USA > Indiana > Clay County > A History of Clay County Indiana (Volume 2) > Part 69
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WILLIAM F. SALLADAY is numbered among the farmers and stock raisers of Jackson township and also among those who fought for the Union in the Civil war. He enlisted December 2, 1861, in the Sixteenth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, Company H, with which he served until May 14, 1862, and two years afterward re-enlisted in the Fifty-first In- diana. Company E, remaining with this command until the close of the conflict. and in the meantime taking part in the battles of Columbia, Franklin and Nashville, Tennessee, and in many skirmishes. After the close of the war he returned to the old Sallady homestead, of which he now owns thirty-four acres, but the boundaries of his farm include one hundred and four acres, all of which he has placed under an excellent state of cultivation .
Mr. Salladay is a son of one of the early pioneer farmers of Jackson township. John Salladay, who was born in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, February 22. 1802, and was there married to one of the county's native daughters, Hannah Roberts, she being of English and Welsh descent. while Mr. Salladay was of German descent. They became the parents of nine children, four sons and five daughters, of whom William is the sec-
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ond son and seventh child. In an early day John Salladay moved with his family to Guernsey county, Ohio, from there to Noble county in the same state and thence to Clay county, Indiana, in 1854, locating on what is now the Salladay homestead in Jackson township. He bought two hun- dred and eighty acres here, but later gave eighty acres to his son-in-law, Jacob Barry, and with the aid of his sons he cleared about one hundred and sixty acres of his farm and made many improvements. He later bought one hundred and sixty acres adjoining the original purchase, and he lived on this farm until his death at the advanced age of eighty years. In his political allegiance he was first a Democrat and then a Republican, and he was a valued and worthy member of the Cumberland Presbyterian church.
William F. Salladay, a son of this well remembered Clay county pioneer, was born in Guernsey county, Ohio, December 26, 1839, and received his education in the district schools of Jackson township, Clay county, Indiana. On the 15th of November, 1863, he was married to Lucy J. Fugate, who was born in Clay county March 24, 1842, a daughter of another of the early pioneer farmers of Jackson township. Jahial Fugate. They have had nine children, namely: Joseph; Carry, wife of Frank Fields, of Terre Haute; Letha, wife of Frank Bemer, of Brazil; Luetta, wife of S. J. Young, of Tangier, Indiana; Irena, wife of John Ross, of Brazil; Mary, wife of William Stroble, also of Brazil; Bertha and Clyda, both deceased; and William L., all of whom were born and reared on the old Salladay homestead. Mr. Salladay is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, and in politics has been a life-long supporter of Republican principles. He also has membership relations with the Methodist Episcopal church.
BENJAMIN COPPOCK, EsQ .- Prominent among the active and re- spected citizens of Lewis township is Benjamin Coppock, Esq., who has spent the larger part of his business life in this section of Clay county, and has materially assisted in developing and advancing its agricultural growth and prosperity. A son of John Coppock, he was born, September 15, 1832, in Miami county, Ohio, of which his father was a pioneer.
Born either in one of the Carolinas, or in Tennessee, John Coppock settled in Ohio after his marriage, purchasing a tract of government land. in Miami county. He cleared a part of his purchase, and was there em- ployed in tilling the soil until 1836, when he came across the country with a team to Indiana, intending to locate here. He spent some time in looking about, but finding nothing that suited his fancy he returned to his Ohio homestead, and was there afterwards happily and contentedly en- gaged in general farming until his death, at the age of seventy-seven years. His wife, whose maiden name was Mary Duncan, was born in South Carolina, a daughter of Samuel Duncan, another early pioneer of Miami county, Ohio. She survived him, dying at the advanced age of eighty-one years. She had been married twice before marrying Mr. Cop- pock. By her marriage with her first husband, Isaiah Pemberton, she had one daughter, and by her second husband, Henry Neal, she had three sons and one daughter. Her only child by her third marriage was Benjamin Coppock, with whom this sketch is chiefly concerned.
