USA > Indiana > Greene County > Biographical memoirs of Greene County, Ind. : with reminiscences of pioneer days, Volume III > Part 1
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ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 01704 0210
GE 977.201 083B1
BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF PRESNE COUNTY- INE.
BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS
OF-
GREENE COUNTY, IND.
WITH REMINISCENCES OF PIONEER DAYS
VOLUME III.
ILLUSTRATED
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA 1908 B. F. BOWEN & CO.
1212271
J.P. M Intosh
Mancy, A. M. InTask
HON. JACOB P. McINTOSH.
The subject of this biographical review, a repre- sentative of one of the early pioneer families of Greene county, was born in Marion county, Indiana, November 17, 1835, and he is a son of William J. and Sarah (Neg- ley) McIntosh. (The sketch of his father appears more fully on another page of this work.)
Jacob McIntosh became a resident of Greene county at the age of two years, when he was brought here by the removal of his parents from Marion county. Being reared on a farm, his early life was devoted to agricul- tural pursuits and in attending the pioneer schools of his day. Like other youths of the early times, his educa- tional opportunities were limited, principally to the most elementary branches of learning, and this at considerable sacrifice. His means being limited, he was unable to avail himself of the advantages of higher education until later in life, though he was always a student, and read everything calculated to broaden the sphere of his intel- lect. He has been twice married, first in 1857 to Nancy Kelley, who died March 20, 1872. She was the mother of six children, three of whom survive; three died in in- fancy or early childhood. The living members of this family are Martin F., Mary Hannah and Nathaniel Greene. Mr. McIntosh was married the second time on the 26th day of June, 1873. His present wife was Nancy Ann Crawford, daughter of William B. and Elizabeth (Brooks) Crawford, natives of Ohio. Her father was a soldier during the Civil war and served as a member of Company I of the One Hundred and Forty-sixth Indiana
55
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Infantry, Volunteers. He died in 1900. His widow is a resident of Greene county. There are ten living children of this union, of whom Daisy, wife of Walter G. Hudson, a printer at Bloomfield, is the eldest. Miss Nora is a pop- ular and successful teacher, having been engaged in that laudable work for a number of years. William resides upon and operates the parental farm near Worthington. He is married and has one child. Bessie M. is the wife of S. O. Gallup, of Indianapolis. O. G. is at home. Dan- iel C. is a graduate of the Worthington high school and is also a graduate in pharmacy. He is a student in third year's work in the State University. Lalla R. and Fran- ces Maude, both graduates of the Worthington high school, are still under the parental roof, though the last named is now a student at the State Normal School. Lyman T. and Moore C. complete the family circle. They are students in the Worthington high school. The two sons and daughter mentioned as the issue of the subject's first marriage are prominent in business and social rela- tions, the sons being merchants and the daughter, now Mrs. A. J. Peck, resides in Topeka, Kansas. Early in life the subject of this sketch chose the medical profes- sion as his life work, and after attending the Eclectic College of Medicine at Cincinnati he began practice, and continued that profession for about twenty years, then for ten years only part of the time in connection with superintending his large and varied farming interests throughout his active business years. He owned and operated a farm of six hundred and twenty-five acres, upon which his family lived until 1900, and gave special prominence to the growing and marketing of domestic stock. Since the date above written he has retired to a
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GREENE COUNTY, INDIANA.
less pretentious farm of fifty-nine acres adjoining Worth- ington, but has relaxed none of his interest in general farming and stock growing.
Dr. McIntosh recites with much interest and enthusi- asm the story of pioneer life in the wilderness of Greene county when he was a boy. He says that his mother, whose memory he reveres, was, in combination with all womanly virtues of her day, an expert at the wheel and loom, and that for many years she spun the flax and wool- yarn, and wove the cloth with which to clothe the family. taking the former from the matured stalk and the latter from the sheep's back. Nothing was then known of the wonderful machinery which has revolutionized manufac- turing in all lines of human industry. The application of steam power was then in the experimental stage, while electricity as a motive power was then not dreamed of by the most advanced scientists.
The ancestral history of Dr. McIntosh is traceable in this section of Indiana, and mostly in Greene county, to the year 1821, when the founders of the family came from Kentucky. But as this feature of the family life is brought out more fully in the sketch of his father, Wil- liam Jefferson McIntosh, the interested reader is referred to that article for further information.
