USA > Indiana > Putnam County > Biographical and historical record of Putnam County, Indiana > Part 33
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EWIS HI. STEWART, farmer and stock- dealer, resides on section 8, Jackson Township, where he owns 244 acres of good land. He was born in this county March 12. 1827, a son of Levi Stewart. Ilis grandfather, also named Levi, was among the first settlers of Putnam County. His mother, Abigail (Powel) Stewart, was born in Georgia of German ancestry. Her father lived to be 106 years old. He killed deer after he was seventy years old. Ile entered 1,500 acres of land in the county, and when ninety-six years of age he went from Wisconsin to Missouri to visit his youngest son, who lived in Davis County, that State. One of his daughters is
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living in Topeka, Kansas, and is ninety-two years of age. The parents of our subject reared eleven children, of whom he is next to the oldest. His father died in 1847, aged forty-seven years. His mother is still living and is seventy-nine years of age. He was married November 16, 1848, to Elizabeth Gillen, daughter of Willis and Melinda (Combs) Gillen, who were carly settlers of Franklin Township and are now deceased. Their children are-Aaron B., who married Lillie B. Keightley, daughter of A. T. Keightley, who died, leaving one child- Lillie B: Melinda M., who married Isaac E. Weddle of Roachdale, has four children --- Maggie, Bertha, Elizabeth F. and Leona; Cloe and Ettie, who are living. The deceased are -Lewis, Julia A., Melissa, Willis, John, Ottie, and two infants. Mr. Stewart has been a member of the Odd Fellows fraternity twenty-seven years. He is a member of the regular Baptist church. He was never sued, and never sued but one man in his life.
ON. JAMES DENNY, deccased, was born near Shakertown, Mercer County, Indiana, March 17, 1798. Early in the year 1813 he removed with his father's family to near Charleston, Clarke County, Indiana Territory. Later during that year he was a school-teacher at Fillener's Station, in Washington County, and while engaged at that place, the last Indian raid in Southern Indiana was made a few miles away, in con- sequence of which the school was tempora- rily dismissed. After a short residence in Clarke County. his father became a citizen of Washington County. For several years James was engaged in teaching. In 1819 he was commissioned by Jonathan Jennings, then Governor of the State, a. Captain of the
Ninth Indiana Militia. In 1820 he was com- missioned surveyor of Washington County for five years. About the close of the year 1818 he went as a flat-boatman down the river to New Orleans, where he was present, January 8, 1819, at the celebration of the fourth anniversary of the battle of New Orleans. On his return from that trip, he went on foot, along the Jackson trace through the Indian Nation. During the eight years following he made seven trips to New Orleans in charge of flat-boats. During this boating experience Mr. Denny did not become demoralized, as is usually the case with young men in similar experiences. In 1827 he removed to Putnam County, locating on land he had purchased in 1824, six miles east of Greencastle. In 1836 he married Mary Denny, and to them were born the following children -- William M., born Au- gust 19, 1834, living in Main Township, married Martha A. Bowman in July, 1857; Robert B., born Angust 2, 1536, was mar- ried in November, 1858, to Sarah F. Cox, who died in September, 1859, leaving one child -- Sarah F .; was married again in Feb- ruary, 1362, to Miss Cynthia Wright, and to them has been born one chikl, now deceased; the third son, James Thomas, was born June 20, 1841; Samnel Henry was born June $, 1845, and married in April, 1873, to Sarah A. McDonald: Elam McCord was born July 18, 1848, married Mary J. Willis in Septen- ber, 1872, and they have had born to them three sons, named Charles A., James H. and Samuel W. After his marriage Mr. Denny made a permanent location on his land in Putnam County. and began his career as a pioneer farmer. In 1829 he was commis- sioned Captain in the Sixteenth Regiment, Indiana Militia. In 1836 he was elected to the office of justice of the peace. He also served in the Indiana Legislature. After the
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adoption of the new Constitution he was : ties and cares of office, however honorable elected one of the first board of county com- 'and dignified it might be, but when he did missioners, serving three years. On the ex- 'accept these positions, he strove to do his piration of his term he was re-elected, but ; duty to the utmost, and regarded the ap- resigned during the term. In addition to proval and confidence of his fellow citizens his best reward. In his religious views he was broad and liberal. He was a firm be- liever in divine revelation, and contributed liberally to any canse that was helpful to real piety and sound morals. He gave to all church organizations in his vicinity, while feeling himself unable to fully accept and embrace any of their creeds, and remained outside the church till the close of his life, and although anconnected with any branch of the church, his moral character was sin- galuly pure; even when a