USA > Indiana > Putnam County > Biographical and historical record of Putnam County, Indiana > Part 35
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but be obtained sufficient knowledge to en- able him to teach school. He attended many I log-rollings, sometimes twenty days in suc- cession, exclusive of Sundays. Deer and squirrels were very numerous. Four or five acres of land were partially cleared, and he has cleared some every year until he now has a finely-cultivated farm. He is generous in his nature, and contributes liberally to all worthy enterprises. He is one of the repre- sentative farmers of the county.
D R. JOHN SLAVENS, physician and surgeon at Brick Chapel, residing on seetion 29, Monroe Township, was born in Montgomery County. Kentucky, March 1, 1811, son of Renben Slavens, an early settler of Kentucky, now deceased. His great- grandfather. John Slavens, came from Ireland prior to the Revolutionary war. The doctor came to this county in 1826. settling in Monroe Township, which was then a wilder- ness. They had all the experiences incident to pioneer life. He used to roll logs thirty days in succession; also attended house- raisings. He was educated in the subscrip- tion school of the early day, and sat on split-pole seats, and wrote on a puncheon pinned to the wall. He tanght school five or six years, then read medicine with Dr. A. C. Stevenson, of Greencastle. He began the practice of medicine in 1838, at Portland Hills, this county, and graduated at the med- ical department of the University of Louis- ville, Kentucky, in 1849. He has practiced fifty years. There was a time when he knew everybody in the county north of Greencastle. Ile came to his present home in 1864, where he owas thirty-seven acres of land. He is a member of the Christian church, and is a
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HISTORY OF PUTNAM COUNTY.
Royal Arch Mason. He was married May 22, 1842, to Sarah Warden, daughter of William Warden, who was born in Bath County, Kentucky. They have had six children-Henry (. (deceased), Mary E .. Isabelle, Julia, Horace G. and Queen. All are married.
TILLIS Mc COY, an oll settler of Put- mam County and a resident of Ma- rion Township, was born in Garrard ! Coy is quite extensively engaged in stock-
County, Kentucky, January 27. 1887, son of John and Mary McCoy, also natives of Ken- tucky, and of Scotch ancestry. About the year 1×19 he removed with his parents to Putnam County, where they remained ser- eral years. The parents then removed to Clinton County, this State, where they passed the remainder of their days. They had pre- viously lived in Texas a few years, and dur- ing their residence there it was annexed to the United States. They had ten children. seven of whom survive William. John, Willis, Naney, Elizabeth. James and Daniel. The mother was a member of the Baptist church, and died October 20, 1862; the father died in 1865. Willis was reared to manhood on a farm, and was married October 20, 1556. to Miss Eliza Browning. born November 30, 1838. in this county, and daughter of John and Bulah (Taylor) Browning, who were un- tives of Kentucky, and among the early pio- Heers of Putnam County. They came to this connty on horseback, each parent carrying a child. They settled in Greencastle Township, and endured many trials and privations. They remained in that township until their decease. To Mr. and Mrs. MeCoy have been born six children- - Emma, wife of James Wright; Lafayette; Harriet, wife of John Clark: John; Sallie, who married Columbus
Christie, and Pearl. Mr. McCoy settled upon his present farm on section 5. Marion Township, in 1853, having previously resided in the southern portion of the township. Hle owns about 185 acres of well cultivated and well improved land, and has been quite sne- cessful as a farmer. Hle is practically a self- made man, and is honored and esteemed by all who know him. Politically he affiliates with the Democratic party, and has served as road supervisor. Mrs. MeCoy is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Me- raising.
RAMES ANDREW JACKSON, dealer in marble and granite, at Greencastle. was born in Marion Township, this county. May 29, 1815. son of James and Mary (Jackson) Jackson. the former of whom is deceased. He was reared on a farm until seventeen years of age, and October 2, 1565, he enlisted in the Union service, as a private in Company B. Forty-third Indiana Infantry, to serve three years or during the war. At the close of the war he was discharged at In- dianapolis, June 15, 1565, by general order of the War Department at Washington. Hle participated in the battles of Little Missouri River, Camden, Prairie de Ann and Mark's Mills. With his regiment he was taken prisoner, and for ten months was imprisoned at Tyler, Texas. They were then sent to New Orleans, where they were exchanged iu March, 1565, and ordered to report at Indian- apolis. They remained there until their dis- charge. Mr. Jackson then returned to this county and settled in Greencastle, where for nineteen years he was employed as a skilled workman in the Iron and Nail Works. In 1585 he engaged in the marble and granite
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
business at Greencastle. Politically he is a Republican, and in May, 1886, was elected city treasurer of Greencastle. May 12, 1570, he was married to Miss Virginia I. Nelson, danghter of William IL. Nelson, of Greencas- tle. Their children are -- Gracie, Olive M., Mary Edith, Homer E. and Josephine. Both are members of the Christian church, and Mr. Jackson is a member of Putnam Lodge, No. 45, and Greencastle Encampment, No. 57. I. O. O. F., and has filled all the offices in cach. He is a Master and Royal Arch Mason and member of the lodge and chapter at Greencastle: is also a comrade of Greeneas- tle Post, No. 11, G. A. R.
