USA > Indiana > Putnam County > Biographical and historical record of Putnam County, Indiana > Part 26
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R EUBEN RAGAN, deceased, late of Marion Township, was born in Louisa Connty, Virginia, in the year 1793. When a small boy his parents removed with him to Bryant's Station, Kentucky. Soon after they settled in Mercer County, near Shakertown, in the same State, where the parents died, leaving four sons orphans. Reuben was taken into the family of Elisha Thomas, where he remained until, at his own request, he was apprenticed to a tanner by the court having jurisdiction of orphans. When brought into court the first time, the judge asked kindly what calling he wished to fol- low, and received from the boy the answer, " I wish to be a tanner." " My son," said the judge, "that is a very dirty business, but will make you fair money." The words of the judge were kindly remembered, even in old age, by him to whom they were addressed. Our subject remained in a tan-yard until he reached his majority, and made himself com- plete master of the business. Ile did well whatever he undertook, and early formed close habits of observation. During his boy- hood he was fond of, and frequently in the company of Edward Darnaby and John Light-
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foot, of Mercer County. Kentucky, through whom his natural inclination to hortienlture was strengthened and enlarged. In 1816 he visited Indiana, spending the winter near Vincennes. The winter of 1818-'19 he spent in Putnam County, at the home of Joseph Thomas, below Webster Mills. The only settlers then in this county in the valley of the Walnut were Benjamin Croy, James Athey, and David Thomas. During this winter he explored all of Putnam County. frequently visiting the deuse woods then oc- enpying the present site of Greencastle, and frequently met and camped with the red men of the forest. The following spring he re- turned to Kentucky. Between this and 1524 he visited this State several times, and at- tended a sale of lots at Indianapolis. In 1824 he made a collection of fruit cions in Kentucky, and with them came to Indiana and settled in' Putnam County. Hle first commenced a small nursery on the farm since owned by Andrew Black, west of Green- castle. Ile soon afterward settled on the land where he died, in Marion Township. Ilere, in 1824, he propagated bluegrass. From this time until his death, which ocen- red August 19, 1869, he was a devotee of horticulture; and though he cleared and made for himself a fine farm, he was never so happy as when with his trees, fruits and flowers. Ilis love of these he manifested till the close of his life. In his dying hour, being shown a dahlia, he handled it, exclaiming. "Oh, how beautiful." To Reuben Ragan, more than all others, Western Indiana owes the quality and character of its fruits, and these will, in years to come, testify to and of his eminent and disinterested public services more elo- quently than " stone or senlptured monu- ment." Henry Ward Beecher once said, " Ragan is the most intelligent horticulturist in America." IIe was the first President of
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the Indiana Horticultural Society, and was an honorary member thereof at his death. Of his character as a horticulturist, those who dealt with, confided in, or songht infor- mation from him, give most beautiful testi- mony. What he sold or gave was always the best, and his opinion was always reliable. Hle taught and practiced horticulture for the love of it, and obtained and distributed the best varieties without attempting individual profit. He was characteristically modest, and never sought a public office, nor held one above the grade of district school trustee. He was, indeed. in true. manly worth, a model; courageous, conscientious, true to principle, unselfish, loving and gentle as a woman, and generous almost to a fault. He was married in 1828 to Miss Jane Matthews, who made him an excellent, dutiful and con- fiding wife. Their children were twelve in number, eleven of whom survived the father. He was a kind husband, a loving father, a good neighbor -- an honest man. In Decem- ber, 1868, he wrote the following words, and a few days before his death handed them to William II. Ragan, his son:
My God doth call and I must go And leave this world of tears below, And join that blessed happy number, Where joy and peace doth never cease, And wake in heaven from my slumber.
My soul still lingers on the breeze, And loves its own sweet native frees; But freed from earth it goes to God, Along the road by angels trod.
This shows that after death he anticipated a blessed immortality. He was buried near Fillmore, upon ground of his own selection. A large concourse of neighbors, relatives and friends accompanied his remains to their last resting place, and with loving though sad hearts returned his remains to earth on the 21st day of August, 1569. Mrs. Ragan came with her parents to Putnam County in
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1827, where the latter lived during the re- mainder of their lives. Ten of the twelve children of Mr. and Mrs. Ragan survive --- Mary, wife of Robert Rosebro, of Crawfords- ville, Indiana; William II., formerly a pro- fessor in De Pauw (Asbury) University, at Greencastle: Milton; Robert M .; Harriet, wife of Marshall A. Moore, an attorney of Greencastle; James S., a resident of Kansas; Jennie, wife of Dr. John Welch, of Lena, Indiana; Amy, who married Benjamin Nich- olson, now deceased, and Howard II., who is living in Oregon. Sally, the third daughter, was the wife of Joseph Priest; she died Sep- tember 29, 1869; the eldest daughter, Nancy, married Mr. MeCord, of Centerville, Indiana; he died in 1553, and the widow returned to the old homestead and remained until her death, March 29. 1862.
