USA > Indiana > Clark County > Baird's history of Clark County, Indiana > Part 37
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Thomas F. Prall, the sixth child in this large family, was born in Clark county, Indiana, October 12, 1850. He grew up on his father's farm and later in life became a farmer himself and continued in agricultural pursuits during the larger part of his adult life. About nine years ago he came to Henryville and for seven years was engaged in the livery business at that place. He then established a store and since has devoted most of his time to mercantile 48
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matters, in which he has met with success. He still owns the land in grant 225, which as a young man he purchased and improved. He has long been re- garded as one of Monroe township's most substantial citizens and he has made a success of all enterprises in which he has embarked, from farming to mer- chandising. Though he obtained but a limited education in youth he has learned much by observation and contact with the world and exercises good business judgment in all his dealings with his fellow men. He is a member of the Presbyterian church and the local lodge of Knights of Pythias.
On April 6, 1873, Mr. Prall married Nancy L., daughter of John M. and Mary Kirk, of Clark county, where Mrs. Prall was born in 1854. Twelve children have been born to them: Monroe, the eldest, married Lulu Lutz, has five children and resides in Monroe township; Arthur, the second child, died in infancy ; the third child in order of birth is Addie; Charles married Emma Campbell, has two children and is a resident of Henryville; Garfield, who mar- ried Sadie Frankey, has two children, also resides in Henryville; Jesse died in infancy ; William, who married Edith Woodlock, has one child and makes his home in Henryville; and Mary died in infancy. The others are Pearl, Eva, Flora and Burton. William and Charles Prall are in the livery business at Henryville.
ROBERT M. HOWSER.
So far as can be ascertained the Howser family were of German extrac- tion, but emigrated to America at an early day and settled in Pennsylvania. At a later period descendants removed into various states, and one branch founded a family in Jessamine county, Kentucky. There in the first half of the nineteenth century Elijah Howser was born. He grew up on a farm, learned the business and spent his whole life in agricultural pursuits. The methods were primitive in those days, there being much hard work and little profit. He was fond of politics and became well known as a politician in sup- port of the Democratic party. He was, however, content to help others and never became an office-seeker himself. About 1857 he decided to cross the Ohio river and endeavor to better his fortunes in the young state of Indiana. He bought wild timber land in Clark county, brought his family over and spent the rest of his life in the arduous business of clearing and improving. It involved much hard work and endless struggle, but before his death, July 6, 1872, he had established a comfortable home, provided well for a large family and left a respectable name, as well as some property as an inheritance for his children. He was a member of the Christian church, observant of the rules of morality, industrious, law-abiding and in all respects a good neighbor and citizen. He married Nancy Bridgewater, descended from a substantial Vir-
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ginia family, scions of which emigrated to Kentucky when that state was still wild and sparsely settled. Her union with Elijah Howser took place when they were still young and before her death, October 19, 1872, less than two months after her husband's death, she had become the mother of ten children, six of whom were boys and four girls. Of these five are still 'living, among the number being the subject of this sketch.
Robert M. Howser, fifth child in the family, was born March 14, 1844, in Oldham county, Kentucky. He remained with his parents until reaching his majority when he started out in the world to make a living for himself. He had obtained a fair education in the schools of Monroe township, was naturally industrious and intelligent and these accomplishments enabled him to hold his own in the struggles that confront all poor young men at their en- trance into business. When his father came to Clark county, most of the land was still in timber and there were comparatively few improved farms. He had all the experiences of a pioneer boy in the wilderness and learned what it was to get up at four o'clock in the morning, grub or pile logs all day, drive oxen and occasionally go to mill for the family meal or flour. When he got land of his own he had to go through the same experiences and make all the im- provements, but eventually he had a comfortable home and now may be said to live on "Easy Street," compared to the conditions prevailing in his youth. His place is within two and a half miles of Henryville, and his whole life has been devoted to the duties falling to the lot of a general farmer. Decidedly a home man, his chief pleasure is found in assembling around the fireside in the evening with his family. His politics are Democratic, but while he takes an ·interest in party affairs and helps his friends, he himself has never cared for office or sought to become a candidate. He has made a success of his affairs and is one of the well known men in this part of the county.
