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 29
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WILLIAM J. THORNBERRY, who has farmed Indiana soil ever since he was twenty-five years of age on his own account, and at this date (1909) is one of the successful agriculturists of Turman township, is a native of Morgan county, Indiana, born on a farm April 15, 1844, a son of Daniel A. and Fannie (Lee) Thornberry. His father was a native of Fauquier county, Virginia, while the mother was born in Winchester, that state. They were married in their native state and moved to Morgan county, Indiana, in 1837, where he purchased a farm. At first he bought a quarter section and then added thereto until at his death he possessed two hundred and forty acres. He lived to the ripe old age of eighty-two years. While he yet resided in the Old Dominion State he was an overseer of a plantation. He had the advantages of attending school until he was twenty-two years of age. He was one of five brothers in his father's family, and they were as follows: Elijah, John, William, James and Daniel, all long since deceased. Politically the subject's father was a firm believer in the principles of the Democratic party. He served as a message bearer in the war of 1812-14, and held a land war- rant for such service for his country. Daniel A. Thornberry and wife were members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Nine children blessed their home circle, as follows : Mary, deceased; John, deceased; Milton A., deceased ; Benjamin Franklin, deceased; Patrick Henry, residing in Morgan county, Indiana, retired; Susan, widow of Cyrus Watson and residing in Morgan county ; Thomas Benton, deceased; William J., of this notice ; and Daniel A., residing in Brooklyn, Indiana.
William J. Thornberry was reared to farm labor and received his education at the district schools common in his county. He remained under the home roof-tree until nearly twenty-five years of age, when he engaged in farming for himself, having been well drilled in agricultural pursuits, at his father's place, in boyhood and young manhood. He cultivated and harvested one crop for himself in Morgan county, and in the spring of 1869 moved to Sullivan county, locating on the farm upon which he now resides in Turman township, three miles northeast of Graysville. Besides his grain and hay he aims to turn into market about eighty hogs each year. He also keeps Polled Angus and Polled Durham cattle to quite an extent. He is a stockholder in the Turman Township Mutual Telephone Company.
Politically Mr. Thornberry is in sympathy with the principles found in true Democracy. He has held the office of township trustee in all about ten years. He is connected with Masonry, belonging to the Blue lodge at Graysville and to the chapter at Sullivan. He is also a worthy
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member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Graysville, having filled all the official chairs in this lodge.
He was united in marriage, October 5, 1867, to Catherine Elizabeth Passmoore, born in Montgomery county, Kentucky, January 9, 1850, a daughter of Joseph and Lou Ann (Edmondson) Passmoore, natives of Kentucky, who came to Indiana in the autumn of 1850 and located in Morgan county, where both died. Mrs. Thornberry is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Thorn- berry were as follows: Orlando W., who is now a widower ; Louetta, wife of C. C. Phillips, of Turman township, and they have one daughter, Hazel; Alice, wife of Charles E. Booles, of Turman township, and they have a son, William : Charles O., who married Addie Murduck and resides in Sullivan, has a son, Webster ; Phoebe A., wife of Albert Atkinson, of Merom, has four children, Herman, Guy, Audrey and Margaret ; Dora, the first born, died in infancy.
WILLIAM A. SHIELDS, whose fine farm home is situated hard by the sprightly town of Graysville, Sullivan county, Indiana, and whose broad acres yield their annual harvest in obedience to his frugal and painstaking management, is a native of Sullivan county, born October 22, 1847, one mile to the north of Graysville in Turman township. He is the son of Alexander and Mary M. (Johnson) Shields. The parents were both born in this township, and the father, born in 1818, died in 1869. The grandfather, William Shields, came from Kentucky and became one of the pioneer settlers in Turman township. The maternal grandfather, William Johnson, came to Sullivan county from Tennessee, locating on the Wabash Bluffs in the western end of Turman township, and was equally as early a settler as the Shields family, with whom he intermarried. The grandfather Shields served in the war of 1812-14. Both grand- parents were of the Democratic party and of Scotch-Irish descent.
Alexander Shields, the father, was reared on a farm, and there spent the best years of his life. In every particular he was a useful man and good citizen. At one time he owned one thousand acres of land. In his political convictions he like his forefathers was a Democrat, and held the office of justice of the peace several terms. He was also assessor of his township. His wife was a devoted member of the Presbyterian church. Their children were as follows: Mary J., deceased; Sarah Elizabeth, deceased ; William A. and Nancy (twins), the latter dying aged two years ; John L., deceased ; James C., residing in Hamilton town- ship ; and Martha, deceased.
