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 28
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died on the homestead in which had centered so large a part of her life work and affections, on the 8th of February, 1884.
Orren Stoddard attended the first school erected in his home town of Linden, and lived to see four educational institutions erected near the same site-first, a log school house ; secondly, a one-story frame building ; thirdly, a two-story frame structure; and fourthly, a substantial modern brick edifice. After exhausting the educational facilities provided by the Linden schools, he attended college for a time at Merom, and in August, 1862, enlisted in the Seventv-second Regiment Indiana Volunteer In- fantry for service in the Civil war. After serving for some time in the ranks of Company K of that regiment, which was attached to the Wilder brigade, he was discharged because of disability and returned to his old home. Having recuperated, in May, 1864, he re-enlisted in the One Hundred and Thirty-fifth Indiana Regiment, Company D, in what was known as the hundred-day service. At the expiration of that time he was honorably discharged, having been promoted from the ranks to the position of first corporal, and among his most valued relics is the certifi- cate of his hundred days' service signed by Abraham Lincoln.
In September, 1864, Dr. Stoddard returned from the front to teach school at his home in Linden, his first charge being the Horner school, three miles east of town. He later taught in Linden itself, and still later attended the Union Christian College at Merom. In the following year he went to Iowa and for a number of months engaged in the cattle business, but returned to Linden to commence his medical studies under Dr. McMurry.
After pursuing his studies for a year under Dr. McMurry, Dr. Stod- dard was matriculated at Rush Medical College, Chicago, spending the years 1868 and 1869 in that institution. In the latter year he associated himself in the grocery and drug business with his brother, John D., and also became interested in various other mercantile ventures. The period from 1882 to 1884 was devoted to farming, but in 1886, having graduated from the Indiana Medical College, he removed to Merom, after which for twenty years he gave his entire attention and abilities to the practice of medicine. The doctor has been an earnest member of the Christian church since he was sixteen years of age. A stanch Republican until 1884, since that time, inspired by the teachings of his honored mother, he has been an uncompromising and influential prohibitionist. He has never sought office, having been quite content to do his utmost in forwarding the movement in which he so thoroughly believes, irrespective of personal considerations or prominence.
Dr. Stoddard was married May 18, 1868, to Miss Arminta Mont- gomery, born at Linden, Montgomery county, Indiana, on the 6th of March, 1850, daughter of Harvey H. and Malinda (Fullen) Montgomery. Her father was a native of the same county, born on the 7th of April, 1822, and her mother's birthplace was near Connersville, Indiana, on the south fork of the White river, February 20, 1820. It is supposed that the maternal grandfather was a native of Pennsylvania and the first set- tler of Indianapolis, Pogue's run, of that city, being named in his honor.
WILLIAM H. BROWN
Mrs Julia Brown
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He came to Indiana at a very early day, served under Harrison at the battle of Tippecanoe, and shortly afterward went to Montgomery county, where he spent the remainder of his life. The grandmother had died many years prior to his decease. Harvey H. Montgomery, the father, was a farmer when he joined the American army bound for Mexico ; he fought at Monterey, Buena Vista and other critical battles, and at the conclusion of the war returned to the fields and his familiar life. The widow continued on the farm for a short time; then removed to Linden, and, while on a visit to Crawfordsville, Indiana, died suddenly on the 15th of August, 1905.
Four children were born to Dr. and Mrs. Stoddard: Bard Wells, Clay Halden, James McCann and Orren Deans Stoddard. Bard W. Stoddard was born December 10, 1869, and after teaching in various col- leges of the country he entered the manufacturing field and is now assist- ant superintendent of Van Camp's canning establishment at Indianapolis. He married Miss Beatrice Musetta Osler, an artist of especial talent in the decoration of china and a native of Carson, Iowa. Clay Halden Stod- dard, unmarried, was born October 22, 1873, and is a composer and teacher of instrumental music at Indianapolis, Indiana. Dr. James M. Stoddard, born May 6, 1878, is a practicing physician and surgeon of Anderson, Indiana, and married Miss Ruby Eunice Palmer, a native of that place. Orren D., born November 1, 1888, is at present a student in the normal course of the Union Christian College, at Merom, all of the sons, with the exception of C. H., being graduates of the institution named, the one mentioned having finished the regular course at the Palmer Christian College, of Iowa. James M., the physician, also took a three years' course at the Wabash College, and was graduated from the Indiana Medical College, of Indianapolis, and for a year thereafter served as an interne at the Deaconess' Hospital, of that city.
