USA > Indiana > Decatur County > A Genealogical and biographical record of Decatur County, Indiana : compendium of national biography > Part 29
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52
After his return home from his army ca- reer, Mr. Moor resumed work on the home- stead, which he continued until he married, in 1871. He rented land for a time and soon bought a small tract which he im- proved and to which he has added until he now owns four hundred acres. He has built a large two-story brick house and am- ple barns and other out-buildings, and has all of his large agricultural property in a high state of cultivation. In politics Mr. Moor is an uncompromising Republican. always anxious for the success of his party and always a willing and efficient worker for its success. Never an office-seeker, lie has permitted himself to accept only one of- ficial trust. that of county commissioner. the duties of which he has discharged with extraordinary ability and entirely to the sat-
isfaction of his fellow citizens irrespective of party affiliation.
Mr. Moor married Miss Mary A. Gant, a daughter of John and Margaret (Palmer) Gant. Mrs. Moor was born in Franklin county, Indiana, December 8, 1842, and is a lady of much moral worth and many intel- lectual accomplishments. She is a grand- daughter of Judge Giles Gant, of Franklin county, a pioneer and long a prominent man of that part of the state, who died at Rochester, Indiana, full of years and of hon- ors. Judge Gant was a leader in the De- mocracy, a well known Universalist and a citizen of the highest influence and useful- ness. His children numbered fourteen : Lewis, who lives at Sardinia, Indiana: Anna Jackmon; Matilda, Mrs. Mulholland; John, father of Mrs. Moor; Giles; Rachel. Mrs. Marshall; Lucinda, Mrs. Mulholland: Jeremiah; Silas; Sarah, Mrs. Seals; Brit- ton; Reuben; Caroline; and Mary, Mrs. Hines. John and Margaret (Powner) Gant had four children: Mary, who married Mr. Moor; John, a well known resident of St. Louis; and Charlotte and Louisa, who died young.
Mr. Gant bought land in Decatur county. but died just before it was his intention to move out from Franklin county. His wife. almost broken-hearted at the thought that the career of her husband, who was a man of more than ordinary intelligence and abil- ity. had been thus early terminated, brought the family to Decatur county and entered upon a pioneer life which was full of hard- ship and self-denial but which she made successful from every point of view. Un- der her direction the land which her his- band had purchased was cleared and ini- proved and advanced to a good state of cul-
237
DECATUR COUNTY.
tivation. After a time she married John Falkard, whom she bore two children, named Sarah and Laura. At the advanced age of seventy-seven years, this estimable woman is still living, at Beloit, Kansas.
Mr. and Mrs. Moor had three daughters, all of whom are dead. Edith, the eldest, died at the age of one year; Bessie died at the age of nine years; and Inez at the age of two years. The loss of these children has cast a cloud of loneliness about the home of Mr. and Mrs. Moor which they have never been able to banish. But they are rearing two motherless children, who, at the ages of eight and four respectively, were entrusted to them by their dying mother. Evaleen, the elder, is now eigh- teen; her brother Emmons is fourteen. They have been carefully and lovingly reared and educated and fully appreciate the kindness of their foster parents, which they reward with such an affection as they might have given their own parents had they been left to their care. Mrs. Moor, formerly a successful teacher, is a lady of refinement and culture. Mr. and Mrs. Moor are both members of the Presbyterian church, of Forest Hill, in which Mr. Moor is an elder.
REV. PAUL STEWART.
Rev. Paul Stewart is the able and be- loved pastor of the Spring Hill United Presbyterian church, one of the pioneer churches of Decatur county. Thoroughly consecrated to the noble work of uplifting humanity to a higher plane of living and purpose; he possesses the enthusiasm and spirit of a man in his early prime, while, at the same time practical experience and a
rare power of insight and observation keep him from falling into the errors of judg- ment and the mistaken zeal with which too many young ministers are animated. He is eloquent in his presentation of the truth, and is fearless in the denouncement of evil, thus commanding the respect of every one, regardless of doctrinal differences.
Fugit township is fortunate in having two such efficient workers in the cause of Christianity as the Rev. Paul Stewart and the Rev. Robert A. Bartlett, both of whom were born in the closing year of the great war of the Rebellion, and both of whom are natives of the proud state of Ohio. Our subject's birthplace was in Xenia, his father, Dr. Robert Stewart, being a well known and very successful physician of that thriv- ing town for many years.
