USA > Indiana > Decatur County > A Genealogical and biographical record of Decatur County, Indiana : compendium of national biography > Part 32
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byterian church, he gave not only financial aid but sympathy and encouragement, and his house was always made the home of traveling ministers. He was broad-minded and charitable in the fullest meaning of the words, never refusing help to the worthy poor. and often allowing them to take goods when he knew that there was no prospect of payment. In matters pertain- ing to the community he was public- spirited, and always ready to assist in any enterprise which had for its object the up- building of his town and county. In busi- ness relations his integrity was never doubted and his character was beyond re- proach.
For several years previous to his death Mr. Harper found rest and recreation from his business cares in travel, and visited Col- orado, the Pacific coast and New Mexico. also spending much time in Florida, where he had important interests, and in other southern states. Politically Mr. Harper was a Democrat, and though frequently urged to accept a nomination for office would never allow his name to be used.
Mr. Harper comes of a prominent and influential family of Ohio, his father, Joseph Harper, being an influential and wealthy farmer of Butler county, and his mother an eastern lady of culture and refinement. They had four children: Joseph, wlio re- sides in Indianapolis, Indiana; James S .: Francis, who died in Boone county, Indi- ana: and Mary, Mrs. M. DeCamp, who died in Reilly, Ohio.
Mrs. James S. Harper was born in Mount Vernon, Ohio, March 28, 1835, and was the daughter of James H. and Mary (Richard- son) McMillen. Her father was a native of Ohio, and was the son of John and Mar-
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garet (Hopkins) McMillen, the former of Scotch descent. Her mother was born in Pennsylvania. John McMillen was a school-teacher in early life, and died in Ohio; and his wife died in Iowa. They were consistent members of the Presbyte- rian church. On the Richardson side of the family there were eight children, as follows: Mary, the mother of Mrs. Harper; Jacob; Rachel, Mrs. Valley; Margret, Mrs. Julian; Catharine, twin of Margret, became Mrs. Reed; William, the operator of a coal mine; Hannah, Mrs. W. Moore; and Eliza, Mrs. Evans. The family are all members of the Methodist church.
Mrs. Harper's father removed to Cincin- nati when she was only two years old. He was there engaged in the manufacture of sash and blinds, which business he followed for some years, becoming a well-to-do and popular citizen. He served several terms as sheriff of Hamilton county, and later was postmaster and justice of the peace. In 1852 he removed to Columbus, Indiana, then to Burnsville, and finally settled in Sardinia, where he died. During this time he was a contractor, a school-teacher and a clerk in Mr. Harper's store. After his death, August 19, 1870, his wife made her home with Mrs. Harper, where her last days were peacefully spent, she passing away in May, 1883. This worthy couple were members of the Presbyterian church. They had three children: Eliza J., Mrs. T. M. Thompson, of Cincinnati; Mary E .. the subject of this sketch; and Matilda A .. who died in childhood.
Mrs. Harper has shared with her honored husband the love and esteem of the com- munity in which they so long made their home. Like him, she has been active in all
good works, sympathizing with him in his efforts to follow the golden rule. Con- genial in their tastes and habits, they great- ly enjoyed each other's companionship, not only in the domestic circle, but also in the many pleasant journeys they took together. None but those who have been left alone. as is Mrs. Harper, can realize her lonely condition, for the only child born to this union, Ella May, born May 15, 1857, lived but a brief eight years and nine months, dying February 27, 1866; and since her beloved husband and revered mother have passed away she is without any near rela- tive. However, she finds consolation in the thought that there is a life beyond, where she will be reunited, and fills up her time in doing what her hands find to do for the happiness of others.
ROBERT'ALEXANDER HAMILTON.
More than a century ago Washington said: "Agriculture is the most healthful, most useful and most noble employment of man;" and the remark is as true to-day as when spoken. There is no employment which on an average is more profitable than agriculture when well understood; yet not every man may make a success of this call- ing, which demands intelligence and thor- ough preparation as much as any other vo- cation. Mr. Hamilton, however, who was well trained in the business methods of the farm and in the conduct of his agricultural interests, has met with creditable prosperity. He is a representative of one of the oldest and most honored families of Decatur county, and no history of this section of the state would be complete without the record of his life.
