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 5
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Mr. Markee's health failed, and while the children were yet young slte bravely became the bread-winner of the family and performed both father and mother's part in caring for and educating her children. She faithfully ministered to her invalid husband until his death, September 6, 1883. At this time all her children were married and well launched in the world, except the youngest, and to better her condition she decided to leave her native state. The inherited pioneer spirit of her ancestors asserted itself and she turned her face westward to what seemed to her the Land of Promise-Antelope Valley, in northwest Nebraska. A colony under the leadership of Rev. J. A. Scamahorn, of Sullivan, was organ- ized in 1884. About sixty or seventy-five families from Sullivan and Carlisle made up the party. Those from Carlisle were Mrs. Markee and daughter, Maud, Dr. W. A. Lisman, Samuel and Albert Helms, Jacob Milam, Alonzo, John, Joseph and Oscar Estabrook and Charles Speake. They went a hundred miles beyond Valentine, the terminus of the rail- road, and settled on government land in the valley of the Antelope, in what is now Sheridan county, Nebraska. Mrs. Markee was then past fifty-four years of age and was companioned only by her young daughter. For thirteen years she lived there, enduring all the hardships incident to
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pioneer life. Everything was in the experimental stage, failure after failure rewarding their efforts. The severe winter, lack of rainfall and failure of crops all tended to discourage the little band of settlers. Strong men faltered, weak ones turned back, but Mrs. Markee bravely plodded on, firm in her confidence in the final success of the venture.
The years sped apace; success seemed within her grasp-the years of toil were bearing fruit-when suddenly the realization came that old age was upon her. She turned over the management of her affairs to her youngest daughter and finally yielded to the desires of her elder children to leave the scene of her struggles and returned to the land of her birth to spend the evening of her life with her children and grand- children. Her industry, her public spirit, her high ideals, have made a lasting impression on the community which she helped to found. Her name is a synonym of courage, and there are many friends there who will mourn the passing of her brave spirit. Her life here since her return has been very happy. She has divided her time between her four daugh- ters and has watched the development of her grandchildren and great- grandchildren with satisfaction.
To look back over seventy-six years of useful life, to realize that no duty has been left undone, to sleep every night with a clear conscience, to feel that in all the walks of life she has acquitted herself nobly and well, to see her children grow up and fill honorable places in the world, to bear with patience the affliction which came upon her when paralysis robbed her of her activity, to be tenderly ministered unto during the year of her helplessness by her devoted children and grandchildren and great- grandchildren, to enjoy at intervals the relatives and friends who came with words of cheer, to have a heart full of gratitude and thankfulness and to preserve an abiding faith in an All Wise Creator-this has been her portion; this has constituted the glow which pervaded her sick- room. Her life went out like the passing of a perfect day, in a glorious sunset.
"Her children rise up and call her blessed," and in all this world of shadows they see no shadow of a final parting from her. Three of her daughters were at her bedside when the end came. The simple funeral service was conducted at her home Wednesday afternoon by Brother and Sister Edwards, the details having been arranged in accordance with her wishes. The body was borne to its last resting place in the Carlisle cemetery by members of her own family.
CHARLES FRANCIS BATEY, of the firm of Reed & Batey, druggists, and one of the well-known and enterprising merchants doing business at Sullivan, is a native of Kansas, born September 24, 1874, in Marshall county of that state. He is the son of William Henry and Alice (Francis) Batey. The senior Batey was a native of Ohio, born February, 1850, and died in 1900, in Sullivan county, Indiana. The mother of Charles F. was born in Kansas, and died in 1876, after which sad event the father
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HISTORY OF SULLIVAN COUNTY
married Mary E. Stuckey, a native of Illinois, and who now resides at Terre Haute. One child was born to each union-Charles F., by the first, and Thomas Lloyd, by the second. Thomas Lloyd was born in 1888, in Crawford county, Illinois, and now resides with his mother at Terre Haute.
Charles Francis Batey was reared by his father and continued to remain at home until he was eighteen years of age, after which time he was variously engaged in the western part of Sullivan county for about two years. When about twenty years old, he went to Sullivan. This was in 1894 and then he commenced clerking for Joseph S. Reed in the drug business. He remained with him until 1898, then went to Terre Haute with the Burton Drug Company, for whom he traveled about one year in southern Indiana. But not thinking the position on the road to his liking, he opened a drug store for Mr. Coffman, in Sullivan, but after a short time left that enterprise and went back with J. S. Reed and remained with him until September, 1902, when he bought a half interest of the Reed stock, since which time the firm has been known as Reed & Batey. They handle large quantities of drugs, wall paper, paints, all kinds of musical instruments, sewing machines and general supplies.
