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 51
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On December 1, 1895, Dr. McConnell married Miss Dorothea Albert, a native of Freelandsville, Indiana, born on the 22nd of December, 1872. She is of German ancestry and her father, William Albert, was a brick mason who died in 1874. Mrs. McConnell received a thorough education both in her native place and at the Normal school, Danville, Indiana, and, before her marriage, taught one year in the graded school at Pleasantville and one year in the district schools. The doctor and his wife are the parents of two children, as follows: William Senn, born June 6, 1897, and Glenll, born July 2, 1900.
DR. STONEWALL J. ALSMAN, who has been a medical practitioner in Jefferson township. Sullivan county, since 1904, is a native of the town- ship where he now resides, having been born three miles west of Pleasant- ville, Indiana, December 3, 1866, a son of John A. and Mary E. (Long) Alsman. The father was born June 26, 1835, in Haddon township, near Carlisle, and now resides three miles west of Pleasantville, on a farm consisting of seventy acres, where the doctor was born. The mother was born in November, 1839, in Anderson county, Kentucky, and is
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still living. She is the daughter of William and Margaret (Jett) Long, both being natives of Virginia who emigrated to Kentucky before their marriage and who in 1854 came to Haddon township, Sullivan county, Indiana, but subsequently settled in Jefferson township where they spent the remainder of their days. Margaret (Jett) Long, was the daughter of Mathew and Susan (Tapp) Jett, who were both natives of Virginia, dying in Anderson county, Kentucky, where they were sturdy farmers. William Long was the son of William Long, Sr., who was also from the old Dominion State and died in Anderson county, Kentucky, about 1830 ; he was also a farmer.
John A. Alsman, the doctor's father, was the son of Harrison and Elizabeth (Davidson) Alsman. The former was born in Bourbon county, Kentucky, and died in 1889, in Jefferson township, Sullivan county, Indiana, while the latter was a native of Haddon township, Sullivan county, and died about 1840. Harrison Alsman emigrated from Ken- tucky about 1830 and followed farming pursuits throughout his days. John A. Alsman was also a farmer, and still superintends his farm. Politically, he is a Democrat, and both he and his faithful wife are members of the Christian church. They are the parents of six children, born in the order here named: Chester O., born in 1858, married Dorcas Cox and now resides in Jefferson township; William H., born 1861, died in 1873; Margaret E., born 1864, died in 1904; she was the wife of Lucian Shake who now lives in Haddon township, this county; Stone- wall J .; Eva, born 1877, married Thomas M. Hudson and they reside in Greene county, Indiana ; William D., born 1881, died in 1893.
Dr. Stonewall J. Alsman received his education at the common school in Jefferson township, after which he taught school sixteen years in country districts. Believing that he was suited for a better and more lucrative profession he went to St. Louis and there entered Barnes Medical University, from which he was graduated in 1904 and then came to Pleasantville, Indiana, in Sullivan county, where he has been engaged in the practice of medicine ever since. At one time the doctor owned a farm containing one hundred and ten acres in Jefferson town- ship, but he has disposed of the same. Politically, he affiliates with the Democratic party and was elected assessor in 1896, serving until 1900. Both he and his wife are members of the Baptist church. He belongs to Lodge No. 408 Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Pleasantville, and also to the Modern Woodmen of America, Lodge No. 4929, at Pleasant- ville, being medical examiner of the last named fraternity as well as for several old line companies. He holds a membership with the County and State Medical associations.
June 4, 1891, Dr. Alsman was united in marriage to Clarissa Hume, born February 3, 1869, a daughter of John and Frances (Byland) Hume, of Jefferson township, Sullivan county, who are both deceased. The doctor and his wife are the parents of four children: Bynum B., born November 18, 1892, now attending high school at Pleasantville ; Ruth, born March 29, 1896, attending common school; John D., born in 1898, died in 1899; Francis, born in 1900 and died the same year.
