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 15
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Like all true American citizens, Mr. Nash is somewhat interested in politics, but not as an office seeker, for his time and attention is thoroughly wrapped up in his agriculture and stockraising. He votes with the Democratic party. As a protection to his family, in case of his death, he holds membership with that most thoroughly reliable beneficiary society, the Modern Woodmen of America, belonging to Camp No. 3332 at Carlisle.
He was married October 30, 1889, to Stella J. Purcell, born in Haddon township, October 2, 1871, daughter of W. W. and Rachel L. (Creager) Purcell, both of whom were natives of Sullivan county, Indiana. The father died June 7, 1894, and the mother still lives at Paxton. Their two children were: J. E. M. Purcell, who lives in Haddon township, and Mrs. Nash. Mr. and Mrs. Nash are the parents of six children, born in the following order: Dona Maude, born Sep- tember 27, 1890, expects to graduate from the high school at Carlisle with the class of 1909; William Carlton, born October 4, 1892: Lillie Mabel, June 26, 1894 ; Rachel Naomi, December 15, 1896 ; Harold Eugene, July 24, 1901 ; Helen Louise, September 16, 1905. Mrs. Nash and her daughters, Dona Maude and Lillie Mabel and the son William are members of the Methodist Episcopal church in Paxton, Indiana.
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HISTORY OF SULLIVAN COUNTY
JOHN W. WALTERS, one of Sullivan county's progressive farmers, whose farm home is situated in Haddon township, is a native of this part of Sullivan county, born April 12, 1856, a son of Joel O. and Nancy (Land) Walters. The father was born in Jessamine county, Kentucky, January 18, 1824, one of seven children born to Luke and Evarilla (Lamb) Walters, who were natives of Virginia, but who settled in Ken- tucky and removed from that state to Sullivan county, Indiana, in 1830. They resided in Haddon township the remainder of their days. The mother of John W. Walters was born in Haddon township, September 8, 1823, and died in 1895, her husband dying two years previous to her death. Nancy Land was a daughter of James R. and Jane (Willis) Land, who was twice married, Nancy being a daughter by the first marriage. Joel O. and Nancy (Land) Walters were united in marriage March 28, 1848, and to their union ten children were born, of whom the following are living: Mahala, widow of James H. Willis; John W., of this biography ; and Permellia. The remainder of the family are all deceased.
Joel O. Walters was a very successful farmer, and at one time owned three hundred acres of land. Politically he was a firm supporter of the Democratic party, while both he and his faithful wife were members of the Christian church. The great-grandfathers on both sides were in the Revolutionary war, and two great uncles were in the war of 1812; two second cousins also served in the Mexican war, and three uncles were in the Civil war. None of this number who went forth to defend their country ever received a wound.
John W. Walters, son of Joel O., was reared on his father's farm and remained at home until twenty-five years of age, then began farming for himself in Haddon township, continuing until the present time. In the spring of 1882 he purchased a farm of eighty acres in the northeast part of the township. This he sold in the autumn of 1882 and bought sixty-six acres where he now lives. To this he has added until he now has one hundred and eighty-six acres, situated a half mile west of Paxton. Here he carries on in a most successful manner both grain and stock farming. He handles considerable stock, and ships from one to two carloads each year. Besides his extensive farm operations, he is one of the stockholders in the Carlisle Telephone Company. In his political belief he is a Prohibitionist, believing as he does, that the liquor business in all of its evil forms, will never be controlled or totally suppressed by either of the old political parties.
April 1, 1881, Mr. Walters was married to Anna Nash, born near Paxton, Sullivan county, Indiana, October 31, 1860, and educated in her native county. She is a daughter of James L. and Sarah (Ross) Nash, both being natives of Haddon township, Sullivan county. James L. Nash was born March 16, 1829, and was one of the nine children born to Marvel W. and Leah (Love) Nash, who were counted among the pioneers of Sullivan county, and came in from the state of Kentucky. September 16, 1854, James L. Nash married Sarah J. Ross, born in Sullivan county, July 9, 1835. To this union four children were born :
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Sala thiel Boone
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Mrs Salathiel Boone
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HISTORY OF SULLIVAN COUNTY
Robert D., of Shelburn; John M., of Paris, California, where he is a professor in the high schools; Leah Ann, Mrs. Walters; Marvel, residing in Vigo county, Indiana, now telegraph operator and also ownis a farm in Haddon township. Sarah J. (Ross) Nash died December 25, 1873. James L. Nash then married Eliza J. (Summers) Curry. Mr. Nash owned at one time about four hundred and twenty-five acres of land, and represented his county in the state legislature in the session of 1875. He was instrumental in securing the passage of the "Fees and Salaries" bill, as well as one for reducing taxes in the state. He was a county commissioner for four years, and in church connection was an elder in the Christian church. He died November 10, 1896, and his widow now resides on the old homestead.
