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 31

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 31
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 31
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 31

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Joshua Harrison, great-grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was born in Maryland. He married Sarah Selman, and they reared a large family. He was a soldier in the Revo- lutionary war on the side of the patriots. In 1784 he removed to Hardin county, Ky., and resided in the neighborhood of the grandfather of President Lincoln, whose name was also Abraham Lincoln, then called "Linkhorn," and often in after years related the incident of the murder of Mr. Lincoln by the Indians. He was a large man, six feet and two inches in height, and weighed two hundred pounds. His encounters with the savages in " the dark and bloody ground" were many. He subse- quently removed to Harrison county, Ind., where he died at the age of eighty years. His son Caleb was with General Harrison at the battle of Tippecanoe, and, it was said, fired the first gnn in that memorable engagement.

Joshua Harrison, son of the above, was born in Frederick county, Md., and at the age of four years was taken by his father to Hardin county, Ky., where he grew to manhood among the pioneers and received the usual education for the times. He moved to Shelby county, Ky., and subsequently married Sarah Paris. He was a man of the most amiable tem- per, and was universally respected among his neighbors. Although born in a slave state, and a slave-holder, he was inflexibly opposed to slavery, and in 1829 sold his real property, left his slaves in Kentucky

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and removed to Montgomery county, Ind. The reason for the change was wholly on account of the existence of slavery in the former state. The law, at that date, prohib- ited a slave-holder from making his slaves free unless he became security for their good be- havior, but his slaves remained practically free, receiving their earnings and making their own living, until the proclamation of Abraham Lin- coln, in 1864, made them actually free, and none rejoiced more than their old owner. He represented Montgomery county, Ind., in the legislature in 1841, being the only office he ever held, but disputes or questions to be set- tled by arbitration or compromise among his neighbors were generally submitted to him, and there was not much litigation from the community in which he lived. He died at his home in Ladoga, where he resided with his son-in-law, Judge James F. Harney, in 1870, at the advanced age of ninety years.

James H. Harrison (commonly called Harvey Harrison), son of the above and father of Robert W. Harrison, was born December 7, 1807, in Shelby county, Kentucky. The schools in that day hardly deserve the name, consequently his school education was limited, yet he was well read, and for a man of his opportunity was unusually well informed. His memory was extraordinary, both of men and events. About the time he was twenty-two years of age he removed from Shelby county, Ky., to Montgomery county, Ind., and mar- ried Elizabeth, daughter of George and Rebecca (Kelly) Watkins, whose parents were of Welch and Scotch-Irish descent. To James H. Harrison and wife were born elcven children, viz: Robert W., Charles B., John K., William C., Joshua P., James H., Thomas H., Sarah R., Mary, Louisa J. and Caroline, all deceased except Joshua P., Sarah R., Caroline and the subject of this mention. Mr. Harrison was a substantial farmer of Mont-

gomery county, Ind. He probably raised, bought and sold, covering a period of fifty years, more live stock than any other farmer in western-central Indiana. In 1882 he sold his farm in Montgomery county, and removed to Douglas county, Kan., where he died January 8, 1892, at the advanced age of eighty- four years. He was a man of strong con- victions, a whig until the dissolution of that party, then a republican, casting his first vote for president for John Q. Adams, and his last for Benjamin Harrison, and never missing an election. He served in the general assembly of Indiana in the 'forties. He was a remark- able specimen of physical manhood, being six feet high, very compactly built and weighing about two hundred and twenty pounds. He was vigorous in both mind and body, and retained his memory to his death.

Robert W. Harrison was born May 4, 1833, near Ladoga, Montgomery county, Ind. He received an ordinary common-school education, and at the age of nineteen began teaching in the schools of his native county; then for about two years he attended the Bloomingdale acad- emy, in Parke county, under the auspices of the Society of Friends, and at that time pre- sided over by the late Barnabas C. Hobbs. The latter part of 1856 he entered the law de- partment of Asbury (now DePauw) university, and completed the law course of that institu- tion under the instruction of Judge Alexander C. Downey and the Hon. John A. Matson, and was, in October, 1858, elected prosecut- ing attorney for the Crawfordsville circuit, then composed of the counties of Parke, Vermil- lion, Fountain, Montgomery, Boone, Clinton and Warren. He discharged the duties of the position in a manner entirely satisfactory, never missing a term of the court in four years, and and was re-elected, and complimented by be- ing ahead of his ticket in each and every county.

