 


CHURCHES. 
A  class  of  Methodists  was  organized  at  the  Putman  Schoolhouse 
about  1832,  and  continued  to  meet  there  for  worship  for  many  years. 
Among  the  earliest  members  were  the  families  of  Henry  Putnam, 
James  Houston,  Stephen  Lundy,  Joseph  Houston,  David  W.  Elliott, 
Peter  Abel,  Joshua  Jones,  B.  B.  Rogers  and  Barnard  Arnold  and 
others.  A  church  was  finally  erected  in  the  northern  part  of  the  town- 
ship early  in  the  fifties.  The  old  Baptist  Church  called  "  Jack's  Defeat  " 
was  organized  about  the  year  1840,  among  the  earliest  members  being 
the  Davores,  the  Lyttons,  the  Wilsons  and  others.  Their  church,  called 
Mt.  Carrael,  was  erected  late  in  the  forties  or  early  in  the  fifties.  After 
Stinesville  started  up,  the  old  log  church  was  abandoned,  and  the  Bap- 
tists, Methodists,  Christians,  and  Lutherans  living  in  the  vicinity  united 
means  and  built  a  "  box  "  church  in  the  village,  which  was  used  con- 
tinuously until  the  present,  when  a  new  house  is  being  erected  (1883-84) 
by  the  Baptists.  The  Methodists  will  retain  the  old  church.  The  new 
church  will  cost  about  $800  when  finished.  The  Lutherans  organized 
a  class  about  1845  or  earlier,  and  soon  built  a  church  south  of  Stines- 
ville. Among  the  leading  families  belonging  were  the  Stines,  the  Sum- 
mits and  other.  Henry  Stine,  Sr.,  was  for  many  years  the  Elder.  Other 
churches  have  been  established  in  later  years. 


RICHLAND  TOWNSHIP. 


THE    EARTH    STRUCTURE. 

THIS  section  of  the  county  possesses  many  interesting  features,  not  only 
from  its  natural  attractions,  but  from  the  fact  that  it  was  settled  at  a 
very  early  day  and  grew  to  worth  and  prominence  while  other  portions 
were  yet  comparatively  uninhabited.  Of  course  the  township  has  the 
usual  characteristics  of  exterior  and  interior  that  belong  to  Monroe  County 
as  a  whole.     There  are  the  argillaceous   bluffs,  with  their  soil  of  semi- 


RICHLAND  TOWNSHIP.  495 

Sterility ;  there  are  the  lower  lands,  where  the  agriculturist  usually  reaps 
his  best,  if  not  only,  valuable  return ;  there  are  the  timber  tracts,  which  have 
been  largely  denuded  of  their  best  woods ;  and  there  is  that  broken,  cut-up 
appearance  so  common  to  the  southern  part  of  the  Hoosier  State.  The 
lower  lands  are  usually  of  a  rich  combined  soil  of  sand,  lime,  clay  and 
alluvium,  the  latter  often  predominating  and  affording  a  mellow,  fertile 
tract  of  the  greatest  value,  and  one  greatly  sought  after  by  those  who  un- 
derstand the  requirements  of  good  crops.  An  abundance  of  excellent 
limestone  is  found  near  the  surface,  and  is  being  worked  by  numerous 
companies.  The  section  at  the  quarry,  one  and  a  half  miles  north  of 
Ellettsville,  is  as  follows  : 

Feet. 

Clayey  soil 4 

Limestone  ( Warsaw  Division  Lower  St  Louis  Group)  dark  gray,  shaly 

and  siliciouSjContaininii;  the  following  fossilo:  Nautilus  collectus, 

Bellerophon   sublpeois,    Orthocerai    Sp.,  Pieurotomaria  wortheni. 

Terebratula  furmosa,  T.    tergida,  Pentremiti.H    conoideus   aud    F. 

varsonviensis 8 

Limestone,  same    group,  light  giay,  fine-grained  Ooliiic,  containing 

fossils  of  tlie  Spurgeon  Hill  varieties 2 

Limestone,  same  group,  light  gray.  Oolitic,  free  from  fossils,  with  a 

vein  of  iSlylolites   (called  '-toe-nails"  by  quarrymen)  running 

through  it  horizontally 16 

Limestone,  same   group,  dark   blue.  Oolitic,  remarkably   free  fiom 

fossils,  and  susceptible  of  a  good  polish 8 

Total 48 

At  the  Matthews  Quarry,  one  mile  north  of  Ellettsville,  the  section  is 
as  follows : 

Feet. 

Ferruginou.^  cUy  soil 5 

Limestone  (Warsaw  Division   St.  Louis  Group),  light  gray,  Oolitic, 

coarse-grained  and  fossiliferous G 

Limestone,  same  group,  light  gray,  tine-grained,  regularly  bedded 

Oolitic,  without  fossils 16 

Total 27 

In  Sharp's  Quarry,  near  there,  the  section  is  as  follows : 

Feet. 

Ferruginous  clay  soil 5 

Limestone,  same  group,  rough,  shaly  and  usuch  water  worn,  Oolitic, 

with  many  fossils  of  the  Spurgeon  Hill  species 10 

Limestone,  same   group,  light    gray,  fine   grained.  Oolitic,  without 

fossils r 20 

Total 35 

The  section  two  and  a  half  miles  west  of  Ellettsville,  on  Section  8,  is 
as  follows : 

Feet. 

Arenaceous  soil 4 

Chester  sandstone,  unfos-iliferous 30 

Argillaceous  and  cherty  layers,  containing  water-worn   fossils  in  a 

fragmentary  condition 10 

Limestone  (Upper  St.  Louis  Group),  light  gray,  hard  and  silicious, 

resembling  the  lithographic  limestoue  of  Harrison  County. ...   40 

Total 84 

The  State  Geologist  says  :    "  The  Oolitic  limestones  of  Monroe  County, 
by  reason  of  accessibility  and  other  valuable  considerations,  are  of  vast 


496  HISTORY  OF  MONROE  COUNTY. 

importance  to  the  material  prosperity  and  progress  of  the  State  of  Indi- 
ana."    He  gives  the  general  geological  section  of  the  county  as  follows : 

Feet. 

Chester  eandstone  and  iron  ore  deposits 65 

Upper  St.  Louis  limestone  and  cherty  layers 35 

Lower  St.  LouIh  limt  stone,  Warsaw  Division 45 

Keokuk  limestone,  buft"  colored 7 

Keokuk  limestone,  light  or  bluish  gray 23 

Knob  sandstone 70 

Knob  shale,  blue  and  buflF  colored 130 

Total 875 

THE    EARLY    SETTLEMENT. 

A  very  large  portion  of  this  township,  comparatively,  was  entered  in 
1816,  as  soon  as  the  land  was  thrown  into  market,  and  this  circumstance 
reveals  the  fact  that  not  only  was  the  first  settlement  before  that  time,  but 
it  was  very  rapid  when  thus  begun.  In  1816,  the  following  entries  of 
land  were  made  at  the  land  office  at  Vincennes :  John  Ketchum,  on 
Section  1;  Jonathan  Lindley,  Roderick  Rawlins,  Joseph  Evans  and  Asa 
Osborn,  on  Sections  2  and  3 ;  Lewis  Noel,  on  Section  4 ;  .Jonathan  Gil- 
bert, on  Section  8 ;  George  Cutler  and  George  Sharp,  on  Section  9 ; 
James  Parks,  on  Section  10,  also  James  Wright  on  the  same;  Archibald 
Wood  and  James  Goodwin,  on  Section  11;  Samuel  Caldwell,  on  Section 
13  ;  John  Bigger,  James  Parks  and  Samuel  Elliot,  on  Section  14 ;  Am- 
brose Carlton,  on  Seccion  15 ;  Archibald  Wood  and  Samuel  Caldwell,  on 
Section  17  ;  Jacob  Cutler  and  William  Bradford,  on  Section  18  ;  Joseph 
Harris,  on  21 ;  John  Simons,  on  22 ;  Ambrose  Carlton  and  Asa  Coltrin, 
on  Section  23  ;  Chris.  Eslinger  and  John  Gordon,  on  Section  24  ;  John 
McCormick,  on  26  ;  Jonathan  Lindley  and  John  Simons,  on  27 ;  Solo- 
mon Bower,  on  28,  also  on  the  same  section  Joseph  Kennedy,  William 
Thornton  and  Abel  Bigelow ;  David  Johnson,  on  29  ;  John  Fullen  and 
William  Baker,  on  30;  John  Perishasv,  on  31;  David  Sears  and  Daniel 
Zincks,  on  32;  Abel  Bigelow,  William  Oliver  and  Edward  Archer,  on 
33 ;  Thomas  Hodges  and  Joseph  Taylor,  on  34  ;  Samuel  Rogers  and 
Benjamin  Johnson,  on  35 ;  Fred  Smoyers  and  David  S.  Chambers,  on 
36.  In  1817,  the  following  entries  were  made :  Henry  Kirkham,  on 
Section  1 ;  Henry  Wampler,  on  the  same  ;  Coleman  Puett,  on  4,  William 
Latherlin  on  the  same ;  Joseph  Reeves,  on  9  ;  Henry  Wampler  and 
Samuel  Hazlett,  on  25  ;  Eli  Lee,  on  26  ;  Samuel  Rogers,  on  35. 
Jonathan  Gilbert  bought  on  Section  5  in  1818 ;  John  Armstrong,  on 
Section  1  in  1819  ;  T.  R.  Harley,  on  Section  6  in  1820;  Joseph  Ken- 
nedy, on  Section  28  in  1824;  Joel  A.  Dyer,  on  Section  7  in  1828. 
These  were  nearly  all  the  entries  previous  to  1830.  After  the  rush  of 
1816,  the  sales  were  few  for  many  years. 

It  is  difficult  to  state  who  was  the  first  permanent  settler  in  this  town- 
ship. Several  tracts  were  purchased  in  1816,  as  will  be  seen  from  the 
above,  but  so  far  as  can  be  learned  only  one  family  came  out  that  fall  to 
reside  in  the  township  during  the  winter.  In  about  October,  1816,  Will- 
iam Edmundson,  without  owning  the  land,  located  within  a  short  distance 
of  EUettsville,  erecting  there  a  small,  round-log  cabin,  in  which  he  domi- 
ciled his   family.      He  did  not  enter  his  land — the  northwest   quarter  of 


RICHLAND  TOWNSHIP.  497 

Section  9 — but  after  a  number  of  years  bought  it  of  the  man  who  did 
enter  it — probably  George  Cutler.  During  the  winter  of  1816-17,  Mr. 
Edmundson  cleared  about  five  acres  for  the  coming  year's  crop.  No 
other  family  is  now  known  to  have  lived  in  the  township  during  this 
winter.  However,  James  and  George  Parks,  George  Sharp,  Coleman 
Puett,  Lewis  Noel  and  two  or  three  other  heads  of  families  erected  rude 
log  cabins  on  their  respective  farms  late  in  the  fall  of  1816,  or  during  the 
winter  of  1816-17,  and  the  men  lived  in  the  same  ("  bached  ")  all  win- 
ter, clearing  in  the  meantime  land  for  the  crop  of  1817.  Early  the  next 
spring  the  families  of  these  men  arrived  and  became  residents  in  the  log 
cabins.  Among  those  who  came  in  1817  were  the  families  of  the 
Parkses,  George  Sharp,  Lewis  Noel,  Coleman  and  Joseph  Puett,  William 
Milligan,  Jonathan  Gilbert,  Joseph  Reeves,  Samuel  Ellett  and  probably 
half  a  dozen  others.  Johnston  Sharp,  yet  living,  says  this  was  the  first 
settlement  of  the  township.  James  Parks,  Sr.,  then  about  thirty-six 
years  old,  was  the  leading  man  of  the  settlement.  He  lived  to  the  re- 
markable age  of  one  hundred  and  one  years  and  over,  dying  but  a  few 
months  ago.  The  following,  written  by  him  in  hia  ninety-seventh  year, 
will  be  read  with  interest  : 

"  I  was  born  in  Wilkes  County,  N.  C,  near  the  Yadkin  River,  Septem- 
ber 26,  1781.  My  grandfather,  John  Parks,  moved  from  Virginia  to  this 
place  before  the  Revolutionary  war,  but  how  long  before  I  do  not  know. 
My  grandfather  was  of  Irish  descent,  and  my  grandmother  of  Dutch. 
They  raised  to  be  men  and  women  fourteen  children ;  seven  boys  and 
seven  girls. 

"  My  father,  George,  was  raised  and  married  in  the  same  settlement. 
My  mother's  maiden  name  was  Milly  Davis.  They  had  six  children;  all 
lived  to  have  families  except  one.  I  lived  in  that  neighborhood  until  I 
was  fifteen  years  old,  when  my  father,  with  his  family,  moved  to  Burke 
County,  N.  C.  I  lived  with  my  father  until  I  was  about  twenty-five 
years  of  age,  when  I  married  Nancy  Moore  on  the  30th  of  November, 
1806.  We  settled  and  lived  in  Burke  County  for  several  years.  We  had 
ten  children,  all  of  whom  lived  to  be  men  and  women  except  two.  Nancy, 
my  wife,  died  June  26,  1828,  and  I  married  Frances  Kendrick  August 
27,  1830.     By  her  I  had  one  son,  James. 

"  Now,  for  some  of  the  incidents  of  my  early  life.  Commence  ninety 
years  ago,  just  after  the  close  of  the  Revolutionary  war.  I  remember 
grandfather  had  a  roan  horse.  He  went  for  his  horse  one  morning,  to 
find  that  he  had  been  stolen.  Great  lamentions  followed,  but  a  few 
mornings  afterward  the  old  horse  stood  at  the  gate  well-rigged  out  with 
new  saddle  and  bridle — all  complete. 

"  When  grandfather's  property  was  sold,  after  his  death,  a  family  of 
his  slaves  were  exposed  to  sale,  which,  by  his  will,  were  not  to  be  sold  out 
of  the  family.  That  was  humane  in  those  days.  Father  bought  a  boy 
named  Moses,  and  he  and  I  were  raised  together.  The  people  of  those 
days  were  thrown  upon  their  own  resources.  No  labor-saving  machinery. 
All  came  out  of  the  ground — both  eating  and  wearing.  The  men  would 
raise  cotton  and  flax ;  the  women  would  card,  spin  and  weave  clothing 
for  themselves  and  children.  They  had  dresses  of  difl"erent 
colors    and   stripes.       They    got    their    colors    from    indigo    of   their. 


498  HISTORY  OF  MONROE  COUNTY. 

own  raising,  copperas  and  various  kinds  of  blossoms.  The  first  calico 
dress  I  ever  saw  father  bought  for  my  sister,  then  about  sixteen  years  old. 
He  gave  a  three-year-old  steer  for  six  yards,  which  completed  the  dress. 
I  suppose  if  the  ladies  nowadays  were  confined  to  six  yards  for  a  dress, 
tliey  would  think  it  rather  tight. 

"  Education  was  quite  limited.  Our  schoolhouse  was  made  of  round 
logs,  with  a  dirt  floor.  Split  logs  with  legs  put  in  served  for  sears.  Large 
cracks  were  left  to  admit  the  light.  Our  books  consisted  of,  first,  a  primer, 
then  Dike's  spelling  book,  then  Dilworth's,  then  Webster's  first  edition, 
completed  one  list  of  spelling  books.  Our  first  reader  was  called  a 
Psalter,  some  old  English  concern,  then  the  Testament  and  Bible.  These 
completed  our  reading  books.  No  grammar,  geography  nor  history  was 
in  use  that  I  ever  heard  of  till  my  education  was  completed.  I  learned 
to  cipher  as  far  as  the  rule  of  three,  and  some  in  fractions  ;  could  write  a 
tolerable  hand,  and  was  considered  a  fair  scholar  for  those  days.  Our 
schoolhouse  was  also  used  for  a  church.  When  young  people  walked  to 
meeting  together,  the  girls  would  tie  their  shoes  and  stockings  in  their 
handkerchief,  and  carry  them  on  their  arm  until  within  sight  of  the 
church,  when  they  would  put  them  on,  and  so  march  up  in  style.  (We 
boys  were  spared  that  trouble,  from  the  fact  we  had  none).  The  girls' 
dress  in  winter  was  of  woolen  goods  called  linsey;  in  summer,  cotton  stripe. 
Boys'  dress  for  winter  was  buckskin  breeches  and  shoes — no  boots.  The 
custom  was  for  almost  every  farmer  to  tan  his  own  leather,  and  make  shoes 
for  himself  and  family.  Our  diet  was  hog  and  hominy  for  breakfast, 
v^egetables  for  dinner,  and  a  hearth  full  of  roasted  sweet  potatoes  for  sup 
per.  Sugar  and  coiFee  for  only  special  occasions.  Fruit  abundant. 
Peach  brandy  and  honey  tolerably  plenty ;  whisky  scarce.  There  were 
very  few  drunkards.  No  doctors  or  lawyers.  I  never  saw  either,  that  I 
know  of,  until  I  was  fifteen  years  old. 

"  Soon  after  the  war  of  1812,  when  things  had  somewhat  settled,  my 
father  and  family  with  enough  others  to  make  a  right  smart  colony,  con- 
cluded to  emigrate  to  some  new  country. 

"  The  Territory  of  Indiana  was  the  place  chosen,  and  we  landed  in 
Lawrence  County,  on  the  East  Fork  of  White  River,  October,  1815.  The 
land  was  not  yet'in  market,  but  was  surveyed  ofi"  ready  to  be  sold.  We 
chose  our  lots,  and  settled  on  them,  built  our  cabins,  and  cleared  a  con- 
siderable amount  of  land.  As  the  sale  was  to  come  off  the  next  season 
at  Jeff'ersonville,  a  dozen  or  more  of  us  went  down.  The  land  was  to  be 
sold  to  the  highest  bidder.  When  the  sale  took  place,  a  man  by  the  name 
of  Bulslitt,  had  a  longer  pole  than  ours,  and  '  knocked  the  persimmons,' 
sweeping  the  entire  settlement.  Not  the  first  man  saved  his  land  or  im- 
provements. So  we  marched  home,  feeling  as  if  we  had  lost  a  friend.  I 
had  about  eight  acres  cleared,  surrounded  by  a  good  fence.  The  part  of 
the  territory  where  we  now  live  did  not  come  into  market  until  the  next 
season,  so  we  concluded  to  make  another  trial.  So  we  moved  and  again 
selected  our  lots.*  The  next  sale  took  place  at  Vincennes  in  October, 
1816.  By  this  time  we  became  somewhat  acquainted  with  fever  and 
ague.  I  was  the  only  one  able  to  attend  the  sale,  and  I  took  the  chills 
while  there.     I  purchased  for  nearly  the  entire  colony — about  a   dozen 

*  This  Belection  was  in  the  present  Richland  Township,  near  EUettsyille,  as  described  above. 


RICHLAND  TOWNSHIP.  49& 

lots  in  all.  After  the  sale,  we  went  that  winter  and  built  cabins  on  our 
lots,  and  cleared  some  ground.  I  got  in  about  six  acres  of  fine  corn,  which 
was  our  sole  dependence  for  the  year.  But  lo  !  in  October  there  came  a 
frost,  which  bit  the  last  ear  (so  with  the  whole  settlement] !  Then  we 
were  in  a  fix !  We  had  no  mills  to  grind  our  corn,  so  we  were  compelled 
to  pound  it  into  meal.  There  was  one  hand  mill  in  the  settlement.  But 
the  corn  was  so  soft  it  would  neither  beat  nor  grind,  until  it  was  kiln- 
dried.  I  made  a  scaffold  up  in  the  chimney  and  dried  mine  ;  then  I  liad 
my  choice,  to  go  a  mile  to  the  hand  mill,  or  to  pound  it.  Many  a  time  I 
have  worked  hard  all  day,  and  at  night  taken  one-half  bushel  of  corn  to 
the  hand  mill  and  ground  it. 

"  I  had  myself,  wife  and  five  children  to  feed.  That  would  be  thought 
pretty  hard  these  times.  Nevertheless,  we  never  suffered  from  hunger. 
I  was  considered  a  good  shot.  In  a  few  hours  I  could  bring  in  venison 
or  turkey.  We  also  had  plenty  of  milk  and  butter.  So  we  passed 
through  the  season  safely.  When  we  first  moved  here,  Delaware^  and 
Pottawatomie  Indians  were  plentiful.  They  were  quite  friendly,  and  would 
often  come  with  their  squaws  and  papooses  to  stay  all  night  with  us. 
They  had  a  trading  house  within  a  half  mile  of  where  I  now  live.  In 
early  days  we  had  grand  times  at  log  rollings.  When  we  got  our  ground 
ready  for  rolling,  we  would  invite  our  neighbors  to  the  frolic.  Choosing 
our  captains,  they  would  in  turn  choose  their  hands,  and  at  it  we  would 
go.  If  ever  you  saw  logs  come  together,  it  was  about  that  time.  Before 
we  commenced  work  we  had  to  take  a  little  of  the  '  critter  !  '  It  is  not 
worth  while  to  say  we  did  not  feel  what  we  drank,  for  that  was  what  we 
drank  it  for  !  We  had  none  who  might  be  called  drunkards,  but  such  a 
gathering  nowadays  might  all  be  counted  as  drunkards.  Such  was  the 
custom  of  the  country  at  that  time.  Oh,  what  a  thing  custom  is  when 
rightly  considered,  whether  good  or  bad. 

"  The  year  after  we  moved  to  the  Territory,  delegates  were  elected  for 
the  purpose  of  forming  a  State  constitution.  Counties  were  then  laid  off 
and  established.  Before  Monroe  County  was  organized,  an  election  was 
ordered  to  choose  three  Commissioners,  a  Clerk  and  a  Sheriff.  B.  Wood- 
ward, Michael  Buskirk  and  myself  were  elected  Commissioners.  We 
proceeded  to  organize  the  county.  We  purchased  a  half  section  of  land, 
where  the  court  house  now  stands.  We  laid  off  the  public  square,  and 
had  a  court  house  and  jail  built  thereon.  Lots  were  surveyed  and 
sold,  bringing  a  considerable  revenue.  We  were  now  ready  to  hold 
court,  and  the  county  machinery  ready  for  action.  It  now  became 
necessary  to  have  a  School  Commissioner.  I  offered  my  services  and  was 
elected. 

"  In  order  to  put  the  school  in  operation,  it  became  my  duty  to  sell  all 
the  sixteenth  sections  to  the  highest  bidder.  By  this  means,  a  large  fund 
was  raised,  and  the  school  placed  upon  a  firm  basis  (I  have  to  make  long 
strides  on  account  of  my  records  being  burned  up).  In  the  year  1832,  I 
offered  for  the  Legislature  (Lower  House),  and  was  elected.  I  served  ray 
time  at  ^2  per  day,  and  boarded  myself.  Finding  that  there  was  not 
much  money  in  such  warfare,  and  perhaps  less  credit,  I  would  not  offer 
any  more.  Some  years  afterward,  I  was  again  elected  School  Commis- 
sioner for  the  county.  At  the  expiration  of  my  term  of  office,  I  retired 
from  public  life.     (I  never  was  beaten  for  any  office  I  offered  for.) 


500        -  HISTORY  OF  MONROE  COUNTY. 

"  The  first  President  I  ever  voted  for  was  Thomas  Jefferson  for  his  sec- 
ond term  of  oflBce.  I  have  been  a  straightforward  Democrat  ever  since 
— voted  for  all  the  candidates  for  oflSce  except  Greeley.  I  thought  the 
Democrats  got  off  the  track  there,  and  I  would  not  follow  them.  I  have 
lived  on  the  farm  where  I  now  live  sixty-two  years.  I  have  been  the 
ancestor  of  eleven  children,  fifty-six  grandchildren,  eighty  great-grand- 
children, and  five  great-great-grandchildren,  thus  being,  at  this  time,  the 
representative  of  five  generations. 

"  I  joined  the  Baptist  Church  in  North  Carolina  about  the  year  of 
1807.  I  was  one  of  the  charter  members  of  Old  Vernal  Church,  the 
first  congregation  organized  in  this  county,  Monroe,  and  was  Deacon  of 
the  church  for  quite  a  number  of  years. 

"  I  have  endeavored  to  live  peaceably  with  all  men,  and  to  live  in 
accordance  with  the  will  of  my  heavenly  Master,  to  the  best  of  my  knowl- 
edge. I  have  fought  the  good  fight,  have  almost  run  my  race,  and  am 
now  patiently  waiting  for  the  good  Lord  to  call  me  home,  where  there  is 
a  heavenly  mansion  prepared  for  me  not  made  with  hands,  eternal  in  the 
hea.vens.  James  Parks." 

INCIDENTS. 
George  Sharp,  the  father  of  Jonathan  Sharp,  was  probably  the  most 
experienced  bear  hunter  ever  a  resident  of  Monroe  County.  He  had 
lived  before  coming  to  the  county  in  a  wild  section  of  the  South,  and 
during  a  surveying  expedition  of  considerable  magnitude,  had  been  one 
of  four  or  five  scouts  and  hunters  who  supplied  all  the  wild  meat  required 
by  the  members  of  the  expedition.  He  averaged  a  bear  a  day  for  months, 
besides  scores  of  buffaloes,  deer,  turkeys,  etc.  He  killed  hundreds  of 
bears  in  his  time,  and  had  many  narrow  escapes  from  death,  but  his 
incredible  strength,  coolness,  skill,  and  knowledge  of  the  animals,  always 
brought  him  through  wi4;hout  serious  injury.  He  went  armed  with  a 
huge  butcher  knife,  the  blade  of  which  was  one  foot  in  length,  and  car- 
ried a  rifle  with  ball  heavy  enough  to  bring  down  the  largest  game.  His 
son,  Johnston  Sharp,  yet  has  his  knife,  which  is  truly  a  formidable  weapon, 
and  is  greatly  prized  as  a  keepsake.  It  was  used  in  killing  one  of  the 
few  bears  taken  in  Richland  Township.  In  about  1819,  during  the  early 
winter,  and  just  after  a  light  fall  of  snow,  some  man  in  the  settlement,  in 
going  through  the  woods,  saw  a  large  and  curiously  shaped  track,  and 
could  not  account  for  the  same.  Old  man  Sharp  was  called  on  to  decide, 
and  pronounced  it  the  track  of  a  large  bear.  The  trail  was  immediately 
followed  and  led  to  a  large  hollow  sycamore  which  stood  a  short  distance 
north  of  Ellettsville.  All  the  men  of  the  settlement  gathered  around  to 
participate  in  the  killing,  but  were  prohibited  from  using  guns  for  fear, 
in  the  excitement,  of  shooting  some  person.  The  tree  was  cut  down. 
While  this  was  being  done.  Mr.  Sharp,  the  only  one  experienced  in  the 
habits  of  bears,  was  plied  with  all  manner  of  questions,  such  as  "  Which 
way  will  it  run  ?  "  "  Where  shall  I  stand  ?  "  etc.,  and  answered  all  in  a 
manner  to  keep  his  neighbors  on  the  "  ragged  edge,"  and  make  them  feel 
their  decided  inferiority  on  questions  of  bear-hunting.  The  huge  tree 
came  down  with  a  crash,  split  open,  and,  to  the  astonishment  of  all, 
revealed  three  bears — one  large  one  and  two  cubs  three-fourths  grown. 
The  dogs  to  the  number  of  about  a  dozen  immediately  set  upon  the  bears, 


RICHLAND  TOWNSHIP.  501 

which,  severely  stunned  by  the  fall,  could  at  first  offer  only  partial  resist- 
ance, and  were  readily  dispatched  with  clubs  and  cautious  rifle  shots  before 
they  had  recovered  their  usual  strength.  One  of  the  cubs  caught  a  dog 
owned  by  Mr.  Sharp,  and  was  crushing  the  life  out  of  it,  when  the  irate 
owner,  armed  with  the  big  butcher  knife  above  mentioned,  ran  up  and 
reaching  over  the  bear,  struck  it  to  the  heart  from  the  opposite  side. 
The  yelping  canine  was  instantly  released  and  in  a  few  moments  the  bear 
was  dead.  Several  present  could  not  understand  why  Mr.  Sharp  had 
reached  over  the  bear  and  struck  it  from  the  opposite  side  from  which  he 
was  standing.  He  explained  that  bears  when  struck  with  a  knife  always 
snapped  at  and  struck  with  their  paws  at  the  immediate  object  hurting — 
in  this  case  the  knife — regardless  of  who  or  whai;  was  on  the  other  side, 
and  he  cited  them  to  the  fact  that  the  bear  when  struck  had  bitten  sav- 
agely at  the  knife,  striking  also  with  its  paws,  and  had  he  been  on  that 
side  would,  no  doubt,  have  suffered  injury.  He  had  been  in  too  many 
hand-to-hand  (so  to  speak)  conflicts  with  these  animals  not  to  know  how 
to  use  the  knife.  The  three  bears  were  taken  and  dressed,  and  parceled 
out  among  the  settlers,  all  of  whom  enjoyed  eating  a  large  piece  of  juicy 
bearsteak,  which,  it  is  said,  tastes  much  like  pork,  and  can  be  fried  in  its 
own  fat.  Several  other  bears  were  killed  in  the  township  very  early,  an 
account  of  which  cannot  be  given.  Wolves  were  very  troublesome,  and 
were  caught  with  steel  traps.  Panthers  were  occasionally  found.  A 
small  dog,  belonging  to  Mr.  Milligan,  treed  a  large  one  early  one  evening 
and  kept  it  there  all  night,  strange  as  it  may  seem.  Early  the  next 
morning,  Mr.  Milligan,  who  had  heard  the  continued  barking,  went  out 
with  his  rifle  and  shot  the  panther  dead  from  its  perch  in  the  tree.  It 
was  a  very  large  specimen  of  its  species,  measuring,  it  is  said,  nearly 
twelve  feet  from  tip  to  tip. 

One  morning,  very  early,  James  Parks,  Sr.,  was  aroused  from  sleep  be- 
fore the  usual  time  by  a  strange  noise  on  the  door  step,  and  getting  up  as 
quietly  as  possible,  he  walked  to  the  window,  which  commanded  a  view 
of  the  door  step,  and  looked  out  and  saw  with  astonishment  and  some 
alarm  a  large  black  bear  lying  there  asleep.  The  settler  got  his  rifle, 
and  taking  cautious  aim  at  a  vital  place  of  the  animal,  pulled  the  trigger. 
The  sharp  report  was  followed  by  the  death  growls  of  bruin,  and  in  a  few 
moments  all  was  still;  the  bear  was  dead.  The  family  ate  bear  steak  for 
breakfast.  The  Mayfield  boys — Nicholas  and  Elzy — in  going  from 
school,  saw  a  dark  object  cross  the  path  a  short  distance  in  front  of  them, 
and  at  first  supposed  it  to  be  a  raven.  Going  farther  on,  they  were 
alarmed  to  see  a  large  bear ;  and  taking  to  their  heels,  made  for  home  at 
the  top  of  their  speed,  and  there  told  what  they  had  seen.  A  party  of 
men  started  out,  but  did  not  succeed  in  coming  up  to  his  bearship. 

William  Poe  owned  a  hand  mill  as  early  as  1822  or  1823,  which  sup- 
plied the  neighbors  with  cracked  corn.  The  meal  from  this  mill  and 
from  the  old  Parks  Mill  was  coarse,  and  was  at  first  sifted  until  all  the 
finer  had  been  separated  out,  when  the  remainder  was  used  for  half-hom- 
iny. John  Fullen  operated  a  horse  mill  later,  and  also  made  a  limited 
quantity  of  whisky  from  a  small  copper  still.  The  Mayfields,  in  Rich- 
land, and  Allison,  in  Van  Buren,  took  the  earliest  stand  against  the 
consumption  of  ardent  spirits,  and  did  much  to  stop  their  use  at  log  roll- 


502  HISTORY  OF  MONROE  COUNTY. 

ings.  Jack  Storm,  one  time  in  a  freshet,  endeavored  to  cross  the  principal 
creek  in  Richland  Township,  but  after  getting  a  severe  wetting,  and 
failing  ingloriously  in  getting  across,  he  was  forced  to  give  up.  From 
this  circumstance  the  creek  is  said  to  have  taken  its  name — "Jack's 
Defeat."  William  Rawlins  and  Mary  Sharp  were  married  in  1818  ; 
this  was  the  first  in  the  township.  David  P.  Edmundson  was  born  in  the 
township  during  the  summer  of  1817,  his  birth  being  the  first ;  Lucinda 
Puett  was  the  second. 

The  settlement  of  the  township  was  quite  slow  after  the  rush  was 
over,  and  only  took  place  as  the  country  gradually  grew  from  its  back- 
woods condition.     In  1841,  the  tax-payers  were  as  follows  : 

POLL-TAX  PAYERS  OF  1841. 

James  Armstrong,  Alexander  Armstrong,  E.  W.  Archer,  James  At- 
kins, David  Acuff,  Jonathan  Archer,  James  Alsup,  John  Acuif,  John 
Bennett,  Earlham  Bratney,  James  Bratney,  Jr.,  Nathan  Bray,  David 
Byers,  Micajah  Bray,  James  W.  Cofi'ey,  Thomas  Copeland,  Joseph  Camp- 
bell, John  Campbell,  Samuel  Campbell,  William  Campbell,  Hiram 
Coffey,  Elisha  Carter,  Thomas  R.  Coffey,  William  Claman,  John  Carder, 
Larkin  Coffey,  Albert  Coffey,  Aliham'  Coffey,  Riloy  Coffey,  Achilles 
Coffey,  Mat.  Clay,  William  Clay.  Cornelius  Clay,  Peter  Coon,  Lewis 
Coffey,  W.  P.  Chipman,  Elijah  Dunning,  Robert  Delap,  D.  D.  Duskins, 
James  S.  Dowell,  J.  A.  Dyer,  William  Dyer,  Hiram  Dyer,  H.  N.  Dyer, 
William  Edmundson,  D.  R.  Edmundson,  G.  W.  Edmundson,  Martin 
Ellett,  James  Everman,  E.  P.  Farmer,  John  Fullen,  Jr.,  Lawrence  Free- 
man, James  Freeman,  Micajah  Freeman,  Robert  C.  Graham,  W.  H.  H. 
Gilbert,  William  Greenwood,  Hiram  Gilbert,  William  Grimes,  James 
Goodnight,  David  Grimes,  Harvey  Houston,  Samuel  Harbinson,  James 
Hall,  Beveridge  Hall,  Andrew  Harshboyer,  John  Hileman,  Washing- 
ton Houston,  John  Henry,  Solomon  Hickman,  John  Horsford,  Carey 
Houston,  Henry  Hopewell,  E.  S.  Harrell,  Jonathan  Isenhaw,  George  A. 
Isenhaw,  John  S.  Johnson,  Archibald  Kerby,  James  Melicote,  Jacob 
Mefford,  William  Moffitt,  William  Mayfield,  Charles  Moore,  John  D. 
Mayfield,  Nicholas  Mayfield,  John  Manis,  James  Manis,  L.  H.  Moreland, 
Leroy  Mayfield,  William  Nesbit,  David  Nesbit,  Curtis  Parks,  Anderson 
Pinkston,  Coleman  Puett,  Jeremiah  Poe,  James  Parks,  Jesse  Reman, 
James  P.  Raney,  James  Robertson,  William  Robertson.  John  Robertson, 
Mathew  Robertson,  Ellas  Renana,  Joseph  Reeves,  John  T.  Reeves,  Will- 
iam Shannon,  Gabriel  Stine,  William  Shannon,  James  Stearns,  Samuel 
Straney,  Jolinston  Sharp,  John  Sanders.  Joseph  Sanders,  Luke  W.  San- 
ders, Isom  Sanders,  J.  B.  Shreeve,  John  C.  Smith,  William  Stagsdall, 
Jacob  Summit,  Joseph  Summit,  Simpson  Sharp,  Reuben  Shipley,  Reu- 
ben Tompkins,  William  Thompson,  Jacob  B.  Yany,  Pleasant  York, 
Charles  Wier,  Maxwell  Wilson,  Zimri  Worley,  Hiram  Worley,  George 
Whisenand,  David  Whisenand,  Hiram  Wampler,  Andrew  Wampler,  Jacob 
Wampler,  Wesley  Whitson,  Jefterson  Wampler.  Archibald  Wilson,  Sam- 
uel Wier,  John  "T.  Wilson,  Perry  Woodall,  William  Williams,  Godfrey 
Williams,  John  Whisenand  and"^  David  Whitesell.  The  heaviest  tax- 
payers were  Jonathan  Archer,  $12.50;  John  Bennett,  $18;  James 
Brantney,  Sr.,  $11.44;  Nathan   Bray,  $14.59 ;  David   Byers,  $14.02; 


RICHLAND   TOWNSHIP.  503 

Reuben  Coffey,  $11 ;  James  Coffey.  $11 ;  Lewis  Coffey,  $14.15;  Martin 
Ellett,  $10.30;  Estate  of  Samuel  Ellett,  $24.36;  E.  P.  Farmer,  $13.11; 
Rachael  Foster,  $11.77  ;  Samuel  Harbinson,  $37.80 ;  Francis  Hall, 
$15.57;  Archibald  Kerby,  $11.40;  Leroy  Mayfield,  $18.70;  David 
Nesbit,  $25.86;  Curtis  Parks,  $11.50;  Meredith' Parks,  $10.12;  James 
Parks,  $10.34;  Joseph  Reeves,  $11;  James  Stearns,  $14.42;  Samuel 
Straney,  $18  ;  John  Sanders,  $36.70  ;  William  Shreeve,  $15.95  ;  Jacob 
Warapler,  $10.01 ;  John  Wier,  $22.82;  Samuel  Wier,  $12.57.  There 
■was  a  total  of  165  polls  ;  acres  of  land,  18.801| ;  value  of  land  and  im- 
provement, $133,938  ;  value  of  lots,  $2,985  ;  "personal  property,  $42,- 
591;  total  value  of  taxables,  $179,514;  State  tax,  $839.34;  county 
tax,  $391.13;  total  tax,  $1,230.47. 

RICHLAND,    OR    ELLETSVILLE. 

This  town  did  not  have  as  early  an  origin  as  several  others  in  the 
county.  Edward  Ellett  kept  tavern  there  for  several  years  before  it  was 
considered  a  village.  He  also  conducted  a  blacksmith  shop  that  was  well 
patronized.  He  started  a  small,  old-fashioned,  up-and-down  saw  mill 
early,  and  it  is  said  that  he  later  put  in  one  apartment  of  the  same  build- 
ing a  set  of  rude  stones,  and  for  a  number  of  years  ground  corn,  and 
probably  wheat.  The  first  grist  mill  in  this  neighborhood,  and  probably 
one  of  the  very  first,  if  not  the  first  in  the  county,  was  the  rude  hand  mill 
of  George  Parks,  which  was  brought  to  the  township  in  1817.  It  was 
patronized  by  all  the  neighbors  until  the  Mt.  Tabor  grist  mill  was  built 
by  old  man  Burton,  in  about  1820.  This  old  hand  mill  of  George  Parks' 
is  yet  in  existence — in  the  possession  of  Johnson  Sharp,  who  operates  it 
on  Old  Settlers'  Day,  for  the  inspection  of  the  curious  and  the  gratification 
of  the  early  settlers.  Old  man  Kirkham,  in  the  northeastern  corner  of 
the  township,  started  a  horse  mill  about  1820,  which  was  quite  well  pat- 
ronized for  several  years.  In  the  month  of  February,  1837,  Reuben 
Tompkins  employed  John  Sedwick,  County  Surveyor,  and  laid  out  four- 
teen lots  on  Section  9,  and  named  the  village  thus  founded  Richland. 
During  the  same  year,  an  effort  was  made  to  secure  a  post  ofiice  there, 
the  name,  Richland,  being  selected ;  but  as  there  was  another  post  office 
in  the  State  of  that  name,  it  was  changed  to  Ellettsville,  in  honor  of 
Edward  Ellett.  In  the  spring  of  1838,  Alonzo  Beraan  laid  out  an  addi- 
tion of  seventeen  lots,  and  at  this  time  the  name  of  the  village  became 
Ellettsville,  the  same  as  the  post  office.  Mr.  Beman  at  this  time  opened 
the  first  store,  his  stock  consisting  of  a  general  assortment,  worth  about 
$1,000.  Within  a  short  time  he  was  joined  by  F.  T.  Butler,  who 
became  his  partner,  and  who  was  then  in  business  at  Mt.  Tabor,  packing 
pork  and  manufacturing  hats  to  a  considerable  extent.  In  1839,  Jeffer- 
son Wampler  opened  a  liquor  store  in  the  little  village ;  and  about  the 
same  time,  or  perhaps  late  in  1838,  Ellett  &  Barnes  started  a  good  store 
of  general  merchandise. 

In  1840,  there  were  then  two  stores,  one  liquor  shop,  one  blacksmith 
shop,  one  grist  mill,  one  saw  mill,  a  post  office  and  about  five  families. 
James  Whitesell  started  a  store  in  1841,  continuing  until  about  1845. 
Johnson  Stites  sold  liquor  in  1840 ;  Isaac  Wampler  sold  liquor  in  1841, 
A  Mr.  Manville  was  in  business  about  1846.     H.  R.  Seall  opened  a  good 


504  HISTORY  OF  MONROE  COUNTY. 

general  store  in  about  1848,  and  continued  nine  or  ten  years.  S.  B.  & 
0.  A.  Harris  started  with  about  $1,000  worth  of  goods  in  1848,  and  in 
one  form  or  another  have  continued  until  the  present,  if  their  sons  who 
succeeded  them  are  included.  Emanuel  F.  Faulkner  opened  a  store  in 
about  184y.  Parks  &  Coffey  started  soon  afterward,  as  did  also  John  H. 
Reeves,  Harris  k  Dean,  Dow  ell  k  Moore.  The  McCallas.  of  Blooming- 
ton,  had  a  branch  store  in  Ellettsville.  Dowxll  k  Stearns  were  in  business 
in  the  fifties ;  G.  B.  Moore  the  same,  and  is  yet  in  business,  having  ac- 
cumulated a  fortune.  R.  W.  Akin  k  Co.  opened  with  a  general  store  in 
1856.  J.  M;  Campbell  started  up  about  the  beginning  of  the  war,  and 
F.  E.  Worley  began  during  the  war.  W.  H.  Jackson  opened  a  store 
about  the  close  of  the  war,  and  still  continues  to  make  a  living  over  the 
counter.  Parks  k  Puett  were  in  business  early  in  the  village.  The 
Perry  Brothers  came  to  the  village  twenty  or  twenty-five  years  ago,  and 
have  amassed  comfortable  fortunes.  They  are  now  engaged  extensively 
in  the  stone  business.  Among  the  business  ventures  at  the  village  have 
been  the  saw  mill  of  Sanders  k  Knighton,  many  years  ago;  Houston's 
steam  saw  mill,  started  in  the  fifties,  and  transferred  to  Perry  &  Sed- 
wick,  was  afterward  burned.  Late  in  the  fifties,  David  Allen  built  and 
equipped  a  grist  mill  at  a  total  cost  of  about  $13,000.  It  was  an  excellent 
mill.  After  a  few  years,  it  was  sold  to  Jesse  Draper,  and  ten  or  twelve 
years  later  to  W.  H.  Jackson,  upon  whose  hands  it  burned  down  last 
winter  (1882-83).  S.  B.  Harris  built  a  grist  mill  about  1870,  at  a  cost 
of  $9,000,  and  after  four  or  five  years  added  a  set  of  machinery  for  card- 
ing wool.  Both  are  yet  in  operation.  The  woolen  factory  cost  $3,000. 
It  is  said  that  John  Whisenand  carded  wool  at  the  village  as  early  as 
1842,  his  motor  being  the  tread-wheel.  It  ceased  running  about  1850. 
Early  in  the  fifties,  Gilbert  May  started  a  good  cabinet  shop.  Shook  & 
Faulkner  began  manufacturing  carriages  about  eight  years  ago,  and  are 
still  engaged  in  the  same  pursuit.  F.  E.  Worley  opened  a  private  bank 
in  the  village  about  twelve  years  ago,  with  a  capital  of  from  $40,000  to 
$60,000.  He  still  continues  doing  a  general  banking  business,  and  has 
the  confidence  of  the  community.  He  owns  one  of  the  finest  residences 
in  Monroe  County.  George  Fletcher  started  a  planing  mill  five  or  six 
years  ago.  He  is  an  extensive  contractor  and  builder.  About  five  years 
ago,  a  German  from  Indianapolis  erected  a  spoke  factory,  which  is  now 
owned  by  Sedwick  k  Grant,  and  is  not  in  operation.  William  Walls  is 
now  conducting  a  good  wagon  shop.  Judson  Sanders  started  a  steam 
saw  mill  in  1883.  These  are  the  more  important  business  industries.  In 
1850,  the  population  of  the  village  was  about  60;  in  1860,  about  250; 
in  1870,  about  450;  in  1880,  585,  and  in  1883  about  625. 

INCORPORATION. 

In  1866,  the  project  of  incorporating  the  village  was  talked  of,  but 
met  stubborn  opposition  from  the  moneyed  element.  In  June,  1866,  a 
petition  was  presented  to  the  County  Board  praying  that  the  village 
might  hold  an  election,  and  that  in  the  event  of  a  majority  of  votes  in 
favor  of  incorporation,  the  village  might  be  declared  the  incorporated 
town  of  Elletsville.  The  plan  proposed  comprised  two  hundred  and  two 
acres,  and  the  petition  was  signed  by   the  following  residents  :     W.    H. 


RICHLAND   TOWNSHIP.  505 

Jackson,  James  W.  Coffey,  Charles  G.  May,  Thomas  Manpin,  Nehemiah 
Sumner,  Noel  Edwards,  W.  J.  Jackson,  Elisha  Allen,  W.  C.  R.  Mc- 
Neeley,  Henry  E.  Akin,  William  Galloway,  Samuel  Galloway,  Joseph 
B.  Gray,  Samuel  Given,  James  S  Whitesill,  R.  J.  Mills,  G.  W.  Fletcher,. 
R.  C.  Harris,  W.  H.  Corneling,  E.  E.  Moberly,  H.  M.  Shook,  G.  K. 
Berry,  E.  H.  Wood,  F.  M.  Falkner,  N.  E.  Miller,  John  Cook,  H.  R. 
Seall,  J.  G.  Smith,  John  Dearmon,  H.  F.  Perry,  Theodore  Sedwick,  H. 
A.  Edwards.  J.  H.  Shook,  A.  Albertson,  James  S.  Sharo,  T.  J.  Sharp, 
J.  V.  Rawlins,  R.  L.  Rawlins,  S.  F.  Edwards,  E.  E.  McNeeley,  G.  W. 
Houston,  A.  W.  Gray,  G.  V.  Lane,  John   Stevenson,    Lafayette  Truett, 

W.  G.  Jamison,  W.  P.  Davis, Josbrook,  J.  E.  Sedwick,  S.   B. 

Harris,  J.  L.  Nesbit,  H.  S.  Hughes,  Allen  Mills,  T.  J.  Costin,  J.  M. 
Harris  and  Daniel  Manpin.  The  population  of  the  village  by  the  census 
taken  at  this  time  was  388.  The  County  Board  ordered  an  election  held, 
which  was  done  the  16th  day  of  June,  1866,  a  majority  of  votes  being 
polled  for  the  incorportion.  In  September,  1866,  the  County  Board  de- 
clared Ellettsville  to  be  duly  incorporated.  Officers  were  elected,  but 
within  a  year  or  two  the  interest  died  out  and  remained  dormant  so  that 
elections  were  abandoned  for  several  years,  when  the  municipal  govern- 
ment was  revived  and  has  continued  to  work  until  the  present.  The 
present  officers  are  G.  W.  Houston,  William  Miller  and Steven- 
son, Trustees ;  James  Robinson,  Treasurer ;  John  Edmundson,  Clerk ; 
Robert  Fletcher,  Marshal. 

PRESENT    BUSINESS    INDUSTRIES. 

General  merchandise — G.  B.  Moore,  John  Matthews  &  Son,  Harris 
Bros.  Drugs — Hughes  &  Whitted,  J.  F.  Harris.  Hardware — W.  C. 
Draper,  W.  T.  Harris.  Groceries — Perry  Bros.,  F.  M.  Stevenson,  0. 
F.  Moore,  James  Parks,  Jr.,  H.  H.  Constable,  J.  T.  Rubertson,  W.  H. 
Jackson.  Boots  and  shoes — Perry  Bros.,  J.  T.  Robinson.  Milliners — 
Mrs.  C.  Pressley,  Miss  Dora  Hughes.  Grist  mill — S.  B.  Harris.  Card- 
ing mill — S.  B.  Harris.  Saw  mill — Judson  Sanders.  Planing  mill — 
George  W.  Fletcher.  Barber — J.  A.  May.  Blacksmiths — Shook  & 
Falkner,  Harry  Copenhaver.  Notions — T.  B.  Harris.  Newspaper, 
Monroe  County  Citizen — W.  B.  Harris.  Harness  shop — C.  B.  Shey. 
Hotels — Mrs.  Whitesell,  Richard  McNeeley.  Saloon — J.  W.  Smith. 
Carriage  factory — Shook  &  Falkner.  Bank — F.  E.  Worley.  Graded 
school,  five  teachers ;  Principal,  Mr.  Farrabee.  Ellettsville  has  had 
several  newspaper  enterprises,  an  account  of  which  will  be  found  else- 
where in  this  volume. 

SCHOOLS 
The  first  school  in  the  township  was  taught  during  the  winter  of 
1822-23,  in  a  log  cabin  which  stood  about  where  the  residence  of  William 
Draper  now  stands.  The  building  was  of  round  logs,  had  a  huge  fire- 
place that  could  be  induced  to  take  in  logs  six  feet  long  and  two  feet  or 
more  in  diameter,  and  had  a  log  left  out  on  the  south  side  about  breast 
high  over  which  greased  paper  was  fastened  to  serve  the  purpose  of  win- 
dows. William  Rawlins,  son  of  Roderick  Rawlins,  the  first  County 
Treasurer,  was  the, first  teacher.  The  term  was  three  months  long,  and 
the  children  of  James  Parks,   Benjamin   Parks,   Lewis   Noel,   Coleman 


506 


HISTORY  OF  MONROE  COUNTY. 


Puett,  Samuel  Ellett,  Joseph  Puett,  Joseph  Reeves,  George  Sharp, 
George  Parks,  William  Milligan,  two  miles  away,  and  William  Edmund- 
son,  went  to  young  Mr.  Rawlins  to  learn  how  to  read,  write  and  cipher. 
This  house  was  used  for  school  purposes  about  five  years,  and  was  then 
displaced  by  a  hewed-log  structure  erected  near  the  cemetery,  and  used 
until  the  township  was  divided  into  districts  in  the  forties.  Late  in  the 
thirties.  Porter  Edmundson  erected  a  building  which  he  used  for  a  school- 
house  for  a  number  of  years,  himself  doing  the  teaching.  This  was 
wholly  a  private  school  supported  by  subscription,  or  tuition,  and  was  a 
good  one  for  that  early  day.  Another  early  school  was  the  one  taught  in 
the  southern  part  of  the  township  in  a  log  cabin  on  the  Benjamin  Reeves 
farm  in  the  winter  of  1823-24,  William  Matlock  owned  the  farm  then, 
and  his  son,  Jeiferson  Matlock,  was  the  teacher.  He  had  as  high  as 
twenty  scholars,  and  taught  such  a  good  school  that  it  was  continued 
every  winter  after  that  in  the  same  neighborhood.  In  1836,  there  were 
four  schoolhouses  in  the  township,  besides  two  or  three  private  schools.  By 
1846,  the  number  had  increased  to  seven,  and  in  1856  to  eight,  and  by 
this  time  several  frame  houses  could  be  seen  where  erst  the  log  house 
with  greased  paper  windows,  puncheon  floors,  doors,  seats  and  desks  were 
to  be  seen.  The  following  was  the  condition  of  schools  and  houses 
in  1880-81  : 


TEACHEKS  OF  1880-81. 


Number 

of 
District. 

Actual 

Enrollment. 

7 

20 

6 

48 

4 

28 

5 

44 

3 

24 

2 

36 

1 

21 

Kind  and  Size  of  Houaea. 


Mary  Moberly  

H.  M.  Edmundson. 
J.  E.  Edmundson  ... 
Nellie  Wingfield  ..... 

J.  W.  Bray 

J.  V    Foster 

M.  E.  Dickson 


Frame 
Frame 
Frume 
Frame 
Frame 
Brick, 
Brick, 


22x28  feet. 

24x30  feet. 
,  20x24  feet. 
,  24x26  feet. 
,  22x28  feet. 

34x36  feet. 

22x26  feet. 


Various  schoolhouses  were  used  in  Ellettsville  prior  to  about  1855,  at 
which  time  a  large  frame  house  with  two  rooms  was  erected,  and  used 
until  the  present  brick  structure  was  constructed  about  twelve  years  ago. 
Maj.  H.  F.  Perry  was  one  of  the  first  teachers  in  the  old  frame  house. 
The  present  two-storied  brick  cost  about  $7,000,  was  built  by  the  town- 
ship, and  is  occupied  by  five  teachers,  who  cannot  properly  instruct  all 
the  town  children,  and  a  small  brick  building  near  it  is  also  used. 


CHURCHES. 

The  old  Vernal  Baptist  Church  was  one  of  the  very  first,  if  not  the  first, 
organized  in  Monroe  Connty.  Meetings  were  held  during  the  winter  of 
1817-18,  but  probably  no  organization  was  effected  until  several  years  later. 
Among  the  first  members  were  the  families  of  James  Parks,  Benjamin 
Parks,  George  Parks,  Lewis  Noel,  Leroy  May  field,  John  Sanders,  the 
Coffeys,  Mr.  Shreeves,  the  Martins,  Frank  Hall,  and  others.  A  rude 
log  church  was  built  in  the  Sanders  neighborhood,  in  about  1826,  and 
•was  used  until  about  1838,  when  a  frame  church,  built  further  north  and 
within  about  three-fourths  of  a  mile  of  Ellettsville,  took  its  place.  The 
old  log  house  was  so  open  that  in  cold  weather  meetings  were  held  in  the 
residences  of  the  members — principally  in  that  of  James  Parks,  who 


VAN  BUREN  TOWNSHIP.  507 

for  many  years  was  Deacon  of  the  church  and  its  most  prominent 
member.  Rev.  James  Chambers  was  the  first  minister,  but  within  two 
or  three  years  he  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  Leroy  Mayfield,  who  was 
pastor  over  thirty  years.  The  Bethany  Baptist  was  organized  quite  early, 
some  of  the  early  members  being  the  families  of  John  Wilburn,  William 
Sparks,  Abe  May,  Henry  Flood,  William  H.  Treadway  and  Henry 
Sanders.  Another  famous  early  church  was  the  Cumberland  Presby- 
terian, of  Richland  Township.  Citizens  of  Bloomington  of  this  faith 
often  went  out  to  attend  this  church.  It  was  organized  before  1830,  and 
among  the  members  were  the  Sharps,  Constables,  Figgs,  Johnsons,  Halls, 
Clays.  The  church  was  built  on  Section  4,  and  was  known  as  the  Pleas- 
ant Hill  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church.  Thomas  J.  Sharp  furnished 
the  land  on  Section  4.  Another  early  class  was  the  Christian  Church, 
organized  in  the  thirties,  among  the  early  members  being  the  families  of 
Pleasant  York,  Andrew  Reeves,  James  Everman,  Wesley  Acuff,  James 
Hall,  J.  H.  Houston,  and  others.  The  Church  was  called  North  Liberty 
Church  of  Christ.  The  old  Methodist  Church  in  Richland  was  organized 
in  the  twenties.  It  was  called  Wesley  Chapel,  and  among  the  early  mem- 
bers were  the  Kerbys,  the  Smiths,  the  Hopewells,  the  Sedwicks,  the 
Reeveses,  the  Knightons,  the  Stinesons,  the  Moots,  the  Sharps,  and  others. 
Others  were  organized  early  and  later.  The  Presbyterians,  Methodists, 
Christians  and  Baptists,  remnants  of  the  old  organizations,  have  churches 
in  Ellettsville  and  in  the  township. 


VAN  BUREN  TOWNSHIP. 


INTRODUCTION. 

THIS  subdivision  of  Monroe  is  one  of  the  most  productive  in  the 
county.  There  is  perhaps  more  good  soil  for  the  producer  than 
any  other  portion  of  equal  extent.  This  became  known  at  a  very  early 
day,  and  led  to  rapid  settlement  and  growth.  Many  of  the  best  citizens 
came  here  and  made  it  their  abiding  place,  and  those  valuable  adjuncts 
of  civilization — education  and  religion — took  here  in  early  years  a  deeper 
root  than  in  any  other  place  in  the  county,  except  Bloomington.  Insti- 
tutions were  established  here  which  had  for  their  object  the  widest  dif- 
fusion of  knowledge,  and  the  establishment  of  the  highest  and  purest  sys- 
tem of  morality.  And  the  country  was  suited  for  such  institutions.  The 
lands  were  rich,  fertile  and  promised  that  plenty  which  always  brings 
prosperity  and  peace.  Many  of  the  earliest  residents  were  descendants 
of  the  chivalrous  stock  of  the  South,  possessing  culture  and  refinement  fit 
to  adorn  any  society,  and  an  appreciation  of  the  advantages  of  social,  in- 
tellectual and  moral  improvement  which  promised  enduring  benefits  to 
the  fabric  of  society.  Here  let  the  natural  resources  of  the  township  be 
set  forth. 

THE    TIMBER,    SOIL,    STONE,    ETC. 

The  surface  is  less  rolling  than  many  other  portions  of  the  county, 
but  is  well  drained,  as  well  as  well  watered.     Several  small  streams  take 

32 


508  HISTORY   OF   MONROE   COUNTY. 

their  source  here,  which  accounts  for  the  numerous  springs  of  good  hard 
water,  and  for  the  productiveness  of  the  surface  soil  which  has  not  been 
denuded  of  its  rich  alluvial  properties.  The  township  originally  con- 
tained heavy  bodies  of  the  best  black  and  white  walnut,  hard  and  soft 
maple,  some  half  dozen  varieties  of  oak,  chestnut,  elm,  beech,  sycamore, 
white  and  yellow  poplar,  ash,  cherry,  gum,  sassafras,  dogwood,  spicewood, 
etc.  Much  of  this — all  the  better  grades — has  been  cut  away.  An  im- 
portant natural  feature  is  the  big  cave  in  the  northwestern  part.  Its 
real  depth  is  unknown,  as  it  is  probable  that  all  the  ramifications  have 
never  been  explored.  It  is  safe  to  say  that  the  numerous  branches,  cuts, 
and  turns  aggregate  one  mile  in  extent.  Within,  the  air  is  warm  and 
salubrious,  and  the  revelation  of  geologic  formations  repays  the  student 
for  his  dark  visit.  Valuable  fossils,  geodes  containing  crystals  of  dog- 
tooth spar  of  great  beauty,  stalactites  and  stalagmites  of  great  size, 
masses  of  limestone  and  shale,  highly  colored  with  iron  and  magnesium, 
and  sandstone  with  variegated  colors  and  numerous  partings  may  be  seen 
in  the  walk  through  "Puett's  Cave."  It  is  quite  a  resort  for  pleasure-seek- 
ers. Picnic  parties  from  Bloomington  come  out  to  view  the  wonder,  and 
students  of  geology  come  to  view  and  study  the  mysteries  of  that  science. 
Once  upon  a  time,  a  party  of  students  came  here  in  the  morning,  tied 
their  horses  in  the  grove  near  by,  entered  the  cave,  but  came  not  forth 
even  when  darkness  set  in.  A  resident  near  the  cave  saw  the  horses, 
and  suspecting  that  all  was  not  right,  lighted  a  torch  and  entered  the  dark 
chamber,  and  after  walking  some  distance  found  the  students  who  for 
hours  had  been  endeavoring  to  get  out  without  avail  huddled  together, 
frightened,  bewildered,  lost,  and  reconciled  to  pass  the  night  without  food 
or  sleep  in  the  cave.  Their  joy  and  thanks  were  profuse  when  they  at 
last  stood  outside.      The  following  is  the  geologic  formation  on  Section  4  : 

Feet. 

Loamy  soil,  reddish  color 4 

Chester  sandstone,  bowlders  and  irregular   masses  of  ferruginous 

sandstone 40 

Argillaceous  layers,  containing   irregular   masses   of  chert,  clay, 

stones  and  fragments  of  fossils 10 

Limestone  (Upper  St.  Louis  Group),  light  gray  and  shaly 16 

Limestone,  same  group,  light  gray,  very  hard  and  silicious,  irreg- 
ularly bedded  and  unfossiliferous 30 

Total 100 

LAND  ENTRIES,  SETTLEMENTS,  ETC. 

The  following  purchases  were  made  in  Van  Buren  Township  in  1816 : 
Arthur  Patterson,  Section  1;  Jacob  Cutler,  David  Matlock,  Daniel 
Sears,  James  Parks,  James  Matlock,  on  Section  2;  John  Cutler,  on  4; 
Archibald  Wood,  320  acres  on  Section  10;  John  Allen  and  George 
Matlock,  on  11;  George  Matlock,  12;  Jonathan  Rains,  on  13;  also,  on 
the  same  section,  John  Carr  and  John  W.  Lee ;  John  Allen,  James  Bor- 
land and  John  Carr,  on  Section  14;  Archibald  Wood,  Michael  Wood  and 
David  Matlock,  on  15;  John  Collins  and  Joseph  Berry,  on  21;  William 
Wilson  and  William  Newcomb  (320  acres)  on  Section  22 ;  John  Harvey 
(320  acres),  Jonathan  Nichols  and  Arthur  Patterson,  on  Section  24;  Sol- 
omon Green  and  Archibald  Wood,  on  Section  25 ;  Levin  Lawrence  on 
26 ;  Adam  Darling  on  27;  Joseph  Berry,  Adam  Bowen  and  John  Bris- 


VAN  BUREN  TOWNSHIP.  509 

coe  on  28;  Jesse  Tarkington,  Arthur  Patterson  and  John  Sadler  on  31; 
Arthur  Patterson  and  Joseph  Berry  on  32;  Joseph  Berry  on  83;  John 
Storm  on  34  ;  Thomas  McCrang  on  35 ;  Josiah  Jackson,  John  Johnson 
and  Joseph  Richardson  on  Section  36.  The  following  tracts  were  bought 
in  1817  :  David  Matlock  on  Section  2;  Francis  Charlice  on  11;  James 
Matlock  on  12;  Eli  Lee  on  14  ;  William  Newcomb  on  15;  Pierre  Cha- 
curn  on  22 ;  Solomon  Phillips  on  23 ;  Joseph  Gerrard  and  James  Par- 
sons on  26;  Adam  Kern  and  Isaac  Rogers  on  27;  John  Berry  on  33; 
Joseph  Berry  on  34.  No  other  entries  were  made  until  1823,  as  follows: 
Austin  S.  Reeves  on  9;  and  Littleton  West  on  21;  Vincent  Lindsey  bought 
on  Section  1  in  1824;  Eli  P.  Farmer,  on  Section  2  the  same  year;  John 
Mahala  on  Section  10  the  same  year ;  John  M.  Berry  on  Section  29 ; 
Lemuel  Lyons  on  Section  1  in  1825;  George  Moss  on  5  in  1829; 
Thomas  Snoddy  on  6  in  1826;  John  Watson  on  8  in  1828;  Robert  Rice 
on  9  in  1828;  Henry  Sanders  on  10  in  1827;  William  Deskins  on  10 
in  1828;  George  Milam  on  12  in  1827;  Isaac  Rogers  on  21  in  1825; 
Joseph  Berry  on  21  in  1825;  Gaspard  Koons  on  26  in  1825;  William 
Morris  on  29  in  1829,  and  on  33  also ;  John  H.  Bunger  and  Orion 
Crocker  on  33  in  1829.  The  above  were  all  the  entries  of  land  prior  to 
1830.  The  name  of  the  first  actual  resident  in  the  township  cannot  be 
stated,  but  was  doubtless  one  of  the  above-mentioned  men.  Several  are 
known  to  have  come  with  their  families  in  1816,  but  if  any  came  before, 
such  fact  cannot  now  be  stated  with  certainty,  though  there  are  strong 
presumptions  that  in  1815  the  township  contained  white  families. 

GROWTH  AND  DEVELOPMENT. 

The  old  Hamilton  Grist  Mill  was  erected  by  Robert  Hamilton  early  in 
the  twenties,  and  of  course  was  operated  by  water-power  secured  in  the 
usual  manner  by  means  of  a  dam.  It  was  an  extremely  rude  affair  at 
first,  but  owing  to  necessity  received  a  liberal  patronage.  Orion  Crocker 
was  the  miller.  A  man  named  Hamill  bought  the  mill  probably  about 
1834,  and  operated  it  with  some  improvements  until  soon  after  1840, 
when  it  passed  to  John  Shirly,  who  practically  rebuilt  and  refitted  the 
structure  and  the  dam,  and  very  materially  improved  the  quality  and 
quantity  of  flour  produced.  He  introduced  an  improved  method  of  re- 
grinding  the  shorts  that  increased  the  yield  of  flour  to  the  bushel,  and 
also  improved  the  quality.  This  useful  old  mill  continued  to  run  until  a 
comparatively  few  years  ago,  when  it  was  abandoned.  About  the  year 
1830,  James  F.  Leonard  erected  a  grist  mill  about  three  hundred  yards 
from  the  Hamilton  Mill  on  the  same  stream.  His  dam  was  rude  and 
often  broke,  and  after  a  few  years  he  introduced  steam  and  used  the  two 
motors,  steam  and  water,  to  operate  his  mill.  The  mill  did  good  work 
from  the  start,  and  under  different  hands  and  greatly  improved  in  build- 
ing and  equipments,  is  yet  running.  It  has  always  been  a  good  mill. 
Saw  mills  were  early  operated  in  connection  with  these  mills.  Among 
the  earliest  residents  of  Van  Buren  Township  were  the  families  of  James 
Gentry,  Absalom  Baker,  Robert  B.  Givens,  Andrew  Gray,  George 
Grubb,  Samuel  Grabeal,  Solomon  Green  (one  of  the  very  first ;  came  in 
when  the  Indians  were  as  thick  as  wild  turkeys),  Seth  Goodwin  (very 
early),  William  Gray  (very  early),  Andrew  Gray,  Lewis  Harman,  Jasper 


510  HISTORY   OF   MONROE  COUNTY. 

Koons,  Felix  Landers,  Matthew  Legg,  Benjamin  Neeld,  William  Neeld 
(very  early,  with  the  Indians),  the  Prices,  Hiram  Pauley,  Solomon  Phil- 
lips, Rebecca  Rawlins,  the  Renshaws,  Benjamin  Rice,  Robert  Rice,  Wil- 
liam Rice,  John  Saddler,  Henry  Sanders,  L.  G.  Shryer,  James  G. 
Sparks,  Noble  Stockwell,  James  Shipman,  John  Shipman,  Thomas 
Snoddy,  John  Tarkington,  W^.  C.  Tarkington,  Sylvan  us  Tarkington, 
Samuel  Turner,  Reuben  Ward,  Luke  Ward.  Booker  Wit  and  many  others 
mentioned  above  as  entering  land.  The  Berrys  were  early  and  prom- 
inent. 

POLL-TAX  PAYERS  OF  1841. 

George  Allcorn,  Joseph  Abrams,  Wyatt  Adkins,  Jacob  Bunger,  Jr., 
Joseph  Bunger,  Henry  Brock,  Absalom  Baker,  John  Bunger,  David 
Bunger,  Philip  Bunger,  Jacob  Baker,  Maiden  Baker,  William  Berry,  G. 
D.  Berry,  William  Burkis,  Peter  Bowen,  Winston  Burch,  Street  Cox, 
Harbin  Cole,  Barton  W.  Cole,  H.  Campbell,  Richard  Crane,  Joseph 
Cole,  Samuel  Cooper,  John  G.  Campbell,  Orion  Crocker,  Samuel  Cline, 
John  Dinsmore,  Burdit  Dawson,  H.  Davis,  James  Davis,  E.  N.  Elliott, 
George  Eller,  John  Eller,  Henry  Eller,  Henry  Fritz,  Thomas  Fullerton, 
James  Fritz,  John  Fritz,  Jr.,  Wesley  Fritz,  James  Gentry,  John  Griff- 
iths, Alfred  Griffiths,  J.  P.  Givens,  John  Goodnight,  Robert  B.  Givens, 
Andrew  Gray,  William  Gray,  Solomon  Green,  Thomas  Gwinn,  Lewis 
Harmon,  Joseph  Hazelwood,  Allen  Hite,  Moses  Hall,  David  Hall,  Adam 
Hunter,  William  Koons,  Conrad  Koons,  J.  F.  Leonard,  Matthew  Legg, 
Samuel  Linden,  John  P.  May,  Adam  Nutler,  Benj.  Neeld,  John  Oram, 
William  Porch,  Levy  Price,  John  H.  Porch,  Aaron  Pindle,  William  Rose- 
berry,  J.  D.  Reeves,  Robert  Rice,  Thomas  Renshaw,  William  Rice,  John 
Stout,  Joseph  Sanders,  D.  C.  Smith,  Noble  Stockwell,  John  Shipman, 
Samuel  Sloan,  Jacob  Summit,  Joseph  Small,  Helen  Smith,  John  Small, 
William  Smith,  John  Tarkington,  John  R.  Truit,  Reuben  Ward,  William 
Whisman,  Luke  Ward,  Booker  Wit,  John  Willborn  and  Joel  Woodall. 
Those  who  paid  the  highest  tax  were:  Noble  Stockwell,  $15.80;  L.  G. 
Shryer,  $14.85;  D.  C.  Smith,  $15.21 ;  John  Stout,  $13.05;  Solomon 
Philips,  $13.20;  Benjamin  Neeld,  $20.69;  Conrad  Koons,  $26.80; 
Moses  Hall,  $19.92;  Seth  Goodwin,  $23.21;  Solomon  Green,  Sr., 
$13.20  ;  Henry  Fritz,  $19.37 ;  estate  of  John  Eller,  deceased,  $13.75  ; 
George  Eller,  $15.25;  Barton  W.  Cole,  $14.15;  David  Bunger,  $14.15; 
William  Berry,  $16.35.  The  total  number  of  polls  was  134  ;  number 
of  acres,  14,297  ;  value  of  land  $98,890  ;  value  of  town  lots,  $300 ; 
personal  property,  $28,706;  total  taxables,  $127,796;  State  tax, 
$610.74;  county  tax,  $291.14;  total  tax,  $901.88. 

STANFORD. 

This  little  village  was  laid  out  by  Jesse  Tarkington  late  in  the  thirties, 
and  soon  afterward  a  store  was  established  there  by  James  Crane,  who 
conducted  his  establishment  for  several  years.  This  store  was  started 
about  1839.  It  is  said  that  Kemble,  Klein  &  Co.  also  established  a  store 
in  the  village  about  the  year  1842.  In  about  1845,  Zachariah  Catron 
opened  a  store  in  the  village,  and  from  that  on,  for  several  years,  kept  a 
general  stock,  worth  about  $2,000.  Sylvester  Dory  started  up  about  the 
same  time.     In  1848,  Nicholas  Dillinger  and  Victor  Dory  formed  a  part- 


VAN  BUREN  TOWNSHIP.  511 

nership,  and  began  a  general  mercantile  business,  under  the  firm  name  of 
Dillinger  &  Dory.  Sylvester  Dory  and  Zachariah  Catron  were  yet  in 
business.  The  following  year  (1849)  Odell  &  Walker  began  business  with 
a  stock  estimated  to  have  been  worth  $5,000.  In  1850,  Elmore  Walker 
established  a  store.  Dudley  <fe  Adams  engaged  in  the  same  pursuit  in 
1852,  and  Street  Cox  &  Sons  about  the  same  time.  There  were  at  this 
period  about  four  general  stores  in  the  village,  two  or  three  blacksmiths, 
a  saw  mill,  etc.  etc.,  and  a  population  of  about  150.  The  town  has  kept 
about  this  size  until  the  present,  A.  J.  Ritchey,  F.  M.  Holder  &  Co. 
have  general  stores  at  present.  Carmichael  &  Fields  were  in  with  goods 
before,  as  were  Young  &  Smith,  Baker  Bros,  and  Sparks  Brothers.  Drs. 
Cook  and  Gaston  have  drugs,  Joseph  Green  is  the  blacksmith,  James 
Gaston  is  Postmaster.  The  little  village  has  a  tri-weekly  mail  from 
Bloomington.     The  population  is  about  200. 

TOWNSHIP   MORALS. 

In  general,  the  citizens  of  Van  Buren  Township  have  been  a  very 
well-behaved  people.  A  large  portion,  since  the  earliest  settlement,  has 
been  connected  with  the  various  religious  classes  ;  and  the  other  portion — 
the  non-professors,  or  unbelievers — has  been  sober  and  moral.  A  class 
of  the  Church  of  Christ  was  early  organized — about  1830 — and  for  a  time 
met  for  worship  at  the  house  of  Joseph  Berry,  who  was  one  of  the  leading 
members.  Robert  Hamilton,  Joseph  Berry,  John  Porch,  John  Good- 
night, Dudley  C.  Smith,  John  Givens,  John  Bunger  and  their  families, 
were  members.  This  class  was  made  up  from  Van  Buren  and  Indian 
Creek  Townships.  A  log  church  was  built  quite  early — about  1834 — 
and  was  used  for  many  years.  The  Methodists  established  a  class  in  the 
southwestern  part  early  in  the  thirties,  the  leading  early  members  being 
Lewis  Harman,  David  Carpenter,  Dennison  Whaley,  E.  W.  Tarkington, 
Maiden  Baker,  Jacob  Baker,  William  Higgins,  Lewis  L.  Allen,  Jesse 
Tarkington,  Samuel  Day,  George  G.  Walker  and  their  families.  Lewis 
Dale  was  the  pastor  in  1850.  This  class  has  endured  until  the  present, 
and  early  built  a  church  at  Stanford,  which  is  yet  used.  Early  in  the 
forties,  the  United  Baptists  organized  a  class  in  the  vicinity  of  Stanford, 
among  the  earliest  members  being  the  families  of  John  Griffith,  Jesse 
Goss,  James  Steele,  Henry  Flood,  William  Sparks,  Abe  May,  W.  H. 
Treadway — the  latter  four  also  belonging  to  the  Baptist  Church  in  Rich- 
land Township.  This  class  grew,  thrived,  and  built  a  church  about 
1850.  The  old  Union  Meeting-house,  on  Section  36,  also  had  a  large 
membership  in  the  four  townships — Van  Buren,  Perry,  Clear  Creek  and 
Indian  Creek.  The  old  Baptist  Church  in  the  southern  part  of 
Richland  Township,  drew  a  strong  membership  from  the  limits  of 
Van  Buren.  The  citizens  in  the  northeastern  part  joined  the  churches 
at  Bloomington.  The  educational  and  religious  community  at  the  village 
of  Harmony,  northeast  of  Stanford,  was  the  earliest  union  of  religious 
sentiment  in  the  county.  Members  of  any  orthodox  denomination  were 
eligible  to  membership.  Later  years  have  seen  the  organization  of  other 
religious  classes,  and  the  increased  membership  and  prosperity  of  the  old, 
until  no  portion  of  the  county  is  better  supplied  with  moral  advantages. 


512  HISTORY  OF  MONROE  COUNTY. 


The  first  school  was  taught  in  about  the  year  1824,  at  what  afterward 
became  the  village  of  Harmony,  the  teacher  being,  so  it  is  stated, 
Jonathan  Nichols.  The  house  was  a  vacated  log  cabin  that  had  been 
erected  for  a  dwelling,  and  was  temporarily  fixed  up  for  school  purposes. 
It  is  not  certain  where  the  next  was  started  unless  it  was  at  the  village  of 
Harmony,  where  two  or  three  terms  of  excellent  school  were  conducted 
under  the  supervision  of  the  Blue  Spring  Community.  A  school  was 
started  in  the  southeastern  part  about  1828,  one  of  the  Berrys,  it  is  said, 
being  the  first  teacher.  A  schoolhouse  that  was  erected  in  the  southern 
part  of  Richland  Township  was  attended  by  the  children  of  Van  Buren, 
in  the  northern  part,  but  soon  after  1830  a  log  schoolhouse  was  con- 
structed on  Section  4  or  9,  which  answered  the  purpose  for  several  years. 
Some  state  that  the  first  school  in  the  township  was  taught  near 
what  is  now  Stanford,  one  of  the  Tarkingtons  being  the  first  teacher.  In 
1836,  there  were  four  school  districts  and  schoolhouses.  In  1847,  there 
were  eight  school  districts  in  the  township,  and  during  the  winter  of 
1846-47,  six  schools  were  taught.  The  enumeration  in  the  districts  at  this 
time  was  as  follows :  No.  1,  73;  No.  2,  94;  No.  3,  64;  No.  4,47;  No.  5, 
72  ;  No.  6.  19  ;  No.  7,  66  ;  No.  8,  48.  School  was  not  taught  during  the 
winter  in  Districts  No.  5  and  6.  The  average  daily  attendance  was  as 
follows:  No.  1,43;  No.  2,  15  ;  No.  3,  17;  No.  4,  16 ;  No.  7,  14  ; 
No.  8,  13.  Six  months  school  was  taught  in  District  No.  3  ;  two  months 
in  No.  7,  and  three  months  in  the  others.  The  teachers  were  paid  for 
the  term,  exclusive  of  a  small  amount  of  tuition  or  subscription,  as  fol- 
lows :  No.  1,  .^30  ;  No.  2,  $25 ;  No.  3,  $75  ;  No.  4,  $45  ;  No.  7,  $36; 
No.  8,  $45.  The  School  Trustees  at  this  time  were  Conrad  Koons,  John 
H.  Porch  and  James  P.  Givens.  In  1849  (March),  there  were  eight 
school  districts,  as  above  given,  with  the  following  enumeration :  No.  1, 
38  males  and  48  females ;  No.  2,  26  males  and  24  females  ;  No.  3,  36 
males  and  12  females;  No.  4,  30  males  and  23  females;  No.  5,  34 
males  and  42  females ;  No.  6,  45  males  and  31  females ;  No.  7,  24 
males  and  25  females  ;  No.  8,  28  males  and  28  females.  Total  enumera- 
tion, males  261,  females  233 ;  grand  total,  494.  The  schools  at  this 
time  were  not  surpassed  by  any  other  country  portion  of  the  county. 
When  the  new  school  law  came  into  effect  in  1853,  and  one  Trustee  took 
the  place  of  three,  and  new  funds  were  created  for  the  common  schools, 
within  a  few  years  many  of  the  districts  built  new  hjuses — not  of  logs, 
but  of  the  best  native  lumber.  Great  improvements  were  made  during 
the  fifties  in  school  methods  and  systems.  During  the  sixties,  still  greater 
improvements  were  made,  and  now  the  school  system  of  the  township, 
the  county  and  the  State,  is  not  only  the  pride  of  the  residents,  but  the 
admired  object  of  neighboring  States.  The  following  table  explains 
itself: 


VAN  BUREN  TOWNSHIP. 


513 


TEACHERS  OF  1880-81. 


Number 

Number  of 

of 

Pupils 

District. 

Enrolled. 

1 

35 

2 

55 

3 

44 

4 

48 

4 

24 

5 

49 

6 

61 

7 

34 

Hattie  Munson 

William  Neill 

Ellsworth  Williams., 
John  W.  French  .... 

A.  C.  Richey 

John  D.  Morgan 

J.  W.  D.  Butcher.., 
F.  P.  Torrence  


Frame, 
Frame, 
Frame, 
Frame, 
Frame, 
Frame, 
Frame, 
Frame, 


22x30  feet. 
22x36  feet. 
22x30  feet. 
24x28  feet. 
24x28  feet. 
20x28  feet. 
22x28  feet. 
22x28  feet. 


From  the  table  it  will  be  seen  that  Stanford  (District  No.  4)  has  two 
schools.  The  old  frame  house  at  Stanford,  built  late  in  the  forties,  was 
succeeded  by  a  better  frame  building,  with  two  rooms,  some  eight  or  ten 
years  ago.     Now  there  are  two  teachers,  as  indicated  in  the  table. 

THE    BLUE     SPllING    COMMUNITY. 

From  1820  to  1860,  there  arose  throughout  the  United  States  a  ten- 
dency to  unite  means  and  influence  in  the  formation  of  what  was  called  a 
"Community,"  for  the  purpose  of  increasing  the  sources  of  a  better  sys- 
tem of  education  and  morals  than  was  afforded  by  the  denominational  and 
educational  organizations  of  that  day.  Many  families  would  place  their 
property  in  charge  of  a  committee  empowered  to  manage  the  common 
interests  and  benefits,  and  would  farm  together,  live  together,  eat 
together,  work  together  in  all  things,  being  governed  by  a  constitution 
and  by-laws.  Men  as  eminent  as  Horace  Greeley,  Charles  Fourier  and 
the  Owens,  of  Posey  County,  Ind.,  were  connected  with  organizations  of 
the  kind,  and  used  their  best  endeavors  to  render  the  system  successful, 
popular  and  universal  throughout  the  country.  One  institution  of  this 
kind  sprang  up  in  Monroe  County,  in  1826,  and  was  called  the  Blue 
Spring  Community. 

The  members  gathered  at  what  soon  was  called  Harmony,  placed  their 
property  in  common,  erected  dwellings,  laid  out  a  public  common  or 
square,  started  one  or  more  stores,  opened  an  excellent  school  in  a  log 
schoolhouse  just  erected,  and  soon  were  in  as  flourishing  a  condition  as 
could  be  expected  in  the  backwoods.  It  was  a  very  new  country  then, 
let  it  be  remembered,  to  establish  and  maintain  such  an  institution  where 
the  purity  of  intention  and  performance  was  made  the  sole  condition  of 
membership.  Neighbors  laughed  at  the  pretensions  of  the  communists 
and  scornfully  predicted  the  speedy  or  ultimate  dissolution  of  the  com- 
munity. But  the  members,  with  noble  intentions,  went  resolutely  at 
work,  determined,  if  possible,  to  make  the  attempt  a  success.  Things 
went  on  quite  smoothly  the  first  year,  or  until  cold  weather  came  on, 
when  many  left,  going  back  to  their  former  cabins.  Some  conflict  had 
occurred,  some  misunderstandings  from  human  imperfections,  and  when 
the  spring  of  1827  arrived,  all  attempts  to  continue  the  community  was 
voluntarily  abandoned,  to  the  sincere  regret  of  some  of  the  purest- minded 
citizens  ever  residents  of  Monroe  County. 


514  HISTORY   OF   MONROE   COUNTY. 


INDIAN    CREEK    TOWNSHIP. 

GEOLOGICAL    STRUCTURE. 

THIS  subdivision  6f  Monroe  County  lies  in  the  extreme  southwestern 
corner,  and  is  one  of  the  richest  tracts  of  land  to  be  found  within  a 
radius  of  many  miles.  There  is  more  loam  in  the  soil  than  is  usually 
found  in  the  townships  of  the  county,  and  this,  combined  with  the  fact  that 
the  township  as  a  whole  is  not  scrolling,  renders  it  a  more  desirable  place 
of  residence  for  farming.  The  township  is  drained  by  the  branches  of 
Clear  Creek  and  Indian  Creek.  This  is  one  of  the  few  localities  of  the 
county  where  the  celebrated  Chester  sandstone  appears  at  the  surface, 
and  consists  of  light  gray  and  bright  red  laminated  stone,  highly  ferru- 
ginous and  usually  irregularly  bedded.  The  iron  deposit  on  Sections  6 
and  7 — unusually  rich  and  heavy,  but  hardly  rich  enough  to  work, 
belongs  to  the  group  of  Chester  sandstone.  There  are  fine  displays  of 
this  sandstone  at  Buena  Vista  and  elsewhere.  The  principal  stone  of  the 
township  lies  next  underneath  the  sandstone  and  belongs  to  the  Upper 
St.  Louis  Group  of  limestone.  The  formation  of  strata  on  Section  7  is 
as  follows  : 

feet. 

Pale  red  loamy  soil 6 

Chester  sandstone,  containing  stigmaria  ficoides,  and    calamites  canne 

formis,  weather  worn 20 

Argillaceous  and  cherty  layers 10 

Limestone  (Upper  St.  Louis  Group)  light  gray,  hard,  silicious,  and 
irregularly  bedded,  containing  zaphrentis  spinulo'sa  Athyristrin- 
uclua,  Pellerophon  sablaevis  and  Syringopora  multattennafa 30 

Total 66 

This  table  illustrates  the  stone  wealth  of  the  township.  Sandstone 
and  limestone  are  both  found  in  abundance.  The  iron  deposits  are  rich, 
and  furnish  all  wells  and  springs  with  tonic  for  the  blood.  The  soil  is 
rich  and  the  timber  is  less  stripped  of  its  finer  grades  by  vandals  than 
other  portions  of  the  county  contiguous  to  railroads.  In  short,  Indian 
Creek  is  one  of  the  best  townships  of  the  county. 

GOVERNMENT  LAND  ENTRIES. 

The  following  entries  of  land  were  made  in  the  year  1816  :  William 
Bigger,  Richard  Beem  and  John  Kutch  on  Section  1  ;  Isaac  Withers  on 
Section  3 ;  John  M.  Sadler  on  Section  6  ;  Archibald  Wood  on  the  same 
section  ;  John  Storm  on  Section  12 ;  William  King  and  John  Storm  on 
Section  13 ;  Henry  Speed  on  Section  19 ;  John  Storm  and  Elzy  Wood- 
ward on  20 ;  Archibald  Wood  on  30.  In  1817  the  following  entries 
were  made :  Moses  Olds  on  Section  1  ;  William  Crum,  James  Wright 
and  William  Leahy  on  2 ;  Benjamin  Freeland  on  5 ;  Benjamin  Freeland 
450  acres  on  Section  7  ;  John  White,  Isaiah  Wright  and  James  Wright 
on  Section  11 ;  James  Wright,  James  Mitchell  and  Jacob  Beals  on  12, 


INDIAN  CREEK  TOWNSHIP.  515 

and  the  latter  also  on  24  ;  William  Wyman  on  25 ;  James  Wright  on  26  ; 
Thomas  Wilson,  Alexander  Clark  each  160  acres  on  Section  33 ;  Zach- 
ariah  Dicks  160  acres  on  34  ;  William  Wright  and  James  Smith  on  35. 
John  Burch  bought  a  tract  on  Section  5  on  the  11th  of  November,  1819. 
Peter  Sansiford  bought  on  Section  18  in  1823.  Lemuel  and  Joel  Sex- 
son  bought  on  Sections  19  and  20  in  1827  and  1828.  Joseph  Arthur 
bought  on  21  in  1818,  and  Richard  Wright  on  23  the  same  year.  Sol- 
omon Morgan  bought  160  acres  on  Section  24  in  1829.  Caleb  Lowder 
bought  80  acres  on  Section  27  in  1819.  Jonathan  Howell  on  28  in 
1818  ;  Alexander  Clark  on  34  in  1818  ;  William  Jones  on  34  in  1825. 
This  comprises  all  the  entries  prior  to  1830. 

THE    FIRST    FAMILIES, 

Among  the  early  settlers  of  the  township  were  the  Dicks,  the  Lambs, 
the  Crums,  the  Burch es,  the  Morgans,  the  Walkers,  the  Wrights,  the 
Mays,  the  Joneses,  the  Easts,  the  Clarks,  the  Adamses,  the  Carpenters,  the 
Tatums,  the  Oliphants,  the  Carmichaels,  the  Brosfields,  the  Penningtons, 
the  Phillips,  the  Teagues,  the  Graves,  the  Smiths,  the  Gwinns,  the  Tread- 
ways,  the  Turners,  and  many  others.  It  is  probable  that  Lamb  was  the  first 
permanent  settler,  though  the  Walkers  were  in  early  and  also  the  Easts, 
the  Wrights,  the  Burches  and  others  whose  names  have  escaped  the  recol- 
lection of  the  old  settlers.  The  first  settlers  were  scattered  over  the 
township  in  rude  log  cabins  surrounded  by  small  open  tracts  of  cultivated 
land  which  were  inclosed  by  rail  fences  made  by  the  settlers.  Neighbors 
lived  miles  apart,  but  intercourse  was  begun  and  kept  up. 

MILLING    ENTERPRISES. 

Owing  to  the  fact  that  Indian  Creek  Township  had  no  streams  of  suf- 
ficient size,  there  were  no  early  mills  or  other  industries  operated  by 
water-power  in  early  years.  Two  or  three  hand  mills  and  horse  mills 
were  operated  in  several  neighborhoods  at  times,  but  no  mills  of  wide 
popularity  and  patronage  were  built  within  the  limits  of  the  township, 
unless  the  old  mill  in  the  southwestern  part  can  be  considered  as  such. 
The  old  Hamilton  Mill  in  Van  Buren  Township  and  the  Ketchum  Mill  in 
the  northwest  corner  of  Clear  Creek  Township,  were  the  sources  whence 
were  obtained  the  supplies  of  flour  and  meal.  These  were  the  earliest 
mills  which  supplied  Indian  Creek  Township.  Two  or  three  other  mills 
•  were  built  on  Clear  Creek,  and  south  in  Greene  County  nn  Indian  Creek, 
at  a  later  date,  which  received  some  of  the  later  patronage,  though  the 
Ketchum's  mill  and  the  Hamilton's  mill  were  the  stand-bys,  even  until  a 
comparatively  recent  date.  A  saw  mill  was  started  in  the  southern  part 
at  a  very  early  day,  and  it  is  said  that  the  first  whisky  shop  in  the 
county  was  opened  in  this  township. 

THE   VIRGINIA    IRON   WORKS.  • 

The  most  notable  industry  ever  in  the  township  was  the  iron  furnace 
established  in  about  1839,  in  the  northwestern  part,  by  Randolph  Ross, 
a  Virginian,  who  had  been  engaged  in  the  same  business  in  his  native 
State,  and  was  familiar  with  the  details  of  iron  manufacture.  In  about 
the  year  above  mentioned,  he  erected  the  necessary  buildings  on  the  north- 


516  HISTORY  OF  MONROE  COUNTY. 

east  quarter  of  Section  7,  employed  a  few  experienced  men,  whom  he 
brought  from  Virginia,  and  began  mining  from  the  side  of  the  hill  there, 
crude  iron  ore  contained  about  twenty  per  cent  of  good  iron.  His  tax  in 
1841  was  $52.25,  more  than  that  of  any  other  man  in  the  county.  His 
tax  in  1842  was  $100.49,  more  than  any  other  man's.  He  owned  156 
acres,  the  land  being  valued  at  $468,  and  the  improvements  at  $6,360, 
and  his  personal  property  was  worth  $1,600,  making  his  total  taxables 
worth  $8,428.  The  father  and  his  son,  Randolph  Ross,  Jr.,  under  the 
name  Randolph  Ross  &  Son's  Virginia  Iron  Works,  within  a  year  after 
starting  had  in  their  employ  about  twenty  men  engaged  in  mining 
the  ore  from  the  hill,  carting  it  to  the  furnace,  where  it  was  melted  and 
the  iron  run  off  into  bars  to  be  shipped  by  wagon  to  Louisville  or  Vin- 
cennes.  The  company  was  incorporated  under  the  laws  of  the  State  with 
a  capital,  if  necessary,  of  $20,000,  and  was  to  continue  for  a  period  of 
ten  years  with  power  to  renew  the  continuance  an  additional  ten  years,  at 
the  option  of  the  incorporators.  If  any  others  had  an  interest  in  the 
works  such  fact  is  not  now  known.  It  is  stated  by  some  that  a  portion  of 
the  capital  was  furnished  by  several  Eastern  parties,  who  were  members 
of  the  incorporation.  The  facts  cannot  be  stated.  Besides  manufactur- 
ing pig  or  bar  iron  for  shipment,  the  company  began  the  general  manu- 
facture for  the  local  trade  of  all  kinds  of  cast-iron  ware  needed  in  the 
new  country,  such  as  kettles,  spiders,  andirons,  pots  and  machinery  cast- 
ings as  rude  hoes,  and  a  few  mold-boards  for  plows.  The  most  of  the 
iron  was  thus  manufactured  into  articles  for  farm  and  domestic  use. 
After  running  successfully  for  about  five  years,  the  company  became  in- 
volved in  some  manner,  and  was  forced  to  suspend  operations.  The  en- 
terprise had  been  highly  successful,  but  the  incorporators  were  forced  to 
suspend  by  reason  of  having  lost  heavily  in  speculations  elsewhere,  and 
not  by  reason  of  the  failure  of  the  iron  furnace  in  Indian  Creek  Township. 

POLL  TAX  PAYERS  OF  1841. 

George  Adams,  Levin  Adams,  John  Burch,  Henry  Burch,  Charles 
Burch,  Achilles  Burch,  William  Brasfield,  James  Brasfield,  Andrew  Bras- 
field,  William  Burch,  Joel  Burch,  Jackson  Burton,  David  Carpenter, 
John  M.  Crum,  William  Cannan,  Charles  Cambs,  John  Crain,  James 
Carmichael,  William  Caw,  Martin  Cambs,  Peter  Carmichael,  G.  Cander, 
John  Carter,  Thomas  Carr,  Jacob  Carpenter,  Thomas  Carter,  Zachariah 
Dicks,  Abel  Edwards,  William  East,  Thomas  P.  East,  Benjamin  Evans, 
John  Evans,  Jesse  East,  Isom  Edington,  John  Fassette,  Spencer  GriflSn, 
James  Gillam,  Richard  Griffin,  John  Gardner,  William  Graves,  Hugh 
Hill,  Hiram  Hazle,  R.  Johnson,  John  Johnson,  William  Jones,  Sanford 
Jones,  Lewis  Jones,  Alfred  Jones,  Elijah  Hinkman,  Daniel  Hinkman, 
James  Kirk,  John  Kirk,  Alexander  Lamb,  Thomas  Lincycomb,  Elijah 
Morgan,  William  May,  John  Mathers,  Solomon  Morgan,  Absalom  Mor- 
gan, Abraham  May,  John  May,  Perminter  Morgan,  Peter  Minks,  Jack- 
son McGee,  Jacob  Myers,  Henry  Minks,  Solomon  May,  James  McLaclan. 
Thomas  Oliphant,  Allen  Price,  John  Pedigo,  Joseph  Pennington,  Allen 
Parkham,  William  Ray,  Henry  Sipes,  Thomas  Shipman,  Benjamin  San- 
ders, Thomas  Sanders,  William  Stephenson,  Benjamin  Sullivan,  Ashbury 
Sears,  Michael  Teague,  Jacob  Teague,  Samuel  Turner, William  Treadway, 


INDIAN  CREEK  TOWNSHIP.  517 

Elijah  Tarkington,  E.  W.  Tarkington,  Abraham  Young,  Peter  Wright, 
Silas  Woodward,  John  White,  Elijah  Wright,  Thomas  Walker,  Andrew 
Walls, William  Weaver,  Sr.,  Isaac  Weaver,  James  Wooter,  David  Wright, 
Elmore  Walker,  Joseph  Walker  and  Jacob  Zikes.  The  total  number  of 
polls  was  174  ;  acres  of  land,  10,39-4;  value  of  lands  and  improvements, 
$52,307 ;  other  taxables,  $27,117 ;  State  tax,  $448.01  ;  county  tax, 
$250.08;  total  tax,  $698.09.  The  heaviest  tax-payers  were:  George 
Adams,  $10.52;  Charles  Burch,  $7.58 ;  Isaac  Brown,  $11.95 ;  Byrd 
Cambs,  $7.58;  Richard  Carmichael,  $8.25;  Zachariah  Dicks,  $7.60; 
John  Evans,  $17.72;  Spencer  Griffin,  $5.18;  James  Gillam,  $7.25  ;  Hugh 
Hill,  $5.35;  William  Jones,  $11.40;  Lewis  Jones,  $7.70;  Alexander 
Lamb,  $9.65;  Elijah  Morgan,  $6.19;  Solomon  Morgan,  $8.87;  Absalom 
Morgan,  $9.20;  Abraham  May,  $7.70 ;  Jacob  Myers,  $6.12;  Solomon 
May,  $7 ;  Randolph  Ross,  Sr.  (iron  works),  $52.25.  His  land,  the  north- 
east quarter  of  Section  7  was  valued  at  $6,000,  and  his  improvements  at 
$3,800.  He  owned  156  acres.  Nicholas  Shipman,  $8.10 ;  John  Sadler, 
$8.29:  John  White,  $7;  James  Wright,  $11.55;  William  Weaver,  $7.15; 
David  Wright,  $8.10;  Joseph  Walker,  $5.63. 

SCHOOLS. 

It  is  said  that  the  first  school  in  the  township  was  taught  near  the 
cabin  of  Elmore  Walker,  in  about  the  year  1824,  but  it  is  quite  certain 
that  another  was  taught  not  far  from  the  same  time  in  the  Burch  neigh- 
borhood, and  probably  one  in  the  Dicks  neighborhood.  Each  of  these 
schools  was  taught  in  a  log  cabin;  two  of  them,  at  least,  in  cabins  that 
had  been  erected  for  residences,  and  had  been  vacated  by  the  builders,  who 
had  left  the  township  or  neighborhood.  After  this  early  date,  sessions 
were  usually  held  in  the  three  localities  named  during  the  winter  months, 
first  in  one  house  and  then  in  another,  shifting  the  location  to  suit  the 
majority  of  children.  The  Burches  were  among  the  early  teachers,  and 
the  younger  members  of  the  Walker  family  also  instructed  the  pioneer 
children.  In  the  year  1836,  there  were  three  log  schoolhouses,  and  one 
or  two  neighborhoods  where  school  was  taught  semi-occasionally,  as  the 
wants  of  the  children  demanded.  In  1846,  the  number  of  schoolhouses 
had  been  increased  to  five;  in  1856,  there  were  eight,  and  possibly  nine. 
The  eight  country  houses  were  located  on  Sections  2,  8,  9,  14,  20,  26,  28 
and  30.  All  were  log  houses  except  two.  The  families  that  attended  the 
house  on  Section  2  were  the  Morgans,  Wrights,  Gwinns,  Koons,  Turners, 
Treadways,  Perry s,  Ballingers,  Thrashers,  et  al.;  Section  8,  the  Burches, 
Sadlers,  Carpenters,  Adamses,  et  al.;  Section  14,  the  Walkers,  Whites, 
Carmichaels,  Chipmans,  Mays,  Kirks,  et  al.;  Section  20,  the  children  of 
Buena  Vista,  the  Lambs,  Carmichaels,  Carters,  Carvers,  Phillips,  Tatums, 
Gordons,  Mays,  et  al.;  Section  26,  the  Stevensons,  Lowes,  Joneses,  Easts, 
Sares,  Hazels,  Teagues,  Smiths,  Couders,  Gilhams,  Wrights,  Millers, 
Morgans,  et  ah;  Section  28,  the  Waterfords,  Graveses,  Dicks,  Joneses, 
Teagues,  Stones,  Easts  and  Nances  ;  Section  30,  the  Simpsons,  Oliphants, 
Hardens,  Graveses,  Pedigos,  Brasfields,  Penningtons,  et  al.  At  this  time 
the  schools  were  in  comparatively  good  shape.  The  following  table  is  the 
later  condition  of  the  schools  : 


518 


HISTORY  OF  MONROE  COUNTY. 


TEACHERS  OF  1880-81. 

Number 

of 
District. 

Actual 
Enumeration 

Kind  and  Size  of  House.. 

John  B.  Hazel 

1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 

49 
28 
37 
45 
48 
38 
38 
40 
40 

Prnmp    90Tr94  fppf 

Michael  Buskirk  

Frame,  20x24  feet. 

Frnmp     99t98  fppt 

Miss  Lou  Bennett ". . 

J,  W.   Carter 

John  F.  Woodward 

W.  C.  Burch 

Speed  Rainbolt 

Frame,  20x26  feet. 
Frame,  20x26  feet. 
Frame,  18x20  feet. 

W.   S.  Wells 

Scott  Rainbolt  

VILLAGES. 

Two  or  three  small  villages  have  flourished  in  this  township.  In 
March,  1849,  Jesse  W,  East,  proprietor,  assisted  by  Henry  Farmer,  sur- 
veyor, laid  out  ten  lots  on  the  south  part  of  the  east  half  of  the  northwest 
quarter  of  Section  20,  and  named  the  village  thus  started  Buena  Vista,  a 
name  then  peculiarly  fresh  and  distinct  in  the  minds  of  all  Hoosiers. 
About  the  same  time,  Mr.  East  started  the  first  store,  and  soon  a  black- 
smith and  a  few  families  located  there.  Since  then  there  have  usually 
been  a  store,  a  blacksmith  and  about  a  dozen  families  at  the  village. 
John  Evans  sold  goods  there,  as  did  Henry  Oliphant,  Woodward  &  Clay 
and  others.  The  present  merchants  are  King  &  Woodward.  Another 
early  town,  now  deserted,  was  Palestine,  founded  by  Alexander  Suther- 
land, during  the  thirties.  He  was  the  first  storekeeper  there,  and  con- 
tinued several  years,  going  then  to  Harrodsburg.  Thomas  Shipman 
probably  succeeded  him  as  the  merchant.  One  of  the  Koons  also  sold 
goods  there.  Kirkville  is  a  recent  village  named  in  honor  of  the  Kirk 
femily.  Lane  &  Carmichael  started  the  store,  but  sold  out  to  Mr.  Kirk, 
who  yet  continues. 

CHURCHES. 

The  first  religious  class  organized  in  this  township  was  the  Methodist 
Church,  founded  in  the  Walker  neighborhood,  about  1825.  For  several 
years,  meetings  were  held  at  the  houses  of  Thomas  Hill,  Elmore  Walker, 
and  elsewhere  in  the  same  portion  of  the  township.  Among  the  earliest 
members  were  the  families  of  Thomas  Hill,  Elmore  Walker,  David  Wells, 
George  Oxsheer,  Michael  Teague,  Burrell  Reeves,  Joseph  S.  Walker, 
Pleasant  O'Brien,  Rev.  Isaac  McElroy,  Farris  Howard,  Rev.  Lewis  Dale 
and  others.  This  was  called  Mt.  Salem  Church,  and  was  famous  in  early 
years  for  the  number  of  its  revivals  and  the  amount  of  good  done  in  the 
neighborhood.  As  the  years  passed  it  gradually  split  up,  several  of  the 
prominent  members  joining  the  Methodist  Class  at  Stanford,  and  several 
others  the  class  at  Harrodsburg,  though  a  few  of  the  old  members  still 
remained  faithful  to  the  parent  organization,  which  continued  to  meet  in 
the  residences  and  schoolhouses  in  the  vicinity  where  it  was  first  founded. 
The  legitimate  descendant  of  the  old  class  is  still  in  existence. 
The  old  Hebron  Baptist  Church,  organized  in  the  southern  part  of  the 
township  during  the  forties,  was  another  class  that  produced  marked  ef- 
fect upon  the  morals  of  the  younger  generations.  The  Oliphants,  Abel 
Edwards  and  family,  and  Joseph  Pennington  and  family  were  early  mem- 


CLEAR  CREEK  TOWNSHIP.  519 

bers.  This  class  met  for  many  years  in  schoolhouses  and  residences, 
and  is  still  in  existence  under  different  hearts  and  hands.  Later  religious 
organizations  have  sprung  up,  but  none  have  produced  more  extended  and 
lasting  benefit  than  the  two  old  ones  mentioned  above. 


CLEAR  CREEK  TOWNSHIP. 


GEOLOGICAL    FORMATION. 

THIS  township  is  one  of  the  best  in  the  county  for  agricultural  pur- 
poses. It  has  an  abundance  of  low  land,  as  it  lies  principally  in  the 
forks  of  Clear  Creek  and  Salt  Creek,  the  two  principal  streams  of  the 
southern  half  of  the  county.  Between  the  forks  the  land  is  gently  un- 
dulating as  a  general  rule,  and  the  surface  soil  contains  an  abundance  of 
food  for  almost  all  farm  productions.  Along  the  two  streams  are  rather 
precipitous  bluffs,  which,  back  some  distance,  gradually  blend  with  the 
general  undulating  surface  of  the  country.  Immediately  adjoining  the 
streams  are  narrow  valleys  very  rich  and  productive.  The  geological 
formation  is  revealed  in  many  places — at  quarries  and  along  the  New 
Albany  Railroad  principally.  In  places  where  the  storms  have  washed 
away  the  surface  soil,  hundreds  of  geodes,  comprising  crystalline  and 
butryoidal,  are  found.  The  railroad  track  at  Harrodsburg  is  509  feet 
above  the  level  of  the  sea,  and  at  Smithville  is  710  feet.  This  shows  a 
railroad  grade  of  201  feet  between  those  two  places,  distant  about  four 
miles  and  a  half.  The  altitude  at  Bloomington  is  745,  and  northwest  of 
Bloomington  at  the  highest  point  of  the  grade  is  883  feet.  The  track  at 
EUettsville  is  685  feet  above  the  sea.  In  the  vicinity  of  Smithville, 
covering  about  a  section  of  land,  the  Keokuk  limestone  makes  its  appear- 
ance at  the  surface.  A  little  distance  west,  extending  a  little  east  of 
north,  is  the  general  overlying  edge  of  the  Keokuk  group,  lapping  upon 
the  knobstone.  A  short  distance  further  west  is  the  St.  Louis  limestone. 
On  Section  2,  about  a  mile  northeast  of  Smithville,  the  geological  forma- 
tion is  as  follows : 

Argillaceous  layers 12  feet. 

Keokuk  limestone,  dark  blue,  with  partings 12  feet. 

Keokuk  limestone,  light  gray,  without  fossils,  save  in  a  fragmentary 

condition 4  feet. 

Keokuk  limestone,  buff  colored,  with  seams  of  chert  and  geodes 8  feet. 

Knob  sandstone  irregularly  bedded 30  feet. 

Knob  shale 70  feet. 

Total 136  feet. 

The  argillaceous  layers  contained  crystalline  and  butryoidal  geodes, 
many  of  great  size  and  beauty,  and  the  following  fossils:  Spirifer 
tenuistriatus,  S.  Keokuki,  S.  fastigatus,  S.  psendolineatus,  Zophrentis 
Daili,  Z.  cornucopia,  Productus  punctatus,  P.  cora,  P.  altonensis, 
Actinocrinus  lowei,  A.  legun  cuius,  A.  pernodosus,  plates  of  A.  hum- 
boldti   and   fragments  of  Agaricocrinus  tuberosus,    stems  and   plates    of 


520  HISTORY   OF   MONROE   COUNTY. 

Platycrinus,  also  stems  of  Scophoicrinus  and  good  specimens  of  Geodo 

crinus  indeanensis.  The  geological  formation  on  Section  10  (Fee's 
farm)  is  as  follows  : 

Argillaceous  and  cherty  layers 10  feet. 

Limestone  (Warsaw  Division  of  the  Lower  St.  Louis  Group) 25  feet. 

Limestone,  Keokuk,  light  gray,  with  partings 15  feet. 

Total 50  feet. 

A  strip  along  the  western  side  of  the  township  is  thus  covered  with 
the  Warsaw  Division  of  the  Lower  St.  Louis  limestone.  In  the  last 
table  above  the  cherty  layers  contain  the  following  fossils :  Lithostratim 
mammillare,  L.  proliferum,  Dichocrinus  simplex,  J),  constrictus,  plates  of 
Platy  crinus  saffordi,  Pentremitis  conoidens,  P.  koninokiana,  plates  of  P. 
obligatus,  plates  of  P.  varsouviensis,  Spirifer  lateralis,  S.  setigerus,  S. 
rostellatus,  Orthis  dubia,  Athyris  hirsuta,  A.  lemellosa,  A.  trinuclea,  A. 
royisii,  Productus  altonensis,  P.  punctatus,  Rhynchonella  mutata,  R. 
grosvenori,  R.  subcuneata,  R.  recunula,  R.  macra,  Terebratula  boyidens, 
T.  turigida,  T.  formosa,  Sphenophoterium  cuneata,  Syringopora  ram- 
ulora,  S.  multattanuata  and  Eumetria  verneuilliana.  The  geoglogical 
formation  at  Harrodsburg  is  as  follows : 

Ferruginous  clay  soil,   suitable  for  bricks 4  feet. 

Chert  and  earthy  layers 6  feet. 

Limestone  (Warsaw  Division  Lower  St.  Louis  Group) 15  feet. 

Limestone  (Keokuk),  dark  blue 10  feet. 

Limestone  (Keokuk),  light  gray 12  feet. 

Knobstone  Group 120  feet. 

Total 167  feet. 

The  formation  at  the  Harrodsburg  depot,  east  side,  is  as  follows  : 

Argillaceous  and  cherty  layers 6  feet. 

Limestone  (W^arsaw  Division),  with  partings 17  feet. 

Limestone  (Keokuk),  dark  and  light  blue 38  feet. 

Limestone    (Keokuk),    light   gray,    containing    Spirifer     Keokuk,     S. 

fastigatus  and  Actinocrinus  lagunculus 6  feet. 

Limestone  (Keokuk),  buff-colored  with  bands  of  chert  and  geodes,  the 
cavities  of  which  are  lined  with  beautiful  crystals  of  quartz  and 
calcareous  spar.  This  stratum  contains  plates  and  stems  of  cri- 
noids ;  also  fragments  of  shells,  too  imperfect,  however,  for  accu- 
rate identification 8  feet. 

Knobstone  Group 60  feet. 

Total 135  fee  . 

At  the  quarry  one-half  mile  south  of  Fairfax,  the  formation  is  as 
follows : 

Bluish  clay  soil 6  feet. 

Knob  sandstone,  with  partings 16  feet. 

Knob  shale 6  feet. 

Total 28  feet. 

Entering  the  township  from  the  east,  it  will  be  seen  from  the  above 
tables  that  the  first  stone  found  would  be  the  Knob  sandstone  ;  then  a 
trifle  west  of  the  center  the  Keokuk  limestone  would  be  found  lapping 
upon  the  Knob  sandstone,  and  a  short  distance  further  west  the  Warsaw 
Division  of  the  Lower  St.  Louis  limestone  would  be  found  lapping  upon 
the  Keokuk  limestone.  This  gives  the  township  both  sandstone  and 
limestone  of  the  first  quality  at  the  surface. 


CLEAR  CREEK  TOWNSHIP.  521 

THE    FIRST    LAND    HOLDERS. 

The  following  entries  of  land  were  made  in  Clear  Creek  Township  in 
the  year  1816 :  Henry  Burkhart,  Thomas  Grimes,  William  Anderson 
and  Bartlett  Woodward  on  Section  3  ;  Adam  Darling  on  Section  4 ; 
Robert  Fields  on  Section  5 ;  William  Bigger  and  Routt  &  Brenton  on  6; 
Fetters  &  Hughes  on  7  ;  Bartlett  Woodward  160  acres  on  Section  10  ; 
George  Paul,  Thomas  Grimes  and  John  Musser  on  15  ;  Michael  Bus- 
kirk  on  17;  John  Vanderoot  and  Fetters  &  Hughes  on  19,  also  Michael 
Harvey  on  the  same  section  ;  Jacob  Mumma  and  Jonathan  Lindley  on 
20  ;  George  Paul  on  21 ;  John  Durham  and  William  Chambers  on  28 ; 
Samuel  Caldwell,  Jonathan  Lindley  320  acres,  and  George  Paul  160 
acres  on  29  ;  John  White  all  of  Section  30 ;  Jonathan  Lindley  and 
Fetters  &  Hughes  on  31 ;  William  Carl  on  32 ;  William  Craig  on  33. 
The  following  entries  were  made  in  1817  ;  Solomon  Lucas  on  Section 
2 ;  Thomas  Hancock,  James  Cully  on  5 ;  John  Scott  on  9  ;  Bartlett 
Woodward  160  acres  on  10;  Silas  Woodward  on  11 ;  Jacob  Beals  on  18; 
Joseph  Strean  320  acres  on  20 ;  William  Chambers  on  21  and  28 ; 
Samuel  Allen  and  John  Farley  on  32;  Conrad  Hanson  on  33.  In  1818 
the  following  intries  were  made :  James  Mitchell  on  Section  5 ;  John 
Storm  on  8 ;  George  Buskirk  and  Thomas  Grimes  on  10  ;  William 
Waymore  and  John  Storm  on  17  ;  Thomas  Duffield  on  18 ;  Samuel 
Smith  on  19  ;  John  Smith  on  32  ;  William  Shields  on  33 ;  Elias  Bruner 
on  34.  Andrew  McKean  bought  on  Section  22  in  1819 ;  Michael 
Myers  on  2  in  1825 ;  John  H.  Anderson  on  4  in  1824,  and  again  in 
1827  ;  David  Scott  on  8  in  1828  ;  John  Deckard  on  11  in  1824  ;  George 
Kimberlin  on  14  in  1828 ;  Edmund  Phillips  on  18  in  1824  ;  Anthony 
Chambers  and  William  Chambers  on  21  in  1829;  George  Paul  on  21 
in  1829;  Michael  Deckard  on  22  in  1824;  John  Scott  on  26  in  lf<19; 
George  Reddick  on  28  in  1821  ;  Elijah  Elliott  on  32  in  1827,  and 
William  Lemon  on  33  in  1829.  These  were  all  the  entries  prior  to  1830. 
Many  settlers  came  in  and  bought  of  other  settlers.  Many  others  owned 
no  land  for  ten  or  twenty  years,  and  several  lived  in  the  township  several 
years,  owning  no  land,  and  leaving  finally  for  some  other  locality. 

THE    FIRST    SETTLER    OF    MONROE    COUNTY. 

The  first  settler  in  this  township  and  in  Monroe  County,  accord- 
ing to  old  Col.  Ketchum,  who  settle  in  the  northwest  corner  of  Clear 
Creek  Township  in  1817,  was  David  McHolland.  This  man  whose  wife 
is  either  now  living  or  was  a  few  years  ago,  at  a  very  advanced  age,  came 
to  the  township  for  permanent  residence  when  the  State  was  yet  a  Terri- 
tory, or  in  1815.  Col.  Ketchum.  who  came  in  two  years  later,  and  was 
well  acquainted  with  Mr.  McHolland,  often  stated  that  the  latter  was,  no 
doubt,  the  first  settler  in  Monroe  County.  Of  course  the  Territory  now 
comprising  the  county,  had  previously  been  invaded  by  white  hunters 
and  trappers,  but,  so  far  as  known,  no  white  family,  including  wife  and 
children,  became  actual  residents  until  Mr.  McHolland  arrived.  He  was 
a  famous  hunter  and  supported  his  family  mainly  with  his  rifle.  He 
killed  numerous  bears  in  various  portions  of  the  county,  often  under  cir- 
cumstances of  great  personal  peril.  His  wife  always  boasted  of  having 
baked  the  first  corn  pone  in  Monroe  County,  and  was,  no  doubt,  justified 


522  HISTORY   OF   MONROE   COUNTY. 

by  facts  in  doing  so.  The  McHollands  cultivated  an  acre  or  two  of 
ground,  upon  which  they  squatted,  and  after  a  few  years  went  to  the 
northwestern  part  of  the  county,  where  they  continued  to  reside  many 
years.  The  name  of  the  second  settler  in  this  township  cannot  be  in- 
dicated. Bartlett  Woodward  came  to  the  township  in  1816,  and  entered 
considerable  land  upon  which  he  erected  a  rude  log  cabin  for  his  family, 
which  either  came  out  the  same  fall  or  the  next  spring.  Several  families 
were  residing  in  the  township  at  this  time.  Mr.  Woodward  became  a 
prominent  citizen,  and  was  elected  one  of  the  first  County  Commissioners 
of  the  county  in  1818.  Col.  Ketchum  built  a  grist  mill  on  Clear  Creek 
as  early  as  1818,  which  for  many  years  was  famous  in  all  the  surrounding 
country.  Green's  mill  was  another  one  ;  Chambers  and  Shirley  each 
owned  early  water  mills.  The  Taylors  probably  sent  the  first  flat-boat 
loaded  with  pork,  grain,  etc.,  down  either  Clear  or  Salt  Creeks  from 
Monroe  County.  They  built  their  own  boats,  and  knew  how  to  manage 
them  on  their  way  to  Southern  markets.  The  Chambers  brothers 
also  sent  early  boats  of  pork  and  grain  down  the  creeks.  Col. 
Ketchum  was  about  as  early  in  shipping  pork,  grain,  flour,  etc.,  as  any 
one  in  the  township  or  county.  He  also  shipped  lumber.  Later,  Elias 
Bruner  shipped  cherry  and  other  finer  varieties  of  lumber  down  the 
creeks.  These  were  some  of  the  early  enterprises  in  Clear  Creek  Town- 
ship. 

POLL-TAX    PAYERS    OF    1841,* 

George  Anderson,  Section  18  ;  Wesley  Anderson,  John  Baugh,  Henry 
Baugh,  32;  Joseph  Baugh,  14;  Augustus  Bowles,  David  Butcher,  17;  Elias 
Bruner.  34  ;  Samuel  Baugh,  Henry  Burkey,  Alexander  Buchanan,  21  ; 
Perry  Bowles,  John  Cully,  William  Cook,  Anthony  Chambers,  21,  22,  27; 
David  Chambers,  Jr.,  Jacob  Cannon,  Oziah  Chambers,  Hezekiah  Cham- 
bers, Henry  Deckard,  12  ;  Jesse  Deckard,  36  ;  Jacob  Etter,  David  Etter, 
Rufus  Finley,  John  Fitzpatrick,  Matthew  Flory,  18;  John  Gen,  15  ;  James 
Galloway,  7 ;  William  Harvey,  Basil  Hill,  16 ;  John  Horton,  Francis 
Haines,  William  Haines,  27 ;  _Nelson  Holmes,  20 ;  Ferris  Haward,  7  ; 
Charles  Johnson,  John  G.  Johnson,  31 ;  Stanford  Jacobs,  George  Kim- 
berlin,7;  Daniel  Kimberlin,  Joseph  Kimberlin,  Henry  Kimberlin,  Daniel 
Ketchum,  8  ;  Hezekiah  Kinser,  7  ;  Leonard  Litz,  Jacob  Leonard,  William 
Leonard,  William  Lehman,  33 ;  Henry  Lehman,  33  ;  John  Lehman,  31 ; 
Thomas  Lucas,  Jr.,  Davis  Meek,  9  and  16;  John  Merser,  15;  Christian 
Miller,  22;  Henry  Merser,  James  Manis,  Sidney  Meadows,  Frederick 
Merser,  Joseph  Miller,  David  Miller,  29 ;  Thomas  Owsley,  Samuel  Pen- 
nington, Andrew  Pickel,  29  ;  Gabriel  Bagsdale,  Jonas  Rhorer,  20  ;  W.  W. 
Roady,  G.  W.  Reddick,  Enoch  Smallwood,  John  Shaw,  L.  0.  Shugart, 
29  ;  Nicholas  Shipman,  Thomas  Scott,  9  ;  John  Scott,  Peter  Sutphin, 
Elijah  Scarborough,  R.  Sawes,  10  ;  James  Scarborough,  Milton  Stuart, 
William  Stuart,  Joseph  Stilson,  Joseph  Strain,  20  ;  William  Smith,  19;  W. 
D.  Shields.  David  Tresler,  14 ;  George  Thrasher,  16  ;  Samuel  Taylor, 
John  Taylor,  33 ;  Robert  Taylor,  28  ;  William  Tilford,  Solomon  Wooden, 
17  ;  George  Whisenand,  John  Whisenand,  Riley  Wilson,  Nicholas  Whis- 
enand,  25  ;  Jesse  Wright,  14  ;  Silas  Woodward,  11 ;  James  Woodward,  An- 
drew Whisenand,  1.     The  total  number  of  polls  was  104  ;  total  acres  of 

*  The  figures  indicate  the  sections  upon  which  the  men  lived. 


CLEAR  CREEK  TOWNSHIP.  523 

land,  9,530J;  value  of  lands  and  improvements,  $66,560;  value  of  lots, 
$5,438  ;  other  taxable  property,  $25,454 ;  aggregate  value  of  taxables, 
^97,452  ;  State  tax,  $467.61 ;  county  tax,  $226.98  ;  total  tax,  $694.59. 
The  highest  tax  payers  were  as  follows  :  Daniel  Butcher,  $9.75  ;  Alex- 
ander Buchanan,  $21.30;  Anthony  Chambers,  $13.18  ;  William  Cham- 
bers, Sr.  (non-resident),  $29.15  ;  David  Chambers,  Sr.  (non-resident), 
110.72;  Christian  Deckard,  $9.35;  John  Fitzpatrick,  $19.10;  Hezekiah 
Kinser,  $12.50  ;  John  Kutch,  $15.18;  William  Lehman,  $11.40;  John 
A.  M.  Lehman,  $12.50;  Davis  Meek,  $13.60;  Andrew  Roady,  $13.66; 
Elijah  Scarborough,  $8.90;  George  Thrasher,  $8.65;  John  Taylor, 
$16.90;  Solomon  Wooden,  $8.74;  Nicholas  Whisenand,  $9.75;  Silaa 
Woodward,  $8.65. 

VILLAGES. 

The  village  of  Harrodsburg,  now  third  in  population  and  importance 
in  the  county,  was  laid  out  by  Alexander  Buchanan,  proprietor,  and  John 
Sedwick,  surveyor,  in  December,  1836,  on  the  northeast  corner  of  the 
fouthwest  quarter  of  Section  29,  Township  7  north,  Range  1  west. 
Twenty-four  lots  were  laid  out,  and  the  village  was  named  Newgene.  In 
May,  1837,  Levi  Sugart  laid  out  an  addition  of  three  lots,  and  at  this 
time,  for  some  reason  unknown,  the  name  of  the  village  was  "changed  to 
Harrodsburg.  It  is  said  that  the  first  store  was  started  by  Berkey  & 
Isominger,  who  took  out  a  license  in  1836.  Jacob  Corman  took  out  a 
liquor  license  in  1839,  paying  therefor  $25.  Tilford  &  Glass  early 
established  a  store  in  the  village.  It  is  said  that  A.  &  P.  Carmichael, 
who  were  in  the  mercantile  business  at  Stanford,  were  also  in  Harrods- 
burg. Mr.  Berkey  bought  a  lot  conditionally  in  the  town  before  it  was 
laid  out.  The  early  families  of  the  village  were  those  of  Henry  Berkey, 
Joseph  Cranshaw,  Job  Horton,  Samuel  Baugh,  Richard  Empson,  Alexan- 
der Buchanan,  the  Widow  Cully  and  others.  This  was  about  the  condi- 
tion in  1844,  at  which  time  no  store  had  been  in  the  town  for  a  year  or 
two.  In  1844,  S.  W.  &  J.  D.  Urmey  opened  a  store  of  general  merchan- 
dise, worth  about  $450,  and  the  following  year  Paris  Vestal  also  estab- 
lished a  store.  James  Beatley  was  the  first  resident  physician ;  he  was 
also  a  pedagogue  of  considerable  repute.  Baugh  &  Empson  were  tanners. 
Rufus  Finley  erected  a  tannery  about  forty  rods  down  the  little 
creek  at  the  village.*  Vestal  continued  about  two  years,  then  sold  to 
Moore  &  Baugh.  Greason  was  Vestal's  partner  for  a  short  time,  as  was 
also  McCrea.  In  1848,  Vestal  and  Sutherland  were  partners,  but  after 
a  short  time  each  continued  separate.  James  W.  Carter  was  in  business 
about  1849.  Sutherland  &  Graham  were  together  for  a  short  time  about 
1850.  The  Urmeys  still  continued,  with  increasing  business.  Odell  & 
Walker  were  in  business  about  this  time.  Sutherland  k  Baugh  were 
partners  for  a  short  time,  closing  in  July,  1853.  In  April,  1852,  Alex- 
ander Sutherland  and  Dugan  Jones  formed  a  partnership  for  the  general 
business  of  merchandising,  packing  pork,  buying  and  shipping  grain  and 
provisions  and  buying  and  selling  real  estate.  Sutherland  furnished 
$4,000  capital  and  Jones  $2,000,   and  two-thirds  the  profits  and   losses 

*  The  old  settlers  state  that  this  stream  took  its  name  from  Ro-si-neah,  an  old  chief  of  the  Delawares, 
■who,  when  the  first  settlement  was  made,  was  encamped  in  a  large  hollow  sycamore  tree  on  the  bank  of  tbe 
stream,  remaining  there  for  some  time.     In  speaking  the  name,  accent  the  last  syllable. 

33 


524  HISTORY  OF  MONROE  COUNTY. 

were  assumed  by  the  senior  partner.  Henry  Baugh  was  alone  in  business 
about  this  time ;  also  W.  N.  Anderson,  Among  the  business  men  after- 
ward were  Carter  &  Dunn,  Mr,  Waldrip,  Julius  Sues,  Harmon  & 
Buchanan,  East  &  Deckard,  Judy  &  Kinser,  Oliphant  &  Pearson,  Oliphant 
&  Girton,  Carmichael  &  Urmey,  Oliphant  &  Woodward,  Woolery  &  Wolf, 
Wolf  &  Son,  Perdue  &  Wolf,  Urmey  &  McFadden,  Perdue  &  Woolery, 
Stevenson  &  Perdue,  Woolery,  Stevenson  &  Carmichael,  H.  C,  Small- 
wood,  Deckard,  Anderson,  Stevenson,  J.  W.  Sears,  Brown  &  Fields, 
Litzman,  Deckard  &  Chambers,  Kinser  &  Smallwood,  W.  Kinser, 
Granger's  store.  Strain  &  Woodward  and  perhaps  others.  Sutherland  & 
Jones,  beginning  in  1853,  did  a  large  business  in  packing  pork  and  ship- 
ping the  same  and  grain  down  the  creeks  to  the  markets  of  the  South. 
They  sent  out  from  eight  to  twelve  boats  each  year  and  employed  during  the 
busy  seasons  forty  or  fifty  men.  The  aggregate  business  per  annum  was 
little  less  than  $100,000.  This  gave  the  appearance  of  great  thrift  to 
the  little  town,  and  induced  many  to  locate  there  who  otherwise  would 
have  passed  on.  Urmey  &  Isominger  shipped  grain  by  boat  during  the 
forties.  The  Urmey  brothers  did  the  same.  Sutherland  k  Jones  lost 
considerable  money  on  pork,  and  were  gradually  forced  from  business 
though  they  paid  their  debts,  Carmichael  &  Urmey  in  18  il,  began  a  big 
business  in  packing  pork.  The  first  year  they  packed  1,800  hogs.  The 
business  was  increased  so  that  forty  men  were  employed,  and  as  high  as 
3,500  hogs  were  slaughtered  and  packed  in  one  season.  Considerable 
wheat,  corn  and  flour  was  bought  and  shipped  also.  The  railroad  had 
been  completed  in  1853,  and  this  afforded  a  much  better  way  of  reaching 
market  than  by  water.  These  men  continued  the  business  until  1877, 
when  they  failed,  by  reason  of  heavy  losses,  and  compromised  honorably 
with  their  creditors. 

Among  the  leading  industries  which  have  flourished  in  the  village 
was  the  distillery  built  and  operated  by  Brown  &  Deckard,  about  1865. 
Two  stills  were  used,  and  the  capacity  of  the  distillery,  was  about  twenty 
gallons  daily.  Chambers  &  Strain  were  afterward  the  owners.  it 
operated  until  a  short  time  ago.  J.  M.  Anderson  conducted  an  extensive 
cabinet  factory,  beginning  early  in  the  fifties.  Stipp  &  Strain  built  the 
present  grist  mill  in  about  1866,  at  a  cost  of  about  $8,000.  It  afterward 
passed  to  Woolery,  Stevenson  &  Co.,  and  finally  to  John  Stevenson,  who 
yet  owns  and  operates  it,  A  large  domestic  patronage  is  enjoyed,  and  a 
limited  merchant  work  done.  Oliphant,  Woodward  &  Carmichael  built 
the  woolen  factory  during  or  just  at  the  close  of  the  war — about  1864. 
The  building  and  machinery  cost  $18,500.  All  the  necessary  help  was 
employed,  and  the  factory  began  to  turn  out  considerable  quantities  of 
yarns,  flannels,  jeans  and  cassimeres ;  but  the  enterprise  was  started  at 
the  wrong  time,  and  did  not  come  up  to  the  hopes  of  its  builders.  Vari- 
ous changes  were  made  in  the  ownership,  and  at  last  the  business  was 
abandoned  about  three  years  ago.  The  village  has  a  present  population 
of  about  260, 

Fairfax  was  started  at  an  early  date,  but  has  always  been  a  village  of 
modest  pretensions  as  regards  size.  So  far  as  can  be  learned,  N.  Whise- 
nand  and  R,  Wilson  opened  a  liquor  establishment  there  in  about  1835, 
and  continued  on  for  several  years,  adding  a  small  stock  of  goods  in  about 


CLEAR  CREEK  TOWNSHIP.  525 

1837,  and  afterward  increasing  the  business.  Scarborough  &  Wilson 
opened  a  store  there  in  1838,  and  did  a  good  business  for  several  years. 
Helton  &  Houston  began  merchandising  about  1840.  The  old  Helton 
grist  mill  was  built  early,  and  considrable  flour  was  sent  by  boat  down 
the  creek.  Helton  packed  considerable  pork,  which  was  shipped  away 
by  boat.  He  continued  there,  doing  a  large  business  in  his  store  and 
mills  and  factories,  until  the  fifties,  when  he  removed  to  Bloomington. 
A  large  amount  of  furniture  was  manufactured  there  during  the  forties 
and  fifties.  In  about  1847,  L.  Q.  Hoggatt  became  Mr.  Helton's  partner. 
The  Redfields  succeeded  Helton.  Since  then,  the  village  has  been  small 
and  uneventful. 

Smithville  was  started  when  the  New  Albany  Railroad  was  es- 
tablished, in  1852-53.  It  was  laid  out  in  November,  1851,  by  Mans- 
field Bennett  and  George  Smith,  owners,  on  Section  3.  Thirty-eight 
lots  were  laid  out  on  both  sides  of  the  railroad.  Mr.  Smith  prob- 
ably opened  the  first  store.  He  was  soon  joined  by  a  blacksmith  and  a 
few  families.  Davis  &  Humphries  were  also  there  about  the  same  time, 
with  a  good  store.  The  business  was  lively  while  work  on  the  railroad 
continued.  It  is  probable  that  the  stores  were  started  before  the  town 
was  laid  out,  to  accommodate  the  wants  of  the  workmen.  P.  &  J.  Hol- 
land were  also  early  at  the  village  with  a  stock  of  goods.  One  or  two 
stores  have  been  in  the  village,  usually  one  at  a  time,  ever  since.  About 
fifteen  families  comprise  the  population. 

SCHOOLS. 

It  is  said  that  the  first  school  in  the  township  was  taught  near  the  old 
Woodward  homestead  about  1822.  This  was  a  short  distance  south  of 
the  present  Smithville.  The  school  was  held  in  a  vacated  log  cabin  that 
had  been  occupied  for  a  short  time  by  some  family.  Another  early  school 
was  taught  near  Fairfax,  and  still  another  in  the  Rogers  neighborhood. 
The  Chambers  were  the  founders  of  a  school  about  1830.  In  1836,  there 
were  three  schoolhouses  in  the  township,  and  one  or  two  old  residences 
which  were  used  for  that  purpose.  In  about  1840,  the  old  log  schoolhouse 
at  Harrodsburg  was  erected,  which  was  used  for  school  and  church  pur- 
poses until  about  1851.  School  was  taught  at  Fairfax  as  early  as  1838. 
In  1846,  the  township  consisted  of  four  school  districts,  two  schools  being 
held  in  District  No.  2.  During  the  winter  of  1846-47,  school  was  not 
taught  in  Nos.  1  or  3.  The  enrollment  in  District  2  was  53  and  in  Dis- 
trict 4  was  25.  The  length  of  each  term  was  three  months.  Twenty-two 
children  attended  in  No.  4,  and  34  in  No.  2.  All  these  houses  were  of 
logs.  In  1856,  there  were  schoolhouses  at  Harrodsburg,  Smithville,  Fair- 
fax, and  on  Sections  8,  11  and  29.  The  only  frame  house  was  at  Har- 
rodsburg. The  old  log  schoolhouse  at  this  village  had  been  burned  down 
about  1851,  at  which  time  a  small  one-story  frame  was  erected  to  take  its 
place.  Early  teachers  in  this  frame  house  were  Jonas  May,  Maj. 
Grimes,  Luther  De  Motte,  William  Brown,  Elzy  Woodward  et  al.  Dr. 
James  Beatley  taught  in  the  old  log  house  as  early  as  1844.  He  was  a 
better  teacher  than  physician.  The  small  frame  house  was  used  until  war 
time,  when  the  present  two-storied  frame  building  was  erected  at  a  cost  of 
about   $1,000 ;    three    teachers  are  now  employed  in  the  Harrodsburg 


626 


HISTORY  OF  MONROE  COUNTY. 


schools.  William  Neill  is  the  present  Principal.  The  township  schools 
were  greatly  improved  during  the  fifties  and  more  so  during  the  sixties 
and  the  seventies.     The  following  is  for  the  schools  of  -1880-81 : 


TBACHEES  OF  1880-81. 

E.  L.  Adams  

0.  S.  Foster 

Emsley  Houston....!. 

Smallwood  and  Lee 

W.  S.  Wells 

E.  Bennett. 

F.  R.  Hamilton 

Nannie  Gorman 

Lizzie  Adams 


Number 

Actual 

of 

Euumeration. 

Districts. 

1 

63 

2 

45 

3 

40 

4 

50 

5 

40 

6 

28 

7 
8 
9      • 

24 

25 
32 

Kind  and  Size  of  Houies. 


Frame, 
Frame, 
Frame, 
Frame. 
Frame, 
Frame, 
Frame. 
Frame, 
Frame, 


20x26  feet. 
20x30  feet. 
20x24  feet. 

20x26  feet. 
20x26  feet. 

18x24  feet. 
18x18  feet. 


CHURCHES. 


An  early  Baptist  class  was  organized  in  the  Nichols  neighborhood 
about  the  year  1828.  Among  the  first  members  were  the  families  of 
John  Nichols,  W.  F.  Siscoe,  William  Chandler,  William  Smith,  Henry 
Landers,  Henry  Fritz,  Alfred  Coffey  and  others.  Early  meetings  were 
held  at  the  house  of  John  Nichols.  Another  early  class  was  the  one  in 
the  McCrea  neighborhood,  among  the  members  being  the  families  of  John 
McCrea,  Jacob  Zike,  James  Jenkins,  Rufus  Rough,  Andrew  Pickle  et  al. 
JIhe  Church  of  Christ  was  organized  at  Harrodsburg  late  in  the  thirties. 
Henry  Burkey,  W.  S.  Holmes,  Andrew  Holmes,  Jacob  Graybell,  R.  R. 
Richardson,  Hiram  Butcher,  Francis  Holmes,  James  Wright  and  John 
Kitchum,  and  their  families  being  members.  W.  C.  Walker,  Joshua 
Moore,  James  Smith  and  Robert  M.  Parks,  and  their  families,  were  early 
Baptists  at  Harrodsburg.  The  Methodists  Church  at  Smithville  was 
organized  in  the  fifties.  The  families  of  Joseph  Davis,  James  Woodward, 
Perry  Gater,  Farris  Howard,  Daniel  Ketchum,  being  early  members. 
Rev.  E.  P.  F.  Wells  was  pastor  in  1855.  The  Cumberland  Presbyte- 
rians formed  a  class  at  Harrodsburg  in  the  fifties,  meetings  being  held  at 
the  schoolhouse.  R.  M.  Strain,  James  Woodward,  William  Chambers, 
and  others  and  their  families  were  members.  Rev.  E.  Hall  was  pastor 
in  1857.  The  Christian  Church  at  Smithville  had  for  early  members 
James  Fox,  Matthew  Floyd,  John  Hines  and  others.  Among  the  Meth- 
odists there  were  Perry  Gather,  Daniel  Ketchum,  H.  Barrett  and  others. 
William  Leonard  belonged  to  the  Christian  Reformed,  as  did  H. 
Burkey,  John  Hornbaker  et  al.  A  Union  Church  was  built.  Other 
classes  have  been  formed  in  the  township  since. 


WASHINGTON  TOWNSHIP.  527 


WASHINGTON  TOWNSHIP. 

DESCRIPTION. 

THIS  civil  division  of  Monroe  County  was  given  a  separate  existence 
in  the  year  1829,  and  was  named  for  the  father  of  our  common 
country.  It  is  a  full  Congressional  township  of  thirty-six  sections,  and 
coincides  with  Township  10  north,  Range  1  west,  of  the  Second  Principal 
Meridian,  and  is  one  of  the  four  townships  of  the  county  that  are  crossed 
by  the  old  Indian  boundary.  This  boundary  was  established  at  the  treaty 
of  Fort  Wayne,  September  30,  1809,  between  the  Indians  and  Gen.  Har- 
rison. At  this  date,  all  of  Washington  Township,  and  indeed  all  of 
Monroe  County  south  of  the  boundary,  was  obtained  from  the  natives. 
The  northern  part  of  the  township  belonged  to  what  became  the  New 
Purchase,  and  was  ceded  by  the  Indians  to  the  Government  at  the  treaty 
of  St.  Mary's,  Ohio,  October  3,  1818.  Of  course  that  portion  of  the 
township  north  of  the  boundary,  or  in  the  new  purchase,  was  not  subject 
to  entry  until  after  the  Indians'  title  had  been  extinguished,  and  until  the 
land  had  been  surveyed  by  Thomas  Brown  during  the  summer  of  1819. 
It  was  offered  for  sale  in  1821.  That  part  of  the  township  south  of  the 
boundary  was  surveyed  by  William  Harris  and  Arthur  Henrie  in  1812, 
and  was  subject  to  entry  in  1816. 

THE    SOIL,  TIMBER,    ETC. 

The  variety  and  quality  of  timber  in  Washington  Township  will  compare 
favorably  with  other  portions  of  the  county.  Among  the  more  noticeable 
varieties  are  white  and  black  walnut,  red,  black,  white  and  chestnut  oaks, 
sugar  tree,  white  and  yellow  poplar,  chestnut,  cherry,  hickory,  elm,  beech, 
sassafras,  sycamore,  dogwood,  gum  tree,  etc.  The  surface  rocks  of  the  town- 
ship belong  to  the  knob-stone  and  Keokuk  groups.  There  are  traces  in  the 
township  of  the  action  of  glaciers,  but  only  traces.  A  section  of  the  geolog- 
ical deposits  about  half  a  mile  northwest  of  Wayport  is  as  follows: 

Feet. 

Cherty  and  earthy  layers 12 

Lower  St.  Louis  limertone 15 

Keokuk  limestone,  light  gray,  containing,  with  stems  and  pla'es  of 
crinoids,  Auloporagiyas,  Zaphrentis aalii^Z.cornvcppia,  Actinoc- 

rinus^  ramul.osus  and  basal  plates  of  A.  lowi 8 

Keokuk  limestone,  butF  colored 12 

Knob  sandstone,  with  partings 30 

Knob  shale,  with  Hemipronitis  cremstriatus,  Spirifer  carteri.  Chon- 
drites coUetti  and  Vermiform  fucoidex 40 

Total 117 

The  section  at  Hindostan  is  as  follows : 

*  Feet. 

Earthy  layers,  containing  geodes 6 

Keokuk  limestone,  dark  gray 20 

Keokuk  limestone,  light  gray 10 


528  HISTORY   OF   MONROE  COUNTY. 

Keokuk  limestone,  buff,  fossiliferous 10 

Clay,  buff  colored,  with  geodes  and  stems  and  plates  of  crinoids...  6 

Keokuk  limestone,  buff  colored 10 

Knob  sandstone 20 

Knob  shale,  containing  Chondrites  colleti  and    Vermiform  fucoides...  60 

Total 142 

On  Bryant's  Creek,  on  Section  2,  the  deposits  are  as  follows : 

Feet. 

Surface  soil,  creamy  colored 6 

Keokuk  limestone,  dark  blue 8 

Keokuk  limestone,  light  gray 10 

Keokuk  limestone,  buff,  with  bands  of  chert  and  geodes 6 

Knob  sandstone,  with  partings 20 

Knob  shale,  containing  Vermiform  fucoides,  Hemipronitig  creniatriatug, 

and  casts  of   Spirifer  carteri 80 

Total 130 

On  Section  23,  the  deposits  are  as  follows : 

Feet 

Earthy  layers 12 

Knob  sandstones,  irregularly  bedded 40 

Knob  shale,  containing  the  following  geodized  fos'sils:  Spirifer 
carteri,  S.  neglectus,  Hemipronitis  crenistriat.us ;  also  geodes  con- 
taining chalcedony,  butrioidal  geodes  and  mammillated  geodes 
remarkable  for  their  size  and  beauty 80 

Total 132 

Mr.  I.  W.  Corr,  of  Hindostan  has  many  beautiful  specimens  of  fossils, 
taken  from  the  deposits  near  his  residence,  among  them  being  several 
large  geodized  crinoids  showing  all  the  plates  with  silica  filling  the  inter- 
stices between  the  plates;  one  fine  Aetinocrinus  loweii,  A.  gowdi,  Pleu- 
rotoneoria  Sp,  (?)  and  Philipsia  hufo.  He  also  has  Aetinocrinus 
humboldti,  A.  raumlorus,  A.  equalis,  A.  bitwbinatus,  Granatocrinus 
granulosus^  Gr.ficus,  identical  with  those  of  the  Burlington  (Iowa)  group. 
He  has,  also,  Pentremites  hurlingtonensis,  Spirifer  carteri,  S.  pseudo- 
lineatus,  S.  neglectus,  S.  keokiik,  S.  fastigatus,  Pleurotomaria  shumardi, 
plates  of  Archoeocidaris  wortheni,  Aviculopectum  winchelli,  Oonularia 
suh-carhonaria,  Prima  sub-spatulata,  Platyceras  equilatera,  P.  infundi- 
bulum,  Phillipsia  bufo,  Produetus  punctatus  and  P.  altonensis. 

LAND    BUYERS. 

On  the  12th  of  September,  1817,  while  Monroe  County  was  yet  unor- 
ganized, and  while  it  was  yet  a  part  of  Orange  County,  James  Bennington, 
at  the  land  office  in  Vincennes,  purchased  the  northwest  quarter  of  the 
southwest  quarter,  and  the  southwest  quarter  of  the  southwest  quarter  of 
Section  30,  Township  10  north.  Range  1  west  of  the  Second  Principal 
Meridian.  This  was  the  first  purchase  of  land  within  the  present  limits 
of  Washington  Township.  The  second  tract  or  tracts  were  bought  by 
John  Patterson  on  the  11th  of  August,  1823 — the  northwest  quarter  of 
the  southeast  quarter,  and  the  southwest  quarter  of  the  southeast  quarter 
of  Section  31.  The  third  entry  was  made  by  Hugh  Corr  on  Section  14, 
on  the  30th  of  January,  182-4.  Jehu  Buckner  bought  on  Section  12  in 
1826,  and  Andrew  Smith  on  Section  6  the  same  year.  The  entry  of 
Mr.  Corr  was  the  first  of  the  township  in  the  New  Purchase.  Samuel 
Gaskins  bought  eighty  acres  on  Section  28  in    1827,  and  Lee  Brown 


WASHINGTON  TOWNSHIP.  529 

bought  a  similar  tract  on  the  same  section  the  following  year.  William 
and  J.  Millikan  bought  eighty  acres  on  Section  80  in  1828.  In  October, 
1829,  John  Turner  bought  eighty  acres  on  Section  33,  and  the  same 
year  Wylie  Burns  bought  a  tract  on  Section  13,  and  Richard  Colier  on 
Section  3.  Isaac  Gillaspy,  in  1830,  secured  eighty  acres  on  Section  34. 
In  1831,  Robert  Walters  and  Jehu  Buckner  bought  tracts  on  Section  28, 
and  John  Weaver  on  Section  5.  During  the  following  year,  land  on  Sec- 
tion 3  was  bought  by  Thomas  J.  Nance,  on  Section  12  by  John  Bales, 
on  Section  29  by  James  Mulky,  on  Section  32  by  Allen  Sims,  on  Sec- 
tion 33  by  John  Turner,  and  on  the  same  section  by  A,  B.  Anderson. 
In  1833,  Groalson  Steppe  bought  on  Section  2,  John  Weaver  and  Andrew 
Smith  on  Section  5,  Job  Johnson  on  Section  14,  John  Neal  on  Section 
17,  John  Bales  on  Section  19,  William  McNeely  on  Section  29,  Henry 
Putnam  on  Section  31.  Jehu  Buckner  bought  on  Section  3  in  1834 ; 
John  Neal  on  Section  17  same  year ;  Thomas  Gillaspy  on  Section  21 
same  year ;  James  Gaskins  on  Section  28  same  year ;  David  Paddock  on 
Section  28  same  year ;  Lee  Brown  on  Section  32  same  year ;  Isaac  Gil- 
laspy on  Section  33  same  year ;  Andrew  S.  Tate  on  Section  33  same 
year;  Benjamin  Marshall  on  Section  34  same  year.  In  1835,  entries 
were  made  by  Job  Johnson  on  Section  14 ;  William  Gaskins,  Section  29 ; 
Daniel  Ray,  same  section ;  Emsley  Wood,  Section  31 ;  Allen  Sims,  Sec- 
tion 31 ;  Daniel  Ray,  Section  33.  The  entries  of  1836  were  numerous 
and  as  follows :  Jeremiah  Colier,  Levi  Colier,  William  Tate  and  William 
Carlton  on  Section  16,  Richard  Colier  on  Section  17,  Solomon  Langwell 
on  Section  18,  Benoni  Denny  and  William  Carlton  on  Section  19, 
Alexander  W.  Leland,  240  acres  on  Section  19,  Stephen  Gaskins  on 
Section  29,  William  Scott,  William  McNeely  and  William  Carlton  also 
on  Section  29 ;  Alexander  W.  Leland,  nearly  all  of  Section  30  in  July, 
1836,  Emsley  Wood  and  Jacob  Millikan  on  Section  31,  A.  W.  Leland 
and  A.  M.  Poe  on  Section  32,  also  Emsley  Wood,  Fielding  W.  Poe  and 
William  Carlton  on  the  latter  section,  Solomon  Langwell  and  A.  B. 
Anderson  on  Section  33.  William  Scott  bought  on  Section  16  in  1837, 
Washington  Smith  on  Section  33  the  same  year,  and  David  Browning  on 
Section  34  the  same  year.  In  1838,  Caleb  Colier,  bought  on  the  school 
section,  Benjamin  Ridge  on  Section  31,  and  Isaac  Gillaspy  and  William 
Scott  on  Section  34.  Thomas  Gillaspy  bought  on  Section  16  in  1839. 
The  above  were  the  only  entries  in  the  township  prior  to  1840,  and 
among  the  list  of  purchasers  were  some  of  the  earliest  settlers  and  after- 
ward the  most  prominent  and  respected  men.  The  settlement  in  the 
forties  and  during  the  fifties  was  rapid,  nearly  all  the  Government  land 
being  taken  up. 

TAX    PAYERS    OF    1841. 

A.  B.  Anderson  was  on  Section  23,  his  tax  was  $4.72.  Lee  Brown 
lived  on  Section  28,  and  paid  $4.70  tax.  Henry  Buston  lived  on  Sec- 
tion 21,  his  tax  being  $3.12.  Hawkins  Bales  was  on  Section  17,  his 
tax  was  $6.85,  including  a  delinquency  of  $3.41.  James  Bales  owned 
Sections  17  and  18,  his  tax  was  $15.57.  Rachael  Bales  owned  about 
200  acres  and  paid  a  tax  of  $11.63.  Charles  Buck  paid  poll  tax. 
Bartlett  Barton  paid  a  poll  tax.  James  H.  Baker  owned  $200  worth  of 
personal  property.      John  Bales  paid  poll  tax.     Levi  Colier  resided  on 


530  HISTORY  OF  MONROE  "COUNTY. 

Section  15 ;  Jeremiah  Colier  on  Section  17 ;  Micajah  Colier  on  Section 
18  and  Stephen  Colier  on  Sections  4  and  5.  Their  taxes  were  $2.70, 
$4.94,  $1.42  and  $4.10  respectively. 

THE    CHURCHES 

Late  in  the  decade  of  thirties,  probably  about  1838,  a  class  of  Meth- 
odists was  organized  near  the  central  part  of  the  township,  the  families  of 
Samuel  Gaskins,  William  Gaskins,  Bartlett  H.  Baston,  Jesse  Gaston  and 
William  McNeeley  belonging.  The  church  was  erected  late  in  the  forties, 
on  the  southeast  quarter  of  the  southwest  quarter  of  Section  21.  The  land 
was  donated  to  the  church  by  Mary  Ann  Gaskins,  and  comprised  one-half  of 
an  acre  on  the  quarter  above  mentioned.  In  1848,  the  Trustees  were 
William  McNeeley,  Samuel  Gaskins,  Jesse  Gaskins,  Bartlett  P.  Barton 
and  William  Gaskins,  who  at  that  time  were  making  arrangements  to 
build  their  church.  This  religious  class  is  yet  in  existence,  and  has  done 
much  good  in  the  township.  In  the  forties,  the  old  Mt.  Pleasant  Chris- 
tian, Church  was  organized.in  the  township,  a  few  of  the  earliest  members 
being  George  M.  Peery,  John  Cooter,  Alfred  Houston,  Solomon  Lang- 
well,  Josiah  Goodwin,  Benjamin  Houston  and  their  families.  In  1849 
or  1850,  Abraham  Lemon  sold  one  acre  to  the  Trustees  of  this  church — 
Peery,  Cooter,  Houston,  Langwell  and  Goodwin — from  his  land  on  Sec- 
tion 6,  in  the  northwest  corner  of  the  township.  About  this  time  the 
church  was  erected.  This  society  is  also  yet  it  existence,  and  is  prosper- 
ous. Late  in  the  forties  the  old  Separate  Baptist  Church,  in  the  vicinity 
of  Hindostan,  was  organized.  Meetings  were  at  first  held  at  the  resi- 
dences of  Stephen  Havions  and  John  Goodman.  The  families  of  Ste- 
phen Havions,  John  Goodman,  John  McCoy,  William  McCoy  were 
prominently  connected  in  the  origin  of  the  society.  In  1853,  Stephen 
Bales  sold  to  the  Trustees  of  this  church  one  acre  of  land  on  Section  13, 
to  be  used  as  a  site  for  the  church.  The  class  styled  itself  the  Union 
Church  of  Separate  13aptists.  These  were  the  early  religious  classes  of 
the  township,  but  not  the  only  ones,  as  one  or  two  were  organized  in 
schoolhouses.      Late  years  have  seen    the  organization  of  several  others. 

EDUCATION. 

Schools  were  taught  during  the  thirties  in  the  Colier,  the  Bales  and 
the  Langwell  neighborhoods.  They  were  very  imperfect  in  every  respect 
except  want  of  comfort  and  facilities  for  learning.  The  schools  were 
taught  in  the  rudest  log  houses,  and  were  poorly  attended,  probably  by 
the  children  of  two  or  three  of  the  nearest  families.  It  was  then  the  cus- 
tom, as  more  than  one  resident  of  the  township  can  testify  from  experi- 
ence, to  go  to  school  winter  and  summer  barefoot ;  that  seems  unreason- 
able but  it  was  done,  and  how  ?  The  barefooted  child,  to  begin  with, 
had  gone  thus  so  long  that  his  feet  were  hardened  and  calloused  to  resist 
the  cold,  by  several  extra  layers  of  epidermis,  which  necessity  compelled 
Nature  to  provide.  He  could  stand  a  degree  of  cold  which  would  appar- 
ently chill  him  to  the  bone,  and  could  walk  for  some  .time  in  snow  and 
frost  without  suffering  more  than  he  could  bear  with  reasonable  fortitude. 
When  he  had  to  do  extra  duty  in  the  snow  and  cold,  however,  he  would 
take  a  small  piece  of  a  board,  say  a  foot  wide  and  two  feet  long,  which 


BENTON  TOWNSHIP.  531 

had  been  seasoned  and  partially  scorched  at  the  fire,  and  after  heating  it 
until  it  was  on  the  point  of  burning,  he  would  start  on  the  run  toward 
the  schoolhouse  with  the  hot  board  in  his  hand,  and  when  his  feet  became 
too  cold  to  bear  any  longer,  he  would  place  the  board  upon  the  ground 
and  stand  upon  it  until  the  numbness  and  cold  had  been  partly  overcome, 
when  he  would  again  take  his  "stove"  in  his  hand  and  make  another 
dash  for  the  schoolhouse  and  repeat  the  process  until  the  building  had 
been  reached.  This  was  actually  done  in  Washington  Township.  Some- 
times a  flat,  light  piece  of  rock  was  substituted  for  the  board,  and  was 
much  better  as  it  retained  heat  longer.  Three  schoolhouses  were  built 
in  the  township  in  the  forties,  and  two  more  early  in  the  fifties,  and  the 
five  stood  on  Sections  6,  12,  15,  18,  26  and  33.  Since  then  the  schools 
have  increased  in  number  and  usefulness  until  they  are  among  the  best  in 
the  county. 


TEACHERS  OF : 


V.  D.  Polly 

Emma  Misner 

V.  W.  Branam 

V.  0.  Ferguson 

Jessie  Weir 

Rose  A.  Cookerly 

E.  V.  Ferguson 

Francis  E.  Robinson. 


Number 

of 

Attendance. 

Kind  and  Size 

District. 

of  Houses. 

1 

33 

Frame,  29x22  feet. 

2 

30 

Frame,  24x28  feet. 

3 

27 

Frame,  24x28  feet. 

4 

85 

Frame,  20x26  feet. 

5 

29 

Frame,  22x26  feet. 

6 

38 

Frame,  24x28  feet. 

7 

36 

Frame,  22x28  feet 

8 

55 

Frame.  20x26  feet. 

WAYPORT    AND    HINDOSTAN. 

Two  villages  have  been  founded  in  Washington  Township  :  The  first, 
Wayport,  was  laid  out  on  Sections  28  and  33,  in  April,  1851,  by  Isaac 
Gillaspy,  Thomas  Gillaspy  and  G.  W.  Smith,  proprietors,  and  James 
Washburn,  surveyor.  Sixteen  lots  were  laid  out.  One  store,  a  black- 
smith shop,  a  post  office,  etc.,  sum  up  the  history  of  the  town.  Hindo- 
Btan  was  laid  out  in  June,  1853,  on  the  northeast  quarter  of  the  northeast 
quarter  of  Section  14,  by  Charles  G.  Corr,  proprietor,  and  James  Wood- 
burn,  surveyor.  Twelve  lots  were  laid  out  on  the  Martinsville  & 
Bloomington  State  Road,  and  just  north  of  the  Columbus  &  Gosport 
State  Road.  One  store,  a  few  shops  and  offices  also  sums  up  the  impor- 
tance of  this  little  hamlet. 


BENTON  TOWNSHIP. 


THE    SOIL,    TIMBER,    GEOLOGY,    ETC. 

THIS  township  was  named  in  honor  of  Thomas  H.  Benton,  of  Missouri, 
one  of  the  ablest  men  the  country  has  ever  produced.  It  was  or- 
ganized in  1838,  a  full  account  of  which  may  be  seen  elsewhere  in  this 
volume.  It  comprises  all  of  Congressional  Township  9  north.  Range  1 
east,  except  the  eastern  tier  of  sections,  which  was  attached  to  Brown 
County  many  years  ago,  and  in  addition  includes  all  of  Township  10 
north,  Range  1  east,  lying  south  of  Bean   Blossom  Creek.     The  Town- 


532  HISTORY   OF   MONROE   COUNTY. 

ship  is  generally  rough,  with  precipitous  bluffs  here  and  there,  and  is  cut 
by  numerous  ravines,  where  small  streams  find  their  beds.  There  is  too 
much  clay  in  the  soil  to  bring  the  best  results  to  the  agriculturist.  This 
is  true  even  of  the  lower  lands,  which  contain  much  material  washed  down 
from  higher  altitudes.  In  some  places,  however,  the  soil  is  rich  and 
deep,  and  furnishes  excellent  crops  of  all  the  cereals.  As  a  whole  the 
township  is  superior  as  a  grazing  location.  The  heavy  forests,  deep  de- 
clivities and  numerous  bluffs  afford  abundant  protection  to  domestic 
animals  from  the  blasts  of  winter.  The  geology  of  the  township  is  much 
similar  to  the  balance  of  the  county.  The  section  of  formation  at  Union- 
ville  is  as  follows  : 

Earthy  layers  containing  geodes  and  the  following  fossils  :  Zophrentia  Feet. 

dalii,  Z.  cornucopia,  and  plates  and  stems  of  crinoids 8 

Keokuk  limestone  ;    bluish   gray  containing  a  few  internal  casts  of 

Spirifer  neglectus,  S.  faftigatus,  and  Zaphrentus  dalii 6 

Keokuk  limestone,  light  gray 4 

Keokuk  limestone,  buff  colored 6 

Total 24 

On  Section  8   is    the  following  formation:  Earthy  layers  containing 

geodes  and  irregular  masses  of  chert 6 

Keokuk  limestone,  bluish  gray  with  partings 10 

Total 16 

The  following  fossils  may  be  found  in  this  formation,  though  not  in  a 
good  state  of  preservation:  Forbeseocrinus  multi-brachiatus,  JDichocrinug 
sculptus,  Actinocrinus  ramulosus,  plates  of  A.  humboldti,  and  A.  lowei. 
The  following  may  also  be  found  here :  Platycirus  equilateralis,  Produc- 
tus  puneiatus,  P.  cora,  Spirifer  tenunstriatus,  S.  fastigatus,  and  *S'. 
neglectus.  On  Stephen's  Creek,  geodes  with  crystals  of  dog-tooth  and 
calcareous  spar  may  be  found.  Occasionally  large  geodized  crinoids  of 
the  species  Actinocrinus  humboldti,  A.  lowei  Hemi  proniles  crenistria- 
tu8,  Spini  ferearteri,  S.  tenuistriatus,  and  some  fine  pentagonal  Greo- 
doomuis  indianensis  occur.  The  township  has  an  abundance  of  good  stone. 
Traces  of  the  more  valuable  minerals,  such  as  gold,  copper,  etc.,  have 
been  found  in  the  township. 

THE    WHITE     SETTLEMENT. 

The  first  entry  of  land  in  Benton  Township  was  made  by  Elisha  Pol- 
lard on  Section  34  (the  northeast  quarter  of  the  southwest  quarter,  and 
the  southeast  quarter  of  the  southwest  quarter),  on  the  27th  of  September, 
1822.  The  second  was  on  Section  18  (the  northwest  quarter  of  the 
southwest  quarter  and  the  southwest  quarter  of  the  southwest  quarter,  in 
December,  1823,  by  Henry  Kimble.  The  third  was  on  Section  8  in  Janu- 
ary, 1824,  by  Robert  Young.  David  Barrow  entered  the  next  on  Section  5 
in  1880.  William  Florer  bought  on  Section  8  in  1832;  George  Richardson 
on  Section  21  the  same  year;  and  George  Skevin  on  31  the  same  year.  In 
1833,  the  following  entries  were  made  :  Isaac  W.  Young  on  6 ;  Abram 
Young  on  8  ;  Isaac  Cox  on  18.  In  1834,  Edward  Jackson  on  8;  Jacob 
Calor  on  9  ;  William  Richardson  on  9 ;  David  Chitwood  on  10 ;  Isaac 
Cox  on  18  ;  Henry  Kimble  on  18  and  19.  Sampson  Hensley  bought  on 
19  in  1835.  In  1836,  the  following  entries  were  made :  William  Florer 
on  Section  3  ;  Mary  Crawford  on  3 ;  Jacob  Young  on  3  ;  Rufus  Ward  on 


BENTON  TOWNSHIP.  533^ 

4 ;  Charles  Bates  on  6 ;  David  Young  and  Isaac  W.  Young  on  8  ;  Joab 
Mershon,  James  Alexander,  Hugh  McClung  and  Pleasant  Robinson  on 
9 ;  David  Chitwood  on  10 ;  Joshua  Richardson  and  Adam  Stevens  on 
15 ;  Pleasant  Robinson,  Jacob  Mosier  and  Isaac  W.  Young  on  16  (the 
school  section) ;  Joab  Cox  on  17  ;  Sampson  Hensley  on  19  ;  Abraham 
Ealy  on  20 ;  Jacob  Mosier  on  27  ;  William  Cox  on  28 ;  Michael  Bus- 
kirk  on  30;  John  M.  Sluss  on  31  ;  William  Cox  on  33;  Lewis  Rains 
and  Jacob  Romans  on  34.  In  1837,  the  following  entries  were  made  : 
John  W.  Riddle  on  Section  6 ;  Nancy  Rains  on  H  ;  Joab  Cox  on  7  ; 
Thomas  Gardner  on  9  ;  William  Richardson  on  9  ;  Abraham  Young  and 
Joshua  Richardson  on  16  ;  James  Rader  and  Jacob  Mefford  on  19  ;  Adam 
Stephens  on  22 ;  John  B.  Cox  and  Adam  Stephens  on  28  ;  Abraham 
Ealy  on  29 ;  Thomas  R.  Stephenson  on  31 ;  T.  R.  Stevenson  and  Mar- 
tin Gamble  on  32  ;  Finney  Courtney  on  33.  In  1838,  the  following 
were  the  entries  :  Hugh  McClung  on  Section  9  ;  Nathan  Hensley  on  22; 
Lewis  Mosier  on  27  ;  Jacob  Romans  on  34.  The  following  were  the  en- 
tries in  1839  :  Edward  Jackson  on  Section  6  ;  Samuel  C.  Harbison  on 
15  ;  Adam  Stephens  on  15 ;  G.  H.  Johnson  and  Isaac  W.  Young  on  18; 
Nathan  Hensley  on  21  and  22;  George  Richardson  on  21;  William 
Kerr  on  31 ;  Joseph  Horton  on  32  ;  Thomas  Kelley  and  James  Thomp- 
son on  33.  These  were  the  only  entries  of  land  prior  to  1840.  It  is 
said  that  the  Youngs  were  the  first  settlers  in  the  township.  The  Coxes 
were  in  early.  The  principal  early  settlement  was  nea  r  the  center  of  the 
township  where  the  families  of  Richardsons,  Chitwoods,'Stevenses,  Youngs, 
Robinsons,  Alexanders  and  others  resided.  The  settlement  and  im- 
provement were  very  slow.  Large  bodies  of  the  land  were  not  entered 
from  the  Government  until  as  late  as  the  decade  of  fifties. 

