DAVIESS COUNTY, INDIANA
BIOGRAPHIES
WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP.
THE AIRMAN FAMILY. The
history of Daviess County, In A, would be incomplete without a detailed
sketch of the above- named family; not because they have been holders
or aspirants of office, or have urged themselves upon the notice of the
citizens of their county, but because from their earliest settlement in
this county, in the person of John Aikman, they have been promoters of
the advancement and well-being of the community in which they have
resided, largely by their liberality, industry, and public enterprise,
which, as a whole, are the predominant characteristics of the family.
They have represented the county from it's very earliest settlement,
and have been identified with her in all the progress she has made, and
as early pioneers and citizens of a late date, have endured their full
share of hardships, and assisted in leveling the sturdy oak, and
clearing and developing farms. James Aikman and his descendants
constitute one branch of the family. James is the eldest of twelve
children—five brothers and two sisters now living—born to the marriage
of John Aikman and Mary Barr. He was born in Bourbon County, Ky.,
January 7, 1810. Both parents were natives of the " Blue-grass State,"
and when James was but a small boy, came to Daviess County, Ind., and
located on a tract of land, which the father entered, two miles south
of Washington. Five years later the family removed to the " sugar land"
neighborhood in this township, where they resided until a few years
previous to the father's death (which occurred in 1850), when they
moved to Washington. John Aikman was a quiet, unassuming man, and
accumulated considerable means by his frugal and industrious habits.
James secured a limited education, attending in the old log schoolhouse
of early times. When twenty-two years old he married Sarah Banta, a
native of Nicholas County, Ky., born January 1, 1814, and began farming
for himself. For fifty years he was a tiller of the soil, and succeeded
in accumulating 400 acres of land, one-half of which is under
cultivation, and managed by his sons, who reside upon it. In 1874 he
and his wife removed to Washington, and have since lived a retired and
happy life, surrounded by the comforts their industry has secured. They
became the parents of eight children, these five now living: Samuel,
Henry, John, Sarah D., and Martha Anne. Mr. Aikman has been a
Republican since the organization of the party, and previous to that
time was a Whig. He and his wife hare been members of the Presbyterian
Church for over forty years. He has resided in Daviess County longer
than any other living person, so far as is now known. Samuel T. Aikman
was born November 2, 1839. He secured a common school education, and
married at the age of thirty-nine, locating on part of his father's
farm. He was married to Martha Cunningham in 1878. They have two
children: Claud and Maud. Henry Aikman was born January 30, 1842, and
secured the same education and rearing as his brother. February 19,
1867, he was united in marriage to Laura E. Bradford, who lived to be
the mother of three children, only Clara B. living, and died July 30,
1870. In September, 1873, he was married to Sarah L. Williams, who bore
him six children, these five living: Willie M., Mamie, Gertie, Henry
C., and Paul. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. John Aikman was born
February 27, 1845, and was reared upon the same farm that Samuel and
Henry were. He was married, in 1870, to Permelia Allen, who bore him
six children: James, John A., Edward T., Grace, Charles, and Sicily. He
served in the late war, enlisting in the Forty-second Indiana
Volunteers in 1862, and remained in the service two years. The sons are
all industrious and prominent farmers, and belong to the Republican
party. Sarah L., the elder of the two daughters, was born August 24,
1847, and is now the wife of Simeon Coleman, a young farmer living at
Topeka, Kas. They were married in 1873, and have two children: James W.
and Jessie A. Martha Anne, the younger daughter, was born July 25,
1849, and yet resides with her parents.
THOMAS J. AXTELL was born
in Washington, Penn., February 3,1835, and is a son of Thomas and Mary
(Weir) Axtel, both natives of Pennsylvania. The father removed with his
family to Knox County, Ind., in 1836, where he engaged in the
mercantile business in the town of Bladensburgh, and here our subject
was reared. After securing the ordinary English education he began
clerking in his father's dry goods store. When sixteen years of age he
left home and clerked in Mount Vernon, Ohio, for four years. After
taking a trip to Texas he returned to New Albany, Ind., and in the
winter of 1859 came to this city and engaged in the dry goods business
for himself, continuing until the war broke out, when he sold out his
business, and was traveling salesman for A. L. Scoville & Co., of
Cincinnati, Ohio, for four years. He then returned to this city, and he
and F. M. Myers formed a partnership in the dry goods business. In 1879
he purchased Mr. Myers' interest, and has since successfully conducted
the business alone. He keeps an excellent stock of goods, and is doing
quite well financially. October 16, 1862, he married Edna A. Eodarmel,
daughter of Samuel Rodarmel, who was a prominent man of the county. To
them were born three children, all of whom are living: Edwin B., Frank
F., and Ella E. Mr. Axtel is a warm Republican, and takes an active
part in political affairs. He has been a member of the city council,
and is now a member of the city school board. He is a Mason, Knight
Templar degree, and he and his wife are members of the Presbyterian
Church.
JOHN A. BAIB, sheriff of
Daviess County, was born in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, June 11, 1841, and
was one of eight children born to John F. and Louisa (Keplinger) Bair,
natives respectively of Pennsylvania and Maryland. The subject of this
sketch was brought up by his parents in his native county, and there
secured an ordinary English education. He was trained to a farmer's
life, and accordingly, in 1862, located on a farm in Wabash County,
Ind. In 1865 he returned to his native county, and in the spring of
1866 removed with his parents to Daviess County, and farmed one season
in Van Buren Township. In 1867 he married Sidney Zeigler, a native of
Tuacarawas County, Ohio, whose parents removed to thia county some
years previously. After his marriage he resided two years in Van Buren
Township, farming in summer and teaching school iri winter. He then
removed to Madison Township, where he lived four years, when he engaged
in saw-milling, and continued in this business with good success until
1884. He was elected by the Democratic party sheriff of Daviess County,
which office he is now filling. Mr. Bair has always been an unswerving
Democrat. In 1862 he enlisted as a recruit for the Eighty-ninth
Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, but was prevented from entering
into active service by the capture of the regiment at Mum- fordaville,
Ky. He was honorably discharged on account of physicial disability,
caused by a wound in the right ankle. Mr. Bair is the father of four
children, three of whom are living: Daniel W., Curtis H. and Ada P. Mr.
and Mrs. Bair are both members of the United Brethren Church, and he is
justly recognized as one of the enterprising and successful citizens of
Daviess County.
E. A. BALDWIN, farmer, of
Daviess County, Ind., was born in Vermillion County, Ill., April 28,
1850, and is one of fourteen children, all yet living, born to Jesse W.
and Eleanor (Harris) Baldwin, who were born in Ohio. A number of years
after marriage they moved to Vermillion County, Ill., thence to
Chicago, where the father followed real estate agency, and was
financially successful. He is yet residing in that city. The father is
about eighty-five years of age and the mother ten years younger. Our
subject was reared on a farm until nine years old, when he went with
his parents to Chicago, where he secured a fair business education. He
resided there until about nineteen years old, when he returned to
Vermillion County, and about 1873 came to Washington, Ind., and wag in
the drug business for about nine years. He then went to Montgomery
Station and kept a drug store for three years, and then came to his
present place of residence. May 1, 1881, he was united in marriage to
Mary C. Prosner, a native of Licking County, Ohio, born October 14,
1854, daughter of Thomas and Mary (Price) Prosner, who were natives of
South Wales. To them were born two children, one of whom died at
fourteen months old, Willie, and one now three months old, Otto C. The
wife owns 165 acres of very fine land, and is a member of the Baptist
Church. Mr. Baldwin is a warm Republican in politics, and is an
enterprising young farmer.
JAMES M. BARR, attorney
at law, Washington, Ind., was born in Reeve Township, Daviess County,
October 27, 1841, and is one of a family of three sons and four
daughters born to John and Julie (Burriss) Barr, both natives of
Kentucky. The father came to this county with his father, James Barr,
when he was a lad of eight years, in about 1816, and located in what is
now Barr Township, where the father and grandfather of the subject of
this sketch spent the greater part of their lives. James M. Barr was
raised on the farm with his parents, securing a fair education in the
common branches. In 1862 he enlisted in Company D., Eightieth Regiment
Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and served in the civil war three years as
private and non-commissioned officer. At the close of the war he
returned home and followed the life of a farmer until 1880, in Reeve
Township, in the meantime studying law. In the year last named he moved
to Washington, and being admitted to the Daviess County bar in 1881,
has since been engaged in the practice of the law, meeting with very
encouraging success. Mr. Barr is a stanch Republican, and served in
Reeve Township as justice of the peace four years. He is a member of
the G. A. R. He was married in December, 1866, to Martha Allen, a
native of Daviess County. They have four children: Ora May, Minnie,
Allen and Eva. Both Mr. and Mrs. Barr are members of the Presbyterian
Church. John Barr, the father of the subject of this sketch, became a
resident of Reeve Township, where he bought a tract of land, which he
cleared and improved, undergoing all kinds of hardships in the
meantime. He led a long, useful and honorable life, dying in February,
1885. Mrs. Barr died when James M. was a mere child, and John Barr
subsequently married Lucy Gillick, who died about six years since,
leaving one child—a son.
GAYLORD G. BARTON,
attorney at law of Washington, Ind., and native of the county, was born
April 11, 1844, son of Gaylord G. and Ann (Murphy) Barton, natives
respectively of New York and Ireland. The father came to this city in
May, 1834, where he married and began practicing medicine. His death
occurred February 12, 1884. He was an active politician in hie day, and
was at one time State senator for this district. He wae a Democrat in
politics, and took an active interest in all public and private
enterprises to promote the welfare of the county. He was trustee of the
Wabash & Erie Canal a number of years, and was prominently
identified with the county medical societies, and was a member of the
city school board a number of years. He died in the Catholic faith,
after having spent a life of usefulness in the county. The mother died
when our subject was a small lad, and the father afterward married
EllenM. Murphy, a sister of his first wife, who still survives him. Our
subject was raised in this city, and secured a good literary education.
At the age of nineteen he began teaching school, and continued this
occupation irregularly until 1867, when he accepted a position as
deputy in the clerk's office of this county, serving until the fall of
1875, when he entered the law department of the State University at
Bloomington, Ind., from which he graduated in 1877. After a trip to
Europe he returned to this city the same year and entered upon his
professional career, in which he has met with good success. He is a
Democrat and was reared in the Catholic faith. He is a reliable
practitioner and an upright citizen of the county.
STEPHEN BELDING, editor and proprietor of the Daviees County Democrat,
was born in Washington, Ind., November 21, 1841, the youngest of ten
children born to Stephen and Elizabeth (Clenny) Belding. Hie father was
a shoe-maker by trade, and later in life was a boot and shoe merchant
His grandfather (Clenny) was a Revolutionary war soldier. At twelve
years of age Stephen began the printer's trade in his native town, and
after serving his apprenticeship continued the trade until 1859, when
he entered the Indiana State University, where he continued two years.
In 1861 he purchased the Martin County Herald, which he published at
Dover Hill until 1863; then was employed in the Evansville Journal for
a time. Until the fall of 1867 he was employed on the Cincinnati
Commercial, but after that returned to Washington, Ind., and in
connection with J. H. Palmer, organized the joint stock company that
established the Daviess County Democrat. Mr. Belding has ever since
been connected with this enterprise, and through his individuality has
won a place of distinction in southern Indiana journalism. Six months
after the paper's establishment, Mr. Belding bought the entire stock,
and has since been sole proprietor. He is a Democrat, and one of
Washington's foremost citizens. January 22, 1872, was the celebration
of his nuptials with Miss Cora White, of this city.
JOHN C. BILLHEIMER,
attorney at law, was born in Wayne County, hid., March 3, 1857, being
one of five children born to Solomon and Margaret (Gephat) Billheimer,
both of German descent. The father was a native of Virginia, and the
mother of Pennsylvania. The immediate subject of this sketch was raised
in the county of his birth, and secured a good educacation, attending
the Northern Indiana Normal School and Business College at Valparaiso,
Ind., one and a half years. In his native county he had taught one term
of school before attending the Normal College, and afterward he
followed that profession for a time. When in his eighteenth year he
began the study of law, and at the age of nineteen entered the law
office of Brown A Brown, Newcastle, Ind., completing his studies in
1879. In October of that year he located at Washington, Ind., in the
practice of his profession, in which he has continued ever since,
meeting with good success. His wife, Susan Eimball, was also a native
of Wayne County, Ind. Their marriage was solemnized in 1879, and has
been blessed with three children: John Leroy, Irving and Charles.
Politically he is a Republican. Although he has never aspired to any
office of note he has taken some interest in political affairs of the
county. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., K. of H., and A. O. of E. M.
Both himself and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. At
present he is chairman of the Daviess County Republican Central
Committee.
B. & E. BEITMAN
constitute one of the oldest and most prominent business firms of
southwestern Indiana, and the leading clothiers of Washington. Raphael
Beitman, the senior member of the firm, was born in Bavaria, Germany,
June 22, 1833, son of Isaac and Fredo (Goodman) Beitman, born in 1796
and 1801, and died in 1861 and 1862, respectively. The family are
Germans by birth, and can be traced back at least five generations. Our
subject's boyhood was spent in his native country, and there he
received his early education. In 1854 he came to America, and landed at
New York, and then came to Indiana and settled at Petersburg, Pike
County, and there remained one year. He then went to Vincennes, and for
two years clerked in a store, and then came to Washington and engaged
in the clothing business. In 1859 Emanuel Beitman, a younger brother of
our subject, came to Washington from Germany, having been born in that
country June 3, 1838. On coming to Washington he engaged in business
with his brother, and until 1861 they sold goods throughout the
country, traveling all the time. They then purchased the stock of goods
of James Neal, who was a soldier in the Rebellion, and engaged in the
family grocery business, being the only house of the kind in
Washington. They continued until 1863, when they purchased the stock of
clothing of G. Beitman, and have since very successfully continued in
that business. They do an extensive business, and have the almost
unlimited confidence of the people. The senior member of the firm was
married, in December, 1865, to Miss Amelia Joseph, a native of Germany.
They have four children, as follows: Flora, Jacob, Julia and Bertha.
The junior member of the firm was married in the city of "Brotherly
Love," March 17, 1869, to Miss Amelia Sternberger, born in Bavaria,
Germany. They have five children: Lillie, Jennie, Bertha, Blanche A.
and Stella. The firm are Democratic in their political views. Raphael
is a member of the I. O. O. F., and Emanuel of the Masons.
JESSE BILLINGS was born
in Lawrence County, Ind., August 19, 1831, of English and Welsh
descent, and son of William and Mary (Davis) Billings, natives of
Tennessee and Wales, respectively. They were married in Tennessee in
1820, and two years later moved to Lawrence County, Ind., where they
purchased 200 acres of land near Mitchell. When Jesse was about eight
years old his mother died, and "he remained with his father, assisting
him on the farm until nineteen years of age. February 7, 1850, he was
married to Sarah Miller, born November 22, 1833, daughter of John and
Susannah (Tyre) Miller, and moved to Illinois, where he purchased land
and lived for about four years. He then came to Daviess County, Ind.,
and bought 135 acres of land, which he has since increased to 560
acres, 460 acres being under cultivation. His land is all underlaid
with a good quality of coal. At a depth of 190 feet they found a
six-foot vein, and at fifty feet an eighteen-inch vein, and at ninety
feet a four-foot vein, all of which was analyzed and found to be
first-class. He and wife are the parents of these children: John W.,
Abram R, Mary S., George W., Annie A., Airnetta B., Morton E., Charles
8., Lillie M., Louis S. and Jesse F. Mr. Billings is a Kepublican and
cast his first vote for Fillmore. He has been a member of the Masonic
lodge twenty-seven years, and a member of the Christian Church twenty
years. Mr. Billings was not in the late war, but his sympathies were
with the Union soldiers. He had three brothers who served, and all were
wounded, but returned home in safety.