In 1889 Mr. Howser was married to Eva Watson, who was born in Hen- derson county, Kentucky, December 7, 1861. Her parents were John W., and Martha A. Watson, substantial people and of excellent families in the South. Mr. and Mrs. Howser have one child, Charles W., whose birth occurred Octo- ber 1, 1890. The family are members of the Presbyterian church and have a large acquaintance in various parts of Clark county, by all or whom they are highly esteemed.
LAFAYETTE D. TOWNSEND.
On a home three miles west of Henryville, which is one of the finest in Monroe township, resides one of those quiet substantial business men, who benefit themselves by their industry and help to build up this community in enterprises that extend and encourage improvements. Partly as a farmer, but
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chiefly as a carpenter and contractor, Lafayette D. Townsend is well known as a citizen, neighbor and father of a large family, which he has reared to lives of usefulness. The name has been familiar in Clark county almost since its origin, as the pioneer ancestor was here among the first, when everything was still a wilderness, heavy growths of the primeval forest being seen on every hand and when settlements were to be found only along the rivers and here and there in the fertile valleys. George H. Townsend was born in New York state, June 11, 1811, and came to Clark county, about 1820. He entered land as was customary in those days, and put in the usual hard licks, clearing it of timber and underbrush. He devoted his whole life to farming, met with fair success in his calling, reared a large family and closed his blameless life at a ripe old age. He was married in Bartholomew county, Indiana, to Eliza- beth Hart. who was born in Blount county, Tennessee, October 23, 1823, her father being a farmer named Thomas. By this union there were ten chil- dren, those living being named as follows, according to age: Nora J., Thomas M., Lafayette D., Addie, Ella, Elizabeth, Lillie Alice, Laura and Daisy.
Lafayette D. Townsend, third of the family, was born in Clark county, Indiana, December 27, 1852. At that time schools were few and poor and he was able to obtain but a limited education. The attendance was chiefly in the winter months, the building, the historic log cabin, with puncheon floor and slab seats, the presiding genius who handled the birch was usually some eastern pedagogue, much like Ichabod Crane, made famous by Washington Irving, in his "Legend of Sleepy Hollow." In the spring, summer and fall, all farm · boys were needed for the out door work as assistants to their parents, and it · was under circumstances of this kind that Mr. Townsend got his training for his future life. In due time he became owner of land and engaged in agricul- tural pursuits on his own account. He made all the improvements on his farm and had the satisfaction of seeing it gradually grow into a fine and pro- ductive farm home. Later he became a carpenter and contractor, to which calling he has devoted most of his energies. He put up many of the buildings in Monroe township and prospered by his trade. At present he is in the busi- ness of furnishing ties to the railroads, which has proved a profitable side line. He is recognized as one of the county's substantial men, being a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and a supporter of all causes calculated to upbuild and improve the community. His fraternal relations are confined to member- ship in the Masonic Order and he takes much interest in the affairs of his lodge.
On September 9, 1875, Mr. Townsend married Mary M. Buehler, who was born in Ohio, in 1855. Her parents were Rudolph and Mary (Wild) Buehler, the latter descended from Swiss immigrants, who came to this coun- try about 1860. Her father was a tailor by trade, but spent most of his life in agricultural pursuits. Mr. and Mrs. Townsend have eleven children : Nora
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Elizabeth, who was born June 30, 1876, married Jason Smith, of Utica town- ship, and has one child; Annie, the second of the family, was born January 13, 1878; Lelah B., who was born April 18, 1880, is the wife of W. H. Free- man, Secretary of the State Board of Forestry, a resident of Indianapolis; Paul V., the eldest son, was born February 7, 1882, married Addie Burleson, is a resident of Monroe township and has one child; James, the second son, was born November 5, 1883; Charles B., born July 4, 1886, married Louisa Cummings, resides at Scottsburg and has one child; Lucy T. was born De- cember 8, 1889; Herman R., September 6, 1890; Ruth Irene, June 28, 1892; Elmer L., May 18, 1895, and Hazel M., November 7, 1897. The family are highly esteemed and have a wide circle of friends and acquaintances all over the county. They who visit Mr. Townsend's hospitable home are sure of a cordial welcome and the good cheer that comes from kindliness of disposition and the accumulations of an industrious life.
MATTHEW H. DUNLEVY.