ANIEL PECK. a prominent farmer of Warren Township, now deceased, was born near Bloomington, Indiana, De- cember 29, 1823, son of Isaac and Nancy (Moore) Peck, natives of Pennsylvania and Kentucky respectively. They were married in Kentucky, and came to Indiana about 1822, locating near Bloomington, Monroe County. In 1524 they removed to this county and bought land on section 13, Warren Township, where the mother died September 2. 1861, and the father, February 17, 1865. They were parents of twelve children, nine of whom were boys. Mr. Peck was a member of the Presbyterian church and Mrs. Peek of the Methodist Episcopal church, although she was formerly a Presbyterian. Daniel was reared in Warren Township and received a common school education. He remained at home until his marriage, which ocenrred October 12, 1844, with Sarah McCarty, who
was born February 28, 1S23, a daughter of William McCarty, of this county. After his marriage Mr. Peck went to Boone County, where he was engaged in farming one year, then sold his farm and returned to Putnam County, purchasing land in Warren Town- ship. He afterward located on section 11, where he lived until his death, October 28, 1856. Mrs. Peek still resides on the old homestead. Mr. Peek was a successful busi- ness man, and at the time of his death owned 200 acres of land, all the product of his own labor and management, assisted by his esti- mable wife, who is a very intelligent, amiable lady. Since her husband's death she has purchased some land, and has now of her own about 200 acres. She is a member of the Baptist church. They were the parents of four children- -- Theodore F., born August 8, 1846, died Jannary 16, 1879; William M., born May 27, 1848; Nancy A., born July 21, 1850, and Isaae S., born Angust 2, 1852. William M., an attorney at law, resides in Texas. Naney A. married Albert Layman and resides in Warren Township. Isaac S. is unmarried and resides at home, managing the farm. He owns over 200 acres of land. He was edneated at Asbury College, and has always followed farming.
TINFIELD S. COX, attorney at law and dealer in real estate, Greencastle, was born in Jefferson Township, this county, October S, 1555. His parents, Will- iam M. and Hannah P. (Powers) Cox, were natives of Virginia, the former of English and the latter of Scotch-English ancestry. They came to Putnam County in 1837, lo- cating in Jefferson Township, where they still reside. Winfield was reared on a farm and received only a common school education.
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In 1879 he left the farm and began the study of law in the office of Moore Bros., and was admitted to the bar at Greencastle in 1882. In 1883, in connection with the law prac- tice, he engaged in the real estate business at Greeneastle. In 1884 he was married to Miss Sadie E. Evans, daughter of William and Hannah R. (Worster) Evans, of Green- castle. She graduated at Asbury University, in the class of '83, and is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Cox is identified with the leading business men of Greencastle, and takes a great interest in the growth and prosperity of the city. He was one of the principal organizers of the Loan and Building Association and one of the stockholders. In the spring of 1887 J. T. Horn became associated with him in the real estate business, under the firm name of Cox & Horn, and they are doing an exten- sive business in both county and State.
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OEL HEAVIN, farmer, Marion Town- ship, was born in Montgomery County, Virginia, September 16, 1833, son of John and Sarah Heavin, natives of Virginia, who were the parents of eleven children. Five of these children are still living --- James. Elijah, Howard, Joel and Elizabeth. ITis ancestors came from England and settled in Virginia prior to the Revolutionary war. Joel was reared to manhood in his native State, and when twenty-one years of age came with his mother and other members of his fam- ily, his father being deceased, to Hendricks County, this State. He was married March 25, 1866, to Miss Nancy C. Poe, daughter of Henry Poe, and to this union were born four children, three of whom are living-Thomas, William R. and Charles. He removed to his present farm on section 2. Marion Township, | had seven children-Mary Alice, Walter B.,
about the year 1876, and is the owner of 113 acres of land. Mrs Ileavin is a daughter of Henry and Rhoda Poe, and was born in this county January 11, 1838. Her parents were early settlers of this county. They had eight children, only three of whom are living- Preston, Cynthia and Nancy C. They died in Arkansas, whither they had removed a few years previous to their death.
