USA > Indiana > Union County > Biographical and genealogical history of Wayne, Fayette, Union and Franklin counties, Indiana, Volume II > Part 8
USA > Indiana > Fayette County > Biographical and genealogical history of Wayne, Fayette, Union and Franklin counties, Indiana, Volume II > Part 8
USA > Indiana > Franklin County > Biographical and genealogical history of Wayne, Fayette, Union and Franklin counties, Indiana, Volume II > Part 8
USA > Indiana > Wayne County > Biographical and genealogical history of Wayne, Fayette, Union and Franklin counties, Indiana, Volume II > Part 8
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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
In politics Mr. Brockman has always been an ardent supporter of Demo- cratic principles, and has taken an active interest in promoting the growth
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and insuring the success of the party. He was called to public office in 1890, when he was elected a trustee of Ray township, in which office he acceptably served for five years, and during which time he built seven miles of free gravel road, the same being the first pike road constructed in the western part of Franklin county. In 1896 he was elected treasurer of Franklin county, and after two years was re-elected, in 1898, his present term con- tinuing until January 1, 1901. He is a man of marked integrity, and is there- fore well qualified to discharge the responsible duties of his position. In August, 1899, he purchased what is known as the Tucker livery stable, and in addition to the duties of his office he superintends the barn. He has put in a new stock of carriages, and now has a first-class stable, which receives and merits the public patronage.
In 1884 Mr. Brockman was united in marriage to Miss Annie Tebbe, of Franklin county, and to them have been born four children: Edward, Rich- ard, Elsina and Harry. The parents are leading members of the Catholic church, and Mr. Brockman belongs to the Improved Order of Red Men. He is one of the most capable and faithful treasurers Franklin county ever had, and is a leading representative of the Democracy of the community, which he frequently represents in the conventions of the party. He has always been a resident of this community and some of his stanchest friends are those who have known him from boyhood, -a fact which indicates that his life has been an upright and honorable one.
JOHN BEAN.
John Bean, an honored pioneer of Green township, Wayne county, was born in Lebanon county, Pennsylvania. January 17, 1816. He was one of ten children whose parents were Samuel and Catherine (Myers) Bean. The former, born in the Keystone state, September 3, 1774, removed with his family to Ohio about 1823, and from that time until death he and his estimable wife dwelt at their home in Lebanon, Warren county. The Bean family is truly remarkable in longevity, and of the ten children referred to above Henry was ninety-one years of age at the time of his death, while all of the other brothers and sisters who have passed to their reward were over four-score years at death, and two of the four who survive are also over eighty years of age. Of those living, Mrs. Sarah Hathaway and Mrs. Mary Banta are residents of Ohio, while John and Mrs. Lydia Ludlum represent the family in this county, the latter dwelling in Clay township. Those deceased are: Henry, Mrs. Elizabeth Stoner, Mrs. Maria Lilly, Mrs. Catherine Whitteman, Samuel and Mrs. Nancy Black.
John Bean married Elizabeth Evans, December 8, 1842, in Ohio. She was born on the farm where they now live, November 3, 1824. Her pater-
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nal grandfather, Joseph Evans, was born in New Jersey, where he grew to manhood and married Elizabeth Bishop, who died, leaving five children. Mr. Evans married again, and had five children by his second union. He located in Ohio subsequently to his second marriage and passed the remainder of his life there, in the meantime, however, coming to Wayne county and and entering a large tract of land, which he later divided among his children. A part of this property fell to the share of Mrs. Bean's father, Joseph Evans, Jr., who was born in New Jersey, February 3, 1797, his mother, Elizabeth (Bishop) Evans, dying at his birth. He accompanied the family to Ohio, and there wedded Amy Hormel, who died April 29, 1835, at the age of thirty-one years and left six children. Of these Mrs. Bean is the oldest one now living; her brothers, Japhet and Elias, are living in Ohio; and Emily is the wife of Amos Crain, of the same state. George died in January, 1883, aged sixty-one years, and one brother died in infancy.