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OF BOONE COUNTY.

The first two years of his career as prose- cuting attorney he resided at Crawfordsville, and in January, 1861, after his re-election, he came to Lebanon. He first formed a partner- ship with the Hon Thomas J. Cason, who was afterwards judge of the common pleas court, and a member of congress. The firm thus constituted continued six and a half years. In January, 1867, he entered into a law partner- ship with the Hon. A. J. Boone, which con- tinued until the death of the latter, in 1885. He subsequently practiced with Judges Abbott, Terhune and B. S. Higgins. Mr. Harrison has always been a public-spirited man, and has assisted, to the extent of his ability, in every enterprise that tended to develop the country or improve the city in which he lived, and was active in assisting to secure an addi- tional railroad throughout the county. His brother, Dr. Thomas H. Harrison, and he in- troduced the free gravel road system in this county. The brothers held the first public meetings, presented the first petitions to the county board of commissioners, and secured the first orders for the establishment of free gravel roads, and may be said to be the pio- neers in that important improvement, which has done so much for this county. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Repulic, a Mason, and a member of the Methodist Epis- copal church. He has always been a republi- can, and cast his first vote for president for Gen. John C. Fremont, and subsequently for Lincoln, Grant, Hayes, Garfield, Blaine and Harrison. While he was a strong republican as between it and other parties, he yet claimed to be ready at any time to give up the party if a better organization should appear. With him, principle was everything and party noth- ing, but he regarded the republican the proper medium through which principle was to be maintained. He thought the republican vastly superior to any other party.

In 1863, soon after the expiration of his office, he enlisted in the One Hundred and Sixteenth regiment of Indiana volunteers, and was made captain of company G, and served with said command during the service of the regiment. He led his company at the battles of Blue Springs, Tazewell and Walker's Ford. The service in which Capt. Harrison en- gaged was said to be very severe, marching, starving and enduring privations equal to any other service of the great war for the suppres- sion of the rebellion. He at no time took special pride in his military record or military matters. He regarded the war as a terrible necessity, and only engaged in it from a sense of duty to the country. War, in his mind, was under all circumstances to be deprecated, and avoided if possible, and nothing but a war for the life of the nation would ever have en- listed him. He was never habitually called by his military title except by his old soldier boys; the rest of the world universally styled him "Bob" Harrison. He is genial in his nature, cheerful in disposition, forms strong personal attachments and is personally popular.

Whilst it is true he has been active in politics, it has always been for the benefit of others and what he thought was the best for the country, never having held office other than that spoken of above. He was twice presidential elector, which could hardly be styled an office. He is a man of decided con- victions and a positive character. His law practice has been mostly on the civil side of the docket, involving almost every grade or character of civil practice; yet he has been counsel in many criminal cases of nearly all kinds of crime, including about thirty-five mur- der cases. He has always been inflexibly true to his clients, making their interest paramount to every other consideration. So far as in- tegrity and fair dealing are concerned, he has the confidence of the entire community. He

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has had as much law business as any other resident attorney in the county. He advised no one to go into a law suit if it could be set- tled or compromised, and such advice was given regardless of how it might affect his per- sonal interest. It was his boast that he had settled and compromised more questions of contention that he ever litigated. His opin- ion might be wrong, but no one doubted his honesty. His motive always stood un- questioned.

He was married April 2, 1865. There is a daughter surviving. Miss Mary Lou Harrison.

J OSIAH S. HARRISON, who has been a resident of Lebanon, Ind., for eleven years, descends from an old English family that came to this country over a hundred years before -the Revolutionary war, several members of which settled in Maryland. Robert H. Harrison, Gen. Washington's pri- vate secretary in the war of the Revolution, and later one of the associate judges of the supreme court of the United States, was one of the same family.

Greenbery Harrison, great-grandfather of Josiah S., was born in Maryland. In 1784 he removed to Hardin county, Ky., and resided in the neighborhood of the grandfather of President Lincoln. Josiah Harrison, the grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was also born in Maryland, and Simpson Harrison, the father, was born in Kentucky, and later came to Boone county, Ind., where he married Martha Roberts in May, 1837, and settled :n a farm on the north side of Sugar creek, in Clinton township, where he remained- until his death in 1876. at the age of sixty-three. To Simpson and Martha Harrison were born seven children, viz: John, Amy R., Josiah S., Edward D., Avis G., Sarah A. and Flora, all of whom lived to years of maturity except

John, who died at the age of three years. Politically he was a whig until the dissolution of that party, then a republican, and strong in his convictions. He was a Methodist, and his home was a favorite stopping place for the itinerant preachers, and a preaching point for many years.