E. G. BON DURANT, freight
and ticket agent of the Ohio & Mississippi Railroad at Washington,
Ind., was born near Frankfort, Ky., July 10, 1836, and is the second of
a family of three children born to Thomas L. and Elizabeth (Woodfill)
Bon Durant, natives, respectively, of Virginia and Kentucky. The father
was of French descent, and was supply agent for the Madison &
Indianapolis Eailroad. He was killed by an accident in 1844. The mother
lived until 1882. Our subject was reared to the age of eight years in
Kentucky, when he and his parents came to Indiana. He secured a very
limited education in the schools of Madison, never attending more than
three months. He remained with his mother until 1850, having engaged at
telegraphy on the Madison & Indianapolis Railroad, and has ever
since been employed in different capacities on that and the Ohio and
Mississippi Railroad. He was division superintendent of the east
division of the last-named road for about four years, beginning in
1869. He was assistant general superintendent of the Jeffersonville,
Madison <fe Indianapolis Railroad for four years. He then returned
to the Ohio & Mississippi as master of transportation of the whole
line several years, but resigned the position and came to Washington
and engaged in the railroad and coal business, acting as railroad
agent. He was married, in July, 1860, to Susan C. McGannon, a native of
Jennings County, Ind. To them were born seven children; one died in
infancy. Those living are Ella (wife of George Walters, Jr.), Oliver
E., Elva, Fannie, William H. and Daisy C. Mrs. Bon Durant is a member
of the Baptist Church, and he is a Mason—Knight Templar degree.
Politically he is a Republican.
BONHAM & GILL,
undertakers, and manufacturers of and dealers in furniture, Washington,
Ind., is a firm composed of M. L. Bonham and Joseph H. Gill. Martin
Luther Bonham was born in Dearborn County, Ind., March 4, 1827, and is
a son of Zedekiah and Amelia (Cullom) Bonham, natives, respectively, of
Virginia and Ohio. The subject of this sketch was brought up on a farm
by his parents and received a limited common school education. At the
age of seventeen he learned the cabinet-maker's trade in Hamilton
County, Ohio. He continued working at his trade and at the furniture
business in that county until 1862, when he removed to Washington and
entered the employ of John Mattingly, who had established the present
business some years previously. Six months later he entered into
partnership with his employer, and the firm enjoyed a prosperous
business until Mr. Mattingly's death in 1872. Mr. Bonham then conducted
the business alone until 1874, when he accepted as a partner Joseph H.
Gill. This firm has continued ever since and enjoys a large share of
the trade in this line. They are the leading undertakers in the city,
and carry a full stock of furniture. Mr. Bonham is a Republican and a
Royal Arch Mason. He was married, in 1847, to Selana Lincoln, who died,
leaving four children: George H., Mary (the wife of John Cretz, of
Harrison, Ohio), Zedekiah A. and Clifford L. In 1864 he was married to
his present wife, Mrs. Sarah A. Sowers.
WILLIAM H. BOONE, farmer,
was born in Montgomery County, Ohio, December 2, 1847; son of Isaac and
Mary (Hold- erman) Boone, and is of German descent. His father was born
in Rockiugham County, Va., in 1815, and his mother in Montgomery
County, Ohio. In 1825 the Boone family removed from Virginia to
Montgomery County. Ohio, and there the grandfather of our subject died.
In 1858 the father of subject removed from Montgomery County to Miami
County, Ohio, and there still resides. Our subject was raised on the
farm and attended the publie echools of his neighborhood. He began for
himself at eighteen years of age, and came to Daviess County in 1883
and settled where he now lives, on what was known as the Bruner farm.
He has 110 acres of well-improved land one mile from Washington. He was
married, in 1869, to Miss Frances V. Malcom, a native of Shelby County,
Ohio, born in 1849, daughter of Nathan and Deborah Malcom. They have
four children, viz.: Maggie M., Mary B., Blanche D. and Hazel E. He is
a Republican and a most enterprising gentleman.
SAMUEL B. BOYD,
superintendent of the schools of Daviess County, was born at Yorkville,
Dearborn Co., Ind., March 14, 1858, being a son of John and Elizabeth
(Miller) Boyd (both deceased), who were natives of Ireland and Ohio,
respectively. He was reared on a farm in his native county by his
parents, receiving a good literary education. He completed his
schooling with a course at the Central Normal College at Danville,
Ind., and at the age of nineteen began his career as a public teacher.
In 1871 he removed with his parents to this county, teaching four years
in the county schools, and since acting as principal of the Odon
schools and as an instructor in the city schools of Washington. June 1,
1883, he was elected county superintendent, a position he has since
filled with satisfaction. He is an Odd Fellow, a Democrat and a member
of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
HON. MATTHEW L. BRETT,
born January 5, 1823, in South Carolina, is the eldest of seven
children born to Patrick M. and Mary Brett, who were born in the
"Emerald Isle," and came to this country immediately after marriage,
about 1820, and lived in South Carolina about ten years and then came
to Daviess County, Ind. The father was a lawyer and teacher, and a very
prominent man of the county, having held several very important
offices. His death occurred in 1844 and the mother's in 1868. Matthew
Brett was reared on the farm where he now lives. His early education
was very limited, as his help was much needed at home. After his
father's death he remained at the home farm and has assisted his mother
ever since. At the age of twenty-one he succeeded his father in the
auditor's office in 1844, and held the position fifteen years
successively. He also carried on farming, milling and merchandising to
some extent. In 1860 he was elected to the State Legislature, and
served the regular and special sessions. He served two years on a
committee appointed by the Legislature to audit the expenses incurred
by the State on account of the war. In 1862 he was elected treasurer of
State and held the position two years. In 1872 he was elected from
Daviess County to the Legislature and served two sessions. Shortly
afterward he unfortunately became a cripple, and has ever since given
his time and attention to his farm and has been very prosperous. He
owns 250 acres of land, part near Washington and part in Warren County.
He was married, June 1, 1858, to Miss Alice Hayes, of Vincennes. To
them were born two children, both of whom are now deceased: Anna (who
lived to be the wife of Aua- tin F. Cabel, and the mother of one child,
named Brett Cabel, the only descendant of our subject) and William (who
died when young). The family are members of the Catholic Church, and
our subject has always been a Democrat, politically. The different
positions of honor and trust he has filled so efficiently and
satisfactorily indicate the high regard in which he is held by all.
EOBEET A. BROWN was born
on the farm where he now lives September 10, 1850. He was the fifth of
eight children born to Benjamin F. and Jane (Wallace) Brown. The father
was born on the same farm. He was a farmer all his life, and was quite
prosperous. The mother was probably a native of Tennessee. Our subject
was reared on a farm and secured a common school education. He made his
home with his parents until twenty-one years of age. In 1871 he, with
his four other brothers, began making brick, and in 1875 added a tile
factory to their brickyard and now do perhaps the most extensive and
paying business of the kind in the county. Our subject also farmed
quite extensively, and the brothers now own 150 acres of very fine
land. December 25, 1879, he was united in marriage to Emma Lynch, a
native of the county, born and reared on an adjoining farm. One child,
named Pearl, has blessed their union. Robert is a Republican
politically, and is one of the prominent business men of the county.
John F. Brown, brother of Robert A. Brown, was born February 8, 1846.
He received much the same rearing as his brother and remained with his
parents until their respective deaths. When our subject was but
fourteen years old his father died, and the mother lived until 1873. He
is a joint owner of the farm of 150 acres, and also has an interest in
the tile and brick manufactory with his four brothers. They have
devised a patent on the Eureka Tile Kiln which is proving very
favorable and promises a success financially. They have the most
extensive factory in the county and are doing a big business. March 21,
1873, he was married to Belle F. Dudley, a native of eastern Ohio. They
have three children: William T.t Benjamin F. and Libbie M. Mr. Brown is
a stanch Republican in politics.
JESSE W. BURTON, attorney
at law, Washington, Ind., was born in Garrard County, Ky., October
2,1828, and is a son of Robert A. and Sarah (Williams) Burton, both
natives of Kentucky, living and dying in their native State. Jesse W.
Burton was brought up on a farm by his parents in Kentucky until he was
fourteen years old, when he entered Bradley Institute in Garrard
County, remaining there several years, after which he entered
Cumberland Academy at Monticello, Ky., of which his brother, William M.
Burton, was the principal. By this time he was eighteen years of age
and had obtained a good literary education. He then taught country
school some years. At the age of twenty he began reading law at the
capital of his native county, and received a license to practice August
14, 1850. He read law with his brother, Allan A. Burton, afterward
appointed by President Lincoln Minister to the United States of
Colombia, South America. He then spent a year traveling and prospecting
for a location in northwestern Missouri. He then came to Washington,
but soon located at Petersburg, Pike County, where he practiced law
less than a year, returning then to and locating in Washington, opening
his office May 16, 1853. With the exception of the years 1875 and 1876,
when he resided in Lawrenceburg, Ind., he has continually resided in
Washington since that time, and has earned for himself a high place in
the legal fraternity of Daviess County. Judge Burton, before the war of
the Rebellion, was an old time Whig, casting his first presidential
vote for Gen. Winfield Scott At the formation of the Republican party
he became a Republican, and at the breaking out of the war was one of
the first to espouse the cause of the Union, making the first Union
speech made in the county. He assisted to raise the first company sent
from Daviess County, under Capt. Charles Child, and during the entire
continuance of that terrible conflict was active in giving financial
and moral support to the Union. During 1856 and 1857 he was prosecuting
attorney for the district composed of Knox, Daviess, Pike and Martin
Counties. He was a candidate for judge of common pleas, and also for
judge of the circuit court, but defeated in each instance owing to the
hopeless minority of the Republican party. On the 23d of November,
1869, he was admitted to practice in the United States Courts. He is a
member of the I.O.O.F. and is P.N.G. of the local lodge; he is also a
Master Mason. He was married November 22,1860, to Sarah M. Jackson, a
native of Elizabethtown, Hamilton Co., Ohio, by whom he has five
children: Ada J. (wife of Frank A. Collier), Emma S. (wife of Clinton
K. Tharp), Mary H., Robert W. and Nellie.
ALEXANDER CHOMEL, editor
of the Washington Advertiser, was born in France in 1826, and is a son
of Dennis and Lucy (Collason) Chomel. He was reared in a city and had
good educational advantages. At the age of twenty-three he came to
America and located in New Albany, Ind., where he followed
merchandising three years. He went to Loogootee, Ind., in 1860, and
engaged in the same business. He edited the Loogootee Times for some
time and then moved to Shoals and edited the Martin County Herald. In
September, 1884, he came to Washington and has since edited the
Advertiser and Enterprise. In December, 1850, he took for his companion
through life Sabina Carrico, a native of Kentucky, to whom were born
nine children, eight now living: Lucy, Thomas, Catharine, Julioa,
Alexander, William, Mary and Anselm. As an editor he wields much
influence in the political affairs of the county, and with all the zeal
and energy of which he is capable furthers the interests of the
Democratic party. He is a member of the Catholic Church.
A. D. COLBERT was born in
Daviess County, Ind., in March, 1837. He is a sou of L. D. and Jane
(Birch) Colbert, who were born in 1818 and 1819, respectively. The
mother died when our subject was quite young, and he made his home with
his father until twenty-one years of age, when he was married to Sarah
Walker, daughter of Solomon and Martha Jane Walker, natives of East
Tennessee. Mr. and Mrs. Colbert are the parents of the following
children: George, Emma, Minnie (deceased), Herbert, Edgar, Benjamin,
Mildred, Maggie, John, Seth, Charles and William. After his marriage he
lived two years in Veal Township, and August 1,1863 enlisted in Company
I, Sixty-fifth Indiana Volunteers and served two years, when he was
transferred to the One Hundred and Twentieth Indiana Regiment. He was
in the East Tennessee campaign and in several engagements, and was with
Sherman on his march to the sea. He was with Thomas at Nashville and
Schofield at Franklin. He was at the capture of Wilmington. On the 19th
of January, 1866, he was mustered out at Raleigh, N. C. He is a
Republican and cast his first vote for Lincoln. He has been a member of
the Christian Church thirty years and his wife of the same for forty
years.
PHILLIP CRUSE, dec'd, was
born Aug. 4,1795, in North Carolina. His parents, Henry C. and Susan
Cruse, were native Germans. They moved to Hamilton, Ohio, at an early
period, where the father followed farming. Phillip assisted his father
for eight years and then was apprenticed to a man in Cincinnati to
learn the tailor's trade. After mastering his trade he tramped to
Lexington, Ky., with only one half dollar in his pocket. He soon saved
$100, and then walked to Louisville, Ky., where he worked at his trade.
He and a friend then went to New Orleans on flat-boats. Our subject
worked there four months and then returned to Ohio via boat to
Philadelphia; thence to Baltimore, Washington, D. C., Alexandria and
Uniontown, Va.; thence by boat to Pittsburgh; thence to Portsmouth,
Ohio, and finally reached Maysville, Ky., where he remained one month
and then went to Terre Haute, Ind., and in the spring went to
Vincennes. Later he came to Washington, Daviess County, where he worked
at his trade for several years, and then kept a general merchandise
store about the same length of time. He then began keeping hotel where
the present Presbyterian Church stands, and after working at that for
several years engaged in the hardware business on a small scale, and
soon had an extensive trade. He was a member of the Presbyterian
Church, and in politics was a Federalist, Whig, Abolitionist and
Republican. He was married three times; the first time to Sarah Rodick,
who bore him these children: Seth H., Minerva, John R., Joseph W. and
Elizabeth. Only John is now living. His second wife was Elizabeth
Bruce, who became the mother of one child, Martha (deceased). His third
marriage was to Sarah Carnahan, born May 21, 1813. in Kentucky,
daughter of Jane and Elizabeth (Aikmau) Carnahan, born in Virginia and
Pennsylvania. Mr. and Mrs. Cruse were married March 5, 1837, and became
the parents of these children: James P., who was a soldier in the war
and died at Washington of typhoid fever, and Charles F. who died in
infancy. The sons were all Masons. Mr. Cruse died June 16, 1885, in the
ninetieth year of his age. He was respected by all and was a thoroughly
self-made man. He owned eighty acres of land, and property to the
amount of $6,500. He was a valuable citizen and was noted for his
kindness and charity to the poor. Mrs. Cruse is an active and
intellectual old lady of seventy years. She presented a flag to the
first company of Daviess County soldiers that left for the war, and
delivered the memorial oration, which was noted for its eloquence.
NELSON CUNNINGHAM, dec'd,
was a native of Clark County, where he was born June 17, 1821. His
parents, Thomas and Martha (Mathews) Cunningham, were natives of
Virginia and South Carolina, respectively. Our subject attended the
common schools, and remained with his parents until twenty-one years
old. In 1844 he was married to Mary M. Little, to whom were born three
children: Sarah A., Nancy I. and Martha E., all now deceased. His wife
died in 1851, and he was married to Elizabeth Johnson, January 18,
1854. She is a daughter of James and Mary (Miller) Johnson, and was
born in Pennsylvania and reared in Kentucky. Mr. Cunningham settled
near Odon, Da- viess County, soon after marriage, where he remained
nine years, and then removed to the place where Mrs. Cunningham now
lives. These five children were born to them: James, Mary E., Charles
A., Maggie A. and Bluford (deceased). After settling in this county
they engaged in farming and stock raising. Mr. Cunningham died May 26,
1870, of pneumonia. He was not a member of any secret society, but was
a member of the Christian Church a number of years. He owned 140 acres
of land. The wife was also a member of the Christian Church.
ELIAS L. DAGLEY, M. D.,
of Waahington, Ind., was born in Scotland, Greene Co., Ind., May 4,
1845, and was one of eight children born to James A. Dagley and Martha
A., his wife, formerly Barker, natives respectively of England and
Greene County, Ind. The father came from England with his parents when
he was an infant, they locating in Greene County. There he grew up,
married and practiced medicine until his death, about twelve years ago.
The subject of our sketch remained at home with his parents until
sixteen years of age, obtaining such an education aa was then afforded
by the common schools. He then left home and engaged in the drug
business in Tipton, Mo., where he remained four years. He then returned
home and studied medicine with his father eighteen months, when, on
account of failing health, he spent the next two years in traveling in
the West. In 1868 he returned home and married his present wife,
Caturah E. Odell, a native of Greene County, Ind. After marriage he
engaged as clerk in the drug business at home and in Missouri. In 1872
he attended a course of lectures at the College of Physicians and
Surgeons at Indianapolis, and during the four subsequent years
practiced his profession in Greene County. He attended Miami Medical
College at Cincinnati, Ohio, graduating thence in 1875, and then came
to Daviess County and practiced at Odon until 1883, when he removed to
Washington, where he has since resided, engaged in the practice of his
profession and meeting with very flattering success. In 1863 he
enlisted in Company K, One Hundred and Seventeenth Regiment, Indiana
Volunteer Infantry, serving as a private during his term of
enlistment—six months. In politics he is a Republican, and is an Odd
Fellow. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, while Mrs.