POLL-TAX  PAYERS  OF  1841. 

James  Allen,  Abraham  Allen,  William  Alexander,  James  J.  Alex- 
ander, David  Banan,  Joseph  C.  Bates,  Joab  Brummet,  Isaac  Bolting- 
house,  Christopher  Blessey,  William  Carr,  John  B.  Cox,  William  Cox, 
David  Chitwood,  Isaac  Cox,  Griffith  Davidson,  J.  J.  Fulford,  William 
Fry,  Nicholas  Fleener,  Martin  Gamble,  James  Graham,  Madison  Graham, 
Sampson  Hensley,  Edward  Jackson,  Hugh  McClung,  James  Payton,  B. 
F.  Rogers.  William  Richardson,  Joshua  Richardson,  George  Richardson, 
Pleasant  Robertson,  Jonathan  Richardson,  Thomas  Stephenson,  Jordan 
Stephens,  Adam  Stephens,  David  Young,  Jr.,  Abraham  Young,  Silas 
Young.  The  highest  tax  was  paid  by  the  following  men  :  Abraham 
Allen,  $4.93;  William  Alexander,  $7;  J.  J.  Alexander,  $7;  David 
Banan,  $7  ;  David  Chitwood,  $4.98  ;  the  Youngs  estate,  $9.90  ;  Samp- 
son Hensley,  $7.77  ;  Edward  Jackson,  $7.82  ;  Hugh  McClung,  $6.40  ; 
David  Young,  Jr.,  $5.79;  Abraham  Young,  $5.90.  The  total  value  of 
township  lands  with  improvements  was  $18,605,  and  as  the  township  then 
included  Marion,  those  figures,  of  course,  included  the  latter.  The  total 
tax  for  the  two  townships  was  $299.74.  The  county  tax  was  $109.18  ; 
the  State  tax,  $190.56  ;  total  amount  of  taxables  was  $32,519  for  both 
townships. 

SCHOOLS. 

The  first  school  in  Benton  Township  was  taught  near  the  residence  of 


534 


HISTORY   OF   MONROE  COUNTY. 


Hugh  McClung  about  the  year  1838.  The  second  was  in  the  southern 
part,  and  the  third  near  what  is  now  Unionville.  The  first  school  above 
named  was  attended  by  the  children  of  the  Coxes,  Richardsons,  Robin- 
sons, Youngs,  Hosiers,  McClungs,  Alexanders  and  others,  and  was  a 
famous  school,  considering  the  sparsely  settled  condition  of  the  township. 
In  1846,  there  were  two  school  districts  in  the  township.  No.  1  had  an 
enumeration  of  114,  but  during  the  winter  of  1846-47,  the  average  daily 
attendance  was  only  twenty-five.  No.  2  enumerated  ninety-four,  and 
the  same  winter  had  an  average  daily  attendance  of  only  twenty-four. 
The  term  in  No.  1  was  three  months,  and  in  No.  2  five  months.  In  No.  1 
the  teacher  was  paid  ^10  per  month,  and  in  No.  2  $7.41|.  At  this 
time  Jacob  Mosier,  David  Chitwood  and  Hugh  McClung  were  Township 
Trustees.  In  1856,  there  were  in  the  township  five  log  schoolhouses  on 
Sections  8,  10,  28,  30  and  33.  The  following  families  sent  to  the 
house  on  Section  8 — Youngs,  Petersons,  Williamses,  Coxes,  Richardsons, 
McCoys  et  al.  On  Section  10 — the  Chitwoods,  Wests,  Robinsons, 
Fleeners,  Brocks,  Watsons,  Hoggs,  McCoys,  Robins,  Alexanders,  Ste- 
venses  et  al.  Section  28 — Davidsons,  Griffins,  Hashes,  Coxes,  Chitwoods, 
Courtneys,  Campbells,  Baltinghouses,  Mosiers,  Ashers,  Colemans  et  al. 
Section  30 — the  Walches,  Buskirks,  Fares,  Skirvins,  Gallions,  Coxes,^ 
Gambles,  Hortons,  Kimbles  et  al.  Section  33 — the  Pauleys,  Taylors, 
Hendricksons,  Jacksons,  Barrowses,  Coleburns,  Iloustons  et  al. 


TEACHERS  OF  1880-81. 


David  Barrow 

Kittie  May 

William  Parks.... 
Florence  Miller.., 
Sarah  Anderson  . 
Spurgeon  Barrow 
William  Barnhill. 
W.  H.  East 


Number 

of 
District. 


Kind  and  Size  of  Houses. 


Frame,  20x22  feet. 
Frame,  22x26  feet. 
Frame,  22x28  feet. 
Frame,  20x22  feet. 
Frame,  22x24  feet. 
Frame,  22x28  feet. 
Frame,  22x26  feet. 
Frame,  20x22  feet. 


RELIGIOUS    CLASSES. 

As  early  as  1834,  and  very  likely  several  years  before,  a  Baptist  class 
was  formed  near  the  residence  of  Lewis  Stevens.  The  class  was  styled 
"  Little  Union."  It  was  noted  in  early  years  for  its  activity.  Lewis 
Stevens,  James  Brummet,  David  Barrow,  William  McCoy,  John  Cott 
and  their  families  were  the  earliest  members.  The  first  meetings  were 
held  at  the  house  of  James  Brummet.  Thomas  Rader,  William  Richard- 
son and  their  families  and  many  others  also  belonged  early.  The  Church 
of  Christ,  on  Young's  Ridge,  was  formed  during  the  forties.  James  J. 
Alexander,  James  Alexander,  Joseph  Rader,  Daniel  Thomas,  Samuel 
Smith  and  their  families  were  prominent  and  early  members.  In  1851, 
Lot  24,  in  Unionville,  was  purchased  of  Henry  F.  Garlick,  for  $12,  and 
preparations  were  immediately  made  to  build  the  church.  Joseph  Davis 
was  the  carpenter,  and  finished  the  building — a  frame  structure — in  about 
July,  1851.  Another  early  class  was  the  Fryes'  Church,  the  leading 
members  being  the  families  of  T.  Y.  Rader,  B.  S.  Robins,  George  W. 
Frye,  John  C.  Frye,  William  Gladden  and  others.  Rev.  Robert  Har- 
mon was  pastor  in  about  1857. 


BENTON  TOWNSHIP.  535 

UNIONVILLE. 

This  is  the  only  village  in  Benton  township.  It  is  likely  that  J.  J. 
Alexander  was  the  first  merchant ;  at  any  rate  he  opened  a  store  of  gen- 
eral merchandise,  worth  about  $900,  in  the  year  1886,  and  soon  had  a 
flourishing  trade.  He  continued  in  the  business  many  years.  Late  in  the 
forties,  James  Carter  engaged  in  business  in  the  village,  continuing  for 
several  years.  About  the  same  time  C.  C.  Fleener  also  opened  a  general 
store.  In  about  1852,  F.  R.  Miller  engaged  in  the  mercantile  pursuit. 
Thus  the  business  went  on,  usually  one  or  two  mercantile  establishments 
present.  A  blacksmith  shop,  a  post  office,  a  carpenter  or  two,  a  dozen 
families,  a  doggery,  etc.,  make  up  the  sum  and  substance  of  Unionville. 

THE  cox  TRAGEDY. 

One  of  the  most  startling  occurrences  ever  within  the  limits  of  Benton 
Township  was  the  butchering  of  a  family  of  John  B.  Cox,  in  September 
1861.  The  neighbors  found,  one  forenoon,  that  an  awful  crime  had  been 
committed.  Those  earliest  on  the  premises  found  Mr.  Cox  unconscious  on 
his  porch  from  the  loss  of  blood,  with  several  severe  cuts  and  bruises  about 
his  head  and  neck.  Within  the  house  a  ghastly  scene  was  presented  :  Mrs. 
Cox  lay  dead  upon  the  bed,  with  her  throat  cut  from  ear  to  ear.  Upon  an- 
other bed  near  lay  a  girl  about  ten  years  old,  with  her  throat  horribly 
mangled,  though  she  was  still  breathing  and  alive,  though  unconscious. 
On  the  floor  near  this  bed  was  a  younger  girl,  dead,  with  her  head  half 
severed  from  her  body.  The  trundle-bed  held  two  children,  a  smaller  girl 
severely  cut  about  the  neck,  though  not  mortally,  and  alive,  though  par- 
tially unconscious,  and  also  a  boy,  not  a  member  of  the  family,  about  ten 
years  old,  severely  cut,  though  alive,  but  helpless  from  the  loss  of  blood. 
He  was.  considerably  scratched  and  bruised,  and  seemed  to  have  struggled 
desperately  with  his  assailant,  as  the  bedding  was  torn  and  scattered.  The 
youngest  child,  a  mere  baby,  was  found  unhurt.  An  enormous  crowd 
gathered  within  the  space  of  a  few  hours  to  view  the  horrible  sight.  Mr. 
Cox  had  some  trouble  with  several  of  his  neighbors,  who  were  immediately 
arrested  and  taken  to  Bloomington  for  safe-keeping.  The  dead  and 
wounded  were  conveyed  to  the  residence  of  William  Cox,  near  by.  Mr. 
Cox,  as  soon  as  conscious,  was  questioned  and  stated  that  several  men  at- 
tacked the  family  during  the  previous  night,  knocked  him  senseless,  after 
which  he  knew  nothing  until  the  next  morning,  when  by  shouts  he  aroused 
his  neighbors.  The  men  charged  with  the  crime  were  tried  and  acquitted. 
Several  from  the  first  had  insisted  that  Mr.  Cox,  the  head  of  the  family, 
had  himself  committed  the  deed  in  a  moment  of  insanity,  with  which  he 
was  at  times  afflicted.     This  case  terminated  with  this  view. 


536  HISTORY  OF  MONROE  COUNTY. 


SALT  CREEK  TOWNSHIP. 

THE  SALT  WORKS. 

THE  creek  by  the  above  name  took  its  designation  from  the  numerous 
salt  springs  along  its  course.  These  were  discovered  at  an  early- 
day  from  the  great  resort  made  of  them  by  deer  which  came  to  drink. 
They  became  famous  deer-licks,  where,  as  long  as  those  animals  were 
found  in  the  county  in  any  abundance,  they  could  be  killed  by  the 
hunters,  and  were  so  killed.  Some  of  the  salty  localities  gave  evidence  of 
such  strength  that  it  was  resolved  to  evaporate  the  water,  and  thus  begin 
the  business  of  manufacturing  salt.  If  it  is  remembered  that  at  that 
time  salt  was  a  scarce  and  costly  article  in  the  woods,  made  so  by  the 
great  distance  where  it  was  prepared  and  barreled,  and  by  the  great  cost 
of  transportation,  the  value  of  an  excellent  well  will  be  readily  under- 
stood. It  is  not  necessary  to  inform  old  settlers  of  the  commercial  value 
of  good  salt  works  within  from  one  to  fifteen  miles  of  their  doors.  As 
early  as  1822  or  1823,  Henry  Wampler,  Thomas  Literal  and  several 
others  bored  down  on  Section  12,  Township  8  north,  Range  1  east,  and 
found  an  adundance  of  excellent  brine.  They  erected  "shanties,"  pro- 
cured several  large  iron  kettles,  and  began  the  work.  They  received  a  wide 
patronage  from  the  start  and  increased  their  capacity  by  the  addition  of 
more  kettles  and  men  to  do  the  work.  The  works  were  conducted  for  a 
period  of  years,  and  it  is  said  that  more  than  800  bushels  of  excellent 
salt  were  manufactured  in  one  year.  Exact  figures  cannot  be  given.  The 
travel  to  the  works  became  so  great  at  the  start,  even,  that  the  owners 
and  others  petitioned  the  County  Board  in  1823  to  construct  a  road  from 
the  county  seat  to  the  works,  which  was  accordingly  done.  In  after  years 
other  wells  were  sunk  in  the  township,  one  being  near  the  iron  bridge, 
across  Salt  Creek.  This  early  manufacture  of  salt  was  before  the  settle- 
ment of  the  township.  In  1825,  the  township  received  a  separate  exist- 
ence, and  was  named,  from  the  works  which  rendered  the  locality  famous, 
and  from  the  creek  which  coursed  its  way  from  north  to  south  across  its 
surface. 

NATURAL   FEATURES, 

There  is  much  good  soil  in  the  township,  though  scattered  and  in 
small  tracts.  The  lower  lands  and  the  slopes  are  the  best  for  agriculture. 
Hillsides  are  found  rich  and  usually  pay  for  cultivation.  The  tendency 
is  to  seed  the  higher  lands  down  or  permit  them  to  retain  their  natural 
covering  of  timber,  while  the  lower  tracts  are  annually  cultivated  and 
made  to  sustain  a  population  of  moderate  density.  Good  springs  of  hard 
water  abound.  In  the  western  part  are  a  series  of  sulphur  springs,  which 
possess  no  little  merit  for  sanitary  or  medicinal  purposes.  It  is  probable, 
however,  that  they  would  not  pay  to  be  fitted  up  for  the  reception  and 
care  of  invalids.  Salt  Creek  is  the  main  artery  for  the  conveyance  of 
the  waters  which  sustain  the  vegetation  of  the  township.    Small  branches 


SALT  CREEK  TOWNSHIP.  537 

extend  outward  from  it  at  angles  like  the  limbs  and  twigs  of  a  tree.  An 
abundance  of  good  stone  can  be  obtained  by  a  reasonable  amount  of  labor. 
Lime  is  manufactured  to  some  extent,  and  brick  and  tile  can  be  had  at 
several  locations. 

LAND    ENTRIES. 

On  the  9th  of  September,  1817,  Moses  Williams  bought  160  acres  on 
Section  7,  and  this  was  the  Srst  purchase  in  Salt  Creek  Township, 
Lowe  and  Lee  bought  120  acres  on  Section  10,  in  1818.  On  the  2d  of 
August,  1820,  Elisha  Pollard  entered  two  quarters  on  Section  18,  and 
during  the  same  year  Moses  Williams  entered  another  tract  on  Section 
22,  and  John  Huff  on  the  same  section.  Williams  also  bought  on  Sec- 
tion 12,  in  1821  and  1824.  The  following  year  Henry  Wampler  bought 
two  tracts,  one  on  Section  23,  and  the  other  on  Section  27.  John  Huff 
also  this  year  purchased  a  piece  on  the  latter  section,  and  Elisha  Pollard 
on  Section  6.  James  Matlock  secured  the  next  tract  on  Section  27,  in 
1822.  John  W.  Lee  bought  on  Section  11,  in  1824,  and  J.  0.  Howe  on 
Section  12,  in  1826.  J.  0.  Howe,  Sr.,  bought  80  acres  on  Section  2,  in 
1824,  and  John  Barnes  on  Section  10,  in  1828.  These  were  the  only 
entries  before  the  decade  of  thirties.  Alexander  Owens  bought  on  Sec- 
tion 10,  in  1832.  In  1832,  William  Boruff  entered  a  piece  on  Section 
31,  and  Jacob  Stephens  on  Section  2  the  following  year.  John  Stephens 
bought  a  piece  the  latter  year  on  Section  3.  The  following  entries  were 
made  in  1836  :  Samuel  Smith  on  Section  3  ;  Finney  Courtney  on  Sec- 
tion 4  ;  Henderson  Myers  on  Section  4 ;  Ambrose  Miller,  Aquilla  Rogers 
and  William  Martin  on  Section  6  ;  John  McKissock  on  Section  7  ;  An- 
drew Harshberger  on  Section  8;  J.  0.  Howe  on  Section  11;  Edward 
Walker  and  John  Huff  on  Section  15  ;  Jonathan  Huntington  on  Section 
17;  George  Johnson  on  Section  18;  Thomas  Ferguson  on  Section  19; 
Archibald  Wilson  on  Section  21 ;  Reuben  Clark  on  Section  27  ;  Samuel 
McCalla  and  George  Johnson  on  Section  28  ;  Thomas  Ferguson  and 
William  Taylor  on  Section  30,  the  latter  buying  125  acres  ;  Michael 
Wampler  and  David  Killough  on  Section  31 ;  James  Wakefield  on  Sec- 
tion 32,  and  Archibald  Wilson,  Daniel  Butcher  and  Aaron  M.  Wilson  on 
Section  34.  The  following  entries  were  made  in  1837 :  W.  W.  Dun- 
can on  Section  4 ;  W.  D.  Maxwell,  Section  4  ;  Garret  Moore,  Section  7  ; 
Isaac  Bolinghouse,  Section  9 ;  Edward  Walker,  Section  15 ;  Alexander 
Miller,  same  ;  John  Cherry,  same  ;  John  Armstrong,  same ;  Michael 
Wampler,  Section  31 ;  James  Wakefield,'  Section  31.  In  1838,  the  follow- 
lowing  entries  were  made:  Charles  M.  Cunningham,  Section  6  ;  Samuel 
Curry,  Section  7  ;  Daniel  McCaughan,  Daniel  Kilpatrick  and  James 
Gordon,  Section  8  ;  John  Barnes,  Section  10  ;  Hamilton  Gray,  Section  21. 
In  1839,  the  following  were  the  entries:  Lankston  Brummet,  Section  4  ; 
Alexander  Kerr,  Section  6  ;  Samuel  Latimer,  Section  8  ;  Jonathan  Hunt- 
ington, Section  9  ;  William  Cabot,  Section  17 ;  George  Johnson,  Section 
28  ;  David  Johnson,  Section  28  ;  John  Campbell,  Section  31  ;  John 
Lucas,  Section  33,  and  the  same  on  Section  34.  The  above  were  the 
only  entries  of  land  in  Salt  Creek   Township  previous  to  the  year  1840. 

POLL-TAX  PAYERS  OF  1841. 

Gabriel  Anes  owned  land  on  Section  3,  but  was  delinquent.     Lankston 


538  HISTORY   OF   MONROE   COUNTY. 

Brummet  lived  on  Section  4,  and  paid  a  tax  of  $B.02  on  $230  worth  of 
personal  property  and  $150  worth  of  real  estate.  James  Chandler,  who 
owned  no  land,  paid  a  poll  tax.  James  Fleener  lived  on  Section  18,  but 
was  delinquent.  George  Johnson  also  lived  on  Section  18  ;  his  tax  was 
$2.44.  John  Hansan,  William  Helton  and  Samuel  Harbison  paid  poll 
tax.  John  Lucas  and  Samuel  Latimore  were  assessed  poll  tax.  James 
Smith  lived  on  Section  ^7,  John  Stephenson  Section  3,  and  Samuel  Smith 
on  Section  3.  Their  tax  was  $2.90,  $3.60  and  $3.26,  respectively. 
Jonathan  Sherrill  owned  80  acres  on  Section  31,  and  was  taxed  $2.30. 
Michael  Wampler  and  J.  W.  Wakefield  were  residents,  but  were  delin- 
quent. Bartlett  Woodward  owned  80  acres  on  Section  34,  and  was  taxed 
$3.18.     This  old  settler  was  one  of  the  first  County  Commissioners. 

THE    PUBLIC    SCHOOLS. 

No  schools  were  taught  in  Salt  Creek  Township  until  late  in  the 
thirties,  at  which  time  two  started  into  being  about  the  same  time — one 
near  the  Boles  farm  or  the  Butcher  farm,  in  the  southern  part,  and  the 
other  a  little  north  of  the  center.  Both  were  log  houses,  and  were  used 
only  temporarily  for  school  purposes.  In  1843,  there  were  two  school- 
houses,  and  a  portion  of  the  school  section  (No.  16)  had  been  sold  to  in- 
crease the  funds  to  pay  the  teachers  and  to  keep  up  the  houses.  By  1846, 
two  hundred  and  twenty  acres  had  been  sold  for  $505,  but  only  $126.25 
had  been  realized  in  cash.  In  1856,  there  were  three  good  schoolhouses 
and  two  temporary  concerns.  One  of  the  good  houses  stood  on  Section 
15,  another  on  Section  19,  and  the  third  on  Section  34.  The  schools, 
then,  at  best,  were  very  inferior.  Later  years  have  brought  a  great  im- 
provement, but  serious  errors  have  crept  in  that  should  be  corrected. 
Pupils  have  become  parrots,  not  thinking,  reasoning  beings.  The  sys- 
tem of  public  school  education  requires  summary  correction  and  revision. 
Enormous  sums  are  annually  expended  on  the  public  schools,  hand- 
some buildings  are  erected,  and  the  system  is  the  pride  of  every  citizen. 
But  in  a  measure  the  system  is  a  failure.  The  public  schools  are  the 
womb  of  the  intellectual  life  of  this  nation,  and  an  immense  responsibility 
devolves  upon  our  educators.  Their  first  duty  is  to  teach  the  children  to 
think ;  do  they  ?  Mere  memorizing  is  only  a  mental  gymnastic.  If  the 
literal  form  is  forgotten,  the  idea  vanishes  and  the  learner  is  left  hopelessly 
ignorant.  The  teachers  should  strictly  forbid  the  pupil  to  repeat,  parrot- 
like, the  words  of  the  book,  and  insist  that  the  ideas  gained  therefrom  be 
clothed  in  different  language.  Let  our  education  be  practical,  is  the  cry. 
By  all  means;  but  it  does  not  go  far  enough.  "Readin',  writin'  and 
cipherin'  "  are  not  knowledge,  but  simply  its  instruments. 

The  boy  who  leaves  the  public  schools  knowing  no  more  than  that — 
and  even  geography  and  a  little  history — is  as  barren  as  to  his  ideas,  is  as 
completely  shut  out  of  the  intellectual  world  as  though  he  had  never 
made  an  attempt  to  enter  it.  The  great  majority  of  pupils  leave  school 
at  the  age  of  fifteen.  Their  chief  literary  condiments  are  the  flashy  story 
papers  and  works  of  fiction  belonging  to  the  diseased,  sensational  type. 
If  they  have  ever  heard  of  Shakspeare,  Addison,  Tennyson,  Longfellow 
and  the  host  of  great  literati,  they  are  not  indebted  to  the  public  schools 
for  the  information.     To  be  sure,  there  is  a  school  reader ;  but  the  read- 


SALT  CREEK  TOWNSHIP.  539 

ing  hour  is  devoted  almost  entirely  to  the  intonation  of  the  voice,  and  not 
in  elucidating  the  sense  of  the  matter.  Let  the  memory  be  exercised,  by 
all  means,  not  in  memorizing  text-books,  but  in  gleaning  from  the  death- 
less productions  of  the  past  and  the  great  works  of  to-day.  We  repeat 
that  to  teach  a  child  to  think  is  the  object  of  school  education. 

In  a  year  the  pupil  will  acquire  a  host  of  choice,  pregnant  sayings,  that 
are  couched  in  language  so  pure  and  elegant  that  they  cannot  but  re  act  upon 
and  unconsciously  shape  his  own.  This  is  eminently  practical,  and,  even 
it  were  not,  it  is  not  all  of  life  to  hoard  the  almighty  dollar.  If  the 
teachers  can,  by  short  conversations  and  quotations  from  standard  authors, 
succeed  in  interesting  their  pupils  and  thereby  send  them  to  the  works 
themselves,  they  will  confer  an  incalculable  boon  upon  those  who  are 
sacredly  put  in  their  charge  and  do  much  in  solving  a  vital  question. 
Only  then  will  the  evil  of  trashy  literature  be  forever  laid  at  rest.  A 
child  cannot  be  forced  into  solid  reading.  He  must  be  tempted  to  it.  The 
taste  comes  slowly,  but  when  once  acquired  is  a  mine  of  wealth,  exhaust- 
less  through  life,  and  what  is  more,  is  the  road  to  happiness  and  content. 
That  school  or  college  which  seeks  the  natural  bent  of  the  child  places 
him  under  the  refining  influences  of  the  best  writers,  and  which  shapes  his 
thoughts  according  to  the  best  thinkers  of  the  world  has  succeeded ;  but 
that  school  or  college  which  sends  a  pupil  from  its  doors  with  his  mental 
tastes  undeveloped,  and  his  vocation  undiscovered  (this  too  frequently  hap- 
pens in  the  largest  universities  of  the  land),  has  failed  and  failed  lamenta- 
bly. It  will  not  do  to  say  that  the  acquisition  of  these  tastes  must  be  left 
to  high  schools.  Comparatively  few  of  the  school  children  go  there. 
School  life  is  the  smallest  part  of  an  education,  and  the  duty  of  the  educa- 
tors is  to  put  the  pupil  on  the  right  road,  which  he  will  afterward  pursue 
for  himself. 

What  is  so  practical  as  science  ?  The  rudiments  of  physical  geography, 
chemistry,  physics,  geology  and  botany  are  now  published  by  leading 
scientists,  and  in  a  form  so  lucid  that  a  child  often  can  understand  them. 
And  yet  if  a  man  asked  the  question  in  the  public  schools  of  this  town- 
ship, "  On  what  principle  is  it  that  water  is  drawn  from  the  bottom  of  the 
well  by  a  pump?"  probably  out  of  a  hundred  who  have  used  the  pump- 
handle  one  could  answer  the  question.  Concerning  the  most  elementary 
principles  of  science  the  body  of  "practical  "  men  are  densely  ignorant. 
Also  another  branch  of  study — one  of  transcendent  importance — is  com- 
pletely neglected.  It  is  political  economy.  By  our  Constitution  univer- 
sal suffrage  prevails,  and  the  schoolboy  of  to-day  is  the  voter  of  to-morrow. 
Politics  is  the  theme  of  the  boy  as  well  as  the  man.  Yet  glaring  com- 
mercial and  financial  fallacies  gain  currency  in  politics,  which  a  child  with 
a  knowledge  of  the  fundamental  principles  of  the  science  could  refute.  A 
half  hour  every  other  day  in  the  public  schools  devoted  to  the  study  of 
Prof.  Jevou's  primer,  Mrs.  Fawcett's  excellent  little  work  or  any  other 
good  book,  would  be  a  splendid  assurance  of  safe  legislation  for  the  future. 
In  these  respects,  then,  our  public  schools  can  be  improved.  Ideas  should 
be  gotten  from  text-books  and  not  words.  -The  study  of  science,  political 
economy  and  our  Constitution  should  be  introduced,  and  could  be  without 
increased  expenditure.  They  are  greatly  needed  and  eminently  practical. 
We  do  not  attach  much  importance  to  the  protest  against  impracticability. 


540 


HISTORY    OF    MONROE  COUNTY. 


If  one  thing  more  than  another  characterizes  an  American,  it  is  the  desire 
to  secure  to  his  children  the  advantages  denied  to  himself.  A  great  many 
things  go  to  make  up  an  education,  and  we  do  not  believe  that  we  are  get- 
ting our  money's  worth  to-day. 


TEACHERS  OF  1880-81. 


Aggie  Anderson., 

Betta  Bodkin 

Jennie  Snodgrass 
Aggie  Anderson  . 

Eliza  Strain 

Alice  Rogers  

C.  W.  Smith 


Number 

of 
Bistrict. 


Kind  and  Size  of  House. 


Frame,  22x26  feet. 
Frame,  20x26  feet. 
Frame. 


Log, 
Log, 


18x20  feet. 
18x18  feet. 


CHURCHES. 

In  1851,  a  class  of  the  Christian  Church  was  organized  in  Salt  Creek 
Township.  The  first  meetings  were  held  at  the  residence  of  Elizabeth 
Wampler.  In  1854,  arrangements  were  made  to  build  a  church  on 
Moore's  Creek,  the  funds  being  raised  by  subscription.  Among  the  early 
members  were  the  families  of  Mrs.  Wampler,  William  Baxter,  William 
Shields,  John  Lucas,  Troylus  Mize  and  others.  The  membership  at  the 
time  the  building  was  erected  was  about  thirty.  This  was  the  leading 
religious  society  of  the  township  in  early  years.  Several  others  started 
into  life  in  schoolhouses,  but  were  short  lived.  Later  years  have  seen  the 
erection  of  other  churches. 

FRIENDSHIP. 

In  the  month  of  September,  1857,  James  G.  Fleener,  with  the  as- 
sistance of  the  County  Surveyor,  laid  off  eighteen  lots  on  Section  21, 
Township  8  north.  Range  1  east,  and  named  the  village  thus  begun 
Friendship,  a  very  pretty  and  sociable  cognomen.  But  Friendship  was 
fated  to  die  on  paper,  as  it  made  no  friends  who  cared  to  remain  with  it 
through  the  storms  and  sunshines  of  this  busy  world.  It  surrendered  to 
the  inevitable  in  a  few  short  months. 


POLK  TOWNSHIP. 


ORIGIN   OF    THE    NAME. 

THIS  civil  division  of  the  county  of  Monroe,  as  will  be  seen  more 
fully  in  another  chapter  of  this  volume,  was  organized  soon  after  the 
termination  of  the  administration  of  President  James  K.  Polk,  and  in  his 
honor  was  given  the  name  it  now  bears.  Some  portions  of  the  township 
are  extremely  rough,  with  soil  of  unfortunate  sterility  ;  but  other  portions 
are  mildly  rolling,  have  numerous  natural  springs  of  excellent  water,  and 
a  surface  soil  that  is  practically  inexhaustible.  Owing  to  the  worthlessness 
of  a  few  tracts,  they  were  not  entered  from  the  Government  until  within 


POLK  TOWNSHIP.  541 

the  last  ten  or  fifteen  years.  The  soil  was  poor  and  too  precipitous  to  be 
easily  cultivated,  and  even  such  timber  as  grew  upon  it  was  comparatively 
worthless,  consisting  mainly  of  small,  soft  growths  and  numerous  thickets 
of  heavy  underbrush.  In  other  portions,  however,  and  usually  upon  the 
better  lands,  grew  a  rich  and  varied  native  forestry  of  walnut,  beech, 
ash,  whitewood,  oak  and  other  woods,  of  equal  worth.  Scattered  through- 
out the  length  and  breadth  of  the  township  along  the  valleys  and  in  the 
lower  localities  was  the  rich  land  which  attracted  the  first  settlers. 

THE  EARLY    LAND-BUYERS. 

The  first  tract  of  land  entered  in  Congressional  Township  7  north, 
Range  1  east,  was  on  Section  4.  On  the  10th  of  December,  1821,  a 
dozen  and  more  years  before  the  general  settlement  of  the  township, 
Elijah  Elliott  bought  ninety  and  a  fraction  acres,  but  did  not  erect  build- 
ings of  any  kind  nor  attempt  to  reside  on  the  land  he  had  bought.  The 
next  entries  and  the  first  permanent  ones  were  by  men  who  became  the 
most  prominent  the  township  has  produced  and  whose  children  and  grand- 
children continue  to  sustain  the  honor  of  the  family  name.  In  the  year 
1823,  five  years  after  the  organization  of  the  county,  when  what  is  now 
Polk  Township  was  an  uninhabited  wildwood,  except,  perhaps,  by  some 
temporary  family  of  trappers  or  hunters,  the  old  settler,  George  Todd, 
bought  a  tract  of  eighty  acres  on  Section  26,  and  made  preparations  to 
erect  thereon  rude  log  buildings  for  his  family  and  others  for  his  cattle 
and  horses.  With  the  help  of  his  brothers  and  a  man  or  two  who  went 
out  with  him,  the  necessary  buildings  were  soon  erected  and  the  family 
immured  in  their  new  home.  The  woods  around  were  full  of  deer,  and 
occasionally  a  bear  would  be  seen  near  the  cabin.  Three  years  afterward 
Mr.  Todd  bought  eighty  acres  more  on  the  same  section,  and  also  eighty 
acres  on  Section  23.  This  gave  him  a  good  farm — more  in  fact  than  he 
could  use  to  advantage.  In  1831,  Andrew  Todd  bought  eighty  acres  on 
Section  15,  and  John  Todd  eighty  acres  on  Section  14.  The  second 
settler,  and  a  man  who  was  to  play  a  conspicuous  part  in  the  subsequent 
history  of  the^  township,  Thomas  Fleetwood,  came  to  the  township  in 
1826,  and  bought  eighty  acres  of  land  on  Section  36,  near  that  of  Mr. 
Todd.  In  1833,  he  bought  forty  acres  more  on  the  same  section.  In 
1829,  Isaac  Fleetwood  bought  eighty  acres  on  Section  35,  and  in  1834, 
bought  forty  acres  on  Section  26.  Solomon  Fleetwood  bought  on  Section 
26  in  1837,  and  Joseph  Fleetwood  on  Section  36  in  1839.  Joseph 
Stipp  became  the  owner  of  eighty  acres  on  Section  20  in  1832,  and  four 
years  later  entered  forty  acres  on  Section  19.  William  Moss  entered  a 
piece  in  1834  and  another  in  1836  on  Section  7,  and  Alexander  Newton 
secured  forty  acres  on  Section  23.  A  piece  on  Section  10  was  bought  by 
William  B.  Todd  in  1837,  and  another  on  the  same  section  by  David  Haw- 
kins in  1839.  Robert  Hicks  selected  a  tract  on  Section  36  in  1834, 
William  R.  Coombs  in  1836,  and  Benjamin  Browning  in  1837.  Isaac 
Norman  bought  on  Section  35  in  1836,  and  Moses  Martin  in  1839.  An 
eighty-acre  tract  on  Section  32  went  to  Green  C.  Mize  in  1837,  Sidney 
S.  Meadows  and  Q.  N.  Cain  purchased  on  Section  31  in  1836,  and  Will- 
iam Henry  on  the  same  in  1838.  In  1836,  both  Natty  Gougle  and 
Thomas  Chambers   entered  small  pieces  on  Section  30^  William   Todd 


542  HISTORY   OF   MONROE  COUNTY. 

bought  on  Section  26  in  1837  and  James  Todd  on  the  same  in  1839. 
William  Newton  also  entered  land  on  this  section — one  piece  in  1836  and 
another  in  1837,  and  Samuel  Axom  did  the  same  in  1839.  William 
Henry,  Jr.,  and  Elizabeth  Chambers  became  the  owners  of  tracts  on  Sec- 
tion 18  in  1837  and  1838,  respectively.  John  Hanson  bought  on 
Section  17  in  1837,  and  Jesse  Davar  the  same  year,  and  1839  on  Sec- 
tions 5  and  4.  Aaron  M.  Johnson  obtained  eighty  acres  in  1836  on 
Section  3,  and  Benjamin  H.  Halleck  forty  acres  the  same  year  on  the 
same  section.  Nelson  Robertson  secured  forty  acres  in  1837  on  Section 
2.  All  these  tracts  of  land  were  in  Township  7  north,  Range  1  east,  but 
this  does  not  comprise  all  of  the  present  Polk  Township.  Twelve  sections 
were  detached  from  Brown  County  by  an  act  of  the  Legislature  and  made 
a  part  of  Polk  Township  and  Monroe  County.  The  only  entries  on  these 
twelve  sections  before  1840  were  as  follows :  Jonathan  Faulks  and 
Joshua  Repper  on  Section  31  in  1829,  and  Charles  Sipes  on  Section  29 
in  1836.  These  twelve  sections  are  a  part  of  Congressional  Township  7 
north.  Range  2  east  of  the  Second  Principal  Meridian.  All  the  land 
entered  in  the  township  previous  to  1840  has  now  been  given. 

RESIDENTS  OF  1842. 

The  township  was  sparsely  settled  only  at  this  date,  Benjamin  Brown- 
ing lived  in  the  southern  part,  was  taxed  for  54  acres,  which  with  im- 
provements were  listed  at  $218,  and  was  assessed  $3.16.  Reuben  Clark 
lived  on  section  10;  he  paid  a  tax  of  $6.15  on  $436  worth  of  real  and 
personal  property.  Q.  N.  Cain  resided  in  the  township,  but  seems  to 
have  owned  no  land  ;  his  personal  property  was  $10.  Joseph  Cracraft 
owned  no  land  ;  and  paid  tax  on  $40  of  personal  property.  John  Cherry 
also  resided  in  the  township,  as  did  also  David  Cherry.  William  Colder 
paid  on  $100  of  personal  property.  Wiley  Davar  lived  on  Section  15, 
and  was  assessed  $3.2£.  Thomas  Fleetwood,  who  lived  down  on  Section  36, 
was  assessed  a  tax  of  $8.54;  he  had  $1,400  worth  of  personal  property 
and  his  total  taxables  were  $2,138;  his  land  amounted  to  194  acres,  a 
portion  being  on  Section  35.  William  Hunter  owned  175  acres  on  Section 
31,  and  paid  a  tax  of  $6.50.  Joseph  Miller  lived  on  Section  17,  and 
paid  $2.84.  William  Mize  lived  also  on  Section  17;  his  tax  was  $1.46. 
Peter  Norman  owned  240  acres  on  Sections  26  and  35;  his  personal  prop- 
erty was  $800  and  total  taxables  $1,660;  his  tax  was  $8.14.  The  fol- 
lowing entry  appears  upon  the  tax  duplicate  :  "  Mr.  Norman  thinks  he 
is  taxed  too  much  and  ought  to  be  released."  Isaac  Norman  paid  a  poll- 
tax.  Nelson  Robertson  lived  on  Section  2,  and  D.  A.  Rogers  on  Section 
4.  John  Sipes  owned  a  cottage  on  Section  20.  Joshua  Stepp  owned  120 
acres  on  Sections  19  and  20,  and  paid  a  tax  of  $3.84.  James  Stepp  paid 
a  poll  tax.  John,  Thomas  and  James  Todd  were  assessed  each  a  poll 
tax  ;  but  George,  Henry  and  William,  although  their  names  appear  on  the 
duplicate,  seem  to  have  been  delinquent.  Henry  was  assessed  a  poll  tax, 
but  seems  not  to  have  paid  it  when  due.  John  Todd  paid  a  tax  of  $7.40; 
Thomas  Todd  $10.87;  and  James  Todd  $4.70 ;  but  $6.83  of  the  tax  of 
Thomas  was  delinquencies  settled.  About  a  half  a  dozen  more  men  were 
then  living  in  the  township,  but  their  names  cannot  be  given  for  certainty. 
Some  twenty  or  thirty  families  arrived  during  the  remainder  of  the  dec- 


POLK   TOWNSHIP.  543 

ade  of  forties,  but  the  real  settlement  in  its  fullness  did  not  commence 
until  the  fifties,  at  which  time  most  of  the  land  was  purchased  and  occu- 
pied.    The  township  was  organized  in  1849. 

THE  COUNTERFEITERS. 

During  the  decades  of  the  forties  and  fifties — late  in  the  forties  and 
the  greater  portion  of  the  fifties — bands  of  counterfeiters,  horse-thieves, 
burglars,  etc.,  overran  the  greater  portion  of  Indiana,  and  Monroe  County 
did  not  escape  the  pestilence.  Within  its  limits  were  partially  uninhabited 
tracts  of  rough  country,  where  ravines,  morasses  and  impenetrable  thick- 
ets furnished  an  excellent  retreat  for  the  light-fingered  gentry  to  ply  their 
unlawful  depredations.  In  some  localities  of  the  State,  neighbor  could 
place  no  dependence  on  neighbor,  for  the  inducements  to  pass  counter- 
feit money  were  so  strong,  owing  to  the  poverty  of  the  masses  and  the 
great  advantages  of  a  few  hundred  dollars,  that  men  of  previous  good 
character  were  persuaded  to  connect  themselves  with  manufacturers  of 
counterfeit  bills  or  bogus  coin  in  order  to  reap  a  harvest  for  a  short  time, 
after  which  they  expected  to  resume  their  places  of  honor  and  good  stand- 
ing untouched  by  the  stigma  of  crime  or  misdemeanor.  The  southeast- 
ern portion  of  Monroe  County  early  showed  evidences  of  illegal  transac- 
tions of  this  character.  Several  of  the  residents  of  Polk  Township  were 
suspected  of  complicity,  but  nothing  definite  was  learned  until  late  in  the 
fifties.  Before  this,  however,  counterfeit  bills  on  the  various  State  banks 
and  bogus  coin  of  fair  appearance,  color  and  weight  made  their  appear- 
ance in  the  county  at  the  mercantile  establishments,  and  steps  were  taken 
to  ferret  out  the  rascals.  But  the  system  in  vogue  among  the  malefactors 
for  a  number  of  years  completely  or  nearly  so  bewildered  the  local  authori- 
ties, and  but  little  headway  was  made  in  ending  the  "reign  of  crime." 
It  is  likely  that  no  unlawful  money  was  manufactured  in  Monroe  County, 
Passers  of  counterfeit  money,  however,  were  quite  numerous.  This  soon  led 
to  the  organization  of  companies  of  regulators — men  of  honesty  in  Polk 
Township  and  vicinity — who  resolved  to  end  the  career  of  the  lawbreakers 
if  careful  watch  and  persistent  effort  would  do  so,  and  in  this  they  sus- 
ceeded. 

The  plan  or  mode  of  regulation  became  quite  popular,  and  was  re- 
garded as  an  effective  and  satisfactory  way  of  settling  with  the  law- 
breakers. It  led,  however,  to  grave  abuses.  In  more  than  one  section  of 
the  county,  a  number  of  men  who  entertained  a  grudge  against  a  neigh- 
bor would  assemble  at  his  residence  at  night,  thoroughly  disguised,  and 
would  then  proceed  to  give  him  a  terrible  whipping.  A  man  named 
Bingham,  living  in  the  county,  was  thus  treated,  and  so  severe  was  the 
punishment  that  his  body  was  a  mass  of  bruised  and  blackened  flesh,  from 
which  he  died  in  a  few  days.  The  man  was  no  doubt  an  honest  citizen. 
Another,  named  Vansickle,  was  terribly  whipped,  and  after  a  few  months 
died  from  the  eflFects  at  what  became  Vansickle's  mills,  in  the  southern 
part  of  Morgan  County. 

SCHOOLS    AND    CHURCHES. 

The  first  school  was  taught  in  the  vicinity  of  the  Todds,  early  in  the 
forties,  but  the  name  of  the  teacher  cannot  be  given.     The  house  was  of 


544 


HISTORY  OF  MONROE  COUNTY. 


logs,  and  had  been  built  for  a  dwelling,  but  the  family  had  vacated  it, 
after  which  it  was  transformed  into  a  seat  of  learning.  Schools  did  not 
generally  start  up  until  the  decade  of  fifties.  In  1856,  there  were  but 
four  schoolhouses  in  the  township,  both  of  logs.  There  are  now  six  or 
eight.  Mr.  Todd  donated  the  land  on  Section  26  for  a  schoolhouse,  and 
William  Hunter  the  land  on  Section  31,  Range  2  east;  the  latter  includ- 
ed a  fine  spring  of  running  water.  Early  in  the  fifties  the  Methodist 
Church,  called  Chapel  Hill,  was  organized,  and  soon  afterward  the  build- 
ing was  erected.  Among  the  early  members  were  the  families  of  A.  J. 
Temple,  John  T.  Cracraft,  David  Miller,  Jackson  Cracraft  and  Felix 
Miller  and  others.  Charles  Bruner  was  an  early  pastor.  Another 
early  church  was  the  one  called  Pleasant  Valley  of  the  Methodists.  John 
Allen,  Thomas  Allen,  Eldridge  Prince,  William  Edds  and  others  were 
members.  Another  early  class  was  the  Methodist  Church,  called  Salem 
Chapel,  some  of  the  early  members  being  the  families   of  Peter  Norman, 

William  Hunter,  Benjamin  Browning,  Lucien    D. ,  John  F. 

Walker,  L.  Q.  Hoggatt,  William  H.  Cornelius. 


TEACHERS  OF  1880-81. 

Number 

of 
District. 

Attendance. 

Kind  and  Size  of  Houses. 

Alfred  Mitchell 

1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 

48 

36 

50 

34 

44 

40 

24 

20- 

40 

Frame,  tbird  class. 

Lizzie  Todd                          

Frame,  poor. 
Frame,  fourth  class. 

Alfred  Helton                                

R.  C.  Todd 

Frame,  20x24  feet. 

Frame,  20x24  feet. 

Frame,  20x24  feet. 

Frame,  16x20  feet. 

Log,  poor. 
Log,  poor. 

Andrew  Parks 

THE    FIRST    ELECTIONS. 

When  the  township  was  created  in  1849,  elections  were  ordered  held 
at  the  house  of  John  Todd,  or  "  at  Todd's  Big  Springs."  These  springs 
were  fine  ones  and  had  induced  Mr.  Todd  to  locate  in  their  vicinity. 
Elections  were  held  at  Mr.  Todd's  for  several  years.  The  old  blacksmith 
shop  there  was  probably  used.  Wylie  Davar  and  Samuel  Axam  were  the 
first  Fence  Viewers,  Peter  Norman  the  first  Inspector  of  Elections  and 
Wylie  Davar  the  first  Constable.  The  school  section  was  not  sold  until 
the  fifties. 

CHAPEL    HILL. 

In  the  month  of  October,  1856,  David  Miller  and  John  Smith,  own- 
ers, employed  the  County  Surveyor  to  lay  oflF  twenty-seven  lots  on  the 
northwest  quarter  of  the  southeast  quarter  of  Section  31,  Township  7 
north,  Range  1  east,  iind  named  the  village  thus  started  on  paper  Chapel 
Hill.  Their  hopes  of  having  a  thriving  town  spring  up  there,  however, 
were  doomed  to  disappointment.  A  start  was  made,  but  the  infant  was 
too  weak  to  survive  any  great  length  of  time,  and  so  died  without  hope  of 
resurrection. 


MARION  TOWNSHIP.  545 


MARION  TOWNSHIP. 

PHYSICAL    DESCRIPTION. 

THIS  township  was  not]  created  until  the  forties,  but  remained  a  part 
of  Benton  during  much  of  the  early  history  of  the  county  after  the 
latter  township  was  formed  and  organized.  It  is  the  smallest  civil  divi- 
sion of  the  county,  but  contains  some  of  the  best  and  most  prominent 
citizens.  Some  of  the  finest  and  best  cultivated  farms  are  here,  and  the 
schools  and  churches  will  compare  favorably  with  any  other  portion  of 
the  county.  The  township  is  generally  rolling,  the  uplands  being  largely 
of  clay,  while  along  the  streams  and  in  several  natural  depressions  a  fine 
alluvial  soil,  mingled  with  more  or  less  of  sand,  returns  to  the  farmer 
abundant  harvests  for  his  labor.  The  timber  is  one  of  the  township's  best 
sources  of  wealth,  and  is  usually  allowed  to  stand  on  the  poorer  soil, 
and  is  taken  from  the  better  soil  to  give  room  for  the  husbandman.  There 
are  several  fine  springs,  which  furnish  water  as  cold  as  ice  and  as  pure 
and  clear  as  crystal. 

GEOLOGY. 

The  formation  on  Section  4  is  as  follows  : 

Ferruginous  clay  soil 6  feet. 

Limestone  (Keokuk),  dark  blue 7  feet. 

Clay  parting,  bluish  gray 1  feet. 

Limestone  (Keokuk),  light  gray 5  feet. 

Total 19  feet. 

One-fourth  of  a  mile  southwest  of  Monroe's  mill,  on  Hacker's  Creek, 
the  bed  and  banks  are  thickly  strewn  with  granite  bowlders.  Some 
beautiful  specimens  of  sienite,  greenstone,  quartzite  and  flesh-colored 
feldspar  also  abound.  One  mile  east  of  Monroe's  mill,  the  knobstone  is 
1 00  feet  thick.  On  Honey  Creek,  black  sand  (magnetic  iron  ore),  similar  to 
the  gold-bearing  sand  of  Bear  Creek,  Brown  County,  may  be  seen.  Granite 
bowlders  strew  the  ground.  Beautiful  geodes  and  fine  fossils  are  found. 
Black  sand  containing  gold  traces  is  also  found  in  Wolf  Creek,  which  has 
its  head  in  Brown  County. 

THE    SETTLEMENT. 

Marion  Township  was  not  settled  generally  until  long  after  the  organiza- 
tion of  the  county,  but  this  was  not  due  to  any  natural  unattractiveness. 
It  probably  arose  from  the  fact  that  the  township  was  far  removed  from  the 
county  seat,  from  the  larger  water-courses  where  settlements  then  congre- 
gated, and  from  the  highways  uniting  the  leading  commercial  centers  of 
the  early  times.  This  was  no  fault  of  the  township.  It  lay  there  with 
its  broad,  rich  acres,  inviting  the  agriculturist  to  homes  of  plenty  and 
comfort.  And  at  last  he  came.  Like  all  portions  of  this  part  of  Indiana, 
it  is  difficult  to  give  with  any  degree  of  certainty  the  name  of  the  first 
settler,  and  it  is  still  more  difficult  to  give  the  time  of  settlement.     Many 


546  HISTORY  OF  MONROE  COUNTY. 

early  settlers  lived  on  their  lands  a  number  of  years  before  they  had  been 
purchased,  simply  enjoying  a  squatter's  rights.  Many  others  lived  on 
lands  which  they  cultivated  for  a  half  dozen  or  more  years,  and  did  not 
finally  buy,  as  they  were  simply  occupied  temporarily,  owing  to  the  pov- 
erty of  the  pioneer  or  to  his  intention  to  locate  elsewhere.  But  at  last 
the  settler  came,  and  came  to  stay.  The  first  tract  of  land  purchased  in 
the  township  was  on  Section  6.  It  was  entered  on  the  30th  of  July, 
1823,  by  Osborn  k  Brown,  merchants,  who  did  not  locate  for  resi- 
dence in  the  township  at  all.  They  sold  the  land  to  others.  The 
second  entry  was  on  Section  18,  in  1827,  by  Jehu  Buckner,  who  was  no 
doubt  the  first  permanent  settler.  He  entered  a  tract  on  Section  7  at 
the  same  time.  He  built  a  log  cabin,  in  which  his  family  resided  for 
many  years.  Of  course  he  saw  hard  times,  but  not  as  much  so  as  did 
those  early  settlers  who  had  no  mills  nor  stores  nor  markets  nearer  than 
twenty  or  thirty  miles,  and  no  teams  but  half-starved  oxen.  The  Buck- 
ners  grew  up  with  the  township,  saw  the  lands  yield  to  the  efibrts  of 
themselves  and  their  neighbors,  saw  prosperous  homes  dot  the  expanse 
where  they  had  once  seen  impenetrable  forests,  and  saw  their  possessions 
increase  and  widen  out  as  the  years  passed.  Shad  Martin  entered  a 
tract  (the  third)  on  Section  18  in  September,  1829.  James  Stepp  came 
to  the  township  in  1832,  and  purchased  two  tracts  on  Section  2.  His 
family  and  relatives  have  since  resided  in  the  township.  They  have  been 
among  the  most  enterprising  and  respected  of  the  citizens.  A.  H.  Ful- 
ford  purchased  a  tract  on  Section  4,  in  the  year  1832.  Members  of  this 
family  have  since  resided  in  the  township.  James  and  Wylie  Poynter 
bought  land  on  Section  4  in  1833.  Their  families  also  became  promi- 
nent and  influential.  During  the  same  year — the  year  of  the  great 
meteoric  shower,  one  of  the  most  memorable  in  the  history  of  the  world 
— Adam  Wall  bought  a  fine  piece  of  land  on  Section  21.  His  family  and 
that  of  Conrad  Wall  were  prominent  in  early  times.  In  1834  the  Hen- 
dricksons — as  good  citizens  as  old  Monroe  or  young  Marion  has — came 
to  the  township  for  permanent  residence.  They  bought  land  on  Sections 
15,  21,  22,  14,  and  perhaps  others.  There  were  three  of  them — Thomas 
J.,  Joshua  and  Ezekiel — who  established  homes  in  the  woods  of  Marion. 
By  the  way,  the  township  was  named  for  that  hero  of  the  Revolution, 
Francis  Marion,  of  whom  it  was  said  by  the  poet : 

"The  British  soldier  trembles 
When  Marion's  name  is  told." 

The  old  settler,  Reuben  Stepp,  bought  land  on  Section  21  in  1835, 
and  became  a  prominent  resident  of  the  township  He  also  bought  a 
small  tract  on  Section  6  in  1836.  William  Stewart  bought  on  Section  2 
in  1837,  and  Henry  Hicks  on  the  same  section  the  same  year. 
George  Downey  obtained  a  tract  on  the  same  section  in  1836,  and 
bought  more  on  Section  3  the  following  year.  John  M.  Thomas  and 
Spencer  McDaniel  secured  farms  on  Section  4  in  1837.  Valentine 
Hacker  and  G.  Percifield  bought  in  1836  on  Section  6,  and  Thomas  M. 
Graham  in  1837  on  Section  8  ;  David  Warapler  and  Savoy  Stepps  se- 
cured tracts  on  Section  9  in  1837 ;  and  William  McMillen  and  Joseph 
Baugh  on  Section  14  in  the  same  year.  William  McCay  bought  on  Sec- 
tion 19  during  the  same  year.     Michael  Fleener  bought  on  Section  35  at 


MARION  TOWNSHIP. 


547 


an  early  day.  His  relatives  and  himself  became  prominent  in  Marion 
and  Benton  Townships.  John  J.  Graham  became  the  owner  of  a  piece  of 
land  on  Section  3  in  1838,  and  George  M.  Fry  on  Section  2  in  1839  ; 
William  Woodall  bought  on  Section  36  in  1839!  These  were  all  the  en- 
tries of  land  prior  to  1840.  The  decade  of  the  foi-ties  saw  but  little  in- 
crease comparatively  in  the  number  of  permanent  and  substantial  resi- 
dents. During  the  fifties,  however,  nearly  all  of  the  land  in  the  town- 
ship was  bought  by  men  who  were,  or  who  became,  actual  residents  of  the 
township.  In  1841,  the  following  well-known  men  resided  in  the  town- 
ship, and  may  be  called  the  pioneers  of  Marion  ;  Jehu  Buckner,  who 
owned  land  on  Sections  6,  7,  and  10,  and  who  paid  a  State  and  county 
tax  of  $13.22,  the  highest  in  the  township  ;  Thomas  Bates,  on  Section 
15;  Absalom  Fulford,  on  Section  4;  John  Goodwin,  on  Section  18  ;  J. 
J.  and  Samuel  Graham,  on  Section  7  ;  Abraham  Goodsey,  on  Section  10; 
Ezekiel  Hendrickson,  on  Sections  22  and  27  ;  Thomas  Hendrickson,  on 
Section  17;  Valentine  Hacker,  on  Section  6,  who  paid  a  tax  of  $9.88  ; 
Reuben  Stepp  on  Sections  21  and  27;  Conrad  and  Adam  Wall,  on  Section 
21,  and  David  Wampler  on  Section  9. 

SCHOOLS    AND    CHURCHES. 

Schools  did  not  start  up  until  late  in  the  forties,  and  even  then  infe- 
rior and  few.  The  first  houses  were  of  logs,  rudely  built,  and  were  unin- 
viting places  until  cold  weather  came,  and  the  huge  fire-places  were  filled 
with  roaring  logs  and  the  dark  room  with  a  glow  of  ruddy  light.  A  good 
school  was  started  in  the  Hendrickson  neighborhood  early  in  the  fifties, 
and  for  a  time  was  the  only  well-conducted  institution  of  learning  in  the 
township.  Soon  afterward,  however,  another  was  established  in  the  north- 
ern part,  in  the  Stepp  neighborhood,  and  was  well  attended,  the  teachers 
usually  being  citizens  of  the  neighborhood.  Late  in  the  fifties,  a  school 
was  conducted  for  a  few  years  in  the  northeastern  corner,  and  about  the 
same  time  in  the  southeastern,  near  the  creek.  Four  or  five  good  schools 
are  now  conducted  in  the  township.  The  early  residents  of  the  southern 
part  were  forced  to  go  to  Unionville  to  get  the  advantages  of  religious  in- 
struction. A  congregation  of  the  Church  of  Christ  was  established  there 
during  the  forties,  and  drew  a  portion  of  its  membership  from  Marion. 
The  residents  of  the  western  and  southwestern  parts  went  to  the  "  Separ- 
ate Baptist  Church  "  on  Section  13,  Washington  Township,  and  also  to 
the  Methodist  Church  in  the  southern  part  of  the  same  township.  When 
Reuben  Stepp  deeded  a  small  piece  of  land  to  the  Township  Trustees  to  be 
used  for  school  purposes,  a  proviso  was  inserted  that  the  building  should 
be  used  by  any  religious  denomination  when  not  occupied  for  educational 
purposes.  This  land  was  on  Section  9.  Ezekiel  Hendrickson  deeded  the 
school  lot  in  his  neighborhood  for  school  purposes,  the  land  being  on  Sec- 
tion 22.     Both  lots  were  transferred  in  April  1854,  and  were  the  first. 


TEACHERS  OF  1880-^1. 

Number 

of 
District. 

Attend- 
ance. 

Kind  and  size  of  Houses. 

Sallie  Rus8 

1 
2 
3 
4 

44 

24 
36 
40 

Frame,  18x22  feet. 

W.  H.  Lee 

Frame,  20x26  feet. 

Kate  Height 

Frame,  22x28  feet. 

Thomas  Cain 

Frame   22x20  feet. 

BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 


BLOOMINGTON  TOWNSHIP  AND  CITY. 

ELIAS  ABEL,  one  of  the  oldest  living  settlers  of  Monroe  County, 
was  born  in  Wythe  County,  Va.,  June  7,  1800.  He  was  the  eldest  of 
three  children  born  to  Lewis  and  Hannah  (Davis)  Abel,  and  was  reared 
in  a  log  cabin.  His  opportunities  for  gaining  an  education  were  lim- 
ited altogether  to  about  six  months  spent  in  a  log  schoolhouse  with 
nothing  but  the  bare  ground  for  a  floor,  and  greased  paper  windows. 
His  father  dying  about  the  year  1820,  he  took  care  of  his  mother,  who  was 
an  invalid,  and  by  working  at  days'  work  for  four  years  he  was  enabled 
to  save  enough  to  immigrate  to  Indiana.  After  twenty- one  days  of 
weary  travel,  on  the  26th  day  of  August,  1824,  he  reached  the  residence 
of  his  brother-in-law,  Luke  Ward,  in  Monroe  County.  Having  nothing 
to  begin  on,  he  worked  by  the  day,  until  April  28,  1828,  when  he  was 
married  to  Hannah  Ottwell,  daughter  of  Naomi  Ottwell,  a  resident  of 
Monroe  County.  After  his  marriage,  he  farmed  in  Monroe  County  until 
December,  1841,  when  he  removed  to  Bloomington,  to  enter  upon  his 
duties  as  County  Treasurer,  to  which  office  he  had  been  elected  in  the 
preceding  August.  He  tilled  this  office  successfully  and  with  credit  to 
himself  for  thirteen  years.  He  then  served  as  Deputy  County  Treasurer 
until  October,  1856,  when  he  was  elected  to  represent  Monroe  County  in 
the  State  Legislature,  and  served  during  the  winter  of  1856-57.  After 
the  expiration  of  his  term  in  office  he  again  served  as  Deputy  Treasurer 
until  1862,  at  which  time  he  retired  from  active  business  life.  His  wife 
died  in  March,  1864.  October  3,  1870,  he  was  married  to  Cerelda  Wor- 
ley.  daughter  of  Isaac  Worley,  one  of  the  earliest  settlers  in  Monroe 
County.  Mr.  Abel  began  on  nothing,  and  has  been  the  recipient  of  no 
legacies  or  bequests.  He  is  the  architect  of  his  own  fortune,  and  by  his 
industry  and  energy  has  acquired  a  competency.  He  is  at  present  en- 
joying good  health,  and  is  still  considered  one  of  the  "  old  wheelhorses" 
of  the  Democratic  party  in  Monroe  County. 

BENJAMIN  F.  ADAMS,  a  native  of  Monroe  County,  Ind.,  was 
born  in  Indian  Creek  Township  January  2,  1827.  He  is  the  eldest  son 
born  to  George  and  Mary  (Freeland)  Adams,  natives  of  Kentucky,  who 
located  in  Indian  Creek  Township  in  1818.  There  the  father  died 
July,  1853,  and  the  mother  in  November,  1871.  When  about  nineteen 
years  of  age,  our  subject  began  teaching  school,  ixnd  continued  about  two 
years.  For  some  time  following,  he  assisted  his  father  on  the  farm,  and 
when  twenty-three  years  of    age  he  formed  a  partnership  with  William 


550  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

Dudley  in  the  general  merchandise  business  at  Stanford,  Van  Buren  Town- 
ship, Monroe  County,  continuing  three  years.  At  the  death  of  his 
father  he  purchased  the  intej-ests  of  the  other  heirs  in  the  old  homestead 
farm,  and  engaged  in  fai'ming  until  September,  1872,  at  which  time  he 
removed  to  Bloomington  for  the  purpose  of  educating  his  children. 
Here  he  embarked  in  the  administrator's  business,  and  at  present  is  the 
assignee  and  administrator  of  many  estates.  On  the  8th  day  of  May, 
1853,  he  was  married  to  Harriett  J.  Baker,  daughter  of  Absalom  Baker, 
an  early  settler  in  Monroe  County.  His  wife  dying  February  14,  1865, 
he  was  married  December  8,  1880,  to  Elizabeth  (Betty)  Evans,  of  Mason 
County,  Ky.  He  was  a  charter  member  of  Stanford  Lodge,  No.  173,  A, 
F.  &  A.  M. ,  and  is  an  active  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 
He  served  some  time  as  Councilman,  and  is  at  present  a  member  of  the 
City  Board  of  School  Trustees. 

CAPT.  W.  M.  ALEXANDER  was  born  in  Bloomington,  Monroe  Co., 
Ind.,  on  December  19,  1836.  His  parents,  John  H.  and  Margaret  J. 
(Clark)  Alexander,  were  natives  of  Kentucky.  They  came  to  Mom'oe  in 
an  early  day,  and  located  in  Bloomington,  where  the  father  engaged  in 
farming,  and  ran  a  mammoth  tannery.  In  July,  1855,  his  death  oc- 
cui'red,  the  wife  having  been  dead  for  some  time.  Capt.  Alexander  was 
the  youngest  in  a  family  of  four  children,  and  was  reared  in  his  native 
place  until  after  his  mother's  death,  when  he  began  work  by  assisting  the 
farmers  in  his  immediate  vicinity,  and  woi'king  at  odd  jobs.  When 
twenty  years  of  age,  he  began  herding  cattle,  which  he  did  both  in  Iowa 
and  Minnesota  for  two  years.  Returning  to  Bloomington,  he  learned  the 
blacksmith's  trade  with  Seaward  &  Sons.  In  the  spring  of  1861,  he 
enlisted  in  Company  H,  Eighteenth  Indiana  Volunteers,  under  Capt. 
Charles,  and  served  for  about  four  and  a  half  years,  taking  part  at  Pea 
Ridge,  Black  Water,  Cotton  Plant,  Magnolia  Hills  (after  which  battle  he 
was  promoted  to  Second  Lieutenant),  Champion  Hills,  Black  River,  siege 
of  Vicksburg,  Jackson,  Miss. ,  Mustang  Island,  Tex. ,  Ft.  Esperanza.  and 
then  came  home  on  fm-lough.  August  1,  1863,  he  was  sent  to  the  army 
of  Virginia,  and  took  part  in  the  battles  at  Richmond,  Winchester, 
Fisher  Hill  and  Cedar  Creek,  after  which  he  was  promoted  to  First 
Lieutenant,  and  soon  after,  for  meritorious  conduct,  to  Captain.  No- 
vember, 1865,  he  received  an  honorable  discharge  at  Darien,  Ga.,  and, 
returning  to  Bloomington,  followed  his  trade  for  a  number  of  years. 
He  then  opened  a  meat  market,  and  one  year  later  was  appointed  Deputy 
Sheriff,  which  position  he  held  until  the  fall  of  1876,  when  he  was 
elected  Sheriff,  and  two  years  later  was  re-elected  by  quite  a  large  majority. 
He  then  farmed  until  1882,  when  he  was  elected  County  Auditor,  which 
position  he  at  present  occupies  and  tills  with  great  credit  to  himself  and 
benefit  to  the  county.  ]\Ii\  Alexander  is  a  stanch  Republican  and  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Christian  Church,  as  is  also  his  wife.  He  was  married  Sep- 
tember 19,  1868,  to  Jennie  Burch,  a  native  of  Monroe  County,  by  whom 
there  was  one  child,  which  died  December,  1880.  His  wife  died  one 
year  and  three  months  after  marriage,  and  he  was  next  married  to  Mrs. 
Jennie  Hoover,  daughter  of  Capt.  John  Sluss,  of  Monroe  County,  on  Janu- 
ary 7,  1883.  Mr.  Alexander  is  a  member  of  the  K.  of  P.,  Franklin 
Lodge,  No.  22.  He  is  highly  esteemed  by  all  who  know  him,  both  as  a 
citizen  and  as  an  official. 

WILLIAM  J.  ALLEN,  only  son  of  John  W.  and  Fannie  J.  (Clark) 
Allen,  was  born  September  8,  1836,  in  Putnam  County,  Ind.     He  was 


BLOOMINGTON  TOWNSHIP  AND  CITY.  551 

reared  on  a  farm  in  Perry  Township,  Monroe  County,  IncI,  whither  he 
came  with  his  parents  when  but  three  months  old.  In  September,  1850, 
he  entered  the  State  University,  and  remained  until  the  death  of  his 
father  September  8,  1852.  In  April,  1853,  he  came  to  Bloomington 
with  his  mother,  and  entered  the  employ  of  W.  O.  Fee,  a  dry  goods  mer- 
chant, with  whom  he  remained  for  nearly  a  year.  March  13,  1854,  he 
went  to  California,  where  he  mined  until  the  spring  of  1857,  when  he 
returned  to  Bloomington.  Removing  thence  to  Iowa,  he  remained  a 
short  time.  In  September,  1857,  he  was  married  to  Harriet  L.  Swearin- 
gen,  daughter  of  Charles  and  Harriet  Swearingen,  residents  of  Monroe 
County,  They  had  three  children — John  C,  Fannie  C.  and  Joseph  H. 
His  wife  died  on  November  8,  1865,  and  in  July  following  he  was  mar- 
ried to  Eliza  J.  Allen,  daughter  of  Robert  N.  and  Elizabeth  Allen,  of 
Greencastle,  Ind.  They  have  six  children — Robert  N.,  Eliza  L., 
Mary  M.,  William  D.,  Eva  O.  and  Arthur  G.  He  farmed  after  his  first 
marriage  until  the  war  broke  out  in  1862,  and  then  enlisted  in  Comj^any 
A,  Fifty-fourth  Indiana  Light  Artillery,  serving  for  three  years,  taking 
part  in  the  battles  at  Atlanta,  Jonesboro  and  Nashville,  and  on  July  5, 
1865,  received  an  honorable  discharge.  Returning  to  Bloomington,  he 
he  was  engaged  in  the  stove  and  tinware  business  with  M.  E.  Benegar, 
afterward  with  Samuel  Osborn,  until  1870,  when  he  purchased  the  whole 
stock,  and  at  present  does  a  lucrative  business  in  stoves,  tin  and  hard- 
ware, also  agricultural  implements,  and  all  kinds  of  building  material. 
Mr.  Allen  is  a  member  of  the  United  Presbyterian  Church,  and  polit- 
ically he  is  a  Republican. 

DR.  A.  J.  AXTELL,  one  of  the  leading  physicians  in  Bloomington, 
Monroe  Co.,  Ind.,  was  born  October  18,  1827,  in  Washington  County, 
Penn.,  where  he  was  reared  until  nine  years  of  age.  He  then  went  to 
Knox  County,  Ohio,  with  his  parents,  Thomas  and  Mary  (Weir)  Axtell, 
natives  of  Pennsylvania,  entered  the  Martinsburg  College,  attended  two 
years,  and  afterward  taught  school  for  some  time.  In  1847,  he  began  to 
study  medicine  with  Drs,  Connors  &  Welsh,  in  Noble  County,  Ohio,  con- 
tinuing for  three  years.  In  1850,  he  entered  the  regular  practice  of  his 
profession  there,  and  four  years  later  removed  to  Greene  County,  Ind. ,  re- 
maining there  for  nearly  twenty  years.  In  1873,  he  came  to  Blooming- 
ton, where  he  has  since  been  successfully  engaged.  In  August,  1863,  he 
was  elected  Captain  of  Company  A,  Ninety-seventh  Indiana  VoluDteers, 
organized  at  Terre  Haute,  and  sent  to  Memphis,  Tenn.,  where,  on  ac- 
count of  ill  health,  he  was  compelled  to  resign.  He  has  served  two  years 
as  Coroner  of  Monroe  County.  On  November  7,  1850,  he  was  married  to 
Susan  M.  Gilkerson,  daughter  of  Thomas  C.  and  Sarah  Gilkerson,  of  No- 
ble County,  Ohio.  They  have  had  nine  children,  seven  of  whom  are  liv- 
ing— Charles  J.,  William  F.,  Mattie,  Henry  O.,  Mary  B.,  Harry  A.  and 
an  infant.  Dr.  Axtell  is  Secretary  of  a  Masonic  Lodge,  is  a  Republican, 
and  he  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Church. 

HARVEY  BAKER  was  born  in  Washington  Township,  Morgan  Co., 
Ind.,  April  11,  1840.  His  parents,  John  C.  and  Elizabeth  (McDaniel) 
Baker,  natives  of  Kentucky,  were  married  in  Morgan  County,  and  settled 
on  a  farm  in  Washington  Township,  where  they  lived  until  1843,  when 
the  mother  died.  The  father  then  married  Mrs.  McKinney,  and  removed 
to  a  farm  in  Jefferson  Township,  whence,  in  1852,  he  went  to  Baker  Town- 
ship, where  he  died  in  December,  1866.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  the 
eldest  son  and  child,  and  was  reared  in  Morgan  County,  where  he  was 


552  BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES: 

educated  in  the  district  schools.  August  HO,  1861,  he  enlisted  in  Com- 
pany H,  Thirty-third  Indiana  Volunteers,  under  Capt.  James  E.  Burton, 
and  served  for  more  than  two  years.  He  took  part  in  the  engagements 
at  Wild  Cat,  Ky.,  and  Cumberland  Gap,  and  at  the  battle  of  Thompson's 
Station,  Tenn. ;  on  March  5, 1863,  was  wounded  in  the  right  leg;  was  capt- 
ured and  placed  in  prison  in  Columbia,  Tenn.,  from  whence  he  escaped 
August  6,  1863,  and  on  account  of  disability  he  was  mustered  out  of  serv- 
ice September  11.  On  December  24,  1866,  he  was  married  to  Martha 
Holler,  daughter  of  Jacob  B.  Lafaver,  Methodist  preacher.  They  had 
three  children,  two  of  whom  are  living — Newton  D.  and  Jacob  O.  He 
engaged  in  farming  in  Baker  Township  until  in  1872,  when  he  removed 
to  a  farm  in  Monroe  County,  remaining  for  seven  years.  He  then  re- 
moved to  Bloomington,  and  was  appointed  Tax  Collector,  which  position 
he  tilled  for  three  years.  In  March,  1883,  he  was  appointed  Deputy 
Sheriff,  and  is  at  present  in  the  discharge  of  his  duties.  He  is  a  member 
of  the  I.  O.  O.  F. ,  Paragon  Lodge,  No.  406.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
Christian  Church,  his  wife  of  the  Methodist  Church.  Politically,  he  is  a 
Republican. 

WILLIAM  B.  BAKER,  born  October  22.  1834,  in  Van  Buren  Town- 
ship, Monroe  Co.,  Ind. ,  is  the  second  son  and  the  sixth  child  of  Absalom 
and  Harriet  (Gentry)  Baker.  He  was  reared  in  his  native  township, 
where  he  acquired  the  rudiments  of  a  good  education  in  the  district 
schools.  When  twenty  years  of  age,  he  purchased  a  farm  of  eighty  acres 
in  the  same  township,  continuing  for  about  eight  years.  In  September, 
1865,  he  Sold  his  farm,  and  removing  to  Stanford  he  opened  a  general 
merchandise  store,  under  the  firm  name  of  Baker  Bros.,  which  was  con- 
tinued until  in  1872,  when  they  sold  out,  one  year  later  I'e-purchasing  the 
same  stock.  In  July,  1881,  he  moved  to  Bloomington.  He  has  been 
County  Commissioner  for  three  years,  which  position  he  tills  with  credit. 
August  6,  1883,  he  formed  a  partnership  with  C.  S.  Neeld  in  the  furni- 
ture business,  and  they  are  at  present  doing  a  lucrative  business  under 
the  tirm  name  of  Baker  &  Neeld.  He  served  as  Postmaster  at  Stanford 
for  several  years,  and  as  Township  Assessor  for  two  years.  He  was  mar- 
ried October  5,  1857,  to  Harriet  R.  Denny,  daughter  of  James  H.  Denny, 
a  citizen  of  Warrick  County,  Ind.  By  this  union  there  were  four  chil- 
dren, three  of  whom  are  living — Florence  G. ,  Mary  H.  and  Thomas  A. 
His  wife  died  November  10,  1865,  and  he  was  next  married,  on  Septem- 
ber 27,  1866,  to  Miss  Hannah  Yoho,  daughter  of  Samuel  Yoho,  at  present 
a  citizen  of  Indian  Creek  Township,  this  county.  By  this  union  there 
has  been  one  child — Birdie  O.  Mrs.  Baker  is  a  member  of  the  Baptist 
Church.  Politically,  he  is  a  Republican,  and  a  very  prominent  and  in- 
fluential member  of  that  party. 

JOHN  BLAIR,  farmer,  was  born  in  Lincoln  County,  Tenn.,  on  July 
15,  1819.  James  Blair,  his  father,  was  born  in  South  Carolina  October 
25,  1789,  and  on  October  3,  1811,  married  Jane  (Neill)  Smith,  who  was 
born  in  South  Carolina  in  1780.  They  came  to  Monroe  County,  and  here 
he  farmed  until  his  death,  March  26,  1849.  Mrs.  Blair  died  Api-il  5, 
1854.  They  had  six  children.  John  Blair's  paternal  grandfather  was 
a  soldier  of  the  Revolution.  John  was  fairly  educated,  and  since  1825 
has  resided  on  the  same  farm.  On  October  28,  1843,  Mr.  Blair  married 
Hannah,  daughter  of  Robert  and  Martha  (Small)  Fullerton.  She  was 
born  May  17,  1819.  In  1837,  her  father  died,  and  her  mother  in  1872. 
They  were  of  Irish   lineage.      Mr,   Blair  has  six  children — Martha  J. 


BLOOMINGTON  TOWNSHIP  AND  CITY.  553 

(Owens),  Euphemia  (Crabb),  James  N.,  Emma  (Strong),  William  S.  and 
Addie  L.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Blair  belong  to  the  United  Presbyterian  Church, 
and  are  respected  by  all  who  know  them.  Mr.  Blair  was  at  one  time  a 
Whig,  but  now  votes  with  the  Republicans. 

W.  T.  BLAIR,  born  May  1,  1855,  in  Bloomington,  Monroe  Co.,  Ind., 
is  the  third  son  and  sixth  child  born  to  John  and  Hannah  (Fullerton) 
Blair,  natives  of  Tennessee  and  Ireland  respectively.  The  parents  came 
to  Monroe  County  in  May,  1825,  and  located  on  a  farm  in  Bloomington 
Township,  where  they  at  present  reside.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  ob- 
tained the  rudiments  of  a  good  English  education  in  the  district  schools. 
In  Septembei',  1876,  he  entered  the  State  University  at  Bloomington, 
whence  he  graduated  in  June,  1880.  After  he  had  completed  his  educa- 
tion, he  entered  the  employ  of  W.  J.  Allen,  a  hardware  merchant,  with 
whom  he  remained  for  three  years.  On  March  31, 1883,  he  purchased  the 
stock  of  boots  and  shoes  owned  by  C.  R.  Perdue,  and  is  at  present  doing 
a  lucrative  business.  He  was  married  October  5,  1882,  to  Miss  Julia  A. 
Waldron,  daughter  of  John  and  Ann  Waldron,  old  and  respected  pioneers 
of  Monroe  County.  They  have  one  child,  William  J.,  born  July  9,  1883. 
They  are  members  of  the  United  Presbyterian  Church.  Politically,  he 
is  a  Republican, 

PETER  BOLENBACHER,  farmer,  was  born  in  Germany  May  4, 
1814,  and  is  the  son  of  Peter  and  Margaret  (Fairrence)  Bolenbacher,  natives 
of  Germany.  They  came  to  America  in  1832,  located  first  in  Maryland, 
and  about  1850  came  to  Monroe  County,  where  they  died,  at  the  ages  re- 
spectively of  eighty-nine  and  seventy- eight  years.  Peter  Bolenbacher 
came  to  Maryland  with  his  parents,  and  there  learned  the  trade  of  stone- 
mason and  bricklayer,  which  business  he  followed  for  a  number  of  years 
in  that  State,  and  resumed  it  again  after  he  came  to  Monroe  County. 
After  some  years,  he  was  obliged  to  retire  from  active  business.  He  then 
settled  on  eighty  acres  of  land,  which  he  purchased  near  Bloomington. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  Christian  Church,  a  member  of  the  Masonic  fra- 
ternity, and  liberal  in  politics.  Mr.  Bolenbacher  is  strictly  temperate  in 
all  his  habits.  In  1855,  he  married  Rebecca  Whisnand,  who  was  born 
in  1815,  and  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Church. 

GEORGE  BOLLENBACHER  was  born  in  Bavaria,  Germany,  June 
17,  1825.  He  is  the  third  son  in  a  family  of  six  children  born  to  Peter 
and  Margai-et  (Fairrence)  Bollenbacher.  In  1832,  he  came  with  his 
parents  to  America,  and  located  in  Maryland.  In  the  public  schools  of 
his  native  village,  and  the  schools  of  his  neighborhood  in  Maryland,  he 
obtained  the  rudiments  of  a  good  English  education.  When  thirteen 
years  of  age,  he  began  learning  shoe-making  with  J.  B.  Sherer,  in  Fred- 
ericktown,  Md.,  and  remained  with  him  seven  years.  In  April,  1846,  he 
came  to  Bloomington,  Ind.,  and  soon  after  opened  a  shoe  shop.  In  1859, 
he  built  a  tannery,  which  at  that  time  was  one  of  the  most  extensive  bus- 
iness interests  in  Bloomington.  In  1874,  he  quit  shoe-making,  and  pur- 
chased a  one- third  interest  with  J.  H.  Ryors  and  George  P.  Bollenbacher 
in  their  spoke  factory.  In  1881,  J.  H.  Ryors  sold  his  interest  to  them, 
and  the  business  is  in  a  flourishing  condition  under  the  firm  name  of 
Bollenbacher  &  Sons,  manufacturers  of  wagon  and  carriage  spokes  and 
dealers  in  hardwood  lumber.  They  have  branch  factories  at  Gosport  and 
Guthrie,  Ind.,  and  employ  about  eighty  men.  They  have  a  capital  of 
about  $60,000  invested,  and  their  factories  have  a  capacity  of  about 
13,000  spokes  per  day.     Mr.  B.  is  also  the  proprietor  of  a  large  shoe 


554  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

store  in  Bloomington.  In  1848,  he  was  married  to  Margaret  Shawver, 
daughter  of  Christopher  Shawver,  one  of  the  earliest  settlers  in  Moaroe 
County.  The  issue  of  this  marriage  has  been  thirteen  children,  twelve 
yet  living — Lizzie,  George  W.,  Mary,  Kate,  Julia,  Martin  C,  William  P., 
Caroline,  Sallie,  Samuel  N. ,  Jacob  I.  and  Fannie.  He  is  a  member  of 
the  Bloomington  Lodge,  A. ,  F.  &  A.  M.,  and  of  the  Lutheran  Church. 
Politically,  he  is  a  Democrat. 

JOHN  E.  BORLAND  was  born  in  Perry  Township,  Monroe  Co., 
Ind.,  on  August  7,  1834.  His  parents,  Edward  and  Margaret  (Caldwell) 
Borland,  natives  of  Washington  County,  Penn..  immigrated  to  Indiana 
in  1819,  and  settled  in  Bloomington.  where  the  father  followed  the 
carpenter's  trade  for  about  five  years,  and  then  entered  a  farm  of  320 
acres  in  Peny  Township.  February  8,  1865,  he  died.  The  mother's 
death  occurred  in  August,  1877.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  the  third 
son  and  sixth  child  in  a  family  of  ten  children,  and  was  reared  in  his 
native  county,  where  he  received  a  good  education.  When  eighteen  years 
of  age,  he  entered  the  State  University,  at  Bloomington,  remaining  a 
portion  of  each  of  four  years.  In  1856,  he  began  farming  for  himself  in 
Perry  Township,  and  by  perseverance  and  industry  has  secured  a  com- 
petence. September  4,  1872,  he  married  Emma  L.  McClellan,  daughter 
of  Alexander  McClellan,  an  early  settler,  and  a  prominent  citizen  of 
Bloomington.  His  wife  is  an  active  worker  in  the  Presbyterian  Church. 
He  was  for  two  years  Trustee  of  Perry  Township,  and  for  six  years  Road 
Supervisor  of  Perry  Township. 

S.  WALTER  BRADFUTE  is  second  son  in  family,  and  was  born 
May  18,  1862,  near  Xenia,  Greene  Co.,  Ohio,  where  he  lived  until  twelve 
years  of  age,  and  was  there  educated.  His  parents  were  John  and  Maggie 
J.  (Collins)  Bradfute,  the  former  dying  in  1864.  When  fourteen  years 
of  age,  he  started  the  Bloomington  Telephone,  in  partnership  with  Frank 
G.  Arnott,  and  six  months  later  purchased  his  partner's  half  interest,  and 
has  continued  to  run  it  up  to  the  present  writing,  having  enlarged  from 
the  size  of  note  paper  to  that  of  six-column  quarto.  He  attended  the 
high  school  in  Bloomington,  as  far  as  Senior  class,  the  last  four  years  of 
which  time  he  was  conducting  his  paper.  Since  fifteen  years  of  age,  he 
has  corresponded  for  the  Cincinnati  Commercial- Gazette,  and  is  at  present 
also  representing  the  Indianapolis  Journal,  St.  Louis  Democrat,  Chicago 
Tribune,  the  Inter  Ocean,  Indianapolis  Times  and  the  Louisville  Com- 
mercial, in  Monroe  County.  He  is  a  member  of  the  United  Presbyterian 
Chui'ch,  and  is  corresponding  member  of  the  Phi  Delta  Theta.  Politic- 
ally, he  is  a  Republican.  He  was  married,  November  1,  1883,  to  Flora 
Wallingford,  daughter  of  Samuel  Wallingford. 

REV.  JEFFERSON  E.  BRANT  was  born  in  Tuscarawas  County, 
Ohio,  February  27,  1837,  and  is  the  second  child  born  to  Seth  and 
Rachel  (Jackson)  Brant,  natives  of  West  Virginia.  In  1853,  he  came 
to  Owen  County,  Ind.,  and  for  two  years  afterward  assisted  his  father 
to  clear  the  wilderness.  He  then  earned  enough  money  to  enter  Asbury 
University,  at  Greencastle,  whence  he  graduated  in  1860,  having  two 
years  previously  preached  his  first  sermon.  In  1860,  he  was  appointed 
by  the  Indiana  Conference  to  a  mission  in  Clay  County,  for  one  year, 
afterward  serving  for  about  ten  months  near  Terre  Haute.  In  August, 
1861,  he  enlisted  in  Company  E,  Eighty-fifth  Indiana  Volunteers,  and 
was  commissioned  Captain  one  year  later.  He  took  part  in  several  im- 
portant   encounters,    among   which    were  Resaca,    Kingston,    Marietta, 


BLOOMINGTON  TOWNSHIP  AND  CITY.  555 

Dallas  Woods,  etc.,  and  was  in  command  of  the  regiment  when  Atlanta 
was  captured.  On  September  1,  1864,  he  was,  for  meritorious  conduct, 
promoted  to  Major,  afterward  participating  in  the  engagements  at  Ben- 
tonville.  Goldsboro  and  Averysboio,  and  at  Savannah  was  commissioned 
Lieutenant  Colonel,  January  1,  1865.  Five  months  later,  he  was  mustered 
out  of  service,  immediately  re-entering  the  conference  and  ministry.  He 
has  been  actively  engaged  since,  and  at  present  has  in  charge  the  Meth- 
odist Episcopal  Church  at  Bloom ington,  where  he  has  been  located  since 
September,  1882.  On  August  8,  1858,  he  was  married  to  Mary  A.  Mc- 
Allister, daughter  of  Dr.  McAllister,  of  Owen  County.  By  this  union 
there  are  nine  children,  four  of  whom  are  living — Anna,  Emma,  Claude 
and  Arthur.  Rev.  J.  E.  Brant  is  a  member  of  the  A.,  F.  &  A.  M.,  the  I. 
O.  O.  F.  and  of  the  G.  A.  R.     Politically,  he  is  a  Republican. 

DR.  G.  W.  BRYAN,  second  son  of  John  and  Mary  (McCormick) 
Bryan,  was  born  October  1,  1825,  in  Beaver  County,  Penn.,  where  he 
lived  until  fifteen  years  of  age.  His  educational  facilities  were  very  poor, 
but  by  perseverance  and  studiousness  he  acquired  a  good  English  educa- 
tion. He  commenced  the  tailor's  trade  with  a  half-brother,  who  died 
two  years  later.  He  then  went  to  Clinton,  Allegheny  County,  and  com- 
pleted the  trade  with  George  T.  Hice,  remaining  three  years.  He  then 
worked  as  journeyman  for  about  one  year  in  Pennsylvania  and  Ohio; 
then  came  to  Indiana,  and  opened  a  shop  in  Carroll  County,  continuing 
about  two  years.  Returning  to  Beaver  County,  Penn.,  he  attended  an 
academy  at  Hookstown  for  about  three  years;  then  taught  school  and 
studied  medicine  with  Dr.  R.  A.  Moon,  for  two  years.  In  1850  and  1851, 
he  attended  a  course  of  lectures,  at  Cleveland,  in  the  Western  Reserve 
Medical  College,  and  entered  the  regular  practice  in  Fayette,  Allegheny- 
Co.,  Penn,,  where  he  remained  for  two  years,  at  which  he  took  a  second 
course  of  lectures  at  Cleveland,  Ohio,  in  1853  and  1854;  then  went  to 
Knoxville,  Jefiferson  Co. ,  Ohio,  and  formed  a  partnership  with  Dr.  Ham- 
ilton, in  the  regular  practice,  continuing  with  him  for  one  year.  Coming 
thence  to  Bloomington  in  1855,  he  entered  practice  here,  and  is  at  pres- 
ent doing  a  good  business,  and  is  considered  one  of  lier  best  practitioners. 
In  December,  1862,  he  was  appointed  Assistant  Surgeon  of  the  Sixty- 
seventh  Indiana  Volunteers,  which  position  he  was  compelled  to  resign 
on  account  of  ill  health.  On  October  15,  1849,  he  was  married  to  Miss 
Alice  Calhoun,  daughter  of  Joseph  Calhoun,  of  Beaver  County,  Penn.  They 
have  had  seven  children,  three  of  whom  are  living — Florence,  Mary  and 
Minnie.  Dr.  Bryan  is  a  member  of  the  United  Presbyterian  Church, 
and  he  is  politically  a  Republican. 

JOHN  B.  BUSKIRK,  a  native  of  Kentucky,  was  born  September 
5,  1815,  in  Shelby  County.  He  is  eldest  son  of  Abram  and  Mary  A. 
(Boswell)  Buskirk,  natives  of  Pennsylvania  and  Virginia  respectively. 
They  came  to  Indiana  in  1817,  and  lived  in  New  Albany  until  1820, 
when  they  came  to  Monroe  County  and  settled  on  a  farm  near  Blooming- 
ton.  The  father  was  a  stone-mason,  and,  removing  to  Bloomington  in 
1831,  followed  his  trade  for  a  number  o£  years.  He  was  Associate  Judge 
of  the  Bloomington  courts  for  some  time.  He  served  as  Postmaster  for 
four  years,  and  was  Justice  of  the  Peace  for  several  years.  He  died  in 
October,  1853.  The  mother  died  in  1850.  The  subject  was  reared  at 
home  until  seventeen  years  of  age,  when  he  began  learning  the  cabinet- 
maker's trade  with  William  McCollough.  In  1833,  he  went  to  New  Al- 
bany, and  worked  at  his  trade  for  two  years,  when  he  returned  to  Bloom- 

35 


566  ^  BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES: 

ington  for  some  time.  Removing  thence  to  Bedford,  he  remained  for 
nearly  twenty  years;  he  then  went  to  Orange  County,  where  he  engaged 
in  the  general  merchandise  business  for  eighteen  years,  the  greater  part 
of  which  time  he  acted  as  Postmaster.  Removing  thence  to  Paola,  Ind., 
he  edited  the  Paola  Neics.  In  1878,  he  returned  to  Bloomington, 
where  he  at  present  resides,  sixty-nine  years  of  age.  On  January  2, 
1840,  he  was  married  to  Maria  H.  Ritter,  daughter  of  John  Ritter,  a 
citizen  of  Kentucky.  They  have  had  six  children,  five  of  whom  are 
living — Thomas  B.,  John  W.,  Caroline  L.,  Margaret  B.  and  George  A. 
Mr.  Buskirk  is  a  member  of  the  A.,  F.  &  A.  M.  and  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F. 
He  is  a  Democrat  and  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Church. 

GEORGE  A.  BUSKIRK  (deceased)  was  born  August  10,  1829,  in 
Monroe  County,  Ind.  He  was  the  son  of  Abram  and  Mary  A.  Buskirk, 
who  came  to  Bloomington  in  1831.  Having  finished  his  education 
in  the  public  schools  of  Bloomington,  while  yet  a  lad  he  was  taken  into 
the  ofiice  of  David  Browning,  Clerk  of  Monroe  County  Circuit  Court. 
He  had  entered  the  Preparatory  Department  of  the  State  University,  and 
had  just  completed  the  Freshman  year,  when  the  Mexican  war  broke  out. 
He  enlisted  in  First  Indiana  Regiment,  at  La  Fayette,  but  was  soon  after- 
ward transferred  to  the  Third  Indiana,  under  Col.  James  H.  Lane,  and 
served  till  the  close  of  the  war,  being  a  participant  in  the  battle  of 
Buena  Vista.  On  his  return  to  Bloomington,  he  served  in  the  ofiSce  of 
Jesse  Brandon  (editor  of  a  Democratic  paper),  for  two  years,  thus  acquir- 
ing a  practical  knowledge  of  the  details  of  the  printing  business.  In 
1848,  he  began  the  study  of  law  with  Samuel  H.  Buskirk,  soon  after 
which  he  entered  the  Law  Department  of  the  State  University,  graduat- 
ing in  1850.  He  was  soon  after  elected  Justice  of  the  Peace,  serving  for 
several  years.  In  1856,  he  was  elected  Judge  of  the  Court  for  the  dis- 
trict embracing  Morgan,  Monroe  and  Brown  Counties,  and  re-elected  in 
1860.  the  counties  of  Shelby  and  Johnson  having  been  added.  In  1867,. 
he  was  selected  by  the  Legislature  as  Agent  of  State,  and  assumed  the 
control  of  the  funds  set  aside  by  the  State  for  the  payment  of  the  State 
debt,  managing  the  trust  with  skill  and  fidelity.  In  1868,  he  was  elected 
Representative  of  Monroe  County  in  the  Lower  House  of  General  As- 
sembly, and  at  the  regular  session  in  1869  he  was  elected  Speaker,  presid- 
ing with  signal  ability  over  the  deliberations  of  that  body.  In  1871,  he 
organized  the  First  National  Bank  of  Bloomington,  and  was  chosen 
President  by  the  Board  of  Directors.  During  the  last  three  or  four 
years  of  his  life,  he  withdrew  from  public  afifairs,  devoting  himself  en- 
tirely to  private  interests.  He  was  married,  August  5,  1854,  to  Martha 
Hardesty,  daughter  of  Samuel  and  Susanna  Hardesty,  early  pioneers  of 
Bloomington.  His  death,  which  occurred  July  21,  1874,  caused  by  a 
severe  stroke  of  apoplexy,  was  greatly  mourned  by  the  citizens  of  Bloom- 
ington. He  was  an  active  member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity  and"  of 
the  Knights  of  Pythias.  His  valuable  services  during  the  war  were  so 
appreciated  by  Gov.  Morton  that  he  was  appointed  Colonel  of  the  Indi- 
ana Legion. 

JOHN  W.  BUSKIRK,  second  son  and  third  child  of  John  B.  and 
Maria  H.  (Ritter)  Buskirk,  natives  of  Kentucky,  was  born  on  November 
20,  1845,  in  Bedford,  Lawrence  Co.,  Ind.  His  pai-ents  at  present  reside 
in  Bloomington,  and  are  spoken  of  elsewhere  in  this  work.  The  sub- 
ject of  this  sketch  was  reared  in  his  native  county  until  eight  years  of 
age,  when  he  went  with  his  parents  to  Orange  County,  and  lived  until 


BLOOMINGTON  TOWNSHIP  AND  CITY.  557 

1859.  He  then  entered  the  State  University  at  Bloomington,  remaining 
for  two  years.  He  enlisted  in  Company  G,  Forty- ninth  Indiana  Volun- 
teers, UQder  Col.  John  W.  Ray.  He  served  until  Jane,  1863,  and  took 
part  in  the  engagements  at  Chickasav?  Bluflfs  and  Arkansas  Post.  He  then 
received  an  honorable  discharge  on  account  of  disability,  and  in  the  fall 
of  that  year  he  again  entered  college,  remaining  for  two  years,  and  then 
went  to  North  America,  where  he  began  the  study  of  law  with  the  Hon. 
James  L.  Collins.  He  continued  for  two  years,  then  formed  a  partner- 
ship and  practiced  for  one  year.  He  then  removed  to  Paola,  and  became 
•  partner  of  his  brother,  continuing  until  the  spring  of  1869,  when  he 
moved  to  Bloomington,  remaining  there  for  two  years  with  his  uncle. 
He  then  went  into  partnership  with  Lester  L.  Norton,  and  two  years 
later  became  the  partner  of  H.  C.  Duncan,  which  firm  is  at  present  doing  a 
good,  lucrative  practice,  and  it  is  considered  one  of  Monroe  County^s 
best  law  firms.  He  was  elected  Prosecuting  Attorney  for  District  8 
(Orange,  Du  Bois,  Crawford,  Perry  and  Spencer),  which  position  he  re- 
signed on  coming  to  Bloomington.  In  1869,  he  was  mari'ied  to  Ella  A. 
Broadwell,  daughter  of  Jonathan  P.  Broadwell,  a  prominent  citizen  of 
Tippecanoe  County,  Ind.  They  had  three  children,  one  of  whom  is  liv- 
ing— Ella  A.  His  wife  died  April  30,  1878.  Mr.  Buskirk  is  a  member 
of  the  I.  O.  O.  F.,  and  of  the  Democratic  State  Central  Committee. 

H.  C.  Duncan  was  born  January  16,  1845,  in  Lawrence  County,  Ind. 
His  parents,  William  and  Mary  (Malott)  Duncan,  were  natives  of  Jef- 
ferson County,  Ky. ,  where  they  were  married  in  1824,  and  two  years 
later  moved  to  Lawrence  County,  Ind.,  where  the  father  died  March  1, 
1875;  the  mother  still  resides  in  Lawrence  County.  The  subject  of  this 
sketch  is  the  youngest  of  eight  children,  and  was  reared  in  his  native 
county,  where  he  obtained  the  rudiments  of  a  good  English  education. 
Januai-y  1,  1864,  he  entered  the  State  University,  and  after  remaining 
for  about  three  months  he  enlisted  in  the  One  Hundred  and  Thirty-sixth 
Indiana  Volunteers,  under  Col.  John  W.  Foster,  and  was  mustered  out 
about  October  1,  1864.  He  re- entered  college,  whence  he  graduated  in 
June,  1868.  He  then  began  reading  law  with  Moses  F.  Dann,  of  Bed- 
ford. In  1869,  he  was  appointed  Enrolling  Clerk  in  the  Indiana  Legis 
lature.  In  1872,  he  formed  a  partnership  with  Mr.  Dunn  in  the  regular 
practice  of  law.  Two  years  later,  he  came  to  Bloomington,  and  went  into 
partnership  with  John  W.  Buskirk.  In  1880,  he  was  elected  Prosecuting 
Attorney  for  the  district  comprising  Monroe,  Lawrence,  Orange  and  Mar- 
tin Counties.  He  served  for  two  years  In  December,  1872,  he  was 
married  to  Sadie  Cummings,  daughter  of  Dr.  Cummings,  of  Blooming- 
ton. They  had  three  children,  two  of  whom  are  living — Frank  and 
Mary  A.  Mr.  Duncan  is  politically  a  Republican.  He  is  a  Mason  and 
a  member  of  the  Christian  Church. 

J.  CLINTON  CARTER  (deceased)  was  born  in  Monroe  County,  Ind., 
February  14,  1834.  He  was  fifth  son  of  Thomas  and  Fannie  (Carter) 
Carter.  He  was  reared  in  his  native  county,  where  he  was  educated  in 
the  district  schools,  afterward  attending  the  State  University  in  Bloom- 
ington for  some  time.  He  then  began  farming  in  Perry  Township,  near 
his  home,  on  eighty  acres,  which,  by  industry,  hard  labor  and  energy, 
he  increased  to  160  acres.  He  was  a  great  sheep  and  general  stock 
raiser,  and  during  the  last  years  of  his  life  traded  considerably  in  stock, 
beside  attending  to  other  business  afi'airs.  He  was  married  on  February 
9,   1860,    to  Miss  Lou  Cron,   daughter  of    Isaiah   and  Lucretia  Cron, 


558  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

respected  citizens  of  Bloomington.  To  crown  the  happiness  of  hia 
wedded  life,  three  children  were  born  to  him.  He  was  a  prominent  and 
highly-respected  citizen  of  his  township,  and  was  honored  by  being  made 
the  Trustee  of  the  same,  holding  with  great  credit  this  office  for  several 
years,  and  although  not  identified  with  any  religious  denomination,  his 
life  was  full  of  the  true  spirit  of  Christianity.  In  his  own  household, 
not  even  the  healing  influences  of  time  avail  to  assuage  the  pain  of  sep- 
aration in  the  heart  of  the  devoted  wife  and  loving  children,  of  whom 
but  one  is  now  living — Oliver  C.  He  was  identified  with  the  Republican 
party,  and  was  as  greatly  missed  from  among  the  ranks  of  that  party  as 
in  the  community  in  which  he  lived.  His  death  occurred  June  22,  1866, 
at  his  residence. 

ISAAC  CLAMAN  was  born  in  Richland  Township,  Monroe  Co.,  Ind., 
March  31,  1842.  His  parents,  William  and  Rebecca  (Whisnand) 
Claman,  natives  of  West  Virginia,  came  to  Indiana  in  1837  and  1829 
respectively,  were  married  in  Bloomington  Township,  and  settled  on  a 
farm  in  Richland  Township,  where  they  remained  until  the  father's 
death.  The  mother  still  resides  in  Monroe  County.  Isaac  is  the  second 
son  and  third  child  in  a  family  of  seven  children,  and  was  reared  in 
Richland  Township,  where  he  obtained  a  good  education  in  the  district 
schools.  When  twenty  years  of  age,  he  entered  the  State  University  at 
Bloomington,  remaining  for  two  years.  After  this  for  some  time,  he 
farmed  during  the  summer,  and  taught  school  in  the  winter.  He  after- 
ward gave  up  school  teaching,  and  farmed  exclusively  until  August, 
1883,  when  he  came  to  Bloomington.  In  October,  1882,  he  was  elected 
Treasurer  of  Monroe  on  the  Republican  ticket,  and  has  since  been  en- 
gaged in  the  duties  of  his  office.  On  June  1,  1869,  he  was  married  to 
Roletta  C.  Franklin,  daughter  of  Isaac  Franklin,  a  citizen  of  Missouri. 
By  this  union,  there  are  four  children — Eugene  B.,  William  R.,  Jennie 
B.  and  Harvey  E.  Mr.  Claman  was  Assessor  of  Richland  Township  for 
about  six  years,  and  he  and  wife  are  identified  with  the  Christian  Church, 
and  are  among  its  most  active  workers. 

J.  B.  CLARK,  eldest  son  of  Richard  and  Martha  (Neal)  Clark, 
natives  of  Kentucky,  was  born  June  26,  1840,  in  Salem,  Ind. ,  where 
he  was  reared.  He  was  educated  in  the  graded  schools  of  Salem,  and, 
when  nineteen  years  of  age,  entered  the  employ  of  James  H,  Neal  &Co., 
general  merchandise  mei'chants  of  that  place,  remaining  with  them  for 
two  years  and  a  half.  He  was  next  engaged  for  a  short  time  in  Wash- 
ington, Ind.,  in  the  photograph  business.  Removing  thence  to  Bedford, 
he  continued  in  the  same  business  until  August  4,  1862,  when  he  enlisted 
in  Company  B,  Sixty-sixth  Indiana  Volunteers,  under  Capt.  J.  N.  Rod- 
man. He  served  for  nearly  three  years,  and  took  part  in  the  following 
engagements:  Richmond,  Big  Shanty,  Tunnel  Hill,  siege  of  Atlanta 
and  Jonesboro,  and  went  clear  through  with  Sherman  to  the  sea.  In 
July,  1865,  he  received  an  honorable  discharge  and  came  to  Blooming- 
ton, immediately  entering  the  grocery  business,  in  which  he  continued 
for  three  years  quite  successfully.  He  then  formed  a  partnership  with 
John  C.  Orchard,  and  cuntinued  in  the  business  for  five  years.  In  De- 
cember, 1875,  he  became  partner  of  W.  W.  Wicks  in  the  dry  goods 
business,  and  three  years  later  purchased  the  whole  stock,  which  he  car- 
ried alone  for  about  eighteen  months.  He  then  sold  out,  and  went  to 
farming  for  two  or  three  years  near  Bloomington.  On  March  12,  ]883, 
he  purchased  a  stock  of  groceries,  and  at  present  is  doing  a  lucrative 


BLOOMINGTON  TOWNSHIP  AND  CITY.  559 

business.  He  was  married,  July  7,  1861,  to  Eliza  Sfcuart,  daughter  of 
William  Stuart.  They  have  six  children — William,  Laura,  Minnie. 
Lida,  Josephine  and  George.  Mr.  Clark  is  a  member  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F. 
and  of  the  A.,  F.  &  A.  M. ;  he  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Methodist 
Church,  and  politically  he  is  a  Democrat. 

EUFUS  COATNEY  was  born  August  ^0,  1827,  in  Bloomington  Town- 
ship, Monroe  County,  Ind.  He  is  a  third  son  and  fourth  child  of  Finney 
and  Mahala  (Rogers)  Coatney,  and  was  reared  in  Monroe  County,  where 
he  obtained  a  good  education  in  the  district  schools.  When  sixteen  years 
of  age,  he  began  farming  in  Salt  Creek  Township,  on  a  farm  of  forty 
acres,  which  he  entered  from  the  Government,  and  sold,  purchaaing  a 
farm  of  eighty  acres,  which  he  lived  on  for  one  year.  On  September  1, 
1849,  he  was  married  to  Mary  J.  Smith,  daughter  of  Samuel  and  Martha 
Smith,  respected  pioneers  of  Monroe  County.  By  this  union  there  were 
two  children,  one  of  which  is  living — Sarah  Ellen,  wife  of  C.  H.  Showers, 
of  Bloomington.  After  his  marriage,  he  coutinaed  farming  on  his  eighty- 
acre  farm,  for  four  years,  after  which  he  sold  it  and  rented  for  one  year. 
He  then  purchased  a  farm  in  Perry  Township,  Monroe  County,  to  which 
he  added  220  acres,  and  at  present  owns  300  acres  of  fine  farm  land, 
highly  cultivated.  He  also  owns  considerable  town  property,  having 
lived  in  Bloomington  for  three  years,  and  is  at  present  a  prominent  citi- 
zen of  that  place.  He  served  one  year  as  Supervisor  of  Perry  Township. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  Christian  Church,  and  politically  he  is  a  Repub- 
lican. 

JOHN  H.  COLE,  a  native  of  Kentucky,  was  born  in  Bourbon  County 
September  24,  1860.  He  is  the  second  child  and  only  son  born  to  Moses 
and  Sarah  E.  (Neal)  Cole,  and  was  reared  in  Van  Buren  Township,  Mon- 
roe County,  Ind.,  where  he  obtained  the  rudiments  of  a  good  English 
education  in  the  district  schools.  When  sixteen  years  of  age,  he  began 
farming  in.  Van  Buren  Township,  and  two  years  later,  his  uncle  left  him 
a  beautiful  and  well-improved  farm  of  615  acres,  where  he  continued  to 
live  until  January  1,  1884,  when  he  came  to  Bloomington.  He  here 
formed  a  partnership  in  the  livery  business  with  John  F.  May,  which 
brisiness  is  now  in  a  flourishing  condition,  under  the  firm  name  of  May 
&  Cole.  He  still  has  the  management  of  his  farm,  which  he  has  in  a 
state  of  excellent  cultivation.  He  is  quite  a  stock-trader,  and  is  success- 
ful in  all  business  undertakings.  Politically,  he  is  a  Democrat,  and  an  in- 
fluential member  of  that  party.  He  is  ever  ready  to  assist  in  any  public 
enterprise,  and  is  highly  esteemed. 

CHARLES  G.  CORR  was  born  in  Bloomington  Township,  Monroe 
County,  Ind.,  October  25,  1822.  His  parents,  Hugh  and  Jane  (Good- 
win) Corr,  natives  of  Ireland,  came  to  Monroe  County  in  1820,  and  settled 
on  a  farm  in  Bloomington  Township,  removing  then  to  Washington  Town- 
ship. They  lived  there  until  the  father's  death,  which  occurred  July  16, 
3880.  The  mother  at  present  resides  with  the  subject  in  Bloomington, 
at  the  advanced  age  of  ninety-three  years.  Charles  Corr  is  sixth  in  a 
family  of  ten  children,  and  waH  reared  in  Washington  Township,  Monroe 
County,  where  he  was  educated,  and  after  his  father's  death  attended  to 
the  farm  until  June,  1847,  when  he  enlisted  in  Company  G,  Fourth  In- 
diana Volunteers,  in  the  Mexican  war.  serving  for  one  year.  He  took 
part  in  the  engagements  at  Guamantli  and  Lisco.  On  July  3,  1848,  he 
received  an  honorable  discharge,  and  returned  home.  In  1850,  he  began 
to  teach  school,  and  continued  for  some  time;  then  began  farming  on  the 


560  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES; 

old  home  farm  in  Washington  Township.  In  1878,  he  removed  to  Bloom- 
ington,  to  educate  his  children.  He  owns  720  acres  of  fine  land,  and  over- 
sees his  farm,  while  residing  in  town.  On  February  14,  1852,  he  was 
married  to  Mary  J.  Canine,  a  daughter  of  Cornelius  Canine,  a  citizen  of 
Crawfordsville,  Ind.  They  have  nine  children — Isaac,  Edwin,  Henry  W. . 
an  infant,  John  C,  Cornelius,  Ella,  Mary  and  Lillie  M.  Mr.  Corr  is  a 
member  of  the  Christian  Church,  and  politically  is  a  Democrat. 

DR.  J,  F.  DODDS,  second  son  and  child  in  a  family  of  eleven  chil- 
dren, born  November  1,  1807,  was  reared  in  Lincoln  County,  Ky.  His 
parents,  Samuel  and  Rachel  (Rheinhart)  Dodds,  natives  of  Virginia  and 
Kentucky  respectively,  came  to  Bloomington,  Monroe  County,  Ind.,  in 
1819,  where  our  subject  was  educated  in  the  district  schools.  "When 
twenty  years  of  age,  he  entered  the  State  University  there,  from  which 
he  graduated  in  1834.  He  taught  for  several  years  in  the  University, 
and  for  one  year  in  Cumberland  College,  Kentucky.  In  1839,  he  began 
reading  medicine,  and  soon  after  entered  the  Louisville  Medical  College. 
August,  1840,  he  entered  into  a  partnership  with  Dr.  Mitchell,  and  be- 
gan the  regular  practice  in  Cory  don,  Ind.,  where  he  remained  for  five 
years,  constantly  busy,  in  a  lucrative  practice.  He  has  been  an  Elder  in 
the  Presbyterian  Church  for  several  years.  From  1862  to  1882,  he  was 
Examining  Surgeon  in  the  Pension  Department.  On  December  12,  1838, 
he  was  married  to  Mary  A.  AV^iley,  a  daughter  of  Dr.  Samuel  Wiley,  first 
President  of  the  State  University.  They  have  eight  children.  Politi- 
cally, he  is  a  Republican.  His  wife  is  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church. 

CLELLAND  F.  DODDS  was  born  September  27,  1826,  in  Monroe 
County,  Ind.  His  parents,  Samuel  and  Rachel  (Rheinhart)  Dodds,  na- 
tives of  Kentucky,  came  to  Monroe  County  in  1819,  and  lived  on  the  old 
homestead  one  mile  south  of  Bloomington,  where  the  father  died  in  Sep- 
tember, 1834.  The  mother  died  in  November,  1851.  The  subject  of  this 
sketch  is  the  sixth  son  and  youngest  child  in  family.  He  was  reared  at 
home,  where  he  received  a  good  common  school  education.  When  twenty- 
one  years  of  age,  he  removed  to  Bloomington,  and  formed  a  partnership 
with  A.  Helton  in  the  dry  goods  business,  continuing  about  two  years. 
In  1857,  he  began  farming  on  the  old  farm,  where  he  remained  for  ten 
years.  In  1869,  he  opened  an  insurance  and  real  estate  office  in  con- 
nection with  farming  implements.  He  is  still  in  the  insurance  business, 
for  the  Hartford  Fire  Insurance  Company,  and  also  the  Phoenix  of 
Brooklyn.  In  1805,  he  was  elected  County  Commissioner,  serving  for 
three  years.  He  served  for  two  years  as  Trustee  of  Perry  Township,  On 
March  20,  1878,  he  was  elected  Mayor,  to  fill  the  unexpired  term  of  C. 
W.  Henderson  (first  Mayor  of  Bloomington),  and  re-elected  in  1879,  also 
in  1881,  and  again  in  1883,  which  office  he  at  present  holds,  faithful  in 
the  discharge  of  its  duties.  He  is  a  member  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F.  He  was 
married  July  31,  1851,  to  Mary  E.  Orchard,  of  Monroe  County.  They 
have  twelve  children — Mary  C. ,  Samuel  C. ,  Henry  A. ,  Ella  B. ,  Andrew 
J.,  William  J.,  Claudius  M.,  Cora  L.,  Cornelius  F.,  Carrie  C,  Mattie  M. 
and  Flora.  Politically,  he  is  a  Republican,  and  he  and  wife  are  membei's 
of  the  Presbyterian  Church. 

S.  C.  DODDS  was  born  January  28,  1854,  in  Bloomington,  Monroe 
Co.,  Ind.  His  parents  are  Clelland  and  Mary  E.  (Orchai'd)  Dodds,  also 
natives  of  Indiana.  He  was  reared  in  Bloomington,  was  educated  in  the 
State  University,  graduated  in  June,  1875,  and  then  entered  the  employ 


BLOOMINGTON  TOWNSHIP  AND  CITY.  561 

of  Newell  Sanders,  a  book  dealer,  with  whom  he  remained  for  one  year. 
On  December  4,  1876,  he  purchased  the  stock  of  books  and  ran  it  for 
nearly  four  years.  He  was  in  the  lumber  business  for  one  year,  and  then 
formed  a  partnership  with  Showers  Bros,  and  Henry  Henley,  in  the  man- 
ufacture of  chairs,  under  the  firm  name  of  Showers,  Dodds  &  Co.,  on 
October  27,  1881,  and  one  year  later  Capt.  Henry  Henley  sold  out,  and 
they  continued  as  Showers  &  Dodds  until  March  15,  1883,  when  one- 
third  interest  was  purchased  by  J.  B.  Waldron.  The  firm  name  now  is 
Dodds,  Waldron  &  Co.  The  weekly  manufacture  of  chairs  averaf^es  sixty- 
five  dozen,  and  of  center  tables  (which  addition  was  made  on  September 
1,  1883)  is  1,000.  They  have  in  their  employ  sixty-five  persons,  their 
pay-roll  being  from  $250  to  $300  per  week.  Mr.  Dodds  was  married,  on 
October  17,  1878,  to  Miss  Nellie  Winters,  daughter  of  George  Winters, 
a  respected  citizen  of  Columbia,  Ky.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Presby- 
terian Church,  and  is  politically  a  Republican,  a  good  citizen,  and  highly 
respected  in  his  community. 

J.  C.  DOLAN,  one  of  the  most  energetic  business  men  of  Blooming- 
ton,  was  born  near  Montreal,  Canada,  December  8,  1845.  He  was  the 
third  son  in  a  family  of  five  children  born  to  John  and  Mary  (Ryan)  Do- 
lan.  He  was  reared  in  Canada  until  about  five  years  of  age,  when  his 
parents  removed  to  Indiana  and  located  on  a  farm  in  Miami  County.  In 
the  district  schools  of  that  county  our  subject  began  his  education,  and  in 
the  fall  of  1867  he  entered  upon  a  commercial  course  in  the  college  of 
Notre  Dame,  completing  it  in  the  spring  of  1869.  In  1870,  he  went  to 
Atchison,  Kan.,  remaining  there  two  years  as  clerk  in  a  wholesale  grocery 
house.  Returning  thence  to  Crawfordsville,  Ind.,  he  engaged  in  the 
lumber  and  stave  business,  continuing  till  1876,  at  which  time  he  em- 
barked in  the  stave  and  tie  business  in  Bloomington.  In  October,  1883, 
he  was  appointed  manager  for  the  American  Hoop  Dressing  Company's 
factory,  located  at  Bloomington,  which  employs  fifty-five  men  and  has  a 
capacity  of  15,000  hoops  per  day.  Mr.  D.  is  a  firm  Catholic,  and  polit- 
icallv  is  a  Detaiocrat. 

HON.  JOHN  R.  EAST  was  born  May  17,  1845,  in  Indian  Creek 
Township,  Monroe  Co.,  Ind.  He  is  the  third  son  and  fourth  child  of 
William  and  Eveline  HVall)  East.  His  father  came  to  Monroe  County 
in  1828,  and  settled  in  Indian  Creek  Township.  The  subject  of  this 
sketch  received  the  rudiments  of  a  common  English  education  there,  and 
began  teaching  school  when  seventeen  years  of  age.  In  February,  1864, 
he  enlisted  in  Company  I,  Fifty-ninth  Indiana  Volunteers,  under  Capt. 
Graves,  serving  for  one  year  and  a  half.  He  took  part  in  the  battles  at 
Altoona  and  Sheppard's  Landing,  and  marched  with  Sherman  to  the  sea. 
On  July  17,  1865,  he  received  an  honorable  discharge,  having  been  pro- 
moted to  the  position  of  Sergeant  of  his  company.  He  then  returned  to 
his  home  and  to  teaching.  In  March.  1869,  he  came  to  Bloomington, 
entered  the  law  office  of  Judge  S.  H.  Buskirk,  and  continued  until  the 
following  fall,  when  he  entered  the  Law  Department  of  the  State  Uni- 
versity, from  which  he  graduated  in  February,  1870.  He  then  formed  a 
partnership  with  James  H.  Rogers  (deceased)  in  the  regular  practice, 
continuing  for  about  nine  months,  when  he  assumed  the  duties  of  County 
Clerk,  to  which  office  he  had  been  elected  in  the  October  before.  This 
office  he  filled  successfully  for  four  years,  and  then  resumed  the  practice 
of  law,  and  had  for  his  diiferent  partners  Hon.  C.  W.  Henderson  (de- 
ceased) and  Col.  W.  C.  L.  Taylor,  now  of  La  Fayette.     In  October,  1878, 


562  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES: 

he  was  appointed  Prosecuting  Attorney  of  the  Tenth  Judicial  District, 
and  served  one  year,  remaining  in  the  practice  alone  until  1882,  when  he 
formed  a  partnership  with  his  brother,  William  H.  East,  and  the  firm 
name  is  East  &  East.  On  March  22,  1866,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Ma- 
tilda J.  Binkley,  daughter  of  Christian  and  Rosanna  Binkley,  respected 
residents  of  Monroe  County.  They  have  had  six  children — George  J. 
(deceased),  Rufus  H.,  Mattie  A.,  William  C,  John  R.  (deceased)  and 
Eva  I.  Mr.  East  is  a  member  of  the  K.  of  P.  and  of  the  G.  A.  R.  He 
has  passed  all  the  chairs  in  the  I.  O.  O.  F.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
Methodist  Church,  and  politically  is  a  Democrat. 

WILLIAM  H.  EAST,  a  native  of  Monroe  County,  Ind.,  was  born 
June  12,  1852,  in  Indian  Creek  Township.  His  parents,  William  and 
Eveline  (Wall)  East,  natives  of  North  Carolina  and  Tennessee.  Our 
subject  is  the  youngest  son  and  child  in  a  family  of  seven  children,  and 
was  reared  on  the  old  home  farm  in  Indian  Creek  Township.  He  received 
a  good  education,  and  at  the  age  of  eighteen  he  entered  the  printing 
office  of  Thomas  Purcell,  and  after  staying  with  him  for  a  year  he  found 
the  occupation  distasteful,  and  he  then  commenced  teaching  school.  He 
followed  this  until  1874,  when  he  became  Deputy  County  Clerk,  in  which 
position  he  served  until  the  expiration  of  one  term  of  office.  He  then 
began  teaching  school  in  the  winter  and  reading  law  in  the  summer,  for 
three  years.  For  the  next  two  years,  he  farmed,  two  miles  east  of  Bloom- 
ington.  He  then  taught  school  for  a  year,  wnen  he  formed  a  partnership 
with  his  brother,  J.  R.  East,  in  the  practice  of  law,  and  at  present  they 
are  doing  a  thriving  business,  under  the  firm  name  of  East  &  East.  In 
1877,  he  married  Mary  A.  Conder,  a  daughter  of  E.  W.  Conder,  a  citizen 
of  Indian  Creek  Township.  They  have  two  children — Ida  M.  and  Will- 
iam E.  Mr.  East  is  a  member  of  the  K.  of  P.,  and  also  of  the  Meth- 
odist Episcopal  Church. 

J.  S.  FARIS,  third  son  and  eighth  child  of  James  and  Margaret  (Mc- 
Dill)  Faris,  natives  of  South  Carolina,  was  born  February  11,  1826, 
in  Preble  County,  Ohio.  His  parents  moved  to  Ohio  in  1806,  where  they 
resided  until  1838,  when  they  came  to  Indiana,  locating  on  a  farm  in 
Monroe  County,  near  Bloomington.  The  father  died  June  17,  1852;  the 
mother,  November  8,  1838.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  reared  and 
educated  in  Monroe  County;  entered  the  State  University  when  eighteen 
years  of  age;  remained  for  a  year  and  a  half,  and  then,  on  account  of  ill 
health,  retired  from  study  for  awhile.  He  went  again  in  1849  and  1850; 
afterward  took  charge  of  the  old  home  farm  for  some  time,  and  then 
came  to  Bloomington.  He  formed  a  partnership  with  Mr.  Mason  in  the 
drug  business,  continued  for  one  year,  and  then  was  in  business  for  him- 
self until  1862.  He  was  then  prescription  clerk  in  Bloomington  for  four 
years,  and  was  in  partnership  with  J.  W.  Shoemaker  for  a  number  of 
years;  finally,  in  September,  1883,  he  opened  a  drug  store  under  the  firm 
name  of  Faris  &  Co. ,  which  he  is  now  running  with  great  success.  On 
October  6.  1853,  he  was  married  to  Eliza  J.  Hartin,  daughter  of  Patrick 
and  Nancy  Hartin,  respected  residents  of  Gibson  County,  Ind.  By  this 
union  there  were  nine  children,  eight  of  whom  are  living — Lottie  E., 
Lillian,  Albert  V.,  Eugene  M.,  Ida  L.,  Minnie  A.,  Melville  and  Elmer. 
Mr.  Faris  is  a  Republican,  and  he  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Reformed 
Presbyterian  Church. 

JAMES  B.  FARIS,  farmer,  was  born  in  Monroe  County,  Ind.,  on 
June  5,  1828.     He  has  been  a  resident  of  the  county  all  his  life,  occupy- 


BLOOMINGTON  TOWNSHIP  AND  CITY.  568 

ing  the  farm  on  which  his  father  settled  in  1827.  He  has  been  twice 
married.  His  first  wife  was  Sarah  Irvin,  to  whom  he  was  married  on 
September  11,  1855.  She  was  a  daughter  of  Charles  and  Sarah  (Smith) 
Irvin,  was  born  on  February  8,  1834,  and  died  on  July  9,  1875.  Three 
children  were  born  to  them,  viz.:  James  E.,  Charles  C.  and  Edward  C. 
On  December  13,  1877,  he  married  Mary  C.  McCaughan,  daughter  of 
Charles  and  Nancy  (Faris)  McCaughan.  She  was  born  on  October  16, 
1847.  They  have  one  child  living — Earnest.  Mr.  Faris  is  one  of  the 
substantial  citizens  of  Monroe  County,  contributes  liberally  to  charitable 
movements,  and  is  a  member  of  the  Reformed  Presbyterian  Church. 
Kev.  James  Faris,  first  pastor  of  the  Bethesda  Reformed  Presbyterian 
Church  of  Bloomington,  and  father  of  our  subject,  was  born  in  South 
Carolina  in  May,  1791,  receiving  his  early  education  at  Columbia  (S.  C.) 
College.  At  the  age  of  sixteen  he  joined  the  church,  and  began  teaching 
school;  also  commenced  to  prepare  for  the  ministry.  Having  accumu- 
lated $2,000  within  a  few  years,  he  came  to  Bloomington,  Ind.,  and  pur- 
chased 160  acres  of  unimproved  land,  which  he  eventually  improved.  In 
1827,  he  was  ordained  in  an  old  frame  church,  the  first  church  of  the  Cov- 
enanters in  Illinois,  he  having  gone  there  on  horseback,  accompanied  by 
his  wife.  From  the  installation  at  Bloomington  dates  the  beginning  of  his 
pastoral  work.  After  a  long  and  useful  life,  he  died  "on  May  20,  1855.  On 
April  29, 1823,  he  married  Nancy  Smith,  born  in  South  Carolina  November 
2,  1800.  She  died  August  20,  1881.  To  them  were  born  ten  children, 
eight  of  whom  are  now  living,  four  of  them  being  ministers  of  the  Gos- 
pel, located  in  dififerent  States. 

E.  H.  FEE  was  born  in  Bloomington  Township,  Monroe  County.  Ind., 
June  18,  1832,  and  is  the  youngest  of  the  children  of  William  and  Eliz- 
abeth (Orr)  Fee.  The  former  was  born  in  Ireland  March  3,  1785,  and 
was  a  son  of  Rebert  Fee,  whose  family  came  to  South  Carolina  in  1790, 
and  in  1830  to  this  county.  Robert  died  in  1841,  aged  ninety-one  y^ars. 
William  was  married,  January  2,  1810,  to  Elizabeth  F.  Orr,  born  March 
19,  1790;  she  died  October  24,  1881,  and  her  husband  January  24,  1876 
They  were  both  in  the  communion  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  and 
highly  esteemed.  When  the  Fee  family  came  to  Monroe  County,  they 
settled  on  the  Graham  farm,  which  was  entered  in  1817  by  Mr.  Graham, 
and  which  is  timbered  and  well  watered.  E.  H.  Fee,  our  subject,  has 
lived  in  the  house'  in  which  he  was  born  all  his  life.  His  brother,  James 
P.,  who  was  born  March  12,  1829,  is  now  residing  with  him  on  the  old 
home  farm.  During  the  years  from  1854  to  1876,  he  was  mining  in  Cal- 
iforna.  The  second  steam  saw-mill,  built  in  1835  on  the  Fee  farm,  was 
erected  by  a  Mr.  Sleeper,  and  owned  by  William  Fee  and  William  Mil- 
ieu. In  1843,  they  added  a  grist  mill  to  the  saw  mill,  and  operated  it 
until  1851.  Mr.  Fee  is  a  Republican,  and  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church. 

HENRY  J.  FELTUS  was  born  August  13,  1845,  in  New  York  City. 
He  is  the  youngest  of  four  sons  born  to  Lambert  and  Sarah  (Colton)  Fel- 
tus,  and  was  reared  in  New  York  until  about  nine  years  of  age,  when  he 
was  sent  to  his  father,  who  was  then  in  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  where  in  the 
public  and  high  schools  he  was  educated.  In  January,  1864,  he  enlisted 
in  Company  C,  Thirteenth  Indiana  Cavalry,  under  Capt.  Strieker.  He 
served  for  three  years,  and  took  part  in  the  engagements  at  Mobile,  Nash- 
ville and  Franklin,  Tenn.,  and  also  in  the  "Grierson  raid''  through  the 
South,  being  eighty-two  days  in  the  saddle,  and  in  the  captui-e  of  Mont- 


564  BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHIB: 

gomery,  Ala.,  during  the  most  of  which  time  he  acted  as  Serjeant  Major. 
After  the  battle  at  Montgomery,  he  was  commissioned  Adjutant,  and  on 
November  18,  1865,  he  received  an  honorable  discharge.  He  went  to 
Madison,  Ind.,  purchased  a  drug  store,  and  remained  there  for  three 
years,  removing  thence  to  Terre  Haute.  After  a  short  time  he  went  to 
Greencastle,  where  he  started  a  weekly  newspaper,  the  Greencastle 
Star,  which  he  conducted  successfully  until  in  1875,  when  he  sold  out 
and  came  to  Bloomington,  where,  in  October,  he  started  the  Bloomington 
Courier,  which  at  present  is  the  only  Democratic  paper  in  Monroe  County, 
and  is  in  a  flourishing  condition.  In  1880,  Mr.  Feltus  was  elected 
Councilman  of  the  Third  Ward,  and  was  the  first  Democrat  ever  elected 
to  the  Council  in  Bloomington.  He  is,  and  has  been  for  three  terms,  a 
member  of  the  Monroe  County  Democratic  Central  Committee.  In 
1879,  he  was  commissioned,  by  the  Governor,  as  Captain  of  the  "Monroe 
Guards,"  Indiana  State  Militia.  On  February  14,  1873,  he  was  united 
in  marriage  to  Miss  Ella  Baird,  daughter  of  A.  A.  Baird,  a  citizen  of 
Terre  Haute,  Ind.  By  this  union  there  are  four  children.  Mr.  Feltus 
is  Sachem  of  the  I.  O.  R.  M.,  Adjutant  of  the  G.  A.  R.  and  is  an  active 
member  of  the  Episcopal  Church.  He  takes  an  active  though  unselfish 
interest  in  all  political  affairs,  laboring  earnestly  for  the  success  of  his 
party,  and  has  the  confidence  and  esteem  of  all  with  whom  he  has  been 
associated. 

ROBERT  C.  FOSTER  was  born  August  8,  1831,  in  Philadelphia, 
Penn.  He  is  the  eldest  in  a  family  of  five  children  born  to  Nathaniel 
C.  and  Sarah  C.(Cavanaugh)  Foster,  natives  of  New  Jersey.  Robert  was 
reared  by  his  uncle,  in  Monroe  County.  He  had  received  a  common 
English  education  in  the  public  schools  of  Philadelphia,  and  on  coming 
to  Indiana,  entered  the  State  University  at  Bloomington,  Monroe  County, 
in  1844,  where  he  graduated  six  years  later.  In  the  fall  of  1850,  he 
went  to  Philadelphia,  and  studied  law  for  two  years;  then  returned  to 
Indiana,  where  he  was  at  once  elected  Deputy  Auditor  under  William 
Tarkington,  and  served  until  October,  1855,  when  he  was  elected  Auditor 
of  Monroe  County;  in  1859,  he  was  re-elected.  In  1863,  he  went  into 
the  dry  goods  business,  remaining  for  three  years,  and  was  then  elected 
County  Clerk.  After  serving  for  four  years,  he  practiced  law  for  some 
time.  He  was  elected  Cashier  of  Bloomington  First  National  Bank 
shortly  after  its  organization,  and  served  until  the  spring  of  1880,  since 
which  time  he  has  continued  in  the  practice  of  his  profession.  In  April, 
1883,  he  was  appointed  Deputy  Auditor  and  is  at  present  in  the  discharge 
of  his  duties.  He  served  as  Secretary  of  the  Indiana  State  University 
for  twenty-five  years.  In  1876,  he  was  elected  to  the  Legislature  from 
Monroe  County,  and  served  for  one  year.  He  was  City  School  Trustee 
for  about  eight  years.  Mr.  Foster  is  highly  respected  as  a  citizen.  He 
is  an  eminent  practitioner,  and  efficient  as  an  officer  a  man  of  true  worth 
and  merit.  He  was  married,  in  1855,  to  Agnes  E.  McC  all  a,  daughter  of 
Samuel  McCalla,  a  pioneer  of  Monroe  County.  He  and  wife  are  members 
of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  and  politically  he  is  a  Republican. 

HARMON  H.  FRIEDLEY  is  the  second  son  and  fourth  child  in  a 
family  of  twelve  children  born  to  Jacob  and  Lydia  A.  (Evans)  Friedley. 
He  was  born  September  18,  1850,  in  Harrison  County,  Ind.,  and  was 
reared  and  educated  there.  When  eighteen  years  of  age,  he  began  teach- 
ing school  in  Floyd  County,  continuing  for  seven  years  in  various  places 
in  Indiana.     In  1869,  he  entered  the  Central  Academy  at  Muncie,  Ind,, 


BLOOMINGTON  TOWNSHIP  AND  CITY.  565 

remaining  for  two  years,  and  in  1872  he  entered  the  State  University  at 
Bloomington,  Ind.,  continuing  for  three  years.  He  then  purchased  the 
Laurence  Gazette  at  Bedford,  which  he  ran  more  than  a  year,  increasing 
its  circulation  from  250  to  1,000  subscribers.  In  Bedford  he  also  en- 
tered the  law  office  of  the  Hon.  George  W.  Friedley,  as  a  student.  In 
March,  1879,  he  came  back  to  Bloomington  and  became  junior  partner  in 
the  law  firm  of  Friedley,  Pearson  &  Friedley.  He  is  at  present  in  regu- 
lar practice  and  is  very  successful.  He  has  been  Local  Attorney  for  the 
L.,N.  A.  &  C.  E.  R.  since  his  return  to  Bloomington,  and  in  May,  1881, 
was  elected  City  Attorney,  and  re-elected  in  1883-  He  is  attorney  of  the 
Building  Association,  also  for  the  Citizens'  Loan  Fvmd  &  Saving  Asso- 
ciation of  Bloomington,  He  was  married,  June  22,  1881,  to  Sibyl 
Hinds,  daughter  of  Jesse  and  Joanna  Hinds,  prominent  citizens  of 
Bloomington.  Mr.  Friedley  is  a  member  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F.,  and  member 
of  Chapter  and  Council  of  the  A.,  F.  &  A.  M.  He  is  an  active  member 
of  the  Methodist  Church,  and  is  politically  a  Republican. 

RICHARD  A.  FULK,  fourth  son  and  sixth  child  of  Adam  and  Eliza- 
beth (Carmichael)  Fulk,  natives  of  North  Carolina,  was  born  August  11, 
1831,  in  Indian  Creek  Township,  Monroe  County,  Ind.  His  parents 
were  married  in  18.19,  and  lived  in  North  Carolina  until  1828.  They 
then  came  to  Indian  Creek  Township,  remaining  until  1832.  They  then 
went  to  Greene  County  and  settlea  on  a  farm  in  Center  Township,  whex'e 
the  mother  died  in  1834.  The  father  then  remained  there  until  1847, 
and  afterward  removed  to  Jasper  County,  Mo. ,  locating  on  a  farm,  where 
he  died  in  September,  1851.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  reared  in 
Greene  and  Monroe  Counties  until  1847,  when  he  went  with  his  father 
to  Missouri.  By  his  own  persistent  efforts  and  a  little  assistance  in  the 
subscription  schools,  he  obtained  the  rudiments  of  a  good  English  edu- 
cation. In  1850,  he  returned  to  Monroe  County  and  farmed  in  Indian 
Creek  Township  for  two  years.  He  then  began  learning  the  carpenter's 
trade  in  Harrodsburg,  and  followed  it  until  1870,  when  he  was  elected 
Sheriff  of  Monroe  County  and  served  for  two  years.  At  the  expiration 
of  his  term  of  office,  he  entered  the  Law  Department  of  the  State  Univer- 
sity at  Bloomington,  whence  he  graduated  in  March,  1873,  and  at  once 
entered  the  regular  practice  of  his  profession.  In  1879,  he  went  into 
office  as  Auditor  of  Monroe  County,  and  served  for  four  years.  He  then 
re-entered  the  regular  practice  of  law,  and  is  at  present  so  engaged.  In 
1868,  he  was  elected  Real  Estate  Appraiser,  and  served  for  two  yeai's. 
He  also  served  as  Justice  of  the  Peace  for  some  time.  On  January  23, 
1855,  he  was  married  to  Mary  Helton,  a  daughter  of  John  Helton,  a 
pioneer  of  Lawrence  County,  Ind.  They  had  six  children,  three  of 
whom  are  living — Homer  L.,  Lulie  B.  and  William  L.  Mr.  Fulk  is  a 
member  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F.,  Cecelia  Lodge,  No.  166,  and  of  the  Iv.  uf  H. 
He  is  also  a  member  of  the  Christian  Church.  Politically,  he  is  a  Dem- 
ocrat and  a  prominent  member  of  that  party. 

WILLIAM  A.  GABE,  editor  and  publisher  of  the  Republican  Prog- 
ress at  Bloomington,  was  born  in  Bedford,  Penn. ,  January  3,  1835, 
and  the  following  year  was  taken  by  his  parents  to  Ohio,  where  he  was 
educated.  His  journalistic  life  began  with  the  publication  of  the  Bed- 
ford (Ind.)  Independent,  which  he  managed  for  two  years.  May  7,  1867, 
he  issued  the  first  number  of  the  Republican  Progress,  having  purchased 
the  office  of  the  Bloomington  Republican  from  Whitaker  &  Walker. 
During  the  seventeen  years  of  the  existence  of  the  Progress,  it  has  been 


566  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

steadily  growing    in  circulation    and    influence,  and  is   now  one  of  the 
best  newspapers  published  in  Southern  Indiana. 

ROBERT  GILMORE  was  born  January  7,  1840,  in  Cincinnati, 
Ohio,  and  is  the  eldest  child  of  James  and  Elicia  (McLain)  Gilmore, 
natives  of  Ireland.  His  parents  were  married  in  Cincinnati  in  1839, 
where,  for  twenty-one  years,  the  father  followed  weaving  as  a  trade. 
Removing  to  Monroe  County,  Ind.,  he  farmed  until  his  death,  which  oc- 
curred in  September.  1879.  His  widow  at  present  resides  in  Elooming- 
ton.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  reared  and  educated  in  his  native 
place.  When  eighteen  years  of  age,  he  begran  learning  the  blacksmith's 
trade  with  William  Taylor,  and  remained  with  him  for  about  four  years. 
In  September,  1862,  he  enlisted  in  Bard's  cavalry,  and  after  three 
months'  service,  he  began  working  at  his  trade,  by  order  of  Legislature. 
In  1867,  he  came  to  Monroe  Covinty  and  farmed  for  some  time  in  Salt 
Creek  Township,  afterward  removing  to  Bloomington,  where  he  pur- 
chased a  blacksmith  shop,  which  he  ran  for  two  years.  In  1878,  he  was 
elected  as  County  Recorder  on  the  Democratic  ticket,  which  office  he 
creditably  filled  for  four  years.  He  then  opened  an  insurance  office, 
which  he  is  now  engaged  in,  and  also  in  the  real  estate  business.  In 
1870,  he  was  married  to  Jennnette  A.  Ramsey,  a  daughter  of  James 
Ramsay,  a  citizen  of  Kingston,  Ontario,  Canada.  Mr.  Gilmore  is  Vice 
Dictator  of  the  K.  of  H. ,  Golden  Star  Lodge,  No.  2066 ;  also  a  member 
of  the  Methodist  Church.     Politically,  he  is  a  Democrat. 

JOHN  GRAHAM  was  born  November  22,  1844,  in  Bloomington, 
Monroe  Co.,  Ind,  His  parents,  John  and  Isabella  P.  (Everett)  Graham, 
were  born  in  Scotland  and  Tennessee  respectively.  They  were  married 
at  Kingsport.  Tenn. ,  in  1820,  and  six  years  later  removed  to  a  farm  in 
Perry  Township,  this  county.  Soon  after  the  father  removed  to  Bloom- 
ington and  followed  his  trade  of  carpenter  until  in  1866.  He  at  present 
resides  there  at  the  advanced  age  of  eighty-five  years.  Mrs.  Isabella 
Graham  died  in  1874.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  is  the  third  son  and 
sixth  child,  and  was  reared  in  Bloomington,  where  he  was  educated  in 
the  private  schools  there.  He  then  entered  the  State  University  at 
Bloomington,  whence  he  gi'aduated  from  the  law  department.  In  1870, 
he  was  elected  Librarian  of  the  Supreme  Court  at  Indianapolis,  and  af- 
ter serving  faithfully  for  two  years,  he  returned  to  Bloomington,  where 
he  soon  after  entered  the  regular  practice  of  his  profession.  In  Novem  - 
ber,  1882,  he  was  elected  Representative  of  the  district  comprising  Mon- 
roe and  Brown  Counties.  He  is  now  extensively  engaged  in  real  estate 
and  in  the  insurance  business,  and  also  engaged  in  the  practice  of  his 
profession.  Mr.  Graham  is  a  member  of  the  A.,  F.  &  A.  M.,  and  is 
highly  respected  as  a  citizen. 

ROBERT  C.  GREEVES.  a  native  of  Bloomington,  Ind. ,  was  born 
January  26,  1842.  He  is  the  eldest  son  of  John  J.  and  Mahala  (Carter) 
Greeves,  natives  of  Maryland  and  Vix-ginia  respectively.  His  parents 
were  married  November  2,  1841,  in  Bloomington,  and  located  there,  the 
father  following  the  carpenter's  trade  until  1867.  He  then  began 
merchandising,  which  he  continued  until  1883.  He  at  present  re- 
sides in  Bloomington,  sixty-seven  years  of  age;  the  mother  is  six- 
ty-five years  of  age.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  reared  in 
Bloomington  until  twenty-one  years  of  age,  when  he  went  to  Bloom- 
field,  Ind.,  and  formed  a  partnership  with  C.  P.  Taley  in  the  dry 
goods  business,  which  they  carried  on  successfully  for  two  and  a  half 


BLOOMINGTON  TOWNSHIP  AND  CITY.  567 

years,  at  which  time  he  entered  the  office  or  Dr.  J.  G.  McPheeters,  of 
BlooraingtoB,  and  began  the  study  of  medicine.  After  remaining  with 
him  for  three  years  (during  which  time  he  took  a  course  of  lectures  at 
Ann  Arbor,  Mich.),  he  entered  the  Medical  Department  of  the  State  Uni- 
versity of  New  York,  from  whence  he  graduated  in  March,  1871,  re- 
turning thence  to  Bloomington.  On  account  of  ill  health  he  was  obliged 
to  give  up  the  practice  of  his  profession,  and  soon  after  he  bought  an 
interest  in  the  grocery  business  with  his  father.  He  continued  in  this 
business  until  January,  1883,  when  he  sold  his  interest  and  was  elected 
City  Clerk.  He  is  a  member  of  the  A.,  F.  &  A.  M.,  and  also  of  the  I.  O. 
O.  F.  He  was  married,  October  23,  1872,  to  Anna  J.  Eveleigh,  daughter 
of  Joseph  Eveleigh,  of  Bloomtield.  They  had  one  child — Edward  E.  (de- 
ceased). Mr.  Greeves  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Church,  and  politi- 
cally is  a  Republican. 

JOHN  L.  GRIFFITH  (deceased)  was  born  in  Shelby  County,  Ky., 
on  November  2,  1810,  and  was  a  son  of  John  and  Deborah  (Lewis) 
Griffith.  John,  the  father,  a  native  of  Wales,  came  to  Jackson  County, 
Ind.,  in  1817,  and  in  1819  to  Monroe  County,  where  he  built  one  of  the 
first  combined  grist  and  saw  mils  in  the  county,  on  what  is  known  as 
Griffith  Creek.  The  lumber  for  the  first  frame  building  of  Bloomington 
wa,B  sawed  at  this  mill.  He  was  an  honest  and  industrious  citizen,  a 
friend  to  the  poor,  and  a  consistent  member  of  the  Baptist  Church.  He 
died  in  1865.  Our  subject  came  to  Monroe  County  in  1819.  On  March 
7,  1833,  he  married  Hetty  K.  Wampler,  a  native  of  Wythe  County,  Va., 
and  born  July  18,  1811.  Her  father,  Joseph  Wampler,  was  a  native  of 
Germany,  born  in  1774.  His  wife,  Esther  Kenser,  was  born  in  1783. 
They  came  to  Monroe  County  in  1822,  the  father  dying  in  1846,  the 
mother  in  1833.  In  1838,  our  subject  moved  to  the  farm  of  320  acres, 
where  his  widow  now  resides.  He  improved  this  farm,  and  lived  on  it 
until  his  death,  which  occurred  in  1872.  He  was  an  industrious  farmer, 
a  kind  and  devoted  father,  and  a  loving  husband.  His  widow,  who  sur- 
vives him,  is  a  highly  esteemed  lady,  and  a  useful  family  physician  in 
the  locality  where  she  lives.  Twelve  children  were  born  to  them,  viz. : 
Deborah  L.  (Gray),  Esther  (Cox),  Melinda  C.  (Cox,  deceased),  Tillman 
H.  (deceased),  Mary  E.  (Gray),  Theresa  A.  (Cox),  Lucinda  J.,  Louis  C, 
Lucretia  E.  (deceased),  Margaret  A.  (deceased)  and  two  dying  in  infancy-. 

MAJ.  SILAS  GRIMES  was  born  November  25,  1839,  in  Clear 
Creek  Township,  Monroe  County,  Ind.,  and  is  the  youngest  of  thirteen 
children  born  to  James  and  Nancy  (Woodward)  Grimes.  His  parents 
were  natives  of  Virginia  and  Kentucky  respectively;  came  to  Indiana  in 
1815,  and  located  in  Washington  County,  and  in  the  following  year  re- 
moved to  Monroe  County.  His  father  entered  a  farm  of  160  acres  in 
Clear  Creek  Township,  where  he  lived  until  his  death,  which  occurred 
November  23,  1853.  His  mother  still  resides  in  Bloomington,  at  the  ad- 
vanced age  of  eighty-nine  years.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  reared 
in  his  native  township,  where  he  received  a  good  education,  and  in  April, 
1861,  he  enlisted  in  Company  E,  Fourteenth  Indiana  Volunteers,  under 
Capt.  James  Kelly,  in  the  three  months'  service.  In  August  of  the  same 
year,  he  enlisted  in  Company  G,  Thirty-first  Indiana  Infantry,  under 
Capt.  Henry  L.  McCalla,  in  the  three  years'  service.  He  took  part  in 
the  following  engagements:  Fort  Donelson,  Shiloh,  the  siege  of  Corinth, 
Perryville,  Atlanta  campaign,  Chickamauga,  Murfreesboro,  Resaca,  Frank- 
lin and  Nashville.     In  July,  1865,  he  was  sent  to  Texas,  and  stationed 


568  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES: 

at  Victoria  on  post  guard  duty,  where  he  remained  until  January  of  the 
following  year.  He  then  returned  to  Monroe  County  and  engaged  in 
farming  on  the  homestead.  In  1880,  he  was  elected  Sheriff  of  the 
county  on  the  Kepublican  ticket.  Two  years  later,  he  was  re-elected, 
and  is  at  present  in  the  faithful  discharge  of  his  duties.  On  March  12, 
1868,  he  was  married  to  Susan  Gaither,  daughter  of  Perry  Gaither,  a 
citizen  of  Monroe  County.  They  had  eight  childi'en,  seven  of  whom  are 
living — Marion  L.,  Perry  T.,  John  M.,  Mary  E.,  Nancy  E.,  Irvin  L.  and 
Silas  T.  Mr.  Grimes  is  a  member  of  the  A. ,  F.  &  A.  M.,  and  he  and  his 
wife  are  members  of  the  M.  P.  Church. 

WILLIAM  N.  HALL,  a  native  of  Monroe  County,  Ind.,  was  born 
March  20,  1853,  four  miles  north  of  Bloomington.  His  parents,  Bain- 
bridge  and  Elizabeth  C.  (Houston)  Hall,  natives  of  Monroe  County,  Ind., 
after  their  marriage  located  on  a  farm  in  Richland  Township,  remaining 
for  thirty-four  years.  His  mother  died  January  29,  1875,  and  his  father 
at  present  resides  in  Bloomington.  William  is  the  second  son  and  child 
in  a  family  of  five  children.  He  was  reared  and  received  a  good  educa- 
tion in  his  native  county.  At  the  age  of  eighteen  years,  he  entered  the 
graded  schools  in  Ellettsville,  where  he  remained  for  about  two  years. 
In  1873,  he  was  appointed  Deputy  Postmaster  there,  and  after  serving 
for  a  short  time  entered  the  employ  of  Smith  &  McDonald,  harness- 
makers  of  Newark,  Greene  County,  continuing  one  year.  In  the  fall  of 
1874,  he  returned  to  the  farm  in  Monroe  County,  and  five  years  later  he 
was  again  appointed  to  his  former  position  of  Deputy  Postmaster  at 
Ellettsville,  serving  for  more  than  two  years.  He  was  afterward  elected 
by  the  Republican  party  Recorder  of  Monroe  County,  and  is  at  present 
actively  engaged  in  the  discharge  of  his  official  duties.  He  is  a  member 
of  the  I.  O.  R.  M.,  Arizona  Tribe,  No.  52.  On  July  17,  1874,  he  was 
precipitated  from  a  grade  on  the  Louisville,  New  Albany  &  Chicago  Rail- 
road, at  Evansville,  dislocating  his  right  hip,  which  incapacitated  him  for 
manual  labor.  He  is  a  noble  principled  man,  esteemed  as  a  citizen,  and 
efficient  as  an  officer. 

JOSEPH  HALL  is  the  third  son  and  child  in  a  family  of  five  chil- 
dren, and  was  born  February  11,  1855,  in  Richland  Township,  Monroe 
County,  Ind.  His  parents,  Bainbridge  and  Elizabeth  C.  (Houston)  Hall, 
were  born  in  Monroe  County.  Joseph  was  reared  in  Richland  Town- 
ship until  he  attained  his  majority,  receiving  meanwhile  a  good  education 
in  the  district  schools.  In  1876,  he  entered  the  employ  of  a  farmer  in 
Bloomington  Township,  and  remained  with  him  for  two  years,  when  he 
was  engaged  to  work  for  another  farmer.  He  then  went  to  Montgomery, 
Ind. ,  where  he  stayed  for  two  years,  returning  thence  to  the  old  home 
farm.  About  two  years  later,  he  rented  a  farm  of  187  acres  of  good  land 
in  Bean  Blossom  Township,  Monroe  County,  and  engaged  in  agricultural 
pursuits  for  more  than  two  years.  He  was  appointed  Deputy  Recorder 
(to  his  brother,  William  N.  Kail)  of  Monroe  County,  and  is  at  present  in 
the  faithful  discharge  of  the  duties  devolving  upon  him.  Mr.  Hall  is 
a  member  of  the  I.  O.  R.  M.,  Arizona  Tribe,  No.  52.  He  is  a  Repub- 
lican, a  liberal  citizen,  and  highly  esteemed  by  all  who  know  him. 

DR.  JOHN  E.  HARRIS,  ninth  son  of  A.  W-  R.  and  Mary  J.  D. 
(Johnson)  Harris,  natives  of  Kentucky  and  Virginia,  respectively,  was 
born  January  1,  1847,  in  Louisville,  Ky.  His  parents  were  married  in 
Louisville,  where  the  father  came  in  1819.  For  a  number  of  yeai's,  he 
was  book-keeper  for  Lithee  &  Wallace.     In  1856,  he  was  elected  City 


BLOOMINGTON  TOWNSHIP  AND  CITY.  569 

Assessor  of  Louisville,  serving  until  1873.  His  death  occurred  August 
13,  1880.  The  mother  died  in  1849.  Dr.  Harris  was  reared  and  edu- 
cated in  Louisville.  In  1863,  he  entered  the  laboratory  of  Prof.  Thomas 
E.  Jenkins,  remaining  one  year.  He  clerked  in  a  drug  store  until  1865, 
when  he  formed  a  partnership  with  his  brother  in  that  business,  and  two 
years  later  he  sold  out,  soon  afterward  opening  a  store  of  his  own. 
Meanwhile  he  had  been  studying  medicine,  and  in  October,  1868,  grad- 
uated from  the  University  Dispensary,  and  school  of  practical  medicine 
and  surgery.  He  then  entered  practice  there,  afterward  attending  the 
University  Medical  College  of  Louisville,  from  which  he  graduated  Feb- 
ruary 27,  1870.  He  practiced  in  Louisville  until  October  12,  1876,  when 
he  removed  to  Bloomington,  where  he  has  worked  his  practice  up.  On 
April  24,  1866,  he  was  married  to  Alice  C.  Lawes,  daughter  of  Joseph 
and  Jane  Lawes,  citizens  of  Louisville.  They  have  three  children — 
Ella,  John  G.  and  Charles  E.  Dr.  Karris  is  a  member  of  the  K.  of  H., 
and  of  the  K.  of  P.  He  is  also  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Church,  and 
in  politics  is  a  Kepublican. 

B.  HEADLEY  was  born  in  Eandolph  County,  Va.,  February  14, 
1822,  and  is  the  son  of  Isaac  and  Elizabeth  (Wilson)  Headley,  natives  of 
Pennsylvania  and  Virginia.  Isaac  was  a  millwright  and  farmer.  About 
1836,  he  went  to  Noble  County,  Ohio,  there  farmed  for  a  time,  and  then 
came  to  Brown  County,  Ind. ,  and  died  there  at  the  age  of  eighty  years. 
B.  remained  on  the  farm,  going  to  school  until  his  twentieth  year.  He 
then  learned  the  shoe-maker's  trade,  and  also  worked  some  at  black- 
smithing.  During  the  war,  he  served  in  the  One  Hundred  and  Sixty-first 
Ohio  Infantry;  took  part  in  a  skirmish  at  Stony  Gap,  Va.,  and  was  hon- 
orably discharged.  In  1866,  Mr.  Headley  came  to  Monroe  County,  Ind., 
and  settled  on  a  farm  two  and  one-half  miles  east  of  Bloomington,  and 
which  consisted  of  226  acres,  earned  by  himself.  In  about  1842,  Mr. 
Headley  married  Eunice  Morse,  of  Washington  County.  They  have  had 
nine  children — James  M.,  Isaac  W.,  Hilary  D.,  Marcellus  J.,  Hamlin  S., 
Mary,  Charley  E.,  Hattie  V.  and  Benjamin  T.  Isaac  and  James  served 
in  the  Union  army  in  the  late  war.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Headley  are  Method- 
ists, and  he  is  a  Republican  politically. 

MICHAEL  W.  HELTON  (deceased)  was  born  May  24, 1829,  in  Law- 
rence County,  Ind,,  and  was  the  eldest  son  of  Andrew  and  Hannah 
(Woolery)  Helton.  He  was  reared  in  his  native  county  until  eighteen 
years  of  age,  and  there  received  the  rudiments  of  an  education,  remov- 
ing thence  to  Bloomington,  where  he  entered  the  State  University.  A 
few  years  later  his  parents  moved  to  Bloomington,  remaining  until  their 
deaths,  which  occurred — the  father's  on  April  5,  1874;  the  mother's 
April  29,  1870.  He  was  for  some  time  engaged  in  the  dry  goods  busi- 
ness in  Bloomington.  He  built  the  Bloomington  City  Mills,  which  he 
ran  for  some  time;  then  opened  a  title  abstract  and  real  estate  office;  at 
the  same  time  he  was  in  the  insurance  business,  which  he  continued  to 
carry  on  until  his  death,  which  occurred  January  18,  1873,  at  his  resi- 
dence in  Bloomington,  aged  forty-three  years  seven  months  and  twenty- 
four  days.  H«  had  served  as  Trustee  of  the  State  University  for  many 
years.  He  was  married,  January  29,  1868,  by  Prof.  Ballentine,  to  Mrs. 
T.  L.  Carter,  in  Bloomington,  daughter  of  Isaiah  W.  and  Lucretia 
Cron,  respected  citizens  of  Bloomington.  They  had  two  children — ■ 
Lewis  C.  and  A.  K.  He  is  one  of  the  most  active  workers  in  the  Px-es- 
byterian  Church,  and  was  well   known  and  respected  by  the  entire  com- 


570  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES  : 

miinity.  Though  he  was  much  afflicted,  yet  he  was  never  known  to 
murmur  at  his  afflictions,  and  was  active  and  industrious  up  to  the  last 
two  days  of  his  life,  it  being  part  of  his  religion  to  be  always  employed 
in  doing  good.  He  sought  the  comfort  of  others  more  than  his  own. 
He  made  a  profession  of  religion  in  the  Second  Presbyterian  Church  of 
Bloomington,  and  was  an  earnest,  faithful  follower  of  Christ. 

MA  J.  HENRY  HENLEY,  a  native  of  Orange  County,  Ind.,  was  born 
October  25,  1826.  His  parents,  Joseph  and  Sarah  (Lindley)  Henley, 
natives  of  North  Carolina,  were  married  January  11,  1826,  in  Orange 
County,  and  settled  on  a  farm  there,  where  the  father  died  in  July,  1848; 
the  mother  died  September  23,  1872.  The  father  was  a  cabinet-maker, 
and  lived  for  many  years  near  Paoli.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  is  the 
eldest  in  family,  and  was  reared  at  home  until  twenty  years  of  age,  where 
he  attended  school,  and  received  a  good  education.  He  then  entered 
Earlham  College  at  Richmond,  Ind.,  and  remained  there  for  one  year. 
When  his  father  died,  he  left  him  in  charge  of  the  farm  and  a  saw  and 
grist  mill,  which  he  ran  for  ten  years,  when  he  went  to  Shoals,  Ind., 
formed  a  partnership  with  Z.  W.  Coffin  and  W.  Chenoweth,  and  con- 
tinued until  1871,  August  14,  1862,  he  was  appointed  Captain  of  Com- 
pany A,  Seventeenth  Indiana  Volunteers,  and  served  for  two  and  a  half 
years.  He  was  then  commissioned  Major  at  Louisville  November  17, 
1864,  and  resigned  one  month  later.  He  took  part  in  the  following  en- 
gagements: Munfordville  (in  which  the  company  was  captured  and  paroled, 
re-entering  in  about  fifty  days),  Hoover's  Gap,  Tenn.,  Peach  Tree,  Chick- 
amauga.  Mission  Ridge,  Shelbyville  and  Farmington,  Tenn. ;  Kenesaw 
Mountain,  Marietta,  Flat  Rock  and  Selma,  Ala.  In  1871,  he  came  from 
Shoals  to  Bloomington  to  educate  his  children,  and  in  the  fall  of  1872 
he  was  elected  County  Surveyor,  which  position  he  tilled  for  four  years. 
After  the  expiration  of  his  term  of  office,  he  engaged  in  civil  engineering 
and  patent  rights,  and  is  at  present  so  engaged.  In  1873,  he  purchased 
the  mill  at  Gosport,  and  ran  it  about  five  years.  On  May  11,  1852,  he 
was  married  to  Lydia  M.  Patton,  daughter  of  Alexander  and  Fannie  Pat- 
ton,  residents  of  Orange  County.  They  have  three  children — Laura, 
Joseph  and  George  W.  Mr.  Henley  is  a  member  of  the  A.  F.  &  A.  M., 
is  a  Republican,  and  he  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Church. 

J.  E.  HENLEY,  eldest  son  and  second  child  in  a  family  of  three 
children,  was  born  April  21,  1856,  in  Orange  County,  Ind.  His  parents, 
Henry  and  Lydia  M.  (Patton)  Henley,  were  natives  of  Indiana  and  North 
Carolina  respectively.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  reared  and  edu- 
cated in  his  native  place  until  fifteen  years  of  age,  when  he  came  to 
Bloomington  with  his  parents.  In  July,  1875,  he  graduated  from  the 
State  University  with  high  honors.  In  the  following  fall,  he  took  the 
chair  of  Greek  in  Smith's  Grove  College,  Ky.,  which  he  filled  for  one 
year.  He  then  was  elected  City  Superinteodent  of  the  public  schools  of 
Shoals,  Ind.,  serving  for  two  years.  In  the  spring  of  1879,  he  was  elected 
City  Clerk  of  Bloomington,  and  served  for  two  years,  during  which  time 
he  studied  law,  aud  in  1880  he  entered  the  regular  practice  here.  He 
formed  a  partnership  with  William  P.  Rogers,  and  is  now  successfully 
engaged  as  a  practitioner.  In  November,  1882,  he  was  elected  Prose- 
cuting Attorney  for  the  Tenth  Judicial  Circuit,  comprising  Monroe,  Law- 
rence, Orange  and  Martin  Counties,  and  is  serving  at  the  present  writing. 
August  8,  1883,  he  was  married  to  Ida  M.  Howe,  daughter  of  Joseph 
Howe,  a  resident  of  Washington  Territory.     Mr.  Henley  is  a  member  of 


BLOOMINGTON  TOWNSHIP  AND  CITY.  571 

the  K.  of  P.,  and  also  of  the  Methodist  Church.     He  is  a  Republican,  - 
and  is  highly  respected  as  a  citizen,  and  his  legal  advice  is  greatly  sought 
after. 

WALLACE  HIGHT,  farmer,  was  born  in  Bloomington,  Monroe  Co., 
Ind.,  May  28,  1832,  and  is  the  fourth  child  born  to  John  and  Elizabeth 
Hight.  John  Hight  was  a  native  of  Kentucky,  and  after  his  marriage 
came  to  Bloomington  in  1818.  He  was  a  saddler  by  trade;  finally  built  a 
a  tavern,  and  in  1836  a  grist  and  woolen  mill.  He  built  the  first  flat- 
boat  that  went  to  Salt  Creek.  He  died  in  1878,  much  respected,  and  his 
wife  preceded  him  in  about  1868.  Wallace  was  reared  on  a  farm,  and 
at  the  age  of  twenty  learned  the  tanner's  trade,  in  which  he  continued 
until  the  war  broke  out,  when  he  had  made  and  mounted  a  six-pounder 
bronzed  cannon  at  his  own  expense,  and  on  going  to  Indianapolis 
received  a  commission  of  Second  Lieutenant  in  the  Ninth  Indiana  Bat- 
tery. Lieut.  Hight  took  part  in  a  number  of  hard- fought  battles,  and 
when  his  time  expired,  in  1864,  he  went  out  as  a  sutler  until  the  close  of 
the  war.  Since  his  return,  he  has  engaged  in  farming.  His  farm  con- 
sists of  155  acres.  In  1880,  he  was  census  enumerator  for  this  town- 
ship, and  was  also  .the  one  who  circulated  the  first  petition  for  building 
pikes  in  the  county.  He  has  also  aided  in  petitioning  for  other  improve- 
ments. He  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity,  and  a  Republican. 
On  February  26,  1852,  Mr.  Hight  married  Emily  Hook,  who  was  born  in 
Indiana  on  September  22, 1832.  Mrs.  Hight  was  a  daughter  of  Thomas 
and  Jane  (Dye)  Hook,  natives  of  Kentucky,  who  settled  in  Indiana  in 
1829.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hight  have  three  children — Annie  J.,  Mary  J.  and 
Wallace.     They  have  also  given  a  home  to  James  Krohn,  an  orphan. 

NATHANIEL  U.  HILL,  one  of  the  most  prominent  and  successful 
citizens  of  Bloomington,  was  born  in  Clay  County,  Ind. ,  June  21,  1852. 
He  was  the  fourth  son  of  six  children  born  to  Abel  S.  and  Almira 
(Usher)  Hill,  and  was  reared  in  Brazil,  Ind.,  where  he  received  a  good 
education  in  the  public  schools.  When  sixteen  years  of  age,  he  entered 
the  academy  at  Ladoga,  Ind.,  where  he  remained  two  years.  In  1870, 
he  came  to  Bloomington,  remaining  one  term  in  the  freshman  class  of 
the  State  University,  after  which  he  spent  one  year  in  "  Harvard  College  " 
at  Kokomo,  Ind.  In  the  spring  of  1872,  he  again  entered  the  State  Uni- 
versity, where  he  graduated  with  honors  in  June,  1875,  and  during  the 
same  year,  took  a  junior  law  course,  graduating  in  June,  1876.  He  im- 
mediately thereafter  began  the  regular  practice  of  law  at  Brazil,  con- 
tinuing until  July,  1878,  at  which  time,  he  entered  the  employ  of  Bryson 
&  Hill,  hardware  merchants  of  Brazil.  He  remained  in  their  employ 
until  December  31,  1879,  when  he  was  married  to  Miss  Anna  M.  Buskirk, 
daughter  of  George  A.  Buskirk.  To  crown  the  happiness  of  this  union, 
there  have  been  born  two  children — Nathaniel  U.  and  Philip  K.  After 
his  marriage,  he  was  prevailed  upon  to  come  to  Bloomington  and  take 
charge  of  the  settlement  of  the  estate  of  his  father-in-law  (deceased), 
which  was  at  that  time  very  much  complicated,  through  litigation  and 
bad  management.  He  was  at  once  elected  a  Director  of  the  First  Na- 
tion Bank,  the  controlling  interest  of  which  was  owned  by  the  estate.  In 
January,  1881,  he  was  elected  Vice  President  of  the  bank,  and  at  present 
is  in  the  discharge  of  his  duties  as  such.  He  successfully  settled  up  the 
estate,  and  taking  the  bank  in  its  weakened  condition,  occasioned  by  the 
"  panic,"  the  stock  having  depleted  until  only  worth  in  market  85  cents 
on  the  dollar,  he,  by  untiring  energy  and  industry,  succeeded  in  bringing 

36 


572  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES: 

it  to  its  present  thrifty  and  substantial  condition.  The  stock  is  now 
worth  $1.25,  and  the  bank  has  accumulated  a  surplus  fund  of  120,000, 
its  capital  stock  being  $120,000.  He  is  a  prominent  member  of  the  Ma- 
sonic fraternit}^  and  a  stanch  Republican. 

