USA > Indiana > Clay County > A History of Clay County Indiana (Volume 2) > Part 74
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John Allee was born in Kentucky, about eight miles north of Lex- ington, and in his youthful days came with his parents to Putnam county, Indiana. For a number of years after beginning life for himself he was engaged in farming in Owen county. In 1851, with about twenty families from that part of the state, he treked westward to Iowa, the removal being made with teams, each householder taking with him all of his goods. and driving his stock. There were then no railways west of the Mississippi, and the greater part of Iowa was owned by the government. Deer and antelope roamed over the vast prairies, and each year the Pot- tawatomie Indians spent a part of the time in their former hunting grounds. All grain had to be teamed to the river, which was ninety miles from that part of Keokuk county in which he located, and all supplies brought back on the return trip. Purchasing a tract of partly improved land. John Allee was there actively employed in tilling the soil until his death, six years later, in 1857. The maiden name of his wife was Rachel Helm. She was born in Kentucky, a daughter of Thomas Helm. Mr. Helm was one of the first pioneers of Owen county, and assisted in cut- ting the bridle-path from there to Terre Haute, the nearest milling point and market. Having cleared and improved a farm, he removed from there to Center Point. where he spent his closing years with a son, dying at the remarkable age of ninety-nine years and six months. After the death of her husband, Mrs. Rachel Allee returned to Indiana, living in Harrison township from 1861 until her death. She reared five children. namely: Henry. Jesse, William. Lucinda, and Samuel. Henry died at the age of eighteen years. William married Elizabeth White, and they both died when about thirty-four years of age, leaving three children. J hn. Jesse, and Lizzie May. Lucinda, deceased, married Martin Rynes,
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and they became the parents of eight children, Maggie, Elizabeth, Min- nie, Albert, Martin V., Ida and Ada, twins, and Charles. Samuel died when but fourteen years old.
. Eight years old when he accompanied his parents on their journey to Iowa, Jesse Allee remembers well the incidents of the long trip, and the many hardships and trials of the pioneer life that followed. In 1859. an energetic youth of sixteen years, he returned to Indiana in search of congenial employment, and for three years worked at farming in Clay county. In August, 1862, he enlisted in Company B, Ninety-seventh Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and with his regiment performed valiant service in many important engagements. He was with Sherman in his march to Atlanta, from there to the sea, and thence northward through the Carolinas, and on to Washington, where he participated in the grand review. In June, 1865, he was honorably discharged, after which he returned to his home, and resumed farming. Purchasing land in Sugar Ridge township in 1870, Mr. Allee was there employed in tilling the soil for fifteen years, when, in 1885, he removed to Harrison township. Here, having bought a farm lying in sections thirteen and eighteen, he con- tinued his agricultural operations most successfully for the next thirteen years. In 1898 he was appointed superintendent of the County Infirmary, and for three and one-half years managed that institution in an able man- ner. Resigning the position in 1902, Mr. Allee returned to his farm, and there continued his pleasant occupation as an agriculturist for about three years. In 1905 he took up his residence in Clay City, and has since lived retired from the active cares of business, enjoying a well earned leisure in his attractive home.
On November 19, 1866, Mr. Allee married Margaret Drake. She was born in Washington township, Clay county, a daughter of Thomas and Maria Drake. Fraternally Mr. Allee is a member of Bowling Green Lodge, No. 85, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons.
HENRY CLAY CORNWELL .- Holding a noteworthy position among the prosperous agriculturists of Clay county is Henry Clay Cornwell, who has a finely-appointed and well-cultivated farm in Van Buren town- ship. A son of the late David Cornwell, he was born, October 4. 1851, in Van Buren township, and has here spent the greater part of his life.
David Cornwell, a native of New Jersey, spent a part of his early life in Ohio, coming from there to this state at an early day, and settling in Clay county as a pioneer. Purchasing a tract of heavily timbered land in Brazil township, in that part now included within the limits of the city of Brazil, he at once began its improvement. He first erected two round log buildings, splitting the boards to cover the roof, and in one of these cabins his son Henry Clay was born. Laboring with untiring diligence, he cleared a goodly portion of the land, and in course of time erected a brick house, in which he resided until his death, in 1865, when but fifty- nine years old. He married Diadama Frazier, who died in 1852, leaving seven children, namely: Maria. Benjamin F., Elizabeth, Oliver, William. Delitha, and Henry Clay, then an infant of six months. Elizabeth and Henry, of this sketch, are the only members of the family now living.
