USA > Indiana > Putnam County > Biographical and historical record of Putnam County, Indiana > Part 36
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
Shiloh, Port Gibson and Champion Hills. He was wounded in the last-named battle, for which he now draws a pension. After this he was attached to the Nineteenth Army Corps, and went to New Orleans with his command, thence to Washington, thence to Harper's Ferry, and was finally mustered ont at Indianapolis and returned home. Mr. Bishop is a member of Putnamville Post, No. 346, G. A. R., of which he was a charter member, and has held the office of quarter- master since its organization. He is also a member of Cloverdale Lodge, No. 132, A. F. & A. M., at Cloverdale. In April, 1886, he was elected to the office of trustee, which office he still holds. He has also served as member of the village board of trustees. Im- mediately after his return from the army he engaged as clerk with T. D. Layman, who was a merchant at Putnamville. He remait ed with him until February, 1869, when he and W. Il. Holloway purchased the goods and the building, and conducted the business until 1570. Mr. Bishop then sold out to his partner, and in the fall of the same year went to Manhattan, in Washington Township, and sold goods for Levi Hepler one year. He then returned to Putnamville and engaged
and Elizabeth (Turner) Bishop. In 1862 he enlisted in the Eighteenth Indiana Battery, serving six months, and was mustered out at Lonisville. He was married in this county August 19, 1863, to Miss Jemima Call, born in this county in 1840, and a daughter of John Call. They have one child. Mr. Bishop owns forty acres of excellent land and a house and lot in the city. Both Mr. and Mrs. Bishop are members of the Christian church.
ILLIAM I. BUIS. a farmer of Marion Township, was born in Putnam County, April 3, 1837, son of Riley and Elizabeth Buis, the former a native of Tennessee and the latter of this county. The mother was born in 1818. and is the oldest living uative of Putnam County, Riley Buis came to this county in a very early day. locating in Marion Township. where he lived until his death, which occurred April 5. 1881. He was a member of the Regular Baptist church. His wife survives him and resides on the old homestead, now occupied by C. P. Buis. He was the father of nine children --- Elisha, William I., Mareus L., in his present business. June 30, 1868, he ; Churner P .. Ellen S., wife of Quinton Broad- was married to Bell S. Farrow, a native of : street; the others are deceased. For many Cincinnati, and they have had four children, years he kept a public house on the National of whom three are living -- Susan J., Edgar F. and Mabel M. Minnie is deceased. Mr. Bishop is a member of the Methodist Epis- copal church, and Mrs. Bishop of the Pres- byterian church.
Road in Marion Township, which gave him an opportunity for extensive acquaintance. In polities he was a Democrat. W. I. Buis has always been a farmer, having received a fair English education. He married Lutecia McAninch, daughter of Daniel MeAninch, a pioneer of this county, and they had four children -- Mary E., wife of John Masters; OIIN B. BISHOP, farmer, and superin- Lanra A., wife of George Reed; Emerson E. tendent of the gravel road, New Mays- | and Franklin E. For his second wife he ville, was born in Shelby County, married Margaret A. Masten, daughter of Kentucky, February 9, 1839, son of Byron
Reuben Masten, of Hendricks County. They
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HISTORY OF PUTNAM COUNTY.
have three children-Edward L., Odessa A. | this union ten children have been born, seven and Elbert O. Mr. Buis owns 260 acres of | of whom are living-Dora, wife of Charles well cultivated land in Marion Township, and is a successful farmer. He has done a great deal of hard work, and cleared np a great deal of land. Politically he is a Demo- crat.
