NYPL RESEARCH LIBRARIES
3 3433 08181
\
A HISTORY
OF
Sullivan County
Indiana
CLOSING OF THE FIRST CENTURY'S HISTORY
OF THE COUNTY, AND SHOWING THE
GROWTH OF ITS PEOPLE, INSTI-
TUTIONS, INDUSTRIES
AND WEALTH
THOMAS J. WOLFE
EDITOR
VOLUME II HibW Y^,'"
.1
>»l 5
ILLUSTRATED
> ) > 3 * J
THE LEWIS PUBLISHING COMPANY
NEW YORK CHICAGO
1909
THE NEW YORK
FOBUC UBRARY
536365
TILOEN FOUNDAnONS.
''i •;':'')'■:■ ^^ A y. W ^iZ .»
• • * ^ £ ■#
iTHE NEW YORK
PU-BLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR, LENOX AND
TILOEN FOUNDATIONS.
HISTORY OF SULLIVAN COUNTY
John T. and Will. H. Hays. — The law firm of John T. & Will. H.
Hays, of Sullivan, is composed of John T. Hays, who has been a leading
attorney and citizen of this locality for some thirty years, and Will. H.
Hays his son, who has been associated with his father since 1900. The
firm are attorneys for the various railroads, coal companies, and other
important corporations which are so much concerned in the development
of Sullivan county, among them being the Evansville & Terre Haute Rail-
road Company; the Indianapolis Southern Railroad Company; the Terre
Haute, Indianapolis & Eastern Traction Company ; the Dering Coal
Company ; Consolidated Indiana Coal Company ; Jackson Hill Coal &
Coke Company ; Carlisle Coal & Clay Company ; Bellevue Coal Company ;
Sullivan County Coal Company ; the West Jackson Hill Coal Mining &
Transport Company ; the London Liability and Guaranty Company ; the
Illinois Coal Operators' Mutual Employers' Liability Insurance Company ;
the Central Union Telephone Company ; the Sullivan Lighting Company,
and the People's State Bank of Sullivan.
John Tennyson Hays, senior member of the firm, is a native of
Beaver county, Pennsylvania, born on the nth day of November, 1845.
His parents and grandparents were all native-born Americans. He lived
on a farm with his father until he was sixteen years of age, attending the
short winter terms of the common schools in his native county during that
time. In 1864 he was graduated from the Iron City Commercial College
at Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, then attended the high school at Lisbon, Ohio,
and in 1866 entered Mount Union College. He was graduated from that
institution in June. 1869, receiving the highest honors of his class in
natural science and mathematics. For a year after his graduation he
was principal of schools at Calcutta, Ohio, and in August, 1870, moved
to Farmersburg, Sullivan county. He taught in the Ascension Seminary
there, and later in Sullivan, until 1874, with the exception of one year,
during which he was principal of the schools at Oaktown, Knox county.
In 1874 Mr. Hays became a law student in the office of Sewell Coun-
sel, but at his admission to the bar on Marcli i, 187s. purchased the inter-
1
2 HISTORY OF SULLIVAN COUNTY
est of Nathaniel G. Buff, in the firm of Buff' & Buff, of Sullivan, continu-
ing in partnership with Judge Buff until 1878. In the fall of that year
the partnership was dissolved, as he had been elected prosecuting attornev
of the Fourteenth Judicial Circuit for a term of two years. In 1879 he
associated himself in practice with his brother, H. J. Hays, and that part-
nership was unbroken until 1892. From that year until 1900, when he
received his son. Will. H. Hays into partnership, he conducted an inde-
pendent practice. Although his law business is of immense proportions,
his early life on the farm still draws him to the soil, and he now takes
great delight in managing his farm, as well as a tract of several thousand
acres owned by the West Jackson Hill Coal Mining & Transport Com-
pany, of which he is president. He is also a director in the People's State
Bank.
Mr. liays has always been a Republican, but never was a candidate
for any office except that of prosecuting attorney. He has always been
a member of the Presbyterian church, of which he is an elder and in
which he has taught for years in connection with the Sunday school.
Socially, he is a member of the Columbia Club, Indianapolis, and has a
close connection with the Masonic fraternity and the Knights of Pythias.
He is a member of Sullivan Commandery, No. 54, Knights Templar ;
Jerusalem Chapter, No. 81, Royal Arch Masons; Sullivan Lodge, No.
263, Free and Accepted Masons ; Sullivan Council, No. 73, R. & S. M. ;
and Sullivan Chapter, No. 188, Order of the Eastern Star. He served
eight years as high priest of this chapter and three years as master of his
lodge. He is identified with the Knights of Pythias as a member of
Sullivan Lodge, No. 85.
He has been twice married; first in 1869, from which union his two
daughters, Martha A. Hays and Bertha Hays Drake, were born.. In
December, 1876, he was married to Mary Cain, of Sullivan, Indiana, and
of their marriage two children have been born, William Harrison Hays
and Hinkle Cain Hays. The career of John T. Hays, most noteworthy
and honorable, needs no commendation.
Will. H. Hays, junior member of the firm was born in Sullivan
November 5, 1879. He was graduated from the Sullivan high school in
the class of 1896, entering Wabash College in the fall of that year. After
pursuing a four years' course in that institution he obtained his degree
of B. A. in 1900. He had been interested in the law ever since he was a
young boy, spending much of his spare time in his father's office. At his
graduation he naturally formed a partnership with him, which has since
continued. In 1904 Mr. Hays received the degree of M. A. from his
alma mater, the subject of the special thesis upon which it was conferred
being "The Negro Problem." In college he won the highest oratorical
honors and ever since his graduation has given much time to public
speaking.
A Republican in politics, in 1902 he was nominated for prosecuting
attorney, and was defeated by fifty-three votes. From 1904 to 1908 (two
terms) he served as chairman of the Republican county committee; was
a member of the State Advisory committee from the Second district from
^^il^l^^^l^l^
HISTORY OF SULLIVAN COUNTY 3
1906 to 1908, and during the campaigns of 1906 and 1908 was chairman
of the Speakers' Bureau of the Republican state committee. In his reHg-
ious faith Mr. Hays is a Presbyterian, and teaches a class of boys in its
Sunday school. In Masonry he is a member of Sullivan Lodge, No. 263,
F. & A. M. ; Jerusalem Chapter, No. 81, R. A. M. ; Sullivan Council,
No. JT^, R. & S. M. : Sullivan Commandery, No. 54, Knights Templar,
and Sullivan Chapter, No. 188, Order of the Eastern Star. He is also a
member of the Indianapolis Consistory, Scottish Rite Masons, and of
Murat Temple, Order of the Mystic Shrine. He is a member of both
the Columbia and Marion Clubs, of Indianapolis, and is a life member
of Sullivan Lodge, No. 911, B. P. O. E. He is a member of Phi Delta
Theta Fraternity and for six years has been state president of the order.
Mr. Hays was married on November 18, 1902, to Miss Helen Louise
Thomas, of Crawfordsville, Indiana, a daughter of Judge Albert Duy
Thomas, who resides in that place.
Orion Boyd Harris, who was tile circuit-judge of Sullivan and
Greene counties, Indiana, from 1900 to "1906) is'a'nai^ye'of Knox county,
Ohio, born April 15, 1859, son of Amos M. and Jane (Hill) Harris. The
father was also born in Knox county, Ohio, the date being March 2, 1833 ;
he died in 1900. The mother, also a native of Knox county, Ohio, was
born in 1834 and died in 1905. They were united in 'marriage in their
native county in November, 1857, and moved to Greene county, Indiana,
in 1866, and lived there until 1873, when they removed to Knox county,
Ohio. In Ohio, the father was a farmer, and also a general merchant doing
business at one time at Newark, Greene county, Indiana. Retiring from
mercantile life, he lived his latter years on his farm. The grandfathers on
both paternal and maternal sides came from southeastern A'irginia and
effected a settlement in Ohio in 1808, remaining there until death. Grand-
father Harris raised a family of ten children and they all lived to rear
families of their own. Amos M. Harris, father of Judge Harris, was a
stanch adherent to Democratic party principles. Both he and his wife
were of Scotch-Irish descent. They were members of the Christian
church. To them were born six children, as follows : Judge Orion B.,
of this memoir : Clarence W., residing in Syracuse, Kansas ; Victor L.,
residing in same place ; India A., wife of Harry A. Simmons, residing
in Lakin, Kansas: Samuel C, died in infancy; Myrtle, wife of Charles
P. Worden, residing in Syracuse, Kansas.
Judge Harris was reared on his father's farm and received his
primary education in the district schools. He then attended the Normal
School at Utica, Ohio, graduating in the class of 1878. Later he was
graduated from Kenyon College, Columbia, Ohio, with the class of 1885.
He taught school two years in Ohio, and one year in Greene county,
Indiana. Having settled upon the profession of law as the one he wished
to pursue, he read law while yet a teacher in both Ohio and Indiana. In
1887 he read with William C. Hultz, of Sullivan. Indiana, remaining
4 HISTORY OF SULLIVAN COUNTY
until 1890. He acted as deputy prosecuting attorney, under Mr. Hultz,
until 1892. From 1890 to 1893 he practiced law alone at Sullivan,
Indiana, and at that date formed a partnership with William T. Douthitt,
remaining with him until 1896. He then practiced law and managed the
Sullivan Times, a Democratic local paper, until 1900. During the last
named year he was elected judge of the Sullivan and Greene county cir-
cuit courts, taking his office in November, 1900, and serving until 1906,
since which time he has practiced alone. His office is now located in the
Citizens' Trust Building. In 1902 a Negro v\'as lynched in his count)r,
and the governor of the state undertook to dispossess the sheriff of his
office. The judge gave his opinion and the sherifif was not molested.
Judge Harris is a Democrat, and in fraternal connections is a member
of the blue lodge and chapter of the Masonic order. He is also a member
of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks at Sullivan. Besides his legal
business. Judge Harris is the president of the La Gloria Copper Alining
Company, of Terre Haute.
He was married May 8, 1890, to Rachel, daughter of Seburn and
Mary Elizabeth (McCrae) Kirkham. Mrs. Harris was born in Sullivan
county, Indiana, and attended the common and high schools and also the
state Normal. She subsequently taught for about three years in her
native county. Mr. and Mrs. Harris are the parents of the following four
children: Norval K., Naomi, Amos Myron, and Phillip Hill. Both the
judge and his estimable wife are members of the Christian church.
Robert P. White, of Sullivan, one of the editors of the
Sullivan Union, was born September 23. 1876, in Terre Haute, Indiana,
son of Samuel A. and Rebecca M. (Pearce) White. (For history of the
White fainily see sketch of Samuel A. White). Robert P. White is a
graduate of the Sullivan high school of the class of 1896. He was then
employed by his father in his drug store at Sullivan and in 1898, began
working on the Sullivan Democrat, continuing on that journal until
1902, during which period he was city editor. In August, 1902, he was
made assistant editor of the Sullivan Union, acting in such capacity until
February, 1904, at which time, he with his present partner, Dirrelle
Chaney, purchased the Sullivan Times, which they sold in March, 1904.
Their paper, the Sullivan Weekly Union, has the largest circulation of
any paper published within the county.
In his political views, Mr. White is a Republican ; has served as
secretary of the Republican county committee and was re-elected in 1908.
Since the campaign days of 1896 he has been an active party worker.
He served as precinct committeeman up to 1906. While engaged on
the Sullivan Democrat, he also corresponded for the Terre Haute. In-
dianapolis and Cincinnati dailies. Being a thorough, up-to-date man.
Mr. White is interested in fraternal society matters and is numbered
among the members of the Odd Fellows order, being advanced to the
Encampment degree. He is also a member of the Benevolent Protective
HISTORY OF SULLIVAN COUNTY 5
Order of Elks. The Masonic fraternity lias also attractecl him to its
fold, and he is now a member of the Blue lodge. Royal Arch Chapter,
and the Royal and Select Masters ; also belongs to the Eastern Star of
the same fraternity, all being lodges at Sullivan.
Mr. White was married June 16, 1906, to Bertha B. Briggs, who
was born in 1874, in Sullivan county, Indiana, and is a graduate of the
high school with the class of 1893. She was appointed money order
clerk at the Sullivan postoffice and held the position for about five years.
Mrs. White is the daughter of Dr. Charles and Josephine (Hinkle)
Briggs. Her father died in 1903: he w-as a practicing physician in
Sullivan, and counted among the leaders of his profession.
DiRRELLE Cii.'VNEY, who is One of the owners and proprie-
tors of the Sullivan Union, a weekly newspaper published at Sullivan,
Indiana, is a native of Sullivan, born October 2, 1877, son of Hon. John
Crawford and Ella (Saucerman) Chaney.
Dirrelle Chaney attended the high school at Washington, District of
Columbia, and the Wabash College, of Indiana, in which institution he
took a literary course. In 1893 he was commissioner of the United
States court of claims, serving two years. After his term had expired,
he engaged in the newspaper business, first on the Terre Haute Express.
In 1900 he was engaged on papers in London and Paris. In 1901-02
was with the Chicago American, in Chicago. In P'ebruary, 1904, he in
company with Robert P. White, purchased the Sullivan Times, and in
March of that year purchased the Sullivan Uuio)i, having at the same
date sold the Times. Mr. Chaney takes much interest in civic society
affairs and is a member of the Eagles, Elks and Masons, and the Kappa
Sigma fraternity. He took the thirty-second degree in Masonry at
Indianapolis and is also a Shriner, and a Knight Templar.
Arthur A. Holmes. — The present efficient postmaster at Sullivan,
Indiana, Arthur A. Holmes, was born September 11, 1856, at Annapolis,
Crawford county, Illinois, son of John H. and Nancy E. (Rains) Holmes.
The father was a native of Licking county, Ohio, born March 28, 1828,
and died C)ctober 31, 1863, in Effingham county, Illinois. The mother
was born in Crawford county, Illinois, August 31, 183 1, and passed from
earthly scenes in Sullivan county, Indiana, February 10, 1890. John H.
Holmes was a farmer by occupation and went to Illinois from Ohio in
1848, remaining there until his death. Politically, he affiliated with the
Democratic party, but was a W'ar Democrat. After the death of John H.
Holmes, his widow married John L. Kaufman, of Gill township, Sulli\an
county. Indiana.
Arthur A. Holmes was reared to farm labor and received his educa-
tion at the district schools, and at the College at Alerom, Indiana, which
6 HISTORY OF SULLA'AX COUNTY
educational institution he entered in 1874, and from which he was gradu-
ated in 1877. He had also taken private instructions before entering
college. He then taught three years, one term in Illinois and the balance
of the time in Marshall and Sullivan counties, Indiana. Having decided
to engage in the legal profession, he studied law with Buflf & Patten
of Sullivan. After remaining with them for two years he was admitted
to the bar in 1880 and entered into partnership with W. S. Maple of
Sullivan, continuing until the spring of 1883, when he formed a partner-
ship with I. H. Kalley, which relation existed until August i, 1887. At
the last named date he entered into the service of the government as
special pension examiner, remaining until April, 1893, at which time he
resigned. In 1891 he had purchased the Sullivan Union and after his
resignation from office he was actively engaged on the newspaper, of
which he was owner and editor from March, 1891, to July 24, 1902, when
he again entered the employ of the government and continued until
Januar}' 21, 1907, in the pension department. He was appointed post-
master at Sullivan, Indiana, Februar}' i, 1898, by President ]\IcKinIey
and re-appointed by President Roosevelt, serving from February 8, 1898,
to July 31. 1902, inclusive. He was again made postmaster in January,
1907, and his term will expire January 18, 191 1. Mr. Holmes has always
voted the Republican ticket and has been an aggressive party worker.
He is a member of the Knights of Pvthias order in Sullivan.
Major Willi.\m T. Crawford, who having now reached the age of
three score and ten years, has been identified with the educa-
tional and patriotic history for forty-eight years, and is one of the
most honored and popular citizens in this section of the state. He was
bom on a farm in Jay county, Indiana, January 25, 1838, but when three
months old his parents sold the homestead and removed to Columbiana
countv, Ohio, where his early years were spent. The major is the son
of Samuel and Gracy (George) Crawford — the former being a native
of Columbiana county, Ohio, where he died aged seventy-nine years.
The paternal grandfather, John Crawford, was a native of Irelancl (his
wife of Scotland) and lived to the remarkable age of one hundred and
two years. William George, the maternal grandfather, was a native
of Ireland, while his wife (Linea Hull) was born in England. The
ancestors on both sides of the family came to the United States about
1800 and located in Columbiana county, Ohio, where they became sub-
stantial members of the agricultural community and continued their firm
adherence to Presbyterianism. Grandfather George was a justice of the
peace in that county for twent3'-four successive years, and although a
practical and successful farmer was a deep lover of music, and expert
viohnist and a man of cultivated tastes.
Samuel Crawford, the father, was also an agriculturist and stock
raiser. In stature, he was a very large man, being fully six feet in
height : in his manners, he was mild and kind to those with whom he
'l4^Cl^/.^M^t><tc/ ,
THE NEW YORK
PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR, LENOX AND
TILOEN FOUNDATIONS.
HISTORY OF SULLI\-AN COUNTY 7
mingled and labored, and as an illustration <.if these traits it is related
that he never had a quarrel or a law suit. His ambition to be well
educated was thwarted when young, but after his marriage, by persistent
reading and self-training he became a man of wide general information.
Another commendable trait in his character was his unfailing kindness
to old people, and morally, he was ever found on the side of justice and
right. The children born to Samuel and Gracy (George) Crawford were
ten in number and in the order of their birth are as follows : Nancy,
widow- of James Chaney and mother of Congressman John C. Chaney,
who now resides at her farm home ten miles south of Fort Wavn'e,
Indiana: Ruth, deceased; John, residing at Roanoke, Indiana; George,
deceased; Elizabeth, a resident of Idaho and wife of Thomas Crawford;
Jane, deceased ; William T., of this review ; Noah, deceased ; Linea E.,
wife of Alexander McCammont, who resides at Rogers, Ohio ; and Mary
M., wife of Sant Hewett, of Florida. All but Jane lived to years of
maturity.
Alajor \\'illiam T. Crawford was diligently employed on his father's
farm and attended the district schools of his home neighborhood and the
high school of New Lisbon, Ohio. He began teaching in the same county
and after being thus engaged four years, in 1866, came to Sullivan
county, Indiana, and built the Ascension Seminary afFarmersburg. Be-
fore its completion, however, in August, '1862, he raised a company and
was made captain of what was known as Company H, Eighty-fifth
Indiana \'olunteer Infantry, serving as a gallant officer and brave soldier,
from August, 1862, to June 12, 1865. He saw much actual campaign
service, participating in fifteen battles of the Civil war and being hon-
orably discharged as brevet major. His regiment was first encamped at
Locust Grove, opposite Cincinnati, for a few weeks, and then moved to
Falmouth, Kentucky. There Captain Crawford was detailed by Gen-
eral A. J. Smith, to act as provost marshall of the place, which he did
for two and a half months. The regiment then moved to Lexington
and on to Danville. Kentuck\-, later being sent to Louisville, where it was
transported down the Ohio river and thence up the Cumberland to Nash-
ville, Tennessee ; and thence was transferred to Brentwood and Frank-
lin, Tennessee. Before reaching Franklin, Captain Crawford was attacked
by typhoid fever and pneumonia, and five physicians gave his case up as
a fatal one, telling him if he had any word to send to his family they
would be glad to communicate it. The captain said, "Dr. Hobbs, please
tell my wife that I have been sick, but am going to get well and live to
see this rebellion put down." Dr. Hobbs then turned to Drs. Wiles and
McPheters and said : "His will power may yet pull him through." He
began to recover, but wdiile still in bed the rebels made an attack on the
town of Franklin. He started for his command at Fort Granger, but was
so weak that he was compelled to rest on the door steps along the streets.
As he neared the river, five Confederates rode up and demanded his
sword. The captain had not realized that they were rebels until after they
had surrounded him. The leader at once demanded the captain's sword
and when he asked him, "Ry what authority?" the rebel replied, "Bv the
8 HISTORY OF SULLIVAN COUNTY
Confederate authorit}'. What authority did you think?" He then ordered
him to get up on the horse behind him. whereupon the captain refused.
The officer then drew his revolver on him and said, "Then I will leave
you here." The captain replied, "You have the drop on me." Again
the Confederate officer said, "Hand up your sword at once," and when
the captain refused, the rebel demanded that he mount his horse behind
him. For answer Captain Crawford knocked the revolver out of the
enemy's hand with a hickory cane, which he fortunately carried. At
that instant about one thousand shots were fired from the L'nion lines,
one ball striking the leader in the mouth and cutting his tongue partly
off. The blood shot out over Captain Crawford and fell upon his sword,
which remained unwashed for many years after the close of the war.
Another of the Confederates brought his carbine down upon the cap-
tain's head, but a ball pierced the rebel's hand. Still another of the Con-
federate squad was shot through the side, as he was taking aim at the
captain's head. Another's horse was shot from under him as he ex-
claimed. "Throw up your hands or we will shoot out of you." At
this critical moment Captain Bails crossed the river and assisted Captain
Crawford into the Union lines.
A few weeks later two spies from General Bragg's army (Colonel
Williams and Lieutenant Peter entered the Union lines, reporting that
they were sent by General Garfield to inspect the camp, presenting as
their authority a forged letter from the commander. Representing, also,
that they had been surprised and robbed by rebels, they borrowed fifty
dollars from Colonel Baird and obtained from him a pass to go to Nash-
ville. Colonel Watkins, of the Sixth Kentucky Regiment (a graduate of
West Point) recognized one of the spies as being a classmate of his and
they had no sooner left camp than that officer remarked to Colonel Baird :
"Those men are spies." As quick as thought, Baird said, "Overtake them
and bring them back," which command was accomplished as the Con-
federates were nearing the outer picket lines. Blandly telling them that
the rebels were between them and Nashville and that Colonel Baird
wished to send them a guard. Colonel Watkins led them to the regimental
headquarters. One of the spies — a distant relative of Washington, an-
swered "We have no fears." But Colonel Watkins persisted and they
were brought back. Each wore a white visor on his cap ; when they
returned a strong guard was placed around the tent. Colonel Baird
stepped up to Colonel Williams and raised the white visor from his cap
and saw on the band "C. S. A." (meaning Confederate States of Amer-
ica.) The same conclusive evidence was found on their swords, when
thev were drawn from their sheaths. Captain Crawford was made judge
advocate at the trial, which was short and conclusive as to their guilt.
Colonel Baird tried to escape the painful duty of hanging them, but, in
reply to his telegram. General Garfield telegraphed. "If guilty, hang them
at once," and they were accordingly executed — hanged to a wild cherry
tree near Fort Granger— June 9, "1863. It is said that the Confederate,
Colonel Williams, was a relative of General Lee.
After the war Major Crawford refitted the Ascension Seminary, and
HISTORY OF SULLIVAN COUNTY 9
ill Scpteiiilicr. 1865, opened a normal sclidol which he conducted until
1872. In that year he moved to Sullivan and consolidated it with the
local high school, conducting the higher department as a Normal Insti-
tute until 1876, and out of the number who have been educated under him,
two thousand two hundred and eighty-three have followed teaching as a
profession. After 1876 the major engaged in the pension business in
which he is still engaged and during this period of thirty-two years he
has obtained between six and seven thousand pensions and increases, the
beneficiaries being residents of twent\-three states.
John S. B.ws. — The late John S. Bays, of Sullivan, was widelv
known and deeply honored by the court and bar of both Sullivan and
Vigo counties, his prominence as a corporation lawyer bringing him very
fre(|uently to the courts of Terre Haute and other points in southern
Indiana. Commencing in Sullivan county as a general practitioner,
nearly a quarter of a century ago, his strong mind became more and
more interested in the development of the great business and industrial
development of the section of the state which he had made his home, and
those forces themselves began to call upon him with ever increasing
insistence for his careful, wise and practical legal guidance. The most
important development of southern Indiana centered in its coal interests,
and prior to their consolidation Mr. Bays had become the legal counsel
for most of the large companies. By thus specializing he achieved a
standing which placed him among the best informed and most successful
lawyers in the country devoted to the management and exploitation of
these vast properties. About two years before his death he effected a
consolidation of the coal mines of southern Indiana, and this master
stroke extended his reputation as a corporation lawyer throughout the
central states. The vast business that resulted from this combination
passed through his hands, and he did the work quickly because many
years of application had made him thoroughly familiar with the details.
He had always been a tremendous worker, all his habits were temperate,
his constitution was vital with magnetism and based upon an abundance
of physical strength, and yet it is doubtless true that the incessant and
concentrated labors which finally gave birth to this last and greatest
success of his professional life had much to do with the undermining of
his health and his inability to resist the inroads of the disease which,
with such comparative suddenness, snatched him from his business
associates, his professional co-workers, and his loving kindred and friends.
He spent the winter preceding his death in California, but, upon his
return to Sullivan in the spring it was found that the change had been
unavailing, and after several months of heroic struggling and the final
resignation of a calm and resigned Christian, he died in the midst of his
family on the 13th of August, igo6. On the day of his funeral the whole
citv practically suspended business, and the memorial resolutions of the
bar associations of Sullivan, Greene, Mgo and Knox counties indicated
io HISTORY OF SULLIVAN COUNTY
how general was the feehng of deep loss which pervaded the ranks of his
professional associates. In the procession which accompanied his re-
mains from the church to the grave were representatives of these organi-
zations, as well as from the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and Be-
nevolent and Protective Order of Elks, in which he had long been active.
"Coupled with his commanding ability as a lawyer," says one of the
tributes, "was a high character as a citizen and a lovable disposition as
a man and a friend. Ever kind and courteous in his bearing toward his
associates at the bar and litigants, fair and honorable in his professional
conduct, respectful and considerate of the judge on the bench, and faith-
ful above all to those who were so fortunate as to become his clients,
he has left among us a name to be cherished and an example to be emu-
lated with profit."
John S. Bays was a native of Point Commerce, Greene county,
Indiana, where he was born on the 27th of January, 1850. His father,
William S. Bays, was born in Virginia, and after his marriage to a
Kentucky lady came to Indiana, where he prosecuted his dual calling
of hardware merchant and farmer. The parents both died on the old
Bays homestead near Worthington, Greene county. John S. obtained
his preliminary education in the common schools of his native place, and
in 1867, at the age of seventeen, entered the Indiana University at
Bloomington. Because of the illness of his father he was obliged to leave
the university, after completing a three years' course there. In 1871
he entered the law department of the universit}', from which he was
graduated. Shortly afterward, in 1875, he began practice at Worthing-
ton, where he remained for five years, being also the publisher of the
Times during a portion of that period. In 1880 he removed to Bloom-
field and formed a law partnership with Hon. Lucien Shaw, the firm
practicing in Los Angeles, California, in 1883-4. (Judge Shaw is now a
member of the supreme court of California.) In the latter year Mr.
Bays returned to Indiana, and located at Sullivan, his home thereafter
until his death. His talents and strength were all devoted to the practice
of his profession and he ever preferred the career of an attorney, as he
repeatedly declined to be a candidate for judge of the fourteenth judicial
district. In politics he was a Democrat, but was never a candidate for any
political office ; but during the administration of Governor Durbin he was
appointed as the Democratic member of the board of directors of the
Southern Hospital for the Insane, which position he held at the time of
his death. The deceased was a member of the Methodist church, the
Sullivan lodge of Odd Fellows, and a charter member of Sullivan Lodge
No. 911, B. P. O. E. He was instrumental in securing many public
improvements for Sullivan, among others the founding of the Carnegie
library, of which he was one of the first trustees.
In 1876 Mr. Bays was united in marriage with Miss Hettie Fenton,
of Indianapolis, but a native of Canada. She is a daughter of John
Fenton, who was born in Dublin, Ireland, and married in Clifton, Eng-
land. He came to Canada in the fifties with his wife and when they
migrated to the United States located in Ohio. ]\Ir. Fenton served in
HISTORY OF SULLRAX COUNTY ii
the ranks of the Union army throughout the Civil war, ancf afterward
located in Indianapolis, where hoth he and his wife spent their last years
and where Mrs. John S. Bays was educated. The widow still resides
at Sullivan, the mother of the following: Lee, born January 30, 1878;
Harold, born January 26, 1880; and Fred P., whose biography is else-
where given.
Lee received a thorough literary training at DcPauw University and
graduated in law at the University of Wisconsin. He married Miss
Zoe E. Chancy, daughter of Congressman John C. Chaney. Harold, the
second son, graduated from the Sullivan High School, and served four
years in the army, his experience covering campaigns both in Cuba and
the Philippines. He then graduated from Culver Academy, and while a
student there held the western academic record in the hammer throw
for 1902-3. He married Miss Glenn Lucas, daughter of Captain \V. H.
Lucas, a sketch of whose life is given in other pages of this work.
Harold C. Rays is now head of the artillery department of the Culver
Military Academy and instructor in English and mathematics. He has
two sons. Lee and Fred Fenton Bays are now associated in the practice
of the law, the former having previously been connected with his father.
Fred Fenton Bays, of the law firm of Bays & Bays, of Sullivan,
is one of the able, eloquent and broad-minded young men of this section
of Indiana, who in his professional, political and public capacities has
already achieved much and given promise of a brilliant and substantial
future' career. He was born in Bloomfield, Indiana, on the 12th day of
July, 1882, a son of the late John S. and Hattie (Fenton) Bays. His
"father was for nearly a quarter of a century one of the leading lawyers of
southern Indiana, and, had he so desired, might have ascended the bench
of the higher courts. But all his abilities were wrapped in the practice
of the law, and at his death he was considered one of the leading, cor-
poration lawyers of the Ohio valley and had no superior as an authority
on the law relating to coal interests. As a man he was pure, high-minded
and lovable, and the record of his life is given elsewhere in detail.
Fred F. Bavs received the foundation of his mental training at Culver
Academy, from which he graduated in 1904, after which he pursued his
professional courses in the University of Indianapolis Law School and the
University of Indiana Law School at Bloomington, Indiana. Soon after
graduating from the latter he entered into practice with his brother Lee,
who had been associated with his father. The two brothers, under the
style of Bays & Bays, have continued the large business established by
their. father, and are handling it with energy and fine judgment. Although
general practitioners, they make a specialty of corporate law as relates to
the coal interests, representing both the Southern Indiana railroad and
the Southern Indiana Coal Company. They are also attorneys for the
Standard Oil Company for that section of the state. Their well-appointed
12 HISTORY OF SULLIVAN COUNTY
and busy offices are located on the north side of the pubhc square on
Washington street.
Fred F. Bays is a strong Democrat, and early commenced to partici-
pate in the deliberations of the party. At the age of twenty-two he was
elected chairman of the county committee, and ably performed its duties
for two years. Governor Hanly selected him as a trustee of the Indiana
Southern Hospital for the Insane to fill out his father's unexpired term
of one and a half years, and at the expiration of that period he was
appointed for a new term of four years, which will not expire until 1912.
He is a thirty-second degree Mason, a member of the Mystic Shrine at
Indianapolis, and is also active in the fraternal work of the Elks, being
exalted ruler of Lodge No. gii. He maintains his fraternal associations
with his alma mater through the Beta Theta Pi of the Indiana University,
and has cause to remember his college career with pride as well as fond-
ness. While at Culver he won the first medal for oratory and a medal
for debate; was editor-in-chief of the J'idefte, and was a member of
the football and track teams, as well as being interested in boxing and
athletics in general. He was a true university man, and has carried the
broad, active and versatile life of his college days into the realities of pro-
fessional and social life. From college halls he has continued his interest
in oratory, and takes time from his busy professional life to promote the
art, and in giving a gold medal to the winner of the annual oratorical
contest in the Sullivan high school he pays a beautiful tribute to his late
father's memory and at the same time furnishes an inspiration to young
men and women to cultivate this ancient and time-honored art. The
annual event is known as the "John S. Bays Gold Medal Oratorical
Contest."
Silver Chaney. — A lawyer, real estate dealer and loan agent, who is
doing an extensive business at Sullivan, Indiana, is Silver Chaney, who
was born September 14, 1858, in Allen county, Indiana, near Fort Wayne.
He is the son of James and Nancy (Crawford) Chaney, the former being
a native of Columbiana county, Ohio, born August 9, 1823. He was of
Scotch-Irish descent. By trade he was a carpenter and contractor,
working at the same in the vicinity of Fort Wavne. In his politics, he
was a supporter of Republican party principles. He died in 190 1, on a
farm in Allen county. The mother was a native of Columbiana county,
also ; the date of her birth was 1828, and she still survives and is residing
in Allen county. Both she and her husband were Presbyterians in their
church faith and membership. Twelve children were born to them,
seven being now deceased and the living are : John C, present member
of Congress from the Second District of Indiana ; Silver, of this
biographical notice ; Mary E. ; Belle, wife of George Lopshire, a resi-
dent of Allen county : Matilda, wife of Joseph Weaver, residing in Wells
county.
Silver Chaney spent the early part of his life on the farm and
attended the public schools, after which he took an eight months course
HISTORY OF SULLIVAN COUNTY 13
in the schools of Farmersburg, and received a license to teach and taught
two years at Cloverland, Clay county, Indiana. He next attended the
Wabash College one year and entered Washington and Jefferson College,
in I'ennsylvania, where he took a literary course, graduating with the
class of 1879. He returned to his native state and taught school in Wells
and Allen counties two years, as principal of the Zanesville schools. In
1883, he went to Sullivan and engaged in the abstract business, handling
real estate at the same time, and continuing in such work until 1887,
when he entered the University of Michigan, graduating from the law
department of that most thorough and modern school, with the class of
1889. He then returned to Sullivan county, and commenced the practice
of law with C. D. Hunt, of Sullivan. After two years thus associated, he
practiced independently for a time, and then formed a partnership with
A. G. McNabb, with whom he remained a partner for four years. Since
that date he has been alone or with his brother, Hon. John C. Besides
carrying on in a successful manner his legal business, he is extensively
engaged in loans and real estate transactions. He is a director of the
Citizens Trust Company of Sullivan and also director in the American-
German Trust Company of Terre Haute ; director and auditor of the
Great Western Life Insurance Co. of Terre Haute.
Air. Chaney and his brother, Hon. John C. Chancy, organized the
Alum Cave Coal and Coke company, which was the first movement in
the direction of developing the coal fields of the neighborhood of Sullivan
county.
Mr. Chaney is interested in fraternities, being a member of the Odd
Fellows order and has been district deputy grand master and grand
patriarch for about fourteen years in Lodge No. 146. He is also a
member of the Masonic blue lodge, chapter and council. He was married
August 12, 1889, to Mhmie M. McEneney, born in Sullivan county,
August 12, 1864; she was educated in Sullivan county and at St. Mary
of the Woods class. Her parents were, Patrick and Julia A. McEneney,
both now residents of Sullivan, Indiana. Mr. and Mrs. Chaney have
four children : Julia Verne. Silver Dean, John Francis, and Harold R.
Mrs. Chaney is a member of the Christian church and he of the Presby-
terian.
William H. Crowdee, Jr., prominent as the cashier of the
Sullivan State Bank, comes of a well-known and highly respected family
of Sullivan county, Indiana. He was born November 23, 1868, in Sulli-
van, son of William H. Crowder, Sr. and wife, whose family history
will be found in another sketch within this work. William H. Crowder
of this notice, obtained his education in the most excellent public schools
of Sullivan and began his business career at the age of sixteen years
in his father's banking house. He became the bookeeper, which position
he held until he was twenty-two years of age. At that time he entered
into partnership with J. M. Long in the clothing business, remaining four
vears, when the partnership was dissolved, after which Air. Crowder went
14 ' HISTORY OF SULLIVAN COUNTY
to Linton, Indiana, and there conducted a clothing and shoestore for
about four years. He then entered the State Bank at SulHvan, in October,
1900, as the teller of that institution ; and also served as assistant cashier.
In September, 1906, he was elected cashier of the bank, which responsible
position he still holds. He is a stockholder and director in the Sullivan
State Bank and accounted a first class business man.
Politically, he is a Democrat and has held the office of city counsel
four years, and his term of office as such will expire Januar}' I, 1910.
He is connected with the Odd Fellows order at Sullivan. He was married
in June, 1891, to Earlene Moore, born in Sullivan, October, 1872, and
educated in her native town. She is the daughter of Robert A. and
Susan (Robertson) Moore. The mother is deceased and her father re-
sides at Sullivan. He is a native of Ohio, and both were among the early
settlers of Sullivan. Mr. and Mrs. Crowder are the parents of seven
children: William H. Jr., born August -17, 1892, now attending high
school; Daniel M., born April 25, 1894; Doris, born May i, 1898; De-
borah, bom April 5, 1900 ; June, born May 12, 1902 ; Elizabeth, born
April 30, 1904; Ben Allen, born February 26, 1906.
Benjamin Cox Crowdek, .who is_, Jp^v the county auditor
of Sullivan county, was born December 20, 1876, in Sullivan, Indiana,
son of William H., Sr., and Sarah (Stewart) Crowder. (For an account
of his ancestors see sketch of William H. Crowder, Sr., in this work.)
Mr. Crowder received his primary education at Sullivan in the public
schools, and in the autumn of 1894 entered DePauw University. When
twenty years old he returned to Sullivan and commenced working in the
Sullivan Covmty Bank, of which his father was president. He worked
as a bookkeeper until this institution and the Farmers' State Bank con-
solidated into what is now known as the Sullivan State Bank. He re-
mained there until the organization of the National Bank of Sullivan,
when he accepted a position in the new bank, he being assistant cashier
for the first six months of this institution's history. He then went to
Indianapolis and was engaged as bookkeeper in the Crowder-Mason Shoe
Company, his cousin, C. H. Crowder being president of that company.
He remained thereabout five months and in the autumn of 1 901, he was
chosen deputy auditor, under J. M. Lang and worked until his term
expired and then worked at bookkeeping in the Sullivan State Bank
about one year, when he was chosen by E. E. Russell, then county auditor,
as his deputy, which position he held until elected to the office of auditor
on the Democratic ticket, in November, 1906. He is a member of the
Benevolent Protective Order of Elks ; also belongs to the Phi Gamma
Delta fraternity, at DePauw University. Mr. Crowder is president of the
Citizens Driving Club.
September 16, 1905, Mr. Crowder was married to Emily H. McCrory,
born in Sullivan, Indiana, December 3, 1876. She graduated from the
high school with the class of 1896. In March, 1900, she acted as assistant
in the county auditor's office, remaining there until her marriage. She
THE NEW YORK
PU'BLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR, LENOX ANO
TILr>f:N FOUNDATIONS.
rSf.'^
HISTORY OF SULLIVAN COUNTY 15
is tlie dau,t;litcr of William and Raclicl Ann ( Lcacli ) IMcCrory, Ijdtli de-
ceased. Mr. and Mrs. Crowder are the parents of one daughter, Rachel
Louise, born August u, igo6. Mrs. Crowder is a faithful member of the
Christian chin-ch.
Dr. Joseph R. Wh.\len, one of the most successful practitioners of
Carlisle, is also a large land owner in Sullivan and Knox counties, has
important banking and real estate interests in his home city, and, aside
from his high professional standing, is a citizen of most substantial ability
and character. Born near Bruceville, Knox county, Indiana, on the 30th
of March, 1861, he is a son of Dr. Richard M. and Frances J. (Jenks)
Whalen. He comes of distinguished ancestry on both sides of the family,
the paternal branch originating in Ireland, where his great-great-grand-
father was born. The heads of the three succeeding generations, with
which the doctor is directly connected, arc buried in Bethlehem cemetery,
four miles southeast of Carlisle. On the other han<l, his maternal grand-
mother, Jane Arnold, was the daughter of Major Arnold, of Culpe]X'r
county, Virginia, who fought with Washington at Yorktown, and now
lies buried at Napoleon, Ripley county, Indiana.
John W'halen, the great-grandfather, was among the first school
teachers in Sullivan county, and the grandfather, Richard J., was a farmer
who took up government land in the county. The title to the property has
never been changed, and Dr. Joseph R. is now the owner of forty acres
of the original tract. Richard J. Whalen was born in Tennessee and died
in Haddon township, this county. His son. Dr. Richard M. (father of
Dr. Joseph R.) Whalen, was born in the township named, November 4,
1832, was reared on a farm, and was graduated in medicine from a Chi-
cago college, being long engaged in honorable practice, chiefly in his
native locality. He resided in Kansas in 1866 and 1867, and then moved
to Haddon township, this county, practicing near Carlisle until his death,
July 8, 1899. The deceased was an influential Democrat and a fine citi-
zen, serving for two terms as trustee of Haddon township. He was also
a Mason in high standing, having been master of the local lodge for a
number of times and holding membership in Blue Lodge No. 3, at Car-
lisle. Both he and his wife (who died February 26, 1902) were faithful
adherents to Methodism. Mrs. Richard M. Whalen was born at Napo-
leon, Ripley county, Indiana, on the 12th of February, 1839, daughter of
Dr. Joseph Jenks. Her father was born in England ; when eleven years
of age came to America as one of five brothers ; was educated in Cin-
cinnati, Ohio : practiced his profession in Indiana, Illinois and Kansas,
and died in California about 1890. In Kansas occurred the marriage of
his daughter to Dr. Richard M. WHialen, on the 12th of May, 1859, and
to that union were born the following children : Lewis T., who died in
infancy ; Joseph R. ; Mary Annette, wife of D. J. Mathers, who is con-
nected with the National I5ank at Carlisle ; Hattie F., deceased ; Fannie
S.. now the wife of J. B. Latshaw, of Carlisle ; Marion R. and Charles,
deceased ; and Nellie, who married ^^^ J. Cole, of Sidlivan.
Vol. II— 2
i6 HISTORY OF SULLIVAN COUNTY
Dr. Joseph R. Whalen, of this biography, obtained his early educa-
tion at Carhsle, Indiana, and after pursuing the higher hterary branches
at Union College, Merom, taught for a year in Haddon township. He
then was associated with his father in the drug business for four years,
when he sold his interest and engaged in the buying and feeding of stock
until 1891. In that year he was matriculated at the Louisville Medical
College, from which he graduated in 1894 with unusual honors, receiving
a gold medal as the leader in general scholarship of a class of one hun-
dred and ninety-one students. After his graduation he served as demon-
strator of anatomy in his alma mater for a year, spending the following
three years in practice at Oakton, Indiana, and the four succeeding years
at Bicknell, that state. Since that time he has been an active and suc-
cessful member of the profession and a public-spirited citizen of Carlisle,
following the example of other progressive physicians and surgeons of the
country by taking post-graduate studies. In 1893 the doctor pursued such
a course at the College of Physicians and Surgeons, Chicago, specializing
in anatomy.
Aside from his extensive medical practice, Dr. Whalen has large
property interests, which include 810 acres of land in Sullivan and Knox
counties and residence property in Carlisle. He was also one of the
organizers of the People's Bank of that city, in which he is still a direc-
tor. In politics, he is a Democrat, and his fraternal relations are with
Masonry — more especially with Carlisle Lodge, No. 3, F. and A. M. ;
Vincennes Chapter, No. 7, R. A. M., and Vincennes Commandery, No. 20.
He has served as master of the blue lodge in Carlisle, Oaktown and
Bicknell, Indiana.
On January I, 1883, Dr. Whalen married Miss Isabelle Gobin, who
was born in Haddon township, November 3, 1864, and received her edu-
cation at Evansville, Indiana, where the ceremony occurred. She was the
daughter of John and Margaret (Hall) Gobin, natives of Carlisle, her
great-grandmother, Dianna Melburne (Forrester) Hall, being an adopted
daughter of Lord Melburne, prime minister of England, and was pre-
sented to the court of St. James. The Gobins were early settlers of Sul-
livan county. Mrs. Isabelle Whalen died June 14, 1907, leaving three
daughters: Melburne, born October 7, 1883, now the wife of Manson
G. Couch, the mother of two children, and a resident of Lawrenceville,
Illinois; Marguerite, born March 5, 1885, and Gladys, born June 27,
1891, both unmarried and living at home. The first Mrs. Whalen was a
devoted member of the IMethodist Episcopal church, as are her daugh-
ters. On November 4, 1908, the doctor wedded, as his second wife, Mrs.
Ida Irene (Smith) Starner.
Thomas E. Ward, the present treasurer of Sullivan county,
Indiana, was born January 4, '1863, in Sullivan, son of Anderson and
Elizabeth Jane (Roll) Ward. The father, who was a native of Tennessee,
of Irish ancestry, was born March 21, 1818, and died September 22, 1884,
HISTORY OF SULLIVAN COUNTY ■ 17
in Sullivan count}-, Indiana. The mother was born in Vigo county, In-
diana, in 1836, and died ^larch 2, 1882, in Sullivan count)-. They were
united in marriage in \ igo county in 1854, and resided for a time —
probably about four years — in Fayette township, Vigo county, and then
moved to a farm six miles from Sullivan, in an eastern direction. After
living there one or two seasons, they moved into the town of Sullivan.
They then moved back and forth to the farm from Sullivan at different
times, but were living on the farm at the date of their death. Anderson
Ward came to Indiana when ten years of age with his parents. When
he was old enough, he taught school and became a physician, and w-as also
a minister in the Church of Christ, being in the ministry at the time of
his death. Politically, he was a Democrat. He was at one time a member
of the Masonic order. He and his wife were the parents of the following
children : Sarah, deceased ; Polly, deceased ; Nancy M., residing at Terre
Haute ; Bettie, of Vigo county ; Thomas E. ; Katie, now of Vigo county ;
Jennie, of Vigo county; John B., residing in Sullivan county; Mattie,
Hving in Chicago ; Lou H., residing in Sullivan ; Maggie, residing in
Sullivan county. The living children are all married and settled in homes
of their own.
Thomas E. Ward, the fifth child in his parents' family, received his
early education in his native place and labored on the farm until he was
twenty-three years of age. He then started out in life on his own account
following farming until the autumn of 1907, when he purchased a resi-
dence in Sullivan. During the winter months for fifteen years he worked
in the coal mines. In November, 1906, he was elected county treasurer of
Sullivan county, taking his office January i, 1908. He was elected on the
Democratic ticket, which party he has always supported. He is a member
of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and is advanced in that order
to the Encampment. He also holds a membership with the Alodern
Woodmen of America, at Sullivan.
October 16, 1886, he was married to Katie Waggoner, who was born
in Sullivan county, Indiana, January 14, 1867, daughter of William H.
and Mary (Snow) Waggoner. Her mother is residing in Oklahoma.
Five children were born to Thomas E. Ward and wife : Lillie E., born
July 15, 1889, a graduate of Lyons Business College, of Sullivan, Indiana,
with the class of 1907, and now assisting her father in his official duties
as treasurer; Ivy Fern, July 27, 1891, attending school at the State Normal
at Terre Haute; Tressie May, May 3, 1893, attending high school; Ver-
nice Kcitha, March 5, 1900; and Roy Anderson, October 17, 1905. Mr.
and Mrs. Ward and family are members of the Church of Christ ; he is
an elder and trustee of this church, at Palmer Prairie, Sullivan county.
Arthur Elmeir DeBaun, the efficient clerk of the Sullivan
circuit court, Indiana, was born in Fairbanks township, Sullivan county,
March 2, 1870, son of Jarnes P. and Rebecca J. (Dilley) DeBaun. His
father, who was also a native of the same township, was born ^larch 14,
i8 ■ HISTORY OF SULLIVAN COUNTY
1839, and died February 10, 1899. Abraham DeBaun, the grandfather,
was born in Mercer county, Kentucky, November 27, 1813, and came to
SuUivan county, Indiana, in 1831 with his father and mother, Samuel
and Mary (Devine) DeBaun. Samuel DeBaun was a native of Virginia,
born in 1776, and his father was a soldier in the Revolutionary cause. His
powderhorn is now highly prized by Arthur E., of this sketch. Samuel,
the great-grandfather, died in Sullivan county, Indiana, in 1833, ^"d the
grandfather, Abraham DeBaun, died April 3, 1900. The wife of Abra-
ham, Elizabeth Pogue, was born in Fort Knox, near Vincennes, Indiana,
July 28, 1816, and died July 17, 1884. She was five months old when her
parents, James Pogue and wife, in the fall of 1816, with two other
families, settled in Fairbanks township. These three original settlers and
their families consisted of James Pogue, Joseph Thomas, and Leduwick
Ernest. The mother of Arthur E. DeBaun, also a native of Fairbanks
township, was born in 1845, and died February i, 1871. She was the
daughter of Joseph and Nancy (Johnson) Dilley. Her father was born
in Ohio in 1806 and died in 1872; he came from Lawrence county to
Sullivan county, and was among the pioneer settlers of that region.
Nancy Johnson was born in 1813 in Ohio and died in 1887 ; she came with
her parents to Sullivan county about 1820. The above named were
farmers by occupation and helped to start the first enterprises in this part
of the state. James P. DeBaun was married twice, his second wife being
Sarah Ann Lee, who was born in Illinois, May 2'3, 1853, and died August
23, 1901. The three children born of the first union were: Iverson W.,
born 1866, died in infancy; Walter Scott, born January 22, 1868, resides
in Fairbanks township ; Arthur Elmer, of this memoir. There was no
issue by the second marriage. James P. DeBaun was a Democrat of the
stanch and uncompromising type and always followed farming. He and
his wife were members of the Christian church.
Arthur Elmer DeBaun, who was reared on his father's farm was
permitted to attend the public schools, and later entered DePauw Uni-
versity, at Greencastle, where he spent six years, graduating in the Liberal
Arts course in the class of 1897. He then followed teaching school for
two terms in Fairbanks township. Desiring to follow the legal profession,
he took a law course in the Indiana Law School at Indianapolis and was
graduated in 1901. In the spring of 1902, he went to Sullivan, becoming
deputy county clerk, which position he held until he was seated as clerk,
March 28, 1908, being elected to the office in 1906. He is a Democrat,
and was elected on that ticket. Mr. DeBaun is a member of the Christian
church.
Richard Levy Bailey, county surveyor of Sullivan county,
is a native of Hamilton township, this county, born December 14, 1866,
son of Marshal and Caroline (Bivins) Bailey. Bedford, Lawrence
county, Indiana, was the birthplace of the father, who was born Jan-
uary 3, 1836. Mr. Bailey's mother was also a native of the same place
and has been dead a number of vears. The father married a second time,
HISTORY OF SULLIVAN COUNTY 19
a Mrs. Scott, who is also deceased. For his third wife, he married Mrs.
Sarah Sutton, and they are now residents of Hamilton township, where
the father has resided for forty-four years. Marshal Bailey and Caro-
line Bivins were united in marriage in Lawrence county and came to
Sullivan county, locating in Hamilton township, in the early autumn of
1863, settling on the place on which he still resides. His ancestors were
of German and Scotch-Irish lineage. At one time the father owned
about three hundred acres of land, but his present tract contains only
one hundred acres. Politically he is a Democrat. Both he and his first
wife were members of the Christian church. Their children were eleven
in number. Six are deceased, and the surviving are : Richard L. ; Dr.
W. A., residing at Sullivan; Lola, wife of William Bolinger, of Sulli-
van; Tressie Eaton, residing in Gill township, Sullivan county; Inez,
wife of Ward Hawkins, residing in Sullivan. There was no issue by
i\Iarshal Bailey's second and third marriages.
Richard L. Bailey attended the district schools of his home town-
ship and later the Southern Indiana Normal school at Mitchell, graduat-
ing from the scientific course in the class of 1884. He then attended the
State University at Bloomington for one year. The next three years of
his life he spent in farming and teaching school, after which he entered
the law office of George G. Reily, at Vincennes, Indiana, remained there
eighteen months and was admitted to the bar in 1889. He then asso-
ciated himself with Charles G. McCord, of Vincennes, in the abstract
business for three years. He next went to Texas, and assisted in organ-
izing Armstrong county of that state. There he was chosen deputy county
clerk and served about two years. In the meantime, he had entered a
section of land, which he finally sold, and after traveling through the
West a short time, he returned to Vincennes, where he was made county
surveyor of Knox county, which office he held for one term. He next
became a contractor in building levees along the Ohio and Mississippi
rivers, in which work he continued until 1900, when he returned to Sul-
livan county, Indiana, and established himself in the profession of a civil
engineer. He was appointed county surveyor in August, 1900, and was
elected to that office in the month of November, 1900, taking his office
December, 1901. He served, however, under the ex-county surveyor
from August, 1900, until his regular term commenced, and which will
expire January i, 1909. He was elected to this office on the Democratic
ticket, of which party he is a firm supporter. Mr. Bailey has taken nine
degrees in Masonry ; he now holds membership at Sullivan. He was a
charter member of the Elks order at Sullivan ; he belongs to the Tribe of
Ben Hur, having joined that order in Knox county, but now belongs to
the lodge at Sullivan.
He was married December 28, 1893, to Gertrude Benefield, born in
Hamilton township, a daughter of John and Sarah (McGrew) Benefield.
Her father is deceased and the mother is residing in Sullivan. She was
born in Hamilton township, while her husband was a native of Lawrence
county, Indiana. They were farmers and he came to this county when
a boy! Mrs. Bailey attended the Sullivan high schools and Indiana State
20 HISTORY OF SULLIVAN COUNTY
Normal, at Terre Haute. She then taught school in the district schools of
Sullivan county for nine years. Mr. and Mrs. Bailey are the parents of
one daughter: Juanita, born September 14, 1894.
John William Lindley, a representative of the legal fraternity at
Sullivan, is a native of Crawford county, Illinois, born December 19,
1867, a son of Samuel and Harriet (Hollenbeck) Lindley. The father
was also a native of Crawford county, Illinois, born in April, 1833, and
is still living in that county, on a farm. The mother was born in Clarke
county, Illinois, September, 1842, and still survives. The grandfather,
William A. Lindley, was a native of North Carolina, and came to Illi-
nois a single man, settling in Crawford county, about 1800, where he
resided until about fifty-six years of age. He v\'as a farmer, of English
descent, and reared a family of seven children. Grandfather Hollenbeck
came from Dutch ancestry of New York.
Samuel Lindley, the father, always kept the farm on which he was
born and reared and the title has never been changed. Politically, he
is a Democrat of uncompromising terms. Among the local positions he
has held may be mentioned that of supervisor. Both he and his wife are
exemplary members of the Baptist church. Originally, the Lindley fam-
ily were of the Quaker religious faith. The children born to Samuel and
Harriet (Hollenbeck) Lindley are: Emma, wife of E. H. Boyd; Charles
E., a resident of Crawford county; Mollie, deceased; John William, of
this sketch; Ollie J. (twin sister of John W.), now wife of Qiarles H.
Voorheis, of Crawford county ; Ola, wife of J. H. Neff, residing in Sul-
livan county ; Samuel E., of Sullivan, a dentist.
John William Lindley was reared midst the scenes and labors inci-
dent to farm life and attended the common schools, after which he
attended the Southern Illinois Normal University, graduating with the
class of 1892. He then taught school one year in the city schools of
Robinson, Illinois, and read law in the same city, at the same time, with
Bradburv & McHatton. He remained with this firm for two years and
passed the examination before the appellate court, August 3, 1894, and
was admitted to the bar at Robinson. December 19, 1894, he began
practice in Sullivan, Indiana, in partnership with John C. Briggs, with
whom he remained until August i, 1899, since which he has practiced
independently. He has been connected with nearly every criminal case
tried within Sullivan county in the last four or five years, thus proving
his ability as a rising attorney. He was prosecuting attorney for the
Fourteenth judicial district for 1903-04.
Mr. Lindley is a member of the Sullivan County Bar Association.
Politically, he affiliates with the Democratic party and in his fraternal
relations is connected with the Knights of Pythias, Elks and Modern
Woodmen of America.
He was happily married, in September, 1901, to Zona Lacey, who was
HISTORY OF SULLIVAN COUNTY 21.
born in Sullivan, Indiana. September, 1877. She received her education
in the count)' of her birth. Her parents are Edward P. and Margaret
Lacey, both of whom still reside in Sullivan, her father being a teacher
in the public schools. Two children have blessed the home of Mr. and
Mrs. Lindley: Price, born in 1903, and Lois M., born in 1904. The par-
ents are members of the I'aptist church.
