USA > Indiana > Union County > Biographical and genealogical history of Wayne, Fayette, Union and Franklin counties, Indiana, Volume II > Part 53
USA > Indiana > Fayette County > Biographical and genealogical history of Wayne, Fayette, Union and Franklin counties, Indiana, Volume II > Part 53
USA > Indiana > Franklin County > Biographical and genealogical history of Wayne, Fayette, Union and Franklin counties, Indiana, Volume II > Part 53
USA > Indiana > Wayne County > Biographical and genealogical history of Wayne, Fayette, Union and Franklin counties, Indiana, Volume II > Part 53
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JULIUS C. BURGOYNE.
Julius C. Burgoyne, of Laurel, Franklin county, Indiana, is a veteran of the civil war and one of the well known and highly esteemed citizens of his town and county. Officially, he is a justice of the peace, and at this writing has served in that capacity for thirty-three consecutive years, a dis- tinction that no other man in Franklin county possesses.
'Squire Burgoyne, as he is familiarly known, was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, May 10, 1825. His father was Horatio N. Burgoyne, and his mother's maiden name was Nancy Stewart. The former was born at Charleston, Virginia, April 23, 1799. The family is of French origin, but had been established in Virginia for several generations. The paternal grandfather of the subject of this biography was John Burgoyne, who emigrated from Vir- ginia to Hamilton county, Ohio, in 1815, at which time Horatio was about sixteen years of age. There John Burgoyne and wife spent the rest of their lives, the former passing away in 1832, while the latter survived her husband many years, dying at the advanced age of eighty-five. Horatio was one of seven children who attained to mature years. The family was a prominent one in Cincinnati in the early days. One of the brothers, John, became Judge Burgoyne of the probate court of that city. He gained distinction by virtue of his decision that the then existing fugitive-slave law was unconsti- tutional, and he is said to have been the first judge to decide that the law was in violation of the constitution. That was a time when the subject of slavery was the great political question of the day; and when slaves were constantly escaping from their masters south of the Ohio river and fleeing northward toward a land of freedom. Hence the decision was a bold and
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important one. He was probate judge for many years, and died at the age of eighty-two. All of that generation long since passed from the stage of action.
Horatio N. Burgoyne was married in Cincinnati, in 1820, to Nancy Stewart. In 1828 they removed to Fayette county, Indiana, and located near Connersville. Mr. Burgoyne was a miller by trade and there had charge of a mill till 1829, when he removed his family to the site of the pres- ent town of Laurel, and he operated the mill at that point until 1832, when he returned to Fayette county. At the latter place he spent the rest of his days, passing away at the age of seventy-nine years. The wife and mother survived until the following year, 1879, when she, too, entered into eternal rest.
Julius C. Burgoyne was one of the family of eleven children, nine of whom grew to mature years and six of whom are living in 1899, namely: Mrs. Sarah A. Clum, of Centerville, Iowa; Julius C., the next in order of birth; Mrs. Mary A. Adams, of Fayette county, Indiana; Miss Jane Burgoyne; Ephraim K., the youngest son; and Miss Margaret Burgoyne, the youngest of the family, who with her sister, Miss Jane, resides at the old home in Fayette county.
The father of 'Squire Burgoyne having been a miller, he naturally drifted into that occupation, and when he was sixteen years of age lie came to Laurel and began work in the mill at this place, where he continued until 1849. At this time the excitement attending the discovery of gold in California pre- vailed throughout the country, and the subject of our sketch resolved to try his fortune in the new El Dorado, He was the youngest of a party of six- teen young men that made the trip by team across the country to California. The journey occupied a period of six months and was attended with many adventures and dangers. He remained in California, engaged in inining, till April, 1854, when he returned by way of the isthmus of Panama. Of the sixteen young men that comprised the party who crossed the plains together in 1849 he and one other are the only survivors.
On returning to Laurel Mr. Burgoyne resumed the milling business, which he continued until he gave up his position to enter the army in defence of the Union. He enlisted in August, 1862, in Company K, Sixty-ninth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry. Ten days after the regiment was mustered into the United States service, or August 30, 1862, it was captured by the Confederates under Kirby Smith, at Richmond, Kentucky, The regiment was soon afterward exchanged, and the subject of this sketch took part with his command in the first expedition against Vicksburg, which was under the command of General William T. Sherman. He took part in the two-days battle at Haynes Bluff, and in the severe battle of Arkansas Post.