CLINTON  M.  HOUSTON,  farmer,  was  born  in  Bourbon  County,  Ky., 
on  September  29,  1828,  and  is  the  son  of  Samuel  and  Morning  (Adams) 
Houston,  who  were  natives  of  Kentucky,  and  farmers  by  occupation,  which 
they  followed  in  their  native  State  until  their  death.  The  paternal 
grandparents  of  our  subject  were  natives  of  North  Carolina.  They  came 
to  Monroe  County  in  1828.  Here  they  both  died — the  grandfather  at 
ninety-two,  the  grandmother  at  eighty-five  years  of  age.  The  maternal 
grandfather  was  a  Revolutionary  soldier.  Our  subject's  father  died  in 
1838.  Mr.  Houston  is  a  self-made  man.  He  received  a  common  school 
education,  and  resided  on  a  farm  in  Kentucky  until  1840,  when  he  came 
to  Monroe  County  with  his  mother.  She  afterward  went  to  Illinois, 
where  she  lived  until  her  death.  In  1852,  Mr.  H.  was  married  to  Eliza- 
beth, daughter  of  Emsley  and  Elizabeth  (Worley)  Wood.  Mrs.  H.  was 
born  July  5,  1833,  on  the  farm  on  which  she  now  resides.  Her  father 
was  born  in  Floyd  County,  Ind.,  December  16,  1800,  Her  mother  was 
born  in  Highland  County,  Ohio,  on  September  30,  1805.  They  came  to 
Bloomington  among  the  first  settlers.  In  1828,  he  entered  the  farm  now 
owned  by  Mr.  Houston.  He  was  considered  one  of  the  practical  farmers 
of  Monroe  County,  and  owned  at  his  death  a  large  tract  of  unimproved 
land.  He  died  on  June  7,  1844.  His  wife  died  on  November  8,  1864. 
Our  subject  and  wife  are  the  parents  of  nine  children — Nathaniel  C, 
Richard  W.  (deceased),  Charles  D.,  Emma  E.,  Emsley  C,  Samuel  F., 
Luella,  Eva  and  Maggie  dying  in  infancy.  Mr.  Houston  and  wife,  are 
members  of  the  Christian  Church. 

JOSEPH  M.  HOWE,  one  of  the  oldest  pioneers  of  Moni'oe  County 
now  living,  was  born  in  Nicholas  County,  Ky. ,  June  20,  1805.  He  is 
the  seventh  son  in  a  family  of  eleven  children  born  to  Samuel  and  Eliza- 
beth (Showel)  Howe,  natives  of  Maryland.  He  was  reared  in  Kentucky 
until  nineteen  years  of  age,  when  he  came  to  Bloomington,  Monroe 
County,  and  entered  the  employ  of  his  brother,  Joshua  O.  Howe,  a  mer- 
chant of  that  village.  He  remained  with  him  for  ten  years,  at  which 
time  he  purchased  an  interest  in  the  business,  continuing  for  about  four 
years,  when  he  sold  his  interest.  In  1842,  he  opened  a  general  merchan- 
dise store,  continuing  about  five  years.  He  then  erected  a  building  on 
the  site  of  the  one  he  now  occupies,  which  was  completely  destroyed  by 
fire  in  August,  1873.  After  the  destruction  of  this  building,  he  erected 
the  present  edifice,  and  taking  his  son,  Alfred  R.,  into  partnership, 
opened  an  immense  dry  goods  store,  under  the  firm  name  of  J.  M.  Howe 
&  Son,  dealers  in  dry  goods,  notions,  boots  and  shoes,  hats,  caps,  etc. 
Mr.  Howe  is  recognized  as  one  of  the  most  prominent  and  successful  citi- 
zens of  Bloomington,  and  for  forty-five  years  served  as  Treasurer  of  the 
Board  of  Trustees  of  the  State  University.  He  has  also,  for  forty  years, 
been  Treasurer  of  the  Monroe  County  Bible  Society,  and  for  about  thirty 
years  an  active  and  efficient  member  of  the  Presbyterian  Church.  In 
olden  times,  he  was  a  Whig,  and  at  present  is  a  stanch  Republican.  In 
1845,  he  was  married  to  Sophia  W.  Walker,  daughter  of  Judge  George 
Walker,  of  Athens  County,  Ohio.  By' this  union  there  have  been  born 
to  them  three  children,  only  one  of  whom  is  now  living — Albert  R.,  who 
married,  April  10,  1878,  Mary  Frazee,  daughter  of  Dr.  L.  J.  Frazee,  of 
Louisville. 


BLOOVIINGTON  TOWNSHIP  AND  CITY.  578 

WILLIAM  J.  JOHNSTON,  farmer,  was  born  in  South  Carolina 
February  10,  1822,  and  is  the  son  of  Peter  and  Isabella  (Wood)  John- 
ston, natives  of  Scotland.  Peter  was  born  in  1795,  and  his  wife  in  1800. 
They  were  married  in  Scotland,  and  in  1820  came  to  South  Carolina, 
and  in  November,  1845,  moved  to  Monroe  County,  Ind.,  and  settled  on 
part  of  the  farm  now  owned  by  our  subject.  They  were  highly  respected 
citizens,  and  belonged  to  the  United  Presbyterian  Church.  The  father 
died  on  January  28,  1874,  and  the  mother  on  November  26,  1878.  Will- 
iam J.  has  lived  in  this  county  since  1845,  and  is  a  very  successful 
farmer,  owning  165  acres  of  land  with  good  improvements.  August  17, 
1848,  he  married  Elizabeth,  who  was  born  in  South  Carolina,  April  26, 
1823,  and  is  a  daughter  of  John  and  Margaret  (Kenedy)  White.  Mr. 
White  was  born  in  South  Carolina  in  1779,  and  died  there  January  10, 
1839.  His  wife  was  a  native  of  Ireland;  was  born  in  1783  and  died  in 
St.  Clair  County,  111.,  September  7,  1858.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Johnston  are 
parents  of  four  children — Maggie  B.,  born  July  22,  1855,  now  Mrs.  Har- 
vey A.  Kirk;  Cassie  J.,  born  November  9,  1857,  now  Mrs.  C.  A.  Junkin; 
M.  Alice,  born  October  20,  1860;  and  Ida  S.  W.,  born  May  13,  1863. 
The  family  belong  to  the  United  Presbyterian  Church,  and  are  highly 
respected. 

DAVID  STARR  JORDAN,  Professor  of  Natural  Sciences  in  Indi- 
ana University,  graduated  from  Cornell  University  in  1872,  with  the  de- 
gree of  Master  of  Science,  and  from  Indiana  University  in  1875  with  the 
degree  of  Doctor  of  Medicine.  In  1877,  Butler  University  conferred  up- 
on him  the  degree  of  Doctor  of  Philosophy.  Previous  to  going  to  college, 
his  life  was  spent  on  a  farm  at  Gainesville,  N.  Y. ,  where  he  was  born 
(January  19,  1851),  and  was  little  different  from  that  of  other  farmer 
boys  except  that  he  took  a  livelier  interest  in  the  things  around  him  and 
early  learned  to  know  every  tish,  fowl  and  flower  within  his  range.  He 
made  his  own  way  through  college  by  teaching  winter  school  while  on 
the  farm,  by  being  table  waiter  in  a  hotel  while  a  freshman,  general 
factotum  and  floor-sweeper  while  a  sophomore,  and  by  being  awarded  in 
a  competitive  examination  the  privilege  of  representing  his  county  at 
Cornell.  During  the  last  two  years  of  his  college  course,  he  served  as 
instructor  in  botany.  He  gained  his  impulse  to  do  original  scientific 
work  from  being  a  student  under  Prof.  Hart,  then  in  the  chair  of 
Geology  in  Coi'nell.  After  graduation,  he  was  elected  to  the  chair  of 
Natural  Science  in  Lombard  University,  Galesburg,  III.  After  teaching 
there  one  year,  and  a  year  at  Appleton,  Wis.,  he  came  to  Indiana 
in  1875.  After  teaching  natural  history  one  year  in  the  Indian- 
apolis High  School,  he  was  called  to  fill  the  chair  of  Natural  History  in 
Butler  University,  which  place  he  held  until  elected  to  his  present  posi- 
tion in  1879.  During  the  summer  of  1873,  he  attended  the  "  Harvard 
Summer  School  "  at  Penikese,  where  he  availed  himself  of  special  in- 
struction under  Prof.  Louis  Agassiz,  who  was  quick  to  recognize  in 
him  a  growing  naturalist,  and  so  recalled  him  to  serve  as  teacher  of  bot- 
any at  Penikese  and  Cumberland  Gap  in  the  summer  schools  held  there 
in  1874  and  1875.  After  Prof.  Agassiz's  death,  these  summer  schools 
were  discontinued.  Then  began,  under  Prof.  Jordan's  direction,  the 
well  known  "Summer  Tramps"  for  scientific  exploration,  those  of  1876, 
1877  and  1878  being  confined  to  interesting  sections  of  the  United 
States;  those  of  1879,  1881  and  1883  extending  through  the  principal 
coiintries  of  Europe.     In   1880,  as  special  agent  of  the   United   Slates 


574  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

Census  Bureau,  he  made  a  thorough  investigation  of  the  marine  indus- 
tries of  the  Pacific  coast;  and  as  naturalist  associate  of  the  United  States 
Fish  Commission  and  the  United  States  National  Museum,  made  a  full 
collection  and  an  exhaustive  study  of  the  fish  fauna  of  the  same  region. 
At  various  times,  in  the  same  capacity,  he  has  made  valuable  collections 
on  the  Atlantic  and  Gulf  coasts  and  in  the  West  Indies,  as  well  as  from 
the  fresh  waters  of  the  United  States.  The  results  of  these  investigations 
have  taken  permanent  shape  in  a  "  Synopsis  of  the  Fishes  of  North 
America"  (an  octavo  volume  of  1,100  pages  prepared  by  Jordan  and  Gil- 
bert) pviblished  by  the  United  States  in  1882;  and  in  upward  of  200 
technical  papers  and  memoirs,  chiefly  on  ichthyology.  His  "  Manual  of 
Vertebrates"  (500  pages,  12mo),  first  published  in  1876,  and  now  in  the 
third  edition,  includes  much  original  scientific  work  aside  from  that  on 
fishes,  and  is  the  first,  and  only  systematic  key  to  the  study  of  vertebrates, 
and  is  regarded  as  the  best  text  book  yet  produced  on  the  subject,  being 
used  as  such  in  Michigan  University,  Cornell  University,  and  many  other 
universities  and  colleges.  In  recognition  of  these  acquisitions  to 
knowledge,  and  as  a  testimonial  of  the  value  of  his  services  to  science, 
he  was  awarded  one  of  the  three  gold  medals  given  to  Americans  by  the 
London  Fisheries  Exposition  in  1883,  for  excellence  in  original  scientific 
work.— W.  W.  S. 

MOSES  KAHN,  the  only  son  of  Adolph  and  Gertrude  Kahn,  was 
born  in  Frauenburg,  France,  October  12,  1850.  He  was  reared  in  his 
native  town,  and  at  twelve  years  of  age  entered  the  public  schools  in  the 
city  of  Metz,  remaining  about  four  years.  In  July,  1866,  he  came  to 
Bloomington,  Monroe  County,  entered  the  State  University,  and  contin- 
ued one  year.  He  then  entered  the  employ  of  Isaac  Kahn  (his  uncle),  a 
well-known  clothing  merchant  of  Bloomington,  with  whom  he  remained 
two  years;  theo  entered  the  employ  of  Levi  Tannenbaum,  a  clothing 
merchant,  remaining  for  eight  years.  In  August,  1875,  he  formed  a 
partnership  with  Solomon  Tannenbaum  in  the  clothing  business,  contin- 
uing successfully  until  March,  1883,  when  their  store  was  completely 
destroyed  by  fire.  Mr.  Kahn,  being  a  live  business  man,  in  less  than  a 
week  resumed  business,  and  at  present  has  an  extensive  and  lucrative 
trade,  and  carries  a  mammoth  stock  of  clothing,  gents'  furnishing  goods, 
hats,  caps,  etc.  October  30,  1878,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Celia  Hirsch, 
daughter  of  Felix  and  Emma  Hirsch,  citizens  of  Cincinnati,  Ohio.  To 
crown  the  happiness  of  their  married  life,  there  have  been  three  children 
born  to  them—  Gertrude,  Felix  and  Edgar.  He  is  an  active  member  in  the 
order  of  theK.  of  P.,  and  at  present  fills  the  chair  of  Past  Sachem  of  the 
I.  O.  R.  M.,  and  is  Treasurer  of  the  K.  of  H. 

JAMES  KELLY,  eldest  son  and  fourth  child  of  John  and  Catharine 
(Finnegan)  Kelly,  was  born  in  1844,  in  Sligo,  Sligo  County,  Ireland.  He 
was  reared  in  his  native  place,  where  he  was  educated  on  a  farm  and  in 
the  neighborhood.  When  fifteen  years  of  age,  he  came  to  the  United 
States,  and  when  he  landed  at  Castle  Garden,  New  York  City,  he  had  but 
12  cents,  and  remained  there  until  his  sister  in  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  sent 
him  money  enough  to  bring  him  there.  He  then  went  to  Greenville, 
Miss.,  and  was  pressed  into  service  in  the  confederate  army.  In  May, 
1861,  he  enlisted  in  Company  B,  Thirteenth  Arkansas  Volunteers,  and 
served  for  about  eighteen  months.  He  took  part  in  the  following  engage- 
ments: Belmont,  Mo.,  Corinth, Miss.,  Richmond,  Ky.  (in  which  battle  he  was 
shot    in    the  left   side,  and  was  in  the  hospital  for  three  months),  and 


BLOOMINGTON  TOWNSHIP  AND  CITY.  575 

Chattanooga,  after  which  engagement  he  deserted,  and  came  to  Bloom - 
ington.  He  then  began  learning  the  currier's  trade  in  a  tannery  of  John 
Waldron.  where  he  was  engaged  for  eighteen  years.  In  December,  1883, 
he  opened  the  saloon,  where  he  is  at  present  engaged,  doing  a  lucra- 
tive business.  On  October  17,  1807,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Mary 
Mahoney,  a  daughter  of  Timothy  Mahoney,  a  citizen  of  Ladoga,  Ind. 
They  have  five  children — Annie,  John,  Joseph,  James  and  Katie.  Mr. 
Kelly  is  a  Republican,  and  a  prominent  member  of  the  Catholic  Church. 
DANIEL  KIRKWOOD.  "When  I  die  I  want  to  go  where  Prof. 
Kirkwood  goes,"  was  the  simple  eulogy  of  one  of  his  admirers.  What- 
ever may  be  said  of  this  sentiment,  (certain  it  is  that  during  fifty  years 
as  a  teacher,  he  has  gained  from  his  students  such  universal  love  and  ad- 
miration as  few  men  enjoy;  and  while,  as  a  mathematician,  he  has  made 
many  valuable  contributions  to  science,  as  a  genial,  temperate,  and  gen- 
uine man,  he  has  solved  the  problem  of  gracefully  growing  old.  Daniel 
Kirkwood  is  of  Scotch-Irish  descent,  his  grandfather  coming  from  Ire- 
land in  1771,  and  settling  in  Delaware.  His  parents,  John  and  Agnes 
(Hope)  Kirkwood,  were  both  born  in  this  country.  Prof.  Kirkwood  was 
born  in  Harford  County,  Md.,  September  27,  1814.  His  early  life  was 
spent  on  the  farm,  his  first  attendance  at  school  being  in  his  native 
county.  Having  little  taste  for  farming,  he  entered  the  York  County 
Academy  at  York,  Penn. ,  in  1834.  He  was  elected  first  assistant  and 
mathematical  instructor  of  this  institution  in  1838.  W^hile  here  he 
trained  many  students  in  mathematics,  one  of  whom,  Samuel  R.  Frank- 
lin, was  lately  chosen  Superintendent  of  the  Observatory  at  Washington. 
Prof.  Kirkwood  resigned  his  position  in  1843,  to  accept  the  Principalship 
of  the  Lancaster  High  School,  Penn.,  and  a  few  years  later  he  became 
Principal  of  the  Pottsville  Academy.  In  1845,  he  was  married  to  Miss 
Sarah  A.  McNair,  of  Newtown,  Bucks  County,  Penn.  He  was  Pro- 
fessor of  Mathematics  in  Delaware  College  from  1851  to  1856,  the  last 
two  years  of  this  period  being  its  Presideiit.  In  the  latter  year,  he  ac- 
cepted the  chair  of  Mathematics  in  the  Indiana  University.  He  filled 
the  same  position  in  Washington  and  Jefferson  College,  Penn,  in  1866 
and  1867,  when  he  was  recalled  to  his  former  place  in  Indiana.  He  re- 
ceived the  honorary  degree  of  Master  of  Arts  in  1850,  from  Washington 
College,  Penn.,  and  Doctor  of  Laws  in  1852,  from  the  University  of 
Pennsylvania.  He  was  elected  a  member  of  the  American  Philosophical 
Society  in  1851,  and  of  the  American  Association  for  the  Advancement 
of  Science  in  1853.  He  has  been  a  frequent  contributor  to  scientific 
journals  and  other  papers.  He  is  the  author  of  a  well-known  work  on 
"Comets  and  Meteors,"  as  well  as  an  earlier  book  on  "  Meteoric  As- 
tronomy." Prof.  Kirkwood  was  first  introduced  to  the  scientific  world 
by  the  publication,  in  1849,  of  his  analogy  between  the  periods  of  the 
rotations  of  the  primary  planets.  The  law  announced  by  him,  now  known 
as  Kirkwood' 8  Law,  was  received  with  much  interest,  and  was  generally 
regarded  as  an  important  discovery  supporting  the  nebular  hypothesis. 
The  law  pertains  to  the  revolution  of  the  planets  on  their  axes.  Its 
exact  and  formal  expression  is  not  inserted  here,  as  Prof.  Kirkwood  is 
understood  to  be  engaged  in  its  revision.  When  about  fifty  asteroids 
were  known  in  the  solar  system.  Prof.  Kirkwood  conceived  the  notion 
that  in  those  spaces  -vhere  simple  commensurability  with  Jupiter  occurs, 
there  must  be  gaps  in  the  asteroid  zone.  It  was  then,  however,  only  a 
theory,  as  the  number  of  asteroids  sufficient  for  its  verification  were  not 


576  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

known.  Yet,  on  its  first  announcement  it  met  with  favor,  and  Mr.  Proc- 
tor, tlie  eminent  astronomer,  accepting  Prof.  Kirkwood's  notion,  wrote  in 
1870:  "We  may  assume  that  when  many  more  asteroids  have  been  dis- 
covered, the  law  *  *  *  will  appear  more  distinctly."  The  number 
of  asteroids  known  were  then  sufficient  only  to  indicate  the  law,  now  the 
number  discovered  and  orbits  computed,  having  reached  235,  Prof.  Kirk- 
wood  has  shown  that  these  gaps  actually  exist  and  assigned  a  physical 
cause  for  them.  He  originally  published  his  discoveries  concerning 
these  chasms  in  the  Proceedings  of  the  American  Association  for  the  Ad- 
vancement of  Science  in  1866.  Circumstances,  however,  which  need  not 
here  be  stated,  induced  Prof.  Kirkwood  to  give  a  resume  of  his  discus- 
sions in  the  proceedings  of  the  American  Philosophical  Society  for  1883. 
From  this  paper  the  following  is  taken:  "  In  those  parts  of  the  zone  of 
minor  planets,  where  a  simple  relation  of  commensurability  would  obtain 
between  the  period  of  an  asteroid  and  that  of  Jupiter,  the  original  plan- 
etary matter  was  liable  to  great  perturbations.  The  result  of  such  dis- 
turbance by  the  powerful  mass  of  Jupiter  was  the  necessary  formation  of 
gaps  in  the  asteroid  zone."  Prof.  Kirkwood  was  the  first  to  show  that 
the  divisions  of  Saturn's  rings  are  due  to  the  same  cause  as  the  gaps  in 
the  zone  of  asteroids.  The  treatise  of  Dr.  Meyer,  of  Geneva,  on  Sat- 
urn's rings,  published  last  year,  and  leading  to  the  same  or  a  similar  re- 
sult, is  a  gratifying  confirmation  of  Prof.  Kirkwood's  discovery. — J.  S., 
Indiana  University. 

HIEAM  LINDLEY,  born  November  27,  1827,  in  Orange  County, 
Ind.,  is  the  fourth  son  and  seventh  child  in  a  family  of  nine  born  to 
"William  and  Michael  (Hallowell)  Lindley,  natives  of  North  Carolina  and 
South  Carolina  i'espectively.  He  was  reared  on  a  farm  near  Paoli,  where 
he  received  the  rudiments  of  a  good  English  education  in  a  Quaker 
school.  In  1849,  he  purchased  a  water-power  saw  mill,  which  he  ran  for 
about"  three  years.  He  then  followed  carpentering  and  farming  in 
Orange  County  until  1857,  when  he  removed  to  Paoli,  and  purchased  a 
drug  store.  In  1869,  he  sold  out,  and  for  several  years  was  engaged  in 
various  mercantile  pursuits  in  Orange  County.  Removing  thence  to 
Bloomington,  Monroe  County,  he  formed  a  partnership  in  the  drug  bus- 
iness with  M.  F.  Arnold,  soon  after  which  he  purchased  the  other  half 
interest,  and  at  present  enjoys  a  lucrative  trade,  having  a  stock  of  drugs, 
medicines,  paints,  oils,  varnishes,  stationery  and  wall  paper,  etc.  He  served 
four  years  as  Assistant  United  States  Assessor^  and  in  1874  he  was  Gov- 
ernment Storekeeper  at  McCoy's  Distillery  on  Stamper's  Creek,  Orange 
County.  June  23,  1859,  he  was  married  to  Laura  White,  daughter  of 
Dr.  C.  White,  of  Paoli.  They  had  seven  children — Frank,  Edmund, 
AValter,  George,  Mary,  Ernest  and  Anna  L.  His  wife  died  on  April  12, 
1878.  November  27,  1879,  he  married  Elizabeth  Trueblood,  daughter 
of  William  and  Margaret  Trueblood,  residents  of  Orange  County.  They 
have  one  child,  an  infant.  Mr.  Lindley  is  a  Republican,  and  he  and 
wife  are  members  of  the  Quaker  Church. 

JOHN  H.  LOUDEN  was  born  November  24,  1837,  in  Juniata  Coun- 
ty, Penn.  His  parents.  James  and  Jane  (Thompson)  Louden,  were  na- 
tives of  Ireland,  and  oE  Scotch-Irish  extraction.  They  were  reared  in 
Londonderry  County,  where,  in  1829,  they  were  man-ied,  coming  to 
this  country  four  years  later.  They  were  in  Pennsylvania  for  one  year, 
and  then  came  to  Indiana,  locating  in  Fayette  County,  near  Conners- 
ville,  where  the  father  at  present  resides,  the  mother  having  died  in  1846. 


BLOOMINGTON  TOWNSHIP  AND  CITY.  577 

The  father  is  an  Elder  in  the  Eeformed  Presbyterian  Church,  and  has 
done  much  toward  maintaining  its  principles.  John,  the  eldest  son  and 
child,  was  reared  on  the  farm,  in  the  winter  attending  the  district  school 
until  eighteen  years  of  age,  when  he  entered  Dunlapsville  Academy.  He 
remained  for  two  years,  when  he  came  to  Bloomington,  Monroe  County, 
and  entered  the  State  University.  In  1861  and  1862,  he  taught  school 
in  Vienna,  Rush  County,  during  the  winters,  and  in  the  summer  of  1862 
began  reading  law  with  Judge  Read,  of  Connersville;  he  also  assisted 
during  the  same  summer  in  raising  a  company  of  volunteers  for  the 
Fifth  Indiana  Cavalry.  He  went  to  Indianapolis  with  them  later  on, 
but,  being  taken  sick,  was  obliged  to  return  to  his  home.  In  March, 
1863,  he  married  Lizzie  C.  Hemphill,  daughter  of  James  Hemphill. 
They  have  two  sons  and  one  daughter.  In  July,  after  his  marriage,  he 
took  his  wife  to  Bloomington,  Monroe  Co.,  Ind.,  with  the  intention  of 
completing  his  studies.  He  had  for  some  time  charge  of  the  Repub- 
lican, the  only  newspaper  at  that  time  published  in  Bloomington.  In 
the  meantime,  he  commenced  reading  law  with  Judge  Hughes.  In  1863- 
64,  he  was  in  the  Law  .Department  of  the  State  University,  and  graduated 
in  the  spring  of  1864.  Immediately  being  admitted  to  the  bar,  he  began 
the  regular  practice  in  Bloomington.  He  has  been  in  partnership  with  Capt. 
John  M.  McCoy,  now  of  Dallas,  Texas,  with  Frank  Wilson  and  the  Hon.  M. 
F.  Dunn,  and  in  February,  1876,  he  entered  into  a  partnership  with  R.  W. 
Miers,  which  tirm  still  continues.  He  has  never  been  a  candidate  for 
office,  but  devotes  himself  with  the  utmost  zeal  to  his  profession,  and  is 
one  of  Indiana's  most  eminent  practitioners. 

BENJAMIN  McGEE,  one  o  f  the  oldest  and  most  successful  business 
men  of  Bloomington,  was  born  in  Spencer  County,  Ky.,  in  1819.  He 
was  the  second  son  in  a  family  of  four  children  born  to  William  and 
Charity  (Riggs)  McGee.  When  seven  years  of  age,  he  was  brought  by 
his  parents  to  Spencer,  Owen  Co.,  Ind.,  and  while  still  a  boy  began 
learning  the  tailoring  trade  with  his  step-father,  with  whom  he  remained 
until  he  was  sixteen  years  of  age,  at  which  time  he  engaged  in  the  tailor- 
ing business  in  Spencer  for  himself,  continuing  successfully  for  several 
years.  He  then  formed  a  partnership  with  R.  G.  Overstreet  in  the  mer- 
chant tailoring  and  clothing  business.  In  1851,  he  came  to  Bloomington 
for  his  health,  and  was  prevailed  upon  by  his  friends  to  locate  here.  He 
opened  a  tailor  shop,  and  in  1852  formed  a  partnership  with  John  W. 
Davis  in  the  clothing  business,  running  in  connection  with  it  a  merchant 
tailoring  department.  Four  years  later,  he  purchased  his  partner's  in- 
terest, and  for  twenty-eight  years  has  conducted  the  business  alone,  and 
has  at  present  an  immense  clothing  establishment.  His  reputation  as  a 
successful  cutter  is  known  far  and  near,  and  he  has  a  large  foreign  trade, 
sending  suits  to  Washington,  D.  C,  Eureka  Springs,  Ark.,  and  many 
other  cities.  He  married  Verlinda  Buskirk,  daughter  of  Abram  Buskirk, 
one  of  the  earliest  pioneers  of  Monroe  County.  By  this  union  there  have 
been  born  to  them  five  children — Charles  E.,  Florence,  Ben  A.,  Edward 
L.  and  ThomasE.  He  and  his  wife  are  active  members  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church. 

B.  A.  McGEE  was  born  July  26,  1851,  in  Bloomington,  Monroe  Co., 
Ind.  His  parents  are  Benjamin  and  Verlinda  V.  (Buskirk)  McGee, 
natives  of  Kentucky  and  Indiana  respectively.  Our  subject  is  the  second 
sou  and  third  child  in  family,  and  was  reared  in  Bloomington,  where  he 
was  educated.     When  sixteen  years  of    age,  he  entered  the  State  Univer- 


578  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES  : 

sitv,  remaining  two  years.  He  then  entered  the  Bryant  &  Stratton  Com- 
mercial College,  at  Louisville,  whence  he  graduated  in  August,  1869. 
He  then  went  into  his  father's  clothing  store  and  remained  until  Febru- 
ary, 1874,  at  w^hich  time  he  entered  the  office  of  Dr.  W.  F.  Allison, 
dentist,  of  Bloomington,  and  began  learning  dentistry.  October  1,  1874, 
he  entered  the  Ohio  College  of  Dental  Surgery,  at  Cincinnati,  where  he 
stayed  till  the  spring  of  1875,  going  thence  to  Louisville.  He  studied 
dentistry  with  Dr.  J.  F.  Canine,  and  in  September  he  went  to  Rockport, 
Ind.,  and  entered  the  regular  practice  there.  Two  years  later,  he  came 
to  Bloomington,  and  in  December,  1877,  opened  a  dental  office,  which  he 
at  present  has,  and  is  doing  a  lucrative  business.  In  May,  1883,  he  was 
elected  to  the  Council;  and  is  at  present  holding  that  position.  In  Sep- 
tember, 1872,  he  married  Alice  Norman,  daughter  of  Joseph  and  Susan 
Norman,  residents  of  Lawrence  County,  Ind.  They  have  three  children 
— Van  Norman,  Proctor  R.  and  Alice  B.  Mr.  McGee  is  a  member  of 
the  K.  of  H. ,  and  of  I.  O.  O.  F.  He  is  also  a  member  of  the  Methodist 
Church.     Politically,  he  is  a  Republican. 

J.  M.  McGEE,  a  native  of  Ohio,  was  born  in  Caldwell.  Noble 
County,  on  January  2,  1850.  His  parents,  Andrew  and  Sarah  (Smith) 
McGee,  were  born  in  Pennsylvania  and  Ohio  respectively-  They  were 
married  in  1844,  in  Ohio,  and  settled  on  a  farm  in  Noble  County,  where 
they  lived  until  the  death  of  the  father,  which  occurred  October  3 1,  1859. 
The  mother  still  lives  on  the  old  homestead.  The  subject  of  this  sketch 
is  the  second  son  and  third  child  in  a  family  of  seven  children,  and  was 
reared  in  his  native  county,  where  he  lived  until  1861.  He  then  went 
to  live  with  his  uncle  for  three  years,  after  which  he  began  working  in 
the  oil  regions,  in  which  he  continued  for  one  year.  He  then  entered 
Sharon  College,  at  Sharon,  Ohio,  remaining  for  two  years.  In  the  fall 
of  1868,  he  came  to  Indiana,  and  engaged  for  nine  months  in  the  saw 
mill  business.  After  leaving  the  saw  mill,  he  began  teaching  school  in 
Brown  County,  afterward  teaching  in  Brownville.  Neb.,  for  eighteen 
months,  and  returning  to  Brown  County  in  1871.  He  was  engaged  in 
the  drug  biisiness  for  some  time  in  Nashville,  and  in  June,  1873,  he  was 
elected  County  Superintendent  of  Brown  County  Schools.  In  1875,  he 
was  re  elected,  and  two  years  later  came  to  Bloomington,  Monroe  County, 
and  engaged  in  the  drug  business  again.  In  June,  1879,  he  was  elected 
County  School  Superintendent,  re-elected  in  1881,  and  again  in  1883,  at 
present  being  engaged  in  the  faithful  discharge  of  his  duties.  October 
12,  1873,  he  married  Eliza  Taylor,  of  Morgan  County.  She  died  in 
April,  1875,  and  two  years  later  he  married  N.  E.  Buskirk,  daughter  of 
William  H.  Buskirk,  the  oldest  living  settler  in  Monroe  County.  They 
have  two  children,  Max  and  Frank.  Mr.  McGee  is  a  member  of  the  A. , 
F.  &  A.  M.,  and  of  the  K.  of  H.  He  is  an  active  member  of  the  Meth- 
odist Church,  and  politically  is  a  Demof^rat. 

REV.  WILLIAM  POLLOCK  McNARY  was  born  in  Washington 
County,  Penn.,  the  16th  day  of  September,  1839.  His  father's  name  was 
William  Hill  McNary,  and  his  mother's  maiden  name  Margaret  Murray; 
the  daughter  of  George  Murray,  of  the  Murray  Hill  farm,  two  miles  east 
of  Cannonsburg.  Our  subject's  ancestry  were  Scotch-Irish  on  both 
sides  of  the  house.  His  great-great-grandfather,  James  McNary,  who 
was  the  head  of  the  largest  family  of  McNarys  in  this  country,  was  bora 
in  Scotland  about  the  year  1711.  The  family  came  to  this  country 
about  the  year  1760,  and  settled  in  York  County,  Penn.     He  had  a  wife, 


BLOOMINGTON  TOWNSHIP  AND  CITY.  579 

a  daughter  and  four  sons.  Three  of  these  sons  moved  to  Washington 
County,  Penn.  John  McNary,  the  grandfather  of  our  svibject,  who  was 
the  eldest  son  of  John,  of  York  County,  brought  the  family  to  the  new 
farm  in  Washington  County,  after  his  father's  death,  and  it  is  still  in  the 
possession  of  his  son  James.  William  Hill  McNary,  the  father  of  our 
subject,  was  born  on  the  farm  mentioned  above,  on  the  26th  day  of  No- 
vember, 1805.  He  was  an  Abolitionist,  until  that  party  merged 
into  the  Republican  party.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Pittsburgh  Conven- 
tion in  1856,  at  which  the  Republican  party  of  Pennsylvania  was  organ- 
ized, and  was  a  stanch  Republican  until  his  death.  Rev.  W.  P.  McNary, 
the  subject  of  this  sketch,  is  the  third  son  now  living.  He  spent  his 
boyhood  on  the  old  farm  and  received  his  common  school  education  in  a 
little  brick  schoolhouse  on  the  home  premises.  In  1856,  he  went  to  an 
academy  at  Wilkinsburg,  Penn.,  to  prepare  for  college,  and  in  1858  en- 
tered the  sophomore  class  in  Jefferson  College  at  Cannonsburg,  Penn., 
where  he  graduated  in  the  class  of  1861.  In  April,  1861,  on  the  tirsr 
call  for  75,000  troops,  he  enlisted  for  the  war.  His  company  not  getting 
into  camp  in  time  for  the  first  call,  he  enlisted  for  three  years  in  Com- 
pany D,  Tenth  Regiment  Pennsylvania  Reserve  Corps  as  a  private, 
from  which  he  was  promoted  to  Corporal  and  then  to  Sergeant.  On  ac- 
count of  bravery  on  the  battle-field,  he  was  promoted  by  Gov.  A.  G.  Cur- 
tin,  of  Pennsylvania,  ^to  the  position  of  Adjutant  of  the  One  Hundred  and 
Twenty-third  Regiment  Pennsylvania  Volunteers.  This  was  a  nine 
months'  regiment,  and  its  time  expired  March  2,  1863.  He  was  scarcely 
home  when  there  was  a  call  for  troops  for  100  days,  to  be  mustered  into 
United  States  service  for  the  protection  of  Pennsylvania  against  threat- 
ened invasion.  He  raised  a  company,  of  which  he  was  made  Captain, 
and  on  the  forming  of  a  regiment  he  was  commissioned  Lieutenant 
Colonel  of  the  Fifty-eighth  Pennsylvania  Militia  for  United  States  service. 
In  this  capacity  he  went  out  in  the  campaign  against  Col.  John  Morgan, 
and  was  present  at  the  capture  of  Morgan's  forces.  He  spent  the  winter 
of  1863-64,  at  the  theological  seminary.  During  the  spring  vacation, 
there  was  another  call  for  troops  for  100  days,  and  his  old  Colonel,  J.  B. 
Clark,  having  raised  a  regiment,  offered  him  his  old  position  of  Adjutant 
of  the  One  Hundred  and  Ninety-third  Pennsylvania  Volunteers,  and  in 
that  capacity  he  served  another  100  days  in  the  summer  of  1864.  In  the 
Tenth  Pennsylvania  Reserved  Corps,  he  participated  in  the  battles  of 
Drainsville,  Maysville,  Cold  Harbor  or  Gainsmills,  (^hickahominy,  Mal- 
vern Hill  and  Antietam.  In  tlie  One  Hundred  and  Twenty-third  Regi- 
ment Pennsylvania  Volunteers,  in  the  battles  of  Fredericksburg  and 
Chancellorville.  Returning  to  the  seminary  in  the  fall  of  1864,  he 
finished  his  course  in  March,  1866,  and  after  a  short  itinerancy  became 
pastor  of  the  United  Presbyterian  congregation  of  Leavenworth,  Kan., 
where  he  remained  until  the  fall  of  1869.  In  August,  1870,  he  became 
pastor  of  the  United  Presbyterian  Church  of  Bloomington,  Ind.,  in  which 
capacity  he  has  continued  until  the  present  time.  In  June,  1880,  with- 
out his  knowledge  or  consent,  he  was  elected  Trustee  of  the  public 
schools  of  the  city  of  Bloomington,  which  position  he  held  for  three 
years.  On  the  17th  of  June,  1880,  he  was  nominated  by  the  Republican 
State  Convention  an  Elector  for  the  Eighth  Congressional  District  of 
Indiana.  During  the  campaign  of  that  year,  he  made  twenty -two  speeches 
for  Garfield  and  Arthur,  speaking  in  eight  counties  of  the  State.  He 
met   with  the  Electoral  College  on  December  1,  1880,    and   voted  for 


580  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

Garfield  and  Arthur.  On  the  27th  of  September,  1866,  he  married 
Elizabeth  Graham,  of  Wilkinsburg,  Allegheny  Co.,  Penn.,  daughter  of 
James  Graham,  deceased.  Mrs.  McNary's  mother's  maiden  name  was 
Eliza  Macfarlane.  She  still  lives  on  the  old  homestead  in  Allegheny 
County,  Penn.  In  December,  1883,  Mr.  McNary  and  Rev.  A.  H.  Har- 
shaw  formed  a  partnership  for  the  purpose  of  publishing  a  religious 
weekly  paper  at  St.  Louis,  Mo.,  to  be  called  the  Midland,  in  which  he  is 
now  engaged  in  connection  with  the  pastorate  of  the  church  at  Bloom- 
ington. 

■  DR.  J.  G.  McPHEETERS,  a  native  of  Kentucky,  was  born  in 
Fayette  County  January  21,  1811.  He  is  the  eldest  son  of  six  children 
born  to  Charles  and  Martha  (Glass)  McPheeters,  natives  of  Virginia. 
In  1829,  he  entered  Centre  College,  at  Danville,  Ky.,  and  one  year  later 
came  to  Madison,  Ind.,  entered  a  classical  school  there,  and  remained 
until  the  spring  of  1831,  when  he  came  to  Bloomington,  and  entered  the 
State  University,  from  which  he  graduated  in  1834.  During  the  follow- 
ing year,  he  taught  in  the  preparatory  department  of  this  institution, 
then  for  some  time  taught  a  subscription  school  at  Madison,  Ind.  Early 
in  1836,  he  returned  to  Kentucky,  and  for  two  years  engaged  in  farming 
on  the  old  home  farm.  In  1838,  he  began  the  study  of  medicine  with 
Dr.  Lloyd  Warfield,  of  Lexington,  Ky. ;  after  one  year  returned  to 
Bloomington,  Ind.,  and  resumed  his  studies  with  Dr.  D.  H.  Maxwell, 
Late  in  1839,  he  returned  to  Lexington,  Ky.,  and  entered  the  Transyl- 
vania Medical  College,  graduating  with  honors  soon  after.  In  the  spring 
of  1840,  he  began  the  regular  practice  of  medicine  at  Morgantown,  Mor- 
gan Co.,  Ind.  The  next  year  he  came  to  Bloomington,  and  formed  a 
partnership  with  Dr.  J.  D.  Maxwell,  which  lasted  until  January,  1850. 
In  August,  1861,  he  entered  the  army  as  Surgeon  of  the  Fourteenth  In- 
diana Volunteers,  and  served  over  three  years.  Having  been  kept  so 
constantly  in  charge  of  hospitals  in  various  parts  of  the  South,  his 
health  became  impaired,  and  on  September  16,  1864,  he  received  an 
honorable  discharge  for  disability,  returning  at  once  to  Bloomington, 
where  he  resumed  the  practice  of  his  profession.  In  June,  1836,  he  was 
married  to  Miss  Clara  M.  Dunn,  daughter  of  Samuel  Dunn,  a  pioneer  of 
Monroe  County.  Hh  is  a  prominent  member  of  the  Royal  Arch  Masons, 
of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  and  an  old-time  Republican. 

J.  G.  McPHEETERS,  Jr.,  was  born  on  August  26,  1839,  in  Morgan 
County,  Ind.  He  is  the  eldest  son  and  second  child  of  Joseph  G.  and 
Clara  (Dunn)  McPheeters,  natives  of  Kentucky.  The  subject  of  this 
sketch  was  reared  at  home  in  Bloomington,  where  he  acquired  the  rudi- 
ments of  a  good  English  education  in  the  gi-aded  schools  of  Blooming- 
ton. When  seventeen  years  of  age,  he  entered  the  State  University, 
where  be  remained  for  five  years,  but  was  compelled  to  quit  on  account 
of  ill  health.  In  April,  1863,  he  was  appointed  Mail  Agent  on  the  L., 
N.  A.'&C.  R.  R.,  running  between  La  Fayette,  Ind.,  and  Louisville,  Ky., 
continuing  for  two  years.  On  the  22d  day  of  April,  1875,  he  was  com- 
missioned Postmaster  of  Bloomington,  and  is  at  present  so  engaged, 
faithful  in  the  discharge  of  the  duties  devolving  upon  him.  On  January 
15,  1873,  he  was  married,  in  Terre  Haute,  by  Rev.  E.  Frank  Howe,  to 
Miss  Amelia  B.  Collum,  a  daughter  of  Orson  Barber,  a  well-known  pio- 
neer lawyer  of  Terre  Haute.  Mr.  McPheeters  served  as  Chairman  of  the 
Republican  Central  Committee,  and  has  also  served  as  Secretary  for 
eighteen  years.      He  is  a  member  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F.,  Cecelia  Lodge,  No. 


BLOOMINGTON  TOWNSHIP  AND  CITY.  581 

166;  also  of  the  A.,  F.  &  A.  M.,  Monroe  Lodge,  No.  22,  and  of  the  Pres- 
byterian Church;  his  wife  is  a  member  of  the  Episcopal  Church.  Polit- 
ically, he  is  a  Republican. 

CHARLES  H.  McPHEETERS  was  born  March  25,  1846,  in  Blooming- 
ton,  Monroe  County,  Ind.,  and  is  the  youngest  child  of  Dr.  J.  G.  and 
Clara  M.  (Dunn)  McPheeters.  He  was  reared  in  Bloomington,  where  he 
was  educated  in  the  public  schools.  When  fourteen  years  of  age,  he 
entered  the  employ  of  a  hardware  merchant,  with  whom  he  remained  for 
thii'teen  years,  during  which  time  he  worked  with  him  for  sixteen  months 
in  Bloomfield,  Greene  County,  Ind.  In  January,  1871,  he  became  part- 
ner of  William  Stuart  in  the  hardware  business,  which  firm  continued 
until  October,  1883,  when  Mr.  Stuart  sold  his  interest  to  J.  W.  Shoemaker, 
and  the  business  is  now  being  carried  on  under  the  firm  name  of  Mc- 
Pheeters &  Shoemaker.  In  1871,  he  was  appointed  Town  Treasurer,  to 
fill  the  unexpired  term  of  James  Manley,  and  in  1872  was  elected  to  the 
same  office.  He  was  re-elected  in  1873,  and  held  the  office  for  seven 
years.  On  November  5,  1868,  he  was  united  by  marriage  to  Cleopatra 
Stuart,  daughter  of  William  Stuart.  They  have  two  children— Grace 
and  Mary.  Mr.  McPheeters  is  a  member  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F.,  and  in  pol- 
itics is  a  Republican.  He  and  wife  are  active  workers  in  the  Methodist 
Church. 

JAMES  F.  MANLEY  was  born  October  8,  1840,  in  Salem,  Washing- 
ton County,  Ind.  He  is  the  eldest  son  and  second  child  of  John  and 
Arminda  (Tannehill)  Manley,  natives  of  England  and  North  Carolina 
respectively.  He  was  reared  in  his  native  place,  where  he  was  educated, 
and  in  August,  1861,  enlisted  in  Company  D,  Thirty-eighth  Indiana 
Volunteers,  under  Capt.  James  B.  Glover.  He  served  nearly  two  years, 
and  took  part  in  the  lights  at  Perry vi  lie  and  Stone  River,  in  which 
last  engagement  he  received  a  gunshot  wound  in  the  left  arm,  necessi- 
tating its  amputation;  he  then  received  an  honorable  discharge.  On 
June  25,  1863,  he  married  Cornelia  J.  Stuart,  daughter  of  William  Stu- 
art, a  respected  citizen  of  Bloomington.  One  month  later,  he  formed  a 
partnership  with  William  Stuart  in  the  hardware  business,  continuing 
until  February,  1871.  In  1868,  he  was  elected  Town  Treasurer,  and 
served  for  three  years  faithfully.  October,  1870,  he  was  elected  County 
Auditor  on  the  Republican  ticket,  and  took  his  office  in  November,  1871. 
He  was  re-elected  in  1874,  and  served  until  November,  1879.  He  has 
also  served  as  Deputy  County  Treasurer  for  two  years,  and  has  now 
retired  from  business.  His  wife  is  an  active  member  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church.      They  have  two  childi'en — Ida  M.  and  John. 

JOHN  MARTIN,  born  in  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  December  31,  1836,  is 
the  sixth  son  and  eighth  child  in  a,  family  of  twelve  children.  His 
parents,  Henry  and  Sarah  (Souders)  Martin,  were  natives  of  Pennsylvania 
and  New  Jersey  respectively.  His  father  was  for  a  number  of  years  a 
pork  packer  in  Cincinnati,  and  for  fifteen  a  grocer  of  that  place.  He 
died  there  on  April  3,  1872.  His  mother  died  in  June,  1861.  The  sub- 
ject of  this  sketch  was  reared  in  his  native  place,  where  he  was  educated, 
and  when  twenty-one  years  of  age  he  went  to  Kansas,  remaining  for 
three  years.  Returning  to  Cincinnati,  he  entered  the  employ  of  his  uncle, 
John  Savage,  a  prominent  pork  packer,  with  whom  he  remained  for  four 
years.  He  then  formed  a  partnership  with  his  brother  James  in  the 
tanning  business,  in  which  he  continued  for  some  time,  when  he  sold  out 
his  interest,  and  became  agent  for  a  sewing  machine  company,  afterward 


582  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

engaging  in  the  manufacture  of  lubricators.  In  1871,  he  moved  to  Mar- 
tinsville, where  he  remained  for  ten  years  in  the  timber  business,  after 
which  he  was  with  Robert  Gilmore,  the  Recorder  of  Monroe  County, 
remaining  until  the  expiration  of  the  term  of  office.  He  is  now  assisting 
the  present  Recorder  of  Monroe  County.  On  May  18,  1872,  he  was  mar- 
ried to  Lizzie  J.  Gilmore,  daughter  of  James  and  Alicia  Gilmore,  prom- 
inent citizens  of  Monroe  County.  They  have  two  children — Ella  S.  and 
Robert.  He  is  an  active  member  of  the  Republican  party,  and  is  highly 
respected  by  all  who  know  him. 

DR.  .JAMES  D.  MAXWELL,  Sr.,  eldest  son  and  third  child  of 
David  H.  and  Mary  (Dunn)  Maxwell,  was  born  May  19,  1815,  near  Han- 
over, Jefferson  County,  Ind.  His  parents  were  natives  of  Kentucky,  and 
came  to  Indiana  in^l809,  locating  in  what  is  now  Jefferson  County,  where 
they  remained  for  ten  years.  Removing  then  to  Monroe  County,  they 
settled  on  the  lot  now  occupied  by  the  "National  House,"  the  father 
being  the  first  physician  ever  in  Bloomington.  He  served  as  Postmaster 
for  eight  years,  and  died  May  24,  1854.  His  widow  died  March  18, 
1880,  at  the  advanced  age  of  ninety-three  years.  David  H.  Maxwell 
was  a  member  of  the  First  Constitutional  Convention  at  Corydon,  Ind., 
in  1816  and  drew  up  the  constituticm.  He  was  also  Surgeon  in  Capt. 
Dann's  Company  in  1812.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  came  with  his 
parents  to  Monroe  County,  and  eight  years  later  entered  the  seminary  at 
Bloomington,  where  he  graduated  in  the  fall  of  18H3,  afterward  teaching 
for  two  years  in  a  preparatory  department  in  the  college.  He  then  went 
to  Clinton,  Miss.,  and  taught  for  one  year,  when,  returning  to  Bloom- 
ington, he  studied  medicine  with  his  father  for  two  years,  during  which 
time  he  attended  a  course  of  lectures  at  Transylvania  Medical  College, 
at  Lexington,  Ky.  Returning  thence,  he  entered  into  regular  practice 
with  his  father  in  Bloomington,  and  about  one  year  later  formed  a  part- 
nership with  Dr.  J.  G.  McPheeters,  continuing  for  about  nine  years,  when 
he  dissolved  the  partnership  and  has  since  been  in  practice  alone.  He 
has  been  Secretary  and  Trustee  of  the  college  for  the  past  thirty  years. 
On  July  6,  1843,  he  was  married  to  Louisa  J.  Howe,  daughter  of  Joshua 
O.  Howe,  a  pioneer  of  Monroe  County.  They  have  ten  children — Emma 
M.,  Mary  E.,  Howard,  Allison.  James  D.,  D.  H.,  Anna,  Louisa  A.,  Fannie 
B.  and  Juliette.  Dr.  Maxwell  is  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  Church, 
and  politically  he  is  a  Republican. 

JOHN  F.  MAY,  a  native  of  Monroe  County,  Ind. ,  was  born  in  Perry 
Township  February  16,  1828.  His  parents,  David  and  Sarah  (May) 
May,  were  married  in  Monroe  County  in  April,  1826,  and  located  on  a 
farm  in  Perry  Township,  where  they  at  present  reside.  The  father  is 
eighty  years  of  age,  and  the  mother  eighty  four.  They  were  among  the 
earliest  settlers  in  the  county.  John  was  the  eldest  son  and  child  in  a 
family  of  six  children,  and  was  reared  in  his  native  place,  where  he  was 
educated  in  the  subscription  schools.  He  afterward  entered  the  State 
University  at  Bloomington,  after  which  he  taught  school  in  Perry  and  Van 
Buren  Townships.  On  October  5,  1852,  he  was  married  to  Elizabeth 
Campbell,  daughter  of  John  and  Jennie  Campbell,  pioneers  of  Monroe 
County.  After  his  marriage,  he  settled  on  a  farm  in  Perry  Township,  where 
he  remained  for  five  years.  He  then  sold  it  and  purchased  a  fann  of  one 
hundred  and  sixty  acres,  where  he  farmed  for  ten  years.  He  was  then 
in  Perry  Township  for  some  time,  where  he  finally  purchased  one  hun- 
dred and  seventy-five  acres   of    land,  which  be  at  present  owns.       His 


BLOOMINGTON  TOWNSHIP  AND  CITY.  583 

first  wife  died  on  September  24,  1864,  and  two  years  later  he  was  mar- 
ried in  Bloomington,  111.,  to  Carolina  Force,  daughter  of  Peter  Weed,  a 
citizen  of  Bloomington.  In  1875,  he  removed  to  Bloomington,  Ind., 
and  followed  farming  and  trading  for  four  years,  when  he  purchased  an 
interest  in  the  livery  business  with  J.  C.  Worley,  and  continued  until 
January  1,  1884,  when  J.  C.  Worley  sold  his  interest  to  John  H.  Cole, 
and  the  business  is  now  under  the  firm  name  of  May  &  Cole.  Mr.  May 
and  wife  are  members  of  the  Christian  Church.  Politically,  he  is  a  Re- 
publican, and  a  prominent  member  in  the  party,  and  highly  esteemed  in 
his  community. 

ROBERT  W.  MIERS,  eldest  son  and  second  child  of  Thomas  S. 
.and  Mahala  (Braden)  Miers,  natives  of  Indiana,  was  born  January  27, 
1848,  in  Decatur  County,  Ind.  His  father  farmed  until  1880,  when  he 
removed  to  Greensburg,  where  he  and  his  wife  at  present  reside.  The 
subject  of  this  sketch  was  reared  on  the  old  home  farm,  and  received  a 
good  education  in  the  district  schools.  When  sixteen  years  of  age,  he 
began  teaching  in  Decatur  County.  During  the  three  succeeding  winters, 
he  attended  school  at  Hartsville,  Ind.,  and  in  September,  1868,  entered 
the  State  University,  whence  he  graduated  in  1871.  One  year  later,  he 
graduated  from  the  law  department,  and  in  the  fall  following,  was 
admitted  to  the  regular  practice  at  Bloomington.  In  the  spring  of  1874, 
he  became  partner  of  Judge  Echols,  and  one  year  later  was  elected  Pros- 
ecuting Attorney,  on  the  Democratic  ticket,  and  re-elected  in  1878.  He 
was  elected  to  the  Legislature  soon  after,  and  subsequently  began  the 
practice  of  his  profession.  He  is  now  in  partnership  with  J.  H.  Louden, 
and  has  a  lucrative  practice.  On  May  9,  1872,  he  married  Miss  Belle 
Ryors,  daughter  of  Dr.  Ryors,  ex-President  of  the  State  University. 
They  have  two  children.  Bertha  and  Daniel  K.  Mr.  Miers  is  a  stanch 
member  of  the  Republican  party,  and  is  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church. 

ELI  K.  MILLEN,  a  native  of  Monroe  County,  Ind.,  was  born  Feb- 
ruary 26,  1837,  two  miles  north  of  Bloomington.  His  parents,  James 
and  Hannah  (Millen)  Millen,  natives  of  South  Carolina,  came  to  Monroe 
County  in  1834,  and  located  on  a  farm  near  Bloomington  where  the 
father  continued  until  1838;  afterward  moving  to  Bloomiagton,  but 
still  managing  his  farm  until  1854,  when  he  purchased  a  general  mer- 
chandise stock.  He  continued  in  this  business  for  sixteen  years;  then 
sold  out  and  at  present  resides  in  Bloomington.  The  subject  of  this 
sketch  is  the  youngest  of  three  children,  and  was  reared  in  Bloomington. 
When  twelve  years  of  age,  he  entered  preparatory  department  of  the  State 
University,  and  four  years  later  he  entered  the  law  department,  from 
which  he  graduated  in  the  spring  of  1858.  In  the  following  fall,  he  was 
elected  Prosecuting  Attorney,  for  the  district  comprising  Monroe,  Morgan 
and  Brown  Counties,  in  which  capacity  he  served  for  two  years,  after 
which  he  began  the  regular  practice  of  law,  and  at  present  is  success- 
fully engaged  in  the  same.  Mr.  Millen  is  considered  one  of  the  best 
posted  attorneys  in  Bloomington,  and  often  acts  as  Special  Judge  of 
Monroe  County,  He  is  a  member  of  the  K.  of  P.,  Fraaklin  Lodge,  No. 
22,  and  has  tilled  all  the  chairs  in  this  lodge.  He  is  an  active  politician 
in  the  Democratic  party,  and  is  highly  respected  by  all  who  know  him. 

C.  B.  MITCHELL,  youngest  son  of  John  and  Phoebe  (Dye)  Mitchell, 
natives  of  Indiana,  was  born  December  16,  1858,  in  Lawrence  County, 
Ind.      He  was  reared  in  his  native  county,  where  his  education  began, 


584  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

until  his  tenth  year,  when  he  came  with  his  mother  to  Bloomington,  and 
attended  the  public  schools  here.  In  1874,  he  entered  the  employ  of 
C.  P.  Tuley,  a  dry  goods  merchant,  with  whom  he  remained  for  three 
years,  at  which  time  he  was  employed  by  Clark  &  Wicks  for  three  years. 
Late  in  the  fall  of  1879,  ho  purchased  one-third  interest  in  the  general 
merchandise  business,  with  "VV.  W.  Wicks  and  R.  M.  Gamble,  and  con- 
tinued with  them  in  a  large  dry  goods  and  grocery  store  for  three  years. 
In  January,  1882,  Mr.  Gamble  sold  his  interest  to  the  other  partners  of 
the  firm  leaving  Wicks  &  Mitchell.  On  January  1,  1883,  Mr.  Mitchell 
sold  his  interest  to  W,  Wicks,  and  entered  the  employ  of  McCord  & 
Aydelott,  wholesale  hatters  of  Louisville,  as  traveling  salesman,  of  which 
he  has  since  made  quite  a  success.  He  is  a  good,  young  business  man, 
moral  and  upright.  On  July  4,  1883,  he  was  united  by  marriage  to  Miss 
Anna  Couk,  a  native  of  New  Albany,  Ind.  Mr.  Mitchell  is  a  member  of 
the  I.  O.  O.  F.,  and  is  politically  a  Democrat. 

JAMES  F.  MORGAN  was  born  in  Harrodsburg,  Monroe  Co.,  Ind., 
March  17^  1855.  His  parents,  John  W.  and  Mary  A.  (Gentry)  Morgan, 
are  also  natives  of  Monroe  County.  They  were  married  in  Monroe  County 
on  February  29,  1849,  and  located  on  a  farm  in  Indian  Creek  Township, 
where  they  at  present  reside.  The  grandparents  of  our  subject  settled  in 
Indian  Creek  Township  in  1818,  and  at  present  live  on  the  same  farm  of 
120  acres  which  they  entered  sixty-two  years  ago,  aged  respectively 
eighty- five  and  seventy- eight  years.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  the 
eldest  son  and  second  child  in  a  family  of  nine  children,  and  was  reared 
on  the  old  home  farm  until  sixteen  years  of  age.  He  obtained  the  rudi- 
ments of  a  good  education  in  the  district  schools;  he  also  attended  the 
schools  at  Harrodsburg  for  one  year.  He  then  taught  school  to  make 
money  to  enable  him  to  enter  the  State  University,  which  he  did  in  Sep- 
tember, 1874,  remained  for  one  term,  and  then  resumed  teaching.  In 
1877,  he  entered  the  Northern  Indiana  Normal  at  Valparaiso,  Ind.,  whence 
he  graduated  in  the  Teachers'  Department  in  June,  1878.  In  the  fall 
following,  he  was  elected  Principal  of  the  Stinesville  (Ind.)  Schools, 
and  resigned  during  his  second  term  to  accept  a  better  one  in  the  Rock- 
ville  (Ind.)  Schools.  In  June,  1881,  he  entered  the  law  office  of  Buskirk 
&  Duncan,  of  Bloomington,  and  in  July  following  was  appointed  Deputy 
Prosecuting  Attorney  of  Monroe  County  by  Judge  Mavity  (whose  term 
expired  in  October,  1881),  and  was  re-appointed  by  H.  C.  Duncan,  his 
successor,  and  served  until  October  1,  1883.  After  the  expiration  of  this 
term  of  office,  he  entered  the  regular  practice  of  law,  and  has  since  been 
so  engaged,  and  is  also  extensively  engaged  in  real  estate.  He  is  also 
representing  several  of  the  most  prominent  insurance  companies  in  the 
world.  Politically,  he  is  a  Democrat.  He  was  married  November  13, 
1883,  to  Carrie  B.  Hamilton,  daughter  of  Henry  B.  and  Margaret  J.  Ham- 
ilton, residents  of  Salem,  Ind.  He  and  wife  are  prominent  members  of 
society.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Church,  and  his  wife  of  the 
Christian  Church. 

MAJ.  JAMES  B.  MULKY,  a  native  of  Indiana,  was  born  on  October 
4,  1827,  in  Crawford  County.  His  parents,  James  and  Elizabeth  (Wy- 
man)  Mulky,  natives  of  Kentucky,  were  married  in  1815,  and  located  on 
a  farm  in  Crawford  County,  Ind.,  reroaining  until  1834,  when  they  re- 
moved to  a  farm  in  Washington  Township,  Moni'oe  County.  The  father's 
death  occurred  in  September,  1851;  the  mother  died  in  June,  1867. 
James  B.  Mulky  is  the  second  son  and  fifth  child  in  the  family.     He  was 


BLOOMI^GTON  TOWNSHIP  AND  CITY.  585 

reared  in  Monroe  County,  where  he  attended  subscription  schools,  and 
when  he  was  sixteen  years  of  age  he  went  to  a  school  near  Milltown, 
Ind.  (to  learn  English  grammar),  where  he  remained  for  five  months.  In 
May,  1844,  he  began  teaching  subscription  schools  in  Owen  County,  con- 
tinuing for  nine  months.  In  the  January  following,  he  entered  the  State 
University  and  remained  until  October,  when  he  went  to  Georgetown, 
Ind. ,  and  taught  school  for  some  time.  He  then  enlisted  in  Company  A, 
Second  Regiment,  Spencer  Grays,  of  New  Albany,  for  the  Mexican  war, 
and  served  one  year.  In  July,  1847,  he  received  his  discharge  and  re- 
turned home,  where  he  began  teaching  again  in  Monroe  County,  and 
three  months  later  he  went  to  Spencer  and  taught  in  the  old  County  Sem- 
inary for  six  months.  He  went  thence  to  Iowa  in  May,  1848,  and  en- 
tered 160  acres  of  land,  near  Knoxville,  Marion  County;  returning  thence 
to  Spencer,  he  toot  charge  of  his  father's  farm.  In  1852,  he  came  to 
Bloomington  and  entered  the  drug  business,  then  farmed  a  while;  after- 
ward, returning  to  Bloomington,  he  entered  the  Law  Department  in  the 
State  University,  whence  he  graduated.  He  then  formed  a  partnership 
with  the  Hon,  James  Hughes,  in  the  regular  practice,  and  one  year  later. 
Mr.  Hughes  being  appointed  Judge  of  the  Court  of  Claims  at  Washing- 
ton City,  he  formed  a  partnership  with  Prof.  John  Young,  with  whom  he 
continued  for  one  year.  In  July,  1861,  he  was  commissioned  Colonel  of  the 
Indiana  Legion,  and  in  May,  1862,  he  was  appointed  Major  in  the  Fifty- 
fifth  Indiana  Volunteers.  In  February,  1865,  he  was  appointed  Provost 
Marshal  of  Third  Indiana  District  and  served  for  ten  months.  He  then 
retm-ned  to  Bloomington,  entered  the  regular  practice,  and  is  at  present 
so  engaged,  doing  a  lucrative  business,  and  is  considered  one  of  Monroe 
County's  best  practitioners.  On  May  31,  1853,  he  was  married  to  Mary 
J.  Coffey,  of  Monroe  County.  They  have  had  six  children,  three  of  whom 
are  living — Horace  B.,  James  O.  and  Frank  L.  Maj.  Mulky  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  A.,  F.  &  A.  M.,  and  is  politically  a  Republican,  but  was  orig- 
inally a  Whig,  and  he  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Church. 

JAMES  OSMAN  MULKY  is  a  native  of  Indiana,  born  September 
15,  1859,  in  Bloomington,  Monroe  County.  His  parents  are  Maj.  James 
B.  and  Mary  J.  (Coffey)  Mulky.  He  is  the  second  son  and  fourth  child 
in  a  family  of  six  children,  and  was  reared  in  Bloomington.  He  attended 
school  until  September,  1877,  when  he  entered  the  State  University, 
whence  he  graduated  June  4,  1881.  He  afterward  entered  the  employ 
of  different  dry  goods  merchants  in  the  city,  as  clerk,  with  Wicks  &  Co. 
and  L.  Fields  &  Co.  On  September  10,  1883,  he  was  appointed  Assist- 
ant Postmaster,  and  is  at  present  so  engaged.  He  has  been  for  some 
time  a  member  of  the  K.  of  P.  and  in  politics  he  is  a  Republican.  He 
is  a  rising^  young  man,  and  is  quite  efficient  as  a  public  officer. 

H.  J.  NICHOLS  is  the  fourth  son  of  John  and  Sarah  (Miner)  Nichols, 
natives  of  Virginia  and  Kentucky  respectively.  He  was  born  November 
17,  1824,  in  Shelby  County,  Ky.,  and  when  two  years  of  age  came  with 
his  parents  to  Monroe  County,  Ind.  They  settled  in  Perry  Township, 
where  by  energy  and  industry  they  made  for  themselves  a  home,  and  the 
subject  acquired  the  rudiments  of  a  good  English  education.  When 
twenty-one  years  of  age,  he  began  to  learn  the  carpenter's  trade,  and  in 
a  short  time  had  contracted  to  build  in  connection  with  his  farming.  In 
February,  1854,  he  came  to  Bloomington,  where  he  built  many  of  the 
best  residences,  besides  the  city  schoolhouse.  He  is  at  present  engaged 
at  his  trade,  of  which  he  has  made  quite  a  success,  being  considered  one 


586  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

of  Monroe  County's  ablest  carpenttsrs.  October  26, 1848,  he  was  married 
to  Rebecca  Rogers,  daughter  of  James  Rogers,  a  citizen  of  Monroe 
County.  They  had  six  children — Harriet,  Victoria,  John,  James,  Morton 
and  an  infant.  His  wife  died  on  October  15,  1868,  and  six  month3  later 
he  married  Catharine  Bray,  by  whom  there  was  one  child,  Claude  (de- 
ceased). His  second  wife  died  on  August  12,  1882.  On  January  3, 
1883,  he  married  Jennie  McPhetridge.  He  is  a  member  of  the  I.  O.  O. 
F.  and  of  the  I.  O.  R.  M.  Politically,  he  is  a  Republican.  Himself  and 
wife  are  members  of  the  Christian  Church,  and  are  active  workers  in  its 
support. 

SAMUEL  M.  ORCHARD,  a  native  of  Bourbon  County,  Ky.,  was  born 
August  11,  1802.  He  is  the  second  son  and  fourth  child  in  a  family  of 
eleven  children,  and  was  reared  and  educated  in  his  native  place,  until 
he  was  sixteen  years  of  age.  His  parents,  Isaac  and  Margery  (Mitchell) 
Oi'chard,  came  to  Washington  County,  Ind. ,  in  1819,  and  purchased  a  farm 
of  160  acres,  where  they  remained  until  their  deaths.  The  subject  of 
this  sketch  and  his  brother  John  then  came  to  Bloomington  and  started 
a  wool  carding  machine  on  the  lot  where  the  "  Orchard  House  "  now 
stands,  which  they  ran  from  1823  to  1836,  when  they  sold  out.  Mean- 
while, in  1826,  they  started  in  the  manufacture  of  linseed  oil,  of  which 
they  made  quite  a  success.  Ten  years  later,  they  started  a  stage  line 
from  Indianapolis  to  Leavenworth,  and  one  from  New  Orleans  to  Louis- 
ville. They  also  had  a  blacksmith  shop  in  Bloomington.  They  built 
the  old  "  Temperance  Hotel "  on  College  avenue.  In  1837,  the  subject 
began  butchering,  and  in  connection  with  his  many  other  enterprises 
continued  about  twelve  years.  The  two  brothers  then  built  the  "  Orchard 
House,"  which  the  subject  purchased  in  1855:  he  has  since  been  its 
proprietor,  but  the  hotel  is  at  present  managed  by  his  son,  I.  S.  Orchard. 
Mr.  Orchard  owns  sixty  acres  of  good  farm  land  and  considerable  city 
property.  He  was  married  in  1830  to  Martha  C.  McPheeters,  daughter 
of  James  McPheeters,  of  VVashington  County.  They  have  had  nine 
children,  six  of  whom  are  living — Elizabeth,  John,  Emily,  Baynard  R., 
James  and  Samuel.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  and 
politically  is  a  Republican.  He  is  one  of  Monroe  County's  oldest  set- 
tlers and  pioneers,  and  assisted  greatly  in  the  building-up  of  Bloomington, 
his  present  residence. 

C.  R.  PERDUE,  second  son  of  William  and  Lydia  (Jaring)  Perdue, 
natives  of  Indiana,  was  born  May  25,  1837,  in  Washington  County,  Ind., 
where  he  was  reared  and  educated  until  sixteen  years  of  age.  He  en- 
tered the  Asbury  University  at  Greencastle,  remaining  for  one  year.  He 
then  went  to  New  Albany,  where  his  parents  had  removed  a  short  time 
previously,  and  entered  the  public  schools,  in  which  he  continued  for  two 
years.  The  following  year,  he  was  clerk  on  the  steamer  William  Baird, 
on  the  Oh!o  River,  and  then  taught  school  in  Washington  County  for 
some  time.  In  the  years  1859-60-61-62,  he  farmed  in  Harrison  Count)^ 
Ind.,  afterward  being  engaged  for  some  time  in  the  dry  goods  business 
at  Fredericksburg,  Ind.,  which  he  sold  out  in  1865,  and  went  to  Harrods- 
burg,  Monroe  County,  where  he  remained  in  the  dry  goods  business  for  six 
years;  then  engaged  in  the  boot  and  shoe  business  there.  On  March  16, 
1883,  his  building  being  destroyed  by  lire,  he  came  to  Bloomington,  and 
three  months  later  formed  a  partnership  with  L.  S.  Fields  in  the  dry 
goods  business,  which  is  at  present  in  a  flourishing  condition.  Mr.  Per- 
due was  married,  July  4,  1858,  to  Letitia  Qarriott,  daughter  of  John  B. 


BLOOMINGTON   TOWNSHIP  AND  CITY.  58* 

Garriott,  of  Washington  County,  Ind.  They  had  five  children.  His 
wife  died  December  25,  1862,  and  he  was  married  in  June,  1865,  to 
Emma  King,  daughter  of  William  King,  of  Monroe  County.  They  have 
six  children — Elmer  E.,  Mary  I.,  Cora  R.,  Noble  A.,  and  two  infants. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F.,  of  the  K.  of  H.,  and  of  the  Meth- 
odist Church.      Politically,  he  is  a  Republican. 

MAJ.  HENRY  F.  PERRY  was  born  January  10,  1834,  in  South 
Thomaston,  Me.  He  is  second  in  a  family  of  four  children  born  to  Joab 
and  Maria  (Butler)  Perry,  natives  of  Maine,  and  was  reared  in  his  native 
home  until  twelve  years  of  age.  When  quite  young,  our  subject  lost  his 
father;  his  mother  then  moved  to  Salem.  There  he  continued  studies 
already  begun,  and  closed  them  at  Bucksport.  He  afterward  taught 
school  for  one  year,  and  was  appointed  Deputy  Postmaster  at  Rockland, 
Me.,  serving  for  three  years  with  great  credit  to  himself.  He  then  acted 
as  collector  for  the  water  company  there.  In  October,  1855,  he  Avent 
to  Ohio,  and  taught  for  some  time  in  Henry  County.  In  the  fall  of  1856, 
he  entered  the  Medical  Department  at  Ann  Arbor,  Mich.,  and  one  year 
later  came  to  Monroe  County,  Ind.,  taught  the  Ellettsville  school,  and 
afterward  engaged  in  the  saw  mill  and  lumber  trade  there.  He  was 
route  agent  on  the  D.  &  M.  R.  R.  for  more  than  one  year,  when  he  en- 
listed in  Company  G,  Thirty -eighth  Indiana  Volunteers,  under  Capt.  G. 
K.  Perry;  served  for  two  and  a  half  years,  and  took  part  in  the  following 
engagements:  Perryville  (after  which  he  was  promoted  to  Second  Lieu- 
tenant), Stone  River,  Hoover's  Gap,  Chickamauga,  Resaca,  Lost  Mount- 
ain, Kenesaw  Mountain,  Atlanta  and  Jonesboro — where  he  was  shot 
through  the  breast,  and  lay  on  the  field  all  night.  He  finally  recovered 
sufficiently  to  be  removed  to  Ellettsville.  He  had,  previous  to  this,  in 
June,  1868,  been  promoted  to  First  Lieutenant,  and  one  month  later,  to 
Captain.  While  lying  in  the  hospital,  he  received  a  commission  as 
Major,  for  meritorious  conduct,  and  in  February,  1865,  he  was  discharged 
on  account  of  disability.  One  year  later,  he  opened  a  stone  quarry  near 
Ellettsville,  now  known  as  "  Perry  Bros.' Steam  Stone  Works,"  which 
partnership  was  formed  in  1868.  He  served  four  years  as  Auditor  of  the 
county.  He  is  a  member  of  the  A. ,  F.  &  A.  M. ,  Ellettsville  Lodge,  No. 
245.  He  was  married  on  June  13,  1871,  to  M.  Louise  Pennig,  a  daugh- 
ter of  Ezra  and  Mariah  Pennig,  respected  citizens  of  Bloomington.  They 
have  four  children — Adelaide  F.,  Alberta  M.,  Oscar  and  Orvil.  His  wife 
is  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  Church.  Major  Perry  is  politically  a 
Repiiblican,  and  quite  influential. 

REV.  ALLEN  B.  PHILPUTT,  born  in  Bedford  County,  Tenn.,  on  May 
6,  1856,  is  the  second  son  of  Barton  and  Elizabeth  (Bearden)  Philputt, 
natives  of  Tennessee.  He  was  reared  and  educated  in  Tennessee  until 
twelve  years  of  age,  when  he  came  with  his  parents  to  Indiana,  and  set- 
tled in  Washington  County.  In  1872,  he  was  converted,  and  taken  into 
the  church  at  Campbellsburg,  Ind.,  and  three  years  later  he  was  ordained 
a  minister  of  the  Christian  Church.  In  1876,  he  entered  the  State  Uni- 
versity, graduating  four  years  later.  In  1878,  he  was  appointed  pastor 
of  the  Christian  Church  in  Bloomington,  and  is  at  present  in  the  faith- 
ful discharge  of  his  duties.  In  1882,  he  was  elected  a  member  of  the 
School  Board  at  Bloomington,  and  still  has  that  position,  also  serving  as 
President  of  the  Indiana  Christian  Sunday  School  Association.  On  Sep- 
tember 23,    1880,  he  was  married  to  Anna  Maxwell,  daughter  of   Dr. 


588  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

James  D.  Maxwell,  of  Bloomingtoii.  They  have  one  child,  Louise  E., 
born  in  June,  1881.     He  is  a  Republican,  politically. 

JEREMIAH  F.  PITTMAN,  second  son  and  sixth  child  of  Harrison 
and  Jane  (Sands)  Pittman,  natives  of  Indiana,  was  born  March  12,  1842, 
in  Orange  County,  Ind.  The  father  died  in  1879.  The  mother  died  in 
1849.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  reared  in  Orange  County,  where 
he  received  a  common  education,  and,  when  fourteen  years  of  age  went 
to  school  in  Leavenworth,  Crawford  County,  Ind.,  for  one  year,  return- 
ing thence  to  Orange  County,  where  he  then  entered  the  high  schools  at 
Paoli.  In  the  fall  of  1861,  he  began  teaching  school,  but  resigned  his 
position,  and  enlisted  in  November,  1861,  in  Company  F,  Fiftieth  Indi- 
ana Volunteers,  under  Col.  Dunham.  Serving  for  more  than  three  years, 
he  took  part  in  the  following  engagements:  Munfordville,  Parker's 
Cross  Roads,  Little  Rock,  Saline  River  and  Camden.  He  was  mustered 
out  of  service  on  January  5,  1865,  and,  returning  home,  he  was  elected 
County  Recorder  in  the  following  fall.  He  served  for  three  years,  mean- 
while reading  law,  and  at  the  end  of  that  time  he  resigned  his  position 
to  enter  the  regular  practice  in  Bloomington,  Monroe  County.  During 
the  winter  of  1867-68,  he  attended  law  school  at  Bloomington,  whence 
he  graduated  in  June,  1868.  Four  years  later,  he  was  appointed  Prose- 
cuting Attorney  of  the  Tenth  District,  and  served  one  year.  He  is  at 
present  engaged  in  practice  with  Maj.  Mulky.  In  1881,  he  was  appointed 
Commissioner  of  the  Monroe  County  Circuit  Court,  and  is  at  present 
occupying  that  position.  October  15,  1868,  he  was  married  to  Miss 
Sarah  E.  Williamson,  daughter  of  Judge  A.  J.  Simpson,  of  Orange 
County.  They  have  had  three  children,  two  of  whom  are  living — Jose- 
IDhine  E.  and  Richard  H.  Mr.  Pittman  is  a  member  of  the  K,  of  P., 
and  he  is  Dictator  in  the  K.  of  H.  In  politics  he  is  a  Democrat.  His 
wife  is  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  Church. 

BENJAMIN  ROGERS  (deceased)  was  born  near  Maysville,  Ivy., 
October  24,  1795,  and  was  the  son  of  Henry  and  Sarah  (Jenkins)  Rogers, 
natives  of  Pennsylvania  and  of  English  and  Welsh  extraction.  In  about 
I8i6,  they  came  to  Monroe  County  from  Jackson  County,  Ind.,  and 
resided  here  until  their  death.  Benjamin  married,  in  Jackson  County, 
Ind.,  March  4,  1819,  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  Ephraim  and  Mary  E.  (Red- 
mond) Arnold,  natives  of  Maryland.  Mrs.  Rogers  was  born  in  Louis- 
ville, Ky. ,  December  9,  1798.  Mr.  Rogers  came  to  Monroe  County  in 
February,  1825,  and  settled  on  a  farm  in  Bloomington  Township.  He 
was  very  industrious,  and  much  respected  in  the  community  of  which  he 
was  an  honored  member.  He  departed  this  life  March  12,  1870,  his  wife 
having  preceded  him  on  February  6,  1865.  To  Mr.  Pogers'  marriage 
were  born  nine  children — Mary  E.,  Maria  L.,  Ephraim  H.  (deceased), 
Frances  M.  (deceased),  Nancy  A.  (deceased),  Sarah,  Benjamin  F.  (de- 
ceased), William  A.,  and  one  died  in  infancy  unnamed. 

WILLIAM  A.  ROGERS  was  born  in  Bloomington  Township,  Mon- 
roe County,  Ind.,  June  19,  1843,  and  is  a  son  of  Benjamin  and  Elizabeth 
(Arnold)  Rogers.  Until  he  was  twenty-four  years  of  age,  he  lived  on  the 
home  farm,  when  he  moved  to  Perry  Township,  where  he  lived  for  a 
number  of  years,  but,  having  a  desire  to  live  near  the  place  of  his  birth, 
he  returned  to  Bloomington  Township,  and  pux'chased  seventy-five  acres 
of  land  adjoining  the  old  homestead,  where  he  has  since  resided.  Besides 
this  farm  in  Bloomington  Township,  he  owns  203  acres  in  Perry.  March 
14,  1867,  he  married  Eliza,  daughter  of  Alexander  and  Jane  (Hemphill) 


BLOOMINGTON  TOWNSHIP  AND  CITY.  589 

Hemy.  Mr.  Henry  was  a  native  of  Ireland,  born  February  15,  1804, 
and  came  to  this  county  in  1835,  and  in  1841,  he  married,  his  wife  being 
Mrs.  McCaw,  who  was  born  in  South  Carolina  April  3,  1807,  and  came 
to  this  county  in  1833.  She  now  resides  with  her  daughter,  Mrs.  Rogers, 
her  husband  having  died  December  4,  1882.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Rogers  are 
the  parents  of  four  children — Henry  A.,  Ray  R.,  B.  Frank  and  Levi 
(deceased).  Mrs.  R.  is  a  member  of  the  United  Presbyterian  Church. 
Politically,  Mr.  R.  is  a  Democrat. 

WILLIAM  K.  ROGERS,  farmer,  was  born  in  Jackson  County,  Ind., 
October  30,  1820.  His  father,  James  Rogers,  was  born  near  Philadel- 
phia, Penn.,  in  1789.  He  was  a  farmer,  and  came  to  Indiana  before  the 
war  of  1812,  settling  in  Clarke  County.  Mr.  Rogers  was  a  soldier  of 
that  war.  While  he  and  a  Mr.  Beaublossom  were  in  pursuit  of  some  In- 
dian horse-thieves,  they  came  to  a  creek,  which  they  named  Beanblossom, 
which  name  it  now  bears.  His  wife.  Susana  Kindle,  was  born  in  Butler 
County,  Ohio,  in  1796,  and  died  in  1871,  her  husband  having  "  gone  be- 
fore "  in  1864,  both  in  the  communion  of  the  Christian  Church.  Will- 
iam K  married,  at  his  majority,  Sarah,  daughter  of  Samuel  and  Elizabeth 
(Butcher)  Boruff,  Tennesseans,  and  members  of  the  Christian  Church. 
They  died  in  this  county.  Sarah  (Boruff)  Rogers  was  born  on  August 
25,  1821.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Rogers  are  parents  of  eleven  children— Henry 
B.  (deceased),  Mary  E.  (Day),  Susana  (Griffin),  James  L.,  Jennie  E. 
(Myers),  Mrs.  William  Patton  (deceased),  Samuel  B.,  William  P.,  John 
A.  (deceased),  George  S.  (deceased),  and  Nannie  A.  He  and  wife  belong 
to  the  Christian  Church,  and  he  is  a  Republican  in  politics. 

WILLIAM  P.  ROGERS  was  born  March  3,  1857,  in  Brown  Coiinty, 
Ind.  He  is  the  fourth  son  and  eighth  child  of  William  K.  and  Sarah 
(Boruff)  Rogers,  both  natives  of  Monroe  and  Jackson  Counties,  Ind.,  re- 
spectively. They  were  married  in  December,  1841,  in  Monroe  County, 
by  the  Rev.  James  Mathes,  and  located  on  a  farm,  where  they  remained 
for  five  years.  They  then  removed  to  Brown  County,  and  farmed  until 
1875,  returning  thence  to  Monroe  County,  where  they  have  since  resided. 
The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  reared  in  Washington  Township,  Brown 
County,  where  he  attended  school  until  sixteen  years  of  age,  Avhen  he  en- 
tered the  high  school  in  Bloomington,  Monroe  County,  remaining  two 
years.  During  1875-76,  he  taught  school  in  Browu  County,  being  com- 
pelled to  make  his  own  way.  In  September,  1876,  he  entered  the  State 
University,  remaining  three  years,  and  then  began  reading  law  with  Bus- 
kirk  &  Duncan.  In  Septemljer,  1879,  he  formed  a  partnership  with  E. 
E.  Sadler,  in  the  regular  practice,  and  continued  for  about  one  year  in 
Bloomington,  after  which  he  remained  alone  until  the  fall  of  1881,  when 
he  went  into  partnership  with  J.  E.  Henley.  They  have  a  lucrative 
practice.  Mr.  Rogers  was  married  in  Bloomington,  on  Mqrch  30,  1883, 
to  E.  Belle  Clark,  daughter  of  William  A.  Clark,  a  prominent  and  re- 
spected citizen  of  Monroe  County.  They  have  one  child — Ethel  B.  In 
1881,  Mr.  Rogers  was  elected  City  Treasurer,  and  was  re-elected  in  1883, 
and  is  in  the  faithful  discharge  of  the  duties  of  this  office.  Both  he  and 
his  wife  are  prominent  members  of  the  Christian  Church. 

JAMES  M.  ROGERS,  farmer,  was  born  in  Bloomington,  Monroe 
County,  Ind.,  May  2,  1822,  and  is  the  son  of  David  and  Catharine  (W^ill- 
iams)  Rogers,  natives  of  Pennsylvania  and  Maryland.  They  came  from 
Ohio  to  Jackson  County,  Ind.,  on  account  of  Indians,  and  there  lived  in 
a  fort  for  some  time.     In  1816,  Mr.  David  Rogers  came  to  a  farm  on  the 


590  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

site  of  which  Bloomington  now  stands,  and  with  Jonathan  Rogers  en- 
tered land.  David  Rogers  died  in  this  county,  a  member  of  the  Chris- 
tian Chui-ch.  James  M.  Rogers  has  been  a  farmer  in  this  county  all  his 
life.  At  the  age  of  twenty-six,  he  began  life  for  himself,  and  in  1848 
married  Rebecca  Pullen,  who  was  born  in  1822,  and  died  on  May  22, 
1870.  She  had  five  children,  all  living — Edward  M.,  Annie  F.,  Lillie 
C,  Addie  W.  and  Richard  L.  Mr.  Rogers  has  filled  the  office  of  Justice 
of  the  Peace,  and  a  number  of  minor  offices,  and  is  a  much  respected  cit- 
izen, and  a  Republican. 

I.  MILTON  ROGERS  was  born  in  Perry  Township,  Monroe  County, 
on  September  1,  1830.  He  is  the  eighth  child  born  to  Aquilla  and  Rebecca 
(Rogers)  Rogers,  natives  of  Virginia.  His  parents  came  to  Monroe  Coun- 
ty, Ind.,  in  1818,  and  located  on  a  farm  in  Peny  Township,  where  they 
lived  for  twenty-four  years,  when  the  father  was  elected  Probate  Judge, 
and  served  until  1848,  residing  in  Bloomington.  He  then  returned  to 
his  fai'm,  where  in  August,  1849.  he  died.  The  subject  of  this  sketch 
was  reared  on  the  old  home  farm  until  twelve  years  of  age.  Then  he 
came  to  Bloomington  with  his  parents  and  completed  his  education, 
which  he  had  begun  in  the  country  schools.  When  seventeen  years  of 
age,  he  went  to  Gosport  and  was  employed  by  W.  A.  Montgomery,  a 
tailor,  with  whom  he  remained  for  thirteen  months.  He  then  clerked 
for  five  years  for  another  merchant  there.  He  afterward  served  for  two 
years  as  book-keeper  for  William  Alexander,  and  then  went  to  Minnesota, 
remaining  for  three  and  a  half  years.  Returning  thence  to  Blooming- 
ton, he  was  engaged  as  clerk  in  a  dry  goods  store  for  some  time.  He 
was  in  a  grocery  for  one  year,  and  was  then  appointed  Deputy  Post-* 
master  and  served  for  three  years.  In  1869,  he  was  appointed  Deputy 
Treasui'er  of  Monroe  County,  serving  three  years.  He  was  then  elected 
Treasurer  of  Monroe  County,  on  the  Republican  ticket,  and  in  1873  was 
re-elected.  After  the  expiration  of  this  te2-m  of  office,  he  was  again  ap- 
pointed Deputy  Treasurer,  and  served  for  four  years.  In  1878,  he  again 
embarked  in  the  grocery  business,  continuing  for  one  year.  In  Septem- 
ber, 1883,  he  was  appointed  Deputy  Treasurer  under  Isaac  Claman,  and 
is  at  present  so  engaged.  He  is  also  engaged  in  farming  190  acres  of 
Monroe  County's  best  land.  On  October  11,  1853,  he  was  married  to 
Emily  Smith,  a  daughter  of  John  C.  Smith,  a  citizen  of  Clark  County, 
They  have  had  nine  children.  Mr.  Rogers  has  been  a  member  of  the 
Christian  Church  for  thirty-three  years  and  is  a  prominent  and  influen- 
tial citizen. 

N.  B.  ROGERS,  born  in  Salt  Creek  Township,  Monroe  County,  Ind., 
on  April  23,  1842,  is  the  eldest  son  and  child  of  Aquilla  and  Mary  E. 
(Rogers)  Rogers,  and  was  reared  in  his  native  township  until  five  years 
of  age,  when  his  parents  removed  to  a  farm  in  Perry  Township,  where 
for  three  years  he  attended  the  district  schools  of  the  neighborhood.  He 
then  entered  the  Preparatory  Department  of  the  State  University,  contin- 
uing for  about  six  years.  On  September  23,  1861,  he  enlisted  in  Com- 
pany G,  Second  Indiana  Cavalry.  He  served  for  thi-ee  years  and  took 
part  in  the  following  engagements:  Shiloh,  Perry ville,  Chickamauga, 
Gallatin;  and  at  Hartsville,  Tenn.,  he  was  captured  but  soon  after  paroled, 
and  in  about  six  weeks  was  exchanged,  joining  his  company  again.  He 
then  took  active  part  in  the  battle  of  Mossy  Creek,  Kenesaw,  Peach  Tree 
Creek  and  Cartersville.  and  on  October  7.  1864,  he  received  an  honorable 
discharge.      Returning  to  Monroe  County,  he  acted  as  Deputy  Sheriff 


BLOOMINGTON  TOWNSHIP  AND  CITY.  691 

for  two  years.  He  then  removed  to  Lncas  County,  Iowa,  and  farmed 
until  1874,  when  he  again  came  to  Bloomington,  and  engaged  in  the  fur- 
niture business,  continuing  for  one  year.  He  was  in  the  grocery  busi- 
ness for  two  years,  and  in  March,  1877,  pui'chased  the  livery  stable  which 
he  at  present  successfully  runs.  He  was  married,  December  25,  186G, 
to  Esther  E.  Henry,  a  daughter  of  Alexander  Henry,  of  Monroe  County. 
They  have  one  child — Lelia  E.  His  wife  died  on  March  23,  1877.  Mr. 
Rogers  is  a  member  of  the  A.,  F.  &  A.  M.,  and  of  the  G.  A.  R. ,  and  is  a 
Democrat. 

LEONIDAS  D.  ROGERS  is  a  native  of  Indiana,  born  May  21,  1858, 
in  Perry  Township,  Monroe  County,  and  was  reared  on  the  old  home 
farm.  He  is  the  fourth  son  and  eighth  child  in  a  family  of  nine  chil- 
dren born  to  Aquilla  and  Mary  E.  (Rogers)  Rogers.  He  was  educated 
in  the  district  schools  until  fourteen  years  of  age,  when  he  entered  the 
State  University  at  Bloomington,  graduating  thence  six  years  later  with 
honors.  On  July  1,  1879,  he  entered  the  Eastman  Business  College  at 
Poughkeepsie,  N.  Y.,  where  he  graduated  on  December  10,  1879.  He 
has  taught  four  terms  of  school  in  Brown  and  Monroe  Counties.  On 
January  1,  1883,  he  became  agent  for  the  Home  Fire  Insurance  Com- 
pany of  New  York,  Standard  of  London,  National  of  Hartford,  and  the 
Old  New  York  Life.  He  is  quite  successful  in  the  business,  and  is  one 
of  Bloomington's  most  enterprising  young  men.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
L  O.  R.  M.,  Arizona  Tribe,  No.  56;  Secretary  of  the  A.,  F.  &  A.  M. ;  Sec- 
retary of  the  I.  O.  O.  F.,  and  is  also  D  D.  G.  M.  of  Herndon  Encamp- 
ment, I.  O.  O.  F.     Politically,  he  is  a  Democrat. 

JAMES  RYAN,  born  in  Greene  County,  Ind.,  January  1,  1847,  is 
the  third  son  of  David  and  Mary  (Payton)  Ryan.  He  came  to  Monroe 
County  with  his  parents  when  but  one  year  of  age;  here  he  grew  up  to 
manhood,  and  although  opportunities  for  education  were  very  poor,  by 
energy  and  industry  he  acquired  a  good,  practical  business  education, 
and  is  a  successful  financier.  When  twelve  years  of  age,  he  began  learn- 
ing the  blacksmith  trade,  and  served  an  apprenticeship  of  over  two  years, 
at  which  time  he  went  to  Indianapolis  and  worked  at  his  trade  for  more 
than  a  year.  Returning  to  Bloomington,  he  was  in  the  employ  of  the 
L.,  N.  A.  &  C.  R.  R.,  working  in  various  capacities  for  more  than  three 
years;  then,  resuming  his  trade,  followed  it  in  Bloomington  for  four 
years.  He  then  opened  a  blacksmith  shop,  which  he  worked  in  for  some 
time;  sold  out;  built  on  College  avenue;  sold  out  again,  and  finally  re- 
purchased and  resumed  business  for  three  years.  In  1876,  he  became 
partner  of  William  A.  Clark,  and  one  year  later  went  to  Gi'eencastle,  do- 
ing job  work  for  a  short  time.  Returning  to  Bloomington,  he  was  a 
partner  in  the  firm  of  Ryan  &  De  Yault  for  one  year,  and  in  August, 
1881,  purchased  the  half  interest,  and  now  does  a  good  business  in  gen- 
eral blacksmithing  and  manufacturing  wagons,  buggies  and  phaetons. 
He  is  industrious,  energetic,  and  a  liberal  citizen,  highly  respected  in 
his  community. 

J.  H.  RYORS,  third  son  and  fourth  child  in  a  family  of  five  children 
born  to  Alfred  and  Louisa  (Walker)  Ryors,  was  born  March  10,  1849,  in 
Athens  County,  Ohio.  He  was  reared  in  Athens  County  u.nti]  seven 
years  oE  age,  moving  thence  to  Kentucky,  and  later  on  coming  to  Mon- 
roe County,  Ind.,  with  his  mother,  his  father  having  died  in  Kentucky. 
In  1864,  he  entered  the  State  University,  remaining  for  four  years;  then 
entered  the  employ  of  Joseph  Howe,  a  dry  goods  -merchant,  with  whom 


592  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

he  continued  for  two  years.  He  tlieu  worked  as  dry  goods  clerk  in  Lo- 
gansport  for  eighteen  months.  Returning  thence  to  Bloomington,  he 
again  was  with  Joseph  Howe  until  1874,  wheo  he  forrued  a  partnership 
with  Eugene  Turner  in  the  manufacture  of  spokes,  hubs  and  wagon 
stock.  In  1875,  G.  W.  Bollenbacher  purchased  a  third  interest,  and  it 
was  continued  for  six  months  under  the  firm  name  of  Ryors,  Turner  &  Co. 
In  1875.  George  Bollenbacher  purchased  Mr.  Turner's  interest,  and  six 
years  later,  he  sold  to  Bollenbacher,  Mi-.  Ryors  organizing  the  firm  of  J. 
H.  Ryors  &  Co.,  manufacturers  of  hubs,  spokes  and  wagon  stocks,  which 
firm  is  in  a  flourishing  condition,  doing  a  lucrative  business;  averaging 
per  year  2,444,000  spokes  and  94,000  hubs.  They  have  in  their  employ 
constantly  seventy- five  good  workmen.  Mr.  Ryors  is  a  Democrat,  and 
has  been  a  member  of  the  Odd  Fellows  fraternity  for  some  years.  He 
was  married  on  May  13,  1874,  to  Miss  Emma  Bx-own,  daughter  of  Will- 
iam Brown,  a  citizen  of  Logansport,  Ind.  They  have  three  children — Ida 
B. ,  Warren  B.  and  Graham.  His  wife  is  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church,  and  among  its  most  active  workers.  He  is  a  liberal  citizen,  and 
is  highly  respected  in  the  community. 

JOHN  SANDERS  (deceased),  father  of  L.  M.  Sanders  (the  worthy 
proprietor  of  the  "National  House  "Bloomington  Ind.),  was  born 
October  11,  1792,  near  Charleston,  S.  C,  and  was  of  English  extraction. 
His  father  was  a  soldier  in  the  war  of  1776,  and  was  captured  by  the  Tories, 
while  out  hunting  supplies.  He,  with  several  comrades,  were  given 
choice  between  allegiance  to  the  King  and  being  shot.  Choosing  the  lat- 
ter, they  were  confined  in  prison,  and  he  with  a  comrade  escaped,  while 
the  sentinel  slept  at  night.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  one  of  a  fam- 
ily of  thirteen  children,  and  when  quite  small  removed  with  his  parents 
to  Virginia,  where  he  grew  to  manhood.  In  1810,  he  was  married  to 
Nancy  Briscoe,  of  East  Tennessee,  and  shortly  afterward  they  moved  to 
Knox  County  Ky. ,  where  he  engaged  in  farming  until  1814;  at  which 
time  he  came  to  Indiana,  locating  in  Orange  County.  A  few  years  later 
they  went  to  Bartholomew  County,  and  in  the  spring  of  1822,  came  to  Mon- 
roe County,  locating  in  Richland  Township,  on  240  acres  of  forest  land, 
where  he  erected  a  rade  log  cabin,  with  no  assistance  but  that  of  his  wife 
They  struggled  on  year  after  year,  until  they  had  finally  cleared  640  acres 
of  good  land  and  added  all  necessary  improvements.  Mr.  Sanders  was 
a  Whig  and  had  filled  some  of  the  minor  offices.  He  and  wife  were 
members  of  the  Baptist  Church.  He  died  in  1847,  in  the  fifty-  fifth  year 
of  his  life.     His  wife  died  in  1876,  when  seventy-four  years  of  age. 

FRANCIS  L.  SARE  was  born  May  13,  1851,  in  Monroe  County, 
Ind.  He  is  the  sixth  son  and  tenth  child  of  Lucian  B.  and  Jane  (Car- 
michael)  Sare,  natives  of  Indiana  and  North  Carolina,  respectively.  They 
were  married  in  Monroe  County,  and  settled  on  a  farm  in  Indian  Creek 
Township,  where  they  at  present  reside.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  was 
reared  on  the  old  home  farm,  where  he  obtained  the  rudiments  of  a  good 
English  education  in  the  district  schools.  When  twenty  years  of  age  he 
began  to  teach  school,  in  Clear  Creek  Township.  He  continued  for 
about  three  years,  teaching  in  the"  winters  and  trading  in  stock  during 
the  summer.  He  then  engaged  in  the  lumber  and  mill  business  in. Greene 
County,  and  he  has  since  operated  in  Greene,  Lawrence  and  Monroe 
Counties.  He  is  at  present  successfully  engaged  as  proprietor  of  two 
flourishing  saw  mills,  one  in  Monroe  and  the  other  in  Brown  County. 
Mr.  Sare  is  a  prominent  and  an  active  member  of   the  Democratic  party. 


BLOOMINGTON  TOWNSHIP  AND  CITY.  593 

He  is  a  liberal  citizen,  ever  ready  and  willing  to  assist  in  any  public  un- 
dertaking. He  is  quite  successful  as  a  business  man,  and  respected  by 
all  who  know  him. 

F.  M.  SHAEP,  born  in  Ellettsville,  Monroe  County,  March  20,  1851, 
is  eldest  son  of  George  ^Y.  and  Agnes  (Ashbrook)  Sharp,  and  was  reared 
in  his  native  place,  and  educated  in  the  public  schools  there,  obtaining 
the  knowledge  of  all  the  branches  necessary  to  a  business  man.  When 
fourteen  years  of  age,  he  went  West,  and  remained  for  five  years,  work- 
ing at  various  things,  and  then  returned  to  Ellettsville,  working  for  six 
years  in  the  stone  quarries  of  that  place.  Going  thence  to  Indianapolis, 
he  entered  the  employ  of  Graney  Bros,  as  bar-tender,  continuing  for 
more  than  four  years.  He  went  thence  to  Vincennes,  and  tended 
bar  in  the  ''La  Plant  House"  for  ten  months;  then  to  Bloomington, 
and  entered  the  employ  of  John  E.  Taylor,  a  grocer,  with  whom  he  re- 
mained for  one  year,  and  then  went  to  Ellettsville,  where,  opening  a 
saloon  of  his  own,  he  continued  until  September,  1883.  Coming  to 
Bloomington,  he  opened  his  present  saloon,  a  neat,  tasty,  cozy  place, 
where  he  enjoys  a  lucrative  business.  He  was  married,  October  17,  1875, 
to  Miss  Lida  Whaley,  a  native  of  Ellettsville.  To  crown  the  happiness 
of  their  wedded  life,  three  children  have  been  born  to  them — Minnie, 
Earl  and  an  iafant.  Mr.  Sharp  is  a  prominent  member  of  the  Republi- 
can party.      His  wife   is   an  active   member  of  the  Presbyterian  church. 

CAPT.  J.  W.  SHOEMAKER  was  born  on  September  22,  1841,  at 
La  Porte,  Ind.  His  parents,  Daniel  and  Elizabeth  (Keith)  Shoemaker, 
natives  of  New  York  and  Ohio,  respectively,  farmed  in  La  Porte  County 
for  about  twenty  years  ;  the  father  died  there  January  6,  1856  ;  the 
mother  is  still  living  there,  sixty-three  years  of  age.  Capt.  Shoemaker 
is  the  second  son,  and  was  reared  on  the  old  home  farm  in  La  Porte 
County,  where  he  was  educated.  On  July  27,  1861,  he  enlisted  in  Com- 
pany E,  Twenty- ninth  Indiana  Volunteers,  and  sei'ved  for  four  years  and 
seven  months.  He  took  part  in  the  engagements  at  Pittsburg  Landing, 
Price's  Hill,  Mo.,  Grand  Gulf  and  the  Wolf  River  campaign.  In  March, 
1865,  he  was  transferred  into  Gen.  Hancock's  corps,  and  sent  to 
Washington,  D.  C,  remaining  until  July,  when  he  was  put  in  charge  of 
the  "post''  at  Madison,  Ind.,  remaining  for  four  months.  Thence  he 
was  sent  to  Indianapolis,  and  in  March,  1866,  received  an  honorable 
discharge.  One  month  later  he  entered  the  State  University,  at  Bloom- 
ington, where  he  continued  for  two  years,  after  which  he  was  in  partner- 
ship with  J.  J.  Durand  for  three  years,  and  then  purchased  the  entire 
business,  which  he  ran  for  one  year.  He  then  had  another  partner  for 
about  four  years,  and  was  by  himself  for  quite  a  while.  His  store  was 
finally  destroyed  by  fire,  after  which  he  became  partner  in  a  hardware 
store,  and  is  so  engaged  at  present,  under  the  firm  name  of  McPheeters 
&  Shoemaker.  On  October  13,  1869,  he  was  married  to  Edora  Stuart, 
daughter  of  William  Stuart,  a  citizen  of  Bloomington.  They  have  four 
children — Frank,  Frederick,  Lynn  and  Helen.  In  May,  1883,  he  was 
elected  to  the  City  Council,  and  still  has  that  position.  Mr.  Shoemaker 
is  politically  a  Democrat.  He  is  a  member  of  the  K.  of  P.  and  of  the 
I.  O.  O.  F.     His  wife  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 

THE  SHOWERS  BROTHERS,  bedstead  manufacturers.  James  D. 
Showers  is  the  eldest  of  seven  children  born  to  Charles  C.  and  Elizabeth 
(Hull)  Showers,  natives  of  Pennsylvania.  He  was  born  in  Adams  County, 
led.,  on  the  11th  day  of  July,  1841,  and  when  fifteen  years  of  age  came 


594  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

to  Bloomington  with  his  parents.  When  but  eleven  years  old,  he  began 
learning  the  cabinet  and  turning  trade,  with  his  father,  and  upon  their 
removal  to  Bloomington,  he  continued  in  his  father's  shop  until  Novem- 
ber 17,  1869.  At  this  time  he  formed  a  partnership  with  his  brother, 
William  N.  Showers,  and  purchased  the  business  of  Showers  &  Hen- 
dricks. April  29,  1878,  Charles  H.,  the  youngest  brother,  was  admitted 
to  the  firm,  and  in  February  of  the  following  year  they  made  a  specialty 
of  the  manufacture  of  bedsteads.  On  the  Slst  day  of  January,  1866, 
he  was  married  to  Miss  Belle  Allen,  daughter  of  Thomas  Allen,  a  re- 
spected citizen  of  Gi'eenville,  Ohio.  To  crown  the  happiness  of  this 
union  there  have  been  born  three  children.  Martha  E.  (died  August 
28,  1882),  Charles  T.  and  Maud  A.  Mr.  S.  is  at  present  Past  High 
Priest  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F.  Lodge  of  Bloomington.  He  is  an  active 
member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  and  a  stanch  Republican. 

WILLIAM  N.  SHOWERS,  a  native  of  Ohio,  was  born  in  Knox 
County  May  28,  1846.  He  is  the  second  son  and  fourth  child  born  to 
Charles  C.  and  Elizabeth  (Hull)  Showers.  He  was  brought  by  his  par- 
ents to  Bloomington  when  but  ten  years  of  age,  immediately  entering 
the  public  schools,  where  he  obtained  the  rudiments  of  a  good  English 
education.  When  about  sixteen  years  of  age,  he  began  learning  the 
cabinet  and  turning  trade  with  the  firm  of  Showers  &  Hendricks.  He 
remained  in  their  employ  until  November  17,  1869,  at  which  time  he 
with  his  elder  brother  James  purchased  the  business  of  Showers  &  Hen- 
dricks, and  continued  in  the  general  manufacture  of  furniture  and  job- 
bing work  until  February,  1879,  when  they  began  making  a  specialty  of 
the  manufacture  of  bedsteads.  December  30,  1867,  he  was  married  to 
Lida  J.  Hanlin,  by  whom  there  was  born  to  him  one  child,  Jennie.  His 
wife  dying  February  22,  1868,  he  was  next  married,  October  14,  1869, 
to  Hannah  L.  Hendricks,  daughter  of  J.  H.  Hendricks,  of  Putnam 
County.  Two  bright  children  have  been  born  to  bless  this  union — 
Nellie  G.  and  Edward  W.  He  has  filled  all  the  chairs  in  the  Blooming- 
ton Lodge,  I.  O.  O.  F.,  and  is  at  present  serving  as  Past  Grand  in  the 
subordinate  lodge,  and  Past  High  Priest  in  the  Encampment.  Has  also 
been  Councilman  for  eight  years,  and  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church. 

CHARLES  H.  SHOWERS,  son  of  Charles  C.  and  Elizabeth  (Hull) 
Showers,  was  born  in  Bloomington,  Ind.,  October  12,  1860.  When 
eighteen  years  of  age,  he  purchased  a  one  third  interest  in  the  cabinet 
shops,  with  his  brothers.  On  the  15th  day  of  October,  1880,  he  was 
married  to  Miss  Maud  Coatney,  the  only  daughter  of  Rufus  Coatney,  a 
prominent  citizen  of  Bloomington.  The  issue  of  this  union  has  been 
two  interesting  children — Earl  H.  and  Beryl  M.  The  present  firm  was 
engaged  in  the  general  manufacture  of  furniture  until  in  February,  1879, 
when  having  completed  extensive  additions  to  their  factory  they  em- 
barked in  the  special  manufacture  of  bedsteads.  For  a  time  their  busi- 
ness was  conducted  on  a  small  scale,  but  it  gradually  increased  until  at 
pi'esent  it  has  a  capital  invested  of  over  $100,000,  and  employs  110  men. 
It  has  a  capacity  for  making  1,350  bedsteads  per  week,  and  during  the 
past  year  (1883)  sold  36,450  different  classes  of  bedsteads,  at  a  cost  of 
about  $125,000.  It  is  undoubtedly  the  most  extensive  manufacturing 
enterprise  in  Bloomington,  and  the  Showers  Brothers  deserve  a  great- 
deal  of  credit  for  the  success  they  have  achieved. 


BLOOMINGTON  TOWNSHIP  AND  CITY.  595 

CAPT.  JOHN  M.  SLUSS  (deceased)  was  born  in  Winchester,  Ky. , 
November  28,  1807,  and  was  the  son  of  Adam  and  Mary  (Spielman) 
Slnss,  natives  respectively  of  Maryland  and  Virginia,  and  of  German  ex- 
traction. ■  At  the  age  of  seventeen,  entered  an  apprenticeship  at  tailoring 
for  three  years;  then  worked  one  year  as  a  journeyman.  In  1829,  he 
came  tc  Bloomington  and  opened  a  shop,  which  he  operated  until  con- 
finement told  upon  his  health,  when  he  began  trading  in  stock,  which  he 
continued  until  1846,  when  he  raised  a  company  for  the  Mexican  war, 
and  was  elected  Captain.  During  his  fifteen  months'  service,  he  con- 
tracted the  illness  which  resulted  in  his  death,  February  25,  1879.  In 
politics,  he  was  a  Whig,  and  was  twice  elected  SheriQ  of  Monroe  County,^ 
and  once  to  the  State  Legislature.  On  the  dissolution  of  the  Whig  party, 
he  became  a  Democrat,  was  elected  Justice  of  the  Peace,  and  served  until 
hia  retirement  to  his  farm  adjoining  Bloomington,  on  which  he  died,  aged 
seventy-one.  He  was  married,  iMay  8,  1828,  to  Miss  Eliza  Hunter,  a 
native  of  Kentucky  and  born  August  27,  1808.  To  this  union  were  born 
two  sons  and  seven  daughters,  of  whom  the  sons  and  five  daughters,  are 
still  living.  His  widow  is  a  member  of  the  Christian  Church,  of  which 
Capt.  Sluss  was  also  a  member,  as  well  as  a  member  of  the  Masonic 
fraternity. 

WILLIAM  STUART  was  born  January  10,  1816,  in  Washington 
County,  Ind.,  and  is  the  son  of  William  and  Ann  (Donley)  Stuart,  natives 
of  Pennsylvania  and  North  Carolina,  respectively.  The  father  died  in 
Posey  County,  Ind.,  in  1845.  The  mother  died  July  5.  1865.  The 
subject  of  this  sketch  is  the  second  son  and  fifth  child.  There  were  very 
few  advantages  for  an  education,  but  by  energy  and  industry,  he  acquired 
a  knowledge  of  the  English  language,  which  has  assisted  him  greatly  in 
business  affairs.  He  learned  the  trade  of  manufacturing  fai'ming  imple- 
ments, and  in  1838  opened  a  shop  in  his  native  county,  where  he  was 
successfully  engaged  for  three  years.  He  then  went  to  Salem,  Ind.,  and 
continued  to  work  at  his  trade  until  1848,  when  his  health  failed,  and 
he  was  not  able  to  work  for  five  years.  He  traveled  around  the  country, 
selling  goods  from  a  wagon,  for  two  years  after  he  got  well,  and  then 
went  into  the  general  merchandise  business  in  Clear  Spring,  Jackson 
County,  Ind. ,  for  some  time.  He  sold  out,  and  went  into  business  in 
Washington  County;  afterward  in  Salem,  in  the  hardware  business.  In 
the  Pall  of  1864,  he  came  to  Bloomington,  and  was  in  the  hardware  busi- 
ness here  until  the  fall  of  1883.  since  which  time  he  has  retired.  On 
April  15,  1841,  he  was  married  to  Melinda  E.  Holstine,  daughter  of 
George  Holstine,  a  citizen  of  Tennessee.  They  have  had  six  children  — 
Clem  E.,  Pamelia  J.,  Helen,  Cleopatra,  Amanda  E.,  Isaac  W.  (deceased). 
Mr.  Stuart  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Church,  and  politically  he  is  a 
Republican. 

WILLIAM  M.  TATE  was  born  in  South  Carolina  March  29,  1818, 
and  is  the  third  son  and  fifth  child  of  William  and  Margaret  (Fee)  Tate, 
natives  of  Ireland.  They  came  to  Monroe  County,  Ind.,  in  1830,  and 
settled  near  Bloomington,  where  the  father  died  on  October  9,  1850.  The 
mother  died  in  August,  1857.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  came  to  Monroe  * 
County  with  his  parents,  and  remained  on  the  farm  until  1848,  when  he 
began  farming  in  Bloomington  Township.  In  1856,  he  entered  the  em- 
ploy of  a  merchant,  with  whom  he  remained  for  three  years,  when  he  was 
disabled  by  sickness  for  one  year.  He  again  clerked  until  1861,  when  he 
was  appointed  Postmaster,  and  served  until  May  15,  1865.     One  year 


59(^  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 

later,  he  was  employed  by  merchants  of  Bloomington,  and  stayed  with 
them  for  two  years.  He  was  with  another  firm  for  about  five  years.  In 
May,  1872,  he  went  into  the  grocery  business,  and  three  years  later  en- 
tered the  employ  of  W.  O.  Fee,  a  general  merchandise  merchant,  con- 
tinuing with  him  one  year  and  a  half,  and  then  began  the  meat  market 
business  with  Joseph  S.  Payne.  In  1878,  he  was  elected  Justice  of  the 
Peace,  and  was  re-elected  in  1882.  He  is  also  in  the  insui'ance  business, 
and  represents  the  PhcBnix  and  Hartford  Fire  Insurance  Companies.  He 
is  a  member  of  the  A.,  F.  &  A.  M.,  and  is  identified  with  the  Methodist 
Church.  Politically,  he  is  a  Kepublican.  October  4,  1849,  he  married 
Elizabeth  Bronning,  daughter  of  William  and  Susan  Bronning.  They 
had  one  child — Martha  J.  (deceased).  His  wife  dying  August  2,  1874, 
he  was  married  one  year  later  to  Hattie  Payne,  daughter  of  Thomas  and 
Mary  Payne,  of  Bloomington. 

DR.  HENRY  P.  TOURNER  (deceased)  was  born  at  Waterford,  Ire- 
land, January  1, 1811.  His  mother  and  father  dying  in  his  infancy, 
he  was  placed  under  the  care  of  an  uncle,  who  gave  him  every  educa- 
tional advantage.  When  twenty -three  years  of  age,  he  went  to  Quebec, 
Canada,  for  one  year,  then  to  Chicago,  and  thence  South.  In  1840,  he 
prepared  himself  for  the  practice  of  medicine,  which  profession  he  fol- 
lowed in  Northei'n  Mississippi,  Western  Tennessee,  Memphis,  Nashville, 
Hopkinsville,  Ky. ,  and  Bloomington,  Ind.,  to  which  last  place  he  came  in 
1858,  and  entered  the  regular  practice  and  continued  until  his  death, 
which  occurred  October  10,  1881.  As  a  citizen,  he  always  commanded 
the  respect  and  confidence  of  the  community.  He  was  always  charitable, 
and  many  poor  and  needy  re(!eived  of  his  beneficence.  As  a  physician, 
he  was  faithful,  skillful  and  successful.  For  twenty-three  years,  he  was 
an  office  bearer  in  the  Church  of  _  Christ,  and  an  active  and  respected 
member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity.  In  1851,  he  was  married,  near  Mem- 
phis, Tenn..  to  Frances  A.  Morgan,  by  whom  there  were  eleven  children, 
eight  of  whom  are  still  living.  Henry  is  at  present  a  prominent  jeweler 
of  Bloomington,  and  is  enjoying  a  lucrative  business.  Charles  is  the  pro- 
prietor of  one  of  the  largest  clothing  stores,  and  does  an  extensive  busi- 
ness in  gents'  furnishing  goods.  They  are  both  good,  moral  young  men, 
highly  esteemed  in  the  community. 

DR.  JOHN  P.  TOURNER  is  the  second  son  of  Dr.  Henry  P.,  and 
Frances  A.  (Morgan)  Tourner.  He  was  born  March  25,  1854,  in  Hop- 
kinsville, Ky.,  and  was  reared  in  Bloomington,  Monroe  Co.,  Ind.,  where 
he  was  educated.  In  1873.  he  began  the  study  of  medicine  with  his 
father,  and  two  years  later  he  entered  the  Eclectic  Medical  College  at 
Cincinnati,  remaining  one  year.  He  then  returned  to  Bloomington,  and 
forming  a  pai'tnership  with  his  father  in  the  regular  practice,  he  con- 
tinued until  October  10,  1881,  when  his  father  died.  He  continued  to 
practice,  taking  his  father's  place,  and  at  present  is  busily  engaged  in 
the  many  duties  of  his  profession,  having  a  lucrative  practice.  On  May 
1,  1876,  he  married  Miss  Amanda  Buskirk,  daughter  of  William  H. 
Buskirk,  a  pioneer  and  respected  citizen  of  Monroe  County.  Dr.  Tourner 
is  a  Democrat,  and  is  very  liberal  in  all  public  undertakings,  and  socially 
is  highly  esteemed.  He  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Baptist  Church. 
ELDER  WILLIAM  B.  F.  TREAT,  a  native  of  Indiana,  was  born  in 
Adams  Township,  Morgan  Co.,  Ind.,  September  25,  1835.  He  is  eldest 
in  a  family  of  six  children  born  to  James  W.  and  Sallie  (Mathes) 
Treat,  natives  of   Kentucky,  and  among  the  earliest  pioneers  of   Owen 


BLOOMINGTON  TOWNSHIP  AND  CITY.  597 

County  and  Morgan  County.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  reared  in 
Morgan  County,  and  there  received  a  good  education.  When  eighteen 
years  of  age,  he  went  with  his  parents  to  Yellville,  Ark.,  where,  by  con- 
stant study  and  perseverance,  he  acquired  a  knowledge  of  the  higher 
classics.  In  1856,  he  entered  the  office  of  Dr.  Carlisle,  and  began  the 
study  of  medicine,  continuing  for  two  years,  during  which  time  he 
preached  through  the  surrounding  country.  He  was  ordained  a  minister 
of  the  Christian  Church  in  1858,  and  preached  in  Arkansas  for  six  years; 
then  returned  to  Indiana.  He  preached  at  Bruceville,  Knox  County,  for 
three  years  then  for  some  time  at  Mt.  Carmel,  111.  He  came  to  Bloom - 
iijgton  in  1870.  and  was  minister  in  the  Christian  Church  for  five  years. 
He  was  elected  on  the  Republican  ticket  to  the  Senate  of  Indiana,  from 
the  district  comprising  Monroe  and  Lawrence  Counties,  and  served  for 
four  years.  He  has  since  been  engaged  in  his  ministerial  duties  and  has 
attained  great  distinction  as  an  orator  and  debater.  On  May  10,  1855,  he 
married  Miss  Rebecca  J.  Wood,  daughter  of  Abram  Wood,  a  citizen  of 
Marion  County,  Ark.  They  have  nine  children.  Elder  Treat  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  A.,  F.  &  A.  M. ;  politically  he  is  a  Republican,  and  he  and 
wife  are  members  of  the  Christian  Chui-ch. 

JOHN  WALDRON  was  born  in  Drogheda,  Ireland,  in  June,  1827. 
He  is  the  eldest  in  a  family  of  three  children  born  to  John  and  Mary 
(Hughes)  Waldron.  He  acquired  the  rudiments  of  a  good  common  school 
education,  and  while  yet  a  boy  learned  the  tanner's  trade  with  his  father, 
and  being  left  an  orphan  he  came  to  America  in  1847,  and  worked  at  his 
trade  in  Newark,  N.  J.,  until  1848;  going  thence  to  St.  Louis,  Mo.,  he 
worked  at  tanning  until  March,  1856,  at  which  time  he  removed  to 
Bloomington.  Soon  after  his  arrival,  he  purchased  the  old  Judy  Tan- 
nery, to  which  he  has  since  made  a  number  of  additions  and  otherwise 
extensively  improved  it.  The  tannei'y  is  at  present  one  of  the  largest 
in  Bloomington,  and  employs  a  large  number  of  men.  On  September  4, 
1853,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Ann  Bonecum,  daughter  of  John  Bone- 
cum,  of  St.  Louis.  He  is  a  prominent  member  of  the  Catholic  Church, 
and  a  stanch  Republican.  He  has  for  twenty  years  served  as  an  efficient 
member  of  the  Town  Council,  and  also  for  three  years  creditably  served 
as  County  Commissioner.  In  1871,  at  the  organization  of  the  First 
National  Bank  of  Bloomington,  he  was  elected  a  director,  and  upon  the 
death  of  George  W.  Buskirk  in  1874,  he  was  elected  President,  which 
office  he  at  present  fills. 

JOHN  B.  WALDRON,  a  native  of  Indiana,  was  born  in  Blooming- 
ton, Monroe  County,  April  2,  1856.  He  was  the  eldest  son  of  eleven 
children  born  to  John  and  Ann  (Bonecum)  Waldron,  natives  of  Ireland 
and  Missouri  respectively.  He  was  reared  in  Bloomington,  where  he  re- 
ceived a  good  education  in  the  public  schools.  When  eighteen  years  of 
age,  he  took  charge  of  the  books  in  his  father's  tannery,  where  he  re- 
mained for  about  seven  years,  at  which  time  he  accepted  a  position  as 
book-keeper  in  the  First  National  Bank,  retaining  it  for  two  years.  On 
March  15,  1883,  he  formed  a  partnership  with  S.  C.  Dodds  and  Showers 
Bros,  in  the  manufacture  of  chairs,  to  which,  on  September  1,  1883,  they 
added  the  manufacture  of  center  tables,  and  have  facilities  for  making 
sixty -five  dozen  chairs  and  one  thousand  center  tables  per  week.  They 
have  in  their  employ  about  sixty  five  persons  and  pay  from  $250  to  §300 
per  week  for  this  assistance.  Mr.  Waldron  is  identified  with  the  Cath- 
olic Church,  and  is  a  faithful  member  and  an  active  worker  in  its  main- 


598  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

tenance.  He  is  politically  a  Republican,  and  quite  influential  in  his 
party.  He  is  liberal  as  a  citizen,  highly  respected  in  the  community,  in- 
dustrious, energetic  and  ever  ready  to  assist  in  any  commendable  public 
undertaking. 

GEOKGE  W.  WALKER,  a  native  of  Indiana,  was  born  September 
]3,  1844,  in  Lawrence  County.  He  is  the  third  son  of  John  F.  and  Sarah 
(Green)  Walker,  natives  of  Kentucky  and  Indiana  respectively.  He  was 
reared  in  Polk  Township,  Monroe  County,  and  acquired  a  good  common 
school  education.  When  ten  years  of  age,  he  came  to  Bloomington  with 
his  parents,  and  here  entered  the  public  schools,  through  which  he  passed 
with  great  credit.  About  1856,  he  commenced  learning  the  printer's 
trade,  continuing  to  work  at  it  until  1861.  He  was  assigned  the  posi- 
tion of  Deputy  Postmaster  under  William  M.  Tate,  and  has  since  been 
seen  at  his  post,  faithfully  discharging  the  duties  devolving  upon  him. 
Mr.  Waiker  is  a  member  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F.,  and  is  identified  with  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  in  which  he  is  an  active  as  well  as  an  in- 
fluential member.  Politically,  he  is  a  Republican,  a  stanch  worker  and 
highly  esteemed  by  the  citizens. 

DR.  ROBERT  M.  WEIR  was  born  in  Richland  Township,  Monroe 
County,  Ind.,  in  July,  1841.  His  parents,  Charles  S.  and  Elizabeth 
(Strong)  Weir,  natives  of  South  Carolina,  and  of  Ii-ish  extraction,  came 
to  Indiana  in  1832,  locating  on  a  farm  in  Richland  Township,  where  they 
now  live.  Our  subject  is  the  eldest  in  the  family,  and  was  educated  in 
his  native  township.  In  1857,  he  entered  theStateUniversity  at  Bloom- 
ington, graduating  thence  in  June,  1863.  In  the  fall  of  that  same  year, 
he  began  the  study  of  medicine  with  Dr.  J.  D.  Maxwell,  and  continued 
for  about  eight  months,  when  he  enlisted  in  Company  K,  One  Hundred 
and  Thirty-third  Indiana  Volunteers,  under  Capt.  Rutledge,  in  the  one 
hundred  days'  service,  and  on  September  5  received  an  honorable  dis- 
charge. In  the  fall  of  1864,  he  entered  the  University  of  Michigan,  in 
the  Medical  Department,  and  graduated  in  March,  1866.  Two  months 
later,  he  entered  the  regular  practice  at  White  Hall,  Owen  County,  Ind., 
and  continued  there  until  Mai'ch,  1876;  going  thence  to  Paxton,  111.,  he 
remained  for  about  one  year  and  a  half,  when  he  returned  to  Blooming- 
ton,  Ind.,  where  he  is  at  present  engaged  in  practice.  He  has  been  Sec- 
retary of  the  County  Board  of  Health  since  its  oi'ganization.  October 
16.  1866,  he  was  married  to  Harriet  A.  Turner,  daughter  of  the  Rev. 
William  Turner,  of  Monroe  County.  They  have  had  six  children,  five 
of  whom  are  living — Charles  T.,  Julia  E.,Mary  E.,  Mattie  E.  and  Anna. 
Dr.  Weir  is  a  member  of  the  United  Presbyterian  Chm'ch,  and  politically 
he  is  a  Republican. 

LEONARD  WHETSELL  was  born  in  Wythe  County,  Va.,  March 
24,  183'J,  aad  is  the  second  son  and  sixth  child  of  Peter  and  Elizabeth 
W^hetsell.  When  four  years  of  age,  he  came  to  Indiana  with  his  par- 
ents, and  located  in  New  Albany,  where  they  remained  for  two  years, 
coming  thence,  in  1838,  to  Monroe  County.  They  settled  on  a  farm  near 
Bloomington,  where  they  remained  for  about  two  years,  then  went  to 
Bloomington  in  1840.  His  parents  were  only  in  moderate  circumstances, 
and  he,  being  compelled  to  work,  only  obtained  a  very  limited  education. 
On  coming  to  Bloomington,  his  father  engaged  in  farming  and  the  har- 
ness business,  which  he  followed  until  his  death,  which  occurred  October 
6,  1841;  his  widow  died  November  21,  1875.  After  the  death  of  his 
father,  they  returned  to  the  farm,  and  subject  farmed  for  several  years, 


BLOOMINGTON  TOWNSHIP  AND  CITY.  599 

removing  thence  to  Ellettsville,  where  he  lived  for  some  time,  coming 
thence  to  Bloomington.  He  entered  the  employ  of  Orchard  &  McPhee- 
ters.  as  stage  driver,  continuing  in  this  capacity  for  several  years.  He 
then  purchased  a  two-wheeled  dray,  from  which  has  sprung  the  present 
flourishing  transfer  line  owned  by  him.  He  was  Bloomington's  first 
drayman,  and  his  success  is  evidence  of  what  may  be  accomplished  by  un- 
faltering energy  and  industry.  On  June  8,  1856,  he  was  married  to  Miss 
Eebecca  J.  Hughes,  daughter  of  David  Hughes,  a  respected  citizen  of 
Monroe  County.  To  crown  the  happiness  of  their  wedded  life,  they 
have  had  born  to  them  five  children — George,  Edward,  Elizabeth,  Leonard 
L.  (who  was  born  in  Bloomington,  Ind.,  May  18,  1863),  and  Charles  B. 
In  April,  1883,  he  entered  the  employ  of  J.  H.  Eyors  &  Co.,  spokes, 
hubs  and  wagon  stock  manufacturers  of  Bloomington,  and  he  is  at  pres- 
ent so  engaged.  Mr.  Whetsell  is  a  member  of  the  I.  O.  R.  M.,  and  is 
identified  with  the  Methodist  Church.       Politically,  he  is  a  Republican. 

EDWARD  WHETSELL,  second  son  in  a  family  of  five  children 
born  to  Leonard  and  Rebecca  J.  (Hughes)  Whetsell,  was  born  October 
26,  1858,  in  Bloomington,  Monroe  Co.,  Ind.  He  was  educated  in  the 
public  schools  of  Bloomington,  obtaining  a  very  good  common  school 
education.  When  about  sixteen  years  of  age,  he  began  running  a  dray 
for  W.  B.  Hughes,  which  he  continued  to  do  for  about  four  years,  when 
he  tired  of  the  business,  and  worked  aL  various  things  for  some  length  of 
time,  being  always  industrious.  I'or  some  time  past  he  has  been  in  the 
employ  of  William  T.  Blair,  the  popular  boot  and  shoe  merchant  of 
Bloomington.  On  October  7,  1878,  he  was  united  by  marriage  to  Miss 
Letitia  Perdue,  daughter  of  C.  R.  Perdue,  one  of  Bloomington'?  most 
prominent  citizens  and  merchants.  This  union  has  been  blest  with  one 
child — Edward  Leon,  born  February  28,  1880.  Mr.  Whetsell  and  wife 
are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  in  good  standing. 
Politically,  he  is  a  Republican,  and  is  highly  esteemed  in  that  party. 

W.  W.  WICKS,  born  in  New  Albany,  Ind.  July  14,  1843,  is  the 
only  son  of  Nathaniel  and  Elizabeth  (Tuley)  Wicks,  and  was  reared  in 
New  Albany,  where  he  was  educated  in  the  public  schools.  W^hen  sixteen 
years  of  age,  he  entered  the  emjDloy  of  his  uncle,  J.  L.  Wicks,  a  retail 
grocer  of  New  Albany,  where  he  continued  until  he  enlisted  in  the  three 
months'  service;  in  January,  1862,  he  came  to  Bloomington,  entered  the 
employ  of  a  merchant  here,  with  whom  he  remained  for  two  years.  Jan- 
uary 2,  1864,  he  enlisted  in  the  Twentieth  Indiana  Artillery,  and  took 
part  in  the  battles  at  Atlanta,  Jonesboro  and  Nashville,  and  on  June  28, 
1865,  by  reason  of  the  closing  of  the  war,  he  received  an  honorable  dis- 
charge, and  again  came  to  Bloomington.  Re-entering  the  employ  of 
Mr.  Tuley,  he  remained  until  September  10,  1868,  when  he  was  married 
to  Sarah  McPhetridge,  daughter  of  Milton  McPhetridge,  pioneers  of 
Monroe  County.  They  have  two  children — Blanch  and  Grace.  After  his 
marriage  he  lived  for  one  year  in  Pana,  111. ,  removing  thence  to  Bloom- 
ington, and  resuming  his  former  position  with  Tuley  &  Co.,  which  he 
retained  until  1874,  when  he  purchased  a  furniture  store,  shortly  after- 
ward selling  out,  however,  and  forming  a  partnership  with  J.  B.  Clark,  in 
the  dry  goods  business,  continuing  for  three  years,  and  then  retired  from 
active  business  for  seven  months,  on  account  of  ill  health.  He  next 
formed  a  partnership  with  R.  M.  Gamble  and  C.  B.  Mitchell,  in  general 
merchandise  store,  the  former  going  out  in  January,  1882,  the  latter 
selling  his  stock  to  our  subject  January  1,  1883,  and  at  present  the  busi- 


600  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

ness  is  now  under  the  tirm  name  of  W.  W.  Wicks.  He  is  a  member  of 
the  I.  O.  O.  F.  and  of  the  I.  O.  R.  M.  He  is  identified  with  the  Meth- 
odist Episcopal  Church  and  is  a  Democrat. 

JONATHAN  O.  WHISNAND,  farmer,  was  born  in  Clarke  County, 
Ind.,  August  26,  .1816,  and  is  the  son  of  George  and  Mary  (Owen)  Whis- 
nand,  the  former  was  born  in  Washington  County,  Va. ,  December  27.  1780, 
and  the  latter  in  Tazewell  County,  Tenn. ,  on  June  26,  1790.  George 
was  a  hatter  by  trade,  and  moved  to  Ohio  in  1811,  where  he  worked  at 
the  trade  two  years,  when,  in  1813,  he  moved  to  Indiana,  the  State  being 
then  a  Territory,  and  resumed  his  trade  at  Charlestown,  Clarke  County.  In 
1819,  he  came  to  where  Bloomington  now  stands,  where  he  again  resumed 
his  occupation.  In  1821,  he  entered  eighty  acres  of  land,  and  followed 
farming  in  connection  with  his  trade.  In  1838,  he  built  a  woolen  mill 
at  Ellettsville,  which  was  taken  charge  of  by  his  son  Jonathan  until 
1844.  He  died  in  1863,  his  wife  in  1852.  He  was  a  member  of  the 
Baptist  Church,  she  of  the  Methodist.  Jonathan,  our  subject,  is  a 
farmer,  and  now  owns  a  fine  farm  of  230  acres,  which  he  has  secured  by 
hard  labor  and  untiring  industry.  In  1852,  he  married  Rebecca  A., 
daughter  of  Benjamin  and  Henrietta  Ridge,  who  were  old  and  prominent 
settlers  of  this  county.  To  our  subject  and  his  wife  was  born  one  son — 
Benjamin  R.  Mr.  Whisnand  is  a  member  of  Ellettsville  Lodge,  No.  245, 
A.,  F.  &  A.  M.,  and  in  politics  is  a  Republican. 

JOHN  D.  WHISNAND  was  born  in  Washington  County,  Va ,  Sep- 
tember 22,  1822,  and  is  a  son  of  Isaac  and  Mary  (Isley)  Whisnand.  The 
former  was  born  about  1800,  in  Washington  County,  Va. ;  went  thence  to 
Sullivan  (Jounty,  Tenn.,  and  in  1829  came  to  Monroe  County.  He  was 
a  farmer,  and  entered  land  which  is  now  known  as  the  John  Buzzard 
farm,  and  resided  there  until  his  death  in  1858.  He  was  teaming  in  an 
early  day,  from  Bloomington  to  Louisville,  and  sold  wheat  for  37|  cents 
per  bushel,  and  bacon  for  1^  cents  per  pound.  John  D.  was  i-eared  on 
the  old  farm  until  his  twenty-fifth  year;  then  with  $100  he  started  in  life 
alone.  He  purchased  eighty  acres  of  land,  for  which  he  paid  $800,  and 
after  paying  for  this,  added  fifty  acres,  which  cost  $1,000.  His  farm  is 
in  a  fine  condition,  and  he  enjoys  the  comfort  and  convenience  of  a  tine 
residence,  added  to  which  are  outbuildings,  all  of  which  is  the  fi'uit  of 
his  honest  toil.  In  1846,  Mr.  Whisnand  was  joined  in  matrimony  to 
Susan  O.,  a  native  of  Kentucky,  and  a  daughter  of  Reuben  and  Nancy 
(Bailey)  Shipley,  who  were  early  settlei's  of  Monroe  County.  To  this 
marriage  have  been  born  six  children — Mrs.  Bradley,  James  L.,  Louisa 
(deceased),  Mrs.  Bode,  Sarah  and  Cynthia.  Mr.  Whisnand  is  a  Repub- 
lican. 

WILLIAM  E.  WHISNAND  was  born  in  AVashington  County,  Va. ,  May 
26,  1807,  and  is  the  son  of  Jacob  and  Rebecca  Whisnand.  the  former  a 
native  of  Pennsylvania,  who  served  as  a  spy  during  the  Revolution. 
William  E.  came  to  Monroe  County  in  1830,  and  settled  near  Blooming- 
ton, where  he  followed  farming  and  wagon-making  until  1848.  He  then 
purchased  his  present  farm,  consisting  of  115  acres,  for  which  he  paid 
$1,100,  and  since  that  has  followed  farming.  In  1828,  he  married  Eliz- 
abeth, a  native  of  Tennessee,  and  daughter  of  Henry  and  Annie  (Hick- 
man) Wolf.  She  died  in  1871,  the  mother  of  eleven  children — John  C, 
Franklin,  Mrs.  Ridge,  Emanuel  (who  was  a  soldier  of  the  war  of  the  re- 
bellion). Mrs.  Elizabeth  Ridge.  Mrs.  Minet,  Sarah  J.  (Riddle),  Thomas 
(who  served  in  the  war  of  the  rebellion),  Mrs.  Mayfield,  Laura  C.  (Parks), 


BLOOMINGTON  TOWNSHIP  AND  CITY.  tOl 

and  Elihu  (deceased).  January  5,  1876,  be  married  for  his  second  wife, 
Mary,  a  daughter  of  Cornelius  and  Rebecca  (Coleman)  Ridge.  Mrs. 
Whisnand's  father  was  a  Kentuckian,  and  a  soldier  of  the  war  of  1812. 
Mr.  Whisnand  is  an  old  and  highly  respected  citizen  of  the  county;  is 
a  member  of  the  Christian  Church,  and  in  politics  is  a  Republican. 

FRANK  R.  WOOLLEY  was  born  in  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  August  28, 
1853,  and  is  the  second  son  in  a  family  of  eight  children  born  to  John  C. 
and  Margaret  Y.  (Getzendauner)  Woolley,  natives  of  Ohio  and  Pennsyl- 
vania respectively.  His  parents  came  to  Monroe  County  soon  after  his 
birth.  He  was  reared  on  a  farm  near  Bloomington,  and  in  the  district 
schools  received  the  rudiments  of  an  education.  When  about  eighteen 
years  of  age,  he  began  learning  the  carpenter's  trade  with  H.  J.  Nichols, 
of  Bloomington,  and  later  on  with  his  uncle,  William  H.  Neeld.  In 
1874,  he  entered  the  employ  of  D.  W.  Fish  &  Co.,  grocers  of  Blooming- 
ton,  and  soon  afterward  took  charge  of  his  father's  interest  in  the  firm  of 
Fields  &  Woolley,  grocers.  In  1878,  he  formed  a  partnership  with  his 
father  in  the  grocery  business,  under  the  firm  name  of  Woolley  &  Son, 
continuing  about  three  years.  In  the  spring  of  1882,  he  was  elected  by 
the  Republican  party  as  Ti'ustee  of  Bloomington  Township,  and  is  at 
present  faithfully  in  the  discharge  of  the  duties  of  that  office.  He  is  at 
present  Noble  Grand  of  the  Bloomington  Lodge,  I.  O.  O.  F.,  and  an  ac- 
tive member  of  the  Methodist  Church. 

ZIMRY  WORLEY,  eldest  child  of  Henry  and  Nancy  (Pansy)  Wor- 
ley,  was  born  August  23,  1803,  in  North  Carolina,  where  he  lived  until 
two  years  of  age.  His  parents  then  brought  him  to  Highland  County, 
Ohio,  where  they  lived  until  1819,  removing  thence  to  Monroe  County, 
Ind.,  and  settling  in  Bloomington.  Shortly  after  their  arrival  here,  his 
step-father  died,  and  being  the  eldest  son,  upon  him  devolved  the  duty 
of  supporting  the  family.  He  rented  a  small  farm  near  Bloomington, 
and  remained  there  for  two  years,  removing  tbence  to  a  farm  known  now 
as  the  old  McKinley  place,  which  he  leased  and  farmed  until  April  13, 
1826,  when  he  was  manned  to  Sallie  Legg,  daughter  of  Jonathan  Legg, 
an  early  pioneer  of  Bloomington.  After  his  marriage,  he  worked  at 
various  things,  such  as  necessarily  fall  to  the  lot  of  early  settlers,  for 
several  years.  He  then  purchased  a  farm  of  sixty  acres,  where  he  lived 
for  sixteen  years;  then,  selling  his  farm,  he  moved  to  Bloomington,  and 
built  what  is  now  the  National  House,  which  he  conducted  for  seventeen 
years.  He  traded  it  for  other  town  property,  and  retired  from  active 
labor,  at  present  residing  in  Bloomington,  hale,  hearty,  and  eighty-one 
years  or  age,  the  oldest  living  settler  in  the  city.  He  has  been  the  re- 
cipient of  no  gratuities,  and  it  is  only  to  his  energy  and  industry  that  he 
has  obtained  a  competency  of  this  world's  goods,  and  is  now  comfortably 
resting  during  his  declining  years.  He  has  been  a  stanch  member  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church  for  more  than  fifty- four  years,  and  was  an 
old-time  Whig.  His  wife  was  born  near  Shelbyville,  Ky.,  on  December 
11,  1805.  Her  parents  moved  to  Bloomington  in  October,  1824,  where 
they  resided  for  about  twenty-six  years,  removing  thence  to  Illinois, 
where  they  died,  the  father  at  the  advanced  age  of  ninety- eight  years, 
the  mother  at  ninety  years  of  age.  Mr.  Worley  has  eight  children — 
George  Henry,  Jane,  Margaret,  Elsberry,  Eli  F.,  Harvey,  James  C.  and 
an  infant. 

JAMES  C.  WORLEY,  native  of  Indiana,  was  born  November  6, 
1838,  in  Richland  Township,  Monroe  County.     He  is  the  youngest  son 


602  BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES: 

of  eight  children  born  to  Zimry  and  Sallie  (Legg)  \Vorley,  natives  of 
South  Carolina  and  Kentucky  respectively.  He  was  reared  in  his  native 
township  until  eight  years  of  age,  when  he  came  to  Bloomington  with 
his  parents,  where  he  received  a  good  English  education  in  the  public 
schools,  and  in  1852  he  entered  the  State  University,  continuing  for  two 
years  and  a  half.  In  February,  1862,  he  was  married  to  Sarah  McCol- 
lough,  daughter  of  Johnson  and  Eebecca  McCollough,  early  settlers  of 
Monroe  County.  After  his  marriage,  he  embarked  in  the  livery  business 
here,  and  continued  until  3865,  when  he  sold  out,  and  the  same  year  went 
into  the  same  business  again,  continuing  until  March,  1877,  when  he 
sold  oat  and  went  into  the  grocery  business,  continuing  one  year,  when 
he  again  embarked  in  the  livery  business.  In  1879,  John  T.  May  pur- 
chased one-half  interest,  and  the  business  was  continued  under  the  firm 
name  of  Worley  &  May  until  January  1,  1884,  when  he  sold  to  John  H. 
Cole,  and  has  since  been  engaged  in  buying,  selling  and  trading  in 
horses.  He  has  three  children — Edith,  Alice  and  an  infant  child.  Mr. 
Worley  is  a  Republican,  and  is  quite  prominent  with  his  party. 

C.  R.  WORRALL  is  a  native  of  Iowa,  born  May  24,  1855,  in  Marion. 
He  is  the  eldest  child  in  a  family  of  five  children  born  to  I.  D.  and 
Nancy  A.  (Thompson)  Worrall,  natives  of  Indiana  and  Ohio  respectively. 
His  parents  were  married  in  1854,  in  Marion,  luwa,  where  for  sixteen 
years  the  father  followed  merchandising,  and  then  moved  to  Greencastle, 
Ind.  He  kept  a  hotel  there  until  1874,  when  he  came  to  Bloomington, 
where  he  at  present  resides,  engaged  in  the  harness  business.  The  sub- 
ject of  this  sketch  was  reared  in  his  native  town,  where  he  was  educated 
in  the  public  schools,  and  in  1871  he  entered  the  Asbury  University  at 
Greencastle,  remaining  for  three  years.  He  then  entered  the  Law  De- 
partment of  the  State  University  at  Bloomington,  from  which  he  gradu- 
ated in  June,  1876.  Two  years  later,  he  began  the  regular  practice  of 
his  profession  in  Bloomington,  remaining  there  but  one  year,  when  he 
removed  to  Ogdeu,  Iowa,  and  practiced  there  for  three  years,  during 
which  time  he  served  as  City  Attorney,  and  as  City  Recorder  for  one 
year.  In  the  fall  of  1881,  he  returned  to  Bloomington,  and  taught 
school  for  a  year.  He  then  resumed  his  practice,  in  which  he  has  since 
continued  very  successfully.  On  July  3,  1883,  he  was  married  to  Emma 
Walker,  daughter  of  Dr.  'W.  S.  Walker,  a  pioneer  of  Monroe  County, 
Ind.  Besides  practicing  his  profession,  he  is  in  the  real  estate  business, 
and  also  in  the  insurance  business.  He  is  politically  a  Democrat,  and  a 
very  prominent  member  of  that  party. 


PERRY  TOWNSHIP. 


DAVID  ADAMS,  farmer,  was  born  in  Chester  County,  S.  C,  Octo- 
ber 4,  1821,  son  of  John  and  Mary  (Simpson)  Adams.  In  a  family  of 
nine  children,  Mr.  Adams  is  the  second,  and  is  of  Irish  descent.  The 
parents  of  Mr.  Adams  were  also  born  in  South  Carolina.  His  paternal 
grandfather  was  Capt.  Samuel  Adams,  a  native  of  Ireland,  who  came  to 
America  prior  to  the  Revolutionary  war.  He  served  seven  years  in  that 
struggle.     When  the  subject  of  this  sketch  was  about  fourteen  years  old, 


PERRY  TOWNSHIP.  603 

he,  with  his  parents,  removed  from  South  Carolina  to  Franklin  County, 
111.,  and  there  remained  a  short  time;  then  came  to  Monroe  County, 
Ind. ,  and  settled  near  where  Mr.  Adams  now  resides.  In  this  county 
his  parents  died — -the  father  January  4,  1853,  and  the  mother  April  4, 
1879,  His  father  was  one  of  the  pioneer  men  of  Monroe  County. 
When  Mr.  Adams  was  about  twenty  years  of  a^e,  he  began  the  scenes  of 
life  for  himself.  He  was  married,  in  1850,  to  Miss  Indiana  McQueen,  a 
native  of  Bartholomew  County,  Ind.  To  this  marriage  has  been  born 
seven  children — William  (deceased),  and  an  infant  that  died  unnamed, 
Mary  (deceased),  Sallie,  Emma,  George  and  Laura.  In  1851,  Mr.  Adams 
settled  where  he  now  lives.  Here  he  has  139  acres  of  good  land.  He 
has  a  good  barn,  36x46,  built  in  1883.  Mr.  Adams  has  been  successful  in 
life.  He  is  a  Democrat,  and  cast  bis  first  vote  for  Van  Buren  before  he 
was  of  age.  Mr.  Adams  is  one  of  the  early  men  of  Monroe  County,  and 
is  one  of  the  leading  citizens  of  Perry  Township.  The  family  is  well 
known  and  greatly  respected. 

WILLIAM  BLACKLEY,  pioneer,  was  born  in  Mason  County,  Ky. , 
February  12,  1814,  and  is  the  son  of  Thomas  and  Elizabeth  (^McFall) 
Blackley.  He  is  one  of  eight  children,  and  is  of  Irish  extraction.  The 
paternal  grandfather  of  Mr.  Blackley  was  Robert  Blackley,  a  native  of  Ire- 
land. The  parents  of  our  subject  were  born  in  Virginia;  in  early  life, 
they  removed  to  Mason  County,  Ky.,  and  there  remained  until  October. 
1835,  when  they  came  to  Monroe  County,  Ind.,  where  his  mother  died  in 
1844,  and  his  father  in  1846;  his  parents  were  among  the  early  comers 
to  the  county,  and  were  prominent  pioneers.  The  marriage  of  our  sub- 
ject took  place  in  1852,  to  Miss  Elizabeth  Hall,  a  native  of  Kentucky. 
Children,  have  been  born  to  this  union  as  follows:  Martha  A.,  William 
O.,  Horace  M.,  Sarah  F.,  Thomas  S.,  Leeona  E.,  and  two  infants  that 
died  unnamed.  The  year  1835  dates  the  settlement  of  Mr.  Blackley  at 
his  present  place  of  residence.  His  house,  which  is  one  of  the  best  in 
the  county,  was  erected  in  1876  at  a  cost  of  $7,000.  Mr.  Blackley  is  one 
of  the  most  extensive  land  owners  in  Perry  Township,  besides  having 
land  in  Missouri.  Politically,  Mr.  Blackley  is  a  Republican,  but  was 
formerly  a  Whig.  Our  subject  did  not  have  the  privileges  of  education, 
though  he  now  possesses  good  practical  knowledge.  The  Blackley  family 
is  connected  with  the  Christian  Church,  and  is  highly  respected. 

W.  C.  BORLA.ND,  one  of  the  frontier  men  of  Monroe  County,  was 
born  in  the  county's  capital  December  18,  1820,  and  is  a  son  of  Edward 
and  Margaret  (Caldwell)  Borland.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  is  the  sec- 
ond in  a  family  of  eight  children,  and  is  of  Irish-Welsh  lineage.  The 
parents  of  Mr.  Borland  were  natives  of  Washington  County,  Penn.  His 
paternal  grandfather  was  William  Borland,  a  native  of  Ireland,  who 
came  to  America  prior  to  the  war  between  America  and  England.  The  Bor- 
land family  was  known  in  the  territory  that  now  composes  Monroe  County 
as  early  as  1816,  though  the  father  of  our  subject  did  not  come  until 
1818.  The  father  of  Mr.  Borland  was,  by  occupation,  a  carpenter,  and 
did  the  carpenter  work  on  the  first  court  house  of  the  county;  he  died  in 
this  county  in  1869.  The  mother  of  Mr.  Borland  died  in  1879.  The 
year  1846  dates  the  marriage  of  our  subject  to  Miss  Christian  Shryer,  a 
native  of  Cumberland,  Md.  To  this  household  were  born  seven  children, 
as  follows:  Gertrude  M.,  Lewis  S.,  William  M.,  Edward,  Maria  (de- 
ceased), James  and  Minnie.  In  1846,  Mr.  Borland  settled  where  he  now 
resides.     He  has  320  acres  of  well-improved  land,  and  is  one  of  the  suc- 

38 


604  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES: 

cessful  men  of  Monroe  County.  B'or  many  years  he  dealt  in  cattle  and 
is  known  as  one  of  the  pioneer  stock  men  of  Perry  Township.  Politi- 
cally, he  is  a  Eepublican. 

THOMAS  N.  FARIS  is  a  native  of  Monroe  County,  was  born  in 
Bloomington  Township  September  28,  1835;  is  a  son  of  James  and  Nan- 
cy (Smith)  Faris;  is  the  fifth  in  a  family  of  nine  children,  and  came  of 
Scotch-Irish  origin.  When  in  his  twentieth  year,  he  began  life  for  him- 
self. His  occupation  has  been  that  of  a  farmer,  and  as  such  he  has  been 
quite  successful.  He  has  133  acres  of  well- improved  land,  a  part  of 
which  is  a  portion  of  what  was  the  old  Faris  homestead.  The  marriage 
of  Mr.  Faris  occurred  in  1861  to  Miss  Nancy  Ervin,  a  native  of  Monroe 
County,  lud.,  and  who  is  a  most  amiable  woman.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Faris 
are  prominent  members  of  the  Reformed  Presbyterian  Church.  He  takes 
no  part  in  politics,  because  God  is  not  recognized  in  the  Constitution  of 
the  United  States.  He  is  one  of  the  pioneers  of  Monroe  County,  and 
for  forty-three  years  has  lived  where  he  now  resides.  In  1873,  Mr. 
Faris  began  giving  some  attention  to  potato  growing,  which  he  has  made 
a  specialty.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Faris  are  among  the  leading  citizens  of  the 
county. 

ROBERTSON  GRAHAM,  one  of  the  frontier  men  of  Monroe  Coun- 
ty, is  a  native  of  Kentucky,  was  born  November  7,  1795,  and  is  the  son 
of  Thomas  and  Jane  (Cloyd)  Graham.  This  venerable  man  is  the  eldest 
in  a  family  of  seven  children,  and  came  of  Irish  blood.  The  father  of 
Mr.  Graham  was  born  in  North  Carolina,  and  his  mother  was  of  Penn- 
sylvania birth.  As  early  as  1814,  the  Graham  family  came  to  the  terri- 
tory that  now  composes  Monroe  County,  where  it  made  settlement.  Mr. 
Graham  is  one  of  the  few  surviving  men  who  bravely  fought  at  the  bat- 
tle of  New  Orleans.  After  this  battle,  Mr.  Graham  came  again  to  this 
county,  walking  all  the  way  from  New  Orleans.  His  marriage  took  place 
in  August,  1821,  to  Miss  Phebe  Moberly.  To  this  union  were  born  seven 
children.  The  death  of  Mrs.  Graham  occurred  in  1847.  Mr.  Graham 
was  next  married,  in  1849,  to  iNlrs.  Sabina  Horner.  To  this  marriage 
have  been  born  two  children.  Politically,  Mr.  Graham  is  a  member  of 
the  National  party.  He  has  been  a  resident  of  the  county  almost  three- 
quarters  of  a  century,  and  has  long  been  one  of  our  representative  men. 
By  occupation,  Mr.  Graham  has  been  a  farmer,  and  was  very  successful. 
In  1818,  he  entered  the  land  on  which  the  northwestern  part  of  Bloom- 
ington is  located.  The  paternal  grandfather  of  Mr.  Graham  took  an  act- 
ive part  in  the  Revolutionary  war. 

JOSEPH  D.  HANDY,  ex-County  Commissioner,  is  a  native  of  Frank- 
lin County,  Va.,  was  born  March  35,  1815,  and  is  a  son  of  John  and 
Gracie  (Grimmett)  Handy.  He  is  the  youngest  ir,  a  family  of  eight  chil- 
dren, and  is  of  English  origin.  The  parents  of  Mr.  Handy  were  born  in 
Franklin  County,  Va.,  and  there  died.  His  paternal  grandfather  was 
John  Handy,  a  native  of  England.  When  Joseph  D.  was  about  two 
years  of  age  his  father  died.  At  nine  years  of  age,  he  went  to  live  with 
a  man  by  the  name  of  Ashlin,  a  tobacco  grower  and  manufacturer.  In 
February,  1833,  he  came  to  Monroe  County,  Ind.  For  several  years,  he 
worked  on  a  farm  by  the  month.  He  is  known  as  one  of  the  pioneer 
pedagogues  of  Monroe  County.  He  taught  his  first  term  of  school  two 
miles  west  of  the  present  site  of  Ellettsville  in  1841,  and  for  quite  a  num- 
ber of  years  he  taught  the  village  school  at  the  above-mentioned  place. 
In  all,  he  taught  school  about  fourteen  years.     In  1864,  he  settled  where 


PERRY  TOWNSHIP.  605 

he  now  resides.  His  land  is  a  part  of  that  entered  by  Jesse  Uavor,  well 
known  in  the  pioneer  days  of  Monroe  County.  Mr.  Handy's  marriage 
took  place  April  15,  1846,  to  Miss  Eliza  A.  Hall,  a  native  of  Kentucky. 
To  them  have  been  born  three  children — John,  Joseph  and  Laura,  of 
whom  the  last  named  survives  her  brothers.  Mr.  Handy  is  a  thorough 
Republican,  and  has  served  as  Township  Trustee  for  a  number  of  years. 
In  .1876,  he  was  elected  County  Commissioner,  and  was  re-elected  in 
1880. 

THOMAS  KILLPATRICK,  farmer,  was  born  in  County  Antrim,  Ire- 
land, November  26,  1831;  is  a  son  of  David  and  Jane  (Pursel)  Kill- 
patrick,  and  is  the  eldest  in  a  family  of  eight  children,  and  is  of  Irisli 
lineage.  The  parents  of  Mr.  Killpatrick  were  also  born  in  Ireland,  and 
there  his  mother  died  in  1831.  In  May,  1837,  his  father,  after  a  voyage 
of  nine  weeks  and  three  days,  with  his  family,  landed  at  Philadelphia, 
and  then  came  immediately  to  Preble  County,  Ohio;  remained  until  the 
spring  of  1838,  then  came  to  Monroe  County,  Ind.,  and  settled  in  Perry 
Township.  Here  the  father  of  Mr.  Killpatrick  remained  until  I8b'2, 
when  he  removed  to  Des  Moines  County,  Iowa,  where  he  died  in  August, 
1869.  In  August,  1859,  Mr.  Killpatrick  came  again  to  Monroe  County 
from  Iowa,  where  he  had  removed  with  the  family.  He  enlisted  in 
August,  1863,  in  Company  E,  One  Hundred  and  Seventeenth  Indiana 
Volunteers.  He  was  honorably  discharged  February  25,  1 861,  at  Indian- 
apolis. After  this,  he  went  again  to  Iowa,  and  remained  until  1866, 
when  he  returned  to  this  county.  He  was  married,  February  19,  1861,  to 
Miss  Nancy  J.  Jameson,  a  native  of  this  county.  They  had  one  child — 
James  M.  Mrs.  Killpatrick  died  in  April,  1862,  and  her  son  in  July  fol- 
lowing. In  1868,  Mr.  Killpatrick  married  Mrs.  Isabella  Blair,  formerly 
Marshall.  To  this  union  have  been  born  five  children — Susan  E.,  Robert 
A.,  Minnie  J.,  Ada  B.  and  Anna  L.  In  1868,  Mr.  Killpatrick  settled 
where  he  now  lives.  Here  he  has  180  acres  of  well-improved  land,  and 
has  been  successful  as  a  farmer.  He  is  a  Republican,  and  was  an  Aboli- 
tionist. 

C.  G.  McCALLA,  cabinet-maker,  and  proprietor  of  the  Bloomington 
Planing  Mills,  was  born  in  Chester  District,  S.  C,  December  5,  1829;  is 
the  son  of  Samuel  and  Elizabeth  (Thompson)  McCalla;  is  the  fourth  in  a 
family  of  twelve  children,  and  is  of  Scotch -Irish  lineage.  The  parents 
of  Mr.  McCalla  were  also  natives  of  South  Carolina.  When  the  subject 
of  this  sketch  was  about  six  years  of  age,  his  parents  came  to  Mon- 
roe County,  where  the  mother  died  about  1874,  and  the  father  in  1881. 
When  Mr.  McCalla  was  eighteen  years  of  age,  he  began  serving  a  three- 
years'  apprentice  at  cabinet- making;  then  for  two  years  he  worked  as 
journeyman.  In  1854,  he  formed  a  partnership  with  George  W.  Batter- 
ton,  the  man  under  whom  Mr.  McCalla  learned  his  trade.  This  partner- 
ship lasted  four  and  a  half  years,  and  then  Mr.  McCalla  sold  his  interest 
to  his  partner,  and  for  one  year  worked  at  house- joining.  In  April,  1861, 
he  enlisted  in  Company  K,  Fourteenth  Indiana  Volunteers.  He  re- 
enlisted  in  the  Twenty-second  Indiana  as  a  musician  for  three  years.  He 
was  in  the  service  one  year,  and  then  the  Government  mustered  out  all 
the  regimental  bands.  Mr.  McCalla  came  home,  and  woi'ked  a  short  time 
for  his  father,  after  which  he  enlisted  in  the  Twenty-first  Indiana  Heavy 
Artillery  for  three  years,  or  during  the  war.  He  was  in  three  important 
engagements.  In  1866,  he  was  honorably  discharged  at  Baton  Rogue, 
La.     Mr.  McCalla  was  the  third  man  to  enlist  in  Monroe  County.     After 


606  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

the  war,  he  resumed  his  trade  at  house- joining,  and  continued  until  1873; 
then  purchased  a  one-half  interest  in  the  Bloomington  Planing  Mills,  and 
two  years  later  he  became  sole  proprietor.  He  is  a  Republican,  and  is  a 
member  of  the  United  Presbyterian  Church. 

ROBERT  MARSHALL,  farmer,  was  born  in  Monroe  County,  Ind., 
in  1842;  is  the  son  of  Thomas  and  Eliza  (Gracia)  Marshall;  is  the  third 
in  a  family  of  four  children,  and  is  of  Scotch-Irish  origin.  His  parents 
were  burn  in  Ireland.  They  came  to  this  county  in  1836,  settled  in  Ben- 
ton T(jwnship,  and  came  to  Perry  Township  about  1844.  Here  his 
parents  died  in  1869.  Robert  Marshall  began  life  for  himself  at  seven- 
teen years  of  age,  by  farming,  which  he  continued  until  1878,  and  then 
led  a  general  life  of  travel  for  four  years.  In  1861,  he  settled  where 
he  now  resides.  He  was  married,  September  11,  1873,  to  Miss  Kee 
McKissack,  of  Monroe  County,  daughter  of  William  and  Sarah  McKis- 
sack.  To  this  union  were  born  two  children,  viz. :  WilliaoQ  C.  and  Alma 
P.  (deceased).  Mrs.  Marshall  died  April  9,  1878.  She  was  a  member  of 
the  United  Presbyterian  Church.  Politically,  Mr.  Marshall  is  a 
Nationalist,  but  cast  his  first  Presidential  vote  for  Lincoln.  Mr.  Marshall 
has  a  well-improved  farm  of  160  acres,  and  as  a  farmer  has  been  very 
successful.  He  has  a  brother  who  served  four  years  in  the  late  war. 
Miss  Sue  Marshall,  a  sister  of  Mr.  Marshall,  has  charge  of  his  house. 

P,  B.  MARTIN,  general  merchant,  was  born  in  Washington  County, 
Ind.,  November  11,  1844;  is  the  son  of  Peter  and  Elizabeth  (Goss)  Mar- 
tin; is  the  youngest  in  a  family  of  ten  children,  and  is  of  German  descent. 
The  father  of  Mr.  Martin  was  born  in  Kentucky,  and  his  mother  in 
Pennsylvania.  They  came  from  Kentucky  to  Indiana  in  1821,  and  set- 
tled in  Washington  County,  where  they  resided  until  their  deaths;  the 
father  died  in  February,  1863,  and  the  mother  in  1846.  The  early  life  of 
Mr.  Martin  was  that  of  a  farmer,  and  at  the  early  age  of  seventeen  years 
he  began  doing  for  himself.  He  enlisted  in  January,  1864,  in  Company 
A,  Seventeenth  Indiana  Volunteers,  and  was  at  the  battle  of  Selma.  In 
August,  1865,  he  was  honorably  discharged.  In  1869,  Mr.  Martin  came 
to  Clear  Creek  Station,  Monroe  County,  and  began  general  merchandising. 
This  business  he  still  continues,  and  has  invested  about  $2,500.  He  lost 
by  lire,  in  1875,  his  whole  stock  of  goods  and  business  building,  valued 
in  all  at  $6,000.  He  was  married,  in  1873,  to  Miss  Lydia  Blankenship, 
a  native  of  Owen  County,  Ind.  They  have  two  children — Maud  E.  and 
James  B.  H.  Mr.  Martin  is  a  Republican.  In  1872,  he  was  appointed 
Postmaster  at  Clear  Creek,  and  is  also  express  agent.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Martin  are  members  of  the  Christian  Church.  He  is  the  principal  busi- 
ness man  at  the  station,  and  one  of  the  leading  citizens  of  Perry 
Township. 

THOiMAS  N.  MATHERS,  one  of  the  early-day  men  of  Monroe 
County,  was  born  in  Nicholas  County,  Ky.,  February  28,  1821;  he  is  a 
son  of  James  and  Susana  (Nesbit)  Mathers,  and  is  the  fifth  of  a  family 
of  ten  children.  The  parents  of  our  subject  were  natives  of  Bourbon 
County,  Ky.  The  paternal  grandfather  of  Mr.  Mathers  was  a  native  of 
Ireland.  In  early  childhood  he  became  an  orphan,  lived  the  life  of  a 
bound- boy,  and  came  to  America  prior  to  the  Revolutionary  war,  in 
which  he  took  an  active  part.  His  death  occurred  in  Monroe  County, 
Ind.  The  parents  of  Mr.  Mathers  also  died  in  this  county.  Before  our 
subject  had  gained  his  majority,  he  began  doing  for  himself.  His  mar- 
riage took  place  in  1841,  to  Miss  Mary  E.  Mathers,  an  own  cousin.     Mrs. 