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A native of Kentucky, he was born in Nicholas county, July 22, 1821, and the fol- lowing year was brought by his parents to Indiana. He is a son of James Eward Hamilton, and his grandfather, Robert Hamilton, was a son of William Hamilton. The last named came to this country from the north of Ireland about the middle of the eighteenth century and took up his abode in Pennsylvania. The Hamiltons were of Scotch-Irish lineage, and of the Presbyterian faith. Tradition says that long years ago they were driven from Scot- land to Ireland at the time when the Pro- testants were bitterly persecuted by the Catholics in the land of hills and heather. William Hamilton married Isabella Thomp- son. Some years afterward he took up his abode in Pennsylvania. The work of set- tlement began in Kentucky, and with his wife and three sons, Robert, Thomas and Samuel, he removed to the latter state, lo- cating at McBride's Creek. in Bourbon county, where he died a few years later.
Mr. Hamilton, whose name heads this sketch, was also a descendant of the Eward family. James Eward and his wife Eliza- beth, with their two daughters, Nancy and Jane, emigrated from Ireland about the same time the Hamiltons came to this coun- try, and after spending a few years in Pennsylvania removed to Virginia, locating near Augusta. There the family was in- creased by the. birth of four children,- Mary, Jane, Sarah and Ellen. About 1780 the parents started with their little ones for Kentucky, but while on the journey through the wilderness the father died. The wife and mother, a woman of resolute pur- pose, continued until she reached her des- tination and after living for a short period in
Lexington, Kentucky, removed to Taylor's Creek, in Bourbon county. It was there that the two Scotch-Irish families, the Ham- iltons and Ewards, were connected through the marriage of Robert Hamilton and Mary Eward, which event occurred June 9, 1794. Their descendants came to Indiana and es- tablished here one of the most prominent families of Decatur county.
Robert Hamilton was born in Pennsyl- vania, June 17, 1768, before the state gov- ernment of Kentucky was. formed, and while the Indians were yet causing great trouble with the white settlers "on the dark and bloody ground" he went to Kentucky and became identified with its agricultural interests. He never sought or desired po- litical office, but was often called upon to aid in settling disputed land claims. When the war of 1812 broke out he recruited a company of Kentucky riflemen, of which he was elected captain, and on the 20th of Sep- tember of that year he wrote to his wife from Vincennes, in the territory of Indiana, giving an account of the march of his com- pany to that post and their muster into the United States service, under command of Major General Samuel Hopkins. From Vincennes they marched against Shawnee, Prophetstown and other Indian villages on the Illinois river, and on the expiration of their term of service the members of this company were discharged and sent home. Robert. Hamilton was not only a loyal sol- dier and an enterprising farmer, but was also a consistent Christian gentleman. and died firm in his faith in the Creator and the future destiny of man. He died June 17. 1817. and was buried in the Concord churchyard in Nicholas county, Kentucky.
His wife, Mary Eward Hamilton, was
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born in Virginia, in 1774, and died at the home of her son, R. M. Hamilton, four miles east of Greensburg, Indiana, March 15, 1848, after living a widow nearly thirty- one years. She was buried in the Kingston cemetery. She was perhaps the best known of all the pioneer women of Decatur county, and greatly esteemed for her kindliness and her many noble qualities. In early life she was a member of the Baptist church, but after her marriage she became a member of the Presbyterian church, and was always careful to instruct her children in Christian teachings and principles. She also trained them to habits of industry and economy, and in her family of eleven sons and daugh- ters were displayed many of the strong characteristics which made herself and her husband prominent and honored people of the localities in which they resided. All of the children grew to maturity, the youngest being thirty-two years old at the time of death, and the eldest, eighty-six. The rec- ord of thisfamily is as follows: James Eward, born March 30, 1795, married Jane McCoy November 5, 1818, and died January 13. 1881; Fidelia, born September 18, 1796, was married in 1816, to Elijah Mitchell, and died in Iowa, in July, 1860: Thomas, born August 25, 1798, died June 16, 1880; Cy- rus, born July 14, 1800, died August 19, 1879; Spicy G., born October 12, 1802. became the wife of John Thompson. and died December 22, 1838; Eliza E .. born November 11, 1804, died December 20, 1880; Ellen E., born September 12. 1806, became the wife of Barton Stone McCoy, and died September 26, 1832: Sarah. born April 14, 1809, married Thomas Donnell. and died January 5, 1891; Robert Marshall, born November 17, 18II, is now living in
Washington township, Decatur county; Mary Jane, born November 15, 1814, mar- ried Jackson Lowe, and died in December, 1890; Minerva, born January 2, 1817, be- came the wife of P. J. Bartholomew, and after his death wedded J. C. Donnell. She is still living.