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which immediately preceded the seige of Vicksburg, under General Grant. Proceeding from the last named battle-field to Young's Point, the regiment took an active part in the famous siege which resulted in the surrendering of the Confederate strenghold, Vicksburg, to General Grant, on July 4, 1863. 'Squire Burgoyne's health became badly shattered early in the progress of that famous siege, and much of the time during its progress he was con- fined to the hospital. About six weeks after the surrender, when the army was reorganized, he was discharged on account of disability. A brother of 'Squire Burgoyne, Horatio A. Burgoyne, who served with him in the same regiment, died at Vicksburg, in February, 1863.
On retiring from the army, Mr. Burgoyne returned to Laurel, which is still his home. June 14. 1859, he was married, at Seaford, Delaware, to Miss Anna Hazard, who died December 8, 1868, leaving a son and a daugh- ter,-Edgar H., of Springfield, Ohio, and Gertrude, wife of Forrest M. Webb, of Laurel. Mr. and Mrs. Webb have one child, Harry Julius, born at Laurel, August 12, 1886. April 4, 1871, 'Squire Burgoyne married Mrs. Frank Peasley, who died March 11, 1895.
Politically the subject of our sketch affiliates with the Democratic party. He is a worthy member of the Masonic fraternity the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias and the Grand Army of the Republic, and he has long been a worthy and consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
CHARLES BEESON.
Fortunate is he who has back of him an ancestry honorable and distin- guished, and happy is he if his lines of life are cast in harmony therewith. Our subject is blessed in this respect, for he springs from a prominent family which was early founded in this section of Indiana.
The first of the Beeson family to come to the New World was Edward Beeson, who was reared in Lancastershire, England, where John Fox origi- nated the Society of Friends, and with that denomination the family became connected. He came to America in 1682, with one of William Penn's colonies, and first located in Pennsylvania. He later removed to a pioneer settlement of Quakers in Virginia, and still later bought a tract of land on the Brandywine, near Wilmington, Delaware, a part of which is now within the corporate limits of that city. There he spent his life in peace and happiness, free from religious persecution. He had four sons, Edward, Richard, Isaac and William, whose descendants are now numerous. Isaac, who was of the fifth generation in direct descent from Edward Beeson, the first, went to North Carolina, and from him the Indiana branch of the family springs. For many generations the family remained connected with the Society of Friends,
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but being very progressive and enterprising they finally withdrew from that organization, though they still kept in mind the moral teachings of the church and endeavored to do all the good possible and as little harm. Three broth- ers came to Indiana,-Isaac, in 1812, settled in Richmond; Benjamin, in 1814, located three miles west of Milton, and Thomas, in 1818, lived where his son Elwood now resides.
Of these, Benjamin Beeson was the grandfather of our subject. He was a blacksmith and wagon-maker by trade, which he followed to some extent while opening up his farm, having built a shop upon the place. He was a hard worker and able financier, was prosperous in his undertakings, and as fast as he was able added to his lands until he was one of the most extensive farmers and stock raisers in his conimunity. In early days he drove his hogs to market in Cincinnati, and went to Lawrenceburg to mill. He gave farms to each of his children. He died March 1, 1852, at the age of sixty-four years, honored and respected by all who knew him. His wife who bore the maiden name of Dorcas Starbuck, was also a native of North Carolina, and died in October, 1872. Two of their children were born in North Carolina, the others in Indiana. They were as follows: Bezaleel; Othneil; Temple- ton, the father of our subject; Delilah, wife of John Patterson; Rachel, wife of James Harvey; Julia E , wife of William Dick; Cinderella, wife of William Harvey; Benjamin F., who is represented elsewhere in this volume; Amanda M., wife of Thomas Emerson; Marcus D., a prominent farmer of Wayne county; and Charles, who died in 1852. Only three are now living: Benjamin F., Marcus D., and Mrs. Julia Dick.
