A portrait and biographical record of Boone, Clinton and Hendricks Counties, Ind. : containing biographical sketches of many prominent and representative citizens, together with biographies and portraits of all of the presidents of the United States, and biographies of the governors of Indiana, Part 100

Author:
Publication date: 1895
Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : A.W. Bowen & Co.
Number of Pages: 1080

USA > Indiana > Boone County > A portrait and biographical record of Boone, Clinton and Hendricks Counties, Ind. : containing biographical sketches of many prominent and representative citizens, together with biographies and portraits of all of the presidents of the United States, and biographies of the governors of Indiana > Part 100
USA > Indiana > Clinton County > A portrait and biographical record of Boone, Clinton and Hendricks Counties, Ind. : containing biographical sketches of many prominent and representative citizens, together with biographies and portraits of all of the presidents of the United States, and biographies of the governors of Indiana > Part 100
USA > Indiana > Hendricks County > A portrait and biographical record of Boone, Clinton and Hendricks Counties, Ind. : containing biographical sketches of many prominent and representative citizens, together with biographies and portraits of all of the presidents of the United States, and biographies of the governors of Indiana > Part 100

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

a APT. JACOB H. FLEECE, one of the old soldiers of Hendricks county, and son of an original pioneer, was born in Boyle county, Ky., June 4, 1829, and was seven years of age when he came to Indiana, where the family settled in Eel River township, Hendricks county, in 1836.

He received a common school education and was reared a farmer. He married, in Novem- ber, 1853, Lettie, daughter of Silas and Nancy (Radford) Ashby, and to them were born three children: . Silas F., Lula (who married Leroy Moore, a merchant of North Salem) and Jo- seph B. Mr. Fleece settled on a farm of 120 acres one mile west of North Salem, to which he added, by thrift and industry, until he now owns 273 acres. He voted for Gen. Scott for president and for Gen. Fremont, the first re- publican candidate for the same office. He was active in politics, and was one of the founders of the republican party. He was elected recorder of Hendricks county in 1858 and filled this office three years, resigning to take the captaincy of his company in the army. He enlisted, in 1861, at North Salem, and was mustered into the Indiana state service on September 12. He was elected captain of company A, Fifty-first regiment, Indiana vol- unteer infantry, and mustered into the United States service December 22, 1861, and served until the last of August, 1862, when he was honorably discharged on account of disability from exposure to the wet and cold. His serv- ice was in Kentucky, Tennessee and Alabama. He was in the army of the Ohio and took part in many skirmishes, and in the battles of Shi- loh, where his regiment was detailed to bring up and join the wagon trains, and the night before the second day's battle they marched all night, making about thirty miles. Capt. Fleece then went with his regiment to Corinth, where they had a hard skirmish, and were several days under fire during the siege. Capt. Fleece was an active and efficient soldier and com- manded his company until taken sick from ex- posure. He was never in hospital, but re- mained in his quarters under the care of a sur- geon. He was on several hard marches, the most notable one, during the exceeding hot weather, during the siege of Corinth. The

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regiment was detailed to recruit more men among the mountaineers of Alabama, and ren- dezvoused at the home of a Mexican veteran, Col. Davis, who was in hiding in the moun- tains. The colonel was signaled, and came in and assisted to recruit the natives. An active old lady rode through the mountains and sum- moned men who were hiding, and forty of them were recruited to the Union cause. At Stephenson, Ala., Capt. Fleece was obliged to resign his command and return home, and for several years he was an invalid, and, in fact, he has never yet recovered his health. He remained on the farm until 1890, and during this time he was elected to the state legisla- ture in 1883-85-87, a period of six years. He was active in the cause of temperance in Hen- dricks county at an early day, and in the leg- islature he secured the introduction of the local option bill, which was defeated by the "Green Smith dead-lock." He voted, also, for the "prohibition amendment" to the constitution. Capt. Fleece was always on the side of tem- perance and morality and had the support of the moral element of Hendricks county. He and wife are members of the Christian church, in which the captain has been an elder for thirty years. He is also a member of the G. A. R., Joseph Fleece post, of North Salem. Capt. Fleece was in the mercantile business at Ladoga from 1852 to 1854, and in North Salem from 1856 to 1858. He has now retired from active business, in which he has been generally successful. He is a son of Charles and May (Harland) Fleece. Charles Fleece came to Hendricks county with his family in 1836 and settled in Eel River township. He was the father of fifteen children: George, Harriet, John, Catherine, Jerry, Mary, Susan, James, Elizabeth, Jacob H., Parmelia, Nicholas, Jo- seph, Paulina and Christina, the last five born in Indiana. Charles Fleece died in Eel River township. He was a substantial farmer, re-