Fr.xnk M. DouTiiiTT, who is engaged in the clothing business at
Sullivan, was born April 14, 1871, in Jefferson township, Sullivan county,
Indiana, a son of Thomas M. and Lydia M. (Wells) Douthitt. The
father was a native of the same township and county, born on the old
original Douthitt homestead, eight miles east of Carlisle, which place was
settled by the grandfather. Thomas M., the father, was born April 23,
1845, and still lives on the old farm, with his wife, who was also born
within the same township, in 1848. He has always followed farming, and
was also quite a noted stock raiser. He is still able to attend to his finely
improved hundred-acre farm. In his politics he is decidedly a Democrat.
He has taken much interest in the welfare of his county, having served
one term as county commissioner, and was a justice of the peace one
term, etc. r>oth he and his wife are members of the Baptist church,
known as Indian Prairie church. They are the parents of five children,
born in the following order: William T., an attorne\- ; George E., resid-
ing in Carlisle: Frank M., of this notice: Louretta, died February 22,
1905 ; John E., residing on a farm adjoining the old homestead.
Being reared on his father's farm, Frank M. Douthitt had the advan-
tages of the public schools of his native county. He taught school one term
in" Jefferson township. He then went to Sullivan and began clerking for
McCammon & Wolfe, beginning April 27, 1892. This was in a clothing
store, in which he remained until December I, 1900, at which time he
opened a store on Jackson street, and put in a good stock of clothing
and gentlemen's furnishings, which line of business he still carries on in
a successful manner. His store is the largest of its line within the town
of Sullivan.
In his political views Mr. Douthitt supports the Democratic party,
believing, as he does, that this best represents the general interests of
the country. He is one of the directors in the Sullivan Building and
Loan Association, and has other business interests within the county.
Mr. Douthitt was married, November 24, 1896, to Miss Anna Boat-
right, a native of Sullivan, born October i, 1871, and educated in Sulli-
van, having graduated from the high school. She was engaged in the
millinery business with a sister at the time of her marriage. She is the
daughter of William and Ellen (Pearson) Boatright, both of whom are
now* residing in Sullivan. The children born to Mr. Douthitt and wife
are as follows: Paul Schuyler, born August 23, 1897: Thomas Edward,
born I\Iav 3, 1900; Joseph Boatright. born August 30, 1903.
22 HISTORY OF SULLIVAN COUNTY
Ira Glidden, one of the business factors of Sullivan, doing a mer-
cantile business, was born August 30, 1866, at Lewisville, Indiana, a son
of Frederick Eugene and Julia (Martin) Glidden. Both of the parents
were natives of Rush county, Indiana ; the father was born in 1834 and
died in 1900, at Lewisville, Indiana, while the mother was born in 1841
and is now residing at Lewisville. The father was a jeweler, and was
engaged in a jewelry business at Greenfield, Indiana, for a number of
years. In 1884 he went to Sullivan, where he conducted a jewelry and
shoe business until 1888, then returned to Greenfield and retired from
active business life.
Being eight years old at the time his parents moved to Greenfield,
Ira Glidden was there educated in the public schools. He remained with
his father until twenty-one years of age, then engaged in the clothing
trade, with W. E. Woods, of Sullivan, Indiana, serving as a clerk for
twelve years, and gaining a thorough knowledge of the business. His next
experience was as a commercial traveler out of Indianapolis for three
and a half years. He was with Henderickson & Lefler, hatters. After
quitting the road, he returned to Sullivan, where he was again emploved
by W. E. Woods for a short time, and in 1904 engaged in business for
himself, conducting a tailor shop. The following year he, with John F.
Douthitt, bought the clothing business belonging to J. W. Wolfe & Son,,
and they have conducted the store to the present time in a most satisfac-
tory and profitable manner. Their store is the most thoroughly up-to-
date one in Sullivan. He is identified with the Benevolent Protective
Order of Elks and the U. C. T. of Indianapolis.
Mr. Glidden was united in marriage, August 29, 1888. to Lola Moore,
born in Sullivan in 1862, where she was educated. Her parents were
Robert A. and Susan (Robison) Moore, the father living with his daugh-
ter, Mrs. Glidden, and the mother being deceased. Mr. Moore is one of
the pioneers of the dry goods trade in Sullivan. He retired from a long
and prosperous mercantile career, in the latter part of the eighties. Mr.
and Mrs. Glidden have two daughters : Nellie and Susan.
James R. Browx, lawyer and abstracter, practicing at Sullivan, is
a native of Wabash county, Illinois, born September 14, 1872, son of John
and Eliza (Cisel) Brown. The father was born in 1832 and died in
November, 1872. The grandfather, James Brown, a native of England,
born about 1795, came to the United States in 1820, locating in Virginia.
He removed to Illinois and there spent the remainder of his days. Grand-
father Thomas Cisel was born in Ohio in 1807, and went to Illinois on
a raft, run down the Wabash river, in 1814. The family settled at a
point within Wabash county. He was of English descent, and always
followed farming for his livelihood. The Cisels were all radical Demo-
crats, while the Browns were Republican in their political views.
John Brown, the father of James R., was also a sturdy farmer who,
at the date of his death, owned about two hundred and fifty acres of
HISTORY OF SULLIVAN COUNTY 23-
clioice land. He took a deep interest in church work, belonging to the
Methodist Episcopal denomination, and was a trustee in that church
nearly all of his life. The five children born to Mr. and Mrs. John
Brown were named as follows, in the order of their birth : JNIary, Aura,
and Leander, deceased ; Laura M., wife of H. A. Price, of Allendale,
Illinois, where he is engaged in the mercantile business ; James R., of
this memoir. After the death of the father, the mother married, in 1882,
J. V. B. Wright. She died in April, 1899. There were no children by
this marriage, and Mr. Wright now resides on a farm in Knox county,
Indiana.
James R. Brown was reared in Allendale, Illinois, to which place his
mother moved four months after the death of the husband and father.
The .son, having finished his course at the public schools of Allendale,
entered and graduated from the scientific course with the class of 1895,
at the Central Normal College at Danville, Indiana. He then entered
the State University, at Bloomington, Indiana, from which institution
he was graduated in 1896. He was admitted to the bar of the supreme
court of Indiana in the same year. He then began the practice of law
at Martinsville, Indiana, forming a partnership with ^^■. H. Pigg. This
law firm removed to Sullivan in 1897, and continued in the practice until
1900, since which date Mr. Brown has been in independent practice. He
also conducts an abstract business, with Joseph S. Schroeder. who in^ this
branch of the business is a partner. This is the only abstract office within
Sullivan county, and they do a large business and carry it on along
approved and correct lines. Mr. Brown is secretary of the Sullivan
County Loan Association; also president of the Sunday School Asso-
ciation, as well as being treasurer of the Tri-State Oil Company, all of
which causes him to be a very busy man. In fraternal society matters he is
connected with the Masonic, Ben Hur, Modern Woodmen and Royal
Neighbors societies. In Masonry, he belongs to the blue lodge and Eastern
Star degrees.
August 28, 1896, JMr. Brown was married to Sadie Holsen, a native
of Wabash county, Illinois, born January 25, 1875. She was educated in
her native county. Her parents were Frederic and Nancy (Kneippe)
Holsen, the former born in Germany and now living in Wabash county,
and the latter a native of Wabash county, where she died in 1892. The
father is a grain dealer and miller, living at Allendale, Illinois. Five
sons were born to ;\Ir. and Mrs. Brown: John Stanley, Rolland, Thomas
Cisel, Barrel and Marcell. The parents are members of the Methodist
Episcopal church, of which ]Mr. Brown is financial secretary, and he has
been a class leader for the last six years.
Adam Vincent Minich, farmer and stock raiser of Sullivan countv,
residing in Sullivan, was born May 9, 1857, in Haddon township. He is
a son of Pleasant Alexander and Sarah (Corbin) ]\Iinich, both parents
being natives of this county. The father was born June 6, 1822, and still
24 HISTORY OF SULLIVAN COUNTY
lives on the old ]\Iinich homestead in Haddon township, south of Car-
lisle. The mother, born January 25. 1832, also survives. The grand-
father, Adam Minich, was born in Virginia and his father and mother
came from Germany. The grandfather settled in Tennessee and moved
from that state to Sullivan county, Indiana, where he died November 16,
1826. He, with a brother, came to Sullivan county, and entered tracts
of government land. Adam Minich was a saddlemaker by trade and
employed a small wooden mallet with which to pound the impressions in
the leather he used for making the saddle skirts with. This implement
is now possessed by Adam V., of this notice, and highly prized as a
family relic.
Pleasant Alexander, the father, has always followed farming for
his livelihood and has made a success of tilling the soil. He now owns
two hundred and fifty acres of valuable land. The first house, which he
erected in 1856, is still standing on his farm, in the rear of the substantial
brick structure erected in 1878. In his political views. Pleasant A. Minich
is a Democrat, and in church faith a Methodist. He and his wife were
the parents of three children, as follows ; Adam V., of this sketch : Will-
iam Franklin, born August 22, 1859, married and resides at home with
his father ; Charles Theodore, died in infancy.
Adam V. i\Iinich obtained his early education at the public schools
and was reared to farm labor, and taught habits of frugality and industry.
He lingel'ed beneath the parental roof until twenty-four years of age, at
which time he began to farm independently in Haddon township, remain-
ing there until the autumn of 1903, when he moved to Sullivan. He still
owns his farm, which is a part of the old homestead. In Sullivan, he
has erected a commodious and modern styled residence, at the corner of
Section and Johnson streets. While residing in the town, he still oper-
ates his farm, in which he takes much interest. Politically, he is a firm
believer in Democratic policies and platforms. He was elected on this
ticket in the fall of 1902 as treasurer of Sullivan county, taking his seat
January i, 1904, and serving four years. He has never been a candidate
for any other public office. He is numbered with the Masonic fraternity,
being connected with Carlisle Blue Lodge, No. 3, F. and A. M. ; Jeru-
salem Chapter, No. 81, of Sullivan, and the Council of the same place.
He is also counted among the brotherhood of the ]\Iodern Woodmen of
America, at Carlisle, Lodge No. 3332.
November 17, 1881, he was united in marriage to Ollie M. Collins,
a native of Haddon township, born July 8, 1857, daughter of J. O. and
Sarah Watson Collins, the former born in Kentucky and coming to
Indiana in his youth, with his father. He died in Haddon township in
the latter part of the nineties and Mrs. Collins still lives in that township.
Mr. and Mrs. Minich have no children of their own, but adopted a girl
named Mabel and raised her to womanhood. She is still with her foster
parents and unmarried. She taught school several terms in Haddon
township as well as in the graded schools at Farmersburg and Carlisle.
Mrs. Minich is one of a family of nine children, six of whom still live.
They are as follows: Finley O., residing in Haddon township; Mrs.
HISTORY OF SULIJNAX COUNTY 25
jMinich ; Robert, residing on a farm in Tennessee ; Dudley Odcll. of
Haddon township: Eugene L., of Winchester. Tennessee, a hardware
merchant; Ora L., unmarried and at home with her mother.
Eso.M Rur.EN Leach, head of the firm of E. R. Leach & Co., of
Sullivan, was born March 16, 1855, in Cjrant county, Indiana, a son of
Edward and Emily (Brewer) Leach, both of whom died in Sullivan
county. The father came to this state from the East with his father and
mother, and he was engaged in mercantile pursuits in Grant and Sullivan
counties, moving to the last named county in 1864. In 1887 he went to
Nebraska and returned about 1890. When he first came to Sullivan
county, he settled in Cass township and raised one crop, and then moved
to Sullivan, where he engaged in business. He and his wife were mem-
bers of the old style Liaptist church and exemplary Christians. Their
children were as follows : William Jasper, residing in Sheridan, Ne-
braska ; Rachael Ann, deceased ; Charles Milton, residing in Grant
county ; George W., resides at Sullivan ; James S. ; Esom R., of this
review: Lucinda L., wife of William Lucas; Richard E., of Sullivan:
Mary, deceased ; John W.. deceased. The mother of these children died
in 1865. For his second wife. Mr. Leach married Mrs. Sallie Martin. The
children born of the second marriage were as follows : Levy. Emil}-,
Jesse. John, Bessie, Oliver, Daisy, and Marten.
E. R. Leach, of this biography, was only nine years of age w'hen he
came to Sullivan county. Here he obtained his common-school education
and clerked for his father while yet in his teens. When he had reached
his twenty-first year, with two brothers, J. S. and G. W., he engaged in
the livery business in Sullivan, continuing about two years. He then
returned to the farm, which he conducted about three years. His next
business was that of the grain, stock and implement business, wdiich he
carried on under the firm name of E. & E. R. Leach, operating this until
1886, when he went west, remaining in Nebraska until 1896 and being
engaged in farming in that state. Upon his return to the east, he was
employed as a clerk for G. W. Borders, being appointed, in the fall of
1897. superintendent of the county asylum, which position he resigned
after four years' faithful service. He was then appointed superintendent
of the Orphans' Home, at Greencastle. He remained there four years,
when he resigned and moved back to Sullivan. In April. 1907, he pur-
chased the business of the firm of Whitman & Asdel, who operated in
grain and feed. This business was run by Mr. Leach and his nephew,
Clell Leach, until September, 1907, when G. F. Botts bought an interest
in the business.
Mr. Leach was married March 12. 1889. to Mary J. Turman. who
was born in Turman township. Sullivan county, a daughter of Charles
and Nancy E. (Johnson) Turman, both of whom were natives of Sulli-
van county. Charles Turman is dead, but his wife resides at Graysville,
Indiana. Mr. and Mrs. Leach are the parents of two children : Glenn
26 HISTORY OF SULLIVAN COUNTY
Emma, born January 21, 1890, single, and a graduate of the Sullivan
High School with the class of 1908 ; Ruth Hazel, born November 28,
1893. Mrs. Leach is a consistent member of the Christian church. Polit-
ically, Mr. Leach affiliates with the Democratic party.
Walter F. Wood, the present prosecuting attorney for Sullivan
county, was born June 27, 1878, at Pleasantville, Indiana, son of Jesse A.
and Elizabeth (Jones) Wood. The father was born in Greene county,
Indiana, January 8, 1845, and now resides in Sullivan. The mother was
born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, October 20, 185 1, and is still living.
Mr. Wood's paternal grandfather. Lacy Wood, was a native of Tennes-
see, and was born in 1808, dying in 1875, at Pleasantville, Indiana. About
1835, he came to Indiana, settling in Greene county, but moved to near
Pleasantville in 1846. He was of English and Irish extraction. Grand-
father Jones was of Dutch lineage, but born in Pennsylvania, going to
Louisiana in the forties. He was killed while serving in the Confederate
army.
Jesse A. Wood (father) has always followed agricultural pursuits,
in which he has been materially prospered. Politically he is a stanch
defender of Republican ideas. He served in the Civil war, from 1864 to
1865 — from April to April inclusive — as a private soldier. Both he and
his wife are members of the Baptist church.
Walter F. Wood was reared in the free and independent atmosphere
of the farm, and attended the district schools, remaining at home until
about nineteen years of age. He had the desire to become a lawyer,
and read law at home a year, and then entered the office of Chaney &
McNabb, with whom he read more completely. Subsequently he was a
student in the offices of Buff & Stratton, and also with C. D. Hunt.
When twenty-one years of age, he was admitted to the bar, and when
twenty-three opened at office for the practice of his profession, which he
is still occupying, having practiced alone, with the exception of one year,
when he was associated with W'lliam B. Edmonds. Politically, he is a
progressive Republican, and was elected by this party, in November,
1906, as prosecuting attorney, receiving a majority of 362 votes, and
taking the office January i, 190?, for the term of two years.
Mr. Wood is a member of the Odd Fellows Order and the Modern
Woodmen of America. January 26, 1905, he was married to Miss Agnes
McGuire, daughter of Rev. U. M. McGuire, who is now pastor of the
Baptist church at Washington, Indiana. Mrs. Wood was born January 8,
1882, and graduated from the high school with the class of 1902. By
this union two daughters were born to bless the home : Elizabeth and
Margaret.
Paul Lyon Reid, the enterprising grocer and breeder of fine blooded
Shetland ponies, residing at Sullivan, Indiana, was born Januar_y 28, 1873,
in Sullivan county, Indiana, and is the son of James Thomas and Susan
HISTORY OF SULLR'AX COUNTY 2/-
(Lyon) Reid. The father was born in this county, and thed aljout 1900,
while the mother was a native of Owen county, Indiana, and now resides
at SulHvan. The father was a miller and merchant, operating the Sulli-
van Roller Mills for a number of years, and he was also a grocer. He
served in the Eighty-fifth Indiana regiment during the Civil war period
for the term of three years. Politically, he was a firm defender of Repub-
lican principles in party politics. He belonged to the Masonic order, being
a member of the blue lodge, F. & A. M. He and his wife were members
of the JMethodist Episcopal church. Five children were born to them, as
follows: William, deceased; Maude, wife of H. K. Ross, of Sullivan;
Paul Lyon, of this memoir; Lola, widow of C. D. Taylor, residing in
Sullivan ; Ruth, deceased.
Paul L. Reid attended DePauw University, at Greencastle, liuliana,
for two vears, after which he returned home and was employed by the
Electric Light Company (of which his father was at that time super-
intendent) for five years. He was associated with his father in the mill-
ing and grocery business up to 1900, when he engaged in the grocery trade
on his own account, continuing until the present time. He carries a full
line of staple and fancy groceries and has an excellent trade, Ixith within
and without the city. Politically, like his father, he is a Republican. He
is a Mason, being a member of both the blue lodge and chapter at Sulli-
van ; he is also connected with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks.
June 29, 1894, he was united in marriage to Josephine Ensminger,
born in Sullivan county, Indiana, October 12, 1874, daughter of Joseph
and Jennie (Benefield) Ensminger. Mrs. Reid was educated at the public
schools of her native county. The following chiklren were born to Mr.
and Mrs. Reid: Mildred, born February 21, 1896; James T., born May
8, 1897; Ruth, born September 5, 1899.
Besides the busy cares of his grocery business, Mr. Reid conducts
another industry — a Shetland pony farm. He carries in stock all the
time from thirty to forty head of fine Shetland ponies. His pony farm
contains one hundred and thirty-four acres and is known as the "Walnut
Grove Shetland Farm." He owns one exceptionally beautiful as well as
valuable sire of a spotted color. The animals from this farm are shipped
to every part of the country. This unique and profitable business has been
carried on bv I\Ir. Reid for six years and more.
WiNFiELD Scott Wolfe, who is numliercd among the enterprising
retail merchants of Sullivan, and the proprietor of one of the hardware
stores of the citv, was born February 6, 1880, in Sullivan county, Indiana,
on a farm, and is the son of John W. and Mary O. (Sproatt) Wolfe.
The father is also a native of Sullivan county, born there January 16,
1848. The mother, a native of Knox county, together with her husband,
is now leading a quiet and somewhat retired life at Sullivan. The father
was a farmer in Sullivan county up to i88t, when he went to the town
of Sullivan and there engaged in the clothing trade, continuing until
28 HISTORY OF SULLIVAN COUNTY
Ma)', 1906, when he sold to Glidden & Douthitt, the style of the firm
at that time being J. W. Wolfe & Son. Since then, he has led a retired
life. Politically, he is a Democrat. In his religious faith, both he and
his wife are of the Christian church. He belongs to the Odd Fellows
order and is ever alive to the best interests of his community.
The son, Winfield S., of this notice, was reared in Sullivan. He was
graduated from the Sullivan high school with the class of 1900, and then
entered into business with his father, having put in his spare hours at
the store before this time. He continued with the business until his
father sold in 1906, when Winfield S., with Charles Riggs. purchased a
hardware stock, which they dealt in until 1907, when he bought out his
partner, and now conducts the store alone. He carries a full and com-
plete line of shelf and heavy hardware, with stoves and buggies, together
with a few farm implements.
In his political views he is a Democrat and holds that the doctrine of
that party iDest suits the masses of American citizens. He is connected
with the Odd Fellows and Elks orders. ]Mr. W'olfe was married, in 1901,
to Roxa Willard, who was born in Gill township, Sullivan county, Indiana,
and died March 17, 1907. She was educated in this county and was the
daughter of Rufus O. and Mary (Owens) Willard. Her parents are now
residing in Gill township. She left one son and one daughter: Willard
W. and Mildred Louise. Mr. Wolfe is a member of the Christian church,
as was his wife in her lifetime.
Mr. Wolfe's sisters are Teresa, born August 9, 1883, is unmarried,
and at home; she was graduated with the class of 1902, and attended the
Conservatory of Music, taking both the vocal and instrumental courses ;
Edna, born August 3, 1886, is a graduate of the high school of Sullivan,
with the class of 1905 ; is unmarried and at home.
Walter Gibson Scott, hardware dealer of Sullivan, a son of Thomas
Leeman and Nancy M. (Cotterell) Scott, was born May 30, 1868, at
New Hope, Ohio. The father was a native of Cincinnati and of Scotch
descent. The mother was also born in Ohio, and they came to Indiana
in the early seventies, locating at a point in Morgan county, where the
father died. Thomas Leeman Scott, was a practicing physician and sur-
geon. He graduated at Cincinnati, Ohio, at one of the medical colleges.
Politically, Dr. Scott was an uncompromising Republican, and served in
the Civil war as a lieutenant. He belonged to the order of Knights of
Honor. He had three children: Walter G., of this memoir; John Thomas,
residing in Indianapolis, where he is practicing medicine ; Albert David,
residing in Sullivan county.
Mr. Scott received his education in Indiana and at the age of twelve
years set out in the conflict of life for himself by working on a farm.
When eighteen years of age he commenced to farm for himself, continu-
ing two seasons in Ohio, and then came to Elnora, Indiana, where he
learned the art, or profession, of telegraphy, operating for the Evansville
HISTORY Ol' SULLRAX COUXTY 29.
& Terre Hauto Railroad Company for ihe next nine years. He then
returned to farm life fur two years, coming to Sullivan in 1904. Here
he embarked in the hardware business, coupline:--with it house furnishing
goods, wagons, buggies and pipe-fittings. He is in company with his
brother, A. D. Scott. They also conduct a sale stable, catering to the
local trade and the coal mines. Mr. Scott is president of the Business
Men's Association of Sullivan ; he belongs to the Knights of Pythias
order, and has advanced in Masonry to the thirty-second degree. In
politics, he is a Republican. He was united in marriage, in 1905, to Nettie
Bond, born in Worden, Illinois. One child has come to bless and brighten
their home — Myrle Wyatt Scott, born April 12, 1906. The parents are
niemliers of the Methodist Episcopal church.
James M. Sinclair, one of the proprietors of the popular ''Index
Store" of Sullivan, is a native of Sullivan county, Indiana, born Decem-
ber 31, 1 87 1, in Hamilton township. He is the son of Samuel and Sarah
(Willis) Sinclair, the former born in Indiaija, and the latter in Kentucky,
February 29, 1832. The mother is still living with her son, James M.
The father died about 1881. Politically, he was a stanch Democrat, and
both he and his wife were members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
Eight children blessed their marriage union, as follows : William M.,
residing at Coffeeville, Kansas ; Mary A., wife of Andy Mason, of Sulli-
van ; Thomas H., of Sullivan ; Elizabeth, wife of Malon Gustin, of Sulli-
van ; Edward, residing in Hamilton township ; Eliza, wife of Reason
Lovelace, residing at Duggar ; Flora ; James M., of this notice.
Reared midst the scenes and labors coincident to the farmer's life,
James M. Sinclair remained at home until about twenty years, when he
went to Sullivan and commenced clerking for a Mr. Boyd, who conducted
the first Racket store established in the place. After working there two
years, he was employed at other places up to 1898, at which date he estab-
lished a business for himself. At. first, he began with a stock of goods in
what was known as the Racket store, having an endless variety of small,
cheap articles. In the course of time, as his trade demanded it, he added
more goods, until he now heads the firm of Sinclair & Co., which firm
deals in a wholesale and retail way in furniture, stoves, tinware, queens-
ware, glassware and five and ten cent counter articles — the latter being
their specialty. This store is situated in the Odd Fellows building at
Sullivan. By strict attention to duty, a large and prosperous business
has grown up and the trade which at first was on a small scale has become
one of goodlv proportions. In his political views, Mr. Sinclair is a Demo-
crat. In 1898 he served as clerk and treasurer of the town of Sullivan.
He is identified with the Odd Fellows order, including the Encampment
degree. Himself and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal
church, of which body he is one of the trustees.
January 8, 1896, ]\Ir. Sinclair was married to Fannie E. Orndorff,
born in Knox county, Indiana, .April 10, 1879, daughter of Wallace and
30 HISTORY OF SULLIVAN COUNTY
Laura (Knotts) Orndorff. The father died in Knox county when i\Irs.
Sinclair was in her infancy. Her mother later married her first husband's
brother, Andrew J. Sinclair, and they now reside south of Sullivan, in
Hamilton township. Mrs. Sinclair received her education in Sullivan
county. The children born of her marriage to Mr. Sinclair are : Frances
L., born August lo, 1897, and Zola I., born April 14, igoo.
James Fraxk Alumbaugh. — The vice president of the First Na-
tional Bank of Carlisle, Indiana, and a man prominent in the business
circles of his town and county, is James F. Alumbaugh, who was born
September 10, 1857, in Haddon township, Sullivan county, Indiana, a
son of Tilford and Paulina J. (Gobin) Alumbaugh. The father, who
was of German descent, always followed farming in Haddon township,
until about 1890, when he retired to Carlisle. He was a highly success-
ful farmer and stock-raiser, at one time owning three hundred acres of
most excellent Indiana land. Tilford Alumbaugh was born April i,
1834, in Gill township, Sullivan county, and died March 22, 1900, aged
sixty-five years, eleven months and twenty-one days. He was one of
seven brothers, two perhaps being younger than he, but he was the last
to pass away. The death of both parents within a short time of each
other left him an orphan about the age of five years. He lived with his
uncle, Morris Roberts, until eleven years old and was then bound out to
Milner E. Nash, who died in February, shortly before young Alumbaugh
was twenty-one. He remained with the widow during the following sum-
mer. In the autumn of 1855 Mr. Alumbaugh went to James M. Gobin's
place. This was a turning point in his life, for about one year afterward,
on September 11, 1856, he was married to Paulina J. Gobin, daughter of
James M. To this union were born three children : Libbie G., James F.
and William H., the last named dying in infancy. This left only a brother
and a sister. The daughter was the late sister Cauble, of precious mem-
ory. The son, James F., one of the leading business men of Carlisle, is
the only one now surviving. Uncle "Tip," as Tilford Alumbaugh was
called, commenced life with nothing, but b}' industry and integrity, by
economy and good management, he long since secured a competency for
himself and his family. He loved his family and served them by self-
sacrifice. He obeyed the gospel and became a member of the Providence
Christian church in the early sixties. He and his wife were baptized at
the same time by Uncle Joe Wolfe, who had also issued their marriage
license and solemnized their marriage. Tilford Alumbaugh was a char-
ter member of the Carlisle Christian church, which met first in the old
Seminary, then in a rented hall, and finally in the house now occupied by
the church. In the building of this house, in 1866, he took a leading part,
being a member of the building committee, and contributing largely both
of time and money. For many years he served the congregation as elder.
In church work, as in everything, he was candid, energetic and decisive.
In his death the family lost an exemplary father and husband, the church
THE Nil ./ YORK
PUfiUC LIISRARY
ASTOR, LENOX AND
TILDEN' FOUHDATIONS,
HISTORY OF SULLR'AN COUNTY 31
one of its most valuetl ineml)ers. and the community a benefactor.
"Blessed are the dead that die in the Lord, from henceforth ; yea, saith
the Spirit, that they ma\- rest from their labors, and their works "do follow
them." A large audience attended the funeral, which took place in the
Christian church, Sunday, March 25, at 10:00 A. M., interment being at
Engle cemetery. The services were conducted b\- the pastor, Rev
T. A. Cox.
The mother of James F. Alumbaugh was also a native of Fladdon
township, born near Carlisle, Indiana, January 5, 1826, the daughter of
James 1\1. and Levicy (Booker) (.K)bin. James M. Gobin was born in
Kentucky and his wife in Indiana, and both died in Haddon township,
Sullivan county. Fie was a farmer and also a stock-raiser. In the early
sixties Mrs. Alumbaugh became a Christian, uniting with the Providence
Christian church, near Paxton, and with her husband she was a charter
member of the Christian church at Carlisle. Through all the early strug-
gles and successes of this church, she helped to carry the burdens and
rejoice in the victories, and in her last moments the church was her chief
source of care. No excuse for absence from the services of the church
was satisfactory to her except sickness. She was ready to give of her
means as well as her time and personal services toward the support of
the teaching of the gospel. Her home was the home of the preacher
as long as she was physically able to take care of the house. For months
she had not been in vigorous health and for some weeks was quite feeble,
but would not give her consent to leave her own home until stricken
with paralysis, January 13, when she was removed to the home of her
son, James Frank, where she died January 30, 1903. Retiring and mod-
est almost to timidity, she was not a talking Christian but a working
Christian. The early years of her married life, when she began with
little, as well as in the later years of financial success, she was a true
helpmate to her husband, by whose side she stood for more than forty-
three years, was a true mother, a good neighbor, a faithful friend and an
earnest though quiet Christian.
James F. Alumbaugh was reared to farm labor, receiving his educa-
tion in the district schools. He engaged in the livery business when
twenty-three years old, locating at Carlisle for one year, where he oper-
ated the business until he sold it, to engage in the hardware trade, in
company with J. N. Roberts, under the firm name of Roberts & Alum-
baugh. They also conducted a lumber and grain business at the depot
and carried a large stock of farm implements and vehicles. This co-part-
nership existed until January i, 1905, when it was dissolved bv mutual
consent. The hardware business is now conducted by Mr. Alumbaugh's
son, under the name of J. F. Alumbaugh & Co. Since January i, 1905,
when Mr. Alumbaugh retired from the hardware business, he has super-
intended his farm in Haddon township, a two hundred acre tract known
as the old Alumbaugh homestead. He is also president of the Carlisle
Construction Company, formed for the purpose of constructing gravel
and stone walks and roads, and is vice president and one of the original
organizers of the First National Bank of Carlisle, a solid financial insti-
voi. 11— 3
32 HISTORY OF SULLIVAN COUNTY
tution. Like his fatlier, James F. Alumbaugh affiliates with the Demo-
cratic party. He is a meinber of the county council and served two terms
on the town council. He takes much interest in educational matters, hav-
ing served nine years on the Carlisle school board with much credit to
himself and to the entire satisfaction of the district. He belongs to
Carlisle Lodge, No. 3, F. & A. M., standing high in the Alasonic fra-
ternity.
Mr. Alumbaugh was married June 11, 1884, to Nora May IMarkee,
who was born in Carlisle June 11, 1866, daughter of Isaac Newton and
Mary Ann (Ferree) Markee. (See sketch of the Ferree family, else-
where in this work, with sketch of Edley W. Rogers.) Isaac Newton
Markee was born in Tippecanoe, Harrison county, Ohio, February 7,
1832. He was married May 29, 1856, to Mary Ann Ferree Pirtle, of
Carlisle, Indiana, by Capt. Wilbur Van Fossen. To this union were born
iive children : William Allen, Sarah 'Ellen, Nora D., Maud Winifred and
1 daughter who died in infancy. Mr. Markee was a shoemaker by trade
and a man of good business tact and had the confidence of all who knew
him. His father, James Markee, was born in 1795 and is buried in the
town cemetery of Robinson, Illinois. The mother, Rhoda Johnson Nevitt,
was born in Ohio in Januar}', 1801. Isaac Newton Markee died in Car-
lisle, Indiana, September 6, 1883, of paralysis of the bowels, having been
an invalid for many years. Mrs. Alumbaugh was educated at Carlisle,
Indiana, and taught school for a season. One son was born to j\lr.
Alumbaugh and wife, Harry Tilford, born March 21, 1885. He was
educated at Carlisle and at the naval academy at Culver. Indiana, and the
Illinois University, after which he returned home. He married Abbie
Ross Harris, a native of Richmond, Indiana, where she was reared and
educated, and they have two sons : James Winston and Harris Tilford.
Mr. and Mrs. James F. Alumbaugh are members of the Christian church.
Mrs. Alumbaugh is especially interested in church work, having served
eight years as president of the C. W. B. M., three years as junior super-
intendent of the C. E., a teacher in the Sunday school for twenty-five
years, and has always taken an active part in all public charities. At
present she is vice president of the National Benevolent Association for
Homeless Children, and has done much good for that cause. She is
much beloved by children and appreciates greatly the friendship of a
child.
The following obituary is taken from the Carlisle (Indiana) Nczus
of February 28, 1907:
IN MEMORI.-XM.
Mary Ann (Ferree) Markee was the daughter of Philip Copeland
Ferree and Margaret (Trimble) Ferree. She was born near Paxton,
Indiana, at the home of her grandparents, Joel Ferree and Mary (Leeth)
Ferree, who were pioneer settlers of this township. The Ferrees are of
French Huguenot ancestry, and she bore the name of her great-great-
great-grandmother, Madame Mary Ferree, who, with her children, fled
HISTORY OF SUIJJA'AN COUNTY 33
from France after the edict of Nantes, came to America with William
Penn and founded the first Huguenot colony in Pennsylvania in 1708.
The greater part of Mrs. Markee's life was spent in this community.
She received such education as the times afforded, which was meager.
At the age of seven she was motherless, and e'er she was sixteen she
was bereft of stepmother, father and grandparents. As the eldest of
the little flock she bravely took the mother's place until she was incapaci-
tated by illness, when the care of the little brothers was assumed by an
uncle and she and her only sister, Sarah Fllen, found homes with maternal
relatives.
At the age of twenty she was married to William Linder Pirtle, son
of Jacob and Lydia Pirtle, a young man of sterling qualities. He was a
tanner, in partnership with Isaac Shannon, the home and tanyard occupy-
ing a block on Harrison street. In 1852, she united with the Methodist
church. She and her husband were immersed in Busseron creek, near
Leclgerwood's Mill, by Rev. J. W. Julian. Her marriage was a happy
one, but the young husband contracted quick consumption from over-
work and exposure, and in August, 1853, she was left a widow with a
young child, Margaret Oily (Mrs. Walstine Rogers), who survives her,
the other daughter, Laura Jane, having died in infancy.
The widow was married. May 29, 1856, to Isaac Newton Markee,
son of James M. and Rhoda Markee, of Palestine, Illinois. The cere-
mony was performed at her home by Squire Van Fossen, and the fiftieth
anniversary of the event was quietly celebrated in Chicago last May.
Of this union five children were born, four of whom survive her : Will-
iam Allen Markee, of Chicago; Sarah Ellen (Mrs. Frank Buckley), of
Monett, Missouri: Nora May (Mrs. Frank Alumbaugh), of Carlisle,
Indiana; Maud Winifred (Mrs. George R. Miles), of Chicago. The
second child, a daughter, died in infancy.
Mr. Markee's health failed, and while the children were yet young
she bravelv became the bread-winner of the family and performed both
father and mother's part in caring for and educating her children. She
faithfully ministered to her invalid husband until his death, September 6,
1883. At this time all her children were married and well launched in
the world, except the youngest, and to better her condition she decided to
leave her native state. The inherited pioneer spirit of her ancestors
asserted itself and she turned her face westward to what seemed to her
the Land of Promise — Antelope Valley, in northwest Nebraska. A colony
under the leadership of Rev. J. A. Scamahorn, of Sullivan, was organ-
ized in 1884. About sixty or seventy-five families from Sullivan and
Carlisle made up the party. Those from Carlisle were Mrs. Markee and-
daughter, Maud, Dr. W. A. Lisman, Samuel and Albert Helms, Jacob
Milam, Alonzo, John, Joseph and Oscar Estabrook and Charles Speake.
Thev went a hundred miles beyond Valentine, the terminus of the rail-
road, and settled on government land in the valley of the Antelope, in
what is now Sheridan county, Nebraska. Airs. Markee was then past
fifty-four years of age and was companioned only by her young daughter.
For thirteen vears she lived there, enduring all the hardships incident to
34 HISTORY OF SULLR'AN COUNTY
pioneer life. Everytliing was in the experimental stage, failure after
failure rewarding their efforts. The severe winter, lack of rainfall and
failure of crops all tended to discourage the little band of settlers. Strong
men faltered, weak ones turned back, but Mrs. Markee bravely plodded
on, firm in her confidence in the final success of the venture.
The years sped apace ; success seemed within her grasp — the years
of toil were bearing fruit — when suddenl)' the realization came that old
age was upon her. She turned over the management of her affairs to
her 3-oungest daughter and finally yielded to the desires of her elder
children to leave the scene of her struggles and returned to the land of
her birth to spend the evening of her life with her children and grand-
children. Her industry, her public spirit, her high ideals, have made a
lasting impression on the community which she helped to found. Her
name is a synonym of courage, and there are many friends there who
will mourn the passing of her brave spirit. Her life here since her return
has been very happy. She has divided her time between her four daugh-
ters and has watched the development of her grandchildren and great-
grandchildren with satisfaction.
To look back over seventy-six years of useful life, to realize that no
duty has been left undone, to sleep every night with a clear conscience,
to feel that in all the walks of life she has acquitted herself nobly and
well, to see her children grow up and fill honorable places in the world,
to bear with patience the affliction which came upon her when paralysis
robbed her of her activity, to be tenderly ministered unto during the year
of her helplessness by her devoted children and grandchildren and great-
grandchildren, to enjoy at intervals the relatives and friends who came
with words of cheer, to have a heart full of gratitude and thankfulness
and to preserve an abiding faith in an All Wise Creator — this has been
her portion ; this has constituted the glow which pervaded her sick-
room. Her life went out like the passing of a perfect day. in a glorious
sunset.
"Her children rise up and call her blessed," and in all this world of
shadows they see no shadow of a final parting from her. Three of her
daughters were at her bedside when the end came. The simple funeral
service was conducted at her home Wednesday afternoon by Brother and
Sister Edwards, the details having been arranged in accordance with her
wishes. The body was borne to its last resting place in the Carlisle
cemetery by members of her own famih\
Charles Francis Batey, of the firm of Reed & Batey, druggists,
and one of the well-known and enterprising merchants doing business at
Sullivan, is a native of Kansas, born September 24, 1874, in Marshall
county of that state. He is the son of William Henry and Alice (Francis)
Batev. The senior Batey was a native of Ohio, "born February, 1850,
and died in 1900, in Sullivan county, Indiana. The mother of Charles F.
was born in Kansas, and died in 1876, after which sad event the father
HISTORY OF SULLIVAN COUNTY 35 •
married Mary E. Stuckcy, a native of Illinois, and who now resides at
Tcrre Haute. One child was born to each union — Charles F., by the first,
and Thomas Lloyd, by the second. Thomas Lloyd was born in iSSS, in
Crawford county, Illinois, and now resides with his mother at Terre
Haute.
Charles Francis Batey was reared by his father and continued to
remain at home until he was eighteen years of age, after which time he
was variously engaged in the western part of Sullivan county for about
two years. When about twenty years old, he went to Sullivan. This
was in 1894 and then he commenced clerking for Joseph S. Reed in the
drug business. He remained with him until 1898, then went to Terre
Haute with the Burton Drug Company, for whom he traveled about one
year in southern Indiana. But not thinking the position on the road to
his liking, he opened a drug store for Mr. Coffman, in Sullivan, but after
a short time left that enterprise and went back with J. S. Reed and
remained with him until September, 1902. when he bought a half interest
of the Reed stock, since which time the firm has been known as Reed &
Batey. They handle large quantities of drugs, wall paper, paints, all
kinds of musical instruments, sewing machines and general supplies.
Mr. Batey is a half owner of the Globe Theatre at Sullivan, which
he opened himself in May, 1907, but in the following August took Francis
H. Abell in as his partner, the latter being the manager of it. In his
political choice, Mr. Batey is a Republican. Fraternally, he is associated
with the Odd Fellows, Elks and Modern Woodmen of America orders,
having reached the Encampment degree of the first named lodge, while
he is a trustee of the last two.
In the month of August, 1898, he was married to Louise Burton,
daughter of Thomas and Emily (Brewer) Burton. Mrs. Batey's mother
is still living, and both were natives of Sullivan county, Indiana. Mrs.
Batey was born April, 1874, and graduated from the high school of Sulli-
van." To Mr. and Mrs. Batey one daughter has been born: Emily Pau-
line, born in May, 1899. The parents are both members of the Methodist
Episcopal church.
Laf.wette a. Stewart, D. D. S., dental surgeon, practicing in Sulli-
van, Indiana, is a native of Sullivan county, born June 12, 1864, son of
Lafayette and Emily (Peters) Stewart. The father was born in Indiana
and died in Sullivan county in 1884. He was descended from that most
sturdy and excellent people, the Scotch-Irish. The mother was born in
Sullivan county and died in 1888. Lafayette Stewart was a general mer-
chant doing business at Grayville and .Sullivan, Indiana, up to within
twenty years of his death, when he engaged in the insurance and real
estate' business in Sullivan. In politics, he was a supporter of the chief
principles of the Democratic part\' ; was trustee of Hamilton township,
and took nuich interest in public matters. He was a member of the pio-
neer Masonic lodge at Sullivan, being a charter member, and its first
master. Lie was also advanced to membership in the chapter of that
36 HISTORY OF SULLIVAN COUNTY
fraternity. Both he and his wife were members of the Presbyterian
church, of which he served as an elder for a number of years. Eight
children blessed this imion : Isaac P., deceased ; Joseph L., residing in
New York City; two who died in infancj-; Charles M., deceased; Flor-
ence B., wife of R. C. Barnes, residing at Long Beach, California ; Lafay-
ette A. ; Ralph W., residing at Danville, Illinois, a practicing dentist.
Lafayette A. Stewart was graduated from the high school of Sulli-
van with the class of 1883, after which he entered the Indiana Dental
College, at Indianapolis, from which institution he was graduated in 1888.
In the meantime, he worked with his brother Charles in the insurance
business. After his graduation, he commenced the practice of dentistry
in Sullivan, where he is still located, and enjoying a lucrative practice.
In his political views. Dr. Stewart is a defender of pure Democracy
and votes the Democratic ticket. In his fraternal relations, he is num-
bered among the brothers of the blue lodge, chapter and council of the
Masonic order ; he also belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows
— subordinate and encampment degrees.
The doctor was united in marriage, August 14, 1890, to Mattie Crow-
der, born in Sullivan, November 6, 1866, a daughter of Dr. R. H. Crow-
der. Mrs. Stewart was educated in the Sullivan schools. Both the doctor
and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and he has
served as a trustee of the church for several years. Two children were
born to Dr. Stewart and wife; Lois, born November 3, 1892; she is now
attending high school; Lafayette, born ]\Iarch 27, 1903.
Frank J. Nicholas, an enterprising and skillful contractor and
builder of Sullivan, is a native of Morgan county, Indiana, born March 3,
1878, a son of James F. and Rhoda (Long) Nicholas, who were born in
Morgan county, Indiana. The father is a brick mason and contractor,
who went to Sullivan in 1890, and has resided there ever since. He is a
Republican in his political views, and was a soldier in the Civil war, being
a member of the fife and drum corps. He is a member of the Grand
Army of the Republic.
When Frank J. was about three years old, his parents moved to
Brazil, Indiana, where he attended school. At the age of fifteen years
he commenced to work for himself, learning the bricklayer's trade and
working at it in Brazil for five years, during which time he studied at
home. He had taken up the study of architecture and when he had
reached twenty years of age, began contracting on his own account. His
first building contract was the Davis, Carpenter & Hoskins building, a
business block and business college structure, of which Mr. Nicholas was
the contractor on the mason work. He remained there until 1900, then
went to Colorado Springs, Colorado, where he superintended the erection
of three large veneered brick residences, he doing the architectural work
on the same. In the autumn of 1900, he came to Sullivan, where he has
resided ever since and been engaged in the architecture and building
HISTORY OF SULLR'AN C"OUNTY 37-
business, doing contract work. Among; the structures planned by him
may be named in this connection the Citizen's Trust & Loan Company's
building, the largest luiilding in Sullivan county. It is located on the
corner of Jackson and Main streets and is seventy-five by one hundred
and thirty feet on the ground and fifty-five feet high — three stories. He
also built the Carnegie Library, which was erected in 1904, at a cost of
$10,000. Mr. Nicholas' father had the contract for doing the mason
work on the Davis Hotel and superintended the building of the Methodist
Episcopal churcii at Sullivan. Besides the buildings named, Frank J.
Nicholas had the coiUract for building the Jackson Street High School
building, in Sullivan, and also the Leach block, on West Washington
street. Among the late and beautiful residences within the town, he has
had the majority of the building contracts, including the preparation of
the plans and specifications. In the Giles Addition to Sullivan, he planned
and contracted for all of the buildings except one, and built the Bay's
block on North Court street. At this writing, he drew the plans for the
new Presbyterian church, erected in 1908. He is one of the stockholders
of the new opera house being erected, and made the plans for the build-
ing, which is known as the "Colonnade." Politically, Mr. Nicholas is a
firm supporter of the principles laid down by the Republican party. He
is identified with the Masons and Elks.
He was united in marriage, first in 1897, to Mary Underbill, who was
born at Pleasantville, Sullivan county, Indiana, December 10, 1877, and
who died April 22, 1906, leaving two children to mourn her death. The
issue by this union was : Lois, deceased, William ; Agnes : Mary Ger-
trude, deceased. For his second wife, Mr. Nicholas married, in Novem-
ber, 1907, Gertrude Underbill, a sister of his first wife, and who Vv'as
born in the same locality in 1879. The first wife spent the last two years
of her life in Colorado Springs. Both wives were members of the Bap-
tist church, and members of the Rebekah lodge of the Odd Fellows order.
Beginning at the lower round of the ladder of life, Mr. Nicholas has
steadily made his way upward, though at times against many difficulties.
He has accumulated a handsome property, including two fine residences in
Sullivan.
GicoRGE R.\ND.\Li, Stiver.s, proprietor of the Interurban Restaurant
of Sullivan, Indiana, was born in Meigs county, Ohio, July 19, 1856, a
son of George and Elizabeth (Rice) Stivers. The mother was born in
Alabama, in 182 1, and died in 1883. The father was born in Oswego
countv. New York, in 1819, and was killed at the battle of Stone River,
Januarv 2. 1862. during the Civil war. He was a captain in the Eigh-
teenth Ohio \'olunteers. He owned a steamboat, was captain of the same,
and plied the rivers from Pittsburg to Kentucky. He had this boat built
at ]\Iadison, Indiana, and it was called "Leslie Combs." It was built for
George R. Stivers by the Robinson Brothers. His maternal grandparents
were'residents of New Orleans, and at one time were Cjuite wealthy. The
paternal grandfather, George Randall Stivers, was born in Germany and
38 HISTORY OF SULLIVAN COUNTY
his wife, Mary Uriaiia, was born in the same country, and there they
were united in marriage, coming to this country at a very earlv day. They
were the parents of the following children : William, deceased ; George,
deceased; Uriana, a resident of Des Moines, Iowa; Catherine, of the
same city, and both are unmarried; Charles, a resident of Frankfort,
Kentucky. George Stivers, the father of George Randall, was a Repub-
lican in politics and belonged to the Masonic fraternity. In church rela-
tions he was a member of the Baptist church, as was also his wife, until
after his death, when she united with the Methodist Episcopal church.
There were five children born to Mr. and Mrs. George Stivers : Harriet,
deceased; Oliver Rice, resides in Columbus, Ohio, and is a commercial
salesman; Serena, deceased; Mary Uriana, deceased; George Randall,
of this memoir.
Reared in Kentucky and Indiana, George Randall Stivers received
the most of his schooling in Vevay, Indiana, and learned the printer's
trade at that place. He was employed for three years on the Vevay
Reveille, after which he worked for a time in Cincinnati, on the Enquirer.
Leaving this trade, he commenced the butchering business at Edinburg,
Indiana, where he continued for ten years. He then moved to Sullivan,
Indiana, where he followed the same business for seventeen years. He
sold this business and engaged in the restaurant business, moving to his
present place in December, 1906. His place of business is at the corner
of North Court and Beech streets, Sullivan. In addition to the regular
restaurant trade, he carries a full line of tobacco, cigars, candies, etc.
In his political views, Mr. Stivers is a believer in the principles of
the Republican party. For two years he was marshal of the town of
Edinburg and served on the town board of Sullivan two years. He is
interested in fraternal societies, belonging to the Odd Fellows, Elks,
Knights of Pythias and Modern Woodmen of America. He was united
in marriage, December 28, 1886, to Nanie Bowers, who was born in
Parksville, Kentucky, August 30, 1856, and died February 16, 1905. She
was educated at the high school of Edinburg, Johnson county, Indiana.
There was no issue by this marriage. For his second wife, Mr. Stivers
married, August 5, 1907, Nora Shepherd, who was born in Sullivan
county, Indiana, May 12, 1880. The present wife is a member of the
Presbyterian church, while the first wife was connected with the Christian
denomination.
John Ersinger, a civil engineer of Sullivan, Indiana, was born Sep-
tember 3, i860, in Canton Schaft'hausen, Switzerland, a son of Michael
and Anna (Myers) Ersinger, both natives also of that place, and both
now deceased. They were farmers in Switzerland, and of an excellent
family. The children born to Michael and Anna (Myers) Ersinger were
as follows : Barbara ; Michael ; Christian ; Leonard ; George ; Alexan-
der ; John : Anna, deceased. This family all live in Switzerland except
John and his brother Leonard, who resides in northern Indiana.
Educated in Switzerland in a literary and civil engineering course.
TITSTORY OF SULLU'AN COUNTY 39
John Ersin,Q;c'r, in 1880. came to the United States and located at Pitts-
burg, Pennsylvania, where he was engaged at his profession for about
four months, then went to Indiana and settled at Goodland, where his
brother now resides, and here engaged in the railway service, being in
the civil engineering department of the Chicago & Eastern Illinois Railroad
Company. His first work was surveying the road from Brazil to Evans-
ville. His next employment was in Minnesota, on an extension of the
Duluth & Iron Range, from Tower to Ely. After one year's service
there, he returned to Brazil, Indiana, from which place he surveyed a line
to Evansville, for the Chicago & Eastern Illinois System. He then quit
railroading and returned to Brazil and operated a coal mine for about
three years, after which he engaged as an engineer in the construction
of the gravel roads in Clay county, Indiana, at which he worked for about
four years, and during which time he constructed most of the gravel roads
in that county. May i, 1898, he went to Sullivan, when the gravel roads
were first started in that section of the state, and was there employed at
such work for about two years. At the termination of this undertaking,
he, with R. L. Bailey, surveyed for several interurban roads which have
not as yet been constructed. In 1904, he entered into a contract to con-
struct macadamized roads in Sullivan county, of which he has up to this
time made nine miles of most excellent roads. He is still thus engaged
and his skill is acknowledged to be superior to others employed in such
contract work.
Politically, he is a Republican, and fully alive to all of that party's
interests. He is affiliated with the Masonic fraternity, being a member
of blue lodge, chapter, council, commandery and Eastern Star. He is
also a member of the lienevolent Protective Order of Elks. He is a stock-
holder in the Hamilton Gas and Oil Company, of which he is also a
director.
WiLLi.AM H. Luc.\s, of the Sullivan Transfer Company, is a native
of Turman township, Sullivan county, Indiana, born December 11, 1858,
son of Barton R. and Sarah Elizalaeth (Weir) Lucas. His father was
born in Floyd county, Indiana, October, 1833, of Scotch-Irish descent.
The mother was born in Turman township, in 1836, and died in 1872 ; she
was of Irish extraction. The grandfather of William H. Lucas, James
W'eir, was a native of Ireland, and his wife, Margaret McKee, was born
in the United States. James Weir always followed farming for his live-
lihood, and was among the pioneer settlers of Turman township. Barton
R. Lucas, the paternal grandfather, was born in Scotland and came to
this country, where he served in the war of 1812 against Great Britain.
He also followed agricultural pursuits all of his life.
Barton R. Lucas, the father of William H., was a soldier in the Civil
war, and after his return from that conflict engaged in farming, continu-
ing until about 1S70, when he retired to Sullivan, where he lived until
1902, and then removed to Bedford, Indiana, his present home. He was
twice married, first to Sarah Elizabeth Weir, by whom the following chil-
40 HISTORY OF SULLIVAN COUNTY
dren were born : James B., deceased ; ^^''ilIiam H., of this notice : John
A., of SulHvan; Charles E., deceased; Sarah E., deceased; Estella,
deceased. For his second wife, Mr. Lucas married Catherine Deckard,
by whom he had one daughter — Cora, who is living at Bedford, Indiana.
WilHam H. Lucas was practically reared in Sullivan county, as his
father moved to this county when he was a mere boy. Here he was edu-
cated in the common schools in Sullivan. When but seventeen years of
age, he enlisted, September 12, 1876, in the Seventh LInited States Cav-
alry, serving until September 12, 1881. He was stationed with the regi-
ment in Dakota. Alontana, W)'"oming, L^tah and the northwest. He was
both a private and an orderly sergeant. After the termination of his
army service, he turned his attention toward railroading, entering the
employ of the Evansville & Terra Haute Railroad, commencing as a
brakeman in the passenger service. He was in this position about one
year, when he was promoted to conductor on the same road. He ran
from Evansville to Terre Haute, following the same until 1887, when
he abandoned the road and engaged in the livery business, coupled with
a transfer line, which is now styled the Sullivan Transfer Company. At
present, his partner is James E. Russell. They have the largest barn in
the town of Sullivan. They cater to the hotel service and also to passenger
and mail interests.
In his political affiliations, Mr. Lucas is a stanch supporter of the
Republican party ; he has served two years on the town council and in
January, igo8, was elected as chairman of the Republican county central
committee. He is a member of the Odd Fellows and Knights of Pythias
fraternities and also a member of the Benevolent Protective Order of
Elks. He is now serving as the president of the Sullivan County Trotting
Association.
An important event in the career of Mr. Lucas was his marriage,
October i. 1882, to Lucinda C. Leach, who was born in Grant county,
Indiana, April 23, 1857, a daughter of Edmond and Emily (Brewer)
Leach, both natives of Indiana, and both now deceased. Mr. and I\Irs.
Lucas are the parents of one daughter — Glen, who was born July 26,
1883. She was educated at the high schools of Sullivan and then attended
the Indianapolis Conservatory of Music for two years, taking both vocal
and instrumental instructions. She was married, July 24. 1903, to Harold
C. Bays, and they reside at Culver, Indiana. Mrs. Lucas is a mem-
ber of the Christian church and much interested in the work of that
denomination.
M.ANNiNG E. Drake, of the Sullivan Monument Company, workers
m marble and stone for monumental purposes, was born October 19,
1854, in Fairbanks township, Sullivan county, Indiana, a son of Manning
and Margaret (Armstrong) Drake. The father was born in Butler
county. Ohio, June 17, 1813, and the mother was a native of Kentucky;
she died October 24, i860. Manning Drake, Sr., was of English descent,
HISTORY OF SUrJJX'AN COUNTY 41
while liis wife descended from the Scotch lines of Great Britain. The
grandfather, James Drake, came to Sullivan county in 1817, locating in
Fairbanks township, where he followed farm life until his death. He
claimed a large tract of land and was highly respected and prosperous.
I'olitically, he was an avowed Democrat.
Manning Drake, the father of Manning E., lived in Fairbanks town-
ship from the age of four years. He possessed a remarkable memory and
his mind was clear and active up to the time of his death, which occurred
June 6, 1908. At one time he owned about twelve hundred acres of land
in Fairbanks township. Fie became forehanded and loaned much money
out to those about him. In his political views he was a Democrat. Both
he and his good wife were members of the Baptist church. - To them were
born twelve children : Elizabeth, deceased ; Mary J. ; Amanda : Malinda ;
James; Benjamin, deceased ; Sarah, deceased ; Ira; Manning E. ; Mar-
garet ; William ; and one who died in infancy.
Manning E. Drake was reared on the farm and obtained a good
common-school education in the district schools of his ncightorho(u:l.
