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 57

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 57
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 57
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 57

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Mr. and Mrs. Allen have had eleven chil- dren, namely: William H., born December 28, 1834, died June 27, 1837; Isaac N., born January 22, 1837, died June 20, 1843; Eliza- beth, born December 21, 1838, died Septem- ber 19, 1870; Eliza, born January 7, 1841, died April 19, 1864; Manford, born March 24. 1843, died October 27, 1866; John P., born February 11, 1845: Martha J., born June 11, 1847; Mary Alice, born August 22, 1849, died

October 15, 1871; Cass and Kossuth, twins, born March 3, 1852-Kossuth died March 16, 1853, Cass died December 25, 1860; and Emma D., born September 16, 1854. Eliza- beth married Hugh C. Crockett November 6, 1865; Eliza married William Jenkins Decem- ber 22, 1859; John married Louisa /Holling- worth February 14, 1869; Martha J,, married Milton Hockman November 23, 1870; Mary married Daniel W. Price December 7, 1870; Emma was married May 22, 1878, to William J. Crull, and resides on the home farm. On the thirteenth day of February, 1894, Mr. and Mrs. Allen celebrated the sixtieth anni- versary of their marriage, upon which oc- casion their many neighbors and friends for miles around came to participate in the festivi- ties. At one time Mr. Allen was the owner of a large amount of land in Clinton county, amounting to 1, 100 acres, but he has sold and divided it until he has but 240 acres, which constitute the home farm.

The father of Mr. Allen was Isaac Allen, who was born in Sussex county, New Jersey. He remained there until attaining his majority. at which time he removed to Greene county, Pa., and there married Elizabeth Rush, who bore him eight children, names and dates of birth as follows: Mrs. Rebecca Thomas, born December 3, 1794; James, born in 1796; Stephen, February 14, 1799; David, February 22, 1801; Jesse, in May, 1803; John, in 1805; Moses, the date of whose birth is given above; Deborah, in 1811; and Lydia, whose birth oc- curred in the year 1813; all the members of the family are now deceased, except the sub- ject of this sketch. The mother was born in Greene county, Pa., where she was reared and married; she died in Butler county, Ohio, where the family removed about the year 1806. Mrs. Allen was the daughter of Wil- liam and Ruth (Stockham) Crull-the father born in Morgan county, Va., in 1778, died

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February 3, 1836; Mrs. Crull was born in 1790 and departed this life on the sixteenth day of July, 1825.

The brothers and sisters of Mrs. Allen are as follows: Susanna B., born February 11, 1812; Anna, born September 30, 1814; Asen- ath, born June 4, 1816; Jemima, March 8, 1818; Ezekiel, April 22, 1820; Martha B., July 29, 1822, and Mary, born July 12, 1824.

The grandfather of Moses Allen was Thomas Allen, a native of England and by oc- cupation a carpenter; his wife was of Welsh descent. David Crull, the grandfather of Mrs. Allen, was born in Germany, came to the United States in an early day, and settled in Pennsylvania. He married Nancy Bennett, a native of Morgan county, Va., and both him- self and wife died in Butler county, Ohio. Moses Allen has lived a long and useful life, and since coming to Clinton county has wit- nessed many surprising changes incident to the growth and development of the country, and recounts the events of early times with much pleasure. He frequently relates the following incident: In the spring of 1829, when he came to Clinton county for the purpose of entering land, he one day fell in with two Indians and three white boys, and one of the latter told the Indians that young Allen was a good wrest- ler, whereupon he was challenged to a test of strength and skill by one of the redskins. The challenge was promptly accepted, and the two wrestlers at once took hold; the Indian had but little clothing, which made the contest somewhat unequal, as young Allen found it difficult to secure a grasp upon his person. He succeeded, however, in laying hold of his adversary's scant clothing, and, grasping the latter's bare thigh, threw him heavily to the ground, leaving the marks of his finger-nails in the flesh, causing the blood to flow. The In- dian then wanted to try a back-hold, to which Allen assented, and in the second contest, like

the first, skill triumphed over physical strength, the Indian falling heavily to the ground, with his adversary on top of him. This seemed to satisfy the red wrestler, who rose to his feet, gave a whoop and said "A heap stout man you," after which the two separated in the very best of humor.