spected citizen, and in politics an old-line whig and republican, and a strong Union man, with two sons in the Civil war-our subject and Jo- seph B., the latter of whom was in company A, Fifty-first regiment, Indiana volunteer in- fantry, and was in the battles of Stone River, Nashville, and on Straight's raid. He com- manded his company at the battle of Nashville, where he was shot through the heart. He was a gallant and patriotic officer, and the G. A. R. post of North Salem is named in his honor.

ENJAMIN F. DAVIS, one of the old soldiers and respected citizens of Eel River township, Hendricks county, . Ind., was born in Montgomery county, Ky., on his father's farm, December 24, 1823, and was but six years of age when his father moved to Hendricks county, in 1828, bringing his family and settling in Eel River township in the woods. Benjamin F. Davis married Jane, daughter of Silas Russell, of Lincoln county, Ky .. and to this union was born one child- Smith R. Davis. After marriage, Mr. Davis settled on eighty acres of land in the woods in Eel River township, one and one-half miles northwest of North Salem, and here cleared up and made a good farm. He enlisted in September, 1863, in company F, Fifty-fourth regiment, Indiana volunteer infantry, for twelve months, under Capt. William Neff and Col. Mansfield. Upon the organization of the company he was elected second lieutenant, which office he held until honorably discharged March 1, 1864, on account of disability, he be- ing. it was believed, in the last stages of con- sumption, brought on by exposure. His serv- ice was in Memphis, Tennessee, Vicksburg and Arkansas. He was first taken sick with lung fever and was in a hospital boat on the Missis- sippi river two months, and, being completely disabled, was discharged and returned home,

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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY

but for four years was unable to do any work. his constitution being shattered, and he has. never fully recovered. He receives a pension of $11.25 from the government and has a farm of 116 acres, within one and one-half miles of North Salem. In politics he is a republican. He and wife are members of the Christian church, in which he was an elder eight years and deacon twenty years. Fraternally he is a Mason, being a member of North Salem lodge, No. 142, in which he has held the offices of. treasurer and junior warden. Mr. Davis has passed nearly all his life in Eel River town- ship, and is well known among the citizens as an honorable man and good citizen. He is the son of Enoch and Nancy (Hart) Davis. Enoch Davis was from Virginia and a pioneer in Kentucky, and his father, John Davis, was in the Revolutionary war. Enoch was the father of eight children: Mary, Patty, Jessie, Charles M., John, William, Benjamin F. and Owen. Enoch Davis lived to be about seven- ty-four years of age and died in Hendricks county, Ind., in 1845. He was one of the original pioneers of this county. B. F. Davis and family are recognized as being among the most worthy of Eel River township's residents, , and Mr. Davis' long residence here and faith- ful services as a soldier make him doubly honored.

J OHN W. BARBER is one of the old soldiers of the Civil war and a son of Thomas Barber, one of the original pioneers of Indiana, who came from Virginia and settled near Ladoga, Montgomery county, in 1831. Thomas Barber was born in Botetourt county, Va., and married in Mont- gomery county, Ind., Susan A., daughter of John T. and Margaret Herndon, to which union were born eleven children, ten of whom lived to maturity, viz: Elizabeth A., Francis

M., John W., Nancy J., Margaret J., Martha M., Mary C., James H., Robert H., and Har- riet A. The name of the deceased child was Wilbur T., who died at the age of eighteen months. In 1848 Mr. Barber moved to Hen- dricks county and settled on the farm now owned by M. S. Rapp of Ladoga. He cleared this up, made a good home and became a sub- stantial farmer, owning at one time 450 acres. This property he lost by going security, and consequently became involved. He was an honorable, industrious man, respected by all, lived to be seventy-three years of age, and died at Jamestown, in 1883, a member of the Baptist church; he voted the democratic ticket.