PERRY    TOWNSHIP.  607 

Mathers  was  also  of  Kentucky  birth,  one  of  the  pioneer  women  of  Monroe 
County,  and  a  most  amiable  Christian  lady.  Her  death  occurred  Decem 
ber  28,  1880.  To  the  above-mentioned  union  were  born  nine  children, 
The  year  1841  dates  the  settlement  of  Mr.  Mathers  where  he  now  resides, 
He  has  a  valuable  and  well-improved  farm,  and  is  in  comfortable  circum 
stances.  By  the  "  sweat  of  his  brow  "  he  has  accomplished  what  he  has 
and  his  success  is  due  to  his  own  energy  and  economy.  Politically,  Mr 
Mathers  is  a  Republican,  but,  prior  to  1861,  he  was  a  Jackson  Democrat 
He  was  elected  Assessor  of  Perry  Township  in  1879,  and  served  one 
term,  and  by  appointment  served  one  year.  For  forty-five  years  he  has 
been  a  consistent  member  of  the  Christian  Church. 

WILLIAM  J.  MOORE  was  born  in  Bloomington,  Ind. ,  January  30, 
1821,  and  is  the  only  son  in  a  family  of  two  children,  born  to  John  and 
Ann  (Henry)  Moore.  The  parents  of  Mr.  Moore  were  born  in  Ireland, 
and  emigrated  to  America  in  1816,  and  for  two  years  they  lived  near 
Pittsburgh,  Penn.,  and  then  came  to  Monroe  County  and  settled  in  the  town 
of  Bloomington.  Here  they  lived  until  their  death.  His  father  died  in 
1825,  and  his  mother  in  1846.  Mr.  Moore  remained  at  home  and  worked 
for  his  mother  until  twenty-one  years  of  age.  He  then  labored  for 
months,  at  IQ^  cents  per  day.  His  marriage  took  place  in  1844 
to  Hannah  INIcCaughan,  a  native  of  Ireland.  They  have  had  four  chil- 
dren— John  A.,  Ann  H.  (deceased),  Mary  J.  and  Susan  E.  In  1845,  Mr. 
Moore  removed  from  Bloomington  to  Benton  Township,  and  there  re- 
mained six  years;  then  removed  to  Perry  Township,  west  of  Bloomington; 
there  remained  twelve  years  ;  then  removed  to  what  was  known  as  the 
Westbrook  homestead,  and  there  remained  until  1875,  when  he  settled  on 
the  farm  he  now  owns.  He  is  a  Republican,  and  he  and  wife  are  mem- 
bers of  the  Presbyterian  Church. 

WILLIAM  NORMAN,  farmer  and  dairyman,  was  born  in  Polk 
Township,  Monroe  Co.,  Ind.,  May  5,  1844;  is  a  son  of  Peter  and  Nancy 
(Hayes)  Norman;  is  the  third  in  a  family  of  twelve  children,  and  is  of 
Scotch-Irish  origin.  The  father  of  Mr.  Norman  was  born  in  North  Car- 
olina, and  his  mother  is  of  Indiana  birth.  The  father  came  to  Monroe 
County  about  3834,  and  settled  in  Polk  Township,  where  he  died  in 
1876.  The  subject  of  our  sketch  was  married  in  May.  1863,  to  Miss 
Susan  J.  Shields,  a  native  of  Lawrence  County,  Ind.  They  have  four 
children,  viz.,  Cyrus  M.,  Lizzie.  Nannie  and  Peter.  Mr.  Norman  en- 
listed, in  1864,  in  Company  C,  Thirty-second  Indiana  Volunteers.  He 
was  honorably  discharged  in  Slay,  1865.  Mr.  Norman  removed  from 
Polk  Township  to  where  he  now  lives,  in  Perry  Township.  He  has  a 
well- improved  farm  in  Polk  Township  of  200  acres.  He  came  to  Perry 
Township  to  have  better  educational  advantages  for  his  children.  He  is 
a  Republican.  In  1883,  he  began  the  dairy  business,  and  at  present  he 
has  fourteen  cows,  and  the  business  has  been  very  successful.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Norman  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 

P.  G.  PAULEY,  farmer,  was  born  in  Van  Buren  Township,  Monroe 
Co.,  Ind.,  June  1,  1826;  is  the  son  of  Isaac  and  Sarah  (Paugh)  Pauley; 
is  one  of  nine  children,  and  is  of  German  lineage.  The  parents  of  Mr. 
Pauley  were  born  in  Nicholas  County,  Ky.,  and  in  1818  came  to  this 
county  and  settled  in  Richland  Township,  but  subsequently  removed  to 
Vau  Buren  Township,  and  here  the  father  of  Mr.  Pauley  died  in  1832, 
and  his  mother  in  1877,  at  eighty-seven  years  of  age.  When  our  subject  was 
■  seventeen  years  of  age,  he  began  the  realities  of  life  for  himself,  and  for  two 


608  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

years  worked  on  a  farm  by  the  day  and  then  by  the  month,  and  at  twenty- 
one  he  is  found  clerking  in  the  dry  goods  store  of  Helton  &  Dodds, 
where  he  remained  four  years,  and  then  purchased  a  farm  and  began 
farming.  His  marriage  occurred  October  6,  1858,  to  Miss  Sarah  J.  Hel- 
ton, a  native  of  Lawrence  County,  Ind.  To  this  union  were  born  chil- 
dren as  follows  :  Helton,  Lew  W.,  Ralph  and  Winfield  Scott.  About 
1859,  Mr.  Pauley  settled  where  he  now  resides.  He  has  200  acres  of 
splendidly  improved  land.  Politically,  he  is  a  Republican,  though  in 
local  matters  he  supports  the  men  who,  in  his  judgment,  are  the  best 
fitted  for  office.  He  is  a  thorough  temperance  man,  and  has  been  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  for  forty-two  years.  He  served 
as  chorister  in  that  church  fourteen  years.  Although  passing  down  the 
western  declivity  of  time,  his  years  bear  lightly  upon  him.  For  many 
years  he  was  acquainted  and  associated  with  one  of  the  early-day  men  of 
Monroe  County.  This  personage  was  none  other  than  the  well-known 
L.  G.  Shryer,  who  was  born  in  Cumberland,  Md.,  in  1799,  and  who 
came  to  Monroe  County  in  1825,  and  the  next  year  erected  a  steam  mill, 
which  was  the  first  mill  of  the  kind  in  the  county.  For  many  years  he 
was  one  of  the  most  active  business  men  in  the  county.  His  death  oc- 
curred in  1883.  Mr.  Shryer  was  the  father  of  six  children,  and  John, 
one  of  them,  is  a  prominent  man,  in  good  circumstances,  and  resides  near 
Mr.  Pauley's. 

ELDER  L  N.  PORCH  was  born  in  Lincoln  County,  Ky.,  September  5, 
1832;  is  the  son  of  John  H.  and  Margaret  Porch;  is  the  eldest  in  a  family 
of  eight  children,  and  is  of  Scotch-English  extraction'.  His  father  was 
born  in  Virginia  in  1802,  and  his  mother  is  a  native  of  Kentucky,  born 
in  1808.  His  paternal  grandfather  was  also  born  in  Virginia,  and  died 
in  Montgomery  County,  Ind.,  at  almost  one  hundred  and  four  years  of 
age.  The  father  of  Elder  Porch  died  near  Pilot  Point,  Texas.  The  sub- 
ject of  this  sketch  is  a  graduate  of  Butler  University,  having  quitted 
that  institution  with  the  highest  honors  of  his  class.  His  early  life  was 
divided  between  attending  and  teaching  school.  After  his  graduation 
he  assumed  the  principalship  of  the  Rushville  (Indiana)  Schools.  After 
closing  his  labors  at  school  teaching,  he  began  preaching  in  the  Chris- 
tian Church,  which  has  been  his  leading  life  occupation.  For  many 
years  he  has  been  interested  in  eternal  salvation  for  human  souls,  and 
has  preached  extensively  in  Indiana,  Missouri  and  Tennessee,  and  his 
labors  are  known  in  Ohio,  Illinois  and  Texas.  He  now  resides  near 
Bloomington,  Ind.  His  marriage  occuiTed  in  1868,  to  Miss  Sarah, 
daughter  of  Judge  Hinchman,  of  Rush  County,  Ind.  Children  have 
been  born  to  this  union  as  follows:  Maggie,  Lois,  Quinta,  Anne,  Ed- 
ward and  Yale  C.     Politically,  Elder  Porch  is  a  National. 

HENRY  CLAY  RHORER,  farmer,  is  a  native  of  Jessamine  County, 
Ky. ;  was  born  September  7,  1828;  is  the  son  of  Jacob  and  Mary 
(Hoover)  Rhorer,  is  the  fifth  in  a  family  of  eight  children,  and  is  of 
German  descent.  The  father  of  Mr.  Rhorer  was  born  near  Hagerstown, 
Md.,  in  1796,  and  his  mother  was  of  Kentucky  birth.  In  infancy,  his 
father  was  brought  by  his  parents  to  Jessamine  County,  Ky.,  here  he 
died  in  1872.  His  mother  died  in  the  same  county  in  1850.  At  twen- 
ty-one years  of  age,  Mr.  Rohrer  began  the  scenes  of  life  for  himself. 
His  marriage  took  place  November  5,  1854,  to  Miss  Mattie  A.  Hoover. 
Mrs.  Rhorer  is  also  a  native  of  Jessamine  County,  Ky. ,  and  was  born 
December  14,  1832.      To  this  union  have  been  born  one  daughter  and  bwo 


PERRY  TOWNSHIP.  609 

sons,  viz.,  Mary  B.,  Alvin  K.  and  Jerome  E.  In  1855,  Mr.  Rhorer  came 
to  Monroe  County,  Ind.,  and  settled  where  he  now  lives  at  Pine  Valley- 
Home.  Here  he  owns  a  well-improved  farm.  Politically.  Mr.  Rhorer 
is  a  Republican;  his  first  Presidential  vote  was  cast  for  Henry  Clay.  In 
1872,  Mr.  Rhorer  was  elected  Assessor  of  Perry  Township.  The  father 
of  Mr.  Rhorer  was  a  minister  of  the  old  Christian  Church,  and,  though 
a  Southern  gentleman,  was  always  of  an  anti-slavery  spirit.  Mr.  Rhorer 
has  a  fair  common  school  education,  and  has  been  very  successful  in  life. 

AQUILLA.  W.  ROGERS,  ex-Sheriif  and  farmer,  is  the  eighth  son  in 
a  family  of  thirteen  children  of  Jonathan  and  Mary  (Rand)  Rogers,  and 
is  of  English-Irish  extraction.  His  birth  occurred  October  16,  1819,  in 
Bloomington  Township,  Monroe  County,  Ind.  The  father  of  Mr.  Rog- 
ers was  born  in  Pennsylvania,  and  his  moiher  was  of  Kentucky  birth. 
In  extreme  early  life  his  father  migrated  to  Ohio,  where  he  was  mar- 
ried, and  there  remained  until  just  prior  to  the  war  of  1812,  when  he 
and  wife  came  to  the  territory  that  now  composes  Jackson  County,  Ind., 
and  there  remained  until  1817,  when  the  family  came  to  Monroe  County. 
The  father  cleared  the  land  on  which  the  court  house  now  stands.  His 
death  occurred  May  15,  1834,  in  Washington  County,  Ind.  At  twenty 
years  of  age,  Aquilla  W.  Rogers  undertook  the  labors  af  life  for  himself. 
His  marriage  took  place  April  2,  1840,  to  Miss  Mary  E.  Rogers,  an  own 
cousin.  To  this  union  have  been  born  seven  children,  viz.,  Napoleon  B., 
Mary  L. ,  Elizabeth,  Benjamin  A.,  Harriet  E. ,  Leonidas  D.  C.  and  Exi- 
lona  S.  After  the  marriage  of  Mr.  Rogers,  he  made  settlement  on  Salt 
Creek,  in  Salt  Creek  Township,  where  he  remained  eight  years,  and  then 
removed  to  Perry  Township.  In  1868,  he  made  settlement  near  where 
he  now  lives.  He  has  a  splendidly  improved  farm  of  144  acres.  Polit- 
ically, this  old  pioneer  is  a  thorough  Democrat,  and  has  always  advo- 
cated the  interests  of  that  party.  In  1862,  he  was  elected  Sheriff  of 
Monroe  County,  and  was  re-elected  in  1864,  and  discharged  the  trust 
imposed  in  him  to  the  satisfaction  of  his  coustituents.  For  more  than 
a  half  century  Mr.  Rogers  has  been  a  resident  of  Monroe  County,  and 
now  resides  in  a  splendid  residence  near  his  birthplace.  He  has  al- 
ways possessed  a  spirit  of  public  enterprise,  and  was  the  lirst  advocate  of 
what  is  known  as  the  Rogers  Pike.  He  is  a  leading  citizen  and  an  hon- 
orable man. 

HENRY  ROGERS  (deceased)  was  born  May  9,  1814.  He  was  the 
son  of  Jonathan  and  Mary  (Rand)  Rogers,  and  his  birth  occurred  in 
Clarke  County,  Ind.  At  two  years  of  age,  he  was  removed  by  his 
parents  to  this  county.  In  early  life,  he  learned  the  tanner's  trade, 
though  he  did  not  follow  that  occupation  many  years.  The  marriage  of 
our  subject  took  place  January  12,  1837,  to  Miss  Jano  Ward,  a  native  of 
Wythe  County,  Va.,  daughter  of  Granville  and  Anna  Ward,  also 
natives  of  Virginia,  who  emigrated  to  Monroe  County  in  1816.  The 
under-named  children  were  bora  to  the  Rogers- Ward  union:  Mary  A., 
Francis  M.,  Malinda  J.  (deceased).  Willis  A.  G.  (deceased),  Thomas  J. 
and  Harriet  E.  In  politics,  Mr.  Rogers  was  an  uncompromising  Democrat. 
He  served  as  Justice  of  the  Peace  for  some  time.  His  death  occuiTed 
August  21,  1876.  Mrs.  Rogers  was  born  December  27,  1814,  and  came 
to  Monroe  County  in  1816.  She  has  a  distinct  remembrance  of  the  Indians, 
wolves  and  deer,  and  is  one  of  the  true  pioneer  women  of  Monroe  County. 
She  is  a  member  of  the  Christian  Church,  and  an  earnest  Christian  lady. 
Mrs.  Rogers  now  resides  with  her  son-in-law,  Mr.  George  P.  Campbell, 


bio  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES  : 

who  was  born  in  Perry  Township,  Monroe  County,  Ind.,  October  2, 
1852,  son  of  Hugh  B.  and  Susan  G.  (Patton)  Campbell.  He  is  of  Scotch- 
Irish  lineage,  He  has  attended  school  at  the  Bloom ington  College,  and 
Bryant  &  Stratton's  Commercial  College  at  Indianapolis,  and  has  more 
than  an  ordinary  education.  In  1876,  he  engaged  in  general  merchan- 
dising, in  partnership  with  P.  B.  Martin,  at  Clear  Creek,  Ind.,  which 
he  continued  about  two  years,  and  then  began  farming.  His  marriage 
took  place  October  19,  1880,  to  Miss  Harriet  E.  Eogers,  also  a  native  of 
Monroe  County,  daughter  of  Harry  and  Jane  Rogers.  Mr.  Campbell 
has  155  acres  of  good  land.  He  is  a  Republican,  and  a  member  of  the 
Knights  of  Pythias.  In  1874,  he  represented  the  Bloomington  Lodge  in 
the  Grand  Lodge  at  Indianapolis.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Campbell  are  inembers 
of  the  Christian  Church.  He  is  one  of  the  leading  young  men  of  Perry 
Township,  and  an  honorable  citizen. 

GEORGE  STIPP,  farmer,  was  born  in  Lawrence  County,  Ind., 
November  16,  1824,  is  the  son  of  John  and  Maria  (Mauk)  Stipp.  Mr. 
Stipp  is  the  fourth  in  a  family  of  nine  children,  and  is  of  German  de- 
scent. The  father  of  our  subject  was  born  in  Kentucky,  and  his  mother 
in  Virginia.  About  1817,  his  father  removed  from  Kentucky  to  Law- 
rence County,  Ind.,  where  he  lived  until  1856,  when  he  came  to  Mon- 
roe County,  where  he  died  in  1857.  Mr.  Stipp  was  married,  in  1848, 
to  Miss  Mary  A.  McPhadden,  a  native  of  South  Carolina.  To  this  union 
have  been  born  four  children^ — William  N.,  Alice  E.,  Edward  and  Sarah 
E.  In  1848,  Mr.  Stipp  came  to  Monroe  County,  and  settled  in  Clear 
Creek  Township,  and  there  remained  until  1873,  when  he  removed  to 
where  he  now  lives.  Here  he  has  283  acres  of  splendidly  improved 
land.  He  has  a  good  residence,  erected  in  1876,  at  a  cost  of  $2,000" 
Politically,  Mr.  Stipp  is  a  Republican,  but  was  formerly  a  Democrat,  and 
cast  his  first  Presidential  vote  for  James  K.  Polk.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Stipp 
are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  He  is  an  honorable 
man,  and  has  the  confidence  and  respect  of  all  who  know  him. 

REV.  WILLIAM  D.  TURNER  (deceased)  was  one  of  the  pio- 
neer  clergyman  of  Monroe  County.  He  was  born  in  Pendleton  Dis- 
trict, S.  C,  August  25,  1806,  of  Irish  parents,  who  at  an  early  day 
emigrated  to  America  and  settled  on  a  farm  in  South  Carolina.  They 
were  of  the  stanch  old  Presbyterian  stock,  whose  religion  had  been  tried 
in  the  fires  of  persecution  and  came  through  them  without  a  falter  in  the 
Christian  faith.  It  was  in  such  a  family,  whose  religion  is  alike  true  and 
strong,  and  under  its  happy  and  restraining  influences,  the  subject  of 
this  memoir  passed  his  earlier  days.  Soon  the  fruit  began  to  appear,  and 
a  desire  sprang  up  and  grew  within  him  to  serve  his  Creator  and  Re- 
deemer. To  qualify  himself  for  the  work,  he  eagerly  embraced  the  ad- 
vantages of  the  common  school,  and  at  the  age  of  nineteen  years  he  began 
a  classical  course  at  an  academy  in  Tennessee,  where  he  i-emained  three 
years  and  then  entered  the  Miami  University,  at  Oxford,  Ohio.  From, 
this  institution  he  graduated  in  1831.  He  then  became  a  student  of 
theology  and  entered  a  theological  seminary  at  Allegheny,  Penn.,  and 
after  completing  the  course  there  he  was  licensed  to  preach  the  Gospel  by 
the  First  Associated  Reformed  Presbyterian  Church  at  Xenia,  Ohio. 
During  the  college  course  of  Rev.  Turner,  he  taught  school  during  vaca- 
tions. In  1834,  he  married  Miss  Julia  Ann  Woodard,  a  native  of  War- 
ren County,  Ohio,  daughter  of  Lewis  and  Eliza  Woodard.  This  union 
was  blessed  with  thirteen  children,  and  the  following  with  their  mother 


PERRY  TOWNSHIP  611 

yet  survive:  Martha  E.,  Harriet  A.,  Laura  L.,  Clara  M. ,  Ella  A.  and 
Anna  A.  After  Rev.  Turner  was  licensed  to  preach,  he  did  much  and 
faithful  service  in  various  churches  in  Ohio  and  Indiana,  and  in  the  fall 
of  1835  he  received  and  accepted  a  call  to  the  pastorate  of  the  Blooming- 
ton  Associated  Reformed  Church,  and  here  on  the  16th  of  June,  1836,  he 
was  ordained  and  installed  in  the  pastorate  of  that  congregation,  and  a 
relation  formed  which  remained  unbroken  for  thirty-three  years.  Here 
was  the  great  work  of  his  life,  and  this  congregation  is  the  memorial  and 
proof  of  the  extent  and  solidity  of  that  work.  It  was  his  first  and  only 
charge.  He  found  it  few  in  number,  weak  and  struggling;  he  left  it 
strong  and  influential.  With  Rev.  Turner  it  was  the  same  as  with  the 
majority  of  the  early  day  ministers  of  the  old  Hoosier  commonwealth;  he 
was  compelled  to  supplement  his  income  by  some  secular  industry,  and 
he  chose  the  farm,  garden  and  nursery  business,  and  at  these  he  proved 
himself  a  complete  master;  still  the  ministry  was  his  work.  He  allowed 
no  secondary  enterprise  to  interfere  with  his  religious  work.  Rev.  Tur- 
ner's physical  constitution  was  robust,  and  the  general  health  of  his  life 
good,  but  in  1858  he  was  attacked  by  sevex-e  ophthalmic  disease,  causing 
great  suffering,  and  disqualifying  him  for  his  work  for  three  years.  He 
gained  no  relief  from  home  treatment  and  sought  a  specialist  at  Cincin- 
nati, Ohio,  obtaining  relief,  but  only  partial  i-ecovery.  He  continued  to 
preach  until  1869,  when  the  infirmities  of  old  age  had  so  grown  on  him 
that  he  could  no  longer  minister  to  so  large  a  congregation  and  his  resig- 
nation was  accepted,  but  even  after  this  he  continued  to  aid  in  the  church 
when  occasion  demanded.  Rev.  Turner  continued  to  superintend  his  sec- 
ular interests  with  his  usual  skill  for  fourteen  years,  adding  to  his  former 
industries  bee  culture.  On  Sabbath,  August  5,  1883,  he  was  in  his  ac- 
customed place  in  church  and  taught  a  class  in  Sabbath  school,  and  on 
the  following  day,  while  at  the  ofiice  of  Dr.  Weir,  his  son-in-law,  in 
Bloomington,  he  died,  and  by  his  death  Monroe  County  lost  one  of  its 
best  and  most  influential  men,  the  church  one  of  its  most  brilliant  lights, 
the  family  a  devoted  husband  and  kind  father.  He  was  a  Republican,  a 
zealous  anti-slavery  advocate,  and  was  highly  esteemed  and  much  lauded 
wherever  known.  His  children  were  liberally  educated.  One  of  tne  daugh- 
ters married  Hon.  Franklin  Landers,  of  Indianapolis;  one.  Dr.  Weir,  of 
Bloomington;  one  is  the  wife  of  Rev.  Foster,  of  Cincinnati.  The  widow 
of  Rev.  Turner  still  resides  on  the  old  homestead  near  Bloomington. 
Mrs.  Turner  has  reached  the  alloted  threescore  and  ten.  The  home 
farm  is  now  successfully  superintended  by  Miss  Clara  M.  Turner,  a  mosb 
amiable  lady. 

WILLIAM  WEIMER  was  born  June  10,  1825,  in  Indiana  County, 
Penn. ;  Ihe  is  the  son  of  Adam  and  Nancy  (Shanks)  Weimer,  and  is  of 
Scotch-Irish  extraction.  His  parents  were  also  born  in  Pennsylvania. 
His  paternal  grandfather  was  Andrew  Weimer,  a  native  of  the  German 
Empire,  and,  in  company  with  two  brothers,  came  to  America  when  a 
young  man  and  made  settlement  in  Pennsylvania,  where  his  death  occurred. 
When  the  subject  of  this  biography  was  about  ten  years  of  age,  he  re- 
moved with  his  parents  from  his  native  State  to  what  is  now  Noble 
County,  Ohio,  where  he  was  married  in  1850  to  Miss  Margaret  J.  McCon- 
nell,  a  native  of  Guernsey  County,  Ohio.  To  this  union  children  were 
born  as  here  undernamed:  George,  Mathew  L.  (deceased),  Mary  J., 
William  E.,  Helen  Morton  and  Eliza.  Mrs.  Weimer  died  in  Blooming- 
ton, Ind.,  in  March,  1876.   Mr.  Weimer  was  married  the  next  year  to  Miss 


61 2  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES : 

Sarah  A.  Kelly,  one  of  the  pioneer  ladies  of  Monroe  County.  In  1857, 
our  subject  came  to  Monroe  County  and  purchased  what  is  known  as  the 
Abram  Pauley  farm.  Mr.  Weimer  now  owns  235  acres  of  good  land,  and 
as  a  farmer  he  is  successful.  Formerly,  our  subject  was  an  Abolitionist, 
then  became  a  Republican  and  is  now  a  Nationalist.  He  is  a  member 
of  the  I.  O.  O.  F.,  Bloomington  Lodge,  No.  166.  Mi-,  and  Mrs. 
Weimer  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  and  are  among 
the  prominent  people  of  Perry  Township.  In  1873,  the  family  removed 
to  its  present   place  of  residence. 

REDICK  M.  WYLIE,  ex-County  Commissioner,  is  a  native  of 
Bloomington,  Monroe  County,Ind.,  was  born  May  22,  1831;  is  the  son  of 
Prof.  Andrew  and  Margaret  (Ritchie)  Wylie;  is  the  tenth  in  a  family  of 
twelve  children,  and  is  of  Scotch-Irish  lineage.  The  father  of  Mr. 
Wylie,  was  born  in  Pennsylvania  in  1789,  and  his  mother  was  of  the 
same  nativity,  born  in  1791.  When  quite  a  young  man,  his  father  was 
elected  President  of  Jeflerson  College  in  Washington  County  in  his  native 
State.  In  1829,  the  Wylie  family  emigrated  to  Monroe  County  and 
made  settlement  in  Bloomington.  The  father  of  Mr.  Wylie  was  the  first 
President  of  what  was  then  Bloomington  College.  At  the  time  of  his 
death,  which  occurred  in  November,  1851,  he  was  president  of  the  Indi- 
ana State  University.  The  Wylie  Family  was  first  known  in  Ireland. 
The  early  life  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch  was  spent  in  attending  school 
and  serving  his  father.  In  1847,  he  entered  the  Indiana  State  University, 
and  graduated  from  that  institution  in  1851.  On  the  account  of  the  death 
of  his  father  about  this  time,  Mr.  Wylie  assumed  control  of  the  home 
and  assisted  in  educating  a  younger  brother  and  sister.  His  marriage 
took  place  in  1870  to  Miss  Madaline  A.  Thompson,  a  native  of  Mt, 
Vernon,  111.  To  this  union  have  been  four  children — Jane  T.,  Red- 
ick  A,  Francis  B.  and  Madaline  E.  In  1861,  Mr.  Wylie  settled  where 
he  now  resides.  He  has  440  acres  of  well-improved  land.  Politically, 
Mr.  Wylie  is  a  Republican.  He  was  elected  County  Commissioner  of 
Monroe  County  in  1874,  and  served  one  term.  Mr.  Wylie  is  a  member 
of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  and  Mrs.  Wylie  is  a  member  of  the  Episco- 
pal Church.  He  is  one  of  the  pioneer  men  of  Monroe  County  and  one  of 
its  leading  citizens.  As  a  farmer,  he  has  been  successful.  He  also  has  a 
half  interest  in  the  McCalla  store  in  Bloomington. 


BEAN   BLOSSOM    TOWNSHIP. 

WILLIAM  BENNIE  was  born  in  Newcastle-on-Tyne.  England,  on 
December  17,  1849,  and  is  the  first  of  six  children  born  to  Thomas  and 
Mary  (Biggse)  Bennie,  who  were  borp  in  the  North  of  England.  Our 
subject  was  reared  in  New  Castle,  and  worked  in  the  coal  mines  of 
England.  He  immigrated  to  the  United  States  in  the  year  1870,  landing 
in  New  York  City,  and  immediately  went  to  Greencastle,  Ind.,  and 
worked  as  a  stone  cutter.  In  August,  1870,  he  came  to  Ellettsville, 
Monroe  County,  and  has  remained  here  ever  since,  working  at  his  trade  of 
stone-cutter.  He  owns  forty  acres  of  good  land,  under  a  high  state  of 
cultivation,  with  a  comfortable  house  and  good  orchard.      He  accumu- 


BEAN  BLOSSOM  TOWNSHIP.  613 

lated  his  property  through  his  own  exertions  and  industry.  His  educa- 
tion is  limited,  as,  while  in  his  native  England,  he  only  acquired  the 
rudiments.  He  is  the  only  member  of  his  family  resident  of  this  country. 
On  October  zJ7,  1871,  he  was  married  to  Wilmina  Schultze,  a  native  of 
Prussia,  but  a  resident  of  Monroe  County.  Six  children  have  been  born 
to  them,  viz.,  Thomas  William,  (>harles,  Mary  Jane,  Emery,  Albert  Gr. 
and  Gusta.  He  is  a  member  of  A.,  F.  &  A.  M.,  No.  245,  Ellettsville.  In 
politics,  he  is  an  active  Democrat. 

MATHIAS  BERRY,  farmer,  was  born  April  22,  1820,  in  Lincoln 
County,  N.  C,  and  is  the  second  of  eleven  children  born  to  John  and 
Charity  (Rader)  Berry,  natives  of  North  Carolina,  and  of  German  descent. 
Mathias  was  reared  on  a  farm,  and  received  a  passable  education,  attend- 
ing school  when  not  employed  about  the  farm.  In  1833,  he  came  with 
his  parents  to  this  township,  where  his  father  entered  land.  On  Decem- 
ber 26,  1850,  Mr.  Berry  was  married  to  Mary  E.,  of  Putnam  f^ounty, 
Ind.,  and  a  daughter  of  Stephen  and  Nancy  (Parish)  Bell,  natives  of 
Tennessee  and  Kentucky  respectively.  By  this  union  Mr.  Berry  had 
born  to  him  ten  children — Margaret  O.  (now  Mrs.  J.  K.  Smith),  James 
W.  (deceased),  John  Stephen  (deceased),  William  Alex  (deceased), 
Nancy  Charity  (deceased),  Hamilton  L.,  Melissa  E.,  Louisa  J.,  Emma 
Ann  and  Richard  R.  (deceased).  Mr.  Berry  owns  eighty  acres  of  land, 
well  cultivated,  stocked  and  improved  by  a  comfortable  residence,  barn, 
etc.,  and  also  a  tine  orchard.  He  is  the  possessor  of  a  line  stone  quarry, 
containing  marble  which  may  be  polished  to  an  extent  almost  equal  to 
that  of  New  England  marble.  This  is  used  for  monumental  purposes, 
and  is  shipped  to  various  parts  of  the  country.  That  which  is  softest  is 
used  for  building  purposes,  and  it  is  of  the  best  quality  found  in  the 
State.  He  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 
He  has  been  Constable  of  his  township  for  three  terms,  and  is  a  Demo- 
crat. He  enjoys  good  health,  and  it  is  to  be  hoped  will  enjoy  many  more 
years  of  usefulness.  For  ten  years  he  followed  flat-boating  from  Gos- 
port  to  New  Orleans. 

DAVID  P.  BURTON,  a  farmer  and  stock-raiser  of  this  county,  was 
born  December  28,  1848,  in  Baker  Township,  Morgan  County,  Ind. ,  and 
is  the  first  of  two  children  born  to  J.  E.  and  Cynthia  A.  (Buskirk)  Bur- 
ton, natives  of  this  township  and  of  German  lineage.  David  P,  was 
reared  on  a  farm,  and  received  a  fair  ediication  at  the  public  schools, 
also  attending  the  graded  school  and  the  university  at  Bloomington,  each 
two  years.  On  December  14,  1870,  Mr.  Burton  married  Mattie  C,  a 
native  of  Morgan  County,  and  a  daughter  of  Patterson  B.  and  Mariah 
A.  (Sparks)  McCoy.  The  couple  have  two  children — Fred  W.  and 
Charles  Mc.  Mr.  Burton  owns  160  acres  of  land  in  a  good  state  of 
cultivation,  stocked  abundantly,  and  which  has  a  fi;ie  residence,  barn 
and  outbuildings,  besides  a  young  orchard.  Mr.  Burton  started  in  life 
with  $500,  and  what  he  possesses  besides  has  been  accumulated  by  his 
persevering  industry.  He  and  wife  belong  to  the  M.  P.  Church.  He 
has  always  given  to  benevolent  and  charitable  enterprises  with  a  liberal 
hand.  In  1882,  Mr.  Burton  was  elected  County  Commissioner.  In  po- 
litical fields  he  has  always  been  under  the  Republican  colors.  He  was 
one  of  the  first  to  settle  in  Bean  Blossom  Township. 

JOSEPH  L.  BUSKIRK,  a  farmer  and  stock-raiser,  was  born  Feb- 
ruary 6,  1860,  in  Bean  Blossom  Township,  and  is  a  son  of  Isaac  and 
Nancy  (McCoy)  Buskirk,  natives  of  this  township  and  of  Martinsville, 


614  BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES: 

Morgan  County,  Ind.,  and  of  Scotch-Irish  descent  respectively.  Joseph 
L.  attended  school  when  not  employed  about  his  father's  farm,  and  also 
attended  the  Preparatory  Department  at  Bloomington  University.  On 
April  14,  1881,  Mr.  Buskirk  married  Laura  Walker,  of  Monroe  County, 
and  daughter  of  Dr.  Ware  S.  and  Eliza  (Hite)  Walker,  natives  of  Ken- 
tucky and  of(,Scotch  origin.  By  this  marriage  there  is  ore  child — Chloe. 
Mr.  Buskirk  possesses  130  acres  of  land,  cultivated  and  embellished  with 
a  good  residence  and  outbuildings  and  with  the  addition  of  a  good 
orchard.  This  place  was  inherited  from  his  father's  estate.  Our  sub- 
ject has  had  excellent  success  since  starting  for  himself.  In  politics, 
Mr.  Buskirk  is  an  active  young  Republican. 

WILLIAM  A.  CLINE,  stock-raiser  and  farmer  of  this  county,  was 
born  May  10,  1840,  in  this  township,  having  been  the  first  of  three  chil- 
dren of  Valentine  and  Catherine  (Summit)  Cline,  natives  of  North  Caro- 
lina and  Indiana  respectively,  and  of  German-English  and  German  de- 
scent. William  A.  was  reared  on  a  farm,  and  received  some  instruction 
at  the  schools  of  the  neighborhood.  Mr.  Cline  married  Nancy  Jane, 
daughter  of  Levi  and  Mary  Jane  (Shilburn)  Kean,  natives  of  Kentucky, 
and  of  English  lineage.  By  this  union  there  were  three  children — Mary, 
Catharine  (McHenry),  Miuter  V.  and  William  Henry.  The  parents  be- 
long to  the  Baptist  Church.  Mr.  Cline  owns  ninety-three  acres  of  land, 
cultivated,  and  ornamented  with  a  good  residence  and  outbuildings,  and 
a  flourishing  young  orchard.  He  is  a  good  farmer,  and  by  his  persever- 
ance has  accomplished  a  great  deal  in  the  way  of  ascending  the  ladder 
of  success  in  life.  He  is  a  Democrat,  and  in  the  way  of  charity  is  not 
backward  in  doing  his  duty. 

VALENTINE  CLINE,  an  old  settler  of  Monroe  County,  who  is  en- 
terprising in  his  business  of  farming  and  stock-raising,  was  born  about 
1812.  in  Lincoln  County,  N.  C. ,  anjd  is  the  second  of  ten  children  born  to 
Philip  and  Elizabeth  (Abbenatha)  Cline,  natives  of  North  Carolina,  and 
of  German  and  English  descent  respectively.  Valentine  was  reared  on  a 
farm,  and  attended  school  but  one  month  in  his  life.  In  about  1829  or 
1830,  he  came  to  Indiana,  locating  lirst  at  Chambersville,  Owen  County, 
where  he  lived  about  four  years.  He  then  removed  to  the  river  bottom, 
stayed  a  short  time,  when  he  returned  to  his  first  place  of  residence.  Mr. 
Cline  remained  here  four  years,  and  during  this  time  married,  on  March 
18,  1839,  Catherine,  daughter  of  Christian  and  Betsey  (Master)  Summit, 
of  Monroe  County.  He  then  went  near  EUettsville;  remained  two  years; 
then  near  his  present  residence;  then  to  Owen  County,  for  two  years,  and 
finally  came  to  the  place  on  which  he  now  lives.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Cline 
have  three  children — William  Alexander,  Rufus  Oliver  and  Anna  Catha- 
rine (Taylor).  Mr.  Cline  owns  146  acres  of  land,  under  good  cultivation, 
with  a  good  residence,  barn  and  outbuildings.  After  his  children's 
marriage,  he  presented  them  with  213  acres  of  land.  Mr.  Cline  began 
his  life's  journey  by  working  for  $8  per  month,  but  by  his  unceasing  in- 
dustry has  been  able  to  earn  this  fine  home  farm.  His  wife  and  children 
belong  to  the  Baptist  Church.  He  is  a  Democrat,  and  from  his  strength 
and  activity,  it  is  hoped  he  will  long  be  with  a  community  who  greatly 
honor  and  respect  him.  He  has  reared  two  of  his  grandchildren — 
Amanda  and  William  Wilson. 

PETER  (JOWDEN,  one  of  Monroe  County's  old  settlers,  and  an  enter- 
prising farmer,  was  born  in  Wythe  County,  Va. ,  on  April  7,  1820,  and  is 
the  fifth  of  the  eleven  children  born  to  James  and  Barbara  (Etter)  Cowden, 


BEAN  BLOSSOM  TOWNSHIP.  615 

Tirginians,  of  Irish  and  German  descent  respectively.  Peter  was  brought 
up  on  a  farm,  attending  common  schools  in  winter,  when  not  engaged  in 
farm  labor.  When  he  had  attained  the  age  of  eighteen,  being  ambitious, 
he  began  to  farm  independently.  In  about  the  year  1833,  Mr.  James 
Oowden  and  his  son  came  to  Indiana,  settling  in  Bean  Blossom  Town- 
ship. Here  he  lived  one  year;  then  returned  to  Virginia  and  lived  in  that 
State  for  six  years.  In  1840,  he  again  came  to  this  county,  where  he 
remained  about  nine  years.  In  1849,  Mr.  Cowden  went  to  Illinois,  locat- 
ing in  McLean  County,  and  farming  for  three  years.  Then  he  came 
again  to  Monroe  County,  first  worked  by  the  month,  and  then  farmed  for 
himself.  On  April  4,  1856,  Mr.  Cowden  married  Susan,  daughter  of  Ed- 
ward and  Susan  (Ridge)  Raney,  Kentuckians,  of  Irish  and  Swedish  origin. 
To  this  marriage  were  given  four  children,  of  whom  two  are  living — Jennie 
Florence  and  Benton  Howard.  Mr.  Cowden  possesses  170  acres  of  land, 
which  he  has  labored  perseveringly  to  raise  to  its  present  improved  state. 
This  farm  is  finished  with  a  convenient  residence,  and  a  roomy  barn  and 
out- buildings.  His  wife  and  daughter  are  members  of  the  Christian 
Church.  He  is  a  Democrat.  From  his  hard  work  and  energy,  Mr.  Cow- 
den well  deserves  to  enjoy  peacefully,  on  his  fine  place,  his  declining 
years. 

JAMES  S.  GENTRY,  an  old  settler,  as  well  as  an  enterprising  farmer 
and  stock-raiser  of  this  county,  was  born  on  January  9,  1813,  in  Kentucky, 
and  is  the  second  of  three  children  given  to  Elijah  and  Elizabeth  (Ware) 
Gentry,  natives  of  Tennessee  and  Virginia,  and  of  English  and  Scotch 
origin,  respectively.  James  S.  was  reared  on  a  farm,  attended  school  in 
Indiana  about  eleven  months,  and  so  learned  to  read  and  cipher.  His 
parents  brought  him  into  Indiana  in  1816,  and  settled  in  Harrison 
County.  About  1817,  his  father  died,  and  his  mother  moved,  first  to 
Lost  River,  Orange  County,  in  1822,  and  then  to  Morgan  County,  and, 
about  1838  or  1839,  James  S.  entered  eighty  acres  of  land,  where  he 
now  lives,  and  to  which  he  has  added,  until  the  number  of  acres  amounts 
to  253,  all  cultivated,  with  residence,  out-buildings  and  orchard.  On 
February  8,  1838,  Mr.  Gentry  married  .Eliza,  daughter  of  Joseph 
and  Mary  (Graham)  Campbell,  of  Monroe  County.  Her  parents  came 
here  in  1818,  and  her  mother  drew  a  silver  medal  for  being  the  oldest 
settler  represented  at  the  the  old  settlers'  meeting,  August  9,  1883.  By 
this  union,  Mr.  Gentry  had  the  following  children:  William  C,  Lemuel 
K.  (deceased),  Norman  J.,  Mary  J.  (Cosner),  Joseph  P.,  James  M..,  David 
D.  and  Thornas  H,  Two  of  Mr.  Gentry's  sons,  William  C.  and  Lemuel 
K.,  were  in  the  late  war.  Mr.  Gentry  was  a  member,  formerly,  of  the 
I.  O.  O.  F.  and  of  the  Grange.  He  and  wife  are  members  of  the  M.  P. 
Church,  and  are  very  benevolent  in  disposition.  He  sei'ved  on  the  Board 
of  Trustees  five  years,  and  in  1859,  was  elected,  when  the  law  was  changed, 
and  served  until  1873.  In  the  spring  of  1878,  he  was  again  elected  for 
a  term  of  two  years.  He  is  a  Democrat.  In  forty  years,  Mr.  Gentry  has 
not  lost  three  days  of  time  on  account  of  illness.  He  lives  in  a  house,  a 
part  of  the  lumber  in  the  building  of  which  was  made  by  his  hands  in 
1837,  being  sawed  out  with  a  whip-saw,  and  he  has  worked  with  a  whip- 
saw  for  a  month  at  a  time,  for  50  cents  per  day,  thinking  this  large  pay. 
In  using  this  saw,  two  men  could  saw  400  feet  of  lumber  per  day.  Mr. 
Gentry  built  rafts  at  Mt.  Tabor  at  an  early  day,  and  labored  thus,  until 
the  construction  of  the  New  Albany  Railroad,   at  which   time  rafting 


616  BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHIB: 

R.  M.  GREER,  M.  D.,  was  born  October  3,  1851,  in  Troup  County, 
Ga.,  and  is  the  seventh  of  eleven  children,  nine  now  living,  born  to 
Young  and  Eliza  Victoria  (Darnell)  Greer,  natives  of  Virginia  and  of 
Scotch-Irish  and  French  extraction.  R.  M.  was  reared  on  a  farm,  and 
his  advantages  for  an  education  were  small,  as  he  was  in  the  South  dur- 
ing the  war,  and  little  attention  was  paid  there  to  learning.  He  went  to 
school  soon  after  the  war  was  over,  at  Davisville,  Calhoun  Co.,  Ala.,  also 
attending  Carrollton  College  for  about  nine  months.  He  afterward  spent 
gome  time  at  Louisville  Medical  College,  and  two  terms  at  the  Louisville 
University.  In  the  year  1870,  our  subject  moved  with  his  parents  into 
Calhoun  County,  Ala.,  where  the  family  remained  two  years.  R.  M. 
Greer  went  to  Fayette,  Chambers  Co.,  Ala.,  in  the  year  1870,  thence  to 
Monroe  County,  Ind. ,  about  1872,  settling  in  Stinesville,  where  he  was 
employed  in  stone  quarries  about  three  years,  after  which  he  began  the 
study  of  medicine  with  Dr.  Smith,  of  Gosport,  Owen  Co.,  Ind.  He  fin- 
ished his  course  in  the  College  of  Medicine,  practiced  there,  at  Gosport, 
for  one  year,  and  then  located  in  Stinesville,  where  he  has  met  with 
excellent  success  in  his  profession.  In  1883,  Dr.  Greer  opened  a  drug 
store  in  the  village.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church, 
and  during  his  school  days  was  associated  with  Charles  Hill,  son  of 
Senator  Hill,  of  Georgia. 

WILLIAM  HEDRICK,  one  of  Monroe  County's  leading  farmers 
and  stock-raisers,  was  born  on  February  4,  1832,  and  is  the  second  of 
eleven  children  of  Conrad  and  Mary  A.  (White)  Hedrick,  natives  of 
North  Carolina,  and  of  German  and  English  descent  respectively.  Will- 
iam was  reared  on  a  farm,  and  attended  common  schools  in  the  winter, 
when  not  engaged  in  the  duties  incident  to  farm  life.  He  was  married 
on  February  9,  1861,  to  Brunette  P.  Ground,  a  native  of  Monroe  County, 
and  daughter  of  Henry  Ground.  They  have  had  born  to  them  seven 
children,  six  boys  and  one  girl,  viz.,  James  W. ,  Samuel  E.,  Florence  I., 
William  A.,  Elijah  E.,  Charles  E.  and  Henry  G.  Mr.  Hedrick  is  the 
owner  of  250  acres  of  land  in  a  good  state  of  cultivation,  well-stocked, 
and  embellished  with  a  tine  residence,  barn  and  out-buildings,  and  an 
orchard  of  choice  fruit.  He  commenced  life  with  nothing,  but  has  been 
very  successful  in  his  accumulations,  and  is  the  possessor  of  as  fine  a 
home  as  any  in  his  township.  He  is  entirely  free  from  indebtedness,  and 
takes  great  interest  in  the  education  of  his  children.  He  is  esteemed  in 
his  community  as  an  honorable  and  upright  citizen.  Politically,  he  is 
an  active  Democrat. 

WILLIAM  HOADLEY,  Jr.,  was  born  in  Yorkshire,  England.  Janu- 
ary 27,  1825,  and  is  the  fourth  of  five  children  born  to  William  and 
Elizabeth  (Hopwood)  Hoadley.  William,  Jr.,  came  to  the  United  States 
in  1842,  and  in  1846  the  family  returned  to  England  and  settled  in 
Leeds.  They  carried  back  with  them  a  planing-mill  and  machinery  for 
making  buckets,  about  the  first  of  the  kind  ever  introduced  into  En- 
gland. Owing  to  the  hostility  felt  there  against  American  improvements, 
their  enterprise  did  not  succeed,  and  in  1848,  William  and  his  brother 
John  returned  to  the  United  States.  After  their  return,  buckets  were 
introduced  and  fortunes  made  by  many  out  of  them.  Mr.  Hoadley  lived 
in  New  Albany,  and  was  employed  in  the  steamboat  shops  until  1855, 
when  he  moved  to  Mt.  Tabor,  Monroe  Co.,  Ind.  Here,  in  company  with 
his  brother,  he  purchased  a  flour  mill,  and  also  a  saw  mill,  which  Mr. 
William  Hoadley  still  owns,  and  manufactures  as  good  flour  as  any  in 


BEAN  BLOSSOM   TOWNSHIP.  617 

the  country.  In  1876,  he  and  his  brother  divided  the  property,  John 
taking  the  saw  mill  and  he  retaining  the  grist,  and  in  1878,  William 
purchased  his  brother's  mill,  and  is  now  sole  proprietor.  On  August  27, 
1856,  he  married  Phebe,  a  native  of  this  county  and  a  daughter  of  Heu- 
ben  and  Margaret  (Buck)  Staley,  of  German  descent.  By  this  union 
there  were  seven  children — William,  Edwin,  Margaret  A.  (Gross),  Cyrus, 
Sylvester,  Claudius  and  Thomas  (deceased).  Mr.  Hoadley  was  well  edu- 
cated, attending  private,  and  also  East  Witton  School  in  England.  His 
son  William  has  taught  five  years  in  the  township,  and  is  well  thought 
of.  Mr.  Hoadley  was  formerly  a  Republican,  but  is  now  a  Democrat. 
In  life  he  has  always  been  "  lucky,"  as  the  saying  is. 

JOHN  W.  HOUSTON,  an  enterprising  farmer  and  stock-raiser,  was 
born  October  18,  1848,  in  this  township,  and  is  the  youngest  of  the  eight 
children  of  Joseph  and  Lucinda  (Putnam)  Houston,  natives  of  Kentucky, 
and  of  English  descent.  JohnW.  was  reared  upon  a  farm,  and  educated 
during  the  winter  months,  when  farm  work  was  dull.  On  December  21, 
1871,  Mr.  Houston  married  Martha,  daughter  of  John  and  Eliza  (Johnson) 
Gilman,  natives  of  Kentucky,  and  of  German  and  English  descent.  By 
this  marriage  there  were  six  children — Amanda,  Lewis  W.,  Cassandra 
M.,  Florence  Ida,  Walter  T.  and  Purnel  J.  Mr.  Houston  owns  ninety- 
nine  acres  of  land,  well  cultivated,  with  a  comfortable  frame  dwelling, 
barn  and  out-buildings,  supplemented  by  a  thrifty  orchard.  Mrs.  Hous- 
ton belongs  to  the  Christian  Church.  Mr.  Houston's  parents  came  to 
Monroe  County  in  1834,  and  settled  on  the  farm  where  he  now  lives,  and 
which  his  father  had  improved.  Lucinda  Putnam  and  her  parents  came 
to  Monroe  County  from  Kentucky  in  1823.  Mr.  Joseph  Putnam  bought 
the  farm  which  our  subject  now  owns,  in  about  the  year  1822.  Thus 
Mr.  Houston's  grandparents  were  among  the  earliest  settlers  in  the  coun- 
ty.    He  is  a  Democrat. 

ALFRED  LAYMON,  farmer,  was  born  December  26,  1846,  in  Shelby 
County,  Ind.,  and  is  the  seventh  of  twelve  children,  born  to  Alfred  and 
Elizabeth  (Randolph)  Laymon,  natives  of  Ohio.  The  father  was  of  Ger- 
man descent,  and  the  mother  of  the  Virginian  family  of  Randolphs,  her 
great-grandmother  being  an  Indian.  Alfred  was  reared  on  a  farm,  and 
was  taught  at  the  public  schools  what  time  he  was  not  otherwise  engaged. 
On  February  20,  1865,  Mr.  Laymon  enlisted  in  Company  G,  Thirty- 
third  Indiana  Infantry,  Col.  Burton  commanding,  and  joined  the  regi- 
ment at  Raleigh,  N.  C.  He  participated  at  the  grand  review  at  Wash- 
ington, D.  C,  and  was  discharged  there  on  June  20,  while  in  hospital. 
Mr.  Laymon  owns  130  acres  of  land,  cultivated,  and  which  has  a  good 
house  and  out-buildings.  He  started  with  absolutely  nothing,  but 
his  perseverance  has  worked  wonders.  He  owns  nineteen  acres  of 
land  in  Owen  County,  which  was  given  him  by  Mr.  Laymon,  Sx\  On 
November  21,  1867,  Mr.  Laymon  married  Tracy  C,  daughter  of  Joseph 
and  Elizabeth  (Parks)  Wampler,  natives  of  North  Carolina.  Mrs.  Lay- 
men's parents  are  the  oldest  settlers  of  this  county,  having  located  here 
about  1817,  near  Bloomington.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Laymon  have  three  chil- 
dren— Rosa  Etta,  Joseph  E.  and  Ollie  E.     He  is  a  Democrat. 

WILLIAM  C.  LITTEN,  an  old  settler  and  leading  farmer  and 
stock-raiser  of  Monroe  County,  was  born  in  Bean  Blossom  Township 
January  30,  1828,  and  is  the  oldest  of  the  nine  children  born  to  Gilbert 
and  Lavina  (Summitt)  Litten,  natives  of  North  Carolina  and  of  English 
and  German  descent.     Gilbert  descends  from  Lord  Lytton.      He  came 


618  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES- 

to  this  country  in  1827,  entered  land,  and  settled  in  the  place  of  Will- 
iam's birth,  being  one  of  the  first  settlers  in  the  township.  Our  sub- 
ject was  reared  on  a  farm,  and  was  poorly  educated.  He  first  attended 
school  at  the  house  of  Mrs.  Philips,  by  whom  the  children  were  instructed. 
The  principal  things  William  C.  learned  were  to  read  and  cipher.  In 
1840,  the  family  went  into  Washington  Township,  Owen  County,  our  sub- 
ject accompanying  them.  They  purchased  320  acres  of  land,  which  were 
sold  in  1853,  for  $6,000,  when  they  came  to  Bean  Blossom  Township, 
purchased  515  acres  of  land,  where  the  father  lived  until  his  death  in 
June,  1862,  at  the  age  of  fifty-six,  and  where  William  C.  Litten  now 
lives.  Mr.  Litten  was  married  on  April  17,  1855,  to  Elizabeth,  a  native 
of  this  county,  and  a  daughter  of  Lewis  L.  and  Verlinda  (Parks)  Wal- 
den,  natives  of  Kentucky  and  "North  Carolina  respectively,  and  of  En- 
glisb  lineage.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Litten  have  four  children — Andrew  J.,  Ella 
Florence  (Miller),  Eosa  Bell  and  Louis  P.  Mr.  Litten  is  the 
possessor  of  245  acres  of  land,  improved,  stocked  and  well  provided  with 
buildings,  with  a  fine  old  orchard,  and  also  a  young  one.  He  is  also 
supplied  with  all  the  necessary  agricultural  implements  of  the  latest 
make.  He  has  labored  well  for  the  property  which  he  possesses,  and 
given  eech  of  his  children  fifty-five  and  sixty-seven  acres.  Mr.  Litten 
began  to  make  a  clearing  in  the  woods  twice  for  himself  and  father  each, 
and  he  has  assisted  materially  in  clearing  up  and  developing  the  county. 
He  is  very  charitable  in  disposition  and  is  a  Democrat.  They  belong  to 
the  Baptist  Chm'ch.  Mr.  Litten  has  an  iron  constitution,  has  always 
enjoyed  good  health,  and  bids  fair  to  live  a  number  of  years  in  a  com- 
munity where  he  is  a  respected  and  valued  citizen. 

W.  H.  McHENRY  is  the  oldest  of  thirteen  children  of  John  and 
Rebecca  A.  (Wilson)  McHemy,  the  former  of  whom  was  born  in  the  fort 
at  Vincennes,  Ind.,  during  the  Indian  war  of  1812.  The  grandfather, 
John  McHenry,  was  engaged  in  the  war  of  1812,  and  participated  in  the 
battle  of  Tippecanoe.  He  went  to  Vincennes  in  the  year  1811,  and  thence 
to  Owen  County  immediately  after  peace  was  declared,  and  entered  160 
acres  of  land,  which  he  improved.  Our  subject  was  born  on  April  19, 
1838,  near  Stinesville,  Monroe  County.  He  was  reared  on  a  farm,  and 
attended  the  common  schools  when  not  engaged  on  the  farm.  At  Frank- 
lin, Johnson  County,  he  attended  a  Baptist  college  about  eleven  months, 
after  which  he  taught  school  several  terms.  On  May  3,  1858,  he  was 
married  to  Matilda,  daughter  of  C.  C.  Wilson,  of  Monroe  County.  Mr. 
Wilson  was  of  English  descent.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  McHenry  had  born  to 
them  four  children,  two  living,  viz.,  John  C.  and  Notra  B.  Our  subject 
followed  farming  until  he  was  twenty  years  of  age,  when  he  engaged  in 
the  saw  milling  business,  which  he  followed  four  years  in  Illinois.  He 
then  went  into  the  stone  business,  which  he  has  followed  more  or  less  ever 
since.  He  was  engaged  in  the  mercantile  business  for  seven  or  eight 
years  after  his  marriage,  in  Stinesville;  was  Postmaster  of  Stinesville  five 
years.      In  politics,  he  is  a  stanch  Republican. 

WILLIAM  M.  MAY,  an  enterprising  farmer  and  stock-raiser  of  this 
county,  was  born  November  13,  1844,  in  Bloomington  Township,  this 
county,  and  is  the  second  of  ten  children  born  to  William  R.  and  Eliza 
(Threslur)  May,  natives  of  Virginia,  and  of  German  descent.  William 
M.  was  reared  on  a  farm,  and  attended  school  part  of  the  time.  In  No- 
vember, 1864,  he  enlisted  in  Company  G,  Forty- third  Indiana  Infantry, 
under  Capt.  Moss.     He  was  located  at  Indianapolis  on  guard  duty  for  a 


BEAN  BLOSSOM  TOWNSHIP,  619 

time.  June  14, 1865,  he  was  discharged,  and  returned  to  farming,  living 
with  his  father  until  his  marriage.  On  November  29,  1866,  Mr.  May- 
was  wedded  to  Eliza  A.,  daughter  of  William  R.  and  Tabitha  (Everman) 
Coffey.  She  was  born  January  23,  1851,  in  Monroe  County.  By  this 
union  there  were  five  children— William  R.,  Rosa  Ethel,  Frank  N.,  Mamie 
Elsie  and  Walter  E.  Mrs.  May's  parents  were  among  the  earliest  settlers 
of  the  county.  Mr.  May  is  the  possessor  of  206  acres  of  land  in  a  good 
state  of  cultivation,  well  stocked,  and  ornamented  with  a  good  residence, 
barn  and  out-buildings,  and  a  fine  orchard.  With  a  start  of  $2,300  from 
his  wife,  he  has  established  his  farm  and  home,  worth  about  $6,000.  Mr. 
May  formerly  belonged  to  the  Sons  of  Temperance.  They  belong  to  the 
Christian  Church,  and  are  liberal  in  all  charitable  movements.  He  is  a 
Republican 

ANDREW  W.  REEVES,  one  of  the  county's  pioneers  and  enterpris- 
ing farmers  and  stock-raisers,  was  born  on  April  30,  1808,  in  Fleming 
County,  Ky. ,  and  is  the  third  of  ten  children  born  to  Joseph  and  Susanna 
(Woods)  Reeves,  natives  of  Vii'ginia  and  South  Carolina  respectively. 
Our  subject  came  to  Indiana  with  his  parents  in  1818,  and  settled  in 
Richland  Township,  Monroe  County,  where  the  father  entered  160  acres 
of  land,  which  he  improved.  This  farm  is  in  the  southwest  part  of 
Ellettsville.  Our  subject  was  reared  on  the  farm,  his  limited  education 
having  been  acquired  at  the  subscription  schools  of  that  day.  On  March 
22,  1832,  he  was  married  to  Sallie  Ann  McDonald,  a  native  of  Mason 
County,  Ky. ,  and  daughter  of  William  and  Ruth  (McFadden)  McDonald. 
Five  children  have  been  born  to  them,  viz. :  Elizabeth  A.  (deceased), 
William  McD.,  Joseph  H.  (died  in  the  army),  John  A.,  Mattie  E.  (Deem). 
Mr.  Reeves  was  four  years  a  Trustee  of  Richland  Township;  was  also  a 
School  Trustee  of  Ellettsville.  He  was  elected  Sheriff  of  Monroe  County 
for  two  consecutive  tetms — from  1856  to  1860.  In  the  autumn  of  1872, 
he  was  elected  a  Representative  to  the  Legislature  from  his  county,  at- 
tending the  regular  session  during  Gov.  Hendricks'  administration,  and 
a  special  session  during  Gov.  Baker's.  He  also  held  the  office  of  Justice 
of  the  Peace  while  a  resident  of  Owen,  of  which  county  he  was  formerly 
a  resident  twenty-one  years.  He  owns  360  acres  of  good  land,  well  im- 
proved; 120  acres  of  this  land  lie  in  Richland  Township.  About  two 
years  ago,  he  lost  by  fire  a  fine  property  in  Ellettsville,  since  which  time 
he  has  resided  on  his  farm  in  Bean  Blossom  Township.  He  and  his  wife 
have  beeu  members  of  the  Christian  Church  for  over  forty  years,  and  are 
liberal  givers  to  charitable  enterprises.  In  politics,  he  is  an  active  and 
uncompromising  Republican.  In  his  community,  he  is  much  respected 
and  highly  esteemed  as  an  upright  citizen. 

WILLIAM  RIDGE,  one  of  Monroe  County's  pioneers  and  enterpris- 
ing farmers  and  stock-raisers,  was  born  on  January  8,  1821,  in  Martin 
County,  Ind.,  and  is  the  third  of  eight  children  born  to  Benjamin  and 
Henrietta  (Staten)  Ridge,  natives  of  Maryland  and  Kentucky  respect- 
ively. Our  subject  was  reared  to  a  farmer's  life,  and  his  limited  educa- 
tion was  acquired  from  a  subscription  school  which  he  attended  in  the 
winter  when  not  engaged  on  the  farm.  He  came  to  Monroe  County 
about  the  year  1824,  with  his  parents,  and  settled  in  Indian  Creek  Town- 
ship, remaining  here  about  six  years  ;  thence  to  Richland  Township; 
thence  to  Bloomington  Township,  where  his  parents  resided  until  their 
death.  On  January  27,  1856,  our  subject  was  married  to  Margaret 
Whisnand,  a  native  of  Monroe  County,    and  daughter  of  William  and 


620  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

Elizabeth  (Wolf)  Whisnand,  natives  of  Virginia  and  Tennessee  respect- 
ively. They  have  had  born  to  them  two  children,  viz,:  Laura  A.  (Akin), 
Elizabeth  Ella.  He  has  taken  great  interest  in  giving  his  children  a 
first  class  education.  They  attended  the  high  school  at  Blootnington, 
Elizabeth  graduating  from  that  institution,  and  is  now  a  successful 
teacher  in  the  schools  of  the  county.  Mr.  Eidge  is  the  owner  of  280 
acres  of  good  land,  well  improved  and  stocked,  and  occupies  an  elegant 
residence.  It  may  be  said  of  Mr.  Ridge  that  he  is  "  the  architect  of  his 
own  fortune."  He  has  given  his  married  daughter  about  $7,000.  In  pol- 
itics Mr.  Ridge  is  one  of  the  active  Republicans  of  the  township.  His 
wife  is  a  consistent  member  of  the  Christian  Church. 

WILLIAM  STALE Y,  farmer  and  stock-raiser  of  this  county,  was 
born  April  10,  1837,  in  Virginia,  and  is  the  sixth  of  seven  children  born 
to  Reuben  aod  Margaret  (Buck)  Staley,  natives  of  Virginia  and  of  Ger- 
man ancestry.  William  was  reared  on  a  farm,  and  attended  subscription 
schools  when  not  farming.  In  1837  he  was  brought  into  Monroe  County 
by  his  parents,  who  located  in  Bean  Blossom  Township,  and  in  1840,  they 
went  to  Mt.  Tabor,  where  William  has  resided  ever  since.  In  July,  1862, 
he  enlisted  in  Company  B,  Sixty-seventh  Indiana  Infantry.  He  took 
part  in  the  battle  of  Munfordville,  Ky.,  where  he  was  captured,  paroled 
and  sent  to  Indianapolis.  He  was  exchanged  in  ninety  days,  and,  be- 
coming disabled,  was  discharged  from  the  service  December  27,  1862. 
Mr.  Staley  returned  home  and  engaged  in  farming  and  the  lumber  busi- 
ness, and  the  latter  he  has  followed  more  or  less  since  1868,  farming  at 
the  same  time.  He  owns  200  acres  of  land  well  cultivated.  He  started 
with  nothing,  having  purchased  a  horse  on  time,  and  since  has  been  very 
successful.  On  January  19,  1872,  Mr.  Staley  married  Emily  J.,  of  Mon- 
roe County,  a  daughter  of  Dr.  S.  H.  and  Margaret  (Brown)  Flood,  and 
of  Scotch-Irish  descent.  Three  children  have  resulted  from  this  mar- 
riage— Sanford,  Oliver  F.  (deceased)  and  Margaret  I.  Mr.  Staley  be- 
longs to  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  He  was  appointed  Justice  of 
the  Peace  two  terms,  and,  in  1880,  resigned  and  accepted  the  position  of 
Census  Enumerator  for  his  township.  He  is  a  Republican,  and  at  pres- 
ent one  of  the  Central  Committee  of  the  county. 

REV.  GEORGE  W.  TERRY,  a  prominent  citizen,  was  born  Decem- 
ber 6,  1825,  in  Richmond,  Va.,  and  is  the  fourth  of  eight  children  born 
to  Thomas  and  Elizabeth  Terry,  natives  of  Hanover  and  Greenbrier 
Counties,  Va.,  and  of  French-Saxon  and  Irish -French -Saxon  descent, 
George  W.  was  reared  on  a  farm  in  Greenbrier  County,  and  when  fif- 
teen years  old  he  went  with  his  parents  to  Muhlenburg  County,  Ky. » 
and  there  they  engaged  in  farming  until  the  father's  death.  George  W. 
attended  school  when  not  employed  upon  the  farm,  and  on  December  21, 
1847,  was  married  to  Nancy  A.,  daughter  of  John  and  Minerva  (Weir) 
Shelton,  of  that  county.  By  this  union  there  were  nine  children — Ruth 
Ann  (Mosier),  Melissa  Jane  (Jackson),  William  A.,  George  T.,  John  C, 
Charles  (deceased),  Ida  May,  Edward  F.  and  Robert  C.  Mr.  Terry  fol- 
lowed the  trade  of  silversmith  after  his  marriage  until  1862,  in  the 
meantime  studying  for  the  ministry  nights.  He  enlisted  September, 
1862,  in  Company  B,  Ninety-seventh  Indiana  Infantry,  and  was  soon  ap- 
pointed Chaplain.  He  was  with  the  regiment  in  all  its  engaj^ements,  ex- 
cept when  in  hospital,  and  took  part  in  the  following  battles:  Jackson, 
Miss.,  second  Missionary  Ridge,  Tenn.,  Resaca,  Dalton,  Little  Kenesaw 
Mountain,  Big  Kenesaw  Mountain,  Decatur,  Ga.,  Atlanta,  second  Atlanta,. 


BEAN  BLOSSOM  TOWNSHIP.  621 

Griswoldville,  Ga.,  Savannah,  Ga.,  and  Bentonville,  N.  C.  From  ex- 
posure, Mr.  Terry  became  subject  to  rheumatism,  and  was  confined  at 
hospital  at  Memphis  one  week,  and  two  weeks  at  the  field  hospital  in 
Marietta.  But  he  preferred  to  be  with  his  comrades,  and  so  followed 
his  regiment  on  crutches,  or  with  a  cane,  from  January,  1863,  to  the 
close  of  the  war.  In  1864,  Mr.  Terry  came  home  on  leave  of  absence, 
and  80  far  recovered  as  to  be  able  to  leave  his  crutches  and  use  a  cane. 
He  then  returned  to  his  regiment,  to  which  he  was  greatly  attached.  He 
took  part  in  the  grand  review  at  Washington,  D.  C,  and  on  June  15, 
1865,  was  discharged,  and  returned  to  his  family  on  the  farm  he  now  oc- 
cupies. He  came  to  Indiana  in  1857,  and  settled  at  New  Albany,  where 
he  staid  two  years,  engaged  at  his  trade.  He  then  Aventto  Gosport,  Owen 
Co..  Ind. ;  worked  at  his  trade,  and  preached  every  Saturday  and  Sunday. 
Mr.  Terry  lived  there  until  1862,  when  he  joined  the  army,  and  his  fam- 
ily moved  to  near  Stinesville,  where  his  wife  purchased  a  farm  of  seven- 
ty-seven acres,  on  which  they  now  reside.  In  1866,  he  attended  a  theo- 
logical institute  at  Chicago  for  two  months,  one  month  at  Clayton,  Hen- 
dricks County,  and  one  month  at  Terre  Haute,  Ind.  He  also  studied  with 
several  theological  professors.  Since  leaving  the  army.  Rev.  Mr.  Terry 
has  been  engaged  wholly  in  his  ministerial  duties  in  the  Baptist  com- 
munion. He  belongs  to  the  Masonic  fraternity,  and  is  a  Democrat. 
His  grandfather  was  in  the  war  of  the  Revolution,  and  at  the  siege  of 
Yorktown  received  a  wound  which  resulted  in  his  death.  His  father, 
Thomas  Terry,  was  a  soldier  of  the  war  of  1812,  and  participated  in  the 
battle  of  Craney  Island,  Va.  Mr.  Tei'ry  volunteered  his  services  during 
the  Mexican  war,  but  peace  was  declared  before  he  went  into  the  fiold. 
He  has  served  his  association  as  Moderator  of  Township  Association  for 
fourteen  years,  and  in  twenty  years  has  preached  5,300  sermons. 

DAVID  VAN  BUSKIRK.  farmer  and  stock-raiser,  was  born  upon  the 
farm  he  now  occupies  November  23.  1826,  and  is  the  eldest  of  ten  chil- 
dren born  to  James  and  Mariah  (Campbell)  Van  Buskirk,  natives  of  Ohio 
and  Tennessee,  and  of  German  and  Scotch-Irish  descent  respectively. 
David  was  reared  on  a  farm,  was  fairly  educated,  and  on  March  16, 1849, 
married  Lucy  Ann,  daughter  of  Isaac  and  Patience  (Still  well)  Buskirk,  of 
German  lineage.  Mr.  Van  Buskirk,  by  this  marriage  had  six  children 
born  to  him — D.  C,  J.  I.,  Cinthy  (Ridge),  John,  Thomas  and  Gety. 
He  lost  his  wife  March  16,  1866.  He  was  next  married,  May  26,  1867, 
to  Mrs.  Martha  Able,  of  Monroe  County,  and  daughter  of  Madison  and 
Sarah  (Wilborn)  Stephenson.  They  had  born  to  them  two  children — 
Michel  (deceased)  and  Mariah  Ann.  Mrs.  Van  B.  died  February  22, 
1873,  and  our  subject  took  for  his  third  wife,  October  26,  1874,  Mary 
Able,  sister  of  the  second  wife.  He  enlisted  in  July,  1861,  in  Company 
F,  Twenty  seventh  Indiana  Infantry,  under  Capt.  Peter  Clapp  and  Col. 
Silas  Colgrove.  He  was  engaged  first  in  the  first  battle  of  Winchester, 
where  he  was  taken  prisoner,  being  confined  for  about  three  months. 
He  was  finally  sent  to  Annapolis,  Md.,  exchanged,  and  next  took  part  in  the 
battles  of  Chancellorsville  and  Gettysburg,  besides  numerous  skirmishes. 
He  went  out  as  Second  Lieutenant,  but  his  Cayjtain  was  killed  during 
his  imprisonment,  and  he  received  an  appointment  as  First  Lieutenant, 
and  after  the  battle  of  Antietam  was  made  Captain.  In  the  fall  of  1862, 
his  command  was  transferred  to  Gen.  Thomas'  division,  and  on  April  26, 
1864,  he  resigned  on  account  of  disability  and  returned  to  farming.  In 
1866-68,  he  was  elected  County  Treasurer  of  Monroe  County,  on  the  Re- 


622  ,     BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

publican  ticket,  but  was  defeated  in  a  struggle  for  State  Treasurer  in 
1876.  He  has  not  since  made  any  attempt  to  secure  office.  Mr.  Van 
Buskirk  owns  450  acres  of  land  on  White  River  bottom,  highly  cultivated, 
well  stocked,  and  which  has  the  addition  of  a  fine  residence,  outbuildings 
and  orchard,  and  is  one  of  our  oldest  settlers,  having  always  lived  here. 
He  has  provided  handsomely  for  all  his  children,  and  has  taken  great 
interest  in  their  education,  having  given  them  all  courses  at  college. 
He  enjoyed  good  health  until  he  left  the  army,  since  which  time  he  has 
been  affected  with  rheumatism.  Mr.  Van  Buskirk  is  the  largest  and  tall- 
est man  in  the  county,  and  one  of  the  largest  in  the  State.  He  weighs 
390  pounds,  and  stands  six  feet  ten  inches  in  his  stockings.  He  is  a 
Republican,  and  is  very  benevolent.  Mr.  Van  B.'s  grandfather,  Isaac  Van 
Buskirk,  was  a  soldier  of  the  Revolution,  and  his  uncle,  John  Van  Bus- 
kirk, served  in  the  war  of  1812,  having  been  wounded  at  the  battle  of 
Tippecanoe.  Isaac,  son  of  John  Van  Buskirk,  served  in  the  Mexican 
war,  and  in  the  late  rebellion.  He  was  killed  at  the  battle  of  Chancel- 
lors ville,  at  the  time  being  a  Lieutenant.  The  wives  of  the  above  men- 
tioned soldiers  are  all  sleeping  peacefully  in  the  family  graveyard  on 
David  Van  Buskirk's  place.  This  burying-ground  is  located  on  a  hill 
east  of  the  house,  and  from  the  spot  you  may  command  a  view  of  the  en- 
tire country. 

LEWIS  W.  WALDEN  was  born  in  Bean  Blossom  Township,  Monroe 
County,  on  November  27,  1830,  is  one  of  the  oldest  living  native-born  citi- 
zens in  the  township,  and  is  the  fifth  of  ten  children  born  to  Lewis  L. 
and  Virlincha  (Pttrks)  Walden,  the  father  a  native  of  Kentucky,  the 
mother  of  North  Carolina.  Our  subject  was  reared  on  a  farm,  his  early 
advantages  of  an  education  having  been  very  poor.  He  was  married,  in 
August,  1853,  to  Eliza  Ann  Owens,  of  Lawrence  County, Ind.,  daughter 
of  John  Owens.  One  child  has  been  born  to  them — Ruth  R.  (now  Hed- 
rick).  Mrs.  Walden  died  on  January  12,  i860,  and  he  was  next  married, 
in  1861,  to  Frances  Reynolds,  of  Monroe  County,  Ind.  Six  children 
have  been  born  to  this  union — Charles  W.  (deceased),  Samuel  B.,  Anna 
E.,  Jesse  E.,  Daisy  E.  and  Lewis  E.  For  five  years  our  subject  lived  in 
Owen  County,  engaged  in  farming  and  bricklaying,  returning  to  Monroe 
County  in  January,  1880,  and  working  his  father's  farm  for  two  years. 
He  then  purchased  of  his  father  ninety-one  acres,  moved  on  it,  and 
lived  there  eight  years.  He  then  exchanged  this  property  for  a  flour 
mill  at  Stinesville,  ran  the  mill  about  five  years,  then  lost  the  property 
as  a  result  of  going  security  foi'  other  parties,  and  other  debts.  He  then 
purchased  forty  acres  of  land  west  of  Stinesville,  and  opened  up  a  stone 
quarry,  now  known  as  and  operated  by  the  Terre  Haute  Stone  Company. 
This  he  afterward  sold,  and  purchased  eighty  acres  of  land  where  he 
now  lives,  on  which  he  has  an  excellent  marble  quarry.  He  ships  marble 
to  all  parts  of  the  country.  The  quarry  also  yields  the  softer  stones  of 
good  quality.  He  has  had  good  success  in  whatever  he  has  undertaken 
in  life,  and  his  property  is  the  result  of  indefatigable  industry  and  rigid 
economy.  Mr.  Walden  is  a  much  respected  citizen  in  the  community  in 
which  he  resides.  He  is  politically  a  stanch  Democrat,  and  has  held  the 
office  of  Justice  of  the  Peace,  once  by  appointment,  and  one  term  by 
election.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity,  and  was  a  member 
of  the  Grange  in  its  day.  He  and  his  wife  are  both  members  of  the 
Baptist  Church. 


RICHLAND  TOWNSHIP.  623 


RICHLAND   TOWNSHIP. 

JAMES  A.  BAKER,  farmer  and  stock-raiser,  was  born  in  Clarke 
County,  Ind.,  August  20,  1824,  and  is  the  eldest  of  the  family  of  nine 
children  of  Jesse  and  Sarah  (Kobertson)  Baker,  natives  respectively  of 
South  Carolina  and  Virginia.  Jesse  Baker  was  orphaned  when  seven 
years  old,  and  went  to  live  with  an  uncle,  with  whom,  in  1815,  he  came 
to  and  settled  in  Clarke  County,  there  married,  farmed  on  leased  land 
until  1831,  when  he  purchased  land,  and  remained  thereon  until  1848, 
at  which  time  he  purchased  a  saw  and  grist  mill  near  Utica,  managed  the 
same  until  1854,  and  afterward  farmed  until  his  death  in  1876,  aged 
seventy-eight  years,  his  wife  having  preceded  him  in  1866.  He  was  a 
Democrat,  and  a  member  of  the  Christian  Church.  James  A.  Baker 
worked  for  his  father  and  attended  school,  but  obtained  the  major  part 
of  his  education  by  after-study.  In  1846,  he  enlisted  in  Company  I, 
Third  Regiment  Indiana  Volunteer  Infantry;  recruited  for  the  war  against 
Mexico,  in  which  he  served  one  year,  and  took  part  at  Buena  Vista.  After 
returning,  he  engaged  in  milling  with  his  father,  and  in  1854  pur- 
chased land,  farmed  until  1857,  after  which  he  bought  land  near  Utica,  and 
August,  1865,  located  at  his  present  home,  comprising  225  acres  of  good 
grass  and  farm  land.  Mr.  Baker  is  a  hard-working  man,  and  for  thirty 
years  combined  his  trade  of  carpentering  with  farming  and  stock  dealing. 
January  28,  1851,  he  married  Margaret  A.  Littell,  with  an  issue  of  six 
children — Jesse  T. ,  Reuben  A.  (deceased),  Sarah  A.,  Charles  E.,  Mary 
Luella  and  William  F.  (deceased).  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Baker  are  members  of 
the  Church  of  Christ. 

CHARLES  A.  BUNGER,  farmer,  is  the  son  of  Jacob  and  Mary 
(Camper)  Bunger,  both  natives  of  Virginia,  and  respectively  of  German 
and  English  extraction.  Jacob  Bunger  removed  with  his  family  to 
this  county  in  an  early  day,  and  located  in  Van  Buren  Township, 
where  he  now  lives,  having  been  farmer,  stage-driver  and  miller.  He 
has  been  the  father  of  eight  children,  four  of  whom  are  living — 
Charles,  Sarah,  Matilda  and  Willie.  Charles  was  born  in  Greenbrier 
County,  W.  Va.,  September  20,  1845,  and  was  reared  to  the  vocation  of  a 
farmer.  In  early  manhood,  he  was  his  father's  only  support,  and  was 
industrious  and  energetic.  February  23,  1870,  he  married  Miss  Eliza- 
beth B. ,  daughter  of  AVilliam  Kirby,  a  pioneer  of  this  township.  Shortly 
after  his  marriage,  Mr.  Bunger  moved  to  where  he  now  lives,  which  is 
an  improved  farm  of  102  acres,  on  which  he  has  built  good  buildings 
and  made  other  improvements  toward  a  commodious  home.  Mr.  Bunger 
is  a  Republican,  a  Patron  of  Hu.sbandry,  and  he  and  wife  are  members 
of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 

G.  W.  BURKS  is  the  eldest  son  of  Floyd  and  Helen  (Thompson) 
Burks,  the  former  a  native  of  Kentucky,  the  latter  of  Indiana,  and  respect- 
ively of  Irish-English  and  German  descent.  Floyd  Burks  was  a  house- 
carpenter  and  farmer,  who  came  to  this  county  in  early  manhood,  mar- 
ried and  reared  a  family  of  ten  children.  The  larger  portion  of  his  life 
was  spent  in  Greene  County,  and  he  there  redeemed  from  nature's  wilds 


624  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

a  home  and  farm,  in  doing  which  he  experienced  the  trials  of  a  pioneer. 
He  was  a  notorious  hunter,  a  Republican  and  a  member  of  the  Church 
of  Christ.  He  died  June  10.  1878,  aged  sixty-three  years.  G.  W.  Burks 
was  born  November  16,  1836,  and  was  reared  a  farmer,  and  from  the 
common  schools  obtained  a  fair  education.  October  18,  1855,  he  mar- 
ried Miss  Matilda  H.  Mayfield,  of  this  county,  a  union  cemented  by  the 
birth  of  seven  children,  live  of  whom  are  living — Lauretta,  Joseph  W., 
Ulyssus  L.,  Walter  W.  and  Isaac  R.  Mr.  Burks,  soon  after  this  event, 
commenced  farming  on  the  home  place,  and  in  1857  located  where  he 
now  is — a  farm  of  much  value  and  with  many  improvements,  containing 
an  area  of  fifty-seven  acres.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity, 
and  a  Republican  in  politics.  Mr.  Burks  is  a  member  of  the  Christian 
and  Mrs.  Burks  of  the  Baptist  Church. 

HON.  DAVID  BYERS,  retired  farmer,  is  a  son  of  David  and  Eliza- 
beth Byers,  natives  of  Pennsylvania  and  North  Carolina.  David  Byers. 
Sr. ,  located  in  Mason  County,  Ky..  having  come  down  the  Ohio  River  on 
a  flat-boat  about  1783.  He  married  Miss  Rachel  Nesbit,  and  was  father 
of  five  children.  After  her  death  in  1803,  he  married  Mrs.  Elizabeth 
(Ray)  Turner,  with  an  issue  of  three  sons,  and  died  in  1817,  aged  fifty- 
nine  years.  He  was  a  superior  man,  both  in  mind  and  body.  After  his 
decease,  Mrs.  Byers  came  with  her  family  to  this  county  in  1827,  and  some 
time  lived,  and  finally  died,  with  our  subject,  in  1852,  aged  eighty-three 
years.  David  Byers,  Jr.,  was  born  June  20,  1806,  in  Nicholas  County, 
Ky. ,  where  he  was  trained  to  farming;  he  was  studious  and  ambitious, 
and  became  a  teacher  after  coming  to  this  county,  and  as  such  a  pioneer. 
In  1835,  he  located  where  he  now  resides,  and  created  a  home  and  farm 
from  the  wilds  of  nature.  January  30,  1831,  he  married  Miss  Rachel 
Sanders,  and  to  this  union  were  bestowed  nine  children,  only  two  of  whom 
survived — Lafayette  and  Thomas,  Jr.;  Mrs.  Byers  died  June  21,  L874. 
Mr.  Byers'  second  son,  James  K.  P.,  was  a  soldier  of  the  Fiftieth  Indi- 
ana Regiment,  and  died  in  1867.  Mr.  Byers  was  a  Democrat  until  the 
Kansas  troubles,  when  he  became  a  Republican.  He  was  Representative 
to  the  Legislature  in  1840-41,  and  in  1844-45,  having  led  the  "Semi- 
nary" and  "State  University  Re-organization  "  bills.  He  served  as 
Justice  of  the  Peace  eight  years,  and  as  County  Commissioner  from 
1830  to  1840 — the  only  one  living  that  served  under  the  old  law.  Since 
1842,  he  has  been  an  active  worker  in  the  Church  of  Christ. 

Lafayette  Byers  was  boi'n  in  this  township  January,  30,  1839, 
was  reared  a  farmer  and  attended  the  common  schools.  He  taught  one 
term  of  school,  and  then  embraced  farming,  now  owning  146  acres, 
which  he  exchanged  for  100  in  Boone  County,  on  which  he  located  in 
1880.  October,  1869,  he  married  Elvira  L.  McCoy,  and  he  has  six 
children,  five  living — Mary,  John,  Orange,  Carl  and  Wilford.  Mr.  B. 
is  a  Republican,  and  he  and  wife  belong  to  the  Church  of  Christ. 

Thomas  J.  Byers  was  born  where  he  now  lives  November  7, 
1848,  a  son  of  the  above.  He  was  reared  a  farmer  and  acted  as  a  teacher 
for  years,  in  this  State,  Illinois  and  Iowa,  but  he  has  of  late  given  atten- 
tion to  farming.  February  14,  1875,  he  married  Sarah  A.  Stanger,  with 
an  issue  of  four  children,  three  living — Norah  F.,  George  H.  and 
Homer  C.      He  and  wife  belong  to  the  Christian  Church. 

JOHN  D.  COFFEY,  retired  farmer,  is  a  son  of  James  and  Hannah 
(Alloway)  Cofi'ey,  natives  of  North  Carolina,  and  respectively  of  Irish 
and  English  extraction.     John  D.  was  also  born   in  North  Carolina  July 


RICHLAND  TOWNSHIP.  625 

8,  1821,  whence,  when  he  was  eleven  years  old,  his  parents  removed 
to  this  county  and  pui'chased  a  timbered  tract  near  Ellettsville,  in  the 
clearing  of  which  our  subject  took  a  full  part,  and  remained  with  his 
parents  until  he  was  twenty-three  years  old,  when  he  married  his  first 
wife,  Mary  A.  Whisnand,  and  who  died  in  1846,  leaving  one  son — James 
W.  His  second  marriage  took  place  December,  1848,  the  bride  being 
Miss  Mary  A.  Mayfield,  who  died  May  2,  1873,  leaving  two  sons — Will- 
iam R.  and  Anderson  T.  His  third  marriage  was  with  Miss  Mary  J. 
Ridge,  who  died  May  18,  1883.  After  his  first  marriage  he  leased  twelve 
acres,  and  after  his  second  marriage  he  purchased  a  small  farm,  where 
he  resided  until  1855,  and  two  years  later  located  near  Ellettsville,  im- 
proved land  and  lived  until  1869,  at  which  time  he  purchased  part  of  his 
father's  farm.  In  addition  to  a  good  farm,  he  has  some  village  property, 
and  has  a  comfortable  living.  Mr.  Coffey  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic 
order  and  of  the  Baptist  Church. 

JOHN  S.  CONSTABLE,  stock-raiser  and  farmer,  was  born  in  Burke 
County,  N.  C. ,  June  1, 1815,  and  is  the  eldest  son  of  Peter  and  Susanna 
(Hilman)  Constable,  both  natives  of  North  Carolina,  and  respectively  of 
Scotch-Irish  and  German  descent.  Both  grandfathers  of  our  subject 
were  Revolutionary  soldiers.  His  father,  Peter  Constable,  was  a  soldier 
of  the  war  of  1812.  He  was  a  farmer,  and  in  1827  was  killed  by  light- 
ning while  at  work.  In  1832,  the  family  emigrated  to  Indiana,  settled 
near  Ellettsville  and  rented  a  farm,  in  the  government  of  which  John  S. 
Constable  took  active  part  and  remained  at  home  until  he  was  twenty- 
two,  when  he  began  to  work  for  himself,  making  rails  at  50  cents  per 
day.  February  7,  1836,  he  married  to  Miss  Margaret  James,  of  this 
county,  born  March  1,  1819.  Six  children  were  the  result  of  this  mar- 
riage— Mary,  Sarah,  James  (of  the  Thirty-eighth  Regiment,  who  died  of 
fever  in  Louisville,  February,  1863),  William  H  ,  Margaret  and  Carrie 
Bell.  In  1838,  Mr.  Constable  commenced  farming  on  rented  land,  and 
on  shares  until  1868,  when  he  was  able  to  purchase  110  acres,  of  which 
seventy  acres  are  under  cultivation.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Constable  are  mem- 
bers of  the  Presbyterian  Church. 

W.  C.  DRAPER,  hardware  and  furniture  dealer,  was  born  May  16, 
1850,  and  is  a  sou  of  Jesse  and  Eliza  (Conduitt)  Draper,  natives  respect- 
ively of  North  Carolina  and  Kentucky,  and  of  English  and  French  descent. 
He  attended  school  regularly  during  boyhood,  and  graduated  in  the 
classical  course  when  seventeen  years  old — the  youngest  alumnus  of  the 
State  University.  He  located  at  Martinsville,  and  studied  law  for  one 
year,  which  he  abandoned  afterward,  and  visited  California,  where  he 
worked  as  a  carpentei-.  On  his  return,  he  associated  himself  with  the 
"National  Temperance  Alliance"  at  Indianapolis,  and  after  the  death 
of  his  father — May  28,  1872 — came  home  to  look  up  his  father's  estate, 
and  then  engaged  in  the  lumber  trade  for  a  time.  November  21,  1873, 
he  married  Miss  Mary,  daughter  of  L.  W.  Sanders,  a  union  which  has 
been  cemented  by  four  children — Clarence,  Admilla,  Beulah  and  Blaine. 
In  January,  1882,  he  engaged  in  his  present  business,  in  which  he  has 
been  very  successful.  Mr.  Draper  is  a  member  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F.,  and  a 
licensed  local  minister  of  the  Baptist  denomination,  of  which  his  wife  is 
a  member.     He  is  an  influential  and  respected  citizen. 

GEORGE  W.  FAULKNER  is  a  son  of  Emanuel  F.  and  Rebecca 
(Coffey)  Faulkner,  natives  respectively  of  North  Carolina  and  Tennessee. 
He  was  born  in  this  county  May  23,  1832,  whither  his  parents  removed 


626  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

in  1824.  Being  left  motherless  in  childhood,  and  having'to  labor  with 
his  father,  he  received  but  scant  instruction  in  learning,  and  when  of  age 
worked  as  an  engineer.  In  September,  1861,  he  enlisted  in  Company  G, 
Thirty- eighth  Indiana  Volunteers,  which  formed  a  part  of  the  Cumber- 
land division,  and  was  promoted  by  steps  until  he  became  Captain  of 
said  company  in  1865,  and  left  the  service  July  25  of  that  year,  after 
participating  in  the  great  battles  of  the  campaign.  On  coming  to  his 
home,  he  found  employment  in  erecting  various  mills,  and  is  an  expert 
in  matters  of  machinery.  September  15,  1858,  he  married  Miss  Anna, 
daughter  of  Martin  and  Mary  (Kice)  Cornman,  by  which  union  they  were 
favored  with  one  son — Edward  E.  Mr.  Faulkner  is  an  uncompromising 
Republican,  a  member  of  the  honorable  order  of  Freemasonry,  and  an 
esteemed  citizen.  Mrs.  Faulkner  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church. 

JAMES  W.  FIGG,  farmer,  is  a  native  of  Shelby  County,  Ky.,  was 
born  March  19,  1835,  and  is  one  of  the  twelve  in  family  born  to  Thomas 
and  Rebecca  Figg,  natives  respectively  of  Kentucky  and  Virginia,  and  of 
German  and  English  extraction.  James  Figg  was  reared  a  farmer's  boy, 
and  received  some  education  from  the  subscription  schools.  At  the  age 
of  sixteen,  he  removed  with  his  parents  to  EUettsville,  and  when  of  age 
began  farming  in  the  neighborhood,  and  in  February,  1864,  located  where 
he  now  resides,  his  farm  containing  180  acres — a  valuable  property  and 
comfortable  home.  December  23,  1861,  he  married  Mrs.  Naomi  (Will- 
iams) Reynolds.  Six  children  succeeded  to  this  union — Mary  I.,  Lilla  B., 
Ella  J.,  Jennie  M.,  Sarah  and  Norah.  Mr.  Figg  is  a  liberal  Democrat 
and  a  public-spirited  citizen.  He  has  made  his  own  way  unaided  to  com- 
fort and  independence,  and  he  and  his  wife  are  members  of  the  Baptist 
Church. 

GEORGE  W.  FLETCHER  is  a  son  of  William  and  Mary  (Dean) 
Fletcher,  natives  of  Maryland  and  of  English  descent,  who  early  moved 
to  Owen  County,  and,  in  1854.  to  Decatur  County,  111.,  where  Mrs. 
Fletcher  died,  whereupon  Mr.  Fletcher  returned  to  Owen  County,  and 
died  in  1868,  aged  seventy-three  years,  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Epis- 
copal Church.  Our  subject  was  born  in  Ripley  County,  Ind. ,  January  8, 
1834,  was  reared  a  farmer,  and  assisted  his  father  until  he  was  seven- 
teen, at  which  period  he  began  working  for  himself  by  splitting  rails. 
In  1854,  he  commenced  as  a  carpenter,  and  since  he  moved  to  EUettsville, 
in  1859,  has  been  engaged  in  contracting  and  building.  In  1872,  he 
built  a  planing  mill,  which  he  has  since  operated  successfully.  In  1861, 
he  enlisted  in  the  militia  during  the  Morgan  raid.  January  2,  1855,  he 
married  Miss  Melvina  Knapp,  who  died  in  1875,  leaving  two  sons — Ed- 
win and  Otis  L.  He  wedded  his  second  wife,  Miss  Lizzie  Stimson,  No- 
vember 20,  1876.  Mr.  Fletcher  is  an  Odd  Fellow,  and  he  and  wife  are 
members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 

Robert  T.  Stimson  (deceased)  was  born  November  29,  1828,  and 
was  reared  in  North  Carolina,  whither  his  parents  moved  after  his 
birth.  October  2,  1844,  he  married  Nancy  C.  Johnson,  and  one  week 
thereafter,  they  left  for  Indiana,  located  in  Owen  County,  and  there  re- 
mained Tintil  1853,  when  they  settled  near  EUettsville,  and  engaged  in 
farming;  they  subsequently  moved  into  the  town,  whore  Mr.  Stimson 
died  February  11,  1882,  aged  fifty-nine  years.  He  was  a  worthy  cit- 
izen, a  Republican,  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  and 
left  two  daughters — Sarah  E.  and  Lizzie.    Mrs.  Stimson  is  yet  living. 


RICHLAND   TOWNSHIP.  627 

THOMAS  N.  FOSTER,  stock- raiser  and  farmer,  is  the  second  son  of 
James  and  Rachel  (Nesbit)  Foster,  natives  of  Kentucky,  the  former  of 
Irish,  the  latter  of  Scotch  extraction.  Grandfather  Nesbit,  after  the  Rev- 
olutionary vear,  came  down  the  Ohio  to  Maysville,  on  a  flat-boat,  and 
settled  about  thirty  miles  inland.  James  Foster  was  a  farmer,  who  in 
1835  located  on  Clear  Creek,  and  in  1838  came  to  this  towcship,  where 
his  son  Thomas  now  resides.  He  was  afterward  killed  instantly  while 
at  work;  his  wife  survived  him  until  1870,  and  made  her  home  with  our 
subject.  Thomas  N.  Foster  was  born  in  Nicholas  County,  Ky.,  April 
29,  1820,  and  was  there  reared  until  he  was  fifteen  years  old,  when  he 
came  with  his  parents  to  this  county,  and  here  has  continued  to  reside. 
After  his  father's  decease,  he  took  charge  of  the  farm,  and  made  a  home 
for  his  mother.  He  afterward  purchased  the  home  farm,  which  he  lias 
continuously  improved  and  cultivated.  It  comprises  172  acres,  contains 
good  house,  good  barns,  and  is  profitably  stocked.  January  29,  1843,  he 
married  Miss  Elizabeth  Oram  of  this  county.  Four  children  graced  this 
union — Mary  L.,  Florence  R.,  John  T.  and  Dowe  B.  Mi\  Foster  is  a 
liberal-spirited  man,  an  esteemed  citizen,  and,  as  well  as  Mrs.  Foster,  a 
member  of  the  Christian  Church. 

C.  O.  FREEMAN,  stock-raiser  and  farmer,  was  born  January  15, 
1829,  and  is  the  eldest  living  child  of  James  and  Margaret  (Collier)  Free- 
man, natives  of  North  Carolina,  the  former  of  English,  the  latter  of  En- 
glish and  German  extraction.  James  Freeman  emigrated  to  Owen  County, 
Ind.,  in  1834.  and  from  the  native  soil  made  a  farm  and  a  home.  One 
year  preceding  his  death,  which  occurred  in  1871,  at  the  age  of  sixty- 
seven,  he  went  to  reside  with  a  daughter.  Mrs.  Freeman  died  September, 
1879,  aged  seventy-two  years.  Mr.  Freeman  was  a  Democrat,  and  he  and 
wife  raised  nine  out  of  twelve  children.  Our  subject  was  only  five  years 
of  age  when  his  parents  moved  to  Owen  County,  at  which  place  he  passed 
his  boyhood,  and  acquired  the  business  of  farming  from  his  father.  He 
had  some  advantages  of  education,  and  remained  within  the  parental 
walls  until  he  was  a  legal  man,  after  which  time  he  rented  land  and  be- 
gan to  do  for  himself.  He  afterward  moved  to  Owen  County,  then  to 
this  county  again,  and  purchased  his  present  home  in  1870,  now  com- 
prising upward  of  200  acres,  well  improved,  stocked,  and  constituting 
one  of  the  township's  best  farms,  the  fruit  wholly  of  his  thrift  and  man- 
agement. August  25,  1850,  he  married  Miss  Rachel  H.,  daughter  of 
John  Thompson,  and  a  native  of  this  county.  To  this  union  have  been 
bestowed  seven  children,  of  which  number  four  are  living — John  M. , 
James  F.,  Cyrus  J.  and  Mary  A.  Mr.  Freeman  is  a  liberal,  conscientious 
man,  politically  a  Democrat,  and  he  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Cum- 
berland Presbyterian  Church. 

JAMES  COLEMAN  FREEMAN,  farmer  and  stock-raiser,  is  a  native 
of  North  Carolina,  was  born  July  26.  1830,  and  is  the  third  of  the  fam- 
ily of  James  and  Margaret  Freeman,  who  moved  to  Owen  County,  Ind., 
whence  our  subject,  after  a  few  years,  removed  to  Monroe  County,  and 
worked  at  farming,  when  but  ten  years  of  age.  November  4,  1848,  he 
married  Miss  Sailie  Acuff,  a  native  of  Tennessee,  and  to  this  union  were 
bestowed  nine  children,  of  which  number  five  are  living — Louisa  A., 
Joseph  M.,  Martha  E.,  Rebecca  D.  and  Rosaline.  Mr.  Freeman  com- 
menced life  in  earnest  by  renting  land,  which  he  continued  to  cultivate 
for  three  years,  when  he  purchased  a  small  farm,  and  afterward  sold  the 
same,  with  a  gain  of  $150.     He  then  removed  to  Owen  County,  and  pur- 


628  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES: 

chased  900  acres,  lived  five  years  thereon,  and  exchanged  this  for  a  por- 
tion of  his  present  home,  now  aggregating  255  acres,  all  well  improved, 
and  having  much  under  good  cultivation.  Mr.  Freeman  is  identified 
with  the  Democratic  party,  and  he  and  wife  are  worthy  members  of  the 
Baptist  Church. 

BENJAMIN  HALL  is  a  native  of  Richland  Township,  Monroe  Co. , 
Ind.;  was  born  October  1, 1826;  is  the  son  of  F.  V.  and  Polly  (Noel)  Hall; 
in  a  family  of  twelve  children  he  is  the  seventh,  and  is  of  Irish  German 
origin.  The  father  of  our  subject  was  born  in  Kentucky,  and  his  mother 
was  of  Virginia  birth.  His  paternal  grandfather  was  Francis  Hall,  a 
native  of  Scotland,  who  came  to  America  prior  to  the  Revolution.  About 
the  year  1820,  his  father  came  to  Monroe  County,  and  settled  in  Richland 
Township,  where  he  died  in  1854.  Mr.  Hall  remained  at  home  and 
worked  for  his  father  on  the  farm  until  his  twenty-eighth  year.  In  1854, 
Mr.  Hall  was  married  to  Miss  Nancy  Cox,  a  native  of  Owen  County,  Ind. 
By  this  lady  he  became  the  father  of  six  children— Martha  E.,  ADie  A., 
Biddy  P.,  Aurilla  P.,  Morton  M.  and  Edith  E.  Mrs.  Hall  died  August 
24,  1883,  a  consistent  member  of  the  Primitive  Baptist  Church.  Mr. 
Hall  settled  on  his  farm  in  Richland  Township  in  1855.  In  the  fall  of 
1882,  he  removed  to  Bloomington  to  educate  his  childi-en.  Politically, 
he  is  a  Republican,  and  a  member  of  the  Primitive  Baptist  Church.  He 
is  an  honorable  man,  and  a  highly  respected  citizen.  By  occupation,  his 
life  has  been  that  of  a  farmer,  and  in  which  he  has  been  successful.  He 
has  a  well-improved  farm  in  Richland  Township. 

JESSE  T.  HAMILTON,  farmer,  is  a  native  of  Nicholas  County, 
Ky.,  was  born  September  8,  1811,  the  eldest  son  of  James  P.  and  Mar- 
garet (Turner)  Hamilton,  natives  respectively  of  Indiana  and  Ohio. 
James  P.  Hamilton  came  to  Kentucky  with  his  parents  when  seventeen 
years  old,  where  he  married,  and  farmed  until  1837,  when  he  removed  to 
Decatur  County,  Ind.,  and  closed  his  life  in  1844,  aged  fifty-four,  and 
his  wife  hers  in  1855,  aged  sixty-three  years.  James  T.  Hamilton  was 
given  charge  of  the  home  farm  when  twelve  years  old,  and  remained  in 
that  position  until  his  twenty- second  year,  when  he  began  milling  in 
Bourbon  County,  Ky.,  and  superintended  also  a  small  farm.  Later,  he 
purchased  a  mill  property  near  Lexington,  which  he  managed  for  eighteen 
years.  In  1864,  becoming  complicated  in  war  troubles,  he  was  compelled 
to  leave  Kentucky,  and  some  time  afterward  purchased  a  flouring  mill  in 
Decatur  County,  Ind.;  this  he  subsequently  exchanged  for  a  farm  in 
Rush  County,  Ind.,  and  three  years  later  sold  this  with  the  purpose  of 
removing  to  Southwest  Missouri,  but  instead  located  on  land  in  Shelby, 
and  then  in  Boone  County,  until  1880,  and  thereafter  exchanged  the  lat- 
ter farm  for  146  acres,  where  he  now  lives.  Mr.  Hamilton  has  been  twice 
married — first,  March  29,  1835,  to  Miss  Nancy  Turner,  of  Kentucky,  who 
died  October  25,  1858,  leaving  three  sons — J.  Alexander,  Robert  A.  and 
James  W. ;  second,  August  18,  1859,  with  Miss  Martha  Neal,  of  Ken- 
tucky; five  children  were  born  to  this  union — David  M.,  James  W.,  Frank 
B.,  Hulcea  J.  and  Mary  E.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hamilton  are  members  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Chm'ch. 

DR.  JAMES  M.  HARRIS  is  a  native  of  Jessamine  County, 
Ky. ,  was  born  October  19,  1819,  aod  is  the  eldest  of  the  seven 
children  of  Thomas  and  Elizabeth  (McCarley)  Harris,  natives  re- 
spectively of  Virginia  and  North  Carolina.  Thomas  Harris,  in  1831, 
located   near  Smithville,  and  afterward  near  Spencer,   where  our  sub- 


RICHLAND  TOWNSHIP.  629 

ject  passed  his  boyhood  on  the  farm  and  in  ^oing  to  school.  When 
twenty  years  of  age,  he  entered  the  office  of  Dr.  S.  P.  Langdon,  of 
Gosport;  remained  there  two  years  dojng  some  practice,  and  soon  after 
located  at  Ellettsville,  where  he  was  the  only  physician,  and  where  ho 
built  up  a  large  business  in  his  way.  In  1865,  he  established  a  drug 
trade,  which  he  continued  several  years  before  retiring  to  his  farm,  em- 
bracing 200  acres — a  good  property  and  commodious  home.  March  2, 
1843,  he  married  Miss  Sarah,  daughter  of  William  and  Polly  Fletcher, 
and  born  Aiigust  6,  1823.  Twelve  children  graced  this  union,  six  of 
whom  are  living — William  T.,  John  J.,  S.  Emmet,  James  F.,  Hester  A. 
and  Lou  Jessie.  Dr.  Harris  is  a  Freemason,  a  Republican,  a  member  of 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  an  efficient  Sunday  school  worker  and 
temperance  advocate.  He  has  also  held  the  office  of  Township  Trustee 
for  six  successive  years.  In  1850,  he  established  the  first  hotel  in  El- 
lettsville, and  continued  the  same  for  two  years.  Dr.  Harris  is  a  public- 
spirited  and  worthy  citizen.  Mrs.  Harris  adheres  to  the  Presbyterian 
Church. 

W.  T.  HARRIS,  hardware  merchant,  was  born  January  13,  1847, 
and  is  a  son  of  Dr.  J.  M.  Harris.  His  boyhood  days  were  passed  at 
school  and  on  the  farm.  At  the  age  of  twenty  years,  he  engaged  in  the 
tin  shop,  buying  an  interest  with  Mr.  Edwards,  to  whom  he  afterward 
became  successor,  and  which  business  he  continued  four  years.  In  No- 
vember, 1871,  he  purchased  a  stock  of  mixed  hardware  from  F.  E. 
Worley,  and  afterward  added  stoves  and  the  like.  By  tact  for  brade  and 
attention  to  business,  he  has  constantly  increased  his  stock  and  taken  the 
patronage  of  the  town.  July  29,  1870,  he  married  Miss  Martha,  daughter 
of  Robert  Acuff,  and  born  August  26,  1856.  Mr.  Acuff  was  a  pioneer  of 
the  county.  The  union  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Harris  has  been  favored  by  the 
birth  of  two  children — Harry  G.  and  Beulah.  Mr.  Harris,  politically,  is 
a  Republican,  and  Mrs.  Harris  is  a  member  of  the  religious  denomination 
known  as  Christians. 

SAMUEL  B.  HARRIS  is  a  native  of  Kentucky,  was  born  June  16, 
1823,  and  is  the  third  of  the  seven  children  of  Thomas  Harris.  Our  sub- 
ject was  brought  to  Owen  County,  Ind. ,  by  his  parents  when  seven  years 
of  age,  whom  he  assisted  on  their  farm  until  he  became  sixteen,  when  he 
went  under  apprenticeship  to  the  blacksmith  trade  for  three  years,  after 
which  he  started  a  shop  on  his  father's  farm,  and  later  traveled  as  a 
journeyman,  and  taught  six  terms  of  school.  By  these  means,  he  saved 
sufficient  to  purchase  a  farm,  and  afterward  engaged  in  business  in  El- 
letsville  for  seventeen  years,  and  then  erected  a  woolen  mill.  About 
1864,  he  moved  to  Coles  County,  111.,  where  he  built  a  saw  and  grist 
mill,  and  later  returned  to  his  old  home  and  engaged  in  milling  success- 
fully. September  10,  1S46,  he  married  Miss  Endemile  Chambers,  a 
union  favored  with  six  children,  of  whom  four  survive — Mary  E.,  John 
R.,  William  B.  and  Perry  Oliver.  Mr.  Harris  is  a  consistent  Free- 
mason, a  Republican,  and  in  religion  a  Universalist.  He  was  instrumen- 
tal in  establishing  the  first  newspaper  in  the  town,  and  which  he  passed 
to  his  son,  who  is  now  editor  thereof.  Mr.  Harris  is  a  prominent  and 
esteemed  citizen,  and  was  for  three  years  Postmaster  at  Ellettsville. 

JOHN  R.  HARRIS,  dealer  in  dry  goods,  notions,  gents'  furnishing 
goods,  etc.,  was  born  May  18,  1847,  in  this  county,  and  is  the  eldest  son 
of  Samuel  B.  Harris.  After  attending  school,  he  began  clerking  for  his 
father  when  twelve  years  old,  and  assisted  in  the  mill;  and  in  Coles 


630  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

County,  111.,  engaged  with  him  in  the  milling  business.  On  return- 
ing to  this  locality,  he  had  charge  of  his  father's  mill  until  1879,  and 
when  this  was  sold  he  came  to  Ellettsville,  and  engaged  in  mercantile 
trade  with  his  brother,  Perry  O. ,  under  the  firm  name  of  Harris  & 
Brother.  In  1883,  said  firm  was  dissolved,  and  John  R.  became  sole  pro- 
pi'ietor  of  the  business.  August  29,  1882,  he  married  Miss  Phebe, 
daughter  of  John  Matthews,  recently  deceased,  she  having  b«en  born 
July  18,  1856.  John  R.  Harris  is  one  of  the  most  successful  and  promis- 
ing business  men  of  his  years  to  be  found.  In  politics,  he  is  a  Repub- 
lican, aud  an  esteemed  citizen  and  a  worthy  gentleman.  Mrs.  Harris  is 
a  member  of  the  Baptist  Church. 

RICE  C.  HARRIS,  M.  D.,  is  the  youngest  of  the  six  children  of 
Thomas  and  Elizabeth  (McCarley)  Harris.  He  was  born  in  Owen  County, 
Ind. ,  November  15,  1834,  and  remained  at  home  until  he  was  fifteen 
years  old,  when  the  family  moved  to  Ellettsville,  and  he  attended  school 
for  two  years,  and  taught  in  1851.  In  1852,  under  his  brother.  Dr.  J. 
M.  Harris,  he  commenced  to  study  medicine,  and  then  taught  for  a 
period  of  years.  March  5,  1858,  he  married  Miss  Rebecca  Wood,  of 
this  county,  who  died  October,  1854,  and  April  14,  1857,  he  wedded  Miss 
Mary  J.  Knighton,  by  which  marriage  they  had  nine  children,  five  of 
whom  are  living — Thomas  B.,  Rebecca  W.,  William  W.,  Oliver  K.  and 
Lizzie  A.  Dr.  Harris  attended  lectures  at  Ann  Arbor  University  In 
1856-57,  afterward  engaged  in  practice  with  his  brother  one  year,  then 
moved  to  Coles  County,  111. ;  there  practiced  four  years,  and  removed 
to  this  town,  where  he  has  remained  in  successful  pursuit  of  his  pro- 
fession, both  in  surgery  and  medicine.  Dr.  Harris  has  of  late  years 
given  attention  to  his  farms,  and  is  beside  the  owner  of  several  dwell- 
ings and  business  houses.  He  is  a  Republican,  and  has  served  as  Post- 
master for  sixteen  years.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity,  and 
Mrs.  Harris  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 

W.  B.  HARRIS,  editor-in-chief  of  the  Monroe  County  Citizen,  is  the 
son  of  S.  B.  and  Endemile  (Chambers)  Harris,  natives  respectively  of 
Kentucky  and  Indiana.  He  was  born  March  6,  1856,  in  Ellettsville,  Ind., 
where  he  passed  his  boyhood  in  going  to  school  and  working  on  a  farm. 
In  1872,  he  entered  the  Ellettsville  Republican  ofiice,  as  a  type-setter,  for 
eighteen  months,  and  then  became  editor  for  one  year.  Soon  after  this, 
he  went  to  Indianapolis,  and  assisted  in  the  ofiice  of  the  Herald.  In 
1875,  he  returned  to  Ellettsville,  managed  the  Sun,  and  afterward  pub- 
lished the  Given  County  People,  which  he  disposed  of  in  1881,  and  re- 
tired to  a  farm  for  a  year,  when  he  purchased  the  Ellettsville  News,  and 
changed  the  name  to  the  Monroe  County  Citizen,  a  popular  and  eflicient 
journal,  of  Republican  shade  in  politics.  March  9.  1876,  he  married 
Miss  Allie,  daughter  of  Hiram  Branton,  and  born  November  30,  1856. 
This  union  gave  issue  to  four  children — Carl  B.,  Edmund  B.,  Kate  H. 
and  Henry  B.  Mr.  Harris  is  a  member  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F.,  and  Mrs.  Har- 
ris of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church, 

REV,  W.  H.  JACKSON  is  a  native  of  Brown  County,  Ohio,  was  born 
December  29,  1815,  and  is  the  eldest  child  of  Bernard  and  Elizabeth 
(Wisner)  Jackson,  the  former  a  native  of  Virginia,  the  latter  of  Mary- 
land. Bernard  Jackson  was  a  carpenter  and  cabinet-maker,  and  moved 
from  Virginia  to  Brown  County,  Ohio,  shortly  after  the  war  of  1812,  at 
that  time  the  only  mechanic  in  his  section,  and  commanded  the  trade. 
He  became  owner  of  670  acres,  which  made  him  well  to  do  in  his  declin- 


RICHLAND  TOWNSHIP.  631 

ing  days.  Until  he  was  forty-three  he  was  an  Deist,  but  becoming 
converted  from  Bible  reading,  he  lived  thereafter  a  Christian  life.  He 
was  a  Democrat,  and  father  of  seventeen  children.  Rev.  W.  H.  Jackson 
was  reared  to  the  farming  business,  but  obtained  considerable  education, 
and  mainly  from  his  own  exertions  in  study.  He  remained  at  home  \intil 
of  age,  and  being  a  natural  mechanic,  took  to  building  carriages  and 
wagons,  which  business  he  abandoned  for  the  ministry  in  1848,  although 
he  had  begun  preaching  in  1844.  He  was  ordained  by  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Conference  in  1849,  assigned  to  North  Madison,  and  after 
various  charges,  was  made  Chaplain  of  the  Fiftieth  Indiana  Regiment  in 
1861.  In  1863,  he  was  detailed  as  Post  Chaplain  in  Kentucky,  and  later 
at  La  Grange,  preaching  tive  sermons  each  Sabbath.  In  1868,  he  returned 
and  opened  a  drug  store,  then  a  dry  goods  store,  and  with  which  he  has 
operated  a  saw  mill.  Later  he  purchased  a  flouring  mill  in  EUettsville, 
which  was  destroyed  by  lire  in  1883,  causing  $10,000  loss.  November 
24,  1837,  he  married  Miss  Jane  Goldsborough,  to  which  union  were  born 
ten  children,  five  living — Sophronia  E.,  Sarah,  Wesleyanna  J.,  William 
Jerome  and  James  W.  Mr.  Jackson  was  a  Democrat,  but  is  now  a  Re- 
publican. He  still  preaches  actively.  He  was  a  Notary  Public  for 
sixteen  years,  was  admitted  to  the  bar,  and  is  an  Odd  Fellow,  a  temper- 
ance man,  and  belongs  to  the  G.  A.  R. 

DAVID  S.  JOHNSON,  farmer,  is  a  son  of  David  and  Polly  (Whited) 
Johnson,  both  natives  of  North  Carolina,  and  of  German  and  Irish  ex- 
traction respectively.  He  was  born  February  23,  1829,  the  fourth  of 
ten  children,  in  Bartholomew  County,  Ind.,  his  parents  soon  after  moving 
to  Lawrence  County,  where  he  was  reared  to  the  business  of  farming,  and 
plainly  educated.  He  remained  at  home  until  of  mature  age,  when  he 
began  farming  on  rented  land.  September  2,  1852,  he  married  Miss 
Emily,  daughter  of  John  and  Nancy  Dunlevy.  After  marriage,  Mr. 
Johnson  moved  to  his  father's  farm,  near  Bedford,  which  he  purchased  in 
i860,  and  where  he  lived  for  some  time  in  a  pioneer  cabin.  Thus  he 
acquired  a  home,  and  in  1869  sold  the  same  and  located  at  EUettsville, 
and  purchased  sixty  acres  west  of  the  town,  which  he  improved,  cultivated, 
and  where  he  founded  a  good  orchard.  Mr.  Johnson  was  an  early- comer 
to  this  region,  when  Indians  and  game  were  more  numerous  than  settlers. 
He  is  a  Republican,  and  gave  his  first  vote  for  Gen.  Fremont.  He  is, a 
member  of  the  Odd  Fellow  fraternity,  and  he  and  his  consort  are  honored 
members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  (Church. 

JOEL  BENJAMIN  KIRBY,  farmer,  was  born  in  the  house  in  which 
he  now  lives  May  16,  1849,  and  is  the  second  of  the  family  of  nine 
born  to  William  and  M.A.  Kirby,  now  of  VanBuren  Township.  Joel  was 
bred  to  the  profession  of  farming,  and  when  fifteen  years  old  moved  with 
his  parents  to  Van  Buren  Township,  where  he  grew  to  maturity  and  had 
common  school  advantages.  When  twenty  four  years  old,  he  purchased 
an  interest  in  a  grist  mill,  managed  the  same  two  years,  ihen  returned  to 
farming,  and  purchased  eighty  acres,  thus  owning  117  acres.  In 
1881,  he  sold  this  land  and  bought  that  once  used  by  his  grandfather, 
and  at  this  time  possesses  140  acres,  120  of  which  are  improved.  Octo- 
ber 6,  1875,  he  married  Miss  Matilda  H.,  daughter  of  John  and  Margaret 
Dinsmore,  and  born  January  4,  1850.  This  union  has  resulted  ia  four 
children— Margaret  D.,  Sarah  D.,  Elizabeth  V.  and  Theophilus  W.  Mr. 
Kirby  is  a  member  of  the  venerable  Masonic  order,  and  is  a  Patron  of 
Husbandry.  He  is  a  Republican  in  politics,  and  a  greatly  esteemed  citi- 
zen.    He  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 


632  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

J.  P.  KNIGHTEN,  retired  farmer,  is  a  native  of  Bloomington,  was 
born  December  18, 1819,  and  is  the  youngest  of  three  children  composing 
the  family  of  J.  W.  and  Nancy  Knighten,  who  moved  from  North  Caro- 
lina to  this  county  in  1816.  Our  subject  was  the  first  white  child  born  in 
this  section.  He  was  orphaned  when  thirteen  years  old;  then  began  to 
work  for  himself,  and  after  a  period  devoted  himself  to  acquiring  some 
education  and  learning  the  trade  of  a  plasterer,  at  which  he  worked  for 
seven  years;  then  he  came  to  EUettsville  and  purchased  a  saw-mill  and 
woolen  factory,  operating  these  for  five  years.  March  8,  1846,  he  mar- 
ried Miss  Mary  C,  daughter  of  William  and  Hannah  G.  Puett.  In  1849, 
he  purchased  eighty  acres,  and  soon  after  104  acres  more,  removing  to  his 
present  location  in  1850.  He  now  cultivates  160  acres — all  the  fruits  of 
his  industry  and  care — a  good  home  and  valuable  property.  He  has  been 
a  life-long  Eepublican,  and  he  and  wife  belong  to  the  Methodist  Episco- 
pal Church. 

JOHNSON  F.  McELROY,  farmer,  was  born  May  30, 1820,  his  parents 
being  David  and  Martha  McElroy,  both  natives  of  North  Carolina  and  of 
Scotch-Irish  extraction.  The  paternal  grandfather.  Our  subject  was  a 
soldier  of  the  Revolution.  Our  subject  was  early  left  fatherless, 
with  but  small  advantage  for  getting  an  education.  When  thirteen 
years  old,  his  mother  came  by  team  to  this  State  and  settled  near  EUetts- 
ville, where  he  rented  some  land,  being  the  only  family  support  and  hav- 
ing to  labor  for  25  cents  per  day.  After  four  years  he  purchased 
forty  acres  for  $100,  which  he  paid  after  some  years.  He  erected  a  cabin 
for  the  family,  and  his  mother  spun  the  texture  for  their  clothes  and 
kept  the  house;  she  died  July,  1864,  aged  seventy- foui'  years.  April  12, 
1853,  he  married  Miss  Elizabeth  Hinkle,  born  April  21,  1833,  to  which 
union  two  children  were  born- — Ira  J.  and  Emma  C.  Mr.  McElroy  has 
lived  on  his  homestead  more  than  forty-six  years,  during  which  he  has 
seen  many  changes  and  acquired  good  property.  He  is  politically 
a  Republican,  a  most  exemplary  man  and  citizen,  and  he  and  wife  are 
members  of  the  Christian  Church. 

G.  W.  McHENRY  is  a  son  of  John  and  Rebecca  A.  (Wilson)  Me- 
Henry,  natives  respectively  of  Knox  and  Monroe  Counties,  Ind.  The 
paternal  grandparents  of  our  subject  were  settlers  in  Knox  County  previ- 
ous to  the  war  of  1812,  of  which  Mr.  McHenry  was  a  soldier.  JohnMc- 
Henry  was  reared  in  Owen  County,  was  a  farmer,  and  made  a  good  home 
for  his  family;  he  also  followed  boating  to  New  Orleans  for  a  long  time. 
He  died  May  4,  1875,  followed  by  his  wife  in  1880,  both  members  of  the 
Baptist  Church.  G.  W.  McHenry  is  the  second  of  thirteen  children,  was 
born  in  Bean  Blossom  Township  February  12,  1841,  and  was  bred  by 
his  father  to  farming,  with  whom  he  remained  until  he  was  twenty-two 
years  old.  February  22,  1863,  he  married  Miss  Izora  Moore,  who  died 
January  12,  1870,  leaving  three  children — William  T.,  Oscar  W.  and 
Minnie  I..  After  marriage,  Mr.  McHenry  farmed  on  rented  land  for  two 
years,  when  he  engaged  as  clerk  for  a  time,  and  afterward  farmed  again. 
October  13,  1872,  he  wedded  his  second  wife,  Miss  Lucy  M.  Cox,  whose 
father  was  a  pioneer  of  Owen  County.  Mr.  McHenry  is  a  man  of  good 
business  capacity,  a  worthy  citizen,  a  Democrat  politically  and  an 
upright  gentleman.     He  and  wife  are  connected  with  the  Baptist  Church. 

ELIJAH  H.  MARSHALL,  stock-raiser  and  farmer,  is  a  son  of  Will- 
iam G.  and  Christiana  (Strawn)  Marshall,  natives  of  ^  Pennsylvania,  the 
former   of  Greene,   and   the  latter  of  Fayette   County,  and  respectively 


RICHLAND   TOWNSHIP.  63S 

of  Scotch  and  German  extraction.  William  G.  Marshall  moved  to  Eis- 
ing  Sun,  Ind.,  in  1818,  and  three  years  later  to  Lawrenceburg,  where 
he  worked  at  his  trade  of  carpenter,  and  afterward  settled  on  land  for 
farming  purposes.  In  1865,  he  came  to  this  county,  where  he  died 
August  7,  1882,  aged  eighty-two  years.  He  was  a  pensioned  soldier  of 
the  war  of  1812,  and  with  Gen.  Hull.  He  was  a  Republican  and  a 
Universalist.  His  wife  survives  and  resides  with  our  subject  at  eighty- 
six  years  of  age;  she  is  a^^uaker.  Elijah  H.  Marshall  was  born  in  Dear- 
born County,  Ind.,  November  8,  1835,  and  after  some  preliminary  edu- 
cation entered  Moore's  Hill  College,  with  much  advantage.  On 
reaching  his  majority  he  began  teaching  in  this  county;  continued  for 
four  years,  and  then  engaged  at  farming,  which  he  followed  until  1861, 
when  he  enlisted  in  the  Thirty-eighth  Regimental  Band.  During  his 
service,  he  contracted  measles,  since  which  his  health  has  been  impaired. 
After  his  discharge,  he  engaged  in  farming,  and  has  so  continued  until 
the  present  time,  being  interested  in  raising  good  horses  and  cattle.  Mr. 
Marshall  is  a  fine  musician,  and  has  taught  music  for  a  number  of  years. 
He  has  been  thrice  married;  first,  March,  1860,  he  wedded  Miss  Rebecca 
J.  Allen,  who  died  July  8,  1864,  leaving  two  children — Harland  E.  and 
Ethel  (now  deceased).  He  next  wedded,  April  23,  1865,  Miss  Matilda 
J.  Sanders,  who  died  February  27,  1872,  leaving  five  children — Zada, 
Eber,  Dessie,  Luke  W.  and  Sibert.  November  15,  1874,  he  married  his 
present  wife,  Miss  Nancy  Whitesell.  Mr.  Marshall  is  a  member  of  the 
Baptist,  and  Mrs.  Marshall  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 

NATHAN  R.  MATSON  is  a  native  of  Cumberland  County,  Penn., 
was  born  April  5,  1840,  and  is  a  son  of  Peter  and  Mary  Matson,  natives 
of  Pennsylvania,  and  respectively  of  English  and  Scotch  descent.  After 
going  to  school  at  intervals  until  he  was  sixteen,  Nathan  began  his  ap- 
prenticeship to  the  trade  of  a  tanner,  which  trade  he  finished  in  Phila- 
delphia in  1859.  He  then  came  West,  and  worked  as  a  tanner  at  Bloom- 
ington  until  1861,  when  he  enlisted  in  Company  G,  Thirty-eighth  Indiana 
Volunteer  Infantry,  assigned  to  the  Army  of  the  Cumberland,  and,  hav- 
ing served  his  term,  re-enlisted  as  a  veteran  in  the  same  company.  After 
various  promotions  he  became  Second  Lieutenant.  He  participated  in 
the  greatest  battles  of  that  campaign,  and  afterward  suffered  from 
rheumatism  and  weakness  of  vision,  which  incapacitated  him  from  fol- 
lowing' his  trade,  and  he  was  elected  by  the  Republicans  Township  Trus- 
tee for  four  years.  October  2,  1865,  he  married  Miss  Ann  Matthews, 
which  union  gave  being  to  four  children — John  E.,  Mary  A.,  James  H, 
and  George  W.  Mrs.  Matson  died  July  6,  1875.  Mr.  Matson  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Masonic  fraternity,  of  the  G.  A.  R.,  and  of  the  Baptist 
Church;  he  is  also  highly  extolled  as  a  citizen. 

JOHN  MATTHEWS  deceased  (late  of  the  firm  of  Matthews  &  Son, 
now  P.  T. ,  William  N.  and  Frederick  Matthews),  was  born  October  10, 1806, 
in  County  Sussex,  England;  was  apprenticed  in  London  to  the  stone  and 
marble  work,  and  assisted  at  building  some  of  the  Parliament  houses, 
etc.  Here  he  married  his  wife,  Miss  Mary  A.  Drake;  they  had  tweJve 
children,  seven  of  whom  are  living — Peter  T.,  William  N.,  Jane,  James 
L.,  Susan,  Phebe  and  Frederick.  In  1849,  the  Matthews  family  left  for 
America,  were  delayed  on  the  voyage  by  a  mutiny,  and  finally  landed  at 
New  Orleans,  where  Mr.  M.  was  offered  inducements  to  remain;  but  he 
moved  to  Cincinnati,  thence  to  Louisville,  and  thence  to  this  State,  in 
Jefferson   County,  and  opened  a  quarry   for  Dean  Bros.     In   1855,  he 


634  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

came  to  this  county  and  opened  a  quarry  for  himself,  which  he  managed 
until  his  death.  A  specimen  of  this  stone  took  first  premium  at  the  Cen- 
tennial. He  was  a  Union  Democrat  and  a  highly  esteemed  citizen.  He 
died  May  27,  1883,  aged  seventy-seven,  a  member  of  the  Baptist  Church; 
his  wife  is  yet  living,  aged  sixty-seven  years. 

Fbancis  D.  Matthews  (the  second  son)  was  a  veteran  soldier  of 
the  recent  war,  a  member  of  Company  G,  Thirty-eighth  Indiana  Volun- 
teer Infantry,  and  was  shot  before  Atlanta. 

Peter  T.  Matthews  was  born  in  London  July  8,  1840,  In 
1861,  he  enlisted  as  a  drummer  in  the  Nineteenth  Regimental  Band. 
Most  of  this  band  were  captured  at  the  battle  of  Bull  Run,  but  Peter 
escaped  and  served  until  the  war  was  closed.  After  returning,  he  en- 
gaged with  his  father  in  the  quarrying  business,  and  September,  1867, 
he  married  Miss  Sarah  E.,  daughter  of  Robert  T.  Stimson,  which  union 
gave  them  four  children — Effie,  Albert,  John  and  Charles.  Mr.  Mat- 
thews is  a  member  of  the  Masons  and  the  G.  A.  R. 

William  N.  Matthews  vv^as  born  in  England  November  1, 
1844.  When  the  war  broke  out,  he  was  anxious  to  join  the  army,  and, 
being  refused  permission  by  his  father,  set  out  on  foot  to  Indianapolis, 
where  he  enlisted  in  Company  G,  One  Hundred  and  Fifteenth  Regiment 
Indiana  Volunteer  Infantry;  joined  Burnside's  division,  participated  in 
several  battles  and  did  skirmish  duty,  and  served  in  the  Quartermaster's 
Department  until  the  war  ended.  After  his  return,  he,  too,  engaged  in 
assisting  his  father.  November  8,  1869,  he  married  Miss  Adeline  H. 
Johnson,  by  which  union  were  born  four  children — Francis  E.,  Cora  E. 
and  Irvin  and  Mabel  (twins).  Mr.  Matthews  is  a  Freemason,  and  he 
adn  wife  belong  to  the  Baptist  Church. 

Fredeeick  Matthews  was  born  at  Stinesville,  Ind.,  March  25, 
1859.  WheD  hn  became  a  man  he  became  a  partner  with  his  brothers, 
and  January  23,  1879,  married  Miss  Nettie  B.  Moore;  they  have  one 
daughter^Bertha  A.     Mr.  Matthews  is  a  Democrat. 

JOHN  A.  MAY,  barber,  is  the  eighth  of  the  twelve  children  of  John 
P.  and  Susan  (Whalen)  May,  the  former  a  native  of  Virginia.  John  P. 
May  was  a  farmer,  who  moved  with  his  family  to  Washington  County, 
Ind.,  in  1831;  engaged  in  butchering  for  six  years;  then  removed  to  Van 
Buren  Township;  there  carried  on  a  distillery,  and  finally  located  on  a 
fai'm,  where  he  closed  his  life  October  30,  1862.  He  was  a  worthy  citi- 
zen, a  Republican,  and  a  member  of  the  Christian  Church.  Five  of  his 
sons  were  in  the  Union  army  at  one  time,  and  all  returned  when  the  war 
was  ended.  John  A.  May  was  born  in  Van  Buren  Township  March  18, 
1843,  and  brought  up  a  farmer.  W^hen  seventeen  years  old,  he  enlisted 
in  Company  I,  Fifty-ninth  Regiment  Indiana  Volunteer  Infantry,  as  a 
musician,  going  out  September,  1861,  and  being  discharged  November, 
1863,  having  seen  hard  and  varied  service.  After  returning,  he  engaged 
in  lumbering,  and  then  purchased  a  barber's  outfit,  such  trade  having 
been  acquired  while  on  duty  as  a  soldier.  He  has  been  very  successful 
and  has  a  good  trade.  May  28,  1876,  he  married  Susan  E.  Vannoy,  a 
union  which  produced  three  children — Cora  D. ,  Freddie  C.  (deceased) 
and  Minnie  A.  Mr.  May  is  a  Mason,  an  Odd  Fellow  and  a  Red  Man. 
He  is  a  rigid  Republican  and  a  liberal  citizen.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  May  are 
members  of  the  Christian  Church. 

CHARLES  MOORE,  stock-raiser  and  farmer,  was  born  in  Woodford 
County,  Ky.,  April  10,  1814,  and  is  a  son  of  Charles  and  Nancy  (James) 


RICHLAND  TOWNSHIP.  635 

Moore,  natives  of  Virginia,  and  of  English  extraction,  who  moved  to 
Kentucky,  where  Mr.  Moore  died,  and  whence  Mrs.  Moore  returned  to 
Virginia,  and  there  married  Joseph  Copenhaver,  after  which  they  re- 
moved to  this  county,  in  1832,  where  Mrs.  Copenhaver  died  in  1835. 
Our  subject  was  reared  to  industry,  and  began  to  make  his  own  way 
when  seventeen  years  old  by  clearing  and  chopping.  June  3,  1835,  he 
married  Miss  Elizabeth  Copenhaver,  a  union  honored  by  eighteen  chil- 
dren, of  which  number  are  living — Tillman  H.,  Taylor  S.,  William, 
James  M.,  Charles  L.,  Clara  L.,  Lizzie  and  Carrie.  After  marriage,  Mr. 
Moore  farmed  on  rented  land,  and  afterward  procured  eighty  acres  of 
his  own,  which  he  improved.  He  was  diligent,  economical,  and  made 
sure  headway,  adding  to  his  possession  until  he  owned  600  acres,  which 
he  sold  in  1852,  and  purchased  his  present  place  of  240  acres,  now 
one  of  the  best  farms  in  the  township.  Mr.  Moore  is  one  of  the  most 
substantial  farmers  and  citizens  of  these  parts,  and  is  in  politics  an 
active  Republican.  He  and  wife  are  members  in  honor  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church. 

GEORGE  B.  MOORE,  merchant,  is  a  native  of  this  county,  was 
born  March  ],  1821,  and  is  the  third  child  of  John  and  Jane  (Dowell) 
Moore,  both  natives  of  North  Carolina.  John  Moore  was  a  farmer  and 
wagon-maker.  He  moved  hither  in  1820;  soon  after  went  back  to  the 
East,  but  came  again  to  this  State,  made  a  home  for  his  family  and  fin- 
ished his  course  of  life.  His  wife  is  yet  living,  aged  eighty-eight  years, 
on  the  homestead  settled  by  her  husband  fifty-five  years  ago;  she  is,  as 
Mr.  Moore  was,  a  member  of  the  Baptist  Church.  George  B.  Moore 
was  reared  a  farmer,  and  received  but  twelve  months'  schooling.  When 
eighteen  years  of  age  he  began  working  for  himself  as  a  farmer,  but 
after  about  three  years  became  a  clerk  at  Mount  Tabor,  and  in  1850 
commenced  mercantile  business  at  Spencer,  from  which  point  he  removed 
to  Santa  F6,  where  he  continued  in  success  for  eight  years.  He  then 
sold  his  property  and  removed  his  stock  to  Ellettsville,  where  he  now 
continues  with  a  stock  of  $5,000,  a  substantial  and  successful  merchant. 
Mr.  Moore  has  been  twice  married—  first,  he  wedded  Mary  Stefifey,  who 
died  in  1865,  leaving  three  out  of  five  children — George  B.,  Elvira  J. 
and  Oscar  Franklin;  he  wedded,  second,  in  1867,  Mrs.  Nancy  J.  Steel, 
formerly  of  Owen  County.  Mr.  Moore  has  dealt  much  in  grain,  pork, 
wool,  etc.,  and  is,  in  all,  worth  probably  $40,000.  He  is  a  Democrat, 
and,  with  his  wife,  a  member  of  the  Baptist  Church. 

GEORGE  MORELAND,  life  and  fire  insurance  agent,  was  born 
in  this  township  January  27,  1847,  and  is  the  third  son  of  L.  H.  and 
Margaret  (Billings)  Moreland,  natives  respectively  of  North  Carolina 
and  Tennessee.  L.  H.  Moreland,  moved  to  Greene  County,  this  State, 
about  1828,  where  his  father  had  entered  land,  and  which  he  assisted  to 
improve  and  cultivate.  Having  a  fair  education,  he  became  a  teacher, 
and  followed  that  vocation  for  twenty  years,  in  alternation  with  farming. 
In  1861,  he  moved  to  Owen  County,  and  thence  to  Greene  County  again, 
where  he  finished  his  course  April  28,  1877.  His  wife  is  yet  living  at 
Worthington,  lud.  George  W.  was  reared  a  farmer,  with  a  fair  educa- 
tion. In  August,  1862,  he  enlisted  in  Company  I,  Eighty -second  In- 
diana Volunteer  Infantry,  which  regiment  was  placed  in  the  Cumber- 
land division, and  engaged  at  Stone  River,  Hoover's  Gap,  Chickamauga, 
Mission  Ridge  and  Buzzard's  Roost,  where  Mr.  Moreland  received  seven 
wounds,  fractm-ing  the  left  femur  and  bones  of  the   leg,  after  which  he 


636  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

crawled  one-quarter  of  a  mile;  his  injuries  were  pronounced  mortal,  but 
he  recovered,  by  good  nursing  from  a  New  York  lady,  and  after  some 
time  in  the  hospitals  he  was  discharged,  April,  1865.  In  ^  866,  he  com- 
menced teaching  vocal  music,  in  which  he  continued  until  1878,  and 
which  he  subsequently  abandoned  for  his  present  business.  October  10, 
1867,  he  married  Miss  Mary  A.  Johnson,  born  August  25,  1850,  a  union 
which  gave  being  to  five  children — Minnie  D.,  Addie  L.,  Bertha  C, 
Myrtie  M.  aud  Sankie  (deceased).  Mr.  Moreland  is  an  esteemed  citizen, 
and  he  and  his  wife  are  members  of  the  Christian  Church. 

CAPT.  G.  K.  PERRY  is  a  native  of  Rockland,  Me.,  was  born 
December  26,  1831,  and  is  the  eldest  of  four  children.  The  great-grand- 
father of  our  subject,  Job  Perry,  was  a  native  of  Marshtield,  Mass.,  and 
died  in  1789;  he  was  the  father  of  ten  children.  The  grandfather  of  our 
subject,  also  Job  Perry,  was  born  in  1762,  married  Polly  Jordan,  and 
died  December  19,  1841.  The  parents  of  our  subject  were  Job  and  Mar- 
garet (Butler)  Perry,  who  married  November  14,  1830.  Mr.  Perry  was 
lost  on  the  Florida  coast,  while  going  to  New  York;  Mrs.  Perry  died  May 
26,  1882,  in  Rockland,  Me.  These  parents  were  members  of  the  Baptist 
Church.  Capt.  Perry  was  left  fatherless  when  seven  years  old,  and  went 
to  an  academy  at  Salem,  Mass.,  for  two  years.  After  hearing  of  the  Cal- 
ifornia gold  excitement,  he  begged  to  go,  but  was  refused,  unless  willing  to 
return  within  five  years.  June,  1850, he  embarked,  in  a  company  with  twelve 
comrades,  the  ticket  costing  $250.  After  reaching  Panama,  he  was 
offered  and  refused  $1,000  for  his  ticket.  He  reached  California  safely, 
and  soon  departed  for  Sacramento,  and  in  El  Dorado  County  worked  ten 
days  with  pickax  and  pan,  without  encouragment,  after  which  he  worked 
on  a  dam  to  turn  the  river,  which  labor  was  destroyed  by  the  autumn 
rains.  When  the  company  was  dissolved,  each  member  was  allotted 
twenty  feet  square,  and  the  Captain's  was  a  rich  one.  In  1855,  he  re- 
turned, and  in  1858  came  West  to  engage  in  farming,  reaching  Elletts- 
ville  November  26,  and  engaged  in  rafting  to  Detroit.  When  volunteers 
were  called  for  during  the  late  war,  he  raised  a  company  and  was  elected 
Captain,  but  took  only  First  Lieutenant,  September,  1861,  of  Company 
G,  Thirty-eight  Indiana  Volunteer  Infantry.  In  1862,  he  was  made  Cap- 
tain, and  resigned  in  1 863.  He  participated  at  Stone  River  and  in  other 
engagements  of  the  Army  of  the  Cumberland.  After  returning,  he  en- 
gaged in  mercantile  business  at  Ellettsville  until  1867,  and  afterward 
with  his  brother  in  quarrying  and  monumental  work,  they  now  giving  em- 
ployment to  nearly  seventy -five  men;  they  have  also  a  flourishing  grocery 
business.  June  5,  1865,  he  married  Julia  D.  Healy,  who  died  October  24, 
1874,  leaving  two  daughters — Mabel  and  Grace.  He  next  married  Hen- 
rietta C.  Hasslock,  to  which  union  were  four  boys —  Gilbert  K.,  Herman 
H.,  Eugene  H.  R.,  and  Frederic  E.  Mr.  Perry  is  an  influential  Repub- 
lican, and  has  been  Township  Trustee  for  three  terms.  He  is  a  member 
of  the  Masonic  fraternity  and  of  the  G.  A.  R. 

JOHN  K.  PHIPPS,  dealer  in  grocries,  hardware  and  notions,  is  a 
native  of  North  Carolina,  was  born  October  29,  1841,  and  is  a  son  of  Eze- 
ziel  H.,  and  Clarissa  (Russel)  Phipps,  natives  respectively  of  Virginia 
and  South  Carolina,  and  both  uf  English  descent,  who  in  1856  moved  to 
Georgia,  where  John  K.,  passed  his  boyhood  in  attending  school,  and  at 
farm  work.  In  May,  1861,  he  enlisted  in  the  Confederate  cause,  was  capt- 
ured in  1865,  and  taken  to  Point  Lookout  for  some  months,  then  took 
the  oath  of  allegiance  and  was  discharged,  having  served  at  Bull  Run, 


RICHLAND  TOWNSHIP.  637 

Malvern  ^  Hill,  Fredericksburg,  Antietam,  Gettysburg,  Petersburg  and 
Weldon,  where  he  received  a  flesh  wound  in  the  thigh,  was  placed  some 
time  in  the  hospital  and  joined  his  regiment  at  Five  Forks.  After  the 
war,  he  engaged  in  farming  until  1868,  removed  hither  in  1869,  and 
worked  with  Matthews  &  Son  for  fourteen  years.  September,  1872,  he 
married  Miss  Nancy  Jamison,  of  this  township,  with  an  issue  of  two 
children — Mattie  B.,  and  William  J.  In  1883,  he  purchased  the  stock 
of  goods  of  Mr.  Moore,  for  ^1,000,  which  he  has  increased  by  energy  and 
tact  to  a  commanding  and  attractive  one.  Mr.  Phipps  is  a  member  of 
the  Masonic  order,  and  a  Democrat  in  politics;  he  and  wife  are  members 
of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 

AUSTIN  B.  REEVES,  farmer  and  stock-raiser,  is  a  son  of  Benjamin 
and  Nancy  Reeves,  the  former  a  native  of  Virginia,  the  latter  of  Ken- 
tucky. Austin  S.  Reeves,  grandfather  of  our  subject,  was  a  Revolution- 
ary soldier,  and  Benjamin  Reeves  was  a  hero  of  the  war  of  1812.  In 
1820,  he  came  to  this  county,  passing  down  the  Ohio  in  a  flat-boat  he  had 
built.  As  a  result  of  his  industry,  he  acquired  160  acres,  and  made  a 
good  home  from  the  virgin  land.  He  was  a  Whig,  and  died  February, 
1846,  aged  sixty-six;  his  wife  passed  away  seven  years  previous,  aged 
fifty- four  years.  They  were  the  parents  of  nine  daughters  and  two  sons. 
Austin  B.  Reeves  was  born  in  Van  Buren  Township  August  27,  1829,  and 
the  eldest  son  of  the  family.  He  was  brought  up  to  industry  and  to 
farming.  When  seventeen  years  old,  was  left  an  orphan,  and  became  an 
apprentice  to  blacksmithing;  served  nearly  four  years,  and  received  only 
board  and  clothes.  Later,  he  purchased  the  homestead  farm,  and  devoted 
his  time  to  agriculture.  In  1882,  he  sold  this  farm  and  purchased  his 
present  home.  August  5,  1854,  he  marrried  Arabelle  I.  Pauley,  of  this 
county,  and  to  this  union  seven  children  came  to  bless  it,  six  of  whom^are 
living— Garrison  P.,  Flora  B.,  Mary  H.,  John  Mc,  B.  Colfax  and  Austin 
M.  Mr.  Reeves  is  a  liberal  and  worthy  citizen,  a  Republican,  and  a 
member  of  the  Patrons  of  Husbandry.  Mrs.  Reeves  is  a  member  of  the 
Mettiodist  Episcopal  Church. 

JOHN  A.  REEVES,  farmer  and  stock-raiser,  was  born  in  Owen 
County,  Ind.,  February  27, 1839,  and  is  the  fourth  of  the  family  of  Andy 
W.  and  Sallie  A.  (McDonald)  Reeves,  both  of  whom  came  to  this  State 
in  childhood.  John  A.  was  reared  and  grew  to  manhood  as  a  farmer. 
September  20,  1860,  he  married  Miss  Ava  Allen,  only  daughter  of  Elisha 
and  Mary  E.  Allen,  and  born  June  9, 1841.  To  this  union  were  bestowed 
five  children — John  E.  (deceased),  Mary  E.,  Sallie  A.,  Olive  G.  and  Will- 
iam C.  After  marriage,  Mr.  Reeves  entered  the  store  of  his  father-in- 
law,  and  in  1861  enlisted  in  Company  G,  Thirty-eighth  Regiment  Indi- 
ana Volunteers,  going  out  as  Third  Sergeant,  from  which  he  'rose  by 
merit  to  be  First  Lieutenant,  but  owing  to  failing  health  he  resigned  his 
commission  in  April,  1863;  he  saw  hard  service  in  the  battle  of  Perry- 
ville.  On  returning,  he  went  into  business  with  his  father-in-law  at 
Ellettsville,  and  on  the  death  of  his  partner,  December,  1868,  succeeded 
to  the  business,  which  he  continued  until  August,  1875,  when  he  sold, 
removed  to  Bloomington,  and  took  charge  of  the  County  Treasurer's 
ofi&ce,  to  which  he  was  elected  by  the  Republicans.  At  the  expiration  of 
his  second  term,  he  retired  to  his  farm  of  160  acres,  besides  thirty-two 
acres  near  by  in  timber;  this  place  is  also  well  improved  and  cultivated. 
Mrs.  Reeves  belongs  to  the  Christian  Church. 

LEVI  RIDGE,  pioneer  and  representative  farmer,  is  a  native  of  In- 


638  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES: 

dian  Creek  Township,  was  born  June  19,  1819,  and  is  the  eldest  son  of  the 
family  of  Benjamin  and  Henrietta  (Staton)  Eidge,  both  natives  of  Ken- 
tucky, and  of  English  extraction.  Levi  Eidge  passed  his  boyhood  on  the 
farm,  attending  school  for  a  short  time,  at  periods  also  chopping  wood 
and  doing  general  farm  work,  which  course  he  continued  until  he  was 
twenty-five.  March  12,  1845,  he  married  Miss  Elizabeth  Dunning, 
of  this  county,  to  which  union  were  born  seven  children — Harriet  J., 
Amanda  H..  Susan  A.,  James  B.,  Thomas  F.,  William  E.  (deceased)  and 
America  I.  The  mother  of  these  children  diod  January  6,  1875,  aged 
fifty-two  years.  Mr.  Eidge  began  farming  on  forty  acres  purchased  from 
his  father,  which  he  improved,  and  on  which  he  built  a  cabin.  In  1871, 
he  sold  his  place  and  purchased  his  present  home  and  farm,  containing 
190  acres.  Mr.  Eidge  has  also  forty  acres  near  by,  on  which  is  a  good 
brick  house  and  frame  barn,  both  of  these  being  the  fruit  of  his  toil  and 
saving,  having  once  labored  at  making  rails  for  25  cents  per  hundred. 
He  was  once  a  AVhig,  but  of  later  years  has  voted  with  the  Eepublicans. 
Mr.  Eidge  is  a  worthy  and  esteemed  citizen. 

JAMES  T.  EOBEETSON,  grocer,  was  born  April  19,  1842— 
near  Bloomington,  and  is  a  son  of  James  A.  and  Mary  A.  (Hardesty) 
Eobertson,  the  former  a  native  of  Kentucky,  the  latter  of  Maryland. 
After  attending  the  common  schools,  James  F.  went  to  the  State  Univer- 
sity for  a  year,  and  in  January,  1864,  enlisted  in  Company  K,  Twenty- 
first  Heavy  Artillery,  which  was  assigned  to  the  Army  of  the  Gulf,  under 
Gen.  Banks,  and  participated  in  the  Eed  Eiver  expedition  and  in  the 
siege  of  Fort  Morgan;  he  was  discharged  May  19,  1865,  from  disability; 
he  afterward  became  clerk  in  a  dry  goods  house,  and  in  1866,  engaged 
in  his  present  business,  with  a  small  stock  of  goods,  in  which  he  has  suc- 
ceeded in  obtaining  a  leading  trade.  March,  1868,  he  married  Miss 
Eachel,  a  daughter  of  William  Prather,  which  union  has  resulted  in  the 
birth  of  five  children — Otho  Schuyler,  Mary  Maud,  James  William,  Lau- 
ren W.  and  Kittle  B.  Mr.  Eobertson  is  a  radical  Eepublican,  and  a 
member  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F.  and  the  G.  A.  E. ;  he  is  also  an  influential  and 
esteemed  citizen.     Mrs.  Eobertson  is  a  member  of  the  Christian  Church. 

ELI  EUMPLE,  farmer  and  stock-raiser,  is  a  son  of  Jacob  and  Mary 
Eumple,  was  born  January  1,  1828,  in  Burk  County,  N.  C,  and  was 
brought  to  this  county  by  his  parents  in  1830.  He  was  reared  as  a  farm- 
er, and  received  but  little  education,  but  having  been  taught  the  use  of 
tools,  he  commenced  as  a  carpenter,  at  which  he  worked  as  a  journeyman 
for  two  years,  and  as  a  contractor  for  six  years.  June  17,  1856,  he  mar- 
ried Miss  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  Thomas  and  Priscilla  Howard.  Seven 
children,  five  of  whom  are  living,  were  followers  of  this  marriage — Lura 
Arbel,  Lurinda,  Ardilla,  Dayton  M.,  George  E.  and  Sarah  T.  After 
marriage,  he  located  on  a  small  farm  in  Clay  Township  on  which  he  re- 
mained until  1860,  when  he  sold  and  purchased  his  present  farm  of  nine- 
ty-five acres,  and  afterward  some  land  adjoining,  now  having  a  home  and 
farm  comprising  280  acres,  240  of  which  are  under  good  cultivation, 
and  all  the  result  of  his  own  care  and  toil.  Mr.  Eumple  is  a  public - 
spirited  and  esteemed  citizen,  and  a  Democrat  in  politics. 

THOMAS  J.  SHAEP,  farmer,  was  born  September  8,  1817,  in  Sul- 
livan County,  Ind.,  and  is  a  son  of  George  and  Sallie  (Johnston)  Sharp, 
natives  of  Virginia  and  of  German  descent,  who  early  moved  to  Ken- 
tucky, and  thence  to  Knox  County,  this  Territory,  in  1814.  George 
Sharp  was  a  farmer  and  surveyor,  and  in  1817,  purchased  320  acres,  and 


RICHLAND  TOWNSHIP.  639 

became  oue  of  the  earliest  settlers.  He  was  a  public-spirited  citizen,  and 
died  at  the  age  of  sixty-three,  his  wife  at  fhe  age  of  seventy-eight  years. 
Thomas  J.  Sharp  has  continued  to  reside  on  the  homestead.  When  his 
father  died,  he  was  thirteen  years  old,  and  he  then  became  manager  of 
the  farm.  October  15,  1840,  he  married  Miss  Sallie,  a  daughter  of 
George  and  Catherine  Parks,  to  which  union  succeeded  six  children,  five 
of  whom  are  living — George  P.,  James  C,  Sarah  C,  Amelia  A.  and  Mary 
M.  Mr.  Sharp,  by  industry  and  frugality,  has  acquired  219  acres,  now 
improved  and  valuable,  and  has  also  assisted  each  of  his  children.  In 
early  life  he  was  a  Whig,  but  became  afterward  a  Republican.  He  has 
served  as  guardian  and  administrator  for  several  estates,  having  given 
bonds  of  $80,000.  Mr.  Sharp  is  an  old-fashioned  gentleman,  and  retains 
many  relics  of  the  olden  time,  among  them  the  first  corn-cracker  operat- 
ed here,  the  same  having  been  brought  hither  by  his  father.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Sharp  are  members  of  the  Presbyterian  Church. 

JOHN  H.  SHOOK,  wagon  and  carriage  manufacturer,  was  born  in 
Bean  Blossom  Township,  September  20,  1880,  and  is  the  youngest  son 
of  George  H.  and  Elizabeth  (Heilman)  Shook,  both  natives  of  North 
Carolina,  and  of  German  extraction.  George  H.  Shook  removed  to  this 
county  from  North  Carolina  in  1827.  He  was  a  pioneer,  and  experienced 
the  trials  of  those  heroes;  he  was  father  of  sixteen  children.  Tn  1857, 
he  moved  to  Elletsville,  and  lived  in  retirement  until  his  death.  May, 
1861,  aged  seventy-two  years,  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church,  and  a  Democrat.  Mrs.  Shook  died  in  1863,  aged  seventy-two 
years.  John  H.  was  reared  to  farming,  attending  school  in  the  usual  sea- 
sons. When  he  was  of  age,  he  became  an  apprentice  to  a  blacksmith, 
served  two  years,  and  later  worked  as  a  journeyman  and  traveled  con- 
siderably in  the  State  until  1857,  when  he  came  to  this  county,  estab- 
lished his  business,  and  has  since  manufactured  wagons  and  the  like. 
October  8,  1864,  he  married  Miss  Catherine,  daughter  of  Willis  and 
Elizabeth  Smith,  which  union  was  blessed  with  three  children — Beatrice, 
Nora  Magdalena  (deceased)  and  Ida  Isabel.  During  the  war  he  worked 
mostly  at  gunsmithing,  and  also  invented  a  revolving  rifle,  reaching  400 
yards.  He  has  besides  acquired  some  proficiency  at  painting  wagons, 
landscapes  and  portraits.  He  is  an  active  Republican  and  business  man. 
He  and  wife  belong  to  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church. 

LORENZO  DOW  STANGER,  farmer  and  stock-raiser,  is  a  native  of 
Bloomington  Township,  this  county,  was  born  September  18,  1835,  and 
is  the  oldest  son  of  John  and  Ann  (Thomas)  Stanger,  natives  of  Virginia, 
and  respectively  of  German  and  English  extraction.  Lorenzo  Dow  Stan- 
ger was  reared  on  a  farm  in  his  native  township,  where  he  attended  the 
schools  of  the  day  until  he  was  eighteen  years  of  age.  When  he  was 
twenty  years  old,  his  father  gave  him  a  horse,  with  which  to  make  a  begin- 
ning in  life;  he  afterward  hired  for  $13  per  month;  then  went  into  Mc- 
Lean County,  111.,  and  so  continued  until  he  was  twenty-four  years  old, 
when  he  farmed  on  shares  with  Mr.  Owen.  November  1,  1860,  he  mar- 
ried Thursa  A.  Houston,  of  this  county,  and  to  them  were  given  four 
children — James  H.,  Gilbert  E.,  David  Sherman  and  Ada  Montana.  Soon 
after  marriage,  Mr.  Stanger  moved  to  his  father-in-law's,  and  farmed 
about  five  years,  then  went  into  McLean  County,  where  he  owned  forty 
acres,  sold  the  same  in  1869,  and  purchased  eighty  acres,  which  he  has 
improved  and  stocked,  and  now  occupies  as  his  home.  Mr.  Stanger  is  a 
worthy  citizen,  a  Democrat,  and  he  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Christian 
Church. 


640  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

FRANCIS  M.  STEPHENSON,  Postmaster  and  dealer  in  groceries, 
queensware,  glass  and  notions,  was  born  in  Owen  County,  Ind.,  January 
15,  1844,  and  is  the  youngest  of  the  five  children  of  Madison  and  Sarah 
(Wilborn)  Stephenson,  natives  of  Virginia,  who  were  early  comers  to 
Owen  County.  After  some  schooling  and  regular  training  to  the  life  of 
a  farmer,  Francis  enlisted  in  August,  1862,  in  Company  B,  Sixty-seventh 
Regiment  Indiana  Volunteers,  assigned  to  the  Army  of  the  Gulf,  and 
participated  in  the  engagements  of  Munfordville,  Ai'kansas  Post,  Vicks- 
bui-g,  Jackson,  Mobile  and  the  Red  River  expedition.  He  was  taken 
prisoner,  parolled,  and  joined  his  regiment  at  Baton  Rouge,  and  was  dis- 
charged July  19,  1865,  having  been  once  wounded  in  the  neck.  Sep- 
tember 1,  1867,  he  married  Miss  Jennie,  daughter  of  Thomas  and  Mary 
Gillespy,  a  union  favored  by  five  children — Lena  Colfax,  David  T., 
Frank  C.,  Arthur  T.  and  Francis  M.  In  1870,  Mr.  Stephenson  located 
in  the  grocery  trade  at  Freedom,  Owen  County,  and  after  four  years 
removed  to  Ellettsville,  and  has  continued  in  the  same  line.  Mr. 
Stephenson  is  a  stanch  Republican,  and  was  commissioned  Postmaster  in 
May,  1879,  in  which  he  has  given  much  satisfaction.  He  is  a  member 
of  the  Masonic  order,  of  the  G.  A.  R.,  and,  with  his  wife,  belongs  to  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 

S.  P.  THOMPSON,  stock-raiser  and  farmer,  is  the  only  son  of  John 
T.  and  Sallie  (Grimes)  Thompson,  natives  respectively  of  North  Carolina 
and  Kentucky,  and  of  Irish  and  German  extraction,  and  was  born  in 
Crawford  County,  III,  July  16,  1822.  His  father,  John  T.  Thompson, 
moved  in  early  life  from  North  Carolina  to  Kentucky,  and  was  a  minister 
of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  He  moved  to  Knox  County,  Ind., 
in  1814,  and  afterward,  in  1818,  to  Illinois,  where  he  engaged  in  farm- 
ing, about  1824.  He  bold  this  land. removed  to  this  county  and  purchased 
eighty  acres,  where  he  died  in  1850,  aged  seventy-two  years;  his  wife 
died  1875,  aged  eighty-five  years.  S.  P.  Thompson,  was  reared  on  a 
farm  and  received  but  spare  education;  indeed,  he  acquired  his  knowl- 
edge after  reaching  manhood,  at  which  time  he  engaged  in  threshing, 
and  split  rails  when  not  engaged  with  his  machine.  May  26,  1850,  he 
married  Miss  Louisa  A.,  daughter  of  James  and  Margaret  Freeman. 
Previous  to  his  father's  decease,  Mr.  Thompson  purchased  the  homestead, 
which  he  sold  in  1853,  and  purchased  a  part  of  his  present  property, 
which  aggregates  400  acres,  but  he  has  sold  all  bat  160,  which  he  culti- 
vates and  on  which  he  raises  some  stock.  In  1871.  he  lost  his  dwelling 
by  fire,  and  in  1880,  rebuilt  an  improved  and  enlarged  one.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  Masonic  order,  a  good  citizen,  and  he  and  wife  are  mem- 
bers of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 

^Y.  B.  WALDEN,  stock-raiser  and  farmer,  was  born  in  this  county, 
January  3,  1831,  and  assisted  his  father  in  making  a  home  from  the  wilder- 
ness, as  well  as  forming  himself  such  habits  of  industry  and  frugality 
as  were  of  value  to  him  in  after  life.  Re  attended  school  during  his 
boyhood,  and  when  of  age  became  a  pioneer  of  Owen  County  on  sixty 
acres  of  timber  land  entered  by  his  father.  To  this  he  added  sixty 
acres,  which  he  improved, and  built  thereon  a  frame  house;  he  split  rails 
for  his  neighbors,  250  being  a  day's  work,  and  received  40  cents  per  100. 
October  12,  1849,  he  married  Miss  Philena,  daughter  of  Melas  Cline. 
which  union  gave  being  to  foui-  children,  all  of  whom  died  in  infancy. 
In  the  spring  of  1860,  he  sold  his  place  and  removed  to  this  township, 
where  he  purchased  160  acres,  forty  of  which  were  cleared.     This   land 


RICHLAND  TOWNSHIP.  641 

he  improved,  and  added  thereto  until  he  now  owns  207  acres,  with  a 
pleasant  home  and  congenial  surroundings.  Mr.  Walden  is  independent 
in. politics.  In  1883,  he  was  elected  Road  Superintendent,  which,  after 
six  months,he  resigned;  he  has  also  been  Representative  of  the  State  and 
National  Grange, 

STANFIELD  WHARTON,  retired  farmer,  is  a  native  of  Orange 
County,  Va. ,  was  born  August  15,  1809,  and  is  the  eldest  son  of  a  family 
of  eight  born  to  Joseph  and  Sarah  (Age)  Wharton,  both  natives  of  Vir- 
ginia, who  moved  to  Lincoln  County,  Ky.,  where  Stanfield  was  born  and 
reared  to  the  profession  of  farmer.  He  received  but  a  limited  education, 
and  remained  in  the  service  of  his  parents  until  his  majority,  when  he 
worked  for  himself  as  a  farm  hand,  and  saved  $200.  January  9,  1834, 
he  married  Miss  Ann  E.  Berry,  who  died  October  21,  1853,  having  borne 
six  sons  and  three  daughters,  of  whom  are  living — Joseph  B. ,  Green 
Lawrence  and  Burton  T.  Mr.  Wharton  married  for  his  second  wife, 
January  19,  1854,  Miss  Parthenia  J.  Cooper,  and  to  this  union  succeeded 
ten  children,  eight  of  whom  are  living  James  W.,  Mary  M.,  Amanda  M., 
Lorena  Esther,  Fernando  D.,  Luella  E.,  Silas  M.  and  Isaac  E.  After  his 
marriage,  Mr.  Wharton  farmed  on  rented  land  for  about  six  years,  then 
cleared  some  land,  following  which  he  purchased  a  farm,  and  succeeded 
in  getting  several  farms  in  this  State  and  in  Iowa,  but  returned  there- 
from after  two  years,  and  lived  in  Owen  County.  In  1869,  he  moved  to 
his  present  home,  then  as  a  deseri,  and  now  iDlossoming  as  a  rose,  con- 
taining 160  acres,  well  improved  and  cultivated,  and  one  of  the  best 
farms  in  the  town&hip — a  result  due  to  himself  alone.  Mr.  Wharton  cast 
his  first  vote  for  Gen.  Jackson.      He  is  a  much  respected  citizen. 

WILLIAM  L.  WHITTED,  M.  D.,  is  a  son  of  Zachariah  and  Rebecca 
(Allen)  Whitted,  natives  of  North  Carolina,  but  who  grew  to  maturity  in 
this  State,  and  married  about  1835.  Zachariah  Whitted  was  a  farmer,  at 
which  and  at  flat-boat  building  he  labored  many  years.  He  reared  seven 
children  by  his  first,  and  five  by  his  second  wife,  who  yet  lives  and  occu- 
pies the  home  farm.  Mr.  Whitted  was  formerly  a  Whig,  but  became  a 
Republican,  and  an  ardent  admirer  of  Mr.  Lincoln,  whom  he  survived  two 
days.  He  was  six  feet  two  and  a  half  inches  high,  a  member  of  the 
Masonic  order,  and  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  and  for  fifteen 
years  Trustee  of  his  township.  He  was  fifty-three  years  old  at  his  death. 
William  L.  Whitted  was  born  August  24,  1842,  near  Bedford,  Ind.,  was 
reared  a  farmer,  and  in  August,  1861,  enlisted  in  Company  B,  Eighteenth 
Indiana  Regiment.  In  1863,  he  was  made  Sergeant,  and  after  becoming 
a  veteran  in  1864  wa=i  commissioned  Second  Lieutenant,  and  afterward 
chosen  Captain,  which  commission  he  did  not  receive,  but  served  as  Ser- 
geant Major  until  the  end  of  the  war.  He  was  slightly  wounded  at 
Magnolia  Hill,  and  served  at  Pea  Ridge,  Champion  Hill,  Black  River, 
siege  of  Vicksburg,  and  other  engagements.  He  was  discharged  Septem- 
ber 22,  1865,  and  married,  November  28,  Miss  Susanna,  daughter  of  Rev. 
James  Fish,  a  union  followed  by  three  children — Frank,  Gertrude  and 
Mary  Estella.  Soon  after  marriage,  Mr.  Whitted  began  the  study  of 
medicine  under  Dr.  Samuel  A.  Raridon,  attended  lectures  at  the  Ohio 
Medical  College,  and  located  at  Tunnelton.  In  1869,  he  came  to  this 
county,  and  has  done  a  good  business  in  EUettsvilie.  In  1877-78,  he 
attended  lectures  at  and  graduated  from  the  Miami  Medical  College,  and 
in  1881  began  the  drug  business  with  Mr.  Hughes.  Dr.  Whitted  is  a 
Republican,  and  has  held  some  minor  offices.     He  is  a  member  of  the 


642  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

Masons   and  the  G.  A.  R.     He  and  his  wife  belong  to  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church. 