young man and exposed to demoralizing influences, his prin- ciples served to keep his course straight-for- ward and honorable. His most distinguishing characteristic may be said to have been his simple and unaffected candor and sin- cerity, his great conscientiousness, and his devotion to his duty; and to these must be added his modest distrust of his own abilities, and a constant sense of his lack of a liberal education which was denied to him by the circumstances of his early life, but which he strove to secure for his children. The system of free common schools found in him an earnest advocate, and he looked for- ward to its successful work in raising the standard of education among all classes as the best and safest means of maintaining free institutions. He was a worthy representative of that noble class of noble pioneers of Indiana, usually of limited educational acquirements, bnt of sound judgment and earnest devotion to the general welfare, who labored both wisely and well in public positions and in private stations to lay broad and firm the founda- tions of the Commonwealth, and to build thereon her perpetual prosperity and renown. these public trusts he surveyed several of the prominent lines of road in Central and Southern Indiana, besides various town sites, and was frequently appealed to for aid in the settlement of business disputes. He was peculiarly a self-made man, and the artificer of his own fortunes. Having but the mea- ger opportunity of the common school of a pioneer country in his childhood, we find him early in life a school-teacher. Not con- tent with this, as he was able to he bought books, and without the aid of teachers he mastered their principles, and in time be- came a fair English scholar. By the loss of his patrimony through an unfortunate in- vestment. he was thrown entirely upon his own resources, and while never inclined to enter into speculation, yet by the result of frugality and industry he was enabled to ac- quire a competency. In politics Mr. Deny was originally a Whig, with anti-slavery sympathies: but after the final disruption of that party, and upon the formation of the Republican party, he attached himself to that party and continued with it until the day of his death. The principles of the Republi- eau party upon the subject of slavery in the Territories agreed with the views he had long entertained; but while his principles were clearly defined and earnestly maintained, his justice, integrity, and strictly non-partisan administration of official trusts, always se- cured for him warm friends and supporters in the ranks of his political opponents. He always accepted official positions with reluc- tance, preferring the quiet and independent life of the farmer, and the peace and com- fort of his own fireside, to the responsibili-
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After a well spent and busy life, Mr. Denny died at his residence in Putnam County, November 9, 1875, in his seventy-eighth year. Two days later he was buried at Stilesville, Hendricks County. Ilis widow still survives. James Denny is a descendant of David Denny, a young Irishman, who emigrated from the North of Ireland abont the year 1740, and on arriving in America, settled in Berks County, Pennsylvania, where he was married to Margaret Denny. They reared a family, among whom was Robert, born in 1753, the father of our subject. William, born in 1748, was the father of Mrs. James Denny, and John, the grand- father of the present mayor of Indianapolis, Indiana. Prior to the Revolutionary war David Denny removed with his family to the Virginia Colony, and located near Winches- ter. Robert was there married in 1778 to Rachel, daughter of Morris Thomas, who was of Welsh origin. Several children were born to Robert and Rachel before their re- moval to the Territory of Kentucky, which occurred probably in 1790, when they settled in Mercer County. They reared a family of eleven children, James Denny, the subject of this sketch. being next to the youngest. Ra- chel Damy died at their Kentucky home in 180S, Robert surviving until 1826, when he died in Washington County, Indiana, where he was making his home with his children.
AMES THOMAS DENNY, a son of Hon. James Denny, was born in Putnam County June 20, 1841, where he was reared to manhood, and received a thorough English education. He began teaching school in 1858, an occupation he followed abont fif- teen years. Since that time he has been principally engaged in farming. He was mar- 1
ried, November 10, 1864, to Miss Virginia Seelnan, daughter of Benjamin Sechman, of Putnam County. To this union was born one daughter-Mary B. In February, 1865, Mr. Denny enlisted in Company K, One Hundred and Forty-eighth Indiana Infantry, and operated principally at Columbia and Pulaski, Tennessee, being on guard duty. He was discharged September 8, 1865. In 1880 he was appointed census enumerator of Ma- rion Township by the Government. In 1573 he was elected one of the directors of the Indianapolis, Greencastle & Wabash Turn- pike Road, and has been re-elected annually up to the present time. Ile has also served as secretary of the company about twelve years. In politics he is a Republican. The father of Mrs. Mary Denny was a soldier in the Revolutionary war.