In 1843 Mr. and Mrs. Bean came to Wayne county, but remained here but a year, then returning to the Buckeye state. In 1850 they came back to Indiana, where they have since continued to make their home, their farm being a portion of the original tract entered from the government by Joseph Evans, Sr. They led active and useful lives until " old age crept on apace," and none of the inhabitants of this county are held in higher esteem. In view of their years, they enjoy excellent health for the most part, and are passing their declining days in content and happiness, having few regrets for the past. To their judiciously applied energy in past years they owe the fine and valuable homestead, which now yields abundant harvests, and their home is supplied with all of the necessities and many of the luxuries of life. They are attended by the loving, filial solicitude of their daughter, Mrs. Emily Quigg, who makes her home with them. They had six children, five of whom are still living, namely: Rosella, wife of Washington Stickelman; Mrs. Adella Estep, Mrs. Georgiana Moorman, Mrs. Quigg and Mrs. Nena Reynolds.
JOHN B. DOUGAN.
On the business, political, social and moral life of a community the in- fluence of such a career as that of Mr. Dougan cannot be estimated. . A man of great force of character and unquestioned integrity, his honorable record has commanded the confidence of all and left its impress for good upon all with whom he has come in contact. In his commercial life he has won that " good name that is rather to be chosen than great riches." Throughout his life he has been actuated by pure motives and manly principles, and by following a fixed purpose to make the most and best of himself he has overcome many difficulties and risen step by step to a place of influence and honor among public-spirited, high-minded men. As vice-president of the Second National
John 13 dougan
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Bank of Richmond, he fills an important position in the business life of the city and has made the institution with which he is connected one of the lead- ing financial concerns of this part of the state.
A native of Michigan, Mr. Dougan was born in Niles, December 14, 1847, and is a son of William and Anna (Gray) Dougan. The father was born in the north of Ireland, in 1809, and with his brother, George Dougan, came to the United States about the year 1820, locating at Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, where he learned the carpenter's trade, following that occupation in the Key- stone state for seven years. He also mastered cabinet-making, and became an expert mechanic. In the early '20s he removed to Niles, Michigan, where he engaged in carpentering and contracting, erecting the greater part of the buildings of that city during his residence there. He married Anna Gray, a native of the north of Ireland and a daughter of Isaac and Martha (Bartley) Gray. Her mother was an English lady, but married Mr. Gray on the Emerald Isle, and with their daughter-their only child-they emigrated to America in the early '20s. Their first home was in Rockbridge county, Virginia, but after a short residence there they came to Richmond, Indiana, Mr. Gray being one of the leading pioneer merchants of this city. He was a fine-look- ing man, of dignified presence, dressed well, and commanded the respect of all. His last days were spent in Niles, Michigan, where his death occurred in 1831. .
Unto William and Anna (Gray) Dougan were born the following chil -. dren: William, a practicing physician of Niles, Michigan; George, of the firm of Hutton & Dougan, general insurance agents; David, a banker of Denver, Colorado; John B., whose name heads this record; and Martha, wife of I. T. Foster, of Richmond. The father of this family died in August, 1849. Eight years later, in 1857, the mother became the wife of Daniel Reid, and by this union had two children, Daniel G., who is president of the American Tin Plate Company; and Virginia, wife of O. H. Bogue, an attor- ney-at-law of Wabash, Indiana. Mrs. Reid died in September, 1898, at the advanced age of eighty-three years. Hers was a inost useful and noble life, and left a marked impress for good upon her children and all others with whom she came in contact.