During his youthful days Henry C. Cornwell obtained the rudi- ments of his education in the little log schoolhouse of pioneer days, and as soon as old enough began helping his father on the farm. After the father's death, he lived with his brother Benjamin until attaining his
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majority, when he began the battle of life for himself. buying at first a home at Benwood. For a number of years thereafter, excepting when at work in the harvest fields, he was employed as a weigher at the mines. In 1900 Mr. Cornwell settled on the place he now owns and occupies, in section twenty-one, Van Buren township.
At the age of twenty-four years, Mr. Cornwell married Mary A. Woolford, who was born near Chillicothe, Ohio, a daughter of John George Woolford. A native of Holland, Mr. Woolford was the only member of his family that ever came to America. For a number of years after coming to the United States, he lived in Ohio, but in 1865 came to Indiana, settling in Vigo county. He was a stationary engineer, operating at different mines during his active career. Now, in the sev- enty-ninth year of his age. he is living retired in Owen county. He mar- ried Theresa Cramer, who was born in Germany, came to this country with her parents when but a year old, and died in Owen county, Ind. She reared four children. as follows: Mary, Annie, Frank and Clara. Mr. and Mrs. Cornwell are the parents of three children, namely : George W .. Anna, and Theresa. George W. married Katie Pell. and they have two children, Hila C. and George Henry. Anna, wife of Samuel Treager, has two children, Cornwell R. and Mildred. Religiously Mr. and Mrs. Corn- well are members of the United Brethren church.
ELI COOPRIDER .- One of the best known and most highly esteemed men of Harrison township. Clay county, is Eli Cooprider, who is dis- tinguished alike for his good citizenship, for his services as a soldier during the Civil war, and for the honored ancestry from which he traces his descent. A son of Henry Cooprider, he was born, June 4, 1840, in Harrison township, where the greater part of his life has been passed. In a sketch of his grandparents. John and Elizabeth ( Fleshman ) Coop- rider, which may be found elsewhere in this work, a brief history of his ancestors may be found.
Henry Cooprider was born in the territory of Indiana, in Harrison county, December 15, 1815. and was reared amid pioneer scenes. Wild animals of all kinds were then very plentiful, including bears, deer. wolves and foxes, and his work as a boy was to watch the live-stock and guard the grain, as these animals were destructive to both, but were easily scared away when he rang the bell which he carried with him. On arriving at manhood, he purchased a tract of land in Harrison town- ship. a part of which is now included in Clay City, and in the midst of the timber he put up a house hastily constructed of poles, covering them with boards rived by hand, and building a stick and earth chimney. Before the huge fireplace, his wife did all of her cooking, making corn- meal bread, using a good deal of hominy on the table, while venison and wild turkey furnished the meat for the family. She used, also. to card. spin and weave all the material from which she fashioned the gar- ments for her entire family, and all of the bed-clothing and towels used in the household. After a few years, the humble log cabin was replaced by a house made of hewed logs, and that in turn gave place to a sub- stantial frame house, built in colonial style, which, even at this day .. is one of the best farm houses in Clay county. On the farm which he redeemed from the wilderness, he spent the remaining years of his life, passing away February 16, 1803. He married Melinda Lankford. who was born in Rock Castle county. Kentucky. July 8, 1817. and died on the
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home farm. in Clay county, Indiana, February 25. 1893. just nine days after her husband's death. Her father, Walker Lankford. was born in North Carolina, where his parents settled on coming to this country from Scotland, their native land. Further history of the Lankford family may be found in connection with the sketch of James F. Lankford. Eleven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Henry Cooprider, namely : Mary Ann, Eli, Levi, Zimri, Uriah, Henry, Candace, Joseph A., Eliza. and Susanna and Elizabeth. twins.
Educated in the district schools, Eli Cooprider was well trained in agricultural work while young, and assisted his father in clearing and improving the homestead. Enlisting in November, 1861, in Company G. Fifty-ninth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, he was with his regiment in all of its marches, campaigns and battles, including the Siege of Vicksburg. He marched with Sherman's forces to Atlanta, and on to the sea. thence through the Carolinas to Washington, where he took part in the grand review, after which he received his honorable discharge from the service. During the time that. he was in the army, Mr. Cooprider traveled four- teen thousand miles, eleven thousand miles of the distance being on foot, and was at the front in twenty-three hard-fought battles. After returning home, Mr. Cooprider was for twenty years engaged in mercantile pur- suits. Ile has been prominent in local affairs, serving for two years as township trustee: for eight years as postmaster; and for twelve years as justice of the peace.