JOSEPH THOMAS MCGINNIS.deceased, an early settler of Cloverdale Township, was born in Kentucky in 1520. His father died in that State, and after his death Joseph T. came with his mother to Putnam County, locating on section 36, Cloverdale Township, where the mother passed the remainder of her days. He was married in 1843 to Su- sanna Devore, who was born in Owen County in 1528. and diel in April. 1863. To them were born nine children, fonr sons and tive daughters. Both were members of the Chris- tian church. Mr. MeGinnis was a farmer and stock-raiser and a good business man, and owned over 400 seres of land at the time of his death. He was a staunch supporter of the Democratic party.
of the first blacksmiths there, and he built the first sulky ever made in the city. Our subject learned the blacksmith's trade when a boy, and has followed it ever since. Ile has made horse-shoeing a specialty. Ile worked four years in the Street Car Com- pany's shoeing shop at Indianapolis, and also served on the police force in that city, prov- ing a very efficient officer. Ile came to Roachdale in the spring of 1885, and built a fine shop the following year, which is said to be the best in the county. He is one of the best, if not the best, horseshoer in the country. January 18, 1881, he was married to Miss Ella South, daughter of Benjamin South, of Indianapolis, who was born in Brownsburgh, this State.
STILLIAM M. COOPER, farmer and stock-raiser. Jefferson Township, was born in Claiborne County, Tennessee, April 20, 1830, son of Archibald and Eliz :- beth Cooper, the father a native of Maryland and the mother of Tennessee. His father was a soldier in the war of 1812. Our sub- jeet came to this county with his parents in 1885. the family settling in Putnamville, where the father put up a blacksmith shop. After one year they removed to varions places in the county, and finally located in Warren Township, where the father lived until his decease. Seven of their twelve children are now living . Sarah, Mildred, Margaret, John B., James. Archibald and William M. The deceased are- - Kennedy, Frances C ... Jane, Mary and Barbara. The father was a mem- ber of the Christian church, and bad for meny years served as class-leader. Politically he was a Democrat. When he first came to the county he had but 25 cents in money, but by
HEODORE TRUCKSESS, blacksmith, Roachdale, was born in Indianapolis in March. 1814, son of John Truck- sess, deceased, who was a native of Germany and a pioneer of Indianapolis. He was one i hard work, perseverance and economy he ac-
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HISTORY OF PUTNAM COUNTY.
cumulated quite a property. His landed es- will, which, added to good business qualifica- tate consisted of 500 acres. William M. tions, has made him one of the prosperous Cooper has been reared to manhood in this citizens of the county. He owns 950 acres county, and received a limited education. He ! of good land, and has been a successful was married March 24, 1852, to Samantha | farmer, having started in life with only $2 Clearwaters, and their children are-John, William M., Charles E., Laura E., Albert A., Mary A. and Ezra. Mr. Cooper owns 231 acres of good land, and has been a successful farmer. Ile is a Democrat in politics, and a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. He is an unusually strong man, at one time he could not be excelled in the county. In early life he attended a log-rolling and handled three men successfully.
FACOB C. ROGERS, a pioneer of Wash- ington Township, was born in Putnam County, March 14, 1825. Ilis parents, ? Asa L. and Mary Rogers, were natives of Kentucky, his father being of Irish descent. The parents moved to this county in the fall of 1824, locating near Portland Mills, where the father bought 130 acres of land, on which he died. He subsequently entered 160 acres of land on section 4, Washington Township, which is now the home of our subject. They reared a large family of children, eight of whom are living-Mrs. Eady Jones, Mrs. Polly Rice. Jesse, Elias, Mrs. Jane Dodd, Sally, Mrs. Nancy Legan and Jacob C. By occupation the father was a farmer and black- smith. In politics he was a Whig, and in religion a member of the Old School Baptist church. He was a representative pioneer, and esteemed by all who knew him. Jacob C. was reared in this county, and received a limited education in the common schools. Ile has experienced all the phases of pioneer life, having always followed farming as an occupation. He possesses an indomitable
in money. In polities he is a Democrat. He is a prominent man in his township, which he has served as school director and supervisor. He is public-spirited, and a liberal contribu- tor to all worthy enterprises. He was mar- ried in December. 1844, to Miss Betsey Legan, and to this union were born fifteen children-George W., James W .. Franklin, Julia, wife of Josephus Swineford; Mary, wife of Hiram Rollings; Stephen (dleceased), Reuben, Sarah, wife of John Graham; Jo- seph, Catherine, wife of Henry Heber; Dan- iel, Lucy, wife of Charles Webster; Alice, wife of Thomas Duree; Jacob and Emma.
