USA > Indiana > Union County > Biographical and genealogical history of Wayne, Fayette, Union and Franklin counties, Indiana, Volume II > Part 50
USA > Indiana > Fayette County > Biographical and genealogical history of Wayne, Fayette, Union and Franklin counties, Indiana, Volume II > Part 50
USA > Indiana > Franklin County > Biographical and genealogical history of Wayne, Fayette, Union and Franklin counties, Indiana, Volume II > Part 50
USA > Indiana > Wayne County > Biographical and genealogical history of Wayne, Fayette, Union and Franklin counties, Indiana, Volume II > Part 50
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Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62
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position of operator and agent at Brownsville for the Cincinnati, Hamilton & Dayton Railroad Company, and there continued for five years, when he was transferred to College Corner. He acted as operator at that place for four years, and during that time was elected on the Democratic ticket to the position of clerk of the circuit court of Union county, serving from 1890 until 1894, inclusive. This election was certainly a tribute to his personal popu- larity and worth, for no other candidate of the Democratic party has been chosen for that office since the war, the county usually giving a Republican majority of about three hundred and fifty. To those who know Mr. Brad- rick it is needless to say that he discharged his duties with great promptness and fidelity, for he is always loyal to every trust reposed in him.
After removing to Liberty, and while serving as clerk, the railroad com- pany offered him the position of freight agent, which he accepted, continuing to serve in that capacity for three years. He severed his connection with the corporation in order to engage in the life-insurance business, but not finding it congenial he relinquished it after two years and, in 1895, embarked in the dairy business, operating the Broaddus farm near Connersville. Here he had forty head of fine Jersey cows and the largest dairy route in Connersville. He also bred Duroc-Jersey swine on this farm and did much to improve the grade of swine raised in this part of the state, realizing the necessity of having good hogs if one would put upon the market the best quality of pork. In 1897 Mr. Bradrick took up his residence in Connersville, in order to better superintend his dairy and stock-raising interests. His opinions are largely taken as authority in regard to questions of stock-raising, and he is now sec- retary of the American Duroc Swine Breeders' Association. In 1897 he began the publication of the Jersey Hustler, an excellent stock journal, set- ting forth the merits of Jersey cattle and Duroc-Jersey swine, and presenting many valuable articles both interesting and instructive to the stock-raiser. The paper is national in the scope of its usefulness and enjoys a wide circula- tion throughout the country. On the Ist of January, 1899, Mr. Bradrick also began the publication of the District Farm Item, in which enterprise he was associated with A. G. Stewart, and a contemporary publication spoke of the new venture in the following manner: "The first issue of the District Farm Item was published December 8, 1898, since which time it has had a rapid growth by way of subscriptions thereto throughout Fayette and adjoining counties, surpassing the most sanguine expectations of the editors. It is independent in politics, and a strong advocate of good roads, honest taxation and farmer representation in law-making. Messrs. A. V. Bradrick and A. G. Stewart, proprietors and editors, are both wide-awake, progress- ive men. The principal feature of this paper is the gathering and publish- ing of county news in Fayette and adjoining counties, thereby making it a
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district paper. The idea and plan are new and original and open up a novel field of work. The method is to solicit iteins of news from each township school district, secured and written by the pupils, and to award prizes for the best service. It furnishes practical education to the pupils in composition writing and makes an exceedingly interesting paper. This characteristic of the paper seems to be greatly appreciated by its supporters."
Mr. Bradrick is a man of resourceful business ability, enterprising and progressive, and has not confined his efforts to one line of business. About two years ago he engaged in the fire-insurance business, and eventually merged his interests into the Connersville Fire Insurance Company, which is incorporated and is doing most of the business in that line in the city. The officers are Joseph E. Huston, president; E. W. Austin, vice-president, and A. V. Bradrick, secretary and treasurer. His executive ability and keen foresight proved important factors in the success of this enterprise, and have brought him prosperity along the other lines of endeavor to which he has directed his efforts. Since the preparation of this sketch in its original form Mr. Bradrick has made another progressive step, having removed to Shelby- ville, Shelby county, Indiana, where he is associated with Mr. A. G. Stewart, who had previously been his coadjator, in the publication of the Jeffersonian, which is issued in both daily and weekly editions, holding rank as one of the leading newspaper enterprises in the state. Mr. Bradrick is editor and Mr. Stewart assistant editor. The former has disposed of his Fayette county interests altogether, but such was his prominence and such the value of his labors in the section with which this work has to do, that this review of his career is most appropriately placed in the edition.