ILLIAM THOMAS, farmer, section 19, Madison Township, was born in this county JJune 17, 1844, son of Joel and Mary Thomas, natives of Kentucky, and of Irish descent. Joel Thomas immi- grated to Indiana in 1832 with his parents, who settled in Clinton Township. They first erected a log cabin and then commenced the work of clearing the farm in true pioneer style. Abont 1856 the parents of our snb- jeet, Joel and Mary Thomas, removed to Mad- ison Township, locating on section 31, where they improved a farm. The father was accidentally killed on the night of November 8, 1884, by a railroad train. He had been twice married. His first wife was Mary Stites, and nine of their children are living- William, Hiran, John. James, Joel, Aaron, Levi, Isaac M. and Fanny, who married Frank Burcham, of Lincoln, Nebraska. Ilis second wife was Elizabeth Hart. Ile was widely known throughout the country, and greatly esteemed by all. He was a self-made man, having begun life with practically noth- ing. The first wife died August 4, 1879. William was reared to manhood in this coun- ty, and has been a life-long farmer. He was educated in the early subscription schools, which afforded but limited advantages. Jan- uary 1, 1863, he was married to Miss Eliza- beth Ewing, who was born in Montgomery County in 1842, and a daughter of George and Eliza Ewing, natives of Kentucky. To
Reeves, of Marion County, this State; Henry, Oscar, Ehmer, Charley, Ona and Bertha A. The deceased are -- Alice, Eliza and Frank. Mr. Thomas settled upon his present farm in Madison Township in 1873, where he owns 218 acres of excellent land. He also owns ninety-seven acres in Parke County. He is now serving his third term as township trus- tee. Politically he affiliates with the Demo- cratie party.
TABBEN C. FOSTER, a prominent busi-
ness man of Cloverdale, was born in .. . Lawrence County. Indiana, February 12, 1826, a son of Samnel and Mary (Craig) Foster. He was reared on the old homestead in his native county and edneated in the common schools. He followed farming un- til his removal to Cloverdale in the spring of 1855, when he engaged in general merchan- dising and stock-trading. He has been con- nected with the trade ever since he came to Cloverdale with the exception of a few years. lle is now engaged in farming, and owns 350 acres of good land, lying in Warren, Jefferson and Cloverdale townships. Ile is a Democrat in politics, having cast his first presidential vote for Franklin Pierce. Mr. Foster was married in 1863 to Sophronia Jenkins, a native of this county, and they had five children-Ida B., Nora E., Winnie M., Gertrude and Herschel C .; all are de- ceased except the last mentioned. Mrs. Fos- ter died August 31, 1876. She was a worthy and consistent member of the Chris- tian church, and esteemed by all who knew her. October 22, 1878, Mr. Foster was married to Miss Sarah Elizabeth Allen, who was born December 8, 1843, in Shelby
Dr. G. D. Bence.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
County, Kentucky. Her father, T. N. Allen, He attended the public school until he was died in that county when she was quite young. ' thirteen years of age. and after that he would She came to this county and liver with an unele several years previons to her marriage. Her mother, Naney R. Thompson, also a na- tive of Shelby County, removed to Putnam County, and died at the home of Mrs. Foster, Angust 10. 1883, aged sixty years. She was the mother of eight children, four sons and four daughters, and was a member of the Christian church. Mr. and Mrs. Foster are also members of that church, of which Mr. Foster is trustee.