William A. Shields, of whom this memoir is especially written, was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools. He continued at home until he reached the age of twenty-five years, taking charge of his father's farm after his death. At the age last indicated he began farming on another farm within the same township, which place he now occupies. Here he does a careful and profitable agricultural business, raising grain and stock. He ships about two car loads of Poland China hogs annually.
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His farm consists of two hundred and ninety-three acres of choice farm land, upon which he has a commodious, well planned farm house, the same being about one mile to the east of Graysville village.
Like most true American citizens he takes an interest in the great political issues of the day and votes with the Democratic party. He is connected with the Masonic fraternity, being a member of the Blue lodge at Graysville. He has held all the chairs within his lodge, and is a member of the auxiliary-the Eastern Star lodge. Besides his farming interests he is a stockholder in the Turman Township Mutual Telephone Company.
In domestic relations it may be said that Mr. Shields was united in marriage September 9, 1874, to Martha E. Cowen, born in Vigo county, Indiana, February 24, 1849, a daughter of James H. and Sarah M. (Wisener) Cowen, natives of Illinois and Indiana respectively, both of whom are now deceased. The father died when Mrs. Shields was but three years of age, after which sad event the mother married Ben- jamin Harrison, who resided in Fairbanks township. Martha E. was educated in the district schools and attended the Ascension Seminary at Farmersburg, after which she graduated at the Sullivan High School with the first class which graduated after the consolidation of that school with the first named educational institution. She had taught some before graduation, and continued teaching until she married. The children born to Mr. Shields and wife are as follows: Clvde H., who married Maria Cushman, a daughter of T. K. Cushman, and they reside with the parents and have three children-Mildred. Enid and Lois. Clyde H. Shields helps his father operate the farm. Elsie is unmarried and at home. The third born child died in infancy. Clyde H. and Elsie both obtained their education at Graysville and attended the Union Christian College at Marom. The entire family are members of the Presbyterian church, of which he is one of the ruling elders, having been such for a number of years.
GUY A. CUSHMAN, who in recent years has been farming, in Turman township, is the son of Dr. Arbacus Cushman. He was born June 14, 1882, in Graysville, Indiana. Dr. Cushman (deceased) was born on a farm in Turman township, a son of David Cushman, and he was reared to farm labor and attended the district schools. Later he attended the academy at Merom, and having chosen the science of medicine for a profession, he entered the Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia and graduated with the class of 1869. He then returned to Graysville and began the practice of medicine. He came to be a well learned and skillful physician and continued to practice there until his death excepting the two years which he spent in Cloverland, Clay county, Indiana. He died in his home in Turman township April 8, 1908. He had made a financial as well as professional success in life's career. He was widely known throughout Sullivan county, and was a member of the County Medical Society and the Wabash Valley Medical Association. He was a Mason, belonging to the Blue lodge at Graysville, and he served as worshipful
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master of two years before his death. He was a member of the chapter at Sullivan, and also belonged to the Odd Fellows order at Graysville, which he had served as noble grand. Politically the doctor was an un- compromising Republican, ever ready to further the cause of the party of his choice by time and means. He, together with his good wife, were members of the Presbyterian church. In 1862 he enlisted as a member of Company I, Second Indiana Cavalry. He was discharged as a lieutenant, and saw much actual service, being engaged in numerous battles. At the time of his death he owned a farm of one hundred and forty acres east of Graysville. The children born to Mr. Cushman and wife, Mary (Gray ) Cushman, were five in number, as follows: Catherine, born in 1872, graduated from the Conservatory of Music at the Union Christian College of Merom. She taught about five years in different parts of the county, and was also an instructor in instrumental music. She is now the wife of Jacob Frederick Hoke, who is one of the firm of the American Box Ball Company of Indianapolis. Joseph, born in 1874, died in infancy. Ethel and Grace (twins) were born in 1877. The latter died in infancy and Ethel was educated at the Union Christian College, graduating from the Conservatory of Music, and then taught school in the county for four years, as well as giving instruction in instrumental music. She is now the wife of Dr. W. R. Turman and they reside at Marshall, Illinois, where he is in the practice of his profession.
