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 59

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 59
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 59
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 59

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PETER BEEBOUT.

MRS. PETER BEEBOUT.

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OF CLINTON COUNTY.

urged to accept office, including that of county commissioner, he has always declined. He is a Protestant in his religious predilections, but is connected with no church, although he con- tributes liberally to the aid of numerous de- nominations. His children are named Eliza- beth C., wife of Robert Heaton; John, Will- iam, Warren, Howard, Hattie, Carrie and Elmer G. Mr. Beebout is an accomplised agriculturist, and was the first man in the county to introduce tile draining

Mr. Beebout has led an industrious and upright life, and his heart is filled with the sentiments of a true christianity, notwithstand- ing the fact that he is not a member of any legitimately organized body of worshipers. Charitable in every impulse, the suffering poor have never appealed to him in vain, although his benefactions have ever been of an unosten- tatious and modest character.

0 AVID BLACK, a substantial farmer of Michigan township, Clinton coun- ty, Ind., was born in Montgomery county, Ind., May 30, 1839, and de- scends from good old German stock, Schwartz being the original name in German. Daniel Black, the great-grandfather of our subject, was born on the ocean, while his parents were on their way to America. Growing up on the solid land, however, he entered 160 acres in Preble county, Ohio, where he passed his life. Daniel Black, his son, was born, was married, and died on his father's farm. He served in the war of 1812, was a strong Methodist, and was the father of the following children: David, Uri, and Thomas J. Uri Black, son of Daniel, was born on the old farmn in Preble county, Ohio, November 6, 1806, was a blacksmith by trade, came to Indiana in 1833, and entered 160 acres of land in Montgomery county, near the Boone county line; this farm he improved,

but later sold and bought one near Thorntown, on which he lived eleven years and then sold; in 1865 he came to Clinton county and pur- chased 245 acres, on which he resided until his death in 1882. He married Mary Ann Wolf, daughter of John Wolf. Mr. Black was a stanch republican and served as justice of the peace many years; he was a devout Metho- dist, and was a class leader at Thorntown. His children were born in the following order: George W., William L., Daniel, John, Henry H., David, James F., Uri, Jesse L., Mary E., and Sarah C.

David Black, son of the above and subject proper of this biographical sketch, was edu- cated in the old-time log school-house, com- mon in his early day. September 19, 1861, he enlisted for three years in company I, Tenth I. V. I., and took part in the following engagements: Mill Springs, Corinth, Perry- ville, Tullahoma, Pittsburg Landing. Resaca, Buzzard's Roost, Kenesaw Mountain, Lost Mountain, Big Shanty, Missionary Ridge, Chickamahga, Hoover's Gap, Chattahoochee River, Rolling Fork, and others. At Rolling Fork he caught a bullet in his haversack; at Missionary Ridge his hat was blown off by concussion of- a shell; at Chattanooga a sixty- two pound shell passed between his legs and buried itself in the ground, covering him all over with dirt. Notwithstanding all these "close calls," Mr. Black escaped being wounded, and was absent from duty only a few days, while sick in the Kingston. Ga .. hospital. At Tunnell Hill Mr. Black was of- fered a corporalship, but he refused to accept the position unless elected to it, and elected he was. He received an honorable discharge September 19, 1864, and now receives a pen- sion of eighteen dollars per month. Mr. Black is a member of the F. & A. M., and has passed all the chairs of Herman lodge, No. 184; he is now senior grand in the Michigan-

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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY

town lodge of the I. O. O. F., and is a member of Rubicon lodge, No .. 340, K. of P. Mr. Black was married December 12, 1865, to Miss Melissa E. Van Ausdall, daughter of Henry and Sarah A. (Deem) Van Ausdall. Mrs. Sarah A. (Deem) Van Ausdall was a full cousin of Gov. Campbell, of Ohio. Mr. Van Ausdall is a highly educated gentleman and has long been a teacher in graded and high schools. The children born to the marriage of Mr. Black are named Howard L., Laurie E., John C. and Maud F. Mr. Black has a fine farm of ninety-nine acres, improved with every modern convenience. He and family hold the respect of all their neighbors.