To Mr. and Mrs. Walters were born nine children, as follows: Lorena, born December 29, 1881, attended the University at Vincennes and also the Union Christian College at Merom, Indiana, is now the wife of Carl Gobin, residing in Haddon township; James Nash, born March 7, 1884, unmarried, took a course in the Correspondence School of Scran- ton, Pennsylvania, after which he went to Buffalo and engaged with the Bell Telephone Company, and is now superintendent of maintainance of the cable at Rochester, New York; Bessie, born September 20, 1885, unmarried, educated in the common schools and now at home; Joel E., born September 27, 1887, died May II, 1888; William L., born June 17. 1889, unmarried and at home ; Melvin E., born March 7, 1891, unmarried and attending the Carlisle high school; Jennie, born March 10, 1895; Marvil W., born November 12, 1897 ; R. Ross, born July 25, 1899. Mr. and Mrs. Walters, together with their family, are members of the Christian church, of which he has been a elder eleven years, as well as' chairman of the official board.
SALATHIEL BOONE .- Holding a position of prominence among the foremost agriculturists of Sullivan county is Salathiel Boone, of Haddon township, an extensive landholder, a leading stock raiser and feeder, and a keen, wideawake business man. A native of Sullivan county, his birth occurred August 9, 1853, in Fairbanks township. When he was a year old he was brought by his parents to Haddon township, where he lived until six years of age. The following eight years he lived near Sullivan, and in the public schools of Hamilton township received his early education.
Coming, when a lad of fourteen years to Haddon township, Salathiel Boone lived with James J. Snyder, one mile north of Carlisle, for eleven years, during the last four years of the time working the Snyder farm on shares. In the fall of 1878, about six months after his marriage, Mr. Boone bought ninety-four acres of land lying east of Carlisle, and remained here until the fall of 1880. Selling then at an advantage, he purchased the Crantz farm, lying two miles east of Carlisle, and has here resided since. Succeeding well in his undertakings, Mr. Boone subse-
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HISTORY OF SULLIVAN COUNTY
quently bought fifty-five acres of the Ellis farm, which adjoins his, and eighty-five acres of the McConnell farm, having now in his home farm two hundred and fifty-five acres of rich and productive land. In addition to his home estate he also owns three other farms, having title in all to five hundred and fifteen acres. For many years Mr. Boone has made a specialty of raising fine blooded horses, and has now two registered French draft mares, and is part owner of the French draft stallion "Model." He is an extensive feeder of stock, feeding from two to six carloads of cattle every year, and he also raises and sells from one hundred to three hundred head of hogs per annum. His estate, which is one of the finest in the vicinity, is, with its valuable improvements and equip- ments, a visible evidence of his industry, energy and good judgment. "
On April 24, 1878, Mr. Boone married Sue Blything, who was born in Sullivan county June 25, 1853, and was here brought up and educated. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Boone, namely: James, born December 26, 1880; Jesse, born August 5, 1883; Jennie, born December 18, 1886; and Robert, born August 2, 1890. James, now living with his parents on the farm, completed his education at Purdue Univer- sity, and was associated with Dr. J. R. Whalen and J. F. Alumbaugh in the construction of the gravel and rock roads of the county. He is a Mason, belonging to Carlisle Lodge, No. 3, A. F. & A. M. Jennie is the wife of Bert Lisman, of Haddon township.
Mr. Boone is actively identified with many of the more important interests of this locality. He was one of the organizers of the First National Bank of Carlisle, of which he is a stockholder and a director ; he was also one of the organizers of the Carlisle Telephone Company, in which he is still a large stockholder, and of which he was for a number of years the president; he also assisted in organizing both the Carlisle Canning Company, which was operated three years, and the Carlisle Creamery, which existed about ten years, and of which he was president for sometime, and one of the directorate the greater part of the time.
Politically Mr. Boone is a stanch Democrat, and since January I, 1905, has served as county commissioner. Fraternally he is a member, and worshipful master, of Carlisle Lodge, No. 3, A. F. & A. M., of the Eastern Star, of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and of the Modern Woodmen of America. When seventeen years old he united with the Christian church and is a trustee and a deacon of the church in Carlisle, to which his wife and children also belong.