WILLIAM H. BROWN, who was one of the substantial agriculturists of Gill township, Sullivan county, Indiana, was a native of this state, born in Clark county, April 7, 1843. He was the son of Nathan and Sarah S. (Brenton) Brown. Sarah S. Brenton, born in Clark county, July 24, 1809, was the granddaughter of the sister of Richard Stockton, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, and her father served in the Revolutionary war, as well as eight of his brothers. Two of these broth- ers were killed at the battle of Boonesborough, Kentucky-James and Robert. Their names were praised in a poem in the life of Washington, by Weems. The great-grandfather on the maternal side was killed at the battle of Brandywine, his name being William Wiley. Grandfather Brenton was a Revolutionary soldier when but twelve years old, and was stationed at Louisville, Kentucky, which was then on the frontier. He was a native of Jamestown, Virginia.
The father of William H., of this memoir, Nathan Brown, was born in Lebanon, Ohio, July 27, 1812, and died in December, 1875, and the mother passed away on May 19 of the same year. In his early career,
Vol. II-15
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Nathan Brown was a blacksmith, working at his trade in Clark county, Indiana, and later he became a farmer. He followed this from 1852 to 1857, when he moved to Gill township, Sullivan county, where he farmed until his death. The children of Nathan and Sarah S. (Brenton) Brown were as follows: Francis M., residing at Graysville; Harriet A., of Gill township; William H., of this sketch; James M., of Carlisle, a retired farmer ; John R., who died in 1877 ; Sarah E., died in December, 1858.
William H. Brown was a student in the schools of Jefferson and Shelby and also later attended the schools of Gill township, Sullivan county. He remained on the farm with his parents until their death, then continued there with his sister, Harriet A., and brother, John R., until the latter's death in 1877. Then William H. and his sister remained alone on the old homestead, and when he married she remained with him on the old place where their parents had resided the greater portion of their lives. His farm consisted of one hundred and forty acres, and here he carried on general farming, but during the last years of his life rented his land and lived retired. His sister Harriet had ninety acres adjoining, which was also leased out. Mr. Brown was an energetic church worker, a kind and loving husband, and an indulgent father. He united with the Christian church in 1878. In politics he was a Democrat, but never cared for local offices. In his veins coursed the blood of patriots.
In September, 1896, William H. Brown was married to Julia Criss, who was born in Crawford county, Illinois, July 1, 1877, a daughter of Joseph and Adeline (Simons) Criss. Joseph Criss was a native of Indiana and went to Illinois with his parents when a small boy, remaining there until his death in April, 1881. The mother died September 21, 1884. both laying down life's burdens in Illinois. To Mr. and Mrs. Brown the following children were born: Robert R., born May 23, 1897 ; Zone Irene, November 18, 1898; Hattie A., May 4, 1902, died August 12, 1904; John Edward, born January 25, 1906. Alma Ruth Higgins is a daughter of Mrs. Brown by a former marriage. Mr. Brown died February 10, 1908. Mrs. Brown is a member of the Christian church at Oakland, Haddon township.
JAMES A. MILLER is a thoroughgoing farmer and takes great interest in the raising and breeding of fine horses, and has a jack and jennet farm also. He is a resident of Jefferson township, Sullivan county, Indiana, and a native of Knox county, where he was born July 23, 1868, near Oaktown. He is the son of Samuel H. and Elizabeth M. ( Harbin) Miller. The grandfather, Samuel Miller, Sr., was a native of Kentucky who came to Indiana at an early day. He always followed farming, and died at Oaktown, Indiana.
Samuel H. Miller, the father of James A., of this narrative, was born near Oaktown, Indiana, in 1831, and died in 1895 in Greene county. The mother, Elizabeth M. ( Harbin) Miller, was born in 1833 in North Caro- lina, and accompanied her parents, James Harbin and wife, when a child to Jefferson township. Sullivan county, Indiana, where they at first set-
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tled, but subsequently went to Greene county, where the father remained until his death. He was a farmer and had borne well his part in the set- tling of the county, under many difficulties. Mrs. Samuel Miller now resides with her youngest son, Samuel O., over the line in Greene county.