Dr. J. P. McIntosh has been pre-eminently a busy and useful man. His life has been spent in an effort to render good to his fellow men, and in whatever sphere his labors were directed, he has discharged his duties con- scientiously and well. He has been an ardent supporter of the principles of Democracy, and has been zealous in the furtherance of party interests, whether as a standard- bearer seeking support for political honors or as a pri-
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vate citizen seeking the general welfare of his chosen party. In political affairs he has always been prominent and influential. In 1874 and again in 1876 he was the nominee of his party for legislative honors, going down with the defeat of his party. In 1880, however, he was more successful and was elected as joint representative from the counties of Greene, Knox and Sullivan. His administration of the affairs pertaining to this exalted position no doubt led to his selection as state senator in 1882 for Daviess and Greene counties, though Greene county was then considered almost hopelessly Republican. But the personal popularity and careful, systematic work of Dr. McIntosh carried it for the Democratic candidate by the narrow margin of eleven votes, and for the district one hundred and seventy-one. While in the legislature Mr. McIntosh was the author of a number of wholesome and popular laws which remain on the statute books as a monument to his memory, and as a convincing proof of his sterling good judgment.
In the affairs of private life the doctor has been suc- cessful beyond the average attainments of men. He was a partner in a profitable mercantile business for many years, and his professional life was proverbially a suc- cess, especially in the correct diagnosis and treatment of disease. He was a justice of the peace for four years, and has always taken an active interest in local affairs of whatever nature. He is an affable and agreeable gen- tleman, universally esteemed, and favorably known to almost every family in Greene county. The record of such a life is a stimulus to the rising generation, whose desires and ambitions are largely influenced by the achievements of others.
McINTOSH PLACE, Residence of Hon. J. P. McIntosh.
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GREENE COUNTY, INDIANA.
A. F. WILSON.
Prominent among the active business men of Greene county is the name of A. F. Wilson, who was born at Ladoga, November 28, 1861. His parents, P. H. and Arthuria (Dixon) Wilson, were both natives of Indiana. Mr. Wilson's paternal grandfather. was a Virginia farmer, and on leaving that state came to Kentucky, from whence he removed to Indiana, where he lived out the remainder of his days. Grandfather Dixon was a merchant tailor by trade. His three sons were all sol- diers of the Civil war.
Our subject's father was reared in Indiana, receiv- ing his early education in her public schools. He later graduated from the Louisville Medical College, and prac- ticed medicine at Ladoga for several years. He then re- moved to Worthington and took up dentistry, continu- ing in that profession until his death, March 4, 1890. The family consisted of six children, enumerated here in order of birth: India, now deceased; A. F., our sub- ject ; Frank, now a successful business man of Salt Lake City; Ida, wife of W. E. Mason, now of Mississippi ; Martha, unmarried: Charles, carpenter at Danville, Illinois.
Our subject has had a wide business experience. He was educated in the Worthington public schools, and after reaching maturity began railroading, following this for seven years. He then became deputy postmaster, fol- lowing this by engaging in the livery and grocery busi- ness. He then served one term as postmaster, after which he engaged in managing a meat market. Next he assumed the control of the Commercial Hotel, later han-
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dling patent rights, after which he dealt largely in live stock. Following this he purchased the Williams House, which he still owns, but whose management is leased to other parties. He is at present engaged in handling a patent wire stretcher, patented May 22, 1906.
Mr. Wilson was married on January 25, 1890, to Lille Griffith, who was born at Worthington, being the daughter of George and Jane Griffith, both highly re- spected residents of the town. Two children have graced this union, viz .: Lee, born in 1895. and Guy, born in 1897. Mrs. Wilson is a member of the Christian church and is an admirable mother and companion.
Mr. Wilson has been equally alive to his social obli- gations and has taken an active interest in many of the fraternal organizations of the community. He gives his hearty support to the Elks, Red Men, Knights of Pythias and Modern Woodmen.
Politically he is a Democrat. but has demonstrated that public service can be easily coupled with straight- forawrd business methods, having, as mentioned before, served as postmaster for one term, and also for three years as sheriff of Greene county.
FRED ROSCOE CROMWELL.