RICHARD T. WILLIS .- The substantial and well-to-do citizens of Haddon township, Sullivan county, have no better representative than Richard T. Willis, who holds high rank among the systematic, progressive and business-like farmers that are so ably conducting the extensive agricultural interests of this part of Sullivan county. He is surely a native and to the manor birth, his birth having occurred on the farm where he now resides, July 17, 1854. He is a son of the late Edward
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Willis, and grandson of Richard Willis, who emigrated from Kentucky to Indiana in 1832, took up land in Haddon township, and here spent his remaining years. He was a life-long farmer, and was, also, very, fond of hunting, being an expert marksman.
Born at Crab Orchard, Kentucky, January 10, 1826. Edward Willis was but a child when he came with his parents to Haddon township. Finding farming congenial to his tastes, he was successfully engaged in agricultural pursuits during his entire life, at the time of his death, which occurred in 1903. being owner of about nine hundred acres of good land in Haddon township. He was a man of influence in public affairs, in his earlier life belonging to the Democratic party, but in later years supporting the principles of the Republican party. He was a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, and at one time belonged to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Religiously he was identified by membership with the Christian church. The maiden name of his wife was Pamelia Shake. She was born in Kentucky, June 10, 1826, a daughter of David Shake, who came to Haddon township about the same time that Richard Willis did. She is now living in Carlisle, Indiana. To her and her husband twelve children were born, as follows : John W., of Carlisle; James, deceased ; David, of Carlisle; Richard T., of this sketch; L. H., of Hamilton township; W. D., deceased; Louisa, deceased ; Fannie, wife of Rush McCammon, of Carlisle ; Anna, deceased ; Minnie, deceased; Ardimeca, of Carlisle; and George B., of Haddon township.
Growing to manhood on the home farm, Richard T. Willis obtained his elementary education in the district schools and remained a member of the parental household until twenty-six years old. He then began farming for himself in Haddon township, in the fall of 1888 returning to the old homestead, where he has since resided. He has dealt quite extensively in real estate, especially in farming property, and is now owner of four hundred and six acres of land in the township. He carries on general farming, raising both grain and stock, and has been a heavy cattle feeder and hog raiser, owning now one hundred and seventy hogs, and two carloads of cattle. He takes great interest in the welfare of his native town and county, and is always ready to lend his assistance in the establishment of beneficial enterprises. He was one of the organizers, and is a director, of the First National Bank of Carlisle. and is a stock- holder in the Carlisle Telephone Company. In his political affiliations he has been identified with the Democratic party.
On March 14, 1882, Mr. Willis married Emma F. Plummer, who was born in Marion county, Indiana, March 17, 1857, a daughter of Samuel and Melinda (Boatman) Plummer, the former of whom was born in Ohio. and the latter in Kentucky. In 1868 Mr. and Mrs. Plummer located in Sullivan county. and here spent the remainder of their lives. Nine children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Willis, namely: Josephine, living at home: Grover, deceased; Scott, now living at home, married Zelma Near. who died in April, 1908, leaving one child, Harold Edward ; Clara, Teacher, Denver. Okie, Clem and Celia. Mr. and Mrs. R. T.
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Willis have in their possession two of the old parchment deeds executed under the hand and seal of President Van Buren, and dated respectively August 5, 1837, and September 5, 1838. These deeds are valuable souvenirs in Sullivan county.
BAILEY MCCONNELL .- Occupying a position of prominence among the native-born citizens of Haddon township, noteworthy for their ability, integrity and enterprise is Bailey McConnell, a practical and progressive agriculturist, actively and successfully employed in general farming. A son of Andrew McConnell, he was born April 9, 1840, in Haddon town- ship, of thrifty Scotch ancestry. His grandfather, McConnell, emigrated from Scotland, the land of his birth, to America in 1805, bringing with him his family. In 1806 he located in Haddon township, becoming one of the original householders of this part of Sullivan county, and on the farm which he improved, lying about two miles east of Carlisle, Bailey McConnell, of this sketch, was born.