Mr. Batey is a half owner of the Globe Theatre at Sullivan, which he opened himself in May, 1907, but in the following August took Francis H. Abell in as his partner, the latter being the manager of it. In his political choice, Mr. Batey is a Republican. Fraternally, he is associated with the Odd Fellows, Elks and Modern Woodmen of America orders, having reached the Encampment degree of the first named lodge, while he is a trustee of the last two.
In the month of August, 1898, he was married to Louise Burton, daughter of Thomas and Emily ( Brewer) Burton. Mrs. Batey's mother is still living, and both were natives of Sullivan county, Indiana. Mrs. Batey was born April, 1874, and graduated from the high school of Sulli- van. To Mr. and Mrs. Batey one daughter has been born: Emily Pau- line, born in May, 1899. The parents are both members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
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LAFAYETTE A. STEWART, D. D. S., dental surgeon, practicing in Sulli- van, Indiana, is a native of Sullivan county, born June 12, 1864, son of Lafayette and Emily (Peters) Stewart. The father was born in Indiana and died in Sullivan county in 1884. He was descended from that most sturdy and excellent people, the Scotch-Irish. The mother was born in Sullivan county and died in 1888. Lafayette Stewart was a general mer- chant doing business at Grayville and Sullivan, Indiana, up to within twenty years of his death, when he engaged in the insurance and real estate business in Sullivan. In politics, he was a supporter of the chief principles of the Democratic party ; was trustee of Hamilton township, and took much interest in public matters. He was a member of the pio- neer Masonic lodge at Sullivan, being a charter member, and its first master. He was also advanced to membership in the chapter of that
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fraternity. Both he and his wife were members of the Presbyterian church, of which he served as an elder for a number of years. Eight children blessed this union: Isaac P., deceased; Joseph L., residing in New York City; two who died in infancy; Charles M., deceased; Flor- ence B., wife of R. C. Barnes, residing at Long Beach, California ; Lafay- ette A .; Ralph W., residing at Danville, Illinois, a practicing dentist.
Lafayette A. Stewart was graduated from the high school of Sulli- van with the class of 1883, after which he entered the Indiana Dental College, at Indianapolis, from which institution he was graduated in 1888. In the meantime, he worked with his brother Charles in the insurance business. After his graduation, he commenced the practice of dentistry in Sullivan, where he is still located, and enjoying a lucrative practice.
In his political views, Dr. Stewart is a defender of pure Democracy and votes the Democratic ticket. In his fraternal relations, he is num- bered among the brothers of the blue lodge, chapter and council of the Masonic order ; he also belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows -subordinate and encampment degrees.
The doctor was united in marriage, August 14, 1890, to Mattie Crow- der, born in Sullivan, November 6, 1866, a daughter of Dr. R. H. Crow- der. Mrs. Stewart was educated in the Sullivan schools. Both the doctor and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and he has served as a trustee of the church for several years. Two children were born to Dr. Stewart and wife: Lois, born November 3, 1892; she is now attending high school; Lafayette, born March 27, 1903.
FRANK J. NICHOLAS, an enterprising and skillful contractor and builder of Sullivan, is a native of Morgan county, Indiana, born March 3, 1878, a son of James F. and Rhoda (Long) Nicholas, who were born in Morgan county, Indiana. The father is a brick mason and contractor, who went to Sullivan in 1890, and has resided there ever since. He is a Republican in his political views, and was a soldier in the Civil war, being a member of the fife and drum corps. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic.