VMien he became twenty-one years of age, he commenced to farm inde-
pendently, in Curry township, Sullivan county. He continued there until
April 12, 1898. when he removed to Sullivan and engaged in the livery
business and in the shipment of horses of all kinds. In 1900, he sold out
this business and embarked in the marble and monument business, under
the firm name of Cummins & Drake. This co-partnership continued until
1906, when W. F. Wagner bought Mr. Cummins out, and the firm was
changed to Drake & Wagner. This enterprising and thoroughly reliable
firm sell the product of their works in Sullivan, Vigo, Parke, Greene,
Clav, and other territory within Indiana and also in Illinois. It is among
the most extensive works for fitting up monuments within this portion of
the state of Indiana. Either one member or the other of this firm remains
on the road selling, while the other superintends the work at home.
While Mr. Drake was yet on- the farm, he made a reputation as a
specialist in raising Poland-China swine, all registered. He shipped about
one hundred and fifty head annually to all parts of the United States. He
also handled registered Holstein cattle, though not on so extensive a scale
as he did the hogs mentioned. He still owns land of much value — eighty
acres within Curry township and two hundred and twenty acres one mile
west of Sullivan.' Politically, Mr. Drake affiliates with the Democrats.
Fie is a member of the Odd Fellows order at Sullivan.
One of the important events of Mr. Drake's life was his marriage.
May 4, 1878. to Elma Gaskins, who was born in Curry township, and died
April 4, 1882. Two children were the result of this union: Perry, born
March 14, 1879, married and resides on a farm; Olive, born August 3,
1 881, is unmarried and at home. Both attended the schools in Sullivan.
For his second wife, Mr. Drake married, March i, 1883, Julia Denney,
born in Currv township, Sullivan county, a daughter of William Denney,
now of Sullivan. The date of her birth was July 29, 1863. Her mother
died when the daughter was but a mere child. By I\Ir. Drake's second
marriage, four children were born: LeRoy, born May 14, 1885, a grad-
42 HISTORY OF SULLIA'AN COUNTY
uate of the Bennett Medical College in Chicago, with the class of 1906;
he also attended one of the medical colleges at Indianapolis, and then
began practicing medicine at Aliddletown, Vigo county, Indiana, but
removed to Palatine, Illinois, in January, 1908; Goldie, born November
30, 1887, unmarried, a graduate of the high school in 1905; she is now
attending Franklin College, from wliich she expects to graduate in 1909;
Claudie, born in September, 1891, attending high school; Lola, born
August 22, 1894, also in the high school. Mr. Drake and his family are
members of the Baptist church.
James Douglas Smith. — One of the owners of the Arc Amusement
Company of Sullivan, Indiana, and the tonsorial artist whose finely
equipped parlor is at the Davis House, is James D. Smith, who was born
June 24, 1864, in Vigo county, Indiana, in Fayette township, son of
James and Nancy (Posey) Smith. The father, a native of Sullivan
county, was born in Jefferson township in 1832, in the month of Novem-
ber, and died in Oklahoma in May, 1906. The mother was born in the
same township as her husband, and they were united in marriage in Sul-
livan county. The grandfather of James D. Smith was among the early
settlers of Sullivan county, who took government land and resided there
the remainder of his life.
James Smith, the father, made agriculture his occupation. He farmed
in Vigo county one or two seasons, then moved back to Farmer's Prairie
in Hamilton township, Sullivan county, where he purchased sixty acres
of land. After residing there for nineteen j'ears he sold out and moved
to Shelburn, Indiana, where he lived a retired life for two years. He
then moved to his farm in Curry township, where his wife died. He
married Mrs. Thomas Chambers, of Cass township, Sullivan county, but
subsequently they separated and he moved to Dugger, where he was
engaged at various business enterprises for a time, but about 1902 he went
to Oklahoma, bought a farm there and remained there until his death.
Politically, he was a Democrat. Both he and his first wife were members
of the Christian church. They were the parents of the following chil-
dren: Homer, deceased; Marshal B., a barber of Hymera ; Emma A.,
of Oklahoma; Charles, of Sullivan; James D., of this notice; William,
of Washington, North Dakota ; and two who died in their infancy.
James D. Smith was reared on the farm and obtained a common-
school education. Fie remained at home with his father until twenty
years of age, when he engaged in the barber business, learning his trade
at Dugger, Indiana, after which he conducted a shop there himself for
about ten years, and then went to Sullivan, and later to Linton, where he
remained a year and a half, then returned to Sullivan, where he has since
been engaged in the barber business. In September, 1898, he opened his
shop in the New Davis hotel, where he makes use of four barber chairs
and conducts a first-class shop. He is also a half owner in the Arc Amuse-
HISTORY OF SULLIN AX COUXTY 43
ment Company, which is located on North Court street, opposite the
Davis Hotel.
Jn his political views, Mr. Smith is in accord with the Democratic
party. He is a member of the Odd Fellows and Knights of Pythias
orders at Sullivan. He was married May 18, 1889, to Lavina Camjibell,
born in Hamilton township, Sullivan county, Indiana, October 22, 1872,
a daughter of Thomas M. and Jane (Spence) Campbell. She received
her education in her native township at the public schools. One daughter
has been born of this union : Dorothy, born May 10, 1900. Mr. Smith is
a member of the Christian church, while his wife is connected with the
Presbyterian. Mr. Smith's paternal grandfather was twice married and
was the father of twentv-one children.
^^"ILLIAM F. Wagner, one of the proprietors of the Sullivan Monu-
ment Company, was born August 4, 1864, in Terre Haute, Indiana, a
son of Williani and Catherine (Emerick) VVagner. William Wagner was
a native of Wittenburg. Germany, born August 13, 1826, and died May
29, 1900, at Clinton, Indiana, his home, however, being in Terre Haute.
The mother was born in Trenton, New Jersey, in 1837, on the twentieth
day of November, and she died March 20, 1906, in Los Angeles, Cali-
fornia. Her husband located in Terre Haute in October, 1852, when yet
a single man, and they were married there in January, 1863. He had
learned the stone-cutter's trade in Germany, and also worked some at
the stone monument industry. After going to Terre Haute, he built the
State Normal College buildings at that place, as well as the Marble Block
on Wabash avenue" the Old Opera house, the Episcopal church and the
Presbyterian church. The stone used in the construction of the two last
named buildings was quarried at Pottsville, Indiana, and floated dovvn
on rafts. He also built a great many store buildings at Paris, Illinois,
and Brazil anil Vincennes. Indiana. He engaged in the monument busi-
ness at Terre Haute in 1854, on Third street, under the firm name of
Wagner, Crossley & Webber, which firm continued for about ten years.
Mr. Wagner then engaged in the building stone business, in which he
remained until 1875, when he formed a partnership with F. B. Palmer,
under the firm name of Palmer & Wagner, which business relation
existed for seven years, when the name of the firm was changed to
Wagner & Ripley.' They continued as a firm for five years, when the
business was conducted as Wagner & Son, and so operated until the
father's death.
Politically, Mr. Wagner was a supporter of the Democratic party.
He belonged to the Odd Fellows and Ancient Order of United Workmen
lodges. His wife was a member of the Roman Catholic church and was
of German descent. Eleven children were born of this union, four of
whom died in infancv, and the others were : William F. and George W.
(twins), George W. being now deceased ; Lewis F., residing at Newman,
44 HISTORY OF SULLIVAN COUNTY
Illinois ; Edward, deceased ; Catherine, deceased ; Josephine, residing
at Los Angeles, California; ]\Iamie B., of Los Angeles, wife of Arthur
W. Harris, has three daughters.
William F. Wagner was reared in the city of Terre Haute, receiving
his education at the public schools and being graduated from the Old
Garvin Commercial College in i882'. Believing that every man was more
independent by having perfect knowledge of some one of the trades, he
mastered that of stone-cutter, under his father's directions, working with
him until his death, in 1900, since which time Mr. Wagner was engaged
at Clav City, Clay county, Indiana, up to 1905 and in Sullivan since
then. During 1905 he entered into a partnership with AI. E. Drake, under
the firm name of Drake & Wagner, but now styled the Sullivan iMonument
Company, which concern is doing an extensive and profitable business in
the artistic production of substantial monuments and kindred marble and
stone work.
In his political views, Mr. Wagner is a firm believer in the general
principles laid down in the platforms of the Democratic party. In his
fraternal affiliations, he belongs to the Knights of Pythias, IModern Wood-
men of America and the Tribe of Ben Hur of Sullivan. He was united
in marriage, March 6, 1884, to Nora E. Bressler, a native of Clay county,
Indiana. She was reared on a farni. and received her education at the
common schools, remaining at home with her people until the date of
her marriage. She is the daughter of Daniel H. and JNIatilda (Zenor)
Bressler. The father was born in Pennsylvania, and his father conducted
one of the old-time stage route hotels or taverns in that state. Mrs. Wag-
ner's mother was born in Clay county, Indiana, and both parents are now
deceased. Mr. and Airs. Wagner are the parents of one daughter — Jessie
May, born December 19, 1886. In their religious convictions, both Mr.
and Mrs. Wagner are members of the Alethodist Episcopal church.
Leander R. Botts, a retired farmer of Sullivan county, was born
June 30, 1837, in Coshocton county, Ohio, son of John and Xancy (Alor-
ris) Botts. The father was born in Pennsylvania in 1796 and died in
1847, '" Hocking county, Ohio. The mother was born in Maryland in
1798 and died July i, 1859, in SuUivan county. She was of French
extraction and the father of German,. He was a farmer and they were
married in Ohio. Leander R. Botts received a limited education in Hock-
ing county, Ohio, and started out in life for himself at the age of eighteen
years, working as a farm hand, and when twenty-two years old he began
farming for himself. ' He also taught school, continuing in this calling
until thirtv years of age, farming summers and teaching in the winter
months. In 1859 he came to Hamilton township, Sullivan county, Indiana.
He followed teaching in Hamilton, Jackson, Fairbanks and Curry town-
ships. He next took up the business of stock dealer, in conjunction with
his farming operations, following the same ten years. He once owned
THE NEW YORK
PU'BLIC LIBRARY
A8T0R, LENOX AND
TILOEN roUNOATIONS.
^.^H^ . f^^^ia^-^-^^rTi^
HISTORY OF SULLIVAN COUNTY 45
a hundred and fifty acres in Hamilton township. He remained on the
farm until 1904, when he retired to Sullivan, where he purchased a city
residence property. He still owns eighteen acres in his home township.
Politically, J\lr. Botts votes the Democratic ticket. He is a memher of
blue Iod!L;e of the Masonic fraternity at Sullivan.
;March 1, i860, he was married to Elizabeth Rusher, born in Sullivan
county, Indiana, February 10, 1836, daughter of Minor and Mary (Mar-
low) Rusher, both natives of Kentucky. The father was born in 1806
and died in Sullivan county, Indiana, April 30, 1867, and the mother
born August 31, 181 1, died February 22, 1888. They were of (Ger-
man descent and emigrated to Sullivan county in 1828, being num-
bered among the very early settlers of the county. The five children born
of this union are as follows: Hettie, born June i, 1861, wife of Joseph
Wyman, and residing in Hamilton township: George F., September 10,
1864, now resides on Jackson street, Sullivan, Indiana; William H.,
October 10, 1866; Maggie, born May 29, 1870, died in February, 1876;
Flora C, born February 8, 1876, died May 5, 1896. Mrs. Botts has been
a consistent member of the Christian church for many years.
For his years, Mr. Botts has a remarkable memory, as is illustrated
by the list of his old school teachers, beginning with the first, and which
list he desires to keep as a record for the future: Miss Stratton, in Lick-
ing county, Ohio: Mr. Kelsey, James G. McBroom, Nathan England,
Henry Lincoln, Rosie O'Neil, Ephraini Woodard, Phebe Sudlow, Jesse
Griggsby, all of Hocking county, Ohio: Samuel Edginton and Robert
Wolfenbarger, of Coshocton county, Ohio. When Mr. Botts first came
to this township the land was all timbered heavily, and this was removed
by log rollings, which lasted about two weeks, each spring. He relates
how the school teachers of the "fifties" were paid a dollar a day. Also
how in his boyhood days they all lived on their own resources, making
their own clothing, sugar, molasses, etc. He notes the great transforma-
tion since those pioneer days in the Buckeye and Hoosier states, and is
glad to have been a participant in changing the wilderness to a fertile,
prosperous and highly enlightened section.
John McNabb Branson. — No philosopher ever made a truer state-
ment than the one who proclaimed that the greatest man in the world can
do no more than to do well the thing which lies nearest to him ; and it
may be added that greatness has usually been achieved through the
faculty and determination to accomplish with faithfulness and forethought
the afTairs of family and home community before going afield for other
honors. Pleasured by this approved standard, John McNabb Branson,
well known primarily as a substantial farmer and a stock raiser, has
made his useful and honorable life one unvarying success, and his manly
and intelligent efforts have never ceased to assist in the agricultural,
educational and religious development of Curry township and Sullivan
46 HISTORY OF SULLIVAN COUNTY
county. He comes of an old Virginia family, his father migrating from
the C3ld Dominion (through Tennessee and Georgia) to this Indiana
region, where he became one of its foremost pioneers. The son was born
in Cocke county, Tennessee, on the 25th of April, 1836, being a son of
Michael, Jr., and Sarah (McNabb) Branson. The father was a native
of Pittsylvania county, Virginia, where he was born in September, 1805,
and died in Curry township, Sullivan county, March 22, 1888. The
mother was born in Cocke county, Tennessee, and died on the farm ad-
joining the homestead now occupied by John M., in 1890. The paternal
grandfather, a native of Virginia, spent his life within its limits as a
farmer, stock raiser and a distiller. By his wife he became the father
of ten children, and the sons are as follows: James, was a resident of
Missouri, and was a farmer; George, was a renowned Baptist minister,
itinerant, district, and preached in four or five counties in Indiana; he
died in the state of Iowa ; Asa, was a farmer and stock dealer ; he pur-
chased lands in Jackson township, and there died ; Michael was the father
of John McNabb Branson; Luke L., was a Baptist minister in North
Carolina, also an agriculturist; Joseph was an agricurturist, resided in
Missouri, and there died. There is no records given of the daughters.
Michael Branson, Jr., received an unusually broad education for one of
those days, and during his lifetime practiced three professions, as well
as became remarkably successful in agricultural enterprises. He was
first a school teacher, practiced medicine, preached from the pulpit of the
Baptist church, and during the last twenty years of his life not only
returned to his labors as a physician but profitably engaged in farming.
From Virginia he first removed to Cocke county, Tennessee, and in 1844
transferred his homestead to Hamilton county, that state, later going to
Cass county, Georgia, and finally in 1849 locating with his family in
Curry township. Here he entered the last quarter section of canal land
and resided until his death, occupied as a farmer, a physician and a man
of public affairs. For many years he served as a justice of the peace,
and as early as 1857 represented the county in the state legislature for one
term. In politics he was a stanch Democrat, never turning from the
straight path as laid down by the fathers of the party. The four children
born to this strong and good man were as follows : Samuel, for a time
a school teacher prior to his death, at the age of twenty years ; Nancy
Branson Curry, who died after rearing three children ; John M. Branson,
of this review ; and Felix, who married M. J. Curry and died some dozen
years ago, leaving four children. The children of this family were all
well educated, and honored their parents, themselves and the communities
of their residence.
John M. Branson spent the first twenty-five years of his life on the
home farm, securing an education and faithfully assisting his parents.
He then mastered the cooper's trade, and after being employed in that
line for some time opened a shop at Shelburn, which he operated for
several years before his marriage. Subsequently, he purchased land in
Curry township and commenced to farm on a tract of forty acres. His
holdings have since been increased to one hundred and eighty acres, and
HISTORY OF SULLIVAN COUNTY 47
he now owns not only one of the most vahiable farms in this locality, but
one of the finest residences in Farmersburg. Mr. Branson was a resident
of the town for seven years while his children were attending school
there, but now lives on his fine farm, engaged in the raising of standard
crops and live stock and making a specialty of the breeding of horses. In
politics he is a Populist Democrat, has been somewhat active in the local
fieltl, and has served for one term as assessor. He is a member of the
Missionary Baptist church, and for many years has been prominently con-
nected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. The Farmersburg
lodge was established in 1885, and he has filled all the chairs in it, is a
member of the Encampment, and has served as a delegate to the grand
lodge.
On May 10, 1866, John M. Branson married, as his first wife,
Martlia A. Zink, who was born in Jackson township, Sullivan county. In-
diana, in November, 1848, and died June 20, 1885, being buried in
Littlellock cemetery, Shelburn. The children of this union were as fol-
lows : (i) Stella, born February 14, 1876, who is teaching music in the
girls' department of the State School at Redwing, Minnesota, having been
educated at DePauw University, Greencastle, Indiana, and also taught
music in Chicago; (2) George Austin Branson, was born May 14, 1878,
in Curry township, and is now engaged in the implement business in
Hindsburg, Illinois. He married Golden Knight, having been educated
at Dan\illc. Indiana; (3) Flossie, who was born November 4, 1882,
married Robert C. Brownlee, and resides in St. Louis. She is a graduate
of the Farmersburg high school, attended the State Normal, taught two
years, is also a graduate of the Protestant Association Hospital of St.
Louis, and is a lady of thorough culture and earnestness of purpose ; (4)
Clarence Michael Branson was born on the 13th of June, 1885, and is
pursuing a law course at Bloomington, Indiana. He attended the normal
school at Danville two years and taught for a like period, having now
three displomas to his credit. He is married to Martha Inez Sparks.
As his second wife, John AI. Branson married, on July 11, 1887, Miss
Margaret McMillan, born in Philadelphia, March 18, 1852, daughter of
Daniel and Margaret (Geddes) AIcMillan. Mrs. Branson's father was
born in Glasgow, Scotland, in 1820, and died at Little Rock, Arkansas, in
March, 1859. The mother, born in the Scotch city named in 1822, died at
Galveston, Texas, in 1858, being at the time a temporary resident seeking
health in the south. Mrs. Branson's father came to the United States
in 1838 and first located in Woodville. Mississippi, where as a tailor he
associated himself with his uncle. Fie followed that trade throughout
life, and at the time of his death owned a flourishing establishment in
Little Rock. Margaret McMillan was graduated from a scientific course
at the female college in Oxford, Ohio ; afterward removed to Natchez,
Mississippi, where she remained two years ; and in 1870 located in Park
county, Indiana, where for the seventeen years prior to her marriage to
Mr. Branson she taught the literary and musical branches. She is a
Presbvtcrian. while the children of the family arc members of the Metho-
dist church.
Vol. II— 4
48 HISTORY OF SULLIVAN COUNTY
Arthur Denny Cutler, representing the legal profession in an
able manner at Carlisle, Indiana, is a native of the state of Illinois, and
was born at Dallas, Hancock county, of that state, November 15, 1875.
He is a son of Rev. William Alonzo and Mary Ann (Denny) Cutler.
William Alonzo Cutler was born at Alton, Illinois, November 28, 1843,
and he was the son of Alonzo Cutler, born in Massachusetts, October 16,
1804, at Warren, and who died August 26, 1896, at Brooklyn, New York.
He was a manufacturer and real estate dealer and resided in Chicago
and St. Louis for some years. He married Elizabeth Upham, who was
born November 2, 1804, in Enfield, Massachusetts, and who died in
Chicago, December 25, 1863. They were the parents of the following
named children : Marshal, deceased ; Julia, deceased ; Harriet ; Mary ;
William Alonzo.
Rev. William Alonzo Cutler was reared and received a common
school education at Alton and was graduated from Jacksonville College,
in Illinois, where he took the literary course. In the days of the Civil
war he was a soldier from Illinois, enlisting in April, 1864, for one hun-
dred days, and mustered into Company "C," One Hundred and Forty-
fifth Illinois Regiment Volunteer Infantry, at Camp Butler, Springfield,
Illinois. He served about six months in southwestern Missouri, near
Rolla, under General Rosecrans, and was mustered out in the fall of
1864, at Camp Butler. He then chose the ministry and followed that
profession in the Presbyterian church all his life. Among the places in
which he was pastor may be named : Fairmount, Minnesota ; Broadhead,
Wisconsin; Clear Lake, Iowa; Kansas, Illinois; Charlestown, Knights-
town, Sullivan and Carlisle, Indiana ; Rankin, Illinois, and Milwaukee,
Wisconsin, the last named place being where he is now preaching. His
wife, the mother of Arthur Denny, was born in England, in Stafiford-
shire, Julv 31, 1852, a daughter of John and Ellen (Samuels) Denny.
Her parents came to America in the sixties and settled in Morrison
county, Minnesota, where they remained until overtaken by death. They
were the parents of si.x children.
The children of Rev. William Alonzo Cutler and wife were as fol-
lows: Everett Alonzo, born June 3, 1873, now pastor of the Westminster
church at Milwaukee, Wisconsin ; he is a graduate of Hanover College
and McCormick Theological Seminary, of Chicago ; Arthur Denny, of
this notice, of whom further mention is made ; William Murray, born
December 20, 1877, now a cashier in the bank at Rankin, Illinois; he
graduated from the Sullivan high school ; Grace Hattie, born December
:8, 1 881, resides with her parents at Milwaukee.
Arthur Denny Cutler was educated in various towns in Illinois and
Indiana, after which he entered Earlham College, at Richmond, Indiana,
for one year and one term, then entered Hanover College, remaining four
years and two terms, graduating with the class of 1894. Having chosen
the law for his life's profession, he began the study of that science with
John T. Hays, of Sullivan, Indiana, in 1894, remained under his precep-
"torship one year and then located in Carlisle in 1896, since which time
he has carried on an independent law practice. He is the only attorney
HISTORY OF SULLIVAN COUNTY 49
of liu' i)l;icc. He was admitted to tlie Iku" Xoveniljer 14, iSyf), and was
admitted to practice in the supreme and a])peilate courts in upo. He
was owner of the CarHsle Xcz^'S from September, 1899, to April, 1907.
He is a director and one of tlie organizers of the First National Bank of
Carlisle. In his political afifiliations, Mr. Cutler is a supporter of the
Republican party. He belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America, and
is fully up with the advanced age in which he lives. He was united in
marriage, November 7, 1900, to Tillic H. Sallee, born in Carlisle, Novem-
ber 23, 1875, daughter of William H. and Rebecca (Ford) Sallee, both
now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Cutler are the parents of three children :
George, Charles Nelson, and Mary Rebecca. Mrs. Cutler is an exem-
plary member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Cutler has a
library of over five hundred volumes, professional and otherwise, and liis
neat and well arranged office is commendable.
Edley W. Rogers, editor of the Carlisle (Indiana) Xczvs, is a man
of good southern stock, with a substantial strain of French Huguenot
blood, and ancestral influences, with a strong individuality and a thorough
practical training, have combined to make him a forcible and pithy jour-
nalist and a substantial all-around newspaper man. A native of Loo-
gootee, Indiana, he was born on the 28th of August, 1885, and is a son
of W. O. and Margaret Oily (Pirtle) Rogers. The father was born in
Adamsville, Tennessee, September 11, 1847, '^nf' the mother in Carlisle,
Indiana, February 21, 1853, the latter being a daughter of William and
i\Iary Ann (Ferree) Pirtle. The founder of the Ferree family in the
United States was Madam Mary Ferree, who was a French Huguenot
and fled from France with her children, one of her fellow voyagers being
William Penn. It was in the colony of the great Quaker leader that
Madame Ferree settled with her family, in 1708, and laid the foundation
of the first Huguenot community in this section of the country. Later
generations of the family located in Indiana and made their home near
Paxton. Among the pioneers to this locality were Joel and Mary
( Leeth ) Ferree. Their son, Philip Cojieland, married ^largaret Trim-
ble, and Mary Ann Ferree, a daughter by this union, became the mater-
nal grandmother of Edley W. Rogers. The latter was born near Paxton,
Indiana, September 8, 1830, and died February 25, 1907, as the wife of
Isaac Newton Markee and the mother of Mrs. W. Q. Rogers.
Mary Ann Ferree was married twice, the first husband being Will-
iam Linder Pirtle, to whom she was married when she was twenty years
of age. Her husband, wdio was a son of Jacob and Lydia Pirtle, was a
tanner, associated for a time with Isaac Shannon, and was a man of
industrious and sterling character. He died in August, 1853, leaving
Mary Ann and Margaret Oily, the latter being the mother of Edley W.
I'togers, and still living. Another daughter of this family, Clara Jane,
died in infancy. The second marriage occurred May 26, 1856, when
Mary .Ann Ferree became the wife of Isaac Newton Markee.
Mr. and Mrs. \\'. O. Rogers were married at A'incennes, Indiana,
50 HISTORY OF SULLIVAN COUNTY
but never resided there, going at once to Loogootee, where they still
reside, and where the husband is engaged in the real estate business.
The elder Mr. Rogers is a Republican, belonging to the Masons and Odd
Fellows fraternities, and both he and his wife are active members of the
Christian church. The second of their six children, Alba, died at the age
of tliree }'ears, the other members of their family being still alive are :
William L., a grocer of Carlisle; Aimee Nora, living at home; Charles
O., a resident of Seymour, Indiana, where he is employed as a freight
conductor on the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad ; Edley W., of this sketch ;
and Halstead P. Rogers, a student of the Loogootee high school.
Edley W. Rogers received his education at Loogootee, his birthplace,
graduating from its high school in 1902. He then completed the mastery
of the printer's trade, which he had commenced two years before, and
continued this as his steady employment until he removed to Carlisle.
He was first employed on the Martin County Tribune and the Shoals
Republican, and during 1905-6 was in partnership with his brother, Will-
iam L. Rogers, at Beaumont, Kansas, where he was engaged in general
merchandising. In November, 1906, Mr. Rogers went to Sullivan to
assume a position on the Democrat and Times, and remained in that capac-
ity until his purchase of a half interest in the Carlisle Nezvs, during
April, 1907. His associate in the enterprise was H. T. Ahimbaugh, who
remained with him until April 6, 1908, when j\Ir. Rogers became the
sole proprietor. His publication is a non-partisan, independent weekly
newspaper, having a circulation of eight hundred copies. It is a clean,
newsy, well edited journal, and reflects decided professional credit upon
its able and popular proprietor. Its editor is a firm Republican in poli-
tics and, fraternally, is a member of Carlisle Lodge, No. 3, F. & A. M..
at Carlisle, Indiana; Jerusalem Chapter, No. 81, R. A. M., at Sullivan;
Sullivan Council, No. y2>- R- S. M., at Sullivan ; also of Carlisle Chapter,
No. 185, Order of the Eastern Star, at Carlisle.
William J. Curtner, proprietor of the well equipped drug store at
Carlisle, was born January 14, 1854, in Carlisle, Indiana, son of James A.
and Symira (Ledgerwood) Curtner. The father was born in Kentucky
and came to Carlisle, Indiana, when a young man, remaining there until
his death, which occurred January 31, 1864. He served in the army
during the Mexican war. He was of Scotch and German descent. By
trade he was a harness and saddle maker, and conducted his business on
the spot where his son's drug store now stands. He is said to have been
an exceptional workman at his trade, and his workmanship was known
far and near for both its beauty and quality. He voted the Republican
ticket and was a charter member of Carlisle Lodge, No. 50, of the Odd
Fellows order, at Carlisle. Both he and his wife were members of the
Methodist Episcopal church.
The mother of William J. was born one mile southwest of Carlisle,
on the old Ledgerwood homestead, which was the first place settled upon
anywhere north of A^ncennes. The great-grandfather, James Ledger-
HISTORY OF SULLIVAN COUNTY 51
wood, was a native of South Carolina and located in Kentucky when a
young man and came to Indiana in the sjjring of 1793, and in the fall of
that year returned to Kentucky, intending to move his family the follow-
ing year, hut on the banks of the Ohio river he was captured by the
Indians, who took him to a point near Detroit, Michigan, and there held
him a prisoner for seven years. He then returned to Kentucky and got
his family, coming to Carlisle in 1803. Here he built him a cabin of logs,
a mile southwest of the town. He was granted some land west of Car-
lisle by the government on which to build a mill, which he operated until
his death. This grist-mill was willed to his .son William, who operated
the same until his death, giving it to three of his sons, Thomas, Joseph
and William, Jr. William and Joseph died soon after their father's
death, when the jiroijerty fell to Thomas, who operated it until his death,
when the old pioneer landmark was .sold to Benjamin Watson, and he in
turn sold to a Mr. Abbey, who moved it to near Dugger, where it now
stands, although abandoned for milling purposes. A wonderful story
of early days could be told had this old mill but the power of speech.
James Ledgerwood and wife reared a family of five children and one of
their sons, Samuel, united with the Christian church of Sullivan county
at about the date of its organization.
Mr. Curtner's grandfather, William Ledgerwood, was born in Ken-
tucky, coming with the family to Sullivan county when a mere lad. Here
he grew to man's estate and married and reared a family of twelve chil-
dren. He married Catherine Jenkins, born at Chester District, South
Carolina, November. 1792. She moved to Sullivan county, Indiana,
when yet a girl. She started with her father and mother about 1804,
and after being on the journey about two weeks, her father, Thomas
Jenkins, died. The children of this family were : Sarah, Eliza, Catherine,
William, Thaddins, Martha. John and Richard. The last named was
killed by the Mexicans while in the army. The great-grandmother of
William J. Curtner had a brother named William Gill, who came to Sulli-
van county before she arrived. Gill township was named in honor of
him, as was "Gill Prairie." Mr. Curtner's grandmother, Catherine Jen-
kins, and her sisters and brothers located four miles southwest of Car-
lisle. The mother joined the Shakers and took her daughters with her.
Subsequently, William Ledgerwood married Catherine and took her from
the Shaker society, which community bore an interesting part in the early
day historv of this section of Indiana. Grandmother Jenkins and her
daughters, Sarah and Eliza, were among the division of the Shakers who
went to Kentucky, locating at Shakerstown, which place is still in exist-
ence. There Grandmother Jenkins died before the Civil war and Sarah
became head eldress of the Shakers at Shakerstown, holding the position
until incapacitated by old age, dying when about ninety-four years.
William Ledgerwood and wife reared twelve children — eight sons
and four daughters ; only one of the sons, Wesley Ledgerwood, bore chil-
dren. He died in Iowa, leaving a large family. The daughters all mar-
ried and bore children : Martha married John Curry ; Elizabeth mar-
ried Col. \\'. D. Blacklntrn, who was killed in Louisiana during the Civil
52 HISTORY OF SULLIVAN COUNTY
war ; Nancy married W. G. Culberson ; S3'mira married James A. Curt-
ner and they were the parents of five children, as follows: two died in
infancy ; John M., residing at Wabash, Indiana, was born June 20,
1851; he is a banker; William J., of this notice: Flora, born August
II, 1857, died about 1880; she married Dr. R. L. Jenkins, now deceased,
and their child was Amy, who now resides in California.
William J. Curtner was reared and educated at Carlisle and attended
business college at the old Garvin & Heinley College in Terre Haute,
Indiana. When nineteen years of age he entered the drug business, at
first clerking in Carlisle, and later purchased an interest in the business,
and has been thus engaged ever since. The business is now operated
under the firm name of W. J. Curtner & Sons. They carry a full line of
pure drugs, paints and wall paper. Mr. Curtner owns a part of the old
Ledgerwood homestead — eighty-three acres — of which the deed has never
been changed from the family. He also is interested in the Building and
Loan Association, of which he is president. Politically, he is a Repub-
lican and in fraternal societies he is a worthy member of both the Masonic
and Odd Fellows orders at Carlisle.
He was united in marriage, September 14, 1876, to Emma A. Grifiin,
born in Sullivan county, January 6, 1859, a daughter of James L. Grififin,
ex-county recorder, and a minister in the Christian church. The chil-
dren born of this union are: James F., born July 6, 1878, married Ada
M. Shepherd, born in Sullivan county ; they have one son — William
Ledgerwood: Ada M., born December 22. 1880, married William B.
Akin, former editor of the Times, at Sullivan, but now of Pittsburg,
Pennsylvania, and they have one son, Edgar W., born April 2, 1886,
unmarried and in business with his father; Flo, born January 4, 1892,
unmarried and at home, and will be graduated from the high school in
1909. The eldest child of the family died in infancy. Mr. Curtner is a
member of the Methodist church and his wife of the Christian church.
Edgar W. Akin, Jr., cashier and one of the directors of the Peo-
ple's Bank of Carlisle, Indiana, was born June 28, 1883, in Carlisle,
Indiana, son of Edgar W. Akin, Sr., and Susan M. (Wiggs) Akin. The
father was born in Bloomington, July 17, 1853, and the mother was a
native of Kentucky, born May 20, 1852. Both parents of Mr. Akin are
residing in Carlisle. (See sketch of C. T. Akin, in this work.)
Edgar W. Akin, Sr., was engaged in business with Charles T. Akin
at Carlisle until about 1892. During that year he, with Josiah T. and
Charles T. Akin, organized the People's Bank of Carlisle, with a capital
stock of $25,000, and Edgar W. Akin, Sr., has been its president ever
since. In 1902 the institution was reorganized and the stock increased
to $35,000, and again in 1907 increased to $50,000. Politically, Edgar
W. Akin. Sr., is a Democrat, and in fraternal connection is a worthy
member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Carlisle. His wife
is the daughter of Lorenzo D. Wiggs and wife, who were natives of
HISTORY OF SULLIVAN COUNTY 53
Kentuck\-, eniigratiiig to Carlisle in the fifties and conducted a hotel and
a store there. The)- both died at Carlisle. They reared three children :
H. K. W'ig'gs, residing at Carlisle; Susan Al. (Mrs. Akin); Lillian,
deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Akin are members of the Christian church, ot
which he has been a trustee for a number of years.
The three children of this couple are; Elouise, born Mav 20, 1876,
now wife of James McConnell, residing at Carlisle ; she was educated
in Oxford College, Oxford, Ohio, and also attended a private college
(Cotes) at Terre Haute, Indiana, and she took a literary course in both
schools named ; the second child died in infancx-, and Edgar W.. Jr., is
the youngest. He was reared in Carlisle and attended the common
schools, after which he entered the Culver Military Academy, in 1898.
In iijoo he entered Lake Forest Academy, at Lake Forest, Illinois, and
graduated with the class of 1902. He passed from the last named educa-
tional institution into Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island,
where he spent one year, and then returned to Carlisle and began clerk-
ing in the People's Bank. This was in 1903, and he continued as a clerk
until 1903. when lie became cashier, which position of trust he still holds.
Edgar W. ,\kin, Jr., was married September 14, 1904, to Elizabeth
Irma dalt, born in Sterling, Illinois, a daughter of John M. and Eliza-
beth (McPherran) Gait, both natives of Illinois. The father is deceased
and the mother lives in Sterling, Illinois. The father was engaged in
the banking business. Airs. Akin was educated in the public schools of
Sterling and later graduated from Ferry Hall Seminary, at Lake Forest.
Illinois, with the class of 1902. She then went to Smith College, at
Northampton, Massachusetts, where she spent two years ; she is a member
of the Presb\terian church.
Di^ Ik\ix J. Keys, representing the dental profession in a thor-
oughly up-to-date manner at Carlisle, Indiana, was born July 7, 1872,
at Verona, Kentucky, son of William and Elizabeth (McCauley) Keys.
The mother was born in Pennsylvania in the year 1826. and died Sep-
tember, 1907, at Lancaster, Indiana. The father was born at Piqua,
Ohio, Februarv 29, 1824, and died March 23, 1899, at Lancaster, Indiana.
They were united in marriage in Ohio. Dr. Keys' paternal grandmother
was a native of Ireland and the maternal grand]iarcnts were natives of
Pennsvlvania. Dr. Keys' father went to Cincinnati. Ohio, when aged
about thirteen years, and grew to manhood in that citv. He then went
to Kentucky about i860, remaining in that state until 1874, when the
familv moved to Lancaster, Indiana, where he and his wife both died.
He was a machinist and followed this trade all of his active years. At
Marysville, Kentucky, he owned and operated a foundry and employed
about two hundred workmen. Upon moving to Lancaster, Indiana, he
lived a retired life. Politically, he was an ardent supporter of the Repub-
lican party, and he and his wife were members of the Presbyterian
church. Seven children blessed their union, as follows ; Charles, now
54 HISTORY OF SULLIVAN COUNTY
a resident of Bedford, Indiana ; William T., residing at Commiskey. a
machinist ; Mary, deceased ; Elizabeth, wife of Charles A. Fewell, re'sid-
ing near Lancaster, Indiana ; Robert R., residing at Linton, Indiana, and
practicing dentistry ; Carrie Gertrude, wife of Nicholas Clashman, resid-
ing near Lancaster ; Irvin J., of this review.
Dr. Keys received his education at the public schools and high schools
at Lancaster, graduating with the' class of 1889. He then attended the
Normal at Danville, Indiana, and also one at Mitchell, after which prep-
aration he attended the dental department of the Hospital College of
Medicine, Louisville, Kentucky, one year and was graduated from the
Kansas City Dental College with the class of 1897. After graduating, he
practiced his profession in Kansas City a short time, and in 1899 located
at Carlisle, Indiana, where he is the only dentist of the place and enjoys
a large practice. Dr. Keys was superintendent of the schools at Dupont,
Indiana, for two years, first in 1891, and was recalled in 1893 to the same
position.
He is affiliated with the Masonic order, being a member of Carlisle
Lodge, No. 3, A. F. and A. M. In addition to being a member of the
Masonic order and Modern Woodmen of America, he is a member of
the Supreme Tribe of Ben Hur and of the Order of the Easter Star
Chapter of Carlisle, No. 185, of which order he is now worthy patron,
being elected to this office the second time. He united with the Presby-
terian church at Carlisle, January 30, 1908, and a short time after was
elected to serve on the Board of Elders, of which body he is now clerk.
Politically, the doctor is a Republican. He was married in 1902 to Car-
rie Alberta Land, who was born in Carlisle, Indiana, and educated there.
She also received musical instruction at the Conservatory of Music,
Indianapolis, Indiana. She is the daughter of Jacob Land and w-ife. Her
father, now deceased, was a member of the Sullivan county bar and
served as a justice of the peace at Carlisle for a number of years.
William E. Cowle, the present justice of the peace at Carlisle,
Indiana, is a native of Vanderburg county, Indiana, where he was born
on his parents' farm, November 30, 1837, a son of William and Julia A.
(Ewing) Cowle. The father was born in England and came to America
with his mother and a brother and sister when two years old. The grand-
mother was a sister of Squire John Ingle, whose son, John Ingle, Jr.,
built the Evansville & Terre Haute Railroad through Carlisle. William
E. Cowle's father and mother located in A^anderburg county. Scott town-
ship, where the father died in 1838 and was buried in that township, in
what is now an unknown cemetery. Mr. Cowle's paternal grandmother
married Marcus Wheeler, who was also a native of England, and died
in Vanderburg county, Indiana. William Cowle, the father of William
E., of this notice, was a thoroughgoing farmer throughout his entire life.
Politically, he was an old line Whig. After his death, his widow mar-
ried Joseph Harrison, who was of English birth, and who came to this
lilSTORY OF SULLI\'AN COUNTY 55
country about the same time that her first husband came, and Mr. Har-
rison was also buried in the township as was Mr. Cowle. By the first mar-
riage two children were born : Sarah, now deceased, and William E.
By the second marriage, Mr. Cowle's mother was the mother of the
following chiUlren by Joseph Harrison : John ; Thomas, deceased ; Rich-
ard, deceased; Henry; James, deceased; and Martha.
William E. Cowle was reared on a farm until fifteen years of age,
when his mother died, and he went out to make his own way in life. For
two years he worked at Memphis and Batesville, Arkansas, where he
also attended school for a short time. In July, 1855, he went to Evans-
ville, Indiana, and learned both land and marine engineering. He was
finally licensed by the government as a river engineer and ran boats
between Evansville, Indiana, and Cairo, Illinois, and also to Paducah,
Kentucky. At one time he was interested in towing boats with Captain
Henry L. Mitchell, continuing in this line of work until the autumn of
1870, when he went to Freelandsville, Indiana. In ]\Iarch, 1873, he
located in Carlisle, where he erected a mill for sawing lumber, on the
Thomas Davis place, one mile east of the town. He continued to operate
this sawmill until about 1893. when he engaged in the windmill, pump
and engineers' supply business, which he still carries on. July 19, 1902,
he was appointed justice of the peace. He also is largely interested in
the collection of accounts, having been elected collector by the Mer-
chants' Association of Carlisle. He is very successful in the collection of
such accounts as are turned over to him by the business men who com-
pose this association. In his politics, Mr. Cowle is a Republican. He
has served as town clerk and treasurer two terms. He is one of the
active and honored members of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows,
being a member of the Carlisle Encampment.
For a time he was engineer in the United States Navy and held the
rank of master, by reason of which he now draws a pension from the
government. During the three and one-half years' service with the
Federal army, his duties lay with the United States Navy. He was
aboard the steamer General Thomas, belonging to the Eighth District,
Mississippi Squadron, on the Tennessee river. While General Sherman
was on his famous march to the sea, Generals Beauregard and Hood
returned to Alabama along the Tennessee river, and at Gunterville, Ala-
bama, there was a severe action, and the steamer General Thomas, whose
captain was Gilbert Morton, under Commodore Forrest, was in this
affray. Mr. Cowle received his honorable discharge at Evansville,
Indiana, August 24, 1865, and returned to his home, once more as a
civilian.
j\[r. Cnwle has been thrice married, first to America L. Guilkey,
who was born in Indiana, and died leaving three children : Charles, who
died at the age of seventeen months ; the second and the third children
both died in infancy. For his second wife, Mr. Cowle married Angeline
Hopkins, born in England. By this union six children were bom: Sarah,
who now resides with her father : Julia, wife of Frank Sproatt, residing
in Carlisle; Luella, at home, the wife of W. F. Risinger, and they have
five children ; Anna, deceased ; married Professor Gifford ; W'illiam E.
56 HISTORY OF SULLIVAN COUNTY
(twin brother of Anna), also deceased: an infant, deceased. For his
third wife, Air. Cowle married Susan Childs, born in Vanderburg county,
Indiana, of English descent. There is no issue by this union. Mr. and
Mrs. Cowle are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Among
other business interests, Mr. Cowle is a stockholder in the telephone
company and also in the P""irst National Bank of Carlisle.
James Nelson Roberts, who is well known in the community in
which Carlisle is situated, having for many years been a dealer in hard-
ware, lumber and grain at that point, and now retired from active busi-
ness pursuits, is a native of the Old Dominion state, born in Frederick
county, Virginia, October 28, 1849, son of Andrew and Sarah (Nelson)
Roberts. The father was born in Ireland in 1816 and the mother in
Frederick county, Virginia, in 1826. She died in Hancock county, Ohio,
in 1859. Andrew Roberts came to this country alone, when about eight-
een years of age, and lived in New York two years, then went to Wash-
ington, District of Columbia, in which city he resided two years, going
from there to Frederick county, Virginia, where he was united in mar-
riage. In 185 1 he removed to Hancock county, Ohio, and in 1868 to Car-
lisle, Indiana, where he lived until his death in 1898. He was a farmer
by occupation. He had been educated for a priest in Dublin, Ireland,
and New York City, but finally abandoned the idea of priesthood. While
living in Virginia, he had the sub-contract of constructing the Baltimore
& Ohio Railroad grade. He possessed great energy and considerable
skill. His mother's parents were both natives of Ireland, and died in
Ohio, where they were farmers. Andrew and Sarah (Nelson) Roberts
were the parents' of seven children, as follows: Margaret, wife of Clark
Hill, residing in Clinton, Illinois ; the next child died in infancy ; James
Nelson; Marv Virginia, a widow, now residing at Columbus, Ohio;
Jennie, wife of C. E. Henshaw, residing in Wisconsin; Ella, deceased;
and Marion, a resident of Sullivan, Indiana. For his second wife, Andrew
Roberts married the widow of Joseph Wolfe, who was reared in Car-
lisle, Indiana. Politically, Mr. Roberts was a stanch defender of Demo-
cratic principles. Both he and his wife were members of the Methodist
Episcopal church, he having united with this church at Carlisle.
James N. Roberts, of this sketch, obtained a common school educa-
tion in Ohio and began to work for himself when he reached his majority.
He continued to do farm labor until 1879, when he went to Cherokee,
Iowa, and there engaged in the grain and milling business with his
brother-in-law, C. E." Henshaw. After two years he sold his interest and
went back to Carlisle, Indiana, and embarked in the hardware business,
with L Frank Alumbaugh, operating under the firm name of Roberts &
Alumbaugh. Their business comprised hardware, tinware, harnessmak-
ing, lumber and grain. This continued until the fall of 1905, when the
firm was dissolved. Mr. Roberts taking over the lumber and elevator
business, which in the spring of 1906 he sold to James McConnell. Smce
HISTORY OF SULLI\-AX COUNTY 57
that date Air. KuIjctIs has been lookinsj after the interests of his farin.
He is one of the owners of the old Roberts homestead, and is the treas-
urer of the Carhsle Building and Loan Association. He is also one of the
directors of the People's State Bank of Carlisle, Indiana. Politically, Mr.
Roberts is a supporter of the Democratic party.
He was married. February 7, 1888, to Carrie Long, who was born-
in Evansville, Indiana, and there educated. She is the daughter of Lewis
and Mary Ann (Gantner) Long. Both of Mrs. Roberts' parents were
natives of Germany, and were united in marriage in \'anderburg county,
Indiana. Both are now deceased. They were well-to-do farmers. Mr.
and Mrs. Roberts are the parents of three children : Raymond Andrew,
born April i, 1889, was graduated with the class of 1908 from the Car-
lisle high school, and is now a student of Notre Dame (commercial
course), at South Bend, Indiana; Louis Long, born April 26, 1891, grad-
uated with the class of 1908, and is now a student in Wabash College,
at Crawfordsville, Indiana; and Chafles Elliott, born March 4, 1894, is
now in the sophomore class. Mrs. Roberts is a member of the Roman
Catholic church, and attends St. Mary's church at Sullivan, Indiana, of
which Rev. Father James Bolin is the pastor.
Claude A. Ellis, of the firm of Risinger & Ellis, patentee of
Hygiene Cabinets, and secretary of the Carlisle Business Men's Asso-
ciation, was born November 17, 1868, in Haddon township, near Car-
lisle, Indiana, son of Thomas Orlando and Eliza (Sproatt) Ellis. The
father was born in Carlisle, December 19, 1835, and is of English descent.
The paternal grandfather, John W. Ellis, was born in Virginia, and mar-
ried Elizabeth Veecli, who was also a native of Virginia. They were
married there and soon afterward came to Carlisle. Indiana. He farmed
several years, after wdiich he took up the carpenter's trade and painting.
In his latter days he was an undertaker. He was the first to carry on
such business at Carlisle, and many times preached the funeral sermons
for the deceased wdiose funeral he was hired to conduct. He was an
old-fashioned Democrat and served as trustee of his town'ship many
years. Both he and his estimable wife were members of the Christian
church, in which he was very active. He was married three times, and
was the father of eighteen children by the three marriage unions. Eleven
of his children still survive. His father (Claude A.'s great-grandfather
Ellis), named Louis, was a native of England, who on coming to America
settled in Virginia.
Thomas (jrlando Ellis was reared and educated at Carlisle, Indiana.
He learned the brickmason's trade, with his uncle, in Mobile, Alabama.
After remaining there about seven years, Mr. Ellis came back to Carlisle
and purchased a farm which he worked. l)eing also employed at his trade.
He still lives on his farm, about three-fourths of a mile from Carlisle.
He owns two farms of about four hundred acres. He is a supporter of
the principles of pure Democracy, and is a member of Lodge No. 3,
58 HISTORY OF SULLIVAN COUNTY
A. F. & A. M., at Carlisle. He married Eliza Sproatt, who was born
within a quarter of a mile of where she now lives, on September 4, 1838.
She was educated in the place of her nativity. Her parents were John
and Eliza (A'linich) Sproatt; her father was born on Shaker Prairie,
Knox county, Indiana, March i, 1810, and died November 17, 1884. He
was always engaged in fanning in Sullivan county. Eliza (Minich)
Sproatt was born in Haddon township, July 26, 1819, and near this place
she spent her entire life, dying February 8, 1906. Her father was of
English descent, and her mother of Dutch ancestry. Mr. and Mrs.
Thomas Orlando Ellis were the parents of two children : Claude A., born
November 17, 1868, and Mirtie, born May 23, 1876. Mirtie was educated
in Carlisle and married William A. Deiss. They now reside on a farm
near Carlisle, Indiana.
Claude A. Ellis, was reared on his father's farm and attended the
district schools about Carlisle. When sixteen years old, he went to
Florida and there began firing on the J., T. & K. W. Railroad. He con-
tinued there several months and then returned to Carlisle and began
running a stationary engine, which work he followed for about five years.
His next business was conducting a livery barn, with Rush M. Cammeron,
under the firm name of Cammeron & Ellis, which partnership existed one
year. Mr. Ellis then formed a partnership with T. S. Risinger, under the
'firm name of Risinger & Ellis, which firm conducted a hardware, furni-
ture and undertaking business. This is the only firm doing such business
in Carlisle. Politically, Mr. Ellis is a Democrat and for some time has
served as president of the Carlisle school board. He is affiliated with the
jMasonic order, being a member of Carlisle Lodge No. 3, F. & A. M.,
Chapter No. 81, Council and Commandery No. 54, at Sullivan. He is also
a member of Odd Fellows Lodge No. 50, belongs to the Encampment
No. 139 of Carlisle, and has been through the chairs and to the grand
lodge. He is also an honored member of Ben Hur Court, and Modern
Woodmen of America, Camp No. 3332, both of Carlisle. The firm to
which Mr. Ellis belongs, has placed on the market their celebrated cabinet
case, above mentioned and during the last year has gained a wide reputa-
tion for this excellent invention, the patents of which they own.
Mr. Ellis was united in marriage August 6, 1890, to Lillian A. Wiggs,
born in Carlisle, Indiana, on the lot where now stands the People's Bank
of Carlisle. She died September 22, 1904, leaving three children, as
follows : Eloise, now attending the high school and will graduate with
the class of 1909 ; Orlando, attending high school, will probably graduate
in 1910; Stanley, in school. The mother of these children, was a devout
Christian and a member of the Christian church.
David Frederick Shake, D. V. S. — ^Doctor Shake, the skillful
veterinary' surgeon of Carlisle, Indiana^, is a native of Warren county,
Iowa, born August 18, 1863, and he came to Indiana in April. 1868. He
is the son of Christopher Columbus and Lucy J. (Bowen) Shake. The
HISTORY OF SULLIVAN COUNTY 59'
father was born in llaclihin township, Sullivan county, Indiana, May 16,
1836, and died February 16, 1889, in Jetterson townshii), Sullivan county,
where he had resided only a few months. All but eight years of his life
when he resided in Iowa were spent in Sullivan county, Indiana. He was
of Irish and German descent. His father, Christopher Columbus Shake,
Sr., was born about 1800 in Kentucky, where his wife was also born
about 1801. In 1820 he came to Sullivan county, Indiana, and raised one
crop in Haddon township, during which season he bached it in a log
cabin, built by himself. After this crop was harvested he returned to
Kentucky and was married and soon returned to the place where he had
farmed one season, and there spent the remainder of his days. He
entered about five hundred acres of land and tliere reared a family of five
sons and four daughters. He and his wife were among the charter
members of the Prairie Baptist church. In politics he was a Democrat.
Grandfather William Bowen and wife Mary (Spencer) Bowen, were born
near Lexington, Kentucky, where they were united in marriage. In
1820 they effected settlement in Sullivan county, Indiana, near the Knox
county line. He was a farmer throughout his life and politically he was
a Democrat. He had seven children, and in their church connection,
both he and his wife were members of the Baptist cluu-ch alrave re-
ferred to.
Dr. Shake's father always followed farming and stock raising. He
was a Democrat and a member of the Grange lodge. He and his wife
were the parents of ten children : William C, residing in Clearmont, Illi-
nois, whose general occupation is that of a farmer, but has been deputy
sheriff for four years in Richland county, Illinois ; Charles A., a resident
and farmer of Jefferson township, Sullivan county, Indiana : Spencer J.,
residing in Fort Branch, Indiana, now the pastor of the Methodist Epis-
copal church of that place ; John L., residing at Pleasantville, Indiana, a
farmer and thresher : Dr. David F., of this biographical notice : LHysses
Grant, a resident of Clearmont, Illinois, a farmer; Mary, deceased wufe of
W, M. Howard; Elijah, who died in childhood: Cora, died aged nineteen
years ; Claude T., residing at Sullivan, Indiana, a carpenter by trade,
and the mother lives with him.
Dr. Shake was reared in Haddon township, Sullivan county, Indiana,
his father removing there when the son was about four years. In
1900 the doctor .sold out his farm interests and entered the Indiana
Veterinary College, at Indianapolis, graduating from that institution in
April, 1902, when he immediately opened an office for the practice of
his profession in Carlisle, Indiana. He is still practicing and with highly
satisfactory results. He holds consultations along the line of the E. &
T. H. Railroad, in his locality. Politically, he is a supporter of the Demo-
cratic party and has been a member of the town council four years, and
has still two years more to serve. He is president of the town board,
having been such since January I, 1906. He is a member of Carlisle
Lodge No. 3, A. F. & A." M.. and also belongs to the Modern Woodmen
of America. He was united in marriage November 30, 1887, to Eliza
Hooper, who was born in Haddon township, Sullivan county, Indiana,
6o HISTORY OF SULLIVAN COUNTY
November 23, 1868. She is the daughter of Pinckney and Nancy
(Corbin) Hooper and received her education in the district schools of her
native township. Her father was born in Knox county, Indiana, and her
mother in SulHvan county, and both are now deceased. Her father was
a life-long farmer. Dr. Shake and wife are the parents of four children,
as follows: Lillie Belle, born April 10, 1890, unmarried and at home;
Pinckney C, born November 7, 1897: Pleasant Harold, born May 28,
1902; Charles Maxwell, born July 7, 1905. The doctor and his wife, are
members of the Indian Prairie Baptist church.
Thomas S. Risixger, who is a member of the enterprising firni
of Risinger & Ellis, merchants and manufacturers in Carlisle, Indiana, is
a native of Wvnder township, Knox county, Indiana, born November
19. 1858, son of Charles W. and iVIartha B. (Snapp) Risinger. The
father was born in Jeffersonville, Kentucky, January 13, 1822, and died
January 8, 1873, "'' Knox county, Indiana. The Risingers are of German
extraction. Daniel Risinger, the grandfather, also a native of Kentucky,
born at the same place as was his son, married Sarah Miers. a native of
Kentucky. They were united in marriage in that state and very early in
life took up a quarter section of land. He was a farmer and operated a
water-power sawmill and tread-wheel. Daniel and wife reared seven
daughters and one son. In their religious profession they were Metho-
dists.
Charles W. Risinger remained a resident of Wynder township after
his father moved to Knox county, Indiana, and was a farmer and en-
gaged in the sawmill business with his father. When they first moved
to Knox county, they operated a pottery and made crocks and jugs, as
well as other vessels made from clay. Charles W. Risinger was a soldier
in the war with Mexico, and politically affiliated with the Democratic
party. His wife, Martha (Snapp) Risinger, was born in Sullivan county,
Indiana, March 14. 1836. in Haddon township. She grew to womanhood
in her native township, and was there educated, teaching school a year.
Her parents were Abraham and Martha (Baird) Snapp. Her father,
born in Kentucky in 1793, was of English descent, while her mother was
of Irish extraction. They were married in Knox county, Indiana.
Abraham Snapp was a miller by trade and ran a gristmill and sawmill
combined, at Scottville, Haddon township. He served as colonel in the
war of 1812. He was thrice married, and reared a family of eleven
children. He died in Haddon township in 1847, h's wife dying many
years previous.
The children born to Charles W. Risinger and wife were: Aurelia,
wife of Herman Vaughn, a bookkeeper for Risinger & Ellis ; Thomas S. ;
John, deceased ; Catherine, wife of Frank Minich, residing in the township
in which Carlisle is situated ; Leonard, deceased ; Frank, residing in
Evansville, Indiana.
