USA > Indiana > Clay County > A History of Clay County Indiana (Volume 2) > Part 3
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HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
serious disability led to his honorable discharge, but though his term of . service at the front was brief he made a great sacrifice for his country.
Having recovered his health, Mr. Leavitt engaged in general mer- chandising at Mineral Ridge, Ohio, in 1864. but later in the same year sold out this business and removed to Brazil. Indiana, where he joined J. B. Warner in mining operations. They purchased the Birch Creek mine, which they operated for some time and then sold to the Lewis Coal Company. At that time Mr. Leavitt purchased one hundred and eight- een acres of timber land near Brazil and at once began to clear away the trees and prepare the property for sale. He subdivided this tract into lots, which constitute what is known as William Leavitt's first addition to the city of Brazil. Later he purchased another tract of land which he subdivided and which is known as Leavitt and Wilson's first addition and which included forty lots of the Indianapolis Rolling Mill Company. He has recently sold a considerable tract of land to the Brazil Fence Company. In his real estate operations he has met with gratifying suc- cess, for his property has proved marketable and he has received good prices for his realty.
Mr. Leavitt was married on the 7th of September, 1865, to Miss Margaret Lewis, a native of Wales, born in June, 1845, and a daughter of John and Mary Lewis, who came to this country during the infancy of their daughter, Margaret, crossing the Atlantic in a sailing vessel which dropped anchor in the harbor of New York after a voyage of six weeks. They did not tarry in the east but made their way westward to Niles, Ohio, and throughout his remaining days Mr. Lewis engaged in business as a coal operator and farmer of the Buckeye state. His family numbered seven children, four sons and three daughters, but only two are now living ; Mrs. Leavitt ; and Mariah, the wife of J. B. Warner, who resides in Youngstown, Ohio.
The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Leavitt was blessed with eight chil- dren, five daughters and three sons, and those still living are: Carrie ; William H .; Ethel, the wife of C. McGaughey; Mary, the wife of Dr. Franklin C. Dilley, who is mentioned elsewhere in this volume; Margaret and Frances, both at home. The family are well known socially in Brazil and the members of the household have an extensive circle of friends in the city. Mr. Leavitt belongs to General Canby Post, No. 2. G. A. R., and takes great delight in the campfires of that organization. He is also con- nected with the Knights and Ladies of Security and in politics is a stal- wart Republican, having given unfaltering support to the party since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. He has been a member of the school board for two terms and at the present writing, in 1908, is serving as a member of the city council. In citizenship he is public spirited and has done effective work both in office and out of it for the welfare of Brazil. In addition he is recognized as one who follows modern, pro- gressive principles in the conduct of his interests and at the same time maintains a high standard of business ethics.
LEVI P. HOLSTON .- An experienced and skilful agriculturist, Levi P. Holston occupies a prominent position among the leading farmers of Lewis township, and as a man of enterprise and energy has performed his full share in the upbuilding of this part of Clay county and attracting to it a thrifty and industrious class of people. A son of Commodore Perry Holston, he was born in Lewis township June 6, 1858, of English ancestry.
Vol. II-2
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HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
A pioneer of Floyd county, Indiana, Nicholas Holston, the grandfather of Levi P., with his wife, Rebecca ( Slythe) Holston, there spent his years as a farmer.