When Frank J. was about three years old, his parents moved to Brazil, Indiana, where he attended school. At the age of fifteen years he commenced to work for himself, learning the bricklayer's trade and working at it in Brazil for five years, during which time he studied at home. He had taken up the study of architecture and when he had reached twenty years of age, began contracting on his own account. His first building contract was the Davis, Carpenter & Hoskins building, a business block and business college structure, of which Mr. Nicholas was the contractor on the mason work. He remained there until 1900, then went to Colorado Springs, Colorado, where he superintended the erection of three large veneered brick residences, he doing the architectural work on the same. In the autumn of 1900, he came to Sullivan, where he has resided ever since and been engaged in the architecture and building
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HISTORY OF SULLIVAN COUNTY
business, doing contract work. Among the structures planned by him may be named in this connection the Citizen's Trust & Loan Company's building, the largest building in Sullivan county. It is located on the corner of Jackson and Main streets and is seventy-five by one hundred and thirty feet on the ground and fifty-five feet high-three stories. He also built the Carnegie Library, which was erected in 1904, at a cost of $10,000. Mr. Nicholas' father had the contract for doing the mason work on the Davis Hotel and superintended the building of the Methodist Episcopal church at Sullivan. Besides the buildings named, Frank J. Nicholas had the contract for building the Jackson Street High School building, in Sullivan, and also the Leach block, on West Washington street. Among the late and beautiful residences within the town, he has had the majority of the building contracts, including the preparation of the plans and specifications. In the Giles Addition to Sullivan, he planned and contracted for all of the buildings except one, and built the Bay's block on North Court street. At this writing, he drew the plans for the new Presbyterian church, erected in 1908. He is one of the stockholders of the new opera house being erected, and made the plans for the build- ing, which is known as the "Colonnade." Politically, Mr. Nicholas is a firm supporter of the principles laid down by the Republican party. He is identified with the Masons and Elks.
He was united in marriage, first in 1897, to Mary Underhill, who was born at Pleasantville, Sullivan county, Indiana, December 10, 1877, and who died April 22, 1906, leaving two children to mourn her death. The issue by this union was: Lois, deceased, William; Agnes: Mary Ger- trude, deceased. For his second wife, Mr. Nicholas married, in Novem- ber, 1907, Gertrude Underhill, a sister of his first wife, and who was born in the same locality in 1879. The first wife spent the last two years of lier life in Colorado Springs. Both wives were members of the Bap- tist church, and members of the Rebekah lodge of the Odd Fellows order.
Beginning at the lower round of the ladder of life, Mr. Nicholas has steadily made his way upward, though at times against many difficulties. He has accumulated a handsome property, including two fine residences in Sullivan.
GEORGE RANDALL, STIVERS, proprietor of the Interurban Restaurant of Sullivan, Indiana, was born in Meigs county, Ohio, July 19, 1856, a son of George and Elizabeth (Rice) Stivers. The mother was born in Alabama, in 1821, and died in 1883. The father was born in Oswego county, New York, in 1819, and was killed at the battle of Stone River, January 2, 1862, during the Civil war. He was a captain in the Eigh- teenth Ohio Volunteers. He owned a steamboat, was captain of the same, and plied the rivers from Pittsburg to Kentucky. He had this boat built at Madison, Indiana, and it was called "Leslie Combs." It was built for George R. Stivers by the Robinson Brothers. His maternal grandparents were residents of New Orleans, and at one time were quite wealthy. The paternal grandfather, George Randall Stivers, was born in Germany and
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HISTORY OF SULLIVAN COUNTY
his wife, Mary Uriana, was born in the same country, and there they were united in marriage, coming to this country at a very early day. They were the parents of the following children: William, deceased; George. deceased; Uriana, a resident of Des Moines, Iowa; Catherine, of. the same city, and both are unmarried; Charles, a resident of Frankfort, Kentucky. George Stivers, the father of George Randall, was a Repub- lican in politics and belonged to the Masonic fraternity. In church rela- tions he was a member of the Baptist church, as was also his wife, until after his death, when she united with the Methodist Episcopal church. There were five children born to Mr. and Mrs. George Stivers: Harriet, deceased ; Oliver Rice, resides in Columbus, Ohio, and is a commercial salesman; Serena, deceased; Mary Uriana, deceased; George Randall, of this memoir.
Reared in Kentucky and Indiana, George Randall Stivers received the most of his schooling in Vevay, Indiana, and learned the printer's trade at that place. He was employed for three years on the Vevay Reveille, after which he worked for a time in Cincinnati, on the Enquirer. Leaving this trade, he commenced the butchering business at Edinburg, Indiana, where he continued for ten years. He then moved to Sullivan, Indiana, where he followed the same business for seventeen years. He sold this business and engaged in the restaurant business, moving to his present place in December, 1906. His place of business is at the corner of North Court and Beech streets, Sullivan. In addition to the regular restaurant trade, he carries a full line of tobacco, cigars, candies, etc.