One often hears nowadays the remark that this is the age of young men, and it would seem to the most casual observer that a great portion of the world's work requiring prompt decision and quick judgment combined with the energy and staying qualities necessary to insure
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GREENE COUNTY, INDIANA.
tained in the following record of the young man whose success, is carried on by those young in years, conse- quently, we are not suprised at the splendid showing con- name appears above ; for although Fred R. Cromwell has scarcely passed the quarter century mark, he has shown by his vigilant energy and untiring zeal that he possesses a nature that will undoubtedly crown his age with splen- did achievement. Relying entirely on his own resources, this young man has so well performed every task that has been assigned him that he now holds the responsible posi- tion of chief of the fire department at Linton, Indiana, a position that is usually tendered to the experienced veteran. However, that city feels that it can safely trust its property to the protection of this young man.
Mr. Cromwell was born in Clay county, Indiana, June 13, 1882, the son of Albert and Emma ( Fields) Cromwell, the former a native of Clay county, while the mother was born and reared in Ohio. The latter was called from her earthly labors in Colorado, whither she had gone in an effort to recover her failing health. The subject's father is a successful farmer in Clay county. He has a family of five living sons. Fred R., the subject of this sketch, is the eldest; Charles is a farmer in Clay county : Albert, Jr., is employed in a hotel at Terre Haute; George is a farmer in Clay county; Rue has remained at home working on the parental place : Guy and Fay died in childhood. The habits of industry which the father instilled in his home from early life have remained as dominating factors and they are all known as men of thrift and energy.
Fred R. Cromwell was raised on his father's farm and there learned much of the management of agricultural
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BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS
land, while not in school, which he attended during the winter months until 1900, when he came to Linton and was employed in connection with the racing stock of Dr. Sherwood and others, having learned to successfully handle horses while on the old homestead. He was then in the employ of the Terre Haute Brewing Company for more than a year. In 1907 he was elected driver in the fire department, and appointed chief of the department in this city April 1, 1908. Three men are embraced in the payrolls of this department, which is made up from volunteers, picked up as occasion demands. These are entitled to pay for their services, although claims are seldom filed, the fire fighters being willing to contribute their services to their city when it is in need of them. The equipment of this department embraces a hose wagon and two chemical tanks, an abundance of hose, ladders, etc. This department has attained great efficiency in the matter of getting out when an alarm is given. The employs can take the horses from the stalls, hitch them to the apparatus and be on the street in twenty seconds.
The subject was married January 24, 1908, to Ora Robison, daughter of James and Fanny Robison, of Lin- ton. Mr. Cromwell is a member of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters. Politically Mr. Cromwell is a Republican, but does not take a great deal of interest in politics.
ELI STALCUP.
This subject, who is one of the most industrious farmers and stock raisers in the vicinity of Worthington,
li Stalent
80 years Clara a Stalen
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GREENE COUNTY, INDIANA.
Greene county, Indiana, never had the roaming dispo- sition that characterized so many of the young men with whom he was reared, and he has preferred to test the ad- vantages of his home county rather than risk his fortune elsewhere, having been born at Bloomfield, January 4, 1829, and lie is now living one mile north of Worthing- ton on a fine farm.
Mr. Stalcup's father was Stephen Stalcup and his mother's maiden name was Mary Underwood. Grand- father Eli Stalcup, a native of Tennessee, came to Indiana long before our subject was born, settling in Greene county on a farm, where he spent the remainder of his life. Stephen Stalcup was brought to Indiana when a young man, where he soon began farming and trading. having received his early education in Tennessee. Pur- chasing a good farm in Greene county he remained here during the rest of his life, rearing ten children, all grown to maturity, the subject of this sketch being the third in the order of birth. He attended subscription schools dur- ing a part of several years, but his father was in close circumstances and it was necessary for his son to help on the place when there was work to be done. The country school houses in those days were of the most primitive sort, being built of logs with puncheon seats and greased paper for window panes.