John W. Barber, son of above, was born in Montgomery county, Ind., three miles southwest of Ladoga, May 5, 1844; he re- ceived a common education and taught school for six or seven years in Illinois and Indiana. He enlisted December 28, 1863, at Jackson- ville, Ill., in company C, One Hundred and Thirteenth regiment Illinois volunteer infantry, under Capt. George W. Lyman, and Col. George B. Hodge, and served until honorably discharged under general order-the war be- ing closed-December 10, 1865, at Memphis. He was in the Sturgis raid through southwest Tennessee and northeast Mississippi. This raid began January 2, 1864, and closed with a fight at Guntown, or Price's Cross Roads, in northeast Mississippi, June 10, 1864. Mr. Barber gave out, and most of his regiment died from exceeding heat, being on the double- quick to meet the rebels at Guntown, but he nevertheless took part in the battle, in which 120 of his regiment were killed, wounded and missing. His regiment marched back to Ger- mantown -- twenty-eight miles from Memphis- a total distance of 110 miles-in two days and nights, and were hotly pursued by the reb- els all the way. He was in several other skir- mishes on the Tennessee river, and was on a

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hard march from Memphis, Tenn., to Bolivar, Tenn., to head off Gen. Forrest, after the Fort Pillow massacre, starting May 1, 1864, and reaching Memphis on the return march, May 10, 1864. He was taken sick at Spring- field, Ill., with pneumonia, and was very sick three weeks and nearly died. He was sick with chronic diarrhea on the Guntown cam- paign, and was completely disabled for about one month, but attended to duty.

In June, 1865, he was taken sick from the old trouble, chronic diarrhoea, and was at the Overton hospital seven weeks, but joined his regiment and was sick in camp, and on his discharge could not travel, and employed a comrade, for twenty dollars, to assist him home from Camp Butler, near Springfield. He had to be carried, and was so weak as to be totally disabled, weighing but one hundred pounds, and for several years could do nothing. He, however, attended the academy at Ladoga fif- teen months in 1867-8-9, and taught district school in winter. Mr. Barber was married, September 1, 1870, at Danville, to Ann, daughter of John Margason, and to this mar- riage were born four children: Simon E., Simeon E., Serada A. and Oliver A. Mr. Barber was in the milling business in 1871, at Jamestown, and lost all his property, which consisted of fifty-six acres of good land, and started anew at teaching. He had applied for a pension in 1877, and in 1880 received an . allowance from the government at $8 per month and back pay from discharge, which amounted to about $1,000, and he now re- ceives $14 per month pension; he also owns eighty acres of the old homestead. In politics he is a populist, in religion a member of the Christian church, and is also a member of Joseph Fleece post, G. A. R., at North Salem. Mr. Barber has read law, and was admitted to the Hendricks county bar in 1892. He has had a wide legal experience and is well

read. He is a man of broad mind, honest purposes in life, and stands high for his integ- rity of character. At the age of twelve years he made a resolution not to be a drunkard, and has not tasted intoxicating liquors since. He also resolved to become educated, and has also fulfilled this resolution.

ANIEL M. MILLER, an old soldier of Hendricks county. Ind., was born in Garrard county. Ky., July 20, 1844, son of William and Mary (Naylor) Miller, to whom were born eleven children, ten living to maturity: Louisa, Mar- garet A., Lucy, Laralda, Eliza, Mary, Willis, William, Henry, Daniel, and one who died in infancy. This wife died, and Mr. Miller mar- ried Mary Riggsby, and they had five children: John, James, George, Nancy and Betsey. Mr. Miller was a farmer and lived to be ninety years of age; was born in Virginia, and was taken to Kentucky when a boy by his father, Daniel Miller, who descended from an old col- onial Virginia family, who were among the original settlers of Jamestown, that state. He was a well-to-do man, owning 200 acres of land, and was a dealer in hogs.