read and study evenings after working on the farm all day. At the age of twenty-three he entered the office of Dr. John Wilcox, of Greencastle, as a student, and studied two years. June 24, 1871, he graduated from the medical department of the University of Virginia, at Charlottesville, Virginia, and after taking a dne course of lectures located at Carbon, Clay County, this State, where he practiced until July, 1979. He then came to Greeneastle, and has been in continuons practice ever since. In March, 1575, the ad condem degree was conferred upon him by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Indianapolis. In politics he is a Demo- eret, and in 1874 was elected to the Lower House of the Indiana State Legislature from
REDERICK B. GARDNER, farmer and stock-raiser, section S. Russell Township. was born on section 16. same township. November 6. 1831. His father, Andrew , Clay County, and although the county was Gardner, was a native of North Carolina, strongly Republican, with a majority of 300 and removed to this county in an early day. i votes, he was elected by a majority of 259 He was married March 6, 1577. to Miss over his Republican opponent. He was Mary Allen, daughter of James and Martha chairman of the temperance committee, and (Braton) Allen, the former of whom is de- : had charge of and advocated the passage of ceased. She was born in Kentucky. The . the present license law, and used his influence mother of our subject. Margaret (Byerly) ; in repealing the Baxter local option law. In Gardner, was born in North Carolina. Mr. 1885 he was appointed by the board of coun- and Mrs. Gardner have had six children, of ty commissioners of Putnam County seere- tary of the county board of health. and has been reappointed every year since. The doc-
whom four are living -. - Claude, Ethel, Nellie ' and Florence. Mr. Gardner owns 510 acres of good land; is serving his fourth year as , tor has been three times married. His first township trustee, and himself and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
wife, whom he married in November, 1873, was Miss Kizzie C. Pratt, of Parke County, this State, who died the following December. His second wife, Miss Sibbie Loftus, whom he married in December. 1876, died in Oe- died aged about six years. They also lost one daughter, Annie, who died February 3, 1851, at the age of three and a half years. January 16, 1851. he married Miss Armenia
- EORGE WORTH BENCE. M. D., of tober, 1881, leaving one daughter, Susie. who Greencastle, was born in Jefferson County. Kentucky, November 11. 1846. When seven years of age he was brought to Putnam County by his parents, who settled on a farm on Walnut Creek, near Greencastle. Brandon, daughter of James and Maria
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HISTORY OF PUTNAM COUNTY.
(Dawson) Brandon, born on the Hudson River, on the steamer Armenia, while her parents were moving from Albany to New York City. She was named after the boat. The doctor is a thirty-second degree Mason, and a member of the lodge. chapter, council and commandery at Greeneastle, and of the consistory at Indianapolis. For six years he served as master of the lodge at Carbon. Ifis parents, Philip and Annie (Yenawine) Bence, were natives of Jefferson County, Kentucky, and of German ancestry. They came to Putnam County in 1853. locating on a farm in Washington Township, where the father died in 1882, at the age of eighty-one years, and the latter at the residence of her son, in Greencastle, in September, 1583, aged seven- ty-one years. Both were members of the Christian church. Mrs. Benec is a member of St. Paul's Catholic Church at Greencastle.
LEXANDER J. BRYAN, an early set- tler of Putnam County, was born in Bourbon County, Kentucky, September 18, 1824, son of Alexander and Elizabeth Bryan, the father a native of Virginia and the mother of Maryland. His grandfather. James Bryan, was a Revolutionary soldier. In 1834 he came to Indiana with his parents, who settled in Marion Township, Hendricks County, where they remained until 1853, then removed to Putnam County, where the parents died in 1854. They had seven chil- dren, of whom five are living-Nancy, Sam- uel II., Barton, Ellen and Alexander J. The latter was reared in Hendricks County, and received a limited education. April 10, 1849, he was married to Miss Susan J. Far- row, daughter of Colonel A. S. Farrow, of this county. They have had twelve children, ten living- Belle, wife of F. N. Yates, of!
Topeka, Kansas; Elizabeth, wife of Walter Hamrick, of this county; James P .; Elvira, wife of A. N. Keller, of Sterling, Kansas; Mary, wife of John Stanley, of Parsons, Kan- sas: Anta, wife of Edgar Harris, of Putnam County; Frederick, Jenna, Pearl and Frank. The deceased are-Marion and Flora. Our subject came to this county in 1854, and for thirteen years resided in Greencastle. His present residence is near Greencastle, and he owns 275 acres of good land. In politics he is a Republican, with Greenback proclivi- ties. Ile is a man of great publie spirit, and assists in every enterprise whereby the com- munity will be benefitted. Ilis time is de- voted to farming and stock-raising, and he is meeting with good snecess. James P. Bryan, a son of the preceding, was born in Hendricks County, Indiana. September 22, 1852. and came to this county with his par- ents in 1854, where he has resided ever since. He attended Asbury University about four years, pursuing the scientific course, and partially the classical course. At the time he left he lacked only eighteen months of graduation. January 26. 1877. he was mar- ried to Miss Fannie E. Clark, daughter of Alexander N. and Lorinda Clark, of Hen- dricks County, this State. They have had three children -- Minnie M., born August S. 1878; Alexander, born October 17, 1882, and Lee, born January 14, 1586. Mr. Bryan owns a good farm three miles east of Green- castle, and has been successful. In politics he is a Republican.