Matthew H. Dunlevy, son of Thomas A. and Catharine (Clegg) Dun- levy, was the oldest of a family of fourteen children. In Mr. Dunlevy we have the genuine type of the energetic successful business man of the kind that makes a community. He has been in many kinds of business, called on to do things and always did them well. The result has been success, social, political and financial, with an excellent home and other worldly goods to show as re- wards for his efforts. Matthew H. Dunlevy was born September 30, 1859, at Blue Lick, in Clark county, Indiana. His only education was obtained in the public schools of Clark county, but on this basis, and by subsequent reading and observation he became a well informed man. It was in 1880, when twenty-one years old, that he came to Henryville to accept a clerkship with Amelia, widow of Henry Ballinger, where he remained for three years. His next venture was in the stock business, which he followed with varying success until 1886. Though still quite a young man, he had obtained sufficient prominency to be selected as postmaster to which office he was appointed by President Cleveland. He served from March 1, 1886, to June 30, 1889, and gave excellent satisfaction to all the patrons, and meantime carried on the mercantile business as a side line. The change of administration in 1888 caused him to be replaced by a Republican, and he resumed his old business of trading in stock. This he kept up until 1892, when the wheels of political fortune again brought Cleveland to the Presidency, and by him Mr. Dunlevy was ap- pointed to his old place of postmaster August, 1893. He served until June 4, 1897, and by general concensus of public opinion he made the best post-
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master that Henryville ever had. When Mckinley came into the Presidency in 1896, Mr. Dunlevy was the first Democrat to "walk the plank" in his con- gressional district, on account of the political fight he made during the cam- paign, but office holding was not essential to his happiness and he lost no time in re-embarking in the mercantile business, which he has ever since followed. Active in various lines, always public-spirited and anxious to help in the de- velopment of his community, Mr. Dunlevy was one of the organizers of the Henryville State Bank, which began business March 17, 1904, and he is now one of the directors and vice-president of this popular institution. In 1902 Mr. Dunlevy was a moving spirit in establishing the Henryville Canning Factory, and in addition to these public services has helped to get lights for Henryville. To him was chiefly due the establishment of an exchange of the Cumberland Telephone and Telegraph Company, at Henryville, and he has been the agent during the five years the station has been opened. In company with R. R. Freeman, he secured the option and bought the land on which the State Forestry Reservation was subsequently established and in this way great- ly benefited the county while doing something for himself.
Mr. Dunlevy is a prominent member of the Knights of Pythias, Modern Woodmen, the Odd Fellows and Rebekahs. He takes much pleasure in at- tending his various lodges, is prompt in attending to all duties assigned him by his societies, and altogether is one of the best known as well as most es- teemed of Clark county's citizens. Though a life-long Democrat and taking an active interest in campaigns for his party, he has never sought office, though frequently influential in securing office for others. His general store at Henry- ville is one of the institutions of the town, and enjoys a large patronage.
In 1880 Mr. Dunlevy was married to Ida A. Gray, a native of Franklin county, Indiana, where she was born in 1859. Her parents were Jeduthen and Lucinda (Hardesty) Gray, the former a Union soldier, who was killed in September, 1862, at the battle of Antietam. Mr. and Mrs. Dunlevy have had seven children of whom five are living, and two died in infancy. Mary Ethel; born in 1881, married Clarence Hough and resides in Chicago; Grace C. was born in 1887; William T. in 1888, Homer in 1891 and Margaret in 1904.
JAMES H. WALKER, M. D.
Though Clark county numbers many bright physicians within her borders, there are none more interesting to talk to and none that stand higher profes- sionally or socially than Doctor Walker. Finely educated, of wide experience and naturally affable, he makes a charming companion and one whom his ac- quaintances are always glad to meet again. Good blood always tells and worthy
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ancestors usually produce worthy descendants. The Walkers have reason to be proud of their lineage as their ancestors were with Lord Baltimore when he crossed the Atlantic to make his historic settlement of Maryland. They were English Catholics and deserve the glory of having favored the first statute for religious freedom ever adopted by an American colony. Descend- ants of these Maryland emigrants became early pioneers of Indiana and were among the first settlers of Martin county, having removed there from Ken- tucky. Peter M. Walker, born in 1845, is engaged in the flour mill business at Loogootee and one of the most prominent men of that Martin county town. He married Margaret Karl, who died at the age of thirty, after becoming the mother of four children. Her husband married again and by this union eight children were born.