S MITH B. ALLEN, the present efficient sheriff of Clinton county, Ind., and an enterprising farmer of Washington township, was born August 22, 1846, in Clinton county, within the bounds of which nearly all of his life has been spent. His father, Stephen Allen, was born in Lehigh county, Pa., February 14, 1799, and when a mere boy accompanied his parents to Butler county, Ohio, where he grew to manhood as a farmer. He became a resident of Clinton county, Ind., as early as 1829, locating on the farm now owned by the subject of this sketch, where his death occurred on the fourth of September, 1878. His wife, whose maiden name was Mary Ross, was born May 5, 1804, in Butler county, Ohio, and was there married; she departed this life February 13, 1876, in Clinton county, Ind, The family of Stephen and Mary Allen consisted of the following children: Andrew J., born April 5, 1827; John, May 4. 1829; Elizabeth, wife of David Thomp- son, October 19, 1832; Rachel, wife of Robert Groves, October 20, 1834; James, December 30, 1837; David, June 6, 1840; Almeda, wife of Thomas Majors, December 19, 1842; and Smith, the date of whose birth is given above.

Smith B. Allen, the youngest son of the family, grew to manhood on his father's farm in Washington township, and his education embraced the usual branches taught in the public schools. Since beginning life for him- self, he has been an honest and industrious tiller of the soil, and his labors have been

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OF CLINTON COUNTY.

crowned with success. As a farmer he ranks with the most progressive of his township, and as an intelligent, wide-awake citizen, deeply interested in all that has a tendency to benefit the community in any way whatever, he occu- pies a prominent place in the estimation of the public. On the twenty-fifth of April, 1877, Mr. Allen and Laura C., daughter of Abraham and Sarah (Davids) Miller, were joined in matrimony, a union blessed with the birth of two children-Chester L., born April 29, 1878, and Madison R., born July 26, 1881. The parents of Mrs. Allen were natives of Ohio, and were of Scotch descent. Their family consisted of three children, Eliza, James and Laura. Mr. Allen is a member of the Masonic fraternity, belonging to Vista lodge, No. 1 36, at Jefferson, and for some years has been identified with the Patrons of Husbandry. A republican in politics, he has never been an aspirant for political honors, preferring to give his attention to the interest of his farm, he was nevertheless elected sheriff of Clinton county, November 6, 1894, by a majority of 520, taking possession of the office November 15, 1894. Socially, Mr. and Mrs. Allen are well known throughout Washington township as kind-hearted neighbors, and their popular- ity has gained for them a prominent place in the affections of the people.

HE ANDERSON FAMILY. - The family of Andersons are well known throughout Clinton county, in the early history of which they took a prominent part. Elijah Anderson the great- grandfather of David W. Anderson of Perry township, was a native of Germany and settled in Pennsylvania in the time of the colonies and there married and reared a family. His son, also named Elijah, the American progen- itor. of the family in Clinton county, is said to

have served in the war of the Revolution. He married, in one of the eastern states, Cather- ine Miller, and in an early date emigrated to Highland county, Ohio. Samuel Anderson, son of the above, was born in Highland county in the year 1805, married Nancy Thomas, daughter of Griffith Thomas, and in I.8 30 came to Clinton county, Ind., and entered 240 acres of land in the township of Perry. Later he purchased additional land, until at one time he owned 700 acres. He was one of the prom- inent pioneers of Clinton, a member of the old school Baptist church, and took part in the easly politics of the county as a democrat. The following are the names of his children: Jeremiah, James, Elijah, Griffith, Samuel, John, David, Nancy, Almedia and Joseph (de- ceased).

Jeremiah Anderson, the eldest son of the above, was born in Madison county, Ohio, October 26, 1828, and was but a mere child when brought by his parents to Clinton county, Ind. He grew to manhood on a farm, receiv- ed his educational training in the indifferent country schools common in the early day, and on arriving at manhood's estate married Sarah Miller, daughter of John and Mary (Nickels) Miller. John Miller was a soldier in the war of 1812 and one of the early settlers of Clinton county. After his marriage, Mr. Anderson settled on a farm which he had previously pur- chased, and is now the owner of 300 acres of valuable land, the greater portion of which is under a successful state of cultivation. His farm is well stocked, contains excellent im- provements in the way of buildings, fences, etc., and its fertility has been greatly enhanced by a successful system of tile drainage. Mr. Anderson served with distinction in the late war and took part in a number of campaigns, including that of Atlanta, in nearly all the fighting of which he participated, and saw nearly three years of active service. He en-

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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY

tered as a private, but before the termination of his period of enlistment was promoted first lieutenant, for meritorious conduct. He was honorably discharged July 6, 1865, since which time he has given his attention to the pursuit of agriculture.

