USA > Indiana > Clark County > Baird's history of Clark County, Indiana > Part 31
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Mr. Scott received such education as the schools of the neighborhood afforded, but, not stopping with this, he has broadened. his outlook on the affairs of life until he is a recognized authority on all such topics as are of general interest to the citizens of any community. He has long been officially connected with the township schools, having at all times taken a deep interest in its educational affairs, and he has always stood for progress. At the present time he is a member of the County Council, and is regarded as an invaluable counsellor in the disposition of the perplexing problems which so often con- front that body.
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Mr, Scott was married to Anna Belle Adams, daughter of William and Charlotte Adams, sketch of whom will be found on another page of this work. Mrs. Scott's paternal grandfather, Col. Martin Adams, was a man of considerable note in the early days of the Middle West. When sixteen years of age he was sent to the frontier as a scout and guardsman against the Indian foes. Many tribes were hostile and treacherous and a high degree of skill and courage were necessary to successfully combat the foe on their own ground. According to the customs of the times, made necessary by circumstances, he dressed in buckskin trousers which, when once put on, were worn for some- thing like six months. In the case of Col. Martin Adams, he wore his buck- skin trousers as long as his growth would permit, hence when longer wear became impossible, on account of size, he submitted to the odd operation of having his trousers cut from his body.
Mr. and Mrs. Scott have become the parents of three children : Addie, born on the 25th day of August, 1880, became the wife of Carl C. Canter, who is connected with the management of the Jeffersonville Reformatory. She died December 3, 1908, leaving two children, Frances Marie and Ruth Estella ; Lottie May was born on the 2d day of January, 1888, and William Martin first saw the light on January 3, 1898.
Mr. Scott affiliates with the Democratic party, but takes his stand on the principles of justice and fairness, believing with Rutherford B. Hayes that "He serves his party best who serves his country best." He and his wife are loyal supporters of the Methodist church, and are well known for their chari- table spirit.
HENRY HANKA.
Mr. Hanka is entitled to rank among the successful self-made men of Wood township, Clark county, who, by energy and enterprise, have wrought wisely and well not only to make a comfortable home and surroundings for themselves but also to make this one of the leading localities in the state.
. Henry Hanka was born in Floyd county, Indiana, May 5, 1869, the son of Benjamin and Caroline (Stumbler) Hanka. The former was born in Franklin county, Indiana, and he came to Floyd county when about sixteen years old, where he has since resided. He has been a cooper by trade, but he has followed farming for many years and is still living on a farm in Floyd county, being known as one of the pioneer berry growers of Floyd county, in fact, he was one of the first growers of small fruit in this part of the state. Caroline Stumbler was born about 1838, in Floyd county, the daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth (Martin), Stumbler. She died about 1880. Henry Hanka had eight brothers and one sister, only five of whom are living.
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The subject received his education in the common schools of Floyd county. He has been a farmer and fruit grower all his life, having started life for him- self when he was married, May 17, 1904, to Elnora Martel. of New Albany, daughter of Conrad, and Mary (Steller) Martel. Her parents live in New Al- bany, their family consisting of seven children, five girls and two boys. Mr. Martel is a shoemaker by trade.
Mr. Hanka devotes considerable time and attention to the growing of vegetables and all kinds of garden truck, besides fruit growing and general farming, and he makes a great success of all these lines, always finding a ready market for what he produces. He has a beautiful home five miles from Bor- den. He has been living in Clark county for several years. He is a bright young German, well known in this community, known as one of the extensive truck and berry growers. He has always been a Democrat and is a Catholic in his religious belief, belonging to St. John's church, in Wood township.
Benjamin Hanka, father of the subject, was born April 15, 1842, in Franklin county, Indiana, the son of Joseph Hanka, who was born in Germany, and who came to the United States when a young man. He married Eliza- beth Burman, who was also a native of Germany. Joseph Hanka was about forty years old when he died, in Franklin county. His wife died in Louis- ville, Kentucky, at the age of fifty-seven years. The following children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Hanka: Joseph, who died at the age of two years; John, Henry, of this review; Jacob, Elizabeth died when twelve years old, Benjamin, Jr., Antone, Frank was five years old at his death, Adam and Lena.