GNATIUS F. SHANNON, a merchant at Raccoon, was born in Woodford County, Kentucky, September 3, 1834, son of Da- vid A. and Nancy (Alexander) Shannon, who emigrated to Montgomery County, Indiana, in 1835, settling in the wilderness. He was reared on a farm and educated in the sub- scription schools which were kept in log cabins with slab seats, boards on pins in the wall for desks, a huge fireplace in one end of the room, a stick chimney, a log ent out and one row of window lights inserted for a window, puncheon floor, and clapboard roof with knees and weight poles. At the age of eighteen years he learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed most of the time until 1871, when he established a drug and grocery store in Parkersburg, Montgomery County, and con- tinned it until 1875 or 1876. Ile then re- moved to Shannondale, same county, and engaged in general merchandising, which he continued about eight years, then came to Raccoon and opened a general store. He carries a capital stock of $3,000, and does an annual business of $6,000. Ile keeps dry goods, boots and shoes, hats and caps, groceries and provisions, glass and queens- ware, crockery, notions, etc. He was married December 22, 1862, to Martha Carter, dangh- ter of John Carter, deceased, and they have
HISTORY OF PUTNAM COUNTY.
John W., David (deceased), Thomas E., ; father on the homestead. She has six chil- Joseph F. and George B., all living at home. | dren-Orlando, Cordelia, Sally Ann, Maggie, Mr. Shannon is a member of the Odd ; Homer E. and Oscar L. Mr. Reeves was Fellows fraternity, and in 1885 was made ; born in this county June 17, 1834, is a farm- postmaster, an office he still holds, Mrs. Shannon is a member of the Universalist church, at Fincastle. Although there are two other stores at Raccoon. Mr. Shannon has the largest trade.
er and owns 146 acres of land. Joseph S. was born Jannary 28, 1840, and now lives at Greencastle; is unmarried. Of those deceased John Edgar was born January 29, 1531, served a year in the late war and died in i Mead County. Kentucky, October 7, 1862; Margaret J., born August 28, 1833, married Renben Thornly October 12, 1855, and died AAMES MCCLARY. farmer, section 25, Monroe Township, was born in Fleming County, Kentucky, October 20, 1804, a son of John and Margaret MeClary. His father was born in Augusta County, Virginia, of Irish ancestry. He was reared in his na- tive county and educated in the subscription schools of the carly day. These schools were taught in the primitive log house, where split logs . were used for seats, boards on wooden pins for desks, clapboard roof, puncheon floor, of the room. The exercises were very often Inue 1. 1856; James R., born December 26, 1541, served four months in the late war; was married February 27, 1867, to Emmma Reeves, who bore him two children -- Edgar L. and Albert L .: was killed by lightning, August 25, 1869, while threshing wheat; Ann E., born October 12, 1844, married Columbus C. Coffinan February 27, 1867, and died April 27, 1584, leaving four children ---- ('lara C., Ilillery L .. Effa P. and Elijah E .; William L., born March 3, 1847, died March elay chimney and a huge fireplace in one end . 6, 1871. and two died in infancy. They have twelve grandchildren and four great-grand- interspersed with the use of the primitive ; children. Their two ellest children were " gad." Mr. MeClary came to this county in : born in Fleming County, Kentucky, and the 1833. settling on the same section he now ; rest in Putnam County. Mrs. McClary died September 20. 1863, a consistent Christian
ocenpies. Ilis first house was a log cabin,
which is still standing. He used to go to ; and a member of the Presbyterian church. - Mr. MeClary is also a member of that church.