Dagley is a Baptist. Mr. and Mrs. Dagley have had five children, four
of whom are living: Martha C., Susan E., Ella May and Craggy.
JOHN DOWNEY, attorney at
law, Washington, Ind., was born in Martin County, Ind., January 10,
1855. He is one of a family of twelve children (eleven of whom are now
living) born to Michael and Julia (Doyle) Downey. The father was born
in Queens County, Ireland, and the mother being also of Irish descent,
though born in New Jersey. Michael Downey came to the United States in
1845, and for some years followed coal mining in Pennsylvania. About
the year 1850 he came to Martin County, Ind., and entered a tract of
land where he has since resided, engaged in fanning. The subject of
this sketch was raised on the farm with his parents, securing a good
literary education and preparing himself to teach school, which
profession he followed from the time he was nineteen years of age until
he was twenty- two. His services were rendered in district schools, in
the normal school at Dover Hill, and in Loogootee public schools. In
the intervals of teaching he was improving his education by attendance
upon the public schools of Loogootee, the normal school at Valparaiso,
Ind., and the Notre Dame University at South Bend. While teaching he
also began reading law, with the view of making that his profession. In
1880 he entered the law office of Gardiner & Taylor, of Washington,
and continued reading with them until the close of that year, when he
entered the office of Bynum <fe Padgett, becoming the latter's
partner after the former's removal. He has since been engaged in the
practice of his profession in Washington, meeting with well-deserved
success. On the 1st of July, 1885, he dissolved partnership with Mr.
Padgett and entered into partnership with J. C. Billheimer. In politics
Mr. Downey is a Democrat, and has been deputy prosecuting attorney at
Washington three years. He has been attorney for the city of Washington
for the past two years, and is attorney for the Industrial Savings and
Loan Association, of Washington. He was married, May, 1, 1882, to Miss
Hose A. Hughes, a native of Daviess County, by whom he has one child,
George A. Downey.
JOHN W. DOYLE, reverend
father of St. Simon's Church, Washington, Ind., was born in Madison,
Ind., August 1, 1851, and is a son of John and Ellen Doyle, both
natives of Ireland. Father Doyle was raised with his parents in his
native place, and obtained a fair education at the local parish school.
At the age of sixteen he entered St. Meinrad's College, in Spencer
County, Ind., where he began his studies for the priesthood. Two years
later he attended St. Thomas' and St. Joseph's Colleges, at Bardstown,
Ky. He began his theological studies at the Grand Seminary of Montreal,
Canada, and completed them at Indianapolis, Ind., where he was ordained
priest by Bishop St Palais, May 25, 1875. He then took charge of St.
Vincent's Orphan Asylum, near Yincennes, Ind., remaining there,
however, only a short time, when he took charge of St. Mary's Church,
in Barr Township, Daviess County. In 1879 he was transferred to
Washington ae priest in charge of St. Simon's Church of that city,
where he still remains the efficient and popular priest
JEREMIAH EGAN. The Egan
family are the descendants of Irish ancestors, and the older ones of
the family now living were natives of Ireland. In the fall of 1837
Patrick Egan and his family came to the United States. They landed in
New Orleans, but came on to Indiana and settled in Daviess County. The
entire family did not come at first, but after selecting a location
they sent back for the rest of the family, who came in 1838. Patrick
was born in 1792. In Ireland he was a merchant, but after coming to
America he became a tiller of the soil. The mother's, Bridget
(Louregan) Egan, death occurred in February, 1873. They were the
parents of twelve children, three of whom are now living: Catherine,
Martin and Jeremiah. Martin was born probably in 1820, although no
record of his birth has been preserved. He was about eighteen when he
came to the United States, and was reared on a farm, securing a limited
education. He has been afflicted ever since a small boy with "white
swelling." He has never married, but makes his home with his brother
Jeremiah, who was born in the " Emerald Isle " June 5,1827, being the
seventh of the family. Like his brother he secured a limited education,
and his father died when he was young. He remained with his mother
until his marriage, when she made her home principally with him, and
died at his residence. At the age of thirty-one he married and settled
where he now lives. He has developed his farm of 280 acres from a
wilderness to one of the best farms in the county. September 13,1858,
he married Jane E. Juigley, a native of the county, born February 21,
1838. They became the parents of nine children, six now living:
Bridget, Patrick, Joseph, Martin, Catherine and Anna. The family are
Catholics, and our subject has always been a Democrat politically, and
is one of the prosperous farmers of the county.
E. R. ESKRIDGE, harness
and saddle-maker of Washington, Ind., was born in Kentucky January 17,
1829. He was the third of ten children born to Joseph W. and Fannie
(Robinson) Eskridge, who were natives of Virginia, but were raised in
Kentucky. Our subject worked on the farm and at the tanner's trade
until he was eighteen years old. His father died about this time and he
remained with his mother until twenty-three years of age, and aided and
supported the family during that time. He then learned the saddler's
trade, but was not devoted to any particular business for about three
years. In 1855 he came to Washington, Ind., where he worked at his
trade or any labor that presented itself. December 7, 1856, the
nuptials of his marriage to Sarah M. Smyth were celebrated, and some
time later he opened a shop of his own at Edwardsport, but remained
there but a short time. In December, 1858, he began working at his
trade in Washington, where he continued until January, 1865, when he
sold his stock and residence and went to Burlington, Iowa, and thence
to Oregon. He was absent about sixteen months looking for a location,
but at last returned to Washington, Ind., where he continued the
harness and saddlery trade. He keeps a fine stock of goods and has been
very successful in his business enterprises. He is a member of the I.
O. O. F., and politically has been a Democrat since the extinction of
the Whig party. He cast his first presidential vote for Winfield Scott.
He is one of the prominent men of the county and is highly respected as
an honorable and upright citizen. To his marriage five children were
born, three of whom are living: Fannie M. (wife of J. T. Neale), Samuel
C. and Lulu.
S. CICERO ESKRIDGE, of
the firm of Neal & Eskridge, of Washington, Ind., was born in this
city January 29, 1861, and is a son of Elijah R. and Sarah Matilda
(Smyth) Eskridge. He was raised with 'his parents and graduated from
the high school at this city. At the age of seventeen he began clerking
in the grocery business in this city, continuing until 1882, when he
engaged in the business for himself, and carried a fine line of dry
goods, with John T. Neal as partner. He has continued in the business
to the present time and has met with good success. October 12, 1882, he
married Ida M. Mills, a native of Sandusky, Ohio, daughter of John R.
Mills (deceased), who was a prominent stock dealer of this city. They
have one child, named Harry M. Mr. Eskridge is a Democrat in his
political views, and is recognized as one of the rising and successful
business men of the city. He is a member of the K. of P.
JUDGE WILLIAM K.
GARDINEE, a prominent attorney of Daviess County, was born January 18,
1837, in central New York, being the youngest of a family of thirteen
children born to David N. and Susanna C. (Andrews) Gardiner, both of
whom were natives of Rhode Island. He was reared to the age of
seventeen on a farm in his native State and then went to Ross County,
Ohio, and studied medicine two years, attending medical lectures at
Cincinnati and Cleveland, Ohio. He had not completed his medical course
when he came to Indiana, where he worked in the employ of the Ohio
& Mississippi Railroad Company as carpenter, telegraph operator and
ticket agent at different times, and also taught school in the
meantime. In the fall of 1862 he entered the law office of J. W.
Burton, in Washington, and read law one year, having read two years
before under direction of M. F. Burke. In fall of 1863 he opened a law
office at Dover Hill, Martin Co., Ind., and practiced there one year,
at end of which time he located in the practice of his profession in
connection with William Thompson, at Washington, for a few months. In
1865 he was married to Laura A. Gibson, of Martin County, daughter of
Thomas M. Gibson, a very prominent merchant of Loogootee, and for three
years was at Loogootee in his profession. He then formed a law
partnership with Col. C. M. Allen and Hon. Nathaniel P. Usher, in
Vinceunes, where he remained till June, 1872, when he located at
Washington, where he has ever since practiced law; with S. H. Taylor,
one year; with Judge J. T. Pierce, two years; with William Armstrong,
two years, and then with his former partner, S. H. Taylor, with whom he
has been connected ever since. Mr. Gardiner's married life has been
blessed with six children, but three of whom are now living: Charles
G., William R. and Susanna A. (the two sons are now in the State
University at Bloomington). He has, since the summer of 1864, been a
very zealous Republican in politics, unless his vote for Mr. Greeley in
1872 is an exception. He has represented Daviess County for several
years in Republican State conventions. In 1884 he was a delegate from
this congressional district to the National Republican Convention at
Chicago, and ie distinguished as being the only Imlmmaii who addressed
the convention. He was attorney for the town of Washington in 1864 and
1865. Was appointed prosecuting attorney for the district then
including Knox, Gibson, Pike, Dubois, Martin and Daviess Counties, by
Gov. O. P. Morton in 1866, to fill vacancy caused by the resignation of
R. A. Clements, who was then elected judge of common pleas district
court. On the death of R. A. Clements Mr. Gardiner was appointed by
Gov. Baker to fill his unexpired term of judge. He made a race for
judge of Knox and Daviess Circuit Court in 1882, carrying Daviess
County, whose regular majority was about 200 Democratic by 270
majority, Newton F. Malott, a Democrat, being his opponent in the
candidacy. He belongs to the Masonic fraternity. He is a self-made man
and has met with well deserved success.
R. E. GEETING & BRO., watch-makers and jewelers, Washington, Ind.
This firm consists of Royal E. and George C. W. Geeting. They bought
their present business of J. C. Farron in 1880, starting at that time
with small stock and limited capital, but by strict attention to
business, economy and integrity, they have succeeded in building up a
flourishing business. They carry a full line of watches, clocks,
jewelry and silverware, and control a large share of the trade in this
line in Daviess County. Royal E. Geeting was born in Hamilton County,
Ohio, September, 1856, and is a son of Isaac and Caroline (Watson)
Geeting, natives, respectively, of Maryland and Hamilton County, Ohio.
Isaac Geeting removed to this city with his family in 1868, and he has
wince resided here, engaged in contracting and building, being a
carpenter by trade. The subject of this sketch worked with his father
at the carpenter's trade until he was twenty-one years old. when he
entered the jewelry store of N. H. Jepson, of Washington, where he
learned the watch-maker's and jeweler's trade, and continued with Mr.
Jepson over three years. He then worked at his trade four months in
Sullivan, Ind., when he returned to Washington and established his
present business. Mr. Geeting is a Republican in politics, and is
justly recognized as one of the enterprising and successful business
men of Daviess County, and as a moral, upright man. In November, 1881,
he was married to Maggie Wright, a native of this county, by whom he
has one son, named Otis K. Geeting.
GEOKGE C. W. GEETING was
born in Hamilton County, Ohio, May 26, 1853, and is a son of Isaac and
Caroline Geeting. He was reared on a farm in his native county by his
parents, and secured the usual common school education of the time. He
came to Washington with his parents, and was for ten years engaged as
clerk in the grocery and dry goods business. In 1880 he took an
interest in his present jewelry business with his brother, and since
1882 has been actively engaged in connection therewith. He is a member
of the K of P., and is a Republican in politics.
JOSEPH H. GILL, of the
firm of Bonham & Gill, was born in Bond County, Ill., July 30,
1840, being a son of Joseph and Elizabeth Gill, who died in Illinois
when our subject was ten years old. Immediately after their death he
left the home farm, and at that tender age began life's battle for
himself. He worked at manual labor in that State until he was sixteen
years of age, when he came to Indiana and began learning the
cabinet-maker's trade, at Princeton. Having mastered his trade he came
to Washington in 1858, and entered the employ of Mattingly &
Mulholland, remaining with them until 1861, when he enlisted as a
private soldier in Company H, Twenty-fourth Regiment Indiana Volunteer
Infantry, serving in the army until the close of the war, and being in
all the battles in which his division, under Gen. A. P. Hovey, was
engaged. After being discharged, at Galves- ton, Tex., he returned to
Washington and entered the employ of Mattingly & Bonham, working
for them until 1872, when Mr. Mattingly died. He continued with Mr.
Bonham until 1874, when he purchased one-half interest in the business,
and has since been a partner in the firm of Bonham & Gill. Mr. Gill
is a Republican in politics; is a member of the I. O. O. F., of K. of
H., and of the G. A. R., and is an enterprising, successful business
man. In 1868 he was married to Mary E. Carnahan, a native of Daviess
County, by whom he has six children, named Jennie, James, Charles H.,
Laura, Helen and Joseph.
JOHN J. GLENDENING,
book-keeper for Cabel, Wilson & Co., Washington, Ind., was born in
Allegheny County, Penn., October 13, 1845, being one of a family of six
children, three of whom only are living, born to Joseph and Martha
(Strauss) Glendening, natives of Pennsylvania. In 1853 they removed
from Pennsylvania to Jefferson County, Ind., where the father died, and
where the mother still resides. The subject of thia sketch was reared
by his parents in Pennsylvania and in Jefferson County, Ind., and
obtained a good literary education. He was engaged in teaching school
from 1865 to 1870, when he came to Washington and entered the employ of
Cabel, Wilson & Co., in the capacity of book-keeper, which position
he has ever since filled in a faithful and efficient manner. He was
married, October 13, 1875, to Miss Harriet E. Wright, of Daviess
County, by whom he has three children: Harriet E., Pearl and John. Mr.
Glendening is a stanch Republican, and has served one term as member of
the city council. He is a Royal Arch Mason, and W. M. of Charity Lodge,
No. 30, of Washington. He is also a member of the Odd Fellows Lodge,
and is universally recognized as a moral and upright citizen of Daviess
County.
THOMAS B. GRAHAM, Sr.,
deceased, a prominent citizen of Daviess County, was a Kentuckian by
birth, and was one of eight children born to James and Jane (Mitchell)
Graham, who were natives of Delaware and Pennsylvania, respectively.
James Graham was born about 1772. He moved to Kentucky after attaining
his majority, and there married the mother, who was about two years
younger than himself. They came to Daviess County, Ind., in 1826. They
both died in September, 1838, within four days of each other. Thomas
B., Sr., was born December 1, 1806, and was reared in Nicholas and
Bourbon Counties, Ky., and there learned the saddler's trade. After
coming to Indiana he remained a resident of Daviess County up to the
time of hia death. His early business life was in the retail general
merchandising, and was marked by that success which characterized his
whole business life. At different times he was associated in business
with Elisha Hyatt, Col. John Van Trees and John Fairchild. He was first
married to Lydia McCormick, and after her death to Charlotte Foote, who
also died. No children survive these wives. In 1847 he was married to
Margaret Hyatt, daughter of Thomas Hyatt, an early pioneer of the
county. To his last marriage seven children were born, five of whom are
living: Laura, Edith (wife of Dr. J. N. Jones), Ziba, a prominent
farmer residing in the city, Lillie (wife of Warren Sherman, of
Kossville, Kas.), and Thomas B. In politics Mr. Graham was a zealous
Republican, but did not mingle in political schemes. He was a self-made
and successful man, and has aided much in the progress of the county.
Ziba F. Graham, son of Thomas and Margaret (Hyatt) Graham, was born
Aiigust 30, 1853, and remained with his parents until twenty-four years
of age. He then married Margaret A. Cabel, daughter of Joseph Cabel, of
Washington, Ind. They have two children: Joseph B. and Robert C.
Politically Mr. Graham is a Republican, and is a farmer and stock
dealer by occupation. He owns 1,440 acres of fine farming land, about
1,000 acres of which are under cultivation. He is a prosperous and
wide-awake young farmer.