Reared on a farm, Samuel H. Miller was united in marriage in 1859, after which he rented land in Knox county, Indiana. In 1861 he enlisted in Company I of the Forty-first Regiment, Second Cavalry, serving in the Union cause for three years and five months. He saw hard service, but was never wounded. He was, however, captured two months before his term of service had expired, and was held prisoner by the Confederates for seven months, such imprisonment being at three different rebel prisons-Andersonville prison, Florence, S. C., and one other. After the close of the Civil war Mr. Miller returned to his farm of forty acres, near Oaktown, where he remained until 1873. He then sold out and purchased an eighty acre farm in Greene county, upon which he remained until his death. He was an ardent Republican in his party affiliations. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, as was his wife, and he had held every office in the church of his choice, except that of pastor. The children of Samuel H. Miller and wife were as follows: Rosetta, who married Commodore Perry Miller, and resides in Greencastle, Indiana; Elva A. (Lyons), residing in Oregon; Emmett L., who resides in Linton, Indiana, and married Clara Wilson ; James A., of this sketch; Samuel O., residing on the old homestead, married Martha J. Page.
James A. Miller was educated at the public schools. He entered upon the duties of life for himself when twenty-one years old, by renting a farm in Greene county, Indiana, for one season, and after the crop had been harvested he purchased eighty acres in that county and resided there another year, when he sold his farm and became a renter for an- other year. His next land purchase was thirty acres in Greene county, and there he farmed until 1903, when he sold that farm and bought fifty- two acres in the ridge of Pleasantville, at which place he still resides. During, one season Mr. Miller was employed in a hardware store in Lyons, Indiana, but not finding indoor life agreeable, he soon gravitated back to rural work and freedom. He now conducts a horse farm and owns two registered horses-King of Iowa, No. 10699, a French draft animal weighing seventeen hundred pounds; Ridgeville, No. 25468, a Percheron horse weighing two thousand pounds; and also a jack named Black Fred. Mr. Miller takes much pride in the management and general care of his horse farm.
He is a Republican in his political party affiliations, and both he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. In his fra- ternal society connections he is numbered among the worthy members of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Lodge No. 408, at Pleasantville. He is also a member of the Mutual Protective League.
September 3, 1889, Mr. Miller was married to Mary M. Lester, born June 22, 1873, at Newberry, Indiana, daughter of Willis D. and Mar- garet (Loudon) Lester. Mrs. Miller's father is now living in Arkansas ;
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the mother died in 1873. They were farmers by occupation. Mr. and Mrs. Miller are the parents of four children : Lottie Fay, born August 24, 1891, died April 3, 1892; Elva M., born July 17, 1894, now attending school ; Eva Pearl, November 5, 1896; Rose Marie, November 14, 1901. Mrs. Miller is a member of the Rebekahs, Lodge No. 605, of Pleasant- ville, Indiana, of which she is vice grand.
FRANK E. POSTON, farmer and stock-raiser, residing in one of the choice sections of Gill township, Sullivan county, is a native of the town- ship, born on the old Poston homestead, March 20, 1872, a son of J. H. and Amy R. (Rose) Poston. The father and mother were both born in 1845, the mother a native of Illinois and the father of Gill township. Sullivan county, Indiana. His parents came from Virginia, and the mother's people were from Ohio. J. H. Poston resided with his parents until twenty-four years of age, when he and a brother bought land to- gether and farmed in partnership for several years, and then divided the property. J. H. sold his share, which consisted of one hundred acres, and purchased one hundred and ninety-six acres where his son Frank E. now resides. On this land the father resided until his death, June 1, 1900, and the mother died in September of the same year. They were the par- ents of four children: Corena, deceased; Frank E., of this memoir ; Carlton, deceased ; Sarah J., wife of Alexander Rogers, a farmer of Gill township.
Frank E. Postou attended school at Rose Chapel school, in Merom, and a short time at Sullivan. He continued with his parents until twenty- four years of age, when he married, and then farmed with his father until the death of the latter. Continuing on the old place after the death of the father, he carries on general farming operations and stock-raising, making a specialty of raising corn. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Politically he is a Democrat, though he never has aspired to office-holding. At one time he belonged to the Odd Fellows' order and Woodmen of America, but does not hold membership with any society now.