Leaving home at the age of ten years, Benjamin Coppock came to Clay county. Indiana, to live with his half-borther, Thomas C. Neal, a resident of Lewis township. The country roundabout was then in its
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original wildness, game of all kinds was abundant, the roads were princi- pally forest trails, and all transportation was with teams, there being neither railways nor canals in this part of the state. Neither were there markets or mills, people being obliged to go to Port Commerce, Greene county, or to Terre Haute, to get their grain ground, or to exchange the productions of their land for domestic supplies. At the time of his mar- riage, Mr. Coppock left the home of his half-brother, settling in section thirty-two, Lewis township, where he bought a tract of wild land. Mak- ing an opening in the forest, he built a log cabin, in which he set up housekeeping. After clearing a part of the land, he settled in section twenty-one, the same township, on a forty-acre tract given to him and his wife by his father-in-law, Elisha Puckett, and was there engaged in tilling the soil when the Civil war broke out. His patriotic spirit being aroused, Mr. Coppock enlisted, in 1862, in Company K, Eighty-fifth In- diana Volunteer Infantry, and was with his regiment in all of its engage- ments, including the march to Atlanta, thence to the Sea, and through the Carolinas, to Washington, where he took part in the Grand Review.
Being honorably discharged with his comrades from the service, Mr. Coppock returned to his farm, and resumed its management. Sell- ing out two years later, he purchased land in section nine, Lewis town- ship, and was there engaged in agricultural pursuits until 1880, when he disposed of that property, and bought his present home, in section 27. During the years that have since intervened, he has made excellent im- provements on his place, and has carried on general farming most suc- cessfully, being one of the most prosperous and skilful farmers of the neighborhood.
Mr. Coppock married first, in 1853, Zeresh Puckett, who was born, in 1831, in Shelby county, Illinois, a daughter of Elihu and Rebecca (Hughes) Puckett. Her parents came from Illinois to Lewis township in 1836, locating in section 21, and from the land that they bought improved a farm, on which both spent their remaining years. Mrs. Zeresh Coppock died February 27, 1873, leaving five children, namely : Jemima, wife of Charles B. Cooprider, of Clay county, Indiana ; Rebecca Ann, wife of Calvin C. Mattox, has eight children, Lulu, Clifford, Lillie, Earl, Susie, Ivan, Curtis, and Zeresh ; Mary M., wife of Benjamin Worth, has four children, Arlie, Reuben, Ivan, and Louise; Ida May, wife of Leander Worth, has one child, Otis ; and Thomas B. The maiden name of Mr. Coppock's present wife was Mary Merrill. She was born in Coshoc- ton county, Ohio, a daughter of John and Catherine Merrill, and was married twice before becoming the wife of Mr. Coppock. By her mar- riage with her first husband, Andrew J. Kent, she had four children, namely : Collins, who was living in San Francisco when last heard from; Henry, who married Martha Garvin, has one son, Earl; Jacob married Mary Belle Row, and they have five children, Onie, Elmer, Frankie M., Mabel Bennie, and Cynthia ; and Clementina, wife of George W. Bennett, has six children, Mary, Alice, Frankie, Georgie, Leo, and Ethel. Mrs. Coppock's second husband was William Cutshaw. Politically Mr. Cop- pock is a stanch adherent of the Democratic party, and has served thir- teen years as assessor of Lewis township, and as justice of the peace for eleven years.
REV. JOHN FLETCHER EDMONSON .- For many years Rev. John F. Edmonson, of Lewis township, Clay county, was actively engaged in
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preaching the gospel, being settled in many different places in Kansas, and in whatever towns he preached his ministries were full of good works and faithful service for the Master. Of recent years, he has devoted his time and attention to agricultural and horticultural pursuits, and as fruit grower is meeting with much success. A son of Wesley Edmonson, he was born, January 8, 1846, in Sugar Ridge township, Clay county, com- ing from an old and honored colonial family, some of whose members, descendants of Samuel Edmonson, the great-grandfather of John F., spell their name "Edmundson."
Samuel Edmonson, a native of Delaware, migrated to North Caro- lina prior to the Revolutionary war, and for a time lived in the vicinity of Guilford Court House. Going from there to Tennessee, he settled near Knoxville, and was there a resident until his death, at the venerable age of ninety-six years. His son John was the next in line of descent.
Born in Tennessee, John Edmonson lived there until 1840, when he came to Indiana, thinking that a change of location might be beneficial to his finances at least. Purchasing a tract of government land in section 28, Lewis township, he cleared and improved a homestead from the wilder- ness, and was employed in tilling the soil until his death, in 1867. His wife, whose maiden name was Sarah Grayson, survived him for a number of years, and died at the home of one of her sons.