Guy A. Cushman, the fifth born, was reared in the town of Graysville, Indiana, and attended the Union Christian College at Merom. He remained at home until twenty-one years of age, having been employed in a store up to that date a part of the time. When he was twenty-two years old he went to Indianapolis, where he was engaged with the American Box Ball Company for about six months, when he returned to Graysville and commenced to manage his father's farm and has been an agriculturist ever since. He handles considerable stock, including the breeding and feeding of many hogs. Politically Mr. Cushman is a loval supporter of Republican party principles. He is associated with the Masonic and Odd Fellows fraternities at Graysville.
He was happily married, June 21, 1903, to Harriett Turman, born October 21, 1883, in Turman township, a daughter of Return J. Turman and wife, whose complete family history appears elsewhere in this work. Mrs. Cushman was educated in the common schools and attended the State Normal one year. Two children have been the result of this union : Paula M., born September 1, 1904, and Arbacus Edward, born March 6, 1908.
Mr. Cushman has descended from Puritan stock, and is a member of the Sons of the Revolution and traces his ancestors back to the band who came to our shores in the Mayflower. Concerning his mother's people let it be said in this connection that she was born in Sullivan county, Indiana, in 1846, a sister of Joseph Gray, whose family history will be found in a sketch of him elsewhere in this compilation. The mother is now residing among her children.
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JOHN KELLY, who owns about four hundred acres of excellent land within the borders of Turman township, and now resides in the thriving town of Merom, is an example of what a boy left fatherless at a very tender age may accomplish in this free republic, where every man is the builder of his own financial success. Mr. Kelly was born September 10, 1858, in Turman township, a son of James and Malinda (Johnson) Kelly. The mother was born near Carlisle. For a history of the father the reader is referred to the sketch of James Kelly, found at another place in this work. John Kelly was reared upon the farm and had a very limited common school education. He was left fatherless when a mere boy, and remained at home until twenty-five years of age. He then went out into the untried world for himself, unaided by none other than his own inert energy and pluck. Previous to his marriage he had bought a piece of land, and to this he has added until his present place consists of three hundred and ninety-four acres in Turman town- ship and about six acres within Merom. In August, 1906, he moved to Merom to give his children a better opportunity to gain an education at the Union Christian College. He still superintends his farming opera- tions. Politically he is a Democrat. He is a stockholder in the Citizens Trust Company at Sullivan. He was united in marriage, February IO, 1887, to Nancy J. Dickerson, born in Fairbanks township October 8, 1864, a daughter of A. W. C. and Lucy ( Park) Dickerson. The father was born in Orange county, Indiana, in 1835, and late in the forties he came to Sullivan county. His parents both died when he was young. A. W. C. Dickerson located first at Sullivan and worked in a saw-mill for several years, up to 1860, when he bought a farm in Fairbanks township where he has resided since. Lucy Park was born near Sullivan, and died when her daughter, Mrs. Kelly, was but a child. After her death the father married Mary Lawson, about 1878. She is still living. The following children were born to A. W. C. Dickerson and his first wife: Oscar L .. of Springfield, Ohio; Mrs. Kelly; Emma, now the wife of. William Gaston, of Fairbanks; June, deceased; and three who died in infancy. By the second marriage five children were born: Warren, residing in Fairbanks township : Mondella, wife of C. Moore, of Sullivan ; Kate, wife of Claud Byers; Guy, at home ; and Ada, deceased.
Mr. and Mrs. Kelly are the parents of three children: Roy, born April 5, 1888, unmarried and attending the Union Christian College at Merom; Linnie, born July 4, 1891, also attending the college just men- tioned and she graduated from the Conservatory of Music with the class of 1908; and Lois, born March 10, 1896, now at the Union Christian Col- lege. Mr. Kelly and family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which he was for a number of years a steward.