Mr. Poston was married in April, 1897, to Miss Alda Banther, a daughter of Cyrus Banther and wife, whose sketch, see elsewhere in this work. By this marriage two children were born: Hallie B. and Rubie C., both at home. For his second wife, Mr. Poston married, in November. 1901, Mattie O. Cummins, born at Carlisle, Indiana, a daughter of S. B. and Margaret (Trimble) Cummins, both natives of Carlisle. The mother was born in September, 1863, and the father in March, 1854. They now reside in Terre Haute. He was engaged in the mercantile business at Carlisle until about 1899, then sold and moved to Terre Haute. He is an experienced bookkeeper and has been a traveling salesman. There is no issue by Mr. Poston's second marriage.
Concerning the Cummins family, let it be stated that there were eight
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children in the family of the parents of Mrs. Poston: Edna, deceased ; Josiah, residing in Terre Haute, unmarried ; Mattie, wife of Mr. Poston ; Winifred; James ; Augusta; Rilla; Frank, all living at Terre Haute, Indiana.
LEWIS OSCAR TURNBULL, a member of the board of county commis- sioners of Sullivan county, was born at Retreat Corners, Franklin county, Virginia, on the 23d of October, 1854. His father, Lewis Hubbard Turn- bull, was a native and a life-long. resident of the same county. He con- ducted a general store at Retreat Corners, where he carried in stock nearly everything in daily use in that section. He owned one hundred acres of land at Retreat Corners and a plantation of four hundred acres of land near by. His death occurred about 1885. He owned a large number of slaves, which were freed at the time of the Civil war, entailing a loss of many thousands of dollars. The maiden name of his wife, the mother of our subject, was Elizabeth Booth, also a native and lifelong resident of Franklin county. In politics he was a Democrat, and was a county assessor two terms; also a justice of the peace and postmaster about twenty-five years. He affiliated with the Masonic fraternity, and was in his church connection a member of the Methodist church, while his wife was of the Baptist profession of religious faith. Twelve children were born to this worthy Virginian couple, as follows : Bia Ellen, deceased ; William, residing in Franklin county, Virginia ; Sallie Ann, of Virginia ; Jabis E., of Virginia; Laura L., of Virginia; Lewis O., our subject ; Geno Stephen, of Sullivan county, Indiana ; Mildred Hubbard, of Vir- ginia ; Lula, deceased ; Cornelia Lee, of Kansas ; Odessa, of North Dakota ; and Mary E., deceased.
Lewis Oscar Turnbull was born an his father's farm in Virginia and had the advantages of the old fashioned "pay-school" system. The first school he attended was in a log house, with seats made of split poles and resting on legs of natural wood. He remained on the old farm until eighteen years of age, when he superintended a gang of men in a lumber camp at Salem, Virginia, six months. Then in company with four neighbor boys went to West Virginia and engaged in mining for seven years, and then came to Indiana and was employed at farming in Parke county one season. He then opened a coal mine east of Rockville in Parke county, and operated it six and one-half years, when his lease expired and he then came to Sullivan county and bought eighty acres of wild land in Gill township and at once set about to clear a farm. In due course of time he had the land all cleared and in a good state of cultivation. He erected a good set of frame buildings and dug. four good wells. After several years he added forty acres, making a one hundred and twenty acre farm. He conducted general farming and raised regis- tered Poland China swine and registered Durham cattle. In 1907 he rented his farm and moved to Sullivan and now devotes his time to his official duties.
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He was married in Parke county, Indiana, May 23, 1870, to Christena Kinsey. She was born at Retreat Corners in Franklin county, Virginia, June 15, 1855, a daughter of George W. and Fanny (Akers) Kinsey. Her father died in 1861, leaving the mother with twelve children. In 1863 she came to Indiana and lived in Montgomery county two years, then moved to Parke county, where she lived many years. She spent her last days in Sullivan, passing away at the age of seventy-seven years. Mr. and Mrs. Turnbull were playmates in their early youth, and attended the same school. Mrs. Turnbull was eight years old when the family moved to Indiana, and she had reached mature years ere she saw her future husband.
At the age of sixteen years Mr. Turnbull had a full beard, which in time grew to the remarkable length of forty-eight inches. He is a Demo- crat in politics. He was elected county commissioner in 1901, and at the expiration of his term was re-elected without opposition. Mr. and Mrs. Turnbull are members of the Baptist church.
