USA > Indiana > Putnam County > Biographical and historical record of Putnam County, Indiana > Part 23
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OBERT HOOD, deceased, a pioncer of Putnam County, was born in Knox County, Tennessee, in 1805. He was reared to agricultural life in his native county, and was married in that State to Christina Rule, who was born in Virginia in 1804. Mr. Hood came from Tennessee to this county in the fall of 1828, and rented land ou section 25, Warren Township, one year, then re- moved to Cloverdale Township, where he leased land on section 6 several years. In 1539 he entered land on seetion 32, and lived upon that farm until his death in April, | dale Herold of E. F. Tennant, in company with
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HISTORY OF PUTNAM COUNTY.
A. P. Sinclair, and changed the name of the paper to the Cloverdale Gazette. His part- nership with Mr. Sinclair continued until September, 1885, when Mr. Hood purchased the interest of his partner and conducted the paper alone until December, 1886. Hle then sold to W. E. Nangle, the present editor, since which time he has been engaged in farming.
OHN W. EGGERS, farmer, miller and carpenter, resides on section 10, Jackson Township, where he owns 183 acres of land. He was born in Floyd Township, this -- county, August $, 1838, a son of Jesse and Sarah (Morphew) Eggers, natives of Indiana, the former of English and the latter of French descent. They came to this county in 1831, where the father is still living. The grandfather of our subject, William Eggers, was in the war of 1812, and came to Indiana when it was a Territory, being an early set- tler of Putnam County. Ile was born in 1795, and died October 16, 1886. John was married in this county January 19, 1861, to Matilda A., daughter of Roland and Betsey Sutherlin, who was born in this county, Jackson Township, November 19, 1843. They have three children -- Sarah, born May 6, 1863, married Martin T. Henry, and has two children-Alva R. and Bertha M .; New- berry D., born January 1, 1867; Genora F., born September 6, 1874. Mr. Eggers has held the office of school director and other local offices. In politics he is a Democrat, and himself and wife are members of the Baptist church. Mrs. Eggers' grandfather was one of the early settlers of Putnam County. Her father died in 1876, at the age of sixty-two years. Her mother is still living, and is seventy-four years of age. She
is unusually bright and active for a woman of her age.
SCAR W. ELLIS, farmer and dairyman, Greencastle Township, was born in Alexandria, Virginia, June 16, 1831, son of John W. and Sarah E. Ellis. the for- mer a native of Virginia, of English ances- try, and the latter of England. To the parents were born thirteen children, of whom cleven are living- -- Mary, wife of Frank Jean, of Los Angeles, California; Thomas O .; of Sullivan County, this State; Ann M., wife of George Riggs, of Nebraska: Virginia, now Mrs. Robert McCormick, of Missouri; El- dridge R., of Coatesville, Indiana; Robert, of Sullivan County; . Olivia, wife of George Warner, of the same county, and Oscar W. In 1834 our subject came to Indiana with his parents, who settled in Sullivan County, and remained there until their deecase. They were pioneers of that county. They had to cut their lumber with a whip-saw, and made their floors of puncheons. Their nearest town was Vincennes, twenty miles distant. The father was one of the first county officers. and served as overseer of the poor, and as township trustee several years. He died in 1870, and his funeral was said to be the largest ever held in Sullivan County. He was a zealous member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and contributed liberally to that church, being especially liberal to the poor people. He was a man of untiring en- ergy and determination. When he came to this State he had about nine dollars in money and a few household goods. At his death his estate was estimated at 820,000. In politics he was a Democrat. Osear W. Ellis was reared to manhood in Sullivan County. and has been a life-long farmer. During the
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHIES.
past twenty years he has devoted much at- tention to the dairy business, which has proved to be quite profitable. Jannary 7, 1858, he was married to Sarah E. Buck, born May 9, 1834, in New Jersey, and a daughter of William and Pharzena Buck, the former a native of England, and the latter of New Jersey. Her parents emigrated to Vigo County, this State, in 1836, thence to Greene County in a few years. Mr. and Mrs. Ellis are the parents of seven children, five living -Pharzina, wife of John Keller, of Green- castle; llattie, William, Mary, at present attending DePauw University, and Edward. In 1861 our subject removed to this county, and has resided here ever since. He owns a fine farm of eighty acres, and resides on sec- tion 31. Himself and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which he has served as Sunday-school superintendent, steward and class-leader. In polities he is a Democrat.
