USA > Indiana > Clark County > Baird's history of Clark County, Indiana > Part 50
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EDWARD COVERT.
The history of this family presents the characteristics of industry, honesty, frugality and patriotism, all of which are strongly marked in Edward Covert, who is a native of Clark county, Indiana, where he was born November 20, 1843, being descended from a line of ancestors noted for an enterprising spirit that hesitated at no difficulties, however numerous and formidable.
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Luke Covert, great-great-grandfather of our subject, was born in New Jersey, whither his ancestors had come when emigrating to America from Northern Holland. They sailed aboard the Puritan, which name was given the bay and river where the passengers landed in 1650 and founded the little town which afterward assumed the same name. Luke Covert ended his days in New Jersey, and was laid away in the land of his adoption. His son, Daniel Covert, great-grandfather of our subject, was a gunsmith in Washing- ton's army, and contributed loyal and patriotic service to the cause of conti- nental independence. His home lay in the neighborhood of historic Mon- mouth, famous as one of the spots upon which was waged the conflict in behalf of the American cause. In fact Daniel Covert owned part of the land on which the battle was fought.
After the close of the Revolutionary war the faitilly removed to the West, emigrating first to Ohio, later to Kentucky, and finally coming to Clark county, Indiana, in 1797, where Daniel Covert died in 1803. His son, Peter Covert grandfather of our subject, resided in Clark county as a farmer for many years. He reached a ripe old age, going to his reward on April 15, 1857. He reared a large family, one of whom, Henry, was the father of our subject, and was married to Mary Cortner, January 5, 1843. To this union were born six children, ,as follows: Edward; Sarah, who became the wife of S. W. Evans ; Elijah, of Jennings county, Indiana; Emaline, deceased wife of John W. Hanlin; Addie, born in 1856, wife of James W. Hart, living now in Scott county, and Julia, now deputy post mistress at Otisco, Indiana.
Our subject was reared upon the farm and received such education as was afforded by the district schools of the vicinity, taking later some work at the Sturgus Academy. While at the academy the Civil war was in progress and Edward joined the cause of the Union, in 1865 becoming a member of the One Hundred Forty-eighth Indiana Volunteer Infantry. He remained in the service till the close of the war, his principal duties consisting of guard- ing railroad bridges and sharing the vicissitudes incident to the life of the men who took up their station in behalf of the flag. The war being concluded, Mr. Covert returned to his home and embraced the opportunity afforded to con- tinue his education at the Charlestown high school.
On December 26, 1872, our subject was joined in marriage to Mary C. Beckett, a most estimable young lady, members of whose family were pioneers in the county. She was called to her reward December 19, 1906, and was without children.
Mr. Covert has affiliated with the Dem. atic party and for many years had charge of the local post-office. He has also served as Justice of the Peace, for seven years. For twenty years he has had charge of the local railroad agency, and express agent for twenty-eight years. In connection with these duties he has carried on to a limited extent his trade as a cobbler.
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He is a member of the Methodist church, taking an active part in the church and Sunday school work. He is especially fond of music, and on account of natural talent has been called on to look after the musical affairs pertaining to the church activities.
JOSEPH M. HAAS.
The biographies of the veterans of the Civil war are always interesting. This is due in part, no doubt, to the share they had in one of the mightiest con- flicts of modern times, and also to the period of our country's history in which they grew to manhood. Here in the Middle West the life of the times preced- ing the rebellion seems more romantic and full of variety and incident than the years following the war and since those days are fast receding into the perspective of time, they are rapidly becoming surrounded with the twilight effect that lends charm to even the most commonplace of incidents.
On November 24, 1836, there was born in Lexington, Scott county, Indi- ana, Joseph M. Haas. His father, Ezra Haas, was born at Woodstock, Vir- ginia, and came to Scott county, Indiana, when quite a young man. He was a tanner by trade and a very industrious citizen. He removed later, about 1850, to Clark county, where he ended his days. Joseph's mother, Mary (Schwitzer) Haas, was of Irish descent, and was the mother of nine children, only two of whom, our subject and a brother, James A., are surviving. Both of these sons participated in the Civil war. Joseph joining the Fourth Indiana Cavalry and James enlisting in the Twelfth Indiana Battery.
