A History of Clay County Indiana (Volume 2), Part 9

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

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HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY

JOHN HENRY BENCE .- As secretary, treasurer and general manager of the Clay City Lumber Company, John Henry Bence occupies a note- worthy position among the leading business men of this section of Clay county. He is a native and to the manner born, his birth having occurred September 30, 1863, in Harrison township, Clay county. His father, Onesimus Oliver Bence, and his grandfather, Philip Bence, were both born and bred in Jefferson county, Kentucky.

An agriculturist, Philip Bence was engaged in his chosen occupation in Jefferson county, Kentucky, during his earlier life, owning one hun- dred acres of land, which he managed with slave labor. In 1853 he dis- posed of all of his Kentucky property, came to Indiana, and purchased a farm lying about five miles southwest of Greencastle, Putnam county, where he spent the remainder of his seventy years of earthly life. He married twice, by his first marriage having five children-Fountain R., Onesimus Oliver, Telitha E., Matilda and Jeptha D .- and by his second union having four: John A., Louisa, Lydia and George W.

Born October 28, 1825, on a farm lying about nine miles from Louis- ville, Kentucky, Onesimus O. Bence was brought up and educated in his native state, and with his parents came to Indiana in 1853. He subse- quently married and came with his bride to Clay county, locating in Harrison township. He bought a tract of land in section eleven, town- ship ten, range seven, Harrison township, and in the log cabin standing ` upon his property, one that had been erected for a schoolhouse, he estab- lished his household. Two years later he built a good frame house, into which the family moved. At that time there were no railroads in this part of the country, all of the surplus products of the farm having to be hauled to Terre Haute or Greencastle. He improved the major part of his farm before 1867, and, having suffered a paralytic stroke, from the effects of which he never fully recovered, he moved to Bowling Green. In 1884 he returned to his farm and there remained until released by death, at the age of sixty-six years. Onesimus O. Bence married, in 1856, Sarah M. Slade, who was born in Harrison county, Kentucky, not very far from Cynthiana, September 10, 1833, a daughter of James Slade, a native of the same county. Her grandfather, William Slade, presumably an Ohio man by birth, was of English and Scotch ancestry. He improved a large farm in Harrison county, Kentucky, where he spent the greater part of his active career. At one time he owned many slaves, but he freed them all. The maiden name of his wife was Melvina Clem- ons. Their son, James Slade, taught school in his younger days, but was afterwards engaged in agricultural and mercantile pursuits, spending his life in his native county. He married Eleanor Orr, a daughter of James and Catherine (Williams) Orr. She came to Indiana after the death of her husband, subsequently making her home with her daughter, Mrs. Onesimus O. Bence. Mrs. Bence now lives with her son, John Henry, from whom she has never been separated any length of time. In 1901 she went to Benson county, North Dakota, took up a homestead, to which she received a title on the seventieth anniversary of her birth, the deed bearing the signature of President Roosevelt. She has but two childrn. John Henry and Laura K. The daughter married Joseph M. Zenor. of Terre Haute, and they have four children, May, Mark, Bertha and Howard.

Educated in the schools of Harrison township and Bowling Green, and in the Central Normal School at Danville, John Henry Bence began

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HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY

teaching at the age of seventeen years, and taught school nine winter terms. Ile was afterwards successfully employed in farming until 1896, when he accepted a position as clerk in a shoe store at Clay City, a position that he retained four years, when he embarked in the shoe busi- ness on his own account, continuing another four years. Since that time Mr. Bence has been actively associated with the lumber business, and when the Clay City Lumber Company was organized in 1905 became offi- cially connected with it in his present capacity of secretary, treasurer and general manager.

In 1901 Mr. Bence married Janie May Belle Robertson. She was born April 15, 1873, in Jackson township, Clay county, Indiana, a daughter of Ethan A. and Elizabeth ( Witty ) Robertson. Mr. and Mrs. Bence have one child, Sarah Elizabeth. Politically Mr. Bence is a Repub- lican, and is now serving as clerk and treasurer of the village of Clay City. Fraternally he belongs to Clay City Lodge, No. 562, A. F. & A. M., and to Clay City Lodge. No. 131, K. of P. Religiously he assists in sup- porting the Methodist Episcopal church, of which Mrs. Bence is a valued member.