BRAM W. GEORGE, proprietor of the George Honse, also a contractor and builder, was born in Forsyth County. North Carolina, October 4, 1839, a son of Jacob George, a native of the same State.
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Ilis mother, Nancy (Boner) George, was also Font means, and all he has has been obtained a native of North Carolina. His parents by his own labor and industry, Ilis mater- nal grandfather was a soldier in the Revolu- tionary war. had two children. The father died in this county in 1864. Our subject learned the | carpenter's trade after he was twenty-one years old, and has worked at it most of the time ever since, working entirely by contract. Hle settled in Roachdale in April, 1885, and the following September assumed charge of the hotel. He was married February 1, 1866, to Miss Mary Allen, daughter of Wilson and Mary Allen. They have had two children --- Ila. deceased, who married Kindred Garrett, and Ora R. Ida died when only seventeen years of age, leaving one child -. - Monnie. Mrs. George is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. George has quite an extensive business, both in his trade and in the hotel.
R. W. F. BATMAN, physician and sur- geon. Roachdale, Franklin Township, was born October 20, 185%, son of Elijah Batman, of Monroe Township, this county. He was reared a farmer and edu- cated in the common schools and in Bain- bridge Academy. He began reading medi- eine at the age of seventeen years, studying three years under Professor R. Trench Stone, M. D., now of Indianapolis, a brother of Hon. Ilenry Stone. of Kentucky. In 1978-79 he attended a course of lectures at Rash Medical College, Chicago, graduating at Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, March 13. 1850. He located at Carpentersville, this county, being associated with Dr. W. C. Harris. This partnership continued three years, and the doctor then took a special course at Bellevne
TAENRY C. WILSON, farmer and dealer in stock. Jackson Township. resides on section 11. where he owns 160 acres of land. He also owns eighty aeres on the ; Hospital, New York, receiving certificates north side of the road. He was born in in diagnosis and upon discases of the eye. Montgomery County, Kentucky, January 3, While there he attended lectures and saw
1SBS, son of Henry HI. and Mary Wilson, the former a native of Virginia, and the lat- ter of Ireland. They removed to this county
special operations at the Woman's Hospital by the famous Dr. Gillard Thomas, and also saw Dr. Emmet's operations in gynecology. in 1849, where ilenry was reared to the ve- ' Ile is therefore well qualified in any branch cupation of a farmer. In 1964 he enlisted in ' of the profession. While in Jefferson Col- Company D, One Hundred and Fiftieth In-' lege he heard the last course of lectures but one delivered by Dr. S. D. Gross, and he also took a special course in surgery under Dr. J. Ewing Mears, now one of the most eminent men in Philadelphia. Dr. Batman settled at Ronehdale in 1554, upon his return from New York. and he is building up a large and diana Infantry, serving six months. He was married in this county in September, 1870, to Miss Frances Barnard, daughter of Calvin and Catherine Barnard, pioneers of this conn- ty. She was born November 20, 1551. Their children are --. George C., Charles R. and William W. Bertie is deceased. Mr. Wilson ; Inerative practice. He was married August was formerly a member of the Odd Fellows : 29, 1952. to Miss Ida E. Harris, daughter of fraternity. He commenced for himself with- : Dr. W. C. Harris, his former partner. They
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HISTORY OF PUTNAM COUNTY.
have one child-Mabel T., born May 6, 1884. Ile is president of the Putnam County Medi- cal Society, and is a member of the State Medical Association. He bids fair to become one of the most prominent physicians in the country.