Born in Floyd county, Indiana, October 2, 1818, Commodore Perry Holston began the battle of life for himself when but sixteen years old, coming then to Clay county with but sixty-two and one-half cents in his pocket, which, with the homespun clothing that he carried in a cotton handkerchief, comprised his entire wealth. The greater part of Clay county was then a vast wilderness owned by the government, and for sale at one dollar and a quarter per acre. He soon found employment in clear- ing and tilling the land, receiving but scant wages for his toil. Prudent in his expenditures and wise in his savings, he accumulated a sufficient sum after a while to enable him to enter forty acres of government land lying on the west bank of the Eel river in section twenty, Lewis town- ship. After his marriage he assumed its possession, living for several years in a small log cabin. Subsequently buying another tract of land in the same section, he was there prosperously employed in general farm- ing until his death, November 13, 1888. He was a man of indomitable perseverance and excellent judgment, and became one of the largest land- holders in this part of the county, acquiring title to more than eleven hun- dred acres of land, thus enabling him to materially assist his children in obtaining a good start in life. He married Nancy Reed, who was born in Lawrence county, Indiana, a daughter of Levi Reed. Her father came from North Carolina, which was, probably, his native state, to Lawrence county in pioneer days, and a few years later moved to Clay county. Locating in Lewis township, he bought land in section twenty-one, on the Eel river, and on the farm that he redeemed from its original wildness spent his last days. He was three times married, his first wife, the mother of Nancy Reed and grandmother of Mr. Holston, having been Sally Hamstetter, who died in Lawrence county and was buried in the church- yard in Bedford. Fifteen children were born to Commodore Perry and Nancy (Reed) Holston, seven of whom grew to years of maturity, as fol- lows: Martha, deceased; William, deceased; Nelson, living in Clay county ; Levi P., the subject of this sketch ; Paulina, living in Clay county, and Lavina, of Warren county, Indiana, twins; and Nancy Ellen, a resi- dent of this county.
Attending school whenever he had on opportunity, and when out of school assisting his father in his agricultural labors, Levi P. Holston grew to manhood on the homestead, living there until his marriage. Bus- ing then forty acres of unimproved land in section twenty-nine, Lewis township, he began farming on his own account, and in his various under- takings has met with much success. He has erected a substantial set of frame buildings, and his house, sitting back from the roadside with a grove of beautiful trees in front, makes an ideal rural home. From time to time he has hired additional land, and is now the owner of two hundred and ninety-six acres, the whole being one of the most attractive and valuable estates in the community.
Mr. Holston married, in the year 1885, Lydia J. Jackson, who was born in Owen county, Indiana, a daughter of James Jackson. She comes of Scotch ancestry and is the descendant of one of Indiana's pioneer settlers, her great-grandfather on the paternal side, having settled in Dearborn county soon after coming to this country from Scotland, improv- ing a farm upon which his children, including Enoch Jackson, Mrs.
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Holston's grandfather, was born. Enoch Jackson lived in Dearborn county until after his marriage to Elizabeth Hardesty, when he bought land in Decatur county, and was subsequently engaged in its improvement . until his death, at the age of three score and ten years. His wife, who was born in Pennsylvania, of German ancestors, survived him, and died at the home of a son in Perry township. James Jackson was born December 28, 1831, in Decatur county, and married Matilda Bewley. who was born in Dearborn county, Indiana, a daughter of Silas and Susanna Bewley, natives of Pennsylvania and pioneers of that county. Soon after their marriage James Jackson and his wife moved to Owen county, where they lived on rented land for eight years. The following two years they lived in Riley township, Vigo county, then returned to Owen county, and subsequently came to Clay county, locating in Perry township, where they resided for a time, after which they spent three years in Vigo county, coming from there to Lewis township, Clay county, where Mrs. Jackson died. Mr. Jackson subsequently married for his second wife Adaline Bewley, a sister of his first wife, and a few years later she died. He then married for his third wife Mrs. Cynthia ( Phipps) Fry, a native of Harrison township, this county. She was a daughter of Moses and Catherine (Griffith ) Phipps, and widow of William Fry. By his second marriage Mr. Jackson had eight children that grew to mature years, namely: James Perry ; Julia; Cassie; Emma; Lydia J., wife of Mr. Holston : Albert; Idella May; and Minnie. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Levi Holston are: Floyd W., born May 18, 1886; Harry E., born September 1, 1887; Lillie G., born August 25, 1888; Sylvia J., born November 23. 1891 ; Edith, born March 5, 1897, deceased; Bonnie J., born August 1, 1898; and Lenola L., born May 2, 1906.
JESSE ROBINSON BENHAM .- The name of Benham has been known in Indiana for a full century, and it is doubtful if there lives to-day a white person in Clay county, if in the state, whose ancestors settled in Indiana earlier than did James Benham, grandfather of Jesse R. Ben- ham, who came from Kentucky in 1807, locating in what is now Brown township, Ripley county. At that time the forest-covered land of Indiana was the hunting-ground of the Indians, who had held the country for centuries, perhaps, and who resented the intrusion of the pale-faced white men, and with their treacherous disposition, were liable at any time to make war upon the newcomers wherever they were to be found. James Benham, however, was without fear, and stood firm in his determination to remain and make for himself and his growing family a permanent home.