C. DARNALL, farmer and stock- raiser, resides on section 9, Floyd Township, where he owns seventy acres of land. He also owns 266 acres else- where in the township. He was born in Clinton Township, this county, October 12, 1832, son of Turpin and Louisa (Yeates) Dar- nall, who came to this county in 1831, where they lived until the death of the father, which occurred in 1881, at the age of eighty-two years. The mother is living, and is eighty years of age. Four of their seven children are living, our subject being the fifth child. He was reared a farmer, and has always fol- lowed that occupation. He was married September 11, 1861, to Miss Elizabeth Bridges, daughter of Charles and Rachel (Lockridge) Bridges, who was born in this county July 10, 1841. Their six children are --- Flora E., wife of O. M. Batman, of Rockville: Charles T. married Mary Fay;
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
Lena R., Frank D., Nellie and William C. llis education was limited to the subserip- tion schools of the early day. He is a mem- ber of the Masonic Lodge, No. 32, and of Lodge, No. 469, at Morton. He served as master of the lodge fifteen years. Postoffice, Bainbridge.
OHN C. BROADSTREET, a representa- tive farmer of Mill Creek Township, was born in this county March 3, 1859, son of James and Melvina A. Broadstreet, the former of whom is deceased. He has been reared in this county, and received a com- mon-school education. He was married, January 3, 1886, to Miss Laura I. Bowman, daughter of John M. Bowman, of Marion Township, and they have one child -- Austin D., born November 20, 1886. Mr. Broad- street owns a good farm of 103 aeres, and so far has been very successful as a farmer. In polities he is a Democrat. Ile is one of the rising young men of the county, and highly esteemed by all.
ILLIAM T. MCCARTY, physician and surgeon, Roachdale, was born in Warrer. Township, this county, April 27, 1856, son of John McCarty, a native of Tennessee, who settled in Franklin Township when a boy, sixty years ago. William was reared a farmer, and educated at Asbury, now De Pauw, University, at Greencastle. He taught school two years, then began the study of medicine, graduating at the Ken- tucky School of Medicine. at Louisville, in June, 1882. He also graduated at the Indiana Medical College, at Indianapolis. in the spring of 1585. having practiced three , ber of the Methodist Episcopal church, and
years previous. In 1885 he located at Bain- bridge, this county, where he practiced one year, then removed to Ladoga and purchased an interest in a drug store, which he con- dueted in connection with his practice until February, 1887. He then removed to Roach- dale, where he is building up an excellent practice. He has taken the following special courses -- surgery, chemistry, and diseases of women and children. October 20, 1885, he was married to Miss Flora Hubbard, daugh- ter of Oliver Hubbard, of Bainbridge, and they have one child, an infant son. Dr. Me- Carty is a member of the State Medical So- ciety, of Putnam County Medical Society, belongs to the Odd Fellows fraternity, and is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
EDWARD II. CROW, a representative pioneer of Putnam County, was born in Shelby County, Kentucky, April 15, 1825, a son of Joseph and Cassandra Crow, the former a native of Maryland, and the latter of Virginia. The father's ancestors were Welsh, and the mother's Scotch. One of his granduncles was a soklier in the Rev- olutionary war. In the fall of 1535 he came to this county with his parents, who settled on section 10. Greencastle Township. where the father had purchased 440 acres of land, and also entered forty acres, making a total of 480 acres. He lived on this land until his decease. He was the father of seven chil- dren, of whom two are living-Joseph a resident of Kansas, and Edward II., our sub- ject. Ile was a man that was widely and favorably known, and was esteemed by all who knew him. IIc donated 8600 to the fund that built Asbury University, and served as one of the first trustees. He was a mem-
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HISTORY OF PUTNAM COUNTY.