Thomas S. Risinger was reared to farm life and educated in the
HISTORY OF SULLI\'AX COUNTY 6i
])ublic schools. After his marriage, he purchased a sixty-one acre farm
in Haddon townsliip, just over the Knox county Hue, and there resided
until he in<ivcd to Carlisle to engage in business. In March, 1892, he
sold out and went to Carlisle, uniting with his brother I^'rank, under the
firm name of Kisinger lirothers, undertakers and dealers in hardware and
furniture. Thomas S. learnefl the art of emijalming antl the undertaker's
business of Tutwiler & Sons, Indianapolis, Indiana, and is now a licensed
embalmer. He is a member of the Funeral Directors' Association of In-
diana, and is now the only undertaker in Carlisle. After a partnership of
one year, the Risinger Brothers dissolved, Thomas S. buying his brother
out, and continuing for one year alone. In the month of February,
1894, C. A. Ellis (see his sketch in this work ), was taken in as a partner,
since which time the firm lias gone under the title of Risinger & Ellis.
This firm is extensively engaged in the manufacture of the patented
Hygienic Cabinet, which article is having such a large sale at this date.
Politically, Mr. Risinger is a supporter of the Democratic party and has
been a member of the town board. He is a member of the Independent
Order of Odd Fellows Lodge No. 50, belonging to the Encampment
degree of that fraternity. No. 139. He has filled all cliairs in this lodge,
and been to the grand lodge of the state. He is also connected with the
Modern Woodmen of America, at Carlisle. Besides his many otiier
business cares, Mr. Risinger is one of the directors of the Carlisle Ijuilding
and Loan Association.
Mr. Risinger was united in marriage October 14, 1S84, to Miss Judah
Belle Hooper, born in Haddon township and educated in the district
schools of the same. She is the daughter of Pinckney C. and Nancy
(Corbin) Hooper. (See sketch of Dr. D. F. Shake). ]\Ir. and Mrs.
Risinger are the parents of two children: Edna, born July 8, 1886, un-
married and at home and Aurelia, born January i, i8yo, unmarried and
will graduate with the class of 1909, from the Carlisle high school. . Mr.
Risinger and his family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church
and Air. Risinger is a trustee of the parsonage. He has served as trustee
of the church at Bethlehem for several years, but has recently given it
up to others.
Abr.miam G. Cox, D. V. S. — A skillful representative of the vet-
erinary profession, who enjoys a large practice at Carlisle and surrounding-
territory, is Dr. Abraham G. Cox, wdio was born August 10, 1858, in
Haddon township, Sullivan county, Indiana, east from the town of
Carlisle. He is the son of Jacob and Mary (Hamilton) Cox. His father
was born in Madison county, Indiana, and died in Jasper county, Illinois,
aged about thirty-five. The mother was born and died in Jasper county,
Illinois. Grandfather John Cox was a native of England and by occupa-
tion was a farmer. The maternal grandfather was a native of Scotland,
and his wife was Elizabeth Schmidt, born in Germany. They were also
farmers.
62 HISTORY OF SULLIVAN COUNTY
The parents of Dr. Cox moved to Jasper county, Illinois, in i860,
and there he lived until fourteen years of age, when he came back to
Haddon township and worked on a farm. In 1881, he was employed
in a drug store at Houston, Missouri, after which he began the study
of medicine, entering the College at Charleston, Illinois, in 1886. He
remained in that school two years, going then to Toronto, Canada, where
he took a one year's course. He began practice, April 13, 1890, at Car-
lisle, Indiana, continuing until the autumn of 1897, when he entered the
Indiana Veterinary College, from which he was graduated with the class
of 1898 and at once returned to Carlisle, and has been practicing here ever
since. In igo6 Dr. Cox erected a modern veterinary hospital and formu-
lated what is so widely known as "Dr. Cox's Barb-wire Liniment," and
"Painless Blister," the same being made by P. L. Hoover & Bros. The
doctor is a member of the Indiana Veterinary Association and is an up-to-
date and highly skillful veterinary. He belongs to Carlisle Lodge No.
3, F. & A. M., and the Modern Woodmen of America. He is a stock-
holder in the First National Bank of Carlisle.
Dr. Cox was married July 6, 1891, to Mary Trimble, born in Haddon
township, Sullivan county, Indiana, February 19, 1869, and educated in
the same locality. She is the daughter of William and Jane Trimble.
Her father was born in Sullivan county, Indiana, and her mother in
Ohio, and both are still living in Haddon township. He is among the most
extensive farmers within the towrisfhip. ]\Ir. and Mrs. Cox have had two
children: Earl, who died in infanc}^ amd Corda, born November 11, 1895.
Mrs. Cox is a member of the Church of Christ.
:r::3
J.\MES McCoNNELL, who is a well known grain and lumber dealer
of Carlisle, Indiana, was born July 17, 1871. in Haddon township, Sullivan
county, Indiana, son of Baily and Jennie (AIcDowell) IMcConnell. Baily
McConnell was born in Haddon township, and his wife in Ohio, in
Columbiana county, at Mooretown, April 29, 1852. She was a daughter
of Dr. James McDowell, who came to Carlisle when she was a young
girl. He began the practice of medicine at Pleasantville, Jefferson town-
ship. Andrew JMcConnell, the father of Baily McConnell, also came to
the county at a very early day.
James McConnell, of this notice, was reared on the farm and edu-
cated in the public schools, after which he attended DePauw College at
Greencastle, Indiana, for four years. He then turned his attention to
agriculture and still owns his well-tilled farm, although he has never lived
on the place, having resided in town ever since his marriage. He owns
a creamery and a herd of seventy-five registered Jersey cattle, and oper-
ates a strictly sanitary milk business. In the spring of 1905 he purchased
the lumber and grain business of J. N. Roberts, and now has the only
lumber yard of tlie place. He also carries a full line of clay products.
In connection with his extensive lumber trade, he runs a planing mill.
«isr
Z'^-^-'^ou.or""
HISTORY OF SULLI\'AN COUNTY 63
Both his lumber and creamery interests are models of uniformity and
correctness. He keeps an exact account of every pound of butter pro-
duced from each cow lie owns. It is said that his system is not equaled
within Indiana.
Politically, jNIr. McConncll afTfiliates with the RepuhHcan party. He
is a member of the Masonic fraternity, belonging to Carlisle Lodge No. 3,
F. & A. jM. ; Council, Chapter, and Royal Arch Masons of Sullivan; also
belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America at Carlisle. He was married
in 1896, to Eloise Akin, by whom three children were born : Bernice,
Bailey, and Wall. The reader is referred to the sketch of Edgar W.
Akin for the ancestry of Eloise (Akin) McConnell.
Cl.\rence F. Burton-. — The business career of Clarence F. Burton,
which has been attended by a large and well merited degree of success,
was begun when he was but sixteen years of age as a clerk in a store at
Silverwood, Indiana. After ten months spent in that capacity he became
a student in the normal at Covington, Indiana, and after a six months'
course there returned to the store in Silverwood and clerked there for two
and a half years. During the year and a half following this period lie
was the proprietor of a restaurant at Covington, and then returning again
to his home town of Silverwood was for three years associated with D. P.
Williams in the grocery business and was the postmaster of that town.
Selling his interests there, he went to Clinton and spent a short time in
the dry goods store of Randolph Brothers, and in July of 1904 he came
to Shelburn and became a partner of I. C. Dalrymple in a mercantile store.
In 1908 he purchased Mr. Dalrymple's interest and has since been alone
in the business. He is one of the leading merchants of the city and enjovs
a large and lucrative trade.
Mr. Burton was born at Silverwood, in Fountain county, Indiana,
December 11, 1871, a son of William E. and Sarah J. (Lunger) Burton.
The father died when his son Clarence was but three years of age, and
the mother, who was born near Linden, Indiana, about 1840, afterward
married Peter Reynolds and is living on the home farm in Fountain
county. There were three children by the first marriage : Thomas, who
is a miner at Clinton, Indiana, and Flora Williams, of Silverwood.
Clarence F. Burton, one of the three, attended the public schools of
Silverwood until he was sixteen years of age, and then, as above stated,
entered upon his successful mercantile career. On the 6th of March,
1901, he was married to Margaret Randolph, who was born in Silver-
wood in 1880, a daughter of Henry C. and Clara Randolph, who are
farming people residing near Silverwood. The two children of this union
are Carroll F. and Lucile. born respectively on the 27th of July, 1902,
and on the 24th of September, 1904. Mr. Burton is a member of the
Knights of Pythias order, Lodge No. 98, at Silverwood, and he gives a
stanch support to Republican principles.
Vol. II— 5
64 HISTORY OF SULLIVAN COUNTY
Solomon Deeble. — Superintendent and general manager of the Car-
lisle (Ind.) Coal and Clay Company, Solomon Deeble is a native of
Monmouthshire, Wales, where he was born June 14, 1854, son of James
and Margaret (Ashton) Deeble. The father was born in Cornwall,
England, and the mother in the north of Wales. They came to America
in 1864, locating in Dover, New Jersey, where they remained one year,
then went to Pittston, Pennsylvania. In 1869 their son Solomon, of this
sketch, came to this country and joined his parents in Pittston. Here the
father died. He was a miner and usually followed that business for a
livelihood.
Solomon Deeble lived in Pittston, Pennsylvania, for thirty-six vears.
being a mine superintendent for several years at that place. He began
the occupation of a coal miner in Wales, when but seven years of age,
acting as a trapper, which part of the mining work he performed for
three years and then started in as a driver boy, continuing in such role m
the mines of his native land, until he was fifteen years old. He then came
to Pittston, Pennsylvania, where he commenced as a driver-boy. Two
years were spent at that branch of the work, after which he started in as
a real laborer and mined one year, when he had mastered the situatioi.
in the coal mining business sufficiently to enable him to work as a regulai
miner, which he did for twelve years. His next position was that 01
driver boss, at which he worked two years, then as fire boss one year,
when he commenced as pit boss. This was in 1891 and he continued ir.
that service for ten years, being employed by the Avoca Coal Company
at Avoca, Pennsylvania. Resigning he was made superintendent of the
Traders Coal Company (although still holding his residence at Avoca ^
and held this position for five years. In 1897 he was appointed post
master of Avoca, Pennsylvania, and served in that capacity until 1904,
being superintendent of the mines at the same time. In 1904 he resigned
the postmastership, as well as his positions in the mines, and in March,
1905, went to Carlisle, Indiana. There he established the Carlisle Coal
and Clay Company. He began the sinking of a shaft in the month of
April and has been superintendent and manager of the company ever
since. The shaft was sunk to the depth of two hundred and forty feet,
and work begun on vein number six, March 19, 1906. After having
worked the mines to a daily output of two hundred and fifty tons, they
observed the roof was weak and the mine was abandoned. They then
went down to a distance of three hundred and fourteen feet, and began
working number five in October, 1907. This vein of coal is five feet in
thickness, and of an extra good grade: the roofing is said to be of an
excellent qualitv, too. The daily output of this mine is two hundred and
fifty tons and the coal produced is sold throughout Indiana and also in
Chicago. This mine is provided with an escape shaft down to number
four vein, at a depth of four hundred and ninety-five feet, it being the
deepest shaft within the entire state of Indiana, while the vein of pure
coal is five feet in thickness. The president of this mine is John William-
son, of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania ; J. C. Wiegand, of the same place, is
HISTORY OF SULLIVAN COUNTY 65
secretary And treasurer; Solomon Deeble, manager, and Thomas J.
Deeble, is salesman.
Solomon Deeble was united in marriage to Ruth Davis Alay 22, 1874.
She was born in Wales, in the same locality as her husband. This union
has been blessed by seven children : Thomas, died in infancy ; Anna, wife
of Joseph McPherson of Carlisle, Indiana ; Thomas J., married Fannie
jMae Pearce, of Carlisle, in 1904 and now has two children — Emma Ruth
and Jessie Lois ; Birdella, wife of William L. Evans, residing in Carlisle ;
Mola, wife of William T. Pratt, and has two children — Ruth Deeble and
William Thomas, Jr., residing in St. Albans, Vermont ; William F.,
married Grace Wilson and has one daughter — Viola Dean ; Roy Edgar,
married Miss Geneva Hammond and is still at home.
Politically, Solomon Deeble affiliates with the Republican party and
in fraternal societies, he is connected with the following : Masons, Blue
lodge, chapter, commandery and Shriners ; Odd Fellows ; Ancient
Order of United Workmen ; Foresters ; and Knights of Pythias. He was
a member of the school board at Avoca, Pennsylvania, for nine years.
Mr. Deeble received no schooling in his youth but is a self-educated man
and he and his wife both being self-educated appreciate a good practical
education and gave their children a high school and college course. Four
residences on the Sullivan road between Carlisle and the mines were
erected bv Mr. Deeble.
George W. Pirtle, M. D. — Dr. George W. Pirtle, a practicing
physician at Carlisle, Indiana, is a native of Haddon township, Sullivan
county, Indiana, and was born two miles north of Carlisle, November 17,
1868, son of James W. and Mary A. (Cron) Pirtle. The father was also
born in Haddon township in August, 1837, and died December 31, 1904.
The mother was born in Knox county, Indiana, and died in Carlisle in the
spring of 1906. The Pirtles are of an English family who came from
England in 1635. two brothers settling in Virginia and from them this
branch of the family have all descended. The grandfather, Alfred Pirtle,
was born in Sullivan county, and his father, George Pirtle, the doctor's
great-grandfather, was born in Kentucky, coming to Sullivan county
among the pioneer settlers of this part of Indiana. James W. Pirtle,
father of George W., was a farmer and also operated a saw-mill.
Politically, he was a Democrat. His children were as follows: Dr.
George W. ; Charles, a resident of Hamilton township, Sullivan county ;
Jacob, who resides on the old Pirtle homestead and Edward, a resident
of Paxton, Indiana. The doctor's mother was twice married, first to
James Stipe, who died in the Civil war, at Chattanooga, Tennessee.
Dr. Pirtle was educated in the common schools of his native country
and then entered the Lake Forest University. Lake Forest. Illinois.
Subsequently, he graduated from that most excellent educational institu-
tion, Rush Medical College of Chicago, with the class of 1890. In the
spring of that year he began active practice of medicine at Carlisle,
Indiana, where he has not missed a day's practice since he first opened
66 HISTORY OF SULLIVAN COUNTY
an office, eighteen years ago, aside from the time spent at the medical
societies. He is a member of the Medical Society of Sulhvan County ;
the Indiana State Medical Society and American Medical Association,
American Association for the Advancement of Science, Washington, D.
C, becoming a member of the last named in 1895. He takes much interest
in fraternal matters, and belongs to Carlisle Lodge No. 3, F. & A. M.,
the chapter and council at Sullivan, and also belongs to the IModern
Woodmen of America.
He was united in marriage October 18, 1891, to Belle Julian, born
in Indiana, December 23.' 1867, daughter of Rev. B. F. Julian, now
retired at Hymera, Indiana. Mrs. Pirtle is a member of the Methodist
Episcopal church. They are the parents of one son, J. Julian Pirtle, born
July 12, 1896.
Herbert A. Brown, who is the general manager of the
Carlisle Mill and Elevator Company, was born in Rockport, Spencer
county, Indiana, December 9, i860, son of Thomas H. and Martha
(Jones) Brown. Thomas Brown was born in Russellville, Ohio, February
4. 1809, and died in Princeton, Indiana, April 2, 1900. He was of Penn-
s}-lvania German descent. He was a drover and stock dealer, and also
handled real estate. He came to Spencer county, Indiana, in 1818, with
his parents, Conrad Brown and wife. They located on the bluffs and built
a log cabin at a point where is now located the county seat of Spencer
county. Conrad was a farmer. Thomas H. Brown lived in Spencer
county until 1888, at which time he went to Princeton, Indiana, where he
lived until his death. He was supporter of the Republican party and
served three terms (six years) as sheriff. He was a member of the
Masonic lodge and took much interest in Masonry. His wife was born in
Spencer county, Indiana, .September 7, 1830, and died April 21, 1900.
She was of English descent and was a member of the Methodist Episco-
pal church. They were united in marriage in Spencer county, Indiana,
in 1852, and were the parents of six children, as follows: John Y.,
residing in Princeton, Indiana, where he is engaged in the livery business ;
Adalie A., wife of Prelot Rounds, an electrical engineer, residing, in
Providence, Rhode Island; Herbert A. of this sketch; Harry T., residing
in Los Angeles, California, and engaged as a contractor and builder ;
Nora, wife of Charles Morris, residing in Troy, Ohio ; he is a tobacco
dealer ; Mary, wife of R. L. Tichenor, residing in Princeton, Indiana,
where he is engaged in the livery business.
Reared in Rockport, Indiana, and educated in the same place, Herbert
A. Brown was sixteen years of age when he began to learn the miller's
trade in his native town. He continued there three years, then went to
Eureka, Spencer county, where he remained about six months. He next
went to Hazelton, Gibson county, Indiana, where he remained two years,
working as a miller. He then went to Carmi, Illinois, but remained there
only a short time, when he moved to Sumner, that state, and lived there
two years. The next six years he spent in Vincennes, Indiana, with
HISTORY OF SULLIVAN COUNTY 67
J. & S. Emison. He then went back to Hazelton and engaged in the
milling business on his own account, remaining between four and five
years. Thinking to better his condition, he moved to \\'ebster, Missouri,
remaining a few months and then went to Lawrenccville, Illinois, where
he remained two years, going from there to Birds, Illinois, and engaging
in milling for himself. Two years later, he went to Princeton. Indiana,
and engaged with the Zenith Alilling Company for three months. In the
month of June, 1903, he went to Carlisle, Indiana, and operated the mill
for Wiley Brenton for about two and a quarter years, since which date
he has been operating the mill for the Carlisle ]\Iill and Elevator Com-
pany ; he is the head miller and general manager of the mill. This is a
high grade flour-producing plant and the product is shipped to all parts
of the country. They also buy and ship all kinds of grain. The "Golden
Eagle" brand of their flour is a trade-winner and has given Mr. Brown a
wide reputation as a flour maker.
Mr. Brown is a Republican in his political views, and is a member of
the Royal Arcanum lodge at Vincennes, Indiana ; the Court of Honor
in Carlisle ; No. 66 Tribe of Ben Hur at Carlisle, and the Mutual Pro-
tective League Council No. 226, at Litchfield, Illinois, as well as holding
membership with the T. P. A. at \'incennes. He was married August
27, 1 88 1, to Laura Briscoe, torn in Warrick, county, Indiana, May 17,
i860. She is the daughter of With and Adeline (Brown) Briscoe, both
natives of Warrick county, and both now deceased.
Mr. and ]\Irs. Brown are the parents of three children, only one of
whom is living : Agnes, born in Sumner, Illinois, November 13, 1882.
She is still at home and is a graduate of the J. Smith Business College,
at Vincennes, Indiana. For two years she was employed with Bay &
Company's wholesale house in \'incennes, resigning on account of her
mother's failing health. The other two children died in their infancy.
Mr. Brown's wife and daughter are acceptable members of the Methodist
Episcopal church.
Philip L. Hoover. — Enterprising, energetic, and possessing rare
business ability and tact, Philip L. Hoover, of Carlisle, Sullivan county,
is widely known as head of the firm of P. L. Hoover & Bros., which has
exclusive control of the manufacture and sale of Dr. Cox's Barbed Wire
Liniment, one of the best and most wonderful articles of the kind in
existence. A native of Sullivan county, he was born, July 22, 1869, in
Haddon township, which was, likewise, the birthplace of his parents,
John M. and Ann T. (Cartwright) Hoover. He comes of pioneer stock,
his grandfather, Philip L. Hoover, first, for whom he was named, having
been one of the early settlers of this township.
Coming from Pennsylvania, his native state, to Sullivan county, the
grandfather, Philip L. Hoover, took up land, entering about si.x hundred
acres. He was a tailor by trade, and worked at it some in connection
with farming. He served as a soldier in the ]\Iexican war, and after his
return from the army devoted his attention almost entirely to agriculture.
68 HISTORY OF SULLIVAN COUNTY
becoming one of the leading farmers of this part of the county, his home-
stead property being near Carhsle.
Born on the home farm in 1845, Jol^ri M. Hoover succeeded to the
occupation in which he was reared, and as a general farmer and stock-
raiser was successful. As a man and a citizen, he was held in high re-
spect, and his death, which occurred May 5, 1889, was a loss to the
community in which he had spent the greater part of his life. He
married Ann T. Cartwright, who was born June 27, 1835, and is now
living, making her home in Carlisle, Indiana. Her father, William C.
Cartwright, was born in Virginia, from there coming to Sullivan county
soon after the arrival of the first family of Hoovers. He subsequently
married Sarah Ledgewood, who was born in this county in 1804, being
the first white child born within its precincts. In politics, John M.
Hoover was a steadfast Republican, and in religion his wife was, and is,
a consistent Methodist. Five children were born of their union, namely :
Nolan C, of Carlisle, a member of the firm of Hoover Brothers, and its
traveling agent, married Sadie Vance, a native of Haddon township, and
they have two children; May, born April 5, 1866, died in childhood;
Philip L., of this sketch; Elmer G., born June 19, 1872, is also traveling
for the firm, his home, however, being in Carlisle ; and Hester A., born
May 9, 1874, is a member of the firm of P. L. Hoover & Brothers. All
of these children were reared on the farm. Elmer and Hester both at-
tended the Indiana University, at Bloomington. Hester also took a
course of study at the State Normal school, and for two years was a
teacher in the graded schools of Carlisle.
Remaining on the home farm rmtil twenty years old, Philip L.
Hoover then accepted a position as clerk in the drug store of W. J.
Curtner. Subsequently going to Terre Haute, he was for a time similarly
employed in Jasper D. Denison's drug store, where he formed a familiar
acquaintance with the details of the business. Forming a partnership,
then, with A. M. Morris, he embarked in business in Carlisle, becoming
junior member of the firm of Morris & Hoover. While thus engaged
this firm formed a separate business in company with Dr. Cox, of Car-
lisle, placing before the public the Barbed Wire Liniment formulated and
manufactured by the doctor. Two years later, Mr. Hoover bought out
Mr. Morris, and for four years managed the drug business alone. In
1895, he admitted his brother Elmer to partnership, and later the re-
maining members of the family were admitted to the firm, his mother,
his sister Hester, and his brother Nolan all becoming equal partners in
the business, the name of the firm being P. L. Hoover & Brothers. In
1900, this enterprising firm sold out its drug business, and also the tele-
phone exchange, which Mr. Hoover had for some years managed in
partnership with Charles Griffin. In 1897, Mr. Hoover bought out Dr.
Cox, and since 1900 the firm has manufactured Dr. Cox's famous Barbed
Wire Liniment, and in placing it on the market has been very successful.
By extensive advertising its merits are widely known, and it is now sold
in large quantities throughout the West and South, being found in all
of the" leading drug and general stores of Kansas, Oklahoma, Florida,
HISTORY OF SULLIVAN COUNTY 69
Washington, Iowa, Nebraska, Michigan, ]\Iinnesota, Georgia, Alabama,
California, Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Kentncky, Missouri, Ohio,
Tennessee and Texas. The use of this liniment in this vast territory of
states is a sure proof of its medicinal virtue, and bespeaks the energy and
enterprise of the firm that handles it, and the great advertising aijility
and knowledge of its members.
In 1892, Mr. Hoover married Xenia Anderson, who was born in
Cass township, a daughter of Joseph Anderson, now a resident of Sulli-
van. Mr. and Mrs. Hoover have two children, Glenn and Helen. Politi-
cally Mr. Hotjver supports the principles of the Republican party. Fra-
ternally he belongs to Carlisle Lodge No. 3, F. & A. M., to which his
brothers also belong : to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, being a
member of both lodge and encamiMnent : and to the T. P. A.
M.\RK Lester. — A man of undoubted enterprise, industry and ability,
Mark Lester, of Carlisle, is actively associated with the industrial progress
of this part of Sullivan county, and as the owner of a sawmill is carrying
on a substantial business. He was born, October 20, 1854, in London.
England, which was also the birthplace of his father, Henry Lester. His
grandfather, Mark Lester, who was for many years a captain in the
Royal Navy, married a Scotch lassie, Isabella Keeling.
In his earlier years, Henry Lester was engaged in the drug business
in London. He was a man of talent, a genius in his way, and invented
and patented the waterproof match. He then began the manufacture of
matches in London, being a pioneer in that industry. Being burned out
in 1855, he transferred his residence and business from London to Not-
tingham, where he erected a match factory, wdiich he managed until his
death. He married Hepzibah Gimbert, who was born in Cambridgeshire,
England, a daughter of Thomas Gimbert, a velvet weaver, and she, too,
spent her last years in Nottingham. They were both active in religious
work, and were prominent members of the Church of England. Eight
children were born of their union, namely : Thomas, deceased ; Harry died
in Sullivan, Indiana ; George is engaged in mining in Nottingham, Eng-
land ; Ruth, deceased ; Mark, with whom this sketch is chiefly concerned ;
Alice, wife of Joseph Hopkins, of Nottingham, England ; William, a lace
maker, resides in Nottingham ; Jane died in infancy.
Receiving a limited education in the Nottingham schools, Mark
Lester remained at home until eighteen years of age, when he enlisted in
the British army, in which he served three years, and one hundred and
ninety-five davs, as a private. Returning home, he worked in the mines
until' 1879, when he emigrated to this country, locating October i, of
that vearl in Shelburn. Sullivan county, Indiana, where for three years
he was profitably emjjloyed in mining pursuits. Going back then to Eng-
land for a vacation, he staid there awhile, and then returned to Indiana,
and during the summer of 1884 mined for coal in Sullivan. On April 17,
i88s, ]Mr. Lester, in the employ of the Carlisle Coal Company, began
70 HISTORY OF SULLR'AX COUNTY
sinking a shaft about a mile north of Carhsle, and superintended its man-
agement for nine years, after which he operated it on his own account
for three years, from 1892 until 1895. In 1893, Mr. Lester, in company
with Walter Bugher, embarked in the threshing business, and continued
in it seven years, when his partner sold out to Mr. Lester. In 1896 these
gentlemen established themselves in the milling business, carrying it on
in connection with their threshing operations until 1900, when j\Ir. Lester
bought the sawmill, and thresher, and has since conducted it most suc-
cessfully. He does considerable custom work, and is an extensive shipper
of lumber, having a prosperous trade, and in addition to his mill in
Carlisle also has one in Knox county, which he has operated since 1906.
He formerly owned a farm of twenty-four acres, but was burned out in
August, 1894, and has since lived in Carlisle.
On September 9, 1878, Mr. Lester married Sarah Jane Rigley,
who was born December 6, 1862, in Derbyshire, England, a daughter
of William and Charlotte Elizabeth (Hardy) Rigley, life-long residents
of England. Of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Lester, eleven children have
been born, namely: Ernest M., deceased; Horace H., born in England,
December 30, 1883, received his early academical education at Vincennes
College, afterwards being graduated from the University of Minnesota
with the class of 1905, was principal of the Anacortes high school in
Washington, and is now Professor of Botany in Bellingham high school,
Washington; Ivan Jefferson, born February 22, 1885, was graduated from
the Carlisle high school in 1905, and is now in partnership with his
father — he is a Mason, from Blue Lodge to Council, the same as his
father ; Grover died in infancy ; Bertram died in early childhood ; Paulina
C, born January 17, 1890, was graduated from the Carlisle high school
with the class of 1908, is now a successful teacher in Haddon township;
Albert Carroll, born March 14, 1893 : Thomas William, born December
5, 1895; Raymond Kelling, born September 24, 1898; Elizabeth Eloise,
born September 23, 1901 ; and Jennie Gretcham, born March 21, 1904.
Politically Mr. Lester affiliates with the Democratic party. Fraternally
he is a member of Carlisle Lodge No. 3, F. & A. M., of Sullivan Council ;
and of Sullivan Chapter, R. A. M. Religiously, his wife, daughter and
two sons are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mrs. Lester is
a member of the Eastern Star at Carlisle.
William B. Shepherd. — Among the well-known residents of Had-
don township is WiUiam B. Shepherd, who, as a liveryman, is carrying
on a substantial business in Carlisle, having an extensive patronage. A
son of the late William B. Shepherd, Sr., he was born in this township.
May 24, 1863, and was here brought up and educated.
William B. Shepherd, Sr., was born in Sullivan, Indiana, in 1836,
and died on his home farm, in Haddon township, in 1886. In the early
'50s, following the trail of the gold seekers, he went to California, and
for awhile was emploved in mining, but without meeting with the antici-
HISTORY OF SULLIVAN COUNTY 71
pated success. Somewhat ilisappointcil in the result <.if his vcuture, lie
returned to Sullivan county, and for awhile lived at Shaker Prairie.
Subsequently, in company with Josiah Wolfe, he embarked in business as
a general merchant and a grain dealer, being first located at Griswold,
Knox county, and afterwards in Carlisle. Subsequently buying land in
Haddon township, he was engaged in agricultural labors until his death.
He was a Democrat in politics, a member of the local Grange, and be-
longed to the Christian church, of which his widow is still a member. He
married Elizabeth Summers, who was born in Sullivan, in 1842, and is
now living on the old Sheplierd homestead. Their union was blessed
by the birth of seven children, namely: Thomas G., residing with his
widowed mother on the home farm, in Haddon township ; Solomon G.,
of Gill township ; William B., of this brief sketch ; Estella May, wife of
Alonzo Pifer, of Gill township; John, deceased; Effie, wife of F. M.
Bland, of Gill township; and Carrie J., wife of William Willis, of Hamil-
ton township.
Educated in tlie district schools, and reared to agricultural pursuits,
\\'illiam B. She])herd assumed the management of the home estate upon
the death of his father, carrying it on for four years. Locating then in
Carlisle, he embarked in the livery business, and a year later admitted
to partnership Rush McCammon, with whom he was associated for two
vears as junior member of the firm of McCammon & Shepherd. Selling
out his interest then to Frank Risinger, he was for twelve years engaged
in the retail liquor business in Carlisle, closing out April 3, igo8. Two
weeks later, on April 15, 1908, Mr. Shepherd and Mr. JMcCammon again
entered into partnership, and are now carrying on a good business as
proprietors of a livery and feed stable. Politically, Mr. Shepherd is
identified with the Democratic party, and fraternally he belongs to Eagle
Lodge No. 996, at Sullivan, Indiana.
"On February 18, 1883, Mr. Shepherd married Elizabeth Wagner,
who was born in Ohio, in 1864, a daughter of John Wagner, who came
to Indiana about 1870, and located first in Gill township, later settling
in Sullivan, where he .spent his last years. Of the six children born to
Mr. and Mrs. Shepherd, two are dead, the second child having died in
infancy, and John, the third child, having also passed to the life beyond.
Four are living, namely ; Howard Floyd, born October 6, 1884, is engaged
in the livery business with his father ; Paul, born September 24, 1888, was
graduated "from the Carlisle high school in 1907, and is now in the employ
of P. L. Hoover & Brothers, in Carlisle; Flazel, torn February 28, 1892,
attends the Carlisle high school, belonging to the class of 1909 ; and Helen,
born Februarv 3, 1900. Airs. Shepherd is a member of the Christian
church.
James D. How.\rd. — An honored representative of the brave, daring
and energetic pioneers who came to this section of the country when it
was in its primitive wilderness, and by heroic work actively assisted in
developing it into a fertile and productive region, James D. Howard, of
72 HISTORY OF SULLIVAN COUNTY
Carlisle, is eminently worthy of especial mention in this biographical
work. A son of Cornelius Howard, he was born September 4, 1844, in
Jefferson ■ township, Sullivan county, on the home farm. His grand-
parents, Joseph and Sarah Howard, were born, reared, and married in
North Carolina. They afterwards lived for awhile in Kentucky, and their
first child was born in Daniel Boone's fort. Coming from there to
Sullivan county in 1820, he took up land, and was there employed in
tilling the soil until his death, in the fall of 1838. He was buried in the
Indian Prairie Cemetery, in that township, his body being the first there
interred.
Cornelius Howard was born. June 13, 1805, in Oldham county,
Kentucky, and died October 28, 1896, in Jefferson township, Sullivan
county, Indiana. He was a farmer from choice, being engaged to a con-
siderable extent in stock raising and dealing, and at one time was owner
of four hundred acres of land. He married first, Nancy Jarrel, who
lived but a short time after their marriage. He married second, Naomi
Mayfield, who was born in Jefl^erson township. Sullivan county, June
20, 1819, and died in the same township, May 9, 1894. Her father, James
Mayfield, who served in the war of 1812, married Amelia Hinkle, in
Kentucky, their native state, and was subsequently one of the original
settlers of Jefferson township. Of the marriage of Cornelius and Naomi
(Mayfield) Howard, eleven children were born, as follows: Joseph T.,
of Jeiferson township : Naomi Elizabeth : James D.. of this sketch : W. W.,
residing on the old Howard homestead ; R. J\I., deceased ; Franklin P.,
deceased : John S., engaged in the fruit business in Florida ; Sarah E.,.
wife of Edward C. Shake, of Haddon township : Wilton M., also of Had-
don township; Jasper, deceased; and Daniel V., engaged in farming in
Fairland, Indiana.
Brought up on the home farm, James D. Howard was given excel-
lent educational advantages, attending first the district schools, afterwards
continuing his studies at what is now the DePauw University, in Green-
castle. He subsequently taught school three terms in Jefferson township,
and was then in the drug business in Carlisle until 1870. when, in com-
pany with James L. Berry, he embarked in the drug business in Carlisle,
being junior member of the firm of Berry & Howard. In January, 1874,
he returned to Jefferson township, and resumed work on his farm of one
hundred acres, residing there until September, 1888. Locating in that
year in Franklin, Mr. Howard was there employed in the grocery busi-
ness for three years, when he traded one hundred and sixty acres in
Jefferson township for a farm in Haddon township, an estate of two
hundred acres, subsequently selling his store and property in Franklin,
Indiana. Immediately assuming possession of his property, he engaged in
agricultural pursuits in Haddon township from 1891 until 1905. as a
general farmer and stock raiser, meeting with genuine success. Since
that time. Mr. Howard has been a resident of Carlisle, where he is livmg
retired from active pursuits, although he still supervises the manage-
ment of his farm. He is highly esteemed as a man and a citizen, and is
an influential member of the Democratic party, and belongs to the Inde-
HISTORY OF SULLIX'AN COUNTY yz
pendent Order of Odd Fellows, into which he was initiated January 8,
1872. lie has filled all of the offices of his lodge and encampment, and
has been a delegate to the grand lodge.
On February 28, 1867, Mr. Howard married Nancy Jane Kobbins,
wh.o was born in Knox county, Indiana, January 10, 1846. Her parents,
John and Lucy (Bowen) Robbins, came from Kentucky, their native
state, to Indiana, and were among the very first settlers of the northern
end of Knox county. The father was a soldier in the war of 1812. He
had a family of seven children, as follows : James, deceased ; Julia, wife of
William A. Perry, of Freelandsville, Indiana; Mary, deceased; Thomas,
residing on a part of the Robbins homestead, in Knox county ; Nancy
Jane, wife of I\Ir. Howard; Isabella, deceased; and Alexander M., living
on a portion of the old homestead. Five children have been born to Mr.
and Airs. Howard, namely: a child that died in infancy; Edward C,
deceased; Carrie B., deceased; Flora E., born October 3, 1874, is the wife
of Thomas A. Grizzle, of Carlisle; and Icie Nora, born April 11, 1877,
married Frank Corbin, of Carlisle, and has one child, James V. Corbin.
Forty-one years ago Mr. Howard united with the Missionary Baptist
church, to wdiich his parents belonged, and of which his wife is a member,
and he has filled all of the offices connected with the church.
Mrs. H.\nn.\h F. (Alsop) Jer.\uld. — A woman of culture and
refinement, possessing excellent judgment and much executive ability,
Mrs. Jerauld bravely assumed the duties devolving upon her when, many-
years ago, she was left a widow, and has ever been mindful of the interest
of her household. She resides in Carlisle, Sullivan county, where her
birth occurred, March zy. 1846, and is descended from an old English
family, being the daughter of Joshua and Margaret (Calvert) Alsop.
Hon. Joshua Alsop, her father, was born in the town of Wall
Hexem, in Northumberlandshire, England, on the fifth of September,
1807. In the year 1818, on the i8th of May. in company with his
father, mother, two brothers and sister, he emigrated from the old world
to the new. landing in Canada. Thence they moved to the state of New
York, residing at Halls Corner for one year, and then starting for the
west, via Pittsburg, sailing down the Ohio river to the mouth of the
Wabash and up that river to York, Illinois. .-Xfter a short stay at that
place the family located at Carlisle, Indiana, in the fall of 1820, where
Mr. Alsop remained until his death.
In the thirtieth year of his age, Mr. Alsop was married to Miss
Margaret Calvert and shortly afterward commenced his career of busi-
ness, which he conducted on the old-fashioned theory that the word of a
mercantile man must be as good as his bond. So strong did he adhere
to this principle that his name became a synonym of business integrity
throughout the Wabash valley. Mr. Alsop early became satisfied that
the facilities the river afiforded for the transportation of produce and
mcrchandi--e were inadequate to the development of Sullivan countv.
74 HISTORY OF SULLIVAN COUNTY
Upon the suggestion of railroad connection between Terre Haute and
Evansville he became enhsted in the enterprise, and was elected one of
the directors, which position he held until his death. He made all his
sacrifice for the road with a desire that it should run through Carlisle.
His plans were for a time frustrated by the machinations of certain men,
who were anxious that the road should be located out of the town. Then
Mr. Alsop displayed that trait of character which he possessed in a re-
markable degree (tenacity of purpose), made a herculean effort and
enlisted fifteen associates in the cause. The road was finally located in
Carlisle, at a loss to Mr. Alsop and his friends of $32,000. Those who
are enjoying the benefits conferred cannot appreciate the sacrifice thus
made in their behalf.
From the inauguration of the free school system Mr. Alsop gave it
his financial aid and his unwavering support, looking forward to the time
when education should become compulsory. One of his peculiar traits of
character was his habit of coming to the rescue of a failing or an em-
barrassed public enterprise, and by the timely advancement of money
placing it on the highway to success. In 1870, much against his will, he
was elected a member of the State Senate and served during the regular
session of 1870-72, but no consideration whatever would induce him to
accept a re-election. Though taking an interest in political affairs, he was
averse to holding office. He was a sincere friend to the honest poor man,
never refusing him either aid or sympathy. Enterprising and progres-
sive he took an especial interest in the welfare of his adopted town, but
whether his project was private or public always remembered his honor
as a man. His death in 1876 was a sad loss to his family and a heavy
loss to the community.
Mr. Alsop's- marriage to Margaret Calvert occurred at Carlisle,
Indiana. February 14, 1837, and seven children were born to them, as
foUovi's : William and Mary, who died young ; Nancy and David, also de-
ceased ; Hannah, of this sketch ; Isadora, wife of Charles P. Gwin, who
resides in Georgia ; and Anna C., widow of the late Frank Parvin. Mr.
Parvin was born in Evansville, Indiana, and was there educated, begin-
ning his business career as a dry goods merchant in association with his
father. He afterward embarked in the drug business in that city, and
carried it on successfully until failing health forced him to retire from
active pursuits. He was a Republican in politics, and a member of the
Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Mrs. Parvin was educated at
DePauw College, where she received an excellent intellectual training.
Hannah F. Alsop received her elementary education in the public
schools of Carlisle, afterward attending a female college in Terre Haute.
On December 8, 1870, she married Thomas H. Jerauld, who was born in
Patoka, Indiana, February 22, 1837, and died in that city, February 9,
1883. He received his collegiate education in Bloomington, Indiana, and
was actively and successfully engaged in mercantile pursuits at Patoka
until his death, being an honored and respected member of the community
and a man of sterling integrity and worth. In politics, he was a stanch
Republican. In April, 1884, Mrs. Jerauld returned to Carlisle, her girl-
HISTORY OF SULLIVAN COUNTY 75
hood home, and has since resided there. She is an able business woman,
and has, among other property, a farm of one hundred and seventy acres
in Haddon township, from the rental of which she realizes a good income.
The Bellevue Coal Company of Pennsylvania has recently sunk a coal
shaft on Mrs. Jerauld's farm, and is now working vein No. 5. Mrs.
Jerauld and her husband became the parents of four children, namely :
Heber, who lives at home ; Anna, who died in infancy ; ^Margaret, who
lived but sixteen months; and Charles G., who also resides with his
mother. Religiously, Mrs. Jerauld is a member of the Presbyterian
church. She has seen many changes in Carlisle since her girlhood days,
and remembers driving with her father to Vincennes to take the train
to Evansville before the railroad was completed as far north as Carlisle.
It is hard for the younger people of this generation to realize the wonder-
ful changes made' in the every-day life of this day by the establishment
of railways, telephones, telegraphs, and the rural free delivery service
throughout the country.
George W. Funk, a retired farmer and one of the early promoters
of the Wabash levee, as well as the present gravel road system, whose
excellent farm lies in the famous Wabash valley, but who now resides
in Carlisle, Sullivan county, is a native of Russellville, Lawrence
county, Illinois, born March 24, 1851, a son of Henry H. and
Martha (Petitt) Funk. The father was born in Virginia and the mother
in North Carolina. They both had accompanied their parents to Lawrence
countv, Illinois, at an early day, being among the pioneer settlers in that
region. The grandparents, Peter and Nancy Funk, both live in Lawr-
ence county until their death, and both reached the advanced age of
ninetv years. Peter Funk was a miller and mill-wright, and operated
the first mill ever run at Russellville, Illinois. He sold out, and later
followed farming pursuits. While in the milling business he and his son,
Henry M., attached a carding mill and a distillery to the mill proper.
The son Henry W. also farmed in the latter years of his life and died when
aged about sixty years, his wife dying when George W. was but three
weeks old.
George W. Funk grew to man's estate surrounded by the scenes of
country life, receiving his education at the common district school, begin-
ning to work for himself at the age of nineteen years, by farming on a
modest scale, with one horse in Gill township. He came to Sullivan
county when he was about sixteen years old. He continued to farm in
Gill township until the autumn of 1904, and had come to be an extensive
farmer at this time (1908), owning eight hundred acres, all in Gill town-
ship. This man's career only shows what may be accomplished by per-
sistent labor and good management, in a free country where every man
may become the architect of his own fortune. Besides his extensive farm,
he owns considerable property in Carlisle and in Riverside. California;
also has about $25,000 in money loaned out in California. He is also a
76 HISTORY OF SULLIVAN COUNTY
stockholder in the People's State Bank, at Carlisle. He began the founda-
tion of this handsome financial success, by working on a farm by the
month. He has ever been progressive and alive to all public enterprises,
and was the first petitioner to secure gravel roads, as highways, in Sulli-
van county, starting on Gill Prairie. About 1871, he in company with
Samuel Hammell, made an effort to put in a levee in Gill township, along
the Wabash river, but were defeated by three votes. He also took active
part in the promotion of the levee which was constructed some years
since. Politically, Mr. Funk is a firm believer in, and supporter of the
cardinal principles of the Democratic party. He is an honored member
of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Carlisle, belonging to the
subordinate lodge.
February 11, 1869, marked an important epoch in his life. On that
day he married Mary C. Blackburn, a native of Lawrence county, Illinois,
who died at the age of thirty-five years, the mother of seven children,
born in the following order: Estella, deceased; Lavada, died in infancy;
the third and fourth children also died in infancy ; Arabelle, married G.
W.. Allen, and died at the age of twenty- four j^ears, leaving daughters —
Hattie and Erma, who are being cared for by Mr. and Mrs. Funk ; Nellie,
deceased ; and George, deceased.
For his second wife, Mr. Funk married ]\Iarch 23, 1883, Harriet
Cochran, born in Lawrence county, October 18. 1854. She was educated
in the county in which she was born. The children of this union all died
in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Funk are members of the Christian church of
which he served as an elder at Carlisle about twelve years. The last few
winters, Mr. Funk has spent six months with his family, at Riverside, that,
most beautiful winter resort in California. In August, 1890, he removed
to Carlisle, where he now has a fine home residence.
James W. Calvert^ one of the thoroughgoing agriculturists of
Gill township, Sullivan county. Indiana, was born on Shaker Prairie,
Knox county, Indiana, December 21, 1855. He is the son of
Robert and Sarah (Snapp) Calvert. The father was a native of
Kentucky and the mother of Indiana. The latter's parents were natives
of Virginia. Robert Calvert, the father, was an early settler of Knox
county, coming with his parents, both of whom died there. He con-
tinued to live in Knox county and served from there in the Mexican
war from 1846 to 1848, receiving a gunshot wound which caused his
death in 1856, when his son of this notice was but one year old. The
widow, later married and died in the autumn of i860. The children of
Robert and Sarah (Snapp) Calvert were as follows: Mary, wife of Peter
Price, of Carlisle; John, deceased: Ellen, widow Blann, of Oaktown,
Knox county ; James W. of this notice.
Left fatherless when but a babe of about a year old, James W.
Calvert has never known the aid, and watch-care of a father's love and
manly strength, to guide him. through the uncertain shoals of boyhood
HISTORY OF SULLI\-AN COUNTY j-j
and youth. His educational opportunities were limited. He attended the
schools of his district and Carlisle a few terms.
He made his home with an uncle in Carlisle, Indiana, until thirteen
years of age, when he hired out to work for a farmer at twenty dollars
the first year, and was defrauded out of this amount, including five dol-
lars given him by his uncle as a present. However, the same unscrupulous
man's father, out of shame and sympathy, bought young Calvert a suit of
clothes. After this sad beginning, he found employment with another
farmer at fifteen dollars a month and continued working there until
twenty-seven years of age, when he purchased a team and the necessary
implements and commenced farming in Knox county, remaining there
about ten years. He kept "bachelor's hall" about three years, really a hard
way in which to farm, but at all times he was cool and self-possessed. His
next experience was in the purchase of a small farm in Gill township,
which he soon sold and Ixiught twenty-two acres. Two years later, he
bought forty acres in Haddon township, to which he added, in 1907, forty
acres more, making altogether a farm of 102 acres at the present time. On
this fine place, he carries on general and stock farming, paying especial
attention to swine and horses. In his political views, he is in accord with
those of the Democratic party, while in church faith, he adheres to that of
the Christian denomination. At one time, he was connected with the Odd
Fellows order, but at this date has no lodge affiliations.
Mr. Calvert was happily united in marriage, February 12, 1885, to
Miss Amanda O'Haver, daughter of Henry and Mary S. (Jewell)
O'Haver, early settlers in Knox county, but who later removed to Sullivan
county and the father still lives in Gill township, the mother having
died several years ago. Two children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Cal-
vert : Arthur, deceased, and Urban B., unmarried, and employed in a
wholesale meat house of Chicago.
William Z. Payne has spent his entire life on the valuable home-
stead on which he now resides, and which has been in the Payne
family for three generations. He was born in Vigo county, Indiana,
November 5, 1858, a son of Isaac T. and Emeline (Anderson)
Payne and a grandson of Shadrach and Mary Payne, both of whom were
born in Virginia. They were farming people there until their removal
to Kentucky^ from whence they came to Sullivan county. Indiana, in 1835,
and entered the one hundred and sixty acre farm which is now the home
of their grandson William. They spent the remainder of their lives
in this count V, and were the parents of seven children, of whom the fol-
lowing two are now living: Bennett, at Oblong. Illinois, and Melvina
Blackburn, a resident of Bedford. Indiana.
Isaac T. Pavne. one of the sons of that family, was born during the
residence of his 'parents in Kentucky, September 5, 1830. He too, was
an agriculturist throughout his entire business life, and lived on his farm
of eightv acres here "all his life, with the exception of ten years spent
78 HISTORY OF SULLIVAN COUNTY
in Vigo county, his death occurring here in 1904. His wife died in
1900. She was born in Fairbanks township, Suhivan county, i\Iay 18,
1830, the same year as her husband, and their family numbered but two
children, William Z. and his sister, ]\Iary Williams, whose home is in
Vigo county.
William Z. Payne, the younger, remained with his parents until their
death, and on the 4th of September, 1879, he was married to Mary E.
Martin, who was born in Middletown, Vigo county, Indiana, February
4, 1858, a daughter of William and Violet Martin, the mother surviving
her husband and residing in Sullivan. The four children of this union
are : Walter F., who married Ida Harlan, and is one of the well known
physicians of Middletown ; Bertha Marts, whose home is in Hamilton
township ; James W., who married Lilly Thomson, and is a mail carrier
of Shelburn ; and Claucie, at home.
Mr. Payne began life for himself on his father's farm, which he
purchased before the latter's death, and his estate now numbers eighty
acres, and he is engaged in general farming and stock raising. His poli-
tics are Democratic, and he is a member of both the Odd Fellows lodge,
No. 420, at Shelburn, and of the Christian church, Mrs. Payne being also
a member of that denomination. They are people of the highest worth
of character, and Curry township -i-s- proud to claim them among her
residents. ' . ' ■' ■ ' •'
William L. Laxirent, who has attained prominence in the real
estate circles of Sullivan countyj was born in Leopold, Perry
county, Indiana, September 22, i'S75, a son of August and Catherine
(Allard) Laurent, both of whom were of French descent, and
the father was born in that country in 1846, while the mother was born
in Perry county, Indiana, in 1852. August Laurent came with his
parents to the United States when but seven years of age, the family
locating in Leopold, Indiana, where they were farming people, but they
died shortly after their emigration to this country. After the death of
his parents August learned" the mason and marble cutters' trade, and
followed those occupations until within a short time of his death, which
occurred in 1901. He was a Republican politically, a Mason fraternally,
and both he and his wife were members of the Catholic church. She is
now living with her son William in Shelburn. Her parents, Francis and
Mary (Belva) Allard, came from their native land of France to the
United States about 1831, locating first in Kentucky, from whence they
removed to Leopold, Indiana, and remained there during the rest of their
lives. Mr. Allard was a merchant of that city until the breaking out of
the Civil war, also a notarv, and after the close of the conflict he gar-
dened and took care of his 'notary work, dying about 1888, at the age of
eighty-seven years. His wife was seventy-five years of age at the tmie of
her death in '1905. She was a member of a prominent and well known
family in France. Nine children were born to August and Catherine
Allard Laurent, namely: Joseph, who died when young; John, whose
THE NEW YORK j
PU-BLIC LIBRARY
A5T0R, LENOX AND j
TILDEN FOUNDATIONS. I
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ASTQfTr LENOX AND
TILD£N FOUNDATIONS.
HISTORY OF SULLIVAN COUNTY 79
home is in Stoy, Illinois ; Edward, of Greenville, Indiana ; William L., who
is mentioned later; Frank, whose home is in WilHsville, Illinois; August
R., of Evansville, Indiana; Mamie, who is residing with her brother
\\'illiam ; and Joseph and Henry, who died in infancy.
After completing his education in the common schools William L.
Laurent worked in a general mercantile store for two and a half years,
having charge of the postoffice at the same time, and during the ten
years following this period he worked in the mines. Coming to Shelburn,
Indiana, in March of 1903, he opened a real estate and insurance office
here, and is now the proprietor of a real estate, loan, insurance, collection
and rental office, enjoying a large and lucrative patronage. In politics he
is a stanch Republican, and takes an active part in the local councils of
his party, while at the present time he is serving as the committeenian of
his precinct, tie believes in the .social organizations for the protection of
the laboring men, and while at the mines he was an active member of
the mine organizations. His fraternal relations connect him with the
Red Men, Utah Tribe No. 213, at Shelburn, with the Independent Order
of Odd Fellows, lodge No. 603 at Hymera, and with the auxiliaries of
both orders ; with the^K. of C. council No. 541, Terre Haute, Indiana, and
with the Modern Woodmen of America, camp 13563, Shelburn, Indiana.
The marriage of Mr. Laurent-' w^a peletjlired September 26, 1906,
at St. Mary's church at Sulliyaui Jti;(iiana,w1ieii, Sadie M. Stadley became
his wife. She was born in Greensbufg, 'In'dlana.'a daughter of Edward
and Julia Stadley, the latter deceased, but the father is now living in
Shelburn. He farmed until he GanT,e"Jie¥e-'i#9^05.:
John Ridgewav. deceased, who in his lifetime lived in Fairbanks
township and was numbered among the most thrifty and successful
farmers of Sullivan county, was born in Gill township, four miles west
of Sullivan. January 13, 1851. He was the son of Otho and Nancy E.
( Pinkston ) Ridgeway, natives of Kentucky. The parents came to Sulli-
van county, Indiana, as children, and when old enough were married.
Thev ovvued a farm in Turman township until the death of the father
in 1863. His wife, now eighty-one years old, lives with her children.
There were four sons and four daughters in this family and the
third born of the four sons was John Ridgeway of this memoir. He
attended the district schools until twelve years of age, at which time
his father died, and afterward he, with his older brother Albert, con-
ducted the home farm until Albert married and then John carried on
the place until after his own marriage, July 30, 1871, to Violet Kelley.
She was born in Fairbanks township, a daughter of Perry and Martha
(Whitlock) Kelley, both natives of Kentucky. A few years later Mr.
Ridgeway purchased a farm of his own in Fairbanks township, upon
which he erected a large two-story house in 1882, having previously
buUt the barns. The old one-story house on the place is still in use as a
cellar and smokehouse. This farm contains one hundred and seventy-one
Vol. n— 6
8o HISTORY OF SULLR'AX COUNTY
acres, fifty acres being in timber land, which 'Xlr. Ridgeway cleared off
and placed under good cultivation. The farmhouse is in fine view of
the famous and picturesque Wabash valley, and the house is surrounded
by beautiful shade and ornamental trees. Besides this homestead ]\Ir.
Ridgeway secured for himself three hundred and sixty acres on the
river bottoms, six hundred and forty acres in Kiowa county, Kansas,
and one hundred and six acres in Clark county, Illinois, and several
other places within the state of Indiana. He always followed farming
for his occupation, and in it achieved merited success. He made a
specialty of stock raising in conjunction with his agricultural operations.
Mr. Ridgeway was twice married, first to Violet Kelley on July
30, 1871. By her he had the following children: Otho C, born December
30, 1874, died September 5, 1875; Carsa E., April 5, 1877, now Airs.
George Adams, of Vigo county, Indiana; Harold G., born May 6, 1883,
died May 25, 1883. Mrs. Ridgeway died June 8, 1883. For his second
wife Mr. Ridgeway married, December 24, 1884, Jerusha A. Rose, born
in Tunnan township January 24, 1866. a daughter of John T. and
Rebecca (Drake) Rose. The father was born in North Carolina and the
mother in Fairbanks township, Sullivan county, Indiana. The grand-
parents were Thomas and Jerusha Rose. By his last marriage the
children born to Mr. Ridgeway were: Lora A., born April 26, 1887, a
student in Georgetown College, entering in 1904, is now Mrs. Thomas
M. Durham, of Turman township, and Hervey J., born August 7, 1896,
entered Notre Dame College January 2, 1909, for collegiate training.
Mr. Ridgeway died February 3, 1905. He was a Republican in
politics and was a member of the Odd Fellows' order at Graysville. In
church . connections he was a Methodist, a member of the Kingsley
chapel in Fairbanks township, as is also his wife.
John H. Allen, the well known furniture dealer and under-
taker of Farmersburg, has been engaged in business in this city
since 1904, when he sold his farm and bought the furniture and
undertaking business where he is now established. He studied under-
taking under efficient directions, and also has a diploma from the Barnes
School of Anatomy and Sanitary Science of Embalming.
Mr. Allen was born in Linton township of Vigo county, Indiana,
April 24, 1863, a son of Robert and Elizabeth (Williams) Allen, and a
grandson of Josiah and Rebecca Allen, both of whom were born in Ire-
land. They came to America before their marriage, living for a time in
Virginia, removing some time after their marriage to Kentucky, where
Mr. Allen followed his professions of surveying, and school teaching,
having been an efficient teacher for sixty years. He also owned a farm
there. There were eleven children in their family, but none are now
living, and among the number was Robert, who was born in Spencer
countv, Kentucky" March 28, 1814, and when sixteen years of age he
HISTORY OF SULLI\AX COUNTY 8i
graduated from Uacon CoUcsje in Kentucky. During the remainder of
his Hfe he taught school and farmed, coming to \'igo county soon after
his marriage, and he resided there during the remainder of his life, dying
on the 23d of December, 1891. His wife, Elizabeth Williams, was born
in Bullitt county, Kentucky, October g, 1820, and died on the 27th of
June, 1892. She was his third wife, and they had six children: Robert C,
who was born on the old homestead farm in Linton township, July 14,
1866, married Gertrude Risinger, and yet resides on the homestead ;
Sarah A. Allen, born August 29, 1861. married Charles P. Miller and
lives in Terre Haute; John H., the subject of this review; and Hannah
E., born December 29, 1867. became the wife of Thomas L. Davis and
lives in Linton township, Vigo county.