Our subject enlisted in 1862 and served until the close of the war. The pioneer experiences of his boyhood had developed in him the spirit of courage and presence of mind under danger and he went into the field of battle without hesitancy or thought of personal concern. He participated in many of the historic conflicts, among others being the ones at Chattanooga and Chicka- mauga. At Nashville he received a compound fracture in the left limb, which disabled him for a while, but he took his place among his comrades as soon as able. The cavalry to which he belonged became a part of the Army of the Cumberland and experienced the vicissitudes incident to the memorable cam- paigns waged by that noted body of men.
After the war closed Mr. Haas returned to the family homestead in Clark county and devoted himself to farming and stock raising. Through untiring industry and diligent application he has made for himself an at rac- tive home in Charlestown township. This, with a small government pension, places within his reach the comforts of life and he is content to live out the remainder of his days in the sunshine of the old Hoosier state
Mr. Haas was never married and for many years made his home with
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one of his sisters. Although a Republican, he has made no effort to enter the political arena, being content to live the life of an exemplary citizen. He has always had a fondness for hunting and in early days when wild game was still abundant nothing gave him more satisfaction than to shoulder his rifle and take to the woods. At one time he made an overland trip to Missouri, and Iowa, and made hunting one of the features of the excursion. This experience afforded him much enjoyment, and one over which he delights to reflect.
As a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, Mr. Haas has shown the same genuine loyalty that has characterized him in all of his associations, and he holds a secure place in the esteem of neighbors and associates.
WILLIAM M. DEUSER.
William M. Deuser, of Charlestown, Clark county, is a man of some sixty-five years. All his life has been associated with the township in which he lives, and it is no exaggeration to say that he knows every nook and corner of it and every one of the older inhabitants. Through life he has worked hard and industriously and can now enjoy the eventide of life at the expense of very little energy. He is still robust and hearty, allowing for the advance of age.
William M. Deuser was born in Charlestown on June 6, 1843, being the son of Jacob and Barbara (Schleichten) Deuser. Both were native born Germans who about the year 1833 settled in Charlestown, and here they met one another and married. Jacob Deuser helped to build the Charlestown court house and upon its completion he moved onto a farm in the township a short distance from Charlestown. Here he and his wife lived the remainder of their lives. Mrs. Deuser survived her husband, her death taking place two years later. Ten children were born to them, of whom there are nine living, and all but one live in the vicinity of Charlestown. They are: George, Wil- liam M., Christenia, Amelia, Maggie, Jacob, Jr., Charles, Joseph, Eva and Maggie, the latter (deceased). Jacob Deuser was a man who had the repu- tation of being a money maker. He owned at one time about three hundred acres of land. He afterwards went to Missouri but later returned to Charles- town, where he died. In religion he was a member of the Presbyterian church while his wife was a member of the Catholic faith. Jacob Deuser was al' through life a Democrat in politics.
William M. Deuser was reared in and around Charlestown and labored there on his father's farm. He attended the country school and also school at Louisville and obtained a fair education. On reaching manhood he mar- ried Mary Lori, and one child, William, resulted from the marriage. Wil-
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liam has now entered upon a successful career in the hardware business in Louisville, Kentucky. In after years he married secondly, Barbara Deutchman and to this union were born the following children: George, now in the flour business in Charlestown; Charles, a barber, in Chattanooga, Tennessee ; Lillian Margaret, wife of Fred Lutz, of Charlestown ; and Dortha. All belong to the Presbyterian church.
In politics our subject is a Democrat and an active and faithful party worker. During the Civil war period he was not inactive. When war was declared he volunteered and went into service as a carpenter in which capacity he served for about two years.
William M. Deuser owns fourteen acres of choice land just outside of Charlestown on which he resides. He has the reputation, as had his father before him, of being a good business man. He is a man of means and has been quite successful in his farming pursuits. He is an intelligent type of farmer. He has traveled extensively, and the impressions made upon him by the outside world have been turned to good account by his observant mind. The fact that his children are coming to the front in their vocations has added much to the happiness of his later years. Mrs. Deuser is a constant companion to her husband and her attention and help have been of much importance to him.