BEL W. BEWSEY, a progressive citizen of Perry township, Clinton county, Ind., was born here August 16, 1858, and is the son of Samuel and Elizabeth (Dukes) Bewsey, both parents of English descent. His grandfather was James Bewsey, who emigrated from England to the United States a number of years ago and settled in New York; thence, after his marriage, he moved to Indiana and located near the town of Hardensburg. His son, Samuel Bewsey, father of Abel W .. was born in the vicinity of Hardensburg and was by occupation a cooper, which trade he fol- lowed until his thirtieth year, when, on ac- count of declining health, he moved to the country and engaged in agriculture. In 1856 he moved to Clinton county and purchased a place of 160 acres, at the time but little im- proved, from which, by the exercise of great industry, he subsequently developed a very fine farm. He owned at one time 320 acres of land, the greater part of which was highly improved, and he became one of the most suc- cessful and progressive citizens of the town- ship where he lived. Samuel Bewsey was one

of the early settlers of Clinton county and a man of local prominence. He was originally a whig, afterward supported the republican party, and as such was elected to the position of trustee of the township. He lived to a ripe old age and died on the twenty-first day of August, 1893; Mrs. Bewsey ts still living.

Abel WV. Bewsey was reared a farmer and early chose agriculture for the work to which his life should be devoted. In his chosen call- ing he has met with the most encouraging suc- cess and now owns a well-stocked and well- tilled farm, with modern improvements, lying about one mile east of the thriving town of Colfax, thus being within easy access of a good market. His place is considered one of the best in Clinton county, and as a farmer and stock raiser Mr. Bewsey takes a deservedly high rank among the successful agriculturists of the township of Perry. He is an enter- prising man, a close observer, and takes an active interest in public affairs, and is a poli- tician of the republican school; religiously he subscribes to the United Brethren creed, while his wife is a Methodist. Mr. Bewsey was married December 18, 1879, to Mary A. Bliss, to which union have been born the following children: Bertha, Roy, Flora, Orlando and Lela. The father of Mrs. Bewsey was for a number of years a well-known fariner of Clinton county, and at one time was engaged in the mercantile trade at Logansport, where he did a very successful business.

a D. BERGEN, M. D., was born in Benton county, Iowa, December 2, 1 866, and is a son of Isaac and Martha (Vorhis) Bergen. Isaac Bergen was born in the state of Kentucky September 3. 1829, married in Johnson county, Ind., in 1852, and was there engaged in farming until 1855. at which time he emigrated to Iowa, locating

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ВИ Зеггутан-

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OF CLINTON COUNTY.

in Benton county, where he followed the pur- suit of agriculture until his removal to the town of Vinton in 1886. Isaac Bergen is a success- ful man, a public-spirited citizen of the county where he resides, and by judicious manage- - ment has become the possessor of ample means, owning at this time 975 acres of land in Benton county, Iowa, and other property equally valuable. He is the father of eight children, namely: J. C., railroad agent at Liv- ermore, Iowa; Retta, deceased; Jennie, de- ceased; Matilda, wife of W. H. Hanna, of Iowa; Mattie, wife of Dr. J. D. George, of In- dianapolis; E. D., the subject of this mention; James T., deceased, and G. L.

Dr. Bergen remained with his parents until attaining his majority, received his early edu- cation in the country school, and in 1888 was graduated from the Tilford academy. On completing his literary education, he began reading medicine with Dr. C. C. Griffin, of Vinton, Iowa, under whose "instructions he continued two years, and then attended a course of lectures in the university of Michigan, at Ann Arbor. Later, he prosecuted his pro- fessional studies under the able instruction of Dr. J. D. George, of Indianapolis, and in March, 1891, was graduated from the Chicago school of Homeopathy. After receiving his di- ploma, the doctor began the practice of his profession at Frankfort, Ind., where he has since remained, and where his well known abilities as a skillful and painstaking physician have won for him a large and lucrative busi- ness, which is constantly increasing. Dr. Ber- gen was married in Frankfort, August 30, 1892, to Mary D. Young, who was born in Clinton county, Ind., on the ninth day of April, 1871, daughter of John S. and Carrie (Kern) Young. The doctor is a member of the I. O. O. F. and Maccabees fraternities; also a member of the Indiana institute of Homeopa- thy, and in religion subscribes to the creed of

the Presbyterian church. He possesses natural abilities of a high order, that have been quick- ened by a thorough mental discipline, and he is universally recognized as one of the rising physicians of Clinton county. Of prepossess- ing presence and genial disposition, the doctor has won a prominent place in the regard of his fellow-citizens, and the future has in store for him a career of great promise and usefulness.

ILLIAM N. BERRYMAN, the ac- commodating station agent at Scir- cleville, Clinton county, Ind., for the Lake Erie & Western Railroad company, was born in Madison county, Ind., August 20, 1865. His father, Charles E. Berryman, descended from an old colonial family of North Carolina, and married Charity J. Worley, daughter of William and Nancy Worley, who were among the earliest settlers of Madison county. The father was engaged in merchandising for a number of years after marriage, and during the late war was a gov- ernment contractor for horses. He was a re- publican in politics, was of the New Light re- ligious faith, and a Freemason, and died in May, 1881, and the mother now resides in Scircleville, a respectable member of the Chris- tian church. Their three surviving children are named William N., John E. and Mary E.