John B. Dougan spent the first ten years of his life in Niles, Michigan, and in 1858 came with the family to Richmond, their home being on a farm near the city. There he became familiar with all the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist, and in the intervals of farm work he improved the educational advantages afforded by the district schools of the neighborhood. He was energetic and worked hard, and the same thorough- ness and promptness which have brought him success in later years char- acterized his labors in his youth. In the fall of 1865 he returned to Niles, 38
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Michigan, where he attended school. for a year, and, thus equipped for the practical and responsible duties of a business career, he again came to Rich- mond, in July, 1866, and entered the First National Bank, as " messenger boy." For six years he remained with that institution, and his close appli- cation, his faithfulness and his ability won him promotion from time to time until he was made general bookkeeper. In 1872, when the Second National Bank of Richmond was organized, he was tendered and accepted the position of cashier of that institution, continuing in that capacity until January I, 1898, when he was elected vice-president. Andrew F. Scott had been presi- dent of the bank from the time it was established until his death, in 1895. Its present officers are John M. Gaar, president; John B. Dougan, vice- president; S. W. Gaar, cashier; and George Eggemeyer, assistant cashier. The bank has a capital stock of one hundred and fifty thousand dollars and a surplus of one hundred thousand dollars. They do an immense business in the line of general banking, and the institution is one of the most reliable and trustworthy of the state. Not a little of its success is attributable to Mr. Dougan, who has been connected therewith from the beginning and is now the practical head of the enterprise. Other business interests have also claimed part of his attention, and he is not slow to give his aid and encour- agement to those which are calculated to advance the general welfare. His realty purchases have been extensive and he has made many improvements upon his land, thus adding to the value and attractive appearance of prop- erty in Richmond.
In October, 1876, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Dougan and Miss Helen L. Scott, a daughter of Willian G. Scott, deceased. Long residents of Richmond, they have a wide acquaintance throughout the city and enjoy the hospitality of its best homes. They hold membership in the Presbyterian church, and for ten years Mr. Dougan has served as one of its trustees. He also contributes most liberally to its support and is very generous in his dona- tions to charitable interests. He is a member of Richmond Lodge, F. & A. M. : King Solomon's Chapter, R. A. M .; Richmond Commandery, K. T .; and Indianapolis Consistory, S. P. R. S. He gives his political support to the Republican party, but is liberal in his views, and places good government before partisanship. He is always willing to accord to others the right which he reserves to himself of forming an unbiased judgment and acting upon it. He is a most enterprising and progressive business man, of sound judgment and keen discrimination, and through his well directed labors has gained an ample fortune. But it is not the amount one acquires but the disposition which he makes of his wealth that determines his char- acter. Mr. Dougan has ever used his money so wisely and well that the most envious could not grudge him his success. He is a man of broad
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humanitarian principles, in whom kindliness and generosity find exemplifica- tion, yet, withal, he is so plain and unassuming that the most humble and timid feel no reluctance in approaching him. A real and sincere interest in his fellow men prompts his many acts of kindness and makes him a friend of the young and old, rich and poor.
RICHARD WILLIAMS.
The story of the sufferings and bravery of those who wore the blue and fought nobly for the preservation of that Union now so great and prosperous, as a direct outcome of their heroism and devotion to principle and country, cannot be told too often. It is especially well that those of the younger generations should have impressed upon their minds the fact that the liberty and happiness which they enjoy freely was purchased for them at an awful price, and though naught but actual civil war in which they were participants could give the picture in its entirety, a faint idea may be gained in the perusal of the history of those who, as in the case of Richard Williams, experienced the horrors of war in many of its worst phases.
Had he adhered to the faith of his forefathers and carried out the prin- ciples which it inculcates, he would have escaped much suffering, but he has no regrets upon this score. His grandfather, Isaac Williams, one of the pioneers of Wayne county, was a member of the Society of Friends, and, like the majority of the Quakers of this part of Indiana, he removed to the north on account of his hatred for the slavery practiced in the south, and because he desired to rear his children far away from the evil influence of the growing traffic in human beings. It was in 1811 that Isaac Williams founded a home in the wilderness now known as Webster township, Wayne county, and there he and his estimable wife spent the remainder of their peaceful, industrious lives. They had several children, all of whom have passed to the silent land.
Their eldest son, Christopher, father of Richard Williams, was a small boy when he came to this county, and here he grew to manhood. For a wife he chose Nancy Pitts, and soon after his marriage he removed to Hamil- ton county, where he cleared a farm in the wilderness. Many years later he returned to Wayne county, and carried on a homestead in New Garden township. His last years were passed in Fountain City, his death occurring there, October 12, 1895. The aged mother of our subject is still living at her home in Fountain City. Both were faithful members of the Wesleyan Methodist church for many years, their lives speaking eloquently of the noble ideals which they cherished. A Quaker by birthright, Mr. Williams severed his connection with the church of his forefathers by his marriage to a lady outside of the sect, but the lofty principles of love and service toward man-
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kind, and of justice and integrity, which were inculcated in his nature and developed by precept and example in his early years, ever exercised a domi- nating influence over him. A friend to the oppressed colored race of the south, his home was a place of refuge to those who were endeavoring to escape from the tyranny of their cruel masters, and many a slave did he aid in securing his freedom. In all of his aims and struggles he had the cheerful co-operation of his beloved wife for over sixty years, -from the time of their marriage until death separated them.