Josiah S. Harrison was born October 9, 1843, near Mechanicsburg, Boone county, Ind. He received an ordinary common school edu- 'cation. He has always been a republican, and cast his first presidential vote for Lincoln, and subsequently voted for Grant, Hayes, Gar- field, Blaine and Harrison. With him princi- ple was everything, but he regarded the repub- lican party the proper medium through which principle was to be maintained. July 23, 1861, he enlisted in the Eleventh regiment of Indi- ana volunteers, called the Zouave regiment, and commanded by Lew Wallace, later Gen. Wallace. He was a true and faithful soldier until he was discharged at Crump's Landing, Tenn., March 31, 1862, on acco int of general disability.

August 20, 1863, he married Caroline Riley, daughter of James and Matilda E. (Garret) Riley. To them were born three children, namely Ira E., Edward J. and John B. Ed- ward J. died at the age of seven years; Ira E. was married in Lawrence, Douglas county, Kans., to Theodosia A. Bishop, in 1884, 'and moved to Lebanon, Boone county, Ind., where he resides at this writing.

April, 1878, the subject of this sketch was elected trustee of Washington township, and served two years, and afterward was appointed to fill the unexpired term of George E. Con- rad, who had resigned. April, 1882, he was elected his own successor, which trust he held until September 10, 1883, when he resigned and moved to Lebanon, and accepted a deputy- ship under John W. Hawkins, county treas- urer. In 1886 Mr. Harrison was elected county

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treasurer, and filled the office with so much : members of the Christian church, and in poli- ability and fidelity that, in 1888, he was re- tics the father was a democrat.

elected with an increased majority. At the expiration of his office, he engaged in the abstract and loan business, at which he is still engaged. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, of the I. O. O. F. and of the Methodist church. After the death of Caro- line (Riley) Harrison, he married Elizabeth A. Keys, August 11, 1880, daughter of John and Frances (Hawkins) Keys.

J OSEPH R. HAWK, M. D., eminent as a specialist, at Thorntown, Boone coun- ty, Ind., was born in Mason county. Ky., October 15, 1833, a son of Charles and Araminta (Collins) Hawk. Charles Hawk. the father, was born on the ocean, October 14, 1790, in coming to America from Germany. His parents located at Little. York, Pa., and there Charles grew to manhood, receiving a good education at Philadelphia, and there pre- paring himself for the practice of medicine. after graduating in which he immediately be- gan practice in the town of Dover, on the Ohio river, in Mason county, Ky., whence, in a short time, he moved to Carlisle. Ky., and from there, in 1841, removed to Midford, Decatur county, Ind., and eight- een months later to Cloverdale, Putnam county, Ind., where he practiced until 1845. when he settled in Mooresville, Morgan coun- ty, Ind., where his death occurred October 14. 1865. By his marriage in Dover, Ky., in 1821, to Araminta Collins, a daughter of Thomas Collins of Kentucky, he became the father of fourteen children, who were named William, Elizabeth, Mary Ann, Rachel, Char- lotte an infant (deceased), John, Joseph R., Thomas, Chambers, Helen, Ina, Sarah and Robert D. O. The parents of these were

Joseph R. Hawk was but ten years of age when brought to Indiana. He was educated in the common school until fourteen years old, after which he worked at anything he was able to do until he was seventeen, when he began the study of medicine under his father, which he assiduously pursued until twenty-one. He then passed thirteen months in Knoxville, Iowa, at bookkeeping; then returned to Moores- ville, Ind., and followed the same vocation in a general store for three years, and for a year afterward had charge of the store, and then went to Waverly, Morgan county, Ind., and for eighteen months practiced medicine; then re- turned to his father and practiced until the opening of the war. August 7, 1862, he en- listed in company E, Twelfth Indiana infantry, for three years. He faithfully and heroically served two years and ten months, when he received an honorable discharge at Indian- apolis, and now receives a pension of $16 per month for his gallant behavior before Rich- mond, Va. In 1867 he made Indianapolis his headquarters, and traveled as a specialist until IS;0, when he located at Beckville, Mont- gomery county, Ind., where he remained until 1873, when he came to Thorntown, where he has ever since remained, with the exception of five years passed in Colfax, enjoying a most excellent practice at both places.