RICHARD HENRY GREENWOOD,
treasurer of Daviess County, was born in Madison Township December 20,
1836. In 1846 his parents moved to Greene County, where they remained
five years, and then returned to Daviess County, and lived in El- more
Township two years. They then settled in Washington Township, four
miles southwest of Washington, where they still reside. The subject of
this sketch was married February 2,1860, and during that and the
following year was engaged in farming —one year in Veal Township and
the next in Reeve. On the 25th of August, 1862, he enlisted in the
Twenty-seventh Regiment, Company D, under Capt. John Cassidy. He
remained in the service until June, 1865, when he was mustered out, the
war having come to a close. He participated in several of the hard-
fought battles of the Rebellion, notably at Chancellorsville, An-
tietam and Gettysburg, and through the Atlanta campaign and Sherman's
march to the sea. At Antietam he received a bullet wound, which
disabled him for active service for about six weeks. Upon his return
from the war he became an employe of Elisha Hyatt, acting for a number
of years as a kind of general overseer of Mr. Hyatt's business at Tom's
Hill and vicinity. He then returned to his early occupation of farming,
in Steele Township, and in 1880 was elected trustee of the township.
Having filled this position creditably for two years, the Democratic
party in 1882 nominated him for the office of county treasurer, and
elected him over the candidate of the Republican party by a majority of
229. In 1884 he was re-elected to the same office, over Martin Nugent,
a prominent and wealthy farmer of Elmore Township, by a plurality of
367. Mr. Greenwood is an honest and upright man, and an excellent
public servant. He is a good citizen, and a representative of the
laboring classes. He has a family of six children—five sons and one
daughter—the latter of whom has been of much service to her father in
the office of county treasurer.
ALEXANDER M. HARDY,
attorney at law of Washington, Ind., was born in Ontario, Canada, in
December, 1847, son of William and Sarah (Merrill) Hardy, who were
natives of the same place. Alexander was reared with his parents, and
secured a good literary education, attending the Victoria College of
Coburg, Canada, and graduating from that institution. At the age of
eighteen he began reading law, graduating from the University of
Toronto, Canada, in 1866. He then came to the United States and located
at Natchez, Miss., where he practiced his profession, and also engaged
in the newspaper business. He was appointed collector of customs at
that place in 1875, under Grant. He left that city in 1877 and went to
Washington, D. C., where he was employed in the law department of the
pension bureau until 1881. He then located in Paducah, where he was
employed by the United States authorities as superintendent in building
the Government Postoffice and Custom House. In 1885 he removed to this
city, and has since been engaged in the practice of his profession. He
is a stanch Republican, and has taken an active part in national
politics since his residence in the States. He stumped Mississippi with
Hon. John A. Lynch, in 1876 (for Hayes), and was in the campaign of
1880 in Indiana and New York, and during the campaign of 1884 was in
Ohio. He was married to Elizabeth Lee. He is a member of the I. O. O.
F. and K. of H.
A. J. HART was born near
Washington, in Daviess County, Ind., and is one of eleven children born
to the marriage of James Hart and Sarah King. The father was born on
the Atlantic Ocean in 1793, coming from Ireland to America. His parents
settled first in Tennessee, and then in North Carolina, where the
father was married. They came from there to Indiana, and here our
subject was born November 15, 1831. His mother was a native of middle
Tennessee, died when he was about twelve years of age, and he lived
with his father until eighteen years of age, when he began doing for
himself. He first began working on the Wabash & Erie Canal, and in
six months' time was promoted to superintendent, and was given a force
of seventy-five or one hundred men. Two years later he with sixteen men
came to Daviess County, Ind., and commenced working on the Ohio &
Mississippi Railroad. In the fall of 1853 he quit this work and
commenced farming on some of the land where he now lives. February 8,
1854, he was married to Mary, daughter of Matthew and Margaret
(Hopkins) Arthur. She was born November 5, 1827. He cast his first vote
for Buchanan, but since that time has been a Republican. He has been a
member of the Masonic Lodge for sixteen years, and his wife a member of
the Christian Church for twenty years. Mr. Hart owns 160 acres of land,
120 of which are in a good state of cultivation. In 1868 he gave up his
farm life and kept a general merchandise store in Washington for three
years, and then moved to Montgomery, where he followed the same
occupation, and also operated a coal mine. In 1870 he returned to the
farm, where he has since lived.
CHARNER HAWKINS, African,
was bora near Washington, Daviess Co., Ind., March 29, 1831, and is the
fourth of a family of eleven children born to Jacob and Ellen (Embrey)
Hawkins, who were natives of Charleston, S. C., where they were slaves.
They came with their owners to Indiana when it was a Territory, and at
its admittance into the Union as a State they obtained their freedom.
The father was at this time sixteen years of age, and by his own energy
and perseverance became the owner of over 1,000 acres of excellent
farming land. His master's name was Hawkins, and he accordingly took
that name after securing his freedom. He and wife were for some time
members of the Presbyterian Church, and afterward of the African
Methodist Church. The father died in 1864, and the mother in 1870. Our
subject was reared on a farm, and received very limited educational
advantages. He remained with his parents to the age of twenty-two
years, when he married and settled on hie present farm. He has been
very prosperous in his undertakings, and is at the present time the
owner of 260 acres of land in one tract, and thirty acres near
Washington. His farm Ib well improved, and he has a fine two-story
residence well furnished. In 1853 he was married to Malinda Grier. They
have two children: Sylvester and Sarah E. This wife died January 17,
1873, and September 15, 1875, he was married to Millie Blakey, who has
borne him four children: Dora, Clergain. Helen, and Charner. Both Mr.
and Mrs. Hawkins are members of the African Methodist Church, and he is
a member of the I. O. O. F., and politically is a very zealous
Republican. He is one of the prominent men of the county, and is
recognized as a highly honorable and upright citizen. His father was
the first African in the county, and in his younger days often made
trips to Vincennes, protected from the Indians by a number of armed
men, to get barrels of salt for the neighbors.
FRANCIS M. HAYNES,
attorney at law, of Washington, Ind.. was born in Lawrence County, this
State, November 27,1845, and is a son of John and Lavina (Sapp) Haynes,
natives, respectively, of Kentucky and Maryland, and of Irish and
German descent. John Haynes removed toDaviess County with his family in
1849, and located on a farm in Bogard Township, where he resided until
his death July 22, 1875. Francis M. was reared on a farm, and secured a
good literary education, preparing himself for teaching, which
profession he followed for two years. At the age of twenty he began
studying Blackstone, and in 1872 came to this city and read law in the
office of Judge James T. Perce. He was admitted to the Daviess County
bar in 1878, and formed a partnership with his preceptor (Perce) and
practiced law with him until his removal from the city in 1880. He then
practiced with Levi Reeves until 1883, when he continued by himself
until 1885, and then formed a partnership with A. M. Hardy, and the
firm stands among the foremost ranks in the legal profession to-day.
January 31, 1865, he married Matilda J. Burkett, a native of the
county. Mr. Haynes is a Republican in politics, and takes an active
interest in the local campaigns in the county. In September, 1861, he
enlisted as a private in Company G, Forty-second Indiana Volunteer
Infantry, serving in this and Company I, Sixty-fifth Indiana Volunteer
Infantry in the war of the Rebellion until July 13, 1865. He is a
member of the Encampment of I. O. O. F. and G. A. R. He was wounded by
the concussion of a shell at the battle of Kesaca, Ga., producing
spinal meningitis, from which he is still disabled. He receives a
pension from the Government.
JUDGE DAVID J. HEFRON was
born in Jennings County, Ind., February 18, 1842, and removed with his
parents to Daviess County, Ind., and located on a farm in Barr
Township, where he remained until about twenty years of age. He
attended the township schools, and later was a student in the Mitchell
High School. He taught for some time during the winter seasons and
farmed during the summer, and afterward attended the literary
department of the State University at Bloomington in 1866, and remained
during the following year. He attended the law department of the same
institution the winter of 1868-69, and came to Washington in February
of the latter year, and entered the law office of Hon. John H. O'Neal.
He was admitted to the bar and became a partner of Mr. O'Neal in 1870,
and began practicing in 1871. This partnership was dissolved in 1872,
but was resumed in 1874, and continued until the appointment of Mr.
Hefron as judge of this circuit. The firm of O'Neal & Hefron was
one of the most successful and prominent of law firms in the Second
Congressional District, both gentlemen being attorneys of more than
ordinary ability. Mr. Hefron was elected mayor of Washington in May,
1871, and re-elected in 1873. In 1876 he was chosen to represent Green
and Daviess Counties in the State Legislature to fill an unexpired term
of Hon. Andrew Humphrey, who had been elected to Congress. In 1878 he
was re-elected to the State Senate for a term of four years, and was
one of the most active members and the acknowledged leader of the
Democratic senators. When the Forty-ninth Judicial Circuit was created,
Gov. Gray immediately appointed Mr. Hefron judge of the new circuit, an
appointment that met with universal approval. Politically Mr. Hefron is
a Democrat, but a very liberal one. He is of Irish lineage, and was
married, September 10,1873, to Florence A. Barton, who died December
18, 1884, leaving four children. She was a daughter of Dr. G. G.
Barton, of Washington, Ind. Our subject is essentially a self-made man.
HERMAN HIMBURG, was born
in Prussia, Germany, October 19, 1832. He is the sixth of twelve
children born to the marriage of Jacob Himburg and Mary Schram, who
were also native Germans, and lived and died in their native land. Our
subject was reared in a city of Germany, and obtained a good education
in his native language, but never attended English schools. At the age
of seventeen he left home and traveled as a barber over Europe until
twenty-two years of age. He then came to America and located in
Buffalo, N. Y., where he worked at his trade. At the end of six months
he went to Canada, and after residing there four years he went to
Louisville, Ky., where he remained about six months, and in 1858 moved
to Washington, Ind., and worked at his trade about seven years, and
also kept barroom. In 1872 or 1873 he moved to Lettsville, where he
kept a store until October 17, 1884, when he was burned out with
considerable loss. Since then he has followed farming exclusively, and
now owns 333 acres of land well improved. He was united in marriage,
January 22, 1855, to Mary Gento, a native of Germany, who came to
America at the same time our subject did. Mr. Himburg is not a member
of any church, but is a Lutheran in belief. Politically he has always
been a Democrat, and has been postmaster of Lettsville for twelve
years. He is a wideawake business man and has the respect and esteem of
all.
HIRAM HOGSHEAD was born
in Daviess County, Ind., February 10, 1824, and is the third of ten
children born to David and Mary (Logan) Hogshead, natives,
respectively, of North Carolina and Kentucky. They were married in
Kentucky, and came to Martin County, Ind., where the father followed
agricultural pursuits. After a short residence in that county they came
to Daviess County, and there spent the remainder of their lives. They
both died in 1879. Subject was reared on a farm near Washington, Ind.,
but received limited educational advantages. At the age of twenty-seven
he married, and began farming and working at the cooper's trade, and
continued that until 1863, when he came to Washington, and in
connection with David Solomon worked very successfully at the cooper's
trade for a short time. He then took a trip to California and Oregon,
but soon returned to "Hoosierdom" and operated a saw-mill until about
1878, when he began the manufacture of tile, and still carries on that
business. November 4, 1852, he wedded Martha Johnson, who died in 1861,
having borne two children, one now living, Glenn (wife of "William
Frickie). October 1, 1862, Mr. Hogshead married his present wife, Susan
Juvenall, a native of this county, born in 1834. These three children
have blessed their union: Emma, Ephraim, and Mary. Mr. Hogshead is a
member of the Masonic fraternity, and a Knight Templar of the Vincennes
Commandery. In politics he has always been a Whig and Republican, and
cast his first presidential vote for Taylor. He is a highly respected
citizen, and an enterprising business man of the county.
ALBION HORRALL,
postmaster, Washington, was born in Daviess County February 24, 1854,
being the eldest of a family of seven children, five of whom are still
living, born to Spillard F. and Jane (Crabb) Horrall, both natives of
Daviess County, subject's grandfather having come to Daviess County by
wagon from South Carolina in 1816, where he resided until his death in
1878. The father of our subject was prominent, and was for a number of
years engaged in the newspaper business before the war. In September,
1861, he enlisted as second lieutenant of Company G, Forty-second
Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, serving until the close of the
war, and being promoted to first lieutenant and captain, and later was
made an officer on Gen. John Beatty's staff. After the close of the war
he was local editor of the Evansville Journal six years, and of the
Evansville Courier one year. He was then local editor of the Terre
Haute Gazette one year, when he returned to Washington and bought the
Washington Gazette, which he conducted five or six years. He then
removed to Vincennes and started the Vincennes Commercial, which he
conducted three or four years, when he again returned to Washington and
started the Weekly Commercial, which he ran, however, only a short
time. Since then he has resided in Washington, retired from active
labor. The subject of this sketch was brought up in the newspaper
business with his father, his education having been obtained in the
public schools and completed atEvansville. When he was seventeen years
old he worked one year as mailing clerk on the Evansville Courier, and
then one year on the Terre Haute Evening Gazette. Coining- then to
Washington he worked at the case in the office of the Washington
Gazette until he was twenty-one years old, when he entered into
partnership with his father on that paper, and later in the Vincennes
Commercial, continuing thus until his appointment as postmaster at
Washington in 1877. This position he filled faithfully and efficiently
until 1886. In politics he has always been a stanch Republican and an
active worker for his party. He is a Mason and a member of the I. O. O.
F. He was married February 22, 1878, to Miss Mamie Harris, daughter of
William P. Harris, deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Horrall have three children:
Pearl, Laura, and Pansy. Mr. Horrall attends the Methodist Episcopal
Church, of which his family are members.
ELISHA HYATT (deceased)
may be mentioned as one of the men who figured conspicuously in the
financial affairs of the county. He was born in Mason County, Ky.,
October 4, 1809, and died December 31, 1885, at his home in Washington,
Ind. He was a son of Thomas and Margaret Hyatt, and has been a resident
of Daviess County since 1823. He remained on the farm and aided his
parents until twenty-four years of age. After making several trips to
New Orleans by boat, he engaged in the mercantile business with Thomas
B. Graham, but the partnership was dissolved in 1842. He afterward
operated a distillery for two years, and later was a partner with
William Help- enstein in merchandising. Since 1875 he has been engaged
in farming, steam-boating, pork-packing, timber traffic, and was
president of the Hyatt, Leving & Co.'s Bank of Washington, Ind.,
which failed in 1884, causing him to lose his valuable estates and
property. He was married in December, 1839, to Martha Beazley, a native
of the county, born in 1817. To their union eight children were born,
these five now living: Elizabeth (wife of Isaac Parsons, of Vincennes),
Hiram, Lydia (wife of Hugh Rogers), Richard, and Elisha. Politically
Mr. Hyatt was a Whig and Republican, and has been a zealous member of
his party. His credit was almost unlimited, and he was recognized by
all as one who did much to benefit Daviess County and the city of
Washington.
HON. JOHN HYATT, a
prominent citizen of Daviess County, was born in Mason County, Ky.,
September 4, 1814. He is one of the four surviving members of a family
of three sons and four daughters born to Thomas and Margaret
(McPherson) Hyatt. The father, who was of German descent, was born in
Hyattstown, Md.; removed to Kentucky when he was a young man, married
there and in 1823 moved to Daviess County, Ind. Here he purchased what
has since been known as the "Hyatt" farm, one-half mile north of
Washington, upon which he resided until his death a short time before
the breaking out of the war of the Rebellion. He was well and favorably
known throughout the county as one of its most enterprising and
successful farmers, and as a moral, upright man. The mother of John
Hyatt was of Irish descent, of Pennsylvania birth, and died on the
homestead five years after the death of her husband. John Hyatt was
brought up on the farm with his parents, and secured a limited
education in the primitive schools of Daviess County, but he greatly
improved upon this rudimentary education in later life by actual and
continued contact with business life. After attaining his majority he
engaged as clerk with the firm of Graham & Hyatt, and continued
with them four or five years. In 1839 he engaged in the grocery
business in Washington on his own account, continuing in that business
exclusively two years, at the end of which time he added dry goods to
his stock, and conducted these two kinds of business until 1875 without
interruption. By thirty-five years' experience and attention to
business he succeeded in establishing a large and lucrative trade and a
comfortable competency. Unfortunately, however, in later years, he
became crippled financially by security, which illustrates the generous
nature of Mr. Hyatt, and at the same time the folly of becoming surety
for a friend. Mr. Hyatt was originally an old-time Whig, but is now a
Green- backer. In 1840 he was elected recorder of Daviess County,
serving seven years. In 1868 he was elected by the Democratic ;>arty
to represent them in the Indiana State Legislature, serving in the
session of 1869, and resigning with others on account of the trouble
occasioned by the introduction of the fifteenth amendment to the
Constitution of the United States. He was re-elected to the called
session of 1869. He has always taken an active interest in public and
private enterprises in the county, and has especially devoted his
attention and means to educational advancement He has been a member of
the school board a number of times and also of the city council. He is
a member of the I. O. O. F., and while he is not a member of any
sectarian church, yet he believes mainly in the teachings of the Bible
and extends a helping hand to the church. Mr. Hyatt has been married
four times, and has lost three wives by death. By his first wife, who
was Miss Elizabeth J. Gastings, he was the father of seven children,
four of whom are now living: Henry H., Fielding A., Samuel and Anna A.,
the latter now Mrs. William Gibson, of Salina, Kas. By his second wife,
who was Mary Burns, he had one child, Charles, who is still living. By
his marriage with Elizabeth Bruner he had three children, two of whom
are now living: Cora (Mrs. E. R. Turtle, of St. Louis), and Anna (Mrs.