ERRY L. HUBBARD, farmer, section 14, Cloverdale Township, was born in Owen County. Indiana, September 18, 1845, son of William and Sarah (Vest) Hubbard, natives of Kentucky, the father born in Garrard County, May 22, 1793, and the mother born April 7, 1503. They were married September 20, 1549. and to them were born two children, of whom Perry L. is the only one living. They came to Indiana the year of their marriage, locating in Owen County, where they lived until the fall of 1871, then removed to Putnam County, and settled in Cloverdale Township. The father died May 25, 1871, and the mother is making her home with her son, Perry L. Both parents were members of the Methodist Epis- copal church. Our subject was reared on a farm, and in his youth received the benefits of the common schools of his neighborhood. When he was four years old he went with his
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HISTORY OF PUTNAM COUNTY.
parents to visit his grandparents in Kentucky. making the journey in a two-horse wagon, and there for the first time in his life saw a negro. November 7, 1861, he enlisted in the Eight Indiana Light Battery, and served his country until January 25, 1865, when he re- turned home and participated in the capture of several deserters and a regular band of guerrillas from the United States army, who were creating much uneasiness in his neigh- borhood. His company was assigned to the Army of the Ohio, and also to the Army of the Cumberland, serving under Buell, Rosecrans and Thomas. He participated in the battles of Pittsburg, April 7, 1862; Perryville, October 8, 1862; Stone River, January 1, 1863; Chickamauga, September 18, 19, 20. 1863, and Lookout Mountain. He was detailed with others and attached to the Eighteenth Indiana Battery, and took part in most of the general engagements from Rocky Face Mount- ain, Dalton, Resaca, to Chattahoochie River. There his battery was sent on a raid with General McCook's cavalry division to the rear of Atlanta, and in an engagement near Jonesboro the battery was surrounded. but ent their way out with the loss of a large number of men and two pieces of artillery. Mr. Hubbard took part in other battles and skirmishes. Ile was detailed and sent on a gun-boat down the Tennessee River to inter- cept Hood at Mussel Creek Shoals, and while on the gun-boat was under fire once at De- catur, Alabama, in November, 1864. After receiving his discharge at Chattanooga, Ten- nessee, he returned to his home in Owen County, and engaged in farming. He was married in Owen County, March 31, 1867, to Melinda M. White, born in Mercer County, Kentucky, September 27, 1847, a danghter of Burr and Lucinda (Salter) White, also natives of Kentucky. They came to Putnam County, Indiana, in 1851, locating near
Putnamville in Warren Township, where the mother died in 1856. The father afterward removed to Sullivan County, where he died June 10, 1879. They were the parents of ten children, three sons and seven daughters. Both parents were members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. and Mrs. Hubbard had one daughter, named Ella May, who is now deceased. Mr. Hubbard settled on his present farm in November, 1871, where he owns 155 acres of land and has a comfortable residence and farm buildings. Hle is a comrade of Cloverdale Post, No. 422, G. A. R., in which he holds the position of post com- mander. He took a prominent part in the or- ganization of the post, and was one of its charter members. During the summer of 1886 he attended the National Encampment at San Francisco, and also visited Sacramento, Los Angeles and other portions of the State of California.
OHN T. FYFFE was born August 25, 1812, in Mason County, Kentucky. He was of Virginia parentage. Ilis father S died when he was but ten years of age, leaving the mother with five small chil- dren to face the realities of life as they might come to them. The mother was a woman of superior judgment and great piety, and no doubt her good example and counsel had much influence in shaping the course and character of her son. Many times in his later years has the writer heard the deceased speak of the admonitions of his mother, showing that even in his declining years they had lost none of their power for good. His father dying when he was a mere child, and he being the eldest of the brothers, carly be- gan the battle of life. For several years he worked on a flatboat on the Mississippi River.