Templeton Beeson, father of our subject, was born in Wayne county, Indiana, and until his marriage remained upon the home farm, attended the country schools in winter, such as the locality then afforded. On leaving home he located upon a tract of heavily timbered land in Rush county, Indiana, where he built a cabin and improved a farm, which he later sold. From the wild land he then developed a fine farm in Posey township, Fay- ette county, and on disposing of that he located upon the place where he spent the remainder of his life. To his original purchase he added from time to time until he owned over one thousand acres, of which he placed a large amount under cultivation. He erected thereon a commodious two-story brick residence, the largest and finest in the township, and built good and substantial outbuildings, surrounding all by a beautiful grove of forest trees. This delightful place is pleasantly situated two and a half miles west of Ben- tonville, and here our subject, with a brother and sister, now resides. The father provided homes for each of his children and left a large estate. He was one of the most extensive and successful farmers and stock-raisers of Fay- ette county. He made a specialty of dealing in stock, to which he fed all of
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the products of his farm. For five or six years he was also connected with a pork-packing establishment in Connersville. He was not only one of the most prosperous citizens of his community, but was widely and favorably known and commanded the respect and esteem of all with whom he came in contact, either in business or social life, as his integrity was above question, his honor unsullied. The Beeson family from North Carolina were support- ers of the Democratic party in early days and firmly adhered to its princi- ples as advocated by Jefferson and Jackson, but just prior to the civil war the Indiana branch became divided on politics. The father of our subject, seeing that the principal plank of the Deniocracy was the extension of slave territory, withdrew from the party, in 1854, and two years later, on the organ- ization of the Republican party, joined its ranks, becoming one of its enthu- siastic leaders in his locality. He kept well posted on the issues and ques- tions of the day, always took an active interest in public affairs, and his argu- ments were very convincing. During the war of the Rebellion he assisted in raising troops, and gave horses to the young men whom he influenced to enter the service and who had joined cavalry regiments. He then looked after and helped support the families of those at the front, and he was ever regarded as one of the most useful and valued citizens of his community.
In early manhood Templeton Beeson married Miss Sarah A. Loder, a daughter of John and Isabel (Ringland) Loder, honored pioneers of Fayette county. Her father was born in Essex county, New Jersey, August 10, 1780, and in 1797 went to Cincinnati, where he worked at the cooper's trade for a time. He then went to the mouth of Big Miami, and from there to Hamilton, Ohio, near which place he purchased his first real estate. On the 25th of September, 1806, he married Isabel Ringland, who was born May 31, 1785, of Irish ancestry, and while living near Hamilton three children were born to them: James, Harriette and Mary J. Selling out in 1815, Mr. Loder moved to Indiana territory and purchased land in what is now Fayette county. While clearing and opening up his farm he also worked at his trade. He became one of the prominent and highly respected citizens of this local- ity. He was a lifelong Democrat and voted for members of the first consti- tutional conventions, both in Ohio and Indiana. His wife died June 23, 1868, and he passed away at the home of his son-in-law, Linville Fergu- son, the remains of both being laid to rest in Bentonville. Their children were James R. ; Harriette C., wife of J. McCulloch; Mary J., wife of H. Short- ridge: Sarah A., mother of our subject; Elizabeth M., wife of Linville Fergu- son; and Amanda E., wife of G. Wright.
Charles Beeson, the subject of this sketch, was born in Fayette county, in 1854, and is the fifth in order of birth in a family of six children, the others being Isabel; Leroy, a farmer of Rush county; Theodore, a resident of
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Posey township, Fayette county; Edgar a farmer of Henry county; and Will- ard. Our subject was reared to the honest toil of a farmer and was edu- cated in the common schools. He and his brother Willard and sister, Isabel, now own the old homestead in Posey township, where they live together, carrying forward the work inaugurated by the father. They make a specialty of raising and feeding stock and have met with most excellent success, our subject being now the owner of other lands, adjoining the home farm, besides his interest in that property. Politically he and his brother, following in the footsteps of their father, support the Republican party and its principles, and they give their support to all enterprises calcu- lated to advance the general welfare. From the time of Edward Beeson, the founder of the family in the United States, down to the present time, the family has always borne an enviable reputation, and its representatives have ever been popular and prominent in the communities where they have made their homes.
SPENCER MORGAN.