On May 24. 1866. Mr. Cooprider married Rachel Everhart. who was born in Coshocton county, Ohio, a daughter of John and Judy Ever- hart, of whom a more extended notice is given on another page of this work, in connection with the sketch of Peter Everhart. Mr. and Mrs. Cooprider have four children living, namely: Frank W .: Rollie H .: Irvin B .; and Gladys. Rollie H. married Hattie Graden, and they have one child, Magdalena. Politically Mr. Cooprider is a Democrat, and religiously Mrs. Cooprider is a member of the Baptist church.
LUCINDA ( TRIPLE?T ) CORNWELL .- Widely known throughout the community in which she has so long resided as a woman of fine character and keen intelligence. Mrs. Lucinda Cornwell, widow of the late Oliver Perry Cornwell, occupies one of the finest and best improved homesteads in Van Buren township. its well-tilled acres and substantial improve- ments bearing evidence of the thrift and enterprise which first established it, and by which it has since been carried on. Mrs. Cornwell was born, April 2. 1846, in Muskingum county, Ohio, and is a sister of John Triplett, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this volume. Coming with the family to Indiana when she was ten years old, she resided with her parents until her marriage, in 1866, to Oliver Perry Cornwell.
A native of Clay county, Oliver P. Cornwell was born in Brazil, September 12, 1837, a son of David and Diadama Cornwell. Further history of his parents may be found on another page of this work, in connection with the sketch of H. C. Cornwell. Choosing for his life work the occupation to which he was reared. Mr. Cornwell bought land adjoining parental homestead when he was ready to settle in life. and there resided a few years. Selling out then. he was for a time engaged in teaming in Brazil, after which he carried on farming in both Brazil and in Dick Johnson townships. Subsequently locating in Van Buren township. Mr. Cornwell bought a timbered tract of land, and having
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cleared a large part of it, and erected a substantial set of frame buildings, was here employed in his free and independent occupation until his death, in 1902.
Mr. and Mrs. Cornwell became the parents of two children, namely : Charles O. and Minerva. Charles O. married Minnie Bowers, and they have four children, Harry, Ninas, Raymond, and Lucinda K. Minerva, wife of Edward Fienkhauser, has six children, Deo, Bertha, Raymond, Elva. John Wesley, and Edward. Mrs. Cornwell is a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church, to which Mr. Cornwell also belonged.
LOUIS VAN WHITE .- Noteworthy among the native-born citizens of Harrison township, Clay County, is Louis Van White, whose birth occurred in 1848. His father, Edward White, spent the larger part of his life in this locality, while his grandfather, David White, was one of the earliest settlers of Harrison township, coming here from Kentucky, which was, without doubt, his native state. Taking up land in section nineteen, he erected a commodious hewed log house, and having cleared and improved a comfortable homestead, was here employed in tilling the soil during the remainder of his active years.
Edward White was born, June 16, 1822, in Pulaski county, Kentucky. and was quite young when he came with the family to Clay county. After his marriage, he bought land in section twenty-nine, Harrison township. A few acres were cleared at the time he purchased it, and a set of log buildings had been erected. He lived there until 1857, when he sold out, and bought, in section twenty, a farm on which there stood a double log house, into which he and his family moved. He began farming, and was busily employed at his chosen vocation until after the breaking out of the Civil war. Then, in July, 1861, he enlisted in Company I, Twenty-first Indiana Volunteer Infantry, for a period of three years. Unable, however, to endure the privations and exposures incidental to army life, he was honorably discharged. on account of physical disability. November 14. 1861. Returning home, he resumed farming, and was quite successful, clearing a goodly part of his land, and erecting a sub- stantial frame house in place of the log house, but it was unfortunately burned very soon after its completion. He then began the erection of another, and there resided until his death, June 9, 1883. He married, August 15, 1844, Elizabeth Huddleston. She was born April 11, 1824. in Virginia, probably, coming of Virginia ancestry, and died, in Harrison township, Clay county. November 29, 1899. Of their union, ten children were born, namely: Louis Van, of this sketch; John Albert; William Anthony and Willis Logan. twins: Algy Deen; Francis Marion; Irena Ellen : Henry Harrison : Perry Wilson; and Minerva. Willis Logan was accidentally drowned in the Eel river, July 6, 1862, in the eleventh year of his age.