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Passing over many years of his young man- hood we find him immigrating to Indiana in 1841. By dint of energy and economy he was able to bring a small amount of money with him. In after years he succeeded in amassing a handsome competency and pro- viding well for his children, although we are not aware that he craved riches for the sake of possessing them. In 1844 he married Armilda Allen, who, together with five chil- dren, survives him. One of the children, the eldest son, an invalid. resides in Southern California. Two of the sons live in Kansas. The daughter lives in Missouri, while the younger son lives with his mother. A num- ber of years ago Mr. Fyffe, being thrown from a horse, met with a very severe accident, causing a lameness from which he never en- tirely recovered. He succeeded in acquiring a very good education in the ordinary branches of learning. He wrote a good hand and took a great interest in and derived much pleasure from corresponding with his chil- dreu and relatives. I heard his daughter say that she had received a letter or postal from him, when well, once every two weeks for twenty-one years. " Uncle John," as he was called, was a great favorite with chil- dren. This is, I deem it, one of the greatest enlogies that can be pronounced upon any one, because children are quick to discern and ready to correctly estimate the real char- acter of those with whom they are brought in contact. Mr. Fyffe was a kind and oblig- ing neighbor. He went often to see the sick, and always had a word of encourage- ment and hope to offer. His example was good, being temperate in all things, and his advice, if followed, would lead to a well-or- dered life. Truly, it may be said, he will be missed in our midst. He was sick some three weeks before his death, and although at first his symptoms did not seem alarming he
seemed impressed with the idea that it was his death call. He often expressed the senti- ment that he was going to his other homc. The vital machinery seemed to have given way, and he died on the 13th of Mar:1, 1881. Rev. IInghey, of the Cumberland Presbyterian church, conducted the funeral services, and the body of " Uncle John " was laid to rest in the Greencastle cemetery on the 15th.
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ICHARD BIDDLE, retired farmer, re- sides on section 23, Jackson Township. where he owns 210 acres of good land. He was born in Bourbon County, Kentucky, August 12, 1803, a son of Richard and Ann (Clark) Biddle, the former a native of Dela- ware, of Welsh ancestry, and the latter : native of Maryland. The father died in Bourbon County, Kentucky, in 1826, and the mother in Palmyra, Missouri, in 1835. The, had a family of seven children, two sons and five daughters. Richard Biddle came to Putnam County May 3, 1831, and entered 660 acres and bought eighty acres of land making an entire section. He first built a log cabin, eighteen feet square, which served as a home several years. There were at that time but few settlers in the township, and he has been one of the most influential in de- veloping the county. Although he had but little when he started life for himself, he has been successful, and at one time owned 680 acres of good land. His early educational ad- vantages were limited, but he attended for a short time the academy at Paris, Kentucky, where he was under the instruction of Eben- ezer Sharp, the father of Thomas P. Sharp, who, about 1824, moved to Indianapolis, where he lived but a short time. He was obliged to leave school on account of his
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HISTORY OF PUTNAM COUNTY.
father losing his home in the great land law- suit known in Butler's History of Kentucky as the Biddle land snit. Mr. Biddle east his first vote for Henry Clay. in 1824, and since its organization has voted with the Republi- can party. He was married in Bourbon County, October 3, 1827, to Catherine E. Jones, who was born in Shelbyville, Ken- tucky, November 9, 1811, a daughter of Abram and Catherine (Talbott) Jones. To them were born thirteen children, eight of whom are living-James T., William B., Abram J., Richard Heber. T. A. HI., George A., John and Thomas C. James married Harriet N. Kelley, and they have six children - - Robert HI., Addie S., Lester J .; Annie Laurie, Harry and Nellie R. William mar- ried Carrie V. Fravel. and has one child -- Bessie. Abram married Martha A. Kelley, and they have one child -- Alice. Richard married Mary Smith. T. A. II. married Sarah L. Fordice, and has two children- Mand L. and Richard Fordice. George mar- ried Alice Long, and they have one child- Clara. John married Amelia Bennett, and they have three children-Frederic, Richard and Lula. Thomas married Elsie Egbert. Mrs. Biddle died July 12. 1882. She was a devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal church, as is also Mr. Biddle, he joining that church in 1820. Ile belongs to the Masonic fraternity, Chapter 22, Greencastle, and of the Odd Fellows Lodge, No. 374, New Mays- ville.