The marriage of the doctor was solemnized November 28, 1871, in Montgomery county, Ind., with Sarah E. Sharer, who was born in Lodoga, Montgomery county, Ind., June 3, 1852, the daughter of David and Hettie Bruce) Sharer, and to this happy union four children have been born, and named as fol- lows: Nellie R., Pearl, Ruby Ray, and Ollie G. D. Mr. and Mrs. Hawk are members of the Presbyterian church, and in politics the doctor is a democrat. He has won for himself an

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enviable reputation as a physician, and social- ly he stands with the best people of the town- ship and county. [Since the above was placed in type, the sad news of the death of Dr. Hauk has been received. - ED.

J K. HENRY, the well known fariner and stock raiser of Jackson township, Boone county, Ind., with his post-office at New Ross, across the Montgomery county line, was born March 7. 1847, in Scott township, Montgomery county, Ind., and was reared on a farm. His grandfather, David Henry, was one of the pioneers of that county, was the owner of 480 acres of good land, but died on his way to California during the early gold excitement. His son, M. M. Henry, was born on the old homestead, be- came one of the largest land owners in west central Indiana, owning 1, 180 acres of land, and was a most influential citizen. He mar- ried Nancy LaFollette, who bore him the fol- lowing children: J. K., Louisa C., Andrew L., Ciressa, John M., Miranda A. and M. M., Jr. His death took place in July. 1891, and he was buried under the auspices of the Knights of Pythias.

J. K. Henry, February 4, 1869, married Miss Janetta Tague, daughter of John and Christina (Peffley) Tague, the former a well- known farmer of Putnam county, Ind., and famous as a breeder of Chester White hogs. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Henry has been blessed by the birth of six children, in the fol- lowing order: Arminnie, Mary L., Charles A., Myrtle M., Floyd T., and Otto K. But, sad to relate, death invaded this happy domestic circle, January 6, 1892, and carried away, to a still happier home, the eldest child, Ar- minnie, in her twenty-third year. She was a refined and highly cultured young lady, was very popular with the young people of her

neighborhood, who adored her for her many graces of mind and person, and was the idol of the household. Mr. Henry settled in Jack- son township in 1869 and purchased 111 acres of good land, which he has converted into one of the best in the township. In 1880 he went to Rush county, Ind., and purchased for $111, at public vendue, the yearling stallion, Poca- hontas Sam, now the most famous horse in Indiana as a getter of speedy foals, and still . stands on Mr. Henry's farm at $50 for a guar- antee. Of this great stallion the Western Horseman has the following to say: Pocahon- tas Sam was foaled in 1879, and is therefore coming fifteen years of age. In color he is a beautiful red chestnut, stands full sixteen hands, and possesses substance in keeping with his height; his bone and muscle are fault- less, being heavy, but free from bulkiness. He was sired by that well known progenitor of trotting speed, Pocahontas Boy, sire of Buffalo Girl, 2:123, Raven Boy, 2:152, and many others in the standard list. Pocahontas Boy stands to-day the source of more extreme speed at the pacing gait than any other sire known in the history of Indiana stallions, and his blood, when combined with that of other great sires, is regarded by astute breeders as golden. From his blood have come such per- formers as Cambridge Girl, 2:122, Jessie L. (4), 2:121, Touch-Me-Not, 2:132, and a multi- tude of others below 2:20, all of which secured records in hotly contested races. The Regis- ter tells us his dam was Fanny (dam of Low- land Girl, 2:193, Hero, 2:28, and Star W., trial 2:273), by Blue Bull 75. Lowland Girl (four years 2:17}) is the dam of Dancourt (3), 2:213, and Gov. Alger, 2:243. Pocahontas Sam, as his breeding would warrant, is an ex- ceptionally fast horse, although his record of 2:273 does not bear out the assertion. During his racing career he started in ten races, all over half-mile tracks, and in every instance