OHN WILSON, a farmer of Floyd Township, resides on section 9. where he owns 161 aeres of good land, in a high state of cultivation. He was born in that township January 23, 1838, a son of Abel and Julia A. Wilson. They were na- tives of Kentneky, the former of English and the latter of German ancestry. The mother's maiden name was Kolesapple. They came to this county in 1832, and are still living in the sune township in which they first settled. They had six children; five of them are still living. John was the fourth child. He was reared on his father's farm. He was married in 1860, in Floyd Township, to Miss Nancy I., daughter of John and Anna C. Lewis, ! who were natives of Kentucky. The father died in 1863; the mother is still living.
Mrs. Wilson was born in this county in 1840. They have had four children, the first of which died an infant; the other three are still living. Delana C. and Charley A., a teacher, are pursuing a course of study in the State Normal at Terre Haute. Gilbert, the youngest, is at home. Mr. Wilson is a Dem- oerat in politics, and a county commissioner at this time, and has been township assessor one term. His early educational advantages were limited, but he possesses a good fund of information and common sense, and is one of the influential men of the county. He had bnt little property to begin with, and had to rent land for seven or eight years. He got his land by going in debt for it, and by rais- ing and selling cattle to pay for it. The farm he now owns has cost him 87,500. Mr. Wilson and his wife and three children are members of the Presbyterian church at Groveland.
LDER OSCAR F. LANE. farmer, see- tion 11, Monroe Township, was born in that township May 5. 1548. His father. Higgins Lane, now deceased, was a native of Montgomery County, Kentucky, and came to this county in 1844, having bought land here in 1837. He was reared on a farm, and educated in what was then the Northwestern Christian University, now Butler University, graduating in June. 1871. Hle preached in the Christian church seven- teen years, when failing health compelled him to abandon that work. He began his ministerial labors when sixteen years of age. Ile preached in Indianapolis, La Porte, Green- castle, Cloverdale, Gosport. Bainbridge, Portland Mills, Indiana, also in Shelbyville, Illinois. Ile owns 450 acres of land in this county, and a half interest in 160 acres in
HISTORY OF PUTNAM COUNTY.
Pulaski County. He was married Novem- mained until their decease, the father dying in 1861, aged eighty-eight years, and the ber 20, 1872, to Mary E. Wendling, daugh- 1 ter of George J. Wendling, of Shelbyville, mother in 1862. They reared nine children, Illinois, and a sister of Hon. George R. Wendling, the lecturer. They have seven children-Anna L., Carrie M., Frank W., Edwin R., Oscar B., Nellie and Lizzie H. During the late war Mr. Lane enlisted twice, and was each time rejected. two of whom are living -- Fleming, a resident of Monroe Township, and our subject. The latter was reared on a farm, and has always followed farming until within the last two years. Ile was married in this county in 1834, to Nancy Wood, who was born in Vir- ginia March 2, 1821, and died January 25, 1878. To this nion were born eleven chil- dren, the following of whom are living- Henry IL., Willis, Edward, Levi, Susan, wife of Frank- lin Hall, Fleming, Charles, Laura, Harriet E. Shields. Rebecca is deceased. In poli- ties Mr. MeCray is a Greenbacker. Post- office, Fern.
D ANIEL T. DARNALL, farmer, section 2, Monroe Township, was born in that township, on the old homestead on sec- tion 5, December 10, 1844. His father, John- son Darnall, was born in Montgomery County, Kentucky, and settled in this county in 1833, and died in Bainbridge, January 9, 1876. Daniel T. was raised on a farm and educated in the common school and at Bainbridge Academy. From 1872 until 1877 he was engaged in the mercantile trade at Bain- bridge, and since that time he devoted his time to his farm. He was married, Novem- ber 19, 1867. to Nancy F. Colliver, daughter of Samael Colliver, of Monroe Township, and of their four children three are living --- Les- lie, Cora T. and Thomas. William died at the age of five years. Mr. Darnall is a mem- ber of the regular Baptist church. Mrs. Darnall was born in Clark County, Ken- tueky.