ten or twelve log-rollings every year and as many house-raisings, as neighbors were en- tirely dependent upon one another on such occasions. Hle also had to attend military drills. His milling was done at Crawfords- ville and at Terre Haute. He was married October 1, 1829, to Sallie Ann Morrison, a native of Fleming County, Kentucky, and daughter of Joseph Morrison, deceased. Of their nine children only two are living -- Mar- tha E, and Joseph S. Martha was born Feb- ruary 22. 1836, and married William A. Reeves, May 1, 1556, and now lives with her
ILLIAM MCCARTY, a prominent famer of Warren Township, now de- ceased, was born in Shenandoah County, Virginia, in 1758, son of John and Ellen (Jones) MeCarty, the former of Eng- lish birth and the latter of Irish. They im- migrated to America about the time of the Revolutionary war, settling in Virginia, where they passed the remainder of their
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days. They had nine children, six daughters renceburg, in this State, and worked on the Ohio & Mississippi Railroad that summer, and in the fall of the same year went down the Mississippi River to Memphis, Tennes- see. Ile helped grade the Terre Haute, Alton & St. Louis Railroad, near St. Mary's, Indiana, in 1855. The wages generally re- ceived in those days was $1 per day, a day's work being from daylight until dark, or in other words, as long as they could see to roll a wheelbarrow on a single plank. There were no scrapers used in those days to grade railroads, all was genuine hard labor, and principally done by Irishmen, In 1854 he helped to grade the Memphis & Charleston (South Carolina) Railroad, then went to Cairo, Illinois, where he assisted in grading the Illinois Central Railroad. When going to his work he and several others were taken up the Mississippi River about thirty miles, and were put off on a sand-bar in the night, on the Missonri side, where they remained until the next morning. At s o'clock the ferry- and three sons. The father followed fishing in his younger days, but in later life was a farmer. William was reared in Virginia, and when twenty-one years old went to Tennessee, where he was married December 8, 1817, to Miss Anna Lanham, born in that State Jan- mary 22, 1796. Soon after their marriage they came to Clark County, this State, and in the fall of 1818 came to Putnam County, locating on land on section 12 which he had previously entered from the Government. it being the first land entered in the vicinity. They resided in Warren Township until their decease, Mr. McCarty's death occurring September 22. 1848, and Mrs. McCarty's in October, 1878. Both were members of the Old School Baptist church. They were the parents of eleven children, eight daughters and three sons. One son, Elijah, was one term in the Legislature from this county and afterward removed to Douglas County, Illi- nois, where he became a Colonel in the army, and was nominated for Congress from his boat came from the Illinois side and carried distriet on the Republican ticket. about 1564. | them over, and they walked twenty miles to but was defeated. In polities Mr. MeCarty : Jonesboro before they could get anything to was a Democrat, and held the office of justice . eat. The most of them became so weak that of the peace several years. He owned about | they fell behind, and did not reach Jonesboro 300 acres of land.
until several hours after the arrival of the others. Mr. Walsh and two others reached the town first. He worked a short time on the Wabash Railroad, and in the spring of 1856 came to Indianapolis, this State, and worked some time in the freight department. Ile eame to Putnam County in 1>59, and worked for William Bridges six months. In the spring of 1860 he walked to Greencastle and took the train for St. Louis, but failing to get work, he returned and worked ten
HOMAS WALSH, farmer, section 17. Franklin Township, was born in County . worked as a hod-carrier two years. He also
Kerry, Ireland, February 1, 1831, son of Thomas Walsh, also a native of Ireland, and now deceased. The father came to the United States in 1549, and his son in 1850, when he worked on public works for some time. lle worked in the coal mines in Penn- sylvania and on railroads. He helped to months for Martin Donahue, and was then grade the Kentucky Central Railroad, and in employed by Robert Lockridge nearly four 1854 came down from Cincinnati to Law- years. In 1964 he began farming for him-
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self, renting land until 1870, then purchased 110 acres where he uow resides. May 30, 1857, he was married to Miss Bridget Kirby, daughter of Thomas Kirby, deceased. They have had ten children-Thomas, John W., William B., Ella, Kate, Mary, Maggie, Nora, Lizzie and George E. Mr. Walsh now owns 151g acres of land, and is engaged in farm- ing and stock-raising.
HIOMAS S. VERMILLION, proprie- tor of the Half-Way House at Mount Meridian, Jefferson Township, was born in Mercer County, Kentucky, September 23, 1827, son of Joel and Martha (Shaw) Ver- million. He came to this county with his parents, where he grew to manhood, passing his early life on a farm. Ile remained at home until twenty years of age, then com- menced working by the month on neighboring farms. Hle continued in this manner until he had accumulated enough money to buy a stock of goods, and in 1869 opened a store, in which he continued until 1879, at which time he bought a farm, and has since followed farming. He owns 275 acres in a good state of enltivation. He makes stock-raising a specialty. Politically he was formerly a Whig, but is now a Democrat. Mr. Ver- million united with the Masonic fraternity about 1850, joining Larrabee Lodge, No. 131, at Stilesville, Hendricks County. Mr. Ver- million was married September 5, 1867, to Martha Jane Bourne, born in Kentucky December 20, 1846, daughter of Ambrose Bourne, a resident of Mount Meridian. To this union have been born two children- Mary Etta, born June 25, 1868, wife of Lafayette McCoy, and Sylvanus, born April 8, 1872. Mr. Vermillion is a member of the Old School Baptist church, and Mrs. Ver-
million of the Missionary Baptist church. Both are greatly respected in their commu- nity.