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TACY L. REEVES, of Monroe Town- ship, was born in . Campbell County, Kentucky, September 20, 1820, son of Stacy and Sarah (Lawrence) Reeves. His father was born in New Jersey in 1778, of English ancestry. His mother was born in
Virginia in 1784, of German descent. They had nine children, Stacy L. being the only one now living. Mr. Reeves was married January 19, 1840, to Miss Naney Howlet, daughter of George W. and Elizabeth How- let, who were natives of Kentucky. Her parents had three children -- Nancy, Mary A. and Elizabeth. Mr. and Mrs. Reeves had eight children-Sarah E., deceased, was born December 25, 1840; Emma, June 7, 1843; James L., deceased. March 26, 1845: George T .. February 28, 1847; Allen W., May 13, 1849: Mary C., March 12, 1852; John C. F., November 17, 1856, and Aunie E., Novem- ber 3. 1861. Emma was married in 1867 to James R. MeClary and has two children --- Edgar L., born December 26, 1867, and Al- bert L., born February 24. 1869. Mr. Mc- Clary came to his death by lightning, being struck while taking shelter under a tree from a thunder storm. He was educated, and respected by all who knew him. Mrs. Mc- Clary has since been keeping house for her aged father. Allen W. married Mattie Zook, whose parents were natives of Kentucky. They have four children-Nellie Grant, de- ceased; Elizabeth, Bertie and Edgar. Mary C. married John S. Flynn and they have one child-Maude, born May 7, 1SS0; George T. married Martha E. Shinn and they have one child -- Edith, born June 24, 1884; John C. F. married Joanna Finley and has one child Walter R., born June 13, 1883. Anna married A. M. Kelsey, now deceased, a grad- nate of Asbury University and a minister of the Methodist Episcopal church. After his death, in 1883, Anna married C. Y. Johnson and they had one child, James A., born De- cember 6, 1886. When Mr. Reeves' parents first came to Putnam County they had nine children. The country was populous, all the families being very large. Of the nine chil- dren who occupied that log hut Mr. Reeves
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
is the only one living. His early educational advantages were poor. The building in which he attended school was made of logs, a clap- board roof weighted down, one log ent out of each end of the house and the aperture thus made covered with greased paper, fur- nished the light, split logs supported by wooden pegs or pins were the seats, and puncheon writing desks. Mr. Reeves is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and in polities is a Republican.
ILLIAM W. ALLEN, farmer and stock-raiser, and stock auctioneer, of Greencastle Township, was born in Clark County, Kentucky, October 28, 1526. son of James and Sarah (Gilkey) Allen, na- tives of Virginia. His father's ancestors were Scotch and Irish, and his mother's Welsh. His paternal grandfather was a sol- dier in the war of the Revolution, and his maternal grandfather in the war of 1812. Ilis mother died when he was an infant. In 1847 he immigrated with his father to P'nt- nam County, settling on section 5. Greencastle Township, where the father purchased 160 acres of land, and resided there until his de- cease, which occurred August 24, 1884. He had been twice married, and was the father of nine children who grew to maturity. Seven of them are still living-Charles E., of California: William W .; Elizabeth, who married John McKee. now deceased, of Greencastle: Louisa, wife of Daniel Evans, of Russell Township, this county; Mary J., wife of F. B. Gardner, of Russell Township: Robert W. and James M. The deceased are -- Sarah A. and Melissa F. He was always a farmer and stock-raiser. Politically he was formerly an Old Line Whig, but in later life a Republican, and religiously was a member
of the Old School Presbyterian church. May 21, 1847, William Allen was married to Miss Mary Evans, daughter of John Evans, of Clark County, Kentucky. To this union have been born thirteen children, eleven of whom are living-Alice, wife of Thomas J. Brant, a banker of Utica, Nebraska; Joseph M .. Dillard C .; William E., of Marion County, Florida; Marion B. T., of Utica, Nebraska; Lou., wife of Professor Philip S. Baker, pro- fessor of chemistry in DePauw University; Ida D., wife of Albert Albangh: Jessie C .. Effie, Myrtle and John S. Mr. Allen settled upon his present farm in 1852, and has re- sided there ever since. He owns 374 acres of well-improved and well-cultivated land. Politically he is a Democrat. In the spring of 1864 he enlisted in Company HI, One Hundred and Thirty-third Indiana Infantry, in the 100-days' service. and served 120 days. Hle performed guard duty principally, at Bridgeport, Alabama, and was discharged in September, 1864, and retur; ed home. He served as trustee of Greencastle Township two years. He has followed the business of anetioneering twenty years, and has done the principal portion of selling in Putuam and adjoining counties, and also considerable sell- ing in several counties in Illinois.
ILLIAM R. CHASTAIN, farmer and stock-raiser, section 25, Jackson Township, was born in this county October 29, 1837, son of Silas and Nancy Chastain, who were natives of Virginia and emigrated to Kentucky in an early day. They removed to this county in 1835, where they remained until their decease, the father dying in 1861, aged sixty-seven years, anl the mother in 1861, aged sixty years. They reared ten children, our subject being the
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