JACKSON TOWNSHIP
FRANK BENDER, a native of Jackson Township, Spencer Co., Ind., was born
February 10, 1855, the youngest in a family of eight children born to
John and Anna M. (Deihl) Bender, who were natives of Germany. On coming
to this country the parents resided four years in Maryland, but from
there removed to Indiana, settling in Spencer County. The subject of
this biography, Frank Bender, made his home with his parents until he
attained majority, and during this time and since, by application and
self-instruction, he has secured a fair knowledge of all the ordinary
branches of education. Selecting farming for his life's occupation, he
has steadily improved from a small beginning until he now owns a farm
of 124 acres, and is regarded by his neighbors as an energetic and
successful farmer. In politics he is a Democrat, but is liberal in his
views on all topics, and is a firm believer in Christianity, although a
member of no particular church or creed. August 28, 1881, Miss Florence
H. Davis became his wife, and to them have been born two children named
Pearl and Mary E. Mr. Bender is a credit to the community in which he
resides, and should all his neighbors be as enterprising and liberal as
he, theirs would indeed be a model community.
DR. JAMES H. BRYANT, of Gentryville, was born in Daviess County, Ky.,
December 19, about the year 1825, and is one of three children, all
living, born to Louis and Mary T. (Morris) Bryant, who were probably
natives of the Old Dominion. The mother dying when our subject was
about three years old, he was taken to his grandfather, Zachariah
Bryant, with whom he remained until Mr. Bryant's death. His early
schooling was very limited, but in later years, by desultory reading he
secured a good practical education. About 1830 his grandparents removed
to Spencer County, Ind., settling in Grass Township, where they engaged
in farming until their respective deaths. In 1847 James H. Bryant began
life's labors on his own responsibility, and in that year enlisted in
Company E Fourth Regiment Indiana Infantry, for the Mexican war,
serving until the close, and participating in all the movements of the
company. Returning home he wedded Rebecca Brown in 1848, who died in
1851, leaving two children, Willis S. and Rebecca, both living and
married. In 1852 he married for his second wife, Rachel Hesson, who has
borne him five children, three yet living: Mary T., James B. and Jacob
L. In 1851 our subject began the study of medicine, and in 1856-57
attended the Iowa University of Medicine, at Keokuk. He first began the
practice of his profession at Huntingburgh, but in 1859 removed to
Gentryville, which has since been his home. In 1861 he recruited
Company H, of the Forty-second Indiana Infantry, of which he was made
Captain, serving through the battles of Perryville and Stone River. In
March, 1863, he was compelled to resign his commission by reason of
disability, and returning home has since actively practiced his
profession. In politics he has always been a Democrat, and, as the
choice of his party, was elected in 1858 to the Indiana House of
Representatives. He is a Master Mason and his wife belongs to the
Christian Church.
GREENBURY COHOON, a native of the county in which he now resides, was
born March 11, 1834, and is the junior member in a family of twelve
children, born to the marriage of John Cohoon, a native of
Pennsylvania, and Sarah Lamb, who was born in South Carolina. When
Indiana was yet without the sisterhood of States, comprising the
Union,. John Cohoon crossed the Ohio River and made settlement within
the present boundaries of Spencer County. Here he erected him a cabin,
and although many hardships unknown to more thickly settled localities
were endured by them, his was, withal, a happy home. He and wife will
be remembered by those few old pioneers of Spencer County, yet living,
as honest, industrious and obliging neighbors. Greenbury Cohoon was
born March 11, 1834, and has made Spencer County his home mostly
through life. He selected farming as his vocation, and 200 acres of
food land is the result of his industry and frugality. In politics he
is a Democrat, and has been such all his life. May 1,1862, he wedded
Emily Wire, by whom he is the father of nine children : Mary Ann, John
H., George T., Sarah M., William F., Joseph Mc., Jacob G., Emily E. and
Travis E. The Cohoons, of Jackson Township, are among the county's best
people.