John H. Allen remained at home until his marriage, in the meantime
studying surveying and civil engineering under his father, and after his
marriage he located on a farm in Linton township, Vigo countv, owning
one himdred and twenty acres, and during his residence on the farm he
served for five years and three months as a trustee. In February of 1904
he sold his farm, and after traveling for a year came to Farmersburg and
purchased the furniture and undertaking business where he is now located.
His politics are Democratic, and he is a member of the town board and
the president of the financial board. He is also a member of the Grange,
in Linton township, Vigo county, Indiana.
On the 1st of November. i8g6, Mr. Allen was married to Manna
Russell, who was born in Sullivan county, Indiana, March 23, 1872, a
daughter of Spencer and Elizabeth ( Gaskins ) Russell. The mother was
also born in Sullivan county, April 15, 1838, and she died in March of
1891, while the father was born January 11, 1826, in Spencer county,
Kentucky, and died in Vigo county, Indiana, May 9, 1905. He was a
farmer all his life. Mrs. Allen has been a member of the Church of
Christ since she was thirteen vears of age.
A]M.\ND.\ ( De Baun) SHERii.\x. — Mrs. Sherman has spent many
years of her life in Sullivan county, and is loved and honored for her
many sterling characteristics, for her Christian character and for her life
of usefulness and helpfulness. She was born near Middletown, in Vigo
county, Indiana, August 13, 1840. a daughter of Samuel and Phvlinda
(Shattuck) De Baun. The father was born on the 14th of January,
1820, in Mercer county, Kentucky, and is now living with his daughter
in Farmersburg, but the mother, born April 2, 1817, in the state of New
York, died on the 14th of February, 1866.
Samuel De Baun is a son of Samuel, Sr., a native of Kentucky, and
he in turn was a son of Joseph De Baun, who was of French descent and
was a stone mason throughout his life. His son Samuel embraced the
occupation of agriculture. He came to Sullivan county, Indiana, in 1831
and died here in 1833, of cholera. His wife, two of his own children and
82 HISTORY OF SULLIVAN COUNTY
a son-in-law were also stricken with the dread disease and died. There
were nine children in the family of Samuel De Baun, but all are now
deceased with the exception of the son Samuel.
Samuel De Baun, Jr., was only thirteen years of age when his father
died, and he was yet in his teens when he engaged in the grocery busi-
ness, but after his marriage he turned his attention to farming in Vigo
county and became the owner of sevent3r-two acres of land. He left the
farm after the death of his wife in 1866, and three years afterward, in
1869, he married Susan Earnest, and in the same year went to Shelby-
ville, Illinois, where he was engaged in the coal business until the death
of his second wife in 1886. Coming then to Sullivan county, Indiana, he
was engaged in buying and selling live stock until his retirement in
1904. Of the eight children born to Mr. and Mrs. De Baun, five are
now living, namely : Amanda, who is mentioned later ; William S., who
was born December 13, 1841, and resides in El Reno, Oklahoma; Mar-
garet A., born February 26, 1843, resides in Farmersburg; Alonzo, born
April II, 1845, 'I'sd in infancy; Phylinda and Hilinda, twins, born
December 23, 1846, died in infancy; Emily R., born November 9, 1848,
resides in Farmersburg; and Isabelle A., born July 18, 1851, is also a
resident of Farmersburg.
Mrs. Sherman was left motherless when she was quite young, and for
over twenty years in her early life she taught school in Sullivan county.
On the 22d of September, 1895, she gave her hand in marriage to Thomas
K. Sherman, who was born seven miles west of Sullivan, on the 26th
day of September, 1829, and died on the 30th of September, 1903. During
the latter part of his life he was engaged in the mercantile business, and
was very highly respected by all who knew him. He was an earnest
Christian worker, and was an elder in his church, at one time the only
one holding the office in the church. One of the most cherished posses-
sions in the home of Mrs. Sherman is an old family Bible which has been
handed down from generation to generation in the De Baun family and
is now in the possession of Samuel De Baun. At his death it descends to
the next oldest living relative. The Bible is a Holland edition, for its
first possessor lived in that country, and it is supposed to be several hun-
dred years old, by some said to be six hundred years old, and it has been
in America for over three hundred years. Mrs. Sherman is a member of
the Christian church, and is an earnest and efficient worker in the cause
of Christianity.
S.AMUEL C. Smock, who is farming in Curry township, traces his
descent to his great-grandfather on the paternal side, Barnett Smock,
whose son, Henry Smock, Sr., and his wife, Anna De Baun, were born
in Kentucky and there followed agricultural pursuits. Among their chil-
dren was Henry Smock. Jr., who was born in Kentucky, June 5, 1806.
and before his marriage he came to Sullivan county, Indiana, with his
parents, and located in Curry township, where they entered land from the
government. He continued as a farmer throughout his entire life and
HISTORY OF SULLIVAN COUNTY 83
owned at tlie time of his death one huiich-cd and ten acres of land. From
the Whigs he transferred his pohtical allegiance to the Republican party
at the time of the organization of that division, and was a faithful and
earnest member of the Christian church. In his early life he married
Elizabeth Carruthers, who was born in Kentucky, August 18, 1807, and
(lied on the 4th of February, 1888, in Sullivan county, surviving her hus-
band but three years, for his death occurred oh the 30th of April, 1885.
He was of Holland descent. In their family were nine children, namely :
Nancy J. Nelson, who was born June 11, 1832, and died January 31, 1887 ;
Francis M., born February i, 1835, died May 22, 1872; William II..
born July 27, 1837, went out during the Civil war as a recruit, but did
not reach his regiment, and his death occurred on the loth of April, 1865 ;
Sarah A. I'ittman, born November i, 1841, died June 15. 1891 ; James B.
and J(_ihn A., twins, born October 29, 1840, died in infancy ; Mary A.,
born December i, 1839, died in infancy; Samuel C, whose name intro-
duces this review; and Abraham, born August 26, 1846, died I-'ebruary
26, 1905.
On the nth of August, 1862, Samuel C. Smock enlisted with Com-
panv H, Eighty-fifth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and served as a private
until the 12th of June, 1865, in the meantime participating in many of
the hard fought battles of the war, including those of Resaca, New Hope
Church, Thomson Station, Culp's Farm and Peach Tree Creek. After
the war had ended he returned to his home, and after his marriage he
rented his father's farm, thus continuing until the death of his father,
when he rented fifty-three acres and now owns an estate of ninety-one
acres three-quarters of a mile southwest of Farmersburg.
Mr. Smock married, February i, 1871, Elizabeth Collins, who was
born in Hancock county, Indiana, May 28, 1852, a daughter of William
and Elizabeth (Snyder) Collins, both now deceased. The six children
of Mr. and Mrs. Smock are: Ida E. Heck, born November 20, 1871,
resides in Jackson township, Sullivan county ; Maggy and Mary, twins,
born October 5, 1874, but the former died in infancy and the latter is the
wife of Ben Gaskins, of Farmersburg; Clella, born July 19, 1878, is the
wife of William V. Allen, and is living in Terre Haute; Dora Criss,
born June 13, 1881, resides in Farmersburg; and Roy, born December 19,
1885, is teaching school. Mr. Smock votes with the Republican party,
and fraternallv is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows;
Lodge No. 622, at Farmersburg, in which he has filled all the offices and
has represented the order as a delegate to the Grand Lodge. Both he and
his wife are members of the Christian church.
Francis R. W.\llace has for many years been prominently identified
with the agricultural life of Sullivan county, owning a valuable and well
improved farm in Curry township, but he was born in Washington county,
Pennsvlvania, January 28, 1826, a son of William and ]\Iary (Reeder)
\\'allace. The" mother was born in England, and coming to the United
84 HISTORY OF SULLIVAN COUNTY
States with her parents. WilHam and Mary Reeder, they located in Phila-
delphia, Pennsylvania, but the father only lived about a year after coming
to this country. His life occupation was farming. William Wallace was
born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, and died in Jackson township,
Sullivan county, Indiana. He was a millwright as well as farmer, and
coming to Hamilton township of this county in 1840, he entered land here
at that time and assisted in building the first jail in Sullivan and also the
first horse mill in Sullivan county. This mill was located just east of the
town of Sullivan, and he also built several other mills here, thus assisting
materially in the early development of this community. Nine children
were born to Mr. and Mrs. Wallace, namely: Harriette and Maria, who
are deceased ; Louisa, who has never married and resides in Curryville ;
Sarah M. and Henry, who have also passed away ; Francis R., who is
mentioned later ; and Edwin, Charles and Mary Jane, deceased.
After the death of his father, Francis R. Wallace entered eighty acres
of land and also rented an additional twenty-five acres and continued
actively identified with the agricultural interests of Curry township until
his retirement a few years ago, his children now conducting his farm of
two hundred acres.
The marriage of Mr. Wallace was celebrated on the 28th of April,
1864, when Anna Grant became his wife. She is a daughter of Peter
Grant, formerly from Scotland. Peter Grant was an educated man and
taught in Logan, Ohio, and in Sullivan, Indiana, in both high and com-
mon schools. He was educated at Edinburgh, Scotland, and he came to
the United States when a young man. having spent a number of weeks
in crossing the Atlantic ocean. Mr. and Mrs. Wallace have five living
children and all are at home, namel}' : William H., Anna M.. Francis
Marion, Caroline and Ada. The family are members of the Presbyterian
church, and the children are especially active in the work of that denomi-
nation.
Luther P.vtten, who is numbered among the prominent farmers of
Curry township, was born in Fairbanks township of Sullivan county,
Octoijer 28, 1866, a son of Milton and a grandson of jMiles and Elizabeth
(Bundy) Patten, who were prominent early residents of Fairbanks town-
ship. Miles Patten was a life-long tiller of the soil, and he came from
Ohio to this section of Indiana in an early day in its history.
Milton Patten, their son, was born in Fairbanks township, January
15, 1843, and after attaining to years of maturity on his father's farm
and receiving a common school education in the schools of the neighbor-
hood he, in the spring of 1866, bought twenty acres of land and farmed
it for three years. Selling the land then he bought forty acres near by,
but after ten years on that place sold the land and bought the one hundred
and sixty acres in Curry township which he yet owns and lives upon.
He married Anna Dilley, but she died in March of 1880, leaving four
children : Luther, who is mentioned later : Delia Taylor, a resident of
Curry township; Ora E., who married Hud Hill and lives in Shelburn;
HISTORY OF SULLIVAN COUNTY 85
and Annie Drake, of Fairbanks township. The father was a second time
married, wedding Mrs. Lucy (Clark) Hopewell, a daughter of Hamilton
and Nancy (All) Clark, who were burn in Kentucky. By her first mar-
riage to Sedlcy M. Hopewell, Mrs. fatten had two children, Sedley M,
and Arthur, the latter residing in Farmersburg. Mr, Hopewell was a
native son of Sullivan county and one of its life-long farmers, his death
occurring here in May of 1880, Mrs. Patten was born September 16,
1848, and both she and' her husband are members of the Christian church,
and he is a Democrat in politics.
Luther Patten remained at home until his marriage, February 19,
1888, to his step-sister, Nancy Hopewell, who was born November 5,
1869, to Sedley and Lucy Hopewell, and during the first year following
their marriage the young couple lived at home. During the two subse-
quent years they farmed on rented land in Curry township, and Mr,
Patten then built on forty acres which belonged to his wife, and that was
their home for twelve years. In 1904 they sold their forty-acre tract and
bought their present homestead of one hundred acres, located three miles
southwest of Farmersburg, and the estate now contains one hundred and
twenty-six acres. Mr. Patten carries on both general farming and stock
raising.
The three children born of this union are: Ira M., born May 27,
1890, is attending the high school at Farmersburg; Ruth, born February
9, 1897, is a pupil in the public schools; and Esther, born March 14, 1903.
Mr. Patten is a Democrat in his political views, and the family are mem-
bers of the Church of Christ, in which he is serving as a trustee.
Tames S. F)OLixger, the owner of one of the finest estates in Curry
township, has been identified with the agricultural interests of Sullivan
county throughout his entire business career, and is one of its most promi-
nent farmers and stock raisers. He was born in Mason county, Ken-
tuckv, July 9, 1854, a son of William H, and Victoria (Close) Bolinger,
and a grandson of William H., Sr., and Susan Bolinger. The senior Mr.
Bolinger was the projirietor of one of the first glass factories of Mays-
ville, Kentucky, liotli he and his wife were born in Germany, coming
to this country after their marriage, and after disposing of his glass fac-
tory he became the owner of a cigar factory, but disposing of this also, he
moved to a farm in Mason county and lived there until his death,, both
he and his wife spending the later years of their lives in the home of
their son William.
William H. Bolinger, Jr., was born in Mason county, Kentucky. July
24, 1821, and died April 13, 1906. He remained with his parents until his
marriage and then began farming in Mason county, operating the old
familv homestead, and after the death of his parents he bought the iarm
of one hundred and thirty acres. In Alarch of 1865 he moved to Hamil-
ton township, Sullivan county, Indiana, purchasing what was then known
86 HISTORY OF SULLR'AN COUNTY
as the William McGrew farm of one hundred and seventj'-two acres. In
1903 he left this place, and thereafter lived a retired life among his chil-
dren until his death, dying on the 13th of April, 1906, on the farm on
which his son James now resides. He was a member of both the Odd
Fellows and Masonic orders, and was a Republican in his political affilia-
tions. He helped to organize the Shelburn Baptist church and became one
of its most active and helpful members, serving the congregation in the
capacities of deacon and trustee until his good and useful life was ended
in death. His wife was also a member of that church. She was born
in PVance, in 1825, and when eight years of age came with her father,
Charles Close, and his family to the United States, locating in Maysville,
Kentucky, where he became the keeper of the toll gate. The daughter,
Mrs. Bolinger, died on the 24th of October, 1889, after becoming the
mother of eight children: Carrie, who was born March 20, 1845, niar-
ried William O. White, and, after his death, Samuel Carruthers, and she
died October 6, 1900; John H., born May 31, 1847, married Elizabeth
Siner, and lives in Curry township ; Charles B., born September 8, 1849,
married, first, Barbara Sparks, and, after her death, Mary A. Dix. and
his home is in Shelburn ; William T., born March 14, 1852, married Arpy
Curry and lives in Hamilton township ; James S., the subject of this
review; Annety, bom September 30, 1856, married Grace All and lives
in Terre Haute ; Frederick J., born January 14, 1859, married Anna
Osborn and lives in Curry township ; and Edward S., born February 8,
1866. died August 3, 1883.
The early youth of James S. Bolinger was spent on the farm and in
school, and after his marriage he lived on a rented farm in Curry town-
ship for one year, and then, in 1882, moved to his present homestead,
which he rented during the first four years and then purchased. The
homestead contains one hundred and sixty acres of rich and fertile land,
well improved and cultivated, and he devotes much of his attention to
the raising of stock, breeding principally the registered O. I. C. hogs.
The marriage of Mr. Bolinger occurred on the 3d of February, 1881,
to Marv A. Chesnut, born in Curry township. October 16, 1858. a daugh-
ter of James E. and Lidia A. (Douglas) Chesnut, the father born in
Kentucky, April 7, 1833, and the mother in Curry township, April 28,
1833, and both are now living on a farm in Wilson county, Kansas.
James E. Chesnut is a son of James E., Sr., and Nancy (Burton) Chesnut,
North Carolinians by birth, and they were farming people. The four
children born to Mr. and Mrs. Bolinger are : William D.. born November
30, 1881, married Clennie Jennings and lives in Farmersburg; James E.,
born December 12, 1886, married Emma Able and resides on his father's
farm; Herman, born October 2"]. 1889. is attending school; and Hazel,
born May 8, 1897, is also in school. The Republican party receives J\Ir.
Bolinger's stanch support and co-operation, and he is a member of the
Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Lodge No. 420, at Shelburn, in which
lie has filled all the offices and served as a delegate to the Grand Lodge,
and also belongs to the Encampment. Both Mr. and Mrs. Bolinger and
one son are members of the Baptist church at Shelburn.
HISTORY OF SULLI\'AN COUNTY 87
Andrew Thomson. — The Thomson family is one of the oldest in
SulHvan coiuity, and was founded here by the grandparents of Andrew,
Enoch and Lucy (Clark) Thomson, in 1816, the former a native of the
state of New York. On arriving in Sullivan county they located in Fair-
banks township and entered land there. This was about the time of the
admission of the state to the Union, and Enoch Thomson became promi-
nent in the public life of his community, following farming throughout
his entire life for a livelihood, and for those early days he was also quite
extensively engaged in the raising of stock.
Reuben Thomson, his son, also became ]5roniinently identified with
the stock interests of Sullivan county, and owned about four hundred
acres of land in Fairbanks township. That township was his birthplace,
on the 5th of September, 1827, and the scene of his death, on the 24th of
December, 1907. His politics were Democratic, and he was very promi-
nent in the public life of his community, and he and his wife were mem-
bers of the Baptist church. She bore the maiden name of Emily McKin-
ney, and was born in Fairbanks township in 1827, and is now living there
with a daughter, aged eighty-three years. The union of Mr. and Mrs.
Thomson was blessed by the birth of nine children, of whom six are now
living: John, who married Jane Frakes and resides in Curry township;
Rachael Trueblood, whose home is in Fairbanks township ; Ezra, who
married Nancy Lloyd, and their home is in Jackson township ; Amanda
Able, residing in Turman township; Price, of Fairbanks township; and
Andrew.
The last named, Andrew Thomson, was born in Fairbanks township,
Sullivan county, Indiana, October 14, 1865, and he remained at home and
worked on the farm until his marriage, which occurred on the 24th of
July, 1886, to Myra Pittman, who was born on the 9th of March, 1866,
also in Fairbanks township, a daughter of David and Sarah Pittman,
both now deceased. The young couple spent the first four years of their
married life on her father's farm, but in 1890 Mr. Thomson bought the
farm where he now lives, three and a half miles west of Farmersburg, in
Curry township. The homestead contains two hundred and thirty acres
of rich and fertile land, and in addition he also owns property in Farmers-
burg. During the past two years he has lived retired from an active busi-
ness life, and in 1905 he and his wife went to Arizona in search of renewed
health, returning in 1907, and he has been here ever since, but on the
17th of January, 1908, the wife died, leaving her husband and three small
children, namely: Audie, born April 9, 1893; Clare, born December 29,
1896; and Velsie, born December 10, 1902. She was buried at the Drake
cemetery at Fairbanks. She was a prominent and worthy member of the
Baptist church, as is also Mr. Thomson, who is prominent in the public,
social and business life of his township and is a Democrat politically.
Albert ]M. Lane. — Curry township numbers among its prominent
farmers and stock raisers Albert AI. Lane, who was born in Washington
county. Indiana, November 5. 1854, a son of Charles and Christena (Lee)
88 HISTORY OF SULLIVAN COUNTY
Lane, born respective!}- in Kentucky, in February, 1817, and in Barringer
county, North Carolina, in 1812. Charles Lane was a son of Joel Lane,
who was born in Kentucky, but moved with his parents to Washington
county, Indiana, when twelve years of age, and in 1865 he came to Curry
township, and, purchasing eighty acres of land, spent the remainder of
his life here. Christena Lane was a daughter of James Lee. who was of
English birth, and came from North Carolina to Washington county.
Indiana, in 1815, and spent the remainder of his life there. He was a
slave owner in North Carolina, but sold his negroes before coming to
Indiana, where he was the owner of estate of four hundred acres at the
time of his death. Charles Lane was a farmer throughout his lifetime,
owning an estate of forty acres in Curry township at the time of his death,
which occurred in July of 1892, his wife surviving him until March
of 1902.
Albert M. Lane was their only child, and he remained at home with
his parents until his marriage, when he bought eighty acres in Gill town-
ship. After six years there he sold that land and bought his present home-
stead farm of sixty acres, and he also owns twenty acres two miles east
of Shelburn, where he has conducted a saw mill since 1902.
Mr. Lane married, November 13, 1881, Jennie Curtis, who was
born in Hamilton township of Sullivan county, February 15, 1864, a
daughter of James R. and Olive J. Curtis, who are living in Gill township,
and she is a granddaughter of Gideon and Elizabeth Curtis, natives
respectively of Maryland and North Carolina, and of William and Lucy
Mooney. who are living in Lafayette, Indiana. Mr. and Mrs. Lane have
two children, Leola, born October 8, 1886, and Elma, born November 5,
1892. The wife and mother is a member of the Christian church. Mr.
Lane gives his political support to the Republican party.
J.\MES H. Conner, one of Curry township's farmers and stock raisers,
was born in Hamilton township, Sullivan county, Indiana, April 21, 1873,
a son of Isaac and Mahala (Severns) Conner. Immediately after their
marriage they came from Ohio to Sullivan county, Indiana, locating one
mile northwest of the town of Sullivan, where the husband and father
entered eighty acres of land in the dense woods. After a time he traded
that farm for the place where his widow now resides, owning two hundred
and seventy-eight acres in that. farm and two hundred and eighty acres
in another tract, all in Hamilton township. He was one of the most pros-
perous agriculturists of the community, and his was one of the best stock
farms in the county. He was well known and honored in the community
in which he so long made his home, a stanch Democrat and an active
poKtical worker, and he died at his home in Hamilton township June 25,
1902, being laid to rest in Wall's cemetery. He was born in Holmes
county, Ohio, in 1833. and his wife was born in Coshocton county, Ohio,
and. as above stated, is now living at her home northwest of Sullivan.
She is an earnest and faithful member of the Christian church, as was
HISTORY OF SULLIVAN COUNTY 89
also her husband, and he assisted in the erection of many of the houses of
worship in this community. They raised a large family of ten children,
as follows ; I'rank, who married Martha Barnes and resides in Sullivan ;
Eva and Emma, twins, but the latter died at the age of thirty years, while
the former married John Wilson and is living in Turman township ;
Samuel, who married .Stella Marts and is living in Hamilton township;
Flora, the wife of John Woodward, of Hamilton township ; Stewart, who
is with his mother; Lou, wife of Frank Wible, of Sullivan; James H.,
who is mentioned later; Gertrude, the wife of J. H. Parks, of Sulli-
van; and Myrtle, who became the wife of Ben Mattix and is living in
Hamilton township.
James H. Conner remained at home and worked with his father until
his marriage, and after that event he continued to farm the old homestead
for four years, when he went to Terre Haute and for two years was
employed on public works there. Returning at the close of that period to
his mother's farm, he lived there for one year and then located on a farm
four miles northwest of Sullivan, and from there in 1907 he came to his
present homestead one and a half miles northeast of Shelburn, which he
purchased at that time. The farm contains eighty-two acres of excellent
and well improved land, and Mr. Conner is engaged in both grain and
stock farming.
On the 1st of November, i8g6, he was married to Maud Dailey, a
native of Paxton, Indiana, born January 9, 1880, a daughter of John and
Martha (Arnett) Dailey, and a granddaughter of John Dailey and E. W.
and Martha (Purcell) Arnett. Mrs. Conner's great-grandmother, Nellie
Purcell, was born and reared in Sullivan county, and is now the oldest
living representative of five generations of her family, and her home is
in Paxton. E. W. Arnett survives his wife and is living on a farm north
of that city. Mr. and Mrs. Conner have two children, Isaac Leland and
Leo D., born respectively March 25, 1898, and June 26, 1901, and both
are attending school. Mr. and Mrs. Conner hold to the religion of the
Christian church, and he is a stanch supporter of Democratic principles.
Eli C. Bolks, an agriculturist of Curry township, Sullivan county,
was born in Hamilton township of this county December 16, 1845, and is
a member of one of the county's oldest families. His paternal grandfather,
Edmond Boles, Sr., was a native of Virginia, but soon after his marriage
he came to Sullivan county and became enrolled among its earliest pio-
neers. He was a farmer throughout his entire business career, and died
on the land which he entered here.
Edmond Boles, Jr., his son and namesake, was born in Gill town-
ship, Sullivan county, Indiana, about 1832, and was reared to the life of
an agriculturist here. After his marriage he rented land for about a year
and then bought a farm of forty acres in Turman township, but selling
that tract he became the owner of another farm of one hundred and sixty
acres in the same township. In August of 1862 he enlisted with the
90 HISTORY OF SULLIVAN COUNTY
Seventy-first Indiana Regiment, Company I, as a private, for service in
the Civil war, and he continued as a brave and loyal soldier until his
honorable discharge in June of 1865, in the meantime having been cap-
tured at Muldraugh Hill, Kentucky. Among the battles in which he par-
ticipated were those of Atlanta and Nashville, and following the close of
his war period he returned to his farm in Sullivan county and continued
to reside there until his death in 1899. He was a stanch Republican
politically and an earnest member of the Christian church. His wife, nee
Jemima Bundy, was born in North Carolina, but came to Indiana with
her parents when she was a child. In their family were seven children :
Eli C, who is mentioned later : William R., a resident of Cass township,
Sullivan county; Myra F., the wife of a Mr. Swift, and they reside
on the home farm in Turman township ; Caleb, whose home is in Texas ;
Commodore, also of Turman township ; Lew. W., who resides in Sullivan;
and Jennie Whitman, also of Sullivan.
Eli C. Boles, remained on the home farm with his parents until his
marriage, and then establishing a home of his own he rented for two
years, or until he bought eighty acres of land in Turman township, which
was his home for twelve years. He then became the owner of one hundred
and twenty acres on the county line, but after two years he traded the land
for one hundred and twenty acres where he now lives, two and a half
miles northeast of Shelburn, in Curry township. He is a stanch supporter
of the Republican party, and is active in both the business and public life
of his community.
On the 24th of December, 1879, Mr. Boles was married to Josephine
Brown, a daughter of Perry and Caroline Brown, who are now living in
Turman township. Five children have been born of this union, namely :
Arthur, who married Minnie Rook, by whom he has one child, Aurilla
Josephine, and the family reside in Harrisburg; Edgar and Ernest, at
home ; Oscar, who is attending school ; and Maud, a stenographer in
Indianapolis, Indiana. I\Ir. and Mrs. Boles are members of the Christian
church.
Elias G. Denney, who is farming one of the valuable homestead
farms of Curry township, is a son of John W. S. and Sarah (Gaskins)
Denney, and was born in Curry township June 14, 1853. John W. S.
Denney was born December 9. 1809, in Kentucky, and in his early man-
hood he went from that state to Monroe county, Indiana, with his father,
William Denney, who lived the remainder of his life in that county. The
son W'as there married, and about 1850, with his young wife, he came to
Curry township and entered eighty acres of land two miles west of
Farmersburg, but, selling that tract, went to Vigo county, this state, in
1867, and bought eighty acres, which he sold in 1881, and returning to
Curry township, bought the old Spencer farm of one hundred and thirty-
four acres, two and a half miles northwest of Shelburn. After disposing
of that farm he retired from an active business life and lived among his
children until his death in January of 1889. He was a Republican, and
HISTORY OF SULLIX'AN COUNTY 91
both he anil his wife were members of the Methodist ciuirch. She was
born in W ashington county, Indiana, April 6, 1816, and died on the 3d
of March, 1896, in Fairbanks township. There were eleven children in
their family, namely : William, who is residing in Sullivan ; Mary Cowen,
deceased ; Margaret Mitchell, of Middletown : Elizabeth Pogue, also of
Middletovvn; John, whose home is in Farmersburg; America B. Mitchell,
deceased; Rose Dilley, of Fairbanks; Elias G., wdio is mentioned later;
Emeline Watson, deceased ; Samuel, of Chicago, Illinois ; and E. Clay,
a resident of Springfield, Illinois.
Passing from the common schools t(i the seminary at Farmersburg,
Elias G. Denney received a good educational training and for five years
was a school teacher. After his marriage he bought eighty-five acres of
the farm where he now lives, two and a half miles north of Shelburn,
and later added thirty-five acres to his original purchase, thus increasing
the boundaries of his farm to one hundred and twenty acres, one of the
best improved estates in the township, and he is engaged in both grain
and stock farming.
On the 9th of February, 1878, Mr. Denney was married to Mary
Dilley, who was born in Fairbanks township of Sullivan county October
31, 1856, a daughter of Jonathan R. and Adeline (Henry) Dilley, both
of whom were born in Kentucky, and both are now deceased. The father
was a life-long farmer, and during the Civil war he served for three years
in Company I, Seventy-first Regiment of Indiana Volunteer Infantry,
serving under Grant. Six children have been born to Mr. and Mrs.
Denney, namely: Grace, who was born in Curry township. May 26, 1879,
married William Bennett; James G., born March 21, 1881, is the cashier
at the interurban station in Terre Haute: Baxter, born August 29, 1883,
is teaching school: Wade, born March 4, 1889, is at home; Gertrude,
born Jamiarv 15, 1894, is attending school; and one, the fourth born,
died in infancy. Mr. Denney votes with the Republican party. He is an
earnest and faithful member of the Church of Christ, as is also his wife,
and he has preached the gospel during the past twenty years. His path
has been ever upward through life, and he is numbered among the truest
and best citizens of Curry township.
Cora A. C.\se is a native daughter of Sullivan county, born on the
14th of October, 1868. and she is a member of one of its best known and
most honored families. She is a daughter of William F. and Jane C.
( Boone) Case and a granddaughter of James and Elizabeth Case, both of
wdiom were born in Kentucky. Coming to Sullivan county, Indiana, they
located in Curry township about the year 1820, and entered land from
the government, becoming in time prominent farming people of the county.
There were ten children in their family who grew to years of maturity,
seven sons and three daughters, namely : Hiram, Daniel, John, George,
Fannie A.. James, Sarah, Alfred, Cynthia J. and William, all now
deceased. The father and all of his sons with the exception of John
92 HISTORY OF SULLR'AX COUNTY
served in the Civil war, and James, Sr., George and Hiram were members
of the Eighty-fifth Regiment.
.William Case served with the Thirty-first Regiment of Yolunteer
Infantry, and was wounded once during his army career. After the war
he came to Sullivan and worked at the saddlery trade until about 1870,
when he bought a farm of seventy-seven acres in Jackson township, and
lived there until his retirement and removal to Terre Haute in 1900, which
was his home until his death in 1902, on the 20th of June. He was born
on the 19th of December, 1834, in Hamilton township, and his life of use-
fulness and honor covered many years in Sullivan county. Mrs. Case
was born in Gill township on the 26th of July, 1835, and their union was
blessed by the birth of the following children : ' Henry, who was born
May 17, 1858, and is living in Wellington, Kansas; Lana B., born
December 3, 1859, resides in Jackson township; Mary, born November
8. 1861, died December 4, 1864; William M., born October 28, 1864,
resides in Jackson township; Sarah J., born October 26, 1866, is a resi-
dent of Terre Haute ; Cora A., who is mentioned below ; Mar}' M., born
July 30, 1871, died September 17, 1872; Daniel, born February 3, 1873,
resides in Terre Haute; and Fred, born November i, 1875, is a resident
of Vigo county, Indiana.
Cora A. Case passed from the district schools and those of Sullivan
to the state normal at Terre Haute, and after completing her studies there
she taught for fifteen years. In 1892 she bought forty acres 'of land in
this county, to which she later added a tract of thirty-seven acres, but in
1903 she sold that farm and bought the place where she now resides, three
miles west of Shelburn in Curry townsliip. Her farm contains one hun-
dred and sixteen acres of rich and fertile land, and she oversees the work
of the entire tract and raises a great deal of stock. She is a lady whom
to know is to honor and respect.
James H. Stuck, a prominent farmer in Curry township, was born
in this township May 23, 1858, and on the paternal side is a descendant
of an old southern family from Kentucky and a grandson of William and
Pollv (Smock) Stuck. The grandfather came from his native state of
Kentucky to Sullivan county, Indiana, during an early epoch in its
history, and he was a millwright and farmer.
Henrv Stuck, a son of William and Polly Stuck, was born after the
removal of his parents to Sullivan county, and when the Civil war was
inaugurated he became a member of the Thirty-ninth Illinois Volunteer
Infantry, but his death occurred shortly after his enlistment. In his
early manhood he had married Sarah E. Vest, a daughter of John and
Polly (Johns) Vest. John Vest, who followed both carpentering and
house moving, lived for a time in Boone county, Indiana, from whence
he later came to Sullivan county and finally became a resident of Terre
Haute. From there he went to Kansas, to the home of one of his daugh-
HISTORY OF SULLIX'AN COUNTY 93
ters, and died there at the age of ninety-five years. Mrs. Stuck still
.survives her husband and is living in Terre Haute.
James H. Stuck, the only one living of the four children born to
Henry and Sarah Stuck, supplemented his common school training by a
com-se in the seminary at Farmersburg, and when the time came to select
a life's occupation he chose that of farming. After his marriage he pur-
chased and moved to a farm in Jackson township of sixty acres, but in
1894 he sold that tract and bought forty-eight acres .in Curry township.
There he lived and farmed untif after the death of Mrs. Stuck's mother,
and from that time until 1905 he lived on the Hill farm. In that year he
purchased fifteen acres of his present homestead, but he has since added
to this little farm from time to time until he now owns eighty-three acres,
located one mile west of Shelburn.
He married, July 22, 1880, Mallie 1 lill, who was born in Curry town-
ship November ij. i860, a daughter of Paschal and Lettie Hill. They
have two children, Effie E. and Zula M., born respectively June 10, 1887,
and April 10, 1897. The younger daughter is now attending the public
schools. Mr. Stuck is a stanch Republican politically, and fraternally he
is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Shelburn Lodge,
No. 420, and the Encampment, and of the Modern Woodmen of America,
Camp No. 3744, at Farmersburg. He is a member of the Baptist church.
Perley M. H.wworth, a farmer and stockraiscr in Curry township,
Sullivan county, is a native of Vigo county, Indiana, born October 22,
1863, a son ofAlbert and Julia (Rowe) Hayworth, both of whom were
natives of Vigo county. Albert was the son of Sanford and Elizabeth
(Smith) Havworth, and they were natives of South Carolina. Sanford
Havw^orth was a Methodist' minister and also followed farm life. He
came to Vigo county immediately after his marriage, in about 1838, enter-
ing a tract of government land, and started to till the soil. Later he
entered the ministry. Albert was the only son who remained at home
with his father until his marriage, after which event he went onto one
of his father's farms in \'igo county and lived there until his death, in
August, 1887. He was a very extensive stock raiser and highly successful
as a farmer, owning two hundred and fifty acres of choice land, all within
Vigo county. Perley M. is one of the two children born to his parents,
who are now living! His sister, Mary L., was born .August 28, 1873,
and now resides in Terre Haute, the wife of W. J. Smith.
Perlev M. Hayw-orth obtained a common school education by attend-
ing school winters and farming summers. He was united in marriage
December 4, 1884, to Media Hess, born October 16, 1861, in Vigo county,
the daughter of Washington and Malinda (Killian") Hess, no%v deceased.
Mr. Hayworth stayed at his father's home after his marriage until the
death of his father. He then purchased thirty-five acres near his father's,
and there began housekeeping in a log house, in which he lived until 1899,
then moved to Terre Haute and resided there until 1900. At the last
94 HISTORY OF SULLIVAN COUNTY
named time he purchased one liundred and twenty acres of land in Curry
township, SuUivan county. Here he erected in 1905 a fine modern farm-
house, with all needful outbuildings, making the entire premises one of
the most up-to-date within the township. Besides his general farming
he raises and sells much stock, especially hogs. In addition to the revenue
derived from his farm, Mr. Hayworth is a stockholder in the Citizens'
State Bank at Farmersburg.
In stature Mr. Hayworth is the largest man within Sullivan countv,
his weight being three hundred and sixty-five pounds, while his height is
six feet and two inches, yet he is an active, energetic man. possessed of
a robust constitution. In his political views he is a Republican. He was
elected trustee of Curry township in 1904, being the first man in this
political party to be elected to office within the township on a strict party
vote. He is a member of the Alodern Woodmen of America, belonging
at Farmersburg, and also belongs to the Elks and Eagles at Sullivan.
Of the strict secret societies he is a member of the Masonic and Knights
of Pythias orders. In church relations he is in sympathy with, though
not a member of, the Methodist Episcopal church, of which his wife is
a member in full connection.
Mr. Hayworth was married, as above referred to, in 1884, and their
children are : Dudley B., born February 8, 1891 ; Albert W., born July 8,
1892; Audrey G., born February 26, 1899, all born in Vigo county,
Indiana, and all at home at this time.
Sampson Walters. — Prominent among the thriving and progressive
agriculturists of Sullivan county is Sampson Walters, who displays much
judgment and skill in his calling, his farm being one of the most valuable
and attractive of any in Haddon township, everything about the premises
■ indicating the care and supervision of an excellent manager, and a
thorough-going farmer. A son of Sampson Walter. Sr., he was born
Februarv 21, 1862, in Cass township. His grandfather, Frank Walters,
came from his Kentucky home to Indiana in 1837, and spent the remainder
of his life in Sullivan county.
A native of Kentucky, Sampson Walters, Sr., was born January 22,
1827, near Lexington, where he lived until ten years old. Coming with
his parents to Sullivan county, Indiana, he assisted his father in clearing
and improving a homestead from the forest. Becoming then a farmer
from choice, he was engaged in agricultural pursuits until his death, in
Cass township, March 28, 1890. He married Elizabeth Simpson, who
was born January 20, 1825, in Sullivan county. Indiana, of English
ancestry. She survived him, and is now residing in Greene count}-. She
is a member of the Church of Christ, to which her husband also belonged.
Six children were born of their union, namely : Courtney, deceased ;
John, a resident of Sullivan county ; Elizabeth, wife of James Decard, of
Greene county : Francis E.. deceased : Mary Ann, wife of Louis Saucer-
man, of Sullivan county ; and Sampson, of this sketch. •
HISTORY (3F SUI.LTNAX COUNTY 95
Growing to manhood on the home farm, Sampson Walters was
educated in the district schools, and until twenty-two years of age
assisted his father, under whose instruction he became well drilled in
the various branches of agriculture. Beginning the battle of life, then,
on his own account, Mr. \\'alters purchased the farm on which he now
lives, in Iladdon township, and in its management has had excellent
success, having now in his possession five hundred acres of choice land,
admirabl\' adapted to general farming and stock raising. He deals quite
extensivelv in stock, making a specialty of hogs, cattle and sheep, an
industr}- which he finds profitable. He has in his possession one of the
t:>ldest deeds in Sullivan county. It is dated June 6, 1827, and was
executed by President John Ouincy Adams. Mr. Walters is a man of
good business capacity, alive to the interests of the rural community,
and is one of the stockholders in the Carlisle Telephone Company, which
he helped to organize. 1 'oliticall)- he affiliates with the Democratic party.
]\Ir. Walters married April 14, 1886, Permelia A. Land, who was
born in Haddon township, Sullivan county, February 22. 1864, a daughter
of James K. and Sarah A. ( McKinley ) Land, neither of whom are now
living. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Walters, namely :
Edward E., born February 3, 1887, was graduated from the Carlisle
high school in 1906, and is now attending the Indiana University at
Bloomington ; Jesse N., born May 17, 1888, is a student in the Carlisle
high school, being a member of the class of 1909; and Maude, born June
6, 1892, attends the Carlisle high school, belonging to the class of 191 1 ;
she has received both a vocal and instrumental musical education. Mr.
and Mrs. Walters are highly respected throughout the community in
which they reside, and are worthy and valued members of the Church
of Christ, of Paxton, Indiana.
U. Ellerv H.wden. — Sullivan county was the birthplace of U. Ellery
Havden, on the ist of Ma\-, 1863, in Turman township, and it has been
the scene of his subsequent business career. He is a son of Daniel J.
and Sarah (Gray) Hayden, the former of whom was born in Mercer
county, Kentucky, and the latter where the east portion of Sullivan has
since been built. Daniel J. Hayden came to Indiana before the inaugura-
tion of the Civil war, and he worked at the blacksmith's trade in Sullivan
and finallv, about 185 1, he began farming in connection with his trade,
continuing both occupations there until alDOUt 1862, when he moved to
Turman township and continued his residence there until his death in
about 1892. The wife and mother is still living and resides with her son
William, north of Sullivan, having reached the age of seventy-five years.
In the Havden family were seven children, namely : Mary E.. deceased ;
John T-, who resides on the old home farm in Turman township ; William
T., wiio has never married, and lives with his mother at the old home-
stead : U. Ellery, the subject of this review: Julia E. Patton, whose
home is in Turman township : L'ral. near the old home farm in Turman
township: and one who died in infancy.
Vol. II— 7
96 HISTORY OF SULLIVAN COUNTY
U. Ellery Hayden- continued to reside with his parents until he had
attained his twenty -ninth year; and he then married and started in life
for himself by renting a farm, but after one year as a renter in Turman
township he bought the farm where he now lives in Curry township.
Although he carries on general farming pursuits, he makes a specialty
of the raishig of Chester White hogs and has been very successful in this
line of business. His land is divided, his homestead consisting of seventy-
five acres in Curry township, and he also owns seventy-seven acres in
Turman township, forty acres in Hamilton township, and forty acres in
Jackson township, but he farms all his land himself, and is a prominent
and progressive agriculturist.
On the 1st of March, 1891, Mr. Hayden was united in marriage to
Lillian B. Dodd, who was born in Illinois, July 28, 1868, and her father
became one of the early settlers of Sullivan county. The children born
of this union are Forest A. and Fannie O., the elder born December 22,
1892, and is at home, but the younger, born April 17, 1895, died April 7,
1896. The wife and mother is also deceased, dying September 7, 1896,
and on the 29th of December, 1897, Mr. Hayden wedded Josie Shepherd,
who was born in Jackson township, and her people were of Irish descent
and among the oldest residents of that township. Her mother still lives
on the old homestead near Hymera, but the father is deceased. The
second union has been without issue. Mr. Hayden is a member of the
Order of Odd Fellows, Lodge No. 584, at Graysville, and he has served
in all the offices of that lodge and has twice served as a delegate to the
Grand Lodge. He was a delegate to the famous convention at Chicago
which secured four hundred and fifty dollars of prize money. He is a
member of the Baptist church and is a stanch and active Prohibitionist.
William A. Nelson. — The name of William A. Nelson has been
long and prominently associated with the agricultural interests of .Sullivan
county. He was born in Honey Creek township, Vigo county, Indiana,
April 7, 1833, a son of John J. and Emilia (Cruse) Nelson, both of whom
were born in Kentucky. Coming to Vigo county in 1823, they lived there
until their removal to Curry township in Sullivan county in 1838, enroll-
ing their names among the county's earliest pioneers. Mr. Nelson became
prominently known as a farmer and hunter, farming the tract of one
hundred and twenty acres which he entered from the government and
the subsequent additions of eighty and forty acres each, thus making him
the owner of two hundred and forty acres. Six children were born to
John J. and Emilia Nelson, as follows: Mary A., James and Susan,
deceased; William A., the subject of this review ; Eliza J., deceased : and
Margaret E. Williams, whose home is in Kansas.
After his marriage William A. Nelson was given forty acres of land
by his father, and he farmed that little tract for two years, in that time
also conducting a huckster wagon. In the spring of 1864 he laid aside his
business duties to become a soldier in the Civil war. enlisting on the loth
HISTORY OF SULLIVAN COUNTY 97
of October, in Compain- C. First Indiana i Icavy Artillery, and he was
discharged on the loth of October, 1865, after participating- in the one
battle of Fort Spanish. Returning after the close of the conflict to his
little farm in StiUivaii county, he again began running his huckster wagon
and finally purchased a tlireshing machine and continued its operation
until his retirement in 1891. He is now the owner uf a farm of forty-seven
acres of rich and fertile land.
On the 30th of October, 1856, Mr. Nelson was married to Armilda
A. Shoemaker, who was born on the farm on which she now resides,
November 27, 1842, and to their union has been born five children:
John T., deceased ; Hattie Frakes, of Shelburn ; William A., Jr., who
married Alice Harris and resides in Curry township; Lucetta Frakes, of
Fairbanks township ; and Ozro, at home with his parents. Mr. Nelson
is a member of Gaskin Post, G. A. R., at Farmersburg, and in compensa-
tion for his army services he now receives a pension from the government
of twenty dollars a month. He is a stanch Republican in his political
afiiliations, and botli he and his wife are members of the Methodist church.
Earl Patten, one of the best known and most prominent of the
younger residents of Shelburn, was born in the city where he now resides,
April II, 1870, a son of Isaac and Jane (Pugh) Patten. The father was
born in Fairbanks township, Sullivan county, in 1829, and is now living
near Gravsville, in tliis state, while the mother was born in Fairbanks
township in 1833 and died in Shelburn on the 31st of August, 1884. She
now lies buried in the Littleflock cemetery. Her parents, John and
Mahala (Harris) Pugh, came to this county from Kentucky and located
on the farm which they entered from the government in Fairbanks town-
ship. The father was a flatboatman as well as farmer, sailing down the
Wabash, Ohio and Mississippi rivers to New Orleans, his death occurring
at Evansville, Indiana, on one of his return trips, and he was buried there.
Of the eleven children born to Isaac and Jane ( Pugh ) Patten, five are
now living: Isaac, Jr., whose home is in Shelburn; John \V. and Ira,
who are also residing in Shelburn ; William G., of Missouri ; and Earl.
Earl Patten started out to battle for himself when but eleven years of
age, working for a brother in the grocery business, and for two years
following this was in the employ of Robert Linn, a general merchant.
Returning then to the store of his brother John, he worked for him until
his enlistment in the LJnited States army as a musician of the Fifteenth
Infantry, in 1892. He served two years and was honorably discharged on
the 4th of June, 1894, and during his service in the army he was qualified
as a sharpshooter, in 1893. After the close of his military career he again
entered the employ of his brother John and continued with him until he
embarked in the clothing business with Harry Banister in 1904, the firm
of Patten & Banister continuing for a year, wdien Mr. Patten sold his
interest to his partner, and during the following years was in the grocery
and meat market business. On the 25th of July, 1905. he entered the
98 HISTORY OF SULLIVAN COUNTY
employ of the Kettle Creek Mining Company in the capacity of a book-
keeper, and served in that capacity until October, 1908, when he was
promoted to superintendent of the mines. Mr. Patten was obliged to
leave school when a little lad of eleven years, but despite this disadvan-
tage he continued his studies and never missed a day of school while in
the army. He has thus been the architect of his own fortunes from early
youth, and is rapidly winning for himself a name and place in the front
ranks of the business men of Sullivan county. His politics are Demo-
cratic, a stanch supporter of the principles, and as the representative of
this party he was made the clerk and treasurer of Shelburn, taking charge
of those offices on the ist of January, 1900, and his term of office will
continue until the 1st of January, 1910.
On the 1st of January, 1900, Mr. Patten was married to JNIayme
Banister, born January 22, 1877, to George and Mary (Dix) Banister,
and the one child of this union is Georgia Carmen, born on the 13th of
October, 1901. Mr. Patten has fraternal relations with the Independent
Order of Odd Fellows, Prairie Lodge, No. 420, at Shelburn, and he is
identified with all its branches and twice served as a delegate to the
Grand Lodge. Mrs. Patten also served as a delegate to its auxiliary,
the Rebekahs, in 1901. Mr. Patten is a member of the Utah Tribe of
Red Men at Sherman. Religiously, they are attendants of the Christian
church, and Mrs. Patten is a member of that denomination.
Ch.\rles E. Brewer has been for many years prominent in the pub-
lic and business life of Sullivan county, and is now one of the leading
undertakers of Shelburn, as well as the coroner of the county, having
been elected to that office over a year ago. He entered upon his success-
ful business career when a boy of thirteen years, as an apprentice in a
carriage and wagon shop, working in the shop nights and mornings and
during vacations, while during the remainder of the time he was in
school. He continued thus engaged until he was twenty-two, when he
went to Monument, Colorado, and engaged in the furniture and under-
taking business with his brother-in-law. During his residence there he
learned the undertaking business in all its departments, and returning
home after an absence of six years he went to Indianapolis and opened
and conducted a carriage shop of his own for four years. Returning
thence to Hymera in this county, he was the proprietor of a carriage and
repair shop here for eight years, and at the close of that period, in 1902,
he came to Shelburn and opened a furniture and undertaking business,
but at the present time gives attention exclusively to the latter department.
Mr. Brewer was born in Johnson county, Indiana, May 18, 1861, a
son of John C. and Anna (Cummingoer) Brewer, and a grandson of
Abram Brewer, who was born in 1790 and died on the 12th of March,
1873. On coming to Indiana he entered land in Johnson county, and
became the proprietor of a hotel on the Madison and Indianapolis road,
spending the remainder of his life there. Flis son, John C, born in
HISTORY OF SULLI\'AX COUNTY
99
Mercer count}', Kentucky. January 8, 1820, (ipened a Imtel in Greenwood
in 1869, and continued the hotel in connection with his farm until his
death, January 2^, 1874, passing away in the faith of the Presbyterian
church. Mrs, Brewer was born in Mercer county, Kentucky, March 29,
1825, and she died in 1896. In their family were eight children, namely:
Arena, deceased, born March 26, 1846: Lizzie, born August 29, 1849,
resides in Colorado; Laura J., deceased, was born February 3, 185 1 ;
Marcella, born January 17. 1854, resides in Greenwood, Indiana; Eldora,
born January it, 1856, is deceased; Laura M., born December 29, 1857.
resides in Indianapolis ; Charles E., the subject of this review ; and
Edward, born July 3, 1864, resides near Greenwood.
On the 8th of March, 1882, Mr. Brewer was united in marriage to
Lillian Miller, who was born December 18, 1864, a daughter of Dr.
.\bram Miller, of Whiteland, Indiana. She died on the 17th of Alarch,
1891, at Hymera, leaving four children, as follows; Ruby P., the wife
of W. B. Bonham, of Hymera; F"reeda, born in October, 1885, is now
traveling for the J. C. Curtis & Company undertaking supply house;
John C, born June 9. 1887, is at home and is working for his father;
and Anna May, born December 22, 1895, is a student in the St. Joseph
Academy at Terre Haute. On the 17th of April, 1904, Mr. Brewer
wedded Luna L. Conover, who was born in February of 1858. Mr.
Brewer is an active political worker, voting with the Democracy, and he
is a member of the Order of Odd Fellows, Lodge No. 603, at Hymera ;
the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Lodge No. 911, at Sulli-
van ; and the Knights and Ladies of Security, in Terre Haute. Both he
and his wife are members of the Presbyterian church, and he is serving
as one of the <lirectors of his church.
Wii-i-iAAt A. FoRDYCE, the present postmaster of Shelburn, has been
identified with the interests of Sullivan county throughout his entire life,
for he was born within its borders, in Fairbanks township, and here he
has since lived and labored. After completing his education in the dis-
trict schools and in those of Shelburn, he began the study of telegraphy
in this citv and continued in that occupation until 1892. During the fol--
lowing four years he was at home on account of ill health, and at the
close of that period he was appointed the postmaster of Shelburn, and
has ever since continued in that official capacity. He is a stanch Repub-
lican politically.
Mr. Ford\ce is a representative of a family who have long resided
in Sullivan county, and it was founded here by his paternal grandparents,
Lewis and Elizabeth (Case) Fordyce. Lewis Fordyce was a farmer,
and after coming to Sullivan county he was elected a justice of the peace
and became prominent in the public life of his community. His pohtical
affiliations were with the Democracy. Lewis Fordyce was born in Wash-
ington county, Indiana, May 17, 1816, was married in that county, to
Elizabeth Case, Mav 20, 1838, and after living for some years in Orange
53G365
loo HISTORY OF SULLIVAN COUNTY
county, where he held minor offices, he moved to Fairbanks, this county,
and in 1869 took up his residence at the county seat. He died February
28, 1874, after a long illness.
Among the children of Lewis and Elizabeth Fordyce was William
A., Sr., who was born in Lawrence county, Indiana, but came to Fair-
banks township in Sullivan county about i860 and spent the remainder of
his life here, dying in 1865, when his son and namesake was but a year
old. He was a farmer and cabinetmaker, and was working at his trade
at the time of his death. In his early manhood he had married Francis
J. Griffin, who was born about 1844. in Honey Creek township, Vigo
county, Indiana, a daughter of William and Amelia (Hanna) Griffin.
William H. Griffin owned and operated a tanyard near the old B'udd
place in Honey Creek township for many years, but later on moved to
Fairbanks township in Sullivan county, and opened and conducted a
harness shop. In 1866 he was elected the treasurer of Sullivan county
and moved to the city of Sullivan, continuing in that office for two
terms, but he maintained his residence in Sullivan until his life's labors
were ended in death. During a number of years previous to his death he
was engaged in the poultry and produce business in Princeton, Indiana.
After the death of Mr. Fordyce his widow married Dr. James A.
Harper, and her death occurred on the ist of September, 1900. Dr.
Harper is now living in Shelburn, and his home is also the home of
William A. Fordyce, who is the younger of his mother's two children bv
her first marriage, but his brother Elmer died when seven years of age.
Three children were born to Dr. and Mrs. Harper, namely : Gertrude
Froment and Georgia Bardsley, both living in Shelburn, and Grace, who
is at home with her father.
Mr. Fordyce has membership relations with the Junior Order of
United American Mechanics, Council No. 69, in the lodge at Shelburn,
the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Lodge No. 911, of Sulli-
van, Indiana; with Entaw Tribe, I. O. R. M., No. 213, at Shelburn, and
also the Junior Order at Sullivan. He holds to the' belief of the Church
of Christ. He holds high rank in the political and business circles of
Sullivan county, and is one of the property owners of Shelburn, where
he owns about six and a half acres in lots.
Richard B. Douglas, M. D.. is a member of one of the first families
to establish their home in Sullivan county, and from the early daj's until
the present the name of Douglas has been inseparably associated with its
history. His father, Samuel Douglas, was born in Curry township, and
the scene of his birth has been the field of his subsequent operations and
his present residence, three miles west of Shelburn. Samuel is a son of
Benson and Eliza (Dawson) Douglas, natives respectively of Curry
township and of Vigo county, Indiana. Benson was a son of Samuel,
who was also a native son of Curry township, and he served through the
Civil war as a private. The earlier generations of the family followed
agricultural pursuits for a livelihood.
HISTORY OF SULLIVAN COUNTY loi
Samuel Douglas, Jr., is now living retired from an active business
life, owning a fine estate of one hundred acres. His wife, Nancv M.
(Smith) Douglas, was born in Sullivan county, and died in May of 1905,
after becoming the mother of two children, both of whom have embraced
a professional life, and the younger. Perry, is practicing law in Terre
Haute. He married Sarah \A'olf. Samuel Douglas, the father, is a stanch
Democrat in his political affiliations, and is a member of the ]\Iasonic
lodge at Shelburn, No. 369, and of the Methodist church.
Richard B. Douglas was born in Curry township, Sullivan county,
Indiana, February 17, 1876, and after receiving a common school educa-
tion taught school for five years. In 1898 he became a student in the
Eclectic Medical College, where he studied for three years, and during
one year was a student in the Central College of Physicians and Surgeons
at Indianapolis. Returning to Shelburn after the completion of his
medical training, he opened an office here and has ever since been engaged
in practice, enjoying a large and representative clientele. His politics
are Democratic, and he was nominated and elected by the party for the
office of trustee, while from 1900 for four years he served as the assessor
of Curry township. He is the medical examiner for the Modern Amer-
ican Lodge, and is a member of the Indiana Eclectic Medical Association,
the Sullivan and Vigo Counties Medical Association, and is an honorary
member of the Illinois Eclectic ]\Iedical Association. His fraternal rela-
tions are with the Alasonic order. Lodge No. 369, at Shelburn : with the
Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Lodge No. 420, also of this city, and
with the Eagles, at Sullivan. His religious views are in harmony with
the teachings of the Christian church.
Dr. Douglas is married and has two children: Harry, born April
25, 1899, now attending school, and Blanche, born June 22, 1903.
Philip T. Lloyd, the proprietor of the Shelburn Lumber Company,
was born in Curry township, Sullivan county, Indiana, December 12,
1854, a son of John G. and Elizabeth (Chowning) Lloyd. John G.
