USA > Indiana > Sullivan County > A history of Sullivan County, Indiana, closing of the first century's history of the county, and showing the growth of its people, institutions, industries and wealth, Volume II > Part 10
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Upon the suggestion of railroad connection between Terre Haute and Evansville he became enlisted in the enterprise, and was elected one of the directors, which position he held until his death. He made all his sacrifice for the road with a desire that it should run through Carlisle. His plans were for a time frustrated by the machinations of certain men, who were anxious that the road should be located out of the town. Then Mr. Alsop displayed that trait of character which he possessed in a re- markable degree (tenacity of purpose), made a herculean effort and enlisted fifteen associates in the cause. The road was finally located in Carlisle, at a loss to Mr. Alsop and his friends of $32,000. Those who are enjoying the benefits conferred cannot appreciate the sacrifice thus made in their behalf.
From the inauguration of the free school system Mr. Alsop gave it his financial aid and his unwavering support, looking forward to the time when education should become compulsory. One of his peculiar traits of character was his habit of coming to the rescue of a failing or an em- barrassed public enterprise, and by the timely advancement of money placing it on the highway to success. In 1870, much against his will, he was elected a member of the State Senate and served during the regular session of 1870-72, but no consideration whatever would induce him to accept a re-election. Though taking an interest in political affairs, he was averse to holding office. He was a sincere friend to the honest poor man, never refusing him either aid or sympathy. Enterprising and progres- sive he took an especial interest in the welfare of his adopted town, but whether his project was private or public always remembered his honor as a man. His death in 1876 was a sad loss to his family and a heavy loss to the community.
Mr. Alsop's marriage to Margaret Calvert occurred at Carlisle, Indiana, February 14, 1837, and seven children were born to them, as follows : William and Mary, who died young; Nancy and David, also de- ceased; Hannah, of this sketch; Isadora, wife of Charles P. Gwin, who resides in Georgia; and Anna C., widow of the late Frank Parvin. Mr. Parvin was born in Evansville, Indiana, and was there educated, begin- ning his business career as a dry goods merchant in association with his father. He afterward embarked in the drug business in that city, and carried it on successfully until failing health forced him to retire from active pursuits. He was a Republican in politics, and a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Mrs. Parvin was educated at DePauw College, where she received an excellent intellectual training.
Hannah F. Alsop received her elementary education in the public schools of Carlisle, afterward attending a female college in Terre Haute. On December 8, 1870, she married Thomas H. Jerauld, who was born in Patoka, Indiana, February 22, 1837, and died in that city, February 9, 1883. He received his collegiate education in Bloomington, Indiana, and was actively and successfully engaged in mercantile pursuits at Patoka until his death, being an honored and respected member of the community and a man of sterling integrity and worth. In politics, he was a stanch Republican. In April, 1884, Mrs. Jerauld returned to Carlisle, her girl-
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hood home, and has since resided there. She is an able business woman, and has, among other property, a farm of one hundred and seventy acres in Haddon township, from the rental of which she realizes a good income. The Bellevue Coal Company of Pennsylvania has recently sunk a coal shaft on Mrs. Jerauld's farm, and is now working vein No. 5. Mrs. Jerauld and her husband became the parents of four children, namely : Heber, who lives at home; Anna, who died in infancy; Margaret, who lived but sixteen months; and Charles G., who also resides with his mother. Religiously, Mrs. Jerauld is a member of the Presbyterian church. She has seen many changes in Carlisle since her girlhood days, and remembers driving with her father to Vincennes to take the train to Evansville before the railroad was completed as far north as Carlisle. It is hard for the younger people of this generation to realize the wonder- ful changes made in the every-day life of this day by the establishment of railways, telephones, telegraphs, and the rural free delivery service throughout the country.
GEORGE W. FUNK, a retired farmer and one of the early promoters of the Wabash levee, as well as the present gravel road system, whose excellent farm lies in the famous Wabash valley, but who now resides in. Carlisle, Sullivan county, is a native of Russellville, Lawrence county, Illinois, born March 24, 1851, a son of Henry H. and Martha (Petitt) Funk. The father was born in Virginia and the mother in North Carolina. They both had accompanied their parents to Lawrence county, Illinois, at an early day, being among the pioneer settlers in that region. The grandparents, Peter and Nancy Funk, both live in Lawr- ence county until their death, and both reached the advanced age of ninety years. Peter Funk was a miller and mill-wright, and operated the first mill ever run at Russellville, Illinois. He sold out, and later followed farming pursuits. While in the milling business he and his son, Henry M., attached a carding mill and a distillery to the mill proper. The son Henry W. also farmed in the latter years of his life and died when aged about sixty years, his wife dying when George W. was but three weeks old.