James H. Walker, born March 14, 1868, in Martin county, Indiana, was the second of the four children by the first marriage and six years old when his mother died. After the usual course in the common and high schools of Loogootee, he taught for three years in Martin county. He then took up the study of medicine, entering the Kentucky School of Medicine, at Louisville, and was graduated in the class of 1891. Locating at Jeffersonville for the two years he subsequently went to Wisconsin, but after a twelve months' sojourn in that state returned to Clark county, in 1894. He soon gained a good patron- age in Henryville and has been practicing with increasing success ever since. He is generally regarded as in the front rank of his profession and no local physician enjoys greater popularity. Like all men ambitious to shine in his calling Doctor Walker was not content with his original graduation but took and completed a course in the celebrated Medico-Chirurgical College, at Phila- delphia. In addition to this he had the benefit of two post-graduate courses during the years from 1902 and 1904, inclusive. The practical was united with the theoretical by his experiences as a surgeon in the Second Division Hospital at Camp Meade, in Pennsylvania, and during the Spanish-American war he served with the Second Army Corps. Thus it will be seen that Doctor Walker is a thoroughly equipped physician not only because he studied hard in his younger days and got the benefit of the best schools, but by reason of the fact that he has always kept up his reading of the foremost medical journals, which keep him fully abreast of all the latest improvements, discoveries and appliances. Doctor Walker has a delightful home in Henryville, to which his many friends often gather with assurances of the most cordial hospitality and pleasing entertainment.
In 1897 Doctor Walker was married to Mary Ferguson, a lady of an old · and esteemed family, who was born at Henryville, November 11, 1877. Her father, Dr. H. H. Ferguson, was quite prominent in Clark county, both as a · citizen and physician. The fact that her grandfather laid off the town of Henryville, indicated that the family were among the earliest pioneers of the
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county. Doctor and Mrs. Walker have two bright children, a daughter and a son. Helen, born in 1898, and Robert, born in 1900.
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JOHN E. ENLOW.
This name recalls a well known Kentucky family whose members were identified with the old state almost from its earliest history. Jacob Enlow, a native of Virginia, crossed the mountains when everything on this side was still a wilderness with only sparse settlements here and there. His son, Thomas K. Enlow, was born in Kentucky, in 1811, became a farmer when he reached his majority and in 1845 removed to Harrison county, Indiana, where he purchased land. That section was still in a wild condition and he had the usual trying experiences in clearing and improving his property. He was a prominent member of the Methodist church and an active worker in all its undertakings. In 1837 he was married at Mauckport, Indiana, to Amanda Gwartney, who was born in Corydon, Indiana, in 1821. Nine children were born to them, of whom two sons and two daughters survive.
John E. Enlow, one of the surviving children, was born in Hardin coun- ty, Kentucky, in 1842, and hence was three years old when his father removed to Indiana. When about seventeen years old he began teaching in Harrison county, and was thus engaged at the breaking out of the Civil war. In the fall of 1862 he enlisted in Company I, Thirty-fourth Regiment, Kentucky Vol- unteer Infantry, and served until the close of hostilities. He was on detached service in the provost marshal's office during the winter of 1862, and after leaving Louisville served as company clerk until September, 1863. He was present at the siege of Knoxville and went from there to Tazewell county, Tennessee, where he was laid up for a long time with typhoid fever. The command retreated from there to Cumberland Gap and in March, 1864, Mr. Enlow was sent to the hospital at Louisville and furloughed for sixty days. In Tuly he became attached to the hospital boat "Ohio,"at New Albany. Indiana. where he acted as chief clerk, later going in the same capacity to the provost marshal's office. At the close of the war he was mustered out at Louisville and resumed his old occupation of teaching school. After continuing at this for four years he went to Mauckport, and engaged in the milling business. A year later he engaged in the ice business at Louisville and so continued until 1880, when he came to Clark county, and located on a farm in Monroe town- ship. His business since then has been farming, combined with the duties of pension agent. In May, 1907, he was appointed postmaster of Underwood, where he also carries on merchandising as a side line. Mr. Enlow is a mem- ber of the Underwood Baptist church and an ordained minister. He was a
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member of Underwood Post, 264, Grand Army of the Republic until their headquarters were destroyed by fire.