ILLIAM McCRAY, farmer, residing on section 5, Washington Township, was born in Bourbon County, Ken- tueky. March 27, 1818, son of Samuel and Rebecca MeCray, natives of Kentucky, and of Scotch-Irish descent. They removed to J'utnam County in 1837, where they re-
TAMES E. QUINN, farmer, section 1, Monroe Township, was born in Fleming County, Kentucky, February 9, 1820, son of John Quinn, deceased, who removed to Union County, Indiana, when our subjeet was an infant. He was reared ou a farm, and educated in the old fashioned subscrip- tion school, taught in log cabins, with slab seats, boards on wooden pins for desks and puncheon floors. He came to this county in 1846, settling upon his present farm, where he has since resided. There was a pubhe barbecue on his farm on the 4th of July of that year, held in a grove near a lone sugar tree that still stands to mark the place. IIe was married September 19, 1844, to Miss Rachel Kellar, daughter of John Kel- lar, and to this union have been born thirce children, two of whom are living-Mary M. and Sarah B. John died at the age of twenty-three years. Mary married Frank McKee, now deceased, and their one living child is James L., who is attending college
BIOGRAPHICAL FRETCITES.
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at Greeneastle: Sarah married Lewis Limber- 'for. In 1874 Mr. Lang-d de was appointed ger, of Bainbridge, and has had three chil- , postmaster at Greenca-tle by President dren. two of whom are living -Pant and : Grant, and was reappointed by Presidents Glenn. Mr. Quinn owns 400 acres of excel. ; Hayes and Arthur, getting a third torm. In 1878-'79 he accompanied the negro exodus
lent land, and devotes his attention to farm- ing and stock-raising. He never seeks from the South, and became widely known political distinction. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and in poli- ties is a Democrat.
as " de boss of de emigrashm .. " Upon the election of President Cleveland Mr. Langs- dale resigned the office of postmaster, and wrote a strong letter to President Arthur in vindication of the principle that the admin- istration of the Government belongs to the victors. For four years he has been Presi- dent of the Monumental Association, De- partment of Indiana, Grand Army of the Republie, and he was one of the most active in securing the appropriation of $200.000 from the General Assembly in 1987 to build a monument. He has since been chosen by the State officers one of the five commission-
JEORGE J. LANGSDALE is a most pronounced stalwart Republican. He was born in Indianapolis, November 25. 1837, and spent part of his youth in Ken- theky. He worked at the printer's trade in the office of the indianapolis Sentinel, but did not continue in the business, owing to ill health. In 1562 he assisted in recruiting 1 Company L. Third Indiana Cavalry, and , ers to have charge of the erection of the was mustered in as First Lieutenant. His : structure. While in the army Mr. Langs- first service was in pursuit of General John dale returned to Indiana long enough to be united in the bonds of matrimony with Miss Mary E. Roberts, of Indianapolis. Of eight children born, four are now living.
Morgan, through the States of Kentucky. Indiana and Ohio, and he was present at Morgan's capture. At Buffington's Island, while General Shackelford was making an attack on Morgan's lines, Lieutenant Langs- dale, with a sqnad of thirty men, captured Colonel Hawkins, of Tennessee, Major Dick TILLIAM H. GARDNER, an early settler of Madison Township, was born in this county. November 22, 1838, son of Samnel and Emily Gardner, the former a native of Virginia and the latter of Kentucky. The parents were among the early pioneers of Putnam County. and they had ten children, of whom seven are living - - John W., William II., Louisa E., wife of Richard Heady, of Boone County, Indiana; Monroe, a resident of Illinois; Lutetia A., wife of George MeClintock ; Josephine, wife of Wallace Ramsey, of Parke County, Indi- Morgan, of Kentneky, and thirty men. Dur- ing his term of service he was a member of three military commissions to try offend- ers against military law. Ile served with the Army of the Ohio and the Army of the Cumberland, doing much hard service in East Tennessee and Georgia, part of the time being ent off from supplies; during that time he commanded his company. He assisted in editing the Sullivan Union dur- ing the political campaign of 1866, and in 1507 purchased the Greencastle Banner, of which he has since been editor and proprie- ! ana: Mary E .. wife of Charles Tony, of this
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HISTORY OF PUTNAM COUNTY.