An ambitious man, full of push and energy, he cleared a fine home- stead. at the same time materially advancing the growth of Ripley county. living to see that section of the state transformed from a wilderness to a rich agricultural country, and his own people living in peace and plenty. A man of great enterprise, he not only carried on general farming to a good purpose, but he used to build flat boats, on which he took dressed . hogs, grain, furs, and other commodities down the river to New Orleans, where, on seven occasions, he disposed of boat and all and made the return trip to his home on foot. At one time he had title to upwards of three thousand acres of land, and gave to each of his children tracts varying in size from eighty acres to one hundred and sixty acres. He died on the farm which he had redeemed from the forest when seventy-
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HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
two years old. He was three times married, the maiden name of his third wife, grandmother of Jesse R., having been Mary Robinson. She was born in Kentucky and died in Indiana at the venerable age of ninety-three years. She reared sixteen children of her own, and three of her husband's by his second marriage.
John Benham, father of Jesse R., grew to manhood on the parental homestead. and when ready to settle in life received from his father the deed to a tract of timber land, upon which he cleared a space and built the log cabin in which his children were born. Subsequently, with the assistance of his sons, he cleared and improved a farm, erected a substan- tial set of frame buildings, and was there prosperously employed in tilling the soil until his death, in 1885. He married Mary J. Benefiel, who was born January 20, 1825, in Kentucky, a daughter of Jesse Benefiel and a granddaughter of George Benefiel. George Benefiel was born and reared in Virginia, but when a young man migrated to Kentucky. settling as a pioneer near Lexington, and there spent his remaining years. Jesse Benefiel was born in Kentucky, October 26, 1800. About 1820 he came to Indiana, was married in Ohio county, and subsequently lived for a number of years in Jefferson county. Removing from there to Brown township, Ripley county, he purchased land and was there employed in general farming until his death, at the age of ninety-one years. He married Sarah Huckstep, who was born in 1807, in Ohio county, Indiana, where her father, John Huckstep, was an early settler. She lived to be eighty-seven years old. Mrs. Mary J. (Benefiel) Benham is now a bright and active woman of eighty-three years. She reared nine chil- dren, namely: Sarah Ann, Mary Elizabeth, Jesse R .. Jacob Newton, Alexander. James William, John Sampson, Charles Edmond and Silas Elmore. All of these married and had children of their own. Both of the daughters and one of the sons have passed to the higher life.
Brought up and educated in his native county, Jesse R. Benham commenced when young to make himself useful. In those days making shingles was quite an industry, and he first assisted in that labor, after- wards working on the farm, remaining with his parents until 1881. Coming then to Clay City, he first found employment in a sawmill, and has since been continuously employed in the lumber business, at the present time being salesman for B. M. Guirl.
On September 20, 1883. Mr. Benham married Alice Goshorn, who was born in Marion township, Owen county, Indiana, a daughter of Robert and Julia A. (Summers) Goshorn. Of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Benham six children have been born, namely: Lena E., George G., Mary Jane, John Cleveland, Julia Dell and Frederick Robert. Politically Mr. Benham is a firm supporter of the principles of the Republican party, and religiously Mrs. Benham is a member of the Brethren church.
JACOB KILMER .- A worthy representative of the early pioneers of Clay county, Jacob Kilmer, a venerable and highly esteemed citizen of Clay City, has during his long and busy life been prominently identified with the development and progress of this section of the state, and, as opportunity has occurred, has given his aid and influence towards the establishment of enterprises conducive to the public welfare of town and county. A son of Christian Kilmer, he was born June 12, 1819, in Lan- caster county, Pennsylvania, coming from thrifty German stock.
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HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
Christian Kilmer was born, reared and married in Pennsylvania. In 1832, desirous of investing in cheaper lands than could be obtained in his native state, he moved with his family to Wayne county, Ohio, where, from land that he bought from the government, he improved a farm and was for a number of years there prosperously employed in till- ing the soil. After the death of his wife he moved to Medina county, Ohio, and spent his last years with his daughter, passing away at the good old age of seventy-eight years. He married Nancy Boyer, who came from Germany to America with her parents when a young girl, and until her marriage lived in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania.