Elijah Anderson, one of the leading farm- ers of Perry township, was born October 31, 1831, in Clinton county, Ind., received a com- mon school education and grew to manhood on the farm. He married Nancy A. Ball, daugh- ter of Joseph and Nancy (McDavid) Ball, and settled on his present farm" in 1859. He has greatly improved this place, which consists, at this time, of ninety-four acres, and he ranks among the best farmers of the township of Perry. Politically he is a democrat, but not a partisan in the sense of seeking office. Mr. Anderson has an army record of which he is proud, having enlisted August 10, 1862, in company D, Twenty-second Indiana infantry. He took part in the battle of Murfreesboro, where he was wounded, and a number of other engagements, in all of which he acquit- ted himself as a brave and gallant defender of the Union.

David W. Anderson, brother of the pre- ceding, was born December 7, 1840, on the old home farm in Perry township, and he at- tended at intervals during the years of his minority the common schools, in which he acquired an education, which, although by no means finished, has since enabled him to dis- charge successfully the duties of a very active life. From his youth Mr. Anderson has been inured to labor and he has never known what it was to eat the bread of idleness. In the year 1866, he chose for a life partner Miss Rachel Ross, daughter of James and Hannah (Milburne) Ross, and at once began life for himself upon a farm of seventy acres, which he still owns. To this place he has made ad- ditions from time to time and his present farm,

embracing an area of 260 acres, is one of the most finely situated and best cultivated places in the southwestern part of Clinton county. In addition to general farming, Mr. Anderson gives considerable attention to the raising of livestock, his cattle, hogs and horses being among the best in his neighborhood. Mr. Anderson did not neglect his duty to his coun- try during the dark days of the rebellion, but nobly responded to the call for volunteers, en- listing April, 1863, in company H, One Hun- dred and Thirty-fifth Indiana infantry. He served in the army of the Cumberland under Gen. Thomas, saw active duty in the states of Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama and other parts of the south, but owing to sickness did not complete the period of his enlistment. Politically Mr. Anderson is a populist, of the principles of which he is a strong advocate. Fraternally he belongs to the Order of Odd Fellows, holding membership in Sharon lodge, No. 487, at Colfax.

To David W. Anderson and wife have been born the following children : Maud, Mary J., William N., Milo J., Iva E. and James R. Mr. Anderson has spared no pains in the edu- cation of his children, his daughter Maud hav- ing attended the high school at Frankfort two years, and William pursuing his studies in an institution of learning in Kansas. Mrs. Ander- son is a member of the United Brethren church and an enthusiastic teacher in the Sunday- school. It is a fact worthy of note that Mr. Anderson's grandfather, Griffith Thomas, was a brother of the celebrated "White Pilgrim" a traveling evangelist of note during the early days of Ohio, and who acquired an almost national reputation as a preacher and singer. Grandfather Thomas was a farmer of Ohio and one of the earliest settlers of Clinton county, to which part of the state he moved as long ago as 1829. At that time there was not a house in Frankfort, and with but little ex-

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OF CLINTON COUNTY.

ception the country was a wilderness, un- cheerd by the presence. of civilization. Mr. Thomas became the possessor of a large amount of land-fully 800 acres-the greater part of which was divided among his children.

IGHLMAN BAILEY. - Prominent among the well known citizens of Clinton county is Tighlman Bailey, who was born in Ross county, Ohio, on the fourth day of June, 1828. He is de- scended from Scotch-Irish ancestry on the father's side and maternally is of German lineage. From the best information obtaina- ble, it appears that the family settled original- ly in Virginia before the war of the Revolution and in that state the subject's paternal great- grandfather became a planter of large means. Thomas Bailey, grandfather of the subject, was born in Morgan county, Va., where he lived and died, and where, like his"ancestors before him, he became a wealthy planter. He mar- ried in his native state Rebecca Williamson, and had a family of eight children, namely: Will- iam, Elizabeth, Bazel, Mary, Nancy, Samuel, Hannah, and Silas. He was a patriot in the war of 1812, enlisting at the age of eighteen, and was present at the bombardment of Fort McHenry near Baltimore. William Bailey, father of the subject, was born August 8, 1795, in Morgan county, Va., and there married Drusilla Bohrer, daughter of Adam and Bar- bara Bohrer, both parents of German descent, the father having been born upon the ocean. William Bailey was by occupation a miller. He lived in his native state until 1829, at which time he emigrated to Ross county, Ohio, where he followed agricultural pursuits until his removal to Clinton county, Ind., about the year 1839. On coming to Clinton county Mr. Bailey settled in Perry township, where he pur- chased eighty acres of land, to which he made

additions from time to time until he became the possessor of over 380 acres. He died April 13, 1864; Mrs. Bailey departed this life in the month of January, 1859. The follow- ing are the names of their children-Belle Jane, F. P., Samuel, Tighlman, Caroline, Sarah, Rose and Silas.