On the 13th of May, 1895. Mr. Bradrick was united in marriage to Miss Harriet McDougal, of Union county, Indiana, and now has two children, Quincy M. and Asa W. Socially he is connected with Liberty Lodge, Knights of Pythias, of which he is past chancellor. In manner Mr. Bradrick is entirely free from ostentation, but his sterling worth is such as commands recognition unsought. His success is the merited reward of his own labors, and being thus acquired it .entitles him to the proud American title of a self- inade man.
RALPH CURRY.
In the early settlement of Franklin county the Curry family took an important part, and during most of the present century their name has been associated here with good citizenship, with progress along every line, with all tending to make a community a desirable residence place.
Thomas Curry, the paternal grandfather of our subject, was born in Ire- land, coming of that sturdy Protestant-Irish stock to whose energy and indom-
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Ralph Curry
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itable courage the New World is deeply indebted. When a lad of seven years Thomas Curry came to America with his parents, who located in Vir- ginia and who passed their last days in Franklin county, Indiana. Thomas was the youngest of four children, he having one brother and two sisters. When the war for independence came on he enlisted in the colonial army, though but fifteen years of age, and served under the well known leader, General Nathaniel Greene. Later he married, in Virginia, Elsie Gordon, a sister of William Gordon, a worthy pioneer of Metamora township, Franklin county, Indiana. In 1810 Mr. Curry and family removed to Kentucky, and the following year located near Cincinnati, on the Miami river, in Ohio. Not liking that section of the country, they came to Franklin county, in March, 1812, and settled on Duck creek, in what now is Metamora township. About a year prior to his death Thomas Curry removed to Fayette county. Both he and his wife attained a ripe age, she dying about four years after the death of her husband. Their children were: James, Thomas, Rachel, Polly, Mar- tha, Elsie, Betsy and John S.
The last mentioned, born in Virginia in 1785, was married, after coming to Franklin county, to Lucy Williams, a native of Kentucky. The young couple settled upon a place adjoining the homestead of the elder Mr. Curry, and at the end of four years they located about a mile farther away, finally buying the property now in the possession of Ralph and Milton Curry. Here, on section 27, Laurel township, they continued to dwell until separated by death. The father, who survived his wife two years, died at Metamora, in 1884. Noted for his sterling integrity of character, for his industrious, busi- ness-like methods, and for the active interest which he manifested in the public affairs of his community, no one could have made a better record, and everybody was his friend. Education and religion were subjects in which he was specially interested, and his children were given the best advantages he could afford them. An earnest member of the Methodist church, he set them a splendid example of Christian manhood, and the result is plainly seen in their lives.
Ralph Curry is one of nine children, five of whom have entered the silent land, namely: James, Thomas, John, William and Mary. Milton, who; with our subject, inherited the old homestead and is engaged in its cultiva- tion, is represented elsewhere in this work, and they have two sisters living, Martha and Elsie.
Born January 15, 1827, on the old homestead where his parents spent the first of their married life, Ralph Curry has been a lifelong resident of this county. When he was a small child he removed with the family to the farm, a portion of which now belongs to him. As he grew to manhood he learned agriculture in its various forms, and developed into a practical farmer. As a 61
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great author has said, his quiet, unostentatious life may have no "discernible echo beyond the neighborhood in which he dwells; but you are sure to find there some good piece of road, some buildings, some improvement in farming practice, some reform of parish abuses, with which his name is associated by one or two generations afterward."
The first wife of Mr. Curry, who died in January, 1873, was a Miss Lucinda Mc Whorter in her girlhood. In 1875 Mr. Curry married Eliza Clark, the lady who now bears his name. She was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, of which state her mother was a native, though her father, John Clark, was born in England. Mr. and Mrs. Curry have long been members of the Meth- odist church, and are earnest in the promotion of all worthy enterprises.
JOSEPH BENBOW.
Joseph Benbow, a veteran of the war of the Rebellion and an honored citizen of Hagerstown, Wayne county, is a worthy representative of a pio- neer family of this region. In following back the history of his ancestors it is found that there are two branches of the Benbow family in the United States, called respectively, the North Carolina and the South Carolina branches. One line springs from Charles Benbow, who was born in Wales, December 20, 1704, and upon his arrival in the New World settled in North Carolina; and the other branch are descendants of Gershom Benbow, brother of Charles, and a third brother, whose name is forgotten. Gershom, from whom our subject is descended, was born about 1700, and landed in Phila- delphia in 1818, whence he went to South Carolina. Both branches are largely represented in all the states of the Union, and at a family reunion held at Muncie, Indiana, June 14-16, 1898, about three hundred persons were present, coming from every section of the land.