The boyhood of Rev. Paul Stewart was quietly spent in his native town, where he was a pupil in the public schools and laid the foundations of the broad education which he later acquired. It was then his privilege to pursue higher branches of learn- ing in Westminster College, at New Wil- mington, Pennsylvania, where he was graduated in 1889, and finally to take a course at the Xenia Theological Seminary. In the latter well known institution he was graduated in the class of 1892, and thus, after much preparation, found himself at last on the threshhold of his chosen voca- tion.
The first charge of the young minister was at Washburn, Illinois, where he re- mained for a period of four years, from the time of his graduation until 1896. His earnestness and true manliness of character were felt in the community, and it was a matter of deep regret to the members of his
238
DECATUR COUNTY.
devoted congregation there when he an- nounced his decision to leave them for another pastorate. Three years ago, in 1896, he assumed the charge which he now holds, and, needless to say, he has won the love not only of the people whom he serves, but also of the general public. He possess- es that liberal, loving spirit of the times, which is as far removed from the old sectar- ian dogmatism of, say, even a half-century ago, as is the true spirit of Christianity from Pharaseeism. His genial, sunny nature, and his ready sympathy for the unfortu- nate and sorrowing, make his presence a joy to every one; and when he beholds the power for good which he is enabled to see in this community he must, indeed, feel that "his lines are cast in pleasant places," and that his efforts are being blessed.
.
The happy home of the young pastor is presided over by his amiable, helpful wife, formerly Miss Anna Mary Currie, of Xenia, Ohio. Their marriage was solemnized im- mediately after his graduation. May 10, 1892. They have two children, named re- spectively, Robert Currie and Martha.
A brief sketch of the Spring Hill United Presbyterian church, over which Mr. Stew- art presides as pastor, will prove of interest to many. Organized July 30, 1825, under the guidance of the Rev. David McDill. D. D., and the jurisdiction of the Associate Reformed church, it assumed the present title after the union of the Associate and the Associate Reformed churches, in 1858. Its difference in principle from the . regular Presbyterian churches of to-day is very slight, opposition to secret societies, and the exclusive use of a metrical version of the Psalms of David being the chief points of variance. The first pastor of the church
was the Rev. James Worth, a native of New Jersey. He was ordained to the ministry here in June, 1830, and for twenty-two years served this church. Then, going to Ore- gon, he spent the remainder of his life there, his ministerial labors being finished by his death, in July, 1881. From May, 1852. until September, 1867, the Rev. J. R. Walk- er, a native of Dublin, Ireland, occupied this pulpit, and under his ministry, the member- ship was greatly increased and every depart- ment of the church work flourished. The next pastor, Rev. S. Taggart, a brilliant and highly gifted man, remained but five months, when he was forced to resign on account of poor health. His successor, the Rev. William Johnson, now deceased, made an efficient pastor during the six years of his stay as shepherd of this people. The next pastor, Rev. William M. Ritchie, re- mained here only two years, and was fol- lowed by the Rev. A. S. Vincent, D. D., a man of sterling Christian character, who labored in this field for a period of nine years. His work was substantial. Much beloved by all, he accomplished a great deal for his Master. He is now the pastor of the First United Presbyterian church of Emporia, Kansas.
The Rev. T. H. McMichael took charge of the congregation in 1890. A brilliant and attractive preacher, a man of great power, it was his privilege to do much for those who came in touch with him. Dur- ing his brief pastorate an impetus was given to all branches of church work. The beau- tiful church in which the congregation wor- ships was built during this time, at a cost of twelve thousand dollars. The Lord called him to a larger work, and in September. 1892, he resigned to take charge of the First
239
DECATUR COUNTY.
United Presbyterian church of Cleveland. Ohio.
The Rev. H. H. Crawford was the next pastor. A man of very great ability, stu- dious, attractive in the presentation of truth, he labored to the edification of the people. Ill health caused him to resign, in April, 1895, after serving the people most accepta- bly for a period of a year and a half; and he in turn was followed by the subject of this sketch, whose work is opening out before him with greater promise than ever before.
HON. JAMES B. FOLEY.