Benjamin Hanka was the originator of strawberry culture in this sec- tion of the country. He started in the strawberry business here about twenty- six or twenty-seven years ago. He came to Floyd county about forty-one years ago and has resided in this locality ever since. He is a Demorat, a Cath- olic and a well known and highly respected man in the county as are all the Hankas.
MATTHIAS FISCHER.
Among the highly honored veterans of the war between the states and the prosperous farmers of Wood township, Clark county, the subject of this sketch deserves to be enrolled.
Matthias Fischer was born October 28, 1837, at Oberstedten, by Frank- fort-on-the-Main, near Homburstch, Forderha, Germany, the son of Matthias F. and Elizabeth (Rocke) Fischer, the former having been born in 1800 in the same place as the subject. He was a miller in the Fatherland before com- ing to the United States in 1853, having brought his family with him by way
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of New York, direct to Clark county, Indiana. He bought land in Wood township, where he farmed until his death, October 5, 1871. He went back to Germany twice on business after coming to the United States. He often told of his first trip to this country, which was made in an old-fashioned sail- ing vessel, which took sixty-four days to make the trip. He was a hard work- ing man and made all the improvements on the two hundred acres of land which he secured in this township. He devoted his life in this country to farming and stock raising, exclusively. He was the only member of his fam- ily who ever came to America. He was a well known man in Clark county and had a good business. He transported most of his farm products to Louis- ville where he found a ready market. He was a well educated man, a Demo- crat and a member of the Reformed Lutheran church. His parents died when he was very young.
Matthias Fischer went to Louisville, Kentucky, soon after he arrived in America and learned the cooper's trade, at which he worked until 1862. He had received a fairly good education in Germany, but never attended school in this country. He espoused the cause of the National government during the dark days of the Civil war and enlisted in 1862, in the Twelfth Indiana Battery, Heavy Artillery, and served faithfully until the close of the war. He was in the battles of Huntsville, Alabama, and was at Fort Negley for about nine months. His next engagement was at Chickamauga, then Missionary Ridge and later the battle of Nashville. He lost his hearing in one ear from the concussion of the heavy guns and he gets a pension from the government which he so ably served.
Mr. Fischer was married after his return from the army, in 1865, on November 23d, to Helen Hooffman, who was born June 3, 1843, the daughter of Jacob and Margaret (Dietz) Hooffman. Mrs. Fischer was born in Nieder- dorfelten, Germany, and she came to the United States in 1865. Her parents died when she was young.
Following are the names of the brothers and sisters of the subject: Chris- tian, born October 10, 1825, died February 5, 1894; Elizabeth, born November 29, 1827; Louis, born February 22, 1832, died August 24, 1905; John E., born December 22, 1834, died February 12, 1900; Frederick, born October 4, 1835, died August 25, 1863; Henry lives in Wood township; Phillip is de- ceased; Mary, born in 1839, lives in Ohio; Eliza, born in 1838, lives in Shelby county, Kentucky.
Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Matthias Fischer, as fol- lows: Elizabeth, born August 14, 1866, married Lemuel Fordyce, who is de- ceased ; she is living in Wood township. Her children are George and Augusta. Augusta, the second child, was born January 18, 1869, married Christopher Miller, and they have two sons, Edwin and Lawrence, and they are living in Harrison county, Indiana. George M., who was born January 14, 1873, is
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married and has these children, Nellie, Jacob, Glen, Bertha and Leno. Emma, born January 7, 1879, married Nicolas Miller; they also live in Harrison county and are the parents of one child, named Lillian. George M. married Jennie Fordyce. They live in Wood township.
Mr. Fischer went to farming after his marriage on sixty-five acres of land, in Wood township, section 8, and he developed a good farm, being a diligent worker and a careful manager. He has made a success of his agri- cultural and stock raising pursuits and is now living retired in Borden, having ceased active business operations five years ago. In his political relations he supports the principles of the Republican party. He is a member of the Meth- odist Episcopal church. He belongs to Mitchell Post, No. 424, Grand Army of the Republic, of Borden. His is a fine old German family.
ABRAHAM FRY.
Mr. Fry has long been considered one of the leading pioneer agriculturists of Clark county, his farm being a model in every respect and under his man- agement it has been developed from the rudely improved virgin ground to a most highly productive place, which has from year to year yielded a splendid income, so that our subject has laid up a competency for his old age.