Edward, grandfather of Joseph Benbow, emigrated to this state, from South Carolina, about 1810, and, taking up his abode near Centerville. Wayne county, passed the remainder of his life there. Thus he was one of the earliest settlers of this locality, and for ninety years the family has been closely associated with the development and progress of the county. All of his children-Barclay, Benjamin, Evan, Edward, Elizabeth and Powell- have passed away. Powell Benbow, the father of our subject, was born in 1806. He married Rachel Venable, who died, leaving two sons and two daughters, and he subsequently married again. By trade Mr. Benbow was a miller, and this calling he followed through life. But two of his children survive, Joseph and Arthur Thomas, the latter also being a veteran of the civil war.
Joseph Benbow was born in Clay township. Wayne county, February 17, 1837, and was but three years oldl when his mother, Mrs. Rachel Ben-
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bow, departed this life. When he was old enough he commenced learning the blacksmith's trade, and in his early manhood he gave his time and atten- tion to that business. Of late years, however, he has been exclusively engaged in farming, his fine homestead being located in Jefferson township, Wayne county.
When the Union was in peril Mr. Benbow enlisted in her defense, becoming a private of Company E, Thirty-sixth Regiment of Indiana Volun- teer Infantry, in September, 1861. He took part in many of the notable bat- tles and campaigns of the war, and at the end of three years of faithful serv- ice was granted an honorable discharge, September 21, 1864. His regiment arrived at Shiloh under command of General Buell and was actively engaged in the second day's awful fight at that point; and later the gallant Thirty- sixth was in the van of the army in the advance at Lookout Mountain, with General Hooker. It did effective service at Stone River and Chickamauga, went through the Atlanta campaign with Sherman, and continued in the fore- front of battle until the time of its enlistment had expired. In these various great military movements Mr. Benbow actively participated, winning the approval of his superior officers and the high regard of his comrades and asso- ciates. Though he was fortunate in escaping injury or wounds, the priva- tions and exposure incident to the life of a soldier left his health and consti- tution impaired. He is a charter member of Bowman Post, No. 250, Grand Army of the Republic, and at present enjoys the honor of being its com- mander. Patriotism has ever been one of his most marked characteristics, and, believing that our nation has achieved its prosperity under the beneficial reign of the principles of the Republican party, he uses his franchise in favor of its nominees.
In 1870 Mr. Benbow married Miss Maria Bell, who was born in Mary- land, October 5, 1849, one of the nine children of Samuel and Elizabeth (Smith) Bell. Of this large family but two have passed away, -the mother, who died in 1862, and one daughter. The aged father lives with his daugh- ter, Mrs. Catherine Nicholson. of Jefferson township; and the other children reside in the west, chiefly in Kansas. Samuel Bell became a citizen of this county in 1851, and for many years was successfully engaged in farming. To the union of our subject and wife two sons and two daughter were born, namely: Frederick, Harley, Eva and Vena, all of whom have excellent edu- cations and in every way are well equipped for the battle of life.
ARTHUR THOMAS BENBOW.
To the student of human nature and the development of character in the individual, and to the philosopher who studies into the causes and effects in the history of the rise and decline of nations, there is food for thought
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and interest in the waves of emigration which have swept along certain channels in the United States, largely determining the destiny of the govern- ment. Such an important wave started northward from South Carolina and the southern Atlantic states in the first decade of this century, thus removing from the baneful influences of slavery a large population, the majority of whose descendants were found loyal to the Union when the hour of its fate was to be sealed. Southern and central Indiana proved the destination of scores of these families, whose names are forever linked with the develop- ment and founding of the state. Of these the Benbows of Wayne county are prominent, the family having been established here by Edward Benbow, the grandfather of the gentleman whose name heads this sketch. He emigrated to this section about 1810 and was accompanied by his little son, Powell, whose birth had taken place in South Carolina in 1806.
Arthur Thomas Benbow, a son of Powell Benbow, one of the worthy pioneers of this county, was born in Clay township, November 15, 1834, and from his boyhood has been engaged in agricultural pursuits. He is the owner of a finely improved homestead in Jefferson township, and is accounted one of the substantial farmers of this locality.