JOEL C. BARNES has always resided in the township of Turman, and his residence has ever been at the place where he now resides and where he is the owner of an excellent farm. He was born June 23, 1857,
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a son of Nelson and Mercy (Taft) Barnes. The father was born in New York state March 24, 1816, and died February 21, 1884, in Turman township, Sullivan county .. The mother was also a native of New York, born about March 27, 1822, and she died October 4, 1884. They were united in marriage in their native state October 21, 1839, and came to Sullivan county, Indiana, early in the forties. He first located in Fairbanks township, where he purchased a forty acre tract of land. Subsequently he removed to Turman township, where both he and his wife laid down life's burdens. At the date of his death he owned five hundred and forty acres of land in the township in which he lived and labored so many years. He was always a farmer, and at an early day helped to build flat-boats, which he also ran upon the Wabash river. In his political views he was a Democrat, and in church matters both he and his wife were members of the Methodist Episcopal church. The following children were born of this happy union: Tryphena Ann, now the widow of Jasper Mayfield, and she lives in Turman township; Ploulina, widow of James Ransford, residing in Turman township; Theodore E., a resident of Sullivan county ; Susie, deceased; Abraham, residing in Sullivan county ; Cyrus John, deceased; Joel C., of this biography ; Lucy M., deceased ; and Martha Ellen.
Joel C. Barnes was educated in the district schools, and remained under the parental roof until he was twenty-one years of age, when he began for himself and farmed in the bottoms for two years. He then came to the place which he now occupies. He farms in a successful manner his one hundred and sixty-three acre place, carrying on stock raising in connection with his grain and corn growing.
Politically he is a Democrat. In fraternal relations he is a member of the Free and Accepted Masonic lodge No. 373 at Fairbanks, and Mr. and Mrs. Barnes and their daughter are members of the Eastern Star degree of Masonry at Fairbanks. He was united in marriage on Christ- .mas day of 1876 to Josephine Connor, born in Sullivan county February IO, 1854, a daughter of Solomon and Harriet (Crapo) Connor. Mrs. Barnes died in 1892. Five children were born of this union: Flora, born September 18, 1878, wife of Harlan Riggs, now residing in Fair- banks township, and they have two daughters and one son living ; Flava, born May 13, 1881, died July 22, 1882: Alma, born October 20, 1882, is unmarried and at home; William, born February 12, 1886, died November 4, 1886 ; and Orphie, born October 26, 1888, died July 21, 1889. For his second wife Mr. Barnes married, June 18, 1893, Marada Lister, born in Sullivan county February 28. 1867. a daughter of Nimrod and Malinda Lister, who are now deceased. The following children were born to the second union: Ray, born May 2, 1895; Ada, born March 21, 1898, died December 19, 1899: Nelson, born April 14, 1901, died November 22, 1902 ; Essie, born March 15, 1903 ; and Mabel, born April 5, 1906.
Marada Lister was the daughter of Nimrod and Malinda (Evans) Lister, both natives of Ohio, who came to Sullivan county. They were married in Ohio, and came to this county in the autumn of 1859. The
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father worked in a woolen mill in his early life, but after moving to this county followed farming. They are both now deceased.
RUSSELL E. MINTER, who is counted among the large land-owners of Gill township, Sullivan county, was born March 25, 1848, in Turman township, a son of William and Melinda (Pinkston) Minter. Of his parentage it may be said that his father was born in Shelbyville, Ken- tucky, August 10, 1818, and died March 17, 1882, in Gill township, Sullivan county, Indiana. He was of Irish descent. William Minter came from Missouri in 1843. He was a soldier in the Indian war of 1836, and was united in marriage in Gill township in 1845. He drove stage on the line from Vincennes to Terre Haute and from Terre Haute to Marshall, Illinois. He farmed one year in Missouri after his marriage, then returned to Indiana, where he followed farming pursuits the re- mainder of his years. He was very successful and owned seven hundred acres of land, all in Gill township. Politically he favored the Democratic party. The mother of Russell E. Minter was also a native of Kentucky, born at Lexington June 26, 1825, and died in Gill township, at Merom. She came to Sullivan county in 1842. She was a member of the Meth- odist Episcopal church. The four children born of this union were as follows: The first died in infancy ; Russell E., of whom later ; another who died in infancy; and Hattie, widow of Dr. Harper, residing at Merom.
Russell E. Minter was reared to farm, labor and continued at home all of his life except the two years in which he was engaged in the hardware business at Martinville, Illinois, having for his partner Robert Carruthers, the firm name being Carruthers & Minter. Mr. Minter was educated at the Union Christian College at Merom. He is well equipped for carrying on the agricultural business, and is successful in the growth of grain, corn and stock. He raises many fine Poland-China hogs with the other kinds of stock he handles. His excellent farm contains almost four hundred acres, and is situated about one mile north of the thriving town of Merom, on the old state road. In his political views Mr. Minter is a supporter of the principles laid down in the several platforms formu- lated by the different parties, and votes an independent ticket, selecting from all parties such men as he believes best represent his views.