In his political views, Mr. Stivers is a believer in the principles of the Republican party. For two years he was marshal of the town of Edinburg and served on the town board of Sullivan two years. He is interested in fraternal societies, belonging to the Odd Fellows, Elks, Knights of Pythias and Modern Woodmen of America. He was united in marriage, December 28, 1886, to Nanie Bowers, who was born in Parksville, Kentucky, August 30, 1856, and died February 16, 1905. She was educated at the high school of Edinburg, Johnson county, Indiana. There was no issue by this marriage. For his second wife, Mr. Stivers married, August 5, 1907, Nora Shepherd, who was born in Sullivan county, Indiana, May 12, 1880. The present wife is a member of the Presbyterian church, while the first wife was connected with the Christian denomination.
JOHN ERSINGER, a civil engineer of Sullivan, Indiana, was born Sep- tember 3, 1860, in Canton Schaffhausen, Switzerland, a son of Michael and Anna (Myers) Ersinger, both natives also of that place, and both now deceased. They were farmers in Switzerland, and of an excellent family. The children born to Michael and Anna (Myers) Ersinger were as follows: Barbara; Michael ; Christian; Leonard; George; Alexan- der ; John; Anna, deceased. This family all live in Switzerland except John and his brother Leonard, who resides in northern Indiana.
Educated in Switzerland in a literary and civil engineering course,
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HISTORY OF SULLIVAN COUNTY
John Ersinger, in 1880, came to the United States and located at Pitts- burg, Pennsylvania, where he was engaged at his profession for about four months, then went to Indiana and settled at Goodland, where his brother now resides, and here engaged in the railway service, being in the civil engineering department of the Chicago & Eastern Illinois Railroad Company. His first work was surveying the road from Brazil to Evans- ville. His next employment was in Minnesota, on an extension of the Duluth & Iron Range, from Tower to Ely. After one year's service there, he returned to Brazil, Indiana, from which place he surveyed a line to Evansville, for the Chicago & Eastern Illinois System. He then quit railroading and returned to Brazil and operated a coal mine for about three years, after which he engaged as an engineer in the construction of the gravel roads in Clay county, Indiana, at which he worked for about four years, and during which time he constructed most of the gravel roads in that county. May I, 1898, he went to Sullivan, when the gravel roads were first started in that section of the state, and was there employed at such work for about two years. At the termination of this undertaking, he, with R. L. Bailey, surveyed for several interurban roads which have not as yet been constructed. In 1904, he entered into a contract to con- struct macadamized roads in Sullivan county, of which he has up to this time made nine miles of most excellent roads. He is still thus engaged and his skill is acknowledged to be superior to others employed in suchı contract work.
Politically, he is a Republican, and fully alive to all of that party's interests. He is affiliated with the Masonic fraternity, being a member of blue lodge, chapter, council, commandery and Eastern Star. He is also a member of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. He is a stock- holder in the Hamilton Gas and Oil Company, of which he is also a director.
WILLIAM H. LUCAS, of the Sullivan Transfer Company, is a native of Turman township, Sullivan county, Indiana, born December II, 1858, son of Barton R. and Sarah Elizabeth (Weir) Lucas. His father was born in Floyd county, Indiana, October, 1833, of Scotch-Irish descent. The mother was born in Turman township, in 1836, and died in 1872; she was of Irish extraction. The grandfather of William H. Lucas, James Weir, was a native of Ireland, and his wife, Margaret McKee, was born in the United States. James Weir always followed farming for his live- lihood, and was among the pioneer settlers of Turman township. Barton R. Lucas, the paternal grandfather, was born in Scotland and came to this country, where he served in the war of 1812 against Great Britain. He also followed agricultural pursuits all of his life.
Barton R. Lucas, the father of William H., was a soldier in the Civil war, and after his return from that conflict engaged in farming, continu- ing until about 1870, when he retired to Sullivan, where he lived until 1902, and then removed to Bedford, Indiana, his present home. He was twice married, first to Sarah Elizabeth Weir, by whom the following chil-
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HISTORY OF SULLIVAN COUNTY
dren were born: James B., deceased; William H., of this notice; John A., of Sullivan; Charles E., deceased; Sarah E., deceased; Estella, deceased. For his second wife, Mr. Lucas married Catherine Deckard, by whom he had one daughter-Cora, who is living at Bedford, Indiana.