a liberal contributor to that church. His was He was in several skirmishes, and in four or a life of usefulness, and his character was one , five important battles, being twice wounded. of sterling integrity and worth. In politics Our subject was married November 22, 1884, he was a Whig. Our subject was reared to . to Susan, daughter of James and Sarah Sum- manhood in this county, and received a lib- 'mers, now of Kentucky. Her parents had eral education, having attended Asbury Uni- ; five children, only two of whom are living. versity two years. His occupation has always | Her father was a private in the Confederate been that of a farmer. He was married service during the Rebellion. Mr. and Mrs. Garnell have three children-Johnny. Katie and Susie. Both are members of the Method- March 2, 1848, to Miss Deziah P. Walter- house, daughter of Joseph and Esther Wal- terhouse, who settled in this county in 1844. , ist Episcopal church, and Mr. Garnell is a To this union eleven children have been born, " member of the Detective Association. of whom ten are living --- Matilda, wife of William Lemon, of South Haven, Kansas; Elizabeth, wife of C. C. Hamilton, of Summer County, Kansas; Lucy, row Mrs. William Honeyent, of Saratoga, Kansas: Hanson, a resident of Summer County, Kansas: Jessie, wife of John H. Hamilton. also of Smaner County; Edward HI .. of the same place; Rob- ert, Alice, Sarah and Fannie are all living at home. Elizabeth, Matilda and Lney have been public school teachers. All are well edneated and well situated in life. Mr. Crow owns 425 acres of land in Greencastle Town- ship, eighty acres in Warren Township and about twenty-six acres in Greene County. When Mr. Crow started in life for himself he received 8600 from his father, and the rest of his property he has made by industry and good management.
FRAMES NUTGRASS, farmer and stock- raiser. Russell Township, was born Feb- 5 ruary 22, 1846, in Shelby County, Kentucky. At the age of four years he came to Parke County, this State, and lived there until the breaking out of the civil war. He enlisted in 1861 and served in the Federal army for three and a half months. He went out in Company A, Eighth Indiana Artillery, and :was mustered into the service at Indianapolis. From there he went to Lonisville under Gen- eral Buell, thence to Paducah, thence to Fort Donelson, thence to Shiloh, thence to Corinth, : then followed General Bragg back to Louisville, thence to Perryville, thence to Nashville, and was in the fight at Murfreesboro. From there he went to Chattanooga and to Chick- amanga, thenee to Knoxville, Tennessee, then back to Chattanooga, to Atlanta, under Sher- man, with Sherman to the sea, back to Chat- tanooga, and was mustered out of the service June 25, 1865. Ile participated in the bat- tles of Fort Donelson, Shiloh, Stone River, Perryville, Chickamanga, Missionary Ridge, Knoxville, Tennessee, Franklin, Tennessee,
T. GAARNELL, farmer and stock raiser. Clinton Township, was born February 11, 1864. son of II. W. Garnell, who was born in Kentucky, October 10, 1830, married Mary Krugan in 1856, who was a native of Virginia, and of their seven chil- dren, only two are now living. The father ; Buzzard's Roost, and to Atlanta, Marietta, was a soldier in the Union army during the : Dolphin, Kenesaw Mountain, Jonesboro, and late war, serving two years and eight months. I closed with the battle of Neelahle. He was
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
in the three days' fight at Stone River, two at Chickamauga, two at Pittsburg Land- ing and two at Fort Donelson. His hardest fight, on the march to the sea, was at Peach- Tree Gap. After being mustered out he returned to Parke County, where he re- mained until 1872, then came to this conn- ty, where he has followed farming ever since. lle was married November 16, 1869, to Melissa, daughter of John and Emeline Rat- cliffe. Her parents had four children, of whom two are living. Mr. Nutgrass' parents were William and Mary (Page) Nutgrass. Six of their eight children are now living. Mr. and Mrs. Nutgrass have six children- Jesse, Fred, Joseph, Katie, Nell and Maude. Mr. Nutgrass belongs to the Grand Army of the Republic, and Mrs. Nutgrass is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
in the practice of law until 1868, when he was elected to represent Putnam County in the Lower House of the Indiana State Legis- lature. In 1869 be was elected without opposition to the special session of that year, and in 1871 was again elected to the Lower House. During the latter term he was a member of the Judiciary, Benevolent Insti- tutions and Ways and Means Committees, being chairman of the latter. During that same session he introduced a bill looking toward a final settlement of the canal ques- tion, and earnestly advocated a bill to reduce the fees and salaries of county officers. In 1876 he was a delegate to the Democratic National Convention held at St. Louis, and ardently supported the nomination of Thomas A. Hendricks for the Presidency. In 1980 he was again elected to the Legislature by a handsome majority, and although his party was twelve in the minority, he was made a member of the committee of Ways and Means, Judiciary and Benevolent Institutions, and was a member of the joint committee of fifteen to revise the code of Indiana. In April. 1555, he was appointed postmaster of Greeneastle under President Cleveland's administration.