Charles Ohmer, of Indianapolis). He was married to his present wife,
formerly Bertha Brayfield, May 12, 1874. By her he has two children:
Francis and Edgar.
GEORGE HTATT was the
second of five children born to William and Rebecca (Read) Hyatt, both
natives of the county, and grandson of Thomas Hyatt, who was born in
Kentucky and came to Indiana in 1823, and settled on the farm where our
subject now lives. He was a prominent man of the county, and all the
Hyatts of the county are his descendants. He died September 22, 1848.
His wife, Margaret (McFerran) Hyatt, died May 17, 1858. Our subject's
father was born in 1823 on a farm, and there lived until about
forty-five years of age, when he moved to town and was engaged in the
merchandise business for six or seven years. He then retired from that
business and dealt in stock, and at his death, June 2, 1885, owned 300
acres of fine land adjoining town. He was twice married. By his first
wife, Rebecca A. Read, whom he married November 23, 1847, he became the
father of these children: Mary, George, Margaret, Helen and Rebecca.
This wife died April 2,1858, and he then married Margaret McClure, who
bore him one child—Thomas. His last marriage was September 11, 1884, to
Mrs. Ella A. Coup, who survives him. Our immediate subject was born
July 10, 1850, and was reared on the farm and secured a good education
in the graded schools. At the age of twenty-eight he went to
California, but remained there but six months, when he returned and
engaged in the general merchandise business in Epsom. At the end of
three years he purchased an interest in the Washington Mills and
Foundry, which was afterward destroyed by fire. In August, 1885, he
began farming on the old place and now owns 270 acres of land, part of
which is adjacent to town and very valuable. September 4, 1881, he was
married to Florence R. Carter, a native of the county; They have these
three children: William, Alice and Mary. He is a member of the I. O. O.
F., and a Republican in politics.
HENRY H. HYATT was born
in Washington, Ind., June 22, 1842, and is the second of six children
born to John and Elizabeth J. (Geetings) Hyatt. He was raised in the
city and secured a common school education. At the age of seventeen he-
enlisted in Company D, Twenty-fourth Indiana Volunteers July 2, 1861,
and served his country three years, but remained uninjured. After his
return home he engaged with his father and brother in the dry goods
business, continuing very successfully until 1883. He then took charge
of the Hyatt House until 1885, when he abandoned that work, and is not
now actively engaged in business. He owns 780 acres of land, a portion
of which is the finest in the county in regard to fertility and
location. He was married September 5, 1864, to Mary E. Hoffmeister, a
native of the county and daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth Hoffmeister,
of this city. To them were born six children, two of whom died in
infancy. Those living are Clara, Hattie, Elizabeth and Robert C. Mr.
Hyatt is a Knight Templar Mason, Encampment of Odd Fellows and Uniform
Degree of G. A. R., K. of H. and K. of P. He and family are members of
the Presbyterian Church, and1 in politics he is a very zealous
Republican. He has been connected with the business interests of the
city since attaining his majority, and is one of the first citizens of
the county.
JOHN JACKSON, farmer and
stock raiser, is a native of the " Sucker State," born February 15,
1830, son of Daniel and Alice (Colbert) Jackson, and is of Irish
descent, and the seventh of thirteen children. His father was born in
N. Y. in 1797, and his mother in Ohio in 1804. The grandfather was born
in Ireland, but came to America and died in Pennsylvania. The Jackson
family came to Daviess County, Ind., about 1830 and settled in
Washington Township for a few years and then moved to Harrison
Township, where the father died in 1879, and his mother in 1880. Our
subject spent his boyhood days on a farm, and received but little
schooling. At the age of twenty-one he began for himself and worked by
the month for two years, and then began farming on his own
responsibility. In 1880 he moved on his present farm, and now owns 713
acres of land, nearly all of which is well improved. He was married, in
November, 1856, to Miss Melinda Chapman, born in Harrison Township in
1837, daughter of E. S. Chapman. They have six children, viz.: Eli M.,
Milton M., Charles M., Anna M., Stella M. and Harlie M. Mr. Jackson is
a Republican in his political views, and is a member of the I. O. O. F.
He takes great interest in the advancement of agriculture, and is noted
as a breeder of short-horn cattle and fine hogs. He and wife are
members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and he is one of the leading
farmers of the county.
NATHAN H. JEPSON,
watch-maker aud jeweler of Washington, Ind., was born in Belinont
County, Ohio, January, 28, 1835, and is a son of John and Hannah (Hunt)
Jepson, both natives of Lancastershire, England. The former came to the
United Htates as early as 1825, locating first in Troy, N. Y., and
seven years later removed to Belmont County, Ohio. Here he followed
farming until late in life, when he devoted his attention to mercantile
pursuits, in which he remained engaged until disqualified for business
by old age. He died in Belmont County in February, 1884, in his
ninetieth year. The subject of this sketch was brought up by his
parents in St. Clairsville, Ohio, where he obtained a fair literary
education. He clerked in his father's store until he was nineteen years
old, when he went to Cadiz, Harrison Co., Ohio, to learn the
watch-niaker's and jeweler's trade. Remaining there one and a half
years he engaged in the business for himself at Steubenville, Ohio. In
1864 he enlisted in Company B, One Hundred and Fifty-seventh Ohio
Volunteer Infantry, and served in that regiment four months as orderly
sergeant. At the close of the war he established himself in business at
Urbana, Ohio, where he remained until 1870, when he eame to Washington,
Ind., where he has continued at the same business ever since. He
carries a full and select line of watchea, clocks, jewelry and
silverware, and enjoys a large trade both in the city and county. Mr.
Jepson is a sound Republican in politics, and has taken an active
interest in the welfare of his party since his residence in the county.
He was a member of the Republican State Central Committee during the
campaign of 1882, but declined the position in 1884, as he was a
candidate for nomination to the office of secretary of State before the
Republican convention. He has been chairman of the city Republican
committee a number of years, was a member of city council two years,
and has on several occasions declined the nomination for mayor. He is a
member of the U. S. Grant Post, No. 72, G. A. R., of Washington. In
1863 he was married to Miss Elizabeth Black, a native of Columbiana
County, Ohio. They have three children: John S., Lucy T, and Jessie
Hunt. Both Mr. and Mrs. Jepson are members of the Presbyterian Church,
he himself being one of the deacons, and he is universally and justly
recognized as one of the leading, enterprising and successful business
men of the community.
JAMES JOHNSON, the
subject of this sketch, was born in Pennsylvania in the year 1752, was
of Scotch parentage, and at the age of about thirty-eight, immigrated
to what was then the Territory of Indiana. He, with nine other
families, ran down the Ohio River, on what was known as keel-boats,
until the Wabash was reached. Then those few pioneers poled, pulled,
and rowed up the river until the little French town of Vinceunes was
reached, where they disembarked, and for a time mingled with the French
and Indians. These were the first Americans that made a permanent
residence in Knox County, if not the first in the State. These people
had moved to the New World with the hope of bettering their condition
in life, and they, being farmers by occupation, were satisfied with the
outlook near Vincennes, and soon became settled on Government land,
cleared the forests and were rewarded by successfully reaping largely
of their growing crops. This colony was composed of brave and daring
spirits, and most of that company lived to a green old age. Mr. Johnson
was blessed with a family of thirteen children; the greater number of
them lived to settle in life before their father's death, which
occurred about 1833, being buried with the honors of war, he having for
three years been a soldier in the Revolutionary war. 80 fell this man
of toil, who was willing to leave home, nativity, and all that he held
dear, that in the wilds of the far West, he might rear a home and leave
a competency for his family. His ashes lie in an almost forgotten and
neglected family burying ground in Knox County, and according to his
religious belief will rest until he shall " meet the Lord in the air."
He has many descendants yet living.
JOHN L. JOHNSON, the
eldest son of the above sketch, was born in 1782, and when a small
youth with his father, shared the wilds of a Western life; he could at
the age of ninety years, name each one of the ten families, who
together, in 1790, came to the "territory of Knox;" he retained to a
remarkable degree his memory to the day of his death. He died to the
advanced age of ninety-two years; for sixty-five years he lived
continuously in the same home in Daviess County; his companion during
all this time, sharing his trials and joys, died two months later. He
was a soldier in the war of 1812, and participated in a number of
important engagements, and at the time of his death was a pensioner on
the Government, because of services rendered in that war. His politics
were those of his father, Whig, and later Republican; hie religious
sympathies were with the Methodist Episcopal Church, he having been
identified with that denomination from boyhood. " He now rests from his
labors." One of his brothers, Friend, moved West with the retreating
Indians; he was a silversmith by trade. He died near Muscatine. Iowa.
Another brother, Elijah, who was born in 1796, met his death by
a.falling tree in 1848, in Daviess County, Ind. His religion and
politics were the same as his elder brother's. He left a family of nine
children, eight of whom are still living, and whose average age is
fifty-four years. William Johnson, a brother, was said to be the first
American child born in the State of Indiana; in politics he differed
from the rest, as he died a Democrat. George, the youngest, is at this
writing alive, being the only one left of the large family. His
seventy-seven yearfe sit lightly upon him; he now lives near Sumner,
Ill.
ALFRED E. JOHNSON,
farmer, was born in Washington Township, March 2,1840, son of Elijah
and Mildred (Horrell) Johnson. The family is of Scotch origin, and the
father was born in what is now Knox County, Ind., in 1796, and the
mother in South Carolina, in 1802. The grandfather was Peter Johnson, a
Pennsylvaman, born in 1758, and immigrated to what is now Indiana in
1790. He was a Revolutionary soldier and died in Daviess County at a
ripe old age. The mother died in 1855. Alfred E. grew to manhood on the
old Johnson homestead, and secured a common school education. In July,
1861, he enlisted in Company I, Twenty-fourth Indiana Volunteer
Infantry, for three years or during the war. He was at the siege of
Vicksburg, Champion Hills, Edwards' Ferry, Jackson, Miss., and Mobile.
He was wounded at Champion Hills, and received his discharge in 1865.
He lias since farmed and owns seventy-four acres of well- improved
land. He was married, October 13, 1870, to Miss F. E. Bachelor, a
native of Washington Township, born in 1824. They have four children,
viz.: Hugh C., Elva M., Edie L. and Grant C. He is a Republican, a
member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and has been a member of the
I. O. O. F. since 1864.
NELSON JOHNSON, a
representative of one of the first Indiana families, farmer, and one of
the leading stockmen of this county, vice-president of the Daviess
County Agricultural Society, was born in Veal Township, this county,
January 3, 1835, son of Elijah and Mildred (Horrell) Johnson, and of
Scotch descent. Of eight children he is the sixth. At one year of age
he was, by his parents, removed to where he now lives, on what is known
as the old Johnson homestead, which consisted of eighty acres. He came
into possession of the homestead in 1855. He engaged in farming in
early life, and has since continued, and now owns 285 acres of good
land. For fifteen years he has been paying attention to stock and stock
raising, and has made several trips to Canada in stock interests. He
has many fine Cotswold sheep and Clydesdale horses. He was married, in
1854, to Miss Martha E. Hummer, a native of Knox County. They have five
children: Theodore, William S., Hayden H., Emmons and Dovie. He is a
Republican, and joined the Methodist Episcopal Church at" fourteen
years of age. His wife is a member of the same church. He has been very
successful and is one of the representative farmers of the county.
CAPT. ZACHARIAH JONES, a
highly respected citizen of Daviess County, was born in Pottsville,
Penix, September 28, 1841, and is one of five living children of Renna
and Louisa (Madara) Jones, natives, respectively, of South Carolina and
Pennsylvania. His father came to Daviess County with his parents at an
early day and lived here until he had arrived at the age of manhood,
when he returned to Pennsylvania, married and lived in that State until
1861. He then returned to Daviess County, and has since resided here on
a farm. The subject of this sketch was reared on a farm and secured a
common school education in his youthful days. At the age of ten he
began learning the cigar-maker's trade, which he followed until 1861,
when he enlisted in the Sixth Pennsylvania Infantry, serving out the
time of his enlistment—three months. He then came to Daviess County and
enlisted in Company H, Fifty-eighth Regiment Indiana Volunteer
Infantry, serving until the close of the war. He was promoted from
orderly sergeant to second and first lieutenant, and was bre- vetted
captain at the close of the war. After the battle of Stone River he was
appointed to the staff of Gen. Buell, and was serving on Gen. Hooker's
staff when mustered out of service. He returned to Washington and
engaged in the cigar and tobacco business, which he continued with good
success until 1873. This business he resumed in 1876 and conducted
until 1885, when he engaged in the general grocery business, which he
is now con - ducting with a fair measure of success. He carries a full
and select stock of goods and enjoys a large share of trade. He has
always been a stanch Republican, and in 1878 was elected by his party
sheriff of Daviess County, serving one term faithfully and efficiently.
He is a Mason and a member of the I. O. O. F. In 1865 he was married to
Eliza A. Eads, by whom he had four children, three of whom are now
living: Alfred C., Cora C. and Lucy May.
WILLIAM H. JONES, a
prominent farmer of Daviess County, Ind., was the second of eight
children, whose parents were Thomas H., and Ruth L. (Freeland) Jones,
who were natives of this county. The father was born in Reeve Township,
in 1824, and followed the occupation of farming all his life, and
proved very successful in that calling. At the time of his marriage he
was $50 in debt and at his death, in 1876, was worth probably $20,000.
The mother was born in 1832, and died in 1882. They were married in
1849. The paternal grandfather, William Jones, was one of the early
pioneer settlers of Daviess County, Ind., and was a native of North
Carolina. The immediate subject of this sketch was born in Reeve
Township, September 18, 1852. He secured a common school education, and
attended a six months' term at Washington. He remained with his parents
until twenty-two years of age, when he married and located on the farm
where he now lives, which was then part of the father's farm. He has
been exceptionally prosperous as a farmer, and his farm is under
excellent cultivation. October 25, 1874, he was married to Mary Jane
Isnogle, a native of the county, born September 17, 1852. Five children
were born to them: Oscar (deceased), Ophia, Gertrude, Florence
(deceased) and Jacob. Mr. Jones and wife are church members, and he has
always been a Republican politically, and is one of the first men of
the county.
JARIT KEITH, a very
prominent farmer and native of Daviess County, Ind., was born January
22, 1821. He is the fourth of eleven children born to the marriage of
George H. Keith and Abbariller Perkins. The father was born in Georgia
in 1790, and died in 1858, and the mother born in Kentucky in 1795, and
died in 1879. The father was a farmer, and came to this county as early
as 1819, and was one of the first men of the county. Jarit was reared
on the home farm, but only secured such education as could be obtained
in the schoolhouses of pioneer times. At the age of twenty-three he
began farming for himself, and two years later located near
Edwardsport, where he remained one year, and then purchased land in
Knox County, where he remained until the spring of 1860, and then moved
to his present place—the old homestead farm. He has been very
prosperous in his enterprises, and now owns over 1,600 acres, nearly
all of which is very fine land. He has large barns and a commodious
two-story frame residence with convenient surroundings. December
25,1844, he was united in marriage to Bhoda Jane Lester, a native of
the county. To them were born ten children, seven now living: William
H., George, Isaac H., Julia A.. Louis, Martha and Mary J. His wife is a
member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Mr. Keith is and always
has been a zealous Kepub- lican, but has never aspired to office. He is
a good example of the self-made man, as he started in life a poor boy,
and now is one of the wealthiest land holders in the county. Besides
this he has the good will and respect of all who know him.