DAVIS TAYLOR CROMWELL .- Conspicuous among the active and thriv- ing business men of Clay City is Davis Taylor Cromwell, a well-known and prosperous farmer, merchant and real estate dealer. A native of Clay county, Indiana, he was born August 18, 1846, in Washington township, a son of the late Owen Doyle Cromwell. He comes from distinguished ancestry, being a lineal descendant of Oliver Cromwell, the Protector.

Oliver Cromwell had two sons, Richard and Henry. The latter removed to Ireland, where his son Thomas Ireton, the next in line of descent, was born. Thomas I. Cromwell emigrated from Ireland to Amer- ica and settled in Maryland, where his children were born and reared. One of his sons, William Lewis, migrated from Maryland to Kentucky when a young man, and there spent the remainder of his days. His son, Nicholas G. Cromwell, the grandfather of Davis Taylor Cromwell, of whom we write, was born, reared and educated in Kentucky. Coming from there to Indiana in 1825, he became one of the first settlers of Clay county. Taking up government land, he cleared and improved a good farm, which he subsequently occupied until his death. He was a man of strong individuality, prominent and influential in public affairs, and for two terms served as associate circuit judge of Clay county.

Born in Kentucky, Owen Doyle Cromwell was a lad of but nine ycars when he came with his parents to this county. Reared among pio- neer scenes, he began as soon as able to assist his father in the arduous task of hewing a farm from the dense forest, remaining beneath the parental roof-tree until his marriage. He then settled on a farm belonging to his father-in-law, Mr. Risley, and met with such good success in its management that he subsequently bought the place, and was there em- ployed in general farming until his death, which occurred December 9, 1877. He married, in 1837, Huldah ( Parsons) Risley, a daughter of Sam- uel and Polly (Thomas) Risley. She was born in Knox county, Indiana, March 24, 1817, and died in Clay county January 1, 1892. She reared ten children, namely: Samuel T .. Polly Ann, Nicholas M., Ann M., Sarah C., David Taylor, Drusilla E., Huldah A .. John J. and James C. One child, Charles O., the ninth in order of birth, died at the age of five years. On the maternal side of Mrs. Cromwell we find that David

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HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY

Risley was of English descent and was a soldier in the Revolutionary war. He was the father of Judge Samuel Risley, who was associate judge of Clay county for one term, and he was a soldier in the War of 1812, and was under the command of General William H. Harrison at the battle of Tippecanoe, Indiana. Judge Samuel Risley was the father of Huldah Parsons Risley, the mother of Davis Taylor Cromwell, and her maternal grandfather was David Thomas, whose early progenitors were of Welsh birth. David Thomas was the first white settler of Clay county, and he was a son of Elisha Thomas, who was also a soldier in the Revolutionary war.

A diligent scholar, fond of books from his youth up, Davis Taylor Cromwell acquired a practical education in the public schools, and at the age of twenty years embarked upon a professional career, for four- teen terms, being employed as a teacher, serving first in Cass township, and later in Washington, Jackson and Harrison townships. Then taking upon himself the responsibilities of a married man he turned his attention to both the teacher's profession and agricultural pursuits, and in 1884 started a new business, becoming interested in mercantile pursuits. Since that time he has been either a farmer, merchant or real estate dealer, in his undertakings being reasonably prosperous. He was admitted to the Indiana State Bar, under Judge Samuel M. McGregor, of the thirteenth judicial district, January 9, 1889. In 1907 Mr. Cromwell was appointed as superintendent of the John J. Baker gravel roads in the vicinity of Clay City, and he faithfully tried to fulfill every detail of the contract or specifications.

On October 11. 1874, Mr. Cromwell married Rebecca A. Notter, who was born in Jackson township, Indiana, September 18, 1857, a daughter of David and Matilda ( Murbarger) Notter. Mr. and Mrs. Cromwell have seven children living, namely: May, born May 6, 1877; Elmina, born November 21, 1878; Robert Ingersoll, born Septem- ber II, 1880; Beecher, born June 12, 1883; Victor Hugo, born April 8, 1885; Lucy Hayes, born February 20, 1897; and Oliver, born March 9, 1899. Eunice, the oldest child, born August 31, 1875, died September 4, 1880, and Odena, born May 17, 1891, died October 7, 1894. Fra- ternally Mr. Cromwell is a member and past noble grand of Martz Lodge, No. 360, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and both he and Mrs. Cromwell belong to Mutual Love Lodge, No. 221, Daughters of Rebekah. He was a charter member of Clay City Lodge, No. 131, Knights of Pythias, also the father and originator of Odon Lodge, No. 272, of Daviess county, Indiana. He was also a charter member of the Good Citizens League, of which he is now one of the vice presidents.