F ON. WILLIS G. NEFF, postmaster of Greencastle, was born in Boyle County, Kentucky, in 1830. When a small child he was brought to Indiana by his par- ents, who settled in Hendricks County. Al- though Lis educational advantages were very limited he secured sufficient education to en- able him to teach school, and he taught sev- eral terms in the country. At the age of AMILEY D. IRWIN, one of the oldest settlers of Putnam County, was born in Hardin County, Kentucky, January 29, 1820, son of Isaac and Ellen Irwin. His father was a native of Virginia, and came to Kentucky with his parents when three years of age, the funily coming down the river in twenty-three he began the study of law, and entered the law school at Bloomington, Indi- ana, where he graduated in 1855. He then located in Sullivan County, and entered upon the practice of his profession. In 1857 he was elected recorder of Sullivan County, hold- ing the office three years, and resigned to ' concealed boats, to avoid the Indians, who accept the office of proseenting attorney for . were particularly troublesome at that time. the district in which he resided. In 1862 he They settled in a fort, where they lived sev- eral years, and subsequently located on a farm. The father was twice married in Ken- was re-elected, and, after serving his time. declined another nomination. In 1565 he came to Greencastle, where he was engaged tucky. His first wife was Atheli Kendall,
HISTORY OF PUTNAM COUNTY.
and they had four children, all of whom are | he is a Democrat, and has served as justice deceased. Ilis second wife was Ellen C. of the peace five years. The Irwin family King, and to this union were born ten chil- have some peculiarities -- not one was ever dren, of whom nine grew to maturity, and of inside a prison or charged with a criminal offense; all own land, but none are wealthy; there are several doctors, preachers and at- torneys in the family, but not being ambi- tious, not one has ever attained a high office. All are respeetel members of society. whom four are living --. William K., Isaac, Smiley D. and Charles. The deceased are --- Rowan, Atheli, Sarah E., Melvina and Pris- cilla E. The deceased by his first marriage are ---- Hiram, Betsey, Lewis and Josiah. Isaac Irwin and family removed to this county in 1529, settling in Clinton Township, where the father purchased eighty acres of land, paying $100 and a pony worth $25 for the same. He afterward sold that farm and entered 160 acres of land from the Govern- ment, a short distance west of Morton. He resided upon that farm about six years, then removed to Madison Township, where he re- mained until his deecase, in 1838. He en- dured the hardships and privations incident to the pioneer, and was respected by all who knew him. He served creditably as deputy sheriff of Hardin County eleven years. Our subject was reared to manhood in this county and received a rudimentary education in the common schools of pioneer times. He has been a life-long farmer. He was married January 13, 1850, to Miss Mary 1. Bicknell, born February 10, 1524, in Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, daughter of George and Susan (Moore) Bicknell, who came to this county in 1839. To this union have been born nine children, of whom the following are living- John R., Winfield S., Robert S., Isaac K., Susan E., wife of William White, and Mary L. The deceased are -Henry C., George E. and William W. Mr. Irwin settled on section 19, Madison Township, in 1851, where he owns eighty-four acres of excellent land all well improved. Himself and wife are members of the Old School Baptist church, and for abont twelve years he has served as deacon of that church. In politics
FYLVESTER C. BISHOP, dealer in drugs, groceries, etc., Warren Town- ship, was born in St. Louis County, Missouri, December 4, 1941, a son of Asa J. and Jane E. (Mann) Bishop. The father was born in Kentucky October 17, 1819, and the mother was a native of New York. They were married March 4, 1541; went to Mis- souri the same year, remained there a short time, then removed to Jefferson County, where they lived a few years. They then crossed the Mississippi into Illinois, where the father died with cholera July 11. 1849. The mother remained there one year, when her mother died, and she removed to Put- namville, where she afterward married Will- iam Montgomery, and went to Clay County, where the latter also died. The mother then returned to Putnamville, where she died April 15, 1886. She was the mother of three children. The parents were members of the Methodist Episcopal church. and the father was a farmer by occupation. Sylvester C. received a common-school education in the log school-house of that day, and was reared on a farm. During the late war he enlisted, August 3, 1861, in Company F, Eleventh Indiana Infantry, serving until September 10, 1864. His regiment was assigned to the Thirteenth Army Corps, and participated in the battles of Fort Henry, Fort Donelson,
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