Born in Scotland in 1798, Andrew McConnell was but eight years old when he came to Indiana. As soon as old enough to wield an axe or a hoe, he began to assist in the pioneer labor of clearing and improving a homestead, and during his entire life was engaged in tilling the soil, meeting with good success in his efforts. He was a man of strong con- victions, earnest in the support of principles which he believed to be right, and while identified with the Democratic party before the Civil war, was a Republican after its close. Andrew McConnell married Nancy Johnson, whose father was an early settler of Haddon township, and the land, situated about three miles south of Carlisle, that Mr. Johnson took up from the government and improved, is the farm upon which Bailey McConnell has lived during the past quarter of a century. Of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Andrew McConnell, nine children were born, as follows: Elizabeth, widow of William Harper, resides in Haddon town- ship; John, of Sullivan; Virginia, deceased; Turner, deceased; Bailey, of this sketch ; Margaret, deceased; Sarah Barthenia, deceased ; Laura, wife of Ellis Greenfield, of Carlisle ; and Mary, deceased.
Reared to agricultural pursuits, Bailey McConnell was educated in the district schools. On July 13, 1862, inspired by true patriotic spirit, he enlisted in Company K, Eightieth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, as a private, but was afterwards promoted to second lieutenant, then to first lieutenant, finally being commissioned captain of his company, a rank that he held until the close of the war. He saw hard service while in the army, his company, which numbered one hundred sound men at the time of enlistment, being reduced to twenty-four when mustered out of service in 1865, on June 28. Mr. McConnell took part in many of the important engagements of the conflict, among them being those at Perry- ville, Resaca, Knoxville, Atlanta, Franklin, Nashville, and at Fort Ander- son, North Carolina. Returning home after receiving his discharge, June 24, 1865, Mr. McConnell resumed farming, and in the pursuit of his
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independent calling has been exceedingly prosperous, now owning between four hundred and six hundred acres of rich and fertile land. Since 1873 he has resided on his present homestead, which was bought from the government by his Grandfather Johnson. Many valuable improvements have been made on the place by Mr. McConnell, including the erection of his handsome residence, a brick structure, which stands back a few rods from the street, on one of the finest building spots imaginable. He carries on general farming, and buys and feeds con- siderable stock each year, finding stockraising a profitable industry. He owns stock in the Peoples State Bank of Carlisle, a prosperous institution. In politics he is a Republican, and in social circles is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, Geo. Rotranund Post, No. 445, at Carlisle.
On September 29, 1870, Mr. McConnell married Jennie O. McDowell, who was born April 29, 1852, in Columbiana county, Ohio, a daughter of Dr. James McDowell. Dr. McDowell was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, June 19, 1820, a son of James and Catherine ( McCarthy) McDowell, and there began the study of medicine with Dr. James Martin. Fitted for a professional career, he located as a physician at Moore's Salt Works, on Big Yellow creek, in Jefferson county, Ohio, where he remained from 1842 until 1854. The following seven years he was engaged in the practice of medicine in Columbiana county, Ohio, after which he returned to Moore's Salt Works, and was there a few years. Coming from there to Sullivan county, Indiana, in 1865, Dr. McDowell located in Jefferson township, and was successfully engaged in his pro- fessional calling at Pleasantville until his death, October 6, 1892. He married Carolina Erwin, and they became the parents of five children, namely: Hon. M. M. McDowell, M. D., a practicing physician at Vin- cennes, Indiana, now serving as state senator : James McDowell, M. D., of Bruceville ; L. C. McDowell, M. D., of Freelandsville ; Jennie O., wife of Mr. McConnell ; and Catherine, deceased. Mr. and Mrs. McConnell have one child, James McConnell, a lumber and grain dealer in Carlisle, of whom a brief sketch may be found on another page of this work. Mrs. McConnell is a woman of culture and talent, having received her educa- tion at Farmersburg College under the instruction of Professor Craw- ford. Both Mr. and Mrs. McConnell are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and are among its most faithful and active workers.
GEORGE WASHINGTON WATSON .- Trained to habits of industry and honesty, and familiar with farming pursuits from boyhood, George W. Watson, of Haddon township, is numbered among the substantial and prosperous agriculturists of this part of Sullivan county, being the owner of one of the best improved and best managed farms in this vicinity. A native of Indiana, he was born, September 4, 1842, in Martin county, a son of Singleton Wilson Watson.
