USA > Indiana > Clark County > Baird's history of Clark County, Indiana > Part 53
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A few years later Wood built a ferry boat of poplar, immense poplar trees being then abundant. About this time many families from the Carolinas were moving into what is now the state of Indiana, at that time known as
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Knox county, Virginia. Wood made big money with his ferry boat, and soon added more boats. He sold corn at one dollar per bushel. If an emigrant had a lame or worn-out horse he would sell or trade. Soon a stock of horses were on hand, and became a part of the business. Wood also sold a great deal of whiskey.
Later Judge John Miller, of Utica, New York, settled here, purchasing land adjoining what later was the southern part of Utica. Miller built a large two-story log house, with hall and ell, yet occupied and in good repair. Joseph Miller, late of New Albany, Indiana, was a son of Judge Miller. Josepli Miller was a well known river pilot, between Louisville and New Orleans. Judge Miller built and operated ferryboats between Utica and Harrod's Creek, Ken- tutcky, making good money in the business. Miller, Wood, and a Mr. Bright. of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, laid out the town of Utica. Part of the town was owned by Wood, by deed of gift from his mother's half brother, Capt. Robert George, of Arlington Springs. Virginia. Captain George served under Gen. George Rogers Clark in what was known as the Illinois Regiment, which was present at the capture of Vincennes, Indiana, Kaskaskia, Illinois, and St. Louis, Missouri, and also at points on the lower Mississippi river. It appears that Captain George spent his years of capability in military service. There is no tradition as to whether he was or was not at Braddock's defeat in 1758. His brother, William George, of Arlington Springs, Virginia, owned much land and many slaves. He made his home with James Noble Wood during the remainder of his life, although he held patents for two bodies of land of one thousand acres each, in Kentucky. He gave nothing to either of his two sisters, claiming that their husbands failed to take up arms against the crown during the Revolutionary war. The two sisters, with their husbands, lived in this vicinity for several years and the descendants of both families were good citizens. Some of them have held good county offices in Clark county, yet the old captain held to his prejudice and gave the two thousand acres of land in Kentucky, and the three hundred and sixty acres in and adjoining Utica to the sons of his half sister, Margaret Sharon, the widow George having mar- ried a man of that name, wife of James Wood. James Wood had to leave his home in South Carolina after striking an English soldier with a black- smith's hammer. Captain George considered striking an English soldier de- served reward. Ann Wood, born in 1796, often told of the peculiarities of Captain George. He died about the year 1807; buried in Utica cemetery.
Of eleven children born to James Noble Wood and his wife, six died be- fore reaching the age of seven years, one died at the age of seventy-five years, one at eighty-four, one at eighty-seven, two at eighty-nine, four were in fairly good health until within a week or two of death; one was feeble for two or three years. It appears that malarial fever was so common and malignant that only the strong survived.
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James Noble Wood was presented to General Lafayette in Louisville, and had a little conversation with him. He met Aaron Burr also in Louisville. Moses Wood, a brother, joined the expedition under Burr, and was captured by the United States troops while descending the Ohio. George Wood, a brother, settled in what is now Wood township, this county. Some of his descendants live in that township today. Ann Wood, a sister, married Samuel Hay, of Lancaster county, Pennsylvania. Hay was appointed and served as Sheriff while Indiana was yet a territory. Court was held at Vincennes. Jane Wood, a sister, married John Douthett, a native of Pennsylvania. He served many years as Recorder of Clark county. Another sister married William Ferguson, a cousin, and lived some time in the vicinity of Utica.
James Noble Wood lost much through his friends, and sold some land be- fore his death. His two sons, Robert George Wood, born in 1803, and Na- poleon B. Wood, born in 1813, inherited his estate and through recklessness lost the greater part of it. Some of the descendants of Robert G. Wood live in Utica, others in Kentucky. Some of the descendants of Napoleon Wood live in Utica ; others in Kentucky. Robert G. Wood died April 18, 1878.