Of the eleven children born to this worthy couple, all but one lived to maturity, and four sons and five daughters are yet living. Richard Williams, the second child and eldest son, was born in Hamilton county, Indiana, January 1, 1837, and when about fifteen years of age he returned to Wayne county with his parents. He continued to dwell with them until he was about twenty years of age, and after his first marriage he removed to Miami county, Indiana.
The war of the Rebellion becoming a most serious conflict, which more than a year of earnest effort on the part of the north had as yet failed to terminate, Mr. Williams decided to strike some blows for his country, and accordingly he enlisted, in August, 1862, becoming a member of Company I, Fifth Indiana Cavalry, commanded by Colonel T. H. Butler. For the next two years he was in active and daring service, in the fore-front of many a battlefield, sent upon many a raid and expedition fraught with great danger and hazard. Unscathed he went through it all, always was found at his post of duty, ever ready to venture upon any errand or campaign, however perilous, and with signal bravery he participated in inany of the most important battles of the war. Space does not permit a detailed account of his numerous hair-breadth escapes and encounters with the enemy, and we hasten on to record what was to him and to many of his trusty comrades one of the most appalling events of their lives. The famous but unfortunate raid of General Stoneman's troops into the very heart of the Confederacy will be recalled by the student of history and by those who, with intense interest, followed the events of the war as the drama was played in the south. During this ill fated expedition, near Atlanta, Georgia, on the 31st of August, 1864, while the gallant Fifth Cavalry was assisting in covering the retreat of the main body of the Union forces, flying before a sudden and fierce attack of the rebels, Mr. Williams and about four hundred of his com- rades were captured. They were incarcerated in the stockades of Anderson- ville, and there, until the close of the war, months afterward, suffered such treatment as pens and tongues have in vain tried to picture thousands of times since. A few lines in regard to our subject's personal experience will be of interest to many. As he approached Wirtz, the inhumanly cruel over-
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seer, who was making the prisoners pass before him for inspection upon their arrival at the prison pens, Mr. Williams remarked to some of his comrades, despairingly: "Well, boys, this is the last place in the Confederacy." Wirtz, overhearing this, immediately drew his revolver on the unarmed pris- oner in a threatening manner, struck him on the head with the weapon time and again, kicked and otherwise maltreated him, and finally warned him, with oaths, that death awaited him if any further remarks of the kind were made. Starvation, exposure to the elements, cruelty, disease and homesick- ness carried off many of his comrades; who were almost glad to die and be out of misery which seemed endless, but Mr. Williams was of stern metal and possessed a splendid constitution, which did not altogether break down, even under this dreadful strain. A pint of cornmeal was the ration allowed to each soldier each day, when it pleased the authorities; but this amount was often diminished to less than half, and occasionally no food was issued for a day or more at a time. Once during the period of our subject's experience there not one crumb was given to them for four days, and water was frequently denied them. The news of Lee's surrender brought to the unfortunate prisoners of Andersonville joy too deep to be expressed, and upon the 18th of May, 1865, Mr. Williams was honorably discharged from the service, at Cincinnati, Ohio.
When he had partially recovered he resumed the agricultural labors of his early manhood, and soon purchased sixty acres of land in Green town- ship, where he now resides. By diligence and economy he gradually amassed a goodly fortune, and has bought and owns not less than one thousand acres of valuable, improved farm land. The upright principles which animated his father and grandfather have been manifest in his own career, and every one honors and respects him. He has been married four times and is the father of several children. His home is comfortable and well appointed, and those of his household are provided for in a generous manner.