F.  E.  WORLEY,  banker  and  farmer,  was  born  in  this  township 
June  3,  1838,  the  only  child  of  Hiram  and  Margaret  (Legg)  Worley. 
Hiram  Worley  came  with  his  mother  to  this  county  in  1828.  He  was  a 
shrewd,  careful  and  industrious  man,  gave  attention  to  farming  and  rais- 
ing stock,  and  finally  became  wealthy  and  influential.  He  was  a  Repub- 
lican politically,  religious  without  creed,  and  benevolent  without  osten- 
tation. Our  subject  was  reared  to  farming,  and  after  a  preliminary  ed- 
ucation, attended  the  State  University  at  Bloomington.  In  1858,  he  en- 
gaged in  mercantile  business  at  Ellettsville,  in  company  with  William 
Buchanan,  and  after  one  year  Mr.  Worley  became  sole  owner  of  the 
business,  which  he  continued  twelve  years,  realizing  therefrom  $30,000. 
In  1873,  after  having  closed  his  father's  estate,  he  commenced  the  bank- 
ing business,  which  he  is  still  operating,  as  well  as  dealing  in  stock,  such 
as  fine  horses,  short- horn  and  Jersey  cattle,  (Cashmere  sheep,  fowls  and 
carp  fish.  He  has  one  of  the  best  dwellings  in  the  county,  surrounded 
by  a  fence  of  stone,  the  material  taken  from  one  of  his  quarries.  Mr. 
Worley  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity,  a  Republican  in  politics, 
and  an  Episcopalian  in  religion.  May  20,  1875,  he  married  Miss  Laura 
Davis,  of  Nashville,  Tenn. 


VAN  BUREN  TOWNSHIP. 

G.  L.  BRANDON,  a  farmer  and  stock-raiser,  was  born  November  12, 
1839,  in  McDonough  County,  111.,  and  is  the  third  of  ten  children,  eight 
now  living,  born  to  Richard  and  Magdalena  (Favorit)  Brandon,  natives 
of  Pennsylvania  and  Ohio,  and  of  Scotch-Irish  and  German  descent  re- 
spectively. G.  L.  Brandon  was  reared  on  a  farm,  and  was  sent  to  school 
part  of  the  time.  When  he  was  six  years  old,  his  parents  moved  into 
Hancock  County,  111.,  and  he  lived  there  until  his  thirty-third  year.  On 
April  28,  1870,  Mr.  Brandon  married  Narcissa  Smith,  in  Iowa.  She  was 
a  native  of  this  county  and  a  daughter  of  Dudley  C.  and  Isabel  (Porch) 
Smith,  natives  of  Vermont  and  North  Carolina.  Mrs.  Smith  came  here 
from  Lincoln  County,  Ky.,  in  1833,  and  is  still  living,  aged  seventy- 
three  years.  Dudley  C.  Smith  was  born  on  December  22,  1796;  came 
first  to  Ohio,  then  to  this  county  about  J  819;  remained  near  Blooming- 
ton  ten  years,  and  finally  settled  in  this  township.  His  father  was  a 
Revolutionary  soldier,  having  participated  in  the  battle  of  Bunker  Hill. 
G.  L.  Brandon  had  born  to  him,  by  her,  three  children,  two  living — 
Fred  Raymond  and  Rodney  Howe.  Mr.  Brandon  is  a  Presbyterian,  and 
his  wife  belongs  to  the  Christian  Church.  Our  subject,  in  March,  1865, 
enlisted  in  Company  A,  One  Hundred  and  Eighteenth  Illinois  (Mounted) 
Infantry,  and  was  discharged  in  September,  1865,  at  Springfield.  He  is 
a  Republican. 

WILLIAM  F.  BUNGER,  farmer  and  stock-raiser  and  trader,  was 
born  July  17,  1836,  in  this  township,  and  is  the  youngest  of  nine  children 
born  to  Philip  and  Susanna  (Neff;  Bunger,  natives  of  Virginia  and  Ken- 
tucky, and  of  German  descent.     William  F.  was  reared  on  a  farm,  and 


VAN  BUREN  TOWNSHIP.  643 

attended  the  public  schools.  Philip  Bunger  was  an  old  settler  here,  and 
his  son  lived  with  him  until  his  marriage.  On  December  18,  1866,  he 
wedded  Harriet  N.  Neeld,  of  this  county,  and  daughter  of  Benjamin 
and  Elizabeth  (Reeves)  Neeld,  Kentuckiansof  English  and  Irish  descent. 
Mr.  Neeld  settled  in  Bloomington  about  1818.  Mrs.  Neeld  settled  in 
this  county  in  1817,  near  Ellettsville.  She  had  poor  advantages  for  an 
education,  and  says  that  at  that  time  her  people  were  only  able  to  buy 
one  barrel  of  flour  in  two  years.  They  used  hand  mills  to  grind  corn 
for  about  two  years,  and  then  the  horse  mill  was  introduced.  She  is  a 
member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  Mr.  Bunger  formerly 
belonged  to  the  Grange.  He  and  wife  belong  to  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church.  He  owns  202  acres  of  land  in  a  high  state  of  cultivation, 
stocked  and  ornamented  with  a  fine  frame  residence,  besides  the  addition 
of  out-buildings  and  orchard,  it  being  one  of  the  finest  homes  in  the 
township.  Mr.  Bunger  is  an  upright  citizen,  and  votes  the  Republican 
ticket. 

IRA  CARTER,  teacher,  was  born  in  Monroe  County,  Ind. ,  March  18, 
1865,  and  is  a  son  of  J.  F,  and  Susan  (Silivan)  Carter,  the  former  a 
native  of  Garrard  County,  Ky. ,  the  latter  of  Monroe  County,  Ind.  They 
are  both  of  English  descent.  J.  F.  Carter  received  a  good  common 
school  education  in  Indiana,  to  which  State  he  came  in  early  youth,  and 
remained  with  his  parents  until  1863,  when  he  was  married.  Eight 
children  bless  this  union,  all  of  whom  are  yet  living.  He  and  wife  are 
devoted  members  of  the  Missionary  Baptist  Church.  He  owns  a  farm 
in  Van  Buren  Township,  where  he  now  resides.  Ira  Carter,  the  eldest  of 
three  sons,  besides  receiving  a  good  common  schooling,  has  attended 
different  Normal  Schools  held  at  Bloomington  and  elsewhere.  During  the 
summer  he  is  engaged  on  his  father's  farm  and  in  winter  is  employed  in 
teaching.  Mr.  Carter  is  a  young  man  of  fine  ability  and  bids  fair  to  be 
one  of  the  leading  young  men  of  the  county, 

SAMUEL  DINSMORE,  farmer  and  stock-raiser,  was  born  February 
8,  1834,  in  Ireland,  and  is  the  eldest  of  eight  children  born  to  John  and 
Margaret  (Small)  Dinsmore,  natives  of  Ireland,  and  of  Scotch-Irish  de- 
scent. Samuel  was  reared  on  a  farm,  and  attended  school  when  not  other- 
wise employed,  and  in  this  way  received  sufl&cient  education  to  enable 
him  to  teach.  He  taught  three  months.  His  parents  came  to  the  United 
States  in  1838,  and  moved  to  the  West,  settling  in  Van  Buren  Township, 
about  one  mile  north  of  where  our  subject  now  resides.  They  came  by 
way  of  Pittsburgh  by  water  to  Louisville,  where  a  wagon  landed  them  in 
Monroe  County  in  seven  days.  John  Dinsmore  purchased  160  acres  of 
land  and  improved  it.  Samuel  remained  with  his  father  until  his  mar- 
riage, on  October  10,  1859,  to  Magdalene  Hutsinpiller,  of  Monroe  County, 
and  a  teacher.  She  is  the  daughter  of  Jacob  A.  and  Susanna  (Bunger) 
Hutsinpiller,  Pennsylvanians  of  German  descent.  Miss  Hutsinpiller  was 
educated  at  Bloomington,  and  taught  in  Indiana  about  three  years,  and 
in  Illinois  about  one  year.  Mr.  Dinsmore  had  born  to  him  five  children 
— John  A.,  William  J.  (deceased),  Margaret  Lenore,  Julia  Frances  and 
Mary  Elizabeth.  Mr.  Dinsmore  and  wife  also  took  a  boy,  George  Krohn, 
from  the  Orphans'  Home  in  Cincinnati,  and  are  raising  him  as  one  of 
their  own  children.  Mr.  Dinsmore  owns  200  acres  of  land,  well  cultivated, 
and  ornamented  with  a  substantial  residence,  besides  a  barn  and  out- 
buildings. He  received  eighty  acres  from  his  father  at  his  marriage. 
Our  subject  is  breeding  short-horn  cattle  and  Berkshire  hogs,  and  has 


644  BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES: 

followed  this  occupation  fox'  ten  years.  Mr.  Dinsmore  has  belonged  to 
the  Patrons  of  Husbandry  since  1873,  and  has  held  nearly  every  office  in 
the  lodge,  being  at  present  Lecturer.  He  and  wife  are  Presbyterians,  and 
he  has  held  the  office  of  Dii'pctor  of  his  district  for  some  time.  He  is  an 
esteemed  citizen,  and  a  Kepublican  overflowing  with  energy. 

JOSEPH  S.  DINSMORE,  a  leading  and  enterprising  farmer  and 
stock-raiser  of  this  county,  was  born  in  County  Antrim,  Ireland,  January 
1,  1836,  and  is  the  second  of  the  eight  children,  four  now  living,  born  to 
John  and  Margaret  (Small)  Dinsmore,  natives  of  Ireland,  and  of  Scotch- 
Irish  descent.  Joseph  S.  was  reared  upon  a  farm,  and  attended  the 
common  schools  and  a  university  for  six  months.  Mr.  Dinsmore  enlisted 
in  August,  1862,  in  Company  F,  Eighty- second  Indiana  Infantry,  and 
was  engaged  in  the  following  battles:  Perryville,  Ky. ;  Stone  River, 
Tenn  ;  Chickamauga,  Resaca,  Big  Shanty,  Kenesaw  Mountain,  Peach  Tree 
Creek,  Atlanta,  Jonesboro  and  Bentonville,  besides  numerous  skir- 
mishes and  in  Sherman's  "march  to  the  sea."  Mr.  Dinsmore  was  in  the 
grand  review  at  Washington,  and  was  discharged  at  Indianapolis  in  July, 
1865.  Mr.  Dinsmore  was  then  engaged  in  the  furniture  business  at 
Bloomington  for  about  five  years,  finally  failed,  and  then  engaged  in  the 
spoke  and  handle  business.  This  he  followed  for  a  year  and  a  half,  was 
then  biu'ned  out,  and  returned  to  farming.  He  has  continued  in  this 
occupation  ever  since.  Mr.  Dinsmore  was  married  on  October  6,  1868, 
to  Mary  A.  Henderson,  of  Salem,  Ind.,  and  a  daughter  of  John  Grant 
and  Martha  T.  (Young)  Henderson,  natives  oE  Kentucky  and  North  Caro- 
lina, and  of  Scotch-Irish  descent.  Mrs.  Dinsmore  taught  school  about 
five  years  before  her  marriage.  They  have  had  born  to  them  three  chil- 
dren— Leon  Wade,  Wylie  Henderson  and  Joseph  Paul.  The  parents  are 
Presbyterians,  and  Mr.  Dinsmore  is  a  Republiean.  John  Dinsmore,  an 
old  settler  and  enterprising  farmer  of  this  county,  was  born  in  County 
Antrim,  Ireland,  on  October  6,  1810,  and  is  the  youngest  and  only  living 
one  of  the  fourteen  children  born  to  Samuel  and  Mary  (Brystar)  Dins- 
more. John  Dinsmore  came  with  his  mother  to  this  country  in  1838,  and 
settled  in  this  township.  He  was  reared  in  Ireland,  and  there  received  a 
good  education.  On  June  10,  1832,  he  married  Margaret  Small,  of  County 
Antrim,  Ireland,  and  a  daughter  of  Joseph  and  Jane  (Dinsmore)  Small, 
of  Scotch  ancestry.  Mr.  Dinsmore  had  born  to  him  by  this  marriage 
eight  children,  three  of  whom — Samuel,  Joseph  S.  and  Mary  (deceased) 
— were  born  in  Ireland,  and  the  other  five — William  J.,  Andrew  (de- 
ceased), Jane  (deceased),  Theophilus  (deceased)  and  Matilda  (Kirby) — in 
America.  When  Mr.  Dinsmore  came  to  this  county,  he  bought  120  acres 
of  land,  mostly  timber.  He  improved  this  land,  and  then  exchanged  it 
for  240  acres,  upon  which  he  now  lives.  This  place  has  a  fine  residence, 
barn  and  out-buildings,  with  the  addition  of  a  healthy  orchard.  By  in- 
dustry and  application,  Mr.  Dinsmore  has  accomplished  this  success,  and 
now  peacefully  enjoys  his  hard-earned  possessions,  seeing  his  children 
around  him,  each  well  established  in  life  by  his  care.  He  has  given  each 
of  them  from  $2,000  to  $3,000  in  money.  Mrs.  Dinsmore  died  at  seventy - 
five  years  of  age,  on  October  6,  1882,  having  passed  away  suddenly  while 
about  her  household  duties.  She  was  a  Presbyterian,  and  Mr.  Dinsmore 
is  of  the  same  creed.  They  were  liberal  givers  in  charity,  and  had  cele- 
brated their  golden  wedding  only  a  few  months  before  her  death.  Mr. 
Dinsmore  uses  neither  tobacco  nor  whisky.  His  children  are  Presby- 
terians, and  two  sons  served  in  the  late  war,  returning  without  an  injury. 


VAN  BUREN  TOWNSHIP.  645 

Mr.  Dinsmore  is  just  recovering  from  an  injury,  but  as  a  general  thing 
has  good  health.  He  is  a  Republican,  and  an  upright  and  honorable 
citizen,  highly  respected  by  his  many  friends  and  acquaintances. 

DR.  JAMES  DODD  was  born  May  20,  1832,  in  Lawrence  County, 
Ind.,  and  is  the  fifth  of  the  seven  children  born  to  George  and  Mary 
(Pearson)  Dodd.  He  lived  on  the  home  fa -m  until  1855,  when  he  com- 
menced the  study  of  medicine  with  Denson  &Rairden,  of  Bedford,  Penn. 
In  1856  and  1857,  he  attended  his  tirst  course  of  lectures  in  Miami  Med- 
ical College.  In  July,  1857,  he  located  in  Harrodsburg,  this  county, 
and  in  the  winter  of  1858-59  graduated  from  the  Ohio  Medical  College. 
He  married  Catherine  A.  Carmichael,  of  Monroe  County,  daughter  of 
Peter  and  Lydia  (Zague)  Carmichael,  natives  of  North  Carolina.  To  this 
union  have  been  born  eleven  children,  of  whom  eight  are  living — Cran- 
ston H,  James  M.,  Mary  E.,  Charlotte,  George  P.,  Walter  P.,  Thomas 
C.  and  Evaline  C.  In  1870,  Dr.  Dodd  exchanged  his  town  property  for 
the  eighty  acres  on  which  he  now  resides,  combining  farming  with  the 
practice  of  medicine.  He  is  also  the  owner  of  eighty  well-improved 
acres  in  Indian  Creek  Township.  In  November,  1862,  the  Doctor  was 
appointed  Surgeon  to  the  Sixty- seventh  Regiment  Indiana  Volunteers; 
was  at  Vicksburg  and  Arkansas  Post;  became  disabled,  and  at  the  end 
of  six  months  was  compelled  to  resign.  He  is  a  leading  Republican,  and 
cast  his  first  Presidential  vote  for  Lincoln.  Mrs.  Dodd's  mother  is  still 
living,  at  the  advanced  age  of  eighty-nine  years. 

HENRY  ELLER,  one  of  the  old  settlers  of  Monroe  County,  was  born 
June  9,  1817,  in  Virginia,  and  is  the  fifth  of  ten  children  born  to  John 
and  Susan  (^Smith)  Eller,  natives  of  Virginia,  and  of  German  and  Eri- 
glish  descent  respectively.  Our  subject  was  reared  on  a  farm,  and  he 
had  only  the  advantages  of  the  common  schools  taught  in  the  country 
when  it  was  an  unbroken  wilderness.  He  came  with  his  parents  to  this 
county  in  1831,  when  he  was  about  fourteen  years  old.  They  settled  on 
the  section  where  our  subject  now  resides.  His  father  first  purchased  320 
acres,  added  to  and  improved  until  he  owned  520  acres,  located  about  five 
miles  west  of  Bloomington.  When  he  came  here  he  was  elected  Justice 
of  the  Peace,  which  office  he  held  for  many  years.  For  two  terms  he  was 
elected  Probate  Judge  of  Monroe  County,  and  held  that  position  at  the 
time  of  his  death  in  August,  1840.  Our  subject  was  married,  in  Septem- 
ber, 1837,  to  Velinda,  daughter  of  Thomas  and  Barbara  Bailey,  natives 
of  Virginia.  Three  children  were  born  to  them — Elizabeth  J.  (Stimp- 
son),  John  Thomas  and  George  Henry  (deceased).  His  wife  dying  in 
1844,  he  was  next  married,  on  June  29,  1845,  to  Elizabeth  W.  Shreve, 
of  Monroe  County,  and  daughter  of  William  D.  Shreve.  To  this  union 
eight  children  were  born,  viz. :  James  W.,  Harriet  A.  (Ammerman), 
Melinda  M.  (Kirby),  Susan  V.  (Mayfield),  Frances  M.  (Johnston),  Mary, 
Laura  (Ward),  J.  B.  M.  and  Charles  D.  Mr.  Eller  enlisfpd  in  the  three 
months'  service  on  June  9,  1862,  and  did  guard  duty  at  Indianapolis.  In 
May,  1864,  he  re  enlisted  in  Company  K,  One  Hundred  and  Thirty-third 
Indiana  Infantry.  His  regiment  was  on  guard  duty  at  Bridgeport,  Ala. 
He  was  discharged  in  September,  same  year.  While  in  the  three  months' 
service  he  was  Sergeant  of  his  company.  During  his  last  service  he  was 
also  Sergeant.  While  in  the  service,  Mi\  Eller  lost  his  health,  and  has 
not  been  able  to  do  a  hard  day's  work  since.  He  owns  ninety-five  acres 
of  good  land,  well  cultivated,  and  having  all  the  modern  ijuprovements. 
He  is  one  of  the  leading  stock-breeders  in  this  county,  having  been  en- 


646  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

gaged  in  it  for  forty-nine  years.  For  two  terms  Mr.  EUer  has  been 
elected  County  Commissioner,  and  for  several  terms  has  been  Township 
Assessor.  He  and  his  wife  are  both  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church.      Politically,  he  is  an  active,  stanch  Republican. 

THOMAS  FULLERTON  was  born  in  West  Tennessee,  February  25, 
1817,  and  is  the  fourth  of  eight  children  born  to  Thomas  and  Nancy 
(Woody)  Fullerton,  natives  respectively  of  South  Carolina  and  Virginia. 
He  came  to  this  county  with  his  parents  in  1820,  and  has  here  grown  up 
a  farmer.  The  parents  were  both  born  in  1785,  and  died  in  1865.  Mr. 
Fullerton  has  always  resided  on  the  160  acres  on  which  he  was  reared. 
He  was  married,  March  26,  1846,  to  Maria  Bunger,  daughter  of  Philip 
and  Susanna  (Neff)  Bunger,  and  a  native  of  Kentucky.  To  this  union 
there  have  been  born  eleven  children,  of  whom  nine  are  living — William 
M.,  Alfred  W.,  Joseph  R.,  Louisa  J.,  R.  Henry,  Edwin  L.,  Thomas  P., 
M.  L.  and  Libbie  M.  At  the  age  of  twenty-tive,  Mr.  Fullerton  was 
elected  Justice  of  the  Peace  of  his  township  and  served  five  years;  he 
owns  100  acres  of  land  in  a  fine  state  of  cultivation,  with  fine  residence 
and  outbuildings.     In  polities,  he  is  a  Republican. 

J.  H.  GASTON,  M.  D.,  was  born  on  August  8.  1844,  in  Greene  County, 
Ind.,  and  is  the  seventh  of  eleven  children,  ten  now  living,  born  to 
James  M.  and  Mary  P.  (Bryan)  Gaston,  natives  of  Tennessee  and  South 
Carolina,  respectively.  J.  H.  Gaston  was  reared  on  a  farm,  and  attended 
the  public  school,  also  the  academy  at  Bloomfield  one  year,  and  one  term 
at  Asbury  University.  He  taught  school  for  two  terms.  In  August, 
1862,  Mr.  Gaston  enlisted  in  Company  A,  Ninety-seventh  Indiana  In- 
fantry, and  took  part  in  the  following  battles:  Jackson,  Miss.,  Mission 
Ridge,  Resaca,  Dalton  and  Kenesaw  Mountain.  At  the  latter  place  he 
received  a  wound  which  broke  a  bone  in  his  arm,  and  disabled  him  for 
further  service.  He  was  discharged  in  May,  1865,  at  Madison,  Ind.  He 
returned  to  his  home,  receiving  a  pension  since  the  date  of  his  discharge. 
Mr.  Gaston  studied  medicine  with  Dr.  Bailey  of  Stanford,  and  attended 
a  course  at  Miami  Medical  College,  at  Cincinnati,  receiving  his  diploma 
in  1872.  He  then  began  practicing  in  Stanford  and  has  lived  there  ever 
since.  Dr.  Gaston  has  met  with  fair  success,  and  keeps  himself  well 
posted  upon  the  subject  of  medicine,  by  attending  lectures.  The  Doctor 
married,  on  July  21,  1872,  Martha  Counet,  a  native  of  Monroe  County  and 
a  daughter  of  Nelson  and  Emily  (Rose)  Counet,  natives  of  Pennsylvania 
and  Ohio,  and  of  English  and  German  descent.  By  this  union  there  are 
five  children — Grace  F.,  Audley,  Otis  T.,  Edith  V.  and  Mary.  Dr.  Gas- 
ton owns  fifteen  acres  of  land  with  a  good  residence,  barn,  out  buildiugs 
and  a  good  orchard.  In  the  fall  of  1882,  he  was  elected  Coroner  of  his 
county.  Mrs.  Gaston  is  a  Congregationalist.  The  Doctor  is  a  live 
Republican. 

DAVID  La  RUE,  one  of  the  oldest  settlers  of  Monroe  County,  Ind., 
was  born  on  September  24,  1807,  and  is  the  youngest  of  four  children 
born  to  Peter  and  Catharine  (McKissic)  La  Rue,  natives  of  Virginia.  The 
mother  died  when  our  subject  was  but  three  years  old.  After  this  he 
worked  around  and  about  by  the  day  until  he  was  thirteen  years  of  age, 
when  he  was  apprenticed  to  the  carpenter's  trade  and  served  his  time. 
In  1828,  he  went  to  Meigs  County,  Ohio,  remained  one  year;  thence  to 
Cincinnati,  where  he  was  a  carpenter  on  a  steamboat  for  three  years; 
thence  to  Livingston  County.  Ky.,  and  remained  one  year  with  his  father, 
or  until  the  latter's  death,  at  the  age  of  eighty-seven  years.     Then  in  May, 


VAN  BUREN  TOWNSHIP.  647 

1832,  lie  came  to  Bloomington,  Ind.  On  December  27,  1832,  be  was 
married  to  Nancy,  daughter  of  Jessie  and  Sallie  Cole,  and  a  native  of 
Kentucky.  Seven  children  have  been  born  to  them,  only  two  of  whom, 
Sarah  and  Jesse,  are  now  living.  After  his  marriage,  Mr.  La  Rue  moved 
on  eighty  acres  of  land  located  near  Stanford,  where  he  lived  two  years, 
after  which  he  traded  that  farm  for  eighty  acres  in  Greene  County, 
where  he  lived  thirty-two  years.  He  at  the  end  of  this  time  had  accumu- 
lated 220  acres,  all  well  improved  and  under  good  cultivation.  In  1866, 
he  sold  this  farm  for  |6,000,  and  jDurchased  for  $5,000  the  one  on  which 
he  now  resides.  Mrs.  La  Rue  died  in  1850,  when,  on  March  14,  1851,  he 
married  Minerva  Cole,  of  Greene  County,  and  daughter  of  John  and 
Sarah  Cole.  Two  children,  both  deceased,  were  born  to  this  union.  This 
wife  died  in  1855.  He  next  married,  on  September  10, 1859,  Eliza  Dan- 
iel, of  Greene  County,  daughter  of  Joseph  Daniel.  Mr.  La  Rue  lost  this 
wife  through  a  divorce  court,  when,  for  his  fourth  wife,  he  married,  on 
April  24,  1863,  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Breakison,  also  of  Greene  County.  This 
couple  have  had  five  children,  three  of  whom  are  living.  His  wife  had 
four  children  by  her  former  husband.  His  first  wife  was  a  member  of 
the  Campbellite,  his  second  wife  of  the  Baptist,  his  third  of  the  Method- 
ist Episcopal  Church,  of  which  his  present  wife  is  also  a  member,  and  of 
which  Mr.  La  Rue  is  also  a  member.  Our  subject  was  Township  Treas- 
urer in  his  township  in  Greene  County  for  seven  years;  was  Deputy 
Sheriff  of  that  county  two  years;  was  elected  Constable  in  this  township, 
but  refused  to  qualify.  His  father  was  a  soldier  of  the  Revolution,  hav- 
ing engaged  in  thirteen  battles,  such  as  Bunker  Hill,  Fredericktown, 
Trenton,  etc.  The  father  was  reared  in  the  same  neighborhood  with  Gen. 
Washington.  Our  subject  has  been  a  member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity 
since  1852,  at  Stanford,  and  is  now  a  member  of  Monroe  Lodge,  No.  22, 
Bloomington.  On  account  of  an  impediment  in  his  speech,  he  never  at- 
tended school  but  two  months  in  his  life.  His  first  wife  taught  him  how 
to  read.  Mr.  La  Rue  is  a  self-made  man,  and  has  always  been  wonder- 
fully successful  in  his  business  ventures.  Two  of  his  sons  served  in  the 
army  during  the  late  war.  By  the  community  in  which  he  resides  he  is 
highly  respected. 

MATTHEW  McCONNEL,  a  wide  awake  young-  farmer  of  Mom-oe 
County,  was  born  on  October  21,  1854,  in  Guernsey  County,  Ohio,  and  is 
a  son  of  Matthew  and  Margaret  (Stephenson)  McConnel,  natives  of  Ohio 
and  Maryland,  and  of  Irish  and  Scotch-English  descent.  Matthew,  our 
subject,  was  reared  on  a  farm,  and  attended  the  public  schools  to  some 
extent.  He  came  to  Indiana  with  his  parents  in  the  spring  of  1857. 
They  settled  where  the  family  now  lives,  and  where  his  father  purchased 
225  acres  of  land  about  two  miles  west  of  Bloomington.  Our  subject 
married,  February  26,  1882,  Margaret  L.  Constable,  of  Ellettsville,  and 
daughter  of  John  S.  and  Margaret  (James)  Constable,  natives  of  South 
Carolina  and  Virginia.  The  couple  have  one  child,  Lora  A.  Mr.  Mc- 
Connel is  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  and  his  wife  is  a 
Presbyterian.  He  has  a  fourth  interest  in  275  acres  of  land,  left  by  his 
father,  and  which  is  improved  with  residence,  bai'n,  out-buildings  and 
orchard.  He  is  independent  in  politics.  Charles  W.  Curry  was  born 
September  18,  1854,  in  Monroe  County,  and  is  the  fifth  of  ten  childi-en 
born  to  William  H.  and  Eliza  A.  (Swearingen)  Curry.  Charles  W.  was 
reared  on  a  farm,  and  attended  the  public  schools.  On  October  24, 1878, 
Mr.  Curry  married  Sarah  A. ,  a  daughter  of  Matthew  and  Margaret  (Ste- 


648  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

phenson)  McConnel,  and  sister  of  our  subject.  The  couple  are  parents  of 
two  children — Bert  E.  and  Homer  L. — and  are  members  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church. 

JONAS  R.  MAY,  an  old  settler  and  leading  farmer  and  stock- raiser, 
was  born  January  25,  1834,  in  Perry  Township,  Monroe  County,  Ind., 
and  is  the  fourth  of  six  children  (five  now  living)  born  to  David  and 
Sarah  (May)  May,  natives  of  North  Carolina  and  Kentucky,  and  of  Ger- 
man descent.  David  May  and  his  wife  were  among  the  first  settlers  in 
the  county.  He  has  always  been  a  farmer,  and,  consequently,  Jonas  B,. 
was  reared  to  that  vocation,  attending  school  when  not  employed  about 
the  farm,  and,  in  1854,  took  a  course  of  six  months  at  a  university,  and 
afterward  was  employed  in  teaching  school  for  three  years.  He  was 
salesman  in  a  store  at  Harrodsburg,  this  county,  for  two  years.  January 
12,  1860,  Mr.  May  married  Mary  J.  Wiseley,  a  native  of  this  county, 
and  a  daughter  of  Jesse  and  Margaret  ("Woodward)  Wiseley,  Virginians, 
of  German  and  Irish-German  descent  respectively.  By  this  marriage 
there  are  three  children — Clara  B.,  Luther  D.  and  Omar  M.  Mr.  May 
possesses  274  acres  of  land,  well  cultivated  and  embellished  with  a  fine 
brick  residence,  barn  and  outbuildings.  The  place  is  well  supplied 
with  a  fine  orchard,  and  with  all  necessary  agricultural  implements.  For 
a  start  in  life,  Mr.  May  received  about  $2,000  from  his  father,  and  by 
industry  has  accumulated  until  he  possesses  as  comfortable  a  home  as  any 
in  the  township.  In  1872,  Mr.  May  was  elected  Trustee  of  his  township, 
held  the  office  one  term,  was  again  elected  in  1876,  and  held  the  office 
four  years.  He  was  a  third  time  elected  in  1882,  and  is  now  holding 
that  position.  He  is  very  active  in  the  interests  of  his  township,  and 
alive  to  those  of  the  Republican  party. 

GEORGE  W.  MOORE  was  born  July  8,  1806,  in  Scott  County,  Ky., 
and  is  the  fourteenth  of  fifteen  children  (fourteen  of  whom  lived  to  rear 
families)  born  to  Robert  and  Margaret  (Mercer)  Moore,  natives  of  Ire- 
land. The  father  was  a  farmer.  Our  subject  grew  to  manhood  on  a 
farm,  his  educational  advantages  being  very  poor.  At  the  age  of 
eighteen,  he  commenced  the  struggles  of  life  on  his  own  responsibility. 
For  three  years  he  drove  a  stage-coach  team,  and  carried  the  United 
States  mail.  He  drove  the  first  four  horse  stage  team  ever  driven  from 
Lexington  to  Nashville,  Tenn.  He  was  agent  for  the  United  States  mail  line 
for  four  years,  after  which  he  engaged  in  farming,  continuing  five  years. 
In  the  autumn  of  1834,  he  came  to  Monroe  County,  and  settled  in 
Bloomington  Township.  He  farmed  for  three  years,  then  sold  out,  and 
moved  to  Bloomington,  where  he  embarked  in  the  dry  goods  and  grocery 
trade,  following  this  business  twenty -five  years,  after  which  he  disposed 
of  his  business  and  purchased  the  farm  of  250  acres  of  land  on  which 
he  now  resides.  To  this  he  has  added  twenty-five  acres,  which  addition 
makes  him  the  owner  of  275  acres,  all  in  a  high  state  of  cultivation,  and 
having  all  the  modern  improvements.  Mr.  Moore  was  married,  August 
81,  1831,  to  Elizabeth  Mouser,  of  Kentucky,  and  daughter  of  Frederic 
Mouser.  Four  children  were  born  to  them,  three  of  whom,  John  S., 
Ann  A.  (Fletcher)  and  Louisa  (Otwell),  are  living.  In  Washington  Ter- 
ritory Mr.  Moore  made  a  purchase  of  157  acres  of  timber  for  $300, 
which  he  subsequently  sold  for  $1,300.  On  his  farm  he  has  a  saltpeter 
cave,  which  has  been  explored  three-fourths  of  a  mile.  Mr.  M.  and  wife 
are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  and  he  has  been  a 
member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity  since  1831.  In  politics  he  is  a  Re- 
publican. 


VAN  BUREN  TOWNSHIP.  649 

DANIEL  PAFFOED,  an  old  settlex-  and  a  most  enterprising  farmer 
and  stock-raiser  of  Monroe  County,  was  born  in  the  summer  of  IS  14,  in 
North  Carolina,  and  is  the  only  child  of  his  parents,  who  were  natives  of 
Scotland.  Daniel  was  reared  on  a  farm  and,  being  an  orphan,  had 
very  poor  opportunities  for  obtaining  an  education.  He  was  enabled, 
however,  by  paying  his  own  way,  to  learn  to  read  and  write  a  little.  Our 
subject  came  to  Indiana  in  1822,  in  company  with  a  family  named  Mel- 
vin.  They  settled  in  Lawrence  County,  and  Daniel  Pafford  remained 
with  them  until  he  was  seventeen  years  old,  and  then  began  working  at 
$1  per  week,  and  at  one  time  for  |S  per  month.  On  August  13,  1835, 
Mr.  Pafiford  married  Hannah  McBride,  of  Lawrence  County,  and  a  daugh- 
ter of  John  and  Mary  (Woodruff)  McBride,  respectively  of  English  and 
Irish  descent.  They  have  had  ten  children,  seven  living — Gideon,  Mary 
(Balanger),  Elizabeth  (Mayo),  Frank,  Solomon,  Janet  (Gentry)  and  John. 
The  mother  died,  a  Baptist,  in  1863.  In  1865,  Mr.  Pafford  married 
Sarah  Roy,  of  Lawrence  County,  and  a  daughter  of  Thomas  and  Polly 
Roy.  This  lady  died  in  1880,  and  in  July,  1882,  ^Ir.  Pafford  took  for 
his  third  wife  Eliza  Stone,  of  Monroe  County,  and  a  daughter  of  William 
and  Evaline  (Hight)  Roseberry.  Mrs.  Pafford  is  a  member  of  the  Chris- 
tian Church.  Mr.  Pafford  is  a  Baptist,  and  owns  265  acres  of  land,  with 
a  good  residence,  barn  and  outbuildings,  besides  an  orchard.  He  is  a 
solid  Democrat,  and  first  voted  for  Van  Buren. 

GEORGE  NEWTON  PUETT,  farmer  and  pioneer,  was  born  on  De- 
cember 11,  1827,  on  the  farm  now  occupied  by  Andi-ew  Reeves,  in  Bean 
Blossom  Township,  this  county,  and  is  the  youngest  son  and  the  fifth  of 
the  eight  children  born  to  William  and  Hannah  (Parks)  Puett,  natives  of 
North  Carolina,  and  of  French-English  and  English  extraction.  William 
Puett  came  to  this  county  in  1816,  and  cleared  the  first  land  upon  which 
Spencer,  Owen  County,  now  stands,  for  Samuel  Dunn,  and  also  helped 
carry  the  first  brick  ever  made  in  Bloomington.  He  was  very  poor  and 
worked  in  various  capacities,  finally  entering  160  acres  of  land,  in  1817 
or  1818,  improved  it  and  built  the  brick  house  now  occupied  by  Andrew 
Reeves,  then  being  considered  a  very  fine  dwelling.  This  was  built  in 
1830.  He  was  married  about  the  time  his  land  was  entered.  He  be- 
longed to  the  Old  Regular  Baptist  Church  for  about  thirty  years,  and  then 
joined  the  Missionary  Baptist,  in  which  church  he  preached  for  twenty 
years.  Hh  was  opposed  to  slavery,  and  intemperance,  was  a  great  reader, 
and  always  supported  the  Whig  and  Republican  parties,  and  died  on 
July  3,  1877,  in  his  eightieth  year.  Our  subject's  mother  was  a  teacher 
and  composer  of.  music,  and  he  has  a  book  which  was  prepared  by  her  in 
1812,  and  in  her  native  State  she  was  considered  a  fine  singer.  George  New- 
ton, our  subject,  was  reared  on  a  farm,  and  received  a  poor  education.  On 
February  24,  1848,  Mr.  Puett  married  Emily  Hyneman,  of  Elletts- 
ville,  and  a  daughter  of  John  W.  and  Nancy  (Drunon)  Hyneman,  Ken- 
tuckians,  of  Irish  descent.  By  this  union  there  were  three  children — 
Rob  N.,  John  W.,  living  at  Colfax,  111.,  and  Charles  W.,  killed  by  a 
horse.  Mrs.  Puett  died  June  23,  1867,  a  member  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church.  Mr.  Puett  next  married,  on  July  5,  1868,  Mary  A. 
Du  Bois,  a  native  of  Brown  County,  and  daughter  of  Levi  B.  and  Martha 
M.  (Green)  Du  Bois,  natives  of  New  York  and  of  Ohio.  By  this  union 
there  were  three  children — William  D.,  Mattie  E.  and  George  M.  (de- 
ceased). Mr.  Puett  and  wife  belong  to  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 
After  his  first  marriasre  Mr.  Puett  farmed  on  the  old  homestead   in  Bean 


650  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

Blossom  Township,  for  four  years;  then  went  to  McLean  County,  111., 
entered  160  acres  of  land,  and  remained  there  five  years.  He  then  went 
back  to  the  old  farm,  in  Bean  Blossom  Township,  for  twelve  years,  and 
then  to  Illinois,  bought  back  the  old  farm,  and  lived  there  six  years.  In 
February,  1874,  Mr.  Puett  returned  to  Bean  Blossom  Township;  thence 
to  Ellettsville,  and  finally  to  this  county,  four  miles  west  of  Bloomington. 
Mr.  Puett  owns  160  acres,  all  cultivated.  He  received  forty  acres  from 
his  father,  which  he  sold  for  $250.  A  legacy  of  $600,  received  after  his 
father's  death,  was  all  the  help  he  had.  Mr.  Puett  began  preaching  in 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  in  1856;  was  ordained  Deacon  October 
2,  1864,  and  Elder  September  12,  1880,  by  Bishop  Foss.  Mr.  Puett  has 
taught  singing  for  about  twenty-five  years  of  his  life.  W.  W.  Puett, 
subject's  elder  brother,  has  been  a  member  of  the  old  Indiana  Conference 
for  thirty  years.  Our  subject  belongs  to  the  I.  O.  O.  F.  and  to  the 
Grange,  being  Chaplain  of  the  order.  He  was  first  a  Whig,  then  a  Re- 
publican and  finally  a  Greenbacker.  In  1876,  he  was  candidate  for 
Representative  on  the  Greenback  ticket.  He  is  much  respected  and 
prized  as  a  valuable  citizen  of  the  county. 

HAltRIS  A.  RICHEY  was  born  January  4,  1863,  in  Noble  County, 
Ohio,  and  is  the  eldest  of  the  two  children  of  Thomas  J.  and  Mary  E. 
(Elliott)  Richey,  natives  of  Ohio  and  of  Irish  origin.  Harris  A.  was 
reared  on  a  farm,  and  was  instructed  to  a  certain  degree  in  the  public 
schools.  He  also  took  a  year's  course  at  Mitchell,  Ind.  Mr.  Richey  has 
taught  two  terms.  He  remained  at  home  until  his  fifteenth  year,  then 
farmed,  attending  school  part  of  the  time.  Mr.  Richey  spent  one  year 
in  Kansas,  then  clerked,  and  finally  attended  school  at  Valparaiso,  where 
he  left  in  1881.  He  then  came  to  Stanford,  bought  an  interest  in  a  store 
there  in  April,  188B,  and  in  August  bought  out  his  partner's  interest, 
and  now  is  sole  manager  and  proprietor.  On  November  25,  1883,  Mr. 
Richey  mai-ried  Ella  S.  Brown,  of  Monroe  County,  and  a  daughter  of 
William  J,  and  Mary  E.  (Rice)  Brown,  natives  of  Green  and  Monroe 
Counties.  Mrs.  Richey  is  a  Missionary  Baptist.  Her  husband  is  an  act- 
ive Republican,  and  is  a  rising  young  man  of  this  county. 

WILLIAM  J.  SEMPLE  was  born  in  Ireland,  February  17,  1820,  and 
is  the  third  of  eight  children  born  to  William  and  Esther  (Hemphill) 
Semple,  natives  of  Ireland.  William  J.  was  reared  on  a  farm,  and 
received  but  thirteen  months  of  schooling.  In  1847,  he  came  to  this 
country,  landed  at  New  York  City,  and  after  working  on  a  farm  for  four 
years,  in  1852  he  came  to  Monroe  County,  Ind.,  settling  in  this  town- 
ship. Mr.  Semple  purchased  217  acres  of  land,  improved  it,  and  occu- 
pied it  for  seventeen  years.  He  then  sold  out  and  was  in  Kansas  three 
months,  expecting  to  settle  there,  but  finally  returned  and  bought  the 
farm  which  he  now  owns.  It  consists  of  240  acres,  which  Mr.  Semple 
has  improved,  and  upon  which  he  has  a  good  residence,  barn,  and  out- 
buildings, supplemented  by  an  orchard.  Mr.  Semple's  second  marriage 
took  place  in  October,  1870,  to  Sarah  Hemphill,  of  St.  Clair  CouQty,  111. 
She  was  born  in  Ireland,  and  was  a  daughter  of  John  and  Mary  (Reed) 
Hemphill,  natives  of  Ireland.  Mr.  Semple  owns  sixty  acres  in  Greene 
County.  He  was  first  married  on  May  28,  1863,  to  Eliza,  daughter  of 
Benjamin  and  Amelia  (Campbell)  Baxter,  all  natives  of  Ireland.  He 
and  his  present  wife  are  members  of  the  United  Presbyterian  Church, 
and  he  votes  the  Republican  ticket. 

ADDISON  C.  SMITH,  an  old  settler  and  wide-awake  citizen  of  tlie 
county,  was  born  on  March  11,  1827,  in  Bloomington,  being  one  of  the 


VAN  BUREN  TOWNSHIP.  651 

first  children  born  there.  He  is  the  oldest  of  three  children  born  to 
Dudley  C.  and  Elizabeth  (Berry)  Smith,  natives  of  Vermont  and  North 
Carolina,  and  of  English  and  German  descent  respectively.  Addison 
C.  was  reared  upon  a  farm,  and  was  seat  some  of  the  time  to  the  public 
schools.  He  lived  with  his  parents  uatil  he  was  eighteen  years  old,  when 
he  commenced  learning  the  carpenter  trade,  following  it  for  one  year. 
He  enlisted  in  the  Mexican  war,  Juae,  1847,  in  Company  A,  Third  In- 
diana Volunteers,  serving  under  Capt.  John  Sliiss  and  Col.  James  H. 
Lane,  and  took  part  in  the  battle  of  Buena  Vista.  He  was  honorably 
discharged  in  July,  1848,  at  New  Orleans.  Mr.  Smith  returned  home, 
and  worked  at  his  trade  for  two  years.  He  then  married  Sarah  Hardeaty, 
of  Bloomington,  Ind.,  and  a  daughter  of  George  and  Martha  A.  (Blair) 
Hardesty,  Virginians,  of  English  ancestry.  By  this  marriage  there 
were  six  children,  of  whom  five  are  living — Donald  H.,  Alice  (Shirley), 
Egbert,  Thurston  and  Rodney.  In  1852,  they  went  to  Missouri,  settling 
near  St.  Joseph.  Mr.  Smith  entered  forty  and  purchased  forty  acres. 
He  remained  here  six  years,  and  then  returned  to  this  county  and  town- 
ship, where  he  has  been  living  ever  since.  Mr.  Smith  owns  118  acres  of 
land,  which  is  cultivated,  improved  and  embellished  with  a  good  resi- 
dence and  outbuildings,  besides  a  fine  young  orchard.  He  and  -family 
are  members  of  the  Christian  Church.  Mr.  Smith  takes  great  interest  in 
education,  and  has  given  all  his  children  the  best  of  opportunities.  He 
is  a  Republican,  and  has  been  four  terms  Assessor  of  his  township,  and 
was  appointed  one  year  by  the  Councy  Board.  Mr.  Smith  is  a  liberal 
giver  in  charity. 

DUDLEY  F.  SMITH,  farmer  and  stock-raiser, '  was  born  in  the 
vicinity  of  his  present  home,  in  Van  Buren  Township,  on  March  17, 
1839.  He  was  the  third  of  five  children  of  parents  Dudley  C.  and  Isa- 
belle  (Porch)  Smith,  natives  of  Vermont  and  North  Carolina,  and  of  En- 
glish origin.  Dudley  C.  Smith  was  thrice  married  He  first  married 
Maria  Humphrey,  who  bore  him  one  child — Olivia  (Givens).  He  was 
next  married  to  Elizabeth  Berry,  of  English  birth.  Her  brother  founded 
an  institution  called  "  Harmony, "  where  everything  was  in  common. 
To  this  marriage  were  born  two  children  (both  living).  The  family  came 
to  Monroe  County  in  1820,  settling  near  Bloomington,  and  there  re- 
mained for  five  years.  They  then  came  to  this  township  and  purchased 
100  acres  of  land,  partly  improved.  They  were  among  the  first  to  settle 
here,  and  Mr.  Smith  died  here  at  the  age  of  eighty-four,  possessing  600 
acres  of  land,  and  $10,000  in  money.  He  distributed  this  among  his 
children,  and  died  a  member  of  the  Christian  Church,  in  which  he  had 
been  an  Elder  for  about  forty  years.  The  grandmother  of  Dudley  F. 
Smith  was  a  sister  of  Salmon  P.  Chase,  of  national  fame.  Dudle7  F. 
attended  common  schools,  and  also  the  State  University.  His  father  had 
taught  for  fifteen  years,  and  our  subject  has  also  followed  that  vocation 
to  some  degree.  Mr.  Smith  married,  December  23,  1863,  Sarah  Blank- 
enship,  a  native  of  Decatur  County,  Ind.  She  is  a  daughter  of  James 
and  Dolly  (Stark)  Blankenship,  of  English  ancestry.  To  them  were 
given  four  children,  three  now  living — Winona,  Ulysses  Howe  and  Paul. 
Mr.  Smith  owns  120  acres,  besides  an  interest  in  560  acres  in  his  father's 
estate.  The  family  are  members  of  the  Christian  Church.  He  belonged 
to  the  Grange,  and  is  now  a  Republican. 

THOMAS  W.  SPARKS,  an  enterprising  merchant  of  Stanford,  Mon- 
roe County,  was  born  on  March  3,  1852,  in  this  county,  and  is   the  first 


652  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

of  five  children  born  to  Henry  and  Sally  J.  (Holder)  Sparks,  the  former 
coming  to  Indiana  about  the  year  1842,  and  settling  in  Greene  County, 
where  eighty  acres  of  land  were  entered  by  our  subject's  grandfather, 
who  was  a  soldier  in  the  war  of  1812.  Our  subject  was  reared  on  a 
farm,  and  received  a  common  school  education.  At  eighteen  years  of 
age,  he  attended  a  high  school,  finished  the  freshman  year  at  the  Uni- 
versity at  Bloomington,  after  which  he  taught  four  terms.  His  marriage 
was  to  Lou  Emma,  the  daughter  of  Elah  and  Elvira  (Givens)  Butcher,  of 
Monroe  County.  Six  children  have  been  born  to  them — Clara  (deceased), 
Ivy,  Earl,  Fannie  Pearl,  Zelletha  Jane  and  Oscar.  Mr.  Sparks  owns 
fifty  acres  of  good  land  in  this  township,  well  improved  with  a  good  res- 
idence, barn  and  outbuildings.  He  also  owns  a  half  interest  in  the 
store  and  building  at  Stanford.  With  the  exception  of  1500,  he  has 
accumulated  his  fortune  by  his  own  industry.  In  politics,  he  is  a 
Democrat. 

WILLIAM  STONE,  one  of  the  pioneers  and  enterprising  farmers  of 
this  township,  was  born  on  December  16,  1820,  and  is  the  fifth  of  nine 
children,  six  of  whom  are  living,  born  to  Ellis  and  Margaret  (Denny) 
Stone,  Virginians,  of  English  lineage.  Ellis  Stone  came  to  Monroe 
County  in  the  fall  of  1819,  and  purchased  the  farm  upon  which  our  sub- 
ject now  lives,  paying  $6  per  acre  for  160  acres.  He  was  very  industri- 
ous, and  owned  finally  400  acres,  dying  in  his  eightieth  year.  He  ran  a 
carding  mill  in  an  early  day;  often  walked  about  six  miles  to  hear  a  dis- 
course on  Sunday.  He  was  a  Whig,  then  a  Kepublican.  He  moved  the 
carding  mill  to  Bloomington,  where  our  subject  lived  for  thirteen  years. 
When  his  father  lived  in  town,  he,  with  two  of  his  daughters,  went  to 
their  farm  every  spring,  and  made  700  and  800  pounds  of  maple  sugar, 
and  carried  the  sap  in  pails,  and  the  sugar  to  the  town  through  timber 
infested  with  wolves.  William,  our  subject  was  educated  at  Blooming- 
ton, and  also  attended  the  University  three  terms.  Mr.  Stone  owns  210 
acres  of  land,  well  cultivated,  stocked,  and  embellished  with  a  good 
brick  residence,  which  was  built  by  his  father  in  1840.  He  also  owns 
good  town  property.  He  is  a  Republican  in  politics.  Mr.  Stone  says, 
in  early  days,  they  did  not  settle  difficulties  with  a  law  suit,  but  the  par- 
ties fought  to  settle  them.  On  one  occasion,  a  man  married  a  young 
daughter  of  one  of  our  old  settlers,  and  soon  the  parents  learned  that 
their  son-in-law  had  another  wife  in  Tennessee,  and  the  girl's  brother 
was  commissioned  to  thresh  the  son-in-law.  The  old  lady  took  an  active 
interest  in  the  duel.  The  man  was  whipped,  and  his  wife  left  him.  The 
punishment  was  witnessed  by  all  the  neighbors,  their  seconds  having 
been  selected  by  the  respective  parties  from  their  friends. 

I.  J.  WHISENNAND,  an  old  settler  and  enterprising  farmer  of 
Monroe  County,  was  born  in  Sullivan  County,  Tenn.,  on  February  18, 
1829,  and  is  the  seventh  of  thirteen  children  born  to  Isaac  and  Mary 
Ann  (Isley)  Whisennand,  natives  of  Virginia,  and  of  German  descent. 
Isaac  Whisennand  came  to  Monroe  County  in  1830,  and  brought  our 
subject  with  him.  He  entered  132  acres  of  land,  improved  it,  and  lived 
there  till  his  death.  Isaac  Whisennand  was  a  member  of  the  Board  of 
Trustees  in  an  early  day.  Our  subject  was  reared  on  this  farm,  and  was 
sent  to  the  common  schools.  On  September  19,  1850,  he  married  Mary 
Matilda  Farmer,  of  Monroe  County,  and  a  daughter  of  Eli  P.  and  Eliza- 
beth Farmer,  natives  of  Virginia  and  Indiana,  and  of  Welsh  and  Ger- 
man origin.     Eli  P.  Farmer  was  an  itinerant  Methodist  Episcopal  min- 


INDIAN  CREEK  TOWNSHIP.  653 

ister.  By  this  union  Mr.  Whissennand  had  born  to  him  four  children, 
two  living — Albert  W.  and  Carrie  (Rock).  The  mother  died  in  July, 
1863,  and  on  February  11,  1864,  our  subject  was  married  to  Sabina 
Clark,  of  Gibson  County,  Ind.,  and  a  daughter  of  William  B.  and  Mary 
(Wigens)  Clark,  natives  of  North  Carolioa  and  Kentucky,  and  of  Irish 
and  German  descent.  William  B.  Clark  was  ])orn  in  1798,  and  came  to 
Gibson  County  in  1805,  where  he  lived  the  rest  of  his   life,  and  was  one  ^j., 

of  the  old  settlers  of  the  county,      Mr.  Whissenuand  had  five  children  by  V 

his  last  marriage — Samuel,  Lillie  P.,  Rosetta,  Mary  E.  and  Martha  Ann. 
He  and  wife  belong  to  the  Church  of  God.  Mr.  Whisennand  bought 
the  farm  of  eighty  acres  which  he  now  occupies  shortly  after  his  first 
marriage.  It  is  now  in  a  good  state  of  cultivation,  with  a  fine  house, 
barn,  etc.  He  gives  liberally  to  all  charities.  For  President,  he  cast  his 
first  vote  for  Pierce.  In  1860,  he  voted  for  Lincoln,  but  in  1876  he  com- 
menced voting  with  the  Greenback  party,  and  has  been  ever  since  an 
active  worker  in  that  party. 


INDIAN   CREEK   TOWNSHIP. 

ELI  BOWERS  was  born  in  this  county  May  21,  1841,  and  is  the 
eldest  of  the  three  children  of  Peter  and  Sarah  (May)  Bowers.  During 
youth,  he  received  the  rudiments  of  an  education  from  the  ordinary 
schools  of  the  district.  Septembers,  1861,  he  enlisted  in  Company  F, 
Forty-third  Regiment  Indiana  Volunteers;  served  three  years  and  ten 
months;  re-enlisted  January,  1864,  served  until  June,  1865,  and  partic- 
ipated in  the  following  engagements:  New  Madrid,  Island  No.  10,  Fort 
Pillow,  Memphis,  Fort  Pemberton,  Helena,  Little  Rock,  Elkin's  Ford 
and  Mark  Hill,  where  he  was  captured,  taken  to  Texas  for  ten  months 
and  then  exchanged.  After  his  return,  he  applied  himself  to  tilling 
mother  earth,  and  occasionally  working  as  a  carpenter.  December  28, 
1866,  he  married  Nancy  J.,  daughter  of  William  M.  and  Nancy  Roy, 
natives  of  Kentucky,  and  this  union  was  graced  by  the  birth  of  five 
children — Emma  A.,  Paulina  E.,  Charles  M.,  G.  Peter  and  Wilson.  Mr. 
Bowers  is  a  practical  farmer  and  owns  a  good  farm  and  home  of  seventy- 
five  acres.      He  is  politically  a  Republican. 

HENRY  BURCH  was  born  in  Stokes  County,  N.  C,  July  24,  1813, 
and  is  the  seventh  of  the  nine  children  of  John  and  Judith  (Suthern) 
Burch.  In  1819,  he  was  brought  to  this  neighborhood  with  his  parents, 
where  he  has  continuously  made  his  home.  He  lived  with  his  parents 
until  April  9,  1840,  when  he  married  Rebecca  L.  Gentry,  a  union  which 
gave  being  to  fourteen  children — Sabra  Ann,Damaris  (deceased),  Thomas 
B.,  Gilbert  L.,  Almira  J.  (deceased),  Francis  R.,  infant  (deceased),  Den- 
nis N.,  Mary  E.,  Henry  J.,  Luther  M.  (deceased),  Sarah  H.,  Ira  A.  and 
Nancy  M.  Mr.  Burch  has  a  good  farm  of  252  acres.  He  is  a  Democrat, 
and  he  and  his  wife  are  members  of  the  Baptist  Church.  Gilbert  L. 
Burch  was  born  September  14,  1845;  was  reared  in  this  township,  where 
he  obtained  a  fair  school  education  and  grew  to  man's  estate.  December 
10,  1865,  he  wedded  Nancy  Ferguson,  to  which  union  three  children 
have   been  bestowed — Ida  G. ,  Henderson  R.   and  Orrin  E.     In   about 


654  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES; 

five  years  after  his  marriage,  he  moved  on  to  a  farm  near  Buena  Vista, 
where  he  remained  for  three  years.  He  has  divided  his  time  between 
carpentering  and  farming.  In  1882,  he  was  elected  Township  Clerk  for 
four  years.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity,  of  the  Baptist 
Church,  and  is,  politically,  a  Democrat. 

WILLIAM  F.  CORMA.N  is  a  native  of  this  county,  was  born  May 
29,  1837,  and  is  the  youngest  of  the  six  children  born  to  Jacob  and  Mary 
Corman,  both  natives  of  Kentucky.  William  was  reared  in  Clear  Creek 
Township,  this  county,  where  he  was  educated  in  the  common  schools. 
November  16,  1863,  he  married  Lydia  J.,  daughter  of  Elijah  J.  and 
Matilda  Morgan,  old  settlers  of  this  county.  By  this  union  they  had 
born  to  them  six  children — Flora  A.,  James  W.  (deceased),  Frank  V., 
Nannie  L.,  Myrtie  and  Ellis  E.  Mr.  Corman  has  followed  blacksmithing 
nearly  the  whole  of  his  life,  with  the  management  of  a  fa^m  in  the 
meantime,  which  embraces  eighty  acres  of  very  excellent  and  well-im- 
proved land.  He  is  a  reputable  citizen  and  worthy  gentlemen,  and  in 
political  faith  a  Democrat. 

PLEASANT  FOSSETT  is  a  native  of  Rowan  County,  N.  C,  and  is 
the  eldest  of  the  seven  children  born  to  John  and  Elizabeth  (Moss) 
Fossett.  Our  subject  was  born  July  13,  1820,  and  was  brought  hither  by 
his  parents  soon  after  his  birth,  where  he  has  continued  to  reside.  When 
a  boy,  he  attended  the  subscription  schools  of  bis  neighborhood.  October 
27,  1842,  he  married  Mary  Ann  Crum,  the  youngest  child  of  John  and 
Sarah  Crum.  By  this  union  have  been  born  six  children.  Mr.  Fossett 
resides  on  an  improved  farm  of  800  acres.  He  is  a  highly  honored  citi- 
zen, a  practical  and  successful  farmer,  in  political  choice  a  Democrat, 
and  cast  his  first  vote  for  James  K.  Polk;  he  has  been  for  twelve  years  a 
member  of  the  Knights  of  Pythias.  In  1848,  he  was  elected  to  the  office 
and  served  for  five  years  as  Justice  of  the  Peace,  and  he  has  also  served 
as  Township  Trustee. 

PICKNEY  G.  MOORE,  farmer,  is  a  native  of  Lawrence  County, 
Ind..  was  born  July  2,  1841,  and  is  the  seventh  of  the  eight  childi-en 
of  John  and  Rachel  (Lemmon)  Moore,  natives  of  North  Carolina.  Pick- 
ney  i'esided  on  the  home  farm  until  December  25,  1861,  at  which  event- 
ful date  he  enlisted  in  Company  I,  Fifty-ninth  Regiment  Indiana  Volun- 
teers, and  was  in  some  small  skirmishes  while  en  route  to  Island  No.  10, 
and  was  in  regular  battle  at  Corinth.  Miss.;  Boonville,  Shiloh,  Holly 
Springs,  Vicksburg,  Champion  Hill,  Buzzard's  Roost,  Missionary  Ridge 
and  Gen.  Sherman's  march.  He  was  discharged  July  17,  1865,  as  Ser- 
geant. August  6,  1865,  he  married  Miss  Elizabeth  Bennett,  and  to  them 
were  bestowed  a  family  of  nine  children,  five  of  whom  were  named  Mary 
Jane,  Ellsworth,  Louisa  E.,  Commodore  Perry  and  Edward  N.  After  his 
marriage,  Mr.  Moore  moved  to  a  farm  in  this  county,  where  he  lived  for 
one  year,  afterward  removing  to  Sullivan  County  for  seven  years;  thence 
to  Illinois  for  four  years,  and  finally  returned  hither,  where  he  owns  a 
farm  of  forty  acres.  Mrs.  Moore  left  this  world  July  16,  1882.  Mr. 
Moore  is  a  Democrat,  and  a  worthy  and  respected  citizen. 

ELIJAH  J.  MORGrAN  is  a  native  of  this  township,  where  he  now 
resides.  He  was  born  August  8,  1818,  and  attended  school  but  a  short 
time  during  his  youth.  January  5,  1837,  he  married  Matilda  Goodwine, 
a  native  of  Monroe  County,  by  which  union  were  born  four  children — 
William  S.,  Nancy  M.,  Lydia  J.  and  Lucinda  D.  May  26,  1846,  he  en- 
listed at  Ketch um's  Mill  for  one  year's  service  in  the  Mexican  war,  and 


INDIAN  CREEK  TOWNSHIP.  655 

was  present  at  the  battle  of  Buena  Vista.  After  returning,  he  engaged  in 
farming,  which  has  been  his  life-long  occupation,  on  the  farm  purchased 
by  his  parents,  Elijah  and  Mary  (Crum)  Morgan,  in  1817.  This  farm 
comprises  160  acres.  Mr.  Morgan  is  one  of  the  oldest  residents  of  this 
township;  he  is  a  member  of  Lodge  173,  A.,  F.  &  A.  M.  In  1867,  he 
was  elected  Justice  of  the  Peace,  and  served  two  terms  of  four  years 
each;  was  re-elected  in  1880,  but  resigned  after  serving  eighteen  months. 
Mrs.  Morgan  died  October  28,  1883.  Mr.  Morgan  is  a  Democrat  by 
political  preference. 

JOEL  H.  MORGAN  is  a  native  of  this  township,  who  first  saw  the 
light  September  12,  1836,  and  is  the  fifth  of  the  eight  in  the  family  of 
Absalom  and  Elizabeth  (May)  Morgan.  Absalom  Morgan  came  to  this 
township  in  1817,  where  our  subject  has  passed  his  days  in  the  capacity 
of  a  farmer.  September  9,  1867,  he  married  Emma  May,  by  which 
union  they  had  bestowed  on  them  three  children — Ira  I.,  Laura  E.  and 
Walter  E. ;  Mrs.  Morgan  died  June,  1872,  and  December  28,  1875,  Mr. 
Morgan  was  united  in  wedlock  with  Miss  Elizabeth  East.  To  this  mar- 
riage was  born  one  child — Minnie  E.  Mr.  Morgan  is  the  ownt^r  of  206 
acres  of  good  land,  now  his  home.  January,  1865,  he  enlisted  in  Com- 
pany I,  One  Hundred  and  Forty-fifth  Indiana  Volunteers;  occupied  his 
time  in  guard  duty  for  a  term  of  one  year.  Mr.  Morgan  is  a  practical 
farmer,  a  good  citizen,  and  a  member  of  the  Odd  Fellow  and  Knights 
of  Pythias  brotherhoods. 

WILLIAM  A.  SAKE  first  saw  the  light  in  this  county  April  9,  1861, 
being  the  only  son  of  Martin  and  Susan  Sare.  The  father  of  William 
A.  Sare  died  when  be  was  a  boy,  and  he  was  thereafter  reared  by  his 
grandfather,  William  Bowen,  with  whom  he  remained  until  he  wa?*  nine- 
teen years  old.  December  31,  1879,  he  married  Miss  Serena  Jones, 
the  third  child  of  Catherine  Jones,  and  by  this  union  they  were  made 
happy  in  the  birth  of  three  children — Sesta,  Walter  B.  and  Myrtle  I. 
After  marriage,  Mr.  Sare  lived  for  about  one  year,  and  then  moved  to  his 
present  home,  a  farm  embracing  100  acres  of  very  excellent  and  well- 
cultivated  land.  Mr.  Sare  has  been  a  reasonably  prosperous  gentleman; 
he  is  by  political  election  a  Democrat,  and  a  worthy,  honored  and  prom- 
ising citizen. 

JOHNG.  J.  SMITH  is  a  native  of  West  Virginia,  was  born  July  24, 
1814,  and  is  the  seventh  child  of  Anthony  and  Achsah  Smith,  natives  of 
New  Jersey,  who  moved  to  Pennsylvania,  and  thence  to  West  Virginia. 
John  received  a  good  subscription  school  education,  and  in  1850  moved 
to  Noble  County,  Ohio.  In  1 876,  he  removed  to  this  township,  where  he 
purchased  321  acres,  all  of  which  are  well  improved.  October  13,  1836, 
he  married  Isabel  B.,  daughter  of  Caleb  and  Margaret  Tarelton.  Twelve 
children  have  honored  this  union — Louisa  M. ,  Achsah  C,  Irwin  T., 
Mary  E.,  Harriet  E.,  Sarah  C,  John  I.,  Susan  A.  and  Nancy  A.  (twins, 
deceased),  Emily  H.,  Charles  G.  and  Ida  B.  He  and  wife  are  members 
of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  Mr.  Smith  was  a  magistrate  in 
Noble  County,  Ohio,  for  six  years;  he  is  a  Republican. 

Charles  G.  Smith  was  born  in  Noble  (3ouQty,  Ohio,  March  4,  1859, 
the  eleventh  of  the  twelve  children  of  John  G.  J.  and  Isabel  B.  Smith. 
He  was  reared  in  Ohio,  and  there  obtained  a  good  education.  February 
13,  1879,  he  married  Paulina  Sullivan,  a  native  of  this  township,  the 
fruits  of  which  union  were  three  children — Gertrude,  Beulah  and  Ira. 
After  his  marriage,  Mr.  Smith  lived  with  his  father  until  January,  1884, 


656  BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES: 

when  he  moved  to  his  mother  iu-law's  farm,  and  has  since  given  atten- 
tion to  agriculture  and  stock-raising.  He  and  wife  are  members  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  Mr.  Smith  has  now  a  farm  of  ninety-six 
acres;  he  is  a  Republican. 

IRWIN  T.  SMITH,  farmer,  is  a  native  of  West  Virginia,  came  into 
the  world  December  21,  1841,  and  is  the  third  child  of  a  family  of  twelve 
born  to  John  G.  J.  and  Isabel  B.  (Tarelton)  Smith.  Irwin  T.  Smith  re- 
ceived the  rudiments  of  a  necessary  education  from  the  general  schools  of 
his  neighborhood.  While  in  Noble  County,  Ohio,  he  enlisted  in  Com- 
pany H,  One  Hundred  and  Sixteenth  Regiment  of  Ohio  Volunteers,  and 
had  the  glory  of  participating  in  the  following  engagements:  Piedmont, 
Lynchburg,  Ced,ar  Creek,  Richmond,  the  charge  on  Fort  Gregg,  and  the 
pursuit  of  Gen.  Lee,  and  was  discharged  with  honor  in  December,  1865. ' 
March  4,  1868,  he  was  united  in  wedlock  with  Miss  Aleensa,  a  daughter 
of  A.  C.  and  Elizabeth  Lawrence,  from  which  alliance  descended  a  fam- 
ily of  five  children — Philip  Sheridan,  Hattie  J.,  Doris,  Myra  and  John 
L.  Mr.  Smith  has  been  during  his  whole  life  a  farmer,  who  came  to  this 
township  in  1875,  and  purchased  a  well-improved,  cultivated,  productive 
farm,  covering  ninety  acres.  He  is  a  highly  respected  citizen,  a  Repub- 
lican in  political  faith,  and,  with  his  consort,  an  active  member  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 

JACOB  TAGUE,  farmer  and  stock-dealer,  is  a  native  of  Stokes  Coun- 
ty, N.  C,  was  born  January  22,  1818,  and  is  the  third  child  and  only 
son  of  Michael  and  Catherine  (Holder)  Tague,  who  moved  to  this  town- 
ship from  North  Carolina  in  1829.  Jacob  received  his  education  from 
the  schools  of  this  township,  where  he  grew  to  nian's  estate.  May  14, 
1840,  he  married  Iiouisa  Jane,  eldest  child  of  James  and  Marzilla  King, 
and  to  this  union  were  born  nine  children — Mahala  A.  (deceased), 
Martha  J.  (deceased),  Catherine,  Lydia  Jane.  Margaret  O.  (deceased), 
George  M.,  James  M.,  Jacob  W.  and  William  L.  Mrs.  Tague  died  Au- 
gust 15,  1862,  and  January  29,  1863,  Mr.  Tague  wedded  a  second  spouse, 
the  eldest  child  of  William  and  Christian  FowJer,  and  a  native  of 
Maryland,  by  which  marriage  was  born  to  them  one  child.  Mr.  Tague 
resides  on  a  good  farm  of  958  acres,  which  is  part  of  his  father's  home- 
stead. He  has  in  addition  to  farming,  giyen  much  attention  to  the  rais- 
ing and  shipping  of  stock.  Mr.  Tague  is  a  Democrat  and  a  highly  re- 
spected citizen. 

GEORGE  M.  TAGUE  is  a  native  of  this  State,  was  born  March  6, 
1847,  and  was  reared  in  this  township,  where  he  received  the  rudiments 
of  a  good  English  education.  He  lived  with  his  parents  until  1867,  at 
which  time  he  moved  to  Missouri  and  followed  farming  for  eighteen 
months.  December  25,  1867,  he  married  Espy  F.,  daughter  of  Alvis  and 
L.  Jane  Moore,  natives  of  Lawrence  County,  Ind.  From  this  union  has 
succeeded  one  child — Jacob  E.  After  marriage,  he  moved  to-Kansas  and 
there  engaged  in  farming  for  about  two  years,  thereafter  returning  to  this 
township,  where  he  purchased  land  and  lived  thereon  four  years;  he  then 
sold  this,  after  which  he  followed  teaming  successfully  for  a  time,  and  is 
now  engaged  in  farming.  In  1878,  he  was  elected  Constable  or  this 
township,  as  which  he  served  for  two  years.  Mr.  Tague  is  a  son  of 
Jacob  and  Louisa  J.  Tague. 

WILLIAM  E.  TxiRKINGTON,  farmer,  is  a  native  of  this  county. 
He  was  born  December  9,  1833,  and  is  the  second  son  of  the  nine  chil- 
dren which  made  up  the  family   of  Elsberry  W.   and   Lucinda  (Legg) 


INDIAN  CREEK  TOWNSHIP.  657 

Tarkington;  the  former  a  native  of  Tennessee,  the  latter  of  Kentucky. 
William  E.  Tarkington  obtained  the  rudiments  of  a  good  English  educa- 
tion from  the  district  schools  of  his  boyhood.  He  was  in  the  volunteer 
service  during  the  late  war  for  about  two  weeks.  April  9,  1860,  he  married 
Miss  Mary  M.,  daughter  of  John  and  Mary  Thrasher,  the  fruits  of  which 
alliance  were  four  children — Martha  J.,  Ella  T.,  Nettie  E.  and  William. 
Mr.  Tarkington  makes  his  home  on  a  farm  of  141  acres  which  is  in  good 
cultivation  and  has  many  improvements,  and  where  he  has  resided  con- 
tinuously since  1859.  Mr.  Tarkington  is  a  Democrat,  and  he  and  wife 
are  members  of  the  M.  E.  Church. 

GILBERT  THOMPSON  is  a  native  of  County  Antrim,  Ireland,  and 
was  born  June  7,  1813,  and  attended  subscription  school  in  his  native 
county.  In  August,  1833,  he  married  Agnes  Guiery,  likewise  a  native 
of  Ireland.  By  this  union  were  born  seven  children— Edward,  Mar- 
garet, James  (deceased),  Joseph,  Jane,  Martha  (deceased),  and  Gilbert 
Albert.  Mr.  Thompson  was  owner  of  ten  acres  in  Ireland,  on  which 
he  lived  for  several  years  after  his  marriage,  and  which  he  sold  after- 
ward and  opened  a  provision  store  in  Carrick  Fergus,  Ireland;  this  he 
disposed  of  at  a  later  period,  and  worked  in  a  ship  yard  until  1854, 
when  he  emigrated  to  the  United  States,  rented  a  farm  near  Blooming- 
ton,  Ind.,  for  three  years,  and  thereafter  purchased  his  present  farm, 
which  includes  103  acres  of  well  improved  and  highly  productive  land. 
Mr.  Thompson  is  a  Republican  in  politics,  and  he  and  wife  are  members 
of  the  United  Presbyterian  Church. 

ELMORE  F.  WALKER  is  a  native  of  this  township,  and  was  born 
November  10,  1842,  and  is  the  youngest  of  the  eleven  children  of  Elmore 
and  Henrietta  (Burch)  Walker.  Our  subject  was  reared  in  this  township, 
where  he  obtained  the  rudiments  of  a  good  education,  which  he  completed 
at  the  high  school  at  New  Albany.  December  25,  1861,  he  enlisted,  at 
Gosport,  Ind.,  in  Company  I,  Fifty-ninth  Indiana  Volunteers,  in  which 
he  served  three  years  and  seven  months,  and  took  part  at  New  Madrid 
(where  he  was  wounded,  afterward  rejoining  his  regiment  at  Corinth, 
Miss.),  Holly  Springs.  Memphis,  Jackson,  Champion  Hills,  Yicksburg, 
Chattanooga  and  the  Atlanta  campaign.  November  1,  1868,  he  married 
Lucinda  Keck,  from  which  anion  sprang  seven  children — Jesse  L.,  Or- 
pha  H.,  Jewett,  Mary  A.,  Bayard,  Alva  and  Emma.  Mr.  Walker  has 
fought  the  battle  of  life  for  himself  since  he  was  ten  years  of  age.  After 
his  marriage,  he  purchased  land  in  this  township,  and  lived  thereon  seven 
years,  then  moved  to  Lawrence  County,  but  soon  returned  to  this  locality, 
and  has  since  resided  here — on  a  farm  containing  sixty  valuable  acres. 
Mr.  Walker  is  a  Republican,  and  he  and  wife  are  active  members  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 

JOHN  T.  WOODWARD,  merchant,  is  a  native  of  Greene  County, 
Ind.,  was  born  April  5,  1860,  and  is  the  fifth  of  the  twelve  children  of 
John  T.  and  Lucinda  A.  Woodward.  Our  subject  was  reared  in  this 
township,  and  received  a  fair  education  from  the  primary  schools,  which 
was  completed  at  the  Bloomington  High  School,  and  by  one  year  at  Val- 
paraiso. He  has  been  a  teacher  for  the  past  four  years  in  this  township, 
and  he  has  also  a  half  interest  with  W.  H.  King  in  a  general  store  at 
Buena  Vista.  December  24,  1880,  he  married  Summie  H.,  daughter  of 
Jerry  and  Ann  Black,  through  which  union  descended  one  child — Roy 
H.  Mr.  Woodward  is  a  prominent  and  worthy  citizen,  an  enterprising 
and  liberal  business  man,  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church 


658  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES  : 

by  religious  preference,  a  member  of  the  Kepublican  party  by  political 
preference,  and  one  of  the  trusted  and  promising  young  men  of  this 
township. 

DAVID  WEIGHT  was  born  near  Utica,  Ind.,  November  16,  1806, 
and  is  the  third  of  the  family  of  James  and  Elizabeth  (Sears)  Wright, 
who  moved  to  this  State  in  1816;  located  in  the  timber,  which  they 
cleared,  and  thereby  made  a  home.  September  14,  1829,  he  married 
Caroline  M.,  daughter  of  John  and  Elizabeth  Kutch,  by  which  union 
were  produced  thirteen  children — John,  James,  Alfred,  Levi,  Jane,  Eliz- 
abeth, Euin,  Jacob,  Nancy,  Clarinda,  David  D.  and  two  infants,  de- 
ceased. After  marriage,  Mr.  Weight  lived  with  his  father  about  a  year, 
when  he  bought  land  and  lived  thereon  for  six  years,  afterward  purchas- 
ing his  present  home  and  farm,  comprising  seventy  acres  of  excellent 
and  well  improved  land,  on  which  he  has  since  resided.  Mrs.  Wright 
died  January,  1881,  and  January,  1882,  Mr.  Wright  married  a  second 
wife;  they  are  members  of  the  Christian  Church. 

Alfred  Weight  was  born  in  this  township  February  11,  1833,  and  is 
the  third  son  of  David  and  Caroline  Wright.  He  received  the  rudiments 
of  a  good  education;  and  March  7,  1850,  married  Eliza  Rebecca  Boyd. 
After  his  marriage,  he  lived  with  his  father  for  some  years,  when  he 
moved  to  Illinois,  remained  a  few  months,  returned,  and  at  the  division 
of  his  father's  land  received  forty-one  acres.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Wright  are 
leading  members  of  the  Christian  Church,  of  which  Mr.  Wright  is  an  Elder; 
they  are  parents  of  eleven  children — William  E.  (deceased),  John  W., 
Minerva  J.,  Laura  A.,  Mary  C.  (deceased),  Jefferson  M.,  Alfred  Perry» 
Isaac  S.,  David  Grant,  James  M.  and  Eliza  A.  F. 


CLEAR   CREEK  TOWNSHIP. 

ALEXANDER  S.  BAKER,  minister  of  the  M.  P.  Church,  was  born 
February  12,  1827,  on  the  western  shore  of  Maryland,  and  is  a  son  of 
Maiden  and  Eliza  (Culenbaugh)  Baker.  Maiden  Baker  was  born  Sep- 
tember 22,  1802,  and  was  about  thirty  years  old  when  he  moved  to  this 
State  and  settled  on  Indian  Creek.  He  raised  the  first  tobacco  raised  in 
the  county,  and  labored  as  an  ordained  local  preacher.  Alexander  S. 
Baker  was  married  November  11,  1852,  to  Sarah  A.  Johnston,  who  died 
July  11,  1865,  leaving  six  children.  August  16,  1866,  he  wedded  Mrs. 
Nancy  E.  Hagan,  a  native  of  Rush  Countj,  to  which  union  were  born 
three  children—  Elma,  Hugh  and  Henry.  Mr.  Baker  obtained  his  educa- 
tion principally  by  the  firelight  at  home,  continuing  his  studies  long  after 
he  was  married.  Mr.  Baker  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity  of 
the  degree  of  Royal  Arch;  he  is  also  a  radical  temperance  worker,  and 
an  esteemed  citizen,  and  an  honorable  conscientious  gentleman. 

ALBERT  F.  BENNETT,  merchant  at  Smithville,  was  born  July  22, 
1848,  in  Clarke  County,  Ind.,  and  is  a  son  of  Granville  M.  and  Parmelia 
J.  (Jacob)  Bennett.  Granville  M.  Bennett  was  a  physician;  moved  from 
Clarke  to  Monroe  County,  and  settled  on  a  farm  one  mile  from  Smith- 
ville, practicing  medicine  until  his  decease — April  27,  1854.  His  widow 
afterward  married  Eli  Wray,  later  moved  to  Jackson  County,  and  died 


CLEAR  CREEK  TOWNSHIP.  659 

September  30,  1877.  Albert  F.  Bennett  received  only  such  education  as 
the  county  schools  afforded,  but  by  home  study  acquired  a  fair  educar 
tion,  so  as  to  enable  him  to  teach,  which  he  did  from  1874  to  1877,  in 
and  around  Smithville.  In  1877,  he  purchased  the  store  of  Dr  J.  N. 
Warring,  and  has  since  conducted  the  business,  carrying  a  large  stock  of 
general  merchandise.  May  19,  1879,  he  married  Miss  Isabel  Gaither,  a 
lady  he  had  known  since  childhood,  and  an  estimable  member  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  This  union  was  cemented  by  the  birth  of 
one  child — John  M.,  a  bright  and  promising  boy.  Mr.  Bennett  has  made 
his  way  to  success  by  his  unaided  exertions  aod  inherent  energy.  In 
politics,  he  is  a  Republican,  and  is  a  public-spirited,  liberal  gentleman. 

HIRAM  BUTCHER,  pioneer  of  Monroe  County,  was  brought  to  this 
section  by  his  parents,  when  two  years  old,  and  has  been  the  pet  of 
Indian  friends  and  the  playfellow  of  Indian  children.  He  was  born  in 
Johnson  County,  Tenn.,  September  5,  1816.  His  father,  Solomon 
Butcher,  was  also  a  native  of  Tennessee,  a  farmer  and  carpenter,  who 
married  Catherine  Stevens,  and  they,  with  two  children,  moved  to  this 
region  by  wagon,  purchased  160  acres,  and  made  a  good  home  and  valu- 
able farm.  These  parents  had  born  to  them  eleven  children.  Hiram 
is  the  eldest  of  this  family,  and  when  a  youth  received  but  six  months' 
schooling,  educating  himself  by  the  light  of  the  fire,  since  which  time 
he  has  pursued  such  studies  as  have  made  up  for  his  early  disadvantages. 
When  twenty-two  years  old  he  married  Amelia  Beasley,  of  Lawrence 
County,  Ind.,  and  thereafter  began  life  for  himself  by  purchasing  a 
mill,  and  afterward  gaining  and  improving  300  acres.  After  bartering 
for  and  occupying  various  lands,  Mr.  Butcher  purchased  the  Fairfax- 
property  for  $9,750.  He  was  not  exempt  from  reverses,  but  now  has  a 
good  farm  of  140  acres.  He  is  a  Republican,  was  fur  six  jears  Justice 
of  the  Peace,  and  made  the  law  a  study,  as  also  the  Bible.  He  and  wife 
are,  and  have  been  for  forty-five  years,  members  of  the  Christian  Church. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Butcher  have  three  girls  and  two  boys,  all  of  whom  are 
married. 

WILFORD  CARTER,  merchant  at  Smithville,  was  born  February 
15,  1823,  in  Jackson  County,  Ind.,  and  is  the  third  son  of  Benjamin  and 
Nancy  (Reynolds)  Carter.  Benjamin  Carter  was  a  native  of  Patrick 
County,  Va.,  and  in  1815  moved  to  Indiana.  He  was  a  father  of  rina 
children,  the  eldest  son  being  the  first  man  to  settle  at  Seymour,  Ind., 
where  he  is  now  a  merchant.  Wilford  Carter  began  life  for  himself 
when  twenty  years  old,  his  father  having  died  in  limited  circumstances, 
and  by  his  integrity  saved  the  farm  and  paid  all  claims.  In  1848,. 
with  $100  and  some  credit,  be  commenced  business  in  Dudleytown  with 
James  Stephens,  which  continued  eighteen  months,  when  he  purchased 
the  old  homestead  and  engaged  in  farming.  Soon  after,  he  founded 
another  store,  in  company  with  Mr,  Stephens,  at  Tampico,  and  laid 
out  a  town  on  his  land.  In  1854,  he  purchased  a  half-interest  la 
another  business,  and  in  1857  commenced  the  enterprise  he  is  now  pur- 
suing. He  also  owns  160  acres  near  Smithville.  In  1849,  he  married 
Sarah  Powell,  who  died  March  15,  1870,  leaving  three  children.  August 
21,  1870,  he  wedded  Mrs.  Martha  McCormick,  by  which  marriage  they 
have  two  children— Mary  M.  and  Ralph.  Mr.  Carter  has  been  for  four 
terms  Justice  of  the  Peace,  and  has  united  in  marriage  many  couples. 
He  is  a  Republican,  a  temperance  worker,  and  he  and  wife  belong  to  th& 
Methodist  Church. 


660  BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES: 

GEORGE  GAJTHER,  farmer,  Smithville,  was  born  on  the  parental 
homestead,  where  he  now  resides,  September  22,  1855,  and  is  one  of  the 
family  of  Perry  and  Betsy  Ann  (Ketcham)  Gaither,  the  former  a  native 
of  Kentucky,  born  in  1809.  These  parents  married  in  this  State,  and 
settled  where  Ketcham's  mill  now  stands.  Mr.  Gaither  was  owner  of 
200  acres.  He  was  for  several  years  Township  Trustee,  a  Republican 
politically,  and  died  in  1876.  Mrs.  Gaither  died  in  1878.  They  had 
twelve  children,  and  were  members  of  the  M.  E.  Church.  George,  our 
subject,  married,  in  the  autumn  of  1878,  Miss  Mary  Deckaral,  a  native 
of  Smithville,  to  which  union  have  been  born  two  children  — Emma,  and 
an  infant  daughter  (deceased).  Mr.  Gaither  has  a  good  home  and  farm 
comprising  llb^  acres,  all  of  which  is  cultivated.  He  is  a  radical  tem- 
perance reformer,  a  Republican,  and  he  and  wife  are  communicants  of 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 

JOSEPH  HA.RROLL,  farmer,  is  a  native  of  Virginia,  was  born 
March  7,  1826,  and  is  a  son  of  James  and  Mary  (Thrasher)  Harroll, 
natives  of  Virginia,  also  parents  of  seven  girls  and  seven  boys.  James 
Harroll  moved  to  Monroe  County,  Ind.,  about  1830,  and  settled  near 
Bloomington,  there  being  then  perhaps  three  houses.  He  lived  for 
eighteen  years  on  rented  ground,  after  which  time  he  purchased  160 
acres  near  Smithville,  and  died  in  1864,  his  wife  preceding  him  by  two 
years.  Joseph  Harroll  worked  for  his  father  until  manhood,  and  after- 
ward at  making  rails  for  37  cents  per  hundred;  at  railroad  work  for  $1 
per  day,  and  later,  as  section  boss  for  eight  years.  With  $1,100,  he  par- 
chased  80  acres,  on  which  he  commenced  farming.  Soon  after,  he  pur- 
chased, at  times,  various  amounts  of  land,  which  he  sold.  He  now  has 
110  acres,  all  in  cultivation,  with  house,  barns,  orchard,  fencing,  etc. 
In  1861,  he  married  Jane  Holland,  with  a  result  of  one  child — Arthusa 
J.  This  mother  died,  and  Mr.  Harroll  married,  in  1865,  Jane  Adams, 
who  gave  being  to  four  children — John,  Samuel,  Willie  and  Tabitha. 
Mr.  Harroll  is  a  Republican,  a  temperance  worker,  and  a  member  of  the 
Christian  Church. 

SAMUEL  R.  HUMSTON,  physician,  is  a  native  of  Lawrence  County, 
Ind.,  was  born  October  19,  1846,  and  is  a  son  of  William  JNI.  and  Lavi- 
nia  E.  (Glover)  Humston,  the  former  a  native  of  Virginia,  the  latter  of 
Indiana.  The  grandfather  of  our  subject,  Edward  Humston,  came  from 
Scotland;  he  was  a  millwright,  moved  to  this  section  at  an  early  day  and 
built  several  mills.  Samuel  R.  Humston  had  a  good  common  school  edu- 
cation, and  when  twenty-two  years  old,  began  teaching  in  Lawrence 
County,  and  soon  after  commenced  to  read  medicine  under  Dr.  S.  A.  Rari- 
den.  of  Bedford,  and  to  study  Latin;  still  later,  he  attended  lectures  at 
Ann  Arbor,  Mich.,  and  afterward  began  practice  in  Lawrence  County, 
then  at  Heltonville,  and  since  1872  has  done  a  leading  business  here. 
December  6,  1877,  he  married  Miss  Sallie  R.  Rariden,  daughter  of  his 
former  preceptor,  to  which  union  were  born  two  children,  both  deceased. 
Dr.  Humston  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Church  for  twenty 
years.  He  is  Republican  in  political  choice,  and  furnished  the  following 
statement:  Distance  traveled  in  active  practice,  12,380  miles;  number  of 
visits,  2,692. 

DANIEL  KETCHAM  (deceased)  was  born  near  Shelby vi lie,  Ky.,  in 
1806.  His  father,  Col.  John  Ketcham  moved  to  this  State  with  his  fam- 
ily when  the  same  was  a  Territory,  and  settled  near  Brownstown,  whence 
he  removed  to   Jackson   County,    and   in   1818  to  Monroe  County,    and 


CLEAR  CREEK  TOWNSHIP.  661 

soon  after  to  the  farm  on  Clear  Creek,  now  the  home  of  his  youngest 
son.  In  1836.  our  subject  married  Mary  Worley,  by  which  union  they 
had  four  children — Eliza  A.,  John  H. ,  Francis  William  and  Lizzie.  In 
J 852,  Daniel  Ketcham  moved  with  his  family  to  Smith ville,  where  he 
lived  during  his  remainder  of  life.  Mr.  Ketcham  was  an  affectionate 
husband,  a  kind  ])arent,  and  an  upright  citizen.  For  thirty-five  years,  he 
was  an  honored  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  in  which  he 
held  several,  offices  of  trust  Religion  sustained  him  at  all  times,  and 
most  particularly  in  his  closing  hours.  When  asked  if  willing  to  depart 
and  if  his  trust  was  in  Jesus,  he  answered  affirmatively.  He  left  this 
world  September  28,  1877,  in  perfect  peace.  September  13,  1862,  Miss 
Eliza  A.,  eldest  daughter  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ketcham,  departed  this  life,  a 
lovely  and  promising  woman,  whose  loss  is  a  lifelong  lament.  Mrs. 
Ketcham  lives  with  her  daughter,  Lizzie  Ketcham,  and  her  grandchild, 
Minnie,  on  the  homestead.  Miss  Lizzie  is  a  gracious  and  amiable  young 
lady,  universally  regarded  with  admiration  and  love. 

WILLIAM  LEONARD,  farmer  and  stock-dealer,  was  born  Febru- 
ary 13,  1817,  in  Paoli,  Orange  County,  Ind.,  and  is  the  eldest  son  of 
Henry  and  Martha  (Rains)  Leonard,  the  former  a  native  of  North  Caro- 
lina, who  came  to  Indiana  in  1816.  The  grandfather  of  our  subject  was 
of  Irish  descent.  Henry  Leonard  tirst  located  in  Orange  County,  where 
he  remained  two  years,  then  went  to  Lawrence  County  for  three  years, 
whence  he  came  to  Monroe  County  and  settled  in  what  is  now  Clear 
Creek  Township,  and  built  a  log  house;  the  place  consisted  of  eighty 
acres  of  timber.  After  a  period  of  about  twelve  years,  he  moved  near 
Bloomington,  and  remained.  William  Leonard  was  reared  with  his  par- 
ents; his  early  education  was  sparse,  having  attended  school  only  in  the 
worst  winter  weather;  but  he  studied  by  night,  and  thus  acquired  con- 
siderable education  unaided.  He  worked  by  day  at  clearing,  plowing 
and  the  like,  and  also  split  rails  for  37  cents  a  hundred,  and  paid  a  debt 
of  his  father's  for  $100  at  $7  per  month.  When  twenty-two  years  old,  he 
became  a  teacher,  at  which,  in  conjunction  with  farming,  he  employed 
his  time  during  the  year  for  two  years,  and  also  attended  school  at  Har- 
rodsburg;  then  returned  to  teaching,  and  taught  in  the  Woodard  School - 
house  seven  consecutive  winter  terms.  Januaiy  5,  1843,  he  married  Lu- 
cinda  Grimes,  whose  father  was  one  of  the  first  settlers  and  the  first 
grand-juryman  of  the  township.  After  mai'riage,  Mr.  Leonard  moved  to 
Perry  Township,  where  he  taught  a  six  months'  term  in  the  free  schools. 
For  this  he  received  $90,  sold  a  colt  for  $10,  and  entered  therewith 
eighty  acres  of  land.  After  the  school  term,  he  moved  to  the  farm  on 
which  he  now  lives,  of  108  acres,  making  in  all,  as  land  owned  by  him, 
252  acres.  He  has  erected  a  large  dwelling,  good  barns,  and  has  the 
same  cteared  and  in  good  cultivation,  as  well  as  stocked  with  excellent 
cattle.  Mr.  Leonard  was  once  a  Whig,  but  is  now  a  Republican,  and 
was  Township  Trustee  at  a  time  when  each  township  had  such  an  officer, 
and  was  afterward  Township  Clerk  for  two  terms.  He  is  an  upright 
man,  an  esteemed  citizen,  a  member  of  the  Christian  Church,  of  which  he 
has  been  an  Elder  twenty  years,  and  is  now  Sabbath  School  Superintend- 
ent. Mrs.  Leonard  died  August  1,  1873,  after  which  he  married  Mrs. 
Nancy  Boruff,  with  one  son — Samuel  D. ;  she  is  also  a  member  of  the 
Christian  Church.  Mr.  Leonard  has  been  father  of  thirteen  children,  of 
whom  six  sons  and  three  daughters  are  living — John  H. ,  a  physician  of 
Elkinsville;  James  T.,  a  farmer;  Alfred  M. ,  served  during  the  war,    and 


662  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES: 

died  after  his  return;  William  I.,  now  in  Texas;  David  M.,  died^in  in- 
fancy; Silas  M.,  now  in  Portland,  Oregon;  Lewis  O.,  a  graduate  of 
Bloomington  University;  Homer,  now  attending  Bloomington  University; 
Martha  J.,  now  Mrs.  W.  J.  Taylor,  of  New  Albany,  Ind. ;  Nannie  E., 
now  Mrs.  J.  C.  Miller;  Lida,  a  music  teacher  in  Portland,  Oreg. 

L.  T.  LOWDER,  M.  D.,  was  born  near  Springville,  Lawrence  Co., 
Ind.,  May  6,  1846,  is  the  son  of  Lynden  and  Mary  H.  (Short)  Lowder, 
and  is  of  English-Irish  origin.  The  father  of  Mv.  Lowder  was  born  in 
Boone  County,  Ind.,  in  1816,  and  came  t^o  Lawrence  County  the  year 
following.  His  mother  was  born  in  Greene  County  in  1819.  His  paternal 
grandfather  was  Ralph  Lowder,  a  native  of  North  Carolina  His  great- 
grandfather was  JoLn  Lowder,  a  native  of  England.  Dr.  Lowder 
received  a  good  literary  education,  having  spent  two  years  in  Blooming- 
ton University.  In  1870,  he  came  to  Harrodsburg  and  began  the  study 
of  medicine  in  the  office  of  Dr.  Beard.  After  attending  two  full  courses 
at  the  Indiana  State  Medical  College,  he  graduated  in  February,  1873. 
He  then  came  to  Harrodsburg,  and  here  has  since  been  in  successful 
practice.  He  was  married,  in  1873,  to  Miss  Alice  A.  Stipp,  a  native  of 
Harrodsburg,  and  a  daughter  of  George  Stipp,  one  of  the  prominent  and 
successful  farmers  of  the  county.  To  this  union  have  been  born  children 
as  follows:  Daisy  E.,  Rosa  M.,  Mary  C,  Lindsey  C.  Lillie  E.  and 
George.  Politically,  Dr.  Lowder  is  a  Republican.  In  1864,  he  enlisted 
in  Company  E,  One  Hundred  and  Thirty- sixth  Indiana  Volunteers.  He 
was  honorably  discharged  the  same  year.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Ma- 
sonic fraternity  and  the  order  of  Knights  of  Pythias. 

CHESLEY  D.  McLAHLAN,  M.  D.,  is  a  native  of  Lawrence  County, 
Ind.,  born  October  29,  1847,  son  of  Oliver  and  Sarah  (Davis)  McLahlan, 
and  comes  of  Scotch-Irish  origin.  The  father  of  Dr.  McLahlan  was  an 
Ohioan  and  his  mother  is  of  North  Carolina  birth.  The  early  life  of 
Dr.  McLahlan  was  spent  in  attending  the  district  school  and  in  his 
father's  service.  He  afterward  attended  school  at  Bedford,  Ind.,  where 
he  obtained  a  fair  common  school  education.  He  enlisted  in  Company 
B,  One  Hundred  and  Forty-fifth  Indiana  Volunteers,  and  served  until  the 
close  of  the  war.  He  was  honorably  discharged  in  1865  at  Indianapolis. 
In  1867,  he  came  to  Harrodsburg  and  began  the  study  of  medicine  in 
the  office  of  Dr.  Beard,  a  very  prominent  physician.  After  attending 
lectures  at  Chicago  Rush  Medical  College,  he  graduated  in  1871.  Since 
his  graduation,  he  has  been  in  active  practice  of  his  profession  at  Har- 
rodsburg, and  has  been  very  successful.  The  marriage  of  Dr.  McLahlan 
occurred  in  1871,  to  Miss  Lizzie  More,  a  native  of  Iowa.  To  this  union 
has  been  born  one  child — Eva.  Dr.  McLahlan  is  a  Republican,  and  for 
many  years  has  been  an  earnest  supporter  of  that  party.  Through  his 
own  energy  he  has  made  a  success  of  life,  and  he  has  been  the  ardhiteet 
of  his  own  fortune. 

SIMEON  PEDIGO,  manufacturer  and  dealer  in  furniture,  was  born 
in  Lawrence  County,  Ind.,  October  21,  1849,  is  the  son  of  E.  H  and 
Elizabeth  E.  (Nance)  Pedigo;  is  the  eldest  in  a  family  of  three  children^ 
and  is  of  English  Scotch  lineage.  At  the  age  of  seventeen  years,  he  be- 
gan the  issues  of  life  for  himself.  For  a  number  of  years,  he  taught  school 
in  the  winter  and  performed  farm  labor  in  the  summer.  The  marriage 
of  Mr.  Pedigo  occurred  Jane  15,  1876,  to  Miss  IVIollie  B.  Anderson,  a  na- 
tive of  Monroe  County.  To  this  union  have  been  born  three  children, 
as  follows:  Clarence  E.,  Annie  E.  and  Verner  Ross.     In  1876,  Mr.  Ped- 


CLEAR  CREEK  TOWNSHIP.  663 

igo  came  to  Harrodsburg  and  formed  a  partnership  in  the  furniture  and 
undertaking  business  with  J.  M.  Anderson.  This  partnership  continued 
until  January,  1884.  He  is  now  engaged  in  manufacturing  Pedigo's 
Perfection  Washing  Machine,  under  the  firm  name  of  S.  &  W.  S.  Pedigo. 
manufacturers  of  the  only  genuine  washing  machine  of  the  coming  times. 
This  machine  is  sold  only  upon  guarantee  that  it  will  do  all  that  its 
contractors  claim  for  it,  and,  unless  such  is  the  case,  your  money  will 
be  refunded.  Address  S.  &  W.  S.  Pedigo,  Harrodsburg,  Ind.,  and 
they  will  give  you  particulars  and  references.  They  are  gentlemen  of 
honor  and  responsibility. 

WILLIAM.  S.  PEDIGO,  furniture  dealer,  and  junior  member  of  the  firm 
of  S.  &  W.  S.  Pedigo,  was  born  in  Perry  Township,  Lawrence  County, 
Ind.,  April  5,  1845,  and  is  a  son  of  John  D.  and  Jane  (Garten)  Pedigo. 
In  a  family  of  ten  children,  William  is  the  eldest,  and  is  of  Scotch-En- 
glish origin.  His  father  was  born  in  Barren  County,  Ky.,  and  when 
twelve  years  of  age  came  to  Lawrence  County,  Ind.  In  1861,  the  sub- 
ject of  our  sketch  enlisted  in  Company  F,  Forty-third  Indiana  Volun- 
teers, and  was  honorably  discharged  in  1862,  on  account  of  general  dis- 
ability. In  1863,  he  engaged  in  the  milling  business  in  Lawrence 
County,  and  that  continued  eighteen  years;  he  then  engaged  in  farming, 
and  in  1884  he  came  to  Harrodsburg  and  engaged  in  his  present  occupa- 
tion. He  was  married  in  1866  to  Miss  Maggie  A.  Lowder.  To  them 
have  been  born  five  children — Isalene,  Nora  J.,  Oma  S.,  Blanche  and 
Ella.  He  is  a  Republican,  and  cast  his  first  Presidential  vote  for  Lincoln. 
He  has  320  acres  of  well-improved  land.  He  is  a  man  of  enterprising 
spirit,  and  an  honorable  citizen. 

WILLIAM  W.  ROSS,  merchant  at  Smithville,  was  born  July  22, 
1830,  in  Clear  Creek  Township,  Ind.,  and  is  the  youngest  «on  of  William 
W.  and  Elizabeth  (Barnes)  Ross,  the  former  a  native  of  Maryland,  who 
settled  in  this  State  i-n  1813,  and  two  years  after,  moved  to  Perry  Town- 
ship, Monroe  County,  where  he  entered  land,  owning  at  his  decease  320 
acres;  he  died  in  1875,  aged  one  hundred  and  seventeen  years.  He  emi- 
grated to  this  section  in  a  cart,  there  being  but  nine  families  in  the 
county.  His  experiences  in  the  earliest  days  were  wonderful  and  varied, 
such  as  battles  with  wolves  and  hunting  for  game,  he  having  killed  five 
deer  in  one  day,  and  many  bears  and  wolves  at  various  times.  He  was  a 
renowned  marksman,  and  a  man  of  endurance  and  principle.  Mrs.  Ross 
died  in  1853.  They  were  parents  of  four  children.  Our  subject  married, 
April  17,  1857,  Elizabeth  Bux'nes,  with  an  issue  of  four  children,  all  de- 
ceased. Mrs.  Ross  having  died,  he  married,  August  5,  1875,  Ellen  E. 
Pane,  of  Perry  Township,  and  by  her  became  the  parent  of  three  chil- 
dren, all  living.  Mr.  Ross  is  a  Republican,  and  a  liberal,  benevolent 
gentleman.  He  has  a  clock  one  hundred  and  fifty  years  old,  and  a  good 
timekeeper,  which  was  brought  by  him  from  North  Carolina. 

JOHN  D.  SIMPSON,  M.  D.,  was  born  in  Owen  County,  Ky.,  April 
23,  1846,  is  the  son  of  W.  G.  and  Ann  (Du  Vail)  Simpson,  and  is  of  En- 
glish ancestry.  His  parents  are  of  Kentucky  nativity.  His  paternal 
grandfather  was  James  Simpson,  a  Virginian  by  birth.  He  died  in  Owen 
County,  Ky.,  in  1868.  The  literary  education  of  Dr.  Simpson  is  far  be- 
yond the  average,  the  major  part  of  which  he  gained  at  Eminence  Col- 
lege, Kentucky.  In  1864,  he  went  to  Louisville,  Ky. ,  and  for  one  year 
clerked  in  a  wholesale  commission  house.  In  that  city,  in  1866.  he 
began   the  study  of  medicine  in  the  office  of  Dr.  J.  A.  Brady,   a  lead- 


664  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES: 

ing  physician.  In  1868,  he  graduated  at  the  University  of  Louis- 
ville. This  same  year  he  came  to  Heltonsville,  Lawrence  County, 
Ind.,  and  began  practice.  In  1869,  he  went  to  Bellevuo  Hospital, 
New  York,  from  which  he  graduated  in  1870,  and  then  went  to 
Bedford,  Lawrence  County,  and  resumed  practice.  In  1880,  Dr.  Simp- 
son came  to  Harrodsburg  and  continued  practice,  and  engaged  in  the 
drug  business.  The  marriage  of  Dr.  Simpson  took  place  in  1869,  to  Miss 
Mattie  Mitchell,  of  Bedford,  Ind.,  daughter  of  Jesse  A.  Mitchell.  They 
have  one  child—  James.      Dr.  Simpson  is  a  stanch  Democrat  and  a  Mason. 

THEODORE  THASHER,  groceries  and  general  stock,  Smith vi lie, 
was  born  in  Monroe  County,  Ind..  December  14,  1835,  and  is  a  son  of 
George  and  Matilda  (Hiues)  Thrasher,  both  natives  of  Virginia,  and  of 
German  descent.  George  Thrasher,  a  farmer,  came  to  this  section  about 
1830,  where  he  purchased  land  and  farmed  until  his  death.  He  was  the 
parent  of  nine  children,  seven  of  whom  are  living.  Our  subject  passed 
his  early  days  at  farm  work  and  in  attending  school,  and  when  twenty- 
two  he  left  home,  worked  by  the  day  for  about  seven  years,  and  then  came 
to  Smithville,  where,  from  bis  earnings,  he  was  enabled  to  begin  business, 
which  he  has  successfully  carried  on;  he  is  also  Postmaster,  and  is  an  es- 
teemed citizen.  May  24.  1871,  he  married  Julia  A.  Floyd,  of  Smith- 
ville, who  died  October  22,  1883,  aged  thirty-four  years,  the  mother  of 
five  children.  Rev.  Hugh  Stackhouse,  pastor  of  Mrs.  Thrasher,  said  of 
her:  "  She  was  endowed  with  a  mild,  cheerful  disposition,  her  life  be- 
ing marked  by  many  Christian  graces,  and  crowned,  at  its  close,  by  the 
triumph  of  Christian  faith.  About  a  week  before  her  death,  she  talked 
to  her  family  and  friends  of  her  departure  as  calmly  as  though  going 
away  for  a  short  visit,  asking  her  husband  to  open  the  Bible  at  2d  Cor- 
inthians. Chap,  v.;  she  read  the  first  verse,  and  remarked,  'Yes;  that's 
it.'  The  next  day  she  called  her  pastor,  that  she  might  hear  him  pray 
once  more.  Truly  it  can  be  said  of  her  that  the -world  was  the  better 
for  her  having  lived  in  it,  and  her  influence  for  goodwill  live  after  her." 
Mr.  Thrasher  is  a  Democrat,  and  a  member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity. 

JONATHAN  TRtSLER,  section  master  at  Smithville,  was  born  in 
Jessamine  County,  Ky.,  in  1830,  his  parents  being  John  and  Sarah 
(Waggameier)  Trisler;  the  former  a  native  of  Germany,  the  latter  of 
Kentucky.  John  Trisler  was  a  farmer;  and  when  Jonathan  was  ten 
years  of  age,  moved  to  Monroe  County,  this  State,  and  settled  about  two 
miles  from  Smithville.  He  and  wife  were  parents  of  seven  children. 
They  are  both  deceased — he  died  in  1881,  she  about  1859.  Jonathan 
was  twenty -one  when  he  began  supporting  himself  by  working  on  a  rail- 
road, and  then  farmed  for  four  years,  since  which  time  he  has  devoted 
his  whole  time  to  railroad  work,  having  been  a  foreman  for  thirteen 
years,  and  has,  by  his  labor,  acquired  a  good  and  valuable  property.  Mr. 
Trisler  is  married,  his  wife  being  Eliza  Silvester;  they  are  parents  of 
five  living  children.  Mr,  Trisler  is  a  Democrat,  and  a  liberal,  enlight- 
ened citizen.  Mrs.  Trisler  is  a  conscientious  member  of  the  Christian 
Church. 


WASHINGTON  TOWNSHIP.  665 


WASHINGTON  TOWNSHIP. 

THOMAS  J.  BROWN  is  the  eldest  child  of  George  W.  and  Susanna 
(Wright)  Brown,  a  native  of  Kentucky,  and  was  born  November  18,  1837. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Brown  were  respectively  of  Irish  and  German  extraction, 
and  both  natives  of  Kentucky.  After  living  on  a  farm  until  1842,  they 
moved  from  the  State  of  their  nativity  to  this  State  and  township,  and 
here  entered  ^land  for  a  home.  In  1865,  they  removed  to  where  the  for- 
mer yet  lives,  his  wife  having  died  some  years  before.  Thomas  J.  Brown 
attended  the  township  schools  and  remained  at  home,  having  almost  the 
entire  support  of  the  family,  until  his  twenty-third  year,  his  father  hav- 
ing long  been  unable  to  labor.  In  1859,  he  married  Mrs.  Cynthia  A. 
McNeely,  a  native  of  Kentucky,  after  which  event  he  moved  to  the  farm 
owned  by  his  wife,  where  they  still  reside,  and  to  which  he  has  added 
200  acres,  making  an  aggregate  of  440  acres,  one  of  the  best  farms  in 
the  township.  In  connection  with  agriculture,  Mr.  Brown  has  had  a 
country  store  for  about  two  years.  Mr.  Brown  is  a  life- long  Democrat, 
a  worthy  citizen,  and,  with  his  wife,  a  member  of  the  Christian  Church. 

FRANCIS  M.  CARROLL  is  a  native  of  this  county,  was  born  June 
15,  1840,  and  is  one  of  the  six  children  of  Lewis  and  Betsy  (Smith)  Car- 
roll, the  former  of  Irish,  the  latter  of  German  descent.  Lewis  Carroll 
was  a  native  of  Virginia,  where  he  grew  to  manhood,  and  afterward 
moved  to  Bloomington,  this  county,  and  followed  his  trade  of  carpenter 
and  millwright  for  several  years  before  engaging  in  farming  on  the  land 
now  owned  by  our  subject.  He  was  for  years  an  ordained  minister  of 
the  Methodist  Protestant  Church,  and  died  in  March,  1864.  Francis  M. 
Carroll  acquired  a  practical  education  at  the  county  schools.  Two  years 
after  his  father's  decease  his  mother  died.  July  20,  1801,  he  enlisted 
in  Company  H,  Eighteenth  Indiana  Volunteer  Infantry,  in  which  he 
served  until  February,  1862,  having  participated  at  Pea  Ridge,  Ark., 
Paw-Paw,  Mo.,  and  in  other  engagements.  March  11,  1866,  he  married 
Martha  Campbell,  a  native  of  Marion  County,  Ind.,  to  which  union  suc- 
ceeded five  children — Arthur  J.,  Schuyler  C,  Mary  F.,  Frank  R.  and 
Daisy.  After  his  marriage,  he  purchased  his  father's  farm  of  120  acres, 
on  which  he  now  resides,  and  being  one  of  the  finest  of  the  township. 
Mr.  Carroll  is  a  stanch  Republican  and  a  representative  citizen. 

W.  H.  CREAGER  is  a  native  of  Bloomington,  Ind.,  was  born  Oc- 
tober 14,  1844,  and  is  one  of  the  nine  children  of  John  and  Mary 
(Payne)  Creager;  the  former  a  native  of  this  county,  the  latter  of  North 
Carolina.  John  Creager  was  a  blacksmith  and  worked  as  such  until 
about  1856,  when  he  moved  to  this  township,  and  remained  until  death, 
March  4,  i860.  W.  H.  Creager  received  his  education  from  the  common 
schools.  I[e  was  fifteen  years  old  when  his  father  died,  and  then  became 
the  head  of  the  household.  In  1863,  he  taught  his  first  school  term  in 
Benton  Township,  from  which  time  until  the  present  he  has  taught  dur- 
ing the  winter  sessions.  July  14,  1870,  he  married  Miss  Lucinda,  daugh- 
ter of  Philip  and  Elizabeth  Smith.  Three  children  were  born  to  tJais 
union,  of  which  two  are  living — Henry  V.,  born  April  7,  1871,  and  Mag- 


666  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

gie  B.,  born  March  1,  1875.  Mr.  Creager  has  from  time  to  time  pur- 
chased the  interests  of  the  heirs  of  his  father's  farm,  which  consists  of 
100  acres  of  improved  land,  on  which  he  has  made  his  residence.  Dur- 
ing 1870-71,  he  leased  this  farm  and  lived  successively  in  Johnson  and 
Morgan  Counties.  Mr.  Creager  was  for  four  years  Township  Trustee, 
and  still  holds  said  office.  He  is  a  Democrat  and  a  representative  cit- 
izen,     Mr.  and  Mrs.  Creager  are  members  of  the  Baptist  Church. 

ELIJAH  A.  KNIGHT  is  a  native  of  Marion  County  Ind. ,  was  born 
March  2,  1839,  and  is  one  of  the  eight  children  of  Elijah  and  Nancy 
(Northern)  Knight;  the  former  a  native  of  Kentucky,  and  born  about 
1800  After  marriage,  he  moved  to  Morgan  County,  Ind. ,  where  he  lived 
until  1838  or  1839,  and  then  became  one  of  the  contractors,  building  the 
Wabash  &  Erie  Canal,  after  completing  which  contract  he  settled  in 
Boone  County,  and  died  in  1845.  Elijah  A.  Knight  obtained  his  educa- 
tion in  the  primitive  schools  of  the  time,  and  afterward  studied  at  home 
by  the  firelight.  His  father  died  when  he  was  six  years  old,  and  he  re- 
mained with  his  mother  until  his  majority,  and  then  purchased  the  farm 
of  110  acres,  most  of  which  he  has  retained.  In  August,  1861,  he  en- 
listed in  Company  H,  Thirty- third  Indiana  Volunteer  Infantry,  in  which 
he  served  eleven  months;  then  returned,  and  in  September,  1864,  entered 
an  unassigned  company  of  the  Thirty- third  Indiana  Regiment,  and  served 
therein  until  the  end  of  the  war.  February  22,  1871,  he  married  Sarah 
E.  Matlock,  a  native  of  this  county,  and  to  this  union  have  been  bestowed 
five  children — four  being  yet  alive — Anna  E.,  Elijah  E.,  John  P.  and 
Clarence  F.  Mr,  Knight  is  a  Democrat,  has  held  several  civil  offices, 
and  is  one  of  the  most  prominent  men  of  his  township. 


BENTON  TOWNSHIP. 


WILLIAM  L.  ADAMS,  stock-raiser  and  farmer,  is  a  native  of  Gar- 
rard County,  Ky.,  was  born  December  31,  1830,  and  is  the  eldest  child  of 
Wilson  and  Rachel  (Taylor;  Adams,  both  natives  of  Kentucky.  The  ma- 
ternal grandfather  of  our  subject,  Robert  Taylor,  was  a  first  cousin  to 
Gen.  Zach  Taylor,  and  a  soldier  of  the  Revolutionary  war.  The  pa- 
ternal grandfather,  Wilson  Adams,  was  a  soldier  of  the  war  of  1812;  the 
father  of  our  subject  was  a  farmer  by  profession,  a  Whig  in  politics,  and 
a  Cumberland  Presbyterian  in  religion.  He  died  in  1832,  his  widow  af- 
terward moving  to  this  county,  where  she  married  Henry^  Patton.  She 
became  a  widow  a  second  time,  and  died  in  1883,  aged  seventy-three 
years,  a  member  of  sixty  years'  standing  in  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church.  William  L.  Adams  removed  to  Ellettsville  with  his  step- father, 
where  he  attended  school  and  grew  to  manhood,  and  when  nineteen  years 
old  began  life  for  himself  on  rented  land.  December  29,  1850,  he  mar- 
ried Elizabeth  Cannon,  of  this  county.  After  this  event,  he  located  in  Van 
Buren  Township  for  two  years,  then  removed  to  Macomb,  111.,  then  re- 
turned to  this  county,  and  afterward  purchased  a  threshing  machine, 
which  he  operated  until  he  abandoned  the  same  for  auctioneering,  which 
he  has  followed  for  twenty-five  years.  Mr.  Adams  served  as  Constable 
for  some  years  under  Capt.  Sluss.      In    1879,  he   occupied  his  present 


BENTON  TOWNSHIP.  667 

farm  of  161  acres.  July  5,  1863,  he  enlisted  in  Company  E,  One  Hun- 
dred and  Seventeenth  Regiment  Indiana  Volunteer  Infantry,  which 
formed  a  part  of  the  Ninth  Corps  of  the  Army  of  the  Cumberland;  he  was 
honorably  discharged,  and  is  a  member  of  the  G.  A.  E.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Adams  are  parents  of  seven  children— John  W.,  Sarah  J.,  Laura  A.  (do- 
ceased),  Amanda  E.,  Maggie  R.,  Delia  E.  and  Morton  G. 

WILLIAM  B.  ALEXANDER,  retired  farmer,  was  born  in  Fayette 
County,  Ky.,  September  3,  1806,  and  is  the  eldest  of  the  nine  children 
of  James  and  Sarah  (Mashon)  Alexander,  natives  respectively  of  Virginia 
and  Kentucky,  and  of  Irish  and  Scotch  descent.  James  Alexander 
moved  to  this  county  in  1825,  and  located  near  Bloomington,  where  he 
purchased  and  improved  160  acres.  Their  privations  were  those  of  other 
pioneers,  but  they  grew  in  popularity  and  in  means.  Mr.  Alexander 
was  a  Democrat,  served  two  terms  as  County  Commissioner  and  was 
Justice  of  the  Peace  for  many  years.  He  died  in  1852,  aged  sixty-four 
years,  and  his  wife  afterward,  aged  seventy-five  years.  They  were  mem- 
bers of  the  Baptist  Church.  William  B.  Alexander  received  a  fair 
education  in  Kentueky,  where,  after  having  removed  hither,  he  married, 
September  25,  1825,  Miss  Elizabeth  Irvin.  After  marriage,  he  returned 
to  this  county  and  managed  his  father's  farm.  In  1830,  he  entered  land 
and  began  stock  dealing  in  conjunction  with  farming,  and  continued  so 
to  do  for  eleven  years;  then  purchased  and  sold  several  farms,  and  finally, 
in  1864,  located  where  he  now  resides,  on  160  acres,  with  improvements. 
Mr.  Alexander  has  been  a  hard-working  yet  successful  man.  He  gave 
his  tirst  Presidential  vote  for  Gen.  Jackson,  but  has  of  late  years  been  a 
Republican  and  has  filled  some  minor  county  offices.  Mrs.  Alexander 
died  November  15,  1869,  having  been  the  mother  of  ten  children — Will- 
iam F. ,  Sarah  J. ,  Mary,  Nancy,  Martha,  Irvin,  John,  Alvira,  and  two 
infants, deceased.  The  three  sons  were  Union  soldiers — William  F.  died 
at  Nashville,  Irvin  in  Libby  Prison  and  John  in  Missouri — all  filling 
soldier  graves.  Mr.  Alexander's  present  wife  was  Mrs.  Baker;  they  are 
members  of  the  Christian  Church. 

T.  H.  BARNHILL,  dealer  in  merchandise,  is  a  native  of  Carroll 
County,  Ohio,  was  born  February  14,  1838,  and  is  the  eldest  of  the  six 
children  of  John  and  Jane  (McNelley)  Barnhill,  natives  respectively  of 
Ohio  and  Pennsylvania,  and  of  German -Irish  and  Irish  descent.  Our 
subject  was  sent  to  school  in  boyhood  and  reared  to  husbandry  as  a  bus- 
iness. When  he  had  reached  his  eighteenth  year,  his  parents  moved  to 
this  county,  where  he  attained  his  majority,  and  afterward  labored  by  the 
day  for  three  years,  receiving  but  50  cents  per  day.  March  7,  1860,  he 
married  Miss  Mary  C.  Alexander,  of  this  township,  born  INEay,  1842,  a 
union  which  gave  being  to  six  children — Florence  J.,  Charles  A.,  Olie, 
Eddie,  John  and  Edna.  Shortly  after  marriage,  Mr.  Barnhill  moved  to 
Unionville,  where  he  has  since  made  his  home.  He  now  owns  and  occu- 
pies the  old  Alexander  farm,  which  comprises  358  acres  with  good  build- 
ings and  varied  improvements,  thus  constituting  a  valuable  home  and 
property.  In  1877,  he  engaged  in  merchandising,  and  was  commissioned 
Postmaster  in  1879.  He  is  a  prominent  Republican,  and  has  been  Town- 
ship Trustee  two  terms. 

DR.  DAVID  W.  BARROW  is  a  native  of  this  township,  was  born 
November  4,  1853,  and  is  the  eldest  son  of  James  M.  and  Martha  A. 
(Vannoy)  Barrow,  both  natives  of  this  county,  and  respectively  of  En- 
glish  and  German  descfjnt.      The  paternal  grandfather  of    our   subject, 


668  BIOGRAPHICAL   SPCETCHES  : 

David  Barrow,  came  to  this  section  when  it  was  a  pristine  wild,  and,  be- 
ing a  farmer,  located  in  this  township,  where  he  served  as  Justice  of  the 
Peace  and  County  Commissioner  seventeen  years.  He  had  a  farm  of 
240  acres,  was  a  Democrat,  a  Baptist  and  the  father  of  eight  children. 
He  died  in  1880,  aged  seventy-nine.  James  M.  Barrow  was  reared  a 
farmer,  received  some  education,  and  at  the  age  of  forty  years  became  a 
minister  of  the  Baptist  denomination,  uniting  such  service  with  the  man- 
agement of  his  farm.  He  has  been  father  of  three  sons  and  four  daugh- 
ters, five  of  whom  are  living.  He  is  a  Freemasoa  and  a  Democrat. 
David  W.  Barrow  attended  the  home  schools  at  intervals  until  twenty 
years  of  age,  when  he  entered  college  at  Bloomington  for  one  year; 
then  taught  two  years,  returned  to  college  and  selected  the  classical 
course.  After  leaving  the  institution,  he  entered  the  office  of  Dr.  Mc- 
Pheeters,  and  read  medicine,  in  all  nearly  two  years,  after  which  he  at- 
tended a  course  of  lectures  at  the  Ohio  Medical  College,  and  in  1881 
began  a  practice,  which  he  has  succeeded  in  enlarging,  with  honor  and 
satisfaction.  Dr.  Barrow  is  a  member  of  the  Baptist  Church,  a  Demo 
crat,  and  also  a  member  of  the  K  of  P.  In  1882,  he  was  chosen  Town- 
ship Trustee. 

SAMUEL  L.  KEEK,  farmer  and  stock-raiser,  was  born  in  County 
Antrim,  Ireland,  April  15,  1832,  the  eldest  of  the  nine  children  of  John 
and  Nancy  (Logan)  Kerr,  both  natives  of  Ireland,  and  of  Scotch'  and 
Irish  descent  respectively.  John  Kerr  was  by  trade  a  weaver,  who  in 
1839  emigrated  to  this  country  with  his  family  and  located  in  Bloom- 
ington Township,  this  county,  whence  he  removed  to  this  township  and 
purchased  land,  and  at  last,  by  labor  and  care,  acquired  200  acres  as  a 
home,  on  which  he  died  in  1864,  seventy-three  years  of  age,  preceded 
by  his  wife  five  days..  They  were  members  of  the  Presbyterian  Church. 
Samuel  L.  Kerr  was  about  eight  years  old  when  he  reached  America. 
Much  farm  labor  devolved  on  him  in  youth,  and  he  continued  with^his 
father  until  of  age,  when  he  comnxenced  working  by  the  month,  and  af- 
ter eight  years  was  enabled  to  purchase  220  acres,  on  which  he  has  made 
his  home;  having  improved  said  land  by  erecting  a  house,  supplying 
stock,  and  by  various  other  appurtenances,  the  whole  now  comprising 
280  acres,  100  in  pasture,  and  seventy  of  fine  bottom  land.  December 
5,  1861,  he  married  Miss  Margaret,  daughter  of  Jonathan  and  Catharine 
Hinkle,  and  to  their  union  have  been  given  eight  children — James  B., 
John  J.,  Samuel  M.,  Charles  A.,  Nannie  Y.  C,  Ella  May,  Maggie  E. 
(deceased),  and  Mary  A.  Mr.  Kerr  is  a  Republican,  a  worthy  citizen, 
and  he  and  wife  are  members  of  the  United  Presbyterian  Church. 

WILLIAM  H.  ]SERR,  stock-raiser  and  farmer,  was  born  June  6, 
1847.  His  father  was  William  Kerr,  a  native  of  Ireland,  who,  about 
1824,  emigrated  to  America,  settled  in  this  county,  and  entered  the  land 
on  which  our  subject  now  resides,  and  where  Mr.  Kerr,  Sr.,  passed  his 
later  life,  and  succeeded  in  making  a  good  home  of  sixty  acres,  well  im- 
proved. He  died  in  1855,  aged  sixty  years,  leaving  a  wife  and  two  chil- 
dren, who  managed  the  farm.  He  was  a  Reformed  Presbyterian,  as  is 
his  wife,  who  is  yet  living,  aged  sixty-five  years;  the  only  daughter  died  in 
1872.  William  H.  Kerr  remained  at  home  until  he  wan  seventeen,  when  he 
enlisted  in  Company  E,  One  Hundred  and  Forty-fifth  Regiment,  Indiana 
Volunteer  Infantry,  for  twelve  months'  service,  which  was  passed  in  the 
Southern  States  in  doing  skirmish  duty.  He  was  honorably  discharged, 
and  in  1867,  purchased  eighty  acres  of  his  present  home,  which  now  com- 


BENTON  TOWNSHIP.  669 

prises  one  hundred  and  forty  acres,  containing  some  stock  and  many  im- 
provements. December  24,  1872,  lie  married  Miss  Elizabeth  Mulliken, 
a  native  of  Johnson  County,  by  which  union  they  were  favored  with  four 
children — Maud  B.,  Connie  J.,  Cora  B.  and  Laura  M.  Mr.  Kerr  en- 
gaged in  agriculture  near  Franklin  until  1879,  when  he  returned  to  his 
former  site  and  home.  He  is  a  Republican,  and  he  and  his  wife  are 
worthy  members  of  the  Christian  Church. 

SAMUEL  GETTY,  farmer  and  stock-raiser,  is  a  native  of  Ireland 
and  the  youngest  child  of  Samuel  and  Nancy  (Kerr)  Getty,  both  natives  of 
Ireland,  and  both  Protestants.  Samuel  Getty,  Sr.,  was  a  tiller  of  the 
soil,  who  ended  his  life,  as  did  his  wife,  in  the  country  of  his  birth. 
Their  eldest  son  emigrated  to  this  country  about  1840,  and  farmed  until 
his  decease.  Our  subject  obtained  an  ordinary  education  and  was  reared 
as  a  farmer.  In  1851,  married  Miss  Rose  Cubitt,  a  native  of  Ireland. 
In  1852,  they  emigrated  to  America  by  way  of  New  Orleans,  and  reached 
this  section  after  a  travel  of  eleven  weeks.  Mr.  Getty  having  but  $200, 
he  worked  at  farming  for  one  year,  and  soon  after  purchased  a  portion  of 
his  present  home,  which  now  comprises  280  acres,  100  of  which  are  bot- 
tom lands  of  great  fruitfulness;  he  has  also  twenty  acres  in  Perry  Town- 
ship— all  the  result  of  his  thrift  and  economy.  He  is  one  of  the  largest 
fari^ers  in  this  township,  and  gives  his  undivided  attention  to  his  farm 
and  raising  stock.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Getty  have  been  parents  of  eleven  chil 
dren,  of  which  number  the  following  are  living:  Nancy,  Elizabeth,  John 
C.  and  Ida  Ellen.     Both  are  members  of  the  United  Presbyterian  Church. 

WILLIAM  PETERSON,  farmer  and  stock-raiser,  is  the  eldest  son  of 
Thomas  and  Mary  (Custer)  Peterson,  natives  i*espectively  of  Ohio  and 
Pennsylvania.  The  paternal  grandfather  of  our  subject  was  a  Vir- 
ginian, who  located  in  Ohio  when  a  wilderness,  and  reared  five  sons  and 
three  daughters.  Thomas  Peterson  was  reared  a  farmer  in  Jefferson 
C*unty,  Ohio,  but  came  to  this  township  in  1854,  where  he  jjurchaspid 
forty  acres,  and  farmed  until  January,  1864,  when  he  became  a  soldier  of 
the  Tenth  Cavalry.  During  this  service,  he  was  attacked  by  sickness,  and 
while  on  his  way  home  he  died,  being  buried  at  Louisville.  He  left  a 
wife,  who  survives  him,  and  seven  children.  He  was  a  Republican,  and 
a  Baptist.  William  Peterson  was  born  in  Jefferson  County,  August  12, 
1830;  was  reared  to  farming,  and  remained  at  home  until  he  was  twenty- 
seven  years  of  age.  After  working  on  the  home  fai-m  until  he  was  eighteen 
years  old,  he  learned  the  carpentering,  at  which  he  worked  in  summer, 
and  taught  school  in  the  winter.  He  taught  his  last  term  in  1863. 
June,  1859,  he  married  Sarah  E.  Rader,  who  died^in  1866,  leaving  four 
children — IraD.,  Phinny  H.,  Cordelia  A.  and  Thomas  W.  April  29, 
1877,  he  wedded  Miss  Margaret  A.  Reimer,  by  which  marriage  they  had 
two  children — Carey  J.  and  Mary  C.  February,  1865,  Mr.  Peterson  was 
detailed  as  carpenter  at  Camp  Carrington.  This  was  '■  his  only  soldier 
service.  He  was  discharged  May  8,  1865.  In  1859,  he  located  on  the 
farm,  which  embraces  540  acres,  one-half  of  which  is  improved,  with 
good  stock,  etc.  In  1876,  he  was  elected  County  Commissioner,  as  which 
he  gave  great  satisfaction.  He  is  Commander  of  Alexander  Post,  and  a 
member  of  the  Baptist  Church. 

T.  J.  PETERSON,  proprietor  of  the  spoke  factory  at  Unionville,  was 
born  in  Jefferson  County,  Ohio,  September  7,  1846,  and  is  one  of  the 
family  of  Thomas  and  Mary  Peterson.  When  he  was  nine  years  old,  his 
parents  moved  to  this  county,  which  has  since  been  his  home.      When 


670  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES: 

fifteen  years  old,  being  of  large  stature,  he  enlisted,  in  the  fall  of  1861, 
in  Company  H,  Fiftieth  Indiana  Volunteer  Infantry,  assigned  to  the 
Western  division,  their  hardest  engagement  being  at  the  siege  of  Mobile. 
During  his  service,  he  suffered  from  measles:  afterward,  in  1863,  at  Lit- 
tle Rock,  he  became  a  veteran,  and  September  27,  1865,  was  discharged 
as  Sergeant.  He  then  took  charge  of  the  home  farm  for  two  years,  and 
later,  worked  on  a  railroad,  and  as  sawyer  for  several  firms,  and  for  sev- 
eral years.  November  6,  1873,  he  married  Miss  Alice  A.  Sluss,  of  this 
township,  which  union  gave  being  to  four  children,  of  which  number  two 
survive — Edna  M.  and  Daisy  Irene.  In  the  autumn  of  1882,  he  pur- 
chased the  spoke  factory  he  is  now  operating,  in  which  he  has  $2,000  in- 
vested. Mr.  Peterson  is  an  ardent  Republican,  and  a  public- spirited  citi- 
zen.    Mrs.  Peterson  is  a  member  of  the  Christian  Church. 

DAVID  A.  YOUNG,  farmer  and  stock-raiser,  is  a  son  of  Abraham 
and  Susan  (Whisennand)  Young,  natives  of  Kentucky  and  Virginia  re- 
spectively, and  of  German  extraction.  The  paternal  grandfather  of  our 
subject,  David  Young,  moved  to  this  county  from  Kentucky  in  the 
earliest  days,  and  settled  and  made  a  home  here.  He  was  the  parent  of 
four  sons  and  three  daughters.  Abraham  Young  began  life  poor,  but, 
by  industry  and  care,  made  a  good  home  and  farm  of  120  acres.  He  was 
a  member  of  the  Christian  Church,  and  died  February  14,  1850,  aged 
forty-three,  leaving  a  wife,  who  still  survives,  aged  seventy-six,  and  six 
children.  David  A.  Young  was  born  in  this  township,  March  7,  1829, 
the  eldest  of  the  family.  After  workiiig  on  the  home  farm  until  his 
twentieth  year,  he  began  life  for  himself  by  farming  on  rented  land. 
July  27,  1848,'  he  married  Miss  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  Hugh  and  Nancy 
McClung,  who  were  among  the  first  settlers  in  this  township.  This  union 
was  honored  with  twelve  children,  of  which  number  ten  yet  are  living — 
Nancy  J.,  Amanda,  John,  Mary  E.,  Sarah  C,  Saretha  A.,  James  A.,  Cora 
Bell,  Isaac  N.  and  David  Omar.  Mr.  Young  continued  to  labor  for  house 
and  land  for  years,  and  in  1858  purchased  his  father's  farm  of  112  acres, 
where  he  has  since  resided,  devoting  himself  to  stock-raising  as  well 
as  agriculture.  Mr.  Young  is  a  highly  esteemed  citizen,  and  he  and 
wife  are  members  of  the  Christian  Church. 


SALT  CREEK  TOWNSHIP. 

JAMES  O.  BAXTER,  farmer,  was  born  in  this  township,  March  24, 
1835,  and  is  a  son  of  William  and  Mary  (Lee)  Baxter;  the  former  a 
native  of  Tennessee,  the  latter  of  Kentucky.  William  Baxter  moved 
when  very  young  to  this  county  and  received  a  fair  education.  He  was 
a  farmer  by  occupation,  which  he  followed  until  his  death,  January  1, 
1858.  Mrs.  Baxter  was  a  life  long  communicant  of  the  Separate  Baptist 
Church,  and  departed  from  earth  August  24,  1872.  James  O.  Baxter, 
our  subject,  received  a  quite  limited  education  in  youth,  and  remained 
with  his  parents  until  September  5,  1861,  when  he  became  a  soldier  in 
Company  G,  Thirty-first  Regiment  Indiana  Volunteer  Infantry,  and  con- 
tinued in  the  service  until  January  6,  1866,  during  which  period  he  was 
promoted  to  be  Sergeant.     After  his  discharge,  he  returned  to  his  parents, 


SALT  CREEK  TOWNSHIP.  671 

with  whom  he  remained  until  December  16,  1866,  at  which  time  he  mar- 
ried Amanda  Ellen  Smith,  a  native  of  this  county,  and  to  them  live  chil- 
dren have  been  granted,  of  which  number  one  son  and  two  daughters, 
remain.  Mr.  Baxter  is  a  strong  pleader  for  temperance,  and  in  political 
leaning  a  Democrat.  He  is  one  of  the  principal  land  owners  and  citi- 
zens of  the  township,  and,  with  his  wife,  a  devoted  member  of  the  Chris 
tian  Church. 

JAMES  D.  BUTCHER  is  a  native  of  Coles  County,  111.,  was  born 
March  19,  1861,  and  is  a  son  of  Jacob  and  America  D.  (Finley)  Butcher, 
natives  of  Indiana  and  of  English  descent.  Jacob  Butcher  received  a 
limited  education,  and  when  sixteen  years  old  departed  for  California, 
but,  meeting  with  reverses,  roamed  through  many  States  and  Territories, 
and  finally  returned  to  his  native  commonwealth  and  married  in  1856. 
He  then  moved  to  Texas  for  two  years;  thence  removing  to  Illinois,  where 
he  remained  four  years,  and  thereafter  returned  to  this  county.  Mr. 
Butcher  has  been  a  life-long  farmer.  James  D.  Butcher  received  a  good 
school  education  in  this  county's  schools,  and  for  the  past  two  years  has 
been  teaching  in  the  public  schools,  having  previously  assisted  his  father 
on  the  home  farm.  He  is  politically  a  Greenbacker,  a  respected  citizen 
and  one  of  the  most  promising  young  men  of  his  county  and  township. 
In  religious  inclination,  he  is,  like  his  parents,  an  adherent  of  the  Seventh- 
Day  Advent  Church. 

HIRAM  M.  HELTENBURG  is  a  native  of  Wythe  County,  Va. ,  and 
was  brought  into  the  world  August  '27,  1815.  He  was  not  fortunate 
enough  to  receive  any  education  in  youth,  and  at  the  age  of  twenty  years 
emigrated  with  his  mother  and  step- father  to  this  State  and  county,  where 
he  remained  with  them  until  April  26,  1846,  at  which  time  he  married 
Nancy  Sowder,  of  this  county,  since  which  time  he  has  lived  exclusively 
in  Monroe  and  Lawrence  Counties.  Mr.  Heltenburg  is  a  member  of 
Harrodsburg  Lodge,  No.  322,  A.  F.  &  A.  M.  He  is  a  National  in  poli- 
tics, and  a  strong  advocate  of  temperance.  He  has  one  of  the  best  farms 
in  his  region  that  is  to  be  found,  and  he  is  one  of  the  leading  and  solid 
citizens.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Heltenburg  are  long-standing  and  esteemed  mem- 
bers of  the  Christian  Church,  and  the  parents  of  eight  children,  of  which 
number  two  sons  and  five  daughters  are  living. 

JOHN  HUNTINGTON,  farmer,  is  a  native  of  this  township,  his 
date  of  birth  February  21,  1883,  and  his  parents  Jonathan  and  Elizabeth 
(Turman)  Huntington,  the  former  a  native  of  Lower  Canada,  the  latter 
of  Tennessee,  and  both  of  English  extraction.  Jonathan  Huntington 
had  received  a  good  education,  and  about  1831  or  1832,  moved  to  this 
county,  where  he  followed  his  only  profession — farming — having  pur- 
chased land  from  the  Government.  He  died  in  1843,  and  Mrs.  Hunting- 
ton in  1872;  she  was  a  member  of  the  Baptist  Church.  John  Hunting- 
ton was  born,  reared,  educated  and  married  in  this  county,  where  he  has 
spent  a  life  of  fifty-one  years,  and  is  now  the  oldest  settler.  In  1854, 
he  went  by  emigrant  train  to  California,  remained  until  1857,  and  then  re- 
turned. March  31,  1859,  he  married  Sarah  V.  Payne,  of  this  county, 
from  which  union  issued  eight  children,  of  which  three  sons  and  four 
daughters  are  living.  Mr.  Huntington  has  one  of  the  best  farms  with 
improvements  and  appointments  in  this  township.  He  has  served  as 
Justice  of  the  Peace  and  County  Commissioner.  Both  he  and  wife  are 
adherents  of  the  Baptist  Church. 


672  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

JOHN  C.  JOHNSON,  deceased,  was  a  native  of  Danville,  Vt. ,  born 
July  4,  1824,  and  is  a  son  of  Robert  and  Sarah  Johnson.  He  received 
more  than  a  common  school  education,  having  for  a  time  attended  an 
academy  in  his  native  State.  In  consequence  of  his  father's  decease,  he 
was  early  destined  to  struggle  for  a  livelihood,  and  in  that  time  played 
many  parts  as  a  sailor,  a  railroad  hand,  and  for  some  years  worked  on  the 
L.,  N.  A.  &  C.  Kailroad.  May  15,  1853,  he  married  Susan  Ellis,  a  na- 
tive of  this  county,  to  which  union  were  bestowed  several  children,  three 
sons  and  four  daughters  being  yet  alive.  In  1865,  Mr.  Johnson  enlisted 
for  service  againt  the  rebellion,  dui'ing  which  he  contracted  a  fatal  ill- 
ness, which  culminated  in  death  June  21,  1869.  Mr.  Johnson  was  a  de- 
voted and  honored  member  of  the  M.  E.  Church,  a  Republican  politically, 
and  a  most  reputable  and  trusted  citizen.  Mrs.  Johnson  has,  by  her  in- 
domitable energy,  not  only  reared  her  family,  but  purchased  a  farm  in 
this  township,  which  constitutes  her  home. 

DAVID  B.  JUDAH,  farmer,  is  a  native  of  Montgomery  County,  Ky. , 
was  born  September  9,  1814,  a  son  of  Samuel  and  Elizabeth  (Jennings) 
Judah,  the  former  a  native  of  Germany,  the  latter  of  Virginia,  and  re- 
spectively of  German  and  German-Irish  descent.  Samuel  Judah  emi- 
grated to  the  United  States  about  the  year  1790,  and  settled  in  Kentucky, 
where  he  lived  more  than  thirty  years,  then  moved  to  Lawrence  County, 
this  State,  planted  a  crop  of  corn,  returned  to  Kentucky  for  his  family, 
and  there  sickened  and  died;  this  was  in  October,  1820.  He  associated 
preaching  with  farming,  and  was  hostile  to  slavery.  David  B.  Judah  re- 
mained at  home  until  he  was  eighteen  years  old,  when  he  learned  the 
tanner's  trade  and  worked  thereat  until  1840,  at  which  time  he  established 
a  tannery  at  Bloomingrton.  January  31,  1836,  he  married  Miss  Emma 
Harriet,  daughter  of  William  and  Jemima  Parks,  to  which  union  eleven 
children  were  bestowed,  of  which  number  five  sons  and  two  daughters  are 
yet  living— Samuel  N.,  Winepark,  Elizabeth  E.,  Morris,  Rodolphus, 
Francis  M.  and  Emma  H.  Mr.  Judah  followed  tanning  until  1873,  when 
he  gave  his  attention  to  farming,  with  an  experience  of  two  years  in  the 
mercantile  way;  his  farm  is  situated  in  Brown  County,  His  sons,  Mor- 
ris and  Francis,  are  proprietors  of  the  only  grist  mill  in  this  township, 
also  one  of  the  best  water  mills.  Morris  is  likewise  a  practicing  physi- 
cian; both  are  influential  citizens.  Mr.  and  Mi-s.  Judah  are  members  of 
the  Christian  Church. 

MILTON  MYERS,  farmer,  was  born  in  this  county  May  12,  1840, 
his  parents  being  Henderson  and  Minerva  Myers.  Henderson  Myers 
came  to  this  count}'  when  about  fourteen  or  fifteen  years  of  age,  worked 
on  a  farm,  and  continued  in  that  capacity  until  he  was  twenty-five,  when 
he  married.  He  purchased  a  farm  in  Perry,  and  also  one  in  this  town- 
ship, where  he  died  March  22,  1826;  he  and  wife  were  lifelong  mem- 
bers of  the  Separate  Baptist  Church.  Milton  Myers  received  a  good  pub- 
lic school  education,  and  remained  with  his  parents  until  June  21,  1860, 
at  which  time  he  married  Mary  A.  Buskirk,  of  this  county,  which  union 
was  blessed  by  nine  children,  of  which  number  are  yet  living  three  sons 
and  four  daughters,  of  which  last  Miss  Addie  has  received  a  fine  educa- 
tion and  is  now  a  promising  teacher.  Mr.  Myers  is  a  practical  farmer; 
he  has  held  the  position  of  Road  Superintendent,  and  is  one  of  the  lead- 
ing and  influential  citizens  of  the  township.  Mrs.  Myers  and  two  daugh- 
ters are  members  of  the  Christian  Church. 


SALT  CREEK  TOWNSHIP.  673 

SOLOMON  C.  PAYNE  was  born  in  Rowan  County,  N.  C. ,  November 
16,  1830,  and  is  the  eldest  child  of  James  and  Anna  (Phillips)  Payne,  the 
former  a  native  of  North  Carolina,  born  1810,  the  latter  of  Virginia,  born 
1812.  James  Payne  was  a  miller,  and  moved  to  this  county  in  1831, 
where  both  he  and  Mrs.  Payne  closed  their  lives — the  former  January  13, 
1874,  the  latter  April  21,  1876,  a  member  of  the  Baptist  Church;  they 
were  parents  of  eight  girls  and  four  boys,  all  of  whom  lived  to  maturity. 
Mr.  Payne  was  a  Democrat,  and  served  as  Justice  of  the  Peace  and  Town- 
ship Assessor  for  more  than  twenty  years.  Solomon  C.  Payne  lived 
mostly  with  a  grandfather  until  he  was  sixteen  years  old,  at  which  time 
war  with  Mexico  was  declared,  and  he,  in  common  with  many  boys,  de- 
sired to  engage  therein.  His  father  finally  consented,  and  our  subject 
enlisted  in  Company  D,  Sixteenth  Infantry,  said  company  commanded  by 
Capt.  Richard  Owens,  the  regiment  by  Col.  John  W.  De  Batts.  About 
July,  1847,  they  reached  Monterey,  and  did  garrison  duty  until  peace  was 
proclaimed,  the  regiment  being  disbanded  August  7,  1848.  About  1850, 
Mr.  Payne  married,  with  an  issue  of  two  girls,  from  which  mother  he  was 
afterward  divorced,  and  about  1860  married  Elizabeth  Hathaway.  In 
August,  1861,  Mr.  Payne  enlisted  for  three  years  in  Company  I,  Fifty- 
ninth  Regiment  Indiana  Volunteer  Infantry,  and  was  discharged  June 
14,  1865,  since  which  date  he  has  been  variously  employed,  but  mainly 
as  a  farmer.  He  has  been  ordained  as  a  minister  of  the  Baptist,  and  later 
of  the  Christian  Church  (New  Light).  He  is  a  Democrat,  has  been 
Township  Assessor,  and  is  now  a  Justice  of  the  Peace. 

JOHN  SEXTON,  farmer,  is  a  native  of  Greene  County,  Ind. ,  was 
born  December  28,  1835,  and  is  a  son  of  James  and  Mary  (Staton)  Sex- 
ton, the  former  a  native  of  Alabama,  the  latter  of  Kentucky.  James 
Sexton  was  reared  and  attended  school  in  Tennessee,  whither  he  had 
gone  at  an  early  age,  and  when  about  twenty-one  years  of  age  removed 
to  Kentucky,  remained  ten  years;  afterward  came  to  Greene  County,  this 
State,  and  finally  to  this  township,  where  he  finished  his  earthly  course 
in  October,  1874.  Mrs.  Sexton  is  yet  living  at  the  age  of  eighty-four. 
She  is,  as  Mr.  Sexton  was,  a  member  of  the  Separate  Baptist  Church. 
John  Sexton  received  but  slight  education,  having  been  depended  upon 
to  assist  the  family  in  the  work  of  the  farm  dui'ing  his  boyhood.  He  re- 
mained at  home,  therefore,  until  he  was  twenty-six  years  of  age,  about 
which  period,  September  19,  1861,  he  married  Margaret  J.  Smith,  a  na- 
tive of  this  county,  a  union  which  has  been  favored  with  two  sons  and 
one  daughter.  Sixteen  years  ago,  Mr.  Sexton  purchased  the  farm  where 
he  now  resides,  and  has  become  one  of  the  representative  men  of  the 
township.  He  is  a  Democrat  in  politics,  and  he  and  lady  are  worthy 
members  of  the  Christian  Church. 

WILLIAM  H.  SHIELDS,  farmer,  was  born  in  Bourbon  County,  Ky., 
March  7,  1819,  and  is  a  son  of  Joseph  and  Sarah  (Masterson)  Shields, 
also  natives  of  Kentucky.  Joseph  Shields  moved  with  his  family  to 
this  county  in  1835,  where  he  purchased  land  and  remained  until  death, 
April  5,  1841.  He  was  exclusively  a  farmer,  and,  during  the  war  of 
1812,  a  teamster.  Mrs.  Shields  was  a  member  of  the  Separate  Baptist 
Church,  and  left  the  earth  October  31,  1880.  William  H.  Shields  re- 
ceived an  ordinary  education  in  Kentucky,  and  remained  with  and  la- 
bored for  his  parents  until  January  12,  1842,  when  he  married  Mary 
Hudlan,  to  which  union  were  born  twelve  children,  of  whom  four  sons 
and  six  daughters  remain.  He  is  a  Democrat,  and  he  and  wife  are  hon- 
ored members  of  the  Separate  Baptist  Church. 


674  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

John  W.  Shields,  teacher,  is  a  native  of  this  township;  was  born 
February  15,  1863,  his  parents  being  William  H.  and  Mary  Shields.  He 
received  a  good  public  school  education,  makes  his  home  with  his  par- 
ents, and  a  business  of  agriculture.  For  a  few  years  past,  he  has  been 
a  teacher  in  the  public  schools,  and  is  progressing  satisfactorily.  He  is 
a  Democrat  and  a  promising  young  gentleman. 

GEORGE  W.  WAMPLER,  teacher,  was  born  in  this  township  July 
4, 1849,  and  is  a  son  of  William  and  Julia  (Sherrill)  Wampler,  the  former 
a  native  of  Virginia,  the  latter  of  Kentucky,  and  respectively  of  Dutch 
and  German-Irish  descent.  William  Wampler  was  fairly  educated  at  the 
public  schools  of  this  State,  whither  he  came  about  1830,  and  remained 
until  1874.  He  served  eight  months  as  a  private  during  the  rebellion, 
and  has  since,  as  before,  made  farming  his  occupation.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Wampler  are  life-during  members  of  the  Baptist  Church,  and  are  at  pres- 
ent living  in  Wright  County,  Mo.  George  W.  Wampler  remained  at 
home  until  he  was  twenty-four  years  of  age.  March  13,  1873,  he  married 
Miss  Julia  C.  Shields,  a  native  of  this  county,  a  union  which  was  hon- 
ored with  five  children,  two  sons  and  three  daughters.  Mr.  Wampler  in 
his  former  life  was  a  farmer,  but  is  now  in  the  profession  of  teaching. 
In  politics,  he  is  a  Democrat,  and  at  present  holds  the  office  of  Township 
Assessor,  with  satisfaction  to  his  constituents.  He  is  one  of  the  most 
influential  men  and  most  respected  citizens  of  his  township. 


MARION  TOWNSHIP, 


THOMAS  JACKSON  BATES,  an  old  settler  and  farmer  of  Monroe 
County,  was  born  in  Tennessee  May  7,  1820,  and  is  the  third  of  the  five 
children  born  to  Charles  and  Eda  (McCollan)  Bates,  natives  of  Virginia 
and  Kentucky  respectively.  The  family  came  to  Bloomington,  this 
county,  in  1830,  remained  a  few  months,  then  went  to  Illinois,  but  re- 
turned to  Bloomington  in  1832.  December  13,  1840,  Mr.  Bates  married 
Mary  Hendrickson,  daughter  of  Ezekiel  and  Susan  (Walls)  Hendrickson, 
and  a  native  of  Lawrence  County.  Two  children,  Charles  D.  and  Eze- 
kiel, were  born  to  this  marriage.  Mrs.  Bates  died/September  28,  1854, 
and  on  August  3, 1856,  Mr.  Bates  married  Eliza  Smith,  of  Miami  County, 
Ind.,  a  native  of  Monroe  County,  and  daughter  of  Hugh  and  Jane  (Gid- 
dings)  Corr.  To  this  union  have  been  born  the  following  children: 
Thomas  Jefferson,  who  was  born  May  20,  1857,  in  Miami  County,  and 
who  married,  February  26,  1883,  Nettie  Billings,  of  Daviess  County,  and 
daughter  of  Jesse  and  Sarah  (Miller)  Billings;  Martha  E.  and  Mary 
Jane  (twins),  Laura,  Sarah,  Maria  and  Hattie.  Mr.  Bates  settled  on  his 
present  farm  in  1859,  and  is  the  owner  of  180  acres;  he  was  formerly  a 
Granger,  and  in  politics  is  a  Democrat.  His  father  was  a  soldier  in  the 
war  of  1812;  his  wife's  mother  is  an  inmate  of  his  home,  and  is  in  her 
ninety-seventh  year;  his  wife's  father,  Hugh  Corr,  settled  in  Blooming- 
ton  Township  in  1821,  and  finally  settled  where  Hindostan  now  stands, 
in  Washington  Township. 

JOHN  CAMPBELL  is  a  native  of  County  Antrim,  Ireland,  was  bom 
December  4,  1841,  and  is  one  of  the  eight  children  of  Robert  and  Jane 


MARION  TOWNSHIP.  675 

(Cunningham)  Campbell,  natives  respectively  of  County  Antrim  and 
County  Derry,  Ireland,  and  of  Scotch  descent.  The  parents  of  our  sub- 
ject came  to  the  United  States  in  1843,  landed  at  New  Orleans,  came  to 
this  State,  located  near  Bloomington,  and  remained  until  1858,  at  which 
time  he  bought  a  farm.  Here  our  subject  remained  until  June,  1861, 
when  he  enlisted  in  Company  F,  Twenty -seventh  Indiana  Regiment,  and 
was  engaged  at  Winchester,  Cedar  Mountain,  Antietam  (where  he  was 
wounded  in  the  right  side),  Chancellorsville,  Gettysbm-g,  where  he  re- 
ceived a  wound  in  the  left  thigh)  and  Kesaca  (where  his  left  arm  was 
broken),  which  finished  his  service,  being  discharged  September  13,  1864. 
June  24,  1866,  he  married  Martha  J.,  daughter  of  Robert  and  Angeline 
Williams.  This  union  produced  three  children — Robert  Henry,  James 
Homer  and  John  Lewis;  also,  by  adoption,  John  W.  Maginnis.  Mr. 
Campbell  is  the  owner  of  seventy-four  acres  in  Bloomington  Township, 
which  is  improved  by  a  good  residence,  buildings,  orchard,  fences,  etc. 
He  is  an  active  Republican,  has  served  two  terms  as  Township  Trustee, 
and  he  and  wife,  like  his  father  and  mother,  are  members  of  the  Presby- 
terian Church.  Mr.  Campbell  is  a  worthy  and  progressive  citizen,  and 
is  a  member  of  the  G.  A.  R. 

THOMAS  J.  FARR,  farmer  and  stock- raiser,  was  born  January  1, 
1844,  in  Ray  Township,  this  county,  and  is  the  sixth  of  twelve  children 
born  to  Jefferson  and  Sarah  (Miller)  Farr,  natives  of  Kentucky  and  of 
English  descent.  Thomas  was  reared  to  farming,  but  attended  school 
during  the  winter  seasons.  April,  1862,  he  enlisted  in  Company  H, 
Thirty-third  Indiana  Regiment,  during  which  service  he  was  promoted 
to  be  Sergeant,  and  took  part  at  Thompson's  Station  (where  he  was  capt- 
ured and  afterward  confined  in  Libby  Prison  for  nineteen  days),  Mur- 
freesboro,  Resaca,  Peach  Tree  Creek,  Atlanta  and  the  march  to  the  sea; 
he  was  discharged  May,  1865.  March  20,  1866,  he  married  Susan, 
daughter  of  Martin  and  Sarah  Goble,  to  which  union  were  born  six  chil- 
dren— Howard,  Sarah  C,  Jefferson  V.,  Thaettie,  Julia  A.  and  Willard 
N.  (deceased  March  15,  1883).  Mr.  Farr  has  a  good  farm  of  540  acres, 
supplied  with  stock  and  well  improved,  making  alike  a  comfortable  home 
and  valuable  property,  almost  all  of  which  is  the  result  of  his  wise  ad- 
ministration and  honest  industry,  thus  marking  his  life  a  success.  He  is 
a  Republican  in  political  faith  and  has  served  two  terms  as  Township 
Trustee.      Mrs.  Farr  is  a  member  of  the  Baptist  Church. 

MAHLON  HACKER  is  a  native  of  Clay  County,  Ky.,  was  born  De- 
cember 4,  1829,  and  is  one  of  the  family  of  Valentine  and  Mary  (Spires) 
Hacker,  natives  of  Tennessee;  the  former  of  German,  the  latter  of  Irish 
descent.  Mahlon  Hacker  "was  reared  on  the  farm  and  obtained  but  little 
schooling  in  his  youthful  days.  When  sixteen  years  of  age,  he  left 
home  and  undertook  his  own  living  by  working  by  the  month  or  by  the 
day.  When  a  young  man,  he  married  Nancy  Fulford,  of  this  county,  a 
union  which  was  smiled  upon  by  nine  children,  of  whom  seven  are  living 
— F.  T.,  Jonathan,  Mary  E.  (now  Mrs.  McDonald),  C.  J.,  Florence  M., 
Andrew  W.  and  Isabel  D.  Mr.  Hacker  is  the  possessor  of  120  acres  and 
also  a  partner  in  a  half  section  of  timber  land.  August,  1862,  he  en- 
listed in  Company  B,  Sixty-seventh  Regiment  Indiana  Volunteers,  and 
participated  in  the  battles  of  Munfordville  (when  he  was  captured  and 
paroled),  and  at  Arkansas  Post;  he  was  discharged  April,  1863,  and  re- 
enlisted  as  a  veteran  in  October,  1864,  and  was  therefrom  discharged 
May,  1865.  Mr.  Hacker  is  a  worthy  citizen:  in  politics,  Republican,  and 
he  and  wife  are  honored  as  members  of  the  Baptist  Church. 


676  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES: 

JOSEPH  A.  HA.DDEN  was  born  in  Washington  Township,  this 
county,  March  1,  1854,  and  is  the  second  of  the  five  children  born  to 
Jacob  and  Jane  (Martin)  Hadden — the  latter  a  native  of  North  Carolina 
and  of  German  and  Irish  origin.  He  was  educated  in  the  common 
schools,  and  assisted  his  mother  in  the  management  of  the  home  farm 
until  married,  April  20,  1883,  to  Mrs.  Mary  A.  Johnson,  of  Monroe  County, 
a  daughter  of  Michael  and  Rebecca  (Barnett)  Fleener.  Mrs.  Hadden  owns 
440  acres  of  land  in  a  good  state  of  cultivation  and  improved  with  a 
good  residence  and  outbuildings.  Mr.  Hadden  is  proprietor  of  a  first- 
class  sawmill,  and  also  owns  considerable  live  stock.  In  politics,  he  is  a 
Democrat,  and  he  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Christian  Church. 

JAMES  J.  HUBBARD  is  a  native  of  this  county,  was  born  May  28, 
1838,  and  is  the  youngest  of  the  eleven  children  of  John  and  Nancy  (Wed- 
del)  Hubbard;  the  former  a  native  of  North  Carolina,  the  latter  of  Vir- 
ginia, and  respectively  of  German  and  English  extraction.  Our  subject 
was  reared  on  a  farm  and  had  but  very  spare  advantages  for  education. 
He  resided  with  his  parents  until  October  7,  1859,  at  which  period  he 
married  Indiana  Twomey,of  Brown  County,  which  union  was  productive 
of  five  children — Laura  A.,  Eimira  C,  James  A.,  William  T.  (deceased) 
and  Virginia;  Mrs.  Hubbard  died  November,  1872:  and  October  10,  1873, 
he  wedded  Mary  Jane  Weddel,  of  this  county,  but  a  native  of  Kentucky, 
and  by  this  union  came  into  the  world  five  children,  of  which  number 
four  are  living— Belzora  E.,  Mary  E.,  Clara  I.  and  Ada  J.  In  1863,  Mr. 
Hubbard  was  in  the  service  at  Indianapolis  for  three  months.  He  has  a 
good  home  and  farm;  has  the  respect  of  his  community,  and  is  in  politics 
a  member  of  the  National  party.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Christian 
Church,  and  his  wife  of  the  Baptist  Church. 

THOMAS  MAGENIS  is  a  native  of  County  Clare,  Ireland,  was 
born  December  17,  1835,  and  is  the  sixth  of  the  family  of  twelve  of 
Timothy  and  Frances  (Frost)  Magenis,  the  former  a  native  of  County 
Down,  the  latter  of  County  Clare,  Ireland,  and  both  of  Scotch  descent. 
Thomas  was  reared  on  a  farm  in  Ireland,  and  when  fourteen  years  of  age 
his  parents  emigrated  to  America.  After  living  in  Goshen,  N.  Y.,  five 
years,  he  moved  to  this  State  in  1856,  and  settled  in  this  township,  where 
he  labored  by  the  month.  March  23,  1861,  he  married  Mary  E.,  daughter 
of  John  and  Rebecca  Garrett.  This  union  was  smiled  on  by  five  children 
— Emma  (deceased),  Maggie  F.,  George  W.,  Anna  S.  and  Minnie  E. 
August  7,  1861,  Mr.  Magenis  enlisted  in  Company  F,  Twenty- seventh 
Indiana  Regiment,  serving  at  the  battles  of  Winchester,  Cedar  Mountain 
and  Antietam  (where  he  was  wounded  in  the  arm,  leg  and  breast).  He 
was  discharged  September  1,  1864,  and  located  for  one  year  in  Washing- 
ton Township.  In  1865,  he  moved  to  the  farm  he  now  occupies,  com- 
prising 188  acres  of  well- improved  land,  and  containing  comfortable  resi- 
dence, barns,  orchard,  etc.  He  also  owns  forty  acres  in  Washington 
Township,  all  of  which  is  alone  due  to  his  energy  and  tact.  In  1864,  he 
was  elected  Real  Estate  Appraiser  of  this  county  and  township;  Trustee  in 
1876,  and  was  twice  appointed  Assessor.  Mr.  Magenis  is  a  Democrat, 
and  a  member  of  the  G.  A.  R. 

JAMES  P.  RIDDLE,  one  of  Monroe  County's  enterprising  young 
farmers,  was  born  in  this  township  February  6,  1848,  and  is  the  youngest 
of  the  seven  children  born  to  G.  M.  and  Margaret  (Thomson)  Riddle, 
natives  of  Kentucky.  He  was  educated  at  the  common  schools,  and 
assisted  on  the  home  farm  until  he  was  married,  November  12,  1871,  to 


MARION  TOWNSHIP.  677 

Eliza  A.  Fleener,  of  this  county,  and  daughter  of  Michael  and  Rebecca 
(Barnett)  Fleener.  To  his  marriage  have  been  born  six  children^Will- 
iam,  James  H.,  Mintia  May,  Amanda  B.,  Joha  and  Rebecca.  Mr.  Rid- 
dle is  the  owner  of  a  farm  of  190  acres,  well  improved,  with  a  commodious 
residence,  bai'n  and  other  outbuildings,  two  orchards,  etc.,  mostly  ac- 
quired by  his  own  perseverance  and  industry.  He  formerly  was  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Grange.  In  politics,  he  is  a  Democrat,  and  he  and  his  wife 
are  members  of  the  Baptist  and  Christian  Churches  respectively. 

JOHN  M.  TOMEY,  farmer,  was  born  in  Augusta  County,  Va.,  April 
17,  1834,  and  is  the  sixth  of  the  twelve  children  born  to  Michael  and 
Mary  (Lockridge)  Tomey,  natives  of  Virginia,  and  of  Scotch  and  German 
descent  respectively.  The  family  came  to  Indiana  in  1835,  and  settled 
in  Henry  County.  Three  years  later  they  moved  to  Brown  County,  and 
in  1870  came  to  this  township,  and  bought  the  farm  on  Section  15,  where 
John  M.  now  lives.  Mr.  Tomey  remained  on  the  home  farm  until  his 
marriage,  March  30,  1856,  to  Catharine  Prickitt,  of  Brown  County,  Ind., 
and  a  native  of  Ohio.  She  died  July  13,  1873,  the  mother  of  five  chil- 
dren— Josephus,  Richard  J.,  Elizabeth  E.,  Mary  H.  and  Julia  A. — and  a 
member  of  the  Christian  Church.  November  16,  1874,  Mr.  Tomey  mar- 
ried Mary  C.  Mann,  also  of  Brown  County,  Ind.,  and  a  native  of  Ohio. 
In  July,  1861,  he  enlisted  in  Company  G,  Twenty-seveath  Indiana 
Volunteer  Infantry,  and  was  engaged  at  Antietam,  Winchester,  Cedar 
Mountain,  Chancellorsville,  second  Bull  Run,  Gettysburg,  Resaca  and 
Peach  Tree  Creek,  and  was  discharged  the  evening  before  the  fall  of 
Atlanta,  in  August,  1864,  as  Corporal.  He  has  served  as  Justice  of  the 
Peace,  is  a  Republican,  a  Granger,  a  member  of  the  G.  A.  R.,  and  the 
owner  of  216  acres  of  good  land. 

WILLIAM  E.  WHITESELL,  farmer,  is  a  native  of  Bloomington, 
Ind.,  was  born  July  17,  1833,  and  is  the  eighth  of  the  fifteen  children  of 
Peter  and  Elizabeth  (Akens)  Whitesell,  natives  of  Kentucky  and  Virginia 
respectively.  Peter  "Whitesell  moved  to  this  county  about  the  year  1824, 
and  settled  near  Bloomington,  where  he  entered  land.  William  E. 
Whitesell  was  reared  on  a  farm,  and  attended  school  for  about  six 
months.  When  about  eighteen  years  old,  he  moved  to  Illinois  for  a 
time,  where  he  began  to  work  for  himself.  June  12,  1858,  he  married 
Eliza  A.  Matlock,  of  this  county,  which  union  gave  being  to  five  chil- 
dren, two  of  whom  are  living.  September,  1864,  he  enlisted  in  the 
volunteer  service,  was  on  duty  at  Indianapolis,  and  was  discharged  May, 
1865.  He  afterward  came  to  this  county  and  purchased  195  acres,  some 
of  which  was  improved.  He  now  owns  225  acres,  which  constitutes  a 
good  home  and  farm.  Mr.  Whitesell  has  served  for  one  term  as  Town- 
ship Trustee,  and  is  in  political  classification  a  Democrat.  He  is  an  up- 
right, liberal  citizen,  and  one  generally  esteemed  and  trusted. 