RICHARD TAYLOR, a farmer and hardware merchant of Farmersburg, Sullivan county, was born August 26, 1861, in Curry township, Sullivan county, where he still resides. He is the son of John C. and Mary E. (Bennett) Taylor. The father, now deceased, was the son of Robert Taylor, a native of Virginia, and came to Monroe county, Indiana, when a young man and entered land and was a farmer and flat-boat builder. He usually made his annual trips to New Orleans, going each spring. He married Mary E. Bennett, now living, two miles south of her son Richard, in this township. Six children were born to this union, four of whom reached maturity, John C. being the eldest. There is one now living besides him-D. N. Taylor, who was judge of Vigo county one term, but is now at the Oklahoma capital.
John C. Taylor remained at home and worked the farm with his father until the date of his marriage. He always accompanied his father down the rivers to New Orleans. They also ran a shipping wagon between Louisville and Cincinnati. He continued with his father one year after his marriage, then went to Curry township, Sullivan county, and there purchased land consisting of an eighty acre tract. This was about 1857, and he farmed there until the Civil war broke out. In 1864 he enlisted with Company C, Twenty-first Indiana volunteer infan- try, as a private soldier. He served one year, escaped unwounded, and came home to his farm, to which he attended as well as operated his threshing machine, which combined occupations he continued to follow until his death, at which time he owned two hundred and twenty-seven acres.
Richard Taylor, of this notice, son of John C. and wife, is one of seven children in his parents' family, whose names and order of birth are here given : Nancy A., who resides in Jackson township, this county, married John Railsback; Samuel, of Curry township, married Louisa
.
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Wyman ; Robert, of Sullivan, married Arena Russell; Richard, of this sketch; Sarah J., of Curry township, married J. H. Wood; Mary E., of Illinois, married William Martin ; and Dora E., at home and unmarried.
Mr. Taylor remained at home with his mother until his marriage October 16, 1887, to Della J. Patton, born December 5, 1868, daughter of Milton and Anna (Dilley) Patton. He was educated at Sullivan and after his marriage taught school every winter season for fifteen years, doing farm work summers. In 1902, in company with Elza W. Jennings, he engaged in the vehicle, hardware and implement business. Their place of business is at Farmersburg, Indiana. He also conducts his farm of one hundred and seventy-eight acres. Mr. Taylor also has other financial interests, including his shares in the Citizens' State Bank of Farmersburg, Indiana. He raises a large amount of stock upon his farm, which is also another source of revenue.
Politically he is a Democrat, and he and his wife are members of the Christian church. In secret societies he is connected with the Odd Fellows order, lodge No. 622, at Farmersburg,, having filled all the chairs in this lodge. He also holds membership in the Modern Woodmen of America, camp No. 3473. The three children born to bless the home circle of Mr. and Mrs. Taylor are as follows: Alva N., born September 15, 1888, is doing first year college work at the Indiana University at Bloomington, Indiana ; Herman R., born July 15, 1892, is in his second year in high school; and Mamie Iona, born March 1, 1898, is now in the common school.
AARON HOLDER, a native of Haddon township, Sullivan county, and one of the present prosperous farmers of his native county, was born November 16, 1839, a son of Thomas and Elizabeth (Dailey) Holder. The father was born in the same township and died in 1895, and the mother, born in Kentucky, died in 1893. They were married in Haddon township, and there reared a family of eleven children, only four of whom reached maturity: Aaron, of whom later; Mary, wife of Joseph Roxbury, residing in Carlisle ; Sarah, residing in Carlisle ; and Elizabeth, deceased. The grandparents, Thomas Holder and wife, were among the first settlers of Indiana, and some of their children were born in old Fort Knox.
Aaron Holder was reared on his father's farm and began working out at the age of twenty-four years in his native township, continuing there until 1877, when he went to Jefferson township, and there remained until 1903. At the last named date he went to Furman township and bought eighty acres of land, upon which he now resides and where he carries on a successful grain and stock raising business. Politically he is in hearty accord with the Democratic party. Both he and his wife are members of the Church of Christ. He was married October 27, 1864, to Sarah Lowdermilk, born in Daviess county, Indiana, April 9, 1840, a daughter of Solomon and Sarah (Starns) Lowdermilk, natives of North Carolina and who came to Indiana about 1838 and to Sullivan
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county about 1843. One daughter blessed this union who is now living and three who are deceased. The children were: Cordia May, wife of Levi Willis, residing in Sullivan, and those deceased were Flora M., Lizzie Pearl and Anna C. Mr. and Mrs. Willis have four children, Thomas Roy, Floyd, Chloie and Helen May.
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