This distinguished citizen of Greensburg, whose death took place December 5. 1886. was born in Mason county, Kentucky, Oc- tober 18, 1807. His mother, Mary (Brad- ford) Foley, was a daughter of Benjamin. Bradford, superintendent of the arsenal at Harper's Ferry, Virginia, during the Rev- olutionary war. When only seven years of age our subject had the great misfortune to lose his father, the latter leaving a widow with eight children to support. To add to her affliction, the mother became blind, and as early as possible the boys were obliged to go out into the world and make their own living. At sixteen years of age James Foley was a hired hand on a flatboat on the Mississippi river; when twenty-one years old he commanded a credit of twenty thou- sand dollars, a remarkable showing for a poor, friendless boy thrown upon his own resources and a striking illustration of the proverb, "Labor omnia vincit." On June 15. 1834, Mr. Foley returned to Greens- burg and opened a dry-goods store, which he carried on for two years, and in 1837
purchased a farm two miles from the city. In 1880 he sold this property and bought his late residence, one mile out of town. For a period, ending with 1877, he was ex- tensively engaged in pork-packing in Cin- cinnati and in Lawrenceburg, his transac- tions frequently amounting to eighty thou- sand dollars in a single year.
Mr. Foley was honored by his fellow cit- izens with many marks of their esteem and appreciation of his good qualities. In 1841 he was elected treasurer of Dearborn coun- ty, serving one term. In 1850 he was made a delegate to the state constitutional con- vention held at Indianapolis, and in 1852 was appointed by Governor Wright as brigadier general of militia for the fourth district. In 1856 he was nominated on the Democratic ticket for congress, and was elected by a majority of fifteen hundred over his opponent, William Cumback, who later had a prominent political career. In 1874 he was again offered a nomination for congress, but declined, feeling that his days of active life were about over, and from that time until his death, in 1886, he lived a quiet retired life, surrounded by loving chil- dren and grandchildren, and happy in the consciousness of duties fulfilled, a clear conscience and a heart filled with love to- ward God and man.
Mr. Foley was married April 2, 1829. to Martha Carter, of Mason county, Ken- tucky, and six children were born to them, of whom three are living: John J., of Greensburg, whose sketch will be found following this; Alexander A., of Cincin- nati, Ohio: and Mrs. Josephine Mansfield, of Greensburg. The mother of these chil- dren died. and Mr. Foley was again mar- ried on March 4, 1848, to Mrs. Mary Hack-
240
DECATUR COUNTY.
leman, of Decatur county, who bore him three children: William O., of Conners- ville, Fayette county, Pennsylvania; Mary, wife of Louis Zoller, of Greensburg; and Mrs. Elizabeth Payne, of Franklin, Indiana.
In the year 1827 Mr. Foley professed faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, and through- out his long life was a consistent Christian, giving liberally of his time and money to advance the cause of his Master. Among his last gifts was that of five hundred dol- lars to the Christian church of Greensburg, of which he had long been an honored member. He also gave liberally toward the endowment of Bethany College, Vir- ginia, and Butler University, Indiana. He was a man of fine character, quiet and un- assuming, and throughout his entire busi- ness career was never a defendant in a law- suit. " His memory will long be cherished by all who knew him.
JOHN J. FOLEY.
This, esteemed resident of Greensburg is a son of Hon. James B. Foley, and was born in Mason county, Kentucky, June 21, 1830. He came with his father's family to Deca- tur county when a child of three years and has always made it his home. His early life was spent on his father's farm and in 1863 he came to Greensburg, and with Put- nam Ewing established the firm of Ewing & Foley, dealers in grain. coal, feed and general merchandise. This connection con- tinued for about twenty-eight years, when Mr. Foley retired and since that time he has been engaged in no active business. He, however, owns a valuable farm of five hundred acres near the city, which is under
fine cultivation and yields him a handsome income, and resides in a pleasant home in the city.
In 1853 Mr. Foley was married to Miss Margaret Hillis, of Greensburg, and two children were born to them, both of whom are deceased. Mr. Foley has always been a stanch Democrat and interested in the success of his party, but has never been an office-seeker, his time being fully occupied in attending to his business affairs. So- cially he is a member of Greensburg Lodge. 103, I. O. O. F., to which he has belonged for nearly half a century.
ALEXANDER GOSNELL.
The history of Decatur county, its devel- opment from a wild prairie to a condition of rare productiveness, thriving villages and beautiful, well cultivated homesteads, could not be accurately written if, for any reason. the part taken in this transformation by the Gosnell family should be omitted. For more than three-score, and ten years they have toiled and labored unceasingly, active- ly supporting all public improvements, maintaining schools and churches and advo- cating progress in every direction.