HISTORY  OF  BROWN  COUNTY, 


BY    WESTON    A.    QOODSPEED. 


INDIAN    CESSION    TREATIES. 

THE  territory  comprising  the  county  of  Brown  lies  partly  within  the 
limits  of  two  tracts  of  land,  secured  at  different  times  from  the  In- 
dians by  treaty.  A  straight  line  drawn  from  Section  25,  Township  9 
north,  Range  1  east,  to  Section  7,  Township  7  north,  Range  4  east,  will 
coincide  with  this  old  Indian  boundary,  which  extends,  as  will  be  seen  by 
this,  from  southeast  to  northwest.  All  that  portion  of  Brown  County 
southwest  of  this  boundary  was,  with  other  territory  of  which  it  formed  a 
part,  obtained  of  the  Indians  at  the  treaty  of  Fort  Wayne,  on  the  30th 
of  September,  1809,  and  constituted  a  portion  of  "  Harrison's  Purchase." 
The  boundary  line  was  run  or  surveyed  at  this  time  by  Arthur  Henrie 
and  William  Harris.  All  that  portion  of  Brown  County  northeast  of  the 
line,  remained  the  property  of  the  Indians  until  the  treaty  of  October 
2  to  6,  1818,  at  St.  Mary's,  Ohio,  when  it  became  with  other  lands  the 
property  of  the  Government,  and  constituted  a  part  of  the  "  New  Pur- 
chase." The  Indians  were  permitted  to  occupy  the  lands  for  the  pur- 
pose of  obtaining  sustenance  from  the  chase  for  the  period  of  two  years, 
at  which  time  they  were  removed  farther  west  to  territory  prepared  for 
them.  The  first  settlers  found  the  Indians  still  here.  The  survey  of 
that  portion  of  Brown  County  in  the  "  Harrison  Purchase,"  was  made  in 
the  autumn  of  1812  by  Arthur  Henrie  and  William  Harris,  and  that 
portion  in  the  "New  Purchase"  by  J.  Hedges  and  A.  C.  Looker,  in 
1819. 

INITIATORY  LEGISLATIVE  ENACTMENTS. 

The  first  known  disposition  made  of  any  portion  of  the  lands  of 
Brown  County  by  the  General  Assembly  of  Indiana,  was  at  the  session 
of  1817-18,  when  all  south  of  the  old  Indian  boundary  of  1809  was 
made  a  part  of  Monroe  County  created  at  that  time,  as  will  be  fully 
seen  in  another  part  of  this  work.  This  was  a  short  time  before  the  In- 
dians' title  to  the  northern  portion  of  the  county  was  extinguished. 
Probably  the  next  dispostion  made  of  Brown  County  lands  was  in 
January,  1820,  when  that  portion  north  of  the  Indian  boundary,  or  in 
the  "New  Purchase,"  together  with  more  of  the  "New  Purchase,"  was 
formed  into  Delaware  County,  as  will  be  seen  from  Section  2,  of  an  act 
approved  by  the  General  Assemby,  January  20,  1820,  as  follows  : 

Section  2.  That  all  the  remaining  part  of  said  New  Purchase  lying  east  of  the  Second 
Principal  Meridian,  except  so  much  of  it  as  has  been  attached  to  the  counties  of  Fayette, 
Jackson  and  "Wayne,  by  former  laws,  and  except  so  much  of  it  as  is  attached  by  the  first 
section  of  this  act  to  the  counties  named  therein,  be  and  the  same  is  hereby  formed  into  a 
new  county,  to  be  known  by  the  name  of  Delaware.  *  ^  *  * 


680  HISTORY  OF  BROWN  COUNTY. 

By  an  act  of  the  General  Assembly,  approved  December  31,  1821, 
that  portion  of  Brown  County  in  the  New  Purchase,  and  west  of  the  ex- 
tended line  dividing  Sections  4  and  5,  Township  10  north,  Range  2  east, 
was  made  a  part  of  Monroe  County — not  attached,  but  made  a  part  of. 
By  an  act  approved  January  16,  1828,  the  following  territory,  now  com- 
prising a  part  of  Brown  County,  was  attached  to  Jackson  County,  to  wit : 
Beginning  on  the  line  dividing  the  counties  of  Jackson  and  Bartholomew, 
at  a  point  where  the  line  dividing  Ranges  3  and  4  east,  of  the  Second 
Principal  Meridian,  intersects  the  same ;  thence  north  with  said  line  three 
miles  to  the  northeast  corner  of  Township  7 ;  thence  west  with  the  line 
dividing  Townships  7  and  8,  to  the  line  of  Monroe  County  ;  thence  south 
to  the  line  of  Jackson  County ;  thence  east  to  the  place  of  beginning. 
And  at  the  same  time,  by  the  same  act,  the  following  territory,  now  com- 
prising a  portion  of  the  county  of  Brown,  was  attached  to  Monroe 
County,  to  wit :  Beginning  sn  a  point  on  the  line  dividing  Townships  7 
and  8,  where  the  line  dividing  Sections  30  and  31  intersects  the  same ; 
thence  north  with  the  last  mentioned  line  to  the  line  dividing  the  counties 
of  Bartholomew  and  Johnson  ;  thence  west  with  said  line  to  the  northeast 
corner  of  Monroe  County  ;  thence  south,  to  the  line  dividing  Townships 
7  and  8  ;  thence  east  with  the  last  mentioned  line  to  the  place  of  begin- 
ning. At  the  same  time,  and  by  the  same  act,  it  was  provided  that  all 
territory  east  of  Monroe  County  and  west  of  Bartholomew  County,  not 
attached  to  Jackson  or  Monroe  Counties,  should  form  a  part  of  Barthol- 
omew County,  No  other  change  seems  to  have  been  made  until  the 
creation  of  Brown  County  in  1886.  The  territory  composing  the  county 
was  of  course  formed  into  townships,  or  at  least  attached  to  townships  in 
the  counties  of  Bartholomew,  Monroe  and  Jackson.  Bartholomew 
County  was  created  in  1821,  Monroe  in  1818,  and  Jackson  in  1815. 
That  portion  of  Brown  County  attached  to  Monroe  formed  a  part  of 
Jackson  and  Salt  Creek  Townships  ;  that  part  attached  to  Bartholomew 
formed  part  of  Harrison,  Union,  Nineveh  and  Ohio  Townships,  and  that 
part  attached  to  Jackson  formed  part  of  Salt  Creek  Township.  In  the 
meantime,  the  settlers  continued  to  come  in  slowly  and  locate,  for  the 
most  part,  on  the  hills  of  Brown  County.  At  last,  in  1835,  enough  had 
arrived  to  warrant  the  formation  of  the  county,  and  accordingly  the  Rep- 
resentatives in  the  State  Legislature  were  requested  to  introduce  the  bill 
and  carry  it  through,  which  in  February,  1836,  was  done,  as  follows: 

Be  it  enacted  by  the  General  Assembly  of  the  State  of  Indiana,  that  from  and  afler  the 
Ist  day  of  April  next,  all  that  tract  of  country  included  in  the  following  boundary  lines 
shall  form  and  constitute  a  new  county,  to  be  known  and  designated  by  the  name  of  the 
county  of  Brown  (in  honor  of  the  late  Maj.  Gen.  Jacob  Brown) :  Beginning  at  the  north- 
west corner  of  Section  1,  in  Township  10  north,  of  Range  1  west,  of  the  Second  Principal 
Meridian  ;  thence  south  with  the  Government  land  line  twenty  miles,  to  the  southwest  cor- 
ner of  Section  12,  Township  7  north,  of  the  aforesaid  range  ;  thence  east  sixteen  miles, 
to  the  southeast  corner  of  Section  9,  in  the  last-mentioned  township,  and  in  Range  4  east; 
thence  north  with  the  Government  land  line  twenty  miles,  to  the  northeast  corner  of  Sec- 
tion 4,  Township  10  north  ;  thence  west  with  the  line  dividing  Townships  10  and  11  six- 
teen miles  to  the  place  of  beginning. 

Sec.  2.  That  the  new  county  of  Brown  shall,  from  and  after  the  1st  day  of  April 
next,  enjoy  and  possess  all  the  rights,  privileges,  benefits  and  jurisdictions  which  to  sep- 
arate and  independent  counties  do  or  may  properly  belong  or  appertain. 

Sec.  8.  That  James  Alexander  and  Aquilla  Rogers,  of  Monroe  County,  David 
Deitz  and  Hiram  Wilson,  of  Bartholomew  County,  and  Stephen  Sparks,  of  Jackson  County, 
be  and  are  hereby  appointed  Commissioners,  agreeably  to  the  act  entitled  "An  act  fixing 


HISTORY  OF  BROAVN  COUNTY.  681 

the  seat  of  justice  in  all  new  counties  hereafter  to  be  laid  off."  The  Commissioners  afore- 
said shall  meet  on  the  second  Monday  in  August  next,  at  the  h  use  of  .James  Dawson,  in 
the  said  county  of  Brown,  and  sh.U  proceed  immediately  to  perform  the  duties  required 
of  them  by  law;  and  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Sheriff  of  Monroe  County  to  notify  said 
Commissioners,  either  in  person  or  by  writing,  of  their  appointment,  on  or  before  the 
second  Monday  of  July  next ;  and  for  such  service  he  shall  receive  such  compensation  as 
the  board  doing  county  business  in  the  said  county  of  Brown  may,  when  organized, 
deem  just  and  reasonable,  to  be  allowed  and  paid  as  the  other  county  claims. 

Sec.  4.  The  Circuit  Court  and  the  Board  of  County  Commissioners,  when  elected 
under  the  writ  of  election  from  the  Executive  Department,  shall  hold  their  sessions  as 
near  the  center  of  the  county  as  a  convenient  place  can  be  had,  until  the  public  buildings 
can  be  erected. 

Sec.  5.  The  agent  who  shall  be  appointed  to  superintend  the  sale  of  lots  at  the 
county  seat  of  said  county  of  Brown,  sha'l  reserve  ten  per  centum  out  of  the  proceeds 
thereof,  and  pay  the  same  over  to  such  person  or  persons  as  may  be  appointed  by  law  to 
receive  the  same  for  the  use  of  a  county  library. 

Sec.  6.  The  county  of  Brown  shall  be  attached  to  the  Seventh  Judicial  Circuit  of 
this  State  for  judicial  purposes,  and  for  Representative  purposes  the  citizens  of  said 
county  shall  vote  in  the  counties  of  Bartholomew  and  Monroe  in  the  following  manner : 
Those  living  within  the  territory  of  said  new  county,  which  was  strickeu  from  either  of 
the  counties  aforesaid,  fhall  vote  with  the  respective  counties  from  which  they  were 
stricken. 

Sec.  7.  That  the  Circuit  Court  shall  be  held  in  the  county  of  Brown  on  Mondays 
succeeding  the  week  of  the  Monroe  Circuit  Court,  and  sit  three  days  at  each  term,  should 
the  business  require  it. 

Sec.  8.  That  the  Justices  of  the  Peace  in  and  for  said  county,  when  elected  and  quali- 
fied by  a  writ  of  election  from  the  Executive  Department,  shall  constitute  the  Board  of 
County  Commissioners,  and  the  Board  of  Commissioners  aforesaid  shall  hold  special  ses- 
sions, not  exceeding  three  during  the  first  year  after  the  organization  of  said  county,  and 
shall  make  all  necessary  appointments,  and  do  and  perform  all  other  business  which  may  or 
might  have  been  necessary  to  be  performed  at  any  other  regular  session,  and  to  take  all 
necessary  steps  to  collect  the  State  and  county  revenue,  any  law  or  usage  to  the  contrary 
notwithstanding. 

Sec.  9.  Ttiat  the  act  entitled  "  An  act  providing  the  mode  of  opening  and  repairing 
public  roads  and  highways  in  the  county  of  Monroe"  (approved  February  2,  1883),  and 
the  act  entitled  "  An  act  to  amend  the  several  acts  regulating  the  jurisdiction  and  duties 
of  Justices  of  the  Peace  in  the  several  conn  ies  hei-ein  named"  (approved  February  7,  1835), 
be  and  the  same  are  hereby  declared  to  be  in  force  in  the  said  new  county  of  Brown. 

Sec.  10.     This  act  to  be  in  force  from  and  after  its  passage. 

Approved  February  4,  1836. 

A  mistake  was  made  by  the  clerks  of  the  Legislature  in  the  wording 
of  this  enactment,  which  was  corrected  at  the  succeeding  session  as  fol- 
lows : 

Be  it  enacted  by  the  General  Assembly  of  the  State  of  Indiana,  That  the  word  west,  when 
it  occurs  in  the  eighth  line  of  the  first  section  of  said  act,  shall  be  and  the  same  is  hereby 
declared  to  be  a  misprint,  and  that  the  word  east  shall  be  substituted  in  lieu  thereof,  and 
that  the  boundary  lines  of  the  said  new  county  of  Brown  shall  be  permanently  established 
in  accordance  with  said  change. 

Sec.  2.  That  the  election  of  all  officers,  and  that  the  proceedings  of  the  board  doing 
county  business  in  said  county  from  its  first  organization  up  to  the  time  of  the  publica- 
tion of  this  act,  be  and  the  same  are  hereby  legalized  and  rendered  as  valid  to  all  intents 
and  purposes  as  if  no  misprint  or  mistake  had  occurred  in  the  law  for  the  formation  of 
said  county. 

Sec.  3.  That  all  fines  assessed  on  any  person  or  persons,  citizens  of  said  county  of 
Brown,  for  the  non-performance  of  militia  duty,  and  the  non-performance  of  road  labor,  or 
either  of  them  in  Monroe  County,  be  and  the  same  are  hereby  declared  to  be  illegal,  and 
in  any  case  where  a  fine  as  aforesaid  has  been  assessed  and  paid,  the  same  shall  be  re- 
funded to  him  or  them  or  an  equivalent  amount  of  county  orders.  This  act  to  be  in  force 
from  and  after  its  publication  in  the  Indmna  Democrat. 

Approved  December  20,  1836. 

THE  FIRST  COUNTY  ELECTIOISr. 

The  first  thing  necessary  in  the  new  county  was  the  election  of  the 
necessary  officers  for  the  management  of  county  aiFairs  and  the  adminis- 


682  HISTORY  OF  BROWN  COUNTY. 

tration  of  justice.  James  Dawson  was  commissioned  Sheriff  by  the  Gov- 
ernor, and  directed  to  order  an  election  of  a  Clerk  and  Recorder,  two  Asso- 
ciate Judges  of  the  Circuit  Court,  and  three  County  Commissioners.  An 
election  was  accordingly  held  on  the  first  Monday  in  June,  1836,  and  re- 
sulted as  follows:  John  Floyd,  Clerk  and  Recorder;  James  Taggart  and 
Lewis  F.  Raper,  Associate  Judge;  and  Daniel  Hedrick,  William  Jackson 
and  James  Davidson,  County  Commissioners;  James  Dawson's  commission 
as  Sheriff  was  dated  April  20,  1836,  and  was  to  remain  in  force  until 
his  successor  was  elected  and  qualified  the  following  August.  The  com- 
missions of  the  two  Judges  and  the  Clerk  and  Recorder  were  issued  July 
9  ;  the  County  Commissioners  were  not  commissioned,  but  were  to  begin 
service  as  soon  as  elected  and  qualified.  At  the  August  election,  James 
Taggart  became  County  Sheriff;  William  Followell,  Coroner,  and  James 
Mclntire,  Probate  Judge. 

FIRST  MEETING  OF  THE  COUNTY  BOARD. 

The  three  County  Commissioners  met  at  the  house  of  James  Dawson, 
as  provided  by  law,  on  the  25th  of  July,  1836,  for  the  transaction  of  busi- 
ness. The  first  act  was  the  subdivision  of  the  county  into  townships  and 
election  precincts,  as  follows  : 

CREATION  OF  TOWNSHIPS  AND  OTHER  ACTS. 

Hamblen  Township,  bounded  as  follows  :  Beginning  at  the  northwest 
corner  of  Section  5,  Township  10  north,  Range  3  east ;  thence  ten  miles 
to  the  southwest  corner  of  Section  20  ;  thence  east  eight  miles  to  the 
southeast  corner  of  Section  21,  in  Range  4  east ;  thence  west  eight  miles 
to  the  place  of  beginning.  Van  Buren  Township,  bounded  as  follows : 
Beginning  at  the  northwest  corner  of  Section  29,  Township  9  north. 
Range  3  east ;  thence  ten  miles  to  the  southwest  corner  of  Section  8, 
Township  7  north.  Range  3  east ;  thence  eight  miles  east  to  the  south- 
east corner  of  Section  9,  Range  4  east;  thence  ten  miles  north  to  the 
northeast  corner  of  Section  28,  Township  9  north,  Range  4  east ;  thence 
eight  miles  west  to  the  place  of  beginning.  Johnson  Township,  bounded 
as  follows :  Beginning  at  the  northeast  corner  of  Section  30,  Town- 
ship 9  north.  Range  3  east;  thence  south  ten  miles  to  the  southeast  cor- 
ner of  Section  7,  Town  7  north.  Range  3  east ;  thence  eight  miles  west  to 
the  southwest  corner  of  Section  12,  Township  7  north.  Range  1  east, 
thence  ten  miles  north  to  the  northwest  corner  of  Section  25,  Township 
9  north.  Range  1  east ;  thence  eight  miles  east  to  the  place  of  beginning. 
Jackson  Township,  bounded  as  follows  :  Beginning  at  the  northeast  cor- 
ner of  Section  6,  Township  10  north,  Range  3  east ;  thence  ten  miles 
south  to  the  southeast  corner  of  Section  19,  Township  9  north.  Range  3 
east ;  thence  eight  miles  west  to  the  southwest  corner  of  Section  24, 
Township  9  north,  Range  1  east ;  thence  north  ten  miles  to  the  north- 
west corner  of  Section  1,  Township  10  north.  Range  1  east ;  thence  eight 
miles  east  to  the  place  of  beginning. 

An  election  precinct  was  established  at  the  residence  of  James  Daw- 
son, for  all  that  part  of  the  county  taken  from  Monroe  County,  and  one 
at  the  house  of  James  Taggart  and  one  at  the  house  of  Cornelius  Hurley, 
for  that  portion  taken  from  Bartholomew  County.     Elections  were  ordered 


HISTORY  OF  BROWN  COUNTY.  683 

held  in  the  four  townships  created  on  the  first  Saturday  in  September,  for 
all  the  township  officers  except  Constables.  Assessors  were  appointed,  the 
returns  to  be  made  by  the  first  Monday  in  September.  Thomas  Hempson 
was  appointed  County  Treasurer.  Overseers  of  the  Poor  were  appointed 
for  the  various  townships,  their  names  appearing  in  the  township  sketches 
accompanying  this  volume.  Supervisors  of  Roads  were  appointed.  At 
the  next  session  the  locating  Commissioners  appointed  by  the  Legislature 
presented  the  following  report : 

We,  the  undersigned  Commissioners  appointed  by  the  act  of  the  Legislature  of  1836, 
for  the  location  of  the  county  site  of  Brown  County,  Ind.,  do  certify  that  according 
to  said  act  we  met  at  the  house  of  James  Dawson,  in  said  county,  on  the  8th  of 
August,  1836,  and  on  the  Ilth  of  August  located  the  site  of  said  county  of  Bro^n  on 
Section  19,  Township  9  north.  Range  3  east,  or  a  tract  of  fi''ty  acre^  of  land  donated  by 
James  Dawson,  Banner  Brummet,  John  FoUowell,  Pierson  Brummet,  James  Huff,  Will- 
iam Snyder,  John  King  and  Henry  Jackson.  Also,  we  have  received  a  donation  of 
$150  to  be  paid  in  cash,  fir  which  we  have  received  a  note  payable  to_  the  Commissioners 
of  said  county  of  Brown  in  the  following  persons,  to  wit :  Banner  Brummet,  James 
Dawson,  James  Huff,  Pierson  Brummet  and  J.  W.  Dunning.  We  also  certify  that  we 
have  named  the  county  site  Jacksonsburg.  Given  under  our  hands  this  11th  day  of 
August,  1836. 

Stephen  Sparks,      ] 
James  Alexander,   !  Locating 

David  Dietz,  j        Commissioner t. 

Hiram  Wilson,  I 

The  amounts  claimed  by  the  Commissioners  were  as  follows  ;  Stephen 
Sparks,  for  seven  days,  $21 ;  David  Dietz,  for  five  days,  $15  ;  James 
Alexander,  for  five  days,  $15 ;  Hiram  Wilson,  for  five  days,  $15 ;  total 
Z^Q.  This  was  not  paid  until  October,  1843,  after  the  lapse  of  seven 
years. 

This  report  was  ordered,  received  and  spread  upon  the  records.  On 
the  15th  of  August,  183(5,  the  township  of  Washington  was  created,  with 
the  following  boundaries  :  Beginning  at  the  southwest  corner  of  Section  36, 
Township  9  north.  Range  1  east ;  thence  east  sixteen  miles  with  the  town- 
ship line  to  the  southwest  corner  of  Section  33,  Township  9  north,  Range  4 
east ;  thence  four  miles  north  to  the  northeast  corner  of  Section  16  ;  thence 
sixteen  miles  west  to  the  northwest  corner  of  Section  13,  Township  9  north. 
Range  1  east ;  thence  four  miles  south  to  the  place  of  beginning.  On  the 
same  day  also  Banner  C.  Brummet  was  appointed  County  Agent,  with 
bond  at  $4,000,  and  directed  to  lay  out  the  county  seat  into  lots  to  be  sold 
at  public  auction,  the  first  auction  to  be  September  12,  1836.  The 
sale  was  ordered  advertised  in  Brown,  Monroe,  Bartholomew,  Johnson 
and  Jackson  Counties,  and  was  to  continue  as  long  as  the  agent  deemed 
advisable.  The  .terms  of  the  sale  were  to  be  one-fourth  in  advance,  one- 
fourth  in  eight  months,  one-fourth  in  sixteen  months,  and  the  remainder 
in  twenty-four  months.  On  the  16th  of  August  the  County  Agent  was 
ordered  to  lay  out  the  county  seat,  which  he  proceeded  to  do.  One  dollar 
was  ordered  paid  for  each  wolf  scalp,  and  the  first  claimant  under  this 
order  was  William  Snyder,  who  presented  the  scalp  of  one  wolf  over  six 
months  old.  James  Dawson  was  appointed  County  Surveyor.  The 
license  for  taverns  in  the  county  was  fixed  at  $ ") ;  liquor  or  gro- 
ceries, $5;  merchandise,  $10;  wooden  clock  peddlers  or  sellers,  $8; 
ferry  keepers,  $2.  The  tax  levied  was  20  cents  on  each  $100  valuation 
and  $1  on  each  poll.    John  Richards  was  appointed  Collector  of  the  State 


684  HISTORY  OF  BROWN  COUNTY. 

and  county  revenue.  After  the  lots  of  the  county  seat  had  been  laid 
out,  Jonathan  Watson  and  George  Groves  were  appointed  to  value  them, 
assisted  by  the  County  Agent,  and  the  latter  was  instructed  to  sell  lots  at 
auction  thereafter  quarterly.  Nashville  at  this  time  was  called  Jackson- 
burg.  On  the  7th  of  November,  1836,  John  S.  Williams  was  appointed 
County  Treasurer.  John  Floyd  had  been  serving  and  continued  to  serve 
as  County  Clerk  and  Recorder,  the  two  offices  being  held  by  one  man  at 
that  time  and  for  a  number  of  years  afterward.  In  January,  1837,  Will- 
iam Snyder  was  appointed  Commissioner  of  the  three  per  cent  fund,  and 
W^illiam  Jackson  was  appointed  Seminary  Trustee.  All  the  fines  of  the 
Circuit,  justices'  and  other  courts  went  to  this  fund,  which  was  to  be  used 
to  found  a  county  seminary  when  sufficient  in  amount.  F.  Goss,  J. 
Watson  and  William  Taggart  were  appointed  a  committee  to  select  public 
lots  upon  which  to  erect  county  buildings.  D.  D.  Weddel,  Jonathan 
Watson  and  H.  C.  Weddel  were  appointed  a  committee  to  settle  with  the 
County  Agent.  They  found  his  report  to  January  3,  1837.  to  be  as  fol- 
lows:  Fifty  lots  had  been  sold  for  $694.87^.  Of  this  ^91.901  had 
been  received  in  cash,  and  the  remainder  in  notes  according  to  the  above 
conditions  of  sale.  James  Dawson  was  appointed  Inspector  of  the 
"General  Election,"  to  be  held  in  Brown  County.  All  these  orders  were 
issued  and  business  done  by  the  County  Board,  which,  after  the  first  few 
months,  consisted  of  all  the  Justices  of  the  Peace  in  the  county,  who 
met  as  the  County  Commissioners  now  meet  for  the  transaction  of  busi- 
ness. As  high  as  ten  or  twelve  met  at  one  time.  Meetings  of  the  board 
were  held  at  the  house  of  James  Dawson.  The  county  court  house  and 
the  jail  were  built  in  1837.  The  tax  for  1837  was  20  cents  on  each 
$100  valuation,  and  |1.26  on  each  poll.  Lot  No.  1  was  selected  for  the 
jail,  and  Lot  No.  2  for  the  court  house.  The  board  had  been  without 
funds  enough  to  do  county  business,  and  had  issued  "orders,"  which  soon 
began  to  depreciate  in  value.  The  burden  then  fell  upon  individuals,  in 
whose  hands  they  fluctuated.  To  cap  the  climax,  the  board  in  March, 
1837,  ordered  that  no  county  order  should  be  received  in  payment 
for  town  lots.  This  served  to  still  more  depreciate  the  value  of  the 
orders,  though  they  still  continued  to  pass  current  at  a  variable  point  of 
discount.     After  a  few  years  this  trouble  was  outgrown. 

THE  FIRST  CIRCUIT  COURT. 

This  was  held  on  the  20th  of  April,  1837,  before  Elisha  M.  Hunting- 
ton, President  Judge,  and  James  Taggart  and  Louis  F  Raper,  Associate 
Judges.  The  first  acts  were  the  administration  of  the  oaths  of  office  to 
the  Judges.  The  next  was  the  consideration  of  a  bastardy  case,  wherein 
the  defendant  moved  to  dismiss  proceedings  against  him  on  account  of 
irregularity,  which  motion  was  overruled  by  the  court.  As  it  appeared 
that  a  regular  traverse  jury  had  not  been  called  for  the  April  term  of  the 
court,  and  as  the  defendant  called  for  a  jury,  the  case  was  continued  until 
the  next  term  of  court,  the  defendant  giving  sufficient  bond  for  his  ap- 
pearance. The  next  case  was  one  of  slander — Pierson  Brummet  vs. 
Reuben  Mathis.  The  plaintifi",  by  his  counsel,  moved  to  dismiss  the  suit, 
which  was  done  by  the  court.  A  seal  for  the  court  was  then  ordered  as 
follows:   "Brown  County  Circuit  Court,"  inscribed  in   a  circular  form 


HISTORY   OF   BROWN   COUNTY.  685 

near  the  margin  of  the  seal,  and  in  the  center  the  figure  of  a  Western 
hunter  leaning  upon  the  muzzle  of  his  rifle,  with  his  dog  lying  at  his  feet, 
the  whole  to  be  engraved  on  the  usual  material  of  proper  diameter  and 
thickness.  Banner  Bruramet,  David  D.  Weddel  and  John  Floyd  were 
then  appointed  Commissioners  to  view  and  re-locate  so  much  of  the  Bloom- 
ington  &  Columbus  State  road  as  crossed  the  farms  of  Henry  Newkirk 
and  Robert  Henderson.     Court  then  adjourned. 

The  second  session  was  begun  on  the  19th  of  October,  I'^ST;  present, 
same  Judges  as  before.  The  following  panel  of  grand  jurors  was  sum- 
moned and  took  their  seats.  Henry  Sipes,  Henry  Newkirk,  Joseph 
Bracken,  Asa  Hatten,  James  Dawson,  Stephen  Matney,  Arnold  Helton, 
H.  A.  Stivers,  Thomas  Elkins,  James  Mathis,  Henry  Jackson,  John 
David  and  Stephen  Parks.  There  not  being  enough  of  the  regular  panel 
present,  the  Sheriff  was  ordered  to  summon  two  bystanders,  which  he  did 
as  follows:  Aaron  Mathis  and  D.  D.  Weddel.  The  jury  was  sworn  and 
sent  out.  The  following  attorneys  were  then  admitted  to  practice  at  the 
court:  John  Cowgill,  C.  W.  Hester,  Paris  C.  Dunning,  Willis  A.  Gor- 
man, Louis  F.  Coppersmith  and  Samuel  W.  Smith.  The  bastardy  case 
above  mentioned  was  continued  at  the  cost  of  the  defendant.  John  Cow- 
gill  was  State's  Attorney.  The  next  case  was  a  recognizance  to  keep  the 
peace — Nancy  Polly  vs.  Thomas  Polly.  Nancy,  upon  being  called,  came 
not,  and  the  defendant  was  discharged  without  a  day.  Six  cases  were 
disposed  of  at  this  term  of  court.  The  grand  jury  returned  ten  bills  of 
indictment — six  gaming,  three  assault  and  battery,  and  one  assault  and 
battery  with  intent  to  murder.     And  so  the  second  term  ended. 

The  record  of  the  County  Board  shows  that  both  traverse  and  grand 
jurors  were  chosen  iu  1836  as  follows:  Grand  jurors  for  October,  1836 — 
James  Weddel,  J.  S.  Williams,  Daniel  King,  Eliakim  Hamblen,  Pierson 
Brummet,  Robert  Henderson,  Robert  Robertson,  James  S.  Wood,  Alfred 
Hicks,  Griffith  Davidson,  Henry  Jackson  and  John  Hubbard.  Traverse 
jurors  for  October,  1836 — William  Whiteham,  Wiley  Guy,  Silas  Smith, 
Solomon  Followell,  Roily  Sturgeon,  Jacob  Fleener,  Stephen  Motley,  Hi- 
ram Mabe,  Cornelius  Cox,  Sandy  Walker,  Arthur  Rippy  and  Pleasant 
Weddel.  Jurors  were  also  drawn  for  1837  as  follows  :  Grand  jurors  for 
April,  1837 — David  Warner,  John  Sinex,  Asa  Hatten,  Cornelius  Hurley, 
William  Rippy,  Simon  Weatherman,  William  Elkins,  Henry  Newkirk, 
William  Snyder,  John  Helton,  D.  D.  Carrol  and  Abraham  Chappel. 
Traverse  jurors,  April,  1837 — William  Johnson,  Israel  Mullinix,  Will- 
iam Davidson.  David  Siveley,  James  Dawson,  Thomas  Brown,  Stephen 
Sparks,  John  Hoover,  John  Conner,  George  Followell,  Ezra  Wilson  and 
Levi  Tablet.  So  far  as  known,  neither  of  the  four  juries  above  given, 
though  legally  appointed,  served  the  county. 

THE    FIRST    PROBATE    COURTS. 

On  the  8th  of  May,  1837,  the  first  Probate  Court  of  Brown  County 
convened  at  the  court  house  at  Nashville,  with  Judge  James  Mclntire  on  the 
bench.  The  Judge  presented  his  commission  from  Gov.  Noah  Noble, 
and  then  opened  court.  There  being  no  business,  the  court,  after  adopt- 
ing a  scrawl  as  a  temporary  seal,  adjourned  until  August.  On  the  4th 
of  this  month  the  court  again  convened,  and  the  first  act  was  the  appoint- 


686  HISTORY   OF   BROWN   COUNTY. 

ment  of  Alfred  Young,  administrator  of  the  estate  of  William  Rippe, 
deceased.  Mr.  Young  reported  on  hand  of  the  decedent's  estate  $608.15, 
besides  considerable  personal  property  reported.  Ho  was  appointed 
guardian  of  the  estate,  and  directed  to  order  a  sale  of  the  personal  prop- 
erty.    The  court  then  adjourned. 

At  the  November  term,  1837,  there  being  no  business,  court  adjourned. 
During  vacation,  letters  of  administration  were  issued  to  Banner  and 
Esther  Brummet,  of  the  estate  of  James  Brummet,  deceased.  The  will 
of  Stephen  Robertson  was  also  filed  for  record.  At  the  February  term, 
1838,  Banner  and  Esther  Brummet  were  called  to  answer  for  the  admin- 
istration of  James  Brummet's  estate.  They  reported,  under  oath,  the 
following  bill  for  record :  3  chairs,  $1 ;  1  horse  collar  and  pair  of  hames, 
43f  cents  ;  .1  saddle  and  1  bridle,  $1 ;  1  water  pail,  43f  cents  ;  5  crocks, 
50  cents ;  1  tin  pan,  7  tin  cups,  8  spoons,  1  coffee-pot,  8  lavers,  and  1  set 
of  knives  and  forks,  $1.75:  1  bread  tray  and  smoothing  iron,  62J  cents 
1  box,  1  razor,  1  horseshoe,  $1.37J;  1  bed,  bedding  and  bedstead,  $6.50 
1  bed  and  bedding.  $5;  1  bedding  and  bed,  $4;  money,  $4.06 
1  saddle  and  bridle,  $2.50 — total,  $26.06^.  It  being  shown  that  James 
Brummet  had  died  insolvent,  it  was  ordered  that  the  widow  have  all  the 
property  and  pay  no  demands  of  the  creditors  of  the  deceased.  The  will 
of  Stephen  Robertson  was  read  and  admitted  to  probate.  The  court  then 
adjourned.  In  August,  Patterson  C.  Parker  became  Probate  Judge,  his 
commission  being  signed  by  Gov.  David  Wallace. 

THE  FIRST  COMMON  PLEAS  COURT. 
This  court  was  established  apart  from  the  others  in  1858,  and  the  first 
session  was  held  at  Nashville  on  the  81st  of  January,  1858,  before  Judge 
William  G.  Quick.  The  following  attorneys  were  sworn  to  practice  in 
the  court:  P.  C  Dunning,  Daniel  McClure,  Fred  T.  Butler,  George 
A.  Buskirk  and  Shadrack  Chandler.  The  next  thing  was  the  adoption 
of  rules  governing  the  court.  The  first  business  was  the  consideration  of 
the  petition  for  dower  and  partition  of  Jane  Kelley  and  Zachariah  Kelley 
vs.  Nancy  Hamblen  et  al.  The  next  was  the  examination  of  witnesses 
in  the  case  of  James  Fleetwood  for  retailing  liquor  without  a  license. 
He  was  required  to  appear  at  the  next  term  of  court.  And  so  the  busi- 
ness continued  at  length. 

COUNTY    BUILDINGS. 

The  first  courts  were  held  in  the  residence  of  James  Dawson.  On 
the  first  Monday  in  February,  1837,  pursuant  to  an  order  from  the 
County  Board,  Banner  Brummet,  County  Agent,  let  the  contract  of 
building  a  court  house  and  a  jail,  the  first  to  be  finished  according  to 
specifications,  by  the  first  Monday  in  September,  1837,  and  the  last  by 
the  1st  of  November,  1837.  The  work  on  both  buildings  was  completed 
within  the  time  specified.  The  court  house  was  of  hewed  logs,  18x24  feet, 
two  stories  high,  two  rooms  above,  two  stairways,  one  at  each  end,  two 
windows  above,  with  twelve  panes  of  glass  each,  one  room  below  with  one 
door,  and  one  window  with  twelve  panes  of  glass  opposite  to  it;  fire-places 
in  all  the  rooms,  chinks  daubed  with  good  mortar  and  weatherboarded 
on  the  inside  ;  gable  ends  of  building  to  have  one  window  each,  and  to  be 
weatherboarded.     The  contractor,  David  D.  Weddel,  was  to  receive  $50 


HISTORY  OF  BROWN  COUNTY.  687 

on  the  1st  of  June,  1837,  and  the  remainder  when  the  building  was 
completed.  The  contract  of  both  buildings  was  sold  at  "public  outcry  " 
to  the  lowest  responsible  bidder,  at  Nashville,  on  the  7th  of  March,  1837, 
between  the  ho«rs  of  10  o'clock  A.  M.  and  4  o'clock  P.  M.  The  jail  built 
was  of  hewed  logs,  14x14  feet,  and  one  foot  thick.  There  were  two  walls 
one  foot  apart,  and  each  one  foot  thick,  and  the  space  between  was  filled 
with  hewed  foot-lumber,  inserted  perpendicularly.  The  logs  of  the  walls 
left  no  space  between  them.  The  building  was  two  stories  high,  seven 
feet  between  floors,  floors  of  twelve-inch  timber,  window  nine  inches 
square  on  each  side  of  criminals'  room,  heavy  iron  door  and  windows. 
Fifty  dollars  was  to  be  paid  on  the  jail,  August  1,  1837,  and  the  re- 
mainder when  done.  William  Snyder  was  the  jail  contractor.  The  cost 
of  these  two  buildings  cannot  be  given,  but  was  probably  not  more  than 
$700. 

This  court  house  answered  the  purpose  until  1853,  when  arrangements 
were  made  to  build  a  brick  structure  to  take  its  place.  The  old  log 
structure  was  sold,  and  for  a  year  or  more  the  courts  were  held  in  the 
Methodist  Church.  In  the  fall  of  1853,  the  court  house  contract 
was  sold  to  John  Douglas  for  about  $6,500.  The  house  was  com- 
pleted so  as  to  be  occupied  by  the  courts  in  1855,  and  cost  when 
fully  finished  and  furnished  a  little  more  than  $7,000.  In  1873,  dur- 
ing a  session  of  the  Circuit  Court,  this  building  took  fire  and  burned  to 
the  ground,  involving  a  loss  of  nearly  all  the  county  records.  In  June, 
1874,  the  contract  of  rebuilding  the  house  on  the  old  ruins  or  foundation, 
and  a  portion  of  the  old  walls,  was  let  to  McCorraack  &  Sweeney,  of  Co- 
lumbus, for  $9,000,  of  which  $4,500  was  to  be  paid  when  the  building 
was  under  roof,  and  the  remainder  two  years  after  the  completion  of  the 
work,  with  ten  per  cent  interest.  The  work  was  performed  according  to 
contract.  The  building  is  of  brick,  and  is  two  stories  high,  with  court- 
room and  jury-rooms  above,  and  county  ofiices  below.  Two  stairways 
over  the  main  entrance  on  the  south  lead  to  the  second  story.  The  old 
jail  of  1837  was  used  with  various  repairs,  which  were  almost  equivalent 
to  a  new  building,  until  1879,  when  the  present  hewed-log  "bastile" 
was  erected,  at  a  cost  of  about  $1,500.  The  building  is  two  storied,  is 
20x12  ;  four  on  the  inside,  and  8  feet  4  inches  high.  The  old  log  court 
house  is  yet  standing,  and  is  used  as  a  stable,  a  great  depression  of  its 
former  noble  use. 

MISCELLANEOUS    ITEMS    OP    INTEREST. 

John  Floyd,  the  first  Clerk  and  Recorder,  did  not  stay  in  the  office 
himself,  but  had  a  deputy,  named  Avery  Magee.  The  assessment  roll  in 
1887  (spring),  showed  225  polls  in  the  county.  The  land  taxables  at 
this  time  were  worth  $8,150,  and  the  personal  property,  $44,649.94. 
John  S.  Williams  furnished  the  court  house  with  twelve  chairs  in  Septem- 
ber, 1837,  and  D.  D.  Weddel  furnished  a  table.  Banner  Brummet's 
donation  to  the  county  was  twenty  acres  of  land.  James  Taggart  was 
appointed  Commissioner  of  the  surplus  revenue  and  the  three  per  cent 
fund  in  the  fall  of  1837.  The  County  Clerk's  office  was  established  in 
the  log  court  house  for  the  first,  September  2,  1837.  The  note  of  $150, 
part  of  the  donation  to  the  county,  was  turned  over  to  the  jail  contractor 
as   a   partial    consideration  for  his  work.       William    Snyder    succeeded 


HISTORY  OF  BROWN  COUNTY. 


James  Taggart  as  surplus   revenue   and   three  per    cent   Commissioner. 
The  last  named  fund  was  used  to  pay   for  the  court  house   and  the  jail. 
Considerable  money  was  paid  out  for  wolf  scalps.     In  August,  1839,  the 
first  bridge  over  Salt  Creek,  east  of  Nashville,  on  the  Columbus  &  Bloom- 
ington  road,  was  built  by  John  A.  Brown  for  $233.    Henry  Jackson  was 
appointed  Seminary  Trustee  in  the  fall  of  1839.     Banner  Brummet  still 
continued  to  serve  as  County  Agent.     Shadrach  Chandler  was  appointed 
a  student  at  the  University  at  Bloomington  in  1811.     William  Taggart 
became    agent    of  the   surplus   revenue    in   1841.       In   1842,    Stephen 
Brocken   was   appointed  a  student  at  the   State   University  ;  in    1?^43. 
John  Arwine,  Jr.,  same  ;  in   1844.  Walter  Hotchkiss,  same  ;    in  1845, 
Isaac  Somsel,  same;  in  ISli,  B.  Mason,  same.    In  1848,  D.  D.  Weddel 
became  County  Agent.    In  1863,  Sylvanus  Manville  was  County  Agent. 
In  1853,  the  county  took  several  thousand  dollars  in  bonds  in  the  Colum- 
bus, Nashville  &  Bloomington  Railroad,  but  canceled  them  when   it  was 
found  that  the  road  would  not  be  built.     During  the  winter  of  1863-64, 
the  Treasurer's  oflBce  was  robbed  of  $3,555.59  by  burglars,  for  whom  a 
reward  of  $1,000  was  offered.     Neither  thieves  nor  money  were  recovered. 
In  1869,  the  Morgantown  &  Nashville  Gravel  Road  Company  came  into 
being,  among  the  stockholders  being  James  S.  Hester,  Harvey  Coleman, 
R.  M.  Dill,  Isaac  Knight  and  Thomas  M.  Adams.     The  entire  length  of 
the  road  was  thirteen  miles  and  sixty-seven  rods,  and  the  total  estimated 
cost  of  grading  the  same  was  $17,130.     It  was  decided  to  omit  graveling 
the  fourth,  fifth,  sixth   and  seventh  miles  north  of  Nashville,  and  the  re- 
mainder were  estimated  to  cost  $10,200.     Three  miles  at  the  south  end  of 
the  road  had  been  previously  graveled  and  two  miles  at  the  north  end,  but 
this  had  to  be  purchased.     By  1869,  there  was  subscribed  $6,120  toward 
building  the  road.    The  benefits  to  adjoining  lands  were  assessed  by  order 
of  the  County  Board.     This  project  was  abandoned  after  much  had  been 
done.     It  was  revived  in  1879 — the  part  between  Nashville  and  George- 
town— when  Lawson  Hopper,  W.  D.  Roberts,  W.  G.  Quick,  W.  L.  Cox, 
Isaac  Chafin,  Eliakim  Hamblen  and    H.  W.  King   asked  for  the  right  of 
way,  which  was  granted.     Much  of  the  road  was  put  in  good  shape  and 
toll-gates  were  erected,  but  the   collection  of  toll   is   almost  wholly  aban- 
doned at  present  (November,  1883). 

In  1869,  a  petition  signed  by  over  one  hundred  citizens  was  presented 
the  County  Board,  asking  that  a  two  per  cent  donation  be  given  to  the 
Cincinnati  &  St.  Louis  Short  Line  Railroad  Company,  in  consideration 
that  the  road  should  be  built  through  the  central  part  of  the  county.  An 
election  was  ordered  held  December  11,  which  resulted  as  follows,  by  town- 


TOWNSHIPS. 

For 
Donation. 

Against 
Donation. 

45 
259 
18 
46 
72 

46 

2 

201 

6 

Hamblen                            ' 

64 

440 

319 

HISTORY  OF  BROWN  COUNTT.  689 

In  accordance  with  this  decision  the  tax  was  levied,  but  as  the  road 
was  not  built,  the  limited  amounts  paid  were  refunded  to  the  tax-payers 
In  1876,  the  citizens  voted  "  yes  "  to  donate  $7,700  to  the  Indianapolis  & 
Evansville  Mineral  Railway,  provided  the  line  was  built,  and  at  the  same 
time  Jackson  Township  voted  $7,500  aid,  and  Hamblen  Township,  $7,- 
550  aid,  for  the  same  road,  upon  the  same  condition,  but  the  road  was  not 
built. 

COUNTY    POLITICS. 

The  Democracy  of  Brown  County  has  always  been  unquestionably 
Simon  pure.  From  the  first,  the  majority  was  comparatively  great,  and 
never  fell  to  a  doubtful  depth.  The  results  of  the  earlier  elections  can- 
not be  given.  At  the  gubernatorial  election  of  1856,  0.  P.  Morton  re- 
ceived 220  votes  in  the  county,  while  his  competitor  received  773,  more 
than  three  and  a  half  times  as  many.  The  vote  for  Common  Pleas  Judge 
was:  G.  A.  Buskirk  (Rep.),  376;  W.  G.  Quick  (Dem.),  485.  Prosecut- 
ing Attorney,  F.  T.  Butler  (Rep.),  202;  A.  D.  Cunning  (Dem.),  510. 
In  1858,  the  result  for  Representative  in  Congress  was  :  James  Hughes 
(Dem.),  548  ;  W.  M.  Dunn  (Rep.),  253;  for  Circuit  Judge,  J.  W.  Chap- 
man (Dem.),  550;  William  Harod  (Rep.),  286;  for  Prosecuting  Attor- 
ney, W.  S.  Mavity  (Dem.),  572;  G.  W.  Richardson  (Rep.),  241.  In 
1860,  the  vote  for  Governor  was:  Thomas  A.  Hendricks  (Dem.),  744  ; 
Henry  S.  Lane  (Rep.),  296  ;  Representative  in  Congress,  W.  M.  Daily 
(Dem.),  702;  W.  M.  Dunn  (Rep.),  31;^;  Representative  in  the  State 
Legislature,  Lewis  Prosser  (Dem.),  575;  J.  W.  Mcllvain  (Rep.),  306; 
John  Beck  (S.  Dem.),  118.  In  1862,  the  result  for  Secretary  of  State, 
a  strict  party  vote,  was  :  William  A.  Peelle  (Rep.),  213  ;  James  S.  Athon 
(Dem.),  840.  A  majority  of  627,  in  a  total  vote  of  1,053,  was  enough 
for  all  practical  purposes.  Having  reduced  the  Republican  vote  to  such 
a  diminutive  figure,  one  cannot  help  wondering  why  the  Democracy  did 
not  wipe  it  wholly  out.  In  1864,  the  vote  for  Governor  was :  Morton 
(Rep.),  367  ;  McDonald  (Dem.),  823  ;  Circuit  Judge,  Chapman  (Dem.), 
828  ;  Buskirk  (Rep.),  360.  Prosecuting  Attorney  Circuit  Court,  H.  A. 
Downey  (Dem.),  827  ;  B.  F.  Lewis  (Rep.),  360  ;  Judge  Common  Pleas, 
O.  J.  Glessner  (Dem.),  827 ;  W.  J.  Manker  (Rep.),  354  ;  Representative 
in  the  State  Legislature,  John  Richards  (Dem.),  814;  W.  W.  Browning 
(Rep.),  351.  In  1864,  the  result  for  Presidential  Electors  was :  Demo- 
cratic, 821  ;  Republican,  288.  In  1866,  the  vote  for  Secretarv  of  State 
was:  M.  D.Morrison  (Dem.),  1,025;  Nelson  Trusler  (Rep.)l^  423 ;  for 
Representative  in  Congress,  H.  W.  Harrington  (Dem.),  1,016;  M.  C. 
Hunter  (Rep.),  430.  In  1868,  the  result  for  Governor  was  :  Thomas  A. 
Hendricks  (Dem.),  1,084;  Conrad  Baker  (Rep.),  427;  for  Represent- 
ative in  Congress,  John  W.  Knightley  (Dem.),  1,087  ;  John  Coburn 
(Rep.),  425  ;  Presidential  Electors,  Democratic,  1,080  ;  Republican,  458. 
In  1870,  the  result  for  Secretary  of  State  was :  Norman  Eddy  (Dem.), 
974;  M.  F.  A.  Hoffman  (Rep.),  346;  Representative  in  Congress, 
Thomas  Cottrell  (Dem.),  978  ;  John  Coburn  (Rep.),  339.  In  1872,  the 
result  for  Governor  was:  T.  A.  Hendricks  (Dem.),  1,166;  T.  M.  Brown 
(Rep.),  467;  Representative  in  Congress,  Cyrus  F.  McNutt  (Dem.), 
1,170;  John  Coburn  (Rep.),  460;  Presidential  Electors,  Democratic, 
957;  Republican,  462;  Independent,  0.  In  November,  1876,  the  result 
for  Presidential  Electors  was  as  follows,  by  townships  : 


690 


HISTORY   OF   BROWN   COUNTY. 


TOWNSHIPS. 

Tilden  and 
Hendricks, 
Democratic. 

Hayes  and 

Wheeler, 

Kepublican. 

Cooper  and 

Gary, 
Independent. 

Hamblen 

305 
232 
359 
279 
79 

102 
124 
129 
119 
14 

17 
42 

Washington         

12 

8 

30 

Totals 

1,254 

488 

109 

In  1878,  the  result  for  Secretary  of  State  was:  John  G.  Shanklin 
(Dem.),  1,166  ;  Isaac  S.  Moore  (Rep.),  378 ;  Henley  James  (Ind.)  137. 
In  November,  1880,  the  result  for  Presidential  Electors  was  as  follows, 
by  townships  : 


TOWNSHIPS. 

Hancock  and 

English, 
Democratic 

Garfield  and 

Arthur, 
Kepublican. 

Weaver  and 

Chambers, 

Independent. 

356 
286 

461        ■ 
344 
129 

106 
162 
159 
133 
39 

7 

25 

Washington 

5 

Van  Buren 

4 

1 

Totals 

1,576 

599 

42 

In  November,  1882,  the  result  for  Secretary  of  State  was  :  W.  R. 
Myers  (Dem.),  1,217  ;  E.  R.  Hawn  (Rep.),  555  ;  H.  Z.  Leonard  (Ind.), 
91. 

THE    COUNTY    PAUPERS. 

The  first  record  of  a  pauper  claim  against  the  county  was  made  in 
the  spring  of  1837,  by  Ambrose  Cobb,  who  was  allowed  |6.97,  or  40 
cents  per  week,  for  caring  for  some  poor  person  from  November  2,  1836, 
to  March  6,  1837.  After  this,  claims  were  constantly  allowed  on  audit 
from  the  Overseers  of  the  Poor,  under  whose  direction  the  townships  cared 
for  their  poor  and  helpless.  Many  or  most  of  the  early  claims  were  set- 
tled in  the  townships,  and  were  not  presented  to  the  County  Board  at  all. 
Jane  Sconce  was  a  pauper  who  was  cared  for  by  the  county  for  more  than 
twenty  years.  She  was  regularly  "farmed  out  "  annually  to  the  lowest 
bidder.  She  first  came  to  public  notice  in  1846,  v^hen  William  Gillaspy 
was  allowed  $6.65  for  providing  her  with  necessary  wants  for  a  few 
months.  The  pauper  claims  allowed  in  1846-47  amounted  to  $89.75  ;  in 
1847-48  to  $231.14;  in  1848-49  to  $194.49;  in  1855-56  to  $483.73;  in 
1857-58  to  $488.35;  in  1861-62  to  $553.29 ;  in  1863-64  to  $529.11 ;  in 
3864-65  to  $762.49  ;  in  1865-66  to  $968.14  ;  in  1869-70  to  $546.40  ; 
in  1875-76  to  $769.45;  in  1879-80  to  908.84.  In  1859,  the  County 
Board  took  steps  to  purchase  a  poor-farm,  but  after  viewing  several  loca- 
tions and  counting  the  cost  the  project  was  abandoned.  In  March,  1869, 
the  County  Board  purchased  244  acres  of  land,  adjoining  Nashville  on  the 
east,  of  Thomas  M.  Adams,  for  $5,000,  in  two  equal  installments  ;  the 
first,  April  25,  1870,  and  the  second  April  25,1871,  the  payments  to  be 
in  county  bonds  bearing  six  per  cent  interest.      William    Waltman  con- 


HISTORY   OF   BROWN   COUNTY.  691 

tracted  to  erect  a  frame  poor-house,  30x60  feet,  for  $1,474,  The  house 
was  completed  in  1870,  and  cost  about  $1,600.  James  Taggart  was  the 
first  Superintendent.  He  received  the  use  of  the  farm,  and  $3,085  for 
caring  for  the  poor  for  three  years.  In  1872,  Caleb  Ferguson  became 
Superintendent  for  $675  per  year  and  the  use  of  the  farm.  He  was  suc- 
ceeded, in  1877,  by  B.  R.  Kelley,  for  $277.50  per  year  and  the  use  of 
the  farm.  Thomas  J.  Taggart  became  Superintendent  in  1879,  and  Am- 
brose Fraker  in  1883 — the  latter  for  $100  per  year.  The  number  of  in- 
mates ranges  from  eight  to  fifteen. 

THE    COUNTY    SEMINARY. 

All  the  early  fines,  penalties,  forfeitures,  etc.,  were  paid  into  a  fund 
for  the  foundation  and  maintenance  of  a  county  seminary.  Henry 
Jackson  was  the  first  Trustee.  On  the  1st  of  February,  1840,  he  reported 
the  receipts  up  to  that  time  to  be  $80.25.  A  year  later  the  amount  was 
$127.48,  and  in  December,  1843,  was  $342.67.  In  1853,  when  the 
fund  was  transferred  to  the  common  school  fund,  it  amounted  to 
$515.90. 

THE    COUNTY    LIBRARY. 

The  act  creating  the  county  provided  that  ten  per  cent  of  the  pro- 
ceeds of  the  sales  of  public  lots  at  the  county  seat,  should  be  used  to 
found  and  maintain  a  county  library.  In  1840,  the  fund  amounted  to 
$177,601.  Soon  after  this,  the  first  books  were  bought.  In  1846,  Will- 
iam Ganla  was  Librarian,  and  R.  P.  Manville,  Treasurer.  Several  hun- 
dred volumes  had  been  bought  by  this  time.  The  fund  came  in  slowly 
and  in  small  amounts,  and  the  library  was  correspondingly  small.  In 
the  fifties,  the  McOlure  bequest  gave  to  the  workingmen  a  small  library 
of  choice  reading  matter.  The  old  libraries  are  not  kept  up  in  these 
days  of  newspapers  and  cheap  books. 

ORIGIN    OP    SCHOOL    FUNDS. 

The  common  school  fund  was  started  in  February,  1837,  by  the  dis- 
tribution to  the  counties  of  the  State  of  certain  moneys  which  had  accu- 
mulated and  were  known  as  the  surplus  revenue.  Brown  County  re- 
ceived : 

Surplus  revenue  (1836) |2,125.H0 

Bank  tax 211.23 

Saline 183.24 

Sinking  fund 2,519.04 

Countv  Seminary  fund  (1853) 515.90 

Total  fines,  penalties,  forfeitures,  etc.,  up  to  1853 287.62 

Fines  and  penalties  from  1856  to  1866  inclusive 494.88 

Sinking  fund  (1870-3) 3,428.50 

Fines  and  penalties  from  1866  to  1876  inclusive..... 2,259.22 

Fines  and  penalties  from  1876  to  1883,  inclusive.... 1,613.36 

Total $13,636.59 

The  Congressional  fund  has  arisen  from  the  sale  of  sixteenth  sections 
and  other  lands  specially  reserved  for  the  purpose.  This  fund  furnished 
about  the  first  money  for  the  public  schools  and  was  a  godsend  to  the 
early  settlers.  The  condition  of  the  school  lands  of  the  county  in  March 
1845,  was  as  follows : 


HISTORY   OF   BROWN   COUNTY. 


Amount  of 
Sale. 


Cash  receipts 
of 

Sale. 


Acres 
Unsold. 


Township  9  north,  Range  4  east... 
Township  8  north,  Range  3  east... 
Township  10  north.  Range  3  east . 
Township  9  north,  Range  3  east... 
Township  10  north,  Range  2  east... 
Township  10  north.  Range  4  east. 
Township  9  north.  Range  2  east ... 
Township  8  north.  Range  2  east ... 
Township  8  north,  Range  4  east... 


120 
160 
640 


150 
200 
720 


62 

50 

180 


640 
640 
640 
640 
640 
640 


The  following  table  shows  the  number  of  children  in  the  congressional 
townships  and  the  dividend  in  March,  1851 : 


Township  9,  Range  3 

Township  7,  Range  3 

Township  8,  Range  3 

Township  8,  Range  4 

Township  9,  Range  4 

Township  10,  Range  4 

Township  10,  Range  2 

Township  10,  Range  3 

Township  10,  Range  4  (Bartholomew  County) 

By  1866  the  sales  were  as  follows : 

Township  containing  the  Sixteenth   Section. 


Township  8  north.  Range  2  east... 
Township  8  north.  Range  3  east... 
Township  8  north.  Range  4  east... 
Township  9  north.  Range  2  east... 
Township  9  north.  Range  3  east... 
Township  9  north.  Range  4  east... 
Township  10  north,  Range  2  east.. 
Township  10  north.  Range  3  east.. 
Township  10  north,  Range  4  east., 


Total 5227^ 


From  1866  to  1876  the  fund  increased  by  further  sales  to  $9,755.37, 
and  from  1876  to  1883,  to  $10,497.39.  These  two  funds,  amounting  in 
all  to  124,133.98  in  1883,  are  loaned  out  and  the  interest  distributed  to  the 
townships.  The  Congressional  school  fund  of  the  western  townships  of 
Bartholomew  County  is  managed  by  Brown  County.  The  following 
school  statistics  are  for  the  year  1871 : 


TOWNSHIPS. 

Number 

of 
Children. 

Congression- 
al Revenue. 

Common 

School 

Revenue. 

Total 
Tuition 
Revenue. 

Hamblen 

758 
728 
943 
753 
273 

$33.48 
51.81 
31.25 
33.55 
17.61 

$394.16 
378.56 
490.36 
391.56 
141.96 

$427.64 

430.37 

521.61 

Van  Buren    .           

425.11 

Johnson                             

159.57 

Totals 

3,455 

$167.70 

$1,769.60 

$1,964.30 

HISTORY  OF  BROWN  COUNTY. 


693 


The  following  church  statistics  for  Brown  County  were   prepared   in 

1881: 


1 

1 

MEMBERSHIP. 

t 

3 

> 

II 

i 
1 

o 

if 

6^ 

3  •- 

ill 

1 

S3 

DENOMINA- 
TIONS. 

1 

i 

i 

1 

ll  lis 

Methodist 

Presbyterian 

15 

2 
7 
1 
10 
2 

37 

12 
2 

t 

29 

600 
48 

300 
20 

450 
35 

1,453 

750 
60 

334 
25 

500 
45 

1,714 

1350 
108 
634 

45 
950 

80 

150 
20 
10 
10 
50 
15 

255 

S  8,375 
2,000 
2,000 
600 
5,000 
1,000 

$78,875 

82,000 

400 

1,000 

100 

1,200 

200 

$4,900 

$1,000 
1,000 
175 
25 
200 
50 

$650 
40 

200 
10 

300 
20 

70 
12 
27 
6 
45 
12 

500 
100 
250 

SO 
400 

75 

800 
150 

600 

United   lirethrea... 

80 
650 

New  Lights    

100 

Totals 

3,167 

$2,450 

$1,220 

172 

1,375 

2,380 

OLD  settlers'  association. 
In  pursuance  of  a  notice  for  the  old  settlers  of  Brown  County  to  meet 
at  Georgetown  and  make  arrangements  for  a  re-union,  the  following  persons 
assembled  August  28, 1H77  :  D.  B.  Adams,  Calvin  Moser,  A.  S.  Ander- 
son, William  Marcum,  Lawson  Hopper,  Alfred  Williams,  David  Crouch, 
John  McDonald,  Thomas  Waltman,  Sen.,  George  Heines,  Milton  Fleener 
and  Howard  Arwine.  On  motion  D.  B.  Adams  was  made  Chairman  and 
W.  M.  Waltman,  Secretary.  It  was  then  decided  to  hold  the  first  re-union  at 
Georgetown  on  the  22d  of  September,  1877,  and  invite  Judge  Hester, 
Alfred  Williams  and  William  Mason  to  address  the  multitude.  Gov.  J. 
D.  Williams  and  Hon.  D.  W.  Voorhees  also  received  an  invitation  to  be 
present.  William  M.  Waltman  was  selected  to  deliver  the  address  of 
welcome  to  the  old  settlers.  On  motion  a  committee  of  three  from  each 
township  was  appointed  to  record  the  names  of  all  persons  living  therein 
who  had  been  in  the  county  thirty  years  or  more  and  to  bring  the  list  to  the 
first  re- union  to  be  read  and  recorded.  These  committees  were  as  follows  : 
Hamblen  Township — W.  G.  Watson,  W.  P.  Taggart  and  Joshua 
Metheney.  Jackson  Township — A.  S.  Anderson,  Milton  Fleener  and 
William  M.  Waltman.  Washington  Township— DavidjCrouch,  Alfred  Will- 
iams and  Lewis  Rogers.  Van  Buren  Township — J.  A.  McKinney,  John 
Noblett  and  J.  T.  Ping.  Johnson  Township — James  Sexton,  Wart 
Elkins  and  Thomas  Madgett.  Various  committees  and  ofiicers  were 
appointed  to  introduce  everything  to  make  the  occasion  enjoyable.  A 
beautiful  cane  was  promised  the  man  who  had  lived  in  the  county  longest 
and  was  over  sixty  years  of  age ;  and  a  hickory  rocking  chair  to  the  lady 
longest  in  the  county  and  over  fifty  years  of  age.  All  were  asked  to  bring 
old  and  interesting  relics.  On  the  22d  of  September,  1877,  an  enormous 
crowd  gathered  at  Georgetown,  coming  from  all  points  of  the  compass. 
The  exercises  were  opened  with  music  by  the  Nashville  Cornet  Band  and 
prayer  by  Rev.  Benjamin  Woods.  Mr,  Waltman,  in  an  appropriate  manner, 
made  the  welcoming  address.      The  committee  to  award  the  cane  and  chair 

were  Judge  Hester,  W.  G.   Watson,  John  Richards,  Hiram and 

Enoch  Sexton.  Hon.  Alfred  Williams  was  elected  permanent  President 
of  the  society  and  W.  M.  Waltman,  Secretary.  The  cane  was  awarded  to 
Edward  David,  who  was  ninety-two  years  old  and  had  lived  in  the  county 
sixty-four  years,  and  the  chair  to  Margaret  Graham,  who  was  eighty 
years  old  and  had  lived  in  the  county  sixty-three  years.     The  old  gen- 


694  HISTORY  OF  BROWN  COUNTY. 

tleman,  as  if  but  forty  years  old  instead  of  ninety-two,  exhibited  his 
activity  and  appreciation  of  the  gift  after  the  fashion  of  ye  olden  time  by 
dancing  a  jig  to  the  tumultuous  applause  of  the  large  crowd.  A  fine 
dinner  was  enjoyed  and  the  day  was  passed  in  narrating  incidents  of 
pioneer  times,  which  by  all  means  ought  to  have  been  recorded.  Old- 
fashioned  speeches,  full  of  rude  eloquence  and  strength,  were  delivered 
by  many  old  settlers  present.  Cornelius  McCoy  was  dressed  in  hunter's 
suit  and  armed  with  rifle,  tomahawk  and  knife.  The  following  record 
was  made : 

Age    in         Years  in  the 

1877.  County. 

Edward   David 92  64 

Enoch  Sexton ■ 64  36 

Green  Graham 89  63 

Enoch  Hampton 67  60 

Jesse  Hamblen 65  57 

Alfred  Smith 80  40 

Thompson  Henry 77  36 

John  Richards 69  .        47 

William   Marcum. 73  43 

James  Keaton 75  37 

Christopher  Long 80  42 

Christopher  Stump 86  50 

James  Terhune 77  50 

Jacob  Stephens 78  30 

Thomas  Waltman 71  40 

John  Prosser 80  40 

Levi  Dubois 65  37 

Mrs.  John   Hoover 73  56 

Mrs.  Mary  Marcum 67  43 

Mrs.  Margaret  Graham..., 80  63 

Mrs.  Nancy  Walker 71  48 

Mrs.  Mary  Kennedy 72  40 

Mrs.  Betty  Smith 77  40 

Mrs.  Andrew  Gray 74  32 

Many  were  present  whose  ages  and  dates  of  settlement  were  not  se- 
cured. 

The  meeting  of  1878  was  held  at  Nashville,  and  the  day  was  dark  and 
rainy,  but  notwithstanding  was  quite  well  observed.  The  meeting  of 
1879  was  also  held  at  Nashville,  and  was  well  attended  and  enjoyed. 
So  was  the  meeting  of  1880.  The  re-union  of  1881  was  held  at  Goshen, 
three  miles  east  of  Georgetown.  This  was  a  very  interesting  meeting. 
John  Prosser  and  wife,  each  eighty  years  of  age,  Avho  had  lived  together 
sixty-three  years,  were  presented  an  elegant  bible.  A  pair  of  spectacles 
was  awarded  to  Green  Graham  as  the  oldest  person  present — ninety-one 
years.  Each  of  the  following  old  settlers  were  presented  with  a  stout 
cane,  each  having  choice  in  the  order  of  age :  Martha  Terhune,  eighty- 
three  years  of  age  ;  Enoch  Davis,  eighty  ;  James  Terhune,  eighty ;  An- 
drew Gray,  seventy-eight;  James  Keaton,  seventy  eight;  Charles  Smith, 
seventy-seven;  Mary  Kennedy,  seventy-seven  ;  Mrs.  A.  Gray,  seventy- 
seven;  William  Marcum,  seventy-seven;  Nancy  Walker,  seventy-six;  Mrs. 
William  Marcum,  seventy-six  ;  Martin  Bright,  seventy-six  ;  Jacob  Fron- 
felter  seventy-two;  Katie  Wilson,  seventy-two;  James  Groves,  seventy-two; 
Jesse  Gee,  seventy-two  ;  David  Hamblen,  seventy-one  ;  Jesse  Hamblen, 
seventy;  Philips  Hupp,  seventy;  Thomas  Ogden,  seventy;  Brazilla  Horner, 
sixty-eight;  Mrs.  Keaton, sixty-eight:  Lewis  Moser,sixty-eight;  Mrs.  Samuel 


HISTORY  OF  BROWN  COUNTY.  695 

Ellis,  sixty-seven;  James  Parsley,  sixty-seven;  James  Mcllvain,sixty-seven- 
A.  S.  Anderson,  sixty-five;  Thomas  Swift,sixty-five;  Charles  Walker,  sixty, 
four;  William  Douglas,  sixty-four;  Lucinda  Curry,sixty-four;  Calvin  Moses; 
sixty-four.  The  reunion  of  1883,  one  of  the  best,  was  held  at  George- 
town and  was  largely  attended.  A  foot-race  was  run  by  the  old  men 
present. 

BROWN  COUNTY  MEDICAL  SOCIETY. 

In  October,  1879,  Drs.  J.  M.  Cook,  A.  J.  Ralphy,  J.  H.  Leonard, 
R.  E.  Holder,  W.  H.  Beatty,  N.  Browning,  James  P.  Mosier,  T.  E. 
Smith,  E.  S.  Arwine.  James  B.  Campbell,  Marion  H.  Duncan,  John  F. 
Genolin  and  A.  A.  Yook  met  at  Nashville  and  organized  the  Brown 
County  Medical  Society,  under  control  of  and  auxiliary  to  the  State 
Medical  Society.  The  object  of  the  society,  as  stated  in  the  constitution 
adopted,  was  '•  to  provide  an  organization  through  which  the  regular 
physicians  of  the  county  maybe  united  in  one  professional  fraternity  for 
the  purpose  of  giving  frequent  expressions  to  the  views  and  aims  of  the 
medical  profession ;  to  supply  more  efficient  means  for  cultivating  and  ad- 
vancing medical  knowledge ;  for  elevating  the  standard  of  medical  educa- 
tion; for  promoting  the  usefulness,  honor  and  interests  of  the  medical 
profession  and  encouraging  emulation  and  concert  of  action  among  its 
members ;  for  facilitating  and  fostering  friendly  intercourse  between  those 
engaged  in  it ;  for  enlightening  and  directing  public  opinion  in  regard  to 
the  duties,  responsibilities  and  requirements  of  medical  men  ;  and  for  the 
promotion  of  all  measures  adapted  to  the  relief  of  the  suffering  and  to 
improve  the  health  and  to  protect  the  lives  of  the  community."  It  was 
decided  that  any  regular  physician  of  the  county  could  become  a  member 
of  the  society  upon  vote  of  two-thirds  of  the  membership.  The  ethics 
of  the  American  Medical  Society  was  adopted  for  the  regulation  of  the 
organization.  A  seal  was  adopted,  bearing  the  legend  in  Roman  letters : 
"Brown  County  Medical  Society,  organized  October,  23,  1879,"  and 
within  the  center  a  cut  of  the  mortar  and  pestle.  Meetings  were  held 
quite  regularly  at  first  and  much  interest  was  manifested,  but  lately  the 
society  has  become  almost  defunct. 

LIST    OF    COUNTY    PHYSICIANS 1881-83. 

Enoch  S.  Arwine,  Bean  Blossom;  William  H.  Beatty,  Needmore ; 
Nathan  Browning,  Elkinsville ;  William  H.  Banks,  Waymansville;  H.  C. 
Conner,  Nashville ;  Marion  A.  Duncan,  Nashville  ;  Joseph  N.  Fleener, 
Needmore ;  Arnold  S.  Griffitt,  Nashville  ;  Johij  F.  Genolin,  Nashville ; 
R.  E.  Holder,  New  Bells  ville ;  Lavina  Hotchet,*  Schooner  Valley;  M. 
L.  Judah,  Bloomington ;  John  H.  Leonard,  Elkinsville ;  James  P. 
Moser,  Spearsville  ;  Stephen  Mossop,  Schooner;  Sarah  M.  Mery man,* 
Ramelton ;  A.  J.  Ralphy,  Nashville ;  W.  H.  Roddy,  Mount  Moriah  ; 
Joannah  Richards,*  Richard;  A.  C.  Spencer,  Bean  Blossom;  George  P. 
Story,  Pike's  Peak  ;  Marietta  J.  Smith,*  Bloomington;  Capt.  T.  Taggart, 
Nashville  ;  James  G.  Ward,  Bean  Blossom  ;  Samuel  C.  Wilson,  Pike's 
Peak ;  T.  E.  Warring,  Nashville  ;  John  M.  Warring,  Smithville ;  A.  F. 
Wright,  Bean  Blossom  ;  Amy  Whitehorn,*  Pike's  Peak. 


69(5  HISTORY    OF    BROWN  COUNTY. 

THE    COUNTY    PRESS. 

In  about  the  year  1854,  S.  A.  Armour  established  at  Nashville  the 
Spy,  a  small  Democratic  newspaper,  subscription  price  $1  per  year.  This 
was  the  first  editorial  venture  in  the  county.  A  subscription  of  about 
300  was  secured.  Mr.  Armour  was  at  once  editor,  publisher,  compositor 
and  devil,  and  after  continuing  with  fair  success  until  about  December,  1856, 
the  office  was  sold  to  a  company  consisting  of  J.  S.  Hester,  J.  S.  Arwine, 
Eugene  Culley,  Sylvanus  Manville  and  perhaps  others,  who  began  pub- 
lishing the  Hickory  Withe,  a  sheet  of  pronounced  Democratic  views, 
edited  by  James  S.  Hester,  a  man  of  excellent  brain  and  a  writer  of 
unusual  strength.  Manville  &  Arwine  were  the  publishers.  The  paper 
was  conducted  about  a  year,  when  the  office  was  sold  to  a  faction  of  the 
United  Brethren  Church,  which  had  left  the  parent  organization  over  the 
subject  of  the  Mexican  war.  W.  S.  Olmstead,  Eli  P.  Farmer,  Jesse 
Brandon.  William  Taggart,  Jesse  Hamblen  and  others  then  immediately 
started  the  Uvangelieal  Republican,  a  religious  newpaper  of  the  United 
Brethren  Church,  new  organization.  Jesse  Brandon  was  the  publisher. 
This  paper  was  issued  for  some  time,  possibly  until  Jesse  Brandon  pur- 
chased the  office  early  in  1861,  and  started  the  Nashville  Union,  of  Demo- 
cratic proclivity.  This  paper  was  well  patronized  during  the  fiery  years 
of  the  war,  and  was  conducted  until  the  death  of  Mr.  Brandon  in  about 
1866,  when  Watts  Adams  bought  the  office  and  founded  the  Nashville 
Star,  another  Democratic  paper,  which  saw  a  sickly  existence  for  about 
eight  months.  The  office  then  passed  to  Summers  &  Gaston,  who  issued 
the  Democrat  through  a  laborious  life  of  about  six  months.  After  this  a 
man  named  Winters  continued  the  sheet  three  numbers,  when  it  died  for 
the  want  of  breath.  In  December,  1867,  George  Sleeth  secured  the  of- 
fice and  began  to  issue  the  Nashville  Democrat,  and  continued  until 
about  September,  1868,  and  then  sold  out  to  L.  H.  Miller,  who  started 
the  Index,  another  Democratic  organ.  This  was  issued  until  about  the 
month  of  March,  1839,  when  it  became  defunct.  In  1870,  Yates  &  Al- 
lison started  the  Jacksonian,  another  Democratic  newspaper,  but  within 
a  few  months  Yates  sold  out  to  Allison,  who  continued  the  issue  until 
March,  1883.  In  February,  1883,  Waltman  &  Chafin  founded  the 
Democrat,  and  in  March,  1883,  bought  the  office  of  the  Jacksonian,  as- 
suming the  name  the  Jacksonian  Democrat.  Before  this  W.  W.  Browning 
had  purchased  Chafin's  interest  in  the  office.  In  May,  1*83,  John  C. 
Hester  bought  Waltman's  interest,  becoming  Browning's  partner,  and  in 
June,  1883,  bought  the  latter's  share,  becoming  sole  owner  and  proprietor, 
which  he  is  at  present,  November,  1883.  It  will  be  noticed  that  all  the 
above  papers,  except  the  Evangelical  Republican,  which  was  a  religious 
sheet,  were  Democratic.  Only  one  Republican  paper  has  been  published 
in  Brown  County.  In  about  the  fall  of  1878,  A.  S.  Helm  started  at 
Georgetown  the  Brown  County  Republican  and  continued  the  issue  until 
February,  1879,  when  he  removed  the  office  to  Nashville  and  resumed 
the  issue.  The  political  soil  of  Brown  County  was  unfavorable  for  the 
growth  of  this  Republican  plant,  and  in  about  three  months  it  withered 
and  died  for  the  want  of  financial  showers  and  nourishment. 

COUNTY    JUSTICES    AND    COMMISSIONERS. 

Daniel    Hedrick,  President,   1836 ;  William  Jackson,  1836 ;  James 


HISTORY   OF   BROWN   COUNTY.  697 

Davidson,  1836.  (In  November,  1836,  the  Justices  of  the  Peace  assumed 
the  county  business.)  Justices — William  Taggart.  Jonathan  Watson, 
George  Groves,  Nathan  Davis,  Banner  C.  Brummet,  David  D.  Weddel, 
Jacob  Hentsonpiller,  Frederick  Goss,  Hiram  C.  Weddel,  1836 ;  John  C. 
Marshall,  William  Bender,  John  Hampton.  Joshua  Boles,  William  S.  Rob- 
erts and  Thomas  M.  Adams,  1837 ;  James  Chandler,  Cornelius  W.  Tucker, 
James  Terhune  and  George  Krider,  1838 ;  *  Jacob  B.  Myers,  Patter- 
son C.  Parker,  John  Richards  and  David  Crouch,  1839  ;  John  Hoover, 
1840;  Benjamin  Chandler,  Solomon  S.  Pressley,  Joseph  Hurley  and 
William  M.  Mason,  1841 ;  Samuel  Lane  and  James  Arwine,  1842 ; 
William  A.  Cardwell,  William  Sullivan,  James  Chandler  and  James  M. 
Mabe,  1843 ;  David  D.  Weddel,  Samuel  Champion,  James  T.  Berry, 
John  Richards  and  Daniel  Crouch,  1844  ;  Lewis  F.  Raper  and  William 
Galaspy,  1845.  (In  June,  1845,  the  county  was  divided  into  three  Com- 
missioners' districts,  and  after  the  fall  elections  Commissioners  took 
control  of  the  county  business  in  place  of  the  Justices  of  the  Peace.) 
Commissioners — Joseph  Kelley,  1845;  William  Taggart,  1845;  William 
Bender,  1845 ,  John  S.  Arwine,  1846 ;  Preston  Goforth,  1847  ;  Joseph 
Kelley,  1848 ;  John  S.  Arwine,  1849;  Preston  Goforth,  1850;  J.  A. 
McKinney,  1851;  Milton  Fleener,  1852;  George  Butcher,  1853;  Jamea 
Arwine,  1854;  Preston  Goforth,  1854;  J.  A.  McKinney,  1855,  A.  A. 
Anderson,  1855 ;  Preston  Goforth,  1857 ;  Eli  L.  Moore,  1857 ;  A.  S. 
Anderson,  1858;  N.  N.  Maris,  1859;  Wiley  Spurgeon,  1860;  John 
Richards,  1861;  L.  J.  Tull,  1862 ;  John  Wadsworth,  1863;  John  Breed- 
love,  1864 ;  Hannibal  I.  Mead,  1865 ;  Thomas  S.  Lucas,  1866 ;  John 
Richards,  1867 ;  H.  I.  Mead,  1868 ;  A.  R.  Moser,  1869 ;  Robert  Hen- 
derson, 1870;  John  Stilenbauer,  1871;  Allen  S.  Anderson,  1872; 
Robert  Henderson,  1873;  H.  I.  Mead,  1874;  B.  V.  Lockman,  1^75; 
Thomas  Waltman,  1876 ;  Samuel  Webber,  1876  ;  John  Deist,  1877  :  B. 
V.  Lockman,  1878;  Thomas  Waltman,  1879;  John  Deist,  1880; 
Thomas  Madgett,  1881 ;  James  Flint,  1882 ;  William  Walker,  1883. 

AUDITORS. 

Thomas  M.  Adams,  1841 ;  Shadrach  Chandler,  1848 ;  Lewis  Prosser, 
1850 ;  Sylvanus  Manville,  1858 ;  Eugene  Culley,  1862 ;  W-  G.  Watson, 
1870 ;  G.  W.  Allison,  1874  ;  John  S.  Williams,  1882. 


John  Floyd,  July  9,  1836;  Thomas  M.  Adams,  1839;  Shadrach 
Chandler,  1842 ;  William  M.  Mason,  1848  ;  Thomas  M.  Adams,  1859  ; 
James  S.  Hester,  1863;  James  Ralphy,  1864;  William  H.  Bainbridge, 
1865  ;  W.  M.  Cox,  18b7  ;  Eliakim  Hamblen,  1874  ;  Joshua  Metheney, 

1882. 

RECORDERS. 

John  Floyd,  July  9,  1836  ;  Thomas  M.  Adams,  1839  ;  Shadrach 
Chandler,  1848  ;  William  M.  Mason,  1848;  Fountain  Southerland,  1858  ; 
John  Carson,  1862 ;  Daniel  Marcellus,  1864  ;  L.  D.  Wood,  1872 ;  Isaac 
Chafin,  1876. 

*Many  of  the  Justices  held  over  from  year  to  year,  several  for  many  years.  Commissions  were  for  sevsn 
years. 


698  HISTORY  OF  BROWN  COUNTY. 

SURVEYORS. 

James  Dawson,  1836  ;  Allen  S.  Anderson,  1839 ;  John  W.  Chaver, 
1842  ;  A.  S.  Anderson,  1852;  John  P.  Wright,  1854;  Alfred  Williams, 
1856;  William  H.  McCarty,  1860;  David  S.  Story,  1862;  John  P. 
Wright,  1862  ;  L.  S.  Alder,  1865;  John  P.  Wright,  1867;  Alfred  Will- 
iams, 1869;  John  T.  Brock.  1870;  W.  T.  Carmichael,  1871;  L.  S. 
Adler,  1872  ;  Alfred  T.  Gee,  1882. 

TREASURERS. 

Thomas  Hinkson,  July  26,  1836;  John  S.  Williams,  November  7, 
1836;  Isaac  Bott,  1844;  W.  W.  Baker,  1849;  Lewis  F.  Raper,  1852; 
Charles  C.  Hanna,  1856;  Alfred  Williams,  1860;  J.  A.  McKinney, 
1864;  W.  H.  Taggart,  1868;  Eli  T.  Moore,  1872;  Thomas  Milnes, 
1876 ;  Joseph  M.  Cook,  1880. 

SCHOOL    COMMISSIONER,    EXAMINER    OR    SUPERINTENDENT. 

D.  D.  Weddel,  1837,  Commissioner;  Alfred  Smith,  1844,  same;  Thos. 
M.  Adams,  1854,  Examiner;  Isaac  N.  Prosser,  1856;  David  S.  Story, 
1857  ;  James  S.  Hester,  1858  :  S.  E.  Mcllhaney,  1860 ;  W.  W.  Brown- 
ing, 1861 ;  W.  S.  Olmstead,  1862  ;  William  L.  Cox,  1864 ;  L.  S.  Alder, 
1867;  Fletcher  D.  Wood,  1871;  W.  D.  Roberts,  1872;  J.  S.  Williams, 
two  months,  1873  ;  John  M.  McGee,  first  County  Superintendent,  June, 
1873;  D.  M.  Beck,  1877  ;  S.  P.  Neidigh,  1881. 

ASSOCIATE    JUDGES. 

James  Taggart,  July  9,  1836  ;  Lewis  F.  Raper,  July  9,  1836  ;  Daniel 
King,  1841 ;  John  Hoover,  1843 ;  Jonathan  Watson,  1843 ;  Hiram  C. 
Weddel,  1848  ;  John  C.  Marshall,  1850  ;  Milton  Fleener,  1850. 

PROBATE    JUDGES. 

James  Mclntire,  1836  ;  Cornelius  W.  Tucker,  1838  ;  Joseph  Stilson, 
1840 ;  John  C.  Marshall,  1840 ;  James  Watson,  1847. 

CIRCUIT    JUDGES. 

Elisha  M.  Huntington,  1836;  David  McDonald,  1839  ;  Alexander 
C.  Downey,  1853;  Joseph  W.  Chapman,  1858;  John  G.  Berkshire, 
1864 ;  James  S.  Hester,  1870 ;  Nathan  T.  Carr,  1880. 

COMMON    PLEAS   JUDGES. 

W.  G.  Quick,  1853 ;  G.  A.  Buskirk,  1857 ;  Oliver  J.  Glessner, 
1864 ;  Thomas  W.  Woolson,  1869. 

SHERIFFS. 

James  Dawson,  April  20,  1836 ;  James  Taggart,  August  16,  1836  ; 
Littleton  Mathews,  1839  ;  R.  S.  Brummet,  1839  ;  William  S.  Roberts, 
1841  ;  Walter  W.  Baker,  1842 ;  W.  S.  Roberts,  1846  ;  R.  S.  Brummet, 
1848;  Benjamin  R.  Kelley,  1852;  Stephen  A.  Kennedy,  1856;  David 
Crouch,  1860:  W.  G.  Watson,  1864;  R.  S.  Brummet,  1868;  F.  G. 
Matheney,  1870;  A.  T.  Sipes,  1872;  S.  A.  Kennedv,  1876;  John  H. 
Watson,  1880  ;  T.  J.  Taggart,  1882. 


HISTORY  OF  BROWN  COUNTY.  699 

CORONERS. 

William  Followell,  August  16, 1836  ;  James  S.  Woods,  1838  ;  Joseph 
Kellev,  1841;  Otho  Wolf,  1845;  Hiram  Reynolds,  1848;  William 
Taylor,  1849;  Royal  P.  Manville,  1854;  Thompson  H.  Larkin,  1856; 
Daniel  Marsh,  1858  ;  James  Jackson,  1859  ;  John  Henry,  1864  ;  James 
Hampton,  1865;  Asa  Reeves,  1866;  W.  G.  Watson,  1868;  S.  C.  Wil- 
son, 1870  ;  M.  E.  Phillips,  1872 ;  A.  S.  Griffitt,  1874 ;  W.  T.  Grat- 
ton,  1876 ;  W.  J.  Long,  1878 ;  Alfred  J.  Ralphy,  1880. 

POPULATION  OF  BROWN  COUNTY. 

Population  in  1830  (estimated) 150 

Population  in  1840  2,364 

Population  in  1850 4.846 

Population  in  1860 6,507 

Population  in  1870 8,681 

Population  in  1880 10,264 

FINANCES. 

The  first  money  secured  for  carrying  on  the  expenses  of  the  county 
was  the  cash  received  from  the  sale  of  lots  in  Nashville.  This  amount 
was  small,  but  the  county  expenses  were  correspondingly  small.  On  the 
second  day  of  the  January  term,  1837,  of  County  Justices'  Court — about 
six  months  after  the  machinery  of  the  county  had  been  set  in  motion — 
John  S.  Williams,  County  Treasurer,  presented  the  following  report  of  re- 
ceipts and  expenditures : 

Cash  receipts  to  date $25.00 

Cash  paid  out $24.00 

Treasurer's  percentage 76 

Total $24.76 

Balance  on  hand .24 

The  second  report  of  the  Treasurer  was  made  on  the  1st  of  Septem- 
ber, 1837,  and  was  as  follows,  exclusive  of  the  above  report: 

Cash  receipts f34.93| 

Cash  from  County  Agent 60.00 

Cash  received  on  donations 16.00 

Total $110.98J 

Cash  paid  out $39.70 

Cash  paid  on  court  house 50.00 

Total $89.70 

Balance  in  treasury $21.23| 

Since  paid  in 4.76^^ 

Total  balance $26.00 

From  September,  1837,  to  November,  1837,  the  total  receipts  were 
$24.53|,  and  the  total  expenses  $24.35,  leaving  a  balance  of  18|  cents. 
From  November,  1837,  to  January,  1838,  the  receipts  were  $45.75,  and 
the  expenses  the  same.  The  following  is  the  full  report  of  the  Treasurer 
for  the  first  fiscal  year— from  May,  lb 37,  to  May,  1838  : 

44 


700  HISTORY   OF   BROWN   COUNTY. 

Cash  receipts $286.56 

Cash  paid  out 288.53^ 

OverdrawD §  1.971 

Treasurers  percentage 16.34 

County  indebtedness $18.31i 

The  Treasurer's  report  for  the  fiscal  year  ending  May,  1839,  was  as 
follows : 

Received  from  County  Agent : $352.62 

Received  from  county  revenue 345.18 

Total  receipts , $697.80 

Town  lot  fund  paid  out $351.18 

County  revenue  paid  out 335.20 

Total  expenses $686.38 

Balance  on  hand $11.42 

Treasurer's  percentage 17.39 

Balance  due  Treasurer $5.97 

The  following  is  the  Treasurer's  report  for  the  calendar  year  1840 : 

Cash  receipts  from  all  sources $745.00 

Paid  first  grand  jurors $211.25 

Paid  first  traverse  jurors 244.25 

Paid  Supervisors 4.-50 

Paid  Associate  Judges 42.00 

Paid  Assessors 20.00 

Paid  for  blank  books 27.37 

Recording  field  notes 20.00 

Assessment  rolls 8.00 

Clerk's  extra  service 60.00 

Sheriif' s  extra  service 60.00 

Wolf  scalps 23.00 

Press  and  screw 4.00 

Election  returns 6.00 

Total  expenses $730.37 

Balance $14.63 

Treasurer's  former  percentage $34.82 

Treasurer's  present  percentage $13.50 

Total $48.32 

Balance  due  Treasurer 23.69 

The  total  receipts  for  the  fiscal  year  1845-46  were  ^1,289.82,  and  the 
total  expenses  $1,275.76.  The  county  revenue  was  §758.45  ;  wolf  scalps 
cost  $63  ;  paupers  cost  $4.75.  For  the  fiscal  year  1848-49  the  receipts 
were  $3,967.49,  and  the  expenses  $8,725.36.  The  county  revenue  was 
$3,181.50;  merchants' license  brought  $31.03  ;  grocery  license  $3.75;  and 
the  poor  cost  $194.49.  The  receipts  for  the  fiscal  year  1857-58  were 
$3,672.13 ;  expenses,  $3,866.58.  County  officers  cost  $894.23.  The 
county  revenue  was  $2,705.01.  The  receipts  in  1860-61  were  $4,- 
682.42;  expenses,  $3,817.90.  The  following  year  the  receipts  were 
$4,429;  expenses,  $4,251.24  ;  county  officers,  $1,269.35.  In  1863-64 
the  receipts  were  $7,154.14;  expenses,  $7,154.22 ;  overpaid,  8  cents ; 
county  officers  cost  $2,011.17;  county  revenue  was  $5,004.17.  In 
1865-66   the   receipts   were   $35,531.52;    expenses,  $27,340.16;  leav- 


HISTORY  OF  BROWN  COUNTY.  701 

ing  on  hand  $8,191.36.  The  county  revenue  was  $13,973.64.  The 
military  bond  tax  collected  was  $12,111.49.  This  heavier  tax  v/a» 
due  to  expense  growing  out  of  the  war.  In  1869-70,  the  receipts- 
were  $17,614.21 ;  expenses,  $14,488.93,  leaving  on  hand  $3,125.08. 
The  county  revenue  w^as  $11,428.89 :  county  oflficers  cost  $4,550.78. 
In  1875-76  the  receipts  were  $25,652.31;  expenses,  $27,378.25, 
leaving  outstanding  orders  $1,925.94.  The  county  revenue  was  $10,- 
441,95;  refunded  county  bonds  sold,  $13,955;  county  officers  cost  $4,- 
847.87.  In  1879-80  the  receipts  were  $18,701;  expenses,  $18,701 ;  county 
revenue  was  $13,519.97  ;  county  officers  cost  $4,153.15.  The  total  county 
orders  issued  from  June,  1857,  to  June,  1875 — eighteen  years — were  $162,- 
772.99,  of  which  $150,557.60  were  redeemed,  leaving  outstanding  $12,- 
221.35.  In  June,  1875,  the  County  Board  issued  $15,000  new  bonds  to 
refund  some  old  ones  and  cover  new  indebtedness.  Of  this  $2,000  was  to 
be  paid  June,  1877,  and  $2,000  every  year  thereafter  until  1883,  with 
ten  per  cent  interest. 

The  following  is  the  County  Treasurer's  report  for  the  fiscal  year 
1882-83 : 

KECEIPTS. 

Cash  on  hand  last  report $7,699.24 

Net  collection  of  taxes,  November  installment 12,166.88 

Net  collection  of  taxes,  April  installment 19,960.47 

Tuition  fund,  June  drawing 5,323.58- 

Tuition  fund,  January  drawing 4,386.83 

School  fund  principal,  including  fines 3,005.77 

School  fund  interest 1,656.34 

School  fund,  damage  and  cost  on  sale 12.50 

Redemption 388.99 

On  sale  of  county  realty 400.00 

Liquor  license 100. 00 

Sale  of  bonds 6,500.00 

On  Moore  judgments 148.03 

State  docket  fees 44.00 

Jury  fees 13.50 

Refunded  County  revenue t 38.00 

Costs  received,  Bartholomew  County 38.30 

Surplus  on  tax  sale  7.14 

Sale  of  old  carpet 1.00 

Total $61,890.07 

EXPENDITURES. 

Warrants  surrendered $17,573.15 

Paid  Treasurer  of  State 2,663.92 

Paid  Insane  Asylum 10.90 

Paid  House  of  Refuge 30.00 

Paid  Congressional  School  interest  to  Bartholomew  County..  76.52 

Paid  bonds 2,000.00 

Paid  interest  on  bonds 560.00 

Warrants  surrendered 14,843.13 

House  of  Refuge 30.00 

Paid  Treasurer  of  State 4,001.68 

House  of  Refuge 30.00 

Congressional  interest  to  Bartholomew  County 70.13 

AVarrants  surrendered 10,929.52 

Total $52,818.95. 

Balance  in  Treasury $9,071.12 

Respectfully  submitted. 
June  6,  1883.  Joseph  C.  Cook,   Treasurer, 


702 


HISTORY   OF   BROWN  COUNTY. 


The  following  is  the  recapitulation  of  taxes  for  the  year  1883  : 


CIVIL  DIVISIONS. 

Value  of 
Lands. 

Value  of 

Im- 
prove- 
ments. 

Value  of 
Lands 

and  Im- 
prove- 
ments. 

Num- 
ber of 
Dogs. 

Value 

of 

Lots. 

Value 
of   Im- 
prove- 
ments. 

Value  of!     rp..„, 
af  Pro-    vllueof 
^1  P--   Taxables. 

1 

Polls. 

Hamblen 

8232,120 
177,322 
153,739 
149,748 
56,261 

842,635 
61,628 
55,856 
79,532 
20,439 

8274,755 
238,950 
209,595 
229,280 
76,700 

250 
301 
290 
303 
110 
25 

8250 
615 

225" 

"9',0.36 

8430  !S108,160      8383,-595 
3,230     152,365  |      395,160 

319 

333 

Van  Buren 

1,340 
'24,389' 

130,220 
50,340 
41,310 

361,065 
127,040 
74,735 

857 

139 

Town  of  Nashville 

67 



Totals 

8769,190 

8260,090 

81,029,280 

1,228 

810,126 

329,389 

5584,880 

81,653,675 

1,576 

CIVIL  DIVISIONS. 

STATE 
TAX. 

STATE 
HOUSE 
TAX. 

STATE 

SCHOOL 

TAX. 

STATE 
UNIVER- 
SITY 
ENDOW- 
MENT. 

COUNTY 
REVENUE. 

BOND 

TAX. 

Hamblen 

Jackson 

8616  81 
640  69 
555  00 
611  78 
221  95 
123  18 

876  71 
79  04 
62  41 
72  21 
25  41 
14  95 

8773  25 
798  75 
679  84 
756  21 
272  76 
153  08 

819  18 
19  76 
15  60 
18  06 
6  35 
3  73 

82,825  48 
2,912  86 
2,349  46 
2,687  90 
952  42 
552  91 

8271  56 
280  83 

Van  Buren 

269  78 

98  27 

♦Nashville 

54  11 

82,772  41 

8330  73 

83,433  89 

882  68 

812,281  03 

81,220  84 

♦Nashville  paid  a  corporation  tax  of  $37.37. 


CIVIL  DIVISIONS. 

ROAD 
TAX. 

TOWNSH'P 
TAX. 

SPECIAL 

SCHOOL 

TAX. 

DOS 
TAX. 

TOTAL 
TAX. 

8575  39 
592  74 
468  12 
541  60 
190  56 
112  10 

8383  60 
395  16 
312  08 
361  07 
190  56 

8  926  69 

1,154  40 

960  70 

.1,261  69 

450  62 

295  07 

8266 
333 
313 
323 
124 
25 

86,737  67 
7,207  23 

Jackson 

Washington 

5,962  50 

Johnson 

2  532  90 

♦Nashville 

1,371  50 

Totals 

82,480  51 

81,642  47 

85,049  17 

81,384 

830,715  10 

HISTORY  OF  BROWN  COUNTY.  703 


MILITARY  HISTORY  OF  BROWN  COUNTY. 


BY  WESTON  A.  GOODSPEED. 


MILITIA    ORGANIZATIONS. 

SCARCELY  any  attempt  was  made  during  the  long  years  of  peace  from 
the  formatiom  of  Brown  County  until  the  war  with  Mexico,  and  af- 
terward until  the  rebellion  of  1861-65,  to  maintain  the  organization  of  the 
county  militia.  During  the  forties  a  nominal  organization  was  kept  up 
for  short  periods,  and  several  of  the  citizens  were  permitted  to  assume  the 
honors  of  military  commissions,  but  prior  to  the  war  with  Mexico,  there 
was  scarcely  a  man  in  the  county  who  could  have  boasted  of  having  smelled 
gunpowder,  much  less  having  participated  in  an  actual  war  campaign. 
There  were  a  few  survivors  of  the  war  of  1812,  who,  at  celebrations  of  the 
Fourth  of  July,  were  placed  on  the  stand,  eulogized  and  cheered.  James 
Taggart  was  a  commissioned  officer  under  this  old  militia  system,  as  were 
T.  M.  Adams,  James  S.  Hester  and  several  others. 

THE  MEXICAN  WAR. 

On  the  13th  of  May,  184:6,  the  President  of  the  United  States  called 
for  troops  to  carry  on  the  war  with  Mexico,  which  had  just  begun. 
Within  a  few  days  after  the  receipt  of  the  news,  James  Taggart,  T.  M. 
Adams,  P.  C.  Parker,  Williamson  Wise,  Charles  Bolt  and  perhaps  others 
concluded  to  raise  a  company,  if  possible,  in  Brown  County  for  the  war.  A 
meeting  was  advertised  to  be  held  at  Georgetown,  to  raise  volunteers,  on 
which  occasion  a  large  crowd  gathered.  The  above  men  headed  the  enlist- 
ment roll  with  their  names,  and  a  call  was  made  for  others  and  was  responded 
toby  an  increase  to  about  twenty  men.  Another  meeting  was  called  at  Nash- 
ville soon  afterward,  and  the  number  of  volunteers  was  so  increased  that  it 
was  seen  that  the  completion  and  organization  of  the  company  was  assured. 
Early  in  June,  the  complete  organization  was  effected  by  the  election  of 
the  following  officers  :  James  Taggart,  Captain;  Thomas  M.  Adams,  First 
Lieutenant;  Patterson  C.  Parker,  Second  Lieutenant;  Williamson  Wise,* 
Third  Lieutenant.  The  organization  was  fully  completed  on  the  8th  of 
June,  and  was  reported  thus  to  the  Governor  of  the  State  for  acceptance 
and  assignment  to  the  Third  Indiana  Regiment,  which  was  rapidly  being 
mustered  at  New  Albany.  On  the  14th  of  June,  orders  were  received 
from  the  Governor  for  the  company  to  proceed  forthwith  to  New  Albany 
and  there  to  report  to  the  officers  of  the  Third  Regiment.  The  company 
hastily  made  preparations  to  leave  on  the  following  day — the  15th  of  June. 
They  had  purchased  bright  uniforms  of  bright  of  blue  jeans  and  had  styled 
themselves  "  Brown  County  Blues,"  a  name  by  which  they  were  known  all 
through  the  war.     The  following  day  they  left  the  county,  followed  by  the 

*  It  is  stated  by  Mr.  Kennedy,  who  was  a  member  of  the  company,  that  the  Third  Lieutenant  was  not 
elected  until  after  New  Albany  had  been  reached. 


704  HISTORY  OF  BROWN  COUNTY. 

best  wishes  of  neighbors  and  the  tears  and  warm  farewells  of  friends.  A 
large  crowd  had  assembled  to  see  them  leave  in  wagons.  The  company, 
except  about  ten  of  their  men  who  remained  behind  to  arrange  their  busi- 
ness affairs  before  joining  their  comrades,  reached  New  Albany  on  the 
17th  of  June,  and  were  soon  mustered  in  as  Company  E  of  the  third  In- 
diana Volunteers,  Col  James  H.  Lane.  Here  the  company  and  its 
regiment  remained  until  early  in  July,  being  subjected  in  the  meantime 
to  constant  parades  and  discipline  to  fit  it  for  the  active  scenes  of  war. 
It  reached  New  Orleans  early  in  July,  and  camped  upon  the  field  made 
famous  by  Gen.  Jackson.  At  the  expiration  of  about  a  week  the  regi- 
ment took  shipping  across  the  Gulf  of  Mexico  to  Brazos  Island,  encoun- 
tering on  the  way  a  severe  storm.  While  at  New  Orleans,  Caleb  Bidwell,  of 
the  company,  died  of  measles,  his  death  being  the  first  in  the  company. 
Reese  Brummet  and  John  Followell  died  of  disease  on  the  Gulf  and  were 
buried  beneath  the  waves  with  cannon  balls  at  their  feet.  Joshua  Brum- 
met and  several  others  died  at  Brazos  Island,  and  were  entombed  in  the 
sand.  The  regiment  after  several  months  was  removed  to  Camp  Belknap 
where  Capt.  Taggart  was  taken  sick  and  sent  home.  During  his  absence, 
Lieut.  Adams  commanded  the  company. 

The  regiment  occupied  Matamoras.  Marine.  Saltillo,  Nueva  and  various 
other  points,  doing  guard  or  garrison  duty  and  suffering  severely  from  the 
peculiar  Southern  diseases.  At  last  the  regiment  moved  back  from  Saltillo, 
and  was  unaware  of  the  presence  of  an  enemy  until  the  long-roll  called 
to  arms  on  the  field  of  Buena  Vista.  Gen.  Taylor  hastily  formed  his 
line  of  battle  across  Buena  Vista  Pass,  and  with  about  5,000  troops  waited 
the  approach  from  the  southwest  of  Gen.  Santa  Anna  with  20,000  Mexi- 
cans. Capt.  Taggart  had  regained  his  health  at  home  and  had  joined  his 
company  on  the  21st  of  February,  1847,  the  day  before  the  battle  of 
Buena  Vista.  At  last  the  enemy  could  be  seen  moving  up  the  Pass,  and 
soon  his  swarming  legions  were  in  full  vie;\'  and  within  three  miles.  The 
Third  Indiana  was  posted  on  a  round  hill  on  the  right  side  of  the  Pass, 
to  support  Washington's  battery.  The  Mexicans  first  undertook  to  force 
the  Pass  in  solid  column,  but  they  met  such  a  storm  of  shot  and  shell 
from  the  battery  that  they  were  forced  back  in  full  retreat.  Then  it  was 
that  the  Mexican  commander  flanked  to  the  right  and  fell  upon  Taylor's 
left,  forcing  the  Second  Indiana  and  other  troops  back  and  gaining  the 
rear  of  the  American  army.  The  Third  was  ordered  from  its  position 
and  thrown  out  to  check  the  retreat,  and  was  soon  where  bullets  were  as 
thick  as  hailstones  in  the  air.  Here  the  Brown  County  boys  received  their 
first  baptism  of  blood  and  fire.  The  first  one  hurt  was  Elias  Weddel, 
who  was  shot  through  the  hips,  and  was  carried  from  the  field.  Squire 
Stewart  Avas  prostrated  by  concussion  from  a  howitzer  ball.  Matthew 
Mathews,  was  shot  through  the  hand,  for  which  he  draws  a  pension.  The  fight 
was  sharp  and  hot  and  continued  until  night.  Just  at  the  close  of  the 
battle,  at  almost  the  last  fire  from  the  enemy,  while  Company  E  was 
being  thrown  back,  Capt.  Taggart  received  a  mortal  wound  from  a  carbine 
ball,  which  entered  just  over  his  left  kidney  and  came  out  near  the  center 
of  his  right  breast.  He  pitched  forward  on  his  hands  and  knees,  exclaim- 
ing "I'm  a  dead  man,"  and  immediately  fell  over  on  his  side.  Stephen 
Kennedy,  the  only  one  of  his  company  at  that  moment  near  him,  car- 


HISTORY  OF  BROWN  COUNTY.  705 

ried  him  into  one  of  the  many  deep  ravines  within  a  few  feet  of  where 
he  had  fallen.  The  firing  was  yet  brisk  over  the  ground  there,  but  Ken- 
nedy remained  to  hear  the  last  words  of  the  dying  man.  He  said  sub- 
stantially, "  Tell  my  folks  to  meet  me  in  the  good  world.  Be  a  good 
soldier,  Kennedy.  Go  on  to  your  company."  He  then  became  uncon- 
scious, and  Kennedy  hurriedly  left  the  spot  amid  the  last  shower  of  car- 
bine bullets  from  the  enemy.  Capt.  Taggart  lies  buried  on  the  battle- 
field where  he  heroically  died  a  soldier's  death.  No  other  casualties  oc- 
curred, and  Company  E,  commanded  by  Capt.  T.  M.  Adams,  saw  no  more 
fighting.  Many  more  of  the  boys  died  from  disease  before  their  return. 
After  occupying  various  positions,  the  regiment  started  north  on  the  24th 
of  May,  1847.  The  Brown  County  boys  reached  home  early  in  July,  and 
were  given  a  warm  welcome  by  their  relatives  and  friends. 

The  boys  who  went  to  Mexico  must  not  be  forgotten  under  the  shadow 
of  the  last  great  war.  It  was  no  holiday  undertaking  to  go  from  the  com- 
paratively cold  climate  of  the  Northern  States  to  the  hot  and  peculiar 
climate  of  Mexico.  The  appalling  sacrifice  of  life  from  disease  abun- 
dantly attests  the  peril  which  the  men  w^ere  required  to  undergo.  Many 
were  left  in  lonely,  deserted  and  forgotten  graves,  in  that  distant  land, 
and  the  rugged  cactus  comes  and  kisses  with  its  crimson  blossoms  the 
silent  mounds  where  they  sleep.  The  rich  flowers  of  the  stately  mag- 
nolia shed  their  fragrant  perfume  around ;  the  long  festoons  of  silvery 
moss  hang  weeping  above  the  grassy  graves ;  the  sighing  wind  and  the 
tear-drops  of  rain  come  to  mourn  for  the  departed,  and  over  all  the  strange, 
bright  birds  of  tropical  woods  chant  the  sad  requiem  of  death.  The 
boys  are  gone,  but  their  names  are  living  jewels  in  the  bright  casket  of 
memory. 

THE    POLITICAL    FEELING    IN    1860-61. 

The  political  campaign  of  1860  had  been  very  warm  in  Brown 
County.  Every  township  had  had  its  company  or  companies  of  Wide- 
Awakes,  and  scarcely  a  night  had  passed  without  public  speaking  and 
noisy  and  enthusiastic  demonstration.  The  clubs  of  Democracy  had  uni- 
forijaed  themselves  with  hickory  suits,  erected  poles  and  flung  the  names 
of  Douglas  and  Johnson  or  Breckinridge -and  Lane  to  the  breeze.  Torch- 
light processions  and  vociferous  cheering  had  nightly  disturbed  the 
drowsy  air.  The  few  Republican  clubs  were  jubilant  and  confident. 
Their  emblems  of  the  campaign  were  rails  or  mauls  and  wedges,  and  they 
were  called  Wide- Awakes.  The  songs  of  the  two  parties  are  yet  fresh  in 
the  memory : 

"Oh  see  the  Douglas  platform  falling, 
Falling,  falling,  down  it  must  go, 
And  in  its  place  shall  firmly  stand 
Abe  Lincoln  the  true  and  Hamlin  too, 
Abe  Lincoln  the  true  and  Hamlin  too, 
And  with  them  we'll  beat  Little  Dug,  Dug. 
Dug,  Old  Abe  has  cracked  his  mug." 

Or  the  following  lament  of  Lincoln  sung  by  the  Democrats  to  the  air 
of  "  Susannah." 


706  HISTORY  OF  BROWN  COUNTY. 

"Oh,  Hamlin,  dear,  my  "fairest"*  one, 
Oh  don't  you  cry  for  me  ; 
I  fear  that  house  in  Washington 

I'll  never,  never  see. 
I  love  the  Black  Republicans, 

And  for  the  darkies  sigh ; 
But  all,  I  fear,  will  do  no  good, 

But  Hamlin  don't  you  cry. 
Chorus. — Oh,  my  dear  Hannibal, 
Don't  you  cry  for  me, 
I'm  going  up  Salt  River 
With  a  darkey  on  each  knee." 

Or  the  following  : 

"  No,  Lincoln  can't  come  in,  I  say. 

Then  ho,  for  Douglas,  ho  ! 
The  Democrats  have  Stephen  A., 

Then  ho,  for  Douglas,  ho  ! 
Republicans  may  bite  their  nails. 
May  rave  about  their  Lincoln  rails, 
But  can't  come  up  to  Steve's  coat  tails, 

Then  ho,  for  Douglas,  ho  !" 

When  the  returns  were  all  in  and  the  name  of  Lincoln  was  on  every 
tongue,  and  the  Southern  States,  one  after  another,  began  to  enact  ordi- 
nances of  secession,  all  wiser  heads  saw  that  the  conflict  had  come. 
The  slavery  question  must  be  settled  either  to  the  satisfaction  of  the  North 
or  the  South.  No  evasion  would  answer.  Many  citizens  throughout  the 
county,  some  of  them  Abolitionists,  believed  that  the  Southern  States  had 
a  right  to  peaceably  secede  from  the  Union.  It  was  a  period  of  political 
chaos.  Men  did  not  fully  know  their  own  minds.  A  revolution  in  thought 
on  the  subject  of  State  rights,  secession,  slavery,  etc.,  was  ensuing,  and 
the  public  mind  was  buffeted  around  by  every  breeze  of  sentiment,  or 
fancy,  or  even  folly.  Here  and  there  arose  some  intellect  head  and  shoul- 
ders above  its  fellows  and  looked  down  with  the  impartial  eye  of  a  true 
philosopher  upon  the  real  and  ominous  state  of  the  country.  To  such 
men  the  hearts  of  all  turned  anxiously  for  relief  When  Mr.  Lincoln  took 
the  reins  of  government,  speedy  relief  from  public  gloom  and  embarrass- 
ment was  expected ;  but  as  time  slipped  away,  and  effective  action  was 
masked  by  broad  generalizations  and  the  course  of  the  administration  was 
clouded  with  apparent  doubt  and  hesitancy,  many  of  the  best  Union  men  lost 
heart.  The  friends  of  disunion  looked  upon  the  hesitancy  as  a  prac- 
tical acknowledgment  that  the  Government  could  see  no  way  under  the 
Constitution  to  a  settlement  of  existing  differences.  But  when  the  blow 
at  last  fell  upon  Fort  Sumter,  and  all  pacific  overtures  from  the  administra- 
tion, even  to  an  avowal  that  no  established  institution  of  the  South  should 
be  interfered  with,  were  haughtily  rejected,  the  mask  of  peace  was  thrown 
aside,  and  the  call  to  arms  sent  a  thrill  of  joy  and  hope  to  thousands  of 
loyal  hearts.  In  view  of  the  darkness  which  enveloped  the  country  at 
subsequent  stages  of  the  war,  when  it  seemed  certain  that  masses  in  the 
North  would  compel  a  cessation  of  hostilities  and  permit  the  Southern 
States  to  go  out  of  the  Union,  the  transcendent  wisdom  of  Mr.  Lincoln  in 
throwing  upon  the  South  the  responsibility  of  commencing  the  rebellion, 
even  in  the  face  of  the  most  abundant  promises,  undoubtedly  saved  the 
country  from  hopeless  disruption. 

*Hannibal  Hamlin  was  so  dark  complexioned  and  such  a  warm  friend  of  the  colored  man,  that  it  gave 
rise  to  the  report  among  his  political  enemies  that  he  was  a  mulatto.  Albert  D.  Richardson,  the  famous  war 
correspondent  of  the  New  York  Tribune,  said  this  was  actually  believed  by  many  in  the  South, 


HISTORY  OF  BROWN  COUNTY.  707 

THE  FALL  OF  FORT  SUMTER. 

The  news  of  the  surrender  of  Fort  Sumter,  in  April,  1861.  caused 
great  excitement  in  Brown  County.  Instead  of  subsiding,  it  continued 
to  rise  higher,  until  at  last  a  public  meeting  of  the  citizens  was  called,  to 
be  held  at  the  court  house,  to  take  action  regarding  the  state  of  the 
country.  Several  hundred  persons  appeared  and  filled  the  room  to  over- 
flowing. Mr.  Culley  was  made  chairman,  and  briefly  stated  the  object  of 
the  meeting.  Judge  Hester  was  called  out.  He  said  that  while  he 
found  fault  with  many  acts  and  omissions  of  the  administration,  it  was 
the  duty  of  the  citizens  to  help  quell  the  rebellion.  W.  W.  Browning, 
T.  D.  Calvin,  Lewis  Prosser  and  others  spoke  in  favor  of  raising  men  to 
end  the  rebellion.  Some  of  the  speakers  did  not  believe  that  the  admin- 
istration had  the  right  to  coerce  the  seceding  States,  and  so  publicly 
stated  with  considerable  warmth;  but  the  general  sentiment  of  the  meet- 
ing, as  shown  by  the  series  of  seven  resolutions  adopted,  was  for  the 
enlistment  of  volunteers  to  sustain  the  administration  in  all  constitu- 
tional acts  to  preserve  the  Union  and  enforce  the  laws.  The  meeting 
adjourned  without  taking  any  steps  to  raise  volunteers,  but  within  a  few 
days  a  roll  for  a  company  was  circulated,  and  very  soon  the  limit  of  men 
was  secured.  When  this  was  accomplished,  the  company  was  called 
together  to  elect  officers.  James  S.  Hester  was  chosen  Captain;  W.  W. 
Browning,  First  Lieutenant ;  W.  A.  Adams,  Second  Lieutenant.  This 
organization  and  election  took  place  in  the  court  house,  not  far  from  the 
25th  of  April,  1861.  The  services  of  the  company  were  immediately 
tendered  Gov.  Morton,  but  so  prompt  had  been  the  Hoosier  State  to 
resp:>nd  to  the  call  of  the  President,  that  it  was  found  impossible  to  get 
into  the  three  months'  service,  and  word  was  sent  back  by  the  Governor 
that  the  company  was  not  then  wanted,  and  that  it  should  maintain  its 
organization  and  continue  drilling.  This  somewhat  discouraged  the  boys 
and  the  company  was  almost  disbanded.  In  July,  additional  calls  were 
made  for  men,  and  the  company  was  revived  in  hope  of  getting  into  the 
service.  The  officers  previously  elected  resigned,  to  give  the  members  of 
the  company  the  privilege  of  either  re-electing  the  old  officers,  or  select- 
ing new  ones;  but  the  result  was  the  reinstatement  of  all  the  former 
officers.  Early  in  July,  word  was  received  that  the  company  was  accepted, 
and  immediate  preparations  were  made  to  move  to  Madison  to  join  the 
Twenty-second  Regiment,  which  was  being  rendezvoused  there.  A  splendid 
dinner  was  given  the  company  by  the  citizens  on  the  day  of  their  depart- 
ure for  camp.  Tables  were  spread  in  the  court  room,  where  the  meal  was 
eaten,  and  where  speeches  were  made  by  Hester,  Browning  and  others. 
The  company  was  presented  a  beautiful  banner.  Wagons  conveyed  the 
boys  to  Columbus,  thence  the  cars  to  Madison,  where  they  became  Com- 
pany C,  of  the  Twenty-second  Regiment,  three  years'  service.  Here,  and  at 
Indianapolis,  the  company  and  its  regiment  were  subjected  to  constant  drill 
and  discipline  to  fit  them  for  the  field,  until  the  15th  of  August,  when 
the  entire  regiment  was  mustered  in,  and  on  the  17th  of  August  was 
transferred  to  St.  Louis,  Mo.,  and  there  assigned  to  the  army  of  Gen. 
Fremont.  Its  first  service  was  as  a  relief  up  the  Missouri  River  to  Gen. 
Mulligan,  at  Lexington.  From  that  on  during  the  term  of  service  the 
regiment  participated  in  the  following  skirmishes  and  engagements :    The 


708  HISTORY   OF   BROWN  COUNTY. 

capture  of  about  1,300  prisoners  at  Blackwater ;  Pea  Ridge,  losing  nine 
killed  and  thirty-two  wonnded;  pursuit  of  the  enemy  after  the  evacua- 
tion of  Corinth  :  pursuit  of  Bragg's  army  in  Kentucky  ;  battle  of  Perry- 
ville,  losing  in  killed  and  wounded  50  per  cent  of  the  men  engaged, 
fifty-six  being  killed  in  battle;  skirmished  at  Lancaster,  and  pursued  to 
Crab  Orchard;  skirmished  at  Nolensville,  losing  four  wounded:  battle  of 
Stone  River,  losing  twelve  killed,  thirty-six  wounded  and  thirty  missing; 
skirmished  at  Liberty  Gap ;  charge  at  Mission  Ridge ;  Tunnel  Hill ; 
Rocky  Face  Ridge;  Resaca;  Rome;  Dallas;  Big  Shanty;  in  front  of 
Kenesaw  Mountain;  Chattahoochie  River;  Peach  Tree  Creek;  battles 
before  Atlanta;  Red  Oak  Station;  Jonesboro ;  Siege  of  Savannah; 
Averysboro;  Bentonville;  and  was  mustered  out  early  in  June  1865,  at 
Washington,  D.  C.  The  officers  of  Company  C  during  the  war  were  as 
follows:  Captains — James  S.  Hester,  W.  H.  Taggart,  W,  H.  Fesler. 
First  Lieutenants — W.  W.  Browning,  W.  A.  Adams"  V.  P.  Mason,  W. 
H.  Fesler,  T.  A.  Pearce.  Second  Lieutenants — W.  A.  Adams,  V.  P. 
Mason,  S.  A.  Kennedy,  W.  M.  Gould. 

ADDITIONAL    VOLUNTEERS. 

In  August  and  September,  1861,  a  company  was  started  in  Monroe 
County  and  the  enlistment  of  men  was  carried  over  to  Brown  County  in 
the  vicinity  of  Elkinsville,  where  one  or  two  rousing  war  meetings  were 
held,  and  sixteen  or  eighteen  volunteers  were  secured.  These  men  went 
to  Bloomington,  and  formed  a  part  of  the  company  commanded  by  Capt. 
H.  L.  McCalla.  The  boys  were  mustered  into  the  Thirty-first  Regiment, 
Company  G.  on  the  20th  of  September,  at  Terre  Haute.  They  saw  serv- 
ice as  follows :  Fort  Donelson,  where  the  regiment  lost  12  killed,  52 
wounded  and  4  missing;  Shiloh,  the  regiment  losing  22  killed,  110 
■woundeu  and  10  missing ;  siege  of  Corinth  ;  Stone  River,  losing  5  killed 
and  46  wounded ;  Chickamauga,  losing  4  killed  and  66  wounded  ;  in 
nearly  all  the  skirmishes  and  battles  of  the  Atlanta  campaign  ;  battle  of 
Nashville ;  in  Texas,  saw  service  with  the  Army  of  Occupation  ;  reached 
home  in  1866.  So  anxious  were  many  of  the  boys  in  the  county  to  get 
into  the  service,  that  they  left  the  county  without  getting  proper  credit. 
They  entered  the  various  companies  organized  at  Bloomington,  Columbus, 
Morgantown,  Indianapolis  and  elsewhere.  This  was  due  to  the  fact  that 
the  county  was  too  small  to  complete  many  full  companies  wholly  within 
its  own  borders,  and  hence  the  men,  to  get  into  the  service  at  all,  were 
forced  to  join  other  companies  raised  outside  of  the  county.  In  this  way 
the  county  was  cheated  out  of  many  officers,  as  a  few  men  could  not  have 
sufficient  influence  in  such  companies  to  receive  the  commissions  which 
were  so  eagerly  sought  during  the  war,  especially  at  its  early  stages.  It 
is  safe  to  say  that  Brown  County  furnished  over  200  men  during  the  year 
1861. 

ENLISTMENT    IN  1862. 

A  few  men  left  the  county  during  the  spring  of  1862,  going  chiefly 
into  old  regiments  that  were  then  in  the  field.  On  the  2d  of  July.  1862, 
came  the  call  for  300,000  men,  and  on  the  4th  of  August  came  the  call 
for  300,000  more.  Immediate  preparations  were  made  to  clear  the  county 
quota.     The  militia  companies  which  had  been  organized  in  the  county 


HISTORY  OF  BROWN  COUNTY.  709 

were  used  as  nuclei  for  the  formation  of  two  full  companies.  War  meet- 
ing were  held  in  all  portions  of  the  county.  Among  those  actively  en- 
gaged in  raising  the  volunteers  were  W,  W.  Browning,  D.  B.  Adams, 
John  Calvin,  J.  K.  Mcllhenny,  J.  M.  Metheney,  Jackson  Woods,  D.  S. 
Story,  Joseph  Fraker,  T.  J.  Metheney,  G.  S.  Bradley,  W.  W.  Hays  and 
others.  Under  the  two  calls  for  troops,  two  full  companies  were  raised 
for  the  Eighty-second  Regiment,  one  becoming  Compan}^  D,  and  the 
other  Company  H.  The  officers  of  Company  D  were :  W.  W.  Browning, 
Captain ;  I).  B.  Adams,  First  Lieutenant ;  John  Calvin,  Second  Lieu- 
tenant. The  officers  of  Company  H  were:  John  M.  Metheney,  Captain  ; 
Jackson  Woods,  First  Lieutenant ;  David  S.  Story,  Second  Lieutenant. 
The  companies  were  mustered  in  at  Madison,  on  the  30th  of  August. 
The  Eighty -second  Regiment  saw  service  as  follows:  Stone  River; 
Hoover's  Gap  ;  Chickamauga,  losing  21  killed,  72  wounded  and  29  miss- 
ing ;  skirmished  at  Chattanooga  and  Brown's  Ferry  ;  charge  on  Mission 
Ridge,  losing  26  men  killed  and  wounded;  Buzzard's  Roost,  losing  25 
killed  and  wounded ;  Resaca,  losing  25  killed  and  wounded ;  Dallas  ; 
Kingston  ;  Kenesaw  Mountain,  and  many  others  ;  Peach  Tree  Creek  ;  in 
front  of  Atlanta  ;  skirmish  of  August  7,  1864,  losing  26  men  killed  and 
wounded  out  of  105  men  engaged ;  Sherman's  march  to  the  sea  ;  Ben- 
tonville ;  was  mustered  out  at  Washington,  D.  C,  June  9,  1865  ;  reached 
Indianapolis  June  15. 

THE    DRAFT    OF    OCTOBER,    1862. 

Brown  County  enjoys  the  distinction  of  having  been  one  of  only  fifteen 
counties  in  the  State  to  clear  themselves  of  this  draft.  The  draft  took 
place  in  both  Morgan  and  Monroe,  but  the  county  of  Brown,  which  was 
declared,  by  outside  parties,  to  have  been  so  disloyal,  furnished  more  than 
the  number  of  men  required.  By  the  19th  of  September,  1862,  she  had 
furnished  a  total  of  502  volunteers,  out  of  an  enrolled  militia  of  856, 
which  included  163  exempts.  At  this  time  the  county  had  486  volunteers 
in  the  service.  This  was  an  excellent  showing  for  the  little  county.  It 
is  safe  to  say  that  by  the  1st  of  January,  1863,  the  county  had  furnished 
a  total  of  525  volunteers. 

THE    COUNTY    IN    1863. 

It  was  during  this  year  that,  like  all  other  counties  of  the  State,  dis- 
loyal organizations  were  formed  in  Brown  County.  There  was  not  a 
county  in  the  State  that  did  not  have  bitter  disloyalty  displayed  within 
its  limits  during  1863,  and  Brown  County  was  no  exception  to  the 
rule.  But  that  does  not  detract  from  what  the  county  actually  did  to 
carry  on  the  war.  It  is  well  to  bear  lightly  on  mistakes  and  errors.  At 
a  mass  meeting  in  Nashville  in  January,  1863,  it  was  resolved  that  '"  Our 
interests  and  inclinations  will  demand  of  us  a  withdrawal  from  the  polit- 
ical association  in  a  common  government  with  the  New  England  States," 
and  "  We  demand  an  immediate  armistice  preparatory  to  a  compromise 
of  existing  difficulties."  and  "general  amnesty  for  political  offenses." 
About  the  last  of  March,  1863,  at  a  large  mass  meeting  at  Nashville,  the 
following  resolution,  among  others,  was  passed : 

Resolved,    That  we  trace  to  political  priests,  who   have  abandoned  their  high  calling 
to  intrude  their  visionary  and  impracticable  schemes  upon  civil  government,  where  his- 


710  HISTORY  OF  BROWN  COUNTY. 

tory  shows  they  are,  of  all  others,  the  least  qualified  to  advise  or  act,  and  the  most  ua- 
scrupulous  and  intolerant  in  carrying  out  their  wild  projects,  a  very  large  share  of  the 
terrible  responsibilities  of  the  war,  its  pillage  and  carnage,  its  houses  of  mourning,  its 
widows  and  orphans,  its  all-pervading  social,  moral  and  political  demoralization.  If 
Solomon  was  right  when  he  said  that  '■  when  the  righteous  are  in  authority  the  people 
rejoice,  but  when  the  wicked  beareth  rule  the  people  mourn,"  they  must  be  well-nigh 
God-forsaken,  for  no  one  now  rejoices  in  this  nation,  but  thieving  army  contractors  and 
abolitionists.  We,  therefore,  exhort  our  conservative  brethren  to  discountenance  these 
clerical  incendiaries  by  abandoning  their  congregations  and  "  stopping  their  feed." 

At  another  meeting  in  August,  it  was  resolved  that  "  the  present 
fratricidal  and  desolating  war  was  unnecessarily  forced  upon  the  country 
by  wicked,  fanatical  politicians,  North  and  South,"  and  "  we  are  opposed 
to  furnishing  men  or  money  to  prosecute  a  war  to  free  negroes,"  and 
"  we  are  in  favor  of  immediate  armistice  and  a  national  convention  to 
restore  peace  and  union  under  the  Constitution."  This  will  show  about 
the  course  taken  by  the  disloyal  element  of  the  county.  It  was  during 
this  year  that  the  "  Brown  County  War  "  occurred.  The  facts  are  sub- 
stantially as  follows :  A  war  meeting  was  held  in  the  northern  part  of 
the  county,  and  Lewis  Prosser  and  a  companion,  who  had  been  hunting 
squirrels  in  the  woods,  attended  with  their  guns  on  their  shoulders. 
There  was  present  a  detachment  of  soldiers  that  had  been  sent  to  the 
county  from  Indianapolis  to  arrest  one  or  more  deserters  who  were  said 
to  have  secured  a  hiding-place  in  Brown  County.  Prosser,  who  was  a 
prominent  man,  and  against  whom  the  charge  of  disloyalty  had  been  made, 
was  invited  to  speak,  but  refused,  as  he  had  made  no  preparation,  and 
did  not  care  to  speak  then  anyway.  He  was  rather  outspoken  against  the 
war,  and  soon  had  a  small  crowd  around  him.  A  soldier  present  named 
Daniels,  who,  it  is  said,  had  been  drinking,  hearing  some  remark  from 
Prosser  he  did  not  fancy,  stepped  up  to  him,  and  with  the  statement  that 
he  had  no  right  to  be  carrying  a  gun  there,  twisted  the  weapon  from  his 
hands.  Prosser  instantly  drew  a  revolver  and  shot  the  soldier  dead,  and 
turned  to  leave  the  ground,  but  as  he  did  so  was  shot  by  one  of  the  by- 
standers in  the  leg  and  brought  to  the  ground.  Two  or  three  other  shots 
were  fired,  but  no  damage  was  done.  Prosser  afterward  died  from  the 
effects  of  his  wound. 

Under  the  call  of  October,  1863,  for  300,000  men,  Brown  County 
furnished  half  a  company.  The  men  (thirty-five)  were  recruited  almost 
wholly  by  Lieut.  Timothy  D.Calvin  in  Nashville  and  vicinity.  They  became 
part  of  Company  I,  of  the  One  Hundred  and  Twentieth  Kegiment, 
three  years'  service.  The  remainder  of  the  company  was  raised  at  Bed- 
ford. William  J.  Cook,  of  Bedford,  became  Captain  of  the  company,  and 
T.  D.  Calvin,  of  Nashville,  First  Lieutenant.  The  regiment  saw  service 
as  follows:  Mustered  in  March,  1864;  fought  at  Resaca;  assaulted 
Kenesaw  Mountain ;  fought  at  Atlanta ;  Jonesboro ;  skirmished  two 
days  near  Columbia,  Tenn. ;  battle  of  Franklin,  losing  forty-eight 
men,  killed  and  wounded,  included  Maj.  Brasher;  battle  of  Nashville, 
Wise's  Forks,  Va.,  losing  seven  killed  and  forty-eight  wounded ;  mus- 
tered out  in  1866.  During  the  year  the  county  furnished  not  less  than 
seventy-five  men,  about  half  of  whom  went  as  recruits  to  the  older 
regiments. 

THE    COUNTY    IN    1864. 

No  attempt  was  made  during  the  year  to  organize  a  company  wholly  in 
the  county.     The  men  recruited  and   drafted  were  sent  to  the  older  com- 


HISTORY  OF  BROWN  COUNTY. 


711 


panies.     The  following  table  fully  exhibits  what  the  county  did  during 
the  entire  year,  except  January,  possibly  : 










Credits  by 





°* 

^ 

^ 

a 

Voluntary 

II 

II 

11 

k 

C  00 

3  T-l 

3  ^ 

1 
1 

^  c 

Enlistments. 

1 

i 

g. 

TOWNSHIPS. 

1 

1 

1 

C 

N 

H 

>• 

6 

H 

0 

H 

Q 

OT 

Washington 

32 

13 

30 

181 

75 

55 

25 

80 

5 

Hamblen : 

33 

13 

28 

171 

74 

44 

1 

i 

46 

21 

25 

28 

28 

11 

24 

145 

63 

29 

, 

37 

66 

45 

21 

3 

Van  Buren 

29 

12 

28 

165 

69 

44 

1 

74 

42 

32 

5 

10 

4 

9 

56 

23 

11 

6 

1 

18 

3 

15 

S 

Totals 

132 

53 

119 

718 

304 

183 

33 

68 

284 

111 

173 

33 

13 

Under  the  last  call  of  the  war  (December  19,  1864),  one  full  company 
was  raised  in  the  county.  The  men  were  recruited  mainly  in  January 
and  February,  1865,  and  became  Company  K,  of  the  One  Hundred  and 
Forty-fifth  Regiment,  one  year's  service.  The  officers  were  Volney  P. 
Mason,  Captain ;  John  C.  Hester,  First  Lieutenant ;  Franklin  P.  Tag- 
gart,  Second  Lieutenant.  The  Colonel  of  the  regiment  was  W.  A. 
Adams,  of  Brown  County.  The  regiment  was  mustered  in  at  Indianap- 
olis on  the  16th  of  February,  1865.  It  moved  to  Nashville,  Tenu., 
thence  reported  to  Gen.  Steadraan,  at  Chattanooga.  On  the  23d  of  Feb- 
ruary, it  was  placed  on  guard  duty  at  Dalton.  Ga.,  and  was  afterward 
moved  to  Marietta,  where  it  remained  until  the  fall  of  1865,  when  it 
marched  to  Cuthbert,  where  it  remained  until  it  was  mustered  out  in 
January,  1866.  The  following  table  shows  the  condition  of  the  county 
under  the  last  call  of  the  war  (December  19,  1864) : 


q 

^ 

« 

0 

a 

Q 

"2 

.1 

0 

■g 

^ 

M 

TOWNSHIPS. 

a 
1 

a 

1 
'1 

i 

1 

S 

1 

0 
^ 

1 

0 

.|i 

1 

s 

Washington  

Hamblen  

10 

145 

10 

14 

14 

14 

4 

43 

32 
31 
13 

80 

88 

111 

51 

43 
32 
31 
13 

12 

25 

31 

5 

31 

9 

43 
34 
31 
13 

43 
34 
31 
13 

Jackson 

2 

Van  Buren 

Johnson , 

8 

.. 

Totals 

129 

475 

129 

87 

48 

135 

135 

6 

THE  DRAFTS  OF  1864  AND  1865. 

Two  drafts  occurred  in  the  county  at  the  close  of  the  war — one  in  Octo- 
ber, 1864,  and  the  other  in  February,  1865.  The  number  drafted  cannot  be 
given,  but  the  above  tables  give  the  number  of  draft  credits.       The  Board 


712  HISTORY  OF  BROWN  COUNTY 

of  Enrollment  of  the  Third  District  was  as  follows  :  Simeon  Stansifer^ 
Provost  Marshal  from  March,  1863,  to  March,  1865;  James  B.  Mulkey, 
Provost  Marshal  from  March,  1865,  to  October,  1865 ;  John  R.  B. 
Glasscock,  Commissioner  ;  Albert  G.  Collier,  Surgeon.  Assistant  Mar- 
shals were  appointed  in  Brown  County.  The  drafts  were  not  seriously 
interfered  with. 

RELIEF,    BOUNTY,    ETC. 

In  August,  1861,  in  response  to  a  petition  from  the  citizens,  the  County 
Board  ^'■Ordered,  That  there  be  allowed  the  sum  of  $100  for  the  support 
of  the  families  of  those  who  have  enlisted  in  the  army  of  the  United 
States  in  the  present  war."  Michael  Tomy,  M.  H.  Parmelee,  T.  D. 
Calvin,  E.  T.  Moore  and  T.  L.  Lucas  were  appointed  a  committee  to  ex- 
pend the  amount.  In  September,  an  additional  $100  was  appropriated 
for  the  same  purpose.  In  September,  1862,  $500  was  appropriated  for 
soldiers'  families.  The  following  were  the  township  committees  to  expend 
the  fund  :  Hamblen  Township — Jonathan  Watson.  Conrad  Kirby,  W.  P. 
Taggart.  Jackson — J.  Fleener,  John  Snyder,  A.  S.  Anderson.  Wash- 
ington— Daniel  Crouch,  S.  G.  Pettigrew,  G.  L.  Boruff.  Johnson — G. 
W.  Ard,  W.  II.  Arwine,  Asa  Reaves.  Van  Buren — J.  A.  McKinney, 
G.  P.  Story,  E.  T.  Moore.  In  December,  1863,  a  petition  signed  by 
177  citizens  was  presented  the  County  Board,  asking  that  a  bounty  of 
$100  might  be  offered  from  the  county  treasury  for  each  volunteer  who 
should  enlist  before  the  5th  of  January,  1864.  The  County  Board  re- 
fused as  follows :  "That  they  had  no  right  by  law  to  grant  any  such 
bounty  as  asked  for  by  the  petitioners,  and  although  as  private  citizens 
they  might  entertain  different  opinions  in  regard  to  granting  a  bounty 
as  asked  for,  still  as  Commissioners  of  said  county  they  could  not  grant 
the  bounty,  from  the  fact,  among  others,  that  the  petition  embraced  only 
a  small  minority  of  the  tax  payers  of  said  county."  In  January,  1865, 
the  County  Board,  with  this  order  on  the  records  staring  them  in  the  face, 
ordered  sold  county  bonds  to  the  amount  of  $27,000,  to  be  used  in 
securing  volunteers  at  $300  each,  to  clear  the  county  of  the  last  quota. 
Sylvanus  Manville  was  appointed  to  apply  the  fund,  after  selling  the 
bonds.  By  the  8th  of  March,  1865,  he  had  expended  $19,500.  It  was 
found  that  $27,000  was  not  enough  to  cover  the  county  quota,  which  by 
previous  credits  had  been  reduced  to  101  men  ;  so  the  Auditor  was  or- 
dered to  issue  in  all  $30,300  of  county  bonds.  The  Agent's  final  report 
in  June,  1865,  showed  that  $26,100  had  been  paid  out.  The  remainder 
was  claimed  afterward  and  paid  by  the  County  Board.  The  following 
table  for  the  entire  war  explains  itself: 

Bounty.  Relief. 

Brown  County $29,700  $1,596 

Washington  Township 200  350 

Hamblen  Township 2,200  300 

Jackson  Township 3,475  275 

Van  Buren  Township 2,100  275 

Johnson  Township 180 

Totals $37,675        $2,976 

NUMBER    OF   MEN    FURNISHED. 

Of  course  it  is  impossible  to  give  the  exact  number  of  men  furnished 
by  the  county  to  crush  the  rebellion.     In  September,  1862,  the  county  was 


HISTORY  OF  BROWN  COUNTY.  713 

officially  credited  with  having  furnished  502  men.  In  1863,  the  county 
sent  out  about  seventy-five  more.  The  quotas  under  the  calls  of  Febru- 
ary 1,  March  14  and  July  18,  1864,  were  respectively  132,  53  and  119. 
The  number  furnished  under  these  calls  by  January  1,  1865,  was  284  ; 
and  the  number  furnished  from  that  date  to  the  end  of  the  war  was  135. 
The  sum  total  of  these  numbers  will  give  to  within  a  close  figure  the  men 
furnished  by  the  county  during  the  war  ;  502  and  75  and  284  and  135 
equal  996 — or  say  1,000  men,  a  full  regiment.  Kind  and  aff"ectionate 
reader,  how  is  that  for  a  county  which  in  1860  polled  for  Governor  1040 
votes,  and  in  1864  polled  for  Governor  1190  votes?  Where  is  the  county 
in  the  State  that  did  proportionately  better?  Just  ponder  on  that  show- 
ing when  you  are  led  to  accuse  Brown  County  of  disloyalty.  "Facts 
speak  louder  than  words."  In  the  above  estimate  each  man  has  been 
counted  as  often  as  he  enlisted. 

CALLS    FOR    TROOPS    DURING  THE    WAR. 

1.  April  15,  1861,  75,000  men  for  three  months. 

2.  May  3,  1861,  42,034  men  for  three  years  (regular  army). 
(During  the  summer  or  early  autumn  of  1861,  six  regiments  of  State 

troops  were  put  into  the  field  by  the  energy  of  Gov.  Morton,  but  when  their 
term  of  service  had  expired  they  were  mustered  into  the  service  of  the  United 
States.  These  regiments  were  from  the  Twelfth  to  the  Seventeenth 
inclusive.  It  was  also  during  the  same  time,  that  the  three  months'  regi- 
ments, from  the  Sixth  to  the  Eleventh  inclusive,  re-organized  and  entered 
the  three  years'  service.  Regiments  from  the  Eighteenth  to  the  Sixty- 
third  were  also  sent  out  prior  to  the  call  of  July,  1862). 

3.  July  2,  1862,  300,000  men  for  nine  months. 

4.  August  4,  1862,  300,000  men  for  nine  months. 

5.  June  15,  1863,  100,000  men  for  six  months. 

6.  October  17,  1863,  300,000  men  for  three  years. 

7.  February  1,  1864,  200,000  men  for^hree  years. 

8.  March  14,  1864,  200,000  men  for  three  years. 

9.  April  23,  1864,  85,000  men  (about  for  100  days). 

10.  Julv  18,  1864,  500,000  men  for  one,  two  and  three  years. 

11.  December  19,  1864,  300,000  men  for  three  years. 

BROAVN    county's  ROLL    OF    HONOR.* 

Twenty  second  Regiment^  three  years  service. — Thomas  J.  Adams,  died 
of  wounds  received  at  Pea  Ridge ;  John  B.  Alexander,  died  December, 
1861,  at  Syracuse,  Mo.;  Henry  D.  Bruner,  veteran,  killed  at  Atlanta, 
August,  1864 ;  John  Campbell,  died  at  Georgetown,  Mo.,  October,  1861 ; 
William  G.  Chitwood,  died  at  St.  Louis,  Mo.,  September,  1861 ;  John  A. 
CoflFman,  killed  near  Glasgow,  Mo.,  September,  1861  ;  Henry  M.  Daggy, 
died  May,  1864,  of  wounds  received  at  Rome,  Ga.;  William  B.  Dalsbury, 
died  at  Jefferson  City,  Mo.,  October,  1861 ;  Treat  S.  Dubois,  killed  at 
Kenesaw,  June,  1864 ;  William  Gee,  died  at  Boonville,  Mo.,  October, 
1861  ;  William  Hobbs,  died  January,  1864,  of  wounds  received  at  Mis- 
sion Ridge ;  John    Jackson,  died  in  Andersonville  Prison  June,  1864 ; 

*Thi8  "  Roll  of  Honor  "  is  made  out  from  the  Adjutant  General's  reports,  and  though  incomplete,  owing 
to  the  fact  that  many  of  the  boys  could  not  be  traced,   is  the  best  that  can  be  given. 


714  HISTORY   OF   BROWN   COUNTY. 

Robert  C.  Kelso,  died  at  Syracuse,  Mo.,  January,  1862  ;  John  P. 
Maguire,  died  at  Jefferson  City,  Mo.,  October,  1861 ;  George  Parmelee, 
died  at  Jefferson  City,  October,  1861 ;  Thomas  Raridon,  died  at  Otter- 
ville,  January,  1862;  Jefferson  Reynolds,  killed  at  Pea  Ridge,  March, 
1862 ;  James  Snyder,  died  at  Otterville,  December,  1861 ;  George  W. 
Spaulding,  died  at  Georgetown,  Mo.,  October,  1861 ;  Pleasant  D.  Weddel, 
killed  at  Perryville,  October,  1862 ;  David  A.  Whitehorn,  veteran,  killed 
at  Kenesaw,  June,  1864 ;  Robert  Worley,  veteran,  died  April  1865  ; 
Frank  Kennedy,  died  December,  1864  :  Elijah  Lyons,  killed  at  Rome, 
Ga.,  May,  1864. 

Eighty-second  Regiment,  three  years'  service. — Capt.  Jackson  Woods, 
died  of  disease  at  Macon,  Ga.,  May  27,  1864  ;  Capt.  Joseph  Fraker,  died 
of  disease  September  30,  1864 ;  Sergt.  Joseph  Mead,  died  at  home 
February,  1863;  William  Fleener,  died  at  Nashville,  Tenn.,  December, 
1862 ;  Barton  Holly,  died  at  Gallatin,  Tenn.,  January,  1863 ;  James 
McCoy,  died  of  wounds  at  Chattanooga,  November,  1863 ;  Edwin  Parks, 
died  at  Gallatin,  November,  1862 ;  John  Pender,  died  at  Bowling  Green, 
Ky.,  November,  1862;  Frederick  Richardson,  died  at  Danville,  Ky., 
October,  1862;  James  Richardson,  died  at  Chattanooga,  November, 
1863  ;  James  M.  Sipes,  died  at  Beaufort,  S.  C,  April,  1865  ;  John  Truex, 
died  at  Murfreesboro,  April,  1863 ;  Jacob  C.  Walker,  died  at  home, 
February,  1863;  James  P.  Weaver,  died  at  Louisville,  December,  1863; 
Tilghman  H.  Watson,  died  of  wounds  near  Broad  River,  S.  C,  February, 
1865 ;  James  M.  Wilson,  died  of  wounds  near  Atlanta,  July,  1864  ; 
Henry  Henderson,  died  at  Savannah,  Ga.,  February,  1865 ;  Oddy 
Sattethwait,  died  in  Andersonville  Prison,  June,  1864 ;  George  W. 
Dubois,  died  at  Gallatin,  November,  1862  ;  George  W.  Coffin,  killed  at 
Chickamauga,  September,  1863;  John  Weddle,  died  at  Louisville,  Octo- 
ber, 1862  ;  Joseph  A.  Mcllvain,  killed  at  Atlanta,  August,  1864  ;  Wil- 
son Price,  died  at  Murfreesboro,  March,  1863 ;  Henry  Kinsley,  died  at 
Atlanta,  November,  1864;  Martin  Ault,  killed  at  Chickamauga,  Septem- 
ber, 1863  ;  Alexander  Bailes,  died  at  Louisville,  December,  1862  ;  Jack- 
son W.  Bradley,  died  at  Louisville,  January,  1863  ;  Francis  M.  Bradley, 
died  at  Bowling  Green,  Ky.,  November,  1863  ;  William  R.  Breedlove, 
died  at  Murfreesboro,  March,  1863 ;  Robert  Honeycut,  died  at  Bowling 
Green,  December,  1862 ;  Hugh  James,  died  at  Bowling  Green,  December, 
1862 ;  Benjamin  Kelley,  died  of  disease  ;  Henry  Lucas  (Berry),  died  at 
Murfreesboro,  April,  1863;  Washington  Mosier,  shot  by  his  comrade  at 
Irwin,  Tenn.,  May,  1863 ;  Elza  W.  Weaver,  died  at  Nashville,  December, 

1863  ;  John  W.  Wilson  died  of  disease  ;  Jackson  Woods,  died  of  disease  ; 
William  Woods,  died  at  Atlanta,  August,  1864  ;  Michael  Waddle,  died  at 
Murfreesboro,  February,  1863. 

One  Hundred  and  Twentieth  Regiment,  three  years'  service. — Flem- 
ing R.  Followill,  died  at  home,  January,  1865 ;  Isaac  Harding,  died  at 
Louisville,  April,  1864;  William  N.  Hoover,  died  at  Decatur,  September, 

1864  ;  Jacob  Honeycut,  died  of  wounds  at  Raleigh,  N.  C,  October,  1865  ; 
Jacob  Robertson,  died  at  Rasaca,  October,  1864  ;  Edward  N.  Smith, 
died  at  Nashville,  Tenn.,  May,  1864. 

One  Hundred  and  Forty -fifth  Regiment,  one  year  s  service. —  Daniel 
D.  Bradley,  died  at  Dalton,  Ga.,  March,  1865;  Henry  W.  Brown  died  at 


HISTORY   OF   BROWN   COUNTY.  715 

Dalton,  Ga.,  March,  1865;  John  Gosser,  died  at  Chattanooga,  February, 
1865  ;  Conrad  King,  died  at  Dalton,  March,  1865  ;  Thomas  (John)  Mob- 
ley,  died  at  Dalton,  April,  1865  ;  Samuel  Peake,  died  at  Jeffersonville, 
Ind.,  July,  1865;  John  H.  Porter,  died  at  Dalton,  April,  1865  ;  John  W. 
Rich,  died  at  home,  February,  1865  ;  Francis  M.  Smith,  died  at  Nash- 
ville, Tenn.,  March,  1865  ;  Philip  S.  Smith,  died  at  Nashville,  Tenn., 
March,  1865;  Aaron  H.  Wheeler,  died  at  Nashville,  Tenn.,  July,  1865; 
Richard  Elkins  (Thirty-first  Regiment),  killed  at  Fort  Donelson,  February, 
1862;  Sylvanus  Greenlee,  died  at  Oak  Ridge,  Miss.,  October,  1863. 

The  following  is  the  list  of  pensioners,  as  it  stood  on  the  first  of  Jan- 
uary, 1883 : 

Roundebaugh,  Henry,  thigh ". $  2  00 

Reaves,  James  A.,  minor 10  00 

Waltman,  William  H.,  minor 10  00 

Garlock.  David,  eyes 6  00 

Brand,  Peter,  hip  and  back 10  00 

Greathouse,  Peter,  spine 8  00 

Zimmerman,  Martha  .J.,  widow 8  00 

Taylor,  Orpha  A.,  widow 25  00 

Beck,  Margaret  S.,  widow 8  00 

Hedrick,  Shelby,  leg 6  00 

Arwine,  James  N.,  rheumatism 6  00 

Wendland,  John,  arm 12  00 

Young,  Andrew,  knfe 12  00 

Franklin,  Calvin,   diarrhoea 6  00 

West,  Michael,  typhoid  fever 18  00 

Davis,  John,  lungs , 6  00 

Davis,  Mary  E..    widow 16  00 

Wright.  John  C,  lungs 8  00 

Me  Carty,  William  H.,  var.  veins 8  00 

Quinn,  Margaret,  mother 8  00 

King,  Conrad,  minor 10  00 

Myers,  James,   hand 18  00 

Smith,  John  R.,  diarrhoea 4  00 

Skinner,  Joseph  M.,  rheumatism 8  00 

Sherrell,  Levi,   hand 18  00 

Taggart,    Capt.  T.,  arm 4  00 

Hampton,  VVillis,   abdomen 7  00 

Griffin.  William,  thorax 8  00 

Kent,  Thomas,  arm 6  00 

Shipley,  Jesse,   dropsy 18  00 

Scroznm,  James,   knee 10  00 

Wood,  Leander,  rheumadsm.... 12  00 

Percifield,  William  J.,  eye  and  face 8  00 

Palmer,  Robert,  thigh 6  00 

Parks,  George  W.,   arm 4  00 

Bond,  James,  face 2  00 

Condon,  Alexander,  rheumatism 24  00 

Mullis.  Thomas,   eye 10  00 

McGrail,  Michael,  face 24  00 

Hampton,  James,  abdomen 8  00 

Kelley,  Benjamin  R.,  rheumatism 7  50 

Meloy,  James  A.,  kidney  and  heart 8  00 

Hatchell,  Bardell,  lungs 2  00 

Day,  William,  shoulder, 2  00 

Calvin,  Timothy   D.,  diarrhoea 4  00 

Baker,  John,   side 6  00 

Breedlove,  Thomas,   abdomen 4  00 

Reddick,  Nancy,  widow   1812 8  00 

Moser,  Delila,  widow 8  00 

Bradley,  Linia,  widow 8  00 

Price,  Mary  E.,  widow 8  00 

45 


716  HISTORY   OF   BROWN  COUNTY. 

Pearsoll,  Rachel,  widow 8  00 

Shipley,  Sylvania  A.,  widow 24  00 

Floyd,  Louisa,  mother 8  00 

Tullos,  Susan,  mother 8  00 

Hunt,   Jailey,  mother 8  Oa 

Jackson,  Minerya,  mother 8  00 

Polley,  James  W.,  minor  of 10  OO 

Winkler,  John  D.,  rheumatism 4  00 

Gant,  Henry   B.,  loss  fingers 18  OO' 

Fleener,  Joseph  N.,  rheumatism 8  00 

Fleener,  William,   minor  of 10  00 

Leal,  William,   scurvy 6  00 

Ping,  Silas,  disease  of  abdomen 4  00 

Hancher,  Alexander,  hip  and  thigh 8  00 

Moore,  Emanuel  H.,  deaf  one  ear 1  00 

Truex,  Catharine,  widow  8  00 

Greenlee,  Matilda,  widow 8  00 

Noblett,  Lucinde,  widow 8  OO 

Sprague,  Catharine,   widow 8  00 

Powell,  Richard,  disease  of  kidney 8  00 

Nickerson,  Henry  W.,  heart  disease , 18  00 

Enes,  Frederick,  rheumatism 4  00 

Hurley,  Cornelius,  ankle 4  00 

McClare,  Anna,  widow   1812 8  00 

Powell,  Elizabeth,  mother 8  00 

Young,  Joseph  M.,  disease  of  heart 8  00 

Wheeler,  Elihu,  finger 3  00 

Wise,  Rachel,  widow  1812 8  00 

McDonald,  James  D.,  abdomen 4  00 

Zimmerman,  Jacob,  face  and  neck 2  00 

Parmerlee,  Marcus  B.,  loss  of  three  toes 10  00 

Wheaton,  Fielding,  injury  to  sternum 2  00 

Shoup,  Abraham,  paralysis  of  arm 18  00 

Wilsone,  Catharine  A.,  widow 8  00 

Batton,  Almeda,   widow 8  00 

Browning,   Nathan,  diarrhoea 4  00 


WASHINGTON  TOWNSHIP.  717 


WASHINGTON   TOWNSHIP. 

MINERALS,  OIL,  SALT,  HTC. 

THE  township  of  Washington  was  created  in  August,  1836,  and 
at  first  comprised  a  strip  four  miles  wide  and  sixteen  miles  long 
entirely  across  the  county  from  east  to  west.  Afterward  two  tiers  of  sec- 
tions from  the  northern  part  of  Johnson  were  added,  thus  giving  the 
township  a  total  of  eighty  sections,  eight  more  than  two  full  Congressional 
townships.  The  area  of  this  township  is  almost  or  wholly  drained  by  the 
North  Fork  of  Salt  Creek.  Its  branches  on  the  north  are  Jackson's 
Lick,  Owl,  Greasy,  Clay  Lick,  and  on  the  south  Schooner,  Hampton 
and  on  the  east  Henderson's.  The  township  except  the  eastern  part  is 
a  valley  bounded  south,  north  and  east  by  high  hills.  Salt  Creek  enters 
the  township  from  the  northeast  coming  from  Hamblen  Township.  The 
geology  of  the  county  teaches  that  North  Salt  Creek  is  not  as  old  as  Bean 
Blossom.  At  the  time  of  the  glacial  epoch,  the  ice  masses  could  get  no 
farther  south,  except  in  comparatively  small  quantities,  at  the  ridge 
bordering  Bean  Blossom  on  the  south.  On  the  northern  side  of  that  ridge 
the  ice  melted  and  the  water  was  forced  westward,  soon  eroding  the  valley 
of  Bean  Blossom.  It  must  be  understood  that  at  the  beginning  of  the 
glacial  epoch  the  surface  of  the  county  was  almost  level  and  was  at  the 
elevation  of  the  highest  lands.  The  streams,  or  rather  their  valleys, 
have  all  been  cut  down  through  the  subsequent  years  to  their  present  de- 
pression. The  hills  have  not  been  raised  ;  the  valleys  have  been  cut  out 
by  the  action  of  the  ivater.  As  the  ice  melted  on  the  northern  slope  of 
Bean  Blossom  ridge  (when  the  valley  of  that  stream  was  almost  as  high 
as  the  ridge,  and  when  Salt  Creek  Valley  had  not  been  commenced),  large 
quantities  of  water,  with  some  ice  and  some  drift  of  soil  from  Canada  were 
forced  over  the  ridge,  thus  forming  sluggish  rivulets  which  slowly  forced 
their  way  southward  covering  all  the  county  and  gradually  wearing  small 
depressions  which  have  since  been  formed  into  North  Salt  Creek  and  its 
northern  branches.  The  ice  which  passed  over  Bean  Blossom  ridge  was 
stopped  by  the  higher  elevation  of  the  central  ridge  (the  one  just  south  of 
North  Salt  Creek)  and  forced  southwestward  in  the  general  direction  of 
Salt  Creek  where  an  outlet  could  be  had.  The  only  portion  of  the  coun- 
ty that  seems  not  to  have  been  under  water  during  the  glacial  epoch  is 
Weed  Patch  Knob  and  perhaps  a  few  others  of  the  highest  elevations  on 
the  ridges.  Around  their  sides  the  ice  water  has  deposited  slight  terraces 
containing  minute  pebbles  and  some  imported  material  as  if  to  record 
the  highest  flood  upon  this  meter  of  the  great  glacial  river,  while  white 
and  bare  these  storm-scarred  summits  looked  out  over  the  wintry  wild 
and  saw  that  rigid  river  of  ice  menace  their  base  or  turn  to  right  or  left 
into  the  two  White  River  Valleys  and  float  by  in  a  stream  of  molten 
silver.     A  table  of  altitudes  is  here  given  : 


718  HISTORY  OF   BROWN   COUNTY. 

Nashville  above  the  ocean 652  feet. 

Nashville  nbove  mouth  of  Wabash 355  feet. 

Nashville  above  Columbus 35  feet. 

Nashville  above  Wabash  at  Terre  Haute 167  feet. 

Nashville  below  Georgetown 42  feet. 

Nashville  below  Spearsville 285  feet. 

Nashville  below  Bloomington 132  feet. 

Nashville  below  Indianapolis 46  feet. 

Nashville  below  Weed  Patch  Kuob 495  feet. 

At  the  Hester  Quarry,  half  a  mile  west  of  Nashville,  the  following  is 
the  formation  : 

Soil  on  first  terrace,  containing  a  few  small  quartz,  pebbles  and 

minute  grains  of  black  sand  from  the  glacial  drift 10  feet. 

Soft  friable  reddish  sandstone 43  feet. 

Shaly  sandstone  with  ferruginous  bands 25  feet. 

Sandy  shale  with  ferruginous  plates  and  concretions 65  feet. 

Sandstone  (Quarry] 12  feet. 

Total 155  feet. 

In  the  western  part  of  the  township,  notably  on  Section  31, 
Township  9  north,  Range  2  east,  and  Section  12,  Township  8  north. 
Range  2  east,  are  salt  springs  which  were  famous  "licks  "  in  early  times, 
when  deer  in  large  numbers  wandered  browsing  through  the  glades  and 
forests  and  came  there  to  get  their  salt.  These  springs,  known  of  course 
to  the  Indians  before  the  whites  came,  gave  name  to  the  creek  along 
which  they  are  found.  On  Section  31,  above  mentioned,  Mr.  Jackson, 
as  early  as  1823,  bored  a  well  about  300  feet  deep,  securing  a  good  flow 
of  brine,  which  was  boiled  down  in  eight  or  ten  large  iron  kettles  and  sold 
to  the  early  settlers,  many  of  whom  came  forty  or  fifty  miles  for  it.  He 
manufactured  thus  about  2,500  bushels  of  superior  salt  per  annum  after 
the  well  had  been  fully  secured,  and  gave  employment  to  some  six  or  eight 
hands,  who  watched  the  fires  and  water.  At  first  the  salt  sold  as  high  as 
$8  per  bushel,  but  within  a  few  years  it  went  down,  and  after  about  1836 
did  not  pay,  and  the  manufacture  was  abandoned.  On  Section  12,  above 
mentioned,  a  company  from  Bloomington,  at  the  head  of  whom  were  the 
Howes,  sunk  a  well  in  the  twenties  and  also  manufactured  a  considerable 
quantity  of  excellent  salt.  This  was  called  Howe's  Salt  Lick  and  the 
other  Jackson's  Salt  Lick.  Several  other  wells  were  sunk  for  salt,  one 
being  about  three  miles  northeast  of  Nashville.  During  the  great  oil 
fever  many  years  ago,  an  oil  well  was  sunk  at  the  old  Howe's  Lick  by  a 
company,  of  which  Dr.  Arwine  of  Nashville  was  a  member.  The  well 
was  on  the  Story  farm,  and  the  strata  passed  through  were  as  follows  : 

Surface  clay 10  feet. 

Sandstone  with  partings 110  feet. 

Shale,  white  and  blue 220  feet. 

Shale,  reddish 48  feet. 

Slate,  black,  with  a  carbonaceous  parting  of  six  inches 110  feet. 

Huron  shale  containing  sulphur 1  foot. 

White  sandstone  or  limestone 45  feet. 

Clay 15  feet. 

White  sandstone  or  limestone 4  feet. 

Total 560  feet. 

In  the  black  slate,  all  the  way  through  it,  a  small  quantity  of  crude 
petroleum   was    found,    which    formed   bubbles   on    the  "  pum pings  "  of 


WASHINGTON  TOWNSHIP.  719 

water,  and  when  a  lighted  match  was  applied  to  the  bubbles  the  gas 
therein  took  fire  and  burned  as  quick  as  powder.  This  gas  was  carbureted 
hydrogen  very  similar  to  ordinary  coal  gas  manufactured  for  lighting 
cities.  The  oil  brought  up  had  a  plainly  perceptible  odor,  which  was 
unpleasant.  It  was  found  only  in  small  quantity.  Brine  was  struck 
near  the  base  of  the  slate  in  sufficient  quantity  and  strength,  it  was 
estimated,  to  make  one  barrel  of  salt  per  day.  The  well  northeast  of 
Nashville  was  sunk  to  about  the  same  depth,  about  the  same  formation 
being  found  ;  the  slate  was  not  so  thick.  Gas,  oil  and  salt  were  also 
found.  It  is  estimated  that  |1,000  worth  of  gold  has  been  found  on  Salt 
Creek  (North  Fork),  principally  near  its  head.  Traces  are  found  in 
places  along  its  course. 

CIVIL    DIVISION    AND    ORGANIZATION. 

Before  the  creation  of  Brown  County  in  1836,  the  western  portion 
of  Washington  Township  formed  a  part  of  Monroe  County  and  the 
eastern  of  Bartholomew  County.  The  dividing  line,  or  the  "  old  county 
line,"  as  it  is  yet  called,  was  a  short  distance  east  of  Nashville.  As 
soon  as  the  township  was  created  in  August,  1836,  John  S.  Williams  was 
appointed  Assessor,  and  upon  the  completion  of  his  work  was  paid  $3  in 
full  in  county  orders.  He  was  also  paid  50  cents  for  making  return  of 
the  September  election  in  the  township.  Levin  Tull  was  the  first  Con- 
stable. James  Mclntire  assessed  the  township  in  1837.  In  1838,  J.  S. 
Williams  was  Inspector  of  Elections  ;  Robert  Henderson  and  William 
Jackson,  Overseers  o  the  Poor;  John  Hoover  and  Levin  Tull,  Fence 
Viewers  ;  Stephen  Parks  and  Littleton  Matthews,  Constables.  Joseph 
Stilson  was  Assessor  in  1840,  and  James  Taggart,  Jr.,  in  1841.  The 
old  Sparks  Ferry  road  extended  north  and  south  across  the  county, 
passing  through  the  little  village  of  Hedgesville,  about  three  miles  and  a 
half  east  of  Nashville.  This  road  was  divided  into  five  districts  :  1st. 
From  the  Jackson  County  line  to  Section  14,  Van  Buren  Township  ; 
2d.  Thence  to  Hedgesville;  3d.  Thence  to  Owen  Simpson's  about  Sec- 
tion 1,  southern  Hamblen  ;  4th.  Thence  to  Section  14,  Hamblen  ;  5th. 
Thence  to  the  county  line  of  Johnson.  Alfred  Weddel,  in  July,  1836, 
was  appointed  Superintendent  of  District  No.  3,  with  the  following 
hands  :  Hiram  C.  Weddel,  John  Harris,  William  Matthews,  Matthew 
Matthews,  Martin  Matthews,  Isaac  Matthews,  Henry  Sipes.  Jeremiah 
King,  George  King,  Jonathan  Fox,  Joseph  Fox.  Alfred  Young  was 
appointed  Superintendent  of  District  No.  2,  and  was  given  the  following 
hands :  John  Hampton,  Edward  Ayres,  Henry  Ayres,  Samuel  Ayres, 
Enoch  Hampton,  Ephraim  Hatton,  James  Williamson,  Asa  Hatton, 
Alfred  Young,  William  Rippey,  John  Rippey,  William  Kenworthy  and 
Thomas  Polly.  At  this  time  also  (July,  1836)  the  Columbus  &  Bloom- 
ington  road  east  of  the  old  county  line  was  divided  into  two  districts  : 
1st.  From  the  line  to  Hedgesville  ;  2d.  From  Hedgesville  to  the  Bar- 
tholomew County  lines.  Andrew  Marshall  w^s  appointed  Superintendent 
of  District  No.  1,  his  hands  being  John  Floyd,  John  Ping,  Edward 
David,  John  Whittington,  James  Matthews,  M.  Hedges,  Lemuel  M. 
Hedges,  David  Randolph,  Thomas  Hampson  and  Gamaliel  Millsap. 
Robert  Henderson  was  appointed  Superintendent  of  District  No.  2,  with 


720  HISTORY   OF   RROWN   COUNTY. 

the  following  hands :  Henry  Whittington,  James  Mullis,  Henry  New- 
kirk,  Merrick  Graham,  Job  Ping,  Walker  Ping,  Lewis  F.  Raper,  Am- 
brose Cobb,  William  Crouch  and  David  Crouch.  These  names  include 
many  of  the  earliest  residents  of  Washington  Township. 