ADAM GERLACH, one of Jackson Township's most prosperous farmers, was
born February 1, 1838, and is the fourth in a family of eleven children
born to Henry and Catharine Gerlach. These parents were natives of
Germany, and in 1848 immigrated to the United States and settled in
Vanderburgh County, Ind. Adam Gerlach received a good common school
education, and when twenty-two years old began doing for himself, in
that year enlisting in Company B, Twenty-fifth Indiana Volunteer
Infantry. He was an active participant in the battles at Fort Donelson,
Shiloh, siege of Corinth, Hatchie's Run, Davis' Mill and siege of
Atlanta, and was honorably discharged in August, 1864, having
faithfully served out his term of enlistment. Returning to Indiana he
engaged in agricultural pursuits which he has since successfully
followed, now owning 150 acres of land where he now resides, and 160
acres near Evansville. He is a Republican in politics, a member of the
G. A. R., and an enterprising and respected citizen. March 10, 1869, he
united in wedlock with Catharine E. (Smith), Bender, and they are the
parents of seven children, whose names are as follows: Henry, Charlie,
George, Anthony, Ann, Mary and Gust.
DANIEL HESSON, a native of the county in which he is yet a resident,
was born June 29, 1839, being the fifth in a family of ten children
born to Benjamin and Elizabeth (Tuley) Hesson, both parents being
natives of Kentucky. He received a fair education in the common schools
of his youth, and at the age of eighteen years began life's battle on
his own behalf. That he has made it a success no one can doubt, as he
has secured by his own efforts a good farm comprising 200 acres, and
what is much better an honored name and the respect of all who know
him. March 18, 1856, he was united in matrimony with Margaret Cockrell
who has borne him a family as follows: An infant that died unnamed,
Mary E., William V., Rebecca V., Andrew J., S. E., Benjamin E. and Ada
C. The parents are both consistent members of the Christian Church. Mr.
Hesson is a thorough-going and enterprising citizen, favoring the
advancement of all laudable public enterprises, and liberally
contributing from his means in the support of the same.
WILL A. HILEY, son of John and Melvina (Christ) Hiley, was born October
7, 1858, and was raised by his parents to manhood. John Hiley, as was
also his wife, were natives of Indiana, and for many years resided in
Perry County. He moved from there to Gentryville, Spencer County, Ind.,
about the year 18b'3, and embarked in mercantile pursuits, but is now
engaged in the tobacco traffic. Will A. attended the public ' schools
of the district in youth, also the select school taught by Prof. Swan,
and by diligence and application has secured a good practical
education. For the past few years he has handled large quantities of
tobacco, and although yet young in years he has demonstrated beyond a
doubt that he has but few equals in judging the quality of that
product. In 1884-85 he handled in the neighborhood of 300,000 pounds,
which he shipped largely to Evansville. Previous to this he was
employed two years by a tobacco company of Louisville, and during this
time handled thousands of dollars belonging to his employers who have
given him a high letter of recommendation, eulogizing his honesty and
industry. Mr. Hiley is a young man of excellent habits, which coupled
with his integrity and energy, will, in time, place him above the
average of his fellow-men.
W. W. KELLAMS, surveyor of Spencer County, Ind., was born December 9,
1857, and is the fifth in a family of eleven children born to the
marriage of G. R. Kellams, who was born in this county June 6, 1828,
and Maria Egnew. G. R. Kellams was a soldier of the late war, going out
as first lieutenant of Company H, Forty-second Regiment Indiana
Volunteers. He was promoted to captain, and from that successively to
major, lieutenant-colonel and colonel, and was honorably discharged in
July, 1865, after participating in some of the most hotly
contested battles of the war. He is a Democrat, a Mason, and at present
is engaged in the practice of law and as collection agent at
Gentryville. W. W. Kellams, subject of this sketch, after receiving a
good common school education in youth, turned his attention to teaching
at eighteen years of age, and after continuing that five years, took a
course in the State Normal at Terre Haute. In 1880 he began the study
of law, and in 1883 was admitted to the bar at Indianapolis. He is a
Democrat in politics, and the fall of 1884 was elected to his present
position as Surveyor of Spencer County.