Daniel M. Miller received but little educa- tion, as he ran away from home to enlist, at seventeen years of age, October 9, 1861, at Camp Dick Robinson, Garrard county, Ky., for three years, in company G, First Kentucky cavalry. His father was a strong Union man and his forefathers were anti-slavery men, in favor of gradual emancipation. There were two sons in the Civil war-our subject and Willis; Willis was in the First Kentucky cav- alry as a private, and was detailed to the First Kentucky battery, and served through the war. Daniel M. Miller served three years and four months, and was honorably discharged and mustered out at Camp Nelson, Ky., January

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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY

20, 1865. He was in the battles of Wild Cat, Mill Spring and the Ferguson raid; they were in the western part of Kentucky and Tennes- see, and in many skirmishes on this raid, fight- ing for about twenty days. He was in the- battles of Nashville, Lamb's Ferry, Tenn., Perryville, on Gen. Sander's raid, in 1862, through eastern Tennessee and Bean Station, Va., being about twenty days on this raid, also fighting day and night. He was on the raid through Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, after Gen. John Morgan, and it was a running fight; was at Philadelphia, Tenn., and siege of Knox- ville, Tenn., and was here shot through the neck by an ounce ball, breaking off two pieces of the spinal column, and he fell senseless on the field, and was captured by the rebels and placed in field hospital, near where he was shot. He lay here seventeen days, and was then exchanged, not being able to walk, or he would have been sent to Andersonville with the other prisoners. During these seventeen days he received but little care, and the maggots formed in his wound. He received but one- half pint of mutton broth daily. After his ex- change he lay in hospital about four months, and was sent back to Kentucky. He joined his regiment at Lexington, and was then in the battles of Stoneman's raid through Georgia, and in many skirmishes. His colonel, Silas Adams (now a member of congress), would not surrender with Gen. Stoneman, and fought his way out.

Mr. Miller was in the battle of Big River Iron Works on the Big Sandy, and in many skirmishes, fights and raids in the mountains of eastern Kentucky to the end of the war. Mr. Miller was always an active soldier, prompt and efficient; a hardy man in his youth, he easily endured the hardships and vicissitudes, and really enjoyed the excitement of the life of a soldier. He was sick with measles in hospital at Columbus, Ky., and came near

dying. When mustered out he would have re- enlisted, but was refused on account of his 4 wounds, being greatly disabled by his injury in the neck, and partly paralyzed, and has continued to be disabled since the war. After his service he returned to Garrard county, Ky., and married Mary F., daughter of David and Clementine (Furr) Hoffman. David Hoff- man was an old resident of Garrard county, Ky., where his father was a pioneer. David „and wife had three children: Cornelius J., Mary F. and Marvin. Mr. Hoffman was a soldier in the Union army, Eighth Kentucky cavalry, was in several battles, and is now living in North Salem.

After marriage, Mr. Miller settled in Gar- rard county, Ky., and lived there until 1888, and then moved to Hendricks county, Ind., and settled on a farm. To himself and wife have been born four children: Margaret A., Mary D., Sallie and Hattie L. Both Mr. and Mrs. Miller are members of the Missionary Baptist church. He is a Mason and a mem- ber of Dick Warner Lodge, of Peachville, Ky., in which he held the offices of junior warden and junior deacon; he is also a member of Joseph Fleece post, G. A. R., of North Salem. Mr. Miller is a man of sterling character, and has always led an honorable, much respected life. His record as a soldier speaks for itself, and is one of the best in the county.

J OHN RODGERS, a substantial farmer of Eel River township, Hendricks coun -. ty, Ind., and a hero of two wars-the Mexican and Civil, was born in Law- rence county, Ind., April 1, 1832. His grand- father, Adenson Rodgers, was raised in Penn- sylvania and was of English extraction. His son, Adenson Rodgers, the father of John Rodgers, was born in the Keystone state, and was a farmer by occupation. Adenson

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OF HENDRICKS COUNTY.

Rodgers, Sr., was a veteran of the Revolu- tionary war, and married Mrs. Margaret Rob- net, who, with him, was a member of the New Light church. They settled in Virginia, going from there to Kentucky, and subsequently to Boone county, Ind., where he died. Adenson Rodgers, the father of John, our subject, was born in Kentucky, in 1808, and died in August, 1844. He was one of the early settlers of Monroe county, Ind., hewed a farm out of the wilderness and was a inan of some note in the community, being a leading member of the New Light church and having been elected constable by the old whig party. He married Nancy Todd, to which union were born the following children: William H., Jane, John, Lillie M., Margaret, James T., Catherine, Isaac P. and Nancy. The father of this family died August 15, 1844, and the mother on Sep- tember 24, 1876.