W. CARVER, farmer and stock-raiser, resides in Floyd Township, where he 3. owns 150 acres of land. He was born in Boyle County, Kentucky, near Danville, September 3, 1523, son of Sterling and Jane (Durham) Carver. The father died when sixty-four years of age; the mother is still living in Greencastle, aged eighty-one years. They reared six children, of whom four are living, our subject being the oldlest. Ile came to this county with his parents in 1835 and was reared on a farin. He was engaged in the mercantile trade at Bainbridge four years, and was engaged in manufacturing wheat fans two years in Clinton County. With these exceptions his life has been spent at farm work. Ile was married in Hendricks County, May 6, 1852, to Elizabeth, daughter of John and Rebecca (Radford) Underwood, who was born April 11, 1851, in Decatur County, this State. Three of their four chil- dren are living - Mary, wife of M. T. Darnall. of Danville, Indiana; Charles married Ann Darnall and has two children-Nellie and Pearl; Laura, wife of AAlbert Cram, of this county, has one child -- Glenn. Himself and wite are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and he has served as steward of that church thirty years; has also served as trustee several years. Ile is a member of the Masonic fraternity, Lodge No. 275, Bain- bridge. Ifis son is also a Mason. Mr. Car- ver was drafted during the war, but paid 8250 for a substitute. In politics he is a Re-
publican. When he started in life he had nothing but a horse, saddle and bridle. Post- office, Bainbridge.
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UINTON BROADSTREET, farmer, Mill Creek Township, was born August 14, 1837, son of James and Melvina A. Broadstreet, the former a native of Washing- ton County. Indiana, and the latter of Bullitt County, Kentucky. His paternal ancestor- were Irish, and came to America prior to the Revolutionary war. His paternal grandfather, Thomas Broadstreet, was a pioneer of Wash- ington Township, having settled there soon after the beginning of the present century. Ile removed to Putnam County abant 1825. settling in Marion Township. upon the farm How owned by HI. II. Dobbs. The grand- father entered eighty acres of land and located in the wild woods. lle first erected his little log cabin, then began the work of clear- ing his land. He was a minister of the Missionary Baptist church, always taking au active part in matters pertaining to the church. James Broadstreet was reared to manhood in this county, amid all the scenes of pioneer life. and being poor, endured many hardships. He married Melvina Gentry. and they had twelve children, of whom seven are living -- Quinton, Rachel, wife of David Haines; Sarah, wife of Henderson Lane; Naney, wife of John W. Stringer; Mary E .. Thomas H .. John C. The deceased are ..- Elijah J., Isaac B., Jernsha, Francis M. and one that died in infancy. The father resided in this county until his decease, October 24. 1882. He was a member of the Missionary Baptist church, as was also his wife. In pol- ities he was a Democrat. Ile always followed farming, but the last twenty years of his life he was afflieted with a combination of dis-
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
cases. Ile was a man of much public spirit and enterprise, always lending a helping hand to anything that would benefit the community. Quinton Broadstreet has been reared to man- hood and educated in this county. He taught school four winters here, with good success. Ile was married March 22. 1864, to Sarah E. Buis, daughter of Riley and Elizabeth Buis, pioneers of Putnam County, and their children are -- Melvina A., wife of Clarence E. Wallace; Ida E., deceased; Francis M., Leander C., Charles P., James V., Della M. and Ernest. Mr. Broadstreet owns 450 acres of good land, and has been a successful farmer. In polities he is a Demo- ! erat, and has served as trustee of Mill Creek Township many years, and has also served as assessor of the township. Thomas HI. Broad- street, a brother of the preceding, was born in this county, February 7, 1852. He was married March 25. 1884. to Linnie E. Bowman, daughter of John M. Bowman, of this county. They have had two children -- Laura, deceased, and Walter M. He owns 200 acres of ex- cellent land, and has always followed farm- ing for an occupation. In polities he is a Democrat. He has seen something of pio- neer life; has many times threshed wheat with a flail.