A boy of thirteen years when his parents made the overland trip to Ohio, Jacob Kilmer grew to manhood in Wayne county, and as a boy and youth assisted in clearing a homestead and also learned the trade of a shoemaker. After his marriage he bought land in Holmes county, and there, in connection with general farming, followed his trade for a number of years. In 1852, having a severe attack of the gold fever, Mr. Kilmer went with a company of explorers across the country to California, the journey being accomplished with oxen, horses and ponies. He remained in the Golden state eighteen months, and then, on account of ill health, returned home by way of the Isthmus of Panama. Disposing of his Holmes county property in 1858, Mr. Kilmer came to Clay county, locating in Harrison township. Immediately buying eighty acres of land, he erected a saw mill, and for several years was employed in the manufacture of lumber. He subsequently exchanged that mill for a grist mill in Jackson township, where he was in business for a year, finally trading the grist mill for an eighty-acre farm in Washington township. His family in the meantime had continued their residence on his homestead in Harrison township, and he rejoined them and was there employed in general farming until 1882. He has since that time lived in Clay City, retired from the activities of business. Though now a very old man, having passed his four score years and ten, he enjoys many of the pleasures of living, and can look back with pride and gratification over a career full of interesting events.
On August 15, 1844, Mr. Kilmer married Elizabeth Moyer, who was born September 18, 1826, in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, which was also the birthplace of her father, John Moyer, Jr. Her grandfather, John Moyer, Sr., was born in either Germany or Pennsyl- vania. He was a farmer and a carpenter, and while working at his trade was accidentally killed by falling from a scaffold. Learning the carpenter's trade from his father, John Moyer, Jr., followed it until 1827, when he removed to Ohio, becoming a pioneer of Holmes county. Purchasing one hundred and sixty acres of land, on which a very few improvements had been made, he moved into the log cabin that stood in the small opening, and occupied it for about six years. Continuing the improvements already begun, he cut down much of the heavy tim- ber standing upon the land, replaced the log buildings with substantial frame farm buildings, including a large barn, and there resided until his death, at the age of seventy-five years. He married Susanna Long- enecker, who was born in Pennsylvania, which was the life-long home of her parents, Peter and Elizabeth (Noftsinger) Longenecker. Mr. and Mrs. Kilmer have six children, namely: John Franklin; Elias: Isaac; Henry ; Ellen, wife of Albert C. Burnham, of whom a brief sketch may be found elsewhere in this work; and Susanna.
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BENJAMIN JORDAN BENNETT .- Noteworthy among the esteemed and valued residents of Clay City is Benjamin J. Bennett, who came here a comparatively short time ago as the representative of a firm dealing extensively in grain, and has since been identified with its mercantile interests. A native of Clay county, he was born September 20, 1860, in Perry township, a son of Robert Bennett. He comes of excellent colonial stock, and is descended from one of the earlier settlers of Ohio, where his grandfather, Benjamin Bennett, was born and brought up. Following in the footsteps of his immediate ancestors, Robert Bennett followed the tide of emigration westward, in early life settling in the wilds of Indiana and becoming a pioneer of Clay County.
Robert Bennett was born December 3, 1813, in Indiana, and was reared to agricultural pursuits in Ohio. Soon after beginning the bat- tle of life on his own account he came to Clay county in search of a favorable opening, locating in Perry township, where, for three dol- lars and twelve cents an acre he bought a tract of canal land, which was still covered with virgin timber. Clearing a space. he erected a dwelling house and a barn, and began the improvement of a farm. The neigh- bors were then few and far between, and he and his wife endured in common with them all the hardships and privations incident to life in a new settlement. In 1871, in order that his children might have better educational advantages, he moved with his family to Terre Haute, where he remained three years. Returning then to Perry township, he spent the remainder of his life on the old homestead, passing away April 25, 1890. Hle married first, August 18, 1836, Talitha Laycock, who was born in Clermont county, Ohio, August 18, 1816, a daughter of Reuben Laycock. She died January 5, 1874, leaving eight children, namely : Elisha, William P., Charles Henry, Scott, Benjamin Jordan, Lee Ann, Sarah Jane and Martha. He married for his second wife Mrs. Margaret Dunham, widow of Abijah Dunham.