A lifelong resident of Indiana, Singleton W. Watson was born August II, 1809, and died August 22, 1876, in Knox county. Choosing agricul-
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HISTORY OF SULLIVAN COUNTY
ture as his means of making a livelihood, he began his career as a farmer and stock raiser in Martin county, from whence he came to Sullivan county during the fifties, settling in Haddon township, where he was employed in tilling the soil until his retirement from active labor, his last years being spent with his children. His wife, whose maiden name was Hannah Albright, was born in Indiana, June 29, 1813, and died in Sullivan county, March 4, 1864. Her father, John Henry Albright, a life- long farmer, was born in Pennsylvania, and died in Martin county, Indi- ana. Thirteen children were born of the union of S. W. and Hannah (Albright) Watson, as follows: John H., deceased, was born July 13, 1833; Sarah Ann, deceased, was born July 12, 1834; Elizabeth, born October 13, 1837, died March 13, 1883; Joseph R., born February 7, 1840, resides in Knox county ; George W., of this sketch; James R., residing in Knox county, was born November 19, 1844; Thomas R., born November 19, 1846, is a resident of Oaktown, Indiana; Weston R., born November 22, 1848, died June 26, 1873 ; Benjamin F., born February 27, 1851, died April 6, 1879; Singleton W., of Huntington county, Indiana, was born February 28, 1853; Mary H., born April 19, 1855, died January 4, 1879; Willis W., born October II, 1857, resides in Huntington county, Indiana ; and a child that died in infancy.
Leaving home at the age of fifteen years, George W. Watson worked by the month on the farm of Samuel Johnson, afterwards being similarly employed for a year in Knox county. On July 6, 1861, responding to the call for troops, he enlisted in Company D, Twenty-first Indiana Heavy Artillery, and served as a private until honorably discharged, at New Orleans, July 31, 1864. He took part in many engagements, including those at Baton Rouge, Donaldsonville, St. Charles, Bisland, and at Port Hudson, where the siege lasted forty-five days, and during the entire period of his enlistment, although often under fire, was fortunate enough to escape without a wound. He now receives a pension for his services to his country in her time of need. On returning to his home, Mr. Watson began farming on his own account in Haddon township, and in his free and independent vocation has met with well merited success. He has accumulated a good property, and in addition to the home estate owns a farm of forty acres in Jefferson township, and supervises its management. He is a stanch Republican in politics, influential in local affairs, and for several years has been a member of the Republican precinct committee. Socially, he belongs to Carlisle Post, No. 445, G. A. R.
On June 26, 1870, Mr. Watson married Helen C. Berry, who was born in Knox county, Indiana, July 19, 1850. Her father, William A. Berry, was born, October 5, 1800, in Shenandoah county, Virginia, and died in Knox county, Indiana, October 18, 1861. When about fourteen years of age, he went to Kentucky, where he followed his trades of a blacksmith and carpenter for a number of years. Coming to Knox county, Indiana, in 1840, he improved a farm, and also worked at his trades, con- tinuing residence there until his death. He married Lucinda Million, who was born in Jefferson county, Kentucky, April 11, 1805, and died January 28, 1867, in Indiana. Both were members of the Baptist church. Twelve
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children were born of their union, namely: Lydia K., born March 17, 1828, died July 23, 1885; Daniel T., born July 27, 1829, died April 8, 1908; John M., born November 8, 1830, resides in Greene county, Indiana ; William A., of Knox county, Indiana, was born August 19, 1832; Amanda E., born July 14, 1834, resides in Knox county; Susan A., residing in Jefferson township, born April 16, 1836, is the wife of Alexander Rob- bins; James L., born October 30, 1837, is a resident of Indianapolis ; Angeline, widow of the late John Miller, of Carlisle, was born November I, 1839; Sarah E., born January 21, 1848, died September 12, 1901 ; Helen C., wife of Mr. Watson; and two children that died in infancy.
Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Watson, namely: Nora Ollie, born September 24, 1871, died April 4, 1879; Jennie M., born Jan- uary 29, 1875, was educated in the Carlisle schools and at the State Normal College in Terre Haute, and taught school three terms in Haddon town- ship and one term in Pearson township; Otto Dare, born October 4, 1877, died March 17, 1879; and Carl A., born January 12, 1880, now a photog- rapher in Terre Haute, married Nora Shake, and they have one son, Dwight C., and one daughter, Mildred Florence, who died when two months old. Religiously, Mr. Watson belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church, while his wife and daughter are members of the Baptist church.
JAMES H. PADGETT .- Prosperously engaged in the calling upon which our nation's wealth and strength so largely depends, James H. Padgett, of Haddon township, holds an assured position among the systematic and skilful agriculturists of Sullivan county. The descendant of a pio- neer family of prominence, he was born, January 3, 1848, in this town- ship, a son of the late Theophilus Padgett. His grandfather Padgett was one of the earliest settlers of Haddon township, coming here in the very early period of its settlement, at the time of his arrival there being but two houses between Carlisle and Pleasantville.
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