JOHN H. KIDWELL, recorder
of Daviess County, was born in Washington County, Ky., June 12, 1844.
In 1848 his parents removed to Daviess County, Ind., and settled on a
farm near St. Mary's Church, Barr Township. On this farm the subject of
this sketch lived until he was twelve years old, when he went to
Montgomery Station and clerked in a store about eleven years. In 1868
he was elected trustee of Barr Township, and served two terms. In 1878
he removed to Washington and became a candidate for the nomination to
the office of recorder, and stood second on the list of about a dozen
candidates, being defeated by John Whitesides. After this defeat he
clerked four years in the boot and shoe store of John Reinsel in
Washington. In November, 1882, he was elected by the Democratic party
recorder of the county, over Solomon Williams, by a majority of 389.
Mr. Kidwell was married, in 1865, to Miss Barbara E. Dant, by whom he
has six children—four sons and two daughters. Mr. Kidwell is a good
officer, polite and obliging to all. He is an excellent gentleman and a
member of the Catholic Church.
THOMAS J. LAVELLE, a
prominent citizen and native of Daviess County, Ind., was born March
28, 1845, and is a son of Michael Lavelle, of this county. He was
reared on a farm with his parents, and secured a good literary
education. At the age of seventeen he began teaching in this county,
and followed that occupation until thirty years of age, and met with
good and well deserved success in this profession. In 1874 he was
elected to the office of auditor of Daviess County, by the Democratic
party, and removed to Washington, where he filled the office in a very
commendable way. He was re-elected in 1878, being the only candidate on
the Democratic ticket elected to office that year. In 1883 his brother,
James C., was elected to the office, and since that time lie has served
as deputy under him. Mr. Lavelle is an unswerving Democrat in politics,
and has taken an active interest in the political affairs of the county
for the past two years. He is a member of the Catholic Church, and is
recognized as one of the enterprising and successful citizens of the
county. He is quite well-to-do, financially, and owns a one-half
interest in the dry goods store of Menzel & Co., of Washington.
JAMES CALLISTUS LAVELLE,
auditor of Daviess County, was born in Barr Township October 14, 1848.
He worked upon his father's farm and attended the district schools of
the township until he was qualified to enter the Washington High
School. After spending one term at this school, he spent a year at the
State University at Bloomingtou, and a year at Notre Dame University, a
Catholic institution in the northern part of the State. He taught
school six terms in Barr Township and learned telegraphy in the Ohio
& Mississippi office at Montgomery. For some time he had charge of
the telegraph offices at Eldorado, Shawneetown and Enfield, in
'Illinois, on the line of railroad then called the St. Louis &
Southeastern. During the time he worked at telegraphy he studied
medicine and acquired a knowledge of the profession, but never
practiced except to attend a few cases with Dr. Campbell at Logootee,
where he spent a year. In 1876 he became deputy auditor, under his
brother, Thomas J. Lavelle, who had been elected to the office in 1874
He has been continuously in the auditor's office since that time, his
brother having been re-elected in 1878. In 1882 he was nominated by the
Democratic party as their candidate for county auditor, and after a
hard-fought battle was elected over the Republican candidate, Milton
Haynes, by a majority of 582, showing that he drew a large number of
Republican votes. While he has been in the auditor's office he has
invented and constructed several valuable forms for simplifying the
office work, among them a record for school fund bonds and an
apportionment record, the latter showing the settlement made by the
auditor with the treasurer. This record has been largely adopted by
auditors throughout the State. He has also invented a form of record
for the use of assessors, a book containing both the assessments and
statistical reports. This record has been patented and its general use
would save thousands of dollars annually to the State. Mr. Lavelle was
married, February 18, 1879, to Miss Mattie Thompson, only daughter of
Ephriam Thompson. They have one child, a daughter. Mr. Lavelle is a
member of the ancient order of Hibernians and of the Catholic Church.
H. L. LOCHRIDGE,
proprietor of the principal livery barn of the city, was born in
Franklin, Tenn., March 24, 1857, and was the eldest of five children
born to the marriage of William Lochridge and Elizabeth Horton. who
were natives of South Carolina and Virginia, and born in 1819 and 1822,
respectively. They were married in Tennessee and have since made their
home in Franklin, where the father dealt in general merchandise until
recently, when he retired from active business life. Our subject was
reared in his native town, where he obtained a fair education, and
afterward attended college at Nashville for four years. At the age of
seventeen he left home and began the agency business and later was a
traveling agent for a clothing house. In December, 1884, he located at
Washington, Ind., and engaged in the livery business, in which he has
done well financially. He has the best stock in the city and the
leading trade. August 23, 1882, he was married to Leanore Smith, a
native of West Virginia. They have one child, a daughter, named Leo.
born November 27, 1883. In politics he is a Democrat, and is a highly
respected business man of the city.
REV. T. A. LONG was born
in Hawkins County, East Tennessee, November 15, 1832, son of William
and Mary (Ball) Long, who were born in Tennessee in 1804 and 1799,
respectively. His paternal grandfather was from Virginia, and his
maternal ancestors were natives of Pennsylvania. He removed with his
parents to Indiana when about ten years old and settled in Daviess
County, about three miles from Washington. Here our subject was reared
until of age. He received a common school education and afterward
attended college at South Hanover, Ind., where he prepared himself for
the ministry. After completing his studies he came home and entered the
conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church. September 15,1855, he was
appointed pastor of a circuit in Pike County, and was for thirty years
a minister in Pike, Green, Daviess, Lawrence, Harrison and Washington
Counties. September 14, 1854, he was married to Sarah J. Bachelor, a
native of Daviess County, who died April 6, 1864, having borne these
five children: Frank C., Martha A., Ida P. (deceased), John B. and Inda
E. (deceased). Mr. Long married Mary Batchelor September 18, 1864, who
bore him these children: Laura A., Enoch E., Ezra H. and Lillie M.
Subject gave up the ministerial work in 1875, having broken down in
voice, and returned to the farm. He was the means of bringing 1,000
souls into the church, and married 262 couples and preached 350 funeral
sermons. He is a Republican and is an ancient member of the Odd
Fellows. He has eighty-two acres of land, under which lie beds of coal.
His wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and both are
beloved and respected by all.
JOSEPH C. LORD,
superintendent Washington Gas Works, was born in Manchester, England,
January 17,1853, and is a son of Charles and Sarah (Ashton) Lord, both
natives of England, where the former died and where the latter still
resides. The subject of this sketch was brought up and educated in
England by his parents. At the age of ten years he became engaged with
his father in his present line of business, and remained thus engaged
until 1873, when he came to the United States. At first he took charge
of the gas works at Warren, Penn., and then in 1874 superintended the
building of the gas works at Ashtabula, Ohio, and for a short time
afterward had charge of them. He then took charge of the gas-fitting
department of the Shelbyville, Ind., Gas Works; then held the same
position at Crawfordsville, Ind.; next at Anderson, Ind., and finally,
in 1876, came to Washington and took charge of the gas-fitting in the
construction of the Washington Gas Works, and upon their completion was
made superintendent of them, which office he has ever since continued
to fill in a faithful and efficient manner. Mr. Lord also conducted the
Meredith Hotel during the years 1882-83, but was compelled to
relinquish the duties of this position in order to attend more closely
to the duties of superintendent of the gas works. In 1875 he was
marrried to Mrs. Esther Bonner| of Anderson, Ind., by whom he has two
children: Charles P. and Esther. In politics Mr. Lord is a Democrat.
THOMAS LYNCH may be
mentioned as one of the prominent farmers of Daviess County, Ind. He is
a son of Jesse and Martha (Bradford) Lynch, who were born and reared in
North Carolina, and about 1814 came to Daviess County, Ind., with their
parents. Here they married, lived and died. The father was a
blacksmith, and had one of the leading shops in the city. He died when
Thomas was quite a small boy. The mother lived until about 1870. Our
subject was born and reared in Washington, his birth occurring in 1824,
but obtained a limited education. At the age of fourteen he began
making his home with his uncle, and remained with him until his death.
He then rented his uncle's land, and now owns 150 acres of the best
farming land in the county. In 1855 he was united in marriage to
Minerva Samples, a native of the county. To them were born these
children: Emma (wife of Kobert Brown), Delia (wife of Andrew Palmer),
Grace (wife of Dickson Carroll), George and William. All are doing
well. Politically he has been a Republican all his life, and is a
prominent man of the county.
MRS. J. L. MARMADUKE is
the widow of Milton Marma- duke, who was born in Mason County, Ky. His
parents were natives of Virginia and Kentucky, and he was born April
31, 1823, and when nine months old was brought to Indiana by his
parents and located near Washington. When Milton was about sir- teen
years old his father died, and he was left to assist his mother and
care for his brothers and sisters, and was given the homestead farm of
forty acres, on which he' lived until his death. A few years previous
to his death he took an interest in the furniture business with his
brother Silas, in Washington, continuing two years, when he sold out to
John Cruse. His death occurred November 22, 1877. February 10, 1853, he
was married to Sallie Arthur, daughter of John and Nancy Arthur, who
bore one child: Frank, now living in Kansas. His wife died in August,
1864, and he took for his second wife Jane L. Feagans, daughter of
Derostos and Maria (Robinson) Feagans, of Kentucky. She was born August
10, 1836, and bore these five children: William W., Jesse D., James L.,
Carrie L. (deceased) and one who died in infancy. In politics Mr.
Marmaduke was a Republican, and was a member of the Baptist Church from
early life. At the time of his death he owned 200 acres of land, and
had other valuable property. His widow and her three children now
reside in "Washington, and she owns seventy-six acres of the old
homestead, besides her town poperty.
FREDERICK A. MENZEL,
druggist, of Washington, Ind., was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, June 1,
1854. His parents were Gustavus A. and Caroline Menzel, who were
Germans by descent, but natives, respectively, of England and Germany.
Our subject was raised in Cincinnati, Ohio, where he secured a good
literary and business education. At the age of thirteen he engaged in
the drug business in that city, acquiring a thorough knowledge of the
business, and graduating from the Cincinnati College of Pharmacy in
1874. In March, 1875, he came to this city, and was engaged as clerk
for S. T. Baldwin & Co. until 1883, when he purchased a one-half
interest in the business, and has since conducted it very successfully
under the firm name of Menzel <fe Co., Thomas J. Lavelle being his
partner. They carry a full and choice line of drugs, oils and paints,
in which they do an extensive wholesale and retail business. They also
keep a full line of fancy and toilet articles, books and stationery,
and control a large share of the trade in city and county. Their goods
occupy the first and second stories, besides a small warehouse near the
depot Mr. Menzel is a member of the Democratic party, and belongs to
the Lutheran Church.
THOMAS MEREDITH was born
in South Carolina in the year 1789. He served in the war of 1812, in a
regiment from South Carolina. He immigrated to Daviess County, Ind., in
1815, and was married to Elizabeth Ruggles, who at the age of eleven
years came to the same county with her parents and grandparents from
Maysville, Mason Co., Ky. The country was so sparsely settled, and the
Indians so troublesome, they were compelled to seek safety in Purcell's
Fort. Thomas Meredith continued to live in Daviess County till his
death in 1859, aged seventy years. Thomas Meredith was the father of
ten children, all of whom lived to manhood and womanhood except one.
The house of Thomas Meredith was used for a place of worship until the
Methodist Society could afford better accommodation. Grandma Meredith,
who is still living at the age of eighty-seven, has the honor of having
made the first carpet for the Methodist Episcopal Church in Washington.
Of Thomas Meredith there are twenty-three living grandchildren, and
eighteen dead, and of great-grandchildren seventeen are living, and
eighteen are dead. The children of Thomas Meredith are William S.
Meredith, born February 3, 1818; Burrill T. Meredith, born December 23,
1819; James H. Meredith, born January 28, 1822; Thomas A. Meredith,
born July 17, 1825, died March 30, 1885; Eachel J. (Tate) Meredith,
born December 3, 1857; Mary A. (Cloud) Meredith, born July 4, 1830;
Elizabeth (Haynes) Meredith, born February 28, 1832, died February 24,
1884; Martha M. Meredith, born June 4, 1835, died July 15, 1835; Aaron
H. Meredith, born September 18, 1836, died March 16, 1871; and Elisha
A. Meredith, born July 1, 1839. Of the grandsons is W. E. Meredith,
born February 28, 1845. Young Meredith began his business career by
selling newspapers. He afterward engaged in the mercantile trade for a
short time, and when the clash of arms came he volunteered into the
service, and served through the war. After his return from the war he
began trading in horses, mules, and selling carriages, and soon after
engaged in the livery business, which he still follows. Mr. W. R.
Meredith is now the owner of a good stable and several farms, and is
considered one of the best financiers of the county.
CAPT. SAMUEL H.
MULHOLLAND, of Washington, was born in Wyandotte County, Ohio, February
25, 1836, being one of a family of seven children born to Richard and
Margaret (Harmon) Mulholland, natives, respectively, of Pennsylvania
and Virginia. Samuel H. was brought up by his parents in his native
county, and there secured a fair English education. At the age of
seventeen he learned the cabinet-making business, and worked at the
trade until he was twenty years of age. He then left the parental roof
and came to Washington, where he started a cabinet-maker's shop. One
year later he took in as partner John Mattingly, and they continued in
the business with a fair measure of success until the breaking out of
the war, when Mr. Mnlholland organized Company I, Sixty-fifth Indiana
Volunteer Infantry, and served as captain of the company during the
entire1 period of the war. After the close of the war he returned to
Washington Township and engaged in farming until 1878, when he removed
to Washington, and assisted in organizing the Washington Furniture
Company, and managed its business one year. He then opened a sales-room
for furniture, and has conducted this 'business successfully ever
since. Capt. Mulholland is a sound, consistent Republican, and has
taken an active part in politics. He was elected trustee of Washington
Township in 1870, and was re-elected in 1872. He was again elected in
1878, and served one more term in a faithful and efficient manner. He
served as member of city council during 1883 and 1884. He is a Royal
Arch Mason, is a member of the K. of H., and of the G. A. R., and is
justly regarded as an enterprising and successful business man, and as
a moral and upright citizen. Mr. Mulholland was married, in November,
1868, to Ellen Kidwell, a native of Daviess County, by whom he has
three children, named Martha A., Sarah J., and Stella.
FRANK A. MYERS, editor
and manager of the Washington Gazette, was born near Strasburg,
Tuscarawas Co., Ohio, December 28, 1848, being a son of the Rev.
Absalom and Nancy (Gorsage) Myers, both natives of Ohio. His parents
removed to Daviess County in 1861, the father locating first in Van
Buren Township, and soon after in Barr Township, where he purchased a
farm upon which he still resides. The subject of this sketch was reared
with his parents, secured a good literary education, and graduated from
the Hartsville (Indiana) University in 1875. During his attendance at
this University he started a newspaper called the Literary Ensign,
conducting it until he left college, and selling it at that time. He
also taught school in this county in order to secure means to enable
him to finish his education. He made teaching his profession from 1875
to 1878, when, on account of failing health, he relinquished the
profession of teaching, and became city editor of the Columbus
(Indiana) Daily Republican, & position which he retained one year.
Then in order to recuperate his health he acted one year as traveling
salesman. In February, 1882, he came to Washington, Dariess County, and
purchased an interest in the Gazette, assuming the position of editor
and manager, and has since performed the duties of these positions in
an able and satisfactory manner. Mr. Myers is a stanch Republican, and
his paper is devoted to the interests of. that party, advocating its
principles in an able and fearless manner. He was married, December 28,
1882, to Miss Ella Elliot, a native of Knox County, Ind. Mr. Myers is a
member of the I. O. O. F. He is of German descent on his father's side,
and of English and German on his mother's side.