Wesley Edmonson was born, bred and educated in Knox county, Tennessee, and was eighteen years old when he came with the family to Lewis township. He subsequently married Caroline Moss, daughter of George and Lydia (Bilderback) Moss, pioneer settlers of Sugar Ridge township. Receiving from his father-in-law a deed to eighty acres of land in Sugar Ridge township, he resided there a few years, and then traded with his brother-in-law, exchanging his farm for a tract of tim- bered land in sections twenty-seven and thirty-four, Lewis township. Clearing a small space, he built a log cabin, which the family occupied a few years, when he replaced it with a substantial frame house, which he occupied until his death, August 3, 1903, at the age of four score years. His wife died a few months before he did, her death occurring February 15, 1903. They reared nine children, namely : John Fletcher, Francis M. (burned to death at age of two years), George M., Elizabeth J., Benoni, Elijah T., Mack, Saditha, and Nancy.
Taking advantage of every offered opportunity for advancing his education, John F. Edmonson attended the pioneer schools of his day, and at the age of seventeen years enlisted for a period of six months in Com- pany C, One Hundred and Fifteenth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and with his regiment took part in several of the engagements of the Civil war. He was stationed the greater part of the time in Eastern Tennessee, and at the expiration of his term of enlistment was honorably discharged from the service. Returning to his home in Sugar Ridge township, he attended the school taught by William Travis, historian of Clay county, and under his instruction was fitted for a professional life, and began his career as a teacher. In 1873 Mr. Edmonson migrated to Kansas, where he taught school for awhile. Manifesting strong religious tendencies when young, he was converted in early manhood, joined the United Brethren Church, and while in Kansas was licensed to preach at Pleasant Plains school house, Elk county, Kansas, afterwards being ordained as a minister, by Bishop Kephart. at Havana. For a number of years thereafter he was busily employed in the Master's vineyard, preaching in eight or ten dif-
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ferent circuits in Kansas, becoming widely known as an earnest and faith- ful worker in gospel fields, while his spiritual influence was felt in many communities. Returning to Indiana in 1887, Mr. Edmonson's father pre- sented him with ten acres of the land belonging to the old homestead, in Lewis township, and having erected a house upon it he has since resided here. Upon the death of his father, Mr. Edmonson succeeded to the own- ership of fifty-three and one-third acres, and is here successfully engaged in agriculture and horticulture, making a specialty of raising small fruits, a very profitable branch of industry, and one in which he takes great pleas- ure and pride.
On March 25, 1869, Mr. Edmonson married Minerva Agnes Holla- day, who was born, October 27, 1850, in Owen county, Indiana, near Stockton, a daughter of David Holladay. Her great-grandfather, Will- iam Holladay, was an early settler of Lewis township, and spent his last years on the Peavey farm. George Gallagher Holladay, Mrs. Edmonson's grandfather, migrated from Kentucky, his native state, to Indiana in pioneer times, locating in Owen county, where he bought a large tract of government land. Going to Kansas in 1854, he remained there during the perilous times that gave to that state its name of "Bleeding Kansas." Finding life there too strenuous to be pleasant, he returned, in 1858, to Indiana, and lived first in Washington township, and later in Wright township, Greene county, finally buying what is now known as the Sexton farm, one of the choice estates of Greene county, and there resided until his death. His first wife, whose maiden name was Agnes Huddleston, died in Washington township, and he married second Jane Thompson, who died on the home farm in Wright township. By his first marriage there were ten children and by his second union one child. David Holla- day, Mrs. Edmonson's father, was born in Covington, Kentucky, and was but a boy when he came with the family to Indiana. After his marriage, he bought land in Owen county, and was there employed in farming until 1854. In that year, with a colony of eight or more families, he joined the train of emigrants that went streaming across the prairie in white- topped wagons to Kansas. Difficulties in government arose, "Jay-hawk- ers" harried the country, and neither life nor property was safe. Dis- heartened with the state of affairs, he came back to Indiana in 1856, mak- ing the return trip overland with teams, some of them being ox-teams, and the next few years resided in Jasonville. Buying land in Lewis town- ship in 1865, he was afterwards here engaged in agricultural pursuits un- til his death, March 24, 1877. At the age of nineteen years, David Hol- laday married Margaret Barnes, who was born in Kentucky, and when but two years old was left an orphan. She was subsequently brought up by strangers, and as a child was brought to Owen county, Indiana. She died November 27, 1867, ten years before her husband. Eight children were born of their union, as follows: Rosella ; Mary E., who was burned to death at the age of six years: David Howard: Minerva Agnes, wife of Mr. Edmonson; James William; Sarah A .; Henry A .; and Nancy Irene.