Abraham Fry was born in Utica township, Clark county, Indiana, in 1833, the date of his birth falling on September 17th, having been reared near where he now resides, for, unlike many of his early contemporaries who left their parental roof-tree early in life to seek precarious fortunes in other states, Mr. Fry decided to remain at home. His father, John Fry, a native of Kentucky, was a man of influence and high integrity. The mother of the subject, known as Sarah Swartz in her maidenhood, was reared in Utica township, where she attended school and where she married John Fry in about 1822, and became the mother of twelve children, five sons and seven daughters, of whom Abra- ham is the third living child.
Abraham Fry spent his boyhood days working on his father's farm and attending the public schools, where he applied himself in such a manner as to gain a good education, which has later in life been supplemented by home reading. Not being in position to leave his home and business to take part in the great Civil war, but feeling that it was necessary to do what he could in assisting to suppress the rebellion, Mr. Fry hired a substitute who went to the front in his stead. He began farming on his father's place, having pur- chased his present farm about 1856, therefore it has received his care and attention for over a half century, during which time it has been carefully man- aged so that the soil is as productive today as when he first assumed control of
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it, and as the years passed by the place assumed a more pleasing aspect as to improvements in a general way. It consists of one hundred and ninety-eight acres, worth two hundred dollars per acre. On it stand many substantial and convenient buildings, including a very fine and nicely furnished residence, which ranks well with the best of farm houses in the county.
Mr. Fry has been twice married, his first marriage having been solemnized with Sarah E. Parks, and to this union two children were born, one of whom, Floyd J., is now living in 1908. His second marriage was with Margaret A. Mann, in 1860, to whom the following children have been born: Horace, de- ceased ; Mrs. Emma P. Johnson, Frank A., Mrs. Cora B. Graham, Mrs. Ethel M. Jacobs, Walter T., Mrs. A. Redding, Harry J. and Mrs. Grace M. Rich- ardson.
Mr. Fry is a Democrat in his political beliefs, being well grounded in the principles of his party, and while he has never sought the emoluments of public office he has ever been ready to assist in placing the ablest men possible in the local offices where the public weal is to be considered. In his religious relations he is a faithful member of the Methodist church, having long taken a delight in this denomination. Fraternally Mr. Fry is a Mason, being a mem- ber of the Knights Templar, and judging from his daily. walk one would con- clude very readily that he believes in carrying out the sublime doctrines of this worthy order and the creed of his church as well, for, being a representative of one of the oldest and best families of Clark county he has ever sought to be worthy to bear their honored name.
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JAMES K. GIBSON.
One of the well known farmers of Wood township, Clark county, In- diana, is James K. Gibson, who was born here November 15, 1846, and it has been Mr. Gibson's good fortune to be able to spend his life on the old home- stead where he still resides. He is the son of James and Hannah ( Peck) Gib- son, the former having been born in Carr township, this county, in 1817. The parents of the subject's father came from North Carolina. They were living in Clark county at the time of the Pigeon Roost massacre, when the whole settlement went to Fort Clark, in this county, for protection. Grand- father Gibson was an Indian fighter himself. He often repaired to an old blockhouse not far from where the subject now lives. James K. Gibson's grandparents were of Scotch-Irish descent. Grandfather Burrell Gibson and one brother, William, came to America together, the former coming to Clark county, Indiana, being among the first white settlers.
James Gibson died in 1889. He was a farmer and stock raiser and a
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man of influence in his community, many of his sterling qualities having been, inherited from his father and transmitted in turn to the subject of this sketch. James Gibson took a prominent part in political affairs and held several town- ship offices, and he was Constable for several years. He had no chance to get an education in those early days, but he was a strong man mentally as well as physically. Both the subject's father and grandfather entered land in Clark county, and the land where James K. now lives was entered by his uncle, the government giving him the deed for land signed by President John Quincy Adams. James K. Gibson has the deed to his father's land, which is signed by President Franklin Pierce. James Gibson was one of eleven children. His wife, Hannah Peck, was born in Wood township, this county, in 1822,the daughter of Rufus and Naomia (Alexander) Peck, the former a native of Rhode Island, and the latter of Connecticut. She was one of a family of four children. Her parents died when they were young.