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ELISHA C. SIMS, who is a truck farmer in Gill township, whose products find ready sale in the local markets of Sullivan county, is a native of Orange county, Indiana, born November 21, 1847, a son of Harvey and Hannah (Ashcraft) Sims. The parents were both natives of Ohio, the father born in 1818, and the mother, in 1820. At an early day the former located near Crawfordsville, but later went to Orange county, where he married and engaged in farming in that section of Indiana. He continued a tiller of the soil there until 1848, when he settled in Cass township, Sullivan county, and died on his homestead there in 1894, his wife having laid down life's burden in 1886, on the same farm. Their children were as follows: Eliza Jane, the wife of Philip Houck, a resident of Sullivan and retired soldier of the Civil war from Indiana ; Rebecca Emily, the widow of Peter Walls and residing at Sullivan, her husband having been a maimed veteran of the Civil war; Elisha C., of this sketch; Nancy Ann, wife of Thomas Goodman, residing on a farm in Cass township; Elizabeth, wife of George Munroe, a mechanic who lives in Terre Haute; Louisiana, wife of Martin Goodman, a farmer and coal miner of Cass township : Mary, wife of Douglas Story, a farmer and miner of Cass township; Minerva, wife of William Stanley, a mer- chant of Cass township; and William, a merchant and farmer residing in Cass township.
Elisha C. Sims obtained his primary education at the district schools of Cass and Haddon townships, Sullivan county, and until he was six- teen years of age worked at home, but at that time engaged in lumbering and sawmill work, which he followed until he was married. He then rented a place in Haddon township and commenced farming on his own account. He lived on various places until 1877, when he moved to White county, Arkansas; remained one year there on a farm and then located in Jackson county, that state. While there he engaged in growing cotton, but not liking either the soil or the people of the south, he returned to Sullivan county, where he rented land for about ten years; then pur- chased the forty acres upon which he now resides. He paid ten dollars for this land which is today worth one hundred dollars per acre. There Mr. Sims cultivates melons, sweet potatoes and a variety of vegetables, which he sells at Sullivan and Indianapolis, and also pays some attention to stock raising. What he possesses he has accumulated by industry and intelligence, materially aided by the labors and good counsel of his ever faithful wife. Mr. Sims has been a life-long member of the Methodist church, for twenty years having served as a trustee and steward of the Ross church, Gill township. In politics he is a Democrat. He is a mem- ber of the I. O. O. F. and the Rebekahs.
As to Mr. Sims' domestic life, it may be stated he was married September 8, 1869, to Sarah A. Mason, born in Haddon township, Sulli- van county, April 12, 1842, a daughter of James A. and Cynthia A. (St. Clair) Mason. The parents were both natives of Hamilton town- ship, this county. The father there engaged in agricultural labor until shortly after marriage, when he removed to Haddon township and bought a farm of his own, dying thereon March 13, 1881, at the age of sixty-six
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years. The mother died August 8, 1902, aged eighty-two years. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Sims are as follows: Wilfred Hershel, born September 18, 1870, who married Daisy Collins, the couple residing in Gill township, parents of Gerald Eugene; Eva J., born May 20, 1872, who is the wife of William Banther (a farmer of Haddon township), and the mother of Dollie, Carl, Agnes, Estella, Rhuie, Helen (deceased), and Edgar ; Rosa E., born February 4, 1875, wife of Augustus Arnette, of Haddon township, and mother of Verner, Harold, Raymond, Floyd, Bernice and Roger; Ora K. and Cora A. (twins) born June 28, 1877- Ora K. married Anna Nash, resides in Gill township and is the father of Paul Whitney, while Cora A. (unmarried) resides with her parents ; Martin C. and Mary E. (twins) born March 15, 1881-Mary E. dying June 14, 1881, and Martin C. marrying Sarah Myers, of Gill township, at New Lebanon and becoming the father of three children, the first of whom died in infancy and the others are: Sederick and Dorothy, who are school teachers in Gill township.
Of the Mason family of which Mrs. Sims is a member, it should be said that it included ten children, as follows: One who died in infancy ; Mary, who died aged about twenty-one years, as the wife of William Willis, who is also deceased; Sarah A. (Mrs. Sims) ; Eva Jane, who is the wife of John K. Pirtle (of Haddon township) and whose first husband was Frank Walters, whose son is the present sheriff of Sullivan county ; Rose Ann, wife of Samuel Creager, a farmer of Cass township; John H., a farmer and miner of Cass township; Elizabeth, who died as the wife of John Goodman, a farmer of Cass township ; Berthena, who first married Thomas Shares and after his death Henry Jones, a Grant county farmer : Isabelle, widow of George Boone, and a resident of Cass township ; and James H., a farmer of Haddon township.