In fact the Gosnells have been a family of pioneers from the early colonial days of America's history. Originally of England, the paternal great-grandfather and the grandfather of the subject of this review came to the United States long prior to the war of the Revolution, and it is stated upon . good authority that the former built the first house erected upon the site of the city of Baltimore, Maryland. Benjamin, father of Alexander Gosnell, was born in Balti-
241
DECATUR COUNTY.
.
more in 1760, and when he was about seven years of age his mother died, and the father removed with his children to Virginia, set- tling upon the Staunton river. There the lad grew to manhood, strong and brave, and when the war for independence came on he enlisted in the cause of the colonies and assisted in obtaining the victory which came to us, after many years of struggling. He served under the leadership of the gal- lant general, Nathaniel Greene, participat- ing in numerous important battles and be- ing present at the surrender of Cornwallis. Subsequently Mr. Gosnell followed the tide of emigration which was rapidly drifting westward, and for some years he made his home in Harrison county, Kentucky. In 1826 he located in the neighborhood of Lit- tle Flat Rock, in Adams township, Decatur county, Indiana, and there the remainder of his life was passed, his age at death being eighty-six years. He was married three times, his last wife, Dorcas Furinash, a na- tive of Virginia, being the mother of our subject. She was much younger than her husband, and survived him a number of years, dying in Illinois at the home of one of her five children. Benjamin Gosnell had children by each of his marriages, but all of the once large family are now deceased.
1
He was a native of Kentucky, his birth having occurred in Harrison county, Au- gust 30, 1820, and though he was a child of but six years when the family came away he distinctly remembered his birthplace and the scenes of those early years. His recollections of pioneer days in this county also were vivid, and, though he and his rel- atives and neighbors, for the most part, led a life of arduous toil, they had their com- pensations, after all, and many a merry
gathering and Thanksgiving feast stood out in his memory.
Receiving a one-third portion of the old homestead, which comprised a quarter sec- tion of land, Alexander Gosnell soon sold it and bought the fine property, in Adams township, which he owned until his death. He dwelt here uninterruptedly, and the en- ergy which he expended, year by year, is now plainly shown in the fertile, well im- proved fields, neat home and air of thrift which prevails everywhere about the place.
In 1842 Mr. Gosnell married Maria Dog- gett, of Kentucky, and twelve years after- ward death entered the household and took the devoted wife and mother. Their two sons were named respectively Sylvester and Sebastian, and the first mentioned son re- sides on the old homestead, relieving his father, during the life-time of the latter, of much of the care and responsibility which would otherwise rest upon him in his de- clining days. Mr. Gosnell, senior, chose for a second wife Caroline C. Miner, who was a true helpmeet to him. Alexander Gosnell died October 19, 1899, highly re- spected, as. he deserved to be, and, without exception. liis neighbors and acquaintances held him in genuine esteem. The remain- ing members of the family also are held in high regard.
DYER C. ELDER.
A prominent citizen and an honored official of Decatur county. Mr. Elder was also a loyal soldier in the civil war and has every reason to be proud of his military record, for which he is deserving of as much credit as for his successful business career in later years. He was born near Greens-
242
DECATUR COUNTY.
burg, in which city he makes his home; October 30, 1842, and is the son of John H. and Ella (Cobb) Elder. His grandfather, James Elder, was born in Virginia, and in his early boyhood days removed with his parents to Kentucky, where he grew to manhood. In 1824 the family came to De- catur county and located near Greensburg. The grandfather became a large land-owner and extensive farmer, and accumulated a handsome fortune. In early life he was a Whig, later joining the Republican party, and for some years he served as associate judge of the county. He was a member of the Baptist church, in which denomination his brother Mathew was a minister, labor- ing for some time in the interest of the church in this county. James Elder was twice married, and of his first union seven children-four sons and three daughters- were born.
The father of our subject was the eldest of this family and was born in Lincoln coun- ty, Kentucky, in August, 1816. He was only eight years of age when he accom- panied his parents to Decatur county, spending the remainder of his life in Marion township, four miles southeast of Greens- burg, where he owned a farm, upon which his death occurred January 7, 1876. He was an enterprising and progressive farmer, was a stanch Republican in his political af- filiations, a Universalist in his religious faith, and in all things a consistent and hon- orable gentleman. John H. Elder and Ella Cobb were united in marriage in 1842. The lady was a daughter of Joshua Cobb, and was born in Worcester, Pennsylvania. Her father was a native of Vermont, but re- sided for some time in the Keystone state, and in 1819, with his family, came to the
west, floating down the Ohio river on a flat-boat. He spent one year in Dearborn county, at what is now the town of Aurora, and in 1820 came to the present site of the city of Greensburg. It was then only a tract of government land, with little indication that a prosperous and populous place would one day be builded upon it. Mr. Cobb en- tered land four miles from where the city was afterward laid out, and there followed farming until his death, which occurred in August, 1860, in the eighty-sixth year of his age. In his family were six children-three sons and three daughters. Of the latter, two died in infancy, and of the remaining children only two survive, Dyer C. and John P., both residents of Greensburg.