James K. Gibson received what education he could in the old log sub- scription schools, the school-room being equipped with log benches, hewn from trees from the surrounding forests. Mr. Gibson has been a farmer all his life, having assisted his father in his youth to improve the farm and clear the land, and he has continued to make improvements on the same until his place now ranks with any in the township. It is located in section I, southwest quarter, two miles from the village of Borden. He is a hard working man and his labors have been amply repaid by Mother Nature for he is in easy circum- stances and has a good home and pleasant surroundings.
Mr. Gibson was united in marriage in 1885 to Indiana Goss, daughter of John Goss. She was born in Wood township, this county, June 4, 1852. One child has blessed this union, John L. Gibson, whose date of birth is April 23, 1886. He married Myrnie Rose, of Wood township. He is a school teacher of more than ordinary ability and he and his wife are highly respected people.
In his political relations Mr. Gibson is a supporter of the Democratic party. He was at one time Supervisor of Wood township and made a most excellent official, according to his neighbors. He is at this writing a member of the Advisory Board of the township. Mr. Gibson belongs to the Christian church.
GEORGE JACKSON; SR.
There is little doubt that a life of activity, especially if lived near the great heart of Mothern Nature in the woods and fields is conducive of long- evity. In his own person the subject of this sketch, who has now passed into the silent land exemplified it. From youth his life was one of great activity as a huntsman and pioneer farmer in Clark county and he was a vigorous and
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very active man even down to his last years, and his father reached nearly the century milestone. There can be no doubt that it is the sluggard, not the toiler, who dies early in life.
George Jackson, Sr., was born in Clark county, Indiana, May 4, 1828, the son of Zephaniah and Fannie Jackson. The subject's parents were among the very first pioneers of Clark county. Their children were as follows : Katie, Mary Ann, William, Thomas, John, Henry, Harrison, Zephaniah, Jeremiah and George, the subject of this biographical memoir.
George Jackson was a woodsman, as already intimated, a great hunter of deer, wild turkey and all kinds of wild game. He was also a tan-bark maker. During his youth in this county the land was all timbered, and all the heavy work was then done with ox teams. He was educated in the subscription schools, which he attended for a few months during the winter, but never had an opportunity to attend free schools. He was a member of the Methodist church and was a Republican, but never sought political preferment. He mar- ried Matilda Starr, in Clark county, but the date is not known, George and two brothers having married three Starr sisters. Seven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. George Jackson, namely : William Riley, who lives in Wood township, married Anna Spurgeon and they are the parents of eleven children ; John T., who is now deceased, married Liza Jane Goss, who lives in Wood township, the mother of eight children; Caroline, who married Perry Spur- geon, is the mother of seven children and lives in Clark county ; Lewis A. is living at home; Emeline, who married Samuel Pixley, is the mother of five children and is living in Jeffersonville; George W .; Amanda, who married John Ross, lives in Clark county, became the mother of four children, all now deceased. Matilda Starr, wife of the subject, is the daughter of John and Nancy (Bailey) Starr, natives of Kentucky, and early pioneers of Clark county. The wife of the subject was one year old when she was brought to Clark county by her parents. She remembers the early condition of the coun- try in his girlhood days, how wild it was, and also tells of the exciting life of her father, who was among other things, an Indian fighter. She is still living in 1909, aged seventy-six years. George Jackson died April II, 1903. He was a man of many sterling qualities and was widely and favorably known in this locality.
George W. Jackson, Jr., was born March 4, 1863, in Wood township. Clark county, and he was educated in the common schools of this district, as- sisting with the work on the place in the meantime until he reached maturity. when he was married to Linnie Spurgeon, who was born in Washington coun- ty, Indiana, August 4, 1870. Five children have been born to this union, namely : Grace, born June 30, 1891, died when fourteen months old; Everett, born November 24, 1892; Ethel, born June 6, 1894; Marshall, born July 29. 1896, died May 16, 1899; Goldie, born May 18, 1905.
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George W. Jackson, Jr., has been in poor health for several years and although he is a skilled carpenter and plasterer by trade, he is at present unable to work on account of ill health. He has been engaged for some time in the growing of small fruits and the mercantile business. He has a nice little gen- eral store and has a fair trade, the store being located on his place on the Salem road, about five miles from Borden. He keeps a good stock of care- fully selected goods and he is known to be honest in all his dealings with his fellow men. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and he sup- ports the Republican party. He has a nice family and he is very proud of his father's record as a hunter, and he seems in every way to be a worthy descend- ant of such a man of mettle.