GEORGE MANWARRING HINKLE, the electrician, who, with his wife, is nów operating the new McCammon Hotel of Sullivan, is a native of this county and has passed his entire life therein. He was born in Hymera and is a son of Nathan and Martha ( Pitts) Hinkle, his parents being still alive. Mr. Hinkle was educated in the schools of Sullivan, and at the age of fourteen commenced real work by entering a general store conducted by his uncle. Robert Lynn, at Hymera. After clerking for ten years the young man took a short course at the Sullivan Normal School, and a season of travel and prospecting was followed by his location at Fairbanks, where he formed a partnership in general merchandise with Joseph Asbury, under the firm name of Asbury & Hinkle. Later, he was manager of several lines of business at Hymera, after which he made practical use of his knowledge of electricity, being employed in that field in Sullivan county and elsewhere. For several years past Mr. and Mrs. Hinkle have been operating the McCammon Hotel, which under their joint management is becoming a most popular hostlery. Mr. Hinkle is a Republican.
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On the 28th of October, 1893, Mr. Hinkle was united in marriage with Miss Belle Simms, who was born in Merom, Sullivan county, and is a daughter of Burr and Arilla (Wallace) Simms. Her father died when she was only seven months old, but her mother is still living. Mrs. Hinkle was educated in the Sullivan High School and the State Normal, and taught school for sixteen years in Sullivan, Vigo, Lawrence and Montgomery counties, Indiana. She is a member of the Christian church and a lady of culture and strength of character.
JAMES S. STEELE .- Noteworthy among the well-known farmers of Cass township is James S. Steele, who displays much ability and skill in his agricultural work, his farm, which is pleasantly located in section 33, being in an excellent state of cultivation, with a substantial set of farm buildings. As a successful agriculturist, a trustworthy citizen and a man of integrity and good principles, he has the respect and esteem of his neighbors and friends, and is in every way a desirable member of the community in which he lives. A son of Samuel Steele, he was born December 19, 1853, in Dearborn county, Indiana. Born and reared in Dearborn county, Samuel Steele learned the trade of a blacksmith when young, and followed it for several years. Coming to Sullivan county in 1862, he located in what is now the village of Sullivan. It was then a small hamlet, giving but little evidence of its present populous and prosperous condition. Establishing a smithy, he continued at his trade for a number of seasons, building up a fine patronage in Sullivan and the surrounding country, and acquiring considerable property. On re- tiring from work at the forge and anvil he moved to his farm a short distance from the city, and there resided until his death two years later. He married Ann Jane Murdock, who was born in county Antrim, Ireland, January 20, 1832, and died March II, 1909. They had twelve children, namely : Adaline, Ella, James and Hattie (twins), Alice, Frank and Cora (twins), Will and Everett (twins), Minerva and Viola (twins), and Ida.
The father of Mrs. Samuel Steele, George Murdock, was a son of William and Ann (McGookin) Murdock, and was born in Ireland of Scotch ancestors. William Murdock, accompanied by his family among whom was the son, George, came to America in 1844, being several weeks on the ocean. Coming to Indiana, he located in Dearborn county, going later to Missouri, where he spent his remaining years.
William H. Murdock, a brother of George Murdock, was born in Belfast, Ireland, April 3, 1834, and came to America in 1847, going to Sullivan county, Missouri, in 1861. He died at his home twelve miles northeast of Milan, Missouri, May 14, 1908, from what is termed heart failure, and was buried in the Thomas cemetery, a few miles east of Harris, that state, by the Masonic fraternity on May 15, 1908. His neighbors and his friends from all parts of the country gathered around his bier as it passed to the grave. Surviving him is his widow, Mrs.
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Sarah E. Murdock, and his four children: Mrs. J. W. Thomas, Harris, Missouri ; W. V. and J. M. Murdock, both of Milan, Missouri ; and Mrs. J. M. W. Moberly, of Higgins, Texas. He also left numerous relatives in Sullivan county, Missouri, among whom may be named : W. L. Mur- dock, S. L. Murdock, Mrs. Jennie McNealy, wife of Recorder of Deeds E. S. McNealy, who are the children of George Murdock, a deceased brother. There also survive one brother, James Murdock, of Aurora, Indiana, and one sister, Mrs. James Boyland, of near Harris, Missouri. The parents of William H. Murdock were William and Anna Murdock (nee McGookin), who with their seven children came from Ireland in 1847. While crossing the ocean a little daughter died and was buried at sea, and near the end of the long voyage a son just grown to man- hood died and was buried on the American seashore. The family journeyed westward and settled in Dearborn county, Indiana, where Will- iam H. grew to manhood and where he lived until he came to Missouri in 1861. On June 30, 1871, William H. Murdock was married to Sarah' E. Watson, of near Harris, Missouri. Mr. Murdock began teaching school in Indiana when seventeen years of age and continued in this profession for twenty-five years and in all parts of the country may be found persons who were pupils of his.