- FILLIAM RILEY DAWSON, a grower of small fruit, Monroe Town- ship. was born in Sevier County. Tennessee, May 26, 1823, son ef John K. Dawson, of Grinnell, Iowa, who is in his ninetieth year. His mother, Sarah Dawson, is in her eighty-sixth year. The father was born in North Carolina and the mother in Tennessee. They removed to this county in 1837, loeating in Greeneastle, and in 1848 removed to Keokuk County, Iowa. Our sub-
jeet was educated at Greencastle, and taught common school several years. He was prin- cipal of Ashland Seminary, Iowa, four years, and of Bainbridge Academy two terms; was also principal of Sturgeon, Missouri, Seminary one year. He returned to this county in 1860, settling in Floyd Township, and later returned to Bainbridge. Ile has taught more schools than any other man in the county, teaching from three to seven years in a place. Hle served as assessor three terms, and as deputy several years. He was married July 30. 1854, to Elizabeth R. Taylor, daughter of Augustus Taylor, now deceased. and they had two children, one living --- Mary A., wife of James M. Nichols, of Montgomery County. John William died in 1582. in the twenty-first year of his age, in LaFayette, where he was a telegraph operator. Mrs. Dawson died March 27, 1872. and March 16, 1586, Mr. Dawson married Pamelia Johnson. daughter of Al- fred Johnson, now deceased. Both are members of the Christian church, and Mr. Dawson has been a local preacher.
RANVILLE C. GORDON, a retired farmer, Roachdale, was born in Shelby County, Kentucky, October 1, 1518. Ilis father, David Gordon, was a native of North Carolina, removing to Kentucky when a young man, thence to Clark County, Indi- ana, when Granville was a small boy, and to this connty in 1831, settling among snakes and wild animals. Here our subject was reared, and received a very limited education, having attended school only two weeks. In 1862 he went to Peoria County, Illinois, thence to Bureau County two years later, returning to Indiana in 1870, settling in Jackson Township. He still owns 305 acres of land in that township, a portion of which
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HISTORY OF PUTNAM COUNTY.
is well improved. He was first married to Miss Evaline Sontherland, and they had four children --- Mrs. Margaret Boyd, Mrs. Mary J. Camera, Mrs. Martha Fairbank and Mrs. Priscilla Burton. His second wife was Nancy Tittsworth, and they had one child, now deceased. Ilis present wife was for- merly Eliza J. Hargan, and their one child is deceased. .
EFFERSON HURST, a pioneer of Put- nam County, was born in Marion Town- ship, March 26, 1824, son of William and Fanny Hurst, the former a native of Virginia. Ilis parents came to Putnam County in 1823, and were among the first settlers of the county. They located on Deer Creek, Marion Township, where the father entered several tracts of land from the Government. Ile at once cleared a place and erected a log cabin, and the first year put in a small crop of corn. Like all pioneers he endured many hardships and privations. He died in 1850. Three of his six children are living-Jackson, Melinda, now Mrs. Wright, of Wayne County, Iowa, and Jefferson. He was widely known, and was respected by all who knew him. In polities he was a Democrat, and was a de- voted member of the Old School Baptist church. In his death the county lost a val- nable citizen. He was a peace-maker, and was frequently called upon to settle matters of dispute among his neighbors. Jefferson was reared to manhood in this county, receiving rather a limited education. He has had a large experience in pioneer life; has attended log-rollings every day for two weeks. December 24. 1844, he was married to Miss Elsie Vowel, and they had eight chil- dren -- Martin C., William, Levi, Squire J .. James II., George W., Benjamin F., and
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