Lloyd was born in Kentucky in 1832, and was a farmer throughout his
entire business career, but is now living retired. He was but three years
of age when he came with his parents, Philip and Anna Lloyd, from
Kentucky to Indiana, and since, then he has been living principally on a
farm in Curry township. He served twelve months in the Civil war
with the Twenty-first Indiana Heavy Artillery, and participated in the
memorable siege of Mobile for ten days and nights, and in compensation
for his services in the war he now draws a pension of eighteen dollars a
month. His wife bore the maiden name of Elizabeth Chowning, a native
of Kentucky, and she died in February, 1893, in Curry township.
Philip T. Lloyd, their son, started out on his business career as a
farm hand, thus continuing until his marriage on the 3d of February,
1881, to Alice Shields, who was born in Hamilton township of Sullivan
county. May 6, 1859, a daughter of Henry and Mary A. Shields. She
102 HISTORY OF SULLIVAN COUNTY
(ir
ed on the 3d of j\Iay, 1892, leaving her husband and three children :
Clew H., born July 28, 1882, who resides in Shelburn with his father;
Anna O., bom October 12, 1883,. married Harry E. Allen, who is in the
employ of his father-in-law and lives in Shelburn, and they have one
child, Mary Lucile, born December 5, 1907; and Albert C, born Feb-
ruary 28, 1885, is attending school at a Bible Reading in Peace Creek.
Kansas, near Sylvia. He is a member of the Church of Christ. On the
19th of March, 1893, Mr. Lloyd wedded Mary E. McKenzie, born in
Curry township in 1859, a daughter of Edward AIcKenzie. There are no
living children by this union.
After his first marriage Mr. Lloyd rented and moved to a farm of
eighty acres, and here he has lived for twentj'-four years, the property
being now in West Shelburn. In 1903 he opened a lumber yard in Shel-
burn, and two years later, in 1905, bought the property of one of his
competitors, A. T. Hill, while in 1907 he became the owner of the Shel-
burn Lumber Company, one of the well-known business institutions of
Sullivan county. He is also the president of the Central Mutual Tele-
phone Company, and his political aflSliations are with the Republican
party. Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd and his children are members of the Church
of Christ, and he is one of the elders of old Liberty Congregation.
John C. Annis is a representative of two of the most prominent of
the early families of Sullivan county, and he has won for himself a
place among the leading business men of Shelburn. He entered upon
his business career as an engineer, but later became a bookkeeper for
his father, this being in 1876, when the elder Mr. Annis first came to
Shelburn, and at the time of his removal to Terre Haute the son
accompanied him and they were in business together for one year.
Returning thence to Shelburn he was. in the employ of Stephen Brace-
well, a general merchant, until 1886, from that time until i8go was
connected with the coal industry, and in the latter year took charge of
the Curryville store and conducted it until the latter part of 1892. .\t
the expiration of that period he began work as top foreman for the
Curryville mine, in 1900 became connected with the Star City mine m
the capacity of a carpenter, and during the years of 1902, 1903 and 1904
he was the bookkeeper for the Keystone Coal Company at Shelburn.
Since 1904 Mr. Annis has been the proprietor of a feed store in this
city, buying in that year the business of N. O. Robbins, and in connection
with this he also does a large transfer business. A stanch Democrat
politically, he has served for five or six terms as a member of the town
board and during eight years was the clerk and treasurer of Shelburn.
Mr. Annis was born in Fairbanks township, Sullivan county, April
27, 1854, a son of Abraham and Armilda (Hopewell) Annis, both of
whom were born in Kentucky, the father in 1832, and his death occurred
in 1884, while the mother was born in 1830 and died in 1896, both
passing away in Terre Haute. Thev were but two years of age when
IIISTOKV ()!• Sn.LlN'AN COL'XTY 103
they came inirlh with their parents, and the ])arcnts of Al^raham, John
and ]\Iary ( Potts) Annis, located in l*"airbanks township in 1834. Arniilda
Hopewell Annis was a daughter of Henry and Alary (All) Hopewell,
who came to Fairbanks township at about the same lime as the Annis
family, and they located near together on land which they entered from
the government, the land being at that time wild and unimproved. Henry
Hopewell died in 1871. Both he and John Aimis became successful
farmers, the former being also a cooper.
Abraham Annis, a son of John Annis, followed farming until 1875,
when he came to Shelburn and purchased a warehouse, in which he
installed a custom mill, and continued as a miller until 1882, while
from that time until his death in 1884 he was a resident of Terre Haute,
engaged in the grocery business. During his residence in Shelburn he
served as a member of the town board. Seven children were born to
Abraham and Armilda Annis, namely : Earl and Samuel M., deceased,
while the third born died in infancy; John C, the subject of this review;
Mary L. Stalker, of Terre Haute; Isabelle Snider, also of that city, and
Julia, who has never married and resides in Terre Haute.
Four children have been born to John C. Annis, namely : Louren,
who died in infancy ; Ethel R., born March 4, 1886, is the wife of Roy
Hair, of Shelburn ; Orval, who died at the age of two years ; and Hosie
SutclilTe, who was born February 14, 1897, and is attending school. Mr.
Annis is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Lodge
No. 420, at Shelburn, in which he has filled all of the offices, and is
also a charter member of the United Workmen, which lodge was
abandoned in 1880, and a member of the International (Jrder of the Team
Owners" Union.
James P. Siner. — The name of James P. Siner was for many years
associated with the business life of Shelburn, where he conducted a
general mercantile establishment until his retirement in 1905. In the
early years of his life he was a cooper, having learned that trade when
only seventeen years of age in Carlisle, Indiana, and he worked at that
occupation for six years. In 1859 he joined the westward emigration
across the plains, making the journey with ox teams, and leaving here
on the 13th of April, 1859, he reached Placerville, California, on the
12th of September, following. During the following six and a. half
years he sojourned over California, Oregon and Idaho, and then returning
to Shelburn w-as one of the leading general merchants of the city until his
retirement in i()05.
Mr. Siner was born in Hamilton township of Sullivan county,
February i, 1837, a son of Nelson and Dessie (Shelburn) Siner. Xelson
Siner was a son of P>enjamin, a native of Virginia, and he was a grandson
of Benjamin, Sr., who served as a colonel in the Revolutionary war.
Nelson Siner was born in Breckenridge county, Kentucky, in 1810, but
came from that state to Sullivan county, Indiana, with his mother, in
1821, where in his vounger days he worked at the wagon maker's trade.
I04 HISTORY OF SULLR'AX COUNTY
but finally abandoned that occupation for farming, and later, in 1859,
opened a general mercantile store in Shelburn and was also the postmaster
of the town from i860 to 1866. He was a stanch Republican and in
the earlier days a Whig, and his death occurred in 1869, in Shelburn.
His wife survived him but a few years, dying in 1872. She was born
about 1809 in Kentucky. Of their eight children five are now living:
John L., of Shelburn ; Mary Nesbit, a widow residing in Hamilton town-
ship, and Parthena McClanahan and Lorena Singer, twins, both widows
residing in Farmersburg.
James P. Siner, the youngest of the living children, married, on
the 13th of April, 1866, Martha A. Hodges, who was born in Vigo county,
Indiana, in 1845, ^ daughter of Harden and Phoebe (Lovelace) Hodges.
This union has been blessed by the birth of seven children, but only the
following four are living at the present time : Julia Harden, of Shelburn ;
Fred, who married Emma Buckley, and is the proprietor of a shoe store
in Shelburn : Walter and Clarence, who are at home with their parents.
Mr. Siner follows in the political footsteps of his father and gives a stanch
support to the Republican party. He is a member of the Masonic Lodge,
No. 369, in Shelburn, in which he has filled all the offices, occupying the
master's chair for twelve years, and at the present time he is serving in
the capacity of treasurer. He has the distinction of being the oldest
Mason in Shelburn. Both he and his wife are earnest and efficient
members of the Baptist church.
Leander Wence. — During a number of years Leander Wence was
numbered among the best agriculturists and business men of Sullivan
county, but he is now living quietly retired at his pleasant home in
Farmersburg. He was born on the 3d of November, 186 1, in Jackson
township, Sullivan county, a son of Abraham and Mary E. (Zink ) Wence.
The father was born in Ohio, but when but four years of age he was
brought by his parents to Jackson township. He is a son of Abraham,
Sr., and Sarah Jane Wence, who were farming people and entered land
from the government in Jackson township north of Hymera, which con-
tinued as their home during the remainder of their lives. Mr. Wence
was a squire and constable here for many years.
Abraham Wence, Jr., spent the early years of his life on his parents'
farm, and during five years of his business career he was engaged in
the mercantile business in Terre Haute and Lyons. From 1861 until
1865 he was a Civil war soldier, but twelve months of that time was
spent in Andersonville prison, where he endured all the hardships and
privations of that noted prison pen. He is now the owner of a fine
estate of one hundred and twenty acres five miles southeast of Hymera,
where he and his wife are spending the remainder of their lives. He is
a stanch Democrat politically, a member of the Odd Fellows' order at
Lyons, and of the Methodist church. In the family of Mr. and Mrs.
Wence were four children, of whom Leander is the eldest ; Elizabeth
HISTORY OF SULLIVAN COUNTY 105
Jenny died at tlie age of nineteen years: James E. resides in Curry
township; and Charles E. is a resident of Evansvillo.
Just after his marriage Leander Wence began farming fnr himself,
renting a farm in Curry township, and he continued as a renter until
purchasing twenty acres in 1886. From time to time he added to his
original purchase until he became the owner of one hundred and forty-
three acres in his homestead farm, and also eighty acres in another tract,
but he has since sold his land and invested his money in notes and town
property. He continued his agricultural labors until in March of 1907,
when he sold his farm and is now living retired in Farmersburg.
On the 8th of October, 1882, Mr. Wence was united in marriage
to Susana Everly, who was born in Owen county, Indiana, September 9,
i860, and died June 4, 1896, after becoming the mother of five children:
Nora A., born November 16, 1885, died November 25, 1904; Hershal E.,
born October 30, 1887, married Sadie Crow August 24, 1907, and resides
in Shelburn ; Otto W., born November 18, 1889, has been in the regular
army for two years ; the fourth child died in infancy : and Ona M., born
January 7, 1896, is attending school and lives with her grandparents.
On the 8th of November, 1899, Mr. Wence married Sophia F. Wells,
who was born in Grant county, Indiana, April i, 1869, and died January
II, 1905, after becoming the mother of two children. Noma C.. born
]\Iarch 13, 1903, and a son, the younger, who died in infanc}-. On the
24th of April, 1907, Mr. Wence wedded Daisy Beck, who was born
January 3, 1882, in Jefferson township, Sullivan county, a daughter of
"josiah F. and Rosanna (Hume) Beck, both of whom were also born
in this county, and they are now living in Carlisle. Mr. Wence has one
child by his last wife, a daughter, Dortha Lee. He has membership
relations with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Shelburn, Lodge
No. 420. He is the only one of the Wence name to affiliate with the
Republican partv. He is a member of the Methodist church, but Mrs.
Wence is of the Baptist faith.
Elz.x W. Jennincs, who is among the successful and enterprising
business factors of Curry township, Sullivan county, and besides other
business interests, is engaged in the hardware and implement trade, is
a native of this township, born January 15, 1868, a son of Abel J. and
Fannie M. (Willsey) Jennings, the former born March 28, 1812, in
Massachusetts, at some point within Hrnnden county, and died January
10, 1877, in Sullivan county. Indiana. The latter was born October 19,
1824, in Albany county. New York, and died June 28, 1890, in Curry
township, Sullivan county, Indiana. Abel was the son of Aceph and
Mary (Abbv) lennings, the former born in Massachusetts and the latter
in Scotland. Aceph was born in 1782. and died in 1844. He was a
gunsmith, and worked eight years in the Springfield Armory W'orks,
but abandoned his trade there upon his marriage and went to farming,
which occupation he continued to follow the rt'mainder of his life. Abel,
io6 HISTORY OF SLXLIA'AX COUNTY
at the age of twenty years, started as a sailor on Lake Erie, and within
fourteen months was made second mate, soon afterward first mate and
then captain of the boat. This position he filled for five years and up
to the date of his marriage. He purchased a farm in Ashtabula count\-.
Ohio, where he farmed two years, and in 1842 went to Missouri, in
which new state he purchased a farm. In 1844 he removed to Marion
county, Indiana. Upon a trip back to Ohio he was taken ill upon reaching
Marion county, and there remained until 1867, when he went to Currv
township, this county, about three miles west of Farmersburg, where
the subject of this narrative was born. He owned a hundred-acre farm,
upon which he resided until his death.
The father was twice married, first to a Miss Benjamin, by whom
seven children were born, but only two lived to reach mature years. For
his second wife he married Fannie M. Willsey, by whom were born
sixteen children, as follows: Emaline, born in 1841, died young; jNIarshall,
born March 22, 1843, resides at Farmersburg; Harriet, born in Sep-
tember, 1844, resides in Weldon, Illinois : Julia, deceased ; Mary J.,
resides in Oklahoma ; Millie, also living in Oklahoma ; Lydia, deceased ;
Sylvester, residing in Curry township, this county : Oswell, deceased ;
Emory and Emma (twins), both living in Curry township; Rufus, living
in Kingfisher county, Oklahoma ; Mattie, living in Vigo county, Indiana ;
Katie, living in Curry township : Walker, living in Currv township, and
Elza W., of this notice.
Mr. Jennings remained at home with his parents until their death,
and on November iS. iBgo, soon after their death, he married Mary A.
Harris, born March 2, 1870, in Shelby county, Illinois, a daughter of
John Harris. Mr. Jennings began operating a saw mill and thresher at
the age of seventeen years, continuing until 1902. In 1899, however,
he purchased a one-fourth interest in Jennings Brothers and Lloyd's
hardware store, and in 1902 bought a two-thirds interest in Jennings &
Taylor's hardware and implement house. Since then he has paid special
attention to this business. The firm with which he is associated owns
some real estate in town.
Politically Mr. Jennings is a Democrat. He was elected president
of the Farmersburg Town Board in 1906, his term expiring in 1910.
He is president of the Merchants' Association, president of the Torry
Electric Light plant and is a stockholder and director of the Citizens
State Bank. He is a member of the Blue Lodge, No. 494, A. F. & A.
]\I., at Farmersburo-.
AViLLiAM Benefield, formerly extensively engaged in Turman
township, this count}-, as a general farmer and stock raiser, is now a
resident agriculturist of the Panhandle country of Texas. He is a
native of Hamilton township, Sullivan county, a son of George Wash-
ington and Elizabeth (McGrew) Benefield. The father was a native of
Lawrence county, Indiana, and, in 1904. died at Terre Haute. Indiana,
the mother beins; still a resident of that citv. George W. Benefield
HISTORY OF SULLIVAN COUXTY 107
always followed the life of a fanner, with the exception of a few years
which he spent in California, durint;- the early days of the gold excite-
ment. Starting from Snllivan with an ox team, March 4, 1852, he
crossed the Wabash river at Merom, on the old ferry boat, and reached
San Francisco in Aiignst. He remained on the coast until 1856, returning
by steamer, via Cape Horn, and stopping in Cuba for a few days. Thence
he resuined his voyage to New York City, and from that city reached
his tiome by rail. His trip was successful, financially, and like most of
the California pioneers, the experiences of both his overland and sea
trips were always considered the most interesting chapter of his life.
After his return from California Mr. Renefield farmed in Hamilton
township until i8i;3, when he and his faithful wife moved to Terre Haute.
Politically the elder Mr. Benefield was a Democrat, and in church rela-
tions his' wife was a Baptist. They were the parents of the following
children : Chauncy, now residing at Dallas, Texas ; Leona, wife of Ezra
Coble, of Terre Haute, Indiana ; Felix G., also of that city ; George, who
is an insurance man of Dallas ; William, of this sketch ; Robert, also in
the insurance business at Dallas; and Anna, wife of Herbert Osborn,
of that city.
William lienefield was reared on a farm in Hamilton township,
received his education in the district schools, and worked at home until
he was twentv-one years of age. He then went to Mound, Louisiana,
where he worked a year, after" which he returned to the farm where he
now resides. Remaining there a year and a half, he next located at
Hymera and lived there" three years, during this period being engaged
in the meat business as well as in mining. In 1893 he returned to Turman
township and resumed farm life, his place tinally consisting of one
hundred and three acres of fine land bordering on the plat of Graysville.
At that location he conducted grain and stock farming. Among other
enterprises with which he was afso connected was that of the Big Springs
Threshing Machine Company in which he was a stockholder. In Sep-
tember, 1908, Air. Benefield sold his farm and removed to Texas, having
visited various sections of that state and purchased a fine tract of land
in the Panhandle country. There he has erected a substantial set of
buildings and is engaged in general farming and stockraising.
Politicallv Mr. Benefield is a Democrat. In his fraternal connec-
tions, while residing m Sullivan county, he was a member of the Alodern
Woodmen of America and the Masonic order, and with his wife, _he
belonged to the Eastern Star lodge at Graysville. Mr. Benefield was
married January 26, 1889, to Mary Brewer, who was born November
2, 1866, on the farm which became the family homestead. She is the
daughter of William and Mary (Hawkins) Brewer. Her. father, a
native of Ohio of Scotch-Irish descent, was born March 20, 1824, and
died in Turman township, October 24, 1899. When a child he was
brought to this country by his parents, John and Mary Ami (Cook)
Brewer, who located at Graysville. John Brewer, the maternal grand-
father, operated a general store at Graysville for a number of years.
\\'illiam Brewer, the father, reached manhood in Turman township and
io8 HISTORY OF SULLIVAN COUNTY
there followed agricultural pursuits, finally purchasing three hundred and
eight acres of land, which he handled in a most successful manner. Upon
this homestead his wife died in 1868, the deceased being born in 1832,
a daughter of Major and Sallie (Earnest) Hawkins. In 1871 William
Brewer married Amelia Miles, a native of Gill township, and the family
moved to Sullivan, where William Brewer formed a partnership with
Thomas Burton, under the name of Brewer and Burton, which firm
continued in trade several years. Then disposing of his business, he lived
a retired life. Mr. Brewer's second wife died August 16, 1893, and in
1895 he married Mrs. Rebecca Thornberry. In the following year he
moved to her farm in Turman township, where he died. The widow
novir resides with her daughter in Turman township. Mr. Brewer was
a member of the Masonic fraternity at Merom ; also connected with the
Methodist Episcopal church, and in politics a Republican. By his first
marriage Mr. Brewer had si.x children ; by the second and third unions
there was no issue. By the first wife these children were born : John
and Solon, deceased ; Sarah E., wife of Robert Watson, of Rockford,
California ; Emily A., deceased, who married John Kirkham ; Leanna,
who married Rolland Hanchett, and now resides at Harlan, Nebraska ;
and Mary, Mrs. William Benefield. Mrs. Benefield was educated in
Sullivan, Indiana, attending its high schools and remaining at home until
a year before her marriage in Nebraska.
Mr. and Mrs. William Benefield have children as follows : Herbert
Milton, born October 2, I'Sgo, living at home ; June Elizabeth, born
November 17, 1894; and William Brewer, born May 4, 1899. Mrs.
Benefield and daughter are members of the Methodist Episcopal church
and connected with the Eastern Star lodee.
George Townsley Wilson, who lives on and owns the original
Wilson homestead in Haddon township, was born April 17, 1849, upon
the three hundred acre farm where he now resides. This valuable farm
home is situated two miles northeast of Paxton. He is a son of Martin
and Mary P. (Lamb) Wilson. The father was bom July 15, 1810, in
Greene county, Ohio, and the mother was born September 21. 1822, in
Sullivan county, Indiana. This worthy couple were married January
4, 1844. Martin Wilson came to Haddon township in 1822 and began
working on a farm and later entered government land to the amount of
two hundred and seventeen acres, to which he added until his landed
estate amounted to four hundred acres. This land was all one vast
forest when he came to the country and he, through a long series of
years and great toil, succeeded in subduing it and making a beautiful
and productive farm of what he found a wilderness. Politically he was
a Democrat. His wife was a devout member of the Christian church.
He died June 15, 1890, on his farm, and his wife laid down the burden
of life January 9, 1857, many 3'ears prior to his death. The following
children were born of their union: Mary Jane, born October 17, 1844,
HISTORY OF SULLIVAN COUNTY 109
married William Carl Usrey, of Sullivan, whose history appears else-
where in this work; William Lowery, born October 12, 1846, died Feb-
ruary 6, 1888, in Greene county, Indiana; George Townsley, of this
notice; Joseph, born January 7, 1852, died August 7, 1888, at Golden,
Colorado, where he was farming ; Sarah Ann, born September 25, 1855,
married John T. Whitmire.
George T. Wilson of this biographical notice remained on the home
farm until both parents were dead. He attended the public schools and
worked dutifully, and early learned the necessity of saving and wisely
investing his earnings. The old homestead is now his property, the same
comprising three hundred acres, upon which he methodically farms and
raises stock for the market. Politically Mr. Wilson is a believer in the
principles of the Democratic party. He is unmarried and for the last
few winter seasons has visited various states of the Union, chiefly in
the south.
John E. M. Purcell, who is the owner of one of the superior grain
and stock farms found within the limits of Haddon township, was born
on the land he now owns and cultivates, the same being situated a mile
and a half in an easterly direction from the enterprising village of Paxton,
Sullivan county, Indiana. The date of his birth was November 14, 1867.
He is the son' of William W. and Rachel L. (Creager) Purcell. The
mother was born March 17, 1848, in Hamilton township, a daughter of
Thomas J. and Barbara (Canary) Creager, both born in Kentucky, and
who came with their respective parents to this country about the time
Indiana was admitted into the Union.
William W. I\ircell, the father, was born in Haddon township, Sul-
livan county, April 23, 1842, and died June 7, 1894. His widow now
resides at Paxton. The grandfather, John Williamson Purcell, was born
in Kentucky and became one of the early pioneers in Sullivan county.
At the time of the Civil war William W. Purcell served as a member of
Company D, Indiana Heavy Artillery, enlisting in 1861, and serving
until the close of the rebellion. He entered as a private, and was promoted
to orderly sergeant. He was in the famous seige of Vicksburg and at
the battle of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. On January 23, 1867, he began
farming, which occupation he followed the remainder of his life. He
began on the same farm where now lives his son, John E. M. Purcell.
A successful farmer, at one time William W. Purcell owned about three
hundred acres of land, all in one tract. He raised grain and fed con-
siderable stock, and also was a breeder of fine grades of stock, including
horses. He owned draft and English coach horses and a valuable Spanish
jack, which animals he exhibited at the several county fairs in this section
of the country, capturing many of the premiums offered on such stock.
He also raised Shorthorn Durham cattle, which were also registered in
the American Stock Book, and exhibited. Politically Mr. Purcell was
a stanch Republican and at the hands of his fellow-party workers received
numerous nominations. He was president of the Paxton Canning Com-
no HISTORY OF SULLIVAX COUNTY
pan)-, from the date of its organization in 1888, until his death, but this
factor}' is not in operation at the present. In lodge connections he was
an honored member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and
Ancient Order of United Workmen. Of his church faith, it may be said
that he was of the Methodist Episcopal denomination, of which his
widow is also a faithful adherent. For a number of years he served
as one of the stewards in the church of his choice. The children born
to William W. and Rachel L. (Creager) Purcell were: John E. M.,
of this notice, and Stella J-, now the wife of Edgar E. Nash, whose
family history will be found within this work.
John E. M. Purcell remained with his father, worked the farm and
attended to the stock business with him. until the latter's death, since
which date the son has conducted the place himself. He now owns two
hundred and ^hirty-five acres, this being a portion of the old homestead.
Having been trained in the science of agriculture and stockraising from
his boyhood up by his association with his father, he naturally continued
to pursue the same line of industry after his father's demise. Mr. Purcell
now raises the Black Poll-Angus cattle and about two carloads annuallv
of hogs of the Poland China breed. Besides his extensive farming
operations, Mr. Purcell is a stockholder in the People's First National
Bank, of Carlisle, and the People's State Bank, of Sullivan. He is the
secretary of the old Paxton Canning Company. In his political views
Mr. Purcell is a firm defender of the general principles of the Republican
part}'. In the matter of fraternal societies, he is connected with the Odd
Fellows Lodge, No. 50, and the Modern \'\"oodmen of America, Camp
No. 3332, these lodges being at Carlisle.
He was married December 23, 1897, to Miss Bessie B. Barclay, who
was born in Jennings county, Indiana, September 21, 1879, daughter of
James W. and Lydia (Ewing) Barclay. The father was born in Mason
county, Kentucky, April 15, 1834, and now resides in Bloomington,
Indiana. The mother was born in Decatur county, Indiana, May i, 1841,
and died September 19, 1907, in Louisville, Kentucky, her home, however,
being at Bloomington, Indiana. John W. Barclay has always followed
the independent life of a farmer. Mrs. Purcell received her education
at the public schools of Jennings county, Indiana, and graduated from
the Carlisle high school with the class of 1896. Her parents came to
Sullivan county from Jennings county in 1893, and the parents and one
brother moved to Bloomington, Indiana, in 1903. Mrs. Purcell is one
of a family of eight children, four of which are now living: Luella B.,
now a widow : Alice C, widow of A. D. Giboney, residing at Carlisle :
Mrs. Purcell : Joseph Knox, of Bloomington, Indiana, now practicing law ;
he is an athlete and at one time held the long distance run of the state
of Indiana, being one of the Hoosier state's best athletes. From 1902
to 1905 he was captain of the track team at Bloomington and football
manager in 1905. Mr. and Mrs. Purcell have two children: William
W., born November 16, 1898, and Paul Barclay, born October 31, 1902.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Purcell are members of the Methodist Episcopal
church at Paxton, of which he was a steward.
THE NEW YORK
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HISTORY OF SULLI\^\X COUNTY iii
William ¥. Huki;. — Prominent among- tlu- more prosperous and
extensive agriculturists of Sullivan county is William F. Hoke, a wcll-
kngwn farmer and stock raiser of Haddon township. A man of good
business qualifications, thoroughly acquainted with the work in which he
is so busily engaged, he is meeting with unquestioned success, and is an
important factor in advancing the farming interests of this section of
Indiana. He was born, August 8, 1844, on the old Hoke homestead, about
three miles south of Carlisle, a son of Jacob Hoke.
•Born, in 1807, in Jefferson county, Kentucky, he was there reared
and educated. Coming to Sullivan county, Indiana, soon after his mar-
riage, he sought a favorable location, and after looking about for a time
took up government land in Haddon township, and by dint of industry
and perseverance cleared and improved the valuable homestead, on which
he resided until his death, in 1873. He carried on general farming on
an extensive scale, and was quite a heavy stock feeder. He made much
money in his operations, and having invested it wisely, owned at the time
of his death about one thousand acres of choice land. He was a Demo-
crat in politics, and served one term as county commissioner. He mar-
ried Rosamia Brentlinger, who was born in Jefferson county, Kentucky,
about 1807, and died in Haddon township, Indiana, in 1874. Ten children
were born to them, as follows : The two oldest, twins, died in infancy ;
Susan, deceased ; George, engaged in farming in Knox county ; Sarah,
deceased; Jacob, presidentof the Sullivan State Bank, at Sullivan; John,
residing on the old homestead ; William F., of this sketch ; Charles,
deceased ; and Richard, deceased.
Acquiring an excellent knowledge of the various branches of agri-
culture while young, WiUiam F. Hoke selected farming as his life occu-
pation, and until twenty-seven years of age assisted in the management of
the home farm. In 1872, his father having at that time purchased the
old Hinkle farm, he assumed its possession, and has since resided here.
Succeeding in his efforts from the first, he now owns three hundred and
thirty acres of the best land in southern Indiana, and on it has made
improvements of an excellent character. In the fall of 1906, he erected
his present fine home, which stands upon a natural rise of ground, and is
of modern construction, its building having been necessitated by the
burning of his former home about three years ago. Mr. Hoke makes a
specialty of raising and feeding stock, having now, in 1908, over a carload
of choice hogs that he is raising for market. He is now turning his atten-
tion to the breeding of black Poll-Angus cattle, having recently purchased
a thoroughbred sire of that grade.
On December 18, 1873, Mr. Hoke married Virginia Belle Turner,
svho was born November 16, 1851, in Virginia, where her parents, Thomas
K. and Lucv (Gilson) Turner, settled when coming to Sullivan county
from Pennsylvania, where they had gone from their native state, Mrginia,
and where they spent their remaining years. The union of Mr. and j\Irs.
Hoke has been blessed by the birth of eleven children, namely; Myrtle,
deceased; Bessie, unmarried; Ella, wife of ]\Iarvel Nash, a telegraph
operator in Greene county, has two children, James and Dorothy ; Allie,
Vol. II— 8
112 HISTORY OF SULLR'AX COUNTY
a twin sister of Ella, has passed to the higher life ; Jacob, living on the
home farm ; Thomas and Lue, twins ; Thomas is deceased, and Lue,
single, lives at home ; Anna, living at home ; William, single ; Lillie,
single: and a child that died in infancy. Politically, Mr. Hoke supports
the principles of the Democratic party by voice and vote.
John Thom.'VS Whitmire^ numbered among the progressive farmers
of Haddon township, whose pretty farm home is situated two and a half
miles east from the thriving village of Paxton, Sullivan county, Indiana,
is a native of Missouri, born in Randolph county, that state, September
3, 1851. He is the son of David Marion and Caroline (Snider) Whitmire,
both of whom were natives of the historic county of Jessamine, Kentucky.
The father was born June 8, 1826, and died in Randolph county, Mis-
souri, in 1865, and the mother, born August 27, 1825, died early in the
nineties in the same county. David M. Whitmire was of Pennsylvania
Dutch descent, and his wife of Dutch descent with some Irish blood in
her veins. John Whitmire, the grandfather, and his family, went to
Missouri when David M. was a small boy. The maternal grandfather,
John Snider, and his family, settled in Haddon township, Sullivan county,
Indiana, locating one mile to the north of Carlisle, where he and his wife
resided until their death.
As has often been the case in human experience, the meeting and
final companionship of Mr. Whitmire's father and mother was destined
by unforeseen acts, which have not infrequently determined the future of
men and women. The mother, Caroline Snider, went to Missouri from
Carlisle, Indiana, to visit a married sister in Randolph county, and while
there chanced to meet Mr. Whitmire, to whom she was subsequently
united in marriage. They at once commenced farming in that county
and ever after remained in that locality. David M. Whitmire, the father,
served in the Civil war in the army. Politically he was a supporter of
the Democratic party, while both he and his wife were members of the
Methodist Episcopal church. Their children were as follows : One who
died in fancy; John T., of this memoir: Charles W., born December 30,
1853, deceased : George W., born April 13, 1856, resides on the old home-
stead in jNIissouri : Mary B., born February 21, 1858, wife of William
Wainwright, residing in -Missouri; William T., born April 5, i860, also
living in Missouri ; Eliza, born September 6, 1862, now wife of Frederick
Robb, of Randolph county, Missouri ; ]^Iontgomery, born J\lay 27. 1865,
deceased.
John Thomas Whitmire was reared on a farm and had the advan-
tages of the Missouri district schools. He remained at home until Feb-
ruary 26, 1874, on which day he went to Paxton, Indiana, and began
farming as a hired hand. Three years later, however, believing that
he was capable of conducting a farm for himself, he began to do so.
About 1886 he purchased his present farm of one hundred_ and thirty-
eio'ht acres of valuable farming land, located two and a half miles from
HISTORY OF SULLIN A\ COUNTY 113
Paxton, ill an easterly direction. Here lie lias l)een highly successfnl
in the cuUivatic)ii of tlie land which has hrouj^lit him good returns, and
placed himself and family in independent circumstances. Politically Mr.
W'hitmire affiliates with the Democratic party.
He was united in marriage November 2, 1876, to Sarah Ann Wilson,
born in Haddon township, September 25, 1855, a daughter of Martin
and Mary P. (Lamb) Wilson. Her father came to Sullivan county from
Ohio in 1820, and her mother was native to Kentucky ; both are now
deceased. Mr. and Mrs. W'hitmire have one daughter: Gertrude, born
November 8, 1878, unmarried, and living at home. She attended the
district schools of her native township and the high schools of Sullivan,
graduating in music at the Conservatory of the DePauw University,
Greencastle, Indiana, both in vocal and instrumental music. She is now
giving instructions in music in her home neighborhood. Mr. Whitmire
and family have had the pleasure of spending the past two winters in
California's delightful climate, amid the flowers and sunshine of the
coast state. In their church connections the parents and daughter are
acceptalile members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
Fr.\xklix M. Anderson, one of the representative farmers who
have aided in building up the present prosperity found within the borders
of Haddon township, Sullivan county, Indiana, was born February 7,
1864, in Marion county, Indiana, on the farm of his father, Abner B.
Anderson. The father was born in Highland county, December, 1818,
and died in 1884. He was of Scotch descent and went to Marion county,
Indiana, alone, at the age of sixteen years. He subsequently married
in that county and there began farming for himself. In the autumn
of 1S69 the family moved to Haddon townsliip, Sullivan county, and
in 1870 was erected the farm house which Franklin M. now owns and
in which he lived until the spring of 1908, when he completed a new
house on his farm. The father and mother both resided on this farm
until their death. Abner F>. Anderson was a successful farmer and was
a Democrat in politics. He was a member of the Baptist church, while
his good wife was of the Methodist religious faith. Before her marriage
she was Ruth Elmore, a native of Kentucky, and was born near Crab
Orchard, March 5, 1819, dying in 1896. She was of Irish lineage. The
children born to Abner B. Anderson and wife were as follows: William,
Candice A., John, Loretta, Mariah Jane, Franklin M. and three who
died in infancy.
Franklin M. Anderson was reared on a farm and attended the
country schools. When he reached his twentieth year he commenced
to farm on his own account, and now owns the original homestead, con-
sisting of forty-five acres, to which he has added, now possessing one
hundred and forty-three acres, upon which he carries on general farming
operations. In his political views Mr. Anderson favors the Republican
partv, and casts his vote with that organization. He has wisely taken
114 HISTORY OF SULLIVAN COUNTY
a membership in the Modern Woodmen of America, Camp No. 3332,
at CarHsle.
He was united in marriage January 5, 1888, to PermeHa A. Wahers,
born in Haddon township, in 1865, and who died in i8g6 in the month
of September. She was educated in her native county. Her parents
were Joel O. and Nancy (Land) Walters, both of whom are now dead.
Five children were born to Mr. Anderson and wife: Lola M., deceased;
William L., deceased; Elva, born November, 1892; Ruth Marie, born
June, 1894; John W., deceased. For his second wife Mr. Anderson mar-
ried Sarah E. (Woodward) Pool, born in Jefferson township, Sullivan
county, Indiana, March 27, 1871. They were united in marriage in 1896
and are the parents of two children : Albert L. and Dais}^ Gladys. Before
her second marriage Mrs. Anderson was the widow of Harrv Pool,
who lived in JetTerson township, and who died in the nineties, leaving
a daughter, Ethel, born in February, 1896, and who now resides with
Mr. and Mrs. Anderson. In church connections Mrs. Anderson is a
member of the Christian church..
The Andersons are all large men in stature, Franklin M. being six
feet and four inches in height, weighing one hundred and ninety-five
pounds, while his father was the tallest man in Sullivan county, he
measuring six feet and seven inches, and weighing two hundred and
twenty-five pounds.
John Marion Whitlock, who is the owner of one of the many fertile
farms of Haddon township, Sullivan county, i's a native of Kentucky,
born April 29, 1858, son of Nathan and Mary E. (Williams) Whitlock,
both natives of Kentucky. In 1863 the family came to Marion county.
Indiana, remained one year, then settled in Haddon township, Sullivan
county, near Paxton, where both the father and mother died, he on
August 10, 1878, and she later. They were both of English descent.
The father always followed agriculture for his livelihood. Politically
he supported the Democratic part)^ Their children were as follows :
John Marion, Mary Jane, wife of John O. McCammon, residing in
Haddon township ; Robert, of Haddon township ; Josephine, deceased ;
George, of Haddon township ; Nancy, wife of David S. Wilson, of Jef-
ferson township.
John Marion Whitlock commenced the real activities of his career
when but twelve years old, by doing farm work b_\' the month. \Vhen
nineteen years of age he began farming on his own account and has
continued in the same calling ever since. He removed to his present
farm in 1888. The property, which belongs to him and his wife, consists
of one hundred and twenty-five acres. In his political views Mr. Whit-
lock is a believer in the platform of the Democratic party.
He has been twice married, first, November 2, 1878, to Pamelia
Shake, born in Haddon township, daughter of John Shake, who was
a farmer of Haddon township. jNIr. Whitlock died about 1884, leaving
HISTORY OF SULLIVAN COUNTY 115
two children: Lou Effie, born January 27, 1882, now the wife of Edward
Padgett, of Lladdon township ; and WilHani W'aUers, born Jaiuiary 24,
1884, unmarried and at home, attended the Carhsle high sciiool and was
graduated from the Normal College at Danville, Indiana. Since leaving
school he has taught three years in Haddon township. For his second
wife Mr. Whitlock married, March 18, 1888, Mary E. Deveors, who
was born January 28, 1858, in Haddon township, on the farm which
she now owns. She is the daughter of James and Eliza (Carrico)
Deveors, both now deceased. l!y this marriage the issue is: Ethel, born
October 18, 1891.
Edgar- E. Nash is a son of Armpsted ]\I. and Nancy E. (Purcell)
Nash. In the sketch of Armpsted M. Nash, on another page of this
work, with biography of William L. Nash, will be found ancestry, so
far as it is now known. Edgar E. Nash was born February 7, 1868, in
Haddon township, Sullivan county, Indiana. He was reared on his
father's farm, receiving his education at the district schools and he
remained at home until he reached the age of twenty-one years, when
he embarked in farming on his own account, on the old Nash homestead.
Subsequently, he removed into the same old farm house which his father
had remodeled. Edgar E. Nash has come to be an enterprising agricul-
turist, who is alive to all new and modern farming methods, both as a
grain and stock grower, in which calling he is highly successful. He
usually feeds two carloads of hogs and cattle each year and handles
the Poll-Angus and Shorthorn cattle. He owns two farms, one of two
hundred and forty-six acres, and one of seventy-six acres.
Like all true Aiuerican citizens, Mr. Nash is somewhat interested
in politics, but not as an office seeker, for his time and attention is
thoroughlv wrapped up in his agriculture and stockraising. He votes
with the Democratic party. As a protection to his family, in case of his
death, he holds membership with that most thoroughly reliable beneficiary
society, the Modern Woodmen of America, belonging to Camp No. 3332
at Carlisle.
He was married October 30. 1889, to Stella J. Purcell, born in
Haddon township, October 2, 1871, daughter of W. W. and Rachel L.
(Creager) Purcell, both of whom were natives of Sullivan county,
Indiana. The father died June 7, 1894, and the mother still lives at
Paxton. Their two children were: J. E. M. Purcell, who lives in
Fladdon township, and Mrs. Nash. Mr. and ]\Irs. Nash are the parents
of six children, born in the following order: Dona Maude, born Sep-
tember 27, 1890, expects to graduate from the high school at Carlisle
with the class of 1909; William Carlton, born October 4, 1892: Lillie
Alabel, June 26, 1894; Rachel Naomi, December 15, 1896; Harold Eugene,
Tulv 24, 1901 ; Helen Louise, September 16, 1905. Mrs. Nash and her
daughters, Dona Maude and Lillie ]\Iabel and the son William are
members of the IMethodist Episcopal church in Paxton, Indiana.
ii6 HISTORY OF SULLIVAN COUNTY
John W. Walters, one of Sullivan county's progressive farmers,
whose farm home is situated' in Haddon township, is a native of this
part of Sullivan county, born April 12, 1856, a son of Joel O. and Nancy
(Land) Walters. The father was born in Jessamine county, Kentucky,
January 18, 1824, one of seven children born to Luke and Evaril'la
(Lambj Walters, who were natives of Virginia, but who settled in Ken-
tucky and removed from that state to Sullivan county, Indiana, in 1830.
They resided in Haddon township the remainder of their days. The
mother of John W. Walters was born in Haddon township, September
8, 1823, and died in 1895, her husband dying two years previous to her
death. Nancy Land was a daughter of James R. and Jane (Willis)
Land, who was twice married, Nancy being a daughter by the first
marriage. Joel O. and Nancy (Land) Walters were united in marriage
March 28, 1848, and to their union ten children were born, of whom the
following are living: ]\Iahala, widow of James H. Willis; John W.,
of this biography ; and Permellia. The remainder of the family are all
deceased.
Joel O. Walters was a very successful farmer, and at one time owned
three hundred acres of land. Politically he was a firm supporter of the
Democratic party, while both he and his faithful wife were members of
the Christian church. The great-grandfatliers on both sides were in the
Revolutionary war, and two great uncles were in the war of 1812; two
second cousins also served in -the Mexican .^war, and three uncles were
in the Civil war. Non^ of this number who went forth to defend their
country ever received a iivound. '■
John W. Walters, Son 'o.f Joel O.; was, reared on his father's farm
and remained at home until twenty-five years of age, then began farming
for himself in Haddon township, continuing until the present time. In
the spring of 1882 he purchased a farm of eighty acres in the northeast
part of the township. This he sold in the autumn of 1882 and bought
sixty-six acres where he now lives. To this he has added until he now
has one hundred and eighty-six acres, situated a half mile west of Paxton.
Here he carries on in a most successful manner both grain and stock
farming. He handles considerable stock, and ships from one to two
carloads each year. Besides his extensive farm operations, he is one of
the stockholders in the Carlisle Telephone Company. In his political
belief he is a Prghibitionist, believing as he does, that the liquor business
in all of its evil forms, will never be controlled or totally suppressed by
either of the old political parties.
April I, 1881, Mr. Walters was married to Anna Nash, born near
Paxton, Sullivan county, Indiana, October 31, i860, and educated in her
native county. She is a daughter of James L. and Sarah (Ross) Nash,
both being natives of Haddon township, Sullivan county. James L.
Nash was born March 16, 1829, and was one of the nine children born
to Marvel W. and Leah (Love) Nash, who were counted among the
pioneers of Sullivan comity, and came in from the state of Kentucky.
September 16, 1854, James L. Nash married Sarah J. Ross, born in
Sullivan county, July 9, 1835. To this union four children were born:
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HISTORY OF SULLIVAN COUNTY 117
Robert D., of Slielburn : John ?\I., of I'aris, California, where he is a
professor in the high schools; Leah Ann, Mrs. Walters; Marvel, residing
in \igo county, Indiana, now telegraph operator and also owns a farm
in Haddon township. Sarah J. (Ross) Nash died December 25, 1873.
James L. Nash then married Eliza J. (Summers) Curr)-. Mr. Nash
owned at one time about four hundred and twent\-five acres of land, and
represented his county in the state legislature in the session of 1875. He
was instrumental in securing the passage of the "Fees and Salaries"
bill, as well as one for reducing taxes in the state. He was a county
commissioner for four years, and in church connection was an elder in
the Christian church. He died November 10. 1896, and his widow now
resides on the old homestead.
To ]Mr. and Mrs. Walters were born nine children, as follows:
Lorena, born December 29, 1881, attended the University at \'incennes
and also the Union Christian College at Meroni, Indiana, is now the wife
of Carl Gobin, residing in Haddon township ; James Nash, born March
7, 1884, unmarried, took a course in the Correspondence School of Scran-
ton, Pennsylvania, after which he went to Buffalo and engaged with the
Bell Telephone Company, and is now superintendent of maintainance of
the cable at Rochester, New York; Bessie,' born September 20. 1885,
unmarried, educated in the common schools and now at home ; Joel E.,
born September 2-]. 1887, died May 11, 1888: William L., born June 17,
1889, unmarried and at home; Melvin E., born March 7. 1891. unmarried
and attending the Carlisle high school; Jenni?; born March 10, 1895;
Marvil W., born November 12,, ^.897 ; R. Ros.s', born July 25, 1899. Mr.
and Mrs. Walters, together with, tlieir family, are members of the
Christian church, of which he has been a elder eleven years, as well as
chairman of the official board.
S.\L.\THiEL Boone. — Holding a position of prominence among the
foremost agriculturists of Sullivan county is Salathiel Boone, of Haddon
township, an extensive landholder, a leading stock raiser and feeder, and
a keen, wideawake business man. A native of Sullivan county, his birth
occurred August 9. 1853. in Fairbanks township. When he was a year
old he was brought by his parents to Haddon township, where he lived
until six years of age. The following eight years he lived near Sullivan,
and in the public schools of Hamilton township received his early
education.
Coming, when a lad of fourteen years to Haddon township, Salathiel
Boone lived with James J. Snyder, one mile north of Carlisle, for eleven
years, during the last four years of the time working the Snyder farm
on shares. In the fall of 1878, about six months after his marriage. Mr.
Boone bought ninetv-four acres of land lying east of Carlisle, and
remained here until the fall of 1880. Selling then at an advantage, he
purchased the Crantz farm, lying two miles east of Carlisle, and has here
resided since. Succeeding well in his undertakings, Mr. Boone subse-
ii8 HISTORY OF SULLIVAN COUNTY
quently bought fifty-five acres of the ElHs farm, which adjoins his, and
eighty-five acres of the McConnell farm, having now in his home farm
two hundred and fifty-five acres of rich and productive land. In addition
to his home estate he also owns three other farms, having title in all to
five hundred and fifteen acres. For many years Mr. Boone has made a
specialty of raising fine blooded horses, and has now two registered
French draft mares, and is part owner of the French draft stallion
"Model." He is an extensive feeder of stock, feeding from two to six
carloads of cattle every year, and he also raises and sells from one hundred
to three hundred head of hogs per annum. His estate, which is one of
the finest in the vicinity, is, with its valuable improvements and equip-
ments, a visible evidence of his industry, energy and good judgment.
On April 24, 1878, Mr. Boone married Sue Blything, who was born
in Sullivan county June 25, 1853, and was here brought up and educated.
Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Boone, namely: James,
born December 26, 1880; Jesse, born August 5, 1883; Jennie, born
December 18, 1886; and Robert, born August 2, i8go. James, now living
with his parents on the farm, completed his education at Purdue Univer-
sity, and was associated with Dr. J. R. Whalen and J. F. Alumbaugh in
the construction of the gravel and rock roads of the county. He is a
Mason, belonging, to Carlisle Lodge, No. 3, A. F. & A. M. Jennie is the
wife of Bert Lisman, of Haddon township.
Mr. Boone is actively identified with many of the more important
interests of this locality. He was one of the organizers of the First
National Bank of Carlisle, of which he is a stockholder and a director ;
he was also one of the organizers of the Carlisle Telephone Company, in
which he is still a large stockholder, and of which he was for a number
of years the president ; he also assisted in organizing both the Carlisle
Canning Company, which was operated three years, and the Carlisle
Creamery, which existed about ten years, and of which he was president
for sometime, and one of the directorate the greater part of the time.
Politically Mr. Boone is a stanch Democrat, and since January i.
1905, has served as county commissioner. Fraternally he is a member,
and worshipful- master, of Carlisle Lodge, No. 3, A. F. & A. 'SI., of the
Eastern Star, of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and of the
Modern Woodmen of America. When seventeen years old he united
with the Christian church and is a trustee and a deacon of the church in
Carlisle, to which his wife and children also belong.
Richard T. Willis. — The substantial and well-to-do citizens of
Haddon township, Sullivan county, have no better representative than
Richard T. Willis, who holds high rank among the systematic, progressive
and business-like farmers that are so ably conducting the extensive
agricultural interests of this part of Sullivan county. He is surely a
native and to the manor birth, his birth having occurred on the farm
where he now resides, July 17, 1854. He is a son of the late Edward
HISTORY OF SULLIVAN COUNTY 119
Willis, and grandson of Richard Willis, who emigrated from Kentucky
to Indiana in 1832, took up land in lladdon township, and here spent
his remaining years. He was a life-long farmer, and was, also, very,
fond of hunting, being an expert marksman.
Born at Crab Orchard, Kentucky, January 10, 182^, Edward Willis
was but a child when he came with his parents to Haddon township.
Finding farming congenial to his tastes, he was successfully engaged in
agricultural pursuits during his entire life, at the time of his death,
which occurred in 1903, being owner of about nine hundred acres of
good land in Haddon township. He was a man of influence in public
afifairs, in his earlier life belonging to the Democratic party, but in later
years supporting the principles of the Republican party. He was a
member of the Ancient Free and Accepted jMasons. and at one time
belonged to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Religiously he was
identified by membership with the Christian church. The maiden name
of his wife was Pamelia Shake. She was born in Kentucky, June 10,
1826, a daughter of David Shake, who came to Haddon township about
the same time that Richard Willis did. She is now living in Carlisle,
Indiana. To her and her husband twelve children were born, as follows :
John W., of Carlisle; James, deceased; David, of Carlisle; Richard T.,
"of this sketch ; L. H., of Hamilton township ; W. D., deceased ; Louisa,
deceased ; Fannie, wife of Rush McCammon, of Carlisle ; Anna, deceased ;
Minnie, deceased ; Ardimeca, of Carlisle ; and George B., of Haddon
township.
Growing to manhood on the home farm, Richard T. Willis obtained
his elementary education in the district schools and remained a member
of the parental household until twenty-six years old. He then began
farming for himself in Haddon township, in the fall of 1888 returning to
the old homestead, where he has since resided. He has dealt quite
extensively in real estate, especially in farming property, and is now
owner of four hundred and six acres of land in the township. He carries
on general farming, raising both grain and stock, and has been a heavy
cattle feeder and hog raiser, owning now one hundred and seventy hogs,
and two carloads of'cattle. He takes great interest in the welfare of his
native town and county, and is always ready to lend his assistance- in
the establishment of beneficial enterprises. He was one of the organizers,
and is a director, of the First National Bank of Carlisle, and is a stock-
holder in the Carlisle Telephone Company. In his political affiliations
he has been identified with the Democratic party.
On March 14, 1882, Mr. Willis married Emma F. Plummer, who
was born in ^Marion county, Indiana, ]\Iarch 17', 1857, a daughter of
Samuel and IMelinda (Boatman) Plummer, the former of whom was
born in Ohio, and the latter in Kentucky. In 1868 :\rr. and :\Irs. Plummer
located in Sullivan county, and here spent the remainder of their lives.
Nine children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Willis, namely : Josephine,
living at home; Grover, deceased; Scott, now living at home, married
Zelnm Near, who died in April, 1908, leaving one child, Harold Edward ;
Clara, \'eacher, Denver, Okie, Clem and Celia. ^Mr. and Mrs. R. T.
120 HISTORY OF SULLIVAN COUNTY
Willis have in their possession two of the old parchment deeds executed
under the hand and seal of President Van Buren, and dated respectively
August 5, 1837, and September 5, 1838. These deeds are valuable
souvenirs in Sullivan county.
Bailey McConnell. — Occupying a position of prominence among
the native-born citizens of Haddon township, noteworthy for their abilitv,
integrity and enterprise is Bailey McConnell, a practical and progressive
agriculturist, actively and successfully employed in general farming. A
son of Andrew McConnell, he was born April g, 1840, in Haddon town-
ship, of thrifty Scotch ancestry. His grandfather, McConnell, emigrated
from Scotland, the land of his birth, to America in 1805, bringing with
him his family. In 1806 he located in Haddon township, becoming one
of the original householders of this part of Sullivan county, and on the
farm which he improved, lying about two miles east of Carlisle, Bailey
McConnell, of this sketch, was born.
Born in Scotland in 1798, Andrew McConnell was but eight years
old when he came to Indiana. As soon as old enough to wield an axe or
a hoe, he began to assist in the pioneer labor of clearing and improving
a homestead, and during his entire life was engaged in tilling the soil,
meeting with good success in his efforts. He was a man of strong con-
victions, earnest in the support of principles which he believed to be
right, and while identified with the Democratic party before the Civil
war, was a Republican after its close. Andrew McConnell married Nancy
Johnson, whose father was an early settler of Haddon township, and the
land, situated about three miles south of Carlisle, that Mr. Johnson took
up from the government and improved, is the farm upon which Bailey
McConnell has. lived during the past quarter of a century. Of the
union of Mr. and Mrs. Andrew McConnell, nine children were born, as
follows: Elizabeth, widow of William Harper, resides in Haddon town-
ship; John, of Sullivan: Virginia, deceased; Turner, deceased; Bailey, of
this sketch ; Margaret, deceased ; Sarah Barthenia, deceased ; Laura, wife
of Ellis Greenfield, of Carlisle ; and Mary, deceased.
Reared to agricultural pursuits, Bailey McConnell was educated in
the district schools. On July 13, 1862. inspired by true patriotic spirit,
he enlisted in Company K, Eightieth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, as a
private, but was afterwards promoted to second lieutenant, then to first
lieutenant, finally being commissioned captain of his company, a rank
that he held until the close of the war. He saw hard service while in
the army, his company, which numbered one hundred sound men at the
time of enlistment, being reduced to twenty-four when mustered out of
service in 1865, on June 28. Mr. McConnell took part in many of the
important engagements of the conflict, among them being those at Perry-
ville, Resaca, Knoxville, Atlanta, Franklin, Nashville, and at Fort Ander-
son, North Carolina. Returning home after receiving his discharge, June
24, 1865, Mr. McConnell resumed farming, and in the pursuit of his
HISTORY OF SULT.]\'AX COUNTY 121
indepciKk'iit calling luis bccMi exceedingly prosperous, now owning
between four hundred and six hundred acres of rich and fertile land.
Since 1873 he has resided on his present homestead, which was bought
from the" government by his Grandfather Johnson. Many valuable
improvenieuts have been made on the place by Air. McConnell. including
the erection of his handsome residence, a brick structure, which stands
back a few rods from the street, on one of the finest building spots
imaginable. He carries on general farming, and buys and feeds con-
siderable stock each year, finding stockraising a profitable industry. He
owns stock in the Peoples State Bank of Carlisle, a prosperous institution.
In politics he is a Republican, and in social circles is a member of the
Grand Army of the Republic, Geo. Rotranund Post, No. 445, at Carlisle.
On September 29, 1870, Mr. McConnell married Jennie O. McDowell,
who was born April 29, 1852, in Columbiana county, Ohio, a daughter of
Dr. Tames McDowell. Dr. McDowell was born in Washington county,
Pennsylvania, June 19, 1820, a son of James and Catherine (McCarthy)
McDowell, and" there began the study of medicine with Dr. James Martin.
Fitted for a professional career, he located as a physician at Moore's
Salt Works, on Big Yellow creek, in Jefferson county, Ohio, where he
remained from 1842 until 1854. The following seven years he was
engaged in the practice of medicine in Columbiana county, Ohio, after
which he returned to Moore's Salt Works, and was there a few years.
Coming from there to Sullivan county, Indiana, in 1865, Dr. McDowell
located" in Teft'erson township, and was successfully engaged in his pro-
fessional calling at Pleasantville until his death, October 6, 1892. He
married Carolina Erwin, and they became the parents of five children,
namely: Hon. M. M. McDowell,' M. D., a practicing physician at Vin-
cennes, Indiana, now serving as state senator: James McDowell, M. D.,
of Bruceville: L. C. McDowell, M. D., of Freelandsville ; Jennie O., wife
of Mr. McConnell; and Catherine, deceased. Mr. and Mrs. McConnell
have one child, James McConnell, a lumber and grain dealer in Carlisle,
of whom a brief sketch may be found on another page of this work. Mrs.
McConnell is a woman of culture and talent, having received her educa-
tion at Farmersburg College under the instruction of Professor Craw-
ford. Both Mr. and Mrs. McConnell are members of the Methodist
Episcopal church, and are among its most faithful and active workers.
George W.\shington Watson. — Trained to habits of industry and
honesty, and familiar with farming pursuits from boyhood, George W.
Watson, of Haddon township, is numbered among the substantial and
prosperous agriculturists of this part of Sullivan county, being the owner
of one of the best improved and best managed farms in this vicinity. A
native of Indiana, he was bom, September 4, 1842, in Alartin county, a
son of Singleton Wilson Watson.