S. P. KELLY.
S. P. Kelly, farmer and notary public of Bethlehem township, Clark county, is a man of much influence and a widely respected resident of the dis- trict in which he lives. He is the descendant of an old Virginia family, one of whom in the person of his grandfather, Samuel Kelly, migrated to Kentucky, coming thence to Clark county, Indiana, where he settled and was the first man buried in Ross cemetery ; his interment taking place on the 6th of Novem- ber, 1806. The Kelly family were militant Whigs until the birth of the Re- publican party. Since that time all members of the family have consistently followed the fortunes of the party at present in power. S. P. Kelly has traveled outside his own state, is of an observant disposition, and, consequently, a cultured and well posted citizen. He has for many years been prominently connected with the most influential fraternal organizations of the state, and has a host of friends in fraternal circles and throughor. Clark county.
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The subject of our notice was born in Beth'. em township in the house in which he now lives on the 22d of Novemb.1, 1850. He was the son of Samuel and Harriett Kelly, the latter a cousin of her husband. Samuel Kelly was born in Bethlehem township, Clark county, Indiana, and he grew up in the immediate neighborhood of Bethlehem township. Grandfather
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Samuel Kelly was born in Virginia, and, as we have already stated, came to Kentucky and afterwards to Clark county, Indiana, where he entered land in quarter-section No. 35, southwest, township No. 2, range No. 9 east. Samuel and Harriett Kelly had the following children born to them: S. P. Kelly, John H., Emma and Harriett A. Our subject and his sister, Harriett A., are the only surviving members.
S. P. Kelly was reared on the farm and helped his parents in the farm .work. In wintertime he attended the district school and got a fair common school education. He married Sarah A. Matthews, who was born in Bethle- hem township on the 25th of April, 1853. Five children were born of their marriage as follows : Ellen M., who is the wife of Ira C. Dean, lives in Bethle- hem township; Clara E. is the wife of Charles Jameson, of Bethlehem town- ship; Hattie F. is unmarried and lives at home; Ira M. is also unmarried and lives at home. Hattie is a graduate of the district common school.
For seventeen years after his marriage our subject conducted a flour mill. He then came back on the family farm of one hundred and sixty acres which he now owns. He has been most successful in his farming pursuits. He is a respected member of the community and a trustee of the local Presby- terian church of which he and his family are active members. He is a mem- ber of the New Washington lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, No. 167. He belongs to Bethlehem Lodge, No. 498, Knights of Pythias, and the Red Men of the Abenaki Tribe, No. 367. S. P. Kelly and his wife are members of the Pocahontas Council, No. 260, and Mrs. Kelly is a member of the Pythian Sisters, No. 325, of which she is the treasurer. Our subject is a charter mem- ber of all the lodges with which he has been associated with the exception of the Red Men. He is a member of the K. of R. and S. since its inception. He became chief of records of the local Red Men lodge on the night of its initiation.
In politics S. P. Kelly follows the example of his family and is a staunch Republican. In local affairs he is a member of the Advisory Board and its sec- retary. He has been a notary public since July 1, 1890.
F. V. HOLLOWAY.
F. V. Holloway, of Bethlehem township, Clark county, is a well known farmer and a public man of worth and influence in the community. He has been for almost twenty-three years a residen. of the county in which he lives, having come to Bethlehem township in the year 1885. Previous to that time he had spent his years in the state of Missouri, where he made a name for himself both in private and public life.
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. He.was born in Cass county, Missouri, on the 27th of October, 1837, the son of Thomas and Martha ( Secrest) Holloway. His father was born in Tennessee in 1809, and went to Missouri in 1834, remaining there until his death which occurred in 1895. Grandfather Holloway was an upright and honorable man and a native of Virginia of Scotch descent. Our subject's mother's family, the Secrests, were of German extraction, and natives of North Carolina. Martha Secrest married in Blount county, Tennessee, and went from there with her husband to Cass county, Missouri, in 1834. Eight children were born to them, seven of whom grew to maturity. The sub- ject of our sketch, and two sisters are the surviving members of the family ; one sister is married to a Mr. Foster in Missouri.