HENRY KING, one of the well-to-do and enterprising citizens of Jackson
Township, was born November 3, 1828, being the oldest but one in a
family of six children, the parents of whom were natives of Germany. He
received a fair education in common schools of his neighborhood, and in
1852 bade kindred and friends farewell, crossed the Atlantic Ocean and
came to the United States, engaging in agricultural pursuits. He was
also employed in factory, store and such work as he could get, and in
this way secured means sufficient to begin business with. He was
married at Louisville, Ky., about the year 1844, but was left a widower
with one child. For his second wife he selected Caroline Wibking, and
to their union nine children were born, six of whom are yet alive. Mr.
King began his business at Gentryville, Ind., in 18^71, in addition to
which he has 125 acres of land. His mill has a capacity of 175 bushels
of wheat and 120 bushels of corn daily, and turns out a superior
quality of flour. During the late war he was a volunteer in his
country's cause, enlisting in Company G., Forty-fourth Indiana
Volunteer Infantry in 1864, and receiving an honorable discharge in
1865.
JAMES MARTIN, an old and well-known citizen of Spencer County and the
present postmaster at Gentryville, was born on the 1st day of May,
1821, and is the eldest in a family of eight children born to the
marriage of Woody Martin and Docia Alley. Woody Martin was a native of
Halifax County, Va., and was a soldier of the second war between the
United States and Great Britain. His wife was a native of North
Carolina. James Martin, subject of this biography, was reared by his
parents to manhood, and in youth received such education*as the common
schools of that day afforded. He was married on the 9th of August,
1841, to Levina Alley, and to their union two children have been born,
named William H. and James W., only the last named now living. In May,
1864, Mr. Martin located in Gentryville, Ind., and embarked in the
general merchandise business, and Gentryville has since been his home.
He has here contributed from his means in the support of all laudable
public enterprises, is a Republican in politics, and an honorable,
upright, Christian gentleman, and a member of the United Brethren
Church.
PERRY PHILLIPS, a descendant of one of the early pioneers of Indiana,
was born November 16, 1834, in this county, and is the eldest child
born to the marriage of Bennett Phillips and Malinda Stark, who
were,natives respectively of North Carolina and Kentucky. Perry was
reared to years of maturity by his parents, and in youth obtained his
education from the common schools of that early day, which in later
years he has improved by his own efforts, to a good, practical
education. When twenty years old he was united in marriage to Mary Ann
Jones, and to their union a family of four children have been born,
named Louisa M., James T., William and Bennett T. The mother dying, Mr.
Phillips and Dora Cook were united in matrimony on the 14th of
October, 1884, and are among the township's best people. Mr. Phillips
is a Democrat in politics, of the Jeffersonian type, and is one of the
successful business men and farmers of Spencer County, throughout which
he is well known and respected. He is thoroughgoing, industrious, and a
liberal supporter of all laudable public enterprises.
JAMES W. ROBERTS, an enterprising and energetic young man of Jackson
Township, is the eldest of the following named children born to the
marriage of John Roberts and Louisa Tuley, both of whom were natives of
Spencer County. Ind.: James W., Jacob J., Henry ])., G. S., Elmore and
Kelso K., the last named being deceased. James W. is now living in his
native county, his birth occurring November 19, 1860. By attending the
public schools of the district he has secured a fair knowledge of the
lower branches of education. With the exception of brief intervals
while in business in Gentryville, he has been engaged in farming. He
has plenty of pluck and spirit, which, coupled with integrity, will
make him one of the foremost young men in the country.