William N. Berryman received a good edu- cation and began his business life as a clerk in a drug store, but before he was grown learned telegraphy and station work on the railroad, and for twelve years has discharged the duties of his position to the satisfaction of the com- pany and of the public. He is a thorough business man of large caliber, and enjoys the confidence of all who know him. He is a stanch democrat, and by that party has been unanimously selected as their nominee for the office of township trustee, his business qualifi-

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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY

cations and the esteem in which he is held by the public peculiarly fitting him for the race. He is a member of the Shield lodge, No. 71, K. of P., at Frankfort, and of the Seircleville lodge, No. 593, I. O. O, F., and in the latter he has passed all the chairs, and has also been its representative in the grand lodge. He is an advocate of public education and is free in his support of the churches. Mr. Ber- ryman was married to Miss F. E. Merritt, daughter of John Merritt and sister of Law- son C. Merritt, whose biography appears on another page. To this union have been born three children : Jewett C., deceased, and Boyd M. and Charles. After taking the agency of the Lake Erie & Western railroad, twelve years ago, while Mr. Berryman was yet an unmarried man, he built a house for his widowed mother and family, and just before his marriage, he deeded it to her, thus provid- ing for her a home. Hethen made a new start in life's battle, with his wife to aid him, and they are now the owners of a nice forty-acre farm, beside other town property. Mr. Berry- man's energy and close attention to business have won for him not only the esteem and ap- probation of the company by which he is employed, but also the commendation of the public in general. His social position is as enviable as it is deserved, and his genial dis- position and generous impulses have made him a universal favorite.

EORGE W. BIRD, the efficient city marshal of Frankfort, was born at the historic town of Harper's Ferry, Va., on the nineteenth day of De- cember, 1848, and is a son of Jacob and Sarah (Crumpton) Bird, parents both natives of the same state. Jacob Bird died. when the subject of this sketch was barely one year old, and the widowed mother, with

her only child, continued to live at Harper's Ferry until the breaking out of the great rebellion. When President Lincoln issued his proclamation, advising all loyal people to move out of the state of Virginia, Mrs. Bird with her son and brother moved to Weaverton, Md., where they continued to reside until the year 1870. In the mean- time, George W., after receiving his educa- tional training in schools of the above town, began working for himself at different kinds of employment, and for some years prior to 1870 engaged in the construction of the Baltimore & Ohio R. R. He was married in the above year to Miss Jane A. Buffing- ton of Virginia, and afterward was engaged as driller in the Hagerstown tunnel, later worked in an iron furnace at Knoxville, Md .. to which place he removed with his wife and mother, making his home there for a period of two years. For a little over a year Mr. Bird was a fireman on the Baltimore & Ohio R. R., and in the spring of 1873 came to Frank- fort, Ind., where he has since resided.

Mr. Bird learned the plasterer's trade which he followed with fair success for seven years, the greater part of the time as con- tractor; in 1880 he was elected marshal of Frankfort, which position he held two terms, being re-elected in 1882. From the year 1884 to the year 1888 Mr. Bird was alter- nately engaged in his trade and the furni- ture business, and from the latter date to 1891, inclusive, served as deputy city marshal of Frankfort. In 1892 he was again elected marshal for a term of two years, and in 1894 was re-elected for a term of four years, being the present incumbent of the office. As a guardian of the peace Mr. Bird has proved a most excellent and efficient officer, and the ability displayed in the discharge of the many onerous duties of the position has received universal recognition and commen-

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OF CLINTON COUNTY.

dation. Politically, Mr. Bird has always been an active republican, and fraternally belongs to the Masonic order, the Loyal Order of Moose and the Improved Order of Red Men, the last named of which he had the honor of representing in the great council at Indianapolis. Mr. and Mrs. Bird have a family of six children, namely: Edgar E., a telegraph operator; Pearl, Agnes, Bertha, Ethel and Maud. The mother of Mr. Bird is still living and has made her home with him ever since he arrived at manhood's estate.