Brought up on a farm, Benjamin J. Bennett acquired his elementary education in the district schools of Perry township, afterwards attending the Sixth Ward school in Terre Haute three terms. But eleven years old when his mother died, he subsequently lived with his brother Scott a number of years. A man of versatility, enterprise and energy, Mr. Bennett has been successful in his business operations, and since com- ing to Clay City in 1906 has been exceedingly prosperous.
In January, 1881, Mr. Bennett married Viola Parker, who was born in Cass township, Clay county, October 13, 1860. Her father, William Parker, was among the pioneer settlers of Cass township, where he began the improvement of a homestead. Subsequently removing with his family to Bowling Green, this county, he opened a store of general merchandise, which he conducted with success until the breaking out of the Civil war. Enlisting then in the Union Army, Mr. Parker served as long as his health would permit. Being then honorably discharged on account of physical disability, he returned to his home and died there a year later. His wife, whose maiden name was Martha Lindley, was born in Orange county, Indiana, and spent her last days in Riley town- ship, Vigo county, whither she removed after the death of her hus- band, dying in March, 1902. She was the mother of eight children, as follows: Leora S .; Eugenia R .; Enos H .; William; R. Elzieu; Urias Morton; Viola, now Mrs. Bennett; and Cleophas W. The union of
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Mr. and Mrs. Bennett has been blessed by the birth of three children, namely: Ray Lindley, Sylvia and Zoe. Ray L. married Ada Mode- sitt, and they have one child, Lucille. Sylvia is the wife of John Jef- fers and Zoe married Rue Coble. Mr. Bennett is a Republican and a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Clear Creek Lodge, No. 449, Cory, Indiana. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
WILLIAM H. PLUMB .- Few men are more prominent or more widely known in the enterprising city of Brazil than William H. Plumb, who for forty years has conducted a bakery business here and in its management has shown a thorough knowledge of the business as well as marked capability in directing trade interests. He possesses tireless energy and honesty of purpose, joined to common sense, a factor which is too often lacking in the business world.
A native of England, Mr. Plumb was born in London, July 31, 1832, and was the second in a family of seven children. His father, John B. Plumb, was born in Northamptonshire, England, in 1812, and in early life followed the occupation of farming. He afterwards sought the busi- ness opportunities of the city, however, and removed to London, where he conducted a bakery. In early manhood he wedded Miss Jane C. Finch, who was born in London in 1808. They were members of the Church of England and both died in that faith, the father passing away in 1884, at the age of seventy-two years, while the mother's death occurred when she was seventy-four years of age. Five of their children still survive, namely: William H., of this review; Edward; Charles; Sarah; and Mary Ann.
William H. Plumb spent the days of his boyhood and youth in the land of his nativity and was educated in England, attending school in London. He was married April 4, 1853, to Millicent Mayo, whose birth occurred in Chalford, Gloucestershire, England, October 21, 1831. The . wedding ceremony, however, was performed in London. Mrs. Plumb was a daughter of Charles Hodges and Mary Ann (Lewis) Mayo, both natives of Chalford. Her father was a cloth finisher. He belonged to the Independent, or Congregational church, and died in London at the age of sixty-four years, while his wife passed away when sixty-five years of age. In their family were three children, but Mrs. Plumb, the young- est, is the only one now living.
Mr. and Mrs. Plumb remained residents of London until after the birth of their eldest child, Myra Millicent. In 1855, however, they bade adieu to friends and native land and sailed for the United States, reaching New York City after a voyage of twenty-nine days upon a sailing vessel. They did not tarry in the eastern metropolis but made their way to Terre Haute, Indiana, by rail, and thence down the canal to Worthington and on by wagon to Bloomfield. Indiana. Mr. Plumb secured employment at the blast furnace at Richland creek, where he worked as a manufacturer of iron and also at chopping wood. In 1856 he went to Terre Haute, where he resided for about three years, when he removed to Rockville, Parke county, Indiana, where he established a bakery. He conducted that enterprise until 1861, when he returned to England, where he spent some time, but he had formed a deep attachment for the land of his adoption and returned to America, becoming a resident of Indianapolis, where he resided for about two years. In 1868 he arrived in Brazil and has been
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