THE    EARLY    SETTLERS. 

It  is  probable  that  old  man  Schoonover,  who  located  on  Schooner* 
Creek  in  Washington  Township,  as  early,  certainly,  as  1820,  was  the 
first  permanent  white  settler  within  the  county  limits.  He  was  a  Ger- 
man and  was  semi-barbarous,  preferring  to  live  in  the  wilderness  than  in 
the  settled  localities.  Some  state  that  his  location  in  the  township,  on 
Schooner  Creek,  was  as  early  as  1817  or  1818,  and  there  is  postitive  and 
undoubted  evidence  that  he  was  living  on  the  creek  in  1820.  Others 
also  state  that,  for  a  time,  at  the  period  of  his  earliest  settlement,  he 
owned  a  small  stock  of  trinkets,  ammunition,  etc.,  which  he  kept  to  trade 
with  the  Indians  for  their  furs.  This  is  purely  traditionary,  and  could 
not  have  continued  longer  than  three  or  four  years  at  the  farthest,  as  the 
great  bulk  of  the  natives  was  removed  early  in  the  twenties.  What  finally 
became  of  the  family  cannot  be  stated.  It  is  likely  that  the  second  set- 
tlement was  at  the  old  Jackson  salt  works,  about  the  year  1821.  The 
presence  of  salt  there  became  known  to  hunters  and  others  in  Monroe 
County  several  years  before,  and  finally  families  moved  there  to  open  the 
industry  of  manufacturing  salt.  A  well  was  sunk,  and  a  fair  article  of 
brine  was  secured  and  boiled  down  in  iron  kettles  until  a  hard  cake  of 
salt  was  the  residue,  which  was  pulverized  and  rendered  fit  for  market. 
In  after  years  large  quantities  were  prepared.  Several  familes  located 
there  and  in  a  few  years  a  little  settlement  sprang  up  around  them. 
Edward  David  located  in  the  eastern  part  of  the  township  as  early  as 
1822,  though  it  is  stated  that  he  was  not  the  first  there.  A  man  named 
Henderson,  and  perhaps  others,  settled  on  a  creek  of  that  name  about  the 
same  time,  and  perhaps  earlier.  The  early  entries  of  land  will  show  the 
early  settlement  in  a  fairly  correct  light. 

LAND    ENTRIES. 

The  early  entries  on  Township  8  north.  Range  1  east,  were  as  fol- 
lows :  Section  1 — Finney  Coatney,  1844  ;  Joshua  0.  Howe,  1826  ; 
John  W.  Lee,  October  21,  1824  ;  the  east  half  of  the  southwest  quarter; 
Henry  Wampler,  August  17,  1824,  the  west  half  of  the  southwest  quar- 
ter. Section  12— Dawson  Debord,  1836  ;  J.  0.  Howe,  1826 ;  Moses 
Williams,  November  26,  1821,  the  west  half  of  the  northwest  quarter, 
and  in  June,  1824,  the  east  half  of  the  northwest  quarter.  Township 
8  north.  Range  1  east.  Section  1 — Samuel  Dunn,  1831  ;  Fred  Fleener, 
1844;  Michael  Fleener,  1836 ;  Elizabeth  Fleener,  1837.  Section  12— 
Nathan  Pruett,  1839,  Township  8  north.  Range  2  east.  Section  3 — 
George  Henry,  1839  ;  William  Followell,  1836.  Section  4 — George 
Cox,  1839.  Section  6— John  B.  Williams,  1844 ;  Elam  Carter,  1839 ; 
Jacob  Stephens,  1836 ;  James  B.  Chandler,  1839.  Section  7—  Robert 
Robertson,  1843  ;    William  Johnson,  1831 ;  Peter  Sink,  1839.     Town- 


WASHINGTON  TOWNSHIP.  721 

ship  9  north.  Range  2  east.  Section  14 — David  D.  Weddel,  1837.  Sec- 
tion 18— Gilbert  Percifield,  1839  ;  Henry  Jackson,  1839.  Section  19— 
Oilbert  Percifield,  1836.  Section  23— Polly  Kannatser,  1836;  James 
Taggart,  1836 ;  James  Taggart,  Jr.,  1837.  Section  24 — Bezaleel  Mc  AuUy, 
1833-,  William  Jackson,  1836;  Henry  Jackson,  1839;  James  Taggart,  Jr., 
1837;  Jesse  L.  Hubbard,  1839.  Section  26— Stephen  Parks,  1836;  George 
Followell.  1836 :  William  Wise.  1836  ;  John  Followell,  1844.  Section 
27— Thomas  J.  Breedlove,  1836 ;  William  Followell,  1839  ;  William 
King,  1836  ;  Rachel  Coulson,  1837  ;  John  Hoover,  1836-37-40-47.  Sec- 
tion 28— Rachel  Coulson,  1837  ;  John  Hoover,  1839.  Section  29— Finney 
Coatney,  1838.  Section  31 — was  reserved  by  the  Government  for  the 
Saline  Fund.  Township  9  north,  Range  3  east,  Section  14 — Jonathan 
Fox,  1831 ;  John  Brown,  1836  ;  Jacob  Davis,  1835 ;  Cornelius  W. 
Tucker,  1835.  Section  18 — Pierson  Brummet,  1837  ;  Ira  Davar,  1844 ; 
Alexander  Baker,  1828  ;  Sylvanus  Manville,  1844.  Section  19 — (see  in 
advance  a  few  pages).  Section  20 — Matthew  Matthews,  1836  ;  Reuben 
Matthews,  1836;  John  Huff,  1836;  James  Mclntire,  1836;  J.  B. 
Chandler,  1844;  John  S.  Williams,  1836;  Isaac  Matthews,  1836; 
Levin  Tull,  1836  ;  Henry  Sipes,  1836.  Section  21— Thomas  Coulson, 
1837.  Section  22 — Jesse  Brown,  1840;  Thomas  Coulson,  1837;  James 
D.  Robertson,  1840.  Section  24— John  Flinn,  1830.  Section  25 — 
Jerry  King,  1832 ;  James  Taggart,  March  22,  1828  ;  Robert  Henderson, 
1835;  Henry  Newkirk,  1836;  James  Sullivan,  1832.  Section  26— 
Henry  Whittington,  1834;  Hiram  C.  Weddel,  1839.  Section  27— 
John  King,  1833;  William  Snyder,  1832;  John  Alcorn,.  1832 ;  Fran- 
cis Whittington,  1837  ;  John  Fox,  1839.  Section  28 — John  Alcorn, 
1832 ;  Edward  David,  Jr.,  1833  ;  Aquilla  Rogers,  1836 ;  Edward 
David,  March  6,  1828  ;  Benjamin  Rogers,  1836  ;  John  Matthews,  1844  ; 
James  D.  Robertson,  1840;  John  Fox,  1839.  Township  9  north, 
Range  4  east.  Section  4 — John  King,  1836 ;  William  Taylor,  Sr., 
1836.  Section  5— William  King,  1832 ;  John  King,  1839  ;  Section  6 
—P.  J.  Weddel,  1839.  Section  9— Alfred  King,  1843.  Section  19— 
James  Rude,  1839;  Henry  Whittington,  1839;  Joseph  White,  1833; 
John  Harris,  1836.  Section  30 — Matthew  Matthews,  1837.  Section  33 
— Abe  Marlett,  1839;  Isaac  Nickerson,  1839.  This  list  includes  all 
,  who  entered  land  in  Washington  Township,  or  nearly  all,  before  1850. 
The  list  includes  many  of  the  very  first  settlers,  though  unfortunately, 
owing  to  the  destruction  in  1873  of  the  county  records,  the  names  of  all 
the  early  residents  cannot  be  given.  As  a  means  of  preserving  as  many 
of  the  names  of  the  early  residents  as  possible,  the  following  list  is  given : 

POLL-TAX  PAYERS  OF    1848.* 

Thomas  M.  Adams,*  W.  W.  Baker,*  Jesse  Brown,*  George  Brum- 
met, T.  S.  Breedlove,  Joab  Brummet,  James  Bradley,  Milton  Bradley, 
Samuel  Boruff,  Robert  Brummet,  Solomon  Brummet,  Joseph  Brummet, 
John  A.  Breedlove,  Thomas  J.  Breedlove,  David  D.  Bradley,  Banner 
Brummet,  Jr.,  William  Bracken,  Shadrack  Chandler,*  George  Coulson, 
Robert  Carter,  Thomas  Coulson,  Elam  Carter,  James  Chandler,  James 
Oarter,  Richard  Corum,  Daniel  Carmiohael,  Washington  Crouch,  Levi 

*  Those  marked  with  a  star  (*)  were  rasidenta  of  Nashville. 


722  HISTORY   OF   BROWN   COUNTY. 

B.  Dubois,  Edward  David,  John  L.  Due,*  Asa  B.  Dowell,  George  W. 
David,  W.  W.  Duncan,  D.  0.  Elliott,*  Drury  Edwards,  Mathew  Floyd,* 
John  Fox,  Robert  Floor,  Samuel  R.  Followell,  Joseph  Fox,  L.  B.  Fol- 
lowell,  Alexander  Followell,  James  J.  Floyd,  Isaac  Fox,  James  H.  Follo- 
well, Hanson  Graham,  John  C.  Gould,  Thomas  M.  Guffey,  William 
Griffin,  Benjamin  Huntington,*  John  Hoover,  John  Huflf,  James  Hunt- 
ington,* Charles  B.  Huff,  Henry  Hampton,  William  Hoover,  D.  L.  Hunt- 
ington, William  Huntington,  David  Jackson,  Henry  Jackson,  James 
Jackson,  Joshua  Jackson,  John  Jeffries,  Isom  Jones,  W.  Joslin,  Levin 
Knight,  Henry  King,  W.  H.  Knight,  John  Kelley,*  James  Kentz,  Kizer 
Loudermilk,  P.  A.  Meadows,  William  M.  Mason,*  Alfred  McGuire,  Jacob 
B.  Myers,  Daniel  McKinney,  L.  R.  Moore,  John  P.  Myers,  Robert 
Marshal,  John  Miles,  Breckenridge  Mason,  John  Mathis,  Royal  P.  Man- 
ville,  Sylvanus  Manville,  William  McCoy,  James  Marshal,  Matthew  Mathis, 
Joseph  Parks,  Thomas  Percifield,  Stephen  Parks,  Gilbert  Percified,  Daniel 
Pogue,  Henry  H.  Porter,  P.  C.  Parker,  Jesse  R.  Payne,*  M.  G.  Percifield, 
George  Percifield,  W.  J.  Percifield,  Phillip  Pike,  Bluford  Roddick,  Robert 
Robertson,  Joseph  H.  Rice,  Arson  Richardson,  Hiram  Reynolds,  William 
S.  Roberts,  William  K.  Rogers,  Lewis  Rogers,  E.  E.  Rose,  Dennis  Rey- 
nolds, Thomas  Rutherford,  J.  S.  Resley,  John  Lee,  Charles  Sipes,  Daniel 
Scrogham,  Henry  Sipes,  Jr.,  James  Shelton,  Alexander  Sturgeon,  James 
Sturgeon,  Lewis  Sisco,  George  Stephens,  G.  W.  Snider,  John  Tumblenson, 
Lewis  I.  Tull,  John  Tull,  Samuel  Turk,  James  W.  Taggart,  Mason  Watts, 
Matthew  Wise,  William  Weatherman,  John  B.  Williams,  James  Wise, 
Alfred  Williams,  Jackson  Woods,*  I.  Westfall,  Peter  Whisnand,  Jacob- 
Yoder.  The  heaviest  tax  payers  were  Thomas  M.  Adams,  $9.29 ;  Ban- 
ner Brummet,  Sr.,  ^7.46  ;  John  Carter,  $15.61  ;  Thomas  Coulson  $10. ; 
L.  B.  Dubois.  $8.49;  Edward  David,  Sr.,  $8.12;  David  Deitz,  $5.50  ^ 
John  Floyd,  $7.15  ;  Matthew  Floyd,  $5.63;  Robert  Henderson,  $6.99; 
John  Hoover,  $8.61 ;  James  Huntington,  $5.71 ;  Joshua  0.  Howe,  $22.06 ; 
Henry  Jackson,  $6.21 ;  Levin  Knight,  $6.21  ;  D.  M.  C.  Lane,  $5.78 ; 
P.  A.  Meadows,  $5.16;  Lewis  Rogers,  $5.05  ;  Henry  Sipes,  Sr.,  $5.50; 
James  Taggart's  heirs,  $8.03;  James  Taggart,  $5.72;  Number  of 
polls,  134;  Number  of  acres,  6,226.34;  value  of  land,  $17,313  ;  value  of 
improvements,  $15,540  ;  value  of  lots  $6,650  ;  personal  property,  $20,040; 
total  taxables,  $59,543;  total  tax,  $561.98;  delinquent  tax  and  interest 
$187.92  ;  grand  tot^l  tax,  $749.80. 

INCIDENTS. 

William  S.  Roberts  was  one  of  the  first  Justices  of  the  Peace  of  this 
township.  His  old  docket  exhibits  many  amusing  items.  Fighting  to 
see  which  was  the  better  man  was  as  fashionable  as  drinking  to  see 
which  could  carry  the  more  liquor.  Many  of  the  best  citizens  were  in- 
volved in  fights,  and  were  required  to  swell  the  seminary  fund  by  fines. 
In  1839,  Stephen  Gibson  was  fined  $1.50  for  an  assault  and  battery  on 
Samuel  Parsley.  He  was  also  fined  $10  for  profane  swearing,  which  fine 
seems  not  to  have  been  paid,  probably  because  it  was  excessive.  James 
Stephens  was  fined  $2.50  for  thrashing  L.  Marshall.  Matthew  Ma- 
thews and  Calvin  Huflf  were  fined  $1.50  each  for  an  affray.  A.  J.  Dietz 
and  H.  C.  Weddel   were  fined  each  $1  for  an  affray.     Banner  C.  Brum- 


WASHINGTON  TOWNSHIP.  723 

met  and  Littleton  Matthews  were  each  fined  |1  for  contempt  of  court. 
And  so  the  record  goes  on.  In  1840,  the  township  officers  were  as  fol- 
lows: James  Taggart  and  Willam  Followell,  Overseers  of  the  Poor; 
Roily  Rains  and  Henry  Jackson,  Fence-Viewers ;  William  S.  Roberts, 
Inspector ;  John  Hoover,  P.  C.  Parker,  Littleton  Matthews,  Henry  New- 
kirk,  Road  Supervisors. 

The  township  was  very  wild  even  in  1836,  Deer,  bear,  wolves  and 
panthers  were  quite  numerous.  Green  Graham  tells  that  on  one  occa- 
sion, at  night,  he  had  occasion  to  pass  from  Jackson's  salt  works  to  the 
eastern  part  of  the  township  via  Weed  Patch  Knob.  He  was  on  horse- 
back, and  was  unaccompanied  except  by  a  small  colt  and  a  cur  dog.  Just 
before  reaching  the  summit  of  the  hill,  he  heard  what  he  took  to  be  some 
one  calling  him  on  some  distance  in  advance,  and  he  returned  the  call, 
which  was  soon  repeated.  He  again  answered,  and  this  was  repeated  sev- 
eral times,  and  the  person  calling  seemed  each  time  to  be  getting  nearer. 
At  last,  just  before  reaching  the  top  of  the  knob,  he  observed  that  his  dog 
was  so  frightened  that  it  ran  under  the"  side  of  the  mare  he  was  riding,  and 
remained  cowering  there.  The  mare  also  began  to  prick  up  her  ears  and 
sniff  the  air  in  fright,  and  shy  off  to  one  side  of  the  path.  A  minute  later 
the  leaves  rustled  out  to  his  right,  and  looking  that  way,  the  already  fright- 
ened settler  saw  two  large  cat-like  forms  skulking  along  through  the  weeds. 
He  knew  then  that  the  animals  were  panthers,  and  without  further  par- 
ley he  put  whip  to  his  mare,  and  regardless  of  the  consequences,  went  down 
the  steep  hill  at  a  break-neck  pace.  He  was  soon  away  from  the  spot  and 
saw  no  more  of  the  panthers  whose  cries  had  so  misled  him.  He  states 
that  he  was  so  scared  that  his  hair  rose  straight  up  on  his  head. 

HEDGESVILLE. 

This  defunct  village,  on  Section  27,  had  a  short  and  insignificant  ex- 
istence. It  is  thought  that  Merrick  Graham  first  lived  there.  Some  of 
the  Hedges  located  there  probably  as  early  as  1884,  thinking  that  a  new 
county  was  to  be  formed,  and  built  a  few  houses,  designing  to  start  a  town 
near  the  probable  centre  of  the  new  county,  and  expecting  to  lay  claim 
to  the  county  seat  when  the  county  should  be  created.  One  of  them 
started  a  small  grocery  and  liquor  establishment,  which  was  conducted  for 
a  year  or  more.  Joseph  King  lived  in  the  village.  It  is  stated  that  a 
tavern  was  also  kept  by  the  Hedges,  and  was  well  patronized  by  the  trav- 
elers along  the  Columbus  &  Bloomington  road.  It  is  said  that  John 
Whittington  had  a  store  there  for  a  short  time.  Not  more  than  five  or 
six  families  ever  lived  at  one  time  in  the  village.  Jacksonsburg  was  no 
sooner  founded  than  the  little  village  was  deserted.  The  residents  there 
and  in  that  vicinity  had  put  in  a  claim  for  the  county  seat,  but  failed  to 
secure  the  prize. 

JACKSONSBURG,   OR  NASHVILLE. 

This  town  was  founded  in  1836.  and  was  laid  out  in  August  of  that 
year  by  Banner  0.  Brummet,  County  Agent.  It  was  named  Jacksons- 
burg from  the  township  in  which  it  was  then  located.  James  Dawson  pre- 
pared the  plan  of  the  town,  and  was  the  surveyor  under  whose  direction 
the  lots  and  streets  were  measured.  The  first  sale  of  lots  took  place  on 
the  12th  of  September,   1836,  and  was  continued  privately  during  the 


724  HISTORY    OF   BROWN   COUNTY. 

autumn  months.  The  names  of  the  purchasers  cannot  be  given.  Prior 
to  January  3,  1837,  fifty  lots  were  sold  for  $694. 87|,  of  which  $91.90| 
was  cash,  and  the  remainder,  $602.97.  in  notes,  one-fourth  due  in  eight 
months,  one-fourth  in  eighteen  months,  and  one-fourth  in  twenty-four 
months.  The  results  were  not  flattering  for  the  future  prosperity  of  the 
county  seat.  By  the  2d  of  May  1837,  the  County  Agent  received  $42.50^ 
more  for  town  lots,  $5.68f  being  cash.  Sales  continued  to  be  made  from 
time  to  time.  In  September,  1837,  it  was  ordered  that  one-third  of  the 
purchase  price  of  town  lots  could  be  paid  in  county  orders.  In  March, 
1838,  the  County  Agent's  report  was  as  follows,  from  the  commencement 
of  the  sales  in  1836  to  that  date:  Total  proceeds  of  all  sales,  $759.37; 
total  cash  receipts,  $260.31;  total  paid  out,  $246.28;  leaving  on  hand 
$14.03.  In  August,  1838,  all  lots  south  of  Washington  street  were 
ordered  sold  by  auction.  The  sales  by  January,  1840  (from  the  com- 
mencement), amounted  to  $864. 87J,  of  which  $569.38  was  cash,  and 
$543.08  had  been  expended.  And  so  the  sales  went  on  very  slowly,  and 
with  meager  available  results. 

The  first  house  built  at  Jacksonsburg,  or  that  immediate  vicinity,  was 
a  log  structure  erected  about  1835  by  Banner  C.  Brummet,  and  was  loca- 
ted about  one  hundred  and  fifty  yards  northeast  of  the  present  poor-house. 
About  the  same  time,  or  soon  afterward,  Isaac  Matthews  built  a  log 
cabin  in  the  northwest  part  of  town.  Henry  Jackson's  log  cabin,  near 
the  cemetery,  was  erected  about  the  same  time.  W.  S.  Roberts  built  in 
town  in  May,  1836,  before  the  lots  were  laid  out,  and  placed  in  one  apart- 
ment of  his  double  log  cabin  a  stock  of  goods  worth  $1,500,  which  he 
brought  with  him  from  Bloomington,  where  he  and  Mr.  Barnes  had  been 
in  business  together.  Mr.  Barnes  owned  an  interest  in  the  store,  but 
continued  to  reside  in  Bloomington.  Elijah  Preston  came  in  about  this 
time,  as  did  also  Avery  McGee,  the  Deputy  County  Clerk  and  Recorder. 
Lorenzo  D.  Head  came  in  not  far  from  this  time.  He  was  a  gunsmith, 
and  had  a  small  shop  in  his  cabin,  and  was  also  a  blacksmith,  building  a 
shop  soon  afterward.  He  was  a  single  man,  and  boarded  with  Henry 
Jackson,  up  by  the  graveyard.  His  widowed  sister,  with  three  children, 
kept  house  for  him  later.  Lewis  E.  Wayland  moved  his  family  in  soon 
afterward,  as  did  also  David  Deitz.  The  latter  built  a  double-log  cabin, 
in  one  room  of  which  his  family  was  domiciled,  and  the  other  of  which  he 
opened  a  store  of  probably  $2,000  worth  of  a  general  assortment  of  goods. 
The  crash  of  1837  was  felt  in  Jacksonsburg,  and  Mr.  Roberts  was 
forced  to  close  his  doors.  He  was  entirely  broken  up,  and  saw  the  Con- 
stable drive  away  his  last  cow.  In  1839,  he  managed  to  start  in  business 
again,  however,  with  a  fair  stock,  which  was  rapidly  increased.  Banner  C. 
Brummet  opened  a  grocery  (liquor),  in  1837.  William  Davidson  also 
began  selling  liquor  about  the  same  time.  William  M.  Mason,  Thomas 
M.  Adams  and  Henry  Whittington  came  to  live  in  the  town  early.  P.  C. 
Parker  was  the  first  tavern  keeper.  He  owned  a  double-log  cabin  and 
sold  liquor  and  groceries.  William  Followell  began  selling  liquor  early. 
Davidson's  liquor  was  kept  for  sale  in  Ike  Matthews'  house.  Pierson 
Brummet  also  sold  liquor  early.  This  was  the  town  of  1837-38,  or  nearly 
80.  The  Section  19  upon  which  the  town  was  located  was  entered  as 
follows : 


WASHINGTON  TOWNSHIP. 


725 


PURCHASER. 


Thomas  Coulsoa 

Littleton  Mathis 

Nicholas  Fleener 

Isaac  Boltenhouse 

George  Brumtnet  

James  Huff 

James  Huff 

Calvin  Huff 

Banner  C.  Brummet 

James  Dawson  

John   Huff  and  ") 
Levin  Tull       j  "" 

Milton  Fleener 

John  Hight 


40  January  15  1846|N.  E.  N.  E. 
40  February  24,  1845iS.  E.  N.  E. 
40  August  15,  1836  N.  W.  N.  E. 
40       July  8,  1886  iS.  W.  N.  E. 

40       April  4,  1836  N.  E.  S.  E. 

40  October  13,  1832  S.  E.  S.  E. 
40       April  4,  1836  N.  W.  S.  E. 

40       November  24.  1836*S.  W.  S.  E. 
179.52  March -^5,  1836      j      N.  W. 
45.62  .June  16,  1836  N.  E.  S.  W. 

4o.62!August  7,  1844       iS.  E.  S.  W. 

45.62;October  5,  1836  ,N.  W.  S.  W. 
45.62lNovember23, 1846  S.  W.  S.  W. 


Elijah  Preston  was  an  early  tavern  keeper,  as  was  Thomas  Chinn,  who 
bought  him  out.  In  the  forties,  Sylvanus  Manville  was  tavern  keeper,  his 
house  being  called  the  American  Tavern.  Chapman  &  Lowe  conducted 
the  hotel  before  Manville.  James  Taggart  sold  merchandise  and  groceries 
for  a  short  time  in  1837-38.  John  S.  Williams  sold  liquor  in  1837. 
Nearly  or  quite  all  of  the  early  business  men  sold  liquor.  Henry  Jackson, 
Thomas  Chinn,  W.  S.  Roberts,  P.  C.  Parker,  Thomas  Carr,  Avery  Mc- 
Gee,  Israel  Mullinix,  Daniel  C.  Smith  (colored)  and  others  being  among 
the  earliest.  Sylvanus  Manville  &  Co.  opened  an  excellent  store  in  1840, 
though  his  stock  did  not  exceed  |2,500  in  value.  D.  M.  C.  Lane,  an 
attorney,  began  selling  merchandise  in  1842.  In  1846,  Svlvanus  Man- 
ville, D.  M.  C.  Lane,  David  Deitz,  W.  S.  Roberts,  E.  E.  &  G.  G.  Sluss, 
Royal  P.  Manville  and  others  were  in  business  in  the  village,  which 
contained  a  population  of  about  175  or  200.  Merchants  and  grocers 
after  this  were  as  follows:  Chapman  &  Co.,  W.  S.  Roberts,  Joseph  Kelley, 
G.  W.  Crouch,  1818;  Albert  Martindale,  Dr.  John  Kelley,  David  Deitz, 
L.  F.  Raper,  David  Huntington,  F.  A.  Metheney,  William  and  D.  A.  Elli- 
ott, 1849;  T.  M.  Adams  &  Co.,  John  Jackson,  John  Wershing,  T.  S. 
Colvin,  Henry  Havlin,  1850 ;  Mathew  Floyd,  W.  J.  Mathews,  W.  W. 
Baker,  Z.  Kelley,  1852;  Cross  &  Hull,  J.  W.  Knight,  W.  M.  Mason, 
James  S.  Hester,  Roberts  &  Taggart,  William  Hayes,  Robert  Miller, 
1855;  W.  B.  Hoagland,  T.  S.  Larkin,  George  Jackson,  Ed  Mc- 
Elhaney,  Sylvanus  Manville,  E.  H.  Cox  &  Co.,  1862 ;  W.  H.  &  C.  T. 
Taggart,  1865 ;  W.  W.  Browning,  1867 ;  John  Genolin,  J.  C.  Hester, 
Moody  &  Cumming,  Frank  P.  Taggart,  Charles  Davidson,  Charles  Gib- 
son, W.  T.  Grattan,  Hugh  Mason.  The  following  constitutes  the  pres- 
ent business  of  the  town  :  General  merchandise — F.  P.  Taggart,  Charles 
Gibson,  Patterson  Brothers,  Hugh  Mason,  Taggart  &  Grattan.  Drugs 
and  notions — Cornelius  &  Colvin.  William  Day,  groceries  and  boots 
and  shoes.  John  &  F.  D.  Calvin,  hardware.  J.  B.  Kennedy,  groceries 
and  confectionery.  W.  A.  Mason,  groceries  and  notions.  0.  J.  Tag- 
gart, Barber.  Blacksmiths — Guthrie  &  Patterson,  George  Stone.  Car- 
penters— J.    P.    Gray,    James    Meyers.      Grist    mill — Yoder    &    Gray. 

Wagons — Leander  Smith,    Arnold.      Harness — J.  &  T.  D.  Calvin. 

Furniture — John  L.   Dew.     Butcher — Robert  Brown.     Milliner — Mrs. 


726  HISTORY  OF  BROWN  COUNTY. 

Jennie  Allison.  Doctors — C.  T.  Taggart,  John  F.  Genolin.  A.  J. 
Ralphy.  Lawyers — R.  L.  Coflfey,  W,  W.  Browning,  W.  L.  Cox, 
Anderson  Percifield,  W.  C.  Duncan,  J.  C.  Hester.  Ministers — Rob- 
ert J.  Watts.     Churches — Methodist  South,  Presbyterian. 

TOWN    AND    TOWNSHIP    INDUSTRIES. 

The  old  Edward  David  combined  grist  and  saw  mill  was  erected  in 
the  eastern  part  of  Washington  Township  not  far  from  the  year  1830. 
A  small  temporary  dam  was  built  on  the  creek,  and  a  race  of  perhaps  100 
yards  furnished  additional  head  to  the  water  which  furnished  the  power 
to  propel  the  saw  and  nigger-head  stones.  The  mill  was  afterward  much 
improved,  a  set  of  French  buhrs  being  secured  and  a  stronger  dam  being 
constructed.  The  mill  was  very  useful  in  its  day.  Jonathan  Fox  con- 
ducted an  old  horse  mill  in  the  eastern  part  near  Salt  Creek  at  a  very 
early  day — as  early  as  1828  it  is  said.  In  the  year  1840,  there  was  ob- 
tained in  the  township  salt  to  the  amount  of  1,600  bushels,  as  shown  by 
the  United  States  census  reports.  Some  years  before  that,  as  high  as  3,000 
bushels  were  obtained  in  one  year.  Six  men,  with  a  capital  of  $3,000, 
carried  on  this  enterprise  in  1840.  There  were  also  raised  3,562  pounds 
of  tobacco.  Nashville  in  early  years  was  a  famous  resort  for  sporting 
characters.  Horse-racing  was  a  favorite  pastime,  and  when  that  became 
too  dull  a  fight  was  projected  and  enjoyed,  or  perhaps  a  game  of  cards 
was  played  on  a  stump  in  the  court  house  square  as  a  settlement  of  who 
should  treat  to  a  quart  of  whisky.  .  All  this  was  called  gaming,  and  was 
fined  by  the  early  laws  before  Justices.  Another  amusement  was  shooting 
at  a  mark,  either  for  pleasure  or  profit.  Turkeys  were  shot  for,  but  the 
drinks  were  settled  oftener  this  way  than  any  other.  From  this  chapter 
it  will  be  noticed  that  the  county  seat  contained  a  great  many  liquor  es- 
tablishments. It  was  thought  nothing  of  then,  and  cannot  be  judged  by 
the  standard  of  to  day.  All  drank  then,  and  rejoiced  as  the  liquor  ele- 
ment now  does  in  their  personal  liberty.  Fights  in  those  days  were  very 
frequent  and  were  projected  in  a  perfectly  friendly  way  to  settle  who  was 
the  best  man.  Any  and  all  new  comers  were  required  to  show  their  met- 
tle and  muscle.  Friendly  and  neighborly  relations  were  resumed  when 
the  fight  was  over.  All  this  took  place  at  the  county  seat.  It  is  said  that 
Isaac  Hooper  was  the  first  carpenter  in  Nashville,  and  Dow  Head  and 
John  Mills  the  first  blacksmiths  ;  Jesse  Payne  was  the  second  carpenter. 
John  L.  Dew  was  probably  the  first  cabinet-maker;  he  is  yet  a  resident  of 
the  town  and  works  at  his  trade.  Henry  Sipes  conducted  a  small  distil- 
lery as  early  as  1839.  about  a  mile  and  a  half  out  of  town.  It  was  oper- 
ated several  years.  John  Genolin,  Sr.,  owned  a  distillery  in  Nashville, 
early  in  the  fifties.  It  did  a  small  business  for  several  years.  Benjamin 
Huntington  started  a  tannery  southeast  of  Nashville  early  in  the  forties, 
and  at  first  had  four  vats  which  were  soon  increased  to  eight.  It  after- 
ward passed  to  Mr.  R ,  and  later  to  Mr.  Calvin.     It  was  abandoned 

about  the  beginning  of  the  last  war.  T,  S.  Calvin  started  a  tannery  in 
Nashville  about  1851,  and  had  six  vats.  He  afterward  sold  to  Shotwell 
&  Larkin.  It  was  afterward  owned  by  Dow  Head,  Carter  and  others. 
As  high  as  ten  or  twelve  vats  were  used.  Late  in  the  forties  John  Hight 
built  a  carding  mill  in  Nashville.     He  fitted  it  up  with  the  necessary  ma- 


WASHINGTON  TOWNSHIP.  727 

chinerj  for  a  general  carding  business.  It  was  operated  by  a  tread 
•wheel,  and  was  conducted  by  W.  H.  Turner.  Mr.  Hight  took  out  the 
second  flat-boat  from  the  dock  at  Nashville.  In  about  1852,  he  construct- 
ed a  boat,  loaded  it  with  grain  and  pork,  and  floated  it  down  the  streams 
to  New  Orleans.     Only  two  boats  were  sent  out  from  Nashville — the  first 

being  a  load  of  bacon  by ,  and  the  second  grain  and  pork  by  Mr. 

Hight.  Elijah  Scarborough  took  out  two  or  three  farther  down  the  creek, 
as  did  also  Al.  Meadows,  and  perhaps  others; 

The  county  seat  was  first  called  Jacksonsburg,  but  at  the  session  of 
the  General  Assembly  in  1836-7,  an  act  was  passed  changing  the  name 
to  Nashville,  after  the  capital  of  Tennessee,  the  change  to  take  effect 
from  and  after  the  publication  of  the  law,  which  was  about  the  1st  of 
March,  1837.  This  name  has  since  been  retained.  The  population  of 
the  town  in  1840,  was  about  80 ;  in  1850,  about  175;  in  1860,  about 
220 ;  in  1870,  about  260  ;  in  1880,  348 ;  in  1883,  about  380.  In  1880, 
the  population  of  Washington  Township,  including  Nashville,  was  2,836. 

INCORPORATION    OF    THE    COUNTY    SEAT. 

Nashville  was  incorporated  in  1872.  The  census  was  taken  by  S.  G. 
Pettigrew  early  in  August,  and  the  survey  of  the  territory,  to  be  com- 
prised within  the  limits  of  the  corporation,  was  made  by  John  P.  Wright 
about  the  same  time.  The  petition  for  the  incorporation,  signed  by  forty 
residents  and  accompanied  by  the  necessary  plats,  descriptions,  etc.,  was 
presented  to  the  County  Board  on  the  5th  of  August,  whereupon  an  elec- 
tion was  ordered  held  to  determine  at  the  polls  whether  a  municipal  gov- 
ernment should  be  assumed.  This  election  was  held  September  23,  and 
the  vote  was  as  follows:  For  incorporation,  39 ;  against  incorporation,  8  ; 
total  47.  The  village  was  then  duly  declared  to  be  the  incorporated 
town  of  Nashville.  It  included  194.37  acres,  a  strip  ten  rods  wide  and 
and  162  rods  long  being  taken  from  Section  24,  Township  9  north.  Range 
2  east,  the  remainder  being  on  Section  19,  Township  9  north,  Range  3 
east.  The  census  as  taken  by  Mr.  Pettigrew,  in  August,  was  in  full  as 
follows : 

Heads  of  family.  Males.     Females.     Total. 

John  Genolin 6  3  9 

W.W.Browning 2  4  6 

T.  D.  Calvin 4  2  6 

Minerva  Jackson  Oil 

John  C.  Hester 2  3  5 

James  S.  Hester 5  3  8 

E.  H.  Cox     3  14 

Hannah  Stone 3  2  5 

Sarah  Stabb 12  3 

William  G.  Watson 3  3  6 

Captain  T.  Taggart 2  2  4 

George  Milhorn , 2  2  4 

Leander  Smith 2  13 

M.  C.  Hunter Oil 

Mary  Manville 12  3 

P.  S.  Taggart 3  14 

Frank  P.  Taggart 4  2  6 

John  Ralphy 3  14 

John  A.  Marshall 2  2  4 

James  Myers 2  2  4 

Martin  E.  Phillips 3  3  6 


728  HISTORY   OF   BROWN   COUNTY. 

Samson  Scrock 6  2                8 

William  M.  Mason 3  2                5 

W.  T.  Gratton , 12  3 

A.  S.  Griffitt 2  4               6 

Rachel  Pearsoll 2  2            '4 

John  Mobley 3  3                6 

Michael  McNamee 3  3                6 

Richard  L.  Coffey 3  2                5 

Mary  Price 2  13 

Daniel  Marcellus 3  2               5 

Katharine  Roberts 3  2                5 

William  S.  Olmstead ...  3  3                6 

John  L.  Dew 14  6 

Andrew  J.  Williams 2  13 

BleninPercifield 4  15 

Felix  G.  Metheney 3  4               7 

Charles  Gibson 3  5                8 

William  L.  Cox 3  14 

F.D.Wood 3  3               6 

John  Britton 2  2                4 

Seth  Stevens 4  2                6 

James  P.  Gray 2  3                5 

Martin  B.  Jackson 2  4                6 

Leander  Wilson 2  2                4 

Caleb  B.  Ferguson* 7  14             21 

Thompson  Mobley 3  14 

S.  G.  Pettigrew 2  5               7 

A.  E.  Hatton 2  1                3 

William  Kelp 4  1                5         , 

Nelson  Baker 2  4                6 

Eli  Bartholomew 112 

Totals i44  142  286 

Soon  after  the  village  was  incorporated,  the  first  Trustees,  Frank  P. 
Taggart,  John  Genolin  and  Charles  Gibson,  met  and  adopted  a  series  of 
by-laws,  and  also  a  series  of  ordinances,  for  the  government  of  the  town. 
E.  H.  Cox  was  the  first  Clerk,  and  Leander  Smith  the  first  Treasurer ; 
but  little  was  done  during  the  winter.  The  May  election,  1874,  result- 
ed as  follows:  John  Genolin,  Charles  Gibson  and  John  C.  Hester, 
Trustees — each  receiving  thirty-three  votes.  Frank  P.  Taggart,  Treas- 
urer and  Assessor;  Allen  W.  Prather,  Clerk.  The  latter  was  also  em- 
ployed as  Town  Attorney.  Jonas  Milhorn  was  appointed  Marshal.  At 
the  next  few  meetings,  the  by-laws  and  ordinances  were  revised, 
amended  and  put  in  force.  Work  was  begun  upon  the  streets,  one  of  the 
first  acts  being  to  build  a  bridge  over  the  creek,  leading  to  the  poor  house. 
In  October,  two  town  bonds  of  $110  each  were  issued,  to  cover  certain 
repairs  to  the  schoolhouse.  W.  W.  Browning  became  Town  Attorney  in 
January,  1875.  The  Treasurer,  in  May,  1875,  reported  receipts  for  the 
year  past  as  $t>6 ;  expenditures,  $55.58  ;  balance  on  hand,  42  cents.  In 
May,  1875,  the  officers  were  John  L.  Dew,  W.  R.  Selfridge  and  Allen 
W.  Prather,  Trustees ;  James  McGreyel,  Clerk  ;  John  C.  Hester,  Treas- 
urer and  Assessor;  John  A.  Marshall,  Marshal.  A  tax  of  30  cents  on 
each  $100  was  levi'ed  to  pay  off  the  bonds  above  mentioned.  In  October, 
1875,  James  McGreyel  became  Trustee,  vice  Prather,  resigned. 
Gilbert  F.  Little  was  appointed  Clerk  and  Town  Attorney.  A  road 
scraper  was  purchased  for  $15.     The  receipts  for  the  fiscal  year  1875-76 

*Thi8  large  number  included  the  county  paupers. 


WASHINGTON  TOWNSHIP.  729 

were  $117.17  ;  expenses,  $103.62.  The  officers  elected  in  May,  1876, 
were  Eugene  Cully,  James  McGreyel  and  W.  R.  Selfridge,  Trustees  ; 
James  P.  Gray,  Marshal;  G.  F.  Little,  Clerk;  J.  C.  Hester,  Treasurer. 
The  officers  of  1877  were  John  C.  Hester,  W.  L.  Cox  and  James  Mc- 
Greyel, Trustees ;  Aaron  David,  Marshal  ;  W.  L.  Cox,  Town  Attorney  ; 
Nelson  H.  Franklin,  Clerk.  The  officers  of  1878  were  Alonzo  Allison, 
Charles  Gibson  and  Collins  Calvin,  Trustees;  W.  L.  Cox,  Treasurer  and 
Clerk;  T.  J.  Taggart,  Marshal.  W.  W.  Browning  soon  took  Calvin's 
place  as  Trustee,  and  John  E.  Roth  Taggart's  place  as  Marshal,  and 
Eugene  Cully  Cox's  place  as  Clerk,  etc.  Columbus  Duncan  was  ap- 
pointed Attorney.  The  officers  of  1879  were  Alonzo  Allison,  C.  M. 
Calvin  and  Charles  Gibson,  Trustees ;  W.  L.  Cox,  Treasurer  and  Clerk  ; 
T.  J.  Taggart,  Marshal ;  W.  C.  Duncan,  Attorney.  The  officers  of  1880 
were  W.  M.  Hopper,  George  Stone  and  Alonzo  Allison,  Trustees  ;  James 
A.  Wilson,  Clerk  ;  W.  L.  Cox,  Treasurer ;  C.  M.  Calvin,  Marshal ;  R.  L. 
Coffey,  Attorney.  L.  F.  Wilson  became  Attorney  in  August.  The  re- 
ceipts for  the  fiscal  year  1879-80  were  $205.40.  including  $45  on  hand 
from  the  previous  year,  and  the  expenses  were  $161.05,  leaving  in  the 
treasury  $44.35.  The  officers  of  1881  were  G.  J.  Stone,  T.  J.  Taggart 
and  Alonzo  Allison,  Trustees  ;  J.  A.  Wilson,  Clerk ;  W.  L.  Cox,  Treas- 
urer ;  C.  M.  Calvin,  Marshal.    The  officers  elected  in  1882  were  Charles 

Gibson.  James  Hampton  and  Sanson  Shrock,  Trustees;  Henry  Pope, 
Clerk  ;     C.  C.  Both,  Treasurer  ;   Samuel  Brandenburgh,  Marshal;  W.  C. 

Duncan,  Attorney.  Mr.  Duncan  also  became  Clerk  in  June,  vice  Pope. 
The  receipts  for  the  fiscal  year  1882-83  were  $325.71,  and  the  expend- 
itures $224.85,  leaving  on  hand  a  balapce  of  $100.86.  The  officers 
elected  in  1883  were  James  Hampton,  Charles  Gibson  and  Sanson 
Shrock,  Trustees;  C.  C.  Roth,  Treasurer;  Anderson  Percifield,  Clerk; 
R.  N.  Guthrie,  Marshal.  In  September,  Leander  Woods  became  Clerk, 
and  Robert  J.  Watts,  Treasurer.  Many  changes  were  made  by  resigna- 
tions and  special  appointments,  which  are  not  noticed  above.  The  muni- 
cipal government  is  not  rigid ;  it  is  in  accordance  with  the  Democratic 
policy  of  open  instead  of  centralized  government.  Red  tape  is  an  article 
unknown  to  the  "City  Dads  "  in  their  official  capacities.  It  may  be  said 
in  all  truth  that  the  metropolis  of  Brown  County  contains  some  of  the 
best  citizens  of  the  State.  The  society  is  good,  morals  are  observed, 
schools  are  well  attended,  and  the  citizens  indicate  refinement  and  culture. 

SECRET     SOCIETIES. 

The  Masons  organized  a  lodge  at  Nashville  in  about  the  year  1850, 
among  the  earliest  members  being  T.  M.  Adams,  Larson  Hopper,  W.  S. 
Roberts,  John  L.  Dew,  Sylvanus  Manville,  Shadrach  Chandler,  W.  W. 
Baker,  F.  A.  Metheney  and  B.  S.  Roberts.  Mr.  Adams  was  the  first 
Worthy  Master  ;  F.  A.  Metheney  the  first  Senior  Warden,  and  Larson 
Hopper  the  first  Junior  Warden.  The  lodge  grew  and  multiplied  until 
it  now  has  a  pleasant  hall  and  a  flourishing  membership.  In  August, 
1883,  Post  Commander  Samuel  Webber,  of  Shearsville,  organized  at 
Nashville  the  J.  S.  Hester  Post,  No.  218,  Grand  Army  of  the  Re- 
public, with  the  following  charter  membership :  T.  D.  Calvin,  James  P. 
Gray,  James  M.  Yoder,  James  Hampton,  C.  T.  Taggart,  D.  P.  Acton, 


730  HISTORY   OF   BROWN   COUNTY. 

William  Day,  G.  W.  Marshall,  Leander  Woods,  Leander  C.  Smith, 
William  T.  Grattan  and  James  Myers.  The  first  members  to  be  initiated 
were  W.  D.  Watts,  Theodore  Huff,  J.  W.  Mathis  and  J.  W.  Percifield. 
The  first  and  present  officers  are  T.  D.  Calvin,  Commander  ;  J.  P.  Gray, 
S.  C. ;  J.  M.  Yoder,  J.  C. ;  James  Hampton,  Q.  M. ;  C.  T.  Taggart, 
Surgeon ;  D.  P.  Acton,  Chaplain  ;  William  Day,  0.  of  D.  ;  G.  W.  Mar- 
shall, 0.  of  G. ;  Leander  Woods,  Adjutant;  Leander  Smith,  S.  M. ;  W. 
T.  Grattan,  Q.  M.  S. 

BANKING    AT    NASHVILLE. 

Early  in  the  fifties,  it  was  found  necessary  at  Nashville,  owing  to  the  lim- 
ited quantity  of  small  change  in  circulation,  and  to  the  constant  fluctuation 
in  the  value  of  the  various  wild-cat  bank  issues  then  passing  current,  to  issue 
a  small  amount  of  local  shin-plasters  of  the  denominations  of  25,  50  and 
100  cents.  William  M.  Mason  issued  a  few  hundred  dollars  worth,  as 
did  also  Snyder  &  Arwine,  the  latter  doing  at  the  same  time  something 
of  a  brokerage  business.  Their  money  passed  readily,  and  for  a  time  met 
a  greatly  needed  want,  but  ere  long  it  also  began  to  depreciate  and 
fluctuate,  although  it  was  secured  by  real  property.  In  March,  1854, 
the  Traders'  Bank  of  Nashville,  Ind.,  was  established,  with  the  an- 
nounced capital  of  $100,000,  the  charter  to  extend  twenty  years.  The 
stock  was  divided  into  1,000  shares  of  $100  each,  and  was  owned  by  the 
following  men:  Andrew  Wilson,  of  Indianapolis,  33  4  shares;  John 
Woolly,  of  Indianapolis,  333  shares  ;  L.  D.  Inglesbee,  333  shares.  This 
banking  enterprise  did  little  more  than  file  and  record  its  articles  of 
association.     Nashville  now  has  no  bank. 

SCHOOLS. 

The  first  school  in  the  township  was  taught  near  Hedgesville  about 
the  year  1835,  in  a  rude  log  cabin  that  had  for  a  time  been  occupied  by 
some  family.  The  name  of  the  teacher  cannot  be  stated.  The  few 
families  in  that  neighborhood  sent  eight  or  ten  children.  It  is  probable 
that  school  was  taught  in  the  David  neighborhood  about  this  time,  or,  as 
stated  by  some,  earlier.  It  is  also  stated  that  a  few  terms  of  school  were 
taught,  at  a  very  early  date,  at  or  near  the  old  Jackson's  salt  works,  in 
the  western  part.  In  1840,  there  were  three  schoolhouses  in  the  town- 
ship— one  in  the  western  part,  one  in  the  eastern  part  and  one  at  Nash- 
ville. In  1850,  there  were  four  schoolhouses  ;  in  1860,  five  or  six  ;  in 
1870,  nine  or  ten  ;  and  in  1880,  twelve.  This  number  gives  the  town- 
ship excellent  educational  facilities.  As  early  as  1837,  the  few  families 
at  Nashville  erected  a  log  schoolhouse  within  a  few  rods  of  the  present 
house,  in  the  northwestern  part  of  town.  It  was  built  of  round  logs, 
was  not  larger  than  12x16  feet,  had  poplar  poles  split  for  benches,  slabs 
for  desks,  and  had  no  window  at  all.  The  huge  fire-place  which  oc- 
cupied one  entire  end  of  the  room  furnished  the  only  light  save  what 
was  occasionally  admitted  on  warm  days  through  the  open  door.  The  fire 
light  was  very  cheerful  and  grateful,  as  the  hickory  logs  snapped  and 
glowed  with  heat,  and  cast  a  ruddy  glow  over  the  whole  room.  David 
Reddick  was  the  first  teacher  (winter  of  1837-38).  Children  of  the 
Hoovers,  the  Dawsons,  the  Roberts,  the  Brummets  and  perhaps  others, 
went  to  this  first  school.     Mr.   Reddick  was  a  good  teacher.      He  kept 


WASHINGTON  TOWNSHIP.  781 

in  the  schoolroom  a  small,  curiously  forked  stick.  Any  scholar  wishing 
to  leave  the  room  could  only  do  so  after  getting  possession  of  this 
stick,  which  arrangement  prevented  two  or  more  from  being  out  at  the 
same  time.  John  C.  Marshall,  who  taught  three  or  four  terms,  was  the 
second  teacher.  Charles  Sipes  was  probably  the  third,  and  John  C. 
Gould  the  fourth.  It  was  the  custom  then  to  turn  the  teacher  out  on 
Christmas,  and  keep  him  out  until  he  capitulated  and  treated.  The  cus- 
tom was  so  universal  that  scholars  demanded  the  right  to  do  it,  and  were 
upheld  by  their  parents.  Christmas  came,  and  Mr.  Gould  was  informed 
that  he  must  treat.  The  scholars  refused  to  come  to  order  when  called, 
and  the  teacher  refused  to  treat.  After  a  short  time  the  large  boys 
forcibly  captured  the  teacher,  bound  him  hand  and  foot,  and  carried  him 
down  to  Greasy  Creek  to  be  severely  ducked  in  the  cold  water,  unless  he 
surrendered  and  treated.  Several  men  of  the  town  accompanied  this 
novel  expedition.  The  stubborn  teacher  was  carried  out  into  the  stream 
by  the  large  boys,  who  took  oflf  their  shoes  and  rolled  up  their  pants  and 
waded  out.  A  parley  was  held,  but  the  teacher  was  obstinate,  and  was 
on  the  point  of  being  unceremoniously  baptised,  when  W.  S.  Roberts  in- 
terceded, and  after  some  sharp  words,  pro  and  con,  secured  from  the 
teacher  a  promise  to  treat  to  candy  and  apples.  He  was  released  and  the 
cavalcade  marched  up  to  the  store,  where  all  were  given  a  taste  of  the 
above-named  delicacies.  School  was  then  resumed  and  all  went  on  as 
before.  This  first  log  schoolhouse  was  not  used  longer  than  about  five 
years :  after  that,  various  buildings,  already  standing,  were  used.  The 
Followell  grocery  building  was  thus  occupied,  Sipes  teaching  there  one  or 
more  terms.  The  court  house  was  used  for  the  same  purpose.  Gould 
taught  there  several  terms.  A  man  named  Roseberry  was  one  of  the 
first  teachers  in  Nashville,  and  in  the  old  log  court  house.  The  present 
schoolhouse  in  the  northwestern  part  of  town,  though  greatly  altered  in 
appearance  and  improved,  was  built  about  the  year  1857.  It  is  said  that 
Ada  Gould  was  the  first  teacher  in  this  house.  Others  were  Andrew 
Gray,  Leonidas  Alders,  Graham,  Luther  De  Motte,  John  Metheney  and 
others.  The  schoolhouse  in  the  southeastern  part  was  built  about  fifteen 
years  ago.  The  town  schools  have  been  partially  graded  for  a  number  of 
years.  The  present  school  in  the  eastern  part  under  Prof.  Watts  is  well 
conducted. 

CHURCHES. 
It  is  said  that  a  minister  named  Eckles  preached  the  first  sermon  at 
Nashville  in  the  old  log  court  house,  about  the  year  1837.  He  did  not 
succeed  in  forming  a  class,  however,  for  a  year  or  two.  He  stopped  at  the 
tavern  kept  by  P.  C.  Parker,  after  the  class  had  been  organized.  In  one 
of  his  sermons  he  gave  the  dram-sellers  a  broadside,  which  so  angered  Mr. 
Parker,  who  kept  liquor  at  his  bar,  that  he  refused  the  man  of  God  ad- 
mission to  his  hotel,  and  the  latter  was  forced  to  go  to  Banner  Brummet's. 
Among  the  earliest  members  of  the  United  Brethren  class  were  the  fam- 
ilies of  D.  D.  Weddel  (who  was  himself  a  minister  or  Elder  of  the  church), 
W.  S.  Roberts,  Benjamin  Chandler,  James  Watson,  Henry  Jackson  and 
others.  This  old  class  survived  for  many  years,  but  did  not  build  a 
church.  The  Methodists  also  organized  a  class  quite  early.  It  is 
probable  that  Rev.  Eli  P.  Farmer  formed  the  first  class.     Godfrey  Jones, 


732  HISTORY  OF  BROWN  COUNTY. 

of  Johnson  County,  was  an  early  minister  of  this  class.  The  Goulds, 
the  Dews  and  others  were  early  members.  The  old  frame  church  now 
used  as  a  printing  oflBce  was  built  about  1848,  and  was  used  for  almost 
everything  for  many  years.  The  class  went  down  about  war  time  over 
the  slavery  question,  and  was  not  revived  as  such.  A  few  years  ago,  a 
Methodist  class  South  was  organized  by  Revs.  Branstutter  and  Hunter. 
In  about  1878,  the  present  church  was  built  at  a  cost  of  about  |1,500,  J. 
C.  Hester  alone  giving  $500  and  guaranteeing  that  full  payment  for  the 
house  should  be  made.  Among  the  first  members  were  J.  C.  Hester  and 
family,  J.  L.  Dew  and  family,  W.  W.  Browning  and  family,  Eliakim 
Hamblen  and  family,  Isaac  Chafin  and  family.  Widow  Jackson,  Dr.  C. 
T.  Taggart  and  family,  M.  B.  Jackson  and  family,  Mrs.  Frank  P.  Tag- 
gart,  Solomon  Lawver  and  wife,  Dr.  M.  E.  Phillips  and  family,  Mrs. 
Gibson,  Mrs.  Hannah  Stone  and  others.     The  ministers  of  the  new  class 

South  have  been  Revs.  Hunter,  Taylor,  Felkner, ,  Hunter,  Savage 

and  the  present  pastor,  Mr.  Jackson.  The  church  is  in  a  prosperous  con- 
dition. In  1879,  the  Presbyterian  class  was  organized,  and  among  the 
first  members  were  G.  W.  Allison,  T.  D.  Calvin,  W.  L.  Cox,  Charles 
Gibson,  R.  L.  Cofiey,  John  Deitz,  John  Allison,  Henry  Voland,  Harvey 
Bay,  T.  H.  McLashon  and  their  families.  The  frame  church  was  built  in 
1882,  at  a  cost  of  about  $1,600.  The  ministers  have  been  Revs.  Wood, 
Larimore  and  the  present  pastor,  who  is  serving  as  a  supply,  Elder 
Demaree.  The  Presbyterian  Sunday  School  was  organized  in  the  spring 
of  1883,  T.  D.  Calvin  being  the  first  Superintendent.  The  average  at- 
tendance is  about  fifty. 


JACKSON  TOWNSHIP. 


THE    GOLD    DEPOSITS. 

THE  natural  features  of  Jackson  Township  are  too  unusual  and 
important  to  be  passed  over  with  only  a  cursory  notice.  It  may  be 
stated  in  general  that  the  high  ridge  extending  across  the  county  east 
and  west,  just  south  of  the  general  course  of  Bean  Blossom  Creek,  formed 
the  wall  against  which  the  masses  of  ice  from  the  north  during  the  gla- 
cial era  of  the  world's  history,  piled  themselves,  unable  to  move  farther 
south  except  in  small  quantities,  which  escaped  through  gaps  in  the 
ridge.  Here,  then,  in  the  valley  of  the  creek,  are  the  remains  of  what 
the  ice  transported  from  British  America.  Here  is  where  the  great  ice 
glaciers  were  stopped  and  were  melted  by  the  recurring  summer's  sun, 
and  were  forced  to  deposit  their  loads  of  Canadian  soil  and  rocks.  The 
fact  that  south  of  this  ridge  the  drift  is  rarely,  if  ever,  found,  proves  the 
ridge  to  have  been  the  southern  limit  of  the  enormous  masses  of  ice.  All 
over  the  northern  slope  of  the  ridge  and  throughout  the  valley  of  Bean 
Blossom  Creek  are  large  quantities  of  the  remains  of  the  Laurentian  Hills 
of  British  America — greenstone,  quartzite,  quartz,  magnetite,  gold,  etc. 
But  the  township  has  valuable  native  minerals  as  well.     There  are  rich 


JACKSON  TOWNSHIP.  783 

beds  of  limestone  and  sandstone,  and  large  quantities  of  geodes  from  the 
Keokuk  beds,  which  have  been  left  from  the  destruction  of  the  rocks. 
The  surface  soil  of  the  creek  valley  is  composed  of  the  rich  debris  of  the 
native  rocks,  washed  down  the  hillsides  through  long  periods  of  years, 
and  mingled  with  the  warmer  sands  and  clays  from  the  glacial  drift. 
The  geodes  locally  known  as  "  nigger-heads  "  are  very  abundant  on  Bear 
Creek,  and  are  usually  roughly  mammalated  and  homely,  but  filled  with 
variously  tinted  or  pellucid  crystals  of  silica,  with  occasional  beautiful 
specimens  of  calcspar  and  sulphuret  of  iron  and  zinc.  At  the  old  "  gold 
placer  "  of  John  Richards,  on  Bear  Creek,  several  of  them  are  geodized 
fossils  of  the  genera  Zaphrentis,  Bellerophon,  Groniatites  and  Nautilus. 
The  valley  of  Bean  Blossom  Creek  was,  doubtless,  at  one  time,  much 
deeper  than  at  present,  having  been  filled  up  with  washings  from  the 
adjacent  elevations.  It  is  probable  that  at  some  future  time,  borings  or 
excavations  in  the  valley  will  be  rewarded  with  paying  quantities  of  gold 
found  mingled  with  the  famous  black  sand  or  magnetite  brought  by  the 
ice  from  the  Canadian  highlands.  Occasional  pebbles  of  Canadian  white 
quartz,  containing  bright  particles  of  pure  gold,  are  found  in  the  creek 
valley.  Gold  has  been  known  to  exist  in  the  county  and  in  Jackson 
Township  for  many  years,  and  persons  ignorant  of  the  geologic  forma- 
tions have  vainly  supposed  that  there  was  no  end  in  quantity  to  the  valu- 
able mineral.  It  may  be  stated  that  while  gold  may  continue  to  be 
found,  even  in  paying  quantities,  at  certain  lucky  "  placers,"  continuous 
quantities  are  not  present,  and  need  not  be  sought.  The  gold  does  not 
belong  here.  It  was  brought  from  Canada  and  deposited  by  the  ice 
thousands  of  years  ago.  Numerous  gold  excitements,  growing  out  of 
some  lucky  discoveries,  have  occurred  in  the  past,  during  which  time 
companies  were  formed,  leases  were  bought,  sluice-ways  were  constructed, 
and  long-toms  and  rockers  prepared.  The  companies  did  not  average  in 
gold  more  than  25  cents  per  day.  On  the  contrary,  single  individuals 
of  California  experience,  by  careful  selection  of  location,  have  "  panned 
out  "  from  $1  to  $2  per  day.  The  most  valuable  nugget  found  was 
worth  about  $1.10.  It  is  probable  that  the  best  pay  dirt  lies  at 
the  deepest  part  of  the  trough  of  the  creek  valley.  Bores  would 
establish  this  line  ;  then,  by  shafting,  the  richest  dirt  may  be  brought 
to  the  surface.  The  following  estimate  of  gold  found  in  Jackson  Town- 
ship has  been  made : 

Richard's  farm  and  adjoining $400 

Plum  Creek 100 

Lick  Creek 1-50 

Christopher  Stumps,  Georgetown 500 

Bean  Blossom  Creek 800 

Total $1,950 

The  little  village  of  Needmore,  situated  in  the  southwestern  part  of 
the  township,  on  the  Bean  Blossom  Ridge,  rests  upon  a  bench  of  modified 
drift.  Here  it  was  that  the  ice  overreached  the  ridge  and  scalped  the 
original  or  native  deposits  of  rock,  and  permitted  the  glaciers  to  partially 
pass  over  and  rest  upon  the  bench  where  the  village  stands.  Hence  there 
are  scattered  all  around  the  remains  of  the  drift — bowlders  of  quartz,  quartz- 
ite,  granite  and  black  sand,  or  magnetite  containing  gold  and  a  suf^cient 


734  HISTORY  OF  BROWN  COUNTY. 

quantity  of  garnet  "that  a  bushel  may  be  panned  out  in  a  day."  Fine 
specimens  of  sulphuret  of  zinc,  sulphuret  of  iron  and  calcspar  are  often 
found.  At  Baughman's  Hill,  on  Section  9,  Township  9  north.  Range  2 
east,  the  geologic  formation  is  as  follows  : 

Surface  soil,  yellow  loess 12  feet. 

Keokuk  limestone,  with  geodes,  and  chert  containing  Hemi- 
pronites  crenistria,  Productus  semi-reticulatus,  and  crin- 
oidal  stems 8  feet. 

Sandstone 2  feet. 

Knob  shales  with  plates  and  band  of  sandstone 230  feet. 

Quarry  knob  sandstone  to  water  level 4  feet. 

Total 256  feet. 

DRAINAGE,  ETC. 
The  township  has  all  varieties  of  soil  and  scenery.  Orchards  of 
peaches  are  numerous  on  the  hill-tops,  and  are  quite  sure  and  productive. 
Other  fruits  are  numerous,  large  and  fine.  The  township  is  covered  with 
a  valuable  growth  of  native  forestry,  and  sends  abroad  annually  large 
quantities  of  staves,  hoop  poles,  etc.  Three-fourths  of  the  township  are 
drained  by  Bean  Blossom  Creek  and  its  branches — Bear,  Brier,  Lick, 
Opossum  and  Plum.  The  two  tiers  of  sections  on  the  south  are  drained 
by  Owl,  Jackson  and  other  branches  of  Salt  Creek. 

FORMATION    OF    THE    TOWNSHIP. 

On  the  1st  of  March,  1825,  the  three  tiers  of  sections  on  the  west 
side  of  the  present  townships  of  Jackson  and  Washington,  as  far  south  as 
the  line  dividing  Townships  8  and  9  north,  were  made  a  part  of  the  town- 
ship of  Jackson,  created  in  Monroe  County,  of  which  that  much  of 
Brown  County  was  then  a  part.  An  election  of  two  Justices  of  the  Peace 
was  ordered  held  at  the  house  of  Banner  Brummet,  on  the  last  Saturday 
in  April,  1825,  with  Elias  Swift,  Inspector.  This  election  was  held,  but 
the  results  cannot  be  given,  except  that  Banner  Brummet  was  elected 
Justice  of  the  Peace,  and  served  as  one  of  the  Board  of  Justices  of  Mon- 
roe County.  In  January,  1826,  Henry  Kendall  was  appointed  Inspector 
of  Elections  in  Jackson  Township ;  Banner  Brummet  and  James  Brum- 
met, Overseers  of  the  Poor ;  John  Young  and  John  Hensley,  Pence 
Viewers.  The  greater  portion  of  this  Jackson  Township  was  in  the  pres- 
ent Monroe  County — five  tiers  of  sections,  while  only  three  were  in  the 
present  Brown  County.  When  Brown  County  was  created  in  1836,  and 
formed  into  townships,  the  old  name — Jackson — was  kept  for  the  town- 
ship in  the  northwest  part  of  the  county,  leaving  Monroe  County  without 
any  Jackson  Township.  The  original  boundary  of  the  Jackson  Town- 
ship of  Brown  County  will  be  found  elsewhere.  It  took  in  all  of  the 
present  township  together  with  two  tiers  more  of  sections  on  the  south, 
and  included  within  its  limits  Jacksonburg,  the  county  seat,  the  name 
being  taken  from  the  name  of  the  township,  in  accordance  with  the  sug- 
gestion of  Banner  Brummet.  The  township  took  its  name  from  the  old 
township  which  had  been  named  in  honor  of  Gen.  Jackson,  the  hero 
of  New  Orleans.  The  August  election  in  the  new  township  of  1836 
was  ordered  held  at  the  house  of  James  Da^vson.  This  was  true  also  of 
Johnson  Township.     The  September  elections  were  ordered  held  at  the 


JACKSON  TOWNSHIP.  735 

house  of  Simon  Weatherman.  Ira  Wilson  was  appointed  Inspector  of 
both  elections.  The  Justices  of  the  Peace  elected  prior  to  1846  will  be 
found  in  another  chapter.  Early  in  1837,  the  township  of  Washington 
was  created,  which  took  from  Jackson  the  two  tiers  of  sections  on  the 
south,  and  removed  beyond  its  limits  the  county  seat.  William  Snyder 
assessed  Jackson  in  1836.  William  Murphy  and  John  Hubbard  were 
the  first  Overseers  of  the  Poor.  John  Jackson  was  the  first  Constable,  but 
within  a  month  or  two  it  was  found  necessary  to  have  two,  and  Ben  Brum- 
met  was  appointed  in  September,  1836.  In  December,  1836,  elections 
were  ordered  held  at  the  house  where  Silas  Young  formerly  lived,  and 
March,  1837,  at  Georgetown,  where  they  continued  to  be  held  for  some 
time.  At  the  first  meeting  of  the  County  Board,  in  1836,  a  district  was 
established  on  the  ''Jackson's  Licks  &  Martinsville  road,"  to  extend 
from  the  Licks  northward  to  Bear  Creek,  and  William  Davidson  was  ap- 
pointed Superintendent,  and  the  following  "  hands  "  living  along  or  near 
the  road  were  ordered  to  report  to  him  for  work  :  Samuel  Pogue,  Israel 
Mullinix,  Joseph  Parks,  William  Robertson,  Robert  Robertson,  Shadrach 
Robertson,  Pleasant  Robertson,  William  Robertson,  Jr.,  Abram  Wooden, 
Michael  Fleener,  Aaron  Fleener  and  Henry  Young.  The  southern  part 
of  this  road  district  was  in  Washington  Township.  D.  D.  Weddel  was 
the  Township  Assessor  in  1837.  John  Prosser  and  D.  D.  Weddel  were 
Overseers  of  the  Poor  in  1838  ;  John  Harris  and  Christopher  Stump, 
Fence  Viewers ;  S.  Robertson,  Inspector.  In  1839,  Chris  Stump  was 
Inspector  ;  Michael  Tomey  and  William  Dunaway,  Overseers  of  the  Poor  ; 
John  D.  Kennedy  and  Robert  Robertson,  Fence  Viewers.  John  Richards 
assessed  Jackson  Township  in  1840,  and  Michael  Tomey  in  1841. 

THE    FIRST    SETTLEMENTS. 

The  Youngs  and  the  Fleeners  were  among  the  very  first  in  the 
township.  Several  families  had  lived  on  the  creek  as  early  as  1823  or 
1824,  and  about  this  time  the  first  permanent  settlements  were  formed. 
James  A.  Baker  was  an  early  settler,  as  was  also  one  or  two  of  the  Wed- 
dels,  John  Hubbard,  the  Robertsons,  John  David,  John  Richards,  and 
others.  By  1830,  not  less  than  eleven  or  twelve  families  lived  in  the 
township  in  rude  round-log  cabins.  Bear  Creek  took  its  name  from  the 
great  number  of  bears  which  could  be  found  along  its  course.  When 
pursued  by  hunters  in  surrounding  localities,  these  animals  made  a  bee 
line  for  the  ravines  and  heavy  woods  along  Bear  Creek.  The  following 
comprises  all  the  early  entries  of  land  in  the  township  and  includes  the 
names  of  many  of  the  earliest  settlers  and  most  prominent  families.  The 
descendants  are  scattered  all  through  the  hills  and  ravines  where  their 
grandfathers  first  squatted  forty  and  fifty  years  ago.  The  following  were 
the  entries  in  Township  10  north,  Range  2  east.  Section  1 — James 
Pratt,  1839;  William  Fesler,  1837  ;  J.  M.  Williams,  1837  ;  John  Fesler, 
1837  ;  Section  2— William  Marcum,  1837  ;  Sampson  Coatney,  1838 ; 
Jacob  Fleener,  1835;  Section  3— Preston  Doty,  1839;  A.  B.  Kelso, 
1841;  Samuel  Fleener,  1837;  John  Lake,  1839;  Section  8— Daniel 
Thomas,  1837;  Section  10— Joseph  Anderson,  1839;  C.  H.  Hill,  1844; 
J.  W.  Baker,  1845  ;  John  Harris,  1839  ;  Evan  Reynolds,  1840 ;  Samuel 
Fleener,  Jr.,  1838;  Section  11 — Dolly  Hickman,  1843;  Nancy  Conatsey, 


736  HISTORY   OF   BROWN   COUNTY. 

1839 ;  Fred  Goings,  1841;  Jerry  Harrel,  1837;  John  Morgan,  1840 ;  W. 
B.  Harris,  1837;  Alexander  Groten,  1836 ;  Section  12— Peter  Oben- 
chain,  1837;  William  Fesler,  1837;  T.  J.  Obenchain,  1839 ;  Elizabeth 
Fesler,  1839;  James  P.  Abbey,  18'43;  Section  13— Lewis  Brummet, 
1839;  Jerry  Davidson,  1837;  Charles  McGinley,  1837;  Allen  S.Ander- 
son, 1837  ;  John  C.  Gould,  1843  ;  Sarah  Anderson,  1839  ;  Raleigh  Rains, 
1837  ;  Gillis  Hitch,  1840;  Section  14— Z.  Fairrie,  1839;  Section  15— 
Alfred  Hicks,  1837;  James  A.  Baker,  1833  ;  Section  17— Daniel  Thom- 
as, 1837;  Harvey  Young.  1837;  Thompson  Weddel,  1833;  Thomas  W. 
Weddel,  1836  ;  Section^l8—D.  D.  Weddel,  1837  ;  Section  19— John 
Hubbard,  1832  ;  Stephen  Richards,  1837  ;  Section  20— David  Weddel, 
1836;  Section  21— Curtis  Morris,  1839;  William  Hodgin,  1839; 
Section  22— Henry  Gratner,  Jr.,  1836;  Willis  Earles,  1837;  J.  A. 
Lockridge,  1837;  Elijah  Long,  1840;  Section  23— Owen  Barker, 
1837 ;  Silas  Smith,  1837 ;  William   Shannon,  1840 ;   Christian    Hesse, 

1837  ;  Jerry  Harrell,  1837  ;  Section  24— John  Harris,  1836  ;  AlexEvans, 

1838  ;  M.  Melden,  1836  ;  Thomas  King,  1838  ;  William  Day,  1841 ;  G. 
M.  Sparks,  1837;  Jesse  Ritter,  1835;  G.  B.  Myers,  1839;  John 
True,  1837;  Joseph  Robertson,  1835;  Section  25 — Joseph  Dunlap, 
1837;  Jesse  Carr,  1837;  John  Brooks,  1836;  Isaac  Prosser,  1837; 
Michael  Tworaey,  1837;  Arthur  Mulekin,  1838;  Shad  Robertson,  1835  ; 
William  Dunamby,  1836  ;  John  Maxwell,  1836 ;  Section  26— Thomas 
M.  Adams,  1836  ;  Caleb  Cane,  1839  ;  Thomas  Golyear,  1837;  David 
Rousseau,  1837;  Thomas  Dunaway,  1836 ;  Elijah  Long,  1837;  John 
Cartright,  1837;  James  Niles,  1839 ;  Section  27— Joshua  Boles,  1837; 
Daniel  Laughbough,  1841 ;  Mary  Myers,  1839  ;  Nancy  Myers,  1836  ;  P. 
I.  Pearce,  1837;  Catharine  Neidigh,  1839;  William  Hodgin,  1839;  John 
Neidigh,  1839  ;  J.  A.  Lockridge,  1887  ;  Section  28— John  Roach, 
1839 ;  Christopher  Baker,  1837;  Joseph  Rank,  1841 ;  Jacob  Daggy, 
1838  ;  Daniel  Branstutter,  1840  ;  Section  29— Silas  Young,  1833  ; 
Hugh  McClary,  1839  ;  Thompson  Weddel,  1839;  John  Richards,  1834  ; 
John  David,  1832  ;  Arnold  Helton,  1837  ;  Section  30— John  Richards, 
1833;  L.  W.  David.  1839;  John  Home,  1837;  Christopher  Baker,  1837; 
Section  31— Samuel  Dunn,  1836  ;  John  D.  Faghner,  1841 ;  Section 
32— Alexander  Neidigh,  1839  ;  Michael  Branstutter,  1842  ;  W.  B. 
Slaybough,  Isaac  Robertson,  1841 ;  Charles  Neidigh,  1839 ;  Section 
33— Arnold  Helten,  1887;  Christopher  Baker,  1839  ;  James  Mitchell, 
1834  ;  Section  34— J.  H.  Blackbower,  1837  ;  Samuel  Lockridge,  1837  ; 
Wm.  W.  Hornish,  1839;  Section  35— William  Kennedy,  1839;  W.  P. 
Twomey,  1837;  Catharine  Stump,  1837;  Christopher  Stump,  1836  ; 
Section  36 — William  Dunaway,  1836  ;  Israel  Weeks,  1836  ;  William 
Snider,  1836;  John  Adams,  1836 ;  Merinda  Kesterson,  1833;  George 
Snider,  1887.  Township  9  north.  Range  2  east;  Section  4 — G.  W. 
Snyder,  1844  ;  Section  5 — Lazarus  Robertson,  1837;  Robert  Robert- 
son, 1837;  Section  6— Charles  Neidigh,  1839;  Section  9— John 
Fleener,  1848;  W.  W.  Cotton,  1839.  Township  9  north.  Range  3 
east;  Section  7 — Jackson  Woods,  1844;  John  Knox,  1839 ;  Banner 
C.  Brummet,  1837.  Township  10  north.  Range  3  east;  Section  6 — 
James  Terhune,  1836;  Paulina  Demott,  1838  ;  Garret  Terhune,  1889  ; 
Section  7— John  Cox,  1836  ;    Garret   Terhune,  1838  ;    W.   R.  Hunt, 


JACKSON  TOWNSHIP.  737 

1838,  M.  Boaz,  1843  ;  Owen  Barker,  1837 ;  Section  18— Chris.  Long, 
1836;  Lewis  Brummet,  1837;  Hezekiah  McKinney,  1836;  Joshua 
Brummet,  1835  ;  Henry  Bates,  1836  ;  Owen  Barker,  1837  ;  Griffith 
Davidson,  1835  ;  Section  19 — Joshua  Brummet,  1835;  Calvin  Moser, 
18o9;  George  Grove,  1835;  S.  M.  Gillaspy,  1837;  William  Owens, 
1836;  Section  30— John  Conner,  1837;  George  King,  1839;  John 
Gillaspy,  1836;  George  Burkhardt,  1839;  M.  B.  Weddel,  1837; 
William  Nickerman,  1838  :  Henry  Taylor,  1836 ;  John  D.  Kennedy, 
1839;  J.  B.  Hornish,  1837;  William  Snider,  1833;  Section  31— C.  L. 
Hesse,  1837  ;  John  Prosser,  1837  ;  Abe  Prosser,  1837  ;  John  Barnhill, 
1837. 

HISTORICAL    ITEMS. 

Probably  the  first  marriage  in  the  township  was  that  of  Jesse  Rich- 
ards and  Anna  Grove,  in  November,  1836,  by  Jonathan  Watson,  Justice 
of  the  Peace.  Charles  Smith  and  Irenah  King  were  married  by  Rev. 
Jerry  King  in  1836  also.  This  is  said  to  have  been  the  first.  The 
Youngs  built  a  horse  mill  in  the  western  part  at  an  early  day,  where  a 
fair  article  of  fiour  and  excellent,  coarse  meal  could  be  secured.  It  was 
quite  well  patronized.  Christ.  Stump's  water  mill,  built  on  Bean  Blos- 
som, about  two  miles  west  of  Georgetown,  not  far  from  the  year  1848, 
supplied  the  region  around  for  many  years.  A  saw  mill  was  connected 
with  it  and  the  two  were  operated  several  years.  The  old  George  Grove 
Mill  was  built  as  early  as  1835,  and  was  operated  about  ten  years.  It 
was  operated  by  horse  power. 

GEORGETOWN. 

George  Grove  was  probably  the  first  man  to  live  at  this  village.  H. 
was  there  as  early  as  1833,  and  very  likely  several  years  before. 
He  founded  the  village  which  took  its  title  from  his  given  name.  James 
Dawson  lived  there  very  early  before  he  moved  down  into  Washington 
Township.  Adams  &  Kennedy  opened  the  first  store  there  in  1836, 
having  about  $1,500  worth  of  variety  merchandise.  Brooks  was  an  early 
resident.  William  Snider  came  there  not  far  from  1835,  and  for  many 
years  was  the  leading  man  in  business.  Mcllhenny  moved  there  in  1837, 
and  Thomas  Waltman  soon  afterward.  William  Murphy  was  another 
early  resident.  In  about  1839,  Jacob  McNeeley  erected  a  large  tannery 
there.  He  sunk  between  forty  and  fifty  vats,  and  manufactured  leather 
on  a  large  scale  for  that  early  day.  His  buckskin  was  well  known  in 
Eastern  markets.  The  tannery  was  conducted  until  about  1848,  and  was 
abandoned  after  his  death,  by  lightning.  A  man  named  Nordyke  also 
conducted  an  early  tannery  there.  Cooper  &  Becket  were  merchants 
about  1839.  W.  W.  Baker  sold  liquor  as  early  as  1837.  Samuel  Law- 
rence followed  suit  a  year  later,  and  Daniel  Parsley  trumped  them  both 
about  the  same  time.  Charles  and  George  McLish  opened  a  store  in 
1840,  with  a  general  stock  worth,  $4,000  ;  they  sold  liquor,  groceries  and 
merchandise,  and  paid  a  license  of  $25  per  year.  Robert  Mcllhenny 
also  started  a  small  store  in  1839,  continuing  to  about  1841.  T.  and  R. 
Pugh  were  merchants  in  1846.  John  R.  Davis  opened  with  $1,000 
worth  in  1842.  William  Snider  began  merchandising  in  1847.  Robert 
Mcllhenny  sold  goods  in  1850  and  onward,     William  Banta  was  in  later 


738  HISTORY   OF   BROWN   COUNTY. 

and  also  Samples,  Peoples  &  Co.  The  Watermans  have  long  been  in 
business  there,  and  are  yet  doing  well.  The  Staples  jewelry  establish- 
ment has  long  been  an  important  industry  there.  All  kinds  of  repairs  in 
gold  and  silver  are  turned  out,  and  gold,  silver  and  nickel  spectacles  and 
silverware  are  manufactured.  The  village  had  a  newspaper  a  few  years 
ago,  edited  by  A.  S.  Helm.  It  also  has  a  couple  of  lawyers,  Waltman  & 
Cooper.  A  fine  grist  mill  was  built  by  the  Waltmans  a  few  years  ago. 
It  is  now  in  excellent  shape  and  has  a  liberal  patronage.  The  population 
of  the  village  is  about  100. 

SCHOOLS    AND    CHURCHES. 

So  far  as  can  be  learned,  the  first  school  in  Jackson  Township  was 
taught  at  Georgetown  about  the  year  1838,  by  John  C.  Marshall.  A 
log  building  was  erected  there  about  that  time  to  serve  the  double  duty  of  a 
church  and  schoolhouse — in  fact  it  was  used  for  everything  of  a  public 
nature.  Traveling  small  shows  exhibited  there,  and  various  and  all 
denominations  of  religion  were  entitled  to  use  it.  Marshall  was  a  good 
teacher  for  that  early  day.  He  had  received  a  fair  education,  but  the 
greatest  value  he  possessed  as  a  teacher  was  in  his  muscle  and  sand.  The 
big  boys  (and  boys  were  big  then),  found  in  him  a  "master"  of  the 
typical  character.  He  taught  in  many  places  throughout  the  county. 
The  second  school  is  said  to  have  been  taught  in  the  Anderson  neighbor- 
hood, probably  by  a  man  named  Rice,  and  the  third  down  the  creek  near 
the  Richard  farm.  In  1845  there  were  three  or  four  school  districts,  and 
in  1860  about  ten.  Now  there  are  fourteen.  Rev.  Eli  P.  Farmer,  an 
earnest  Methodist  from  near  Bloomington,  preached  the  first  sermon  in 
the  old  log  building  referred  to  in  about  the  year  1838,  possibly  1837. 
Godfrey  Jones  was  another  early  preacher  of  the  same  persuasion.  These 
men  formed  a  small  class  of  the  Kennedys,  the  Walkers  and  others. 
Rev.  Aaron  Farmer,  of  the  United  Brethren  Church,  preached  there  in 
1838,  and  afterward  organized  a  small  class.  The  Presbyterians  started 
up  there  later,  and  finally  built  their  church,  which  is  yet  standing. 

NEEDMORE. 

This  little  village,  in  the  southwestern  part,  is  of  recent  origin.  A 
post  ofiice  was  first  established  there  and  a  store.  At  last  a  blacksmith 
appeared,  and  other  houses  were  built,  and  finally  another  store  was 
started,  and  now  there  are  three  or  four,  and  the  village  has  a  population 
of  probably  100. 

HORSE   RACES. 

Georgetown  was  a  famous  place  for  horse  races  in  early  years,  as  there 
was  a  long  level  tract  of  ground  there.  William  Snider,  Matthew 
Mathis,  Edward  David,  the  Brummets,  the  Grahams  and  others  in  all 
parts  of  the  county,  owned  fast  horses  and  would  assemble  on  a  given  day 
to  test  the  merits  of  their  animals.  Of  course,  whisky  cut  an  important 
figure  at  these  gatherings.  Betting  on  horses  was  carried  to  an  extrava- 
gant extreme  very  often. 

POLL  TAX  PAYERS  OF  1848. 

Allen  S.  Anderson,  M.  B.  Anderson,  James  P.  Abbey,  Charles  G. 
Adams,  Levi  B.  Anders,  William  Adkins,  Jacob  Baughman,  Owen  Bar- 


HAMBLEN   TOWNSHIP.  739 

ker,  William  Bowman,  Lewis  Brummet,  Henry  Brock,  Daniel  Branstutter, 
Isaac  Bolt,  A.  G.  Bergen,  Banner  C.  Brummet,  William  Barker,  William 
Brummet,  James  Blasingen,  Robert  Blain,  John  B.  Baker,  Benjamin 
Boles,  Michael  Branstutter,  R.  S.  Brummet,  John  J,  Cain,  Caleb  Crane, 
William  Crane,  Norflet  Dolsberry,  John  David,  James  Daggy,  Samuel 
Daggy,  Thomas  Dunaway,  John  Donelson,  L.  H.  David,  Felix  C.  Dunn, 
Aaron  Fleener,  Jacob  Fleener,  George  Followell,  Milton  Fleener,  Fred- 
erick Fleener,  Jackson  Fleener,  Abraham  Fleener,  Austin  Franklin, 
Cornelius  Followell,  William  Fusselman,  George  Fusselman,  Frederick 
Goings,  W.  A.  Guinn,  W.  P.  Holman,  Daniel  Houtz,  Alfred  Hicks, 
W.  B.  Harris,  John  Harris,  John  Hitch,  Alexander  Jenkins,  David 
Kessel,  A.  B.  Kelso,  John  Knox,  Thomas  Kemp,  James  Kemp,  B.  R. 
Kelley,  G.  W.  Lambert,  Elijah  Long,  Samuel  Lockridge,  Christopher 
Long,  Andrew  Long,  Calvin  Moser.  H.  A.  McClary,  William  Murphy, 
William  Marcum,  Elisha  Marcum,  John  Mooney,  Robert  Mcllhenny, 
William  McCoy,  James  McCoy,  William  Murphy,  John  D.  McClary, 
Samuel  Marshall,  John  C.  Marshall,  James  Martin,  George  Morgan, 
Zedekiah  Morgan,  John  Neidigh,  Alexander  Neidigh,  Abraham  Neidigh, 
Elias  Nail,  Isaac  Neal,  Nathan  Pruitt,  Lewis  Prosser,  John  Prosser, 
James  Prosser,  Isaac  Prosser,  A.  M.  Proctor,  John  Richard,  Thomas 
Ross,  Isaac  Robertson,  Joseph  Robertson,  Sr.,  Joseph  Robertson,  Jr., 
W.  R.  Robertson,  Claiborne  Robertson,  Jesse  Ritter,  Thomas  Swift,  Will- 
iam Shannon,  Robert  Shannon,  Harmon  Snider,  Calvin  Skinner,  Will- 
iam Snider,  Alexander  Shannon,  Jacob  Stephens,  Stafford  Smith, 
George  M.  Sparks,  William  Stone,  William  Taylor,  Daniel  Thomas, 
James  Terhune,  William  Terhune,  Michael  Tomey,  William  Tuttle, 
George  Tultro,  Michael  Waltman,  V.  H.  Watson,  David  A.  Wallace, 
Ephraim  Ward,  Daniel  Weddel,  Abraham  Wooden,  Theodore  Whitney, 
David  D.  Weddel,  W.  E.  Weddel,  Samuel  White  and  Aaron  Zook.  The 
heaviest  tax  payers  were  Allen  S.  Anderson,  $9.01 ;  Owen  Barker,  $7.25; 
Daniel  Branstutter,  $7.87;  A.  G.  Bergen,  $1L65 ;  W.  P.  Holtman, 
$7.53;  John  Hitch,  $9.86;  David  Kissel,  $6.36;  Elijah  Long,  $8.11; 
Samuel  Lockridge,  $9.56;  Calvin  Moser,  $6.79;  Hugh  A.  McLary, 
$8.95  ;  T.  &  R.  Pugh,  $8.80;  John  Richards,  $8.12  ;  Christopher  Stump. 
$7.03 ;  William  Snider,  $30.12 ;  total  number  of  polls,  127  ;  total  acres, 
12,653.92;  value  of  land,  $29,912;  value  of  improvements,  $22,230; 
value  of  lots,  $1,010 ;  value  of  personal  property,  $21,198  ; 
total  value  of  taxables,  $74,350 ;  total  tax,  $651.77  ;  delinquent  tax 
and  interest,  $147.25  ;  total  tax,  $799.02. 


HAMBLEN  TOWNSHIP. 


NATURAL    WEALTH. 

THIS  is  one  of  the  most  valuable  sections  of  Brown  County.  It 
was  earlier  settled  by  numbers  than  any  other  portion,  and  that  too, 
by  a  class  whose  courage  and  industry  were  only  surpassed  by  their  cordial 
though  homely  hospitality.  Many  of  the  earliest  came  from  Johnson 
County,  where  they  had  located  at  a  still  earlier  date,  coming  largely  from 


740  HISTORY   OF   BROWN   COUNTY. 

the  Southern  States,  originally.  The  rich  valley  of  Upper  Bean  Blossom 
possessed  too  many  inviting  features  to  be  passed  by  by  home  seekers. 
The  hills  were  clothed  in  fine  raiment  of  poplar,  hickory,  maple,  white, 
black  and  chestnut  oak,  walnut,  cherry,  elm,  sycamore,  sassafras;  and 
the  luxuriant  verdure  in  open  glades  revealed  the  fertility  of  the  soil. 
And  the  judgment  of  the  fathers  was  wise.  In  the  southwest  were  the 
vast  deposits  from  the  glaciers  of  pre-historic  times.  Here  the  rich  wash- 
ings from  the  adjacent  hills  had  been  freely  mingled  with  the  warm  sands 
and  loams  of  the  drift  beds,  and  here  were  the  deposits  of  magnetite, 
quartz,  bowlders,  jasper  and  gold  from  the  Laurentian  Rocks  of  Canada. 
In  this  portion  of  the  township  has  since  been  found  probably  $2,000 
worth  of  gold,  occuring  with  but  little  or  no  alloy.  Both  North  Salt 
Creek  and  South  Bean  Blossom  rise  in  the  northern  part,  not  far  apart, 
and  both  flow  southward  within  a  mile  and  a  half  of  each  other.  In  the 
northeast  corner  is  Saddle  Creek  which  flows  eastward,  and  belongs  to 
another  river  system.  High  ridges  with  spurs  along  their  sides  occur 
throughout  the  township.  The  stone  is  not  as  valuable  as  in  other  parts 
of  the  county.  The  following  is  the  formation  a  short  distance  east  of 
Georgetown  : 

Alluvial  soil 1  to     2  feet. 

Loess 10  to  50  feet. 

Polishing  sands 0  to     1  foot. 

White  potter's  clay,  apparently  of  excellent  quality 2  to     4  feet. 

Modified  glacial  drift  with  black  sand,  gold,  etc 25  feet. 

Indurated  tough  dark  clay,  silt  to  creek,  more  than 12  feet.    • 

Total 94  feet. 

THE    WHITE    SETTLEMENT. 

It  is  next  to  impossible  to  name  the  first  settler  of  this  township.  It 
was  one  of  the  first  to  be  visited  of  Brown  County.  The  older  counties 
over  east — Johnson  and  Bartholomew — were  settled  early  in  their  west- 
ern parts,  and  the  settlement  was  extended  westward  into  Hamblen  Town- 
ship. It  is  quite  certain  that  the  first  settlers  appeared  as  early  as  the  year 
1820,  and  by  1824  there  were  probably  ten  or  twelve  families,  if  not 
more,  living  within  the  present  limits  of  the  township.  The  township  in 
about  1830  was  attached  by  Legislative  enactment  to  Johnson  County 
and  remained  a  part  of  the  same  until  the  creation  of  Brown  County  in 
1836.  Upon  its  creation  Hamblen  extended  two  miles  farther  south, 
but  the  township  of  Washington  was  created  a  few  months  afterward,  as 
will  be  seen  in  another  part  of  this  work,  thus  taking  away  two  tiers  of 
sections  on  the  south,  and  leaving  the  territory  as  it  is  at  present.  The 
first  election  was  held  at  the  residence  of  James  Taggart,  and  continued 
afterward  to  be  held  there.  Mr.  Taggart  was  the  first  Township  Assessor, 
Daniel  King  and  Cornelius  Kirts  were  the  first  Overseers  of  the  Poor. 
Taggart  was  paid  $5  for  assessing  the  township.  William  King  was  the 
first  Constable.  Taggart  also  assessed  the  township  in  1837.  In  1837, 
the  place  of  election  was  changed  to  the  house  ot  Wiley  Guy.  In  1838, 
Eliakim  Hamblen  and  Abraham  Chappel  were  Overseers  of  the  Poor. 
Jacob  Walker  and  John  Maxwell,  Fence  Viewers  ;  David  King,  Inspector. 
King  was  yet  Constable.  James  Taggart  was  Assessor  in  1840,  also  in 
1841.     In  1841,  Mr.  Taggart  killed  an  old  wolf  near  his  house,  and  sue- 


HAMBLEN  TOWNSHIP.  741 

ceeded  in  finding  her  five  young  ones.  He  took  the  six  scalps  to  the 
County  Auditor  and  received  county  orders  to  the  amount  of  $3.50. 
The  township  took  its  name  from  Jesse  Hamblen,  not  because  he  was 
the  first  settler,  because  he  was  not,  but  because  he  was  a  prominent  man 
and  had  much  to  do  with  early  public  affairs.  This  accounts  for  the 
peculiar  spelling  of  the  name  of  the  township,  it  being  the  same  as  the 
family  name.  In  1840,  Wiley  Guy  and  C.  W.  Tucker  were  Overseers  of 
the  Poor ;  Conrad  Kirts  and  Benjamin  Pitcher,  Fence  Viewers.  The 
Road  Supervisors  at  this  time  were  Jesse  Hamblen,  Preston  Goforth,  and 
James  Parks.  Henry  Stivers  and  Sarah  Harris  were  married  by  L.  F. 
Raper,  Associate  Judge,  on  the  29th  of  July,  1836.  Elijah  Curry  and 
Mary  Richards  were  married  by  James  Taggart,  Justice  of  the  Peace,  Sep- 
tember 15,  183(5.  G.  M.  Parks  and  Elizabeth  Harris  were  married  by 
Squire  Taggart,  October  30,  1836.  Cornelius  Tucker  and  Mary  Ham- 
blen were  married  January  19,  1837  by  William  Taggart,  Justice  of  the 
Peace.  Conrad  Kirts  and  Jane  Rariden  were  bound  in  Hymen's  chains, 
by  Squire  Watson,  April  20,  1837.  In  1886,  on  the  old  Sparks  Ferry 
road,  from  the  creek  at  Owen  Simpson's  to  Sections  13  and  14,  Pleasant  W. 
Weddel  was  Superintendent,  and  was  given  the  following  hands.  Archi- 
bald Taylor,  John  King,  James  Kirts,  William  King,  Isaac  King,  Jesse 
Hamblen,  Pleasant  Hamblen,  Owen  Simpson,  William  Taggart,  John 
Brown,  Jesse  Brown,  William  Taylor,  Henry  Taylor,  James  Taggart, 
Mordeica  Weddel,  Thomas  Taylor,  Preston  Goforth,  Abraham  Chapel, 
James  Weddel,  Elias  Weddel  and  Eliakim  Hamblen.  On  the  same  road, 
from  Sections  13  and  14  north  to  the  Johnson  County  line,  James  Walker 
was  appointed  Superintendent,  with  the  following  hands  :  Ed  Duncan, 
Isaac  Bell,  John  Conner,  Benjamin  Pitcher,  Levi  Petro,  Jonathan 
Watson,  Willis  Rowden,  Harrison  Stivers,  John  Gibson,  Luther  Calvin, 
William  Campbell,  John  Terhune,  Charles  Bolt,  George  White,  William 
Spears,  Sandy  Walker,  Zephaniah  Walker,  Wiley  Guy,  Moses  Thorp, 
John  Rariden  and  Josiah  Goodwine. 

ENTRIES    OF    LAND. 

Township  9  north.  Range  3  east;  Section  1 — Pleasant  G.  Weddel, 
18-33  ;  Robert  Millsop,  1833  ;  James  Taggart,  1834  ;  Section  11— Jesse 
Brown,  1836  ;  John  Brown,  1835 ;  James  Taggart,  1839  ;  Jonathan 
Fox,  1836  ;  Thomas  Brown,  1834.  Township  10  north.  Range  3  east. 
Section  1— Abraham  Martin,  1837 ;  H.  Wyatt,  1836 ;  Dawson  Walker, 
1839  ;  John  Peterson,  1836 ;  M.  H.  Lancaster,  1837  ;  Humphrey 
Wells,  1836  ;  Thomas  McClary,  1837  ;  Elizabeth  Duncan,  1837  ;  Sec- 
tion 2— S.  Welch,  1837;  John  Wells,  1837;  John  Buttram,  1839; 
Isaac  Bell,  1837 ;  Avery  Chase,  1838  ;  John  Frad,  1836  ;  Stephen  El- 
der, 1836;  Andrew  Raymon,  1839;  Section  8— Luther  Calvin,  1831  ; 
John  Calvin,  1839 ;  James  Calvin,  1836  ;  James  Culley,  1835 ;  Elisha 
Mathis,  1836 ;  Melinda  Pritchard,  1836  ;  John  Harris,  1833 ;  Section 
4— Maj.  Mitchell.  1836  ;  David  Zook,  1837;  Isaac  Holman,  1839  ;  Idy 
Terhune,  1838 ;  Isaac  Walker,  1838 ;  James  Newill,  1836  ;  W.  J.  Hogg, 
1837  ;  John  Terhune,  1836  ;  James  Culley,  1836  ;  Pat  Keefe,  1837  ; 
William  Culley,  1837  ;  Section  5— John  Culley,  1836;  John  and  Timo- 
thy Grifiith,  1839  ;  Henry  Goodpasture,  1836  ;  Jonathan  Porter,  1837  ; 


742  HISTORY  OF  BROWN  COUNTY. 

Garrett  Terhune,  1838;  Edward  Allen,  1837;  Richard  Bowling,  1836; 
Section  8 — Jerry  Graham,  1839;  Jonathan  Porter,  1837;  David  Park- 
hurst,  1836;  John  Cox,  1836;  Gideon  Stephens,  1839;  Section  9— 
William  Keaton,  1837  ;  Henry  Admire,  1837  ;  John  Varris,  1836  ;  A. 
B.  Debord,  1838 ;  Jacob  Barret,  1837  ;  John  Graham,  1836  ;  J.  T. 
Tucker,  1836;  Mark  Mitchell,  1836;  Section  10— Peter  Handy,  1839; 
William  Shears,  1837  ;  John  Lemon,  1837  ;  William  Keaton,  1837  ; 
James  Wallser,  1837  ;  Jacob  Barnett,  1837  ;  Section  11 — George  Sparks, 
1837  ;  Andrew  Raymon,  1839  ;  Pat  Smith,  1841 ;  W.  W.  Cotton,  1836 ; 
Harrison  Stephens,  1837  ;  Section  12 — Abe  Martin,  1837  ;  Thomas 
McClung,  1837  ;  Thomas  Bowles,  1839  ;  Robert  McClung,  1837  ;  Sec- 
tion 13— Thomas  Milliken,  1837  ;  George  Smith,  1839  ;  Section  14— M. 
H.  Lancaster,  1837;  Benjamin  Pitchen,  1835;  James  Stewart,  1833; 
Samuel  Walker,  1838  ;  Levi  Petro,  1834  ;  John  Connor,  1834 ;  Section 
15_WilIiam  Hodgin,  1839  ;  William  Kennedy,  1836 ;  George  White, 

1833  ;  Charles  Bolt,  1836  ;  James  Bolt,  1833  ;  Ed  Duncan,  1843  ;  Sec- 
tion 17— David  Parkhurst,  1836  ;  Fountain  Devore,  1836 ;  John  Grat- 
ner,  1838;  Ezekiel  Parkhurst,  1837;  William  Murphy,  1835;  Section 
20— William  Phillips,  1837;  Josiah  Goodwine,  1833;  Thomas  M. 
Adams,  1839;  Jesse  Richards,  1837;  Section  21-^P.  Wilkins,  1836: 
Jonathan  Watson,  1836  ;  Michael  Richards,  1835  ;  Thomas  Kennedy, 
1837 ;  Section  22— Caleb  Kennet,  George  White,  1833 ;  Stephen  De- 
bord, 1838 ;  Franklin  Walker,  1834 ;  S.  B.  Walker,  1836  ;  Moses 
Tharp,  1838 ;  Section  23— John  H.  Smith,  1838  ;  Charles  Walker,  Jr., 
December  24,  1829 ;  Samuel  Walker,  1833 ;  Henry  Burton,  1842  ;  Sec- 
tion 24 — Joseph  Spangler,  1839  ;  John  Mcllvain,  1840  ;  Section  25 — 
W.  N.  Taylor,  1836  ;  Ransom  Smith,  1839  ;  Section  26— Wiley  Guy, 
1834;  Conrad  Kirts,   1834;    William    Chappel,    1837;  Abe    Chappel, 

1834  ;  E.  W.  Curry,  1836  ;  Robert  Lingo,  1841 ;  Section  27— Stephen 
Debord,   1838 ;  Preston   Goforth,  1839  ;  Moses    Tharp,    1834  ;  James 
Kirts,   1836;  Section  28 — Preston  Goforth,    1835;  Jonathan    Watson 
1837;  John  McDaniel,   1837;  John    Adams,   1836;  Gorge  Burkhart, 
1839;  S.  B.  Walker,  1836  ;  Curtis   Maris,   1839;  John  Hyatt,  1839 
Joshua    Richardson,    1837  ;    Section    29 — Isaac    Crum,    1839 ;   George 
Smith,  1834;    John   and  Abe  Prosser,  1839;  William    Hesse,    1837 
Charles  L.  Hesse,  1837  ;  Section  32— Robert  McClung,  1837  ;  Thomas 
Waltman,  1837  ;  Section  33— Elias  Weddel,  1836;  S.  S.  Parsley,  1837 
William    Kennedy,    1839;  Section    34— Curtis    Maris,   1839;  William 
Hodgin,  1839  ;  Section  35— Eliakim  Hamblen,  1834 ;  Pleasant  Hamb 
len,  1836  ;  Christopher  Stump,  1834;  Section  36 — James  Taggart,  No 
vember  15,  1828 ;  Samuel  Smith,  1834  ;  M.  B.  Weddel,  1834.     Town 
ship  10  north.  Range  4  east.  Section  4 — Charles  Walker,  1836  ;  Henry 
Mowery,  1837  ;  Elijah  McEndree,  1838  ;  Richard  Lewis,  1836  ;  Joseph 
Wheaton,  1837  ;  Benjamin  Phillips,  1837 ;  William  Wells,  1837  ;  Zeph 
W.  Baker,  1839  ;  William  Skidmore,  1836 ;  George  Botchford,  1837  ; 
John  Wheaton,  1837 ;  Section  5— Solomon  Hicks,  1839  ;  William  Gil- 
laspy,    1839;  William    Handy,    1839;  Section    6— J.    S.    Rutherford, 
1839  ;  J.  H.  Smith,  1838 ;  Leah  Martin,  1834 ;  Edward  Duncan,  1834  ; 
William  Duncan,  1836  ;   Section  7— Elijah  Bolander,  1839 ;  Joseph  Mc- 
Nichol,  1839  ;  James  Martin,  1836 ;  Section  8— Sydney  Hanks,  1836  ; 


HAMBLEN  TOWNSHIP.  743 

W.  W.  Lyon,  1841 ;  Section  9 — Aaron  Hendrickson,  1838  ;  Benjamin 
Harris,  1889 ;  Fred  Storch,  1839 ;  Samuel  Lewis,  1839  ;  Sydney  Hanks, 
1836 ;  Section  17— George  Smith,  1839  ;  Section  18— Abraham  Mar- 
tin, 1837  ;  Section  19 — Joseph  Spangler,  1839  ;  Section  20  (for  schools)  ; 
Section  21 — Joseph  Anderson,  1837  ;  J.  R.  Smith,  1837  ;  Jacob  Moxey, 
1837  ;  Section  28— Bennet  Cardry,  1840  ;  Section  31— Jesse  Hamblen, 
1837  ;  Patrick  Sullivan,  1829 ;  James  Taggart,  Sr.,  1834  ;  Section  32— 
Daniel  King,  1834  ;  Section  33— Abe  Waltz,  1840.  This  l;st  includes 
many  of  the  old  settlers. 

INDUSTRIES,    INCIDENTS,    ETC. 

It  is  said  the  first  mill  in  the  county  was  built  on  Salt  Creek,  in  this 
township,  as  early  as  1827  by  a  man  whose  name  is  not  remembered.  It 
ceased  running  about  1835.  Eliakim  Hamblen  built  a  water  mill  in  about 
1838,  placing  therein  a  good  set  of  buhrs.  He  ground  considerable  grain 
for  about  six  years.  Thomas  Waltman  built  a  water  saw  mill  a  short 
distance  east  of  Georgetown  at  an  early  day  and  operated  it  a  few  years. 
William  Taylor  built  a  water  grist  mill  on  Bean  Blossom,  also  at  an  early 
day,  and,  it  is  said,  continued  it  about  five  years.  Scores  of  wolves  were 
killed  in  the  township  in  early  years,  the  incentive  being  threefold:  1. 
The  sport ;  2.  To  rid  the  country  of  the  pests  ;  3.  To  get  the  bounty 
oiFered  by  the  County  Board.  Many  bears  have  been  killed  in  the  town- 
ship. The  dogs  of  Eliakim  Hamblen  one  day  treed  a  bear,  and  Mr.  Ham- 
blen shot  it  from  the  tree.  It  was  not  killed  by  the  shot  or  the  fall,  and 
sprang  up  to  ran  off,  but  was  pounced  upon  by  the  dogs.  In  its  efforts  to 
get  away,  it  ran  over  Mr.  Hamblen,  knocking  him  down.  The  animal 
was  finally  killed.  The  Kennedy  corn-field  had  suffered  from  the  depreda- 
tions of  a  bear,  and  young  Stephen  thought  next  night  he  would  get  up  a 
tree  and  watch  Mr.  Bruin.  The  animal  duly  appeared  for  another  feast 
on  the  green  corn,  but  the  boy  was  so  scared  that  he  called  the  dogs. 
Away  the  bear  went  with  the  dogs  in  pursuit.  The  pursuit  could  be 
heard  all  the  remainder  of  that  night,  the  deep  baying  of  the  hounds 
reaching  a  distance  of  over  five  miles.  The  next  day  the  bear  was  shot 
near  Needmore  by  Lloyd  Brummet.  Eliakim  Hamblen  went  to  a  dear 
lick  one  night  to  get  some  fresh  vension.  After  waiting  some  time  he  saw 
a  panther  approaching  through  the  bushes,  and,  when  close  enough,  he 
shot  the  animal  dead.  Log  rollings  and  house  or  barn  raisings  were 
made  very  interesting  in  early  years  by  the  presence  of  many  hardy  men, 
plenty  of  whisky,  and  many  handsome  women,  who  gathered  to  do  the 
cooking.  Thomas  McAdams,  of  Iowa,  had  this  to  say  in  1878  of  an 
incident  which  occurred  in  Hamblen  Township  : 

"  It  was  common  in  those  days,  upon  the  arrival  of  a  new-comer,  to 
ascertain  at  once  whether  he  had  sand  in  his  craw.  To  illustrate  this,  I 
will  relate  a  circumstanc^e  which  took  place  under  my  own  eyes.  The  settle- 
ments on  Bean  Blossom  and  Salt  Creeks  were  sparse  at  that  time,  and  it 
was  no  uncommon  thing  for  persons  to  go  ten  or  twelve  miles  to  a  house- 
raising  in  1837-38.  The  Prosser  families  moved  to  the  vicinity  of 
Georgetown,  among  them  being  old  Uncle  Billy  Prosser,  who  was  famil- 
iarly known  as  'Billy  Plumpsock.'  He  was  a  man  fond  of  his  cups, 
and  usually  got  pretty  happy  whenever  opportunity  offered.     A  house,  in 


744  HISTORY  OF  BROWN  COUNTY. 

those  days,  could  not  well  be  raised  without  a  big  jug  of  whisky.  He 
and  I  went  to  a  raising  at  Jesse  Richards',  a  few  miles  east  of  George- 
town, and  the  old  man  soon  got  lively  and  talkative,  and  somewhat  boast- 
ful of  his  manhood.  He  being  an  entire  stranger  and  new-comer,  soon 
attracted  the  attention  of  the  crowd.  It  was  not  long  until  I  overheard 
a  conversation  by  some  of  the  party  present,  to  the  effect  that  as  soon  as 
the  raising  was  over,  old  Johnny  Stivers  (a  bluff,  rugged,  old  man) 
should  try  Uncle  Billy  Plumpsock  a  twist.  Being  anxious  to  avoid  any 
such  trouble,  because  the  old  man  had  come  with  me,  I  took  him  to  one 
side  and  undertook  to  tell  him  what  was  brewing,  and  try  to  get  him  to  go 
home  with  me,  but  before  I  could  finish  telling  my  tale  or  persuade  him 
off,  he  began  to  roll  up  his  sleeves.  He  commenced  walking  before 
the  crowd,  swearing  by  all  the  saints  that  he  was  the  veritable  Plumpsock, 
and  if  any  one  in  that  crowd  had  any  desire  to  test  his  muscle,  to  just 
step  out  and  they  would  settle  that  while  the  house  was  being  finished,  so 
that  all  could  be  ready  for  supper  at  once ;  but,  suffice  it  to  say,  no  one 
there  seemed  anxious  to  try  it  on,  and  we  got  off  without  a  scratch." 

SCHOOLS   AND    CHURCHES. 

Hamblen  Township  has  fourteen  school  districts.  That  number  is 
certainly  sufficient  to  supply  the  children  with  all  necessary  educational 
advantages.  There  are  also  five  or  six  churches,  so  there  is  no  reason 
why  all  may  not  belong  to  some  religious  class.  The  township  is  not  sur- 
passed by  any  other  subdivision  of  the  county  in  these  respects.  So  far 
as  known,  the  first  term  of  school  was  taught  in  the  Taggart-Hamblen 
neighborhood  about  the  time  the  county  was  organized,  by  a  man  named 
Edgington.  The  house  had  been  used  for  a  dwelling  by  some  pioneer 
family,  and  when  it  was  deserted  it  was  fitted  up  and  occupied  for  school 
purposes.  A  man  named  Rice  was  another  early  teacher  in  the  township. 
John  C.  Marshall  also  taught  in  the  southern  part.  In  about  1837,  the 
old  log  United  Brethren  Church  was  built  on  the  Taggart  farm,  and  this, 
for  many  years,  was  used  as  a  schoolhouse ;  in  fact,  the  building  was 
built  as  a  combined  church  and  schoolhouse.  Schools  were  supported  in 
that  day  largely  by  private  expense.  The  only  public  money  was  from 
the  sale  of  school  lands.  In  1840,  the  Township  Treasurer  received  $19 
from  this  fund,  which  was  distributed  to  the  four  school  districts  which 
then  comprised  the  entire  township.  In  1843,  there  were  seven  school 
districts,  and  the  fund  received  amounted  to  $66.28.  In  1850,  there 
were  ten  school  districts.  A  man  named  Washington  (not  the  first  occu- 
pant of  the  White  House)  was  the  first  teacher  in  the  old  United  Brethren 
Church.  Among  the  members  of  this  church  were  the  families  of  Tag- 
garts,  Duncans,  Hamblens,  Taylors,  Kings,  Hicks,  Hemphills,  Weddels 
and  others.  The  building  was  burned  down  after  a  few  years.  Above 
there,  a  class  of  the  Christian  denomination  was  organized,  the  Walkers, 
Watsons,  Chappels,  Kirts  and  others  belonging.  The  Methodists  also 
had  a  class  in  the  western  part,  among  the  members  being  the  families  of 
Mcllvains,  Richardsons,  Guys,  Millsops  and  others. 

VILLAGES. 

Spearsville  was  named  for  William  Spears,  who  founded  it  not  far 
from   1835.     If  Mr.  Spears  kept  a  store  there,  such  fact  is  not  now 


HAMBLEN  TOWNSHIP.    ■  745 

remembered.  John  S.  Burns  was  selling  goods  there  in  1837,  and  con- 
tinued for  some  time.  He  secured  a  post  office,  and  attracted  a  black- 
smith to  the  spot.  In  1838,  George  Sparks  opened  there  a  liquor  and 
grocery  store,  his  license  being  $15.  Late  in  the  forties,  James  Burnes 
became  merchant  there,  with  a  stock  of  merchandise  worth  about  $1,200. 
Henry  Musselman  was  thus  engaged  in  1851,  and  onward  for  a  few 
years.  The  village  has  usually  had  one  store  and  about  a  dozen  families. 
Cleona,  Ramelton  and  Mt.  Moriah  Post  Offices  are  in  this  township. 

POLL-TAX  PAYERS  OF  1848. 

George  Anderson,  Robert  Allen,  George  Admire,  Daniel  Alexander, 
J.  W.  Applegate,  John  Bleik,  Henry  Burton,  Lewis  Brummet,  Acles 
Bickum,  Joshua  Brummet,  Granville  Brummet,  Josiah  Brummet, 
Charles  Bolt,  Thomas  Card  well,  James  Calvin,  Elias  Curry,  Elijah 
Curry,  John  Conner,  John  Calvin,  John  A.  Coons,  John  A.  Camp- 
bell, Peter  Conner,  Benjamin  Comiford,  John  H.  Colviji,  David  H. 
Chase,  John  Cordray,  Thomas  S.  Colvin,  William  Cordray,  Absalom 
Comiford,  Besky  Crumperg,  Josiah  David,  Joshua  Dean,  Stephen 
Debord,  Elias  Downing,  Jesse  Duncan,  Edward  Duncan,  William  Dun- 
can, Fountain  Devore,  Cornelius  Dine,  Elaskin  Dehart,  Stephen  Elder, 
Ananias  Ellison,  John  Frod,  Stephen  Frod,  James  Frod,  Anthony 
Fraker,  Guthry  Frod,  Wilken  Forester,  M.  Galoway,  Preston  Goforth, 
Tilmon  Guy,  John  Griffin,  Wylie  Guy,  Jackson  Grums,  James  Griffin, 
John  Gibson,  James  T.  Gillaspy,  Hiram  Graves,  Richard  Goforth, 
W.  E.  Gillaspy,  Michael  Groves,  Martin  Hemphill,  William  Handy, 
Josiah  Handy,  Solomon  Hicks,  William  Hogg,  Pleasant  Hamblen, 
Thompson  Henry,  Sydnor  Hanks,  Amos  Hicks,  Jesse  Hamblen, 
Robert  Hicks,  Jr.,  Trueman  Holeman,  David  L.  Hamblen,  Will- 
iam Henry,  W.  C.  Hubbard,  Levi  Hatten,  William  Hamblen,  S. 
Hubbard,  John  Jackson,  Jr.,  Joshua  Jenkins,  Alfred  King,  John  D. 
Kennedy,  John  King,  William  King,  James  Keaton,  Caleb  Kennett, 
Stephen  Kennedy.  John  H.  Kennedy,  Isaac  King.  James  Legins,  Henry 
Legins,  George  Lamb,  Michael  Lanegan,  William  Milnes,  Elisha  Mathis, 
George  McKinny,  John  Millsop,  James  W.  Mcllvain,  Thomas  Mcllvain, 
Mills  Mcllvain,  J.  W.  Markwell,  Israel  Mordie,  William  Marcum,  Han- 
nibal I.  Mead,  James  Murphy,  James  C.  Parmelee,  M.  H.  Parmelee, 
Solomon  S.  Parsley.  D.  I.  Parsley,  Abraham  Prosser,  Timothy  Page, 
Hardy  Pace,  Franklin  Pitcher,  George  Petro,  Jonathan  Pitcher,  Z.  R. 
Porter,  Hiram  Procise,  Hugh  Peck,  Hugh  Quinn,  John  Quinn,  Dudley 
Richardson,  Nathaniel  Roberts,  Jessie  Richards,  Isaac  Redwine,  George 
Ray,  Mathew  Redwine,  Jesse  Smith,  W.  L.  Smith,  Harrison  A.  Stiver, 
William  Smith,  Benjamin  Steward,  James  Sparks,  Adam  Stilenbauer, 
David  Scripter,  George  Scripter,  C.  W.  Tucker,  William  N.  Taylor, 
William  Taggart,  Archibald  Taylor,  William  Thomas,  Absalom  Waltz, 
Samuel  Walker,  B.  F.  Walker,  M.  B.  Weddel,  Pleasant  G.  Weddel, 
George  White,  William  Wells.  John  Wells,  William  Waltz,  Otho  Wolf, 
Dawson  Walker,  Thomas  Waltman,  Jacob  Wayman,  Jonathan  Watson, 
L.  B.  W^alker,  Charles  Walker,  James  Wilkerson,  Henry  Weaver,  Phil- 
lip Weaver,  Darius  M.  Watson,  Solomon  Wyatt,  Hulett  Wyatt,  William 
Watson  and  Elas  Weddel.     The  heaviest  tax  payers  were  John  D.  Ken- 


746  HISTORY   OF   BROWN   COUNTY. 

nedy,  ^10.30;  William  Murphey,  Sr.,  $10.85;  Thomas  Mulliken,  $11.- 
83;  James  W.  Mcllvain,  $9.45;  Abraham  Martin,  $8.67;  James  C. 
Parmelee,  $11.85;  Dudly  Richardson,  $8.52;  William  Taggart,  $10.- 
14.  The  number  of  polls  was,  165;  number  of  acres,  15,997.16  ;  value 
of  lands,  $43,903 ;  value  of  improvements,  $27,305 ;  value  of  personal 
property,  $23,409;  total  value  of  taxables,  $94,617;  total  tax,  $809.14; 
delinquent  tax  and  interest,  $223,37  ;  total  tax,  $1,032.51. 


VAN  BUREN  TOWNSHIP. 


THE  ROCKS,  TIMBER,  STREAMS,  ETC. 

IN  several  essential  particulars,  the  surface  and  geology  of  this  portion 
of  Brown  County  differ  from  those  of  any  other  portion.  The  north- 
west part  is  on  High  or  Central  Ridge,  just  over  the  line  being  Weed 
Patch  Knob,  the  highest  point  in  the  State.  Two  miles  southeast  of  this 
is  the  Middle  Fork  of  Salt  Creek,  flowing  across  the  township  in  a  south- 
westerly direction.  One  mile  southeast  of  the  creek  begins  an  elevated 
plateau  of  a  grayish  soil,  called  lacustral  loam,  and  here,  with  the 
exception  of  the  usual  branch  bottoms,  is  the  garden  spot  of  the  county. 
Along  the  eastern  border  of  the  township,  this  loam  has  been  modified  by 
fresh  water  deposits,  thereby  increasing  its  fertility,  and  is  known  as 
White  Creek  flats  or  slashes.  On  Buffalo  Ridge,  the  wheat  crops  are 
habitually  large  and  reliable.  On  Section  13  is  a  sandstone  quarry,  where 
stone  of  unusual  hardness  and  durability  is  readily  obtained.  It  is 
homogeneous,  evenly  bedded  and  easily  quarried.  Another  quarry  on 
Section  35  also  furnishes  good  stone.  Layers  four  feet  thick  are  found ; 
also  bands  and  concretionary  nodules  of  excellent  iron  ore.  Another  val- 
uable quarry  has  been  worked  at  Wadsworth's  mill.  The  bed  and  bars 
of  Hamilton  Creek  are  covered  with  scales  and  small  pebbles  of  silicious 
iron  ore,  washed  down  from  the  concretionary  deposits  of  the  shaly  hills. 
Excellent  fruit,  such  as  peaches  and  apples,  is  raised  in  abundance,  and 
is  of  superior  quality.  Very  large  quantities  of  tobacco  are  raised 
annually. 

THE  SETTLEMENT    BY    WHITE  MEN. 

White  settlers  were  in  this  township  as  early  as  1820.  and  by  1830 
the  log  cabins  were  scattered  in  all  directions.  The  bulk  of  the  settlers, 
however,  did  not  come  until  the  decade  of  thirties.  Natives  of  the 
Southern  States  largely  predominated.  Many  were  well  bred  and  all 
were  hospitable,  as  representatives  of  the  South  always  are.  Many  left 
the  South  owing  to  their  hatred  of  the  institution  of  slavery.  A  sprink- 
ling of  Yankees  were  among  them — enough  to  give  the  Northern  spirit 
to  all  public  undertakings.  The  Hattens  and  the  Hamptons  were  among 
the  first  in  the  township.  A  man  named  Bozwell  was  early  also.  James 
Taber,  Thomas  Brown,  James  Williamson  were  in  the  township  during 
the  twenties.  The  Gosses  were  early  also.  When  a  new  settler  appeared, 
the  residents  all  turned  out  to    help    him   raise    his    cabin.     They   often 


VAN  BUREN  TOWNSHIP.  747 

went  miles  to  assist,  as  nearest  neighbors  were  very  often  four  and  five 
miles  apart.  So  glad  were  the  settlers  to  see  new  families  come  in  that 
they  were  always  ready,  not  only  to  help  them  up  with  their  buildings 
and  to  become  comfortable,  but,  if  necessary,  provisions  were  given  them, 
and  their  acquaintance  was  sought  and,  if  deserving,  continued.  It  was 
customary  then  to  goto  a  neighbor's  to  spend  the  evenings;  especially  was 
this  true  in  winter.  The  visits  were  always  enjoyed.  The  great  fire 
place,  full  of  blazing  logs,  threw  out  its  ruddy  glow  over  the  room  and 
diffused  warmth,  light  and  comfort  to  all.  A  pailful  of  nice  hickory 
nuts  or  a  plate  of  choice  apples  would  be  brought  out  and  would  soon  dis- 
appear under  the  fresh  appetites  sharpened  with  the  sauce  of  neighborly 
good  cheer,  and  the  ride  behind  oxen  over  the  frozen  ground  and 
through  the  frosty  air.  -All  was  enjoyed  to  the  best.  After  all,  though 
the  old  settlers  had  many  hardships  to  encounter  and  trials  to  undergo, 
did  they  not  enjoy  themselves  as  well,  or  better,  than  the  present  genera- 
tions. They  were  hearty,  robust,  and  full  of  wild  animal  spirits,  and  the 
novelty  of  any  and  all  gatherings  was  not  such  as  we  now  know  it.  A 
person  isolated  from  pleasures  for  a  time  was  ready  to  fully  appreciate  and 
enjoy  a  holiday  spent  in  the  simplest  manner.  The  appetite  for  enjoyment 
was  not  cloyed.  The  simplicity  of  pioneer  life  brought  keenest  enjoyment 
from  simple  things,,  and  the  freedom  from  swiftly  multiplying  cares  kept 
the  faces  clear  of  wrinkles,  preserved  the  hair  and  ruddy  face,  and 
retained  the  springing  steps  and  the  upright  figure.  The  pioneers  were 
contented — were  happy  in  their  lot — and  as  a  result  have  bequeathed  to 
their  children  sound  mental  and  bodily  organisms  and  good  habits* 

ORGANIZATION    AND    OFFICERS. 

The  township  was  one  of  the  first  four  created  in  1836,  and  was,  of 
course,  named  in  honor  of  Martin  Van  Buren,  eighth  President  of  the 
United  States.  Daniel  Hedrick  was  the  first  Assessor  of  the  township. 
Hiram  Mabe  and  William  Rippe  were  the  first  Overseers  of  the  Poor. 
Hiram  Mabe  was  also  the  first  Constable.  Hedrick  was  Assessor  again 
in  1887.  In  1838,  Daniel  Goss  and  James  Williamson  were  Overseers 
of  the  Poor.  Joseph  Hurley  and  another  were  Fence  Viewers;  Jacob 
Lawless,  Inspector.  The  first  elections — those  of  1836  and  1837 — were 
held  at  the  house  of  Cornelius  Hurley.  In  1839,  Asa  Hatten  and  James 
Williamson,  were  Overseers  of  the  Poor ;  Thomas  Brown  and  James 
Tabor,  Fence  Viewers  ;  William  Crouch,  Inspector.  John  Hampton  as- 
sessed the  township  in  1840,  also  in  1841.  J.  D.  McKinney  was 
paid  $4  by  the  County  Auditor  in  1841  for  four  young  wolf  scalps.  In 
1842,  John  Davis  and  John  Hampton  were  each  paid  $7  for  seven  young 
wolf  scalps.  In  1840,  John  Anderson  was  Constable ;  Asa  Hatten  and 
Hiram  Baker,  Road  Supervisors  ;  Thomas  Brown  and  Job  Mulliss,  Over- 
seers of  the  Poor  ;  John  Hill  and  William  Bender,  Fence  Viewers  ; 
Hiram  Mabe,  Inspector.  In  1836,  there  were  two  road  districts  estab- 
lished in  the  township  on  the  Spark's  Ferry  road,  1,  from  the  Jack- 
son County  line  to  Sections  13  and  14;  ii,  from  Sections  13  and  14  to  the 
boundary  of  the  township  (two  miles  farther  north  than  the  present  bound- 
ary). Alfred  Young  was  Superintendent  of  No.  1,  with  the  following 
hands  :  John  Hampton,  Edward  Ayres,   Henry  Ayres,  Samuel  Ayres, 


748  HISTORY   OF   BROWN  COUNTY. 

Enoch  Hampton,  Ephraim  Hatten,  James  Williamson,  Asa  Hatten,  Will- 
iam Rippe,  John  Rippe,  William  Kenworthy  and  Thomas  Polly.  Cor- 
nelius Hurley  was  Superintendent  of  No.  2,  with  the  following  hands: 
Elias  Matley,  Stephen  Matley,  Hiram  Mabe,  Daniel  Goss,  Henry  Bird, 
Thomas  Brown,  James  Rippe,  Jr.,  Arthur  Rippe,  Hiram  Rippe,  Levi 
Noblet,  John  Sinex  and  John  Kenworthy. 

LAND    ENTRIES. 

Township    7  north.  Range  3    east.  Section  11 — Benjamin    Owens, 

1833  ;  John  Hill,  1836  ;  Section  12— John  Wagoner,  1838  ;  W.  M. 
Evans,  1844,  Alexander  Fisher,  1844;  Legrand  Bozwell,  1844;  Col- 
man  White,  1843  ;  David  Wagoner,  1840.  Township  8  north.  Range  3 
east ;  Section  11 — John  Davis,  1839 ;  William  Bender,  1836 ;  Section 
13 — Stephen  Matney.  1837  ;  Jacob  Byerly,  1839  ;  Section  14 — Cornel- 
ius Hurley,  1833 ;  James  Sullivan,  1833 ;  George  Sumner,  1839 ;  W. 
F.  Mabe,  1844;  Hiram  Mabe,  1833;  Section  15— Ambrose  Cobb,  1844; 
Daniel  Goss,  1839  ;  Allen  Whitehorn,  1844  ;  Section  20 — Hiram  Rippe, 

1834  ;  Section  21— Fred  Goss,  1834 ;  Section  22— Daniel  Goss,  1839, 
Fred  Goss,  1830  ;  Section  25— John  Hampton,  1832 ;  J.  M.  Mabe, 
1841 ;  Section  28 — James  Rippe,  1836 ;  Arthur  Rippe,  1836  ;  Section 
29— Levi  Noblet,  1839;  Section  32— Martin  Tabor,  1844;  Henry 
Hampton,  1844;  Isaac  Shipley,  1834  ;  Section  33— John  Rippe,  1833; 
Section  34 — Samuel  Hatten,  1844  ;  James  Williamson,  1836 ;  Alfred 
Young,  1833;  William  Rippe,  1834;  Section  35— Asa  Hatten,  1834; 
Jonathan  Hampton,  1836 ;  Section  36 — Alexander  Arthur,  1838, 
Joseph  Gardner,  1838;  Washington  Dobson,  1844.  Township  7  north, 
Range  4  east.  Section  6 — James  Mullis,  1844,  J..  M.  McCord,  1844; 
Section  8 — Dennis  McMahon,  1844.  Township  8  north.  Range  4 
east ;  Section  5 — David  Crouch,  1840;  Section  8 — Henry  Bird, 
1837;  Joseph  Hedrick,  1840,  William  Crouch,  1840;  William 
Bender,  1840;  William  Ping,  1844;  Section  17— Thomas  A. 
Brown,  1837 ;  Section  18— Granville  Hedrick,  1841  ;  Jacob 
Sawles,  1836 ;  Daniel  Hedrick,  1834  ;  Ambrose  Cobb,  1839  ;  Ephraim 
Hurley,  1841;  Section  20— Job  Ping,  1844;  Henry  Bird,  1844:  Sec- 
tion 28— W.  C.  Needham,  1844 ,  John  D.  Wormack,  1844. 

POLL-TAX  PAYERS  OF  1848. 

John  Anderson,  Edmund  Ayers,  I.  C.  Bender,  Thomas  Brown,  Hiram 
Baker,  Samuel  Bird,  Byron  I.  Barker,  Legrand  Bazwell,  Henry  Bird, 
David  Crouch,  William  Crouch,  Henry  Cross,  Asa  Clark,  Aaron  Crouch, 
Moses  Crouch,  Ambrose  Cobb,  Hiram  Crouch,  Martin  Evans,  Drury 
Elkins,  Francis  Elkins,  James  George,  Elijah  Graham,  George  Grosvenor, 
J.  M.  Hurley,  Asa  Hatten,  Enoch  Hampton,  John  Hill,  Granville  Hed- 
rick, Ephraim  Hurley,  George  Hill,  James  D.  Hurley,  Ephraim  Hatten, 
David  M.  Hurley,  John  Kenworthy,  Ambrose  Keelen,  Jonathan  Lucas, 
W.  G.  Lee,  Jacob  Lawless,  James  M.  Mabe,  Richard  Mullis,  John  Mullis, 
Joshua  Matney,  Daniel  Matney,  W.  F.  Mabe,  Joseph  Merrit,  James  Mc- 
Kinney,  Franklin  Mullis,  George  Phillips,  William  Ping,  Thomas  Pruitt, 
Paul  Petro,  Job  Ping,  Edmund  Phigley,  Serenus  Ping,  Richard  Ping, 
John    Ping,    Jr.,  William    Reynolds,   George    Summa,  William    Smith, 


VAN  BUREN  TOWNSHIP.  749 

Fountain  Sutherland,  James  Tabor,  Martin  Tabor,  John  Wagoner,  James 
Williamson,  H.  C.  Weddel,  Allen  Whitehorn,  Coleman  White,  Nelson 
White,  John  D.  Womack  and  Thomas  Vance.  The  highest  tax  payers 
were  I.  C  Bender,  $4.92  ;  Thomas  Brown,  $5.82  ;  David  Crouch,  $6.43; 
William  Crouch,  $4.37 ;  Frederick  Goss,  $5.40 ;  Cornelius  Hurley, 
$5.50;  Asa  Hatten,  $5.47  ;  Jacob  Lawless,  $8.69  ;  total  number  of  polls, 
70 ;  acres  of  land  2,274.77  ;  value  of  land,  $4,211 ;  value  of  improve- 
ments, $5,935 ;  value  of  personal  property,  $9,069 ;  total  taxables, 
$19,215  ;  total  tax,  $228.19;  total  delinquent  tax  and  interest,  $109.65  ; 
grand  total  tax,  $337.84. 

VILLAGES. 

Christiansburg  was  founded  by  Thomas  Carmichael  about  the  year 
1850.  Calvin  &  Mann  opened  a  large  tannery  there  of  about  twenty 
vats.  Sylvanus  Manville  opened  a  store  there,  with  Lawson  Hopper  as 
clerk.  In  a  short  time,  several  families  moved  there,  and  a  post  office  was 
secured.  A  store  has  been  there  the  greater  portion  of  the  time  since. 
Several  churches  are  there,  which  are  well  attended.  Pike's  Peak  was 
founded  about  the  time  of  the  last  war  by  James  Ward,  who  opened  a  small 
store  there.  A  post  office  was  obtained,  and  a  few  families  went  there  to 
live.  New  Bellsville  was  founded  at  a  later  date  by  Joseph  Campbell. 
Buffalo  started  up  about  thirty  years  ago.  It  is  said  George  Har- 
lan had  the  first  store.  Butcher  &  Bennington  were  there  for  a 
time.  The  village  was  quite  prosperous  for  a  time.  The  old  Goss 
Saw  Mill  on  Salt  Creek,  at  Mt.  Zion,  was  built  during  the  thirties, 
and  in  an  early  day  had  a  large  patronage.  William  Crouch  operated  a 
mill  in  the  township,  beginning  late  in  the  forties.  John  Hampton  shot 
a  panther  in  about  1840.  He  found  in  the  township  a  half  eaten  deer, 
covered  with  leaves,  and,  concealing  himself,  saw  the  varmint  and  shot  it. 
William  Rogers  and  Mary  Ann  Cobb  were  married  by  Squire  Goss 
March  30,  1837.     This  was  the  first  wedding  in  the  township. 

'  SCHOOLS    AND    CHURCHES. 

The  township  has  fourteen  school  districts.  The  first  term  taught  was 
in  the  southwestern  part  in  a  log  schoolhouse,  the  Hamptons,  Ayres, 
Browns,  Tabors,  Noblets,  Hollens,  Williamsons  sending  children.  The 
first  teacher  was  an  Irishman  named  Sullivan.  He  was  paid  by  subscrip- 
tion, and  boarded  around.  The  second  school  was  taught  near  Christians- 
burg. In  1840,  there  were  four  school  districts,  and  in  1850,  seven. 
The  old  Shiloh  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  was  organized  before  1840, 
among  the  first  members  being  the  families  of  Hattons,  Williamsons, 
Browns,  Hedricks,  Kenworthys,  Ayres,  Bailses,  and  others.  The  log 
church  was  built  early  in  the  forties,  and  was  used  not  only  for  religious 
purposes,  but  for  school  purposes  as  well.  Many  an  excellent  term  of 
school  was  held  there.  The  Baptists  had  an  early  organization,  the  lead- 
ing members  being  the  Noblets.  Mr.  Noblet  was  a  minister  of  this  church. 
The  Campbellites  organized  a  class  in  the  southern  part  early  in  the 
forties.  The  Bozwells,  Benningtons,  Phillips,  Bridgewaters,  Gobies, 
Pruitts  (three  or  four  families)  and  others  belonged.  A  church  was  built 
on  the  south  line  of  the  township.  In  later  years,  three  or  four  churches 
have  been  erected,  so  that  the  township  is  now  well  supplied. 


JOHNSON  TOWNSHIP.  751 


JOHNSON  TOWNSHIP. 


THE    SURFACE    AND    SOIL. 

THIS  is  the  smallest  subdivision  of  Brown  County.  It  comprises 
forty-eight  sections  in  the  southwestern  part.  The  entire  township, 
except  about  two  sections  in  the  northeast  corner,  lies  within  the  Harri- 
son's Purchase,  obtained  from  the  Indians  by  the  treaty  of  Fort  Wayne 
in  1809.  It  is  drained  wholly  by  the  Middle  Fork  of  Salt  Creek  and  its 
branches,  ■  Little  Blue,  Crooked,  Grave  and  smaller  creeks.  On  the 
northern  boundary  is  High  Ridge.  The  creek  flows  westwardly  through 
the  southern  part,  and  its  principal  branches  rise  in  High  Ridge  and 
flow  southwardly.  In  this  township  considerable  sandstone  is  found  upon 
the  surface,  lying  scattered  on  the  hillsides  in  great  cubic  or  columnar 
form,  and  often  presenting  red  furruginous  or  gray  alluminous  colors. 
The  sandstone  below  this  is  often  shaly,  and  disintegrates  easily  upon  ex- 
posure. Much  iron  pyrites  is  found.  The  bottoms  about  Elkinsville 
are  rich  and  productive  with  the  wealth  of  the  lacustral  silt  deposited  by 
torrents  down  the  hillsides.  The  geologic  formation  in  a  well  at  Elkins- 
ville is  as  follows  : 

Alluvial  soil 4  feet. 

Dark  quicksand 7  feet. 

Black  and   blue   lacustral  clay  and  silt,  including  wood  and 

vegetable  remains 9  feet. 

Total 20  feet. 

On  the  knob  on  Section  10  may  be  seen  a  few  scattered  fragments  of 
Keokuk  limestone  which  once  covered  the  region,  but  which  has  since 
been  washed  away.  They  contain  crushed  specimens  of  zophrentis 
archimedes,  and  other  hryozomis  and  crinoids.  Excellent  sandstone  of 
the  Knobstone  beds  is  also  found  here  in  abundance.  The  water  in  past 
ages  has  washed  out  this  stone  and  dressed  it  into  cubes  three  and  four 
feet  through,  and  pillars  three  by  four  and  twenty  feet  long.  The  soil  is 
yet  heavily  timbered,  though  the  best  has  been  culled  out  for  staves  and 
other  lumber.  For  a  number  of  years  the  ax  has  been  turned  upon  the 
numberless  hickory  saplings,  hundreds  of  loads  of  which  are  annually  sold 
for  barrel  hoops.  Traces  of  gold  have  been  discovered.  Sulphuret  of 
iron  has  animated  the  hopes  of  many  a  resident  and  seeker  after  sudden 
wealth. 

THE    ERA    OF    SETTLEMENT. 

It  is  said  that  William  Elkins  was  a  resident  of  Johnson  Township  as 
early  as  1819.  One  thing  is  certain,  he  was  in  the  township  to  live  be- 
fore the  Indians  were  removed,  which  was  done  in  1821.  Some  state 
that  his  residence  in  the  county  dates  further  back  than  that — back  to  1816 
or  1817.  It  is  told  that  he  came  directly  from  the  block-house,  which  had 
been  built  in  Lawrence  County  as  a  protection  from  the  Indians  during  the 
war  of  1812-15.     That  statement  is  currently  made  and  believed,  and  if 


752  HISTORY  OF  BROWN   COUNTY. 

true,  would  fix  the  date  of  his  settlement  at  about  the  year  1816,  and  cer- 
tainly not  later  than  1817.  Some  state  that  he  was  the  first  white  man 
to  live  with  his  family  in  what  is  now  Brown  County.  Others  state  that 
old  man  Schoonover,  who  located  on  the  creek  which  bears  his  name  (cor- 
rupted), in  the  western  part  of  Washington  Township,  was  the  first  in  the 
county.  The  truth  cannot  be  learned.  It  is  certain  that  both  were  in 
before  1820,  and  very  likely  by  1817.  Old  David  Johnson  was 
another  very  early  resident  of  the  township.  The  date  of  his  set- 
tlement cannot  be  given.  It  should  be  remembered  that  the  territory 
comprising  Johnson  Township  (except  a  small  portion  of  the  northeastern 
corner),  was  obtained  by  cession  treaty  from  the  Indians  in  1809,  and 
that  the  old  boundary  line,  which  crosses  the  northeastern  corner,  was 
established  at  that  date.  The  land  was  surveyed  south  of  this  line  in 
1812,  and  soon  afterward  was  open  to  settlement.  No  settlers  'appeared 
except  Elkins,  and  perhaps  Johnson,  until  after  1820.  Then  a  few  fami- 
lies arrived,  but  no  extensive  settlement  occurred  until  the  decade  of  the 
thirties. 

LAND    ENTRIES. 

Township  7  north,  Range  1  east.  Section  1 — Nelson  Roberton, 
1843;  James  Todd,  1844;  Section  12 — Hiram  Butcher,  1844;  John 
Griner,  1844 ;  Township  7  north.  Range  2  east,  Section  2 — David  John- 
son, 1834  ;  Adam  Fleetwood,  1833 ;  Thomas  Fleetwood,  1833 ;  Henry 
Combs,  1837  ;  Section  3— J.  H.  Alexander,  1843  ;  David  Sively,  1844  ; 
Isaac  Fleetwood,  1844  ;  Section  4 — Adam  Fleetwood,  1834  ;  G.  W. 
Starnes,  1844  ;  Isaac  Fleetwood,  1844;  Section  6 — D.  M.  Martin,  1839; 
Charles  Holland,  1844  ;  Section  6 — William  Burroughs,  1833 ;  Arnold 
Helton,  1844 ;  George  Butcher,  1843  ;  Section  7— David  Sively,  1833  ; 
William  Mitchell,  1844  ;  Section  8— Albert  L.  Gilstrap,  1834  ;  Andrew 
Helton,  1839;  Henry  Clark,  1841;  Section  9— Jerry  Terrell,  1844; 
Henry  Clark,  1841  ;  Section  10 — Jacob  Fleener,  1843  ;  George  Lutes, 
1843;  Jacob  Fleener,  1843;  Township  8  north.  Range  2  east,  Section  22 
—John  Huffman,  1838 :  Section  25— William  Stogdill,  1837 ;  Zachariah 
Pauley,  1844;  Section  32— Isaac  Hall,  1843;  Section  33— Solomon 
Fleetwood,  1833;  J.  S.  Arwine,  1844  ;  Section  35 — Jerry  Brannon, 
1837  ;  Section  3(3— A.  T.  Hazzard.  1837  ;  Richard  Elkins,  1844 ;  Wil- 
liam Elkins,  1834. 

POLL-TAX  PAYERS  OF  1848. 

James  Arwine,  John  S.  Arwine,  George  Butcher,  W.  M.  Crusenberry, 
James  Chafin,  Hezekiah  Deckard,  Nathan  Davis,  Joseph  Elkins,  Richard 
Elkins,  Reuben  Enes,  James  Fleetwood,  Solomon  Fleetwood,  Samuel 
Fowler,  Shadrack  Fleetwood,  Isaac  Fleetwood,  John  Grimes,  William 
Helton,  Joseph  Hedrick,  Stephen  Harper,  John  Hatchet,  A.  D.  Hoag, 
Isaac  Hall,  Jacob  Lutes,  Amos  Lawson,  Thomas  Lucas,  William  Mitchell, 
Nicholas  Martin,  Jackson  Messer,  Zachariah  Polly,  Lincoln  Polly,  James 
Polly,  Thomas  Polly,  Asa  Reeves,  Alexander  Ryans,  Alfred  Ramsey, 
William  See,  Enoch  Sexton,  Hiram  Shipley,  William  Sullivan,  Jonathan 
Sherrel,  John  Shipley,  Ezekial  Sullivan,  John  Scott,  Jesse  Shipley, 
Arthur  Sutphin,  Jeremiah  Terrel,  James  Wilkenson,  Hammond  Wilkenson 
and  Bird  Wilson.  The  heaviest  tax  payers  were  Andrew  Helton,  $6.49  ; 
Lutes  et  al,  $3.30;  William  Mitchell,  $3.18 ;  and  Alfred  Ramsey,$3.13. 


JOHNSON    TOWNSHIP.  753 

The  total  number  of  polls,  50 ;  number  of  acres,  1,210.43  ;  value  of  land, 
^2,584;  value  of  improvements,  $2,955;  value  of  personal  property, 
^4,244;  total  taxables,  $9,783  ;  total  tax,  $141.29;  delinquent  tax  aiid 
interest,  $107.94 ;  grand  total  tax,  $249.26. 

INCIDENTS  AND  NOTES. 

The  first  elections  were  held  at  the  residence  of  Simon  Weatherman 
in  1836,  Ira  Wilson  being  the  Inspector.  William  Johnson  and  William 
Davis  were  the  first  Overseers  of  the  Poor ;  William  Followell  assessed 
the  township  in  1836,  and  Henry  White  in  1837,  the  latter  receiving 
$3.50  for  his  work.  George  Crider  was  the  first  Constable.  Jacob  Hut- 
senpiller  assessed  the  township  in  1837,  and  James  S.  Woods  in  1840. 
The  first  bounty  for  wolf  scalps  was  paid  to  Andrew  Todd.  While  hunting 
in  the  woods,  he  found  a  litter  of  five  young  wolves  in  an  old  hollow  tree. 
He  knocked  them  all  in  the  head  with  lively  satisfixction,  scalped  them 
with  energy,  and  took  the  scalps  to  the  County  Auditor,  who  paid  him  $5. 
J.  S.  Woods  assessed  the  township  in  1841.  He  was  also  Constable  this 
year,  as  was  also  W.  H.  Bradley.  The  elections  for  a  year  or  two  before 
1845  were  held  at  the  house  of  William  Sullivan,  but  in  that  year  they 
were  changed  to  the  residence  of  A.  Sutphin.  In  1840,  William  Johnson 
and  Andrew  Todd  were  Overseers  of  the  Poor ;  Arnold  Helton  and 
Thomas  Polly,  Fence  Viewers  ;  Benjamin  Chandler,  Inspector  ;  James 
Fleetwood,  Zachariah  Polly  and  James  Bradley,  Road  Supervisors.  The 
first  marriage  was  that  of  William  Elkins  and  Mary  Polly,  on  the  20th 
of  July,  1837,  Nathan  Davis,  Justice  of  the  Peace,  officiating.  The 
second  was  that  of  Dawson  Debord  and  Mahala  Woods,  on  the  4th  of 
November,  1837,  by  Jacob  Hutsenpiller,  Justice  of  the  Peace.  No,  the 
marriage  of  John  Arwin  to  Miss  "  Mernervey  "  Quick,  on  the  4th  of 
December,  1836,  by  Squire  Nathan  Davis,  was  the  first  in  the  township. 

ELKINSVILLE. 

This  village  is  a  creature  of  comparatively  recent  origin.  It  started 
up  during  the  decade  of  fifties,  and  was  named  in  honor  of  the  first  settler 
of  the  township  and  founder  of  the  village.  It  is  said  that  Butcher 
and  Bennington  opened  the  first  store,  and  that  a  man  named  Morris 
was  in  with  goods  soon  afterward.  The  village  was  so  isolated  from  other 
villages  that  it  had  quite  an  extensive  trade  in  early  years.  It  was  not 
long  before  blacksmiths  and  carpenters  appeared,  and  soon  the  population 
could  be  numbered  by  the  dozens.     It  is  a  thrifty  little  place. 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 


WASHINGTON  TOWNSHIP  AND   NASHVILLE. 

JESSE  BROWN,  farmer,  is  a  native  of  Illinois,  was  born  July  24, 
1855,  and  is  a  son  of  John  and  Keturab  A.  Brown,  the  laiter  a  native  of 
Illinois,  and  both  of  English  descent.  John  Brown  received  a  limited 
education  in  youth  in  this  State,  whither  he  was  brought  in  early  life. 
He  remained  at  home  until  his  marriage,  followed  farming  in  Illinois 
after  that  event,  but  soon  returned  to  Indiana,  remaining  in  this  State 
until  his  death  in  1859.  Jesse  Brown  was  only  four  years  old  when  his 
father  died,  and  was  obliged  to  depend  on  himself  for  education  and 
livelihood  as  soon  as  able  to  acquire  the  same.  In  1878,  he  engaged  in 
the  stave  business,  which  he  is  yet  carrying  on.  April  21,  1881,  he  mar- 
ried Mary  W.  Stull,  a  native  of  Ohio,  with  an  issue  of  the  following  chil- 
dren: Ambrose  Marting  and  Mary  Alvie.  Mr.  Brown  has  upward  of 
900  acres,  with  the  finest  barn  in  the  county,  various  improvements  and 
considerable  stock,  all  self-acquired,  he  having  begun  life  doUarless.  He 
is  a  Republican  in  politics,  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church 
South,  and  an  influential,  respected  citizen. 

WILLIAM  WESLEY  BROWNING,  editor  of  the  Broivn  County 
Democrat,  was  born  in  Lawrence  County,  Ind. ,  July  1,  1831,  and  is  the 
eldest  of  the  nine  children  of  Amasa  and  Mary  (Winfrey)  Browning,  na- 
tives of  Tennessee,  and  of  English  extraction.  W.  W.  Browning  was 
reared  to  farming,  and  attended  the  public  schools,  from  which  he 
learnod  sufficient  to  become  a  teacher.  After  his  majority,  he  was  en- 
gaged in  mei-cantile  business  at  Heltonville  and  at  Smithville  for  about 
four  years.  In  1855-56,  he  studied  law  under  ex-Gov.  Dunning,  of 
Bloomington;  then  removed  to  Bedford,  practiced  one  year,  and  March 
4,  1858,  came  to  Nashville.  Was  a  partner  with  Hon.  James  G.  Hester, 
who  was  elected  Judge  in  1873.  Mr.  Browning  continued  the  law  un- 
til November  1,  1883,  when  he  began  work  in  the  Clerk's  office  of  this 
county.  June  11,  1861,  he  enlisted  in  Company  C,  Tweatj^-second  Indi- 
ana Regiment;  was  through  the  Missouri  campaign,  took  typhoid  fever 
and  came  home.  In  the  spring  of  1862,  he  enlisted  500  men,  and  was 
elected  Captain  of  Company  D,  in  the  Eighty-second  Regiment  Indiana 
Volunteer  Infantry;  was  injured  by  an  exploding  shsU  at  the  battle  of 
Resaca,  soon  after  which  he  resigned.  In  1870,  he  was  elected  Repre- 
sentative of  this  and  Jackson  County  in  the  General  Assembly,  and  was 
tendered  the  same  in  1872,  but  refused.  He  has  been  a  minister  in  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church  sixteen  years,  for  four  of  which  he  was  an 


758  BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES: 

itinerant.  He  is  now  Deputy  Clerk  and  editor  of  the  Democrat.  Mr. 
Browning  has  been  twice  married,  his  first  wife  being  Lucinda  DaytoD, 
who  died  April  28,  1878,  leaving  one  child.  July  1,  1878,  he  wedded 
Martha  M.  \^'atkins.  Mr.  Browning  was  Prosecuting  Attorney  of  the 
Ninth  Judicial  District  in  1874. 

JOHN  B.  CALVIN,  dealer  in  hardware,  furniture,  undertakers'  sup- 
plies, etc.,  was  born  in  this  county  February  15,  1855,  and  is  the  eighth 
of  the  nine  in  family  of  Timothy  D.  and  Mary  (Middleton)  Calvin,  the 
former  a  native  of  Ohio,  the  latter  of  Indiana,  and  respectively  of 
English  and  Irish  descent.  Timothy  D.  Calvin  moved  hither  in  1854, 
and  followed  the  tanning  business  for  a  number  of  years.  John  B.  Cal- 
vin worked  alike  on  the  farm  and  in  the  tanyard  until  he  reached  man- 
hood, when  he  engaged  in  the  harness  business  with  his  brother  on  a 
joint  capital  of  $100.  The  business  grew  so  fast,  however,  they  were 
compelled  to  build  a  larger  place  to  house  their  increasing  stock,  and 
now  they  have  one  of  the  best  stores  in  the  county.  January  28,  1878, 
he  married  Miss  Carisadie  Reddick,  which  union  was  graced  by  two  chil- 
dren, only  one  of  whom  lived  to  be  named— Dennis  J.  (born  May  17, 
1882).  Mr.  Calvin  is  a  stanch  Democrat  in  politics,  but  withal  an 
amiable  gentleman  and  honored  citizen;  also  a  practical  business  man 
and  successful  merchant. 

JOHN  W.  CAKTER,  teacher,  was  boru  May  29,  1851,  in  Belmont 
County,  Ohio,  and  is  the  fourth  in  the  family  of  Ephraim  and  Nancy 
(Willison)  Carter,  the  foi-mer  a  native  of  New  Jersey,  the  latter  of  Penn- 
sylvania, and  respectively  of  Scotch  and  German  extraction.  John  W. 
came  to  this  county  with  his  parents  when  two  years  old.  Here  he  was 
reared,  and  here  they  made  their  home,  where  he  remained  until  he  be- 
came of  age,  at  which  period  he  attended  the  Central  Normal  School  at 
Danville,  and  later  that  at  Valparaiso,  which  fitted  him  to  be  a  teacher, 
which  profession  he  entered  upon  in  1871,  in  Morgan  County.  He  has 
taught  nine  terms  in  this  county,  and  is  an  energetic  and  efficient  in- 
structor. During  summer  he  assists  his  father  in  his  farm  work,  and  is 
a  good  manager  and  agriculturist.  He  is  politically  a  Democrat,  a  pub- 
lic-spirited, influential  citizen,  and  one  of  the  coming  men  of  this  por- 
tion of  the  commonwealth. 

^<  ISAAC  CHAFIN,  County  Recorder,  is  a  native  of  this  county,  was 
born  October  11,  1849,  and  is  the  sixth  of  eight  children  born  to 
James  and  Sarah  (Hall)  Chafin,  both  natives  of  Kentucky,  who  moved 
hither  about  1843,  remained  a  short  time,  then  moved  to  Missouri,  and. 
came  again  to  this  county,  where  Mr.  Chafin  died  about  1853.  Isaac 
Chafin  was  reared  as  a  farmer,  attended  the  common  schools,  and  one 
year  at  Clear  Springs,  after  which  he  commenced  teaching.  February 
14,  1878,  he  married  Miss  Mary  C.  Woods,  a  native  of  this  county,  and 
to  them  have  been  born  three  children — John  B.,  Herma  E.  and  Sarah  I. 
Mr.  Chafin  is  owner  of  a  good  farm,  one  best  adapted  to  stock-raising, 
but  making  a  comfortable  home.  He  has  also  some  property  in  Nash- 
ville. He  is  a  Democrat;  was  elected  Recorder  of  this  county  in  1876, 
and  re-elected  in  1880.  He  is  a  public-spirited  and  liberal  citizen;  also 
a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  South,  and  Mrs.  Chafin  is 
a  member  of  the  Missionary  Baptist  Church. 

ABRAHAM  T.  CLARK,  farmer,  was  born  in  Fayette  County,  Penn., 
November  9.  1818,  and  is  a  member  of  the  family  of  Enos  and  Anna 
Clark;   the   former  a  native  of   Maryland,    the  latter  of  Pennsylvania. 


WASHINGTON   TOWNSHIP  AND  NASHVILLE.  759 

Abraham  T.  Clark  acquired  a  good  education  in  his  birth  State,  and 
when  nineteen  years  of  age  moved  with  his  father  to  Ohio,  and  afterward 
traveled  through  several  States  and  Territories.  At  the  age  of  thirty-two, 
he  married  Miss  Jane,  daughter  of  Edward  and  Jane.  Broom,  and  a  native 
of  Ohio,  and  by  this  union  were  produced  ten  children,  of  which  number 
are  living  six  sons  and  one  daughter.  Mr.  Clark  has  been  a  member  of 
the  Board  of  Education  and  Justice  of  the  Peace.  In  1858,  he  came  to 
this  county,  and  purchased  a  farm  in  this  township,  where  he  now  resides 
in  comfort  and  independence.  He  is  a  Master  Mason,  of  Lodge  135,  and 
an  esteemed  and  trusted  citizen. 

Benjamin  Clark  is  a  native  of  this  county,  came  into  this  life  Novem- 
ber 6,  1863,  a  son  of  Abraham  T.  Clark,  and  engaged  in  saw  milling  in 
the  eastern  part  of  this  township,  having  one  of  the  best  mills  of  the 
county,  and  doing  a  large  business.  He  is  an  advocate  of  Democracy 
and  temperance,  and  among  the  most  prominent  young  men  of  the  county. 

■JUDGE  RICHARD  L.  COFFEY  was  born  in  Monroe  County,  Ind., 
May  7,  1835.  He  is  the  eldest  son  and  the  fourth  child  of  the  seven 
children  born  to  Lewis  and  Harriette  E.  (Powell)  Coffey,  natives  of 
North  Carolina.  He  was  reared  on  a  farm  three  miles  west  of  Elletts- 
ville,  and  received  the  rudiments  of  his  education  in  the  district  schools. 
In  the  fall  of  1850,  he  entered  Franklin  College,  at  Franklin,  Ind..  stud- 
ied two  years;  then  clerked  for  Helton  &  Dodds,  general  merchants  of 
Bloomington,  Ind.  From  the  fall  of  1853  to  the  fall  of  1854,  he  taught 
school  in  Owen  County,  and  in  November,  1854,  married  Margaret, 
daughter  of  Lorance  Lytton,  a  pioneer  of  Spencer,  Ind.  To  this  union 
was  born  one  child — Annie  E.  He  then  farmed  in  Monroe  County  until 
the  death  of  his  wife,  which  occurred  in  January,  1857.  Soon  after 
this  event  he  traded  his  farm  for  land  in  Iowa;  at  once  went  there;  re- 
mained a  short  time,  and  then  went  to  Gentry  County,  Mo. ,  where  he 
taught  school  one  term,  returning  to  Monroe  County,  Ind.,  and  teaching 
during  the  winter  of  1857-58.  In  the  spring  of  1858,  he  entered  the 
law  oiBce  of  Gov.  Paris  C.  Dunning;  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  the  fall 
of  the  same  year;  entered  the  Law  Department  of  the  State  University, 
and  graduated  March  1,  1859.  He  immediately  went  back  to  Gentry 
County,  Mo.;  taught  school  until  the  spring  of  1861,  and  then  entered 
upon  the  practice  of  law  in  what  was  known  as  Smithville,  Mo. ,  where 
he  was  soon  appointed  Commissioner  of  Worth  County,  to  settle  the  af- 
fairs between  it  and  Gentiy  County,  the  two  having  just  been  divided. 
In  the  fall  of  1861,  he  returned  to  Owen  County  and  taught  school  un- 
til the  spring  of  1864,  when  he  married  Martha  F.,  daughter  of  E.  F. 
Faulkner.  During  the  winter  of  1864-65,  he  taught  school  in  Nashville, 
and  also  entered  in  legal  practice.  In  the  spring  of  1865,  his  wife  died. 
December  7,  1865,  he  married  Julia  M. ,  daughter  of  Dr.  William  M. 
and  Lucy  J.  Mason,  early  settlers  of  Nashville.  By  this  marriage,  he 
became  the  father  of  four  children — William,  J.  Hill,  Lucy  and  Rich- 
ard. He  was  shortly  appointed  by  Gov.  Baker  Common  Pleas  Judge  of 
the  district  composed  of  Shelby,  Johnson,  Morgan,  Monroe  and  Brown 
Counties,  to  fill  the  vacancy  occasioned  by  the  resignation  of  Judge 
Wollen;  at  the  general  election,  in  1870,  was  elected,  ahd  in  1872  re- 
.  elected  to  fill  said  office,  which  he  filled  until  it  was  abolished  by  the 
Legislature.  In  1878,  he  was  elected  Senator  for  the  district  composed 
of  Brown  and  Bartholomew  Counties;  served  four  years,  and  then  re- 
sumed the  practice  of  the  law.     In  1876,  he  was  commissioned,  by  Gov. 


760  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

Hendricks,  Marshal,  in  and  for  the  Third  Congressional  District,  Indiana, 
and  charged  with  the  duties  required  by  an  act  entitled  "  An  act  to  pro- 
vide for  electing  Electors  for  President  and  Vice  President  of  the  United 
States,"  approved  May  20,  1852.  He  also  served  as  a  member  of  the 
State  Democratic  Central  Committee,  from  June,  1870,  to  June,  1872. 
He  is  at  present  Town  School  Trustee,  and  has  filled  the  position  eight 
years.  While  Senator,  in  1879,  he  was  on  the  following  committees: 
Elections,  Organization  of  Courts,  Banks,  Phraseology  (Chairman),  Ar- 
rangement, Enrollment  of  Bills,  Unfinished  Business,  and  also  on  the 
Joint  Standing  Committee  on  Enrolled  Bills;  in  1881,  on  Organization 
of  Courts,  Banks,  Federal  Relations,  Rights  and  Privileges  of  the  Inhab- 
itants of  the  States,  and  on  Legislative  Apportionment.  Judge  Coffey 
is  a  Freemason,  an  Odd  Fellow,  and  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  Church. 

GEORGE  W.  CORNELIUS  was  born  December  29,  1838,  in  Wayne 
County,  Ind.,  and  is  the  third  of  the  ten  children  of  Benjamin  and 
Letitia  (Wilson)  Cornelius,  the  former  a  native  of  Virginia,  the  latter 
of  Kentucky,  and  both  now  deceased.  George  W.  Cornelius  was  reared 
on  a  farm,  obtained  a  fair  education,  and,  with  his  parents,  came  to  this 
county  in  1856.  February  13,  1861,  he  married  Miss  Susan  J.  Pogue,  a 
native  of  this  county.  In  1876,  Mr.  Cornelius  moved  to  Nashville,  was 
elected  Trustee  of  Washington  Township,  and  re-elected  in  1878.  In 
1879,  he  commenced  the  mercantile  business,  in  which  he  is  yet  en- 
gaged, and  also  is  Treasurer  of  the  School  Board.  He  is  owner  of  eighty 
acres,  some  town  property,  and  a  half  interest  in  a  drug  and  grocery 
store  with  T.  D.  Calvin.  Mr.  Cornelius  is  a  liberal  Democrat  and  a 
valued  citizen. 

Timothy  D.  Calvin  was  born  June  28,  1858,  in  this  county,  a  son  of 
Timothy  D.  and  Mary  (Middleton)  Calvin,  the  former  a  native  of  Ohio, 
the  latter  of  Illinois.  Om^  subject  grew  to  manhood  in  this  town,  at- 
tended school  at  Bloomington  and  Terre  Haute,  and  has  taught  eight 
terms  of  school  in  this  county.  November  14,  1880,  he  purchased  a 
drug  store,  where  he  keeps  a  guod  line  of  general  wares.  In  1879,  he 
began  a  hardware  store  with  his  brother,  but  sold  his  interest  to  his 
father  afterward,  and  devotes  his  energies  and  time  to  his  present  busi- 
ness. November  19, 1880,  he  married  Miss  Linda  Ferguson,  from  which 
alliance  has  sprung  two  children — Notie  and  Otis  W.  Mr.  Calvin  has  a 
cozy  farm  of  forty  acres,  also  a  good  town  property.  He  is  a  Democrat 
and  a  worthy  citizen  ;  Mrs.  Calvin  is  a  member  of  the  M.  E.  Church. 

WILLIAM  L.  COX,  attorney  at  law,  was  born  July  28,  1838,  in 
Monroe  County,  Ind.,  and  is  the  second  son  of  John  B.  and  Barbara 
(Ledgerwood)  Cox,  natives  of  East  Tennessee.  John  B.  Cox  was  born 
in  1812,  moved  to  Monroe  County  in  1828,  and  is  now  residing  in  Ben- 
ton Township.  He  is  owner  of  280  acres  ;  is  a  Missionary  Baptist  min- 
ister since  1838,  and  has  preached  in  this  and  adjacent  counties.  He 
was  married  a  second  time,  the  bride  being  Miss  Martha  Moser,  with  an 
issue  of  ten  children.  William  L.  Cox  was  reared  a  farmer,  attended 
school  and  became  a  teacher;  afterward  attended  college  at  Bloomington 
for  one  year,  and  in  1864  began  his  studies  in  law  with  W.  H.  Bain- 
bridge,  and  was  the  same  year  appointed  school  examiner,  in  the  inter- 
vening time  continuing  the  study  of  law.  September,  1867,  he  resigned 
his  position  and  was  elected  Clerk  of  the  Circuit  Court  of  this  county, 
re-elected  in  1870,  and  held  the  same  until  1875,  when  he  engaged  in 
practice  as  a  lawyer,  making  probate  and  civil  cases  a  specialty.     Octo- 


WASHINGTON  TOWNSHIP  AND  NASHVILLE.  761 

ber  18,  1866,  he  married  Miss  Parmelia  Bartholomew,  which  union  pro- 
duced four  sons — George  W.,  Nathaniel  D.,  William  Fuller  and  an  in- 
fant. Mr.  Cox  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  Order  up  to  the  Royal  Arch, 
a  Democrat,  and  he  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Presbyterian  Church. 

WILLIAM  DAY,  grocer  and  Trustee  of  Washington  Township,  was 
born  January  27,  1838,  in  Delaware  County,  Ohio,  and  is  the  first  son  of 
Cresley  and  Celinda  (Reynolds)  Day,  both  natives  of  Ohio  and  now  de- 
ceased. William  Day  was  reared  to  farming,  which  he  followed  in  his 
birth  State,  and  in  1873,  located  near  Nashville.  October,  1861,  he  en- 
listed in  Company  F,  Sixty-fifth  Ohio  Volunteer  Infantry,  served  three 
years  and  three  months,  and  was  at  Shiloh,  Perryville  and  Stone  River, 
where  he  received  a  flesh  wound  in  the  shoulder.  Rejoining  his  regi- 
ment, he  fought  at  Murfreesboro,  Chickamauga,  Mission  Ridge,  Dalton, 
Resaca,  and  the  Atlanta  campaign,  being  discharged  December  15,  1864. 
October  15,  1865,  he  married  Miss  Viola  A.  Serels,  which  union  was 
crowned  by  five  children — Nettie  B.,  Ettie  D.,  Eva  J.,  Ellie  M.  andNeo- 
ma  A.  November,  1882,  he  moved  to  this  town  and  engaged  in  his  pres- 
ent business,  in  which  he  has  a  good  trade,  carries  a  large  stock  and  has 
been  very  successful.  Mr.  Day  is  a  member  of  the  G.  A.  R.,  of  the  Re- 
publican party;  was  elected  Trustee  of  Washington  Township  in  1880, 
and  is  an  upright,  esteemed  citizen.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Day  are  members  of 
the  Christian  Church. 