county. Samuel Gardner has always been a hard-working and a public-spirited man. He served as county commissioner several terms, and has been justice of the peace many years. He still resides in Madison Township. William HI. has been reared in this county, receiving a rudimentary educa- tion in the early schools. He was married December 14, 1863, to Miss Sallie Smedley. daughter of Andrew J. and Eliza (Bradshaw) Smedley, of this county. They have eight children, five of whom are living --- Melvin. Reynolds, Alice L., Eliza E. and Sadie B. One daughter, Lelia, died April 3, 1887. Mr. Gardner owns 120 acres of good land, and is meeting with good success, Politi- cally he is a Democrat. Mrs. Gardner was a school-teacher previous to her marriage. Her father was born in Kentucky and her mother in Indiana.
- ICHOLAS SCHULTZ, farmer and stock-raiser, Jefferson Township, was born in Bremen, Germany, December 1, 1831, a son of Nicholas and Elizabeth Schnitz. In 1854 he immigrated to America, taking passage in a sailing vessel, and after a voyage of fifty-nine days landed in Balti- more. After working a short time in Cin- cinnati and Indianapolis he came to Putnam County and opened a shoe shop at Mount Meridian, having learned that trade when young. He removed to his present residence on seetion 25 in 1958, where he owns 160 acres of good land in his homestead; also owns sixty aeres in Cloverdale Township. He was married April 8, 1858, to Sophia Staley, who was born in Virginia in 1823, daughter of Abram and Elizabeth Staley, who came to Putnam County in 1825, locating on section 25, Jefferson Township, where they lived un-
til their decease. The country was then a wilderness and Indians were plenty. They endured all the privations incident to the pioneer. Of six children, Mrs. Schultz is the only one living. Her father was a hard- working man, and respected by all who knew him. In politics he was a Whig. Mr. Schultz received but a common education in his younger days. He has been success- ful in life, and is a worthy citizen. Politi- cally he affiliates with the Republican party.
STARCHIBALD COLLINGS, farmer, sec- tion 2, Monroe Township, was born in Shelby County, Kentucky, May 20, 1819. His father, Abrahain Collings, now deceased, was a native of the same State; his mother, Nancy (Nutgrass) Collings, was a daughter of Gray Nutgrass, who was a soldier in the Revolutionary war. The father died when Archibald was eight years of age, and in 1931 he came with his mother to this county, where he has lived most of the time ever since. His mother died in Parke County, this State. December 31. 1886, in the ninetieth year of her age. Our subject was thrown upon his resources at the age of eighteen years. Ilis education was some- what limited, having attended the subserip- tion schools in the old log cabin, with huge fireplace in one end of the room, a ind-and- stick chimney, puncheon floor. clapboard roof, slab seats without backs, boards on wooden pins for desks, and one log left out for light, with a greased paper occasionally inserted in the aperture. Mr. Collings has done much hard work in clearing land, burn- ing logs and brush day and night. He was married September 1, 1841, to Miss Sarah McClain, daughter of John MeClain, de- ceased, who was an early settler of Parke
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County. Of their six children three are liv- ing -Emeline, Nancy and Eliza. Emeline married Howard Frazee, of Hamilton Coun- ty, and has one son, William; Nancy mar- ried James Ragland, of Bainbridge, and Eliza married John Ragland, and has two children-Clara and Laura. Mr. Collings owns 258 acres of land, and makes a specialty of raising Jersey cattle, hogs and horses. Mrs. Collings died January 13, 1874, and June 3, 1879, Mr. Collings married Elenora Gaines. They have three children - Joseph S., Edna and Lena. He has held the office of assessor, and was elected justice of the peace but declined to serve.