After the death of Robert Hamilton, the father of this family, the management of the Kentucky farm and the care of the family fell largely upon James E. Hamilton, the eldest son, and he continued to manage the place until after his marriage, when his brothers, Cyrus and Thomas, took charge of the old homestead and carried on the work until Cyrus was married. In March, 1822, James E. and Cyrus Hamilton, with their wives, who were sisters, and the two children of James (Philander and Robert A.) left Kentucky and came to Indiana. On the 11th of March they unloaded their goods by the side of a large poplar log, in the then unbroken forest, near the site of the residence of the late James E. Hamilton. There they erected a bark shel- ter, which served as a protection for these people until a cabin could be erected. Into this the Hamilton families moved, and in a short time a log cabin was also built for Cy- rus Hamilton, the neighbors for miles around coming to assist in this work. In 1823 the mother and the other members of the family also arrived in Decatur county. the son Thomas preceding them in order to prepare a home for them. Since that time representatives of the family have been actively and honorably identified with var- ious business interests, but have been par- ticularly prominent in agricultural cir- cles.
James Eward Hamilton, the eldest of the
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family, married Jane McCoy, and in addi- tion to the two children. Philander and Robert A., who were born to them in Ken- tucky, they became the parents of five other children, namely: Margaret, who was born October 11, 1823, married William M. Mc- Coy, who died December 8, 1881, and she May 9, 1897; Nancy, born March 19, 1828, became the wife of Jacob C. Adams, who died February 15, 1881; Mary E. was born March 9, 1828; James M., born December 24, 1833, died in July, 1834; and Fidelia, born August 1, 1837, became the wife of Michael Sefton, who died in June, 1869, after which she married Charles Buchanan, now of Boone county, Indiana. James E. Ham- ilton, the father of this family, took great pride in his vocation of farming, and not only woń success for himself but also aided his children in getting a start in life, and left at his death a large estate. He never speculated or earned a dollar in an illegiti- mate way, but through the avenue of hon- orable business methods he gained a hand- some competence. He was also deeply interested in whatever he believed would prove a benefit to the community, and gave his support liberally to such measures. In 1835, when the first effort was made to build the railroad from Lawrenceburg to Indian- apolis, he was a liberal subscriber to its stock, and again in 1848, when the scheme was revived, he purchased considerable stock, advanced money on its bonds, also canvassed the country in its interests, and for a number of years served as a director of the road. He was a broad-minded, en- terprising and public-spirited man, in whom the poor and needy always found a friend. His integrity was proverbial, and his hon- esty in all business transactions made his
reputation in commercial circles an unas- sailable one. His wife was a daughter of Alexander and Nancy Campbell McCoy, who were descended from the famous Campbell family of Scotland, so illustrious in history. Mrs. Hamilton devoted her life to her home and the interests of her husband and children. Her Christian ex- ample, as well as teachings, had a marked influence upon the lives of her sons and daughters. She died in 1851, and her death was deeply mourned throughout the community.
In 1854 Mr. Hamilton was again married, his second union being with Rosanna Mc- Coy, a cousin of his first wife. He died January 13, 1881, and his wife survived him several years, during which time she re- mained on the old family homestead. His eldest son, Philander, was born in Nicholas county, Kentucky, September 20, 1819, and when a lad suffered an injury whereby he was crippled for life. He pursued his edu- cation under the instruction of J. G. May, in the old Decatur County Seminary, and there prepared for entrance into Hanover College, in which institution he was gradu- ated with the honors of his class. He then taught school for a short time in Bloom- field, Kentucky, and in 1841 was principal of the Decatur County Seminary. The following year he edited the Decatur Senti- nel, and during that time studied law under the instruction of Judge Davidson, of Greensburg, and was admitted to the bar at the spring term of the circuit court in 18.43. on a certificate of examination and legal qualifications made by Judge M. E. Eggles- ton and James Perry. Immediately there- after he began practice, and before his death had attained honorable distinction in the
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legal profession. In politics he was a Whig and an anti-slavery man of the Horace Greeley type. He represented his county in the legislature in 1846-7, and 1847-8. and was one of the most efficient members ever sent to the house from this locality. his arguments always winning support for the measure he advocated. He died at his father's home March 5. 1849, in the midst of a prominent career.
Robert A. Hamilton, whose name begins this review, though born in Kentucky, was reared in Decatur county, and since 1822 has made his home on the land given by his father. He experienced all the hardships and difficulties of pioneer life, learned to clear land, make rails, and did all kinds of · farm work. He has always carried on agri- cultural pursuits and stock-raising, and his efforts have been crowned with a high and merited degree of success. His educational privileges were only such as the pioneer schools of the time afforded, and he pursued his studies only through the winter season, his services being needed on the home farm in the summer months. He assisted his father until twenty-seven years of age, when he married Miss Susan Saunders, who was born in this county, April 5. 1828, a daugh- ter of James and Cynthia (Hall) Saunders. both natives of Nicholas county, Kentucky. where their marriage occurred. In 1821 they came to Indiana, and the father entered land where the town of Clarksburg now stands. He made good improvements on the place, and after twelve years sold the property and purchased a tract of land southwest of Greensburg, where he devel- oped a good farm. In 1855, however, he removed to Iowa, where his death occurred. July 7, 1864. His wife passed away in De-
catur county, at the home of her daughter Susan, April 28, 1873.
In politics he was a stanch Whig, and his influence in political matters was very marked. He filled many positions of trust and honor, represented his county in the state legislature, served as county treasurer, and was also justice of the peace. He was a captain of militia during the days of gen- eral muster, and was long a recognized lead- er in public thought and action. He pos- sessed more than ordinary intelligence, and was a gentleman of many social qualities, of genial manner and kindly disposition, and won the friendship and regard of all with whom he came in contact. He possessed excellent business ability, and not only suc- cessfully conducted his farm but also at- tended to much legal business for his neigh- bors, writing wills, etc., and had much con- fidential work. He was a member of the Christian church, although the others of liis family were Presbyterians. His children were nine in number. James Newton, who was highly educated, became a Presbyte- rian minister, his first charge being at Evansville, Indiana. Later he was pastor of a church in Louisville, Kentucky, and subse- quently he served in the Bloomfield (Ken- tucky) church for more than thirty years. his noble Christian example having marked . influence in the affairs of that community. Henry, who served in the civil war as a captain in an Iowa regiment. died in Iowa. William, who was a student in college at the time of the Mexican war. entered the army, and was killed at the storming of the city of Mexico. Robert is now an agricul turist of Iowa. Susan is the wife .of our subject. Miles, who was educated in Ken-" tucky, was pastor of the Presbyterian
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church in Springfield, that state, for thirty- five years, and is now serving as a mission- ary among the mountaineers of Kentucky. He is a man of brilliant mind, of a devoted Christian character and labors earnestly to uplift his fellowmen. Eliza is the wife of , Paschal T. Lambert. Hughes died at the age of twenty-one years; and Mary was the wife of Calvin Kelsey, who also was a cap- tain in an Iowa regiment in the civil war, and died of cholera in Cairo, Illinois. She afterward married Mr. Hendrix, a farmer. - By this marriage of Mr. and Mrs. R. A. Hamilton six children were born, four of whom died in infancy, the others being Inez and James Henry. The former is the wife of Judge Daniel Wait Howe, who was a captain in an Indiana regiment during the civil war, and is the author of "The Puritan Republic." The children of this union were Ruth. Lucy and Susan. James Henry graduated at Hanover College in 1885, and after studying in the University of Halle and Berlin took the degree of Ph. D. from the University of Wisconsin. He was married in 1890 to Maud Hume, and has one daughter. Hildegard. He is now . the professor of political science in Syracuse · University.
'Largely through his efforts and those of his father, James E. Hamilton, an endow- ment of five thousand dollars was raised for the Presbyterian church at Kingston, the first Presbyterian church organized in the county, of which Mr. Hamilton, though never a member, was for more than forty years one of the trustees.
In his political affiliations he is a Repub- lican, but has never aspired to office. His time and interests have been closely given to his farming and stock-raising interests.
He has now a large tract of land under a high state of cultivation, the same farm on which he located at the time of his mar- riage. There, in a little brick house. one of the first brick structures in the county, he and his wife began their domestic life: and this little home is still standing in the rear of their present residence, a constant reminder of the early days. It is sur- rounded by a beautiful grove, which Mr. Hamilton himself planted. The now large trees add to the attractiveness of the place. while the walks and drives and well kept lawn are the indication of the prosperity and enterprise of the owner. The home is sup- plied with all the modern conveniences, and natural gas is flowing from one of the wells on the place. At this comfortable home Mr. Hamilton and his wife are spending their declining years after a happy married life covering a half century. Their friends are many, and throughout the community they are held in the highest esteem.
MRS. SARAH A. MONTGOMERY.
The success which has been made by Mrs. Sarah A. Montgomery forms a theme which should be interesting to all readers and val- uable to all women. An account of it is presented here, because it is properly a part of this work, and in the hope that its per- usal may encourage other bereft and lonely women to enter paths perhaps hitherto un- trodden by them but certainly leading to security and prosperity. Since 1874. dur- ing a period of twenty-five years, which is also the period of her widowhood. Mrs. Montgomery has managed a fine farm of one hundred and fifty-eight acres, a mile
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and a half northeast of Greensburg, Indi- ana, and has, besides this, shown herself possessed of business capacity of a high order. When, after her husband's burial, she took account of her situation in life, she found herself possessed of the farm and one dollar and fifty cents cash. The prospect was certainly not one likely to reassure a weak woman, and such an one would have been very likely to sell the farm and live on its price; but with a true woman's prompt- ings Mrs. Montgomery faced the situation bravely and planned to take advantage of it to every extent possible. She accepted every duty and shirked no responsibility, for she had been brought up to believe that good fortune is destined for stout hearts and that success will crown the efforts of willing workers in any worthy field of hu- man endeavor. She believed that "the dili- gent hand maketh rich in culture, growth in wisdom and in business," and results have demonstrated how substantial was the foundation of her faith. Progressive in her ideas and methods, everything about her betokens a woman's attention to minor de- tails.
She set about improving the productive- ness of the place and during the first ten years of her management she cleared seven thousand dollars in excess of expenses. In 1894 she erected a modern two-story house of thirteen rooms, heated with natural gas from a gas well on her farm, and provided with other up-to-date conveniences. Her environments are attractive in the extreme. her house being surrounded by a well kept lawn, ornamented with beautiful plants and flowers. Close by on the north is a lakelet. fed by springs and partially obscured by pond lilies, in which are large numbers of
white and red fish. One of the chambers of the house she has given up to relics. Among her curios are a bedstead about seventy-five years old, a large spinning- wheel which was once used by one of her aunts, a dining table and a washstand and other furniture of ancient pattern, brass candlesticks and other interesting objects which recall memories of the pioneer days of our country. Mrs. Montgomery is childless, her only son having died at six- teen years of age. She reared and educated two nephews, however, both of whom are married and one of whom has a home with her and conducts her farm under her able direction. She is a Presbyterian and much given to church and benevolent work. Her offerings of flowers and choice fruits bring delight at the bedside of many a helpless invalid. She reads much and travels as op- portunity presents, and is in every way a woman of culture fully up to the times.
Mrs. Montgomery was born near Greens- burg, Indiana, June 18, 1831, a daughter of John and Sarah (Trimble) Gageby, both na- tives of Greensburg, Pennsylvania, who were married after their settlement in Deca- tur county. Her father was a son of James Gageby, a native of Ireland who, with a brother, came early to America and fought for American independence in the Revolu- tionary army, and after the war located in Pennsylvania. There he became a suc- cessful farmer and reared a worthy family. His children were: Allen, who settled in Virginia: John, father of Mrs. Montgom- ery: David, who also came to Indiana; Neill, who came to Indiana and later went to Iowa, where he died: Jane (Mrs. Elder. of Pennsylvania): Robert, who died in Pennsylvania, and whose son, James, was a
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