John Rodgers, son of Adenson and Nancy (Todd) Rodgers, was reared a farmer and still follows that occupation. His education was confined to the ordinary branches of English. He has been a life-long adherent of the prin- ciples of the democratic party, and in his re- ligion is a faithful member of the Baptist church. August 14, 1847, John Rodgers en- listed for the Mexican war, at the age of six- teen years, in the Sixteenth regiment, United States infantry, Capt. Owens and Col. De- Bach, of Kentucky. He reached the invaded territory via New Orleans, the Gulf of Mexico and the Rio Grande to Camargo, and thence, by marching, Monterey, passing through many strange and exciting scenes. He received an honorable discharge in February, 1848. In the late Civil war, Mr. Rodgers enlisted, Au- gust 14, 1862, in company K, Seventieth In- diana volunteer infantry, and took part in the campaigns in Kentucky, Tennessee, etc., skir- mishing at Russellville, Ky., and then march- ing a long march to Gallatin, Tenn .; he then 47

fell ill with a spinal affection, and was honor- ably discharged June 3, 1863. Mr. Rodgers is a member of Antietam post, No. 162, G. A. R., at Jamestown, Ind., and is highly thought of by his comrades. Mr. Rodgers was first married September 12, 1853, to Rachel Moore, daughter of Ezekiel and Priscilla (Newlin) Moore, and to this union were born six chil- dren, in the following order: Mary, Adeline, George W., Letititia, John W. and James B. Mrs. Rodgers was a devout member of the Regular Baptist church, and at her death, twenty-fourth of October, 1876, was sadly missed both in the church and home circle. The second marriage of Mr. Rodgers took place October 22, 1877, to Mrs. Lucinda Faulk- ner, daughter of John and Lucinda Smith. To this union two children have been born- Myrtle, who is now attending the high-school of Jamestown, and receiving musical instruc- tion, and Willie, deceased. Mr. Rodgers' farm compises sixty acres, lies on the fertile banks of the Eel river, and compares favorably in culture and improvements with any farm of its size in Eel River township.

D. L. ROBBINS, a prosperous farmer and ex-soldier of Eel River township, Hendricks county, Ind., was born in Putnam county, Ind., December 28, 1842. His grandfather, William Robbins, was a native of North Carolina, was a strong whig in politics and an anti-slavery man. He married Leah Lamb in his native state, and at once immigrated to Indiana, and entered land in the wilds of Hendricks county, among the earlier pioneers, the Indians, and the beasts of prey, and of the chase, and here resided until his death, having wrought out from the wild a farm of 300 acres. His son, Benjamin Robbins, the father of M. D. L., was born in North Carolina, in 1812, in Guil-

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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY

ford county, and there married Ruth Parker, daughter of Jonathan and Katherine (Parsons) Parker, the former a physician of note and a member of one of the first families of the state. Benjamin Robbins, soon after marriage, immigrated to Indiana and entered land in Hendricks county, where he acquired 200 acres; he was the builder and proprietor of the old Robbins water-mill on the Eel river, yet a landmark, and for that day was considered to be a wealthy man. He also liberally aided the Christian church, of which he was an ar- dent member. His children; in order of birth, were named: Stewart, Eliza J., John G., Benjamin, M. D. L., Robert and Catherine.