Brought up on the homestead, Louis Van White attended the pioneer schools of his day, and assisted as soon as old enough in the pioneer labors of the farm. In 1863 he enlisted in an Indiana regiment, but being so young his father objected, and he was not accepted as a soldier. But. on February 28. 1864. he again offered his services to his country, enlisting in Company G, Fifty-ninth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, for three years, or during the war. Going south with his regiment, he was with Sherman on his march to Atlanta, and then on to the sea. Con- tinuing with his regiment as fifer, he having been detached as a musician
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at Huntsville, Alabama, Mr. White passed through the Carolinas to Washington, where he took part in the grand review, and subsequently. at Louisville, Kentucky, July 17, 1865, was honorably discharged from the service. Returning home, he began farming with his father, and has since been engaged in agricultural pursuits.
On December 11, 1873, Mr. White married Eliza Ann Gonser, who was born in Harrison township, Clay county, Indiana, June 11, 1859, of pioneer descent. Her father, Daniel Gonser, was born in Pennsylvania, lived for a few years in Ohio, from there coming to Clay county, Indiana. Buying land in Harrison township, he carried on general farming in connection with his trade of a wagon and carriage smith, residing here, with the exception of the time he was serving in the Civil war, until his death. His wife, whose maiden name was Ann Dickey, was born in Coshocton county, Ohio. She survived him, married a second time. and spent her last years in Kingman county, Kansas. Eleven children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. White, namely: Ora H., born Septem- ber 19, 1876; Lillie D., born November 30, 1878, died June 19, 1898: Arthur G., born August 28, 1880; Effie, born January 14. 1883': Harry L., born March 27, 1884; Vivian, born March 8, 1886; Capitola, born January 2. 1890; Gustava, born January 3. 1893: Ivan M., born May 18, 1895; Floy, born January 25, 1898: and Beulah, born November 4, 1903.
SILAS GREEN COOPRIDER .- A life-long resident of Harrison town- ship, Clay county, Silas G. Cooprider is numbered among the intelligent and prosperous agriculturists of this locality, and has won for himself an excellent reputation as an honest man and a good citizen. He was born January 17, 1835. in the log cabin built by his father, Elias Coop- rider, in section 31. His grandparents, John and Elizabeth ( Fleshman ) Cooprider, were pioneers of Harrison county, Indiana, settling there in territorial days. A brief sketch of their lives may be found elsewhere in this volume.
Born in Harrison county. Indiana, November 23, 1810. Elias Coop- rider came to Clay county with his parents, and was here reared to agri- cultural pursuits. On attaining his majority, he entered seventy-six acres of government land in section 31. Harrison township, and among the first improvements he made was the building of a log cabin. He was a man of wise forethought and much enterprise, and wisely invested all of his surplus money in land, becoming owner of upwards of seven hundred acres. In course of time the small log cabin was replaced by a hewed log house, and that subsequently gave way to a commodious frame house. He made improvements of great value on his place. and was there prosperously employed in general farming until his death, in 1901, in the ninety-first year of his age. He married Polly Lankford. who was born in Pulaski county, Kentucky, a daughter of Walker and Polly ( Warrum) Lankford. She died, in Harrison township. Clay county, November 23. 1897. Nine children were born of their union. namely : Jackson, Silas G., Emeline, Sylvia Ann. Elias. Polly, John, Elizabeth, and Chester M. Jackson and Elias both served in the Union army during the Civil war, the latter losing his life at the siege of Vicksburg.
Assisting his father in reclaiming a homestead from the dense forest. Silas G. Ccoprider early became familiar with agriculture in all of its
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branches, and finding the occupation of a farmer congenial as well as profitable chose it for his life work. At the time of his marriage. he began housekeeping in a log house on his father's farm, in the northeast quarter of section 36. Harrison township. He succeeded well in his operations, and after twenty-one years built the substantial frame house which he and his family now occupy.