S ELDEN E. BLISS, a prosperous car- penter and ex-soldier of Colfax, Clin- ton county, Ind., is of Scotch-Irish descent, coming from a New York family of colonial antiquity. His father, Elias Bliss, a native of the Empire state, was a car- penter and farmer, was an early settler of Ohio, and is still living, at the age of seventy- nine years; his mother died six years ago, in Ohio, a devout member of the Methodist church. Selden E. Bliss was married June 28, 1868, to Lucinda E. Baker, daughter of Daniel and Rachel (Mattix) Baker. Daniel Baker came from Ohio to Indiana in the early history of Clinton county, and entered and cleared up eighty acres of land, but lost his wife July 18, 1888; she took a deep interest in religion, and died strong in the faith of the United Brethren church. To the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Bliss were born the follow- ing children: Flora M., Charles E., Edward L. (deceased), Rachel E. and Genevieve E. Mr. Bliss has made a success in life and is the owner of a very pleasant residence and fine city lots. For over three years he did good and faithful service under his country's flag, and a brief record is here given of his military career: At the age of eighteen he enlisted for three years, November 6, 1861, in company

C, Fortieth I. V. I., and saw his first battle at Shiloh; he was next in the siege of Corinth; then at Perryville, Ky .; then in the battle of Stone River; was at Waldron's Ridge, aud at Missionary Ridge was wounded, having a great toe shot away, and for several weeks was in the convalescent camp at Chattanooga; then joined his regiment at Tullahoma, Tenn .; was in front of Dalton and at Resaca, and was here hit by a spent ball in the left arm; fought at Kenesaw Mountain and at Peach Tree Creek and Spring Hill; back to Franklin; down on the Atlanta campaign for ninety days; was with Thomas in pursuit of Hood, fighting until the latter's army was scattered, and, in fact, was with the army of the Cumberland in all its marches, engagements and victories, from the time of his enlistment until his final dis- charge at Nashville, December 10, 1864. For all this hard service his grateful country now allows him a pension of $14 per month. Mr. Bliss is a member of Stillwell post, No. 375, G, A. R., and in politics is a republican.

S® AMUEL M. BLYSTONE, a substan- tial farmer and ex-soldier of Michigan township, Clinton county, Ind., is of German descent, but of an old Amer- ican family, his grandfather Blystone having been a hero in the Revolutionary army. Moses Blystone, father of Samuel M., was a native of Ohio and came to Clinton county, Ind., with the early settlers. He married Hannah Paris, daughter of Richard and Eva Paris, natives of Alabama. To this marriage the following children have been born; George F., William J., Josephus and Samuel M. Excepting George F., these sons were all in the late war.

Samuel M. Blystone was born in Michigan township, Clinton county, Ind., April 5, 1844, and has been a farmer from his youth up. In

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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY

the fall of 1864, Mr. Blystone enlisted in com- pany G, Fifty-first regiment Indiana volunteer infantry, and was assigned to the army of the Cumberland under Gen. Thomas. He par- ticipated in the campaigns of Tennessee, Ala- bama, and the battles of Columbus, Bridge- port, Franklin and Nashville. In the first day's battle at Nashville a shell exploded near him and the concussion rendered him senseless for more than an hour; the second day a minie ball struck his hand, necessitating his transfer to the hospital; while convalescing he was attacked by the measles, which settled on his lungs, permanently disabling him. He was honorably discharged in the fall of 1865, and now receives a pension of $14 per month, and is a dormant member of the G. A. R. In 1871 Mr. Blystone married Miss Mary Wilson, daughter of George M. and Lucinda (Kent) Wilson, the former of whom was a farmer of Clinton county. Mr. Blystone at once settled on his farm of 120 acres, which is well im- proved and cultivated. They have two chil- dren-Mark M. and Hattie B .- both married and doing for themselves.

ARION URIAH BOND is a wor- thy representative of the business interests of Kirklin, Clinton county, Ind., is a valued citizen and an hon- ored veteran of the late war. He is now en- gaged in the hardware and agricultural imple- ment business. He came of an old family of Dutch origin, but his grandfather was an Ohio farmer. His father, Elias J. Bond, was born in Ohio, in 1823, and on attaining his major- ity married Margaret Slagle, who was born in 1826. Their children were Marion U .; Mary A., wife of William Wood; David P., who wedded Ruth Elmore; Sarah E., wife of Jas- per Johnson; James P., who wedded Mary Ricketts; Desta, wife of William Woods;

George E., who married Ella Wells; Jesse B., who married Matilda Elkenson; and Stephen A., deceased. Mr. Bond owned about 1,000 acres of improved land. He had only $200 at the time of his marriage, and by hard labor, perseverence and economy, he acquired a handsome competence. In politics he was an old-line whig and afterward became a republi- can. Both he and his wife belonged to the Christian church. He was a straightforward. industrious man, who had the respect of his neighbors, and was often appointed guardian for young children. He and his wife now live retired in Clinton county.