Eli was always called upon to take the lead in all kinds of heavy work about the place owing to his unusual phys- ical strength, so he did the major part of the work in clearing the heavily timbered land where his father set- tled and with whom he remained until maturity, then he went to work as a farm hand, for which he received
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BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS
only seven dollars per month, but which he continued working at for a period of five years, during a part of which time he was employed on a shingle machine, being associated with his brother, Wesley. Then he bought a house and lot in Worthington, where he lived for several years, renting land and tilling it, in that neighborhood. In about three years he traded' his town property in part payment on a farm, on which he has since lived. This farm at first consisted of eighty acres in the forest, upon which was a small log cabin, in which the subject lived for a short time, then building a log house, in which he lived for ten years, which he regards as the happiest days of his life. He cleared most of the land himself, hiring a few hands to assist. He has added to his original piece of ground until he now owns over four hundred acres, seventy-six acres of which are in the Eel River bottoms, which is fertilized by overflow, but the overflows are not of a nature to be of serious injury to the land or the crops on it, for it produces immense crops of corn. He raises corn crops on his upland fields, usually follows them by crops of oats and clover, but he uses no commer- cial fertilizers, being able to keep his land in good pro- ductive condition by other methods.
Mr. Stalcup feeds nearly all the corn the place pro- duces to hogs and cattle, which he turns on the pastures in summer. He handles Poland China hogs exclusively, and he has the largest drove of sheep in the vicinity of Worthington. His farm is fenced mostly with woven and barbed wire. His house is commodious, convenient and in good repair, and his outbuildings are well kept.
Eli Stalcup was married the first time in 1853 to Mar-
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garet J. Brookbank, of Sullivan county, Indiana, and six children were born to this union, all of whom died young, except Sarah Ellen, who is the wife of Levi Swango, now living on a farm in Greene county. They have seven children, six of whom are living. Mr. Stalcup's first wife died August 18, 1868, and he was again mar- ried May 16, 1869, to Clara Terhune, a native of Ohio, but who was reared in Greene county, Indiana. Four children were born to this union, namely: Nettie, the wife of Grant Fulk, living in Greene county, to whom four children have been born : Harry E., who is married and has two children, lives on the home place, working with his father: Lena May is single and lives at home; Elza B., is living at home working with his brother on the farm.
The subject of this sketch enlisted in Company A, One Hundred and Fifteenth Regiment, Indiana Volunteer In- fantry, in 1863. and served eight months, having been in Rosecrans' army. He enlisted for six months, but served two months over time, having been at Cumberland Gap when his time expired. His two cousins, Stephen and Calvin Stalcup, were also soldiers.
Eli Stalcup's wife has been twice married, first to James E. Terhune, who was a soldier in the Thirty-first Indiana Volunteer Infantry, having served with this regi- ment for four years, being in all the battles in which the regiment was engaged. He died one year after his mar- riage from a disease contracted in the line of duty as a soldier.
Both the subject and his wife were members of the Protestant Methodist church.
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Mr. Stalcup is a loyal Republican, but he always desires the best men in any public office, not caring to support "political rings" of questionable standing. He was constable for two terms and has been supervisor, but was never a candidate for important public offices.
The subject is a plain, honest citizen, who has won his success by hard work and habits of industry in what- ever he undertook, and the record of his family is one that cannot be questioned.
DR. GEORGE B. GRAY.
The subject of this sketch has not yet entered the realm of the aged, but his experiences are ripening to a full development, and he is now at the zenith of his powers. Dr. George B. Gray was born July 16. 1863. at Solsberry, Greene county. He is the son of William and Anna (Henderson) Gray, the former a native of Craw- ford county, Pennsylvania, and the latter a native of Morgan county, Ohio.
William Gray was educated in his native state in the best schools that the country afforded at that time. He came to Ohio when fifteen years old and settled in Morgan county, where he remained until 1864. where he engaged in farming and stock raising, which pursuit he continued through life. He married when nineteen years old. . Mr. Gray moved to Greene county, near Sols- berry, in 1864, buying a farm which he continued to con- duct until 1880, when he moved to Worthington. where
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he remained ten years, then moving to Bloomington, where he is still living. He has been retired for some time. His wife died in 1873. having given birth to eleven children, of whom the subject of this sketch is the youngest.