George W. Funk grew to man's estate surrounded by the scenes of country life, receiving his education at the common district school, begin- ning to work for himself at the age of nineteen years, by farming on a modest scale, with one horse in Gill township. He came to Sullivan county when he was about sixteen years old. He continued to farm in Gill township until the autumn of 1904, and had come to be an extensive farmer at this time (1908), owning eight hundred acres, all in Gill town- ship. This man's career only shows what may be accomplished by per- sistent labor and good management, in a free country where every man may become the architect of his own fortune. Besides his extensive farm, he owns considerable property in Carlisle and in Riverside, California; also has about $25,000 in money loaned out in California. He is also a
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stockholder in the People's State Bank, at Carlisle. He began the founda- tion of this handsome financial success, by working on a farm by the month. He has ever been progressive and alive to all public enterprises, and was the first petitioner to secure gravel roads, as highways, in Sulli- van county, starting on Gill Prairie. About 1871, he in company with Samuel Hammell, made an effort to put in a levee in Gill township, along the Wabash river, but were defeated by three votes. He also took active part in the promotion of the levee which was constructed some years since. Politically, Mr. Funk is a firm believer in, and supporter of the cardinal principles of the Democratic party. He is an honored member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Carlisle, belonging to the subordinate lodge.
February II, 1869, marked an important epoch in his life. On that day he married Mary C. Blackburn, a native of Lawrence county, Illinois, who died at the age of thirty-five years, the mother of seven children, born in the following order: Estella, deceased; Lavada, died in infancy ; the third and fourth children also died in infancy ; Arabelle, married G. W. Allen, and died at the age of twenty-four years, leaving daughters- Hattie and Erma, who are being cared for by Mr. and Mrs. Funk ; Nellie, deceased ; and George, deceased.
For his second wife, Mr. Funk married March 23, 1883, Harriet Cochran, born in Lawrence county, October 18, 1854. She was educated in the county in which she was born. The children of this union all died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Funk are members of the Christian church of which he served as an elder at Carlisle about twelve years. The last few winters, Mr. Funk has spent six months with his family, at Riverside, that, most beautiful winter resort in California. In August, 1890, he removed to Carlisle, where he now has a fine home residence.
JAMES W. CALVERT, one of the thoroughgoing agriculturists of Gill township, Sullivan county, Indiana, was born on Shaker Prairie, Knox county, Indiana, December 21, 1855. He is the son of Robert and Sarah (Snapp) Calvert. The father was a native of Kentucky and the mother of Indiana. The latter's parents were natives of Virginia. Robert Calvert, the father, was an early settler of Knox county, coming with his parents, both of whom died there. He con- tinued to live in Knox county and served from there in the Mexican war from 1846 to 1848, receiving a gunshot wound which caused his death in 1856, when his son of this notice was but one year old. The widow, later married and died in the autumn of 1860. The children of Robert and Sarah (Snapp) Calvert were as follows : Mary, wife of Peter Price, of Carlisle; John, deceased ; Ellen, widow Blann, of Oaktown, Knox county ; James W. of this notice.
Left fatherless when but a babe of about a year old, James W. Calvert has never known the aid, and watch-care of a father's love and manly strength, to guide him through the uncertain shoals of boyhood
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and youth. His educational opportunities were limited. He attended the schools of his district and Carlisle a few terms.
He made his home with an uncle in Carlisle, Indiana, until thirteen years of age, when he hired out to work for a farmer at twenty dollars the first year, and was defrauded out of this amount, including five dol- lars given him by his uncle as a present. However, the same unscrupulous man's father, out of shame and sympathy, bought young Calvert a suit of clothes. After this sad beginning, he found employment with another farmer at fifteen dollars a month and continued working there until twenty-seven years of age, when he purchased a team and the necessary implements and commenced farming in Knox county, remaining there about ten years. He kept "bachelor's hall" about three years, really a hard way in which to farm, but at all times he was cool and self-possessed. His next experience was in the purchase of a small farm in Gill township, which he soon sold and bought twenty-two acres. Two years later, he bought forty acres in Haddon township, to which he added, in 1907, forty acres more, making altogether a farm of 102 acres at the present time. On this fine place, he carries on general and stock farming, paying especial attention to swine and horses. In his political views, he is in accord with those of the Democratic party, while in church faith, he adheres to that of the Christian denomination. At one time, he was connected with the Odd Fellows order, but at this date has no lodge affiliations.