JOHN T. SANDAGE, a native of Spencer County, Ind., was born November
11, 1827, and is the eldest but one of a family of eleven children born
to the marriage of Nathan Sandage and Nancy Quick. John T. was raised
by his parents to man's estate, receiving only a common school
education, which in later years he developed into a good practical
education by observation and study. At twenty-three years of age he
embarked on his own responsibility in life's voyage, and
notwithstanding the fact that he has encountered adverse storms on the
way, it can be truly said that he has made it a reasonable success.
While not overly supplied with an unusual quantity of this world's
goods, he possesses a comfortable and happy home, and a reasonably
lucrative business. Like Vulcan, he is a worker of metals, and to Mr.
Sandage's credit it can be said there is no better blacksmith in the
surrounding country. In politics he is a Republican, and his wife
belongs to the Missionary Baptist Church. July 24, 1851, he married
Miss Huldah Hiley, and a family of nine children have blessed their
union.
HENRY SCHAFER, the leading merchant at Gentryville, was born December
22, 1838, and is a son of Christian and Mary (Myer) Schafer, who were
natives of Germany. At an early day they immigrated to this country,
and in 1852 they settled at New Albany, where they resided many years.
Our subject obtained a good common school education in youth, and at
the age of sixteen years began life's battle on his own responsibility
as a merchant's clerk. For twelve years he continued clerking, and by
that time had sufficient means to embark in mercantile pursuits for
himself, which he did at Haysville, Dubois County, where he remained a
period of seven years. He then moved to Loogootee, where he remained
nearly two years, then removed to Gentryville, Ind., and established
his present business. Mr. Schafer possesses all the requirements that
become a successful merchant. He is kind and courteous to all alike; is
energetic, enterprising, a first-class salesman, a good buyer and a
careful dealer. Mr. Schafer, in politics, is what might be termed
a-liberal Democrat, is a member of the Masonic fraternity and the
Methodist Episcopal Church. He was married in January, 1867, to Miss
Sallie Brace, and by her he is the father of the following named
children, all living: Florence, Annie, Maggie and Walter.
WILLIAM A. TULEY, farmer and stock-raiser, was born February 7, 1846,
in Jackson Township, Spencer Co., Ind., and is the fourth in a family
of six children born to John and Nancy (Hesson) Tuley, both of whom
were natives of Kentucky. He received a common education from the
public schools, assisted his parents until he attained majority, and
when twenty-two years old, was united in marriage with Elizabeth
Wright, fey whom he is the father of three children, named Alice,
George W. and John H. Mr. Tuley selected farming as his vocation
through life, and he now owns a valuable piece of land comprising sixty
acres. When treason threatened the downfall of the Union, he valiantly
volunteered in his country's cause, but by reason of defective
eye-sight was rejected. Mr. Tuley is a member of the Baptist Church, a
stalwart Democrat in politics, and an agreeable, enterprising
gentleman. He and family are known as among the best in Jackson
Township.
F. W. WIBKING, born. June 8, 1842, in Jackson Township, Spencer Co.,
Ind., is the youngest but one in a family of three children born to
Frederick and Louisa Wibking, who were natives of Germany. In 1838 the
family braved the perils of a long ocean voyage, and leaving kindred
and native land behind, immigrated to the United States, where they
found a home and abundance of friends. The subject of this memoir, F.
W. Wibking, was educated in the country schools of the neighborhood in
which his father resided, and on the breaking out of treason in the
Southern States in 1861, bravely volunteered his services in his
country's cause, and August 25, was enrolled. He participated in
several pitched battles and numerous lesser engagements without
receiving a wound, and was honorably discharged October 17, 1864. With
the exception of about three years, while in Missouri, Mr. Wibking has
resided in Spencer County, Ind., since the war, and the greater part of
his time has been devoted to farming and milling, the latter
especially, which is his present occupation, occupying the greater part
of his attention. In politics he has always been a stanch Republican,
is a member of the G. A. R. and Masonic fraternities, and is the
present Trustee of Jackson Township, having been elected in the spring
of 1884. He was married, March 6, 1868, to Miss N. Cook, and by her is
the father of three children—O. S., L. B. and C. H