M. D. L. Robbins received a very fair ed- ucation, and on April 20, 1861, enlisted in company A, Seventh Indiana volunteer in- fantry; being among the first to volunteer from Hendricks county. He participated in the bat- tle of Philippi as advance guard; was at Lau -. rel Hill and at Garrick's Ford. He was dis- charged July 20, 1861, and at once entered in company H, Seventh regiment, as second lieu- tenant, and was assigned to the army of the Potomac, and took part in every skirmish and engagement in which his regiment was engaged. He was nearly always detailed to skirmish duty, through his own choice. At the second battle of Winchester he had four holes shot through his coat, was knocked down by a spent ball, and also sustained a scalp wound. He was next engaged in skirmishing and fighting for a month in the Shenandoah valley; was at the battle of Port Republic, in which 160 men in his regiment of 260 were killed, wounded or missing; he skirmished another month and then took part in the second Bull Run battle; he was next at the battle of Slaughter Moun- tain, where he was permanently wounded in the left arm, and was now promoted to be first lieutenant. He then took part in the terrible battle of Gettysburg. He also served for some

months as adjutant, during the battles of South Mountain, Antietam, Fredricksburg and Chan- cellorsville, and during the campaign of the Wilderness was struck six times. At the bat- tle of Petersburg he was wounded in the foot and still limps from the effect. He also par- ticipated in the following battles: Rappahan- nock Station, Thoroughfare Gap, Chantilly, South Mountain, Sheperdstown, Uniontown, Ashby's Gap, Fitzhugh Crossing, Mine Run, Spottsylvania Court House, Po River, North Anna, Bethesda Church, Cold Harbor, Chick- ahominy, Weldon Railroad, and Yellow Church. In all he was wounded six times and struck nine times, and was honorably discharged, with the rank of first lieutenant, September 20, 1864. Mr. Robbins married Miss Susan Robbins, daughter of John Robbins, of Hen- dricks county, and by this marriage seven chil- dren have been born: Edith F., John O., Benjamin F., John V., Fred A., Cynthia G., and Ralph R. Lieut. Robbins is a member of the G. A. R. post at North Salem, and is an honored and one of the most highly esteemed citizens of Hendricks county.

3 OSEPH LAMB, one of the most en- terprising and progressive farmers of Eel River township, Hendricks county, Ind., is a native of the county, and was born December 30, 1846. His grand- father, Albert Lamb, was born in Guilford county, N. C., where he followed farming on an extensive scale, and where he died. Joel Lamb, son of Albert and Rachael Lamb and father of Joseph, our subject, was born August 19, 1806, a native of Guilford county, N. C., where he married Eunice Lamb, of the same state, born February 19, 1810, and daughter of Joab and Nancy, to which union were born the following children, in the order named : David N., December 11, 1827;

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OF HENDRICKS COUNTY.

Louzena D., September 6, 1829; William D.,. February 21, 1831; Elias M., June 6, 1833; Nancy J., July 3, 1835; Eliza, May 6, 1837; Martha A., May 11, 1839; Mary E., July 24, 1841; Benjamin F., July 6, 1844; Joseph, December 30, 1846; Samuel, June 14, 1848; James, July 24, 1850, and Monterville, July 30, 1852. In 1833, not long after their mar- riage, the parents of this family came to In- diana and settled in Hendricks county, where, after undergoing all the hardships of pioneer life, they succeeded in hewing out from the wilderness a fine farm of 240 acres, having begun with almost nothing in the way of pe- cuniary means. The respective deaths of the father and mother took place February 3, 1883, and June 10, 1869.

Joseph Lamh was reared on the home farm and received the schooling which is usually al- loted to farmers' lads. He remained on the old homestead until his marriage, January 7, 1872, to Elzina Montgomery, daughter of James E. and Rebecca (Thorpe) Montgomery, a young lady of most estimable character and of whom he was untimely bereft October 28, 1888. On July 5, 1891, Mr. Lamb chose, for his second helpmate, Carrie E. Gossett, daughter of Thomas A. and Nettie M. (Combs) Gossett. The father of this lady, Thomas A. Gossett, is a well known educator of Hend- ricks county, and for six years was county superintendent of schools; he is now engaged in his favorite profession of teaching in the country, and has taught more terms than any man now living in the county. Mr. Gossett has also served his country as a soldier, having enlisted, August 11, 1861, in company I, Seventh regiment, Indiana volunteer infantry, and having taken part in the campaigns of Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania, and fought at Winchester, Port Republic, Chan- cellorsville, Gettysburg and Mine Run, at which latter point he was captured and sent to

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Author: Publication date: 1895 Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : A.W. Bowen & Co. Number of Pages: 1080

Author:
Publication date: 1895
Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : A.W. Bowen & Co.
Number of Pages: 1080