Mr. Calvert was happily united in marriage, February 12, 1885, to Miss Amanda O'Haver, daughter of Henry and Mary S. (Jewell) O'Haver, early settlers in Knox county, but who later removed to Sullivan county and the father still lives in Gill township, the mother having. died several years ago. Two children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Cal- vert : Arthur, deceased, and Urban B., unmarried, and employed in a wholesale meat house of Chicago.
WILLIAM Z. PAYNE has spent his entire life on the valuable home- stead on which he now resides, and which has been in the Payne family for three generations. He was born in Vigo county, Indiana, November 5, 1858, a son of Isaac T. and Emeline (Anderson) Payne and a grandson of Shadrach and Mary Payne, both of whom were born in Virginia. They were farming people there until their removal to Kentucky, from whence they came to Sullivan county, Indiana, in 1835, and entered the one hundred and sixty acre farm which is now the home of their grandson William. They spent the remainder of their lives in this county, and were the parents of seven children, of whom the fol- lowing two are now living: Bennett, at Oblong, Illinois, and Melvina Blackburn, a resident of Bedford, Indiana.
Isaac T. Payne, one of the sons of that family, was born during the residence of his parents in Kentucky, September 5, 1830. He too, was an agriculturist throughout his entire business life, and lived on his farm of eighty acres here all his life, with the exception of ten years spent
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in Vigo county, his death occurring here in 1904. His wife died in 1900. She was born in Fairbanks township, Sullivan county, May 18, 1830, the same year as her husband, and their family numbered but two children, William Z. and his sister, Mary Williams, whose home is in Vigo county.
William Z. Payne, the younger, remained with his parents until their death, and on the 4th of September, 1879, he was married to Mary E. Martin, who was born in Middletown, Vigo county, Indiana, February 4, 1858, a daughter of William and Violet Martin, the mother surviving her husband and residing in Sullivan. The four children of this union are : Walter F., who married Ida Harlan, and is one of the well known physicians of Middletown; Bertha Marts, whose home is in Hamilton township; James W., who married Lilly Thomson, and is a mail carrier of Shelburn ; and Claucie, at home.
Mr. Payne began life for himself on his father's farm, which he purchased before the latter's death, and his estate now numbers eighty acres, and he is engaged in general farming and stock raising. His poli- tics are Democratic, and he is a member of both the Odd Fellows lodge, No. 420, at Shelburn, and of the Christian church, Mrs. Payne being also a member of that denomination. They are people of the highest worth of character, and Curry township is proud to claim them among her residents.
WILLIAM L. LAURENT, who has attained prominence in the real estate circles of Sullivan county, was born in Leopold, Perry county, Indiana, September 22, 1875, a son of August and Catherine (Allard) Laurent, both of whom were of French descent, and the father was born in that country in 1846, while the mother was born in Perry county, Indiana, in 1852. August Laurent came with his parents to the United States when but seven years of age, the family locating in Leopold, Indiana, where they were farming people, but they died shortly after their emigration to this country. After the death of his parents August learned the mason and marble cutters' trade, and followed those occupations until within a short time of his death, which occurred in 1901. He was a Republican politically, a Mason fraternally, and both he and his wife were members of the Catholic church. She is now living with her son William in Shelburn. Her parents, Francis and Mary (Belva) Allard, came from their native land of France to the United States about 1831, locating first in Kentucky, from whence they removed to Leopold, Indiana, and remained there during the rest of their lives. Mr. Allard was a merchant of that city until the breaking out of the Civil war, also a notary, and after the close of the conflict he gar- dened and took care of his notary work, dying about 1888, at the age of eighty-seven years. His wife was seventy-five years of age at the time of her death in 1905. She was a member of a prominent and well known family in France. Nine children were born to August and Catherine Allard Laurent, namely: Joseph, who died when young; John, whose
Johan Ridgeway
Muss Jesusha G. Ridgeway
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home is in Stoy, Illinois ; Edward, of Greenville, Indiana ; William L., who is mentioned later; Frank, whose home is in Willisville, Illinois; August R., of Evansville, Indiana; Mamie, who is residing with her brother William ; and Joseph and Henry, who died in infancy.