He was married, October 4, 1887, to Mary E. Halladay, born in Ohio in 1856, a daughter of William Halladay, who lived at both Terre Haute and in Greene county, from which locality he moved to Sullivan county. One daughter has blessed this union-Courtney Gretchin, born March 19, 1891 ; she is unmarried and at home attending the Union Christian College at Merom.
JOTHAM J. BRAGDON, who is fortunate enough to be one of the land- owners of the goodly portion of Sullivan county known as Turman township, is a native of Clermont county, Ohio, born October 3, 1860.
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He is the son of Jotham and Asenath (Fairfield) Bragdon. The father was born December II, 1827, in Clermont county, Ohio, and the mother September 28, 1830, in the same county. The date of their marriage was October 20, 1853, and they lived in Ohio until the autumn of 1864, and then moved to Sullivan county, locating in Gill township, where he purchased a most excellent farm of three hundred and five acres, upon which he carried on a general farm business, including stock raising, and here spent the remainder of his days. His death occurred September 2, 1908. He was an avowed Democrat. Fraternally he was numbered among the members of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, with which society he united in July, 1850. By trade he was a carriage maker, which he followed in Ohio for six years. He was in the mercantile business two years in the same state, but after coming to Indiana devoted his time to agricultural pursuits. The Bragdons are of English, Irish and French extraction. The subject's mother is a consistent member of the Christian church. The issue of these worthy parents is as follows : Benjamin, deceased ; Emma, now wife of G. W. Finley, a physician and surgeon, at Brazil, Indiana ; Sophia R., unmarried and at home ; Jotham J., of this memoir ; Voorhees V., a farmer of Gill township; and Clara A., wife of Lee G. Corder, and lives at Merom Station. The children were educated in the public schools and attended the Union Christian College at Merom.
Jotham J. Bragdon taught school thirteen years in Turman town- ship, farming during the summer months. He commenced to work for himself when aged twenty-one years. He first farmed in Gill township, but since his marriage has tilled the soil of Turman township. His farm, comprising two hundred acres of fine land, is situated three miles north of Graysville, Indiana, where he carries on an up-to-date farming enter- prise, including the raising of quite a quantity of sheep and cattle. He also owns sixty-four and one-third acres of the old homestead in Gill township. He is a stockholder and the vice president of the Turman Township Telephone Company and also stockholder in the Graysville Percheron Horse Company. In his political choice Mr. Bragdon is a Democrat, and has held local offices, including that of township trustee for five years. He is a member of the Masonic order, belonging to the Blue lodge, at Graysville, and is master of the lodge.
He was married, March 23, 1890, to Olive Wible, born in Turman township June 6, 1868, a daughter of William W. and Adeline (Davis) Wible. Her father now resides in Turman township, the mother having died November 14, 1873. William W. Wible was born in Turman town- ship April 24, 1844, and his wife, November 23, 1841, in the same town- ship. William W. was the son of John V. Wible, born in Washington county, Indiana, and came to Sullivan county, locating in Turman town- ship, in 1842. Adeline (Davis) Wible was the daughter of Parmenas Davis, who was born in South Carolina January 17, 1814. He was among the early settlers of Turman township. Mrs. Bragdon was edt- cated in Turman township, and remained at home until her marriage. The children born of this union are as follows: One who died in
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infancy ; Charles R., born November 17, 1891 ; William F., born Septem- ber 2, 1893; Bernice, born January 23, 1895 ; Ross Jotham, born May 17, 1903 ; and one, the fifth born, who died in infancy. Mrs. Bragdon is a member of the Christian church.
Many are the changes wrought out in this section of Indiana since Mr. Bragdon's father first came to Sullivan county and dropped into the center of a one thousand acre tract which had been fenced off and secluded by the people in the neighborhood on account of a disease known then as "Milk Sickness." Hence his farm of over three hundred acres was literally hewed out from the great forests and much credit should be given this hardy pioneer who had seen much of the early-day hard- ship never again to be experienced by men in this section.
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