JOHN T. NEAL, of the firm
of Neal & Eskridge, dry goods and grocery merchants, of Washington,
Ind., was born in Lawrence County, Ill., April 2, 1857, and is a son of
Francis and Lucinda M. (Staugner) Neal, natives of Missouri and
Kentucky, respectively. John T. was raised in his native county until
he was nine years old, when his father was killed in the war of the
Rebellion. He then moved with his mother to Grayson County. Ky., and
remained there until his mother's death in 1869. He was then adopted by
Julius N. Eskridge, a citizen of Grayson County, Ky., and secured a
good education in the common schools. He clerked in the mercantile
business for his guardian for three years, and then clerked for other
firms until 1880, when he engaged in the grocery business for himself
in Caneyville, Ky., continuing there until the summer of 1882, when he
removed to this city and engaged in his present business, with S. C.
Eskridge as partner. They have met with well deserved success, and
carry a full and select line of goods. October 14, 1880, Mr. Neal was
united in matrimony to Fannie M. Eskridge, a daughter of Elijah R.
Eskridge, of this city. They have one child, a daughter, named Sadie L.
Mr. Neal is a Democrat, and a member of the K. of P., and a successful
and enterprising young' business man of this city.
JOSIAH C. PALMER, a very
prominent farmer of Daviess County, Ind., is the eldest of Andrew C.
and Margaret (Ennis) Palmer's children. Our subject's grandfather,
Richard Palmer, was one of the three men who first settled in the forks
of White River. He came from South Carolina, and settled about two
miles west of Washington, on the State road. He was the first sheriff
of Daviess County. The father was reared on a farm, and followed the
occupation of farming for himself about six years, when he moved to
Maysville, and was nine years at work building a water-mill, the first
in the county. This mill ground grain for five counties for a number of
years. He was very prosperous financially, and was a Democrat in his
political views. He died in June, 1855. The mother, also a native of
the county, survived him until August, 1869. The immediate subject of
this sketch was born December 18, 1830. He was reared by his parents
until nineteen years of age, and secured a limited education. At that
age he took a western trip, traveling to California, where he was
engaged in mining about two years. He then returned home and purchased
his present farm, where he has continued very successfully ever since.
He owns over 800 acres of very fine and well-improved land, nearly all
under cultivation, also an elegant two-story residence. May 18, 1852,
he was united in marriage to Elizabeth Ann Williman, born in Ohio in
1836, and coming to Indiana when but one year old. She is a daughter of
Hiram and Margery (Crawford) Williman, pioneers of the county. They
became the parents of fourteen children; two died in infancy, and one
at the age of fourteen years. Those living are Laura A., Andrew C.,
Hiram L., Elizabeth A., Glenn D., Charles M., William H., Mary M.,
Walter F., Franklin and Seth. Since 1860 Mr. Palmer has been a
Republican; previous to that time a Democrat. He is a good citizen, and
one who has the respect of all. His wife is a member of the
Presbyterian Church.
ABRAHAM PERKINS, farmer,
was born in Daviess County, Ind., August 31, 1842, and was the seventh
of ten children born to Alfred and Rebecca (Ellison) Perkins, who were
born in the "Blue-grass State," and came to Indiana during its very
early settlement. Here they married and lived the remainder of their
lives, following the independent lives of farmers. They became quite
well to do, and were influential citizens of the county. Our subject
had limited educational advantages, and at the age of fourteen began
working about as a farm hand. July 3, 1861, when he was nearly nineteen
years old, he enlisted in Company Ir Twenty-fourth Indiana Volunteers,
and was mustered out in October, 1864. He was slightly wounded in each
arm, but was never off duty a day while in the service. After his
return from the army he began farming in Kuox County, continuing until
1869, when he purchased the land he now lives upon (120 acres). August
9, 1866, he was united in marriage to Amanda McDonald, born in the
county March 6, 1844, daughter of Francis and Asenath McDonald, early
settlers of the county. The wife is a member of the Christian Church,
and Mr. Perkins is a warm Republican in politics, and is one of the
successful and enterprising farmers of the county.
NATHAN G. BEAD, a
well-known citizen of Daviess County, was born in this county March 30,
1842, and is the youngest of a family of three sons and four daughters
born to Nathan and Martha (Weaver) Bead, natives, respectively, of
Massachusetts and Pennsylvania. The former came to Daviess County at an
early day, and led a long, useful, and honorable life upon his farm to
the time of his death in March, 1859. The latter died in 1848. The
subject of this sketch was reared on his father's farm, and secured an
ordinary education. At the age of twenty-one he accepted the position
of deputy county auditor under his brother, Richard N., serving in that
capacity until November, 1867, when he was elected to the position of
auditor, and served two terms. In 1876 he was elected sheriif of the
county, and served one term of two years. After retiring from the
office of sheriff he was engaged for three years in the general
merchandising business in Washington. Mr. Bead is an unswerving
Democrat in politics, and has always been true to the interests of his
party, as his repeated election to office shows. In October, 1884, he
accepted the position of deputy treasurer of Daviess County under
Richard H. Greenwood, and has almost entire charge of the office. He is
a member of the city school board, and is generally recognized as one
of the most enterprising citizens of the county. He was married,
January 21, 1878, to Mrs. Fannie McCullough, by whom he has two sons:
Robert Nathan and Lewis I. Read.
J. H. BIGHT was born in
Daviess County February 6, 1820, and is one of four children born to
James C. and Sarah (Hawkins) Right. His father was born in South
Carolina, and immigrated to Indiana in 1809 and the mother several
years later. They settled in Daviess County, where the subject of this
sketch now lives, and were among the very early settlers, and were
obliged to protect themselves from the Indians by taking refuge in
forts. When our subject was twenty-three years of age his father died,
and he then resided with his mother until twenty- seven years old.
April 28, 1846, he was married to Caroline Walker, daughter of George
and Catherine Walker, natives of Kentucky. Mr. Bight rented ground
until 1858, when he settled on his present farm. To them were born
these children: James F., G. W., John W., Thomas E., Francis B., Mary
E., A. E., Carrie and Ell a. Five are deceased. Mr. Bight has always
been a farmer and now owns eighty-three acres of land. He and wife have
been members of the Methodist Episcopal Church for thirty-one years. He
is a Bepublican and cast his first vote for Buchanan. He is
self-educated and is an excellent citizen of the county.'
JOHN A. BODARMEL, of
Washington, Daviess County, was born in Washington, December 2, 1848,
being one of a family of seven children born to Samuel A. and Lucinda
(Ball) Bodarmel, natives, respectively, of Pennsylvania and Ohio.
Samuel A. Rodarmel was born June 10, 1810, and was married to Miss
Lucinda Ball February 22, 1832. Miss Ball was born at Cincinnati, Ohio,
February 22, 1812. The former was of German parentage, the latter of
Scotch. Samuel A. Bodarmel came to Daviess County in 1825 or 1826 from
Pennsylvania, locating in Washington Township with his father, John
Bodarmel. After his marriage he removed to Washington and engaged in
the cabinet-making and undertaking business, which he continued until
1863, when he was appointed postmaster of Washington. This position he
retained until his death from small-pox April 14, 1864. The subject of
this sketch was brought up in Washington with his parents and secured a
limited education. At the age of ten he began learning the printer's
trade with S. F. Horrall, of Washington, in the old Telegraph office.
He mastered his trade in that office and in .those of other local
papers, and also in the office of the Evansville Journal. In 1865 he
accepted a position with the Gazette and in 1868 bought an interest in
the paper, which he held until 1870, when he sold out, still however,
remaining with the paper. In 1882 he purchased an interest in the
paper, which he still retains, and has charge of the composing-room and
jobroom of the company. In politics Mr. Rodarmel is a Republican, and
is a member of the Encampment of the I. O. R. M. He was married, in
1875, to Miss Frances Meredith, daughter of Squire B. T. Meredith, by
whom he has five children—three sons and two daughters.
FRANCIS RUGGLESS is the
eldest of seven children born to Jacob Ruggless, who was born in
Kentucky in 1803. and of Welsh parentage. The mother was also born in
Kentucky. They moved to Indiana in 1811 and were among the very early
settlers of that unbroken country. Our subject was born February 1,
1824, and was reared on the place where he was born. He secured such
education as could then be obtained, and at the age of eighteen began
working for himself at milling at the old Palmer Mill, he having helped
build the same in 1844. He continued in the milling business
thirty-four years. September 12, 1847, he was united in matrimony to
Miss A. Martin, daughter of A. and Nancy Martin. To them were born
these children: Nancy, Jacob, Elizabeth, Sarah and Clay. All are
deceased except Nancy and Jacob. Mrs. Ruggless died December 1, 1854,
and February 3, 1859, he was married to Nancy J. Fraim, daughter of
George and Nancy (Haskins) Fraim. To them were born these children:
Alice, Eva, Henrietta (are deceased), John M., James L., Francis,
William D., Nathan, Laura, Edith. In 1881 Mr. Ruggless removed to the
farm where he now lives. In January, 1865, he enlisted in Company K,
One Hundred and Forty-third Indiana Volunteers, and served nine months.
He was discharged at Nashville and mustered out at Indianapolis. He is
a Republican and cast his first vote for Harrison. He is a member of
the Masonic fraternity, and he and wife are members of the Methodist
Episcopal Church.
JOHN A. SCUDDER, M. D.,
Washington, Ind., was born in Daviess County November 1. 1832, and is
the eldest of a family of five children born to Jacob F. and Matilda
(Arrell) Scudder, natives, respectively, of New Jersey and
Pennsylvania. His father came to Daviess County with his father, John
A. Scudder, in 1819. The latter named was a physician and surgeon in
the Revolutionary war, and was among the first of any note to follow
the profession in Daviess County. Jacob F. Scudder was raised in this
county, and was engaged in farming and in flat- boating to New Orleans
at an early day. He was one of the enterprising and successful farmers
of his time, was a Whig in politics, and died on his farm in Veal
Township, May 31, 1844. His widow subsequently married William F. Wood,
and they both still live in the county. The subject of this sketch was
brought up on the farm, and secured the same kind of education obtained
by other young men of that day. At the age of twenty- two he began the
study of medicine with Dr. S. W. Peck, now a practicing physician of
Washington, attended lectures, and graduated at the Miami Medical
College at Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1857. He then returned to Washington
and began here the practice of medicine, which he has ever since
continued with more than ordinary success. He served as surgeon in the
Sixty-fifth Regi- ment Indiana Volunteer Infantry two years during the
war of the Kebellion. In politics he is a Republican, is a member of
the I. O. O. F., of the K. of H. and of the G. A. R. Dr. Scud- der was
married, in 1859, to Helen 8. Van Trees, daughter of Col. John Van
Trees, by whom he has had seven children, five of whom are still
living, as follows: Charles P., a practicing physician; Tillie F.,
Laura G., Anna and David.
WILLIAM SHANKS, ex-county
surveyor and farmer, is a native of Fayette County, Penn., born June
29, 1827, son of John and Sarah (Jordan) Shanks, and is of German-Irish
extraction. Of four children, he is the third. His father was born in
north Pennsylvania in 1801, and the mother in 1802, in the same State.
His grandfather was William Shanks, also a Pennsylvanian, and died in
his native State in 1842. The father of our subject came to Daviess
County in 1837, and entered 160 acres of land. He also followed the
tanner's trade. He returned to Pennsylvania in 1838, and there remained
\mtil 1846, when he removed with his family to Daviess County, Ind.,
and settled in Washington Township, and here died in the fall of 1852.
The mother of our subject died*in 1883. Our subject remained at home
and worked for his father nntil he was twenty-three years of age, when
he taught school three terms. In 1849 he was appointed deputy surveyor,
and served two years. In 1852 he went to California and engaged in
mining, but returned in the spring of 1856 and began farming. In 1858
he settled where he now lives. He owns 326 acres of land, of which 226
acres are in a fine state of cultivation. In 186S he was elected county
surveyor of Daviess County, and re-elected in 1872. He was married, in
1857, to Miss Catherine Graham, a native of Pike County, Ind., born
October 31, 1827, daughter of John and Ann M. Graham. Her father was
born in Scotland in 1779, and her mother in Maryland in 1801. They have
three children: Anna M. and Sarah E. (twins),born February, 1861, and
John G., born 1862. Mr. Shanks is a Republican, and owns one of the
best farms in Washington Township.
FRANKLIN SMEAD is a
native of Cincinnati, Ohio, where he was born December 18, 1832. His
parents were Wesley and Cornelia Smead. The father was born in
Whitehall, New York State, and was reared there and iu Poughkeepsie. He
was bom in 1800, and at the age of eighteen went to Cincinnati, Ohio,
and engaged in the drug business, accumulating wealth rapidly, and
eventually became one of the prominent men of the city, and a wealthy
banker. In 1857 the bank suspended, and he went back to Poughkeepsie,
and at one time was worth $500,000, but lost nearly all his property in
1857. The mother was born in Connecticut, and in early life went to
Cincinnati, Ohio. She died in 1838, and the father in 1871. Our subject
was reared in Cincinnati, Ohio, and received a good education, both
mercantile and classical. After attaining his majority he began farming
in Illinois, and continued in that State until 1872, when he moved onto
his present farm. He devotes the most of his time to the culture of
bees and fruits, and the rearing of cattle. He owns 120 acres of
exceptionally fine land near Washington, on which is erected a fine
two-story residence. In 1864 he was married to Sarah E. Sneath, a
native of New Jersey, who immigrated to Illinois before the war. To
them were born eleven children, two of whom died in infancy: Stella,
Ida M., Minnie, Pearl, Llewellyn, Clarence, Harry, Daniel and Mabel.
Thoae deceased were Alexander and Edith. Mr. Smead has always been a
Republican, and is a prominent farmer. Mrs. Smead is a member of the
church.
HORACE A. SMITH is the
second of a family of five children born to Thomas and Laura (McJunkin)
Smith. The father was born in Daviess County, Ind., July 13, 1825, and
spent the most of his life in agricultural pursuits. He died in 1863.
The mother was born February 4, 1832, and died April 14, 1860. Horace
A. was born November 9, 1853. His mother died when he was but seven
years of age, and his father kept house until 1863, when he too died,
and our subject then made his home with an uncle, with whom he remained
until eighteen years of age. When twenty-one years old he began farming
on rented land, but by economy and industry he now owns 120 acres of
well-improved and fine farming land, with good residence and barns.
March 13, 1879, he took for his companion through life Miss Laura Mc-
Cleskey, born in Daviess County March 10, 1859. Three children have
blessed their union: Mary M., born December 25, 1879; Caroline, born
October 4, 1881, and Ira T., born March 2, 1884. Mrs. Smith is a member
of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and our subject is a Republican
politically. He is one of the wide-awake men of the county, and takes
an active interest in all enterprises for the public good.
DAVID SOLOMAN, commonly
known as " Uncle," was born twelve miles from Bean's Station (which was
a trading post during the war of the Revolution), near the Holston
River, in Granger County, Teun., April 3, 1809, son of Henry and Mary
Soloman, whose maiden name was Brown, and is of German- English
descent. He is the fifth in a family of six children. His father was
born in Culpeper County, Va., in 1773, and his mother in South Carolina
in 1778. In 1820 the Soloman family came to Indiana, and settled in
Jackson County, and there remained two years, then removed to Orange
County, where they remained three years, and then removed to Spencer
County, Ky., and lived near Taylorsville, the county seat, until 1832,
when, on the 5th of March, they arrived in this county, and settled on
a farm four miles southeast of Washington. By occupation the father of
Uncle David was a farmer and shoe-maker, and was also a soldier in the
war of 1812. He remained in Daviess County about fifteen years, and
then removed to Wisconsin, where he died about 1858. The mother also
died in that State in 1853. Mr. Soloman lived witli his parents until
he arrived at manhood's years, and then learned the wagon-maker's
trade, at which he is very skillful, and has since continued in that
business. He has been a resident of this county fifty-three years. Mr.
Soloman was married, in 1832, to Miss Sarah Carnahan, by whom he had
seven children, one of whom survives, viz.: John. Mrs. Solomaii died in
1843, and Mr. Solom in was married again the same year to Miss
Elizabeth Logan. To this marriage were born two children—one still
lives, viz.: Samuel D. Mrs. Soloman died February 27, 1881, and Mr.