AUGIL H. PARKER, a pioneer of Mill Creek Township, was born in Putnam County Angust 26, 1852, son of Will- iam and Bethena P. Parker. His father came to the county with his parents in 1827, set- tling in Mill Creek Township, where he en- tered cighty acres of land. The country was then a dense wilderness. He first erected a log cabin, and then began the work of clear- ing up his farm. To the parents of our sub- ject were born eleven children-Martin, of Morgan County; Candae, wife of James Parish, of Cass County, Missouri; Sarah, wife of D. W. Shirrell, of Hendricks County; Martha, wife of Solomon Dorsett, of Morgan County; Mary, wife of Richard Stringer, of Morgan County; Joel D., of Cass County, Missonri; Benjamin A., of this county; Ma- tilda, wife of M. M. Hurst, of Jefferson Township; Hugh II .; Lney, wife of Thomas Surber, of Morgan County. The father was an active member of the Regular Baptist church, and in politics a Democrat. He was an honest man and highly respected by all who knew him. Our subject has always been a resident of Mill Creek Township, and farm- ing has been his occupation. Ile was mar- ried February 28, 1875, to Miss Sorilda Wood, a daughter of Elisha Wood, of this county, and they have had four children, two of whom are living -- Bertha D. and Vietory. He owns 230 acres of good land, and resides on section 17. In politics he is a Democrat, and his wife is a member of the Missionary Baptist church. His paternal ancestors were English, and his maternal, German. His grandfather, John Parker, immigrated from
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England to the United States previous to the Revolutionary war, locating in South Caro- lina. William Parker, grandfather of our subject, was a soldier in the war of 1812. HIe located in Tennessee, where the father of Hugh was born. The latter came to this county, settling in Mill Creek Township in 1827. Ile kept a store on his farm, and was postmaster several years, keeping the office in his store. He was the first merchant in the township, and the third settler.
WILLIAM WRIGHT BOARDMAN, farmer, section 24, Monroe Town- ship, was born in Nicholas County, Kentucky. May 20, 1834. His father, James R. Boardman, deceased, was also a native of Kentucky, and a son of Benjamin Boardman, who emigrated from Virginia to Kentucky in an early day. He was of English ances- try, and followed farming and school-teach- ing, having a superior education for those times. William's mother was Sally (Hazel- rigg) Boardman. He was reared a farmer, and educated in the common schools of his native county. He came to Boone County. Indiana, in November, 1554, where he lived until September, 1855, then removed to Da- viess County, this State. He came to this county in the spring of 1857, which has since been his home. Ile removed to his present home in February, 1859. He was married January 28, 1858, to Susan Ann Blackwell, danghter of Thomas Blackwell, now deceased. Their three children are all deceased. They were Annie E., Thomas R. and William W. Mrs. Boardman died June 15, 1863, and June 17, 1872. Mr. Boardman was married to Annie E. Blackwell, a sister of his former wife. He owns ninety-seven acres of excellent land. and is engaged in ; Ile was for two years in a book store at Dan-
farming and stock-raising. Ile has served as road supervisor four years, and assessor two years. He is a member of the Masonic fra- ternity, of the Anti-Horse Thief Association, and of the Christian Union church. Ilis mother's brother, Ilarvey (. Hazelrigg, was a prominent Mason of Indiana, having held offices in the State Grand Lodge. Ile was president of the Indianapolis & Lafayette Railroad, was prominent as a banker, and as a politician. Mrs. Boardman's father was born in Kentucky, February 25, 1801. Ile mar- ried Artemecy Huffman, and came to this county in the fall of 1529. They had eleven children, three of whom are living - Mrs. Tabitha Cofer, Mrs. Eveline Wain and Mrs. Annie E. Boardman. Mr. Blackwell died December 18. 1556, and Mrs. Blackwell, October 30, 1582.
ARTHUR A. SMITH is a native of Boone County, Indiana, where he was born February 11, 1561. the son of (). II. Smith and Elvisa A. (Allen) Smith. The former was a native of Fayette County. Ju- diana, and resided in this State until 1853, devoting a part of the time to the Methodist Episcopal ministry, but mostly to public school work, and in that year went to Little Rock, Arkansas. He preached there for three years, then one year at Cameron, Missouri, and is now at Trenton, Missouri. Mrs. Smith is a native of Putnam County, Indiana. They have been given five children ---- Willis Parker, a druggist of Hot Springs, Arkansas; Arthur .A., Henry M., in the Times office, as assistant editor; Edith and Mabel, at home. The second of the family, Arthur, received a thorough English education, and gradu- ated at the Rockport High School in 1877.
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