Tighlman Bailey accompanied his parents to Clinton county, Ind., when eleven years of age, and easily recalls many incidents of the jour- ney, which was made to the new country in the middle of a bitterly cold winter. The father preceded the family and prepared, for their reception, a small log cabin, in size about sixteen by eighteen feet. In this primitive dwelling, surrounded by deep forests, in which numerous wild animals found shelter, life in the backwoods commenced in earnest. The early life of Mr. Bailey was one of unceasing activ- ity and he found much to do in assisting his father in clearing the farm, in consequence of which his educational advantages were some- what limited. On the fifteenth of June, 1856, he was united in marriage with Clara Ely. daughter of John and Hager (Shobe) Ely. Mrs. Bailey's parents came to Indiana from Fayette county, Ohio, in 1837, and the father was for a number of years a teacher in the schools of Montgomery county. He was a man of fine intellectual attainments, served as justice of the peace and in other official positions, and is re- membered as a very earnest member of the Methodist church. He died March, 1845, and his wife was laid to rest on the fifth day of De- cember, 1847. The Elys came originally from England and the Shobe family is of German extraction. After his marriage, Mr. Bailey began the pursuit of agriculture on a farm of 100 acres in Perry township, and, later, he added to his original place until he now owns 150 acres, and is recognized as one of the most successful farmers in the community where he resides. In 1867 he identified him-

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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY

self with the Methodist Protestant church, and in 1870 he yielded toa desire of long standing and entered the ministry, in the active work of which 'he has been successfully engaged ever since. For a period of ten years he had regular charges, including four different circuits, and through his instrumentality over six hundred persons were converted and added to the church.

Mr. Bailey has a military record of which he feels deservedly proud, and few soldiers had a more thrilling experience than he in fighting for their country during the late rebellion. On the fourteenth of August, 1862, he enlisted in company I, Eighty-sixth Indiana infantry, and saw his first active service in Kentucky while under the command of Gen. Buell. He parti- cipated in the bloody battles of Perryville and Stone River, in the latter of which he was captured by the enemy and sent to the famous Libby prison at Richmond. After an incar- ceration of about one month he was exchanged, and, rejoining his command in Tennessee, took part in the battle of Chickamauga, where he narrowly escaped death a number of times on that hotly contested field. He was in the bat- tle of Missionary Ridge and all the leading battles of the Atlanta campaign, where for a number of weeks his command was constantly exposed to the fire of the enemy. He had many narrow escapes at Buzzard's Roost and Kenesaw Mountain and other engagements. On account of sickness brought on by expos- ure, he was compelled to leave the ranks, and at intervals was. treated in the hospitals at Marietta, Chattanooga, Nashville and Jefferson- ville. After spending a short time at home on furlough, Mr. Bailey rejoined his regiment at Pulaski, Tenn., in season to take part in a number of battles, including Jonesboro, Frank- lin and Nashville, in the latter of which he was for two days engaged in the hottest part of the fight. In the spring of 1865 he accom- panied his command to Richmond to aid

Grant, but at Jonesboro was ordered back and then returned to Nashville a short time there- after, where, on the twelfth day of June of the same year, he was honorably discharged from the service. . It will thus be seen that Mr. Bailey's military experience was in every way an honorable one, and, during his period of three years' service he never shrank from nor hesitated to perform any duty, however. dangerous. In civil life Mr. Bailey has a rec- ord which entitles him to the confidence and esteem of his fellow-citizens, and against his character as an upright and courteous christian gentleman no breath of suspicion has ever been uttered. Politically he is a prohibitionist.

EORGE W. BAKER, one of the self- made men of Boyleston, Clinton county. Ind., is now successfully en- gaged in farming. He is widely known in the county, and in its history well deserves representation. The record of his life is as follows: He was born in Owen county, Ind., May 20, 1847. and is of English descent. His grandfather. John Baker, was an Ohio farmer who died at the advanced age of eighty-eight years. By his first marriage he had six chil- dren, and by his second union one son, Beals. In politics he was a whig, and for forty years he was a faithful member of the .Christian church. William Baker, father of George W., was born in Ohio in 1817, and in 1860 came to Clinton county, where he purchased eighty acres of timber land. He now has eighty- three acres, all cleared and highly cultivated. In religious belief he is a Methodist. He was married, in 1846, to Mrs. Jane (Nichols) Pitt- man, who by her former marriage had one son, Jasper, who enlisted in the cavalry service and died during the late war. Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Baker-George W., John, Sarah J. and Arabel.