JOHN  DEIST,  farmer,  is  a  native  of  Germany,  was  born  February 
14,  1833,  whose  parents  were  Conrad  and  Mary  S.  Deist,  both  of  them 
natives  of  Germany  and  of  German  extraction.  Conrad  Deist  was  en- 
gaged on  a  farm  until  1814,  at  which  time  he  became  a  soldier  in  the 
wars  of  that  period  between  France  and  his  native  land,  part  of  the  serv- 
ice being  spent  on  land  as  a  husbandman.  He  was  mainly  a  herder,  and 
died  January  3,  1872,  aged  seventy- seven,  a  member  of  the  Reformed 
Church,  as  was  his  wife.  John  Deist  obtained  a  good  education  in  the 
fatherland,  remained  at  home  until  he  was  twenty,  when  he  emigrated 
to  New  York,  remained  two  years,  moved  to  Wheeling,  W.  Va.,  thence 
to  Ohio,  where  he  lived  for  ten  years,  and  finally  to  this  county,  where 
he  purchased  a  farm  and  still  resides.  February  25,  1857,  he  married 
Elizabeth  Glaus,  a  native  of  Pittsburgh,  Penn.,  by  which  union  they 
were  given  one  son  and  three  daughters.  Mrs.  Deist  left  the  world 
April  7,  1862.  After  this  event  Mr.  Deist  wedded  Louisa  C.  Faber,  of 
Ohio,  which  union  was  honored  by  three  sons  and  four  daughters,  of 
whom  Henry  C.  Deist  is  one  of  the  ablest  of  the  county's  teachers.  Mr. 
Deist  is  a  Democrat,  has  served  as  County  Commissioner,  and  he  and 
lady  are  members  of  the  Presbyterian  Church. 

ALEXANDER  DUNCAN,  farmer,  is  a  native  of  Stokes  County,  N. 
C. ;  was  born  January  29,  1815,  the  son  of  Alamanda  and  Susanna 
(Vaughn)  Duncan,  natives  respectively  of  Virginia  and  North  Carolina. 
The  father  of  our  subject  learned  the  occupation  of  shoe-making,  and 
followed  the  same  forty  years,  but  after  man'iage  he  engaged  in  farming 
and  so  continued  until  his  decease.  Our  subject  worked  for  his  father 
on  the  farm  until  he  was  united  in  wedlock,  which  event  took  place 
November  17,  1887,  the  bride  being  Sarah  F.  Reddick,  a  native  of  the 
"  Old  North  State."  To  this  union  were  granted  fourteen  children,  of 
whom  two  sons  and  eight  daughters  are  living.  In  1839,  he  moved  to 
this  State,  and  remained  some  time  in  Fayette  County ;  then  moved  to 
Marion  County,  where  he  resided  twenty  years,  and  thence  to  this  coun- 


762  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

ty,  March  23,  1860,  where  he  purchased  a  farm  and  made  a  home.  Mr. 
Duncan  is  a  time-honored  member  of  the  Freemasons,  and  one  of  the 
oldest  citizens  of  the  county  toward  which  he  has  done  so  much.  He  is 
now  in  his  seventieth  year,  and  a  greatly  esteemed  citizen. 

HON.W.  C.  DUNCAN  is  a  son  of  Alexander  Duncan  and  Sarah  F.Dun- 
can, both  of  whom  are  still  living  at  their  old  home,  six  miles  southwest 
of  Nashville,  in  Brown  County,  Ind.  Both  the  father  and  mother  were 
born,  reared  and  married  in  North  Carolina;  after  this  marriage  they  re- 
moved to  Indiana,  settling  for  a  time  in  Fayette  County;  soon  thereafter 
they  removed  to  Marion  County,  where  W.  C.  Duncan  was  born  on  the 
24th  of  June,  1851,  and  is  the  ninth  child  in  a  family  of  fourteen  chil- 
dren, consisting  of  five  boys  and  nine  girls.  On  the  23d  of  March,  I860, 
with  his  father's  family,  he  came  to  Brown  County  and  settled  upon  a 
farm  six  miles  southwest  of  Nashville.  Here  he  was  brought  up  in  habits 
of  industry,  honesty  and  frugality.  He  early  evinced  a  desire  for  knowl- 
edge, and  obtained  the  rudiments  of  a  good  education  in  the  common 
schools,  as  taught  in  District  No.  11,  of  Washington  Township.  He  com- 
menced teaching  in  the  common  schools  of  the  county  at  the  age  of  eight- 
een, and  continued  to  teach  and  labor  upon  the  farm  until  the  24th  of 
June,  1871,  when,  having  accumulated  enough  money  to  pay  his  way  for 
a  considerable  time  in  school,  he  was  examined  and  admitted  to  the 
Freshman  class  in  the  Indiana  State  University  at  Bloomington.  He  at- 
tended college  regularly  for  more  than  two  years,  until,  after  entering 
and  attending  one  term  of  his  junior  year,  he  was  again  compelled  to 
seek  employment  as  a  teacher  to  supply  himself  with  the  necessary  funds 
to  further  prosecute  his  studies.  But  while  out  of  college  he  continued 
to  study,  and  before  the  end  of  the  year  returned,  and  with  his  class 
passed  examination,  and  entered  the  Senior  class.  Graduating  in  1875, 
for  one  year  he  engaged  in  teaching,  and  returned  in  1876,  and  entered 
the  Law  Department.  But  in  the  winter  of  1877,  he  again  taught  school 
for  a  term.  In  the  spring  of  1877,  he  re-entered  upon  the  study  of 
his  chosen  profession,  the  law,  in  the  office  of  Richard  L.  ColBfey,  in 
Nashville.  Here  he  continued  until  the  winter  of  1878,  when  he  en- 
tered upon  the  practice,  in  partnership  with  W.  W.  Browning,  at  Nash- 
ville. On  the  23d  day  of  April,  1878,  he  was  nominated  by  the  Democ- 
racy of  the  Ninth  Judicial  Circuit  for  Prosecuting  Attorney  for  the 
counties  of  Bartholomew  and  Brown,  and  in  October  following  was 
elected  to  that  office,  and  entered  upon  his  duties  on  the  22d  day  of  Oc- 
tober, 1879.  During  most  of  his  term  of  office  he  resided  in  Bartholo- 
mew County,  and  became  largely  and  favorably  known  to  the  people  of 
that  county.  In  November,  1881,  after  the  expiration  of  his  term  of 
office,  he  again  resumed  regular  practice  at  Nashville,  and  on  the  17th  of 
June,  1882,  he  was  nominated  by  the  Democrats  of  Bartholomew,  Brown 
and  Monroe,  as  a  candidate  for  State  Senator,  and  after  one  of  the  most 
heated  campaigns  ever  known,  was  in  the  fall  of  that  year  elected  State 
Senator,  and  was  a  member  of  the  Legislature  of  1883,  in  which  he  dis- 
tinguished himself  by  his  industry,  courage  and  integrity.  His  votes 
will  all  be  found  consistently  in  favor  of  a  strict  construction  of  the  con- 
stitution; of  the  largest  amount  of  personal  liberty  of  the  citizens  con- 
sistent with  the  public  good;  of  liberal  sxipport  of  the  State's  great  char- 
ities and  benevolent  institutions  and  universities,  and  other  educational 
facilities.  He  was  likewise  always  found  a«  earnestly  opposing  jobs, 
schemes,  subsidies  and  all  repressive  legislation.     Although  next  to  the 


WASHINGTON  TOWNSHIP  AND  NASHVILLE.  763 

youngest  member  of  the  Senate  of  1883,  he  was  accorded  recognition  as 
one  of  the  most  determined  and  energetic  membei's  of  that  body.  Mr. 
Duncan  is  the  senior  member  of  the  tirm  of  Duncan  &  Percilield,  now 
engaged  in  the  practice  of  law  at  Nashville.  On  July  26,  1880,  he  was 
married  to  Jennie  Buskirk,  a  daughter  of  Michael  Buskirk,  now  of  Clay 
County,  Ind.  Two  little  girls — Edith  and  Jessie — have  been  born  of 
this  union.  Mr.  Duncan  claims  for  himself  nothing  bat  the  ability  and 
willingness  to  work  with  devoted  energy  for  whatever  cause  he  may  es- 
pouse. He  is  the  architect  of  his  own  fortune,  and  is  in  every  sense  a 
self-made  man.  He  is  a  man  of  strong  convictions  and  firm  friendship. 
If  at  times  he  appears  reticent  and  unwilling  to  express  his  preferences, 
it  is  not  because  he  lacks  courage  or  convictions.  He  always  abides  his 
time.  He  never  fritters  away  his  opportunities.  Mr.  Duncan  is  now 
but  thirty -two  years  of  age,  and  few  men  so  young  have  accomplished  so 
much  as  he,  or  seen  so  much  of  life  and  honor. 

"WILLIAM  GEARY,  miller,  first  saw  the  light  of  earth  in  this  county; 
was  born  June  20,  1854,  and  is  a  son  of  Josephus  and  Betsey  (Stump) 
Geary,  both  natives  of  Kentucky,  and  respectively  of  English  and  En- 
glish-Irish descent.  Mrs.  Betsey  Geary  is  yet  living,  aged  fifty-seven, 
and  a  devoted  member  of  the  Christian  Church.  William  Geary  re- 
ceived a  very  limited  education  in  boyhood,  and  when  fourteen  years  of 
age  he  commenced  working  in  a  mill,  and  in  this  occupation  he  has  since 
been  engaged.  March  20,  1879,  he  married  Mary  E.  Shepherd,  daughter 
of  Richard  and  Sarah  Shepherd,  and  a  native  of  Belmont  County,  Ohio. 
As  a  result  of  this  union,  three  children  have  been  born  to  them — one 
son  and  two  daughters.  Mr.  Geary  is  now  opei*ating  a  flouring-mill  and 
a  saw-mill,  and  both  very  successfully.  He  is  one  of  the  leading  citizens 
and  representative  men  of  the  township. 

CHARLES  GENOLIN  is  a  native  of  this  township;  was  born  May 
10,  1862,  and  is  a  son  of  John  Genolin,  of  Marseilles,  France,  born 
1812,  who  emigrated  during  boyhood  to  the  United  States,  and  August 
10,  1840,  married,  in  Connecticut,  Elizabeth  Clark,  and  they  located  in 
this  county  in  1851,  where  Mr.  Genolin  engaged  in  trade  and  died  April 
24,  1874.  He  was  an  affectionate  father  and  husband,  and  a  worthy  cit- 
izen. Charles  Genolin  was  reared  to  manhood  in  his  birthtown,  and  has 
been  engaged  in  various  branches  of  business,  he  having  natural  execu- 
tive ability,  and  being  a  born  merchant.  AVith  a  small  inheritance  from 
his  father's  estate,  he  has  made  his  way  to  a  position  of  pride  and  pros- 
perity. He  is  a  member  of  the  Democratic  party  and  an  active  politician, 
a  correspondent  for  several  local  newspapers,  and  is  a  promising  young 
man  with  a  cloudless  future. 

JOHN  F.  GENOLIN,  M.  D.,  is  the  fourth  of  the  ten  children  of 
John  and  Elizabeth  (Clark)  Genolin,  the  former  a  native  of  France,  the 
latter  of  Ireland,  who  located  in  this  county  in  the  early  time,  where  Mr. 
Genolin  was  successfully  engaged  in  the  mercantile  business  until  1874, 
when  he  left  the  world;  Mrs.  Genolin  now  resides  in  Nashville.  Dr. 
John  F.  Genolin  was  born  in  Nashville,  Ind.,  July  18,  1854,  where  he 
attended  school  and  assisted  his  father  until  his  majority,  at  which  time 
he  entered  the  office  of  Dr.  Phillips,  at  Nashville,  and  assiduously  de- 
voted himself  to  the  study  of  medicine.  Two  years  later,  he  entered  the 
Vanderbilt  Medical  University,  whence  he  graduated  in  1877,  with  the 
ad  eundem  degree  of  doctor  of  medicine.  He  then  opened  an  office  in 
Nashville,  and  has  continued  the  practice  successfully,  his  consultation 

48 


764  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

business  being  especially  large.  *  September  15,  1881,  he  married  Miss 
Susie  E.  AValton,  a  native  of  Ohio,  a  marriage  which  gave  issue  to  two 
children — Verna  and  an  infant.  Dr.  Genolin  is  a  member  of  the  Ma- 
sonic fraternity,  and  an  uncompromising  Republican.  In  1880,  he  was 
commissioned  Postmaster  at  Nashville,  but  resigned  in  1882.  He  is  an 
esteemed  and  honored  citizen. 

CHARLES  GIBSON,  merchant,  is  a  native  of  Greene  County,  Tenn. , 
and  is  the  youngest  of  the  four  children  of  John  and  Elizabeth  (Russell) 
Gibson,  the  former  a  native  of  Tennessee,  the  latter  of  North  Carolina, 
and  both  of  Irish  extraction.  John  Gibson  was  a  hero  of  the  war  of 
1812.  Charles  Gibson  lirst  saw  the  world's  light  February  13,  1885, 
was  reared  to  farming,  began  as  a  teamster  when  ten  years  of  age,  and 
followed  the  same  until  be  was  twenty-three,  having  labored  in  North 
and  South  Carolina,  Georgia,  Virginia  and  Kentucky.  September  17, 
1857,  he  married  Sarah  E.  Kelton,  a  native  of  Virginia.  Eleven  children 
hallowed  their  union,  of  which  nine  were  named  James  D.,  William  I., 
Alice,  Ida  M.,  Dora,  Emma,  Charlie,  Clara  and  John.  From  1858  to 
1862,  he  was  exclusively  a  farmer,  but  was  then  obliged  to  leave  Tennes- 
see. Mr.  Gibson  then  moved  hith(ir  and  one  year  later  brought  his  fam- 
ily; they  located  in  Johnson  and  later  in  this  coiintr,  where  he  farmed, 
and  subsequently  went  into  business  in  this  town,  having  begun  the 
same  with  a  cash  capital  of  $50.  Now  he  carries  a  $4,000  stock,  and 
owns  some  good  property.  Mr.  Gibson  is  a  Freemason,  is  a  Republican, 
has  been  School  Trustee  and  Councilman,  and  was  commissioned  Post- 
master December  18,  1882,  which  he  now  retains.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Gibson 
are  members  of  the  Presbyterian  Church. 

WILLIAM  GRIFFIN,  farmer,  was  born  in  Decatur  County,  Ind., 
October  13,  1843,  and  is  a  son  of  David  D.  and  Parmelia  (Johnson) 
Griffin,  the  former  a  native  of  Indiana,  the  latter  of  Kentucky,  and  of 
English  and  German  descent  respectively.  David  D.  Griffin  remained 
with  his  parents  until  his  marriage,  December  14,  1841.  After  the  death 
of  his  wife,  in  1865,  Mr.'  Griffin  wedded  Mary  A.  Rush;  this  lady  also 
died,  after  which  he  was  joined  to  Rebecca  A.  McElroy.  He  was  a 
minister;  took  his  death-cause  from  exposure  while  holding  meetings, 
and  died  December  7,  1883.  William  Griffin  remained  at  home  until  his 
eighteenth  year,  when  he  entered  Company  C,  Twenty-second  Indiana 
Volunteer  Regiment;  served  four  years,  and  was  severely  wounded.  He 
married  Miss  Susanna,  daughter  of  AVilliam  K.  Rogers,  and  a  native 
of  this  county,  to  which  union  were  decreed  ten  children.  In  connection 
with  his  tine  farm  of  upward  of  350  acres,  he  is  largely  interested  in 
handling  stock.  He  is  a  Republican  by  political  preference,  a  liberal 
and  enlightened  citizen,  and  he  and  Mrs.  Griffin  are  members  of  the 
Christian  Church. 

ELIAKIM  HAMBLEN,  farmer,  was  born  October  22,  1832,  in 
Hamblen  Township,  of  what  was  known  as  Bartholomew,  now  a  part  of 
Brown  County,  Ind.,  and  is  the  eldest  of  eight  in  the  family  of  Jesse 
and  Rachel  (Hamblen)  Taggart,  the  former  a  native  of  Virginia,  the  lat- 
ter of  Tennessee,  both  of  Irish  extraction.  Jesse  Hamblen  came  to  this 
region  about  1825,  and  atter  marriage  settled  where  he  now  resides. 
The  grandfather  of  our  subject,  Eliakim  Hamblen,  was  the  first  Repre- 
sentative in  the  State  Legislature  from  this  county,  in  1838.  Our  sub- 
ject was  reared  to  farming,  and  received  a  primitive  education,  and  re- 
mained at  home  until  he  was  twenty- four  years  old,  after  which  he  made 


WASHINGTON  TOWNSHIP  AND  NASHVILLE.  765 

a  beginning  in  life,  which  has  so  far.  beeo  prosperous.  May  31,  1855>, 
he  married  Miss  Elizabeth  Musser,  which  has  given  being  to  two  chil- 
dren— Rachel  and  Caroline  Mr.  Hamblen  is  owner  of  070  acres,  most 
of  which  is  choice  land,  making  a  very  comfortable  possession.  He  is  a 
Democrat,  and  was  elected  Clerk  of  the  court  of  this  county,  in  1874;  re- 
elected in  1878,  and  has  held  various  offices  besides.  He  is  a  member  of 
the  Masonic  fraternity,  and  he  and  wife  are  adherents  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal    Church  South. 

CA8TER  V.  HARRISON,  a  leading  county  instructor,  was  born 
February  28,  1856,  in  Bartholomew  County,  Ind ,  the  ninth  of  the 
twelve  children  of  Carter  and  Julia  A.  (St.  Clair)  Harrison,  natives  of 
Kentucky.  Carter  Harrison  moved  to  Bartholomew  County  in  1839;  he 
resides  in  Harrison  Township.  In  1867,  his  wife  died,  and  he  wedded 
Barbara  Matson,  by  which  union  they  had  seven  children.  Carter  V. 
Harrison  was  reared  and  grew  to  man's  estate  on  a  farm,  received  a  good 
public  and  normal -school  education,  and  is  now  teaching  his  ninth  term, 
with  satisfaction  to  the  counties  of  Brown  and  Bartholomew  and  credit 
to  himself.  December  25,  1879,  he  married  Miss  Roselpha  A.  Young,  to 
which  union  were  born  two  children — Arnetta  J.  and  Bertha  L.  Mr. 
Harrison  is  a  Democrat  in  political  conviction,  an  energetic  gentleman, 
and  a  useful  citizen.  He  moved  to  this  county  in  1880,  to  Nashville  in 
1883,  and  was  chosen  Deputy  Auditor  in  June  of  that  year.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Harrison  are  members  of  the  church,  he  of  the  Christian  and  she  of 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 

STEPHEN  A.  KENNEDY,  farmer,  is  a  native  of  East  Tennessee; 
was  born  October  17,  1826,  and  is  the  second  of  eleven  children  born  to 
John  D.  and  Mary  K.  (Alexander)  Kennedy,  natives  of  East  Tennessee^ 
and  of  Scotch-Irish  extraction,  who  emigrated  to  this  county  in  1837, 
and  here  lived  until  overtaken  by  death,  November  19,  1864.  He  was 
owner  of  240  acres,  and  had  served  as  County  Assessor.  Stephen  A. 
Kennedy  was  a  farmer's  boy  with  high  educational  aspirations,  which  he 
accomplished  sufficiently  to  teach  a  school.  June,  1846,  he  enlisted  in 
Company  E,  Third  Indiana  Volunteers,  bound  for  Mexico  under. Capt. 
Taggart,  and  was  absent  twelve  months;  he  was  a  participant  at  the  battle 
of  Buena  Vista.  On  returning  home  he  resumed  farming,  and  was 
elected  in  1856  and  re-elected  in  1858  Sheriff  of  this  county,  which  posi- 
tion he  retained  until  1860,  at  which  period  he  prepared  to  enter  the 
service  again.  July  11,  1861,  he  enlisted  in  Company  E,  Twenty-second 
Indiana  Volunteer  Infantry,  and  took  part  in  the  battles  of  Pea  Ridge,^ 
Stone  River,  Mission  Ridge  and  others,  having  been  commissioned  Sec- 
ond Lieutenant,  as  which  he  resigned  April,  1864.  In  1876,  tie  was 
again  elected  Sheriff  and  re-elected  in  1878.  July  26,  1847,  he  married 
Susanna  Taggart,  and  has  had  born  to  him  seven  children — James  W... 
John  E.,  Margaret  E.,  William  M.,  Patterson  S.  (deceased),  Wesford  L. 
(deceased)  and  Cm-delia  (deceased).  Mr.  Kennedy  is  an  Odd  Fellow,  a 
Democrat  and  a  Pi-ohibitionist. 

SAMUEL  KENT,  miller,  is  a  native  of  Belmont  County,  Ohio,  was 
born  June  14,  1825,  and  is  a  son  of  John  and  Lovicia  (Barker)  Kent.^ 
both  natives  of  Pennsylvania,  the  former  of  German,  the  latter  of  En^ 
glish-Welsh  descent.  John  Kent  emigrated  to  Ohio  and  married,  in  Bel- 
mont County,  where  he  farmed  for  a  number  of  years,  and  in  1852  ended 
his  days.  He  and  wife  were  members  of  the  Christian  Church.  Samuel 
Kent  was  given  the  usual  school  education,  and  lived  at  home  until  her 


766  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

reached  his  majority.  April  2,  1846,  he  married  Miss  Frances,  daughter 
of  Jacob  and  Martha  Sill,  and  a  native  of  Monroe  County,  Ohio,  and  to 
their  union  were  decreed  thirteen  children.  Mr.  Kent  had  previously 
learned  the  millwright  and  milling  business,  and  is  now  following  the 
latter  in  company  with  one  of  his  sons,  Marion  Kent,  they  owning  the 
Kent  Mill,  one  of  the  best  in  the  county.  Mr.  Kent  i^  a  Republican, 
politically,  and  he  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Christian  Church. 

WESLY  KIRTS,  farmer,  is  a  native  of  Hamblen  Township,  Brown 
Co.,  Ind.,  was  born  August  22,  1836,  and  is  a  son  of  James  and  Rachel 
(King)  Kirts,  the  former  a  native  of  Tennessee,  the  latter  of  Kentucky, 
and  both  of  German  descent.  James  Kirts  was  married  in  this  State 
when  eighteen  years  old,  whither  he  had  come  some  time  befoi-e;  pur- 
chased a  farm  in  this  county,  of  which  he  is  an  old  settler.  Wesley  Kirts 
received  a  good  school  education,  and  remained  with  his  parents  on  the 
home  farm  until  his  twenty-third  year.  March  13,  1859,  he  married 
Elsie  Jane  Henderson,  which  union  was  honored  by  six  children.  Mr. 
Kirts  is  a  practical  farmer,  owning  296  acres  of  land  on  Salt  Creak,  and 
in  addition  opex-ates  a  saw  mill,  at  which  he  has  been  engaged  for  two 
years,  and  had  followed  thrashing  for  twenty-five  years  previously.  He 
is  a  Democrat  in  politics,  and  an  iDfluential  citizen  and  excellent  busi- 
ness man.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Kirts  are  members  of  the  Southern  Methodist 
Church. 

THOMAS  C.  McOLASHAN,  teacher,  is  a  native  of  Noble  County, 
Ohio,  was  born  October  20,  1847,  and  is  a  son  of  James  and  Phebe 
(Fisher)  McGrlashan;  the  former  a  native  of  the  Scotch  Highlands,  the 
latter  of  Pennsylvania.  James  McGrlashan,  when  sixteen  years  old, 
went  to  Glasgow,  where  he  learned  the  trade  of  a  fuller  and  dyer;  served 
three  years  and  then  moved  to  Edinburgh,  where  he  remained  until  the 
age  of  twenty-one,  at  which  time  he  embarked  for  America,  remained  in 
New  York  a  short  time,  then  moved  to  Pittsburgh,  traveling  from  Phila- 
delphia on  foot,  where  he  worked  at  his  trade  some  years;  he  then  settled 
in  Ohio,  followed  his  trade,  and  finally  ended  his  days  in  Noble  County 
in  1878;  both  he  and  wife  were  members  of  the  Presbyterian  Church. 
Thomas  C.  McGlashan  attended  the  ordinary  schools  and  also  several 
normal  schools,  and  commenced  the  business  of  teaching  about  1863, 
taught  twelve  years,  then  came  to  this  State,  where  he  has  steadfastly 
followed  his  profession.  March  29,  1868,  he  married  Miss  ]\Iathie  J., 
daughter  of  John  Johnson,  and  a  native  of  West  "Virginia.  Three  chil- 
dren have  succeeded  these  nuptials — Lillie  C,  Frank  and  Mary  E.  Mr. 
McGlashan  is  a  Democrat,  a  temperance  advocate,  and  he  and  wife  are 
members  of  the  Presbyterian  Church. 

WILLIAM  M.  MASON  was  born  in  Madison  County,  Ky.,  May  19, 
1815,  and  when  quite  young,  accompanied  his  father,  Edwin,  to  Law- 
rence County,  Ind.  Edwin  Mason's  family  consisted  of  himself,  Nancy 
J.  (his  wife)  and  three  children — William  M.  being  the  eldest  child. 
There  were  also  born  to  Edwin  and  Nancy  J.,  in  Lawrence  County,  ten 
children,  making  in  all  thirteen — seven  boys  and  six  girls.  William  M. 
Mason  was  reared  a  farmer.  He  married  Lucy  J.  Clark  in  Washington 
County,  Ind.,  September  5,  1836,  at  which  time  he  was  engaged  in  the 
grocery  business,  in  Bedford,  Ind.,  which  he  conducted  five  years.  In 
Bedford  he  studied  medicine  under  his  father-in-law,  Dr.  Alexander 
Clark,  and  under  Dr.  Winthrop  Foot,  and  he  there  began  practice.  In 
1840,  he  came  to  Nashville,  where  he  had  a  successful  practice,  and  was 


WASHINGTON  TOWNSHIP  AND  NASHVILLE.  767 

the  second  physician  in  the  county,  On  the  first  Monday  in  December, 
1846,  he  took  his  seat  in  the  Thirty- first  General  Assembly  of  Indiana, 
as  Representative  from  Brown  County.  At  the  general  election  of  1848, 
he  was  elected  Clerk  of  Brown  County  Circuit  Court,  for  a  term  of  seven 
years,  and  at  the  same  time  elected  Coimty  Recorder  for  a  like  period. 
In  1855,  he  was  re-elected  for  four  years.  After  the  expiration  of  his 
term  of  office,  he  practiced  law  until  his  death.  At  the  time  he  came 
here  the  country  was  a  vast  wilderness,  and  his  was  the  fourth  family  to 
settle  in  the  town.  They  had  to  go  twenty  miles  for  groceries  and  other 
supplies,  the  different  families  taking  turns  in  making  the  trip.  In  the 
year  1844,  he  erected  a  large  two-story  frame  building,  and  subsequently 
opened  a  hotel,  which  his  widow  is  still  conducting.  He  has  born  to  him 
nine  children,  as  follows:  Emily  (deceased),  Julia  M.  (now  Coffey), 
Volney  (a  Captain  in  the  late  war,  now  deceased),  Edwin,  Jane,  James 
M.,  Martha  L.,  William  A.  and  Hughes. 

Hughes  Mason,  merchant,  was  born  in  Nashville,  Brown  County, 
Ind.,  October  16,  1858,  and  is  the  youngest  of  nine  children  of  William 
M.  and  Lucy  J.  (Clark)  Mason,  natives  of  Kentucky  and  Connecticut 
respectively.  Our  subject  was  reared  in  Nashville,  where  he  obtained  a 
good  common  school  education.  February  14,  1874,  he  embarked  in  life 
for  himself;  having  natural  business  qualifications,  he  began  the  grocery 
business,  on  a  capital  of  $260,  $150  of  which  was  borrowed.  So  attentive 
was  he  to  business,  and  of  such  genial  disposition  toward  customers,  that 
he  at  once  controlled  a  steadily  increasing  trade;  he  was  soon  compelled 
to  extend  his  rooms,  and  with  this  larger  room,  his  business  so  rapidly 
increased  that  he  was  enabled  to  add  a  stock  of  dry  goods;  not  long  after 
this  he  added  hats  and  caps;  then  boots  and  shoes,  and  lastly,  clothing. 
In  the  progress  of  his  work,  he  gained  the  entire  confidence  of  his  many 
customers,  and  such  was  his  trade  that,  in  the  fall  of  1882,  he  was  com- 
pelled to  enlarge  his  capacity  for  goods,  and  hence  built  a  large  two-story 
frame  building,  and  to  this  he  transferred  his  entire  stock  of  general 
merchandise,  having  also  rented  a  room  for  a  stock  of  drugs.  So  rapidly 
did  he  increase  his  trade  that,  in  the  year  of  1882,  his  sales  amounted  to 
$32,500.  of  which  all  started  from  a  capital  of  $260.  April  10,  1883,  he 
was  married  to  Miss  Nora  F.  Johnson,  a  native  of  Spencer,  Ind.  Thus 
has  Mr.  Mason  been  the  architect  of"his  own  fortune;  the  recipient  of  no 
gratuities,  and  it  may  be  truthfully  written  of  him  that  he  is  a  self-made, 
energetic,  enterprising  business  manager,  and  success  will  inevitably 
crown  his  efforts  wherever  he  goes. 

SIMON  P.  NEIDIGH  is  a  son  of  John  Neidigh  and  Nancy  Neidigh, 
whose  maiden  name  was  Nancy  Stover.  Both  the  father  and  mother  are 
of  German  families.  John  Neidigh  is  a  native  of  Pennsylvania,  born  in 
1817.  Nancy  Neidigh  was  born  in  1827,  in  the  State  of  Maryland. 
While  quite  young  and  before  marriage,  both  emigrated  from  their  native 
States  to  the  State  of  Ohio,  where  they  became  acquainted  and  were  mar- 
ried. In  1841,  they  removed  from  the  State  of  Ohio,  and  settled  in  what 
was  then  a  wilderness,  but  where  they  now  reside,  near  the  center  of 
Jackson  Township,  Brown  County.  It  was  upon  the  farm  thus  settled 
that  the  subject  of  this  sketch  was  born  on  the  28th  day  of  October,  1851, 
the  second  child  in  a  family  of  eight  children,  consisting  of  four  boys 
and  four  girls,  all  of  whom  are  still  living.  It  was  here,  upon  a  Brown 
County  farm,  that  Simon  P  Neidigh  was  reared  up  amid  sterling  habits 
of  industry,  economy  and  integrity;  which  traits  of  character  have  fol- 


768  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

lowed  him  into  manhood,  and  have  been  his  chief  agencies  in  making  his 
life  work  a  sucsass.  At  the  old  praain^t  sohoolhoiise  near  by,  ia  Jackson 
Township,  he  received  the  rudiments  of  a  good  Eaglish  education,  under 
all  the  trying  difficulties  which  then  beset  a  Brown  County  boy  in  pursuit 
of  knowledge,  such  as  short  terms  of  school,  and  some  years  none,  rude 
and  uncomfortable  schoolhouses,  hard,  backless  benches  and  inefficient 
teachers.  At  the  age  of  twenty  years,  he  entered  as  a  student  in  the 
high  school  at  Bloomington,  Ind. ,  and  pursued  his  studies  with  marked 
^success  for  one  year,  qualifying  himself  to  engage  with  unusual  suc- 
cess in  the  profession  of  teaching,  which  he  followed  until  he  secured  a  com- 
petency to  enable  him  to  further  pursue  his  studies,  when  he  matriculated 
as  a  student  at  the  Northern  Indiana  Normal  at  Valparaiso,  Ind.,  where 
he  continued  to  attend  and  alternately  to  teach  until  the  spring  of  1881, 
when  he  graduated  at  that  institution  with  marked  distinction.  Imme- 
diately thereafter,  he  returned  to  his  own  county,  and  the  Trustees  of  the 
various  townships  of  Brown  County,  recognizing  in  him  a  thorough  teacher 
and  live  educator,  on  the  6th  of  June,  1881,  elected  him  to  the  office 
of  County  Superintendent  of  Schools.  This  office  he  tilled  with  such 
general  satisfaction  to  both  teachers  and  parents  that  at  the  expiration 
of  his  first  term  in  1883,  he  was  unanimously  re-elected  to  the  County 
Superintendencyi  which  office  he  now  holds.  As  the  leading  school  officer 
of  the  county,  he  has  manifested  fine  abilities  as  an  executive  officer  and 
organizer  of  school  work.  Both  teachers  and  pupils  have  received  the 
impress  of  his  genius,  and  the  standard  of  the  common  schools  of  Brown 
County  has  been  elevated  during  his  administration.  He  has  organized, 
for  the  benefit  of  teachers  and  schools,  most  excellent  normal  schools 
within  their  own  county,  conducted  by  the  best  educators  in  the  county. 
He  is  practical  in  all  things,  speculative  in  nothing.  These  traits  he  has 
.to  some  extent  imparted  to  the  teachers  and  the  schools  of  the  county. 
ile  is  a  man  of  great  physical  and  moral  courage;  and  he  displays  in  his 
life  and  habits  the  strong,  practical  traits  of  character  which  distin- 
guish his  German  ancesfry.  On  July  17,  1883,  Mr.  Neidigh  was  mar- 
ried to  Mary  C.  Hester,  formerly  wife  of  the  late  Judge  James  S.  Hester 
(deceased),  and  a  daughter  of  Alexander  Duncan,  of  Brown  County,  Ind. 

CHARLES  M.  PATTERSON,  merchant,  was  born  September  25, 
3860,  in  Washington  Township,  Bi'own  Co.,  Ind.,  and  is  the  seventh  son 
of  Samuel  and  Eliza  (Cable)  Patterson,  natives  of  Pennsylvania,  and  of 
English  and  German  extraction  respectively.  Samuel  Patterson  moved 
hither  from  Ohio  in  1848,  and  settled  where  he  resides,  on  160  acres. 
Charles  M.  Patterson  was  reared  on  the  home  ftirm,  but  received  a  share 
of  schooling,  and  when  twenty  years  old  attended  the  Nashville  High 
School,  and  later  at  Bloomington  for  one  term,  his  mother  furnishing  the 
means.  He  taught  school  at  North  Salem,  Central  Junction,  and  after- 
ward located  in  this  town,  where,  in  1882,  he  commenced  the  mercantile 
business  with  his  brother.  November  6,  1881,  he  married  Miss  Lucetta 
J.  Downey,  which  union  has  been  cemented  by  two  children — Oliver  T. 
(born  April  25,  1882)  and  Dora  C.  (born  March  7,  1884,  deceased).  Mr. 
Patterson  and  brother  carry  a  full  stock  of  the  best  goods,  with  large 
annual  sales.  They  are  practical  and  obliging  business  men,  who  merit, 
as  they  receive,  the  respect  and  patronage  of  their  community. 

MARTIN  PHILLIPS,  M.  D.,  was  a  native  of  Rhode  Island,  was  born 
December  5,  1835.  and  came  to  the  end  of  his  life  March  8,  1880.  Au- 
gust 12,  1866.  he  was  united  in  wedlock  to  Miss  Louisa  Higher,  who  left 


WASHINGTON  TOWNSHIP  AND  NASHVILLE.  769 

the  world  Septembor  19,  1867;  whereupon,  March  26,  1868,  he  wedded 
Miss  Sarah  J.  Hanablen,  a  native  of  this  county,  which  union  gave  place 
to  two  children — Joseph  B.  (born  March  12,  1869)  and  Ida  F.  (born 
August  19,  1871).  Dr.  Phillips  was  a  graduate  of  the  medical  college  at 
Nashville,  Tenn.,  and  was  a  devoted  student  and  enlightened  practitioner 
of  his  profession.  His  death  resulted  from  a  bronchial  affection.  He 
was  a  popular  gentleman,  a  member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity,  and  a 
very  generally  lamented  citizen.  Mrs.  Phillips  has  been  engaged  since 
April,  1883,  in  the  hotel  business,  being  the  proprietress  of  a  first-class 
institution  in  ail  respects. 

DR.  ADFRED  J.  RALPHY  was  born  March  28,  1855,  and  is  the 
second  of  three  children  of  John  and  Sarah  (Jones)  Ralphy,  the  former 
a  native  of  London,  Eng.,  born  1797,  the  latter  of  Warwickshire,  who 
emigrated  to  South  America  with  a  colony  in  1846,  but,  being  dissatisfied 
with  the  country,  moved  to  Cincinnati  and  remained  until  1853,  when 
he  removed  hither.  He  had  served  an  appronticeship  to  architecture  and 
building,  and  was  an  organizer  of  the  Mechanics'  Relief  aud  Aid  Associ- 
ation. Alfred  J.  Ralphy  was  reared  in  Nashville,  and  commenced  to 
work  for  himself  when  twelve  years  of  age.  He  worked  at  the  printing 
business  for  three  years,  and  began  teaching  school  when  sixteen  years  old ; 
he  also  clerked  in  a  drug  store  and  read  medicine  under  Dr.  Arnold  S. 
Griffitt,  afterward  forming  a  partnership  with  him  for  one  year,  but  now » 
is  in  practice  alone.  Dr.  Ralphy  is  solely  a  self-made  man,  having  main- 
ly educated  himself  during  youth;  he  attended  the  Cincinnati  College  of 
Medicine  and  Surgery  and  the  Kentucky  School  of  Medicine  at  Louis- 
ville. June  12,  1878,  he  married  Miss  Addie  Keller,  a  native  of  this 
county,  to  which  union  have  been  born  two  children — Clifford,  and  an  in- 
fant, deceased.  Dr.  Ralphy  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity,  and 
a  leading  Democrat;  he  has  a  good,  growing  practice,  and  is  a  worthy 
citizen.      Mrs.  Ralphy  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 

DANIEL  STUKEY  is  a  native  of  Monroe  County,  Ohio,  was  born 
July  10,  1835.  and  is  a  son  of  Jo.seph  and  Hannah  (Brewer)  Stukey,  who 
were  natives  of  Ohio,  and  of  English  descent.  Joseph  Stukey  received 
a  fair  education,  aud  afterward  followed  farming  until  his  death,  in 
1852  -a  devoted  member  of  the  Christian  Church.  Daniel  Stukey  at- 
tended the  schools  of  his  boyhood,  and  when  fifteen  years  of  age  he 
hired  as  a  farm  hand.  October  25,  1855,  he  married  Miss  Elizabeth, 
daughter  of  Michael  and  Priscilla  More,  to  which  iiuion  were  born 
nine  children — Mary  C,  Martha  J.,  Emmer  E.,  Elmer  E. ,  Erastus  G., 
Hannah  P.,  Daniel  E.,  Emma  F.  and  Lula  A.,  of  whom  Miss  Emmer  E. 
is  a  prominent  schoolmistress  of  this  county.  June  25,  1863,  Mr. 
Stukey  enlisted  in  the  One  Hundred  and  Twenty-ninth  Ohio  Volunteer 
Regiment;  served  until  March  4,  1864,  and  in  the  autumn  of  that  year 
moved  to  this  county  and  purchased  the  farm  on  which  he  has  now 
his  residence.  Mr.  Stukey  is  a  radical  Republican,  a  member  of  the 
Patrons  of  Husbandry,  and  he  and  wife  are  consistent  members  ol  the 
Christian  Church. 

WILLIAM  P.  STULL,  farmer,  is  a  native  of  Ohio,  was  born  No- 
vember 14,  1827,  and  is  a  son  of  Abraham  and  Barbara  (Palmer)  Stull, 
the  former  a  native  of  Pennsylvania,  and  of  German,  the  latter  of  Ohio, 
and  of  English  descent.  Abraham  Stull  emigrated  to  Ohio  at  an  early 
age.  married,  remained  there  until  1852,  when  he  removed  to  Bartholo- 
mew County,  Ind.,  and  purchased  the  farm,  on  which  he  lives  with  one  of 


770  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

his  sons,  Mrs.  Stull  having  died  January  13,  1881,  a  member  of  the  Bap- 
tist Church,  as  is  her  surviving  husband.  William  P.  Stull  received  a 
good  education  in  his  native  Ohio;  remained  with  his  parents  until  he 
was  seventeen,  when  he  engaged  to  learn  cabinet-making;  served  four 
years,  and  thereafter  engaged  in  business  for  himself.  January  24, 1850, 
he  married  Mary  A.  Moring,  a  native  of  Ohio;  to  this  union  were  born 
eleven  children,  of  whom  seven  daughters  survive — Campsadell  A., 
Frances  A.,  Rebecca  J.,  Sarah  Bell,  Mary  W.,  Cora  B.  and  Nancy  E. 
Mr.  Stull  remained  in  Ohio  until  1857,  when  he  emigrated  to  this  town- 
ship and  engaged  in  farming.  He  is  a  Democrat,  and  he  and  Mrs  Stull 
are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 

FRANK  P.  T  AGO  ART,  merchant,  is  the  son  of  James  and  Jane 
(Weddel)  Taggart,  the  former  a  native  of  North  Carolina,  born  in  1801, 
the  latter  of  Tennessee,  born  in  1804  Our  subject  was  reared  to  farm- 
ing, but  served  an  apprenticeship  to  blacksmithing,  and  when  but  four- 
teen years  old  assisted  to  build  the  first  brick  court  house  at  Nashville. 
He  followed  his  trade  some  time,  and  then  engaged  in  the  mercantile  way 
as  a  salesman  for  Judge  Hester,  and  afterward  for  Thompson  &  Bro. 
August  13,  1861,  he  enlisted  in  the  Twenty-second  Indiana  Regiment  as 
one  of  the  leaders  of  the  band,  being  present  at  Pea  Ridge,  siege 
of  Corinth,  and  several  other  battles.  In  June,  1862,  he  re-enlisted  in 
Company  K,  One  Hundred  and  Forty-fifth  Indiana  Volunteers,  and  was 
commissioned  Second  Lieutenant.  After  the  surrender  of  "Lee  he  passed 
most  of  his  time  on  detached  duty,  and  was  discharged  February,  1866. 
May  13,  1860,  he  married  Martha  E.  Seip,  to  which  union  have  descended 
four  children — Walter  A.,  Patterson  E.,  Ira  W.  and  Estella.  Mr.  Tag- 
gart began  his  present  business  December,  1870,  and  has  been  uncom- 
monly successful,  having  arranged  to  increase  his  stock  and  storeroom. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  body,  of  the  G.  A.  R.,  of  the  Democ- 
racy, of  the  Prohibition  party.  He  is  a  partner  in  the  grocery  and  pro- 
vision business  of  Gratton  &  Taggart,  and  also  of  the  general  store  of 
Houston,  Jackson  &  Co. 

CAPT.  T.  TAGGART,  M.  D.,  was  born  December  28,  1846,  near  this 
town,  and  is  the  youngest  of  the  eleven  children  of  James  and  Jane 
Taggart,  the  former  a  native  of  North  Carolina,  the  latter  of  Tennessee. 
James  Taggart  came  to  this  region  before  the  organization  of  Brown 
County,  and  was  the  first  Sheriff  thereof.  In  1846,  he  organized  Com- 
pany E,  of  the  Thirtieth  Indiana  Regiment,  for  service  in  the  Mexican 
War,  and  was  killed  at  Buena  Vista  February  23,  1847.  Our  subject 
was  reared  on  a  farm,  where  he  remained  until  fifteen  years  of  age,  and 
June,  1862,  enlisted  for  three  months  in  the  Fifty-fifth  Indiana  Volun- 
teer Regiment.  He  took  part  in  the  battle  at  Richmond,  Ky.,  after 
which  he  re  enlisted  for  three  years  in  the  One  Hundred  and  Twentieth 
Indiana  Regiment,  and  was  appointed  principal  musician,  being  present 
at  the  following  engagements:  Resaca,  Stone  Mountain,  Kenesaw  Moun- 
tain, Siege  of  Atlanta,  Franklin,  Nashville  and  Kingston.  After  the 
war,  he  engaged  in  mercantile  business  at  Nashville,  Ind. ;  this  he  sold 
in  1868,  and  commenced  the  study  of  medicine  under  Drs.  Phillips  and 
Selfridge;  graduated  at  the  College  of  Physicians  and  Surgeons,  Indian- 
apolis, in  1880,  and  opened  practice  at  Mahalasville.  On  May  6,  he 
moved  to  Nashville,  and  established  his  profession  here.  November  19, 
1865,  he  married  Emarine  Williams,  of  this  county,  and  to  them  were 
bestowed  three  children — Egbert  B.  (deceased),  Lorena  M.   and  Alvey. 


WASHINGTON  TOWNSHIP  AND  NASHVILLE.  771 

Dr.  Taggert  is  a  member  of  the  Freemasons,  and  Master  of  his  lodge,  also 
of  Columbia  Commandery  and  of  the  G.  A.  R.  Mr.  Taggart  is  a  prom- 
inent Democrat,  and  has  been  Trustee  of  Washington  Township. 

THOMAS  J.  TAGGART,  Sheriff  of  Brown  County,  was  born  De- 
cember 15,  1837;  is  a  native  of  this  county,  and  the  sixth  of  the  ten 
children  of  William  and  Sarah  (Mullis)  Taggart,  the  former  a  native  of 
North  Carolina,  the  latter  of  Tennessee,  both  of  Irish  descent,  and  both 
deceased.  William  Taggart  came  to  what  is  now  Brown  County  in  1826; 
married,  entered  land,  cleared  a  farm  and  remained  until  his  death. 
Thomas  J.  Taggart  was  reared  on  the  home  farm;  remained  with  his 
parents  until  his  majority.  Except  the  last  two  years,  he  has  followed 
farming,  having  now  forty  acres  of  good  land,  some  building  lots  and  a 
residence.  September  27,  1860,  he  married  Miss  Evaline  S.  Strahl,  a 
native  of  Ohio,  and  to  this  union  have  been  born  nine  children — William 
T.,  Amanda  E.,  Ida  F.,  Hannibal  P.,  Sanford  L.,  Elizabeth  A.  J.,  Sarah 
L.,  John  E.  and  Frank  P.  Mr.  Taggart  is  an  uncompromising  Demo- 
crat, having  given  his  first  vote  for  S.  A.  Douglas.  He  was  made  Assess- 
or of  Hamblen  Township  in  1873,  appointed  Deputy  Sheriff  in  1878, 
elected  Sheriff  in  1882,  and  is  a  candidate  for  re-election. 

THOMAS  E.  WARRING,  M.  D,  is  a  native  of  Ghent,  Ky.,  was 
born  September  3,  1852,  and  is  a  son  of  Dr.  John  M.  and  Tabitha  M. 
(Hopkins)  Warring,  natives  of  Kentucky,  and  of  English  descent.  Dr. 
John  M.  Warring  was  for  some  years  in  early  life  engaged  in  teaching 
before  he  began  the  study  of  medicine,  after  which  he  attended  and  grad- 
uated from  the  Lexington  Medical  College,  subsequently  moved  from 
Kentucky  to  Hancock  County,  Ind.,  and  thence  to  Smithville,  Monroe 
County,  where  he  is  living  and  following  his  profession.  Dr.  Warring 
is  a  member  of  the  Christian  Church,  and  Mrs.  Warring  was  before  her 
death,  July  12,  1882.  Thomas  E.  Warring  entered  the  medical  college 
at  Keokuk,  Iowa,  after  obtaining  a  good  education,  in  the  year  1877,  com- 
pleting his  course  in  1880,  after  which  period  he  commenced  practice  at 
Kent's  Mill,  this  township,  where  he  is  doing  a  profitable  practice.  June 
12,  1881,  he  married  Othilia  Kleindorfer.  Dr.  Warring  has  been  Justice 
of  the  Peace  of  Monroe  County,  is  a  Democrat  in  politics,  and  a  promi- 
nent citizen  and  rising  physician.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Dr.  Warring  are  mem- 
bers of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 

REV.  ROBERT  J.  WATTS  was  born  October  29,  1848,  near  Nash- 
ville, Ind.,  and  is  the  eighth  of  the  eleven  children  of  the  family  of 
Mason  and  Elizabeth  (McClery)  Watts;  the  former  a  native  of  Virginia, 
the  latter  of  Kentucky,  who  emigrated  to  Decatur  County,  Ind.,  and 
thence  to  this  county  about  1817,  where  Mr.  Watts  died.  Robert  J. 
Watts  was  reared  on  a  farm,  received  a  fair  school  education,  and  when 
nineteen  years  old  attended  the  Clear  Springs  High  School,  in  Jackson 
County,  Ind. ,  after  which  he  taught  school  and  prepared  himself  to  enter 
the  State  University,  since  which  he  has  been  Principal  of  the  high 
school  in  Nashville.  June  27,  1871,  he  married  Miss  Lizzie  Guthrie,  a 
native  of  Ohio,  with  a  result  of  three  children — Everett  W.  (deceased), 
Ella  M.  and  Alma  L.  In  1882,  he  commenced  his  labors  in  the  minis- 
try of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  to  which  he  now  devotes  the  larger 
portion  of  his  time,  and  the  prospect  for  his  success  and  usefulness  is 
very  flattering.  He  is  an  extremely  liberal  Democrat,  a  worthy.  Chris- 
tian man,  and  an  enlightened  citizen. 


772  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES: 

JOHN  S.  WILLIAMS  was  born  in  this  county  November  1,  1849, 
and  is  the  fifth  of  the  ten  children  of  Alfred  and  Nancy  (Mathis)  Will- 
iams. He  attended  the  public  schools  of  Nashville,  and  when  eighteen 
years  old  commenced  teaching,  continuing  the  same  until  1873,  at  which 
period  he  was  elected  Assessor;  served  four  years,  and  thereafter  engaged 
in  farming.  November  7,  1882,  he  was  elected  County  Auditor,  which 
position  he  yet  occupies.  April  20,  1871,  he  married  Sarah  E.  Woods, 
whose  father.  Jackson  Woods,  died  a  prisoner  of  war  at  Macon,  Ga. 
Six  childrAU  followed  their  union  Eva,  Alfred  S.,  infant  (deceased), 
John  N.,  Jennie  and  an  infant.  Mr.  Williams  is  a  Democrat,  a  Patron 
of  Husbandry,  and  he  and  wife  belong  to  the  Missionaiy  Baptist  Church. 

Alfred  Williams,  father  of  the  above,  was  born  in  East  Tennessee, 
November  6,  1822.  His  grandfather  was  a  Revolutionary  soldier,  and 
had  been  several  times  made  prisoner  by  the  British;  he  died  a  pensioner 
in  1849,  aged  ninety-five  years.  The  father  of  our  subject  was  a  native 
of  North  Carolina;  served  as  Second  Lieutenant  in  Ihe  war  of  1812;  was 
at  the  battle  of  New  Orleans;  settled  in  Monroe  County  in  1825,  and 
later  in  Brown  County,  Ind.,  of  which  he  was  appointed  Treasurer  before 
its  organization,  and  elected  afterward.  Alfred  Williams  was  made  As- 
sistant SiU'veyor  of  Brown  County  in  1854,  elected  in  1856,  and  re-elect- 
ed in  1858.  He  was  elected  Treasurer  in  1862,  and  also  a  Legislative 
Representative  of  this  county  afterward,  and  finally  Representati s^e  from 
Brown  and  Bartholomew  Counties. 


JACKSON  TOWNSHIP.  773 


JACKSON  TOWNSHIP. 

SAMSON  J.  ANDERSON,  farmer  and  stock-breeder,  was  born  April 
26,  J  840,  and  is  the  eldest  of  the  family  of  Allen  S.  and  Sarah  Can- 
natsay)  Anderson,  natives  i-espectively  of  Virginia  and  Kentucky.  Sam- 
son attended  school  in  boyhood  when  not  engaged  in  farm  work,  and 
lived  with  his  parents  until  August  25,  1859,  when  he  married  Mary  E. 
Terbune,  by  which  union  they  had  seven  children,  six  of  whom  are  liv- 
ing— Rozilla,  Lorena  Alice,  Walter  Q.,  Ettie  Viola,  Vestal  and  Ed.  S. 
Mr.  Anderson  is  owner  of  248  acres  of  good  aad  well  cultivated  land, 
also  with  barns  and  implements,  the  finest  brick  residence  in  the  county, 
and  a  pear  orchard  of  1,000  trees.  Mr.  Anderson  is  also  raising  Clydes- 
dale horses,  short-horn  cattle,  Oxford  Down  sheep  and  China-Poland 
hogs;  he,  in  company  with  Mr.  Mosier,  introduced  this  stock  into  the 
county.  He  was  Deputy  Land  Appraiser  of  this  covinty  in  1869,  1870, 
and  has  a  good  farm,  120  acres  of  timber  land  having  been  given  him 
by  his  father.     He  ia  an  active  Democrat  and  a  highly  respected  citizen. 

GEORGE  M.  ANDERSON,  farmer  and  stock-raiser,  was  born  Octo- 
ber 31,  1842,  in  this  township,  and  is  a  son  of  Allen  S.  and  Sarah  An- 
derson, natives  respectively  of  Vii'ginia  and  Kentucky.  George  M. 
resided  with  his  parents  until  February  19,  1863,  when  he  married  Mar- 
garet Terhune,  a  union  which  was  honored  by  four  children — Amanda 
C,  America  A.,  Dora  E.  and  Alonzo  W.  Mr.  Anderson  is  possessor  of 
300  acres  in  good  cultivation  and  improvement,  having  in  addition  three 
good  orchards,  also  the  homestead  place,  which  is  likewise  well  improved, 
and  containing  one  of  the  best  residences  in  the  county.  He  now  lives 
on  eighty  acres  entered  by  his  father,  and  forty  by  his  mother.  Mr. 
Anderson  is  a  prominent  and  consistent  Democrat;  has  been  several  times 
made  School  Director.  He  is  an  honored  Mason,  an  upright  citizen,  and 
very  generally  and  highly  regarded. 

JOHN  W.  BEATY,  pioneer  farmer  and  stock-raiser,  was  born  June 
3,  1828,  in  Shenandoah  County,  Va.,  and  is  the  eldest  child  of  the  family 
of  Samuel  and  Mary  (^Stell)  Beaty,  natives  of  Virginia.  John  W.  had 
poor  advantages  for  an  education,  his  mother  having  died  in  his  youth, 
at  which  time  he  was  compelled  to  labor  for  a  livelihood,  and  when  of 
age  commenced  tobacco-raising  on  shares.  November  6,  1851,  he  mar- 
ried Susan  Smith,  of  Ohio,  which  nuptials  were  succeeded  by  three  chil- 
dren— William  H,  Ermine  E.,  and  George  W.  After  the  death  of  this 
wife,  in  1857,  he  married  Nancy  Gregg,  by  which  second  union  he  was 
parent  to  five  children— John  (deceased),  C.  D.,  Mary  B.,  Sar^uel 
H,  and  Oscar  Allen.  Mr.  Beaty  came  hither  with  his  parents  in  1844; 
moved  to  this  county  in  1850,  and  settled  in  Hamblen  Township,  and 
purchased  160  acres,  which  he  improved,  and  in  1867,  moved  to  where 
he  now  lives,  having  also  150  acres  on  Bean  Blossom  Creek;  Mr.  Beaty 
was  the  only  Road  Superintendent  of  the  county;  the  law  being  abolished 
thei-eafter.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity,  and  a  liberal, 
genial  gentleman. 


774  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

MICHAEL  T.  BROWN,  a  farmer  and  stock-raiser,  was  born  Sep- 
tember 6,  1836,  in  Marion  County,  W.  Va.,  and  is  the  third  child  of  Den- 
nis and  Elizabeth  (Toothman)  Brown,  natives  of  West  Virginia.  Michael 
T.  Brown  was  reared  a  farmer,  and  September  11,  1856,  married  Mary 
Beach,  of  Marion  Connty,  W.  Va.,  and  to  this  union  were  born  nine  chil- 
dren— John  F.,  Samnel  D.,  Marion  L.,  Rebecca  E.,  Margaret  E.,  Lillie 
Bell,  Martin  T.,  Ann  Eliza  and  one  deceased.  Mr.  Brown  moved  to  this 
county  in  1865,  and  settled  where  he  now  resides  on  110  acres,  in  good 
cultivation  and  with  many  improvements.  Mr.  Brown  is  a  leading  Dem- 
ocrat, a  practical  farmer,  a  successful  businessman,  an  upright  gentleman 
and  reputable  citizen. 

GEORGE  A.  BRUMMET,  farmer,  was  born  December  22,  1840,  in 
Monroe  County,  Ind.,  and  is  the  fourth  of  the  nine  in  family  of  Joab 
and  Sarah  (Brummet)  Brummet,  natives  of  Tennessee,  and  of  German 
extraction.  George  A.  Brummet  was  reared  to  farming  as  a  business, 
and  with  a  meager  education.  When  he  was  six  years  of  age,  he  came 
with  his  parents  to  this  county,  having  been  early  settlers  of  Monroe 
County,  and  settled  in  Washington  Township,  where  Mr.  Brummet  pur- 
chased 500  acres.  Our  subject  lived  with  his  parents  until  March  6, 
1861,  when  he  married  Miss  Martha,  daughter  of  William  and  Elizabeth 
Snider,  from  which  union  succeeded  four  children — Eli  (deceased),  Will- 
iam McClelland,  Arwine  and  Thena  Catharine  (deceased).  Mrs.  Brum- 
met died  September  12,  1875;  and  January  11,  1877,  Mr.  Brummet 
wedded  Miss  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  John  and  Elizabeth  Brown,  and  to 
this  second  marriage  three  children  were  gi'anted.  Mr.  Brummet  moved 
to  his  present  residence  in  1861;  it  comprises  125  acres,  which  is  con- 
siderably improved  with  good  buildings,  orchards  and  the  like — almost 
all  of  which  was  acquired  by  his  industry  and  management.  In  politics, 
he  is  a  Democrat. 

WILEY  BURNS,  farmer,  was  born  October  16,  1832,  in  Morgan  Coun- 
ty, Ind.,  and  is  a  son  of  Wiley  and  Mary  (Baker)  Burns,  natives  of  Ken- 
tucky and  of  Scotch  and  Welsh  descent  respectively.  Our  subject  re- 
ceived a  fair  education  and  taught  school  for  four  terms  in  this  county. 
September  15,  1857,  be  married  Nancy  K.  Hastings,  of  Morgan  County, 
and  to  this  union  were  born  four  children — Melissa  V.,  Mattie,  Elmer  E. 
and  Thaddeus  S. ;  their  mother  died  April  4,  1872,  and  Mr.  Burns,  April 
18,  1876,  wedded  Emily  A.  Matthews,  and  this  union  produced  two  chil- 
dren— Wiley  and  Katie.  December  21,  1863,  he  enlisted  in  Company 
H,  Seventieth  Indiana  Infantry,  and  served  in  the  following  battles:  Res- 
aca,  Cassville,  New  Hope  Church,  Lost  Mountain,  Kenesaw,  Marietta, 
Peach  Tree  Creek,  Atlanta,  Savannah,  Bentonville  and  the  march  through 
Georgia.  He  was  discharged  June,  1865,  came  to  this  county  in  1867, 
and  settled  on  155  acres  of  well-improved  and  planted  land,  where  he 
makes  a  specialty  of  fruit-raising.  Mr.  Burns  is  a  member  of  the  Ma- 
sonic fraternity  and  the  Knights  of  Honor.  He  is  a  leading  Republican, 
and  was  elected  Trustee  of  this  township  one  tei'm.  He  is  an  honest  man, 
an  upright  citizen,  and  he  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Christian  Church. 

JAMES  L.  CAMPBELL,  farmer,  was  born  March  18, 1854  in  Wash- 
ington County,  Ohio,  and  is  the  eldest  of  the  eleven  children  of  James 
C.  and  Minerva  (Flint)  Campbell,  natives  respectively  of  Pennsylvania 
and  Ohio,  and  of  English  and  German  extraction.  James  L.  Campbell 
was  reared  on  a  farm,  and  in  the  lull  of  farm  work  obtained  some  educa- 
tion, and  afterward  attended  for  one  term  the  State  University,  by  which 


JACKSON  TOWNSHIP.  775 

he  became  a  teacher,  having  already  taught  fifteen  terms,  several  of  them 
in  Illinois.  The  father  of  our  subject  purchased  156  acres  of  timber 
land  in  this  township,  on  which  he  made  improvements  and  resided  until 
his  decease.  March  16,  1863,  James  L.  Campbell  married  Miss  Rachel 
C.  daughter  of  William  and  Elizabeth  Snider,  to  which  union  were  de- 
creed two  children — Walter  and  James  A.  (both  deceased).  Mr.  Camp- 
bell is  the  possessor  of  156  acres,  with  improvements,  appointing,  plant- 
ing and  stocking,  which  makes  the  place  a  choice  and  valuable  one;  he  is 
a  prominent  Democrat  and  an  enlightened  citizen. 

THOMAS  W.  DAVID,  pioneer  farmer,  is  a  native  of  Jackson  County, 
Ind.,  and  is  the  second  child  of  five  boys  and  five  girls  of  John  and 
Morning  (Weddel)  David,  natives  of  Virginia.  Our  subject  passed  his 
early  days  on  a  farm,  with  a  very  limited  education;  was  born  September 
8,  1827,  and  moved  with  his  parents  to  this  county  in  1835,  who  settled 
on  Bear  Creek,  where  his  father  entered  140  acres,  and  remained  until 
his  death.  February  2,  1846,  Thomas  W.  David  married  Sarah  E. 
Tomey,  to  which  union  were  born  ten  children — Adeline  (deceased),  Mary 
C,  John  E.  (deceased),  Elizabeth,  Serepta  H.,  Willie,  Daniel  W.,  Lewis 
E.,  Silva  V.  (deceased)  and  an  infant.  Mrs.  David  died  October,  1822, 
a  member  of  the  Christian  Church,  and  February  2,  1884,  Mr.  David 
wedded  Eliza  Jane  Hale,  a  native  of  East  Tennessee.  In  August,  1861, 
he  enlisted  in  Company  G,  Twenty-seventh  Indiana  Volunteer  Infantry, 
and  was  discharged  after  seventeen  months'  service,  and  resumed  active 
farm  life.  He  has  several  times  been  appointed  School  Director,  and  is 
an  earnest  Republican.  Mr.  David  moved  to  where  he  now  lives,  on  Lick 
Creek,  in  1869,  where  he  owns  eighty-five  acres  in  a  good  state  of  culti- 
vation, well  and  variously  improved,  containing  good  buildings,  orchards, 
etc.,  etc. 

GEORGE  R.  EARLYWINE,  one  of  the  pioneers  of  this  county,  is  a 
native  of  Bartholomew  County,  Ind.,  and  is  the  sixth  child  of  the  family 
of  George  W.  and  Sarah  (Doan)  Earlywine,  natives  of  Kentucky  and 
respectively  of  German  and  English  extraction.  George  R.  Earlywine 
was  reared  to  farming,  with  a  fair  school  education,  and  lived  at  home 
until  his  majority.  He  was  born  June  16,  1841,  and  February,  1864, 
enlisted  in  Company  D,  Seventeenth  Indiana  Volunteer  Infantry,  and 
was  engaged  at  the  following  heroic  battles:  Dallas,  Tyson's  Cross  Roads, 
Noonday  Creek,  Belle  Plaine,  Cotton  Creek,  Stone  Mountain  and  many 
others,  being  discharged  September,  1865.  December  28,  1865,  he 
married  Amanda  Hendricks,  by  which  alliance  were  born  nine  children — 
William  Sherman,  Sarah  D. ,  Fannie  L.  (deceased),  London  H. ,  Willis 
F.,  Ordella  Jane  (deceased),  Thomas  B.,  Minta  and  Jesse  J.  Mr.  Early- 
wine  is  owner  of  130  acres  cultivated  and  improved.  He  is  an  earnest 
Republican  and  an  estimable  citizen. 

MILTON  FLEENER,  pioneer  farmer,  was  born  June  1,  1818,  in 
Washington  County,  Ind.,  and  is  a  son  of  Nicholas  and  Nancy  E.  (John- 
son) Fleener,  natives  respectively  of  Vii-ginia  and  North  Carolina. 
Milton  was  reared  a  farmer  by  his  parents,  wlio  came  to  this  State  in 
1820,  settled  near  Bloomington,  where  they  entered  and  cleared  land. 
Our  subject  remained  at  home  until  September  28,  1837,  when  he  married 
Eliza  Jane  Davison,  a  native  of  Ireland,  from  which  union  descended 
three  children — Joseph  N. ,  James  P.  and  Margaret  Ann  (deceased).  In 
1840,  Mr.  Fleener  removed  to  this  township,  where  he  piu'chased  320 
acres,  which  he  improved,  and  to  which  he  added  until  he  controlled  800 


776  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

acres.  He  was  elected  Constable  for  one  term,  Associate  Judge  for 
seven  years  and  County  Commissioner  one  term.  Mr.  Fleener  is  owner 
of  several  lots  in  Needmore,  also  a  good  store  building.  He  and  wife 
are  members  of  the  Christian  Church. 

LUTHER  FLINT,  farmer,  was  born  April  25,  1815,  in  Vermont, 
and  is  the  youngest  child  of  Porter  and  Lucy  (Farwell)  Flint,  natives  of 
Massachusetts.  In  1827,  his  parents  moved  to  Ohio,  purchased  120  and 
entered  80  acres,  which  they  improved.  December  10,  1835,  Luther 
married  Miss  Mary,  a  daughter  of  Edward  and  Prussia  Edwards,  to 
which  union  were  born  nine  children,  seven  now  living — Minerva.  Prus- 
sia, Hannah,  James.  Lucy.  Miranda  and  Caroline;  this  mother  died  Feb- 
ruary, 1872,  and  JuQe  9,  1875,  Mr.  Flint  wedded  Lucinda  Long,  by 
which  union  succeeded  two  children — Jasper  and  Laura.  Mr.  Flint 
moved  to  this  county  in  1868,  and  settled  on  his  present  home  of  190 
acres,  containing  good  house,  barns,  orchards,  fencing,  stock,  etc.,  the 
bulk  of  which  he  has  acquired  by  his  own  efforts,  unaided  and  continued. 
He  is  an  active  Democrat,  and  a  reputable  citizen.  He  and  wife  are 
members  of  the  Baptist  Church.  The  paternal  grandfather  of  our  sub- 
ject was  a  soldior  of  the  Revolutionary  war. 

JAMES  FLINT,  stock  raiser  and  farmer,  was  born  April  13,  1843, 
in  Washington  County,  Ohio,  and  is  the  fourth  of  the  nine  children  of 
Luther  and  Mary  (Edwards)  Flint,  natives  respectively  of  Vermont  and 
Ohio.  James  was  reared  to  farm  labor,  attended  the  common  schools, 
and  lived  at  home  until  September  5,  1862,  when  he  married  Isabella 
Livingston,  from  which  descended  seven  children — Mary  E.,  Albert  M., 
Jacob  C,  Alonzo  T.,  Salina  V.,  Lorena  E.  and  Lulu.  February  24,  1864, 
Mr.  Flint  enlisted  in  Company  C,  Thirty-sixth  Ohio  Infantry,  and  served 
until  the  succeeding  September.  In  1866,  he  moved  to  this  county,  set- 
tled in  Jackson  Township,  purchased  140  acres,  mostly  timber,  which  he 
improved,  sold,  and  afterward  bought  sixty-seven  acres,  where  he  lived 
three  years,  and  later  purchased  145  acres,  wherA  he  is  now  living,'  and 
which  he  has  cleared,  improved  and  adorned — all  the  outcome  of  his 
labor  and  economy.  Mr.  Flint  is  a  Democrat,  and  is  now  serving  as 
County  Commissioner.  He  is  a  good  citizen,  a  reputable  gentleman,  and 
he  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Baptist  Church. 

LEWIS  FRITCH  was  born  in  Germany  March  13,  1816,  and  is  the 
second  child  of  Joseph  and  Frances  Fritch,  the  former  a  native  of 
France,  the  latter  of  Germany.  Our  subject  was  taught  farming  in  the 
fatherland,  as  well  as  shoe-making.  In  1837,  he  came  to  the  United  States 
by  way  of  New  Orleans;  traveled  to  Hamilton  County,  Ohio,  where  he 
worked  on  a  canal;  and  there,  April  13,  1839,  he  married  Sarah  Ann 
Prail,  from  which  union  issued  three  children — Margaret  Jane,  James 
W.  and  Francis  (deceased).  Mrs.  Fritch  died  August,  1843,  and  Mr. 
Fritch  married  a  second  wife  March  18,  1845,  Ellen  Aldrich,  to  which 
union  seven  children  were  born:  Joseph  F.,  Nathaniel,  Hannah  Ellen, 
McAllen,  Andrew  (deceased),  John  (deceased)  and  Conrad;  this  wife  also 
died;  and  November  23,  1858,  he  wedded  Elizabeth  Stump,  from  which 
last  marriage  descended  seven  children — Catherine  A.,  Nancy  E.  (de- 
ceased), Christopher,  Frederick  (deceased),  Isaac  M. ,  Mary  (deceased) 
and  Martha  A.  After  marriage,  Mr.  Fritch  moved  to  Shelby  County, 
Ind.,  purchased  sixty  acres,  sold  the  same  in  1849,  and  removed  to  where 
he  now  lives,  having  purchased  130  acres,  which  he  cleared,  improved, 
and  to  which  he  added,  owning  now  255  acres — a  comfortable  home  and 


JACKSON   TOWNSHIP.  777 

valuable  estate      Mr.  Fritch  is  a  reputable  citizen  and,  with  his  wife,  is 
a  member  of  the  Christian  Church. 

LEWIS  M.  FRITCH.  merchant,  is  a  native  of  this  county,  was 
born  August  18,  1851 5  and  is  the  fourth  of  the  seven  children  of  Lewis 
and  Ellen  (Folsom)  Fritch.  Our  subject  was  raised  as  a  farmer's  boy, 
lived  at  home  until  nineteen  years  old,  then  went  to  La  Bette,  Kan. ;  re- 
mained two  years  working  on  a  farm,  and  returned  home  thereafter  to 
assist  his  father.  November  1,  1877,  he  married  Miss  Melissa  A., 
daughter  of  Andrew  J.  and  Mary  E.  (Armstrong)  Vaughn,  and  by  this 
union  these  parties  became  parents  of  four  children — Jason  H.,  Herman 
J.,  Lewis  A.  and  Alonzo  E.  Mr.  Fritch  farmed  for  a  time  after  his 
marriage,  and  in  1878  engaged  in  the  lumber  and  stave  business,  which 
he  continued  to  pursue  until  1882,  when  he  purchased  a  stock  of  general 
merchandise.  In  1883,  he  moved  his  goods  and  family  to  Needmore. 
where  he  has  continued  the  business,  having  an  excellent  and  selected 
stock.  Mr.  Fritch  has  been  successful  in  his  venture,  and  now  employs 
a  wagon  for  dealing  in  all  varieties  of  produce.  He  has  displayed  valu- 
able business  traits,  and  is  a  popular  merchant.  In  politics,  he  is  a  Na- 
tional, and  was  Postmaster  at  Richards  for  eighteen  months. 

RILEY  GORDON,  farmer,  is  a  native  of  Batler  County,  Ohio,  was 
born  September  16,  1882,  and  is  fifth  of  the  family  of  Riley  and  Sarah 
Gordon,  the  former  a  native  of  Pennsylvania,  and  of  Scotch  extraction. 
Our  subject  was  reared  on  a  farm,  with  poor  advantages  for  education, 
most  of  which  he  gained  after  his  marriage.  When  nineteen  years  old, 
he  began  working  by  the  month,  which  he  continued  for  eight  months, 
and  two  years  later  as  a  teamster.  December  17,  1856,  he  married  Eliz- 
abeth Jones,  with  an  issue  of  eight  living  children — ^Willard  G.,  Ida 
May,  Charles  E.,  MaryM.,  Edward  Riley,  Armina  E.,  Olive  Q.  and 
Louisa  E.  Mr.  Gordon  became  a  resident  of  this  county  in  1869,  and  in 
1875,  moved  to  his  present  residence  on  seventy  acres  of  good  and  im- 
proved land.  He  is  also  owner  of  800  acres  near  Georgetown.  He  has 
served  as  Justice  of  the  Peace,  as  Land  Appraiser  for  two  terms,  was  Dep- 
uty Prosecutor  of  the  county  for  a  time,  and  now  is  Deputy  Prosecutor 
for  this  and  Hamblen  Townships.  His  first  vote  was  given  for  C.  L.  Val- 
landigham  for  Congress. 

WILSON  HELMS  is  a  native  of  this  county,  was  born  November 
22,  1822,  in  Harrison  County,  Ohio,  and  is  the  eldest  child  of  Isaac  and 
Rebecca  (Mehaffey)  Helms,  natives  of  Pennsylvania.  William  Helms, 
when  fifteen  years  of  age,  began  to  work  by  the  month,  and  September 
28,  1845,  he  married  Mary  Ann  Smith,  a  native  of  Ohio,  and  to  this 
union  were  born  eleven  children,  of  whom  nine  lived  to  receive  names. 
Mr.  Helms  moved  to  this  county  in  1854,  settled  on  Bean  Blossom  Creek 
and  purchased  100  acres,  which  he  cleared  and  improved.  This  farm 
contains  a  fine  residence,  good  buildings,  orchard,  etc. — all  self-made, 
and  he  has  given  his  children  each  $600  when  married.  September,  1864, 
he  enlisted  in  Company  C,  Twenty-second  Indiana  Regiment,  but  was  in 
hospital  during  nearly  all  his  term,  and  was  discharged  Jaly  17,  1865. 
Mr.  Helms  has  been  generally  successful  in  life,  but  had  his  property 
destroyed  by  fire,  during  which  his  children  were  obliged  to  leave  the 
house  without  clothing,  two  daughters  having  lost  their  lives  thereby, 
Mr.  Holmes  is  an  active  Republican  and  worthy  citizen. 

THOMAS  H.  HENDRICKS,  stock-raiser  aiad  farmer,  is  a  native  of 
Johnson  County,  Ind.,  was  born  February  15,  1839,  and  is  the  fifth  of 


778  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

the  ten  children  of  Landon  and  Drusilla  (Hardesty)  Hendricks,  natives 
of  Kentucky,  and  of  German  descent.  Thomas  H.  was  reared  a  farmer, 
and  lived  with  his  parents  until  November  28.  1860,  at  which  time  he 
married  Emmeline,  daughter  of  Jacob  and  Nancy  Hougham;  to  this 
union  were  born  five  children — Ida  M.,  Emma  D.,  Albert  H.,  Ira  and 
Odus.  In  August,  1861,  Mr.  Hendricks  moved  to  Tipton  County,  pur- 
chased 220  acres,  which  in  1868  he  sold  and  removed  to  Johnson  County, 
purchased  eighty  acres,  lived  twelve  years,  and,  in  1881,  came  to  this 
county,  and  now  resides  on  265  acres,  well-improved,  cultivated  and 
adorned;  he  also  gives  considerable  attention  to  breeding  stock,  espe- 
cially Poland-China  hogs.  He  is  an  active  Republican,  has  served  as 
School  Director  for  eight  years,  and  is  a  highly  regarded  and  greatly 
trusted  citizen.  Mrs.  Hendricks  is  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church. 

LEWIS  JONES,  farmer,  is  a  native  of  Monroe  County,  Ohio;  was 
born  October  S,  1824,  and  is  the  second  of  the  seven  boys  and  three  girls 
born  to  Samuel  and  Cisner  (Hamilton)  Jones,  natives  of  Pennsylvania; 
the  former  of  English- German,  the  latter  of  Irish- German  descent. 
Lewis  Jones  was  reared  on  a  farm,  but  enjoyed  very  spare  advantages 
for  education,  and  remained  with  his  parents  until  December  31,  1846, 
when  he  married  Margaret  Ann,  daughter  of  John  and  Elizabeth  (Potts) 
Turner;  to  this  union  were  born  six  children — Mary  Elizabeth,  Minerva 
A.,  John  Harvey  (deceased),  Hannah  Jane  (deceased),  Martha  Ellen  and 
Sarah  Ann  (deceased).  In  1854,  Mr.  Jones  moved  to  this  county,  settled 
near  Georgetown,  and  two  years  later  removed  two  miles  northwest  of 
Georgetown,  remained  seven  years,  and  thence  to  where  he  now  lives, 
having  purchased  eighty  acres,  well-improved,  with  good  buildings, 
orchards  and  the  like — the  whole  an  outcome  of  his  will  and  energy. 
September,  1864,  he  enlisted  in  Company  D,  Twenty-fifth  Indiana  Regi- 
ment, and  served  in  the  following  engagements:  Savannah,  Cheraw, 
Columbia,  Bentonville  and  numerous  others,  including  Sherman's  march, 
and  was  in  the  grand  review,  receiving  his  discharge  June  14,  1865, 
after  which  he  resumed  farming  in  this  county.  Mr.  Jones  is  a  Demo- 
crat, has  served  as  Township  Trustee,  and  is  an  upright  man  and  worthy 
citizen. 

HENRY  C.  LEGGE,  farmer,  was  born  September  16,  1842,  in 
Bloomington,  and  is  the  eldest  son  of  William  A.  and  Mary  (Hight) 
Legge,  natives  of  Kentucky.  Mr.  Legge  graduated  from  the  State  Uni- 
versity in  1861,  and  engaged  in  the  stock  and  livery  business.  In  1862, 
he  enlisted  in  Company  A,  Fifty-fourth  Indiana  Regiment;  was  dis- 
charged after  three  months,  then  re-enlisted  for  three  years  in  Company 
A,  One  Hundred  and  Thirty-fifth  Indiana  Regiment;  was  mainly  en- 
gaged in  guard  duty,  and  was  discharged  honorably  as  Corporal.  Decem- 
ber 15,  1864,  he  married  Miss  Elizabeth  F.  Dunn,  with  an  issue  of  six 
children — William  D.,  Margaret  M.,  Carter  L.,  Howard  W.,  Emma  and 
Henry  R.  Mr.  Legge  moved  on  the  farm  he  now  occupies  in  1869;  it 
comprises  165  acres  of  improved,  cultivated  land,  with  good  buildings, 
orchards,  etc.  Mr.  Legge  is  an  enterprisi  Qg,  valuable  citizen,  a  member 
of  the  G.  A.  R.,  and  one  of  the  active  Republicans  of  the  county. 

HUGH  McLARY,  stock-dealer  and  farmer,  is  a  native  of  this  town- 
ship, was  born  October  30,  1847,  the  eighth  of  the  ten  children  of  Hugh 
A.  and  Savannah  (Lockridge)  McLary,  natives  respectively  of  Kentucky 
and  Virginia,  and  of  Irish   and  German  extraction.     Our  subject  was 


JACKSON  TOWNSHIP.  779 

bred  to  the  farm,  on  which  he  labored  and  remained  until  after  man- 
hood. January  10,  1869,  he  married  Misg  Mary  C,  daughter  of  Jackson 
and  Polly  Fleener,  a  union  which  has  been  favored  with  two  children — 
Kosa  Ellen  and  Franklin  Pierce.  Mr.  McLary  is  a  practical  farmer  and 
stock-breeder,  an  excellent  citizen  and  honored  gentleman.  His  life 
has  been  passed  in  this  county.  He  is  now  residing  on  his  father's  farm 
at  the  mouth  of  Bear  Creek.  Politically  Mr.  McLary  is  an  advocate  of 
the  principles  of  Democracy,  and  he  and  Mrs.  McLary  are  members  of 
the  Christian  Church. 

REV.  EVAN  E.  McNEELY  is  a  native  of  Washington  County,  Ind., 
was  born  December  28,  1823,  his  parents  being  William  and  Rhoda 
(Richards)  McNeely,  natives  of  East  Tennessee.  Our  subject's  educa- 
tion was  a  sparse  one.  His  parents  moved  to  Monroe  County  in  1825, 
settled  near  Bloomington,  where  his  father  entered  land  and  died  some 
time  later.  Evan  E.  McNeely  lived  at  home  until  January  19,  1845, 
when  he  married  Miss  Mary  C,  daughter  of  Wiley  B.  and  Elizabeth 
Robinson,  which  union  was  enriched  by  eight  children:  William  W.,  Rhoda 
J.,  Louisa  C,  Clark  R.,  Joseph  W.,  Susanna  M.,  Emesly  (deceased) 
and  Harriet  E.  Following  the  death  of  this  lady,  March  18,  1867,  he 
married,  March  8,  1868,  Elizabeth  Neidigh,  a  native  of  Ohio.  After 
living  at  Martinsville,  Morgan  County,  Mr,  McNeely  removed  to  this 
county  in  1867,  settled  where  he  now  lives,  and  where  his  wife  has  130 
acres,  cultivated  and  improved.  In  1859,  Mr.  McNeely  was  licensed 
as  exhorter,  in  1872  as  preacher,  and  still  later  as  a  deacon  of  the  Meth- 
odist Episcopal  Church.  In  politics  he  is  Republican,  and  has  been 
School  Director  several  times. 

RICHARD  J.  MILLER,  farmer  and  bee  culturist,  was  born  June  14, 
1827,  in  Butler  County,  Ohio,  his  parents  being  John  L.  and  Hannah 
(Whitsell)  Miller,  natives  of  Pennsylvania,  and  respectively  of  Irish  and 
English  descent.  Richard  J.  Miller  worked  on  the  home  farm  until  he 
was  fourteen,  when  he  went  to  learn  the  trade  of  joiner  and  bridge- 
builder,  which  he  followed  until  1862,  having  come  to  Clinton  County, 
Ind.,  with  his  parents, in  1830, and  afterward  moved  to  Rice  County,  Minn. 
In  1862,  he  enlisted  in  Company  D,  Eighth  Minnesota  Regiment, 
and  was  engaged  in  many  Indian  battles,  after  which  the  regiment  was 
transferred  to  the  Army  of  the  Cumberland,  and  participated  at  Stone 
River,  Franklin  and  other  struggles,  being  discharged  August  18,  1865. 
He  afterward  resumed  his  trade  for  two  years,  then  engaged  in  saw  mill- 
ing, moved  to  this  county,  again  began  saw  milling,  and  afterward  fell 
back  on  farming  at  his  present  location  ;  this  place  embraces  240  acres, 
with  good  orchard,  etc.  Mr.  Miller  makes  a  specialty  of  bee  culture. 
May  23,  1852,  he  married  Nancy  M.  McAnly,  with  a  result  of  ten  chil- 
dren, the  following  yet  living;  Eliza,  Jane,  John  F.,  Bell  V. ,  Ida 
May,  Jessie  Fremont,  Emma  E.,  Richard  Edgar  and  Zora  Helen.  Mr. 
Miller  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity  and  the  Good  Templars. 
He  was  Marshal  of  Noblesville  one  term,  and  he  and  wife  are  members 
of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 

CALVIN  MOSER  is  a  native  of  Cumberland  County,  Tenn.,  was  born 
February  17,  1817,  and  is  a  son  of  Jacob  and  Polly  (Stephens)  Moser, 
both  of  Dutch  descent,  who  moved  to  and  settled  in  Monroe  County  about 
1819.  Calvin  was  reared  as  a  farmer,  had  poor  school  advantages,  and 
lived  at  home  until  March  12, 1840,  when  he  married  Margaret  Williams, 
from  which  union  sprang  nine  children,  eight  of  whom  are  living — A. 

49 


780  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES: 

R.,  Martha  A.,  Mary,  J.  P.,  M.  S.,  Isaac  B.,  Kebecca  and  Katie  M.  After 
the  decease  of  his  first  wife,  February  23,  1875,  Mr.  Moser  married,  ou 
September  24,  1875,  Mrs.  Hannah  Prosser.  After  this  marriage,  Mr. 
Moser  moved  to  where  he  now  resides,  and  purchased  80  acres,  to  which 
he  steadily  added  until  600  acres  had  become  his,  most  of  which  he  im- 
proved, and  afterward  sold  for  the  benefit  of  his  children,  he  now  retain- 
ing but  350  acres,  well  improved,  planted  and  stocked.  Mr.  Moser  is  a 
self-made  and  self-sustaining  gentleman.  He  is  an  active  Democrat,  has 
served  one  term  as  Township  Trustee,  is  a  valued  and  trusted  citizen,  and 
he  and  wife  belong  to  the  Baptist  Church. 

AQUILLA  K.  MOSER,  farmer  and  stock -raiser,  was  born  February 
2,  1841,  in  this  county,  and  is  one  of  the  eight  children  of  Calvin  and 
Margaret  (Williams)  Moser,  the  former  a  native  of  Tennessee,  the  latter 
of  Indiana.  Our  subject  lived  with  his  parents  until  his  marriage,  De- 
cember 13,  L862,  with  Clarissa  Calvin,  which  union  produced  seven  chil- 
dren— Alva  N.,  Haron  D.,  Jennie  June,  Cortez  Mexico,  Brigham  Young 
(deceased),  Jack  William  and  Roscoe  La  Mar.  After  marriage,  Mr. 
Moser  lived  four  years  near  Georgetown,  and  in  1866  he  moved  to  his 
present  site,  where  he  owns  193  acres,  with  good  residence,  barns,  build- 
ings, peach  and  apple  orchards,  etc.,  most  of  which  was  acquired  by  his 
own  industry.  Mr.  Moser  is  a  leading  Democrat,  and  was  elected  County 
Commissioner  in  1870.  He  has  a  half -interest  in  the  gravel  road  leading 
south  from  Morgantown.  He  was  formerly  a  member  of  the  Grange,  and 
is  an  honorable  man  and  an  esteemed  citizen. 

CALVIN  PLATT,  farmer  and  stock-raiser,  is  a  native  of  Mahoning 
County,  Ohio,  was  born  August  30,  1823,  and  is  the  eldest  of  the  four 
boys  of  Erastus  and  Julia  (Hitchcock)  Piatt,  natives  of  IMassachusetts 
and  Connecticut  respectively,  and  of  Puritan  stock.  Calvin  passed  his 
boyhood  on  a  farm,  attended  the  common  schools  at  intervals,  and  so  re- 
mained at  home  until  he  was  of  age,  thereafter  working  for  himself  at  $12 
per  month.  August,  1846,  he  married  Miss  Louisa,  a  daughter  of  Thomas 
Peterson,  to  which  union  were  born  two  children,  both  deceased.  Mrs. 
Piatt  died  in  April,  1853,  and  in  August,  1854,  Mr.  Piatt  wedded  Angelina 
Camp,  of  Mahoning  County,  Ohio,  and  to  this  marriage  were  born  seven 
children — Erastus  D.,  Julia  (deceased),  Jabez,  Eben,  Presly,  Elizabeth 
and  Adella.  This  wife  died,  April,  1883.  Mr.  Piatt  moved  to  this 
county  in  March,  1855,  settled  on  160  acres,  which  he  partially  improved, 
and  where  he  remained  about  twelve  years,  at  which  time  he  removed  to 
his  present  home  and  farm,  which  is  well  improved,  planted,  and  contain- 
ing considerable  stock.  Mr.  Piatt  has  in  all  316  acres.  While  in  Ohio, 
he  served  as  Constable  and  Deputy  Sheriff.  He  is  an  active  Republican, 
and  a  worthy  citizen. 

DAVID 'W.  POLING  was  born  June  3,  1838,  in  Marion  County, 
W.  Va.,  and  is  the  youngest  of  the  three  children  of  Jonas  and  Rachel 
(Pitzer)  Poling,  natives  respectively  of  New  Jersey  and  Virginia,  and  of 
English  and  German  descent.  David  W.  Poling  received  a  good  educa- 
tion— so  good  that  he  became  a  teacher,  and  taught  eighteen  terms  of 
school.  He  remained  with  his  parents  until  August  25,  1858,  when  he 
married  Ann  Eliza  Barrick,  of  Noble  County,  Ohio,  and  to  this  union 
six  children  have  been  born — William  H.,  Susan  A.,  Henry  B.,  Ida  M., 
Samuel  C.  and  Fletcher.  In  September,  1864,  he  enlisted  in  Company  C, 
Twenty-seccmd  Indiana  Regiment,  and  was^ engaged  in  the  battle  of 
Nashville  and  the  Southeastern  campaign;  was  in  the  grand  review  at 


JACKSON  TOWNSHIP.  781 

Washington,  and  was  discharged  June,  1865.  In  1848,  our  subject  came 
to  Noble  County,  Ind.,  with  his  parents,  who  engaged  in  farming.  In 
1861,  our  subject  moved  to  this  county  and  divided  his  time  between 
teaching  and  farming;  he  owns  eighty  acres  at  Needmore,  besides  a 
house  and  lot.  Mr.  Poling  was  elected  Justice  of  the  Peace  for  two 
terms,  and  December,  1882,  was  commissioned  Notary  Public.  In  poli- 
tics, he  is  a  Republican. 

JOHN  RICHARDS,  farmer  and  stock-breeder,  was  born  August  7, 
1808,  in  Hawkins  County,  Tenn.,  and  is  of  the  family  of  Michael  and 
Charity  (Hubbard)  Richards,  the  first  a  native  of  Germany,  the  second  of 
North  Carolina.  John  Richards  came  hither  with  his  parents  in  1816, 
and  located  in  Washington  Township,  where  Michael  Richards  entered 
land  and  improved  the  same.  After  our  subject  was  sixteen  he  lived 
with  his  grandfather,  and  later  engaged  in  pipestave  making  and 
flat-boating  until  1830,  when  he  returned  to  this  locality  to  remain.  He 
entered  forty  acres  about  the  time  of  the  county's  organization,  to  which 
land  he  added  until  he  had  500  acres,  and  has  owned  more  land,  per- 
haps, than  any  man  now  living  here.  He  possesses  940  acres  on  Bear 
Creek  with  some  improvements  and  good  orchards,  besides  other  farm 
lands,  and  having  given  to  his  children  500  acres,  all  the  conquest  of  his 
industry  and  ability,  he  having  once  cut  wood  at  25  cents  a  cord,  and 
made  rails  for  25  cents  a  hundred.  March  22,  1832,  Mr.  Richards  married 
Priscilla  Parks,  which  union  was  honored  by  seven  children — Stephen 
A.,  Marian,  Columbus,  Commodore  Perry  (died  in  the  army),  Mary  Jane, 
Michael  and  John,  the  last  three  deceased.  After  the  death  of  his  wife. 
May  21,  1846,  Mr.  Richards  wedded,  January  13,  1847,  Joanna  Stipp, 
with  issue  of  six  children  He  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Christian 
Church.  The  paternal  grandfather  of  Mr.  Richards  lived  to  be  one 
hundred  and  eleven,  and  his  maternal  grandfather  to  be  ninety- four 
years  old.  Mr.  Richards  has  served  as  Constable,  Justice  of  the  Peace 
and  County  Commissioner. 

STEPHEN  A.  RICHARDS,  farmer,  was  born  May  6,  1833,  in  this 
county,  and  is  the  eldest  of  the  family  of  John  and  Priscilla  (Parks)  Rich- 
ards, natives  of  Tennessee.  Stephen  was  reared  to  farming,  but  became  a 
teacher  and  lived  at  home  until  July  17,  1855,  when  he  married  Mary  C. 
Richardson,  and  to  this  union  were  born  six  children,  four  living — John 
A.,  Joanna,  Byron  and  Mary  C.  September,  1864,  Mr.  Richards  en- 
listed in  the  service,  but  afterward  hired  a  substitute  and  began  the  study 
of  medicine,  which  he  soon  abandoned.  He  has  now  160  acres,  in  good 
cultivation  and  with  varied  improvements.  In  1875,  he  and  brother  es- 
tablished the  first  store  at  Richards,  carrying  on  merchandise  in  general 
for  one  year,  when  the  same  was  sold  to  their  father.  January  28,  1884, 
Mr.  Richards  was  appointed  Postmaster  at  Richards,  and  for  many 
years  carried  on  a  grist  mill  in  the  same  place.  He  is  a  leading  Demo- 
crat and  an  honored  citizen.     Mr.  Richards'  farm  contains  gold. 

JOHN  RICHARDSON,  farmer,  was  born  in  Tennessee  January  16, 
1820,  and  is  the  second  of  fourteen  children  born  to  William  and  Sarah 
(Stephens)  Richardson,  natives  of  Tennessee.  John  Richardson  passed 
his  youth  at  school  and  in  attending  to  the  farm  duties,  his  parents  hav- 
ing moved  to  Monroe  County,  this  State.  Januarv  16,  1843,  he  married 
Serilda  Bull,  and  to  this  union  were  born  six  children — Jacob,  William, 
Richard,  Owen  A.,  James  M.  and  Sarah  Jane;  this  mother  died  in 
November,  1855,    and  March   15,  1856,  Mr.    Richardson    wedded  Mrs. 


782  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

Kelley,  fi'ora  which  mai-riage  descended  two  children — Nancy  C.  and 
Rebecca  A.  This  lady  also  died — May  24,  1863 — and  on  July  14,  of 
that  year,  Mr.  Richardson  was  joined  to  Anna  Stephens,  to  which  last 
alliance  were  born  nine  children,  of  whom  five  are  living — Jourdan  L., 
Theodosia  E.,  John  K.,  Cordelia  F.  and  Daniel  Boone.  Mr.  Richardson 
moved  to  his  present  place  in  1855,  purchasing  120  and  adding  after- 
ward 40  acres,  of  which  he  now  owns  113  acres,  which  are  well 
improved  and  planted.  He  is  in  politics  a  Democrat,  and  he  and  wife 
commune  with  the  Baptists. 

WILLIAM  R.  RITTER.  farmer,  was  born  in  this  township 
May  13,  1839,  and  is  the  third  of  ten  children  granted  to  Jesse  and 
Sarah  Ritter,  both  natives  of  Tennessee  and  of  Dutch  descent.  William 
R.  Ritter  was  raised  on  a  farm,  received  but  a  limited  education,  having 
in  all  about  one  year's  schooling.  W^hen  sixteen  years  old,  he  left  his 
father's  roof  and  went  to  Shelby  County,  where  he  remained  working  by 
the  month  until  he  was  twenty-one  years  of  age,  the  first  year  at  $85, 
the  second  at  $115,  and  when  his  majority  was  reached  he  had  saved 
$400;  he  then  returned  to  this  county,  and  here  worked  by  the  month 
for  a  time.  February  1 1,  1862,  he  married  Hannah  M.  Fleener,  daugh- 
ter of  Jacob  and  Hannah  Fleener,  to  which  union  succeeded  one  child — 
Jesse  Anderson.  After  marriage  Mr.  Ritter  located  nine  miles  south- 
west of  Shelby ville,  and  in  1869  moved  to  where  he  now  lives,  and  owns 
120  acres,  which  land  is  improved  and  adorned  in  the  best  manner — all 
the  result  of  his  labor  and  saving.  He  is  a  Democrat,  a  good  citizen  and 
honorable  gentlemen. 

WILLIAM  SNIDER,  stock-raiser  and  farmer,  was  born  January  18, 
1839,  in  this  county,  and  is  the  fifth  of  the  eleven  children  given  to 
William  and  Elizabeth  (Brummet)  Snider,  natives  respectively  of  Ken- 
tucky and  Tennessee,  and  of  German  and  German-Irish  extraction.  Our 
subject  was  brought  up  to  the  plow,  received  some  schooling,  and  re- 
mained to  assist  his  parents  until  his  marriage  to  Sarah  Brummet,  to 
which  union  were  born  six  children— Cordelia  (deceased),  Margaret 
(deceased),  Elizabeth  (deceased),  Ewing,  Shockey  and  Oscar;  after  the 
death  of  this  mother,  July  10,  1875,  Mr.  Snider  was  united  with  Ellen 
Cornett,  February  17,  1876.  He  owns  135  acres  where  he  now  makes 
his  home,  which  is  improved,  adorned  and  cultivated.  He  is  also  owner 
of  160  acres  in  Woodrufif  County,  Ark.,  and  gives  some  attention  to  stock. 
In  1863,  he  moved  to  Monroe  County,  Ind.,  purchased  220  acres,  sold  the 
same  in  1882,  and  then  removed  to  his  present  home.  Politically,  Mr. 
Snider  is  an  active  Democrat,  and  gave  his  first  vote  for  Stephen  A. 
Douglas.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity  and  of  the  Christian 
Church,  while  Mrs.  Snider  belongs  to  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 

ALEXANDER  C.  SPENCER,  M.  D.,  was  born  December  27,  1846, 
in  Monroe  County,  Ind.,  and  is  the  fifth  of  the  eight  children  born  to 
James  W.  and  Nancy  (Alexander)  Spencer,  both  natives  of  Kentucky. 
Our  subject  was  reared  to  farming,  and  after  some  time  at  the  common 
schools  he  attended  the  State  University  for  one  year.  When  twenty- 
two  years  old  he  began  the  work  of  self  sustenance,  and  in  1870  was 
elected  County  Surveyor  for  one  term  ;  he  then  traveled  further  West. 
In  1876,  he  entered  on  the  study  of  medicine  with  Dr.  Campbell,  of  this 
county,  and  in  1883  graduated  from  the  Central  Medical  College  at  Indi- 
anapolis. October  23,  1881,  he  married  Annie  E.  Prosser,  of  this 
county,  but  a  native  of  West  Virginia.      To  this  union  has  been  born  one 


JACKSON  TOWNSHIP.  783 

child — Virgil  B.  F.  Dr.  Spencer  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity. 
lie  was  elected  Assessor  of  Benton  Township,  Monroe  County,  for  two 
years  ;  was  School  Commissioner  and  County  Surveyor  for  thirty  years, 
and  is  an  active  Democrat.  He  is  a  reputable  citizen  and  a  promising 
practitioner.     He  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Presbyterian  Church. 

JOHN  W.  STEPHENS  is  a  native  of  this  township,  was  born  Au- 
gust 26,  1858,  and  is  the  third  of  the  four  boys  and  two  girls  bora  to 
Jordan  and  Zilpha  (Huff)  Stephens,  natives  of  Indiana.  Our  subject 
was  reared  to  the  labor  of  the  farm  and  the  acquirement  of  education. 
He  was  elected  Constable  some  time  ago,  and  is  now  a  prominent  candi- 
date for  re-election.  Jordan  Stephens  is  a  pioneer  of  this  county,  en- 
tered eighty  acres  where  now  lives,  being  a  practical  farmer.  February 
24,  1830,  he  married  Agnes  Chandler,  moved  to  this  county  in  1847,  and 
settled  in  this  township.  These  parents  had  born  to  them  live  boys  and 
two  girls.  John  W.  Stephens  is  a  promising  gentleman,  mentally  and 
physically.  He  stands  six  feet  seven  inches  in  his  shoeless  feet,  and 
weighs  210  pounds.  He  is  a  prominent  Democrat  for  so  young  a  man, 
and  a  generally  respected  citizen. 

WILLIAM  E.  STUART,  farmer  and  stock-raiser,  was  born  Decem- 
ber 22,  1823,  in  Hancock  County,  W.  Va.,  and  is  the  third  of  the  eight 
children  of  Joseph  and  Elizabeth  (Campbell)  Stuart,  both  of  Scotch  de- 
scent, and  respectively  natives  of  Pennsylvania  and  "West  Virginia. 
The  great-grandfather  of  our  subject  was  the  single  member  of  his  fam- 
ily left  after  the  battle  of  Culloden,  Scotland.  The  grandfather  of  our 
subject  was  the  only  one  of  his  family  spared  by  the  great  London 
plague,  and  immigrated  to  America.  "William  E.  Stuart  in  company  with 
his  father  engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  fire  brick  in  1842,  and  which 
was  continued  until  1866,  flat-boating  their  wares  to  New  Orleans  and 
other  Southern  markets,  the  last  brick  descending  the  Mississippi  in  1861. 
In  1866,  Mr.  Stuart  came  to  Indiana,  settled  on  his  present  residence 
site,  and  purchased  240  acres  of  well-improved  and  appointed  land,  com- 
bining a  good  home  and  farm.  March  7,  1850,  he  married  Hezaniah 
Campbell,  of  Pennsylvania.  This  union  gave  being  to  three  children — 
Elizabeth  Virginia,  John  and  Joseph  William.  Mr.  Stuart  is  a  Demo- 
crat, an  honored  citizen,  and  he  and  wife  belong  to  the  Presbyterian 
Church. 

ISAAC  S.  WADE,  merchant,  was  born  December  7,  1826,  in  Bel- 
mont County,  Ohio,  and  is  a  son  of  Owen  S.  and  Margaret  (Strahl) 
Wade,  natives  respectively  of  North  Carolina  and  Ohio.  Isaac  S.  lost 
his  mother  in  infancy  and  was  reared  by  a  sister,  afterward  removing  to 
Noble  County,  where  he  learned  harness-making  and  subsequently  shoe- 
making.  In  1861,  he  moved  to  this  county,  where  he  worked  at  shoe- 
making  for  about  ten  years;  moved  to  Needmore,  engaged  in  general 
merchandising  Buccessfully,  now  having  as  tine  a  store  as  the  county  af- 
fords, and  doing  a  very  fine  trade.  August  3,  1858,  he  married  Elizabeth 
Headley,  and  to  them  have  been  born  two  children — Owen  Headley  and 
Mary  Ellen  Thatcher.  Mr,  Wade  was  appointed  Postmaster  October  16, 
1872,  being  the  first  of  such  officers  in  his  town.  He  is  an  honored 
member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity,  and  has  given  his  children  good 
courses  of  instruction.  Ho  is  also  an  Odd  Fellow  and  an  active  Repub- 
lican and  worthy  citizen.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Wade  are  adherents  of  the  Meth- 
odist Episcopal  Church. 


784  BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES: 

THOMAS  WALTMAN  was  born  January  22,  1837,  in  Frederick 
County,  Md.,  and  is  the  sixth  of  eleven  children  born  to  Thomas  and 
Catherine  (Wolf)  Waltman,  natives  of  Maryland.  Our  subject  was 
reared  on  a  farm,  with  a  common  school  education,  and  when  about  nine- 
teen years  old  he  commenced  the  task  of  getting  his  own  living,  and  fol- 
lowed farming  where  his  father  had  entered  160  acres,  and  purchased 
the  first  mill,  which  mill  our  subject  has  since  managed.  March,  1862, 
he  married  Ann  L.  Ellender,  to  which  union  were  born  eight  children, 
six  of  them  livicg  to  day — Hiram  D.,  Armilda,  Minnie  May,  Gresilda, 
John  and  Bessie.  Mr.  Waltman  is  the  possessor  of  400  acres,  under 
good  cultivation,  improved  with  comfortable  residence,  fair  barns,  and 
other  appurtenances  for  use  and  value,  all  of  which  were  acquired  by  in- 
dustry and  skill.  Mr.  Waltman  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity; 
is  a  Democrat,  and  has  served  as  County  Commissioner  for  two  terms. 
He  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Baptist  Church. 

WILLIAM  M.  WALTMAN  is  a  native  of  Georgetown,  Brown  Coun- 
ty, Ind.,  was  born  November  15,  1844,  and  is  the  tenth  child  of  Thomas 
and  Catherine  (Wolf)  Waltman,  natives  of  Maryland  and  of  German  ex- 
traction. The  grandfather  of  our  siibject,  Michael  Waltman,  was  a  sol- 
dier of  the  Revolution.  William  M.  Waltman,  at  the  age  of  fourteen 
years,  went  to  work  in  a  tannery,  where  he  labored  some  years.  Novem- 
ber 15,  1865,  he  married  Mary  E.  Moser,  which  nuptials  resulted  in  nine 
children — Walter  V.,  Edgar  C,  Hattie  L.,  Thomas  M.  (deceased),  John 
A.,  Charles  G.,  Maggie,  Bertie  W.  and  Rubie.  Mr.  Waltman  is  the 
possessor  of  180  acres,  80  being  improved,  constituting  a  good  home 
and  valuable  property.  He  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  1874.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  Freemasons,  and  a  charter  member  of  Lodge  527.  He  is 
a  self-made  man  truly,  and  has  accumulated  his  property  and  acquired 
his  good  name  by  industry  and  ability.  He  is  now  Notary  Public  at 
Georgetown,  and  esteemed  as  an  honorable,  benevolent  citizen.  He  and 
Mr.  Chatin  were  the  founders  of  the  Brown  County  Democrat.  Mr.  Walt- 
man, Sr.,  was  one  of  the  first  promoters  of  the  Brown  County  Old  Set- 
tlers' Association.  The  grandfather  of  Mrs.  Waltman  was  a  soldier  of 
the  war  of  1812. 

DR.  JAMES  G.  WARD  was  born  July  25,  1845,  in  W^illiamsburg, 
Johnson  County,  Ind. ,  and  is  the  third  of  the  ten  children  of  Dr.  Rufus 
and  Clementine  D.  D.  J.  M.  (Alexander)  Ward,  natives  respectively  of 
Virginia  and  Kentucky,  the  former  being  one  of  the  oldest  practitioners 
of  Johnson  County.  Our  subject,  during  youth,  received  a  fair  educa- 
tion, and  December,  1862,  he  enlisted  in  Company  I,  Tenth  Indiana 
Cavalry,  and  was  engaged  in  the  following  battles:  Decatur,  Nashville, 
Franklin  and  Mobile,  and  was  discharged  in  the  fall  of  1865.  After  this 
event,  he  attended  school  at  Blooraington,  and  thereafter  farmed  until 
1868,  when  he  engaged  in  saw-milling  for  three  years.  In  1872,  he  com- 
menced the  study  of  medicine  with  Dr.  Maxwell,  attended  lectures  at 
Indianapolis  in  1883-84,  having  practiced  at  Bloomington;  he  now  re- 
sides at  Bean  Blossom,  and  has  a  good  practice.  March  24,  1863,  while 
on  furlough,  he  married  Serepta  Peterson,  by  which  union  were  produced 
six  children — Ida  B.,  Rufus,  Mahlon  (deceased),  Bezeta  Clementine, 
Harrison  Gammell  and  Hannah  J.  Dr.  Ward  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic 
fraternity,  a  Republican  in  politics,  an  esteemed  citizen  and  a  successful 
practitioner  of  medicine 


HAMBLEN  TOWNSHIP.  785 


HAMBLEN  TOWNSHIP. 

ABRAHAM  CANARY,  stock-raiser  and  farmer,  was  born  in  Mercer 
County,  Ky.,  April  12,  1819,  and  is  the  second  of  the  four  children  of 
Michael  and  Elizabeth  (Gashwooler)  Canary,  natives  of  Kentucky  and  of 
German  descent,  who  moved  to  this  State  in  1829,  located  in  Johnson 
County,  entered  land  and  commenced  the  work  of  making  a  home  and  a 
farm,  where  Mr.  Canary  housed  his  family,  reared  four  childx-en  and  died 
in  1861,  aged  eighty -three  years.  Abraham  was  reared  on  the  home 
place,  and  shortly  after  reaching  his  majority  married  Mias  Mary,  daugh- 
ter of  Thomas  McDaniel,  and  thereafter  engaged  in  farming  in  John- 
son County,  until  1861,  when  he  moved  to  this  township,  and  in  Au- 
gust of  that  year  enlisted  in  Company  D,  Eighty-second  Regi- 
ment Indiana  Volunteer  Infantry,  served  three  years,  and  took  part  at 
Lookout  Mountain,  Buzzard's  Roost,  Missionary  Ridge,  Murfreesboro, 
Stone  River,  Perry ville,  the  Atlanta  campaign  and  Gen.  Sherman's 
march  to  the  sea.  At  Scorcby  Valley  he  was  captured,  held  nine  days, 
paroled,  and  thirty-five  days  later  joined  his  regiment.  June,  1864,  he 
was  discharged  and  resumed  farming,  having  now  a  well-improved, 
stocked,  cultivated  farm  of  100  acres.  October  31,  1881,  Mrs.  Canary 
died,  and  September  1,  1882,  he  wedded  America  Perkins.  Mr.  Canary 
is  a  strong,  aggressive  Democrat,  also  a  valued  citizen. 

WILLIAM  CRABB,  dealer  in  general  merchandise  at  Spearsville, 
was  born  in  Jefferson  County,  Ohio,  April  23,  1823,  and  is  the  youngest 
of  the  twelve  children  bestowed  upon  Henry  and  Ann  (George)  Crabb, 
natives  of  Pennsylvania  and  of  Irish  and  German  extraction  respectively. 
"William's  paternal  grandmother  was  a  member  of  the  Keller  family. 
He  remained  with  his  parents  on  the  farm  until  1854,  when  he  moved 
from  Ohio  to  Indiana,  located  at  Unionville.  engaged  jointly  in  farming 
and.  selling  goods,  remained  one  year,  came  then  to  Spearsville  and  has 
been  engaged  in  the  mercantile  line  for  more  than  thirty  years,  being  the 
oldest  merchant  of  the  place,  with  a  large  and  established  trade.  He 
has  also  a  tine  peach  orchard  near  this  town.  Mr.  Crabb  has  been  four 
times  married,  first,  to  Eleanor  Taylor,  in  1846,  with  an  outcome  of  one 
child— Henry  Newton.  Mrs.  Crabb  died  in  1849,  and  he  then  married 
Matilda  Moore,  also  with  an  outcome  of  one  child — Mary  J. ;  this  mother 
died  in  1851,  and  he  married  Elizabeth  Peterson,  with  an  issue  of  six 
children — Seward,  Alice,  William  R.,  Keller  E.,  Lena  and  Maud  E.,  of 
which  number  the  third  and  fourth  are  teachers;  this  lady  died  January 
1,  1878,  when  he  married  Keziah  Tracy.  Mr.  Crabb  is  a  member  of  the 
Greenback  party,  and  he  and  wife  are  members  of  the  church — the  first 
of  the  Presbyterian  and  tbe  latter  of  the  Christian  Church. 

JOHN  B.  CRAVEN,  stock-raiser  and  farmer,  is  a  native  of  England, 
was  born  December  15,  1848,  and  is  the  eldest  of  the  eleven  children  of 
William  and  Mary  Craven,  also  natives  of  England,  who  emigrated  to 
the  United  States  in  1853.  John  B.  Craven  was  reared  to  the  profession 
of  agriculture,  educated  in  the  schools  of  Ohio  and  Indiana,  and  remained 
with  and  assisted  his  parents  in  making  a  home  and  clearing  a  farm  in 


786  BIOGRAPHICAL    SKETCHES: 

this  county,  whither  they  had  moved  in  1864.  After  his  majority  he 
returned  to  Ohio  and  assisted  to  clear  as  a  farm-hand  until  September  7, 
1871,  when  he  married  Martha  A.,  daughter  of  William  and  Nancy 
(Gof orth)  Hamblen ;  the  product  of  this  union  was  three  children — Mary 
Almie,  Nancy  Olive  and  Essie  Myrtle.  Mr.  Craven  has  a  good  farm  of 
sixty  acres,  which  has  been  cultivated  and  is  well  improved,  stocked  with 
mules,  cattle  and  hogs,  making  a  very  agreeable  home  and  a  valuable 
property — all  of  which  is  wholly  the  consequence  of  his  application  and 
constancy  to  business.     He  is  a  much  esteemed  and  liberal  citizen. 

WILLIAM  B.  GRAY,  was  born  in  Monroe  County,  Ind.,  November 
19,  1832,  and  is  the  ninth  of  the  family  of  Andrew  and  Nancy  (Bass) 
Gray,  natives  of  Kentucky.  Our  subject  was  reared  a  farmer,  obtained 
a  mediocre  education,  lived  at  home  until  he  was  of  age,  then  went  to 
Illinois,  and  worked  by  the  month,  purchased  a  saw  mill  and  managed 
the  same  for  three  years,  and  in  1860,  returned  to  Indiana,  where,  on  the 
29th  of  November,  he  married  Miranda  Caughron.  of  Johnson  County, 
which  union  gave  being  to  seven  children — Andrew  W.  (deceased),  Ida 
May  (deceased),  Mary  L.,  Florence  E.  (deceased),  W^ilber  G.,  Cyrus 
Edgar  and  Miranda  (deceased).  Mr.  Gray  enlisted  March  1,  1864,  in 
Company  I,  Twenty-second  Regiment  Indiana  Volunteers,  and  was  in 
the  battles  of  Rome,  Kenesaw,  Peach  Tree  Creek,  Jonesboro,  Atlanta, 
Bentonville,  and  was  in  the  Washington  grand  review.  After  his  dis- 
charge, August,  1865,  as  Corporal,  he  resumed  the  plow.  He  owns  a 
farm  of  excellent  quality  and  in  high  cultivation,  with  good  buildings, 
barns,  orchard  and  the  like — all  obtained  by  his  thrift  and  economy.  Mr. 
Gray  is  an  earnest  Republican,  an  esteemed  citizen,  and  he  and  wife  have 
been  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  since  the  year  1846. 

REV.  ANDREW  B.  GRAY  is  a  native  of  Monroe  County,  Ind.,  was 
born  March  12,  1834,  and  is  one  of  six  boys  and  eight  girls  descended 
from  Andrew  and  Nancy  (Bass)  Gray.  Andrew  was  brought  up  on  a  farm, 
and  when  not  engaged  in  farm  duties,  during  the  winters,  attended  the 
accessible  schools;  he  afterward  went  to  Asbury  University  for  one  year, 
and  then  taught  five  terms  in  this  county.  January  15,  1856,  he  married 
Sarah  J.,  daughter  of  David  and  Mary  Shaffer,  and  to  them  were  bestowed 
seven  children — G.  O.  Norman,  Addie  Bell,  Corinne  Juliet,  Sarah  Rox- 
anna,  Mary  Alice,  Arthur  Leon  and  Charles  William.  In  1845,  Mr.  Gray 
settled  where  he  now  resides,  on  40  acres  of  his  father's  pre-emption. 
August,  1862,  he  enlisted  in  Company  D,  Eighty-second  Indiana  Volun- 
teer Infantry,  soon  after  which  event  he  took  measles,  and  was  in  conse- 
quence discharged.  He  is  aa  active  Republican,  and  was  appointed  to 
fill  a  vacancy  as  Trustee,  caused  by  the  real  Trustee's  enlistment.  Mr. 
Gray  is  an  esteemed  citizen,  one  of  the  county's  ablest  friends,  and  he 
and  wife  are  consistent  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 

REV.  WILLIAM  HAMBLEN,  minister  and  farmer,  was  born  in  Lee 
County,  Va.,  July  31,  1814,  and  is  a  son  of  John  M.  and  Mary  (Camp- 
bell) Hamblen,  respectively  natives  of  North  Carolina  and  Maryland,  and 
of  English  and  Irish  extraction.  William  Hamblen  was  reared  to  farm- 
ing in  Virginia,  and  learned  boot  and  shoe  making,  and  in  1836  emigrated 
to  this  State,  entered  Government  land,  and  has  since  made  this  county 
his  home.  In  June,  1846,  he  enlisted  for  the  Mexican  war  in  the  Third 
Regiment  Indiana  Volunteer  Infantry,  and  was  discharged  after  six 
months.  Returning  home,  he  followed  his  trade  until  1856,  at  which 
time  he  was  ordained  a  minister  of  the  United  Brethren  Church,  to  which 


HAMBLEN  TOWNSHIP.  787 

he  devoted  his  attention  until  the  year  1872,  when  he  changed  to  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church  South.  June  10,  1839,  he  married  Miss 
Nancy,  daughter  of  William  and  Juriah  (Barnes)  Goforth.  Seven  chil- 
dren have  crowned  this  union — Elizabeth  Jane,  Mary,  John  William 
(deceased),  Richard,  Williamson,  Sai-ah  C,  and  Martha  A.  Rev.  Mr. 
Hamblen  is  a  Democrat  in  politics,  and  gave  his  first  vote  for  Martin  Van 
Buren  in  1836.  As  a  practical  farmer,  he  has  been  successful,  now  own- 
ing and  controlling  a  farm  of  forty  acres. 

GEORGE  W.  HAMBLEN,  farmer  and  stock-raiser,  was  born  in  this 
township  August  4,  1847,  and  is  the  sixth  of  seven  children  descended 
from  Jesse  and  Raehael  (Taggart)  Hamblen.  George  W.  was  reared  at 
home,  assisted  his  father  on  the  farm,  obtained  a  good  common  school 
education,  and  so  continued  until  manhood.  July  2,  1871,  he  married 
Miss  Mary  E.,  daughter  of  Alanson  and  Eliza  (Clemons)  Corwin,  and  a 
native  of  Bartholomew  County,  Ind.  This  union  gave  being  to  four 
children — Edward,  Addie,  Omer  and  Nettie.  Mr.  Hamblen  is  owner  of  a 
190- acre  farm,  under  good  improvement,  with  valuable  stock  and  em- 
bellishments, all  of  which  he  has  acquired  by  his  indomitable  will  and  un 
aided  efforts.  He  is  a  worthy  and  honored  citizen  of  his  township,  and, 
with  Mrs.  Hamblen,  a  consistent  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church. 

DAVID  JAMES,  dealer  in  general  merchandise,  at  Spearsville,  is  a 
native  of  Noble  County,  Ohio,  was  born  February  8,  1849,  and  is  the 
third  of  the  six  in  family  born  to  Theodore  and  Clarissa  (Merry)  James, 
natives  of  Ohio,  and  of  German  extraction.  David  James  attended 
school  and  was  reared  in  Ohio.  August  17,  1867,  he  married  Miss 
Hannah,  daughter  of  Abram  M.  and  Helen  (Hart)  Bryan,  and  to  this 
happy  pair  were  bestowed  seven  children,  five  of  whom  are  living — Or- 
pha  A.,  Olive  B.,  Gracie  M.  B.,  Orvel  S.  and  Reed  C.  In  1871,  Mr. 
James  emigrated  to  this  township,  purchased  land  near  Georgetown, 
farmed  four  years,  then  sold,  rented  land  for  one  year,  and  engaged  in 
produce-dealing  for  three  years,  after  which  experiment  he  moved  to 
Spearsville  in  1879,  and  engaged  most  successfully  in  his  present  line. 
Mr.  James  has  been  a  useful  and  diligent  citizen,  having  contributed 
more,  perhaps,  to  the  growth  and  prosperity  of  the  town  than  any  one 
other  person.  He  is  a  Democrat  by  party  preference,  a  prominent  citi- 
zen, and  he,  his  wife  and  two  daughters  are  members  of  the  church,  of 
which  our  subject  is  an  assistant  Class  Leader. 

ALFRED  A.  KNEE,  Postmaster,  grocerymau  and  shoe-maker  at 
Spearsville,  was  born  in  Tuscarawas  County,  Ohio,  May  7,  1834,  and  is 
the  eldest  of  the  ten  children  of  Philip  and  Frances  Knee,  natives  of 
Pennsylvania  and  of  German  extraction.  Alfred  A.  Knee  received  his 
education  and  grew  to  mature  age  in  Ohio,  where,  as  well  as  in  Indiana, 
he  taught  school  for  a  time.  May  7,  1861,  he  married  Elizabeth  Sharp, 
a  native  of  Ohio,  who  died  in  1866,  having  beea  the  mother  of  thi'ee 
children,  all  deceased.  August  7,  1862,  Mr.  Knee  enlisted  in  the  One 
Hundred  and  Second  Ohio  Regiment,  in  which  he  served  three  years, 
being  in  the  Army  of  the  Cumberland.  They  were  at  the  battle  of  De- 
catur, and  pursued  Gen.  Forrest  through  several  towns.  In  1863-64,  he 
suffered  from  rheumatism  and  otorrhoea,  and  has  since  been  deaf  in  the 
right  ear.  After  his  discharge,  he  followed  farming  and  shoe-making. 
In  1870,  he  married  Nancy  E.  Tracy,  of  Belmont  County,  Ohio,  but 
without  issue.    In  1877,  Mr.  Knee  located  in  Spearsville  as  a  shoe-maker, 


788  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES: 

and  December,  1881,  engaged  in  his  present  business;  he  was  afterward 
appointed  Postmaster,  and  is  yet  doing  duty.  He  controls  a  farm  of 
sixty  acres,  having  good  improvements  and  a  number  of  horses,  cattle 
and  hogs.  In  politics,  he  is  a  Republican,  and,  with  Mrs.  Knee,  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Christian  Church. 

JAMES  W.  McILYAIN  was  bora  June  29,  1814,  in  Belmont  County, 
Ohio,  and  is  a  son  of  Andrew  and  Anna  (Spear)  Mcllvain,  natives  of 
Delaware,  and  respectively  of  Irish  and  English  descent.  Our  subject 
was  reared  on  a  farm  and  remained  at  home  until  he  became  of  age. 
April  2,  1835;  he  married  Miss  Louisa  B.  Mead,  a  native  of  Virginia, 
and  to  their  union  were  granted  seven  children — Elizabeth  (deceased), 
Joseph  A.  (killed  at  the  battle  of  Atlanta),  Leander  J.,  James  E.,  Crary 
J.,  Milton  H.  and  Lovina  Amanda  Malvina.  Mr.  Mcllvain  moved  to  his 
present  residence  in  1845,  containing  520  acres  entered  by  him  in  1841, 
of  which  be  now  has  240  acres,  having  given  considerable  to  his  children. 
He  has  long  been  known  for  his  benevolent  acts,  and  has  been  a  member 
of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  since  his  eighteenth  year;  had  a 
church  built  within  forty  rods  of  his  house,  and  has  been  a  Steward  in 
that  denomination  for  forty-five  years.  He  was  elected  Justice  of  the 
Peace  under  the  old  Constitution;  in  1847,  one  of  the  three  Trustees  of 
township,  and  again  elected  Jiistice  in  1874,  being  commissioned  by 
Govs.  Hendricks  and  Williams.  He  began  voting  with  the  Republicans 
in  1856,  and  is  a  stanch  member  of  that  party.  He  has  had  a  somewhat 
eventful  life,  his  house  having  been  bored  by  bullets  during  the  war  on 
account  of  his  adherence  to  the  Union  cause.  Mr,  Mcllvain  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Masonic  fraternity. 

LEANDER  JOHN  McILVAIN>  farmer  and  raiser  of  stock,  was  born 
February  2,  1842,  in  Belmont  County,  Ohio,  and  is  the  third  child  of 
James  W.  and  Louisa  (Mead)  Mcllvain.  Leander  J.  Mcllvain  was 
reared  on  a  farm,  with  limited  education,  and  remained  with  his  parents 
until  August,  1861,  when  he  enlisted  in  Company  H,  Eighty-second  In- 
diana Volunteer  Infantry,  and  was  engaged  at  Perryville,  Stone  River, 
Murfreesboro,  Ch  ickamauga,  Peach  Tree  Creek,  Buzzard  Roost,  Missionary 
Ridge,  Atlanta,  Savannah,  Goldsboro  and  Sherman's  march.  He 
was  discharged  June,  1865,  and  returned  to  active  farm  life.  October  25, 
1866,  he  married  Miss  Mary  A.,  daughter  of  William  and  Mary  A. 
Douglass,  and  to  this  union  five  children  were  born — Mary  L,,  James 
William,  Henrietta,  Minnie  Florence  and  Andrew  F.  Mr.  Mcllvain  is  a 
member  of  the  Horse  Thief  and  Felony  Detective  Societies.  In  1867, 
he  located  on  liis  present  farm  of  ninety-eight  acres  of  good  land,  with 
improved  buildings,  orchard,  and  full  supply  of  stock,  etc.  In  politics 
he  is  an  active  Republican;  was  commissioned  Postmaster  in  December, 
1878.     He  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 

EPHRAIM  McKEE,  farmer  and  stock-raiser,  was  born  in  Tuscarawas 
County,  Ohio,  May  2,  1830,  and  is  the  eldest  of  the  seven  children  de- 
scended from  James  and  Cassie  (Morris)  McKee,  natives  respectively  of 
Maryland  and  Pennsylvania,  and  of  Irish  and  Welsh  descent.  Our  sub- 
ject emigrated  from  Ohio  to  this  State,  with  his  parents,  in  1845;  set- 
tled in  this  township  on  Government  land,  made  a  home  from  nature's 
wilds,  and  reared  and  educated  a  family  of  six  children.  After  two 
years,  Mr.  McKee  sold  this  farm  and  purchased  the  tract  on  which  he  now 
resides.  It  comprises  440  acres,  well  cultivated,  improved,  stocked  and 
adorned — a  fine  property  and  commodious  home.     February  17,  1852, 


HAMBLEN  TOWNSHIP.  785 

he  married  Phebe  A.  Stilabwer,  a  native  of  Germany,  to  which  unio^ 
were  born  Michael,  Mary  E.,  Ann  Eliza,  Caroline,  John  H.,  and  Marth^ 
Ellen,  deceased.  Mr.  McKee  is  a  practical  farmer,  who  has  acquired  hi^ 
property  laboriously  and  honestly.  He  is  a  Democrat  in  politics,  and' 
with  his  wife,  a  member  of  the  Lutheran  Church. 

HANNIBAL  I.  MEAD  was  the  sixth  of  the  seven  children  born  to 
Joseph  and  Elizabeth  (Grey)  Mead,  natives  of  Virginia,  and  respectively 
of  English  and  German  descent.  Our  subject  was  born  March  24,  1822, 
in  Virginia.  He  was  reared  to  labor  on  a  farm,  and  was  carried  to  Bel- 
mont County,  Ohio,  by  his  parents  in  18B0;  fourteen  years  later,  he  moved 
to  this  township,  entered  eighty-four  acres,  to  which  he  added  until  he 
owned  300  acres,  and  made  a  comfortable  home  and  a  good  farm.  Octo- 
ber 4,  1848,  he  married  Miss  Nancy  Jane  Hamblen,  of  this  county,  to 
which  union  were  born  three  children — Milo  Milton  (deceased),  Florence 
A.  and  Louisa  Ellen.  Mr.  Mead  was  an  active  Democrat;  has  served 
two  terms  as  Township  Trustee,  three  as  County  Commissioner,  and  was 
serving  as  such  at  the  time  of  his  decease,  March  31,  1878.  He  was  a 
member  of  the  Masonic  order,  and  a  benevolent,  respected  gentleman. 
His  widow  is  living  on  the  homestead,  greatly  esteemed  by  all. 

JOHN  G.  MILNES,  farmer  and  stock-raiser,  is  a.  native  of  Halifax, 
Eng.,  was  born  June  23,  1835,  and  is  descended  from  William  and  Han- 
nah (Greenwood)  Milnes,  the  second  of  their  seven  children.  These  par- 
ents came  to  the  United  States  in  1841,  landed  in  New  York,  came  to 
Johnson  County,  Ind.,  purchased  a  farm,  remained  three  years,  thence 
came  to  this  township,  here  settled  on  land  and  remained  until  their 
deaths — he  in  1853,  she  in  1880.  John  G.  Milnes  was  reared  at  home, 
and  September  6,  1854,  married  Elizabeth  Ann  Porter,  a  native  of  Ohio, 
who  gave  birth  to  ten  children — William,  Louisa.  Ann  M.,  Mary  E,  (de- 
ceased), John  H.  (deceased),  Charles,  Sarah  E.,  Joseph,  Ida  and  Minn'e. 
Mr.  Milnes  has  in  control  and  is  owner  of  384  acres,  which  are  improved 
by  good  residence,  orchard,  and  stocked  with  horses,  cattle  and  sheep, 
the  whole  acquired  by  honest  labor  and  frugality.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Milnes 
are  consistent  and  honored  members  of  the  New  Light  Church,  and  Mr. 
Milnes  is  an  upright  and  esteemed  citizen. 

JAMES  P.  MOSER,  M.  D.,  of  Spearsville.  is  a  native  of  Jackson 
Township,  this  county,  was  born  October  11,  1849,  and  is  the  fifth  of 
the  nine  children  of  Calvin  and  Margaret  (Hunting)  Moser.  James  P. 
was  reared  to  the  duties  of  farm  work,  also  attended  for  some  time  the 
schools  of  his  neighborhood,  and  so  applied  himself  that  he  was  able 
to  teach,  which  he  did  for  awhile,  afterward  entering  the  high  school  at 
Bloomington,  where  he  prepared  himself  to  acquire  a  profession.  He 
further  taught  school,  and  later  entered  the  office  of  Dr.  E.  S  Arwine, 
of  Georgetown,  and  devoted  himself  assiduously  to  the  study  of  medi- 
cine for  two  years,  afterward  attending  lectures  at,  and  graduating  from, 
the  Cincinnati  Medical  College,  June  14,  1876.  August  11,  1870.  Dr. 
Moser  married  Miss  Josephine,  daughter  of  Crawford  and  Elizabeth  Liv- 
ingston. The  result  of  this  union  was  three  children — Laura  V. ,  Boston 
Scott  and  Elmer  Bramble.  Dr,  Moser  located  at  Georgetown  one  year 
after  his  graduation,  thence  moving  to  Spearsville,  where  he  has  success- 
fully and  continuously  practiced  medicine  and  surgery.  He  is  a  member 
of  the  Masonic  fraternity,  a  Democrat,  and  was  Secretary  of  Brown 
County  Board  of  Health  in  1883.  Dr.  and  Mrs.  Moser  are  members  of 
the  Baptist  Church. 


790  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

JOHN  SMITH,  farmer  and  gunsmith,  was  born  in  Wayne  County^ 
Ind.,  May  9,  1827,  and  is  the  second  of  fifteen  children  granted  to 
Charles  and  Nancy  Ann  (Langley)  Smith,  natives  respectively  of  Ten- 
nessee and  North  Carolina,  and  of  Scotch  and  German  extraction,  who 
moved  to  Madison  County  in  1832,  entered  and  cleared  land  and  made  a 
home.  Mrs.  Smith  died  in  1872,  but  Mr.  Smith  is  yet  living.  On  this 
land  our  subject  grew  to  manhood,  and  served  an  apprenticeship  to  gun- 
making  of  seven  years,  afterward  working  as  a  journeyman  for  two  years, 
and  has  since  followed  this  business  for  himself,  being  one  of  the  best 
workmen  in  the  State.  In  January,  1851,  he  married  Miss  Lydia  E., 
daughter  of  Jonathan  West,  which  union  has  been  endeared  by  eleven 
children— George  W. , Charles  C,  Susan,  JosephR.,  Jane,  Jeremiah,  Mary, 
Alice,  Julia,  Rebecca  and  Norah  (deceased).  Mr.  Smith  is  owner  of  an 
improved  farm  of  155  acres,  making  a  good  home,  but  devotes  his  time 
himself  wholly  to  gunsmithing.  He  is  a  Freemason  and  an  Odd  Fellow; 
an  Independent  in  politics,  and  he  aud  wife  are  members  of  the  Mis- 
sionary Baptist  Church. 

WILLIAM  W.  STOCKWELL,  farmer  and  stock-raiser,  was  born  in 
North  Hampton,  Mass.,  February  27,  1829,  and  is  the  third  of  twelve 
children  born  to  William  and  Clarissa  W.  (Whittemore)  Stockwell,  na- 
tives of  Massachusetts,  and  of  English  extraction.  William  W.  Stock- 
well  grew  to  manhood  at  home,  and  attended  the  public  schools  until  he 
became  of  age.  December  6,  1863,  he  married  Mary  M.  Jerome,  which 
union  was  crowned  by  one  child — Frank  J.  Mrs.  Stockwell  died  March 
9,  1867.  After  moving  from  Ohio  to  Indiana,  Mr.  Stockwell  became  a 
sub-mail  contractor,  and  after  two  years  came  to  and  located  in  this 
township.  April  12,  1868,  he  married  Alice  A.  Wisenberg.  with  a  re- 
sult of  two  children — Herbert  W.  and  Florence  L.  Mr.  Stockwell's 
place  comprises  1 11  acres  in  good  cultivation,  and  with  considerable  stock 
and  improvements.  He  has  been  for  years  a  correspondent  of  several  lit- 
erary and  scientific  journals  in  Ohio,  New  York  and  this  State.  He  is 
also  author  of  many  poemt  and  songs  for  camp  and  fireside;  likewise  a 
work  embracing  incidents  in  the  life  of  George  W.  Murray  during  four 
years'  service  in  the  late  war   and  term  of  confinement  in  Libby  Prison. 

AUSTIN  F.  STOCKWELL  is  a  native  of  Ravenna,  State  of  Ohio, 
was  born  August  25,  1834,  and  is  the  fifth  of  the  twelve  children  of 
William  and  Clarissa  (Whittemore)  Stockwell.  Austin  F.  Stockwell 
was  reared  on  the  home  farm,  attended  school  in  boyhood,  and  remained 
with  his  parents  until  he  reached  man's  estate.  March  26,  1859,  he 
married  Miss  Mary  P.,  a  daughter  of  Zedoch  and  Maria  Wright,  which 
union  was  endeared  by  seven  children — Perry  A.,  William  E.,  Vernon 
E.,  Alice  M.,  Franklin  I.,  Myrtle  N.  and  Palmer  R.  The  last  named, 
but  eldest,  born  December  14,  1862,  has  attended  the  Central  Indiana 
Normal  School  and  Business  lustitute,  thereby  fitting  himself  for  an 
educator,  which  profession  he  has  followed  for  four  years.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity  and  also  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church.  August  17,  1864,  our  subject  enlisted  in  Company  C,  One 
Hundred  and  Seventy- seventh  Regiment  Ohio  Volunteer  Infantry;  served 
until  the  close  of  the  war,  and  at  the  battle  of  Shelby ville  Pike,  while 
on  a  "  double-quick,"  received  a  fall  which  has  caused  permanent  disa- 
bility, and  was  discharged  July  28,  1865.  Mr.  Stockwell  is  Treasurer 
and  Quartermaster  of  Adams  Post,  G.  A.  R.,  and  an  esteemed  and 
worthy  citizen.  Mrs.  Stockwell  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church. 


HAMBLEN   TOWNSHIP.  791 

WILLIAM  P.  TAGGrART,  farmer  and  stock-raiser,  is  a  native  of 
this  township,  was  born  May  28.  1832,  and  is  the  second  of  the  nine  in 
family  of  William  and  Sarah  (Mullis)  Taggart,  natives  of  Tennessee,  and 
of  Scotch  and  Irish  extraction  respectively.  Our  subject  was  reared  at 
home,  attended  the  ordinary  schools,  and  assisted  his  parents.  August 
6, 1851,  he  married  Zerelda,  daughter  of  L.  Eliakim  and  Nancy  Hamblen, 
to  which  union  were  born  two  children — Amanda  Jane  and  Martin  El- 
bridge.  Mr.  Taggart  has  a  fine  farm  of  1,000  acres,  which  place  is  well 
stocked,  improved  and  planted — an  enviable  possession,  which  has  been 
wholly  acquired  by  his  unflagging  industry  and  astute  management.  He 
is  a  reputable  citizen,  an  honorable  gentleman,  a  voter  with  the  National 
party,  and  he  and  wife  have  been  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church  for  several  years.  In  1879,  Mr.  Taggart  engaged  in  saw-milling 
on  his  pl-dCe  most  successfully,  and  in  1880  introduced  buhrs  for  grind- 
ing corn. 

JOHN  M.  URICH  is  a  native  of  Eatonsburg,  Penn.,  was  born  May 
30,  1831,  and  is  the  eldest  sou  of  David  and  Ann  (Eckenroad)  Urich, 
who  emigrated  to  Ohio  from  Pennsylvania,  located  in  Mahoning  County, 
and  cleared  and  established  a  home.  They  were  natives  of  Pennsylvania, 
and  parents  of  ten  children — John  M.,  Lucinda,  Absalom,  Lafayette, 
Henry,  Frank,  William  (deceased),  Laura,  Mary  and  James  (deceased). 
Mr.  Urich  left  the  world  in  1850,  aged  lifty-six.  Mrs.  Urich  yet  survives 
on  the  home  farm,  aged  seventy- three.  Our  subject  remained  with  his 
mother  on  the  farm  until  October  14,  1858,  at  which  period  he  married 
Miss  Eliza  M.,  daughter  of  William  and  Clarissa  W.  Stockwell,  which 
union  was  cemented  by  eight  children — W^illiam  W.  (deceased),  Elmer 
E.,  Frank  W.,  Edna  A.,  Ida  M.,  Pearl  J.  (deceased),  Claude  C.  and 
John  E.  Mr.  Urich  is  the  owner  and  manager  of  a  farm  of  100  acres 
of  excellent  land,  productive,  cultivated,  improved  and  stocked.  He 
came  to  this  attractive  home  in  1866,  having  then  removed  from  Ohio. 
He  is  a  respected  citizen  and  a  worthy  gentleman.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Urich 
are  consistent  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 

JACOB  PERRY  WALKER,  stock-raiser  and  farmer,  was  born  in 
Henry  County,  Ky.,  January  27,  1828,  and  is  the  eldest  of  the  twelve 
children  born  to  Samuel  and  Nancy  Young  W^alker,  natives  of  Kentucky 
and  of  German  extraction,  who  emigrated  to  this  State  in  1839,  settled 
in  this  county,  entered  Government  land,  and  reduced  the  forest  and 
wilderness  to  a  home  and  a  farm.  Here  they  resided  thereafter — he 
closing  his  life  in  1874,  leaving  his  wife  to  survive  him,  a  member  of  the 
Christian  Church,  as  was  her  husband.  John  Perry  Walker  obtained  the 
rudiments  of  an  education,  and  remained  at  home  until  May  26,  1858, 
when  he  married  Cynthia  White,  with  an  issue  of  seven  children,  three 
of  whom  are  living — Emily,  David  and  Nancy  M.  The  mother  of  these 
children  died  April,  1877,  and  December  12,  1879,  he  wedded  Rachel 
Amanda  Wright.  Mr.  Walker  is  owner  and  director  of  a  farm  embracing 
240  acres,  in  good  cultivation,  with  good  stock  and  improvements,  giving 
some  attention  to  raising  varieties  of  stock.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Ma- 
sonic body,  a  practical  farmer,  a  Democrat  in  politics,  and  an  upright 
and  respected  citizen. 

SAMUEL  WALKER,  Trustee  of  Hamblen  Township,  is  a  native  of 
this  county,  was  born  February  3,  1847,  and  is  the  fourth  of  the  eight 
children  of  Charles  H.  and  Jane  Raii'den  Walker,  natives  of  Kentucky. 
Our  subject  attended  subscription  school  and  worked  on  the  farm,  and 


792  BIOGRAPHICAL   SKETCHES: 

remained  at  home  until  a  short  time  before  his  majority ,when  he  begjan'to 
care  for  himself  by  working  on  a  farm  and  then  in  a  saw  mill.  January  4, 
1872,  he  married  Miss  Caroline  B.,  daughter  of  John  and  Jane  Gosser, 
to  which  union  succeeded  two  children — Ernest  G.  and  Estal  E.  Mr. 
Walker  is  owner  and  controller  of  160  acres  of  good  and  well-improved 
land,  which  is  fully  stocked  and  equipped,  and  he  is  also  the  proprietor 
of  land  on  which  a  church  and  schoolhouse  have  been  erected.  He  is  a 
voter  of  the  Democratic  stock,  and  is  now  serving  his  second  term  as 
Township  Trustee,  which  service  is  well  and  worthily  appreciated.  He 
has  been  an  industrious,  prudent  man,  and  is  generally  highly  respected, 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Walker  are  consistent  members  of  the  Christian  Church. 

JOHN  M.  WALKER,  dealer  in  dry  goods,  boots  and  shoes,  grocer- 
ies, queensware.  glassware,  etc.,  at  Spearsville,  was  born  in  this  town- 
ship April  20,  1855,  and  is  the  youngest  of  the  family  of  Charles  H.  and 
Jane  Walker.  John  M.  Walker  worked  for  his  father  and  attended  school 
until  he  was  eighteen  years  old,  when  he  commenced  on  his  own  account 
as  a  farm  hand.  January  19,  1882,  he  married  Miss  Sarah  J.,  daughter 
of  Hamilton  R.  and  Margaret  Heskett,  and  to  this  union  two  children 
have  been  born — Elsie  M.  (deceased)  and  Verless.  In  February,  1882, 
Mr.  Walker  abandoned  the  plow  and  the  field,  and  took  up  mercantile 
business  at  Spearsvile,  since  which  date  he  has  done  a  thriving  and  en- 
couraging trade.  He  is  a  first-class  business  man,  an  honorable  citizen, 
a  Democrat  politically,  and  an  advocate  of  justice  and  progress.  Mrs. 
Walker  is  a  member  of  the  Christian  Church. 

WILLIAM  G.  WATSON,  stock-raiser  and  farmer,  is  a  native  of  Mon- 
roe County,  Ind. ;  was  born  November  28,  1833,  and  is  the  eldest  of  the 
family  of  ten  born  to  Jonathan  and  Elizabeth  (Steward)  Watson,  natives 
of  Kentucky,  who  moved  to  this  township  about  1834,  where  they  con- 
tinued throughout  their  lives,  he  dying  in  1867,  she  in  1870,  after  hav- 
ing made  a  home  on  entered  land.  William  remained  with  his  parents 
and  attended  subscription  schools  until  April  6,  1859,  when  he  married 
Rachel  Parsley,  thci  fruit  of  which  alliance  was  seven  children — Louisa, 
William  E.,  Steward,  James  H.  (deceased),  Laura,  Cordia  and  Rufus. 
Mr.  Watson  is  the  owner  of  210  acres  of  quite  well- improved  land,  which 
is  also  fully  stocked  and  adorned,  his  residence  now  being  where  the 
great  spectacle  enterprise  had  its  beginning.  Ho  votes  with  the  Demo- 
cratic party,  has  served  two  terms  as  Assessor  of  this  township,  from  1864 
to  1868  as  Sheriff  of  the  county,  and  in  1870  was  elected  Auditor,  in 
which  service  he  gave  full  satisfaction.  Mr.  Watson  is  a  member  of  the 
Masonic  fraternity  to  the  degree  of  Royal  Arch,  and  he  and  wife  are 
members  of  the  Christian  Church. 

SAMUEL  WEBBER,  farmer,  was  born  in  Noble  County,  Ohio,  Octo- 
ber 27,  1841,  and  is  the  third  of  eight  children  born  to  Ira  and  Hannah 
(Moore)  Webber,  the  former  a  native  of  Maine,  the  latter  of  Virginia, 
who  emigrated  to  this  State  in  1865,  purchased  a  farm  on  Salt  Creek, 
where  Mr.  Webber  died  October  13,  1871,  and  where  his  wife  is  yet  liv- 
ing. Samuel  Webber  grew  to  almost  manhood  on  the  home  place,  and 
October  1,  1861,  enlisted  in  Company  C,  Seventy- seventh  Regiment  Ohio 
Volunteers;  served  three  years  and  participated  in  the  following  engage- 
ments: Shiloh,  Jenkins'  Ferry  and  siege  of  Corinth;  was  wounded  in 
the  leg  before  Corinth,  and  still  carries  the  ball;  he  afterward  was  as- 
signed to  carpenter  svork,  and  was  wounded  in  the  elbow  while  building 
a  bridge  at  Jenkins'  Ferry.      After  his  discharge  in  1864,  he  moved  to 


HAMBLEN  TOWNSHIP. 


793 


Indiana  in  1865,  and  April  23  of  that  year  married  Bethania  C.  Harper, 
who  died  the  succeeding  autumn.  Mr.  Webber  thereafter  came  to  this 
county,  and  resided  with  his  parents  until  September  16,  1866,  at  which 
period  he  married  Miss  Minerva  A. ,  daughter  of  Joshaa  and  Mary  Dean, 
which  union  has  been  endeared  by  five  children — Frank  E.,  James  H., 
Charles  C,  Laura  E.  and  Pearl  E.  Mr.  Webber  is  a  practical  farmer, 
owning  241  acres,  with  a  good  share  of  stock  and  numerous  improve- 
ments. He  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  order,  and  as  a  Democrat  has 
served  his  township  as  Trustee,  also  as  Commissioner,  and  is  a  reputable 
citizen.  He  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Chui'ch. 
SOLOMON  WYATT,  of  Spearsville,  is  a  native  of  New  Jersey,  was 
born  December  19,  1815,  and  is  the  seventh  of  the  nine  children  of  Sol- 
omon and  Sarah  Wyatt,  natives  of  Delaware  and  of  English  descent. 
Our  subject  was  reared  on  a  farm  in  his  native  State,  where  he  worked  on 
the  farm,  attended  the  subscription  schools,  and  afterward  served  an  ap- 
prenticeship of  three  jears  at  trunk-making  in  Philadelphia;  he  then, 
moved  westward  and  located  in  Belmont  County,  Ohio,  where  he  remained 
two  years;  moved  to  Indiana  in  1848,  settled  in  this  township,  purchased 
a  farm,  and  in  1866  moved  to  this  town.  December  29,  1861,  he  married 
Miss  Mary,  daughter  of  Zephaniah  and  Catherine  (Cleft)  Johnson.  Mr. 
Wyatt  is  a  man  self-made  and  independent.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Ma- 
sonic fraternity,  by  political  preference  a  Democrat,  has  donated  land  for 
building  a  church  near  Spearsville,  and  is  a  greatly  respected  citizen. 
Mrs.  Wyatt  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 


VAN  BUREN  TOWNSHIP.  795 


VAN    BUREN    TOWNSHIP. 

ELDER  DAVID  M.  BECK,  ex-County  Superintendent,  was  born 
February  4,  1836,  in  Lawrence  County,  Ind.,  and  is  the  sixth  of  ten  chil- 
dren descended  from  David  and  Elizabeth  (Phillips)  Beck,  the  former  a 
native  of  North  Carolina,  the  latter  of  Kentucky,  who  were  married  in 
Washington  County,  Ind.,  and  in  1850  located  in  this  county,  where  Mr. 
Beck  remained  until  death,  having  given  up  his  ministry  a  few  years  pre- 
viously, which  he  had  followed  thirty  years.  Elder  Beck  grew  to  man- 
hood on  a  farm,  received  a  practical  education,  after  which  he  began 
teaching  in  Lawi-ence  and  Brown  Counties,  having  taught  in  both  twenty- 
three  terms.  August,  1872,  he  commenced  his  ministrations  in  the 
Christian  Church,  to  which  he  still  adheres.  In  1877,  he  was  appointed 
Supei'intendent  of  Brown  County,  and  in  1879  re-appointed.  September, 
1856,  he  married  Miss  Mary  J.  Litten,  who  died  leaving  one  child,  Paris 
M.  (deceased).  March  22'  1862,  he  wedded  Mary  J.  Allen,  to  which 
union  eight  children  were  born — Julia  A.,  Emma  J.,  Lottie  E.,  William 
W.,  Cora  A.,  Laura  L.,  David  C.  and  James  A.  (deceased).  Elder  Beck 
owns  a  good  farm  of  eighty-three  acres,  beautifully  located,  and  with 
many  improvements  and  adornments.  He  is  now  a  Democrat,  also  a 
Prohibitionist,  and  a  worthy,  trusted  and  honored  citizen. 

DR.  MARION  A.  DUNCAN,  physician  and  surgeon  of  Bellsville,  was 
born  June  9,  1855,  in  Marion  County,  Ind.,  and  is  the  eleventh  of  the  thir- 
teen children  of  Alexander  and  Sarah  F.  (Redick)  Duncan,  natives  of 
North  Carolina,  and  respectively  of  Scotch  and  Irish  descent.  Dr.  Dun- 
can was  reared  as  a  farm  boy  near  Nashville,  this  State;  attended  the 
common  schools,  and  one  term  at  the  State  University.  When  quite  a 
boy  he  expressed  a  predilection  to  be  a  doctor,  and  commenced  the  study 
of  medicine  at  twenty- two  years  of  age,  under  Dr.  J.  M.  Cook,  with  whom 
he  remained  one  year,  then  attended  lectm-es  at  the  Ohio  Medical  Col- 
lege; returned  home,  and  began  practice  at  Jonesville  in  1879.  In  1880, 
he  removed  to  Nashville,  staid  two  years,  and  finally  located  at  Bells- 
ville, where  he  has  done  well.  December  23,  1881,  he  married  Miss  Lu- 
cinda  Francis,  born  April  24,  1855,  the  crown  of  which  union  has  been 
two  children — Pearlie  and  Varnie.  Dr.  Duncan  is  a  good  business  man,  a 
promising  physician,  an  energetic  Democrat,  and  a  trusted  citizen.  Mrs. 
Duncan  is  a  member  of  the  Christian  Church. 

ARNOLD  S.  GRIFFITT,  M.  D.,  physician  and  surgeon,  was  born 
September  19,  1840,  in  Morgantown,  Ind.,  and  is  the  sixth  of  twelve 
children  born  to  Reuben  and  Lovina  (Shell)  Griffitt,  both  deceased,  na- 
tives of  East  Tennessee,  and  of  German  extraction.  Reuben  GrifiStt  was 
Justice  of  the  Peace  for  a  number  of  years,  and  Postmaster  at  Morgan- 
town  for  thirty-three  years.  Arnold  S.  Griffitt  worked  on  a  farm  until 
he  was  twenty-eight  years  of  age;  he  received  the  rudiments  of  an  edu- 
cation in  youth,  and  when  twenty-six  began  studying  medicine  with  Dr. 
J.  L.  Grinnell,  under  whom  he  remained  two  years,  then  attended  lect- 
ures at  Louisville  University,  Kentucky;  graduated  in  1869,  and  located 
at  Nashville,  where  he  continued  until  1879;  removed  to  Tavlorsville  for 


796  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES  : 

eighteen  months,  thence  to  Nashville  again  until  1882,  at  which  period 
he  purchased  seventy-five  acres  in  this  township,  and  farmed  in  connec- 
tion with  his  practice.  While  at  Nashville  he  was  Postmaster  four  and 
Pension  Examiner  two  years.  September  9,  18C1,  he  wedded  Miss  Eme- 
line  F.  Anderson,  who  died  leaving  four  children — LucettaE.,  Annie  C, 
Katie  and  Joseph  G.  He  nest  married  Mrs.  Emma  Taggart  August  16, 
1876.  Dr.  Grifl&tt  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  body,  an  active  Kepub- 
lican,  and  an  esteemed  citizen.  At  present  Dr.  Griffitt  is  selling  goods, 
holding  the  positions  of  Postmaster  and  Notary  Public  at  Story,  as  well 
as  medical  practitioner.  From  1861  to  1866  he  taught  school.  He  and 
wife  belong  to  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  South. 

EGBERT  HENDERSON,  farmer  and  stock-raiser,  is  a  native  of  Jack- 
son County,  Ind.,  born  August  28,  1827,  and  is  the  eldest  of  ten  children 
of  Robert  and  Parmelia  (Newkirk)  Henderson,  the  former  a  native  of  Vir- 
ginia, the  latter  of  Indiana.  The  father  of  our  subject  was  born  1795, 
remained  in  Virginia  until  he  was  fourteen  years  of  age,  moved  thence  to 
Kentucky,  thence  to  Lawrence  County,  Ind.,  in  1815,  and  to  this  county 
in  1829.  Our  subject  grew  to  manhood  on  a  farm,  having  beeu  brought 
here  when  an  infant,  and  remained  with  his  parents  until  he  was  twen- 
ty-three years  of  age.  December  13,  1850,  he  married  Mary  A.  Davis, 
from  which  union  sprang  eleven  children,  of  whom  are  living — Emeline, 
James  M..  John  C.  B.,  Parmelia,  Robert  M.,  Benjamin,  Jasper  and  Free- 
man. Mr.  Henderson  has  a  good  farm  of  200  acres,  on  which  he  lives, 
also  one  of  200  acres  in  Jackson  County,  which  farm  is  well  improved. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity  and  a  Democrat;  was  elected 
County  Commissioner  in  1870,  re-elected  in  1872,  and  is  now  a  candi- 
date for  re-election.  Mr.  Henderson  is  an  excellent  citizen,  and  he  and 
wife  are  members  of  the  Baptist  Church. 

E.  H.  MOORE  (of  the  firm  of  Moore  &  Tilton,  New  Bellsville,  Ind.) 
is  a  native  of  Coshocton  County,  Ohio,  was  born  September  19,  1846, 
and  is  one  of  the  ten  children  of  Peter  and  Mary  (Nelson)  Moore,  natives 
respectively  of  Pennsylvania  and  Ohio.  The  grandfather  of  our  subject, 
Patrick  Moore,  emigrated  from  Ireland,  settled  in  Westmoreland  County, 
Penn. ,  then  moved  to  Ohio,  where  he  came  to  death,  the  father  of  eleven 
children.  Peter  Moore  was  a  native  of  Ohio,  bom  August  12,  1810;  was 
married  in  1832,  and  in  1850  went  to  California,  where  he  engaged  in 
mining  for  two  years;  then  came  to  this  county,  where  he  came  to  death 
October  12,  1871:  his  wife  November  10,  1881.  Their  family  were 
Robert,  Susan,  John,  Laban,  James,  Irena,  Edward,  Emmanuel  H.,  Thomas 
J.  and  George  W.  October  4,  1864,  our  subject  entered  the  war  of  the 
rebellion  in  Company  D,  One  Hundred  and  Fortieth  Regiment  Indiana 
Volunteer  Infantry,  and  served  until  the  close  of  the  war,  being  dis- 
charged July,  1865.  November  22,  1866,  he  married  Miss  Mary  E., 
daughter  of  Benjamin  and  Rebecca  Moore,  a  native  of  Belmont  County, 
Ohio.  In  1868,  Mr.  Moore  moved  to  Grundy  County,  Mo.,  and  in  1873, 
retui'ned  to  this  county,  where  he  engaged  in  farming  for  a  year,  then 
began  dealing  in  tobacco,  in  which  he  has  since  been  engaged,  now  ex- 
tensively, and  in  1881  he  opened  a  store  with  J.  G.  Tilton.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Moore  have  a  family  of  five — Anabel  (deceased),  Edward  L.,  Lin- 
nie  M.,  Benjamin  F.  and  Clara  R.  Mr.  Moore  belongs  to  the  Masonic 
order  and  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 

JOHN  T.  PING  is  a  native  of  this  county,  was  born  January  29, 
1842,  and  is  descended  from  Job  and  Christina  Ping,  natives   of  Ken- 


VAN  BUREN  TOWNSHIP.  797 

tucky,  where  they  married,  then  moved  to  Bartholomew  County,  Ind. ,  in 
1831,  and  thence  to  this  county,  in  1841,  where  Mr.  Ping  closed  his  life, 
February  2,  1883.  Mrs.  Ping  is  still  living  in  this  township;  their 
family  was  William,  Catherine,  Betty,  Logan,  Walker,  David,  Deborah, 
John  T.,  Silas  and  Job  J.  John  T.,  our  subject,  married  in  Bartholomew 
County,  Ind.,  February  2,  1862,  Miss  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  Jesse  and 
Elizabeth  Campbell,  and  born  in  Muskingum  County,  Ohio,  July  1,  1841. 
After  marriage,  Mr.  Ping  settled  in  this  township,  and  February  7,  1865, 
enlisted  in  Company  K,  One  Hundred  and  Forty-lif  th  Indiana  Kegiment, 
served  until  January  21,  1866,  when  he  was  discharged.  After  his  return 
he  moved  to  Bartholomew  County,  remained  until  1870,  then  returned  to 
this  county,  where  he  has  since  resided,  in  pursuit  of  his  trade  as  car- 
penter. Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ping  are  parents  of  six  children — Sarah  F., 
Rosalie,  Emory  (deceased),  Cora  A.  (deceased),  Andrew  B.  and  John  W. 
Mr.  Ping  is  a  greatly  respected  citizen. 

JOHN  C.  WERT  was  born  in  Preble  County,  Ohio,  November  11, 
1809,  and  is  a  son  of  Jacob  and  Catherine  (Balsley)  Wert,  natives  of 
Fayette  County,  Penn.  The  grandfather  of  our  subject.  Christian 
Wert,  emigrated  from  Switzerland  to  Pennsylvania,  before  the  Revolu- 
tionary war,  where  ho  wedded  Maria  Neeley,  and  moved  to  Fayette 
County,  where  he  subsequently  died.  He  was  a  soldier  in  the  Revolution 
and  the  father  of  six  children.  Jacob  Wert  was  born  ia  1784,  was  a 
soldier  of  the  war  of  1812,  was  married  in  Fayette  County,  Penn., 
moved  to  Ohio  in  1807,  and  settled  on  what  is  now  a  part  of  Cincinnati; 
this  land  he  sold  and  moved  to  Preble  County,  where  he  died  in  1850, 
his  wife  surviving  him  thirteen  years:  they  were  parents  of  fourteen  chil- 
dren. John  C.  Wert  when  a  young  man  learned  the  trade  of  milling, 
which  he  followed  for  a  large  portion  of  his  time,  November  4,  1832, 
he  married  Miss  JaneE.,  daughter  of  Larkin  and  Susan  (Crisler)  Weaver, 
and  a  native  of  Virginia.  In  1846,  Mr.  Wert  moved  to  Aurora,  Ind., 
worked  as  a  miller,  and  in  1855  purchased  a  mill  in  Ohio  County,  which 
he  managed  until  1867,  at  which  time  he  came  to  this  county  and  pur- 
chased and  settled  on  the  farm  which  is  now  his  home  and  sustenance. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Wert  have  been  the  parents  of  twelve  children — William, 
James,  Maria,  Susan,  Washington,  Amanda,  Arabelle,  Isabelle  (deceased), 
Thomas  (deceased),  Charles,  Eliza  and  Harvey.  Mr.  Wert  is  a  Mason,  a 
Republican  and  an  Odd  Fellow. 


JOHNSON  TOWNSHIP.  799 


JOHNSON  TOWNSHIP. 

HEZEKIAH  AXSON,  farmer  and  stock- raiser,  is  a  native  of  Yadkin 
County,  N.  C,  was  born  August  19,  1831,  and  is  the  eldest  son  of  Sam- 
uel and  Winnie  (Mathews)  Axson,  both  natives  of  North  Carolina,  and 
respectively  of  English  and  Irish  extraction.  Samuel  Axson  moved  to 
^  Monroe  about  1838,  and  to  this  county  twelve  years  afterward.  Hez- 
ekiah  Axson  received  a  subscription-school  education  in  youth,  and  re- 
mained at  home  until  he  was  twenty-one  years  old,  and  followed  various 
occupations,  principally  farming.  September  5,  1861,  he  entered  the 
service  and  remained  three  years,  serving  in  the  following  battles  : 
Pittsburg  Landing,  Stone  River,  Chickamauga  and  others.  He  received 
two  gunshot  wounds,  one  in  the  left  thigh,  and  one  in  the  left  shoulder, 
and  was  mustered  out  September  2,  1864.  After  this  experience  he  re- 
sumed farming.  April  15,  1854,  he  married  Miss  Mary  Helenburg,  a 
native  of  Virginia,  from  which  union  have  sprung  seven  children — Andy 
W.  (deceased),  Mary  J,,  Amanda  E.,  Stanley,  Alice  M.,  John  T.  and  Cor- 
delia. Mr.  Axson  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity,  a  Republican 
in  politics,  and  an  estimable  citizen.  His  greatest  ambition  is  to  leave 
with  his  children  a  good  education  as  a  basis  for  life. 

DR.  JOHN  H.  LEONARD  is  a  native  of  Monroe  County,  was  born 
December  27,  1843,  and  is  the  eldest  of  eleven  children  born  to  William 
and  Lucinda  (Grimes)  Leonard,  both  natives  of  Indiana.  William 
Leonard  came  with  his  parents  to  Monroe  County  about  1825,  of  which 
locality  he  is  yet  a  resident.  John  H.  was  reared  a  farmer,  with  such 
education  as  the  schools  afforded,  and  when  seventeen  began  the  business 
of  telegi-aphing,  which  he  followed  until  he  was  thirty  years  of  age,  at 
which  time  he  began  to  study  medicine  under  Dr.  Dowden,  at  Owens- 
burg,  with  whom  he  studied  three  years,  then  attended  a  course  of  lect- 
ures at  the  Louisville  Medical  College,  and  afterward  located  at  Elkins- 
ville,  Brown  County,  Ind.,  in  1876.  His  first  marriage  was  to  Dulcinea 
Carr,  which  union  was  blessed  with  three  children,  two  having  been 
named — Charles  (deceased)  and  Dora  E.  After  the  death  of  this  mother, 
Dr.  Leonard  married  Miss  Louisa  E.  Stark,  by  which  marriage  has  been 
born  one  daughter — Ida  B.  Dr.  Leonard  has  a  good  and  growing  prac- 
tice. He  is  a  prominent  Democrat,  and  the  present  Assessor  of  the  town- 
ship. He  is  a  trusted  physician  and  a  good  citizen,  and,  as  is  his  wife, 
a  members  of  the  Christian  Church. 

THOMAS  MADGETT,  farmer,  was  born  in  Ennis,  County  Clare, 
Ireland,  March  24,  1817,  and  is  a  son  of  John  N.  and  Sarah  (Perry) 
Madgett,  the  former  a  native  of  Ireland,  the  latter  of  Canada.  John  N. 
Madgett  received  a  good  education  at  an  endowed  school,  and  May,  1807, 
was  commissioned  Doctor  of  Pharmacy,  and  followed  that  profession 
throughout  his  life,  having  been  in  a  hospital  at  Ennis;  Mr.  Madgett 
died  in  1849,  and  Mrs.  Madgett  fourteen  years  before;  they  were  mem- 
bors  of  the  English  Chui'ch.  Thomas  Madgett  obtained  a  classical  edu- 
cation in  the  land  of  his  birth,  passed  his  early  years  at  farming,  and  when 
thirty-eight  emigrated  to  America,  lived  for  a  time  in  New  York  and  Cin- 


800 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES. 


cinnati,  and  finally  came  to  this  county,  where  he  now  lives.  He  entered 
school  land  at  the  time,  and  now  has  a  fine  farm  under  good  cultivation. 
Mr.  Madgett  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity,  has  been  Township 
Assessor  and  Township  Trustee,  and  is  at  present  County  Commissioner. 
He  is  a  leading  citizen,  a  devoted  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church,  and  resides  with  his  sisters. 


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