A lifelong resident of Indiana, Singleton W. Watson was born August
II, 1809, and'died August 22, 1876, in Knox county. Choosing agricul-
122 HISTORY OF SULLIVAN COUNTY
ture as his means of making a livelihood, he began his career as a farmer
and stock raiser in Martin county, from whence he came to Sullivan
county during the fifties, settling in Haddon township,' where he was
employed in tilling the soil until his retirement from active labor, his
last years being spent with his children. His wife, whose maiden name
was Hannah Albright, was born in Indiana, June 29, 1813, and died in
Sullivan county, March 4, 1864. Her father, John Henry Albright, a life-
long farmer, was born in Pennsylvania, and died in j\Iartin county, Indi-
ana. Thirteen children were born of the union of S. W. and Hannah
(Albright) Watson, as follovv's: John H., deceased, was born July 13,
1833; Sarah Ann, deceased, was born July 12, 1834; Elizabeth, born
October 13, 1837, died March 13, 1883; Joseph R., born February 7,
1840, resides in Knox county; George W., of this sketch; James R.,
residing in Knox county, was born November 19, 1844 ; Thomas R., born
November 19, 1846, is a resident of Oaktown, Indiana; Weston R., born
November 22, 1848, died June 26, 1873; Benjamin F., born February 27,
1851, died April 6, 1879; Singleton W., of Huntington count}^ Indiana,
was born February 28, 1853 ; Mary H., born April 19, 1855, died January
4, 1879; Willis \Y.. born October 11, 1857, resides in Huntington county,
Indiana ; and a child that died in infancy.
Leaving home at the age of fifteen years, George W. Watson worked
by the month on the farm of Samuel Johnson, afterwards being similarly
employed for a year in Knox county. On July 6, 186 1, responding to the
call for troops, he enlisted in Company D, Twenty-first Indiana Lleavy
Artillerjr, and served as a private until honorably discharged, at New
Orleans, July 31, 1864. He took part in many engagements, including
those at Baton Rouge, Donaldsonville, St. Charles, Bisland, and at Port
Hudson, where the siege lasted forty-five days, and during the entire
period of his enlistment, although often under fire, was fortunate enough
to escape without a wound. He now receives a pension for his services to
his country in her time of need. On returning to his home, Mr. Watson
began farming on his own accoimt in Haddon township, and in his free
and independent vocation has met with well merited success. He has
accumulated a good property, and in addition to the home estate owns a
fai^m of forty acres in lefferson township, and supervises its management.
He is a stanch Republican in politics, influential in local aft'airs, and for
several years has been a member of the Republican precinct committee.
Socially, he belongs to Carlisle Post, No. 445, G. A. R.
On June 26, 1S70, Mr. Watson married Helen C. Berry, who was
born in Knox county, Indiana, July 19, 1850. Her father, William A.
Berry, was born, October 5, 1800, in Shenandoah county, Virginia, and
died in Knox county, Indiana, October 18, 1861. When about fourteen
years of age, he went to Kentucky, where he followed his trades of a
blacksmith and carpenter for a numlDer of years. Coming to Knox county,
Indiana, in 1840, he improved a farm, and also worked at his trades, con-
tinuing residence there until his death. He married Lucinda Million, who
was born in Jefferson county, Kentucky, April 11, 1805, and died January
28, 1867, in Indiana. Both were members of the Baptist church. Twelve
HISTORY OF SULLIVAN COUNTY 123
children were born of their union, nanieh-: L\'(Iia K., born March 17,
1828, died July 23, 1885 ; Daniel T., born July 27, 1829, died April 8,
1908; John M., born November 8, 1830, resides in Greene county, Indiana;
William A., of Knox county, Indiana, was born August 19, 1832; Amanda
E., born July 14, 1834, resides in Knox county; Susan A., residiu"; in
Jefferson township, born April 16, 1836, is the wife of Alexander Rob-
bins : James L., born October 30, 1837, is a resident of Indianapolis ;
Angeline, widow of the late John Miller, of Carlisle, was born November
I, 1839; Sarah E., born January 21, 1848, died September 12, 1901 ;
Helen C, wife of Mr. Watson ; and two children that died in infancy.
Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Watson, namely : Nora
Ollie, born September 24, 1871, died April 4, 1879: Jennie AL, born Jan-
uary 29, 1875, was educated in the Carlisle schools and at the State Normal
College in Terre Haute, and taught school three terms in Haddon town-
ship and one term in Pearson township ; Otto Dare, born October 4, 1877,
died March 17, 1879; and Carl A., born January 12, 1880, now a photog-
rapher in Terre Haute, married Nora Shake, and they have one son,
Dwight C, and one daughter, Mildred Florence, who died when two
months old. Religiously, Mr. Watson belongs to the Methodist Episcopal
ciiurch, while his wife and daughters are members of the Baptist church.
J.\MEs H. Padgett. — Prosperously engaged in the calling upon which
our nation's wealth and strength so largely depends, James H. Padgett,
of Haddon township, holds an assured position among the systematic
and skilful agriculturists of Sullivan county. The descendant of a pio-
neer family of prominence, he was born, January 3, 1848, in this town-
ship, a son of the late Theophilus Padgett. His grandfather Padgett
was one of the earliest ^ettlers of Haddon township, coming here in the
very early period of its settlement, at the time of his arrival there being
but two houses between Carlisle and Pleasantville.
Born in Kentucky, Theophilus Padgett was but six years old when
he came with his parents to Sullivan county. Brought up on a farm, he
continued in the occupation to which he was reared, and on reaching
man's estate entered government land in Haddon township, and at once
began the pioneer work of clearing and improving a homestead. During
the fall and winter seasons, he kept four horses busily employed by doing
nearly all of the teaming for the Carlisle merchants, taking produce for
them to Evansville, and bringing back large loads of general merchandise.
As a farmer, he was very successful, at one time being owner of about
three hundred and seventy acres of rich and valuable land. He was a
Democrat in politics, and a member, with his wife, of the Methodist Epis-
copal church. He was twice married. His first wife, whose maiden name
was Susie Hinkle, died in early womanhood, leaving two children, namely:
William, of Pleasantville, and Sareldia, deceased. He married for his
second wife Permelia Bodwell, who was born in Jefferson township,
Indiana, and died in Haddon township. Slie bore him four children, as
124 HISTORY OF SULLIVAN COUNTY
follows: Martha Elizabeth, wife of William Lisman, of Haddon town-
ship ; Sarah Jane, wife of James Spencer, of Jefferson township ; James
H. ; and Cassius G., of Haddon township. ■
A farmer by birth, breeding and inheritance, James H. Padgett is
now living on a part of the land which his father took up from the gov-
ernment, and in the raising of grain and stock has been exceptionally
fortunate, his labors as an agriculturist meeting with substantial rewards.
Mr. Padgett married, in 1861, Martha Yates, who was born in Jeffer-
son county, Kentucky, December 25, 1848, a daughter of William and
(Shake) Yates, who were lifelong residents of Kentucky. After
the death of her parents, she came with her uncle, James Shake, to Had-
don township, being then sixteen years of age. Five children have been
born of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Padgett, namely : Mary and William
died in infancy ; Theodosia : Everett E. ; and Delia Grace. Theodosla,
born in December, 1878, has been twice married. She married, first, Don
Pane, who died a short time later, leaving one child, Floy, who lives with
her mother and grandparents ; and, second, Rev. A. L. Tidric, a Baptist
minister, now located at Oolitic, Indiana, and they have one son, Lawrence.
Everett E., born in November, ,1880, was graduated from the State Normal
school at Terre Haute, after which he took a course of study at the North-
western University, in Chicago, later being graduated with the degree of
M. D. from the Rush Medical College, in Chicago. Since 1905, Dr. E. E.
Padgett has been located in Indianapolis, wdiere he has built up a fine
practice as a physician and surgeon. He married Theresa Bow, of
Pleasantville. Delia Grace, born in 1882, married Lee Douthitt, of Wag-
ner township, Knox county, and has one child, Catherine, living, and has
lost one child. Mrs. Tidric, Mr. Padgett's oldest daughter, began teaching
school when but sixteen years old, and for seven )'ears was a most success-
ful and popular teacher in the common schools of Sullivan county. Politi-
cally, Mr. Padgett is a strong Prohibitionist ; fraternally, he belongs to
Ben Hur Lodge, of Carlisle, and religiously, both he and his wife are
members of the Baptist church.
James Whipps. — A practical and skilful farmer, James Whipps, of
Haddon township, is an able representative of the horticultural and agri-
cultural interests of Sullivan county. His highly improved farm, lying
south of Carlisle, contains the site of old Fort Haddon, the fort itself
having been located very near the house in which Mr. Whipps lives. A
son of Reuben Whipps, he was born, October 9, 1853, "'' Perry county,
Ohio, of Irish ancestry. His grandfather Whipps emigrated from Ireland
to this country, bringing with him his wife and children, locating in Perry
county, Ohio, where he was engaged in tilling the soil until his death.
Born in Ireland, in September, 1812, Reuben Whipps came with the
family to the LTnited States, assisted his father in establishing a home in
Perry county, Ohio, and there resided during the earlier years of his life.
Comino- from there to Sullivan countv, Indiana, he located in Haddon
HISTORY OF SULLR'AN COUNTY 125
township on Ajiril 7. 1857. lluying land just east of Carlisle, he improved
a good honiL^tcad, and as a tiller of the soil met with signal success, at
the time of his death, which occurred Fehruary 6, 1886, being owner of
three hundred and twenty-seven acres of valuable land. He was a Jack-
sonian Democrat in politics, and an earnest supporter of the principles of
his part}-. The maiden name of his wife was Elizabeth Welch. She was
born in Ireland, January 10, 1822, a daughter of George Welch, who came
to this country with his family, and settled in Ohio, living first in Harrison
county, but spending the later years of his life in Perry county. Six chil-
dren were born of their union, namely : William and George residing in
California ; John, a farmer ; Thomas, deceased ; James, of this sketch ;
and Alary Ann, wife of Dudley Willis, of California.
Brought up on the home farm, James \Miipps received his early edu-
cation in the district schools, which he attended in the long winter terms,
laboring on the farm during seed time and harvest. He remained beneath
the parental roof until thirty years of age, when he moved to the farm
which he now owns and occupies, but which was then owned by his father.
Continuing the improvements already begun on the place, Mr. Whipps has
now a valuable farm of ninety-two acres, its land being highly cultivated,
and one of the most productive in the vicinity. Here he is raising both
grain and stock, and for the past eight years has made a specialty of rais-
ing potatoes and strawberries for the home market, doing an extensive
and lucrative business in this branch of industry. He raises fine varieties
of strawberries, having the Warfield, Haviland, Sample, Excelsior, and
Senator Dunlap, all of which are especially fine, being pleasing to the eye
and of particularly rich flavor.
On October 9. 1883, Mr. Whipps married Margaret McClure, who
was born in Knox county, Indiana, August 6, 1858, and was there edu-
cated. After completing a course at the Bruceville Normal School, she
taught four years in Knox county, being a teacher in the public schools
of baktown' for a year. Her parents, Hiram and Rosella (Wilson)
McClure, spent their' lives in Knox county, being farmers. Two children
have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Whipps, namely : Chellis O., born Jan-
uary 19, 1885. was graduated from the Carlisle high school with the class
of 1905, and is now assisting his father on the home farm ; and Clara E.,
born March 17, 1888, was graduated from the Carlisle high school with
the class of 1906. True to the political faith in which he was reared, Mr.
Whipps is an uncompromising Democrat. He is a member of the Inde-
pendent Order of Odd Fellows, and of the Modern Woodmen of America,
belonging to the Carlisle lodges of both organizations. He and his wife
and their son and daughter are valued members of the Methodist Episcopal
church.
John A. Hoke. — Numbered among the practical and progressive
agriculturists of Sullivan county is John A. Hoke, who is successfully
employed in his chosen occupation on the old Hoke homestead, which
lies three miles south of Carlisle. He was born on the homestead where
126 HISTORY OF SULLIVAX COUNTY
he has spent his entire hfe, May 6, 1842, being a son of Jacob and Rosanna
(Brenthnger) Hoke, and a brother of Wilham F. Hoke, in whose sketch,
on another page of this work, further parental histor}' may be found.
Assisting in the clearing and improving of the home farm, Mr. Hoke
remained with his parents as long as they lived, and subsequently suc-
ceeded to the ownership of the original tract of land that his father took
up from the government, and the title to which has never been changed.
He has now one hundred and eighty-three acres of rich and arable land,
and also one hundred and twenty acres in the same township, which is
well improved and judiciously cultivated, constituting one of the model
farms of the vicinity. He carries on general farming and stock raising,
making a specialty of the black Poll-Angus cattle. He feeds each year
about a half carload of cattle, from one to two carloads of Poland China
hogs, and raises Shropshire sheep. He is a stockholder in the First
National Bank of Carlisle, and is a Democrat in his political affiliations.
Mr. Hoke married, January 3, 1875, Elizabeth Brentlinger, who was
born, March 12, 1849, in Clark county, Indiana. Her parents, Joseph and
Camellia (Wells) Brentlinger, were born and reared in Kentucky, but
shortly after their marriage settled in Clark county, Indiana, where they
improved a farm, on which they spent their remaining years. Five chil-
dren have been born of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Hoke, namely: Estella,
born in July, 1878, married Austin Wortnian, who lives on a part of Mr.
Hoke's farm, and they have one child, Helen : Evelyn, born December
24, 1880, married Ivan Lisman, and they live just across the street from
Mr. Hoke ; Albert and Allie, twins, born in December, 1882, are unmar-
ried, and live with their parents; and Camellia, born in July, 1887, lives
at home. Mr. Hoke's daughters are members of the Methodist church.
Mrs. Mary Louise (Collins) Brentlinger. — A highly esteemed
woman of Haddon township, Mrs. Mary L. Brentlinger has spent her
entire life in Sullivan county. She was born two and one-half miles south
of Carlisle, October 6, 1839, ^ daughter of William S. Collins. Coming
from Scotch descent on the paternal side, and from English stock on his
mother's side, William S. Collins, was born. May 30, 1798, in Sumner
countv, Maryland. At the age of nineteen years, being of an active and
enterprising disposition, and possessing a resolute will and an honorable
ambition to better his material condition, he left home, determining in a
newer country to seek a living. Going, therefore, to Gallatin county,
Kentucky, he lived there a short time, and then located, in 1818, in Louis-
ville, where he resided until after his marriage. Coming with his bride
to Sullivan county in 1837, he located in Haddon township, and was here
a resident until his death, July 6, 1886. His wife, whose maiden name
was Mary Hoke, was born, in 1797, in Jefferson county, Kentucky, and
died, in Sullivan county, Indiana, at the age of sixty-eight years. Nine
children were born to them, as follows : Sarah, deceased ; James O., of
Haddon township ; the next two children died in infancy ; Julia Gather-
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HISTORY OF SULLIVAN COUNTY 127
ine, living with her brother Edward ; Mercer D., deceased ; Edward,
residing in JeiTerson township ; Alfred B., deceased ; and Mary Louise,
of this brief sketch.
On January 28, 1863, Mary L. Collins became the wife of Andrew
J. Lirentlinger, who was born in Jefferson county, Kentucky, October 27,
1827, and died in Haddon township, Sullivan count)-, Indiana, February 6,
1905. His father, Jacob Brentlinger, was born, July 4, 1793, in Jefiferson
county, Kentucky, and there spent the earlier portion of his life. In 1836
he followed the trail of the emigrant to Indiana, locating in Clark county,
where he passed his remaining years, dying February 19, 1874. On Jan-
uary 5, 1826, he married Sarah Hoke, who was born, March 12, 1804, in
Jefferson county, Kentucky, and died, in Clark county, Indiana, July 12,
1884. Of their union, thirteen children were born, namely: Robert H.,
deceased; Andrew J., deceased ; Susan C, deceased ; Charles M. : Mary
F., widow of the late William McMillan, residing in Clark county, Indi-
ana ; Rosanna, widow of the late Mr. Barrickman, lives in Charlestown.
Indiana; Matilda, deceased; Sarah A., deceased; Amanda, widow of
the late James Beggs, resides in Areola, Illinois ; George W., deceased ;
Jacob A., living in Kentucky ; Eva Elizabeth, deceased ; and John W.,
living in Kansas.
Brought up on a farm in Jefferson county, Kentucky, where his birth
occurred, Andrew J. Brentlinger received a conunon school education, and
early in life became well acquainted with the various branches of agricul-
ture. With his parents he came to Clark county, Indiana, in 1836, and was
there a resident for a number of years. In M'arch, i860, he bought two
hundred acres of land in Haddori township, and with characteristic indus-
try and ability, began its improvement. He succeeded in his efforts, and
for many years was one of the leading agriculturists of this part of the
county. He raised grain to quite an extent, but was especially interested
in stock farming, each year feeding and raising on an average a carload
of hogs, chiefly Poland-Chinas, which were his favorite breed. Just a
short time previous to his death, Mr. Brentlinger sold one-half of his
farm, his widow and heirs now owning the remainder of the estate. He
was a straightforward Democrat in politics ; fraternally, he belonged to
Carlisle Lodge of the I. O. O. F. In early life Mr. Brentlinger united with
' the Methodist Episcopal church, in Charlestown, Indiana, but after coming
to Haddon township became a member of the Carlisle Presbyterian church,
to which Mrs. Brentlinger belongs.
Mr. and Mrs. Brentlinger became the parents of six children, namely :
Agnes A., born November 11, 1863, died October 15, 1869; Emmett P.,
born January 20, 1865, lives in Carlisle; Kate C, born November 20,
1866, died April 30, 1902; William J., born June 30, 1869, resides in
Carlisle; Charles T., born September 19, 1873, died April 25, 1874; and
Rush E., born January 7, 1878, lives with his mother on the old home-
stead, which he is managing most successfully. On March 8, 1899, Rush
E. Brentlinger married Sallie D. Vigus, who was born in Knox county,
Indiana, March 22, 1877, a daughter of Henry C. and Barbara (Norton)
Vigus. Mr. \'igus was born in ^fartin county, Indiana, and Mrs. Vigus
Vol. II— 11
128 HISTORY OF SULLIVAN COUNTY
in Sullivan county. They are now living in Alerom, Sullivan county. On
September 4, 1907, Mrs. Rush E. Brentlinger died, leaving one' child,
Hubert V., born September 15, 1900.
Pleasant Alexander Minich. — Of honored pioneer descent, and
for many years a leading agriculturist of Sullivan county, Pleasant A.
Minich has the distinction of being one of the very oldest native-born citi-
zens of Haddon township, his birth having occurred here, about three miles
south of Carlisle, June 6, 1822, on the farm which his father, Adam
Minich, entered from the government. Of German descent, Adam Minich
was born, in 1791, in Virginia. During a part of his early life he resided
in Tennessee, living there until after his marriage. Coming to Sullivan
county, Indiana, in 1819, he located in Haddon township, buying a tract
of wild land from the government. He began the clearing of a farm, and
also worked at his trade of a saddlemaker, living here until his death, in
1826, while yet in the prime of life. He was a Jacksonian Democrat, and
was a soldier in the war of 1812. His wife, whose maiden name was
Sarah O'Haver, was born in Tennessee, May 16, 1799. She bore him
five children, as follows : Two who died in infancy ; Pleasant Alexander,
of this sketch ; Mary, deceased ; and Sarah, deceased. His widow subse-
quently married for her second husband Richard Whalen, grandfather of
Dr. Joseph Whalen, of Carlisle, of whom a brief sketch is given elsewhere
in this work, and they reared several children.
Succeeding to the free and independent occupation to which he was
reared, P. A. Minich has resided on his present homestead since June,
1856, and during the fifty and more years that have since passed has con-
tributed his full share towards advancing the agricultural and industrial
interests of the community. As a farmer, he has had excellent success,
his two hundred and eighty acres of land being in a fine condition. Since
1 88 1 he has not performed any of the actual labor devolving upon an agri-
culturist, having relegated the management of his farm to his son Will-
iam, but has lived in ease and comfort, enjoying the reward of his earlier
years of persistent toil. True to the political faith in which he was brought
up, he is a straightforward Democrat.
On April 24, 1856, Mr. Minich married Sarah Corbin, who was
born, January 25, 1832, in Haddon township, on the same farm that he
was. Her father, \'incent Corbin, was born in Virginia, in 1799, and
died in Haddon township, on the farm which he bought from the govern-
ment in 1829, his death occurring February 20. 1871. He married, in
Kentucky, Julia Spencer, who was born in that state, in 1805. and died
in Haddon township, Indiana, in January, 1891. Three children were
born of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Minich, namely: A. V., of Sullivan,
of whom a sketch may be found in this biographical work : William
Franklin, born August' 22, 1859; and Charles Theodore, born October
21, i860, who died July 14, 1861.
HISTORY OF SULLIVAN COUNTY 129
William Franklin Minicii has spent his entire life on the parental
homestead, at first carrying it on with his father. The past t\vent_v-five
or thirty years, however, he has had entire control of the estate, and has
carried on general farming and stock raising with great success. He finds
hog raising and feeding especially profitable, raising from one to five car-
loads each year. He is now paying considerable attention to the breeding
of cattle, formerly the black Poll-Angus. Politically, Mr. Minich is a
Democrat, and fraternally, he belongs to Carlisle Lx)dge, No. 3, F. &
A. M. ; to the Modern Woodmen of America ; and to the Ben Hur Lodge
of Carlisle.
On May 6, 1891, Mr. Minich married Sarah C. Risinger, who was
born in Knox county, Indiana, September 21, 1862, a daughter of Charles
and Martha (Snapp) Risinger, of whom further history is given in con-
nection wdth the sketch of Thomas S. Risinger. Airs. William F. Minich
is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church at Dethlehem. They have
no children.
IviN Sylvester Lisman. — Conspicuous among the wide-awake, pro-
gressive business men of Haddon township is Ivin S. Lisman, who is
actively identified with many of the more substantial enterprises of this
part of Sullivan county, and holds an assured position among the thriving
agriculturists of his community. A son of William F. and Martha Eliza-
beth (Padgett) Lisman, he was born in Haddon township, November 22,
1874, and was here bred and educated.
Acquiring under his father's tuition a practical knowledge of the
many branches of agriculture, Mr. Lisman remained on the parental home-
stead until twentv-eight years old, in the meantime earning and saving
money. Beginning farming on his own account in 1902, he bought one
hundred and thirty-one and one-half acres of land, three miles south of
Carlisle, and in the fall of that year took possession of it. Here he has
since devoted his energies and time to grain and stock farming, each year
raising from one and one-half to two carloads of hogs, mostly Poland
Chinas, for which he finds a ready market at top prices. In his agricul-
tural labors, Mr. Lisman has been almost invariably fortunate, meeting
witli far more success than discouragement. He possesses recognized
financial ability, and is secretary and treasurer of the Carlisle Coach Horse
Company ; a stockholder in the coach horse "Ozar," which is kept in
Carlisle ; and owns stock in the People's State Bank of Carlisle. Politi-
cally, he is a Republican, and fraternally, he is a member of the Modern
Woodmen of America, Camp No. 3332, and also of the Independent Order
of Odd Fellows.
On November 26, 1902, Mr. Lisman married Mary Evelyn Hoke,
who was born December 24, 1879, a daughter of John A. and Elizabeth
(Brentlinger) Hoke, of whom a brief sketch may be found on another
page of this work. Mr. and Mrs. Lisman have no children. They are
both members of the Methodist Episcopal church at Bethlehem, in Haddon
township. Mrs. Lisman is a member of the Rcbekah Lodge at Carlisle.
I30 HISTORY OF SULLR'AN COUNTY
Michael Unger. — A man of enterprise and ability, Michael Unger
is intimately identified with the agricultural interests of Sullivan county,
his farm being pleasantly located in Haddon township, near Bethlehem. A
son of Michael Unger, Sr., he was born, October 5, 1834, in Canada, not
far from Buffalo, New York. Michael Unger, Sr., a native of Alsace,
France, spent a number of years in Canada, but in 1837 returned with
his family to his native country, and subsequently lived in Alsace until
his death. His wife, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Raches, was
born in France, lived in Canada, and went back to France with her hus-
band, living there a number of years after his death, then returning to
America and spending her last days in Indianapolis, Indiana.
But three years old when he accompanied his parents to France,
Michael Unger was there bred and educated, attending school in France
for fourteen years, being a pupil in both French and German schools,
and being now able to converse fluently in the French, German and Eng-
lish languages, an accomplishment of decided value to a business man.
Returning to America in 185 1, Mr. Unger was for five years employed in
a whalebone factory in New Jersey. The following five years he resided
in Walworth county, Wisconsin, near Racine, and there had his first
experience as an agriculturist. Going then to Topeka, Kansas, he worked
for a year at the stone mason's trade, after which he spent another year
in Walworth county, Wisconsin. Going then to Indianapolis to meet his
mother, who had just returned from France, he was there employed as
a firing engineer in the railroad shops for ten years. Desiring a change
of occupation, Mr. Unger farmed for a year in Knox county, Indiana,
and then worked for another eighteen months in the Indianapolis car
shops. Taking up his residence in Sullivan county in 1878, Mr. Unger
bought his present farm of eighty-two and one-half acres, in Haddon
township, and has since been here industriously and prosperously em-
ployed in agricultural pursuits, his farm lying about four miles south of
Carlisle. He carries on general farming, including both stock and grain
raising, and is meeting with deserved success, his well tilled fields yielding
abundant harvests each year.
On December 17, 1861, Mr. Unger married Carrie Deiss, who was
born, November 12. 1843, i" Germany, a daughter of John Frederick
and Wilhelmina (Heifner) Deiss. Mr. and Mrs. Deiss came to the
United States with their family in 1 85 1, and for a number of years
lived in Ohio, being in Georgetown until 1853, and in Salem from that
time until 1859. Coming then to Indiana, they resided in Noble county,
near Kendallville, for fifteen years, after which they spent a year in
Indianapolis. They then came to Haddon township, where they bought
a farm, on which both spent their remaining years. Eleven children
have been born of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Unger. namely: William,
who died in infancy; Elizabeth, born August I, 1864, married William
Pruesner, of Haddon township, and died November 27, 1904. leaving one
child, Wilhelmina; Minnie, born October 17, 1866, married Rollie Col-
lins, and died November 12, 1900; George Henry, born January 28,
HISTORY OF SULLIVAN COUNTY 131
1869, resides on a farm adjoining his father's; Edgar. l)orn December i,
1871, married Flora Roacli, and Hves in Knox county; Emma, born
January 9, 1875, married, August 23, 1908, Mordecai Cox, a teacher in
Vincennes ; Delia, deceased : Carrie, born July 14, 1878, lives with her
parents; Nellie, deceased; Lillian, born September 7, 1882; and Harry,
who was born October 31, 1886, died in 1891. Politically, Mr. Unger is
identified with the Republican party, and religiously, he and his family
are members of the Methodist Episcopal church of Bethlehem, which is
near their home.
George Henry LInger. — Holding an excellent position among the
practical and thriving agriculturists of Sullivan county is George Henry
Unger, a son of Michael and Caroline (Deiss) Unger, of whom a brief
personal history is given on another page of this volume. Born, January
2, 1869, on a farm lying in the southeast corner of Haddon township,
George H. Unger was about a year old when 'his parents removed to
Indianapolis, where he acquired the rudiments of his education. Return-
ing with the family to this part of Sullivan county in 1878, he here com-
pleted his early education in the district schools, and until attaining his
majority remained with his parents. Going then to Knox county, he
worked by the month for two years, after which he assisted his father on
the home farm for four years. Beginning then his career as an agri-
culturist on his own account, Mr. Unger bought the old Walston farm
of ninety-six acres in Knox county, where he was actively engaged in
his chosen occupation for seven years. Deciding to make a change, he
then sold out, and for a year resided in Indianapolis. Returning to the
scenes of his childhood, he subsequently purchased the George McCor-
mick homestead, which adjoins his father's farm, buying it in March,
1903, and assuming its possession in September of that year. It contains
sixty-six and two-thirds acres, a large part of which is under a high
state of cultivation, and here he is carrying on general farming and stock
raising with most satisfactory results.
On September 10, 1896, Mr. Unger married Cora Keith, who was
born, November 14, 1873, on the south line of Sullivan county, a daugh-
ter of Marion and Elizabeth (Curry) Keith, the father born in Knox
county, and the mother in Dubois county, Indiana, and they died in Sulli-
van county. Mrs. Unger was educated in the Bicknell high school, and
subsequently remained at home until her marriage, receiving from her
mother a good training in the domestic arts. Mr. and Mrs. Unger have
no children of their own, but in 1907 they adopted a daughter, Doris
Unger, who is now four years of age, and is a bright and interesting
child. Both Mr. and Mrs.' Unger are valued members of the Methodist
Episcopal church, of Bethlehem. Mr. Unger is a member of the Modern
Woodmen of America, Camp No. 3332, at Carlisle, Indiana.
132 HISTORY OF SULLIVAN COUNTY
Richard William Hoke. — A worthy representative of the agricul-
turists of Suhivan county, and a respected' and highly esteemed citizen of
Haddon township, is Richard William Hoke, of this brief personal his-
tory, in which are recorded a few of the more important events of his
life. A son of George H. Hoke, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this
work, he was born in Widner township, Knox county, Indiana, April 4,
1862, of pioneer ancestry. His father was three times married. By his
first wife, whose maiden name was Mary H. Pearce, he had three chil-
dren, of whom Richard W., is the only survivor. George H. Hoke mar-
ried, second, Mary Polk, who bore him three children. By his marriage
with his present wife, Alice Scanling, he has one child.
Brought up in Widner township, Richard W. Hoke obtained his
early education in the district schools, and until twenty-six years of age
assisted in the care of the home farm, in the meantime acquiring a prac-
tical knowledge of the science and art of agriculture. Buying then the
old Pearce homestead, on which his grandfather, Richard William Pearce,
settled in the very early part of the past century, while the Indians were
still numerous, and while
"The forests in their grandeur all proud and noble stood,
Ere the woodman's blows rang echoing in the deep and darksome
wood."
Continuing the improvements previously begun, Mr. Hoke has added
greatly to the value of his property, his buildings being now in excellent
repair, and his house occupying a beautiful site on a natural elevation.
As a general farmer, he has met with richly deserved success, both as a
grain raiser and as a stock breeder and feeder, raising each year from
two to four carloads of hogs, an industry which brings him much money,
as do his two. carloads of cattle which he ships each year. Mr. Hoke has
also other interests of value, being a stockholder in the People's State
Bank of Carlisle. He is a stanch supporter of the principles of the
Democratic party, and a member of Carlisle Lodge, No. 3, F. & A. M.
On March 5, 1889, Mr. Hoke married Mary Osborn, who was born
in Widner township, Knox county, Indiana, September 17, 1865, a daugh-
ter of Wines and America (Colton) Osborn. Her father was born in
Greene county, Indiana, December 20, 1839, and her mother was born
November 3, 1842, in Haddon township, Sullivan county. They were
married in 1864, in Haddon township, and after living for a year in Greene
county, settled in Widner township, Knox county, where they resided
until 1900, when they retired from farming, and have since made their
home in Oaktown. Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Osborn,
as follows : Mary, wife of Mr. Hoke ; Emma, deceased ; Anna, wife
of Lee Bond, of Oaktown ; and Theodore W., of Oaktown. Mr. and
Mrs. Hoke have one child, George Osborn Hoke, born June 5, 1897, now
attending school in Carlisle. Religiousl_v, Mrs. Hoke is a faithful member
of the Methodist Episcopal church.
In December, 1906, Mr. Hoke, his wife and little son Osborn made
a pleasure trip to Monterey, Mexico, and spent some two months in the
land of the Montezumas. Mr. Hoke is known amongst the citizens of
HISTORY OF SULLIVAN COUNTY 133
Carlisle as an intre]5i(l Ininter and dead shot, and passionately fond of the
chase. Whilst in the mountain wilds of Mexico, he killed foiuleen deer,
one Alexican tiger, one haviline or wild hog and a mountain wolf and
hundreds of ducks. He had the skins of the animals tanned by a Mex-
ican and they adorn his country residence. He killed the Mexican tiger
with a No. 303 "Savage" rifle, sixty yards distance, whilst the animal was
feeding upon the carcass of a deer which Mr. Hoke had slain. He
expects to again spend some of the hunting seasons in that country. His
father, Ceorge Hoke, and wife also spent a vacation at Monterey and
Tampico, on the Gulf of Mexico. Richard Hoke and his brother Charles,
who is a resident of Montere}-, witnessed four Ijull fights, which is the
national sport in Mexico.
John L. Hinkle. — An industrious and thriving farmer of Had-
don township, John L. Hinkle comes of substantial pioneer stock, and
is an excellent representative of the native-born citizens of this part of
Sullivan county, his birth having occurred, March 23, 1863, on what
was then known as the old Walker farm, near the Knox county line.
James S. Hinkle, father of John L., was born in Kentucky, but when
eight years of age came to Sullivan county with his parents, who entered
government land in Haddon township, and on the farm which they
improved spent the remaining years of their lives. During the days of
his youth and early manhood he assisted his father in the strenuous labor
of reclaiming a farm from the forest. When ready to settle in life he
chose farming as the occupation most congenial to his tastes, and has
always been employed in agricultural pursuits, his home being now one
and one-half miles northeast of Carlisle. Until recently he was an ardent
supporter of the principles of the Republican party, and for four years
rendered excellent service as justice of the peace. He is a man of emi-
nent piety, and a consistent member of the Baptist church, to which his
wife also belonged. He married Eliza Walker, who was born in Haddon
township, on the farm adjoining the one owned by her son John, and
died, in this township, about 1880. She bore her husband six children,
as follows: Elzora Jane, deceased: John L., of this sketch: Carrie I.,
deceased : Cora May, deceased : Hammet D., who was graduated from
the State Normal school, at Terre Haute, and afterwards taught school
for four years in Knox and Sullivan counties, has been practicing law
the past five years in Vincennes : and Charles H., who is married, and
resides with his father.
Brought up on a farm, and receiving a common school education,
John L. Hinkle remained at home until attaining his majority. Following
in the footsteps of his ancestors, he turned his attention to agricultural
pursuits at that time, and for four years farmed for himself in Widner
township. Knox county. The ensuing three years he was similarly
employed in Gill township, after which he spent two more years in Knox
county. Coming then to Haddon township, Sullivan county, Mr. Hinkle
purchased the farm where he now resides, and has since carried on gen-
134 HISTORY OF SULLIVAN COUNTY
eral farming, including grain and stock raising, with signal success,
cultivating, in addition to his own farm, other land. He takes especial
interest in breeding and raising fine horses, and is a stockholder in the
Carlisle Coach Horse Company. In his political affiliations, he is a stanch
Republican.
Mr. Hinkle married, November 12, 1905, Anna Jones, who was born
in Busseron township. Knox county, Indiana, March 28, 1876, a daughter
of Thomas and Nancy Ellen (Ridgeway) Jones. Her parents, natives
of Knox county, are now living, retired from farming pursuits, in Oak-
town. Mr. and Mrs. Hinkle have one child, Elzora Jane. Religiously,
Mr. Hinkle was reared in the Baptist faith, and Mrs. Hinkle is a valued
member of the Church of Christ, of Oaktown, Indiana.
James Kautzman Wilson. — A prominent member of the farming
community of Sullivan county, and a man of sterling integrity and worth,
James K. Wilson, of Haddon township, has been an important factor in
the development of this part of the state, and in the advancement of its
welfare. He is a son of the late John L. Wilson, and grandson of Peter
Wilson, who, with three of his brothers, John, Adam and George, came
to Sullivan county, Indiana, and were among the original settlers of
Haddon township. Mr. Wilson's great-grandfather, John Wilson, was
born, June 16, 1761, in what is now Hardin county, West Virginia, and
as a young man served in the Revolutionary war. He married Susan
A. Kautzman, who was of German descent, and who lived to the age of
ninety-four years, dying July 17, 1857. Great-grandfather Wilson died
in Greene county, Tennessee, April 13, 1809.
Born in Greene county, Tennessee, May 15, 1792, Peter Wilson died,
January 29, 1849, in Haddon township, Sullivan county, Indiana. Inher-
iting the patriotism that inspired his ancestors, he served in the war of
1812. Coming with his family to Haddon township in 1828, he entered
forty acres of land in section 18, having a deed written on sheepskin and
signed by President Andrew Jackson. It is one of the first deeds exe-
cuted in Sullivan county, being dated October 23, 1835. This is a valu-
able souvenir. Being very successful, Peter Wilson from time to time
bought other land, having at his death one hundred and sixty acres. He
married Judith Welty, who was born in Germany and died in Haddon
township, November 15, 1854. They reared but one child, John L.
Wilson.
John L. Wilson was born in Greenville, Greene county, Tennessee,
May 5, 1817. and died, June 17, 1897, in Haddon township, on the farm
now occupied by his son James. Engaged in agricultural pursuits during
his entire life, he was eminently successful, and acquired a good prop-
erty, at one time holding title to three hundred and eighty-nine acres of
valuable land. He was active in local aiifairs, and until Lincoln's time
was identified with the Democratic party. He married Elizabeth Ste-
phens, who was born in Jessamine county, Kentucky, January 12, 1821,
HISTORY OF SULLIVAN COUNTY 135
and died, September 4, 1865, in Haddon to\vnshi|). into tlieir Jiouselioid
ten sons were born, namely: Peter, who died in liolivar, Missouri, in
1888, leaving a widow and two sons, who still reside there; Will-
iam Stephens, of Ripley county, Missouri, and his twin brother, Harvey,
who died at the age of one month and twenty days ; James Kautzman,
of this sketch; John Martin, living in Edgar county, Illinois; Courtney
M., of Seattle, Washington ; Uriah, of Jefferson township ; Jasper,
deceased ; Ashpel P., deceased ; and Morton, deceased. Both parents
were lifelong members of the Presbyterian church.
At the age of nineteen years, James K. Wilson, who had received a
good common school education, enlisted in Company D, Twenty-first
Indiana Volunteer Infantry, in which his brother William served from
July, 1861, until January, 1866. James K. was mustered out of service,
at Indianapolis, in January, 1866, having been doing garrison duty during
the entire period of his enlistment. He was a member of the state militia
also in 1863 and his captain was Samuel McCormick. After returning
home, Mr. Wilson began farming on a piece of land given him by his
father. He afterwards sold that land, and purchased another farm. In
1874, he bought the farm where he now resides, and has since carried
on general farming with great success. He has a good residence and
comfortable farm buiklings, everything about the premises indicating the
care and supervision of an able manager. Mr. Wilson's entire farm is
underlaid with a four to five foot vein of coal, and a gas well is about
one-half mile from his residence.
On April 8, 1869, Mr. Wilson married Laura Jane Johnson, who
was born, November 16, 1845, '" Haddon township, which was likewise
the birthplace of her father, Samuel Johnson, while her mother, whose
maiden name was Amanda Elizabeth Reid, was a native of Jefferson
township. To Mr. and Mrs. Wilson four children have been born,
namely: one who died in infancy; Amanda E., born December 12, 1870,
is the wife of Charles L. Pirtle, of Hamilton township, of whom a brief
sketch may be found in this volume; Jasper Nevil, born July 15, 1873,
married lona Bensinger, and lives in Jefferson township ; and James A.,
born November 4, 1875. James A. served in the Spanish-American war,
being under command of General Lawton in the Philippines. He is now
a member of the Coast Artillery Company, and was stationed at Fort
Miley, at the Golden Gate, and is now at Fortress Monroe, Virginia,
Sixty-fourth Company of United States Coast Artillery. He is unmar-
ried. Mr. and Airs. Wilson have seven grandchildren, six grandsons, and
one granddaughter. They and their children arc members of the Meth-
odist Episcopal church of Bethlehem.
Captain Nevel Blackmer Boone, a veteran of the Civil war and
a large land owner in Sullivan county, Indiana, comes of the Boone stock
of which "Old Daniel Boone, the Hunter of Kentucky," was a member.
Captain Boone, of this narrative, was born in Boone township, Harrison
136 HISTORY OF SULLIVAN COUNTY
county, Indiana, June 12, 1835, a son of Craven Boone, and grandson of
George Boone, who was a cousin of Squire Boone, the latter being a
brother of the old pioneer Daniel Boone, and an early settler in Harrison
county. Captain Boone's mother was Sarah Newman, daughter of Ben-
jamin Newman, a native of Virginia, who moved to Tennessee and from
there to Indiana. The captain is one of a family of eleven children born
to his parents, Craven and Sarah (Newman) Boone. He was reared and
educated in the common schools of Harrison county, Indiana, as well
as the higher schools of Corydon, Indiana. Elected recorder of Harrison
county in 1858, he resigned after three years and organized Company E,
of the Eighty-first Indiana Volunteer Infantry Regiment. He was mus-
tered in August 29, 1862, and served faithfully and well until his dis-
charge in October, 1863. He took active part in the battles of Stone
River and Chickamauga, after which he resigned and returned home.
He was engaged in the dry goods business at Laconia in 1864 and then
moved to New Albany, and from there to several other places, returning
then to Harrison county and locating at Corydon. Here he remained
for a time, then removed to Mauckport, where he sold goods a year and
a half, and purchased a store-boat on which he made two trips — one to
Cottonwood Point, Missouri, and one to Memphis. Captain Boone was
in the mercantile business from 1864 to 1874, since which year he has
been devoting his time to agriculture. He remained on his farm until
May, 1906, when he moved his family to Carlisle, where he has lived
since. He still owns his farm in Harrison county, the same consisting
of two hundred and fifteen acres, and it is now carried on by his son.
Rush H. Boone.
Politically, Captain Boone is a firm believer in the principles of pure
Democracy. He was united in marriage to Anna R. Helms, October 8,
1867. She was born August i, 1846, daughter of Dr. H. N. Helms
by his wife. Mary, the latter being a daughter of Rev. John Davis,
a Methodist preacher, and a sister of Hon. John W. Davis, of Sullivan
county, who was a member of Congress. Captain and Mrs. Boone have
had nine children, as follows : Rush H., residing in Harrison county,
where he is engaged in farming on the father's place ; Mary M. ; Ida,
wife of Theodore Elbert, residing in Louisville, Kentucky; Lola V., wife
of Oliver Neely, of Anderson, Indiana, a retired merchant ; Fay N., now
attending the state normal, at Terre Haute, and will graduate with the
class of 1909; Bonnie, unmarried and at home; Hamet N. and Anna C,
twins, died in infancy ; Daniel E., deceased. Mrs. Boone and the family
are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
It should be subjoined, in this connection, that Mrs. Boone is the
daughter of Dr. Helms, one of the oldest and most prominent citizens of
Carlisle, who died at his home, September 16, 1902. He was born near
Geneva, New York, October 3. 1814, and came with his father to Car-
lisle, Indiana, in 1817. His education was begun in the old log school
house, and he studied medicine with Dr. John W. Davis, afterward study-
ing at Lexington, Kentucky. Dr. Helms commenced medical practice at
Edwardsport, where he remained one year. He also practiced at Carlisle
HISTORY OF SULLIX'AX COUNTY 137
with Dr. Dax'is and Dr. Alurpliy, and later with Dr. John Al. llinkle
and Dr. W. R. Miller. About 1873, he abandoned the practice of medi-
cine and turned his attention to farminsj. Politically, he was a stanch
defender of Democratic principles, and in church connection was of the
Methodist denomination. He was twice married, first to Mary Ann
Davis, by whom three children were born : Dr. Rush Helms, who died in
1887 ; Margaret, of Haddon township ; and Anna R., wife of Mr. Boone,
of this biography. For his second wife, Dr. Helms married Amanda
Sallee, who survived the doctor, dying in 1905. Three sons were the
issue by this union : Samuel Dixon, deceased ; Albert Gray, also deceased ;
Daniel \'., who resides on a farm in Haddon township.
John Uni;ek, who is known as one of the heavy farmers of Sullivan
county, carrying on as he does both grain and stock farming in an upto-
date manner, as well as being an extensive grower of watermelons, natu-
rally finds a place in the family history of the representative men of
Sullivan county. Mr. Unger comes from a family well and favorably
known in the south of Europe. He was born, October 6, 1843, in France,
a son of Michael and Malissa (Gregor) Unger. (For a sketch of Michael
Unger, the reader is referred to his personal sketch in this work. ) In
1875, John Unger came to America and located in Ohi(5, within Ashland
county, where he worked on a farm by the month. In 1876. he went
to Haddon township. Sullivan county, Indiana, where he rented a farm
to the south of Bethlehem church, where his brother Michael now lives.
After a two-year stay there he moved up to within about one mile of
Carlisle, where he also remained two years. Thinking to better his con-
dition, he removed to a place east of Bethlehem church, remaining one
year, and then located in Widner township, Knox county, where he lived
two years, going back then to Haddon township, near Ermin Station.
Upon leaving that farm, Mr. Unger went to the John A. Hoke place
and continued there five years, purchasing then the one hundred and two
acres of land upon which he now resides, the same being situated four
miles west of Carlisle, bordering on the Gill and Haddon township lines.
Here, in addition to his general grain and stock farming operations, he
raises about thirty-five acres of watermelons annually of late vears. His
present farm consists of about three hundred acres. He moved to this
place in March 1889.
Mr. Unger was united in marriage, January 20, 1876, to Catherine
Lake, born in Jefferson township, Sullivan county, April 5, 1844, a daugh-
ter of Abraham and Ursula (Roberts) Lake. The father was born Sep-
tember 3, 1802, in Tennessee, and the mother in old Virginia. This
worthy couple were married in Sullivan county, Indiana, in 1830. Abra-
ham Lake came to Indiana Ijefore it had been admitted into the union.
He came along with the Minichs and followed farming and stock raising.
His children were as follows: Elizabeth, Morris, Mary Ann, John,
Martha, Jane, Thomas, Catherine, Eliza, all of whom are now dead,
excepting Mrs. Unger. She was educated in Jefferson township.
138 HISTORY OF SULLR'AX- COL'XTY
Mr. and Mrs. Unger are the parents of the following children :
George W., born November 23, 1876; Morris, born July 31, 1878, edu-
cated in the district schools and a civil engineering school, and is now a
car framer at the American Car Shops, Terre Haute ; Thomas, born
March 8, 1880, died in 1893 : William, born August 16, 1882, educated
in the district schools, is unmarried and on the farm with his father ;
Frank, born December 6, 1884, also educated in the district schools,
unmarried, and assists on the home farm; Charles, born December 16,
1887, educated in the common schools, being graduated from the Carlisle
high school with the class of 1906, and now attending lavi^ college at Ann
Arbor, Michigan, and will graduate with the class of 1909. Politically,
John Unger believes in the general principles laid down by the Republican
party. Both he and his wife are exemplary members of the ^lethodist
Episcopal church.
James William Adams, one of the thoroughgoing agriculturists of
Haddon township, Sullivan county, Indiana, is a native of the township
in which he now resides, and was born November 17, 1864, a son of Isaac
and Barbara (Summers) Adams. The father was born in Virginia and
the mother in Haddon township. Grandfather Adams and family were
among the early settlers. Isaac Adams was one of five children, as fol-
lows : Mary, deceased ; Benjamin, deceased : James, deceased ; Isaac ;
and one who died in infancy. Isaac was always a farmer and stock raiser.
Politicallv, he was a Democrat. He and his wife were faithful members
of the Christian church. The mother died in 1876, aged forty-three
years, and the father in the spring of 1898, aged seventy-two years. The
children of Isaac Adams and wife were: Thomas, deceased; the next
two both died in infancy: Hannah, wife of Richard Hackett, residing
in Haddon township : Rebecca, wife of William Clark, also residing in
Haddon township ; Belle, deceased ; James W., of this notice ; Jesse, a
resident of Knox county, Indiana : Stonewall Jackson, residing in Oak-
town, Indiana ; Isaac, residing on the Adams homestead, on Shaker
Prairie.
James William Adams remained at home on the father's farm until
about fifteen years of age, when he began working by the month for
various farmers until he was twenty-two years of age, commencing then
to farm on his own account, on a farm which he purchased and where
he lived one year. He then lived on and farmed the Samuel A. White
farm for eight years, after which he bought the fifty-seven acres where
he now resides, in the spring of 1898. Besides cultivating his own land
he rents a large acreage from other farmers. He carries on general
grain and stock farming, besides being an extensive grower of water-
melons, planting out from thirty to forty acres annually. In his political
choice, he is a stanch Democrat. Believing in the theory that every man
should make some provision in the way of life insurance for the benefit
of his family, he carries a membership policy in the Modern W^oodmen of
America, belonging to Camp No. 3332, at Carlisle.
HISTORY OF SULLI\-AX COUNTY 139
Air. Adams was married, September 27, 1891, to Isabelle Wolfe,
born November 4, 1870, on the old Wolfe homestead on Shaker Prairie,
in Haddon township, Sullivan county, Indiana. She was educated in the
district schools. Her parents were William B. and Flora (Fry) Wolfe.
Mr. and Mrs. Adams are members of the Christian church. Eight chil-
dren have been born of this union: Orville E., born July 8, 1892, died
November 28, 1897; Flora B., ]\lay 3. 1894, died August 14, 1906; Roy
J., November 22, 1895; Mervin W., May 8, i8y8: Joseph C, April 6,
1900; Edith C, May 23, 1903; Gracie G., born March 11, 1905; William
B., born January 16, 1907.
WiLLiAiu E. Tucker, who owned one of the ]iroductive farms sit-
uated within Haddon township, Sullivan county, Indiana, was a native of
Franklin county. North Carolina, born April 26, 1838, son of James
Madison and Betsey Ann (Stone) Tucker. The father was born in Nash
county and the mother in Franklin county. North Carolina, where they
were united in marriage, and both died in that county. The son William
E., was reared on a farm and had the advantages of a common school
education. When the Civil war broke out and in 1862, when it was
known that a fierce conflict was to be waged between the North and
South, he enlisted in Company B, Forty-seventh Regiment of North
Carolina, as a private soldier, and served until 1866. He took part in the
engagements at Second Bull Run, Cold Harbor, the Wilderness, being
captured at the last named place. He also fought at the battle of Gettys-
burg. He was made a prisoner of war at Petersburg, Virginia, in April,
1866, and Released a few days later in April.
In the same month he located in Haddon township, Sullivan county,
where he attended the public schools and later the Ascension Seminary,
at Farmersburg, Indiana, where he also worked for Capt. William T.
Crawford, who founded the school last mentioned and was a professor
in the same. After attending this most excellent educational institution
for twelve months, Mr. Tucker began teaching in Haddon township, and
taught twelve consecutive winters, while he farmed during the summer
months. He taught three terms in Knox county and one in Greene
countv, but the balance of his teaching was all in Haddon township.
After he quit teaching, he followed farming ]iursuits exclusively. Some-
time during the eighties he purchased one hundred and six acres of land,
to which he added at a later date twenty more. This place is situated
four miles west of Carlisle, and borders on the Gill and Haddon township
lines. Here he carried on a general farming and stock business and also
raised several acres of watermelons each season. The peach orchard
contains seven acres, while the apple orchard has the same acreage.
Politicallv, Mr. Tucker was a Democrat, formerly, but of late leaned
strongly towards the Socialist party. He died October 25, 1908, and was
interred in Shaker Prairie Cemeter)-.
He was united in marriage, in 1872, to Mary Jane McKinley, who
I40 HISTORY OF SULLIVAN COUNTY
was born in Knox county, a daughter of Steward and ]\Iary (Wolfe)
McKinley. Mary Wolfe was the sister of Thomas J. Wolfe, so well
known in Sullivan county. Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs.
Tucker: Aquilla P., born in 1873, residing at Carlisle, a mail carrier;
Ira P., residing on his father's farm; Mary J. and Nancy J. (twins);
the latter died in infancy and Mary Jane married John Hallett and resides
in Gill township ; Leacie E. is the wife of Isaac Cox, and they reside on
the farm with the parents. Aquilla P. has four children : Gilbert, Ber-
nice, Bertha and Phena. Ira P. has two children : Orvil and Opal.
Mary Jane has one daughter — Geneva. Leacie E. has two children : Dora
Marie and Gladys May.
Charles E. Knotts, perhaps one of the most extensive, as well as
successful, melon raisers wathin the limits of Sullivan county, Indiana,
whose farm is situated in Haddon township, is a native of the township
in which he now resides, born May 10, 1868, a son of George and Sarah
J. (Parrette) Knotts. The father was born in Pennsylvania, December
25, 1816, and died December 12, 1898, in Haddon township. The mother
was born in Fayette county, Ohio, November 13, 1830, and died February
3, 1898. This worthy couple were united in marriage in Fayette county,
Ohio, and came to Haddon township. Sullivan county, in the latter part
of the sixties, locating a half mile west of Carlisle, on a farm containing
two hundred and ten acres which they bought of William Akin. George
and Sarah Knotts remained in Haddon township until their death. The
father was a firm defender of Democratic party principles and in his
fraternal affiliations was a Mason. His wife was a member of the Chris-
tian church. Their children were : George C, died December 30, 1893,
aged thirty-one years; Lucy B., born March 25, 1864, died April 22,
1888: Charles E., of this notice.
Charles E. Knotts was reared on a farm and educated in the public
schools, remaining at home until he reached his majority, when he began
farming for himself in Haddon township. In 189 1 he moved onto the
farm he now occupies and owais. inheriting a part and purchasing the
interests of the remaining heirs, thus making his present farm one hun-
dred and twelve acres, all within Haddon township. Here he carries
on an exclusive melon culture farm. For seven years he produced water-
melons alone, but for the last seven years has grown muskmelons. which
product finds ready sale within the state, including the large cities and
smaller towns, within shipping distance. In his political views Mr.
Knotts is in perfect accord with the Democratic party, but prefers that
others hold the local offices, while he attends strictly to his own business,
trusting in his fellow citizens to administer the laws w'ithin his county
and state.
He was married March 25, 1887, to Rachel T. Carmichael, born
in Greene county, Indiana, April 26, 1869, and she received a good
education within the county of her birth. Her parents were George W.
and Nancv Carmichael. Her father was born in Greene countv. Indiana,
HISTORY OF SULLIVAN COUNTY 141
and is now residing in Terre Haute. Tiic motlicr was born in Ohio
and died when Mrs. Knotts was but eleven years of age. Mr. and
Mrs. Knotts are the parents of seven children, as follows: Bessie M.,
born November 15, 1888, unmarried, a graduate from Brown's Business
College at Terre Haute; Jesse M., born March 14, 1890; Carl R., born
January 9, 1892; George R., born March 13, 1894; Charles \'., born
February 26, 1896; John A., born April 22. 1898; Henry Herbert, born
March 24, 1900.
James H. Wilson, one of the enterprising agriculturists whose
attractive farm home is situated within the bounds of Haddon town-
ship, Sullivan county, Indiana, was born November 28, 1851, in Han-
cock county, Indiana, on his father's farm. He is the son of Jacob and
Hannah (Emmons) Wilson. The father was a native of Kentucky and
the mother of Pennsylvania. They came to Indiana with their respective
parents and located in Hancock county. In that county the parents of
James H. were united in marriage and there the father followed farming
until 1863, when the family went to Knox county, locating in Widner
township, where he bought eighty acres of land, upon which he and
his wife lived the balance of their lives. He died in November, 1880,
and the mother in January, 1875. Eight children blessed their marriage
union: Samuel, deceased: Robert, residing in Carlisle: Lewis, also of
Carlisle; James H., of this biographical narrative: Silas, of Pleasantville,
Indiana ; William, of Los Angeles, California ; Paul, a twin to Silas,
died at the age of eight years ; and one who died in infancy.
James H. Wilson, of this sketch, was reared on a farm and early
taught the need of frugality and industry. He obtained his education
after moving to Knox county. When he was but fifteen years of age
he commenced to farm for others by the month, continuing until about
twentv-three years of age and then began farming for himself. He
continued to till the soil of Knox county for three seasons, coming
then to Haddon township, in which sub-division of Sullivan county he
has farmed ever since. He now owns a seventy-seven acre farm, which
is in two tracts. He lives, however, on leased lands and farms about
three hundred acres, including his own place and the rented grounds.
Politically, he is a supporter of the Democratic party and is a firm
believer in the principles of pure Jacksonian Democracy. In his fraternal
connections he is a member of the Ben Hur lodge at Carlisle.
