USA > Indiana > Putnam County > Biographical and historical record of Putnam County, Indiana > Part 39
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LEASANT ALLEE, one of the oldest pioneers of his locality. was born in Barren County, Kentucky, September 25, 1809, son of William and Susan Allee, pioneers of Putnam County. He came to this county in 1880, and has resided here ever since. He married Miss Lucinda Me- Carty, and three of their six children are living-America, widow of N. Waters, of Morgan County, this State; Phoebe, wife of
Noah Patrick, also of Morgan County, and Lneinda, wife of John Alley, of Hendricks County. The deceased are -- Susanna. Re- becca and Josephine. For his second wife Mr. Allee married Nancy Alexander, and seven of their eight children are now living Charlotte, wife of William Davis; Will- iam; Mary F., wife of William Abel; John N., Jesse James, and Eva. Jennie is de- ceased. Mr. Allee entered eighty acres of Jand from the Government, south of Belle Union, where he lived for a thne, and after- ward removed to Mill Creek Township. II. now owns 217g acres of good land, which he has earned by hard work and economicel habits. He is a Republican in politics, ave has served as school director and as super- visor.
E. TALBOTT, farmer and stock-raiser, resides on section 34, where he ow 133 acres of land, in a good state of , cultivation. He was born in Shelby County. Kentucky, April 28, 1831, son of Lorenzo and Hester (Scott) Talbott. of Scotch-Irish descent. They came to this county in the fall of 1831, where they remained until the". deccase. The father died in 1834. Mr. Tal- bott was reared on a farm. and has always been a farmer. His maternal grandmother was one of the early settlers of Kentucky, and has molded a great many bullets with which to kill Indians. She was also a pio- Ineer of Putnam County, where she remained until her death. She died at the age of eighty-seven years. J. E. was married in this county, in 1852, to Lucinda Smith, daughter of Robert and Elizabeth (Cohorn) Smith. She was born in Fleming County, Kentucky, in 1834, and came to this comty with her parents the same year. Mr. Talbott
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HISTORY OF PUTNAM COUNTY.
is a Mason, belonging to Bainbridge Lodge, No. 75. His early educational advantages were limited, and he has made the most of his property himself. Ilis paternal grand- father came to this county in 1830, and passed the remainder of his days here. His name was Neddy.
LBERT HI. COFFMAN, one of the oldest resident pioneers of Putnam County, resides on seetion 2, Greencas- tle Township. Ile was born in Bourbon County, Kentucky, June 4, 1816, son of Abraham and Susan Coffman, the former a native of Virginia, and the latter of Ken- tneky. Ile immigrated to this county in the fall of 1821, and has been a resident here ever since. He was reared to manhood by his grandfather, Abraham Coffinan, a pioneer of Putnam County. March 26, 1840, he was married to Miss Mary A. Reeves, daughter of Stacey R. and Sarah Reeves, who were early settlers of this county. They have had five children- - Elvira, deceased; Hiram L .; Louisa I .. , wife of Joseph W. MeCorkle, of this county; Charles M., of Jackson Township, and Sarah I. Mr. Coffman settled upon his present farm in 1840, having raised a crop on it, however, the previous year. He now owns about eighty-five acres of good land, and has been a successