A History of Clay County Indiana (Volume 2), Part 22

Author: William Travis
Publication date: 1909
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 631

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instrumental in erecting a neat and substantial priest's residence at that place. Ile has also extended his usefulness by erecting church edifices at Fontanet in Vigo county, Indiana, at Rosedale, Coxville and Clinton. In September, 1897, he was assigned to pastoral service at Clinton, Ver- milion county, and not only was in charge of St. Patrick's church but also in charge of all of the missions except that of Fontanet, Vigo county. In 1906 he came to Brazil as pastor of the Annunciation church.

Father Bauer is a man of scholarly attainments, earnest and inde- fatigable in his work in behalf of the church, devout in his observance of its teachings and untiring in his labors to extend its influence. He is a stalwart champion of temperance and has done effective work to promote the temperance cause in the communities in which he has lived and labored. He came to Brazil in January, 1907, as successor to the Rev. Hypolite Pierrard, pastor of the Annunciation church. Since his arrival here he has succeeded in completing a fine three-story school building of brick and stone, the foundation having been laid before he came. This building cost something over twenty-two thousand dollars. He has made many friends outside of his church, for people of other denomina- tions recognize his zeal and earnestness and his influence for morality and righteousness. He is a student of humanity as well as theology,, and his deep interest in his fellowmen and his sympathy with all of the weak- nesses to which human nature is subject enables him to do great good. His attitude is never one of severe criticism but rather of helpfulness, that the errors may be forgotten and only the good, toward which one is striving, held in mind.

CHARLES J. WILKINSON .- Noteworthy in this biographical volume is Charles J. Wilkinson, a native-born citizen of Cass township, Clay county, one of its leading agriculturists, and the representative of a prominent pioneer family. His estate, known as "Fair View," is under a fine state of cultivation, and from its abundant harvests he receives a handsome annual income. A son of Urias Wilkinson, he was born Sep- temper 26, 1846, in Cass township, and was here brought up and edu- cated. His grandfather, Robert Wilkinson, was born in Donegal, Ireland, and his great-grandfather Wilkinson, the emigrant ancestor, was a sol- dier in the Revolutionary war.

Following the tide of emigration westward, Robert Wilkinson came to Indiana in very early times and entered land at Columbus when the Indians far outnumbered the white settlers. Subsequently selling out his possessions in that locality he lived for a short time in Attica, Indiana. From there he came to Clay county, and having entered a tract of tim- bered land in Cass township, cleared and improved the homestead on which he resided until his death in 1850. He married Catherine Moffitt, who was born in Virginia. of Scotch-Irish parentage. He was a man of eminent piety, and until the people were able to build a church edifice his house was always open for religious services, and at each service it was well filled, families coming from miles around to attend religious services. His wife was brought up a Quaker.

Urias Wilkinson was born in Chillicothe, Ohio, March 15, 1810, and died April 11, 1874. When young he came with his parents to Columbus, Indiana. Soon after his marriage he entered a large tract of land in Cass township, some three hundred or four hundred acres, and from time to time made extensive investments in real estate. He bought property

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in other states, becoming owner of more than fifteen hundred acres, five hundred and sixty of which were in Indiana, the remainder being in Illinois and Iowa. Residing in Cass township, he carried on farming, and in addition for five years, in partnership with Mr. Parker, had a store of general merchandise at Bowling Green. About 1845 he erected on his farm a five-room brick house, burning the bricks himself from which it was constructed. It is located on a natural elevation of land, and is still in a fine state of preservation and commands an extensive view of the country roundabout. There he spent the greater part of his married life, passing away April 11, 1874, aged sixty-four years.

In 1844, in Orange county, Indiana, Urias Wilkinson married Pene- lope Lindley, who was born at Paoli, that county, November 25, 1819, not far from French Lick Springs, a daughter of Thomas and Hannah (Steward) Lindley. Her Grandfather Lindley, a soldier in the Revo- lutionary army, was one of the earliest settlers of Orange county, where he entered land and improved a good farm, on which he carried on gen- eral farming until his death, in 1848. Mrs. Penelope ( Lindley) Wilkin- son survived her husband, passing away February 10, 1895, at the vener- able age of eighty-five years. She reared six children, namely : Charles J., the special subject of this sketch; Elizabeth, wife of L. P. Stone, of Terre Haute; Ella, wife of N. V. Ringo, of Muncie; Robert L., of Clark county, Illinois; Della Zena, wife of P. R. Jorris, of Spring Valley, Minnesota; and Myra A., wife of J. M. Ringo, of Posey township, Clay county.

After completing the course of study in the public schools, Charles J. Wilkinson attended Asbury University at Greencastle, Indiana, obtain- ing an excellent education. After his marriage he took charge of a farm in Harrison township, one that belonged to his father, remaining there until 1874. Returning then to the parental homestead, he resided with his mother until her death. He then bought out some of the heirs, and now owns about two hundred acres of the original homestead, it being situated in sections thirty-two and thirty-three, Cass township. He has made improvements of a substantial character on his place, and has his land in a highly productive state, yielding abundantly of the crops com- mon to this region.

Mr. Wilkinson has been twice married. He married first, September 26, 1871, Dora M. Hall. She was born in Greencastle, Indiana, a daugh- ter of William G. and Martha (Leach) Hall, natives of Rockbridge county, Virginia. She died November 15, 1885, leaving six children, namely: Guy W., of Terre Ilaute; Ray L., of Fort Wayne, Indiana ; Roy E., of Brazil, Indiana; Rex U., of Indianapolis; Ver H., also of Indianapolis; and Van Hall, of the same city. Mr. Wilkinson married second, September 16, 1896, Effie M. Walker, who was born in Worth- ington, Indiana, October 17, 1870, and was the sixth in a family of eight children, two sons and six daughters: Villa, wife of W. F. Hansford, a mechanic at Worthington; Ida I., wife of Z. Dean, an agriculturist in Green county, Indiana; Josiah T., attorney at law in Terre Haute; M. Louise, wife of Charles Faber, a mechanic residing in Cherokee, Iowa; Ella M., wife of W. T. Thompson, an agriculturist of Greene county ; Mrs. Wilkinson ; and two younger. Her father, James J. Walker, was a native of Coshocton, Ohio, and was an agriculturist. He received a com- mon school education and politically was an ardent Republican. He is now deceased. Her mother, Eliza E. (Taylor) Walker, was born in

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Flemmingsburg, Kentucky, and received a good common school educa- tion. She was a devout member of the Missionary Baptist church. She is yet living, aged sixty-seven years, and a resident of Worthington, Indiana. Mrs. Wilkinson received her primary educational training in the common schools, then attended the Worthington High School and the Bloomfield High School, and then entered the Central Normal school at Danville, Indiana, with the class of 1892, and graduated in the teachers' course with the class of 1894. She then entered the teacher's profession in Greene county and taught successfully for four years. Fraternally she is a member of the Bowling Green Eastern Star Chapter No. 304, and of the Pythian Sisters, Lodge No. 319, at Poland, Indiana, and is its past chief. Religiously she is a member of the Missionary Baptist church, a Providence church near Worthington. Politically Mr. Wilkin- son is a steadfast Republican. Fraternally he is a member of Bowling Green Lodge, No. 85, A. F. & A. M., and of Poland Lodge, No. 364, K. of P. Religiously he belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church, of which he has been a trustee since 1875.

Mr. and Mrs. Wilkinson have two old relics in the way of parchment deeds, one executed November 1, 1830, under the hand of President Andrew Jackson, and the other dated May 25, 1841, under the hand of President John Tyler. Their neat pretty homestead is known as "Fair View."

HARMON H. BULLERDICK .- Industriously engaged in agricultural pursuits, Harmon H. Bullerdick, of Cass township, Clay county, displays excellent judgment and much ability in the prosecution of his inde- pendent calling, and as a general farmer and stock-raiser is meeting with genuine success. A son of Henry Bullerdick, he was born October 31, 1858, in Owen county, Indiana, and was there reared and educated.

Henry and Ellen (Velman) Bullerdick, parents of Harmon H., came from Germany, their native land, to America in the same vessel, and after their arrival in Clay county, Indiana, were married. Beginning housekeeping on a rented farm near Poland, they lived there a number of seasons, and then bought land in Owen county, where he improved a good farm. Subsequently selling that place to his son-in-law, William Aldemiller, who still owns and occupies it, he bought a well-improved farm in Cass township, Clay county. Continuing his agricultural opera- tions, he met with good success, and afterwards bought twenty acres of bottom land and twenty-eight acres of land near his original farm in Owen county. He was born in June, 1829, and died on his home farm October 18, 1900. His widow, who was born June 31, 1831, now resides on the home place with her son Harmon.

The oldest member of the parental household now living. Harmon H. Bullerdick remained with his parents until nineteen years of age, and then started in life for himself on rented land. Successful in its man- agement, he saved some money while renting, and at the end of two years bought one hundred acres of land, forty acres lying in Putnam county and sixty acres just across the line in Clay county. Taking up his residence on the sixty-acre tract, Mr. Bullerdick improved a good farm, and there resided until 1901. Returning then to the old home farm, he bought out all of the heirs with the exception of the sixty-six acres belonging to his mother, and now has title to seventy-four acres of that estate, to fourteen acres in the same township, and to forty acres in Put-

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nam county. He resides in section twenty-two, and is here carrying on general farming, including the raising of horses, cattle and hogs. He is an exceedingly skilful agriculturist, cultivating his land with good results, and is in all respects a valuable citizen of his community, fulfilling his obligations as such with fidelity.

On March 3, 1881, Mr. Bullerdick married Mary C. Rubeck, who was born in Owen county, Indiana. Her father, George Rubeck, a native of Germany, married Elizabeth Aldemiller, who was born in Maryland. Nine children blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Bullerdick, namely : Albert, born December 20, 1881, lives at home; Elzo, born June 4, 1883, died November 19, 1906; Clara E., born in 1885, died in infancy ; Della A., born November 27, 1886; Ada Ella, born December 2, 1888; Perry Ervin, born May 7, 1891; Elmer Merrill, who died in 1893, aged but eleven months; George Willard, born February 21, 1897; and Ralph Raymond, born November 3, 1902. In his political affiliations Mr. Bul- lerdick is an ardent supporter of the principles of the Democratic party. Fraternally he is a member of Poland Lodge, No. 364, K. of P. Re- ligiously, true to the faith of his ancestors, he belongs to the German Reformed church.

MILTON BEDFORD PHILLIPS .- Among the many enterprising men actively engaged in farming pursuits in Clay county is Milton B. Phil- lips, who, through his good business methods and excellent judgment, is meeting with success in his chosen calling. A native of Indiana, he was born October 22, 1847, in Martinsville, Morgan county, a son of John Casey Phillips. His paternal great-grandfather, William Phillips, Sr., was a soldier in the Revolutionary army, belonging to a Virginia regiment.

William Phillips, Jr., Mr. Phillips' grandfather, was born, reared and married in Virginia. In the early part of the nineteenth century he moved with his wife to North Carolina, and after living there a few years emigrated to Kentucky, settling, in 1820, near Lexington, where he engaged in the pioneer labor of clearing and improving a farm. In 1835 he came with his family to Indiana, making the removal with a six-horse team and bringing with him all of his transportable household goods. Locating in Shelby county, just across the line from Edinburg, he purchased a tract of partly improved land through which the Blue river ran, and was there engaged in agricultural pursuits until his death at an advanced age, being upwards of ninety years. His wife, whose maiden name was Munroe, was born in Virginia and died on the old homestead in Shelby county. Their family consisted of six children, four sons and two daughters.

Born in North Carolina, John Casey Phillips was but a boy when he accompanied his parents to Kentucky. There he assisted as soon as old enough in the pioneer labor of clearing a farm, and at the age of twenty-one years came with the family to Indiana, where he helped im- prove the Shelby county homestead, remaining at home until his mar- riage. Locating then with his bride in Morgan county, he bought a tract of land, a few acres of which had been cleared and further improved by the erection of a set of log buildings. After clearing quite a space he sold out at an advance, and during the ensuing five years was employed in mercantile business at Martinsville. Coming with his family to Clay county in 1861, he located in Perry township, buying land on which

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stood a small frame house, while a few acres had been cleared and culti- vated. llere he continued as a farmer until his death, at the age of sixty-one years. He married Harriet Price, who was born in Kentucky, which was also the birthplace of her father, Judge John C. Price, a soldier of the war of 1812 and a man of much prominence in public affairs. After the death of her husband she removed to Terre Haute, where she died at the age of sixty-five years. She reared a large family, twelve children growing to years of maturity, six sons and six daughters.

Coming with his parents to Clay county when thirteen years old, Milton B. Phillips continued the studies which he had begun in his native county, attending school a part of each year until 1865, sixty days constituting a school year and the male teacher receiving a dollar a day salary. In February of that year he enlisted in Company K, One Hundred and Forty-ninth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, with his command joining the Army of the Tennessee, and subsequently serving at Nash- ville, Tennessee, and at Decatur, Alabama, until after the close of the war. Receiving his honorable discharge in July, 1865, Mr. Phillips returned home and resumed farming. Coming to Knightsville in 1867, he was employed about the works here for a number of years. Going to Vigo county in 1873, he was there employed in tilling the soil for four years. Returning then to Clay county Mr. Phillips continued his agri- cultural labors, renting land for four years. Successful in his operations, he subsequently bought his present farm, adjoining Knightsville, and has since carried on general farming with most satisfactory results.

Mr. Phillips married, in 1872, Sarah Males, who was born in Martinsville, Indiana, a daughter of Enoch and Nancy (Stafford) Males, and granddaughter of Benjamin Stafford, who came to Indiana with his parents from Ohio when a lad. Mr. Stafford was a man of much force of character, a stanch Methodist in his religious beliefs, and was an ardent abolitionist. Mr. and Mrs. Phillips have three children, namely : Howard, Edgar and Ena. Fraternally Mr. Phillips is a member of General Canby Post No. 2, G. A. R.

ISAAC ALL .- Numbered among the industrious, practical and pros- perous agriculturists of Lewis township is Isaac All, who is devoting his time to general farming and stock-raising. A son of Benjamin All, he was born November 11, 1864, in Vigo county, Indiana, coming from thrifty Scotch ancestry. His great-grandparents on the parental side were born, bred and married in Scotland. Emigrating from there to America with their family, they settled in Taylor county, where the great-grandfather worked as a millwright.

Grayson All, grandfather of Isaac, was born in Scotland, but was brought up in Kentucky. Learning the trade of a millwright from his father, he followed it first in Kentucky. Subsequently migrating to Indiana, he located in Vigo county, where he followed his trade for many years, building a mill first in Prairieton and later in several other places in that county. He made his home, however, in Linton township, and there died at the venerable age of eighty-two years.

Benjamin All was born and reared in Bullitt county, Kentucky. After coming to Indiana he carried on an extensive business as a dealer in horses, mules and live stock, buying and shipping them, and was also a veterinary. He bought land in Prairieton, where he improved a good farm on which he made his home until his death, in 1882, in the seventy-

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seventh year of his age. He married Isabella Norman, who was born in Kentucky, a daughter of James Norman. She was of Irish descent, her grandfather, Solomon Norman, having been born, reared and married in Ireland. Coming from there to the United States, he settled in Kentucky, it is thought in Bullitt county, and spent his last years in that state. James Norman was born in Kentucky, where he spent his earlier years. Migrating from there to Indiana, he became a pioneer of Linton town- ship, Vigo county. He bought one hundred and sixty acres of land on Sand Prairie, and one hundred and sixty acres of timber on Goose Pond marsh. Improving the land, he engaged extensively in farming and stock- raising, taking especial pride in his fine herd of high grade cattle. He lived to a good old age, dying on his homestead at the age of eighty-six years. His wife, whose maiden name was Polly Beard, was born in Ken- tucky, a daughter of Stephen Beard, who owned a large farm in Bullitt county, and there bred noted race horses. She survived him and passed away at the remarkable age of ninety-six years. Mrs. Benjamin All sur- vived her husband more than twenty years, passing away on the home farm March 14, 1903. She reared eight children, namely: Grayson, James William, Benjamin F., Joseph, John, Martha J., Hezekiah and Isaac.

Educated in the district schools, Isaac All was well drilled in the many branches of agriculture while young, and on the death of his father succeeded to the ownership of the parental homestead. As a general farmer he was quite successful, and in addition to that line of industry he dealt extensively in stock, remaining on the home farm until 1895. Re- moving then to Terre Haute, Mr. All resided there three years. Coming in 1898 to Lewis township, he settled upon the homestead of his father- in-law, and has since had entire charge of its one hundred and seventy acres of land. . The buildings are located in a natural grove of about thirty acres, a most picturesque and secluded spot, the home and its en- vironments being most attractive.

On August 12, 1883, Mr. All married Perline Holston, who was born on the Holston homestead, in section ten, Lewis township, January 2, 1860. Their union has been blessed by the birth of five children, namely: Nora Ellen, Gertie Alberta, George Curtis, Lulu Myrtle and Zula Alice. Politically Mr. All is identified with the Democratic party.

HENRY SCHERB .- Posey township of Clay county numbers among her native sons as well as her prominent agriculturists and stock raisers Henry Scherb, whose natal day was the 2d of August, 1860, and his entire life has been spent within its borders. He is now farming the old Scherb homestead here, which was the home of his father during many years of his life, and the farm contains one hundred and twenty acres of rich and fertile land.

George Scherb, the father, was one of the pioneer farmers of Posey township, but was born November 13, 1808, in the fatherland of Ger- many, in Bavaria. Coming to America in 1843, he located first in Ohio, but after remaining in that state for one year he went to Hendricks county, Indiana, where he was married, October 14, 1844, to Anna Marga- ret Fleischman, also of German birth, born October 20, 1819, and was reared in her native land. In 1844 Mr. and Mrs. Scherb came to Clay county, Indiana, and bought the place which has since become known as the Scherb homestead. At the time of purchase this land was heavily cov-

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ered with timber. but he succeeded in clearing most of the tract and at the time of his death, January 11, 1892, owned a well improved and val- uable estate of two hundred acres, besides the land he had already ad- vanced to his children. The mother died December 31, 1907, at the ripe old age of eighty-eight years. Seven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Scherb in Posey township, four sons and three daughters, and Henry was the youngest born. In politics Father Scherb gave his allegiance to the Republican party. The family are members of the Evangelical church.

MICHAEL T. BUSKIRK is a retired farmer in comfortable circum- stances residing on a well improved homestead in section 13, Washington township, Clay county. His father, Michael Buskirk, was a Virginian, and his mother, before marriage known as Elizabeth Bilderback, was born in Kentucky. They were wedded in the latter state, and soon afterward removed to Monroe county, Indiana, where their son, Michael T., was born on the 21st of March, 1832. His father first entered land in that county about 1818, and died July 16, 1856, aged seventy-three years, his widow surviving him until May 19, 1871, and when eighty-four years old passed also to the future life. They were the parents of eleven children, Michael T., the youngest, being the only survivor.

When the family removed from Monroe to White county, in 1851, Mr. Buskirk was nineteen years of age. There he resided until the death of his father five years later, when he removed to a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in White county which he had purchased some time previously. At that time he also owned eighty acres in Benton county, Indiana. He resided on the farm in White county for about fifteen years, when he sold that property and bought one hundred and ten acres in Washington township, Brown county. After another period of faithful husbandry covering six years he returned to Monroe county for a resi- dence of two years, and then rented a tract of land in Marion county, Missouri. In 1879 he located on the farm of eighty acres which he had purchased in sections 13 and 24, Washington township, Clay county, and this has since been his homestead and the center of his labors and affec- tion.

Mr. Buskirk has been a life-long Republican, and at times quite active in politics and public affairs. He has served for two years and a half as supervisor, one year for White county and a year and a half for Brown county. He has long been a member of the United Brethren church, and is identified with Bowling Green Post No. 373, G. A. R. Ilis eligibility to membership in the latter is based on the fact that on March 18, 1865. he enlisted in Company G, One Hundred and Fifty- fifth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and although that command was as- signed to the Army of the Potomac it had no active service and was hon- orably disbanded in August of the same year. On the 14th of August, 1881, Mr. Buskirk married Miss Julia A. Zenor, a native of Washington township, Clay county, born on the 13th of April, 1841, daughter of David and Elizabeth Zenor, also natives of the county named. Their child, Elizabeth J., is now the wife of W. C. Duncan, of Columbus, Indiana, who holds the office of State Statistical Reporter. Mr. Buskirk: retired from active agricultural labors about eight years ago, and, with his good wife, is enjoying a substantial harvest from his long-continued and well-directed sowings.

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SANFORD B. MODESITT, now living retired in Brazil, occupied the old homestead farm of the Modesitt family for fifty-five years and was numbered among the leading, representative and successful agricultur- ists and stock-raisers of Clay county. He has a very wide acquaintance in this county, where his entire life has been passed, his birth having occurred in Posey township on the 11th of February, 1842. His parents were James W. and Frances (Cole) Modesitt, the former born in Vir- ginia, November 4, 1804, while the latter was born in the same state in 1806. They were reared and married in the Old Dominion and the year 1832 witnessed their arrival in Clay county, Indiana, which was then a part of the "far west." It was in this year that the Indians, resenting the intrusion of the white race upon what they regarded as their hunting grounds in the middle west, brought on the contest between the races known in history as the Black Hawk war. There were a few flourish- ing settlements in Indiana but the greater portion of the state was cov- ered with the native growth of timber or the wild prairie grasses and gave little evidence of the progressive civilization which was soon to work a marked transformation in the state. Mr. Modesitt desired to enter one hundred and sixty acres of land but found that he could only enter eighty acres. This tract he secured near the present site of Clover- land. It was then in the midst of an unbroken wilderness and in the green forest he built a log cabin and cleared a small tract of land. In the fall of 1832 he returned to Virginia for his wife and four children and in the spring of 1833 came with his family to this state, making the journey by wagon to the Ohio. river, then proceeding down that stream to the Wabash and up the latter river to Terre Haute, whence he drove across the country to the present site of Cloverland with an ox-team and cart. Mrs. Modesitt and her children had been in the little log-cabin home but a brief time when she heard a knock at the door and on opening it met her first neighbor, a Mrs. Parr, who had come some distance to make a call and presented her with a wild turkey. Mrs. Modesitt greatly appreciated this act of friendship and courtesy and the two ladies were ever afterward fast friends. The family settled down to the routine of pioneer life. Their home was distant from that of neighbors and yet there was a spirit of hospitality which reigned supreme in that early day, making each one willing to do what he could for the assistance and comfort of the others. The improvement of the farm was a most arduous task. Trees had to be cut down, the brush burned and the stumps cleared away before the plow could turn the furrows for the planting. The farm machinery, too, was of a very primitive character as compared with that of the present time, but with perseverance and energy James W. Modesitt made the wilderness to bloom and blossom as the rose. He added to his land as the years went by until at the time of his death he was the owner of nine hundred and sixty acres, having thus met with gratifying success in his labors. He was also prominent and influential in community affairs and served as justice of the peace for the four townships of Posey, Van Buren, Dick Johnson and Brazil, which at that time were all in one district called Van Buren. There were only eighteen votes cast in Van Buren township and these gave to Mr. Mode- sitt unanimous support. He was also county commissioner at an early day and the compensation which he received for his official service was relief from the necessity of working on the roads, the law requiring all able-bodied men to meet twice each year to work the roads and keep them

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A History of Clay County Indiana (Volume 2), Part 22

Author: William Travis Publication date: 1909 Publisher: Number of Pages: 631

Author: William Travis
Publication date: 1909
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 631