Dr. Gray was educated in the public schools in his native community and in the State University at Bloom- ington, Indiana. He worked on his father's farm until he entered the university. He commenced reading med- icine under the direction of his brother, Dr. O. F. Gray. of Spencer. Indiana, which he continued for one year. when he entered the Medical College of Indiana at In- dianapolis, from which he graduated in 1884, receiving the degree of Doctor of Medicine. He began practic- ing medicine at Paragon, Indiana, where he remained for one year; he then came to Worthington, in which city he has been engaged in the practice of his profes- sion and in the drug business for a period of twenty-two years. Dr. Gray also graduated at Bellevue in 1889. taking the degree of Doctor of Medicine, and he took a post-graduate course in Chicago in 1907.
Dr. Gray was married December 26, 1890, to Myrtle Young, of Worthington, Indiana. She is the daughter of Joseph and Ella Moses. There has been no issue from this union. The subject has an adopted daughter. Beulah, who is eight years old ( 1908).
The subject is a Republican. He was coroner of Greene county for two terms, or four years, and he has been secretary of the board of health in Worthington during the greater part of his residence in that city. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and also of the Red Men.
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BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS
BENJAMIN BACH.
The subject of this biographical review is a native of Frauenburg. Kurland, Russia, born on the 12th of October, 1876. He remained in his native country until twenty years old, being educated in Russia and at Ber- lin. Germany. In 1896 hie embarked for the "new world," and located in Louisville, Kentucky, during the first five years of his sojourn in America. The succeed- ing two years were spent in Chicago, in both cases being engaged in the mercantile business. Others of the family followed until there are four of his brothers conducting a large mercantile house in Chicago, and three of his sis- ters reside in that city. The parents, Meyer and Zesne (Zesner) Bach, are also residents of Chicago. The fa- ther is a retired merchant. These members of the family came to this country from Berlin, Germany, in 1905. The eldest brother and eldest sister are residents of Ber- lin, while the parents and eight sons and daughters are in America.
Ben Bach came to Linton, Indiana, in 1903. and here established one of the leading clothing stores in the city. He has a large and carefully selected stock of clothing. gents' furnishing goods, shoes, trunks, suit- cases, etc., combined with jewelry appropriate to men's wear. Though a comparatively recent acquisition to the business circles of Linton, the house is well and favorably known throughout a large area of country. Ben's motto has been "A square deal to all." and this policy has given him a prestige in business second to none in the city. Conspicuous in the affairs of this popular house is Charles
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GREENE COUNTY, INDIANA.
B. Bach, a younger brother, who is manager of the busi- ness, and a most pleasant and accommodating young man. He was born in the same province as the elder brother, received a good education in his native land. and in the Business University in Chicago. Previous to leaving the continent of Europe he traveled extensively. thus familiarizing himself with the conditions and cus- toms of that land, and finally went on a prospecting tour into South Africa. He came to Linton, in his pres- ent capacity, in 1904. He is a Royal Arch Mason, an Odd Fellow and a member of the Encampment of the last named fraternity.
Benjamin Bach, the subject of this article, was mar- ried in Louisville, Kentucky, May 29, 1898, the lady of his choice being Pauline Lurie, a native of Schaulen, Rus- sia. Her parents lived and died in their native land. Three children have been born to this union, the eldest of whom is Helen T., a little miss of six years ; Ephraim Leo is three years old and Cecilia, an infant of one year in 1908.
Mr. Bach is prominently identified with a number of fraternal lodges and societies, the most important of which are: Linton Lodge, No. 560, Free and Accepted Masons ; Linton Chapter, No. 132, Royal Arch Masons ; Unity Lodge, No. 637, Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows, and the Encampment connected therewith : Linton Camp, No. 100, Woodmen of the World, and the Knights of Pythias fraternity. The brothers are Republicans in political views, though not aggressive in politics. They adhere to the religious faith of their ancestors, being be- lievers in the doctrines and active members of the Jew- ish church.
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JAMES JEFFERSON LANGTON.
Greene county is characterized by her full share of the honored and faithful element who have done so much for the development and upbuilding of Indiana and the establishment of the institutions of civilization in this fertile and well favored section. In this work are com- prised many biographical sketches of this class of cifi- zens, and it is not too early to record in print the prin- cipal items in the lives of these honest people, giving honor to whom honor is due. Among these honored and sturdy pioneers the subject of this review is properly installed, his life having been worthy of commendation and admiration, as a host of people in this county who knew him well can testify.
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