FRANK J. WEHRLE, of the well known and extensive dry goods and boot and shoe business of Brazil, Indiana, is a native of Newark, Ohio, where he was born September 3, 1849, son of Sebastian and Annie ( Wool- insnider ) Wehrle. The parents were both born in Germany and married in Newark, Ohio. Sebastian Wehrle came to this country in 1832 and settled in the northern part of Ohio. By trade he was a shoemaker. He spent the latter years of his life in Ohio, except a few years which he spent in Brazil, Indiana, being in business with his two sons-Frank J. and George S. They were manufacturers of boots and shoes. He retired from business in 1873 and died the next year. He was a member of the Roman Catholic church and in politics a Democrat. His wife died

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HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY

in Brazil. Indiana, in 1800, aged seventy-nine years, while he died aged sixty-four years. They were the parents of eleven children, five of whom still survive: Elizabeth, widow of Joseph H. W. Sowar ; George; Frank J .; Henry; Catherine, wife of Abram W. Turner.

Frank J. Wehrle learned the boot and shoe trade with his father as an instructor. They came to Brazil in 1870 and continued in the manu- facturing business until 1873-4, when Frank J. opened a store on his own account, doing a retail business. In 1900 he took for partner Joseph S. C. Sowar. operating under the firm name of the Wehrle & Sowar Company. They added dry goods and millinery, thus increasing the scope of their already well established trade. Mr. Wehrle is now one of the oldest merchants in Brazil. He supports the Democratic party and has held the office of city councilman for two years. In his church faith and profession he is of the Catholic church. Ile is identified with the order of Knights of Columbus and Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, Brazil Lodge, No. 762.

JOHN H. HUCKRIEDE .- Recognized throughout the community in which he resides as a capable and enterprising farmer. John H. Huckriede, living on section twenty-seven, Cass township, is actively identified with the development and advancement of the agricultural resources of this part of Clay county, and in company with his brother, Fred W. Huck- riede, of whom a brief sketch may be found on another page of this vol- ume, is carrying on general farming most successfully. A son of the late Henry Huckriede, he was born in Jackson township, Owen county, Indi- ana, January 31, 1864, and was there brought up and educated.

A native of Prussia, Germany, Henry Huckriede emigrated to this country when twenty-eight years of age, and in 1860 settled in Owen county. this state. Buying a tract of land near Poland, he followed the occupation to which he was reared, and was there employed as a tiller of the soil until his death in 1893. He married Catherine Altemiller, who was born near Hagerstown, Maryland, a daughter of Herman H. Alte- miller, a native of Germany. They became the parents of seven children. four daughters and three sons, the eldest of whom, a daughter, died in childhood.

Leaving home at the age of twenty-one years, John H. Huckriede began farming on his own account, and subsequently, in company with his brother, Fred W. Huckriede, bought land in Cass township, Clay county, where he has since devoted his time and energies to the improve- ment of his property. The excellent condition of the farm belonging to these brothers bears visible evidence of the good business management of its proprietors, showing that they have made good use of their talents and means.

An active adherent of the Democratic party, Mr. Huckriede was township trustee from 1900 until 1905, rendering appreciated service to his fellow-townsmen. Fraternally he is a member of Poland Lodge, No. 364, K. of P. Religiously he belongs to the German Reformed church.

JOHN F. OLIVER .- John E. Oliver, who is prominently known in Posey township as a farmer and stock raiser, was born on the homestead on which he now resides November 16, 1860. His father, Montgomery Oliver, for many years a farmer in Posey township, was born on Long Island, New York, December 26, 1811, and going from there to Butler

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HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY

county, Ohio, he was employed in running a canal boat and in shipping cord wood from Cincinnati and in pork packing. Ile made a fortune in these ventures, but later lost all in the pork business. Among his prop- erty was a valuable farm south of Hamilton, Ohio, and selling this he came to Indiana and located on the farm which is now the home of his son, John E., purchasing two hundred acres then in the dense woods. Building a little log cabin in which to establish his family, he began the arduous and difficult task of clearing his land and preparing it for pur- poses of cultivation, and in time bought another tract of forty acres in Posey township. He followed farming throughout the remainder of his life, and achieved success in the calling.