The subject of this memoir was for many years one of the honored and highly respected citizens of Wayne county. He was born in Guilford county, North Carolina, July 26, 1821, being of Scotch descent. The Morgans were all tillers of the soil and prominent people of that state. Green Morgan, the father of our subject, was widely known throughout Guilford county as 'Squire Morgan, having served as justice of the peace for many years. His children were Spencer, William, Grafton, Harriet and Elwood. Spencer Morgan, the only one of the family to come west, was reared upon a farm, and when a young man learned the miller's trade. He became a very pop- ular and prominent miller of Guilford county, where he engaged in business many years, and, when it became known that he was going to leave, over eighty of his old patrons signed and presented him with a testimonial and recommendation- to be presented to the citizens in whatever community he might locate-as an honest and honorable man and a well qualified miller. The signers were prominent and substantial planters of Guilford county. This recommendation his son now holds among his most cherished posses- sions, as a reference to the esteem in which his father was held in the com- munity where he was so well known.
In 1850, with his family, Mr. Morgan left his old home, on account of his wife's health, and by horse and wagon proceeded to Ohio, where he spent two years. Later he rented a farm and engaged in agricultural pursuits in Wayne county, Indiana. for a number of years, and then went to Missouri, but after a short stay there he returned to Indiana, stopping first in Parke county, where he remained five years. At the end of that time he again came to Wayne county, and purchased property in Milton, where he made
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his home until his death, which occurred December 20, 1887. Here he prospered and became the owner of two or three pieces of real estate. He was reared in the Society of Friends and always adhered to that faith.
Mr. Morgan married Miss Sarah Bratton, who is still living at the old homestead in Milton. She was born in Guilford county, North Carolina, June 11, 1822, a daughter of John and Rachel (Ward) Bratton. Her mater- . nal grandfather, James Ward, a native of England, came to America in colo- nial days and aided the colonies in their successful struggle for independence, as a soldier of the Revolutionary war. He located in North Carolina, where he reared his family, consisting of four children: Rachel, mother of Mrs.
Morgan; Nancy, wife of J. Lamb; Mary, who died unmarried; and Solomon, who died while returning to his home after his service in the Mexican war. The father of these children was a member of the established church of England. John and Rachel (Ward) Bratton spent their entire lives in North Carolina, where the former engaged in milling and wagon-making. He was a Methodist in religious faith, but his wife held membership in the Baptist church. Their children were as follows: Reuben, George and Millican, all of whom came to Indiana; Mary, wife of I. M. Cline, of North Carolina; and Sarah, wife of our subject. Mrs. Morgan is a member of the Society of Friends and is a most estimable lady. She is the mother of six children: Quintin M., a resident of White county, Indiana; Henry, of Cambridge City; Richard, of Milton; Ella, wife of E. Neff, of Milton; Charles A., of Cam- bridge City; and James O., of Milton. She also has twenty-eight grandchil- dren and twelve great-grandchildren.
Richard Morgan, son of Spencer Morgan, was born in Fayette county, Indiana, February 2, 1856, was reared on a farm and educated in the com- mon schools. At the age of seventeen he left home and started out to make his own way in the world, working first as a farm hand. He then embarked in the liquor business, in which he is still engaged. He first carried on oper- ations at Milton, later spent two years at Muncie, during the gas boom, and on selling out there was in business at Cambridge City for the same lengtli of time. He then returned to Milton, and in connection with his liquor busi- ness has engaged in trading and speculating in real estate. He purchased his father's property after the latter's death and now owns his place of busi- ness, with a good residence attached, on Main street. Politically he is a stanch supporter of the Democracy.
Mr. Morgan married Miss Ella Shunk, who was born in Pennsylvania, December 25, 1856, of German descent. Her parents, James and Eliza- beth (Brown) Shunk, were also natives of the Keystone state, where they were married. The father, who was a blacksmith by trade, served the gov- ernment in that capacity in the south during the civil war. About 1864 he
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came to Indiana and located at Germantown, where he abandoned his trade and engaged in farming. Later he followed the same pursuit in Washington township, Wayne county, where his death occurred in 1888. His wife is still living and now makes her home in Germantown. She is an earnest member of the Albright church. In political sentiment he was a Democrat. Their children were Mrs. Sue Crull; Witmer, a resident of Muncie; Mrs. Bertie Carpenter; Ella, wife of Mr. Morgan; Mrs. Benia Eckhart; Frankie, . deceased, and Mrs. Ida Forest, deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Morgan have an interesting family of three children; Elsie, Harry and Herschel, all at home.