Mr. and Mrs. Edmonson have reared eight children, namely: Ro- sanna, Zorada J., Julia B., Irene, Milton W., Edna C., Mary H., and John Wesley. Rosanna married E. Grant Richards, and they have four chil- dren, Edith, Julia Agnes, Ralph and Howard. Zorado J. married Daniel. M. Stark, and has two children, Agnes Christiana and Sophia. Julia B.,
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wife of James W. Boye, has one child, Laura. Irene married Jesse Liston. and has one son, Joseph E. Edna C. is the wife of Dr. V. A. Shanklin of Terre Haute, Indiana.
JOHN MASON DUNCAN .- In the ancestry of Mr. Duncan are found men who have distinguished themselves in their day and generation. They have been efficient laborers in the cause of Christianity as ministers of the gospel, earnest and eloquent in the presentation of the truth, and they have been conspicuously identified with many interests which have sub- served the material prosperity of their country. Dr. John Mason, the grandfather of John M., was the leading Presbyterian minister in Balti- more, Maryland, in his day, and his son, Dr. John McKim Duncan, com- menced life for himself as a lawyer. but afterward studied for the ministry under the able leadership of Dr. Jewett of Terre Haute and became a Presbyterian minister in Maryland. He preached mostly in the East.
Dr. John McKim Duncan was born in Baltimore, Maryland, and was of Scotch descent. His wife, in her maidenhood Elizabeth Lawrence, was of English descent, and was born and reared in Exeter, New Hampshire. Her father was a successful lawyer in New Hampshire, and was an inti- mate friend of Daniel Webster and a first cousin of Franklin Pierce. Three. children were born to Dr. and Mrs. Duncan-John Mason, Eliza Mckim and Lena.
John Mason Duncan, the first born of the children, is a native son of Philadelphia, born December 14, 1855, and in 1863 he came to Clover- land, Indiana. But after two years here he went to Terre Haute to at- tend school, and remained in that city until March, 1870. Going thence to Exeter, New Hampshire, he entered the Exeter Academy, and after leaving college went west, returning in 1875 to Terre Haute, where he studied under the preceptorship of Harvey D. Scott. In time Mr. Duncan entered the insurance business with Luther G. Hager, continuing for nine years as an insurance man, and then coming to Posey township, Clay county, he became the owner of his present farm of two hundred acres and is engaged in dairy farming.
In Terre Haute, in 1887, he married Glenn Philips, who was born and reared in Michigan, and they have six children : J. McKim, Donald Mc- Gregory, Margaret G., James Modesett, Ellen E. and Theodore. From the Republican party Mr. Duncan transferred his political allegiance to the Democracy, and he is an active worker in local politics.
LEWIS MCCULLOUGH .- In a discussion of success the distinguished merchant and statesman, John Wanamaker, said: "The chief reason that everybody is not successful is the fact that they have not enough persist- ency. I always advise young men who write me on the subject to do one thing well, throwing all their energies into it." The course indicated above has been the one followed by Lewis Mccullough, and gradually he has worked his way upward, gaining a prominent place among the sub- stantial residents of Clay county. Now a resident of Brazil, he was born in Jackson township, February 18, 1860, his parents being Alexander and Mary ( Payne) Mccullough. The father was born in Tennessee June 24. 1824. and his life record covered a span of seventy-eight years, his death occurring February 8, 1902, on the old family homestead in this county. He came to Indiana with his parents, William and Lavina Mccullough, when a mere child. His father and mother were both natives of western
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. Tennessee and traveled to Washington township, Putnam county, Indiana, by team at a very early day, locating there in the midst of the wilderness. Thus amid pioneer scenes and environments, sharing in all the hardships and privations incident to frontier life, Alexander McCullough was reared. He aided in the arduous task of developing a new farm, and after attain- ing his majority he built him a good log house just over the boundary line in Clay county. It was in this house that Lewis Mccullough was born. Year after year Alexander McCullough carried on farm work, bringing his fields under a high state of cultivation and at the time of his death he owned two hundred and forty acres, all of which he had cleared with the exception of a wood lot. He was a hard-working, industrious man, whose sterling traits of character gained him the respect of all. He filled the office of school director for a number of years and the cause of education found in him a stalwart champion. He was a regular attendant at the services of the Baptist church, although not a member, and his life was actuated by high and honorable principles. In his political views he was a Democrat. In early manhood he wedded Miss Mary Payne, who was born in Clay county, Indiana, July 24, 1828, and who is now living in her eightieth year. They were married in Clay county and became the parents of eight children, of whom six are now living, while two children died in infancy. Those who still survive are: Robert, who lives in Oklahoma; Charlotte. the wife of George L. Summers, who resides in Putnam county, Indiana ; William, a resident of Posey township, Clay county, Indiana ; Sarah E., the wife of Frank Lucas, who makes his home in Parke county, this state ; Lewis, of this review ; and Mary, the wife of George Haney.