In Butler county, Ohio, October 8, 1840, Montgomery Oliver wedded Katherine Harr, who was born east of Hamilton in that state, on the Miami bottoms, January 5, 1825, and was reared there. Her father, Joseph Harr, was one of the pioneer farmers of Butler county, and he died there on the 5th of January, 1855. His daughter Katherine died in this township October 17, 1903, after becoming the mother of eight chil- dren, four sons and four daughters, of whom John E. was the youngest born. In order of birth they are as follows: Joseph, who was born in Ohio January 20, 1842, served three years in the Civil war and died at his home in 1884; Nancy Jane, born in Ohio February 18, 1844, died in that state ; Centrilla Maria, born in Ohio February 8, 1846; Albert, born in Ohio December 9, 1848; Montgomery, born in that state June 8, 1851 ; Mary, born December 8, 1855, in Ohio; Katherine, born in Posey town- ship November 26, 1857; and John Emanuel, born in this township November 16, 1860. Mr. Oliver, the father, was a life-long and active Republican, and he died November 15, 1860, and was buried on the following day.

From the district schools of Posey township John E. Oliver entered the state normal and the city schools of Terre Haute, and after the com- pletion of his educational training returned to his home and bought one hundred and seventy acres of the homestead farm, in which he has made all of the improvements and has placed his land under an excellent state of cultivation. Throughout the years of his maturity he has voted with the Republican party, taking an active part in the work of its local coun- cils, and fraternally he is a member of the Masonic order, lodge No. 264 at Brazil.

Mrs. Oliver bore the maiden name of Flora West and was born in McLean county, Illinois. During her girlhood days she came with her parents, George West and family, to Posey township, where they were farming people. Three daughters have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Oliver, namely : Maude, born on the 13th of November, 1885; Nellie, born May 18, 1887; and Josephine, born January 9, 1890. The family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.

MAJOR ROSWELL S. HILL is justly accorded a place among the promi- nent and representative citizens not only of Brazil, but of Indiana, for he belongs to that class of men whose enterprising spirit is used not alone for their own benefit. Throughout the entire period of the Civil war he was a loyal defender of the Union and has been equally faithful in days of peace to the interests of citizenship. Twice has he been called to serve his state as its treasurer and has won high encomiums from his fellow- men by reason of the fidelity and ability which he manifests in the dis-

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HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY

charge of his duties. A native of Clay county. Major Hill was born in Posey township, at what was known as Van Buren Stage Station, a mile west of where the city of Brazil now stands. His natal day was August 29, 1843. His parents, Abel S. and Almira ( Usher) Hill, were both natives of Brookfield, Madison county, New York, born in 1808 and 1811 respectively. In the year 1834 Abel S. Hill came to Indiana, driving across the country with Highland horses by way of the Cleveland route. He settled at Terre Haute and, in Indiana as in New York, became a prominent and influential resident of his community. He had served as deputy sheriff in the Empire state and after coming to Indiana was township trustee. He and two others were the only supporters of the Whig party in Dick Johnson township, Clay county. He died in the year 1882, after long, active and helpful connection with the interests of his adopted state. His wife, who passed away in 1881, was a consistent and faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Her brother, Hon. John P. Usher, was attorney general of Indiana in 1861 and became a member of President Lincoln's cabinet before his term as attorney general expired, being appointed secretary of the interior January 8, 1863. He was reappointed in 1865 and served under President Johnson until the 5th of May of that year, when he resigned.

Major Hill was the fifth in order of birth in a family of eight chil- dren but only two are now living. His eldest sister is Sarah J. Hill. His brother, younger than himself, was Nathaniel Usher Hill, late of Bloomington, Indiana. He was prominent in the political circles of the state and for two terms filled the office of state treasurer. He died May 8, 1908.