Beginning as a boy to help his father in the blacksmith shop, James S. Steele remained beneath the parental roof until his marriage. With a natural desire then for a home of his own he rented land in Cass town- ship, and with the exception of a short time spent in Jefferson township, has since lived there. In 1891 he bought his present property in section 33, and in its care and management has met with richly deserved success. His estate is advantageously located, and with the substantial improve- ments that he has placed upon it invariably elicits words of praise and commendation from the passers-by.
On October 9, 1879, Mr. Steele married Margaret Walters, who was born in Wright township, Greene county, Indiana, August 1, 1847, a daughter of John Walters. Her grandfather, Braxton Walters, emigrated from Tennessee to Indiana at an early period of its settlement, and for a while lived in Owen county. Coming from there to Sullivan county, he entered government land, and from that time until his death at the age of seventy-five years, was successfully employed in agricultural pur- suits, becoming owner of much land in this county. His wife whose maiden name was Melinda Keene, died a short time before he did. John Walters, born in Tennessee, February 23, 1820, was young when he came with his parents to Indiana. For a few years he resided in Greene county, but after his marriage he took up government land in section 33, Cass township, and set up house-keeping in a hastily constructed cabin made of poles. He subsequently built a fine hewed log house, which the family occupied for a number of years. This was afterwards replaced by a commodious frame structure, in which he resided until his death, November 17, 1890. Jane Bledsoe, whom John Walters married, was born October II, 1825, in Tennessee, a daughter of Isaac Bledsoe, who removed from that state to Wright township, Greene county, Indiana,
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where he improved a good farm from the forest. He lived there until after the death of his wife, after which he made his home with his children during his remaining years. The maiden name of his wife was Margaret McBroom, and she was born in Tennessee of Scotch-Irish an- cestors. Mrs. Jane (Bledsoe) Walters died July 17, 1892. She reared thirteen children as follows: Margaret, wife of James S. Steele ; Sarah, William, Pleasant, John T., Mary L., Enoch, Braxton, Rachel, Daniel W., Isabelle, Andrew J., and Ida M.
Of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Steele three children have been born, namely : James Edward, A. Everett, and Roy F. James Edward, en- gaged in farming in Turman township, married Maggie Saucerman and they have three children: Iva, Jesse and Ursel. A. Everett, who taught school successfully for six years, is now taking a course of study at the State Normal School. Roy F. has been a teacher for the past three years, and is quite well known for a young man in educational circles. Religiously. Mr. and Mrs. Steele are members of the Presbyterian church.
JOHN E. DRIVER, a prosperous farmer of Jefferson township, this county, is proprietor of a fine farm of two hundred acres devoted to grain and stock raising. The family was established in the township in 1839 by his paternal grandparents and has always been representative of the most substantial and honorable agricultural element in Sullivan county. Its members have also invariably gained and retained the respect and confidence of their neighbors and more distant associates, been interested in the establishment of local order, justice and morality, and have often participated in township and county government. John E., of this sketch, is an earnest and prominent Democrat, and in 1908 received the nomination of his party for the commissionership.
Mr. Driver was born in the township in which he has ever resided, July 18, 1853. and is a son of James E. and Lavinia (Ozborn) Driver. His father is a native of Rush county, Indiana, born May 21, 1832, and the mother in Jefferson township, this county, January 19, 1834. They have been honored residents of Sullivan for a number of years past, having been cordially welcomed into the pioneer circle of the county. James E. Driver accompanied his parents from his birthplace in Indiana to their new farm in Jefferson township in 1839, the boy then being in his eighth year. Edmund Driver, his father, died about six years after the family moved into the county, being at his decease the owner of four hundred acres of land and a citizen of solid standing. The son after- ward lived with his uncle John until he was seventeen years of age, then returned to his native place in Rush county, Indiana, and wedded one of his old-time playmates and companions. After his marriage he settled on his farm in Jefferson township upon which he resided and prospered until he retired to Sullivan in 1903. His good and loyal wife, who has borne him ten children, is a daughter of Daniel and Elizabeth (Mozier) Ozborn, natives of North Carolina, who first migrated from
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that state to Tennessee, and in 1828 fixed their residence in Sullivan county, where they died. The father was both a farmer and a wheel- wright, and in the prosecution .of these avocations lived at Carlisle and in Jefferson township. The ten children mentioned as having been born to Mr. and Mrs. James E. Driver were as follows: Elizabeth, a resi- dent of Sullivan who married Anthony Robbins; John E., of this sketch; a child who died in infancy; Mary F., who is the wife of John A. Maxwell and resides near Canton, Mississippi; James A., a resident of Jefferson township who married Miss Ina Buck; William C., deceased ; Ida, who died at the age of thirteen; Daniel and Anderson Ward Driver, both living in Jefferson township-the former married Laura Smith, and the latter married Anna L. Robbins; and Macey May, who is deceased.