CHARLES F. JONES.
A prominent practitioner at the bar of Brookville and one of the leading Republicans in the state of Indiana is Charles Fremont Jones, who was born on a farm near Brookville, May 12, 1856, his parents being John and Maria (Colescott) Jones, natives of Maryland. His father was born near the town of Denton, Caroline county, Maryland, January 10, 1813, and was left an orphan when only three years of age. There were six children in the family, but they were left penniless and found homes with strangers. John Jones spent the greater part of his youth in the home of Zedrich Ferrens, where the years were passed in the midst of the hardest toil. He endured many hardships and privations and had no social or educational advantages, but time continues its course, wearily to some, merrily to others, and John Jones at length attained his majority. He married Maria Colescott, of Caroline county, September 17, 1834, and after farming in Maryland for three years started for Indiana. They crossed the mountains in a wagon, and in November reached Marion, Ohio, where they spent the winter. There Mr. Jones cut cordwood, for he was a very industrious man, willing to accept any work he could get. In May, 1838, with his wife and child, he arrived in Brookville, Indiana, where he first secured employment on the Whitewater valley canal, sometimes digging in the ditch, sometimes cutting timber, sometimes laying piers and helping to erect bridges. In the spring of 1839 he began farming rented land, and after many years of unremitting labor he found himself possessor of three hundred acres of valuable land and a com- fortable home, which they were permitted to enjoy until ripe old age. Mrs. Jones died July 20, 1884, at the age of seventy-three years. Mr. Jones after the death of his wife left the farm and found a home with his son Charles F., the subject of this sketch, where the evening of his life was pleasantly passed. He died March 19, 1896, at the age of eighty-three years.
Mr. and Mrs. Jones were the parents of eight children. Judge William H. Jones, the eldest son, after receiving a college education, chose the pro- fession of law, and for thirty years was one of the leading practitioners in
Che av. J. Jones
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southeastern Indiana. At the breaking out of the civil war he enlisted as a private, and before the close of the war was promoted to the rank of first lieutenant. In 1895 he removed to Madison county to personally superintend investments he had made in the natural gas belt. In 1898 he was elected judge of the court of the city of Elwood, which position he now holds. Judge Jones was early taught the principles of the old Whig party. He is a strong Republican and has always rendered his party valuable service. He is prominent in Grand Army circles.
James Thomas, after his graduation, also took up the study of law, which he prosecuted until his death, December 10, 1862, at the age of twen- ty-three years. John Wesley became a member of Company H, Sixty-eighth Indiana Infantry, and served through one campaign, but in an engagement was captured and suffered all the hardships of a prisoner of war. Finally he was paroled and returned home on a furlough, but disease attacked him and his constitution, undermined by his prison experience, succumbed. He died on the same day his brother James' death occurred, at the age of twenty-one years. Richard Franklin was reared on the home farm and was graduated in Brookville College in the class of 1867, after which he engaged in teach- ing until failing health compelled him to return home, where he died Novem- ber 1, 1873, at the age of thirty years. Oliver Pitt died November 26, 1862, at the age of seventeen years. Alexander Hamilton chose the profession of law, was graduated in the law department of the Indiana University in 1875, and his talents and ability gave promise of a brilliant career at the bar, but death claimed him October 19, 1876, when he was twenty-eight years of age. Anna M., the only daughter, an accomplished young lady of rare attain- ments, died November 20, 1874, at the age of twenty-three.
The only members of the family now living are the oldest and the young- est. The latter is Charles Fremont Jones, who was reared on the old home- stead and early became familiar with the duties and labors of the farm. His primary education was supplemented by a course in Brookville College, and with the intention of preparing for the legal profession he entered the law department of the University of Virginia, where he gained an accurate and comprehensive knowledge of the principles of jurisprudence. He was admitted to the Brookville bar in 1879 and at once began practice here, where he has since gained a position of distinction as one of the ablest representa- tives of the legal profession in this part of the state. He formed a partner- ship with his eldest brother, William H. Jones, and the firm took precedence among the practitioners here and won a very large clientage. In 1895, on the removal of the senior partner to Madison county, the partnership was dissolved, and Charles F. Jones has since been alone in practice. He handles much of the important litigation tried in the courts of this district; 63
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