In November, 1865, Mr. Enlow was married to Alice Reynolds, who was born at Louisville, in 1844. Her parents were J. L. and Eliza (Woodruff) Reynolds, the former of Connecticut and the latter a native of New York. Mrs. Enlow's people drove from New York City to Louisville in a wagon. Mr. and Mrs. Enlow have three children living, Joseph T., born in 1866, is chief of the fire department in Jeffersonville; William, born in 1870, married Daisy Rogers, lives in Louisville and has two children; Laura W., born in 1885, married John E. Anderson, and resides at New Albany.
ELAM G. PRALL, D. D. S. 1
The Pralls were of the sturdy race known as Pennsylvania Dutch, and representatives of the family came to Indiana in the early part of the nine- teenth century. They were among the first of the pioneers who settled in Clark county, making their appearance when this section was little more than a wilderness, with the Ohio river as the only highway.
Henry H. Prall, one of the descendants, obtained considerable local promi- nence and was a man of influence in Monroe township. He became the owner of land when everything was covered with timber of the original forest growth and went through the usual hardships and toil connected with clearing and improving wild land. Though farming was his main business and most of his time was devoted to agricultural pursuits he was active in the social, political and religious life of the community. A lifelong member of the Methodist church, he was ordained as a minister in that denomination and did much good in elevating the morals of the community. He was a close friend of Henry Ferguson, who laid out the town of Henryville and lent every assistance in his power to this public improvement. In fact, whenever any movement was set on foot calculated to benefit the people and aid the cause of progress, Henry H. Prall could be relied upon to lend a helping hand. He married Susan E. Lewellen, whose ancestors were Virginians and the family claimed relationship with John Quincy Adams, sixth President of the United States.
Elam G. Prall, son of Henry H., was born in Monroe township, Clark county, Indiana, September 7, 1865. He was educated in the county schools, proving an apt pupil and giving promise in boyhood of a successful career in life. He decided at an early date to adopt one of the professions, and after finishing his academic course entered the Indiana Dental College at Indianapo- lis. In due time he was graduated and his popularity and acquirements as a
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student brought him an office of a professorship. He accepted and had a chair in the college for five years. This was followed by the practice of dentistry at Indianapolis for several years, after which he removed to Dubois county. He remained there several years and then decided to return to his native county, opening an office in Henryville. He has met with success and enjoys a good practice in the town and surrounding country.
Doctor Prall has an inclination for fraternal societies and has risen to prominence and influence in several of the popular orders. He holds member- ship in the Knights of Pythias, Red Men, Modern Woodmen and Maccabees. He has been a representative to the Indiana Grand Lodges, both of the Knights of Pythias and the Red Men. Doctor Prall is an intelligent man, well informed not only in all matters connected with his profession but on current affairs.
In 1905 Doctor Prall married Anna Wermling, a native of Dubois county. Her parents were Henry and Barbara Wermling, who were of German descent. Her father died some years ago and the re-marriage of her mother caused the name of Wermling to disappear from the census rolls of the county. Mrs. Prall is a member of the Lutheran church.
JAMES DOTHITTE APPLEGATE.
The Applegate family has been one of prominence in the vicinity of which this history treats, since the pioneer days, and he whose life record is con- tained in the following paragraphs is a well known descendant of worthy an- cestors. James Dothitte Applegate was born in Louisville, Kentucky, April II, 1857, the son of John D. and Mary Ann (Applegate) Applegate, the former a native of Jeffersonville township, Clark county, and the latter a na- tive of Louisville. Aaron Applegate, grandfather of the subject, was born on the 6th of October, 1779, and was joined in marriage to Mary Rebecca Ross, who was born on the 15th of April, 1781. To this union were born the fol- lowing children : James Ross, born September 2, 1800; Cynthia, born on the 9th of May, 1802, in Jefferson county, Kentucky; Charles Ross, born on the 18th of September, 1805, died January 22, 1887; Mary Ann, born in Clark county, Indiana, on the 5th of May, 1808; David Floyd, born on November 19, 1810; John Dothitte, born February 16, 1812; Mary Jane, born February 9, 1816; George R., born June 9, 1818; John F. R., born March 23, 1820; Sarah M. R. S., born June 23, 1822. Aaron Applegate and wife were among the very earliest settlers of Clark county, having been natives of Virginia. They settled on the Utica pike, then a trail through the wilderness, above Jef- fersonville. They came here from Kentucky, They later moved to the place where the subject of this sketch now lives, in Jefferson township, and where
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