M. U. Bond was born in Ohio, July 19. 1844, was reared on the old homestead farm and remained with his parents until August 7, 1863, when he joined company B, One Hundred and Sixteenth Illinois infantry, under Capt. Dutch. After drilling for some thirty days, the regiment started from La Fayette to Fort Durbon, Mich., and guarded the arsenal at that place for a month. Thence they pro- ceeded to Tennessee and participated in the battle of Bull's Gap, which was a hard-fought engagement. They then crossed the moun- tains into North Carolina. and for seven days they were without provisions, save what they could gather from the surrounding country. This caused them to retreat, which they did, cutting the timber behind them in order to im- pede the advance of the enemy's artillery. About this time Mr. Bond was taken with the measles, but was forced to march through mud. and rain, and when his fever was the highest had to ford Clinch river. For a week after- ward he lay unconscious, and when he re- covered found himself in an old log church surrounded by many of his companions, all lying on the floor. The guerrillas made a raid on this place, set fire to the church, and some of the soldiers who were unable to help them- selves perished in the flames. Mr. Bond suc-

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OF CLINTON COUNTY.

ceeded in getting away from the building and was afterward taken to Cumberland Gap, where he was forced to lie on the ground in a tent. Those who were able had to forage for their food. About this time a young colored girl came to the tents, and Mr. Bond says to her he owes his life, for she gathered herbs and roots, from which she made teas which proved very beneficial to the patients. The regiment then again proceeded to the front, and two weeks later was sent to Camp Nel- son, in Kentucky, where for the first time the sick and wounded received the attention which they so much required. Mr. Bond's health was so greatly impaired that he was granted a furlough and returned home. In March, 1864, on a physician's certificate of disability, he was mustered out and again went to his father's farm.

On the 15th of March, 1865, Mr. Bond married Mrs. Eliza A. Whalen, who was born in 1842, and is a daughter of Dudley and Mary Holden. To them have been born eight chil- dren: Gazaro Almeda, Lou Edna, John W., Gertrude, Milford M., Clarence, Lottie and Flossie. Mrs. Bond owned sixty-five acres of land, and to that farm the young people re- moved, making it their home for eight years, when they traded it for ninety-three acres in Kirklin township. This was afterward ex- changed for a farm of 225 acres on the Michi- gantown road, and to its cultivation Mr. Bond devoted his energies until 1892, when he re- moved to the town of Kirklin and purchased an interest in the Frazier & Bond roller pro- cess flouring mill. They also bought and sold grain during one season. The partnership was then dissolved, and our subject afterward bought out Robert Thomas, and began dealing in shelf and heavy hardware, tinware, agricul- tural implements, buggies and wagons. He has prospered in this line and has a constantly increasing business. He is also a stockholder

in the Kirklin Natural Gas company. Mr. Bond has served as road superintendent of his township, is an active republican. and has fre- quently been delegate to the county and con- gressional conventions He holds member- ship with the Christian church, and belongs to Chickamauga post, No. 44, G. A. R., of which he has been assistant treasurer for twenty years; also belongs to Kirklin lodge, No. 443, F. & A. M., in which he has been actively interested since its organization, more than twenty-five years ago. He is also noble grand in Kirklin lodge, No. 299, I. O. O. F. He is a faithful citizen, who is as loyal to his country in the days of peace as when he followed the stars and stripes on southern battle fields.

0 AVID M. BONHAM, M. D., of Edna Mills, Ross township, Clinton county, Ind., is one of the leading physicians of his county, and a prominent citi- zen, coming from an old colonial Virginia fam- ily. His grandfather, Dr. Benjamin Bonham, was born at Oldtown, Va., of German stock. He married, in Virginia, Susan Zinger, and to them were born five children, viz .: Susan, Wesley, Samuel, Jeremiah and David. At an early age Dr. Benjamin Bonham settled in Shelby county, Ohio, practiced medicine for many years, and died of heart disease while visiting a patient. His wife also practiced medicine extensively for twenty years, and rode horseback far and wide. Jeremiah Bonham, son of above and father of our subject, was born in Virginia and went to Ohio with his parents at three years of age. He married Mary Fee, daughter of John and Ann (Gordon) Fee, natives of Kentucky. John Fee was a substantial farmer of Shelby county, Ohio, and gave all of his children a farm. To Jeremiah Bonham and wife were born four children: David M., Susan, Nancy and Francis. Jere-

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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