He was married September 28, 1873, to Alice Phillippe, born in
Knox county, near Bruceville, Indiana, June 4, 1855, a daughter of
William Johnson and Sarah (Minich) Phillip]3c. Her father was born
in Virginia, and her mother in Haddon township, Sullivan county. She
is a sister of Pleasant A. Minich, whose family history will be found
in the sketch of W. F. jMinich, within this work. William Johnson
Phillippe came Vi'ith his parents when a small boy to Knox county and
the family located north of \'incennes. William Johnson Phillippe and
wife moved to Haddon township when Mrs. Wilson was a small girl
142 HISTORY OF SULLIVAN COUNTY
and here they resided until their death. They had a famil)' of six
children, as follows : Alice, Mrs. Wilson ; Flora, widow of James M.
Harber, residing in Knox county ; William A., of Haddon township ;
Franklin M., of Bruceville, Knox county; Martin J., of Oklahoma, now
the editor of the Register, a local paper of Oklahoma ; John M., of Los
Angeles. California.
To Mr. and Mrs. Wilson were born the following children : Elvin,
born August 12, 1875, married Eva McClure, and they reside in Haddon
township and are the parents of four children ; Denver, born December
28, 1876, married Lydia Kennedy, and they reside in Haddon township,
and have one daughter; Earle, born January 19, 1879, is unmarried and
at home; Vernie, born April 29, 1881, wife of John D. Prose, residing
in Carlisle, and they are the parents of two children ; Flora, born May
28, 1884, married Miles Curry, residing in Terre Haute, and they have
one son. Mr. Wilson's children were all educated at Carlisle. Elvin
graduated from the high school and the Vincennes College, after which
he returned to the farm, which has been his vocation ever since. James
H. Wilson is quite an extensive hog raiser, and markets about one carload
annually. The family attend the Methodist Episcopal church, of which
the parents are exemplary members.
David E. Everhart.- — Prominent among the most prosperous,
energetic and sagacious agriculturists of Sullivan county is David E.
Everhart, who owns and occupies a large and well improved farm in
Cass township. He ranks high among the progressive farmers and sub-
stantial business men of his community, and is everywhere respected
as a man of honor and worth. A son of John Everhart, he was born
March 5, 1855, in Lancaster, Owen county, Indiana, coming from Ger-
man ancestry, his great-grandfather on the paternal side having emi-
grated from Germany to Pennsylvania when young, and there married a
Scotch-Irish lassie. (The original spelling of the name was Eberhardt. )
David Everhart, grandfather of David E., was born and bred in Penn-
sylvania. Emigrating to Ohio in early manhood, he became a pioneer
settler of Tuscarawas county. Purchasing a tract of wild land, he began
its improvement, and was there employed in tilling the soil until his
death, when but thirty-five years of age. He married a Miss Hicks, who
survived him many years.
A native of Ohio, John Everhart was born in Tuscarawas county
in 1820. Learning the carpenter's trade when young, he followed it as
a journeyman for a few years. In 1850, in company with a few neigh-
boring families, he came across the country with teams to Indiana, and
for a year lived in Wabash county. Returning then to Tuscarawas
county, he located with his family on land given them by his father and
was there a tiller of the soil for three years. Selling out in 1854, he
again came with his family to Indiana, settling in Owen county. He
purchased a tract of timber land, and in the log cabin which then stood
THE NEW YORK
PUBLIC LIBRARY
A8T0R, LENOX AND
TILDEN FOUNDATION*.
HISTORY OF SULLIVAN COUNTY 143
upon the place, his son David E. was born. This section of Indiana
was then ahnost a wilderness. Settlers were few and far between, and
the forests were filled with an abundance of game of all kinds. He began
the improvement of a homestead, clearing a large tract of the land, and
erected a frame house and a double log stable. In 1867 he sold that
property, came to Sullivan county, purchased a quarter of a section of
land in Jackson township, and was there successfully employed in farm-
ing and stockraising until his death, in 1885. He married Martha Hoffer,
who was born in Canton Berne, Switzerland, in 1825, and died in Jackson
township in 1887. Her father, Alexander Hoffer, emigrated from Switz-
erland to America in 1835, being accompanied by his wife and their two
daughters. Locating in Coshocton county, Ohio, he bought forty acres
of land, and there carried on general farming the remainder of his life.
Eleven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. John Everhart, namely:
Lavina. Adaline, Louisa. Sarah, Alexander, David E., Lucy A., Dan,
John ^^^, Ella and Ezra A.
Trudging three long, weary miles over the hills, David E. Everhart
obtained his rudimentary knowledge in the district schools of Owen
countv. He subsequently attended the rural schools of Jackson town-
ship, afterwards completing his early studies in the graded schools of
Sullivan. Beginning then a professional career, Mr. Everhart taught
school for twenty-six years, all but three years of the time being so
located that he was enabled to board at home. As a teacher he was
successful and popular, gaining an excellent reputation as an educator
and as a disciplinarian. Always interested in agriculture, he has of late
years turned his attention almost entirely' to agricultural pursuits. Resid-
ing in Cass township, he has in h'is..hame.farm five hundred and thirty-
five acres of rich and fertile land, the greater part of which is under
fine cultivation, and is well equipped with substantial buildings, and all
of the appliances for doing the; nep.essary' farm labor after the most
approved modern methods.
On June 7, 1883, Mr. Everhart married Laura E. Patton, who was
born in Jackson township April 16, i860, a daughter of William Nelson
Patton, Esq. Mr. Patton was born in Carlisle, Sullivan county, Indiana,
but was reared in Jackson township. As a young man he was extensively
engaged in farming, owning upwards of five hundred acres of land.
Subsequently removing to Sullivan he, in company with his son, embarked
in mercantile pursuits, and is now one of the leading merchants of that
place. Mr. Patton married Harriet Rebecca Magill, who was born in
Cass township. Sullivan county, in 1837, a daughter of Thomas and
Mary (Hall) Magill, and they reared five children, namely: Laura E.,
wife of Mr. Everliart : Clara, Cora E., Oscar M., in business with his
father, and Bertha L. Mr. Patton is quite active in public affairs, and
for twelve years served as justice of the peace. A history of the Magill
family, to which Mrs. Everhart belongs, has been written by Robert
Magill, of Maryville, Tennessee. Religiously Mr. and Mrs. Everhart are
members of the Presbyterian church. The pretty country seat of Mr.
and Mrs. David Everhart in Cass township is known as "Eorest Home."
Vol. n— 10
144 HISTORY OF SULLIVAN COUNTY
Moses H. Gregg, well known in farming circles of Haddon town-
ship, Sullivan county, is a native of^ this township, where he was bom
September 20, 1839, three miles south of Carlisle, Indiana, a son of
Elijah and Nancy (Pell) Gregg. The father was born in North Carolina
in 1800, and died in 1876. The mother was born in Virginia and
married in that state. They drove overland to Wayne county, Indiana,
where they located for a while, but later removed to Sullivan county,
locating south of Carlisle, where they remained until their death. Elijah
Gregg was a Republican and a public-spirited citizen, who always tilled
the soil for his livelihood. He owned one hundred and eight acres at
the time of his death. The children born to him were as follows :
Eveline, deceased; William, residing in jVIontana; Henry, of Haddon
township; Lott B., deceased; Galvin, of Montana; Oliver P., of Mon-
tana; Moses H., of this notice; Elijah, of Montana; Milton, residing
in the west.
Moses H., the seventh child in the family of Elijah and Nancy
(Pell) Gregg, farmed with his father until thirty-five years of age, and
then began to farm independently, continuing until the present time.
He has chosen to live the life of a bachelor and farms his forty-acre
farm. Politically, he is a believer in the principles of the Republican
party. He is thoroughgoing and methodical in all he undertakes, as
can be observed by an inspection of his well cultivated fields.
Frank B. Ridgway. farmer and stock raiser, whose excellent farm
property is situated in Haddon township, Sullivan county, is a native
of Widner, township, Knox county, Indiana, where he was born Feb-
ruary 12, 1862. He is the son of John H. and Rachel (Watson) Ridg-
wav. The father was born in Kentucky and the mother in Sullivan
county, Indiana, where they were united in marriage. They resided in
Knox for a long term of years, then removed to a section south of
Carlisle, where they spent the remainder of their lives. The father
was a successful farmer. Politically, he favored the Democratic party,
and he held the office of county assessor for one year. The children
born to John H. Ridgway and wife were as follows : Frank B., Hester,
Benjamin (deceased), William and Minnie (twins) ; William is deceased
and Minnie is the wife of Harry Shaver, of Kansas, Illinois ; Bert
(deceased), and two who died in infancy.
Frank B. Ridgway was reared on his father's farm and began
working for himself at the age of twenty-one years at farm labor and
has been engaged in such work ever since. His farming operations
have always been carried on within Haddon township, where he now
owns a well improved farm of one hundred and twenty acres, upon
which he lives. This place is situated four miles to the south of Carlisle.
Both grain and stock raising are methodically carried on here by Mr.
Ridgway, and he raises and feeds from four to six carloads of stock
per annum. His farm gives evidence in every part of being one con-
HISTORY OF SfLLlXAX COUNTY 145
ducted by a man who thoroughly understands his I)usiness. PoHtically
he atifihates with the Democratic party.
February 22, 1883, Mr. Ridgway was luarried to Anna (W'ortman)
Pearce, who was born in Haddon township, a daughter of Philip G.
Wortman, a farmer of this section. Mrs. Ridgway 's father was born
in Wayne county, Indiana, and his wife, Nancy Gregg, was born in
Patrick county, Virginia, September 16, 1822. She came with her
parents to Hendricks county, Indiana, when young. Philip Wortman
came to Haddon township with his mother, his father being dead at
that time. Philip always followed farming pursuits, in which he was
very successful. He served as a private soldier at the time of the Civil
war, in Company D, Twenty-first Indiana Regiment.
Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Frank B. Ridgway,
as follows: Mabel, born December, 1883, wife of Henry Hale, of
Haddon township ; Rush W., unmarried and at home ; one who died
in infancy; Rachel, deceased; and Ivin. Rush was graduated from
Carlisle high .school with the class of 1906, after which he returned to
the farm, being thoroughly equipped for a better understanding of
agriculture or any other vocation he may later select.
D.wiD C. WoRTM.\N, one of Haddon township's worthy and enter-
prising citizens, follows farming, and is also connected with the saw-
milling business, as well as threshing. He was born February 20, 1845,
in Gill township, Sullivan county, Indiana, a son of John C. and Alvira
(Gregg) Wortman. The father was a native of Ohio, born July i,
1813, and died January 16, 1899, in Haddon township. The mother
was a native of \'irginia. This worthy couple were numbered among
the pioneers of Sullivan county. Their children were as follows : John
P., deceased ; Mary C, deceased ; Nancy, wife of James O'Haver, resid-
ing in Haddon township ; David C. of this sketch ; Julia A., wife of
Alonzo Colton, of Haddon township ; William C, deceased ; James Mar-
tin, residing with his brother, David C. ; Emeline, deceased ; Elizabeth,
of Oaktown, Knox county, Indiana.
Reared on the farm and receiving his primarv education at the
district schools, David C. Wortman continued to reside at home until
he reached manhood. He then started out in life for himself as a
farm hand, which occupation he pursued until 1881, when he saw a
more independent way of gaining his livelihood, by tilling the soil on
his own account. He purchased forty acres of land, in 1876, where
his farm buildings now stand, but did not remove to the place until 1881.
He now owns a splendid farm, consisting of an even one hundred acres
of choice land. Late in the nineties he retired from the activities of his
farm life, but still resides there. In 1888 Mr. Wortman was engaged
in the livery business at Oaktown, but at the same time he conducted
his farm. In 1892 lie engaged in the saw-mill an<l grain-threshing
146 HISTORY OF SULLIVAN COUNTY
business, he superintending the operation of this combined business.
The saw-mill was sold in 1905, at the same time that his threshing
machine was sold. Mr. Wortman has always led the life of a bachelor,
his brother James and family having lived with him for the last twenty-
seven years. Politically he affiliates with the Republican party.
John A. Lisman, who is well known as the farmer of Haddon
township who pa3's especial attention to raising horses, is a native of
Scottsville, Haddon township, Sullivan county, Indiana. He was born
January 28, 1864, a son of John Wesley and Margaret (Lovelace)
Lisman. The mother was a native of Kentucky and came to Sullivan
county when young. The father was born near Carlisle, Indiana, in
September, 1814, and died in 1871, in Scottsville, near Carlisle. The
grandfather, Andrew Lisman, was born in Germany and came to this
country when but a child. He Jocated near Carlisle and was a well-to-do
farmer and reared a large family. John Wesley Lisman, the father
of John A., of this notice, was a carpenter, but worked at farming in
his later years. He performed much work at his trade in New Orleans
and Natchez and other southern cities. He was noted for his integrity
and strict honesty of purpose. Politically he affiliated with the Repub-
lican party and had the honor of voting for Abraham Lincoln in his
first presidential campaign, in i860. John W. Lisman's father and
three of his brothers, were at the battle of Tippecanoe. The children
of John Wesley and Margaret (Lovelace) Lisman were eight in num-
ber. The mother was of the Campbellite religious faith.
John A. Lisman was born and reared on a farm and had the advan-
tages of a common school education. His parents died when he was
quite young, and he was reared by Simeon Yocum, near Carlisle, with
whom he remained from the time he was ten years of age until he was
thirty-one. After reaching his majority Mr. Lisman farmed for Mr.
Yocum and subsequently farmed on his brother's place — Dr. Lisman's.
He engaged in the horse business, and was the owner of "Old Frank,"
'"Hambletonian," which valuable animal died. He now owns "George,"
a grandson of "Sun Rise Prince."
Mr. Lisman's sister, Maggie, kept house for him on his brother's
farm for about five years, after which he returned to the old Lisman
homestead, where he has since lived. In 1905 he replaced the old house
with a new and more comfortable cottage and he now owns seventy-
seven acres and makes a specialty of raising horses. Politically Mr.
Lisman afiiliates with the Republican party. He was united in marriage
November 6, 1899, to Lillie E. Edwards, born in Illinois, and reared in
Lawrence county, Indiana. The date of her birth was March 13, 1875,
and her parents were William H. and Rachel (Johnson) Edwards, both
of whom are now deceased, dying when she was a small girl. Mrs.
Lisman is a member of the Christian church in Georgetown, Indiana.
HISTORY OF SULLIVAN COUNTY 147
TiLMAN B. Wolfe, of Haddoii township, who was born and reared
to agricultural pursuits, is a native of this township, born February 10,
1881, a son of George F. and Margaret (Pifer) Wolfe. Both of Mr.
Wolfe's parents were natives of the same township in which the son
was born. The father was born May 17, 1856, and is engaged in the
hardware business at Oaktown, Knox county, Indiana, and the mother
was born in 1859, in the same township as her husband. The grand-
father, Uriah Wolfe, was among the early pioneer band who first
effected a settlement in Sullivan county. George F., the father, always
followed farming for a living, until February, 1899, when he engaged
in the hardware trade at Oaktown, the firm being known as Snapp,
Latshaw & Co. In his political views Mr. Wolfe is a Democrat. He
is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America and Maccabees order.
Both he and his wife are consistent members of the Christian church.
The three children born to diem are: Charles M., residing in Haddon
township; Tilman B., of this biographical review; Delia B., wife of
Melvin Sproatt, residing in Knox county, Indiana. George F. Wolfe
was married a second time to OUie Heddon, a native of Illinois, who
died a few years after their marriage. Four children were born of this
union, and all are deceased except Paul, who is now with his father at
Oaktown. For his third wife Mr. Wolfe married Amanda Owens, a
native of Turman township, Sullivan county, who is now his companion
at Oaktown.
Tilman B. Wolfe, son of George F. Wolfe by his first marriage,
was reared on his father's farm and attended the district schools of
Haddon township. He continued to reside at home until about twenty-
one years of age, when he began farming for himself and has continued
to the present time. He inherited one hundred acres of land where
he lives now, about five years ago, in 1903. Here he carries on an
extensive farm and stockraising business. Like every true American,
Mr. Wolfe has his decided opinions concerning political parties and
their platforms. He supports the Democratic party.
He was married February 17, igoi, to Maude Kite, born in Honey
Creek township, Vigo county, Indiana, August 27, 1880, a daughter
of Edwin and Rettie (Pickens) Kite; the latter is deceased. They moved
to Sullivan county about 1895, locating in Haddon township. The chil-
dren born to Mr. and Mrs. Wolfe are : Hershel, Robertine and Russell.
George Washington Hale. — One of the industrious agriculturists
of Fladdon township, Sullivan county, Indiana, is George W. Hale, who
was born Julv 29. 1843, in Jefferson township, a son of Stephen C. and
Ann (Howard) Hale. The father w^as born in Virginia in 1810, dying
in Teff'erson township, this county, in 1885, and the mother was iDorn
in Kentucky and died in Jeft'erson township May 2, 1862. Both paternal
and maternal grandparents were numbered among the first settlers of
lefferson township. The father and mother of George W. were united
"in marriage in Jefferson township. The father always followed farm
148 HISTORY OF SULLIVAN COUNTY
pursuits and owned one hundred and ninety acres of land at the time
of his death. He was pohtically a Democrat. Both he and his good
wife were members of the Metliodist Episcopal church. Fourteen chil-
dren were born of this union, nine of whom are still living, as follows :
Mary Ann, widow of Robert Crawford, a resident of Sullivan ; George
W., of this biography; Rebecca, widow of Michael Goodwin, of Greene
county ; Martin, of Pleasantville, a merchant ; William, residing in
Nebraska; Mildred, widow of Simeon Yocum, residing in Carlisle;
Amanda, wife of Louis Wilson, of Carlisle ; Eliza, wife of Frank Wells,
of Jefferson township ; S. M., of the same township.
George W. Hale, of this notice, was reared to farm labor and
attended the district schools in common with other boys of his day. At
the age of nineteen years, in the month of August, 1862, he enlisted in
Company I, of the Ninety-seventh Indiana Infantry, as a private soldier,
serving until June, 1865, when he was honorably discharged at Indianap-
olis. He was engaged at the retaking of Jackson, Mississippi, and other,
battles in the never-to-be-forgotten Civil war. He was in General Sher-
man's command and followed him through the Georgia campaign, and
back to Washington, District of Columbia, thence home. Mr. Hale saw
much hardship and exposure, but was fortunate in never receiving a
wound. For his term in the Union army, in common with his com-
rades-at-arnis, he is receiving a small pension from the government.
He is honored with a membership in the Grand Army of the Republic.
After the war had ended he returned to pursue the peaceful vocation
of a farmer in Jefferson township, where he continued one year, remov-
ing then to Cass township, Sullivan county, where he remained until
1890, at which time he sold his farm, consisting of one hundred and
ninety-six acres, and purchased a quarter section of land, upon which
he now resides, in Haddon township. Here he carries on farming and
stockraising. In his political views Mr. Hale is a supporter of the prin-
ciples of the Democratic party.
He has been married three times, first on March 2"], 1867, to Jane
Parks, born in Cass township, Sullivan county, in 1846, and died in
1869. One daughter was born of this union. Flora, now the wife of
W. W. Young, residing in Michigan. For his second marriage, he chose,
about 1870, Sarah Clayton, born in Cass township, Sullivan county, who
also died there. Four children were born of this union ; John T., of
Gill township ; Charles, of Haddon township ; Anna, wife of Frank Shep-
herd, residing in Jefterspn township ; Hattie, wife of George Unger.
After the death of his second wife Mr. Hale married, in February, 1883,
Cassie Ann (Evans) Parks, who was born in Grant countv, Indiana.
One son is the issue by the last union, Henry, born March 6, 1886,
married Mabel Ridgway, and lives with his parents. He was educated
at the district schools, after which he was a fireman one year on the
Vandalia Railroad and then went to California for a six months' stay.
He and his father operate the home place together. Henry Hale is a
member of the Masonic Lodge, No. 3, which is the third oldest IMasonic
lodge in Indiana.
HISTORY t)F SULLINAX COUNTY 149
( )\VEN Jackson Ridgway, whose fine farm liome is situated near
the thriving town of Carhsle, in Sullivan county, Indiana, was born
Februarv 20, 1868. in Haddon township, on Shaker I'rairie, a son of
Benjamin Wiginton and Mar_v H. (Hoghland) Ridgwa\-. The father
was born in Kentucky and the mother in the vicinity of Indianapolis.
The grandfather, Jacob Hoghland, and wife, were both born in Ohio.
The grandfather of Mr. Ridgway, Wiginton Ridgway, was born in Ken-
tucky, and became one of the early settlers of Shaker Prairie. Benja-
min Wiginton, the father, was always a farmer. In politics he voted
the Democratic ticket. Both he and his wife were members of the
Christian church. Their two children were: Owen Jackson, of this
notice, and James T., residing in Haddon township, on Shaker Prairie.
Mr. Ridgway's mother married twice, her second husband being Samuel
Lillic, a native of Gill township, and they are both now deceased. To
this union three children were born : John W., living in Te.xas, where
he is engaged in farming, and is b\- trade a blacksmith; Charles, residing
in Gill township ; Jacob W., now attending college at Purdue.
His father dying when he was but four years of age, Owen J. Ridg-
wa^• lived with his mother and stepfather until about twenty years old,
when he began farming in Haddon township. He rotated back and
forth between Gill and Haddon townships until September, 1891, when
he moved onto the place he now occupies, a mile and a quarter north
of Carlisle. Here he carries on general farming and stockraising. Mr.
Ridgway is the owner of "Duke of Scotland, No. 1140," a registered
Clydesdale stallion, and a fine Spanish jack, called "Teddy." He feeds
from one to two carloads of hogs annually, mostly of the Poland China
breed, and also owns some Black Poll-Angus cattle. In his political
afiiliations he votes with the Democratic party. He carries a member-
ship in the Modern Woodmen of America, belonging to the Carlisle
Camp, No. 3332, of this order.
Mr. Ridgway was married September 4, 1887, to Alfretta King, born
in Illinois, and reared in Haddon township. She is a member of the
Christian church and an exemplary Christian. Six children have come
to bless this home circle : Mary Elizabeth, wife of Charles Seever, has
two little daughters, Geneva Lucille and Lois ; Fred W., in the seventh
grade of Carlisle public school : Lillie Alay, also in the seventh grade ;
Mildred Marie, in the fourth grade : and .Mjjha, the youngest, in the
second grade.
William Warren Bailkv. the owner of more than a half section
of fertile farming land within Haddon township, all in one bodv, is an
extensive stock raiser and farmer. He is a native of Sullivan countv,
Indiana, born near Carlisle, February 2, 1850, a son of Salathiel Jackson
and Mary (Gobin) Bailey. The father was born in Georgetown, Ken-
tucky, about 1818, and died in Haddon township, Sullivan county, Indi-
ana, in 1863. The mother was born near Carlisle. The maternal grand-
father, William Gobin, was a native of Kentucky, and among the early
I50 HISTORY OF SULLIVAN COUNTY
settlers of Haddon township, this county. He always followed farming
and also operated a tan-yard at Carlisle. He was a very successful busi-
ness man and highly respected in his community, and had a family,
including two sons. Politically he was a Democrat of the old type.
Salathiel Bailey, the father of M'illiam W., of this notice, came to
Haddon township when fifteen years of age, and later married and began
farming". He owned a farm of eighty acres at the date of his death. He,
too, was a supporter of the Democratic party, and in church connection,
both he and his wife were members of the Christian church. Their
children were as follows : Frances, deceased ; Finle}^, deceased ; Ardillia,
deceased ; Margaret, wife of John Nesbit, of Haddon township, Sullivan
county ; William Warren, of this biography ; Hammett, deceased.
William W. Bailey was reared on a farm and began to work for
himself independently at the age of seventeen years. He began by work-
ing for others by the month, but when twenty years of age he farmed
for himself in Haddon township upon a ten-acre tract, to wdiich he had
fallen heir. He has continued in agricultural pursuits to the present
time. In 1894 he purchased his present farm, consisting of three hun-
dred and forty acres of choice land, upon which he carries on both grain
and stock farming. He raises about two carloads of hogs annually,
besides some cattle. He has been a stock drover for over thirty years,
and has shipped from all along the line, including Oaktown, in Knox
county, and Carlisle, Sullivan, Dugger, Riverton, etc., buying and ship-
ping, both hogs and cattle. He is a large stockholder in the Peoples
State Bank of Sullivan and is a thoroughly up-to-date agriculturist and
competent business man.
Mr. Bailey has been married thrice, first in 1871, to Elizabeth
Snyder, born in Sullivan county, Cass township, and who died in 1877.
The issue by this union was : Frenchie Eugene, deceased ; one who died
in infancy ; and Grace, wife of Harry Mason, residing in Gill township.
For his second wife Mr. Bailey married Jennie Creager, also a native
of Sullivan county, who died a few years subsequent to her marriage to
Mr. Bailey, leaving two children: Oma, who was born June, 1889, a
graduate of Carlisle high school with the class of 1908; Dessie E., born
July 3, 1891, now in the high school. For his third wife Mr. Bailey
married Emma Walker, a native of Haddon township, Sullivan county.
The issue by this marriage is one daughter, Helen Pauline. Mr. Bailey's
daughters are members of the Christian church and his present wife
belongs to the Baptist church.
Ernest M. Deputy, M. D. — A man of high mental attainments,
cultured and talented, Ernest M. Deputy, M. D., of Dugger, Cass town-
ship, is successfully engaged in the practice of his profession as a physi-
cian and surgeon of skill, being widely known and having a fine patron-
age. A native of Indiana, he was born August 5, 1877, in Paris, Jen-
nings county. His father, Sylvester Deput}', was born January 3, 1834,
HISTORY OF SULLIVAN COUNTY 151
in Woods county, Virginia, wliicli was likewise the birthplace of his
father, Andrew Deputy. A well-established tradition says that the first
known ancestor of the' Deputy family was a babe left at the door of a
deputy sheriff in France. The deputy sheriff' and his wife being child-
less, gladlv welcomed the foundling, took it in, and as it was found on
the door sill christened it Sylvester, and gave it the surname of Deputy.
The Doctor's great-grandfather and two of his brothers came from
Virginia to Indiana via the Ohio river, landing at the present site of
Madison. One of the brothers subsequently settled in Illinois, but the
Doctor's progenitor bought a tract of government land in Jeff'erson
countv, and was there engaged in tilling the soil the remainder of his life.
Andrew Deputy, the Doctor's grandfather, came with his parents
to Sullivan county,' and subsequently entered government land on the
bank of the Musc'atucket river, where he cleared and improved a farm.
He afterwards sold that property and removed to Jeniiings county, set-
tling in Montgomery township, where he resided until his death.
But a child when he was brought by his parents to Jefferson county,
Sylvester Deputy was here reared to agricultural pursuits. He was very
energetic, enterprising and ambitious, and soon after attaining his major-
ity bought a tract of timbered land in Montgomery township, Jennings
countv, where he built up an extensive business. In addition to clearing
the land and carrying on farming, he operated a shingle mill and maiui-
factured molasses from sorghum which he raised, making a large quan-
tity each fall. Improving a valuable farm, he erected a substantial set
of' buildings and was there prosperously engaged in his chosen labors
until his death in 1895. His wife, whose maiden name was Sarah Hud-
son, was born in Jennings county, Indiana, in .\ugust, 1836, and is now
living near the old homestead. Her father, Boyd Hudson, was born,
it is diought, in New York state, and was a pioneer of Jennings county.
He was a tanner by trade, and established a tannery in Jennings county,
it being one of the first in the state, and in it carried on an extensive,
business. He bought large tracts of timber land, taking especial pains
to get that containing mostly oak trees, as he needed oak bark for use
in his tannery. He employed a large force of men in his work, and the
locality in which he lived was known as Boydtown. He cleared large
tracts of land, and in addition to operating his tannery was prosperously
engaged in general farming until his death. His wife, whose maiden
name" was Frances Shepherd, survived him and married for her second
husband William Johnson.
Sylvester and Sarah (Hudson) Deputy reared five children, as fol-
lows: ' Velmore, Alban S., Emerson J., Frank (deceased), Ernest M.
Educated in the public schools of Montgomery township, and at Lan-
caster, Velmore Deputy began his career as a teacher at the age of
eighteen years, being first employed in the public schools of Kansas.
Returning to Indiana he was principal of the high school at \'ernon
until his "death, at the age of twenty-two years. Alban S. Deputy took
a normal course at the Blinn Academy, and in addition to teaching and
farming, was superintendent of a canning factory. He died August 20,
152 HISTORY OF SULLIVAN COUNTY
1909, and was interred in the Jennings county family cemetery. Emerson
J. Deputy is a contractor for tlie building of public highways.
After his graduation from the high school Ernest M. Deput}' studied
for a year at Purdue University in Lafayette, Indiana, after which he
taught school for four years, in the meantime reading medicine. Entering
then the medical department of Kentucky University he took a course
of four years, and was graduated from that institution in July, 1903,
receiving the degree of M. D. Locating in Dugger, Sullivan county, in
the following month, Dr. Deputy has since built up an extensive and
lucrative practice, obtaining an assured position among the leading physi-
cians of this part of the county. Deepl)- interested in his professional
work, he makes a close study of all newer methods employed in detecting
and treating diseases, keeping abreast of the times in regard to medicine
and surgery. He is a member of the Sullivan County Medical Society
and is president for 1909, and is also a member of the Indiana State
Medical Society and the American Medical Association. Fraternally he
is a member of the Elks Lodge, No. 866, at Linton. Indiana, and exam-
ining physician for the Modern Woodmen of America.
On December 11. 1904. Dr. Deputy married Fletie Staples. She was
born in Jennings county, Indiana, in Marion township, a daughter of
Thomas Jefferson and Belle (Rogers) Staples. The Doctor and Mrs.
Deputy have two children, Sherrill S. and Mary C.
Samuel O. Carty. — Among the. many intelligent and enterprising
men who are devoting their time and attention to the tilling of the soil is
Samuel O. Carty. of Cass township, who is meeting with as much success
in using agricultural implements as he formerly did with his mining
tools. A native of Virginia, he was born January 14, 1857, in Russell
county, which was likewise the birthplace of his father, James L. Carty.
His paternal grandparents were, as far as known, life-long residents of
the Old Dominion state.
Reared on a farm, James L. Carty continued a resident of Virginia
until 1848. In search then of a more favorable location for securing a
living for himself and family, he moved to Kentucky, purchased a farm
in Carter county, and was there a resident for ten years. In 1868, push-
ing still nearer to the frontier line, he came to Sullivan county, Indiana,
settling in Hamilton township, where he was engaged in agricultural
pursuits until his death, in 1906. He married Rachel Dickerson. who
was born in the same county of Virginia that he was, a daughter of
Organ and Nancy Dickerson. She died in 1872, leaving five children,
namely : Robert. Samuel O.. Thomas, Mary and Lucy.
But eleven years old when he came with his parents to Indiana.
Samuel O. Carty completed his early education in the schools of Ham-
ilton township, Sullivan county, and obtained a license to teach school.
Deciding, however, not to adopt teaching as a profession, he began life
for himself as a miner, and for a number of years followed that vocation.
HISTORY OF SL'LLR'AX' COUNTY 153
In the meantime, having accumulated some money, Mr. Cart)- wisely
invested in land, purchasing the farm where he now resides, and on
which he has been successfully employed in general farming since 1894.
Showing excellent judgment and much skill in his operations, he is meet-
ing with good success as a tiller of the soil, reaping satisfactory harvests
each season.
In 1876 J\lr. Carty married Airs. Lucy (Blevins) Timmons, who
was born in Kentucky, a daughter of James Blevins. She married
first Harvey Timmons, who died in early life, leaving her with one child,
William Timmons. Mr. and Mrs. Carty have reared four children,
namely : Bertha, George, James and Harry. Bertha, wife of Marion
F. Walters, has children : Marie, Marion, Mabel, Margaret and Evelyn
Verle Walters. George married Nellie Smith, and they have three cliil-
dren, Cecil, Earl and Bertha L. James married Emma Goodman, and
they are the parents of three children. Ruby, William and Rupert. Harry
married Chloe Shipman, and they have two children, Geneva and Pauline.
Politically Mr. Carty is identified with the Republican party, and relig-
iously both he and his wife are members of the Baptist church.
Joseph A. Cr.\\\ford. — Among the enterprising and successful
agriculturists of Cass township, Sullivan county, may be named Joseph
A. Crawford, whose skill and energy in the direction and prosecution
of his chosen industry have given to his work a value and significance
of which few have deemed it capable. A son of the late Hugh Crawford,
he was born in this township, and has here spent his entire life, his birth
having occurred March 24, 1862.
Born in 1808, in Ohio, Hugh Crawford was there reared and mar-
ried. With his young wife he came to Indiana in search of a home, and
for a while lived in Grant county. Coming from there to Sullivan county,
he resided first in Cass township and then moved to Hamilton township,
where he bought two hundred acres of land. A commodious hewed log
house and a few acres cleared constituted the improvements on the place
at the time of his purchase. By dint of energy and persistent toil he
cleared the greater part of the land, placing it under cultivation, and was
there actively engaged in farming until his death, August 11, 1873. His
wife, whose maiden name was Alarion McCormick, was born in Ohio,
a daughter of William McCormick, and died in Sullivan county, Indiana,-
August 19, 1892. She reared eight children, namely: John W., Robert.
David O., Lewis L., George W., Thomas W., Susanna and Joseph A.
Beginning when young to assist on the farm Joseph A. Crawford
received his education in the usual manner, gleaning his early knowledge
of books in the district schools. Leaving his mother's home after his
marriage, he began life for himself on rented land, and continued thus
to make his living until 1892, when he bought the farm which he now
owns and occupies. This is pleasantly located in Cass township, about
four miles from the village of Sullivan, and contains one hundred and
154 HISTORY OF SULLIVAN COUNTY
thirty acres of rich and productive land. Here Mr. Crawford is profitably
engaged in general farming and stockraising, in both branches of his
work meeting with satisfactory results.
On April 17, 1884, Mr. Crawford married Lydia E. Brodie. She
was born March 20, 1862, in Cass township, Sullivan county, Indiana, a
daughter of William A. and Mary J. (Maxwell) Brodie. Of the union
of Mr. and Mrs. Crawford six children have been born, namely: Maude,
Mary Ann, Clio, Hugh (deceased), Lester and Russell Homer. Politic-
ally Mr. Crawford is a stanch Republican.
Captain Josiah Standley. — In the annals of Sullivan county we
find no name more worthy of recording in a work of this character than
that of Captain Josiah Standley, who has the distinction not only of
being a pioneer settler and a hero of two wars, but of being descended
from a Revolutionary soldier, of being the son of a soldier of the war
of 1812, and of representing two honored pioneer families of Indiana.
He is a native of Indiana, his birth having occurred November 18, 1827,
in Washington county, near Pekin, making him one of the oldest native-
born citizens of this state. His father, Joseph Standley, was born in
Guilford county. North Carolina, a son of Thomas Standley. Thomas
Standley was born, it is thought, in England, and on coming to this
country lived for a number of years in North Carolina, from there com-
ing to Washington county, Indiana, where he spent the remainder of
his life.
Reared and married in his native state, Joseph Standley kept pace
with the moving tide of emigration, and in his early life journeved by
teams to Ohio, where he lived a few years. Then, still pushing his way
westward, he came across the country to Indiana, locating at first in
Martin county. He subsequently lived for a time in Washington county,
from there going to Putnam county, and afterward settling near Bowling
Green, Clay county, being one of the earlier pioneers of that locality.
Subsequently taking up his residence in Sullivan county, he pre-empted
a tract of government land in. section nine, Cass township, and lived on
it without securing a title to it until his death. He was a man of patriotic
spirit, and served for a 3'ear in the war of 1812. He married Mary Bar-
ham, who was born in Guilford county. North Carolina, a daughter of
Hartwell Barham. Mr. Barham was born and bred in England, from
there coming to America in colonial days, and taking an active part in
the great struggle for independence, serving in the Revolutionary army
for seven years. He spent the winter of 1777-78 at Valley Forge with
Washington, and he handed down to his descendants the pass word there
used, it being "Suffer Liberty or Death." Returning to Guilford county.
North Carolina, after the war, he subsequently spent the remainder of
his life in that place. Mrs. Joseph Standley survived her husband a
number of years. Of the children born to her twelve grew to vears of
maturity.
HISTORY OF SULLIVAN COUNTY 155
About eight years old when his parents moved to Clay covmty, Josiah
Standley spent all of his early life on the frontier, his parents moving
from time to time to a newer country, taking advantage of every opening
made. Inheriting in a marked degree the patriotism that characterized
his ancestors, he enlisted at the breaking out of the Mexican war in
Company H, Fourth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, went with his command
to Mexico, and there fought until peace was declared. He then marched
with his comrades from the interior to Vera Cruz, and from there sailing
by wav of the gulf and rivers to Madison, Indiana, where he was honor-
ably discharged from service. Returning home, Mr. Standley received
a land warrant for his services, and with that secured the land that his
father had previously pre-empted. There he was afterwards engaged in
farming until the tocsin of war again rung through the land. Then, in
1861, lie enlisted in Company E, Forty-third Indiana Volunteer Infantry,
was appointed second lieutenant of his company, and went with his com-
mand to Missouri, where he took part in the battle of New Madrid.
Early in 1862 he was taken ill, and on March 29 of that year resigned
and returned home to recuperate. Recovering his health, he enlisted
during the same year in Company I, Ninety-seventh Indiana Volunteer
Infantry, and was made second lieutenant of that company. He was
afterwards promoted to first lieutenant, and later received his commis-
sion as captain of his company. While in service Captain Standley par-
ticipated in more than forty different engagements, including those at
Jackson, Mississippi, where he was wounded; at Vicksburg, Kenesaw
Mountain, Dalton, Resaca and the siege and capture of Atlanta, where
for a time he commanded a regiment. The Captain was with his com-
mand on the memorable march to the sea, thence through South Carolina
to North Carolina. There, at Lynch Creek, while in command of a
mounted squad in detached duty, he was captured and taken to Andcrson-
ville. His experience there, however, was brief, as he was transferred to
Libby prison, and there confined until the close of the war, when he
joined his regiment at Alexandria, Virginia, where he was honorably
discharged. Returning home, Captain Standley was for several years
actively engaged in farming, and at one time had title to over four hun-
dred acres of land. Much of this he has since deeded to his children,
although he has now one hundred and twenty-five acres in his possession.
Captain Standley has been three times married. He married first,
at the age of twenty-two years, Margaret Hinkle, who was born in Illi-
nois, a daughter of Samuel Hinkle. Her grandfather, Nathan Hinkle.
came from Germany, his native land, to America in colonial times, and
fought with the colonists in their struggle for liberty, serving as a soldier
in the Continental army for seven years. Subsequently coming to Indiana,
he was a pioneer settler of Sullivan county, and at his death his body was
laid to rest in Hymera, where his friends have erected a monument to
his memory. Mrs. Margaret Standley died about two years after her
marriage, and a year later Captain Standley married her sister, Mahala
Hinkle, also deceased. In 1905 Captain Standley married Mrs. Nancy
J. Ooley. By his first marriage he had one son, Hartwell Barham Stand-
iS6 HISTORY OF SULLIVAN COUNTY
ley, M. D., a successful physician and surgeon of California. By his
second marriage he had the following children : Elihu E., James H.,
William H., Josiah S., Emma, Nettie, Asenath R., and Fannie. Fraternally
the Captain was made a Mason at Sullivan. Indiana, when young, and
he was formerly a member of Fletcher Freeman Post. G. A. R., located
at Cass, Indiana.
George A. Exline. — Especially worthy of more than mere mention
in this biographical volume is George A. Exline, a venerable and
respected resident of Cass township, a veteran agriculturist, and one
who fought for his country during the Civil war. For more than half
a century he has lived upon his home farm, and in the meantime has
greatly enhanced the value of his propert}' by his many excellent improve-
ments, rendering it one of the most attractive and desirable estates in
this part of the county. A son of Adam Exline, he was born June 25,
1829, in Coshocton county, Ohio, near Dresden. His grandfather. Ber-
nard Exline. migrated from Pennsylvania to Ohio, becoming a pioneer
of Muskingum count}', where he spent the remainder of his life.
Born in Bedford county, Pennsylvania, Adam Exline became one of
the very early settlers of Coshocton county, Ohio, locating there in 1818.
Purchasing a tract of wild land in Washington township, he erected a
log house, which was the dwelling place for his family until 1844, his
older children being born in the cabin. With his wife and six children
he came in that year to Indiana, making the removal with teams, and
bringing all of his worldly goods. Settling in Wright township, Greene
county, he bought a tract of timbered land, and at once built a log house,
splitting the boards to cover the roof, and making a split puncheon floor.
There were then no railways in the state, and Terre Haute, thirtv-five
miles away, was the nearest market and milling point. While he was
busy clearing the land his wife, with true domestic thrift, was equally as
busy carding, spinning and weaving the material with which she clothed
her family. On the homestead which they improved both he and his wife
spent their remaining years, his death occurring at the age of seventy-
two years, and hers at the age of eighty-two years. Her maiden name
was Jane Saucerman. She was born in Belmont county, Ohio, a daughter
of George and Catherine Saucerman, the former of whom spent his last
years in that county, while his widow, Mrs. Saucerman, came to Indiana
after his death and died in Greene county.
One of a family of nine children, George A. Exline was fifteen
years old when he came with his parents to Greene county. Indiana.
Beginning the battle of life for himself in 1851, he came to Sullivan
county, and here found employment on a farm, working for two years
for eight dollars a month, afterwards farming on shares until his mar-
riage. Money came slowly, but surely, and as he was prudent in his
savings and wise in his expenditures, he accumulated a sufficient sum
within a few years to buy a strip of canal land, paying two dollars and
fifty cents an acre, and later buying another tract at five dollars per acre.
HISTORY OF SULLIVAN COUNTY 157
Both tracts are now included in his home farm in Cass township. At
the time of his marriage Mr. ExHne bnilt a three-room house, and then
began tlie improvement of a farm. In August, 1862, responchug to his
country's call, he enlisted in Company H, Eighty-fifth Indiana \'olunteer
Infantry, and was with his regiment until the close of the war, being at
the front until February, 1865, when he was disabled, and did not join
his regiment until after the war was closed. He look an active part in
many important engagements, including the battle of Thompsons Sta-
tion, Dalton, Resaca, the siege and capture of Atlanta, where he witnessed
the surrender of that city by the mayor, and the battle of Nashville, one
of the most strenuous of the entire conflict. Being honorably discharged
with his regiment in June, 1865, Mr. Exline returned home. During his
absence his house had been burned. He immediately built another, and
in 1883 erected the spacious brick dwelling now occupied by the family.
He has been very successful in his agricultural labors, accumulating a
competency, and now, although he has assisted his children to establish
homes of their own, he has nearly two hundred acres of finely improved
land in his valuable and attractive farm.
On February 25. 1858. Air. Exline married Nancy J. Crager. She
was born in Hamilton township, Sullivan county, Indiana, where her
parents, Thomas J. and Barbara Crager, were pioneer settlers. Five
children Iiave blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Exline, namely: Mar-
shall, Samuel Winfield, Thomas C, Isabelle, John L., and Stella T.
Marshall married Katie Bryant, and they have two children, Orval and
Harold. Samuel W. married Dora McClellan, and they have six chil-
dren, Russell, Lillie, Eunice, Edith, Mabel Clare and Lloyd L. Thomas
C. married May Buck, and they have five children. Fay E., Fern, Cora,
Hazel and Mary. Isabelle, wife of George French, has one child, George
A. Religiously Mr. and Mrs. E.xline are consistent members of the
Methodist Episcopal church. Politically Mr. Exline has always sup-
ported the principles of the Democratic party. Socially he was a member
of Fletcher Freeman Post, G. A. R., which was located in Cass, Indiana.
Wii.Li.AM Z.XAYER. — Numbered among the industrious and prosper-
ous agriculturists of Sullivan county is William Zaayer, who is activelv
engaged in his pleasant and independent calling in Cass township, having
the management of the parental homestead, which is one of the best and
most desirable pieces of property in the neighborhood. A native of Sul-
livan county, he was born in Haddon township, where his father, Rufus
Zaayer, was a pioneer settler. He is the descendant of a soldier of the
Revolutionary war, and comes of German ancestry, his great-grandfather,
Thomas Zaayer, having emigrated from Germany, his native land, to
America in colonial days, afterwards serving under General Washington
in the great struggle for American independence. He subsequently lived
for a while in I'cnnsylvania, but from there moved to Ohio, where he
spent the remainder of his eighty-one years of earthly life, residing in
158 HISTORY OF SULLIVAN COUNTY
either Fairfield or Pickaway counties. He reared two sons and one
daughter. The daughter married a J\Ir. Dumm ; his son Jacob never left
Pennsylvania ; his son Joseph was the grandfather of William.
A native of Berks count}', Pennsylvania, Joseph Zaayer migrated
to Ohio when young, settling in Pickawa}' county. He had previously
learned the tailor's trade, but after his marriage he located on a tract of
timbered land given him by his father in Adams township, that county,
and thereafter devoted his energies to clearing and improving a home-
stead. In common with the other pioneers of the place, he raised flax,
kept sheep, and labored with earnest toil to clear the land and cultivate
the soil, while his good wife, skilled in the domestic arts, carded, spun
and wove the homespun in which she clothed the family. He erected
a comfortable set of log buildings, and was there a resident until his
death, at the age of sixty-eight years. He married Maria Dunkle, a
native of Berks county, Pennsylvania, whose father was born on the
ocean while his parents were on their way from Germany to this country.
She survived her husband, dying on the home farm in Adams township,
Ohio, at the age of eighty-one years. She reared thirteen children, as
follows : Levi, Colton, William, Leah, John, Seth, Samuel, Rufus, Ben-
jamin. Joseph, Enos, Mary and Daniel.
Rufus Zaayer was born April 15, 1830, in Adams township, Picka-
way county, Ohio, and was there bred and educated, attending the prim-
itive schools of his day, and assisting in the pioneer labor of clearing a
homestead. At the age of seventeen years he went to live with Solomon
Teagarden in Adams township, and for five }'ears assisted him in the
care of the farm, receiving for his.labor a share of the crops. Ambitious
then to become a land owner he came in the fall of 1854 to Indiana,
making the removal with teams, and ■"entered a tract of canal land in
Gill township, Sullivan county, and also bought a five-acre tract, upon
which was a log house and an orchard. The land was partly timber and
partly prairie, and he at once began its improvement, residing there four
years. Exchanging it then for a farm in the same township, he remained
there two years, and then traded that property for a farm in Hamilton
township. Ten years later he sold out there and bought the farm which
he now owns and occupies. It contains one hundred and twenty acres
of rich land, and is advantageously located about three and one-half
miles east of the village of Sullivan. The land is well cultivated and
improved, and has a substantia.l set of buildings, well adapted for the
use of an up-to-date farmer.
On August 23, 1854, Rufus Zaayer married Mary Alspach, who
was born January 5, 1837, in Bloom township, Fairfield county, Ohio,
which was likewise the birthplace of her father, Daniel Alspach. Her
grandfather, John Alspach, was born in Pennsvlvania, of German par-
entage, and was a pioneer of Fairfield county. Ohio, where he spent his
declining )'ears. A life-long resident of Ohio, Daniel Alspach there
married Leah Hummel, who was born in Pennsylvania, of German
ancestors, and they became the parents of nine children, namely: jNIary,
Caroline, John, Julia, Ann, Eliza, Sophia, Nancy, Carol and Margaret.
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HISTORY Ol' SL'LLINAX COUNTY 159
Of the union of Rufus and Alary (Alspach) Zaayer, seven children
have been born, five of whom h^ave passed to the higher hfe, Benjaniin
having died at the age of seventeen years ; Leah ]\Iaria at the age of
thirty years ; John at the age of fourteen years ; Daniel at the age of
thirty-four years ; and Emma when but fourteen years old. Allen Zaayer,
the youngest child, married Hallie Richie, and they have two children,
Claude Mathers and Herbert. William Zaayer, the second son and third
child in succession of birth, has been a life-long resident of Sullivan
county and remains at home, the solace, comfort and mainstay of his
parents. Having charge of the home farm, he is carrying on general
farming and stock-raising after the most approved modern methods, and
in his work is meeting with genuine success.
Stephen R. Brown, one of the representative farmers of Jackson
township, is numbered among its native sons, born May 9, 1862, a son
of Stephen and Ann (Johnson) Brown and a grandson of Samuel and
Nancy Brown. The grandparents were born in Ireland, where thev were
farming people, and coming to America they located first in T'eimsvl-
vania, from whence they later moved to Davis county, Indiana, and later
to Sullivan county, where they spent the remainder of their lives.
Stephen Brown, a son- of Samuel and Nancy Brown, was born in
Pennsylvania, about 1819, and was but a child when he came with his
parents to Davis county, and some time in the thirties he came with them
to Sullivan county. He was married in Jackson township in 1856 to
Ann Johnson, who was born near Jamestown, Ohio, March 11, 1832, a
daughter of George and Epharatia Johnson, both now deceased, and they
too were farming people. Seven children were born to Mr. and Mrs.
Brown, and the first two, George W. and Samuel B., were twins, the
former now living in Mandan, North Dakota, and the latter in Youngs-
town, Ohio : William E. resides in Minneapolis. Minnesota ; Stephen is
mentioned later ; Charles died in infancy ; Nancy A. died at the age of
sixteen years ; and Mary E. Wilcox resides in Bricelyn, Minnesota.
Stephen Brown, the father, was a lifelong agriculturist, and at one time
owned an estate of three hundred and thirty-five acres, being both a
grain and stock farmer. In politics he voted with both the Whigs and
Republicans, and both he and his wife were earnest members of the
Presbyterian church.
Stephen R. Brown assisted his father with the farm work until the
summer before his marriage, when he began farming for himself. He
wedded, November 29, 1885, Anna A. Wambaugh, who was born on
the 20th of December. 1864, a daughter of Ebcnezer and Rosena Wam-
baugh, the former of whom was born in 1830 and died April 20, 1896,
while the latter was born in 1828 and died April 10, 1896. Both were
natives of Germany, the father coming from Prussia and the mother
from Baden before their marriage, and from Ohio they moved to Greens-
burg, Indiana, and later, about 1873, came to Jackson township. Sullivan
Vol. 11—11
i6o HISTORY OF SULLIVAN COUNTY
county, where they spent the remainder of their hves. The union of j\Ir.
and Mrs. Brown was blessed by the birth of five children. The eldest,
Herbert A., born July 5, 1887, received a common school education with
one term in Brown's Business College, and he is now in the regular army
and stationed at Jefferson Barracks, Missouri. He enlisted on the i8th
of March, 1908. William E., born February 13, 1888, completed the
common school course and a one year's high school training, and is now
working at the mine. Ernest R., born October 7, i88g, passed from the
common schools to the high school, where he studied for two years, and
was for one year a student at the normal college at Danville, Indiana.
He is now teaching his first school. Leslie R., born August i, 1892, has
completed the common school course and is now assisting his father on
the farm. Mildred A., born May 6, 1897, is attending the common school.
Just after his marriage Mr. Brown bought the forty acres of land
on which his home is now located, and his farm contains one hundred
and twenty-seven acres of land, while in addition to this he also farms
the three hundred and thirty-five acres belonging to his mother. He
raises both grain and stock, and has been very successful in his chosen
field of endeavor. He is a stockholder in the Citizens' State Bank of
Farmersburg, and is a Republican in his political affiliations. Both he
and his wife are members of the United Brethren church.
David M. Bedwell. — Distinguished not only for the honored pioneer
ancestry from which he is sprung, but for his services as a volunteer
soldier during the late Civil war, and as an excellent representative of
the successful agriculturists of Cass township, David M. Bedwell is
eminently deserving of special mention in this work. A native of Sulli-
van county, Indiana, he was born February 24, 1845, a son of Robert
Bedwell, and a grandson of Thomas Bedwell, both Indiana pioneers.
Born, bred and married in Kentucky, Thomas Bedwell came from there
to Indiana in early days, settling in Jefferson township, Sullivan county,
where both he and his wife, whose maiden name was Polly Holston,
spent their remaining years.
One of a family of seven children, Robert Bedwell was born in
Kentucky, and was a small child when he came with his parents across
the country to Sullivan county, oftentimes finding the way by means of
blazed trees. Growing to manhood, he entered government land in Jef-
ferson township, and having cleared an opening in the dense timber built
the log cabin in which his son David was born, riving by hand the
boards that covered the roof. There were then neither railways nor
canals, and Yincennes was the nearest market and milling point. For
a number of years thereafter deer, wolves, panthers and other wild
beasts roamed at will in this vicinity and the energetic women of the
household were accustomed to card, spin and weave and make all the
clothing worn by the members thereof. After clearing a portion of the
land he sold out and removed to Cass township, purchasing the land now
HISTORY OF SULLIVAN COUNTY i6i
owned and occupied by his son David M. A few acres of the land had
been cleared and a log cabin, with a frame addition, containing one room,
had been erected. Continuing his agricultural labors, he resided here
until his death, September 3, 1878, in his seventy-third year. He married
Rebecca Pitts, who was born in Virginia, and came to Indiana with her
parents, Macey and Barbara Pitts, pioneer settlers of Sullivan county.
She survived her husband, passing away September 25, 1892, in the
eighty-fourth year of her age. Of the fourteen children born of their
union, thirteen grew to years of maturity, namely : Elizabeth, Sarah,
James, Polly Ann, George, Thomas, Rebecca, Robert, David M., Stephen,
Alexander, John W. and Eliza.
Obtaining a practical education in the old log schoolhouse, with its
home-made furniture, David M. Bedwell began as a boy to assist his
father on the farm, continuing thus employed until ready to establish a
home of his own. Beginning then to farm for himself, he rented land
and was busily employed in its cultivation until the early part of 1864.
In February of that year he enlisted in Company C, Fifty-ninth Indiana
Volunteer Infantry, and went south with his regiment, being with his
comrades in Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia and Alabama. Being taken
ill at Huntsville, Alabama, he was taken first to the hospital at Nashville,
Tennessee, and after his discharge from that institution was granted a
furlough of thirty days. Going then to Indianapolis to join his regiment,
he was sent to New York city, thence by boat to Morehead City, North
Carolina, and from there to Raleigh, North Carolina, where he joined
his command. Marching then with the "boys" to Washington, he took
part in the Grand Review, and was subsequently honorably discharged
with his regiment. Returning home Mr. Bedwell resumed his agricul-
tural labors, and on the death of his father succeeded to the ownership
of the parental homestead, a part of which he had previously purchased.
Here he has since carried on general farming with ability and success,
and his added improvements have been of the best.
Air. Bedwell married in October, 1863, Emma Shepherd, who was
born in Sullivan county, Indiana, a daughter of Eli and Lucy Shepherd,
pioneers of Hamilton township. Four children have been born to Mr.
and Mrs. Bedwell, namely : Carl, Burt, Ollie and Freddie. Carl married
Alice Birch, and they have three children, Willie, Gladys and Jesse. Burt
married Sarah Borders, and they are the parents of four children. Evert,
Nora, Hazel and Theresa. Ollie, wife of Joseph Vaughn, has three
children. Clarence, Alta and Harold. Politically Mr. Bedwell is a stanch
supporter of the principles of the Republican party, and religiously both
he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
M.\RTix M. Pope. — Recognized as one of the most intelligent men
and thoroughgoing farmers of Sullivan county, Alartin M. Pope, of
Cass township, is successfully engaged in tilling the soil on as com-
fortable and well-kept a homestead as can be found in this part of the
i62 HISTORY OF SULLIVAN COUNTY
state. During his long and busy life he has pursued the even tenor
of his way as an honest man and a good citizen, being engaged in either
mercantile or agricultural pursuits, and is now reaping the reward of his
many years of persistent toil. A native of Indiana, he was born October
9, 1838, in Morrill township, Shelby county, a son of Henry L. Pope. His
grandfather, Samuel Pope, a native of Virginia, followed the march of
civilization westward, settling first as a pioneer in Ohio, and a few 3'ears
later coming from there to Indiana and locating near Indianapolis, where
he passed his remaining years.
Born in Ohio, Henry L. Pope came with his parents to Indiana.
He lived for a number of years with, or near, his parents, but after his
second marriage he located in Shelby county, where he lived until 1867.
He subsequently spent a few years in Sullivan county, and then