F. V. Holloway was reared upon his father's farm and assisted on the farm until his marriage, which took place in his twenty-second year. He re- ceived a common school education in the schools of his township in Missouri. He married Mary J. Cooper, of Missouri, and had a family of eight children. They are : James T., who died at the age of eight years ; Ella F., who is the wife of James Hocker, of Missouri; Minnie, the wife of D. K. Elder, of Chicago, Illinois; Charles W., a resident of Kansas City, Missouri; May, who is the wife of Harry King, of Louisville, Kentucky; B. F. Holloway is a farmer in Bethlehem township; A. F. lives near New Washington, Clark county, and is a farmer; and W. G. is single and lives at the family residence. All received a good common school education. F. V. Holloway's first wife died in 1883, and he has since married three times. His second wife died in 1899, and his third in 1903. He had no children by either. He married Anna M. Robertson, his present wife, on the 14th of September. 1908. She was born in Jeffersonville, Indiana.
In his religious life F. V. Holloway has been a consistent member of the Presbyterian church since 1854, and is an elder in the local church in Bethlehem township. His wife is also a member of the same faith. Our sub- ject is well known in Masonic circles and is a member of New Washington Lodge, No. 164, Free and Accepted Masons, having been a member for forty- nine years. He is also a member of Arcana Council, Harrisonville, Missouri, and is a member of the Royal Arch Chapter and the Gouley Commandery at Butler, Missouri. He served as master of Lodge No. 254, Free and Accepted Masons, at Butler, Missouri, for three years, and was district deputy grand master of Missouri for two years.
F. V. Holloway came from Missouri to Clar! county with his family in 1885. In politics he has been a life-long Democ .. . He was County Ticas- urer of Bates county, Missouri, for four years, too terms. In 1898 he was elected Justice of the Peace of Bethlehem township and is serving in that ca- pacity at the present time. The township usually is known to go Republican by twenty-eight votes, but, nevertheless, our subject was elected by a majority
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of eighteen although a Democrat. This, needless to say, speaks well for his popularity and worth as a citizen. He owns four hundred and eighty-three acres of prime land in the township which is worth a good figure. He is a stockholder in the State Bank at New Washington.
Turning back to the public record of our subject in Missouri, it might be mentioned that he was elected Treasurer of Bates county, Missouri, by a majority of two hundred votes on his first term. On his second term he got the appointment by a seven hundred and fifty majority. And this although the county is known to be Republican. He was candidate for Commissioner from the district on two occasions.
F. V. Holloway is now advanced in years and he can point with pride to his record as a man, as a father of a family, and as a public spirited citizen.
JAMES A. BAIRD.
James A. Baird, who was part owner of the Baird Woolen Mills, came to Owen township, Clark county, with his father as a boy. From that time onward, through the years of his life, he was the recipient of his neighbors' friendship and good will. He established himself firmly in the industrial life of the community, and was a man of uprightness and probity ; and one who never swerved from the settled path of duty.
The subject of our sketch was born in Lexington, Kentucky, in the year 1828. At the time of their arrival in Clark county his father built a woolen mill at the juncture of the cross-roads a short distance from the present family residence. James A. assisted his father in running the mill from his boy- hood and made the venture a pronounced success. The mill was known as the Baird woolen mill and, in later years, after the death of the elder Baird, it was changed to Baird Brothers, the name by which it went ever afterwards.
James A. Baird married Martha Burton on the 19th of February, 1868, and a very happy domestic life was entered upon. Mrs. Baird is still living and is a comparatively young woman. She comes of an old and respected family, the Burtons of Virginia. She was born in Henry county, Kentucky, on May 9, 1852, and was the daughter of Laban and Sarah ( Harris) Burton. Her parent, Laban Burton, was born in Virginia in 1807, came with his family to Kentucky, and lived in Henry and Madison counties. He married Sarah Harris, of Henry county, Kentucky, and had eig' children, four of whom were living in 1909. They are: Everrel, wife of Russel Brent, living ir Owen county, Kentucky ; Sarah, wife of T. J. McMillin, living in Illinois ; Linzey, living in Rosedale, Indiana, and the wife of the subject of our sketch. Mrs. Martha Baird was reared upon her father's farm and on arrival at a proper age
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attended private school and got a common school education. During her mar- ried life she has reared a family of nine children. Almost all are now married and in prosperous circumstances. They are : Sarah A., born January 14, 1869, who is the wife of Marshall Cravens and is living in North Carolina ; Mary S., born July 22, 1870, is the wife of John Goforth, living in Clark county ; Maggie B., born December 22, 1871, married Jesse L. Roberts, of Henry county, Kentucky; Carrie G., born September 12, 1873, lives in Kentucky and is unmarried; Relda A., born September 17, 1875, is the wife of Frank Stroker, of Henry county, Kentucky; William A., born October 28, 1877, married Claudie Dellinger (Mrs. William A. Baird was the daughter of William S. Dellinger) ; Cora E. was born October 29, 1879, and married Joseph Green, of Henry county, Kentucky : Daisy H, was born September 9, 1882, and mar- ried William Dowden, of Henry county, Kentucky, and John G., born Decem- ber II. 1888, is unmarried and lives with his mother. All the girls, with the ex- ception of Carrie G. and Mary S. were teachers. Both the boys and the girls were high school graduates; John G. was a graduate of the common school. Mrs. Baird and her son attend the local Methodist Episcopal church.