Soloman was married the same year to Mrs. Sophia J. Sumpter, a native
of Dayton, Ohio, born in 1830, daughter of Alexander and Elizabeth
Wood. Her father was bom in Connecticut in 1805, and her mother in
South Carolina in 1800. Mrs. Soloman was first married, in 1851, to
Hudson Burrows, a native of Louisville, Ky. He was a Mexican soldier,
and died at Leaveuworth, Kas., in 1858. She was again married, in 1862,
to Dr. W. H. Sumpter, a native of Kentucky, born in 1838, and died in
1876. She married her present husband in 1881. Mr. Soloman was formerly
a Whig, and is now a Republican. He had two sons in the late war. In
1841 he joined the Christian Church, of which he was a member seventeen
years, and then united with the Presbyterian Church. He was elected
county commissioner in 1860, and served three years. Subsequently he
was elected trustee of Washington Township, and served one year.
Physically he yet seems in the prime of life, and " though he is
passing into the sere and yellow leaf, his years sit lightly upon him."
He is a man with many friends, few enemies, and in whom every one has
the most implicit confidence. His word is as good as his note. The
history of Daviess County would be incomplete without the sketch of
this eminent Christian gentleman.
JOHN V. SPALDING,
superintendent of the Poor Asylum of Daviess County, Ind., was born in
Martin County, lud., October 13, 1836. He was the eldest of a family of
six children born to Hillary and Mary (Strange) Spaldiug, who were
natives of Washington County, Ky. They were married in Daviess County,
Ind., and lived two years in Martin County, when they returned to
Daviess County, and are yet residing there. The father and mother were
born about 1816 and 1814, respectively. John V. was reared on his
father's farm, and secured such education aa could be obtained in the
subscription schools of early times. He remained with his parents until
twenty-three years of age, when he married and located in his native
township, where he continued farming eight years. He then took charge
of the County Poor Asylum, and had control of it for eight years. He
then returned to the farm, where he remained two years. He was again
urged to take the superintendency of the asylum, and has now had
control of it for about seven years. He has been very successful, and
the farm is in excellent condition, and is self-supporting iu keeping
up all the expense of paupers and salaries of men. November 13, 1859,
he was united in marriage to Mary E. McAtee, a native of this county,
whose parents moved from Kentucky to Daviess County, Ind. To their
union eight children have been born, seven now living: James L. (now
employed on the farm), Julia A.. Martha A., Amanda L., William A., John
F. and Leo. The family are members of the Catholic Church, and Mr.
Spalding is a member of the Democratic party.
JOHN H. SPENCER, attorney
at law and deputy prosecuting attorney of the Forty-ninth Judicial
District, of Washington, Ind., was born at Greenville, Tenn., December
28, 1860, and is a son of William M. and Elizabeth (Jones) Spencer,
both natives of North Carolina. They came with their children to
Indiana in 1865 or 1866, locating at Rushville. Two years later they
moved to Washington, where the sujbject of this sketch was raised and
where he secured a liberal education in the public schools, and
graduated from the high school in 1880. At the age of nineteen he began
reading law with J. W. Ogdoii, continuing a student in Mr. Ogdon's
office until 1881, when he was admitted to the Daviess County bar. He
then formed a law partnership with William H. Myers, and continued to
practice with him until his removal from the city, since which time he
has practiced alone with encouraging success. Mr. Spencer is a
Democrat, and has taken an active part in the political affairs of his
county and district He has been a candidate for nomination to the State
Legislature, but withdrew in favor of a friend before the meeting of
the convention. In the spring of 1885 he was appointed deputy
prosecutor for this district, under Hiram McCormick, the duties of
which office he is now performing in a faithful and efficient manner.
He was clerk of the judiciary committee in the House of Representatives
during regular and special sessions of Legislature in 1885, and he
takes an active part in local campaigns bv stumping the county as
chairman of executive committee, or in any way called upon to act.
HON. SAMUEL H. TAYLOR,
citizen of Washington and attorney at law, was born January 25, 1837,
in Cumberland, Md.. where he was reared and educated. Here, too, he
read law and entered upon the practice of his profession, but soon
after was appointed postmaster, by President Buchanan, of his native
city, serving as such during that administration. In 1864 Mr. Taylor
moved to Washington, Ind., and has successfully practiced his
profession ever since. He was one of the organizers of the Washington
National Bank in 1872, and of which he was vice- president, cashier and
director. He was twice elected district attorney, and in 1872 was
elected prosecuting attorney of the Vincennes Circuit. He has thrice
been chosen as delegate to Democratic National Conventions, viz.:
Baltimore in 1872, when Horace Greeley was nominated; in 1876 when
Samuel J. Tilden Was the nominee^ and at Chicago in 1884, when Grover
Cleveland was the chosen leader and victor in the memorable campaign of
that year. In 1878 he was elected representative of Daviess County,
after one of the hottest contests ever made in the county, and was
again elected representative, in 1884, and was chairman of the
committee on judiciary, and was also on many other important
committees. Mr. Taylor is a recognized leader of his party in his
section of the State, and, although a strict partisan, is liberal in
his views, and a stanch defender of the rights of the people. He is
dignified in his bearing, courteous in manner, agreeable as a friend,
and forcible and earnest as a speaker. He married Miss Josette E.
Johnson, in his native city of Cumberland. Md., and has six children:
Edith, the wife of Thomas F. Can- dler, of Waco, Tex.; Ella B., wife of
Thomas H. Walker, of Cincinnati, Ohio; Fred H., Norwood, Alice and
Josette Taylor. Mr. Taylor has always been a friend of education, and
for many years was one of the school board of Washington. He is now
national bank examiner for the State of Indiana, having been appointed
by Mr. Manning, Secretary of the Treasury, in June, 1885.
ELI THOMAS, a prominent
citizen of Washington, Ind., is a native of the county, born August 20,
1826, and is one of a family of two sons and four daughters born to the
marriage of Grandison and Mary (Hughes) Thomas. The father was a
Virginian by birth. He was raised in that State, where he married his
first wife, and came to Daviess County, Ind., in 1820, locating on a
farm near Washington, where his wife died. He then married our
subject's mother. Their deaths occurred within seven days of each
other, in 1863. The father was eighty-one years of age and the mother
seventy-one. Eli was raised on a farm with hie parents, and secured a
limited education, such as could be obtained by a few months'
attendance each year in the primitive log schoolhouse of his boyhood
days. In 1859 he married Winifred Bott and purchased a farm adjoining
the homestead, where he followed farming successfully until 1869, when
he removed to this city and engaged in the general merchandise business
six and one-half years. He then purchased a one-half interest in
William Buck's livery stable, and at the end of two years purchased the
entire stock and conducted the business alone until 1883. He then
bought his present stable, and commands the leading livery business in
the city. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas became the parents of one child, which
died in infancy. He is an Independent in politics, though formerly a
Eepublican. He is a Mason, and he and wife are members of the Christian
Church.
ANDERSON VEALE, farmer,
was born in Veal Township March 8, 1831, son of James C. and Eleanor
(Aikman) Veale, and is of German-English descent. He is the eighth in a
family of nine children. His father was born in South Carolina and his
mother in Pennsylvania. They came to what is now Indiana in 1807 and
settled in what is now known as Veal Township, and here his father
died. His mother died in Kansas. His Grandfather Veale built the first
mill on Veal Creek and in Veal Township, and in honor of whom this
township was named. Our subject settled where he now lives in 1864. He
has 117 acres of well-improved land and one of the finest farms in the
county. He was married, December, 1856, to Miss May J. Allen, born in
Washington Township in 1835, daughter of Moses and Catharine Allen.
They have four children living, viz.: Lydia, James C. Denie and John A.
He is a Republican and for eighteen years has been a member of the I.
O. O. F. He is a representative of one of the first families of the
county. His grandfather was a Revolutionary soldier.
GEORGE A. WALLER, Sr., of
the firm Waller & Prentiss, dealers in saddlery, harness, buggies,
wagons, etc., etc., is a native of Daviess County, Ind., where he was
born December 13, 1828, and is one of two surviving members of a family
of nine children born to George A. and Katherine (McDonald) Waller, who
were born in Kentucky, the father in 1793. He came to Indiana about
1816. Here he married and settled near Washington. He was a farmer
until about 1851 or 1852, when he removed to this city, where he died
in 1867. He was originally an old time Whig in politics, and was
sheriff of the county when that officer collected United States
revenues. He was assessor of the entire county aiid was census
enumerator previous to his removal to Washington. He clerked in the
mercantile business as clerk and bookkeeper of Elisha Hyatt. He was
also in the same business with Col. John Van Trees and afterward by
himself until he became involved by security debts, when he returned to
the farm, and was also justice of the peace a number of years previous
to his death. He was well and favorably known throughout the county and
died in the Christian faith. Our subject was raised on a farm and at
the age of twenty-one began learning the carpenter's trade, which he
mastered and followed successfully until 1869, when his health failed
him and he engaged in the saddlery and harness business with George T.
Barr, who afterward sold out and Henry S. Prentiss became a partner in
the business. They do an excellent and extensive business in their
line, and command a large trade in town and county. January 2, 1855,
Mr. Waller married Mary Aikman, born in the county, and daughter of
Hugh and Ada Aikman. To them were born six sons, four now living:
Francis A., James E., Archie A. and Charles H. Mr. Waller is a stanch
Republican and a warm advocate for the principles of his party. He is a
member of the Encampment of I. O. O. F. His wife died November 16,
1867, and he has since remained unmarried.
THOMAS WILSON, Sb., was
born in Manchester, England, January 20, 1819, and is a son of John and
Sarah (Glover) Wilson. They were both natives of England, but the
mother was of Welsh parentage. The father was a miner and our subject
was reared near the mines. His early educational advantages were very
imperfect, but since attaining his majority he has improved his
education very much. His mother died when he was very young and he
remained with his father to the age of twenty. His father died about
this time and Thomas came to America about 1855 and worked in mines in
Pennsylvania for about three years. He came to Washington in the fall
of 1857 and in connection with other parties opened a mine, which soon
became exhausted. He then became connected with Cabel <fe K;uiffmim
and the firm took the name of Cabel, Wilson & Co., doing a very
extensive business. Mr. Wilson and a friend were instrumental in
introducing coal burning on the Ohio & Mississippi Railroad. He
remained a partner of Messrs. Cabel & Co. until November 7, 1885,
when he retired from the firm and now has an interest in the Cannelburg
mines. He was married about 1839 to Mary Wrigley, born in Manchester,
England, in 1818. To them were born eight children, six now living:
William, Sarah, Elizabeth, John, Thomas, James, Harriet and Joseph. Mr.
Wilson is a Republican and he and wife are members of the Methodist
Episcopal Church.
THOMAS WILSON, Jr., is
the son of Thomas and Mary Wilson (see sketch), and was born January 4,
1849, near Manchester, England. He came with his parents to America and
remained two years in Pennsylvania, and then came to Daviess County,
Ind., where he was reared to manhood and has lived ever since. He
secured a graded school education, and at the age of twenty-nine
married, and has ever since lived in this city. He has been
superintendent and boss of his father's mines, and was State Mine
Inspector for four years ending January 1, 1885. He is now
superintendent of the Wilson Coal Company's mines, of Montgomery, in
which he has an interest. He has been very successful as a business
man, and is a member of the Masonic fraternity (Knight Templar). His
political views are Democratic. October 8, 1879, he was married to Ida
Clark, daughter of Lewis and Laura Clark, now of Daviess County. The
father died during the late war, and the mother now lives with our
subject Mr. and Mrs. Wilson are the parents of one child—Bessie B.—born
June 19, 1882.
JOSEPH WILSON,
book-keeper for the firm of Cabel, Wilson & Co., was born near
Manchester. England, April 14. 1853. being the youngest of eight
children, six of whom are now living, born to Thomas and Mary Wilson.
In 1855 the subject of this sketch was brought to the United States by
his parents, and in 1857 to Daviess County. Here he was brought up and
given a good education. He completed a scientific course in the Union
Christian College at Merom, Sullivan Co., Ind. From his eleventh to his
nineteenth year he worked in the coal mines owned by the firm of which
his father was a member, and after completing his education and
returning home from college, at the age of twenty-four, he accepted the
position of book-keeper for the firm of Cabel, Wilson & Co. He
remained in this position until 1878, when he was elected by the
Republican party clerk of the Daviess County Circuit Court, and served
faithfully in that office four years, when he returned to his old
position of book-keeper. Mr. Wilson has always been a consistent and
earnest Republican. He is a Mason, and has received the Knight Templar
degree, and he is also a member of the I. O. O. F. He was married, June
1, 1876, to Miss Eunice Humphrey, a native of Ohio. They have two
children: William H. and Mary Edna. Both Mr. and Mrs. Wilson are
members of the Christian Church.
WILLIAM WILLIAMS is the
first of three children born to Watson and Cynthia (Sinks) Williams.
The father was born in Mason County, Ky., February 8,1810, and the
mother in Virginia in 1809. The paternal grandfather was a native of
Kentucky: moved to Indiana in 1825. The mother's people came in 1809.
and the grandfather of our subject participated in the war of 1812. The
parents were married in 1835. Mr. Williams, the subject of this sketch,
was reared on the farm where he was born, and secured a common school
education. October 1, 1859, he was married to Tabitha Stephenson,
daughter of Peter and Jane (Grabb) Stephenson, who were natives of the
"Buckeye State." She was the seventh of eleven children, and was born
May 31, 1840.
They became the parents
of these children: Thomas A., born in 1860; Sarah J., born in 1862;
William G., born in 1864; Cynthia A., born in 1867; Ella M., born in
1870; Carrie B., born in 1873; John P., born in 1876, and Mattie M.,
born in 1878. Ella May died in August, 1875. Mr. Williams has always
been a stanch Republican in his political views, and cast his first
presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln, in 1860. He has never held any
public office, and has never had his name before the public for
patronage. He has been quite prosperous in his undertakings, and owns
200 acres of land, 140 of which are under cultivation.
MARION WRIGHT, a
well-to-do farmer of Daviess County, Ind., was born on the farm where
he now lives September 17, 1853, and is the eldest of four living
children born to Roderick R. and Anne (McJunkin) Wright, who are
natives of this county. The father was born and reared near Washington,
and was a skillful and -prosperous farmer. He was born about 1823, and
died October 3, 1868. The mother was born about 1830, and died August
30, 1884. Our subject spent his boyhood days on a farm and in attending
the district schools, where he secured a common school education. He
remained with his parents until their death, and then still continued
to farm on the old place. lu 1878 he was married to Lodena Taylor,
daughter of Joseph M. Taylor, a farmer of the county. They have three
children, viz.: Lucilla T., Mary C. and Josephine. Mr. Wright has been
quite prosperous in his agricultural pursuits, and now owns 200 acres
of very fine farming land, on which are erected good buildings. He is a
very zealous Republican, and always has been, and ranks among the
first, and one of the public-spirited men of the county. His wife is a
member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
FRANCIS ZINKANS was born
near Washington, Daviesa Co., Ind., and is the seventh of ten children
born to Philip and Anna B. (Husfeld) Zinkans, born in Germany and died
in this country in 1875 and 1884, at the age of seventy-two and seventy
years respectively. Our subject was reared near Washington, and resided
with his parents until twenty-one years of age, when he married Mary,
daughter of John and Mary Corcoran. She was born November 8, 1845.
After his marriage, which occurred November 21, 1864, Mr. Zinkans
resumed farming, having previously purchased eighty acres of land in
Harrison Township. He lived there about five years, and then traded his
land for forty acres, a portion of his present farm of 260 acres. To
him and his wife were born these children: Genevieve, born in 1865;
Maggie, born in 1867; John, born in 1869; Thomas, born in 1871; Rosa,
born in 1873; Catherine, born in 1875; Maurice (deceased), born in
1877; Nettie (deceased), born in 1880; Esther, born in 1882, and
Austin, born in 1884. Mr. Zinkans cast his first vote for Gen. George
B. MacClellan, and has always been a Democrat In November, 1882, he was
elected to the office of county commissioner, and held that office a
term of three years; was re-elected in 1884, and is now serving in that
capacity. He belongs to no secret society, is a Catholic, and has
reared his children in that faith.
Source: History of Knox
and Daviess Counties, Indiana by Goodspeed. Chicago 1886-1891