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OF CLINTON COUNTY.

In an old log school-house G. W. Baker began his education. He was only seven years old at the time of his mother's death, and at the age of fifteen he began life for himself, working at any employment which he could find. In August, 1867, he was united in mar- riage to Mrs. Sarah (Holton) Hendricks, a na- tive of Kentucky, and a daughter of Ambrose D. and Mary J. (Vallandingham) Holton. · Her father was a soldier in the war of 1812. and received a land warrant for 300 acres. To Mr. and Mrs. Baker have been born ten children: Ambrose S., Josephine M., Truly S., Edgar M., Dora K., Leontes, Richard E., Willard C., Zora F. and Basil V. Upon his marriage, Mr. Baker rented his father's farm, and afterward operated the farm belonging to his mother-in-law, for five years. He then purchased forty acres on Indian Prairie, and afterward bought forty acres of his present farm. To this he has added from time to time until he has now 180 acres, which yields to him a golden tribute in return for the care and cultivation he places upon it. At first he was able to make only a partial payment, but it is now clear from all indebtedness and is recog- nized as one of the valued farms of the com- munity. His pleasant home was erected at a cost of $1,400, and he has built good barns and outbuildings and added all other necessary improvements and conveniencies. His home is within a mile and half of the fine gravel road which leads to Frankfort, and he has five good markets within a short distance. Mr. Baker has won success through business ability, en- terprise and industry, and has arisen from a humble position to one of affluence. His life has ever been an honorable and upright one, and throughout the community where he lives he has many warm friends, who esteem him highly. The energy with which he has lifted himself from comparative indigence to af- fluence is worthy of emulation.

0 AVID M. BALL is a native of Indi- ana, and was born in the county of Boone July 26, 1845. His father, Joseph Ball, married in West Vir- ginia Ingabo McDaniel, and in 1834 emigrated to Boone county, Ind., in company with his father-in law, William McDaniel, a planter of Virginia. At the time of his arrival in Boone county but few improvements of any kind had been made in the country, the city of Lebanon containing but a few log cabins and a popula- tion less than two hundred. Joseph Ball was one of the pioneer teachers of Boone county and did much in awakening an interest in mat- ters educational in an early day. He occupied a high social position and was known and re- spected throughout the county as a man of good judgment and most excellent moral char- acter. He reared a family consisting of the following children: Jackson, Nancy A., Rob- ert, Reuben, Celesta, Perry, John, Ellen, David M., William, Joseph and Flora.

David M. Bell was but nine years old when his father died, which sad event threw him, at that tender age, largely upon his own resources. He desired to obtain an education, but untow- ard circumstances interfered with the realiza- tion of his wishes, although he obtained a fair knowledge of such branches as were then taught in the common schools. The building in which he first received instruction in the mystery of books was common to that period, being con- structed of unhewn logs, covered with clap- boards, held in their places by weight poles, warmed in the winter season by a fire in a fire- place occupying nearly an entire end of the building, and supplied with rough benches which rested upon an uneven floor made of puncheons. While attending school in this primitive backwoods college he worked morn- ings, evenings and Saturdays for his board, and, considering the obstacles by which he was con- fronted, his progress was indeed commendable.

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Mr. Ball chose for a life partner Miss Al- meda Trotter, daughter of Matthew and Emily (McFarland) Trotter, and shortly after his mar- riage settled on a farm near Colfax, where he lived for some years. Later, he abandoned farming for a time and engaged in the hard- ware business in Colfax, but, after two years thus spent, returned to agriculture, purchasing his present farm of eighty acres in Perry town- ship, where he has since resided. He has a pleasant home, is comfortably situated, and ranks among the well-to-do farmers of his neighborhood. While not identified with any religious organization, Mr. Ball believes in churches, and is always found on the side of any movement having for its object the moral well-being of the community. Politically he is a republican. The following are the names of the children of Mr. and Mrs. Ball, together with the dates of births: Robert A., April 3, 1868; Lawrence, November 3, 1871; Jesse, February 27, 1878, and Emma, June 28, 1883. The father of Mrs. Ball was a merchant of Colfax and a very successful business man. He came to Clinton county from Virginia and was the father of four children-Almeda, Abner, Thomas J. and James. After his death his widow married David Wolf, a farmer of Clin- ton county, by whom she had three children -- Sanford, Charles and Jesse. She died in 1867.

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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