In the civil war Arthur T. Benbow served faithfully for three years, as a member of Company E, of the famous Thirty-sixth Regiment of Indiana Volunteer Infantry, the same company to which his brother Joseph belonged. Enlisting in September, 1861, he was sent to the front, and with his regiment participated in many of the great events of the war. Under the leadership of General Buell he took part in the second day's battle at Shiloh, was actively engaged at Chickamauga and Stone River, and was in all the numer- ous engagements with the enemy during the renowned campaign of Sherman in Georgia. During the last few months of his service he was detailed to duty in the ambulance corps, but with that exception was with his company in the field, and was honorably discharged. with his comrades of three years' standing, September 21, 1864. He made an excellent record for fidelity and gallant service, and was respected and highly regarded by his superior officers, as well as by his associates and fellow soldiers. The boys who " wore the blue " have always been especially honored by him, and for years he has been identified with Bowman Post, No. 250, Grand Army of the Republic. His first presidential ballot was cast for John C. Fremont, in 1856; his second, it is needless to say, was for Lincoln, and from that day to this he has been loyal to the principles of the great Republican party.
In 1866 Mr. Benbow married Miss Rose Ann Clements, who was born in Lebanon county, Pennsylvania, November 7, 1840, a daughter of Jacob W. Cle ments. After twenty years of happy wedded life Mr. Benbow was b. reft of his loving, devoted wife, who passed to the home beyond May 21,
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1886. Their only daughter, Mary Eliza, whose birth occurred August 19, 1868, died May 23, 1895, and their eldest son, Charles M., died in infancy. Arthur Franklin, born June 18, 1872, was educated in the schools of Hagers- town and subsequently learned the printer's trade, which he pursued for some seven years in Richmond. He married there Miss Calantha, daughter of Jacob Abel, on the 10th of June, 1897, and the young couple are now living in Cincinnati. Thomas Jefferson, who is at home, was born February 6, 1878; and Enode is their youngest son. They are of great assistance to their father in the management of the home place, and are bright, prom- ising youths.
JOSEPH J. HARVEY.
One of the busiest. most energetic and most progressive men of Frank- lin county is Joseph J. Harvey, one of the leading and influential agricultur- ists of Butler township. Thoughout his active business career he has been interested in several different enterprises, is a man of broad capabilities, and carries forward to successful completion whatever he undertakes.
He was born on the family homestead, in Butler township, April 9, 1844, a son of Squire and Jane (Osborn) Harvey. The mother was born where the village of St. Mary's now stands, and at the time of her death, which occurred March 20, 1895, was the oldest inhabitant of Butler town- ship who had been born and reared there, her age being seventy-four years. Her father was one of the pioneers of the county, having come here from Scott county, Virginia, at an early day,-about 1816,-with his mother, and settled at St. Mary's. He was one of the most prominent and influen- tial men of of his day in his community, was public-spirited and progressive and was a consistent member of the Methodist church.
Squire Harvey, father of our subject, removed from Blooming Grove to Butler township in 1837, and continued to make his home there until called from this life, on the 18th of February, 1880, at the age of sixty-two years. He was prominently identified with the development and growth of the township, and owned and operated a valuable farm of six hundred acres. He was a good citizen, whose support was never withheld from any enter- prise calculated to prove of public good, and was highly respected by all who knew him. In his family were the following children: Sarah, now the wife of Henry Shurbrook, of Richmond, Indiana; Joseph J., our subject; Annie, deceased; Prudence, wife of Henry Clark, of Martinville, Indiana; Elizabeth, a resident of Detroit, Michigan; Belle, deceased; Charles, who who married Tillie Wolf and lives on the homestead farm, in Butler town- ship; and Henry, deceased.
Joseph J. Harvey was reared on the home farm and became thoroughly familiar with all the duties which fall to the lot of the agriculturist. Com-
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prehending the importance of a good education, he early turned his efforts in that direction, and after attending the common schools for some time became a student in Brookville College. On the completion of his education he suc- cessfully engaged in teaching for eight years, at different times having charge of schools in Ripley, Dearborn and Franklin counties, this state. The summer of 1872 he spent in Carroll county, Missouri, and Leavenworth, Kansas. In 1877 he purchased his present farm of two hundred and forty acres, in Butler town- ship, which represents a part of the Harvey estate, and has since given the greater part of his attention to agricultural pursuits. He has placed the land under a high state of cultivation, and in conjunction with farming is quite extensively interested in stock dealing. Besides his property here he owns a warehouse and residence in Morris, Ripley county, Indiana.