The Baird farm consists of one hundred and twenty acres of land in sec- tions No. 27 and 28, Owen township. Mrs. Baird is a woman of a charitable disposition and as a neighbor she is considerate for others and hospitable. James A. Baird died December 11, 1904.
EDWARD S. PERNETT.
Edward S. Pernett, postmaster and well known business man of Bethle- hem, Bethlehem township, has made a name and a reputation both as a citizen and as a progressive business man. Born in the year 1860 he is but forty-eight years of age and has been connected with the business life of Bethlehem since his twenty-third year. His career during the past twenty-five years might well be called a series of victories over the usual obstacles which face the business man relying on his own resources and with very little capital. Edward S. Pernett started with a capital of something like eighty dollars; he is today worth thousands. His success in life has been due to nothing beyond the efforts which he put forth and the success-making characteristics which have marked him.
The subject of this notice was born on the 23d of January, 360, in Bethle- hem, and was the son of Samuel and Naomi ( Bowman) Pe ett. Samuel Pernett was born in Mount Sterling, Switzerland county, Indiana, and was brought at the age of four years to Bethlehem. He attended the common schools of the township and afterwards graduated at Hanover College. At
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the age of twenty-four he entered the merchandise business and remained in that business in Bethlehem until his death, which occurred on the 19th of Oc- tober, 1873. He was a successful man and became wealthy. His father, David Pernett, was a merchant and a hotel keeper. The business interests which he controlled were burned down in a disasterous conflagration which occurred in 1854.
Samuel Pernett married Naomi Bowman in his twenty-second year and became the father of Edward S., David E., Charles E., John S., Emma, and Eva Pernett.
Edward S. Pernett received a business training in his father's store and ob- tained a common school education. In the year 1883 he started in business in Bethlehem for himself in the general mercantile line on a shanty boat on the Ohio river with a stock worth eighty dollars. He prospered and added to his stock and later went into a building of his own with stock worth six thousand dollars. He was most successful in his new place of business and remained there until the 6th of November, 1908, when the place was destroyed by fire.
In the year 1884 the subject of our sketch married Estella A. Stewart who was born in Bethlehem township. Mrs. Pernett in her young days had a common school education and got a good home rearing. She bore her husband two children. Nellie was born in 1886, and is the wife of Halstead Murret, of Indianapolis. Inez, born in the year 1894, is a graduate of the common school and is unmarried. Edward S. Pernett, his wife, and his family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and are active in church work. He is trustee of the local Methodist Episcopal church. He is active also in fraternal affairs and is a member of the New Washington Lodge, No. 167, Free and Accepted Masons, and the Knights of Pythias. He is a mem- ber of the Red Men's lodge at Bethlehem. He built the local Pythian hall in the year 1902, being a charter member of same. In political affairs he is a Republican and has been active in local affairs. He served three terms as Trustee of his township. He is the present postmaster of Bethlehem, an office which he has filled for the past sixteen years.
Edward S. Pernett is part owner of the steamer "Alma" plying up and down the river, and at the organization of the State Bank at New Washing- ton he became a large stock holder. He owns real estate at Elwood, Indiana, and he has also invested money in other interests of a minor character. As an important and trustworthy citizen he has been called upon at various times to act as administrator of several substantial ostates and he has always acted in this capacity in creditable and satisfacto , manner. He is an ad- ministrator of the J. M. Stewart estate, Mr. Stewart being our subject's father- in-law.
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