John E. Driver obtained only an irregular schooling during the winter months, but became a thorough agriculturist, and after his mar- riage in 1875 began independent farming in Haddon township. After an experience of one year in that part of the county he returned to Jefferson township and was a renter until the spring of 1880, when he purchased a farm of sixty-one acres in Haddon township. He continued there until August, 1882, when he sold his place and bought eighty and a half acres where he now resides. Mr. Driver's present place contains two hundred acres, which he devotes to grain and stock raising and which is a skillfully managed, thoroughly improved, completely equipped and modern estate. While this fact gives him standing, he is besides, an intelligent, wide-awake citizen, who takes a, constant interest in the public affairs of his township and does his full part in maintaining them on a high plane of efficiency and morality.
On February II, 1875, Mr. Driver married Miss Hattie Herndon, who was born in Montgomery county, Indiana, December 17, 1853, and is a daughter of William and Susan A. (Heips) Herndon, both of whom are deceased. Her parents became residents of Sullivan county in 1865, and of Jefferson township in 1873. Mr. and Mrs. John E. Driver have had the misfortune to lose both their children-James Anderson Driver, who died at the age of three years; and an infant. Living offspring having been denied them, they have adopted two children to take the place of those who have left them-William C. and Carrie E., whose family name was Vauns.
JOHN E. TURMAN, of the firm of Turman & Riggs, implement and vehicle dealers at Sullivan, is a native of Turman township, Sullivan county, Indiana, born March 4, 1865, son of Return J. and Pauline (Wible) Turman. Mr. Turman's father, Return J., was the ninth child in his parents' family; was born July 6, 1837, and married Pauline A. Wible, April 3, 1864. Their first child was John Edward, whose brothers and sisters are: William Thomas, born June 19, 1867, now teaching ; Ira L., born February 13, 1869 ; Walter R., born December 23, 1870; Flora L., born December 25, 1872; Frank W., born May 13, 1876, Vol. II-27
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died December 15. 1876; Dovie M., born February 18, 1878; Avarilla W., born June 1, 1880; Elmer C., born May 30, 1882, died June 10, 1882 ; Hattie A., born October 31, 1883: Ross Jason, born February 22, 1886; Hallie Caroline, born July 21, 1889. This family are noted for their musical ability, and its members have given amateur entertainments of remarkable excellence, in both vocal and instrumental music. The older members of the family finished their course of study at Merom College. The parents and several of the children were members of the New Light church. Mrs. Pauline A. Turman died February 2, 1890. The father has always followed farming for his occupation. Politically, he is a Democrat. The son, Ross J., occupies the old homestead.
The first born of Return J. and Pauline ( Wible) Turman, John E. Turman, was reared midst rural scenes, attended the district schools and remained at home until June, 1902, when he went to Sullivan and engaged in the hardware business, under the firm name of Turman & Riggs, which relation existed for six months, when Mr. Mattix was admitted to the firm. This business was sold out, and Messrs. Turman and Riggs established their present implement and vehicle business, in which they have built up a first-class trade, and are known for the superior grade of goods handled.
Mr. Turman is a Democrat in his political affiliations; has served as assessor in Turman township. He is connected with, and takes much interest in the order of Odd Fellows. He is unmarried, and makes his home with his brother-in-law, Mr. Riggs, who is his business partner. Mr. Turman still retains his farming interest in Turman township.
WILLIAM G. RIGGS, of the firm of Turman & Riggs, dealers in im- plements and vehicles, at Sullivan, is a native of Sullivan county, Indiana, born September 24. 1873, son of Charles and Minerva A. (Griffin) Riggs. The father was born October 26, 1824, and died December 30. 1883. He was a native of Turman township as was his son. He resided in this township all of his life. The grandfather, Thomas Riggs, was a native of Virginia and first located in Turman township, Sullivan county, Indiana, where he entered a tract of government land and fol- lowed agricultural pursuits throughout his active years. Politically, he was a stanch Democrat of no uncertain political views.
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