William H. Lucas was practically reared in Sullivan county, as his father moved to this county when he was a mere boy. Here he was edu- cated in the common schools in Sullivan. When but seventeen years of age, he enlisted, September 12, 1876, in the Seventh United States Cav- alry, serving until September 12, 1881. He was stationed with the regi- ment in Dakota, Montana, Wyoming, Utah and the northwest. He was both a private and an orderly sergeant. After the termination of his army service, he turned his attention toward railroading, entering the employ of the Evansville & Terre Haute Railroad, commencing as a brakeman in the passenger service. He was in this position about one year, when he was promoted to conductor on the same road. He ran from Evansville to Terre Haute, following the same until 1887, when he abandoned the road and engaged in the livery business, coupled with a transfer line, which is now styled the Sullivan Transfer Company. At present, his partner is James E. Russell. They have the largest barn in the town of Sullivan. They cater to the hotel service and also to passenger and mail interests.
In his political affiliations, Mr. Lucas is a stanch supporter of the Republican party ; he has served two years on the town council and in January, 1908, was elected as chairman of the Republican county central committee. He is a member of the Odd Fellows and Knights of Pythias fraternities and also a member of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. He is now serving as the president of the Sullivan County Trotting Association.
An important event in the career of Mr. Lucas was his marriage, October 1, 1882, to Lucinda C. Leach, who was born in Grant county, Indiana, April 23, 1857, a daughter of Edmond and Emily (Brewer) Leach, both natives of Indiana, and both now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Lucas are the parents of one daughter-Glen, who was born July 26, 1883. She was educated at the high schools of Sullivan and then attended the Indianapolis Conservatory of Music for two years, taking both vocal and instrumental instructions. She was married, July 24, 1903, to Harold C. Bays, and they reside at Culver, Indiana. Mrs. Lucas is a mem- ber of the Christian church and much interested in the work of that denomination.
MANNING E. DRAKE, of the Sullivan Monument Company, workers in marble and stone for monumental purposes, was born October 19, 1854, in Fairbanks township, Sullivan county, Indiana, a son of Manning and Margaret (Armstrong) Drake. The father was born in Butler county, Ohio, June 17, 1813, and the mother was a native of Kentucky ; she died October 24, 1860. Manning Drake, Sr .. was of English descent,
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HISTORY OF SULLIVAN COUNTY
while his wife descended from the Scotch lines of Great Britain. The grandfather, James Drake,' came to Sullivan county in 1817, locating in Fairbanks township, where he followed farm life until his death. He claimed a large tract of land and was highly respected and prosperous. Politically, he was an avowed Democrat.
Manning Drake, the father of Manning E., lived in Fairbanks town- ship from the age of four years. He possessed a remarkable memory and his mind was clear and active up to the time of his death, which occurred June 6, 1908. At one time he owned about twelve hundred acres of land in 'Fairbanks township. He became forehanded and loaned much money out to those about him. In his political views he was a Democrat. Both he and his good wife were members of the Baptist church. To them were born twelve children: Elizabeth, deceased; Mary J .; Amanda; Malinda ; James ; Benjamin, deceased ; Sarah, deceased; Ira; Manning E .; Mar- garet ; William : and one who died in infancy.
Manning E. Drake was reared on the farm and obtained a good common-school education in the district schools of his neighborhood. When he became twenty-one years of age, he commenced to farm inde- pendently, in Curry township, Sullivan county. He continued there until April 12, 1898, when he removed to Sullivan and engaged in the livery business and in the shipment of horses of all kinds. In 1900, he sold out this business and embarked in the marble and monument business, under the firm name of Cummins & Drake. This co-partnership continued until 1906, when W. F. Wagner bought Mr. Cummins out, and the firm was changed to Drake & Wagner. This enterprising and thoroughly reliable firm sell the product of their works in Sullivan, Vigo, Parke, Greene, Clay, and other territory within Indiana and also in Illinois. It is among the most extensive works for fitting up monuments within this portion of the state of Indiana. Either one member or the other of this firm remains on the road selling, while the other superintends the work at home.
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