Dyer C. Elder pursued his education in an old log school-house, such as was com- mon at that day, with its puncheon floor, rough slab seats and rude desks. He gained a good practical education, to which he has since added by reading and observa- tion. When not in school he assisted his father on the farm, and became a rugged, industrious youth, who, when the tocsin of war sounded, was ready to respond to the call and give of his strength and courage in defense of the government. He was not quite nineteen years of age when he en- listed, on the 19th of August, 1861, joining Company E, Seventh Indiana Infantry, as a private. He served until September 20, 1864, at which time he was mustered out. He took part in many of the most noted en- gagements of the civil war and can relate most interesting details of those celebrated battles. He was under fire at Greenbriar, October 3, 1861; Winchester, March 23, 1862: Port Republic, June 8-9, 1862; Slaughter Mountain, August 13, 1862; Sec-
243
DECATUR COUNTY.
ond Bull Run, August 28-30, 1862; South Mountain, September 15, 1862; Antietam, September 17, 1862; Uniontown, Novem- ber, 1862; Fredericksburg, December 12- 13, 1862; Chancellorsville, May 2-4, 1863, and Gettysburg, July 1-4, 1863, at which place his corps, division and brigade opened the fight, and Mr. Elder was near General Reynolds when the latter was killed. He also participated in the battles of Mine Run . and the battle of the Wilderness, May 5, 1864, and in the latter engagement was wounded in the right shoulder, which ended his military career. He was sent to the army hospital and subsequently to the hos- pital in Philadelphia.
After recovering from . his wound Mr. Elder opened a blacksmith shop, at Greens- burg, which he conducted for twenty-six years. In November, 1898, he was elected county treasurer, his term expiring in Jan- uary, 1900. He has held other offices of trust, being trustee of Washington town- ship from . 1882 until 1886, chief of the fire department for twelve years and a member of the city council for four years. He is a member and trustee of the Christian church, and is a charter member of George H. Thomas Post, No. 5, G. A. R., in which he served for two terms as commander and was representative to the national encamp- ment, at St. Louis, in 1886. He also be- longs to Decatur Lodge, No. 103, I. O. O. F., and to Greensburg Lodge, No. 148, K. P. In all of the offices which he has filled Mr. Elder has acquitted himself with honor and has earned the esteem and re- spect of those with whom he has been as- sociated.
Mr. Elder was married, January 1. 1876, to Miss Joanna Maston, daughter of John
and Louisa (Montgomery) Maston, of Rip- ley county, Indiana. They are the parents of five children, as follows: Louella, now the wife of Enos Porter, a resident of Shel- byville, Indiana; John C., who is engaged in the machine and implement business in Greensburg; Ada, who died at the age of twelve years; and Pearl and Mary C., at home.
REV. DANIEL R. VAN BUSKIRK.
Endowed by nature with the qualities of a statesman and leader of the people, the Rev. Daniel R. Van Buskirk, of Greens- burg, early in life consecrated his talents to the service of the Lord, cheerfully re- nouncing the glories and honors which, be- yond a doubt, awaited him had he chosen to continue in a public career. He has never regretted his decision, and has been en- abled, by the blessing of God. to do a great and imperishable work for humanity.
In tracing the history of this venerable and beloved minister of the gospel it may be noted that, as his surname plainly indi- cates, he is of Holland-Dutch extraction. Three brothers bearing the name came to this country, settling in New York city when that place was known as New Am- sterdam, and from them are descended the several branches of the family in America. The ancestor of our subject was one of the hardy pioneers of Kentucky, somewhat more than a century ago, and thence, in 1813, George Van Buskirk, grandfather of Daniel R., removed to Wayne county. Ind -. iana, becoming one of the founders of this state. He dwelt here for one year prior to its admission to statehood, and spent the remainder of his days on the farm which
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.