AMES A. HOPE, of Marion Township, is an old settler and representative farmer of Putnam County, and was born in Shelby County. Kentucky, October 22. 1534. His father. Isaac Hope, was born in Maryland, and his mother, Susan (Ellis) Hope, was born in Kentucky. The Hope family came from Scotland to America about 200 years ago, settling in Maryland. Tradition says that they participated in the battle of the Boyne in Ireland. Isaac Hope came with his family from Kentucky to this county in 1835, settling on the farm on sec- tion 12, Marion Township, that is now ocen- pied by our subjeet. The country was then a dense wilderness. He first erected a log cabin, and began in a rode way to make a home. At the same time he carried on a blacksmith's shop, having learned the black- smith's trade, and his was one of the first shops in the township. He was the father of three children, our subject being the only one that survives. He died in 1866, honored and es- teemed by all who knew him. When he first came to Putnam County he found it ex-
tremely difficult to furnish his family with the necessaries of life; but with maturer years prosperity came, and when he died he left a good property. James A. Hope, the subject of this sketch, has been reared to manhood in this county, and received a rudi- mentary education in the early schools of his time. He was married August 11, 1863. to Miss Elizabeth Newman, daughter of Will- iam and Rachel Newman, of Fillmore, Put- nam County. To this union bave been born three children -- Charles F., born September 13, 1867; Ollie, born February 11. 1871, and Daniel K., born September 6, 1879. Mr. Hope owns 210 acres of good land. and has been very successful as a farmer, having been a life-long resident of Putnam County. Po- litically he affiliates with the Democratic party. Both are respected members of society.
ILMIAM ONSLOW GOULDING. of the firm of Goulding & Ireland. proprietors of the planing mill and door, sash and blind factory, at Greencastle, was born at Grafton. Massachusetts. April 7, 1830. Ilis father, William Goulding, was also born at Grafton, and of English parent- age. By avocation he was a tanner and enr- rier. Ile died in New York City in 1837, at the age of thirty-six years. Ilis mother, Adalı (Jewett) Goulding, was born and reared in Pepperell. Massachusetts. She was twice married, her second husband being James Bontelle, who is now deceased. She died near Worcester, in 1885, aged over sev- enty years. She was a member of the C'on- gregational church. William was taken by his parents to New York City when three years of age, and when he was seven years of age his father died. After that he lived with
HISTORY OF PUTNAM COUNTY.
relatives until he was seventeen years old, when he began to learn the carpenter's trade at Leominster, Massachusetts, serving an ap- prenticeship of three years. He worked at his trade at that place until 1850, then came to (ireencastle, where, after working at jour- ney work one year, he engaged in contracting and building. In 1857 he built a planing mill, and became associated with John fre- land under the firm name of Goulding & Ireland. Politically Mr. Goulding is a Re- publican. In 1951 he was married at Green- castle to Miss Charlotte A. Day, of Salem. Indiana. Their children are- Myra A., Ad- die, wife of Dr. E. B. Evans, of Greencastle, and Lizzie II.
ACOR SHIELDS. a pioneer of Marion Township, was born in Jefferson County, Tennessee, October 22, 1527, son of of Heury and Ellen Dick. natives of Vir- Henry and Jane K. Shields, the latter being deceased. In 1-80. when he was three years of age, he removed to this county with his parents, and has been a resident here ever since. Ilis educational advantages were neces- sarily limited, having attended school princi- pally during the winter season, at odd spells. He was married January 5, 1854, to Mary M. Elrod, daughter of Joseph and Catherine Elrod, early settlers of Hendricks County, this State. To this union were born two children- Lydia E .. wife of Spencer W. Hon- ter, and Orlando H. Mrs. Shields died June 14, 1568, and October 19, 1865, Mr. Shields married Emily A. Cox, whose first husband was Jefferson Cox, of Putnam County. Her parents, William and Aun MeCarty, were early settlers of Putnam County, and among the first settlers of Warren Township. They were the parents of eleven children, of whom five are living-Abel, Sallie, Julia A., Mary
A., and Emily A. Like all pioneers, they endured many hardships and privations. Mr. Shields owns 220 acres of excellent land. and resides on section 1. Politically he is a Demo- erat. Both are highly respected members of society.