In the Grand Army of the Republic Mr. Williams occupies an honored place, his membership being with Mart Ballinger Post, No. 190, which he has served in the capacity of commander. In his political preference he is Republican. Being fond of travel and an interested student of human nature and the world in general, he took a well earned vacation in 1894, and made a tour of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, and it is his present inten- tion to make a trip to the continent and the Paris Exposition in 1900.
JAMES E. KING, M. D.
For eight years Dr. King has engaged in the practice of medicine in Centerville. Devoted to the noble and humane work which his profession implies, Dr. King has proved faithful, and has not only earned the due
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reward of his efforts in a temporal way but has proved himself worthy to exercise the important functions of his calling, through his ability, his abiding sympathy and his earnest zeal in behalf of his fellow men.
The Doctor is one of Wayne county's native sons, his birth having occurred November 7, 1856, on a farm five miles from Centerville, in what was then Center township, but is now Webster township. His parents were William and Jemima (Jackson) King; his grandparents were John and Judith (Roundtree) King, and his great-grandperents were Jesse and Cynthia King. The grandfather, John King, was born in Virginia, May 13. 1783, and when seventeen years of age removed to Kentucky, locating near Winchester. He was married January 25, 1810, to Judith Roundtree, a native of Kentucky, born April 9, 1789. They came to Wayne county in 1828, here spending their remaining days, the grandfather dying January 5, 1859, and the grandmother in 1866. She was one of the first members of the Centerville Christian church. William King, the Doctor's father, was born in Kentucky, September 5, 1823, and was only five years of age when brought by his parents to Indiana, where he was reared upon the old family homestead upon which our subject now resides. There he made his home for sixty years. He acquired his education in the common schools of the neighborhood, and throughout his business career carried on agricultural pur- suits, in which he met with excellent success. Adding to his landed posses- sions from time to time, he accumulated five hundred acres and was regarded as one of the substantial citizens of the community. Two years prior to his death he settled up all business affairs, and was thus ready when the final summons came, in September, 1888, at which time he had attained the age of sixty-five years. His widow survived him three years. She was born May 13, 1826, in Wayne county, and their marriage was celebrated January 1, 1846. They had fifteen children, twelve of whom grew to mature years, while eleven are still living: John C., who is proprietor of a hotel in Cen- terville; Ellen, wife of William Sharon; William A., a farmer of Webster township, Wayne county; Charles O., also an agriculturist of Webster town- ship; James E .; Julia, who was the wife of Fred Showalter and died at the age of thirty-nine; Thomas L., a farmer of Centerville; Elijah G., who fol- lows farming in New Garden township, Wayne county; Mary A., widow of Charles Cheesman, and a resident of Webster township; Osa N., who is living on the old homestead in Webster; Arthur T., of Farmland, Indiana; and Luther Z., who is living on the old homestead.
On the maternal side also Dr. King is a representative of one of the pio- neer families of Wayne county. His grandparents, Caleb and Olive (Leon- ard) Jackson, came to this locality in 1818. The former was born in Gray- son county, Virginia, December 20, 1793, and soon after attaining his major-
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ity married Miss Leonard, who was born in North Carolina. On arriving in Wayne county he erected a rude log cabin in the woods, and with his wife and three children commenced the life of a pioneer. There he cleared and developed a farm upon which he made his home until his death, November 30, 1854. Mrs. King was the sixth in his family of seven children.
Dr. James E. King spent the days of his childhood and youth on the old family homestead, amid green fields and meadows, bearing his share in the work of the farm. Having acquired his preliminary education in the common schools, he attended the high school in Centerville, pursued a two- years course in the normal school at Danville, Indiana, and then entered the Ohio Medical College, where he studied for three years and was graduated with the class of 1884. He began practice in Richmond in partnership with Dr. Taylor. with whom he remained two years. In 1892 he came to Cen- terville, and has since been a member of the medical fraternity of this place. He has secured a liberal patronage and his comprehensive understanding of medical principles and his ability in applying them to the needs of suffering humanity have won him the recognition of the profession and gained him a leading place in its ranks. He has served as county physician for six years and is filling the office at the present time. He belongs to the American Medical Association, the Indiana State Medical Association and the Wayne County Medical Association, and in 1894 attended the meeting of the first named, in San Francisco.
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