Major Hill spent his boyhood days under the parental roof and when sixteen years of age entered the military school at Clinton, Indiana. He there remained for six months, after which he returned to the farm. He was not yet eighteen years of age, when, in response to the country's call for aid, he enlisted as a member of Company F, Tenth Regiment of Indiana Volunteers for three months. The smoke from Fort Sumter's guns had hardly cleared away when he joined the boys in blue, being mustered in at Indianapolis April 21, 1861. He became drill master of his company at Camp Morton, Indianapolis, and was also in the postoffice at the camp until July of that year. He then joined his regiment, which had been sent to the front. At Clarksburg, West Virginia, he was first under fire at the battle occurring on the 11th of July at Rich Mountain. Following the expiration of his three months' term of enlistment he was mustered out of service at Indianapolis, August 5, 1861. He became a recruiting officer at Camp Morton, on the Ist of October of the same year, having re-enlisted as a member of Company G. Second Indiana Cavalry, under Captain I. S. Leabo. He had as a recruiting officer enlisted sixty- five in the company and with his troops was mustered in October 4, 1861, for three years, or during the war. Mr. Hill was commissioned second lieutenant and spent some time with his men at Camp Bridgeland on Fall creek, where he drilled his company. Later in the autumn they marched to New Albany, Indiana, across the Ohio river and arrived at Louis- ville, Kentucky, on Christmas day. They spent the winter at Camp Wick- liff near Green river and in March, 1862, crossed the stream to Bowling Green, Kentucky, and proceeded on their way to Nashville, Tennessee. They participated in the first battle of Shiloh and in the engagements at Perryville and at Gallatin, being at the last named place until July 1862.

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HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY

They were also in the battle of Hartsville, Tennessee, December 7. 1862, and at that point Major Samuel Hill, elder brother of Major Ross Hill, of the regiment was captured. The battle of Stone River followed on the ist of January. 1863, and later the regiment to which Major Hill belonged was at Triune. Tennessee, and at Shelbyville, Tennessee. The summer of 1863 was spent in guarding trains and keeping the Confed- erates from the Tennessee river. On the 20th and 21st of September, the battle of Chickamauga was fought-one of the most hotly contested engagements of the war, and the following winter was spent in eastern Tennessee, during which time many skirmishes occurred.

On the Ist of April, 1864, Major Hill re-enlisted for the remainder of the war at Cleveland, Tennessee, and on the 9th of May of that year joined General Sherman in the Atlanta campaign. He participated in the battles of Buzzard's Roost and Resaca, and before the fall of Atlanta Mc- Cook's division to which he was attached lost about five hundred men. The regiment was then in October ordered to Indianapolis, where all were to be mustered out with the exception of those who had re-enlisted Octo- ber 4. 1864. At that time Mr. Hill received his commission as captain, assisted in reorganizing the regiment and was mustered in as senior cap- tain. In the winter of 1863 the division of the army to which he was attached succeeded in driving General Bragg out of Kentucky. After the battle of Nashville the cavalry corps rendezvoused near Waterloo Land- ing and on the 22d of March, 1865, started on Wilson's raid through Alabama, Mississippi and Georgia, participating in the battles of Planters- ville, Selma, Columbia and West Point, Georgia. In the last named engagement Captain Hill was shot through the right leg on the 16th of April, 1865. As he lay on the ground he ordered his men to charge, for the military spirit was strong within him and his patriotism longed for victory, even while he was suffering. His wound was so serious that the leg had to be amputated below the knee. He had formerly been wounded in the right leg at Rosswell's cotton factory on the 2d of April. 1865, and two weeks later suffered its loss. In amputating the leg the bullet of April 2d was found. By order of Colonel (). S. Lagrange, command- ing the Second Brigade, he was cared for at the mayor's home at West Point. Georgia, and in ten days after he had sustained his injury he joined his command at Macon, Georgia. In a brief time, however, he was sent home with Major General Upton. When he had spent four weeks in the north he returned to Edgefield, Tennessee, where he was mustered out with the rank of major, July 22. 1865. His was a splendid military record characterized by the utmost loyalty and faithfulness in the per- formance of the duties that devolved upon him as he followed the old flag to victory in the south.

Soon after his return home from the war Major Hill was married, on the 12th of September. 1865. to Miss Mary Eaglesfield, who was born in Putnamville. Putnam county, Indiana, February 1. 1846. They trav- eled life's journey together for thirty-six years and were then separated by the death of Mrs. Hill on the 11th of November, 1901. In their family were seven children. Margaret, Catherine, Roswell S., Jr .. Cale S .. Mary I ... Helen B. and Myra M.

Since his return from the war Major Hill has largely devoted his attention to merchandising and farming. On the 3d of October, 1872. he was elected treasurer of Clay county. Still higher political honors awaited him, in his election to the state treasureship on the 3d of October. 1880,

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A History of Clay County Indiana (Volume 2), Part 9

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

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