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won either first or second money, He has gone full miles to an old style sulky in 2:18 over a half-mile track, and a half in 1:04. At eight years of age he did not have, all told, over fifteen living foals, and from that number have come Pixley Boy, 2:12, and Poca Eagle, 2:213, both over half mile tracks. His others are: Touch-Me-Not, 2:132, Ziglar, 2:173 (half mile track), and the trotter, Billy E., 2:29}. In speaking of his merits as a sire his owner makes this pointed observation: "Give Sam good mares and I don't think that horse lives that can beat him siring a high rate of speed. Sam's colts are a poor man's horse-they come quickly. When one shows you 2:40 you can bet it will soon beat 2:20. If anyone does not think Sam is a sire of speed, come to my place and I will convince him that he is." Mr. Henry has refused $10,000 for this wonderful animal, but to part with him would be almost as bad as parting with one of the family. Pocahontas Sam has been spoken of very fa- vorably by all the sporting papers and live stock journals of America. Besides being one of the leading farmers and stockmen of Boone county, Mr. Henry stands high as a progress- ive and public-spirited citizen. He is a mem- ber of the New Ross lodge, No. 294, K. of P., and his integrity has never been touched by even a breath of suspicion.

ILLIAM N. HENRY, a prosperous farmer of Center township. Boone county, Ind., is a native of the county, and is a son of Martin Henry, a pioneer. Martin Henry was born in Kentucky, February 4, 1801, and between 1830 and 1832, came to Boone county, Ind., and entered 276 acres of land, on part of which his son William now lives. Returning to Kentucky, he passed his time until between 1833 and 1834, when he returned to Indiana,

and in Putnam county married Mary Stevens, born May 2, 1813, and at once settled on his Boone county property. On this land there were born the following children to Martin and Mary Henry: John S., December 12, 1834; Rebecca A., February 6, 1836; George, Sep- tember 28, 1837; David M., November 5, 1839; William N., October 4, 1841 ; Margaret I., Octo- ber 10, 1844; Thomas J., December 6, 1846; James M., November 12, 1848; Charles A., June 23, 1850; Lydia O., February 7, 1853; and Mary E., October 10, 1856. Boone county, at the time Martin Henry made his settlement and broke land, was a wilderness in every sense of the word, but he bravely set to work and cleared away the heavy timber from his farm, built a log cabin and made for himself and young family a comfortable home. He gained the respect of all who knew him, was thrifty and industrious, and beside his 276 acres in Boone county, Ind., acquired a farm of 240 acres in Benton county, Iowa. His fellow-democrats made him township supervisor for one term and otherwise reposed their confidence in his integrity, and he died a strong Union man Au- gust 17, 1866, honored by all who knew him.

William N. Henry, with whose name this biographical sketch opens, grew up among the . pioneer scenes and experiences of Center town- ship on the farm on which he was born, and which he still occupies, receiving his education in the rude school house of his then rude dis- trict. In 1864 he enlisted in company G, One Hundred and Sixteenth Indiana volunteer in- fantry, of which company Dr. Bounell of Boone county was captain, but was succeeded by Capt. Robert H. Harrison. The principal duty of the company was in Kentucky and Tennessee, including a skirmish at Brigg's Springs, Ky., and after a service of seven months Mr. Henry was honorably discharged. William N. Henry first married Emily, the daughter of Jesse and Sarah (Click) Parey, and to this union were

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born two children, Charles and David, both of whom are still living. After the death of his first wife, Mr. Henry married Judie F., daugh- ter of John F. and Kittie A. (Kersey) Beck, and to this marriage have been born four chil- dren, named Glenn, Otto, Calvin and Gladdy F. The grandfather of these, John F. Beck, is an old settler of Center township, Boone county, and is a highly respected farmer, own- ing 127 acres of well cultivated land, on which he is passing his declining years in peace and comfort. Mr. Henry is in politics a democrat; fraternally, is a member of Boone lodge, No. 9, A. F. & A. M., in which he has filled the office of deacon, and he is also a member of Rich Mountain post, G. A. R., at Lebanon. He has made the old homestead a model of neatness, as well as a source of profit, and is held in high esteem among his neighbors, both as a good farmer and as a good citizen.

a GBERT HIGBEE is an honored resi- dent of Elizaville, Boone county, Ind., and was born January 6, 1832, in Brown county, Ohio; he is the son . of James Higbee, born in 1798, and comes of German and Irish extraction. His mother was Sarah (Mann) Higbee, born in Brown county, Ohio. She was a zealous christian woman, and died before the family were grown. Their children were William, John, Egbert, Elizabeth, Amanda, Eveline, Harriet, Harvey, Edith, Helen. James Higbee was not favored with educational advantages, but being natur- ally quick and smart he made his way success- fully through the world. He entered 160 acres in Adams township, Hamilton county, Ind., where he farmed and made cattle raising a specialty. Politically he was a democrat, was a member of the Christian church, and died aged sixty-four years.

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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