On July 26. 1860, Mr. Cooprider married Isabelle Van Horn,, who was born in Harrison township, Coshocton county, Ohio, October 15. 1837. Her father. John Van Horn, a native of Somerset county, Penn- sylvania, was an early settler of Coshocton county, Ohio, and on the land that he bought in Harrison township was employed as a tiller of the soil until his death when upwards of seventy years of age. His wife. whose maiden name was Mary Rose, was born in Somerset county. Pennsylvania, and died in Indiana, where she spent her years of widow- hood. living with her children. Mr. and Mrs. Cooprider have reared ten children, namely: Douglas, Joseph, Rhoda, Clinton Martz. Rebecca Jane. Emilius G., John E., William N., Perley May, and Morgan. Douglas married Rosa Reed, and they have three children, Beulah, Cor- bett, and Jackson. Joseph married Elizabeth Travis, and they have one child. Josephine. Rhoda, wife of Philip King, has five children, Dora. Charlie, Frederick, Marshall, and Mabel. Clinton M. married Ida Guthrie, and has seven children, George, Forrest, Frederick, Edith, Uneda. Raymond. and Refina. Emilius G. married Jessie Moody, and they have two children, Vancie and Martin. Perley May, wife of Al Pool, has one daughter, Oakie. Religiously Mrs. Cooprider is a valued member of the Baptist church.
SAMUEL AUSTIN EDMUNDSON .- Numbered among the venerable and respected citizens of Clay county is Samuel A. Edmundson, who has. mayhap, resided in Harrison township, his present home, longer than any other person now residing within its limits. The son of one of the earlier pioneers of this part of the county, he is a typical representative of the brave and daring men who came here when the country round- about was in its pristine wildness, and assisted in the development of this fertile and productive agricultural region. A son of William Edmundson, he was born, December 20, 1826, in Knoxville, Tennessee.
Samuel Edmundson, the grandfather of Samuel Austin, was born in Delaware in colonial days. After arriving at manhood, he removed to Guilford Court House, North Carolina, and the day following the Revo- lutionary battle fought there on March 15, 1781, he assisted in burying the dead soldiers of both armies. Subsequently removing to Tennessee, he located about twelve miles from Knoxville, and there spent the remainder of his long life, passing away at the venerable age of ninety- six years.
Born on the home farm, near Knoxville, Tennessee. William Edmundson was reared and married in his native state, living there until 1828. In that year, accompanied by his wife and child, he came to Indiana. walking the entire distance, while his wife, who carried her babe in her arms, rode on horseback. Journeying along the wild and rugged pathway for ten days, he arrived in Harrison township, poor in pocket. but rich in energy and courage, his only assets being a horse, a saddle. and twenty-five cents in money. Entering a government claim in Har- rison township, he cleared a small space, erected a small log cabin, which
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he and his family occupied a number of years. For some time thereafter. he was employed in making staves, which he used to take down the Eel. White, Wabash, Ohio and Mississippi rivers to New Orleans. Selling out his load, he would make the return journey as far as Louisville by steamer. and from there would walk home. In 1850, he removed to Vigo county, where he resided until his death, in 1865. His wife, whose maiden name was Delilah Holt, was born in Knox county, Tennessee, and died, at the age of seventy-three years, in Clay county, Indiana. Her father. Joel Holt, was a blacksmith, and followed his trade on the Clinch river, where he also operated a ferry for many years. He died in that county at the remarkable age of one hundred and six years.
The oldest of a family of twelve children. Samuel Austin Edmund- son was but an infant when he came with his parents to Harrison town- ship. In the days of his boyhood the wild beasts of the forest had not fled before the advancing steps of civilization, but, with the dusky savage. inhabited the wilderness, deer, wolves and panthers being plentiful, while an occasional bear was seen. He attended the first school taught in the vicinity of his present home, and often tells of the term being shortened on account of the schoolmaster eloping with one of his older girl pupils. After arriving at man's estate, Mr. Edmundson was for five years employed on the canal. Buying then thirty acres of timber land. he cut down a few of the giants of the forest to make room for a cabin. which he built of poles, and in which he and his bride began house- keeping. Laboring industriously and persistently, he cleared his land. bought more from time to time, finally becoming possessor of a fine farm of one hundred and twenty acres, nearly all of which he cleared and improved. erecting a comfortable and convenient set of frame build- ings. In his agricultural labors, Mr. Edmundson was successful.
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