ENRY SHIELDS. of Marion Township. one of the oblest living settlers of his locality, was born in Jefferson County. Tennessee. February 23, 1802, son of Will- iam and Agnes Shields, natives of Virginia, and of Irish ancestry. Ile was reared to manhood on a farm, and received a rudimen- tary education in the early subscription schools. His father helped to combat the Indians during the first settlement of Ten- nessee. He was married in Tennessee, Oeto- ber 12. 1826, to Miss Jane K. Dick, daughter
ginia, who settled in Tennessee. To this union nine children were born, of whom six are living- Jacob. Ellen H., wife of the late Harrison Elrod, of Hendricks County. Indi- ana; John HI. Shields, Mary A .. wife of John A. Phillips, of Hendricks County; Lonisa J., widow of Jacob W. Phillips, late of this connty, and Elvira, wife of Joseph W. Elrod, also of this county. The deceased are -. William, Prior L. and James II. Joseph W. Elrod was born in Wayne County, Indiana, October 19, 1885. a son of Joseph and Catherine Elrod. When a boy his parents removed to Hendricks County, Indiana, where he was reared to manhood. He was married May 20, 1564, to Elvira A. Shields, and their three children are- - Walter D., Os- car O. and Ella. Mr. Elrod at present re- sides on the farm of Mr. Shields. In the fall of 1580 our subject imunigrated to this county with his family, and for the first
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seven years lived two miles south of Green- castle. Early in the year 1888 he located in the woods on section 12, Marion Township, having entered forty acres of land from the Government. He subsequently entered and purchased more, until at one time he owned 200 acres of land. At present he owns 160 acres of good land that is well cultivated. His first house was made of hewed logs, and after getting well settled in it he commenced to clear and improve his land in true pioneer style. His first crop was a small patch of corn. Each year he cleared a few acres more, until ont of an unbroken wilderness he had produced a splendid farm, and now, in his declining years, he is reaping the fruits of a well spent life. He is a member of the Pres- byterian church, and for some time officiated as an elder of that church. Politically he is a Democrat. Ilis wife died June 30, 1884, having shared his joys and sorrows nearly sixty years. He is now in his eighty-sixth year, and resides upon the farm where he first settled in Marion Township.
his township and has held other local offices. In politics he is a Democrat.
BUSTIN BOND, an carly settler of Put- nam County, and now a resident of Washington Township, was born in Franklin County, Virginia, July 24, 1813, son of Robert and Ann (Starkey) Bond, the former of Irish descent and the latter of Scotch. Both were born in Virginia. His father moved to Kentucky in 1816, and died in that State in 1828, and our subject, with his widowed mother and eight children, removed to Lawrence County, this State, in 1829, where the mother died in 1832. The par- ents had twelve children, of whom three are liv- ing-Robert, Jane and Austin. The latter was the chief dependence of the family until the younger children were reared. He has al- ways been engaged in farming. He was married February 3, 1851. to Sarah Girton, born August 19, 1832, in Brown County, Ohio, and a daughter of Stephen and Mar- garet (VanZandt) Girton, the former a native of Pennsylvania, and now deceased. the latter a native of Ohio. Her parents came to Clay County, Indiana, in 1836, where the father died in February, 1864. To this union have been born eleven children, eight of whom are living -- Austin P .. of Kansas, Stephen G., George W .. William A., Fletcher, Warren E., Timothy C. and Alma. The deceased are ---- Louisa, Martha and one that died in infancy. Mr. Bond was first married in 1835, to Miss Ann Wilson, and two of their eight children are living -John and David. His wife died
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