The old homestead farm was the playground of Lewis Mccullough in his boyhood and youth and also his training school for life's practical duties, for from an early age he assisted his father in the farm work, aiding him in clearing land and developing the fields. He also taught school when seventeen years of age, having charge of a school in Jackson township. He followed that profession in all for three years and in 1880 turned his attention to merchandising, joining his brother William in a drug business at Asherville, Indiana. They conducted the store with suc- cess for five or more years, at the end of which time Mr. Mccullough purchased his brother's interest and extended the scope of his mercantile activity by adding a stock of general merchandise. He is still the owner of this store and has a well appointed and well equipped establishment, which receives a liberal patronage. He also owns a farm of four hundred and twenty acres, which he superintends and which is devoted to general farming pursuits. He is likewise one of the stockholders and a director in the Riddell Bank of Brazil. Whatever he has undertaken he has made it his purpose to do well. There has been nothing indefinite in his business plans. On the contrary, they have been well formed nad carefully exe- cuted, and his keen sagacity and business discernment are also features in his success.
Mr. Mccullough was married January 25, 1885, to Miss Mary Dunni- hay, who was born in Scotland in 1868, a daughter of Matthew and Mary Dunnihay, who were married in the land of hills and heather. They came to the new world in 1872 and located in Clay county, Indiana, where the father followed mining up to the time of his death. His widow now resides with her children. In their family were twelve children, of whom one son and six daughters survive: James, Agnes, Murren, Mrs. McCul- lough, Grace, Tillie and Margaret.
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The home of Mr. and Mrs. McCullough has been blessed with six . children, but they lost two in infancy. Those who still survive are Everet, Eunice, Helen and Marvin. Mr. and Mrs. McCullough both have many friends in Brazil and Clay county, where their entire lives have been passed. Mr. Mccullough served as postmaster at Asherville for eight years under President Cleveland and in politics has always been a stal- wart Democrat. Fraternally he is connected with Brazil Lodge, No. 264, A. F. & A. M .: Brazil Chapter, No. 59, R. A. M .; Brazil Council, R. & S. M. ; and Brazil Commandery, No. 47, K. T., while both he and his wife are members of the William Black Chapter, No. 80, O. E. S. Mr. McCul- lough is also connected with the Knights of Pythias lodge at Asherville, while his wife is a member of the Pythian Sisters there. Their good qualities of heart and mind have endeared them to many friends, and Mr. Mccullough belongs to that class of public-spirited and representative American citizens who, while advancing individual interests, also promote the public welfare.
JOHN D. STONEBURNER .- Among the prominent business men of Cory is numbered John D. Stoneburner, who was well prepared for his subsequent successful business career by an excellent educational training in his youth, passing from the public schools to the Merom University at Merom, Indiana, and later pursued a business course in the University of Kentucky at Lexington. He came to Cory at the age of twenty-two and for six years was the proprietor of a meat market here. At the close of that period he became the manager of the Haas general store in this city, a position which he has ever since continued to fill with ability and credit. In this store he has charge of its mercantile department, farm implements and all other articles found in a general establishment of this kind, having full control of the business.
Mr. Stoneburner was born in Perry township, Clay county, the youngest of the eight children born to Joseph H. and Arletta ( Hartley) Stoneburner, natives of Virginia and New Jersey, respectively. They came with their parents to Ohio in their early lives, and were married in Guernsey county, Ohio, where they were farming people until 1860. In that year they came from there to Clay county, Indiana, and bought a farm in Perry township, which is yet the home of the wife and mother. Her husband died there on the 22d of April, 1888.
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