On the 8th of November, 1876, in Cincinnati, Ohio, Mr. Harvey was united in marriage with Miss Agnes Asman, a daughter of Warner and Jane (Recking) Asman. She died February 18, 1898, at the age of forty-one years, and was laid to rest in Maple Grove cemetery, Brookville. Eight children were born of that union, their names and dates of birth being as fol- lows: Emma Dora, April 18, 1877; Annie (deceased), March 3, 1879; Charles E., August 10, 1882; Flora Jane, March 18, 1884; Josephine, August 13, 1886; Carrie Agnes, October 17, 1888; Ida, January 28, 1891 ; and Harry B., January 16, 1893.
Mr. Harvey is quite active and prominent in public affairs and is awake to the interests of his locality. He is an ardent supporter of the Republican party and its principles, has served as township committeeman and as central committeeman since 1889, and has done all in his power to insure the suc- cess of his party. He was census enumerator in Butler township in 1890, has been a member of the advisory board, and in 1890 was candidate for county treasurer on the Republican ticket. Although he was not elected, he ran far ahead of his ticket, a fact which plainly indicates his personal popu- larity and the confidence and trust reposed in him by his fellow citizens.
PHILIP TENLEY JONES.
Prominent among the leading and representative agriculturists of Bath township, Franklin county, is the gentleman whose name introduces this sketch. He was born in that township, on the 5th of February, 1820, and belongs to one of its honored pioneer families. His father, Abraham Jones, was a native of Fayette county, Pennsylvania, and a son of Philip and Eliz- abeth (Dowden) Jones. The grandfather's birth occurred in Maryland, July 12, 1752, but he spent some years of his early manhood in Fayette county. Pennsylvania, and in 1800 came west, floating down the Ohio river on a flat- boat and landing at Cincinnati. He entered land where the Cincinnati
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observatory now stands, called Mount Lookout, and improved a farm, upon which he spent his last days, dying there October 1, 1831. His wife had passed away August 20, 1828. Their children were Susiannah, Sarah, Martha, Nancy, Abraham, Mary, Benjamin, Philip, Elizabeth, and John, who died young. The other nine were all living when the youngest was over sixty years of age, indicating that they were a long-lived family. This infor- mation and record is derived from an old Bible now in possession of Z. Tay- lor Jones, of Union county, Indiana, who received it from his father, Robert F. Jones, who in turn received it from his father, Abraham Jones, who received it from his father, Philip Jones, who bought it in Philadelphia, in 1812. This Bible is in a fair state of preservation, and the relatives will expect Z. T. Jones to care for it in such a way that it may still go down to future gen- erations in the name of the family, as nearly as possible, and in good condi- tion, as a family relic or memorial.
Abraham Jones, our subject's father, was born May 20, 1783, and was the fifth in order of birth in his father's family. In 1800 he removed with his parents to Ohio, and remained with them until twenty-seven years of age. In 1808 he entered land, on credit, in Bath township, Franklin county, Indiana, and two years later located thereon. He built a cabin in the thick forest, and soon cleared a small tract of land, on which he raised sufficient crops for his own use the first year. The country was but sparsely settled, most of the land was still in its primitive condition, and the pioneers were all on an equality, most of them being in rather limited circumstances. There was all to make and nothing to lose. Mr. Jones was a man of strong physique, was industrious, enterprising and energetic. In order to meet the payments on his land he went to Ohio, where he hired out to clear land. As time advanced he placed acre after acre of his own land under the plow, and from the wild tract developed a good farm, on which he died in 1864. He was a man of rather stern disposition and always stood firmly by what he believed to be right. He was, however, broad-minded, intelligent and of strict integrity and honor. In politics he was a Whig, and for a number of years served as justice of the peace, besides filling other township offices. He was a leading member and liberal supporter of the Baptist church, was a delegate to most of its associations in different parts of the state, and when they met at his home church he often entertained over one hundred guests for three days at a time. He was charitable to the worthy poor, and in all the walks of life was found to be a true gentleman and earnest Christian. He was also a good financier, a successful business man and one of the most prominent citizens of his township. In Cincinnati, Ohio, he was married, in 1810, to Miss Sarah Flack, also a native of Pennsylvania, and a daughter of Robert Flack, who was born in this country, of Irish parents, and was a
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