James Wood, father of James Noble Wood, was born of Scotch par- entage. No record as to date of birth is at hand, and he may have been born in Scotland and possibly in America. He married Margaret Sharon, half sister to Capt. Robert George, of Arlington Springs, Virginia. The tradition of the family is that James Wood during the Revolutionary war was located sixty miles from Charlestown, South Carolina. He kept a country store, cooper shop and blacksmith shop, being a blacksmith by trade. He organized a com- pany of thirty men favorable to the colonial cause, a home guard, the American general commanding the military district ordered Wood to report at head- quarters, which he did. The general (probably Gen. Francis Marion) offered Wood a commission, provided he would be mustered into the service, and also bring as many men as possible. Wood failed to accept. Immediately following the battle of Eutaw Springs (in which the Americans were sorely defeated) two British cavalrymen on jaded mounts stopped at the blacksmith shop to have horse shoeing done. They told of the battle; of the British victory and Ameri- can defeat, and said that soon there would not be a rebel in South Carolina. One horse was shod; his rider mounted and rode away. Later Wood struck the remaining soldier with his blacksmith hammer, the result of the blow is not known. In less than an hour Wood, with wife and children, a bed and covering, a few pots and pans and some food, were in an ox wagon, driving northward. He drove all night and all of the next day, when he stopped for the night the oxen and wagon were always headed southward, in order to de- ceive pursuers. He reached Virginia, remaining there until the close of the war. He then returned home and sold both personal and realty, and prepared to move to the Falls of the Ohio.
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About 1786 Wood reached the Falls of the Ohio, bought land and culti- vated it. It was located between Shippingsport and Portland. He later sold this land and moved near Utica. His bones lie about the center of Jefferson street and about half way in the square between Eleventh and Twelfth street, Louisville, Kentucky, the street having been cut through the cemetery. He died September 24, 1816. His wife, Margaret Sharon, died October 19, 1801, and is buried beside him.
Margaret Smith, wife of James Noble Wood, in the year 1785, together with two sisters in charge of the their father and mother, left the state of Pennsylvania, in a house boat, their destination being the Falls of the Ohio. In another boat were Mrs. Smith's sister and her husband. With several boats they reached the blockhouse where Cincinnati now stands, known then as Fort Washington. They turned their cattle out to browse. The brother-in-law, an Indian fighter, went after the cattle, but came back without them, reporting signs of Indians. Smith, also an Indian fighter, disregarding the advice of the brother-in-law, took his rifle and started to get the cattle, the bells being plainly heard. (The bells were probably rung by the Indians.) Shortly after rifle shots were heard, the soldiers pushed out into the timber, found Smith dead and scalped. He had been struck by several bullets. Smith was an athlete and excelled in jumping. A survey of the surroundings showed that he had run some distance and had reached a ravine, or gully. The marks showed that he had jumped, falling dead on the opposite side of the gully. The soldiers de- cided that the force of the bullets carried him across, as they struck him while in the air. as no one could possibly have jumped that distance. The brother- in-law returned to Pennsylvania with his family.
Nancy Smith, the widow, determined to go on to the Falls of the Ohio. During the trip a storm at night separated her boat from the fleet. When morning came she was alone with her children, pulling to the middle of the river. She rowed to overtake the fleet during the day. She was fired upon by Indians, several bullets striking the boat. The children were told to lie flat on the floor, while the mother pulled for the opposite shore, keeping the boat be- tween her and the Indians, and was soon out of danger. She soon overtook the other boats and reached Clarksville in safety. One of her daughters mar- ried a Mr. Ware, of Clarksville; a son born to them, was for many years a Falls pilot. A sister, Nancy, while washing clothes at a spring at the outskirts of Clarksville, was fired upon by Indians, receiving seven wounds. One Indian rushed forward and scalped her. He then turned to run, made a few steps and turned, threw his tomahawk at her but missed her. By that time men were in sight, rushing to the scene with arms in hand. The Indian made his escape. Years afterward, at Vincennes, Indiana, an Indian in conversation with whites remarked that he had never killed a white man, but had killed a white squaw at the Falls of the Ohio, and pointed to a scar on the calf of his leg, where she
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had bitten him while being scalped. When told that the white squaw was liv- ing and was the mother of several children, he answered "Ugh! Kill 'um next time." Nancy was about sixteen years of age at the time of the scalping, and later she married a Mr. Pittman. Pittman was a Virginian, had served in a military organization, known as The Rangers. Their service was in In- diana Territory, and he probably had served under General Clark. He received patent for five hundred acres of land, this he sold for a trifling sum, as did many others. After being discharged from the service he remained in Clarks- ville awaiting for the spring time weather before starting for his Virginia home, bidding acquaintances and Clarksville farewell. He mounted his horse, crossed the river below the Falls and as he led his horse off the boat, the horse fell, injuring him so badly as to make him useless. Pittman returned to Clarks- ville and later married Nancy Smith and several years after, with his wife and children, left in a flat boat. They floated down the Mississippi, and years after were located on Fairchild's Island, near Vicksburg, Mississippi. The mother of Mrs. Julia Mackay, nec Morrison, of Utica, had in her possession for sev- eral years, a lock of white hair, coarse as the mane of a horse, taken from the new growth of the scalp on the head of Nancy Smith. William Morrison, father of Mrs. Mackay, fought under General Jackson at the battle of New Orleans. He settled in Utica about the year 1823, dying there in 1867. He deserves a place in frontier history.
Nancy Smith, mother of Margaret, wife of James Noble Wood, died Au- gust 10, 1828, aged one hundred and two years. At the age of ninety-six she bought a new spinning wheel. A neighbor wished to borrow it and the old lady refused to loan, saying "I've owned several wheels. Other people borrowed and wore them out. I intend to wear this out myself."
THOMAS WEST FREEMAN.
The Freemans were of English origin and the emigrant ancestors came over before the Revolutionary war, settling in Massachusetts. Charles B. Freeman, one of the descendants, was born in the old Bay state, August 20, 1776, shortly after the Declaration of Independence was adopted. He was one of four orphans apprenticed to learn trades and he learned that of carpentry, which was his line of work throughout his life. He was reared by a Congrega- tional minister, who came from England to do missionary and philanthropic work. He came to Indiana about 1818, and settled at Vevay, being one of the earliest pioneers of that section. The state at that time was little more than the original wilderness full of wild game and still inhabited by various Indian tribes. He married Elizabeth Haskell, who was born in
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Massachusetts in 1784, her father being Job Haskell, of English descent. The marriage took place in their native state, and there were seven children born to them. Thomas West Freeman, of this review, was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, December 16, 1816, and was but two years old when his parents came to Indiana. As he grew up he learned the carpenter's trade and followed that occupation until he was fifty years old. He learned his letters in one of the old fashioned school-houses, his teacher being the mother of Edward Eggleston, the famous author of "The Hoosier School Master." He came to Clark county about 1868, and bought timber land in Monroe township, which he cleared and improved. In 1840. Mr. Freeman was married to Eliza Ogle, who was born in Switzerland county, Indiana, December 22, 1816. Her father and mother were among the first settlers of that section and went through all the hardships and dangers of pioneer life. They became the par- ents of ten children, most of whom are now dead. Ida, who was born in 1851, married George Lewellen, and resides at Columbus, Indiana; Eliza, born in 1853; Ramey, born in 1860, married Emma Dunlevy, lives in Monroe town- ship and has two children : John W., one of the sons, enlisted in the army at the beginning of the Civil war, and died at Stone River. As he was under age, his father drew a pension on his account. Mr. Freeman retired from active business many years before his death, and made his home with his son, Ramey. in Monroe township. For some time he was the oldest man in the township, and one of the oldest in the county, his age having corresponded with that of Indiana as a state. He was an interesting relic of a bygone age and loved to talk about the old pioneer days. He remembered the Indians very well after they had become peaceful and mingled freely with the white people. He enjoyed the reputation of having been a good neighbor and a good citizen during his long life. After giving up the carpenter's trade he devoted his time to farming with success in that line. The death of Thomas West Freeman occurred on May 7, 1909.
JOSEPH CLARK.
The emigrant ancestor of this family was a native of County Down, Ire- land, who came to America when a small boy, where he found a temporary home in Pennsylvania, but later joined the tide of emigration setting in towards the West and eventually found a location in Southern Indiana. He was one of the earliest pioneers of Scott county, the state at that time being little more than an unbroken wilderness. He reared a family after the primi- tive methods of those days when toil and hardship were the experience of every one. Among his children was a son by the name of William, who was born a few years before the settlement in Scott county, and went through all the pri-
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vations of a boy on a pioneer farm. After he grew up he became a farmer and devoted his life to agricultural pursuits. He was a Democrat and quite active in local politics, but never aspired to office. He died in 1844. His first wife was Mahala Taylor, a native of Kentucky, where her ancestors were early set- tlers. She was quite young when her parents came to Indiana. She died after becoming the mother of three children; there were also three children by her husband's second marriage. All but one are still living, four in Clark county and a sister in Indianapolis.
Joseph Clark, eldest of the family, was born in Scott county, Indiana, in January. 1836. He remained at home until his twenty-third year, when he branched out in business for himself as a farmer and dealer in timber. For seventeen years he devoted his time to getting out cross-ties and did a large business in this line. He made the ties that were used in the building of the Belt Railroad at Indianapolis, also furnishing the timber for the bridges and other purposes on that line. In fact he was one of the pioneer lumber men of Southern Indiana, and no man in the state better understands the "ins and outs" of this business. At the same time he carried on his farming operations. When he began business Clark county was practically all woods, being covered with the fine growth of the original forests. There was an abundant harvest for the woodsmen. and Mr. Clark reaped his share of the trade, although it involved much hard work and considerable financial risk. He remembers when there were no roads, only blazed trails, through this section. Charlestown was the only village of any importance in the vicinity. As was customary in all the families of those days, his mother made his clothes from flax grown on the farm. The schools were few and far between, and of the most primitive char- acter, being kept up by meager subscription, while the teacher. "boarded around." Mr. Clark put in a month or two during the winter months, but is unable to recall that he got any benefit from his irregular attendance, except a slight grounding in the three "R's." The land he bought after reaching man- hood was entirely wild, covered with timber and the clearing and improving involved much toil and some labor. Those now living on the smiling and highly cultivated farms of Clark county with their rural mail delivery and tele- phones can little realize what the first settlers had to contend with. Mr. Clark is a Presbyterian in religion, a Republican in politics, and in every respect has been a model citizen. Blessed with a powerful constitution, he was able to en- dure much of the hardest kind of work, and few men of his years are better preserved.
In 1859 Mr. Clark was married to Mary Ann Woods, a native of Ohio. Her parents were Jesse and Jane Woods, natives of Kentucky, who lived for a time in Clark county. Mr. and Mrs. Clark became the parents of an interest- ing family, their children being well situated in life.
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ANDREW J. HOLMAN.
One of the substantial agriculturists in Jeffersonville township, Clark coun- ty. is Andrew J. Holman, whose life, covering a period of sixty-eight years, has been spent in this county, the greater portion of the time within sight of the spot where his father was born and where his grandfather, Isaac Holman, set- tled in 1802. Mr. Holman has been very successful in his avocation, and a broad expanse of highly cultivated soil is evidence of the careful attention that he has bestowed upon his possessions. The subject is a man of most genial disposition and affable manners, which has been the means of his having formed many warm friendships throughout the county. Mr. Holman has been a hard worker all his life, but is still a very hale and hearty man for his years.
As heretofore stated, he is a native of Utiea township, having been born there April 4. 1841. His father was Isaac N. Holman, who lived to quite a ripe old age. The subject married October 12, 1864, to Rosetta Worrall, and four children were born to the couple. They were Mrs. Bailey L. Burtt, Wal- ter J. Holman, Homer A. and Sol.
Mr. Holman has participated in politics to a large extent during his life, being an ardent and active Democrat. He has held but one political office, that of Township Supervisor. He is a member of the Christian church, and be- longs to the Odd Fellows. His record in both business and politics is an hon- orable one, the people of the community having implicit confidence in him.
WALTER ERLE McCULLOCH.
One of the well known and enterprising agriculturalists of Jeffersonville township, Clark county, who is deserving of mention in a work of this character, owing to his upright life and his public-spirit, is Walter Erle McCulloch, son of Mr. and Mrs. John McCulloch. He was born on the farm where he now resides in Jeffersonville township on Friday, August 13, 1876. Here he was reared. He attended the public schools in New Albany, also DePauw preparatory college in New Albany and, having applied himself in a very careful manner he received a good education. Being the youngest of the family he came into possession of the old homestead and he has lived here, carrying on farming on an extensive scale in such a manner as to stamp him an agriculturist of the best type. He is the owner of a very fine landed estate consisting of five hundred and twenty-five acres, located about midway between Jeffersonville and New Albany on the interurban traction line. In 1907 he surveyed and platted thirty-five acres, making one hundred and forty-nine lots, and since then he has sold over one hundred of the same. He named this suburb Midway, being ambitious to make this the finest
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suburban residence district of this section. It is about ten minutes' ride to Jeffersonville and New Albany and only thirty minutes to Louisville. It has modern advantages in the way of electric lights, telephone, and inside of two years water and gas will be accessible. Mr. McCulloch has constructed twelve up-to-date houses on these lots, and is making a sale of houses and lots on popular small payments down and monthly payments without interest or taxes until the agreed amount has been paid in full, and a deed is given in case of death without further payment and cost. Mr. McCulloch was the instigator and builder of the McCulloch boulevard, which extends from McCulloch Pike (built by his father at a cost of seventeen thousand and five hundred dollars) to Howard Park on the south. He also carries on farming extensively, having over three hundred acres in cultivation. The land is all highly improved, showing that a man of good judgment has its management in hand, and the McCulloch residence is modern, beautiful of design and elegantly furnished. He is an admirer of good stock and always keeps some high grade horses, cattle and hogs.
Mr. McCulloch's domestic life began on October 19, 1898, when he was united with Edith H. Schwaninger, a native of Jeffersonville, the accom- plished daughter of Abraham and Sarah (Carwardine) Schwaninger, the former a native of Switzerland and the latter of London, England. The father of Mrs. McCulloch was City Judge of Jeffersonville for several years and also served as Mayor, filling these offices with credit to himself and to the satisfaction of all concerned. His death occurred in Jeffersonville on October 17, 1906. His widow resides with her daughter, Mrs. McCulloch. She is a woman of gracious personality. To Mr. and Mrs. McCulloch three interesting children have been born, namely: Kenneth, Ruth Agnes and Howard Schwaninger.
Mr. McCulloch in his fraternal relations is a member of New Albany Lodge, No. 270, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. In politics he is a staunch Republican. He is a member of the Third Presbyterian church at New Albany, while his wife belongs to the Episcopal church in Jeffersonville. They are both popular in social circles and are held in high esteem by a wide circle of friends owing to their hospitality and affability.
OMER L. MILLER.
A scion of worthy pioneer ancestors is Omer L. Miller, Deputy United States Revenue Collector, with offices in the Federal Building, Indianapolis, well known at Jeffersonville, Clark county, Indiana, who was born at Galena, Floyd county, this state, January 19, 1871. He was reared to the honest
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toil of the farm and received a good elementary education at the district schools and later attended a business college. He is the oldest of two children born to James L. and Clara (Thurman) Miller, both natives of Floyd county. Indiana, the former having been born in 1841, the son of Jacob and Isabelle .(Smith) Miller, both of Pennsylvania, where they were married, soon after moving to the then new Eldorado, settling in Floyd county, this state, and engaged in farming in a most successful manner for those early times, and there they spent the remainder of their lives, honored by all who knew them. The names of their large family follow: George W .; James L .. father of the subject of this review; Elmer, Charles W .; Anna, now Mrs. John Sheets; Caroline, who married George W. Mckinley; Harriet ( Mrs. Mosier) : Jennie (Mrs, Mckinley) : Belle (Mrs, Hancock).
Jaines L. Miller was born and reared in Floyd county. During his early youth he worked on the home farm. While yet in his teens thoughts of the great rebellion aroused his patriotism and he resolved to do something in the restoration of the Union, consequently he enlisted in the Federal army three times before the close of the war, his father having taken him from the service twice, but later decided not to interfere and allowed him to go to the front. IJe enlisted in the One Hundred and Forty-fourth Regiment, Indiana Volunteer Infantry, in which he served until the close of the war. He was always on duty and in the front ranks, but he was never wounded nor made a prisoner. He received an honorable discharge after the close of hostilities. He returned home and resumed farming. Later he married and began farming on his own account, which he continued successfully for a number of years, finally leaving the farm and moving to Jeffersonville, where he worked in the railroad car shops, becoming a skilled finisher on passenger coaches. When free mail delivery was inaugurated in Jefferson- ville he entered the service and he delivered the first letter by the free delivery system in that city, and he is still in the city service in 1909. Although a strong Republican he has never aspired to offices outside of his present appointment. He is a worthy member of the Grand Army of the Republic. He is widely known and highly respected in Jeffersonville and vicinity. His wife is the daughter of Henry C. Thurman, of Virginia, a prominent and honored early settler of Indiana. Although dying at middle age, he had become an extensive land owner. He was survived by a large family of children, the mother of our subject being the youngest child. Following are the names of the Thurman children: Henry. William, John, Phillip, Robert, Barney, Elizabeth, Sarah, Laura, Harriet and Clara, mother of our subject. She is a worthy member of the Presbyterian church while her husband subscribes to the Unitarian denomination. To James I. Miller and wife two children were born, Omer L .. of this review ; and Nettie, the wife of IT. Hazzard.
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