William R. Jackson, who married Anna Spurgeon, is a farmer of Wood township. His wife is the daughter of Archie and Mary Spurgeon, who were among the pioneers of Clark county, and both deceased. W. R. Jackson and wife are the parents of eight children, who grew to maturity : Ferris, Icy, wife of Andrew Taylor; Calvin, deceased; Martie, Cephus, Archie, Raymond and Eleanor. Mr. Jackson is a Republican in politics and he and his wife are members of the Methodist church.
DAVID O. BLANKENBAKER.
Thus far the career of David O. Blankenbaker has been one of great act- ivity and signal usefulness and he bears an unsullied reputation in both busi- ness and social circles. He was born in Washington county, Indiana, January 10, 1862, the son of Samuel Blankenbaker. His mother was known in her maidenhood as Nancy Jane Terrell. Samuel Blankenbaker was born in 1840 and died January 20, 1904. Nancy Jane Terrell was born in 1835 and died at an advanced age. The subject's grandparents were among the first white set- tlers in Washington county, having settled in Harrison township in that county upon their arrival from Kentucky. Samuel Blankenbaker was a farmer in Washington county, having been born and reared there. He died in Clark . county about thirty years ago. He was a Republican but took no part in politics. He was a member of the Methodist church. His people came from Kentucky as far back as known. The subject's mother was the daughter of Thaddeus Terrell, who was one of the early pioneers of Clark county, where he was well known as a dealer in horses, being regarded as a very shrewd man. He was also an extensive tobacco raiser.
David O. Blankenbaker is one of seven children, four boys and three girls. He married Emma E. Thompson, who was born August 18, 1863, the daugh- ter of Solomon and Esther (Want) Thompson, a well known family in their community. Solomon Thompson was born in 1827 and died January 5, 1905.
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Esther Want died November 24, 1873. She was born in 1829. Her maternal grandparents were from Germany while her father's people were Hoosiers as far as known. Seven children have been born to the subject and wife, as fol- lows: Newton Samuel, born December 10, 1885, died June 7, 1906; Alfonso Solomon, born January 1, 1887, married Dora Lee Masters, and they live in Illinois ; George E. was born January 10, 1889, and is living at home; Benja- min F., born November 1, 1895, is living at home ; John B., born November I, 1897, is also living at home; Herman C., born August 17, 1899, is living at home; Iva E., born December 14, 1903; Lilly B., born July 7, 1904.
David O. Blankenbaker has lived in Clark county for the past thirty years, during which time he has been a very active man, engaged principally in agri- cultural pursuits. He was a farmer and fruit grower up to eight years ago, when he went into the mercantile business on the Blue River road, about three and one-half miles from Borden. He has a neat little store well stocked with a good quality of goods and he has built up an extensive trade with the sur- rounding community. He is regarded by all who know his as industrious and honest in his dealings with his fellow men. In politics he is a Republican and he belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church, where he is a familiar figure in the gatherings of that congregation. He is a well informed man, havnig been educated in the common schools of Clark county and he has since read a great deal at home. He has a host of friends in this community and no enemies, for his life has been led along safe and honorable lines.
HENRY PACKWOOD.
Henry Packwood is one of the old and representative farmers of Clark county. He has persevered in the pursuit of a persistent purpose and gained . a satisfactory reward. He was born in Clark county, Indiana, February 26, 1836, the son of Samuel and Phoebe (Heaton) Packwood, the former born March 5, 1808, in Patrick county, Virginia, who came to Clark county, Indi- ana, with his father, William Packwood. Samuel Packwood was a farmer, a Democrat, and he died in Wood township in 1896. The Packwoods were among the first settlers in this part of the county. Samuel Packwood entered land in sections 32 and 33, which was wild and heavily timbered at that time, but he cleared the land and made extensive improvements on it. The village of Salem at that time was larger than New Albany and most of the trading in this locality was done there. Phoebe Heaton was born in Pennsylvania in 1812 and died in 1904. She first came to Washington county, Indiana, and then to Clark county when quite young. She and Samuel Packwood were married in Clark county June 14, 1832. Ten children were born to them,
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