After completing his education in the common schools. William L. Laurent worked in a general mercantile store for two and a half years, having charge of the postoffice at the same time, and during the ten years following this period he worked in the mines. Coming to Shelburn, Indiana, in March of 1903, he opened a real estate and insurance office here, and is now the proprietor of a real estate, loan, insurance, collection and rental office, enjoying a large and lucrative patronage. In politics he is a stanch Republican, and takes an active part in the local councils of his party, while at the present time he is serving as the committeeman of his precinct. He believes in the social organizations for the protection of the laboring men, and while at the mines he was an active member of the mine organizations. His fraternal relations connect him with the Red Men, Utah Tribe No. 213, at Shelburn, with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, lodge No. 603 at Hymera, and with the auxiliaries of both orders ; with the K. of C. council No. 541, Terre Haute, Indiana, and with the Modern Woodmen of America, camp 13563, Shelburn, Indiana.
The marriage of Mr. Laurent was celebrated September 26, 1906, at St. Mary's church at Sullivan, Indiana, when Sadie M. Stadley became his wife. She was born in Greensburg, Indiana, a daughter of Edward and Julia Stadley, the latter deceased, but the father is now living in Shelburn. He farmed until he came here in 1905.
JOHN RIDGEWAY, deceased, who in his lifetime lived in Fairbanks township and was numbered among the most thrifty and successful farmers of Sullivan county, was born in Gill township, four miles west of Sullivan, January 13, 1851. He was the son of Otho and Nancy E. (Pinkston) Ridgeway, natives of Kentucky. The parents came to Sulli- van county, Indiana, as children, and when old enough were married. They owned a farm in Turman township until the death of the father in 1863. His wife, now eighty-one years old, lives with her children.
There were four sons and four daughters in this family and the third born of the four sons was John Ridgeway of this memoir. He attended the district schools until twelve years of age, at which time his father died, and afterward he, with his older brother Albert, con- ducted the home farm until Albert married and then John carried on the place until after his own marriage, July 30, 1871, to Violet Kelley. She was born in Fairbanks township, a daughter of Perry and Martha (Whitlock) Kelley, both natives of Kentucky. A few years later Mr. Ridgeway purchased a farm of his own in Fairbanks township, upon which he erected a large two-story house in 1882, having previously built the barns. The old one-story house on the place is still in use as a cellar and smokehouse. This farm contains one hundred and seventy-one
Vol. II-6
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acres, fifty acres being in timber land. which Mr. Ridgeway cleared off and placed under good cultivation. The farmhouse is in fine view of the famous and picturesque Wabash valley, and the house is surrounded by beautiful shade and ornamental trees. Besides this homestead Mr. Ridgeway secured for himself three hundred and sixty acres on the river bottoms, six hundred and forty acres in Kiowa county, Kansas, and one hundred and six acres in Clark county, Illinois, and several other places within the state of Indiana. He always followed farming for his occupation, and in it achieved merited success. He made a specialty of stock raising in conjunction with his agricultural operations.
Mr. Ridgeway was twice married, first to Violet Kelley on July 30, 1871. By her he had the following children: Otho C., born December 30, 1874, died September 5, 1875; Carsa E., April 5, 1877, now Mrs. George Adams, of Vigo county, Indiana ; Harold G., born May 6, 1883, died May 25, 1883. Mrs. Ridgeway died June 8, 1883. For his second wife Mr. Ridgeway married, December 24, 1884, Jerusha A. Rose, born in Turman township January 24, 1866, a daughter of John T. and Rebecca (Drake) Rose. The father was born in North Carolina and the mother in Fairbanks township, Sullivan county, Indiana. The grand- parents were Thomas and Jerusha Rose. By his last marriage the children born to Mr. Ridgeway were: Lora A., born April 26, 1887, a student in Georgetown College, entering in 1904, is now Mrs. Thomas M. Durham, of Turman township, and Hervey J., born August 7, 1896, entered Notre Dame College January 2, 1909, for collegiate training.
Mr. Ridgeway died February 3, 1905. He was a Republican in politics and was a member of the Odd Fellows' order at Graysville. In church connections he was a Methodist, a member of the Kingsley chapel in Fairbanks township, as is also his wife.
JOHN H. ALLEN, the well known furniture dealer and under- taker of Farmersburg, has been engaged in business in this city since 1904, when he sold his farm and bought the furniture and undertaking business where he is now established. He studied under- taking under efficient directions, and also has a diploma from the Barnes School of Anatomy and Sanitary Science of Embalming.
Mr. Allen was born in Linton township of Vigo county, Indiana, April 24, 1863, a son of Robert and Elizabeth (Williams) Allen, and a grandson of Josiah and Rebecca Allen, both of whom were born in Ire- land. They came to America before their marriage, living for a time in Virginia, removing some time after their marriage to Kentucky, where Mr. Allen followed his professions of surveying, and school teaching, having been an efficient teacher for sixty years. He also owned a farm there. There were eleven children in their family, but none are now living, and among the number was Robert, who was born in Spencer county, Kentucky, March 28, 1814, and when sixteen years of age he
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graduated from Bacon College in Kentucky. During the remainder of his life he taught school and farmed, coming to Vigo county soon after his marriage, and he resided there during the remainder of his life, dying on the 23d of December, 1891. His wife, Elizabeth Williams, was born in Bullitt county, Kentucky, October 9, 1820, and died on the 27th of June, 1892. She was his third wife, and they had six children : Robert C., who was born on the old homestead farm in Linton township, July 14, 1866, married Gertrude Risinger, and yet resides on the homestead ; Sarah A. Allen, born August 29, 1861, married Charles P. Miller and lives in Terre Haute; John H., the subject of this review ; and Hannah E., born December 29; 1867, became the wife of Thomas L. Davis and lives in Linton township, Vigo county.
John H. Allen remained at home until his marriage, in the meantime studying surveying and civil engineering under his father, and after his marriage he located on a farm in Linton township, Vigo county, owning one hundred and twenty acres, and during his residence on the farm he served for five years and three months as a trustee. In February of 1904 he sold his farm, and after traveling for a year came to Farmersburg and purchased the furniture and undertaking business where he is now located. His politics are Democratic, and he is a member of the town board and the president of the financial board. He is also a member of the Grange, in Linton township, Vigo county, Indiana.
On the Ist of November, 1896, Mr. Allen was married to Manna Russell, who was born in Sullivan county, Indiana, March 23, 1872, a daughter of Spencer and Elizabeth (Gaskins) Russell. The mother was also born in Sullivan county, April 15, 1838, and she died in March of 1891, while the father was born January II, 1826, in Spencer county, Kentucky, and died in Vigo county, Indiana, May 9, 1905. He was a farmer .all his life. Mrs. Allen has been a member of the Church of Christ since she was thirteen years of age.
AMANDA (DE BAUN) SHERMAN .- Mrs. Sherman has spent many years of her life in Sullivan county, and is loved and honored for her many sterling characteristics, for her Christian character and for her life of usefulness and helpfulness. She was born near Middletown, in Vigo county, Indiana, August 13, 1840, a daughter of Samuel and Phylinda (Shattuck) De Baun. The father was born on the 14th of January, 1820, in Mercer county, Kentucky, and is now living with his daughter in Farmersburg, but the mother, born April 2, 1817, in the state of New York, died on the 14th of February, 1866.
Samuel De Baun is a son of Samuel, Sr., a native of Kentucky, and he in turn was a son of Joseph De Baun, who was of French descent and was a stone mason throughout his life. His son Samuel embraced the occupation of agriculture. He came to Sullivan county, Indiana, in 1831 and died here in 1833, of cholera. His wife, two of his own children and
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a son-in-law were also stricken with the dread disease and died. There were nine children in the family of Samuel De Baun, but all are now deceased with the exception of the son Samuel.
Samuel De Baun, Jr., was only thirteen years of age when his father died, and he was yet in his teens when he engaged in the grocery busi- ness, but after his marriage he turned his attention to farming in Vigo county and became the owner of seventy-two acres of land. He left the farm after the death of his wife in 1866, and three years afterward, in 1869, he married Susan Earnest, and in the same year went to Shelby- ville, Illinois, where he was engaged in the coal business until the death of his second wife in 1886. Coming then to Sullivan county, Indiana, he was engaged in buying and selling live stock until his retirement in 1904. Of the eight children born to Mr. and Mrs. De Baun, five are now living, namely: Amanda, who is mentioned later; William S., who was born December 13, 1841, and resides in El Reno, Oklahoma; Mar- garet A., born February 26, 1843, resides in Farmersburg; Alonzo, born April II, 1845, died in infancy ; Phylinda and Hilinda, twins, born December 23, 1846, died in infancy ; Emily R., born November 9, 1848, resides in Farmersburg; and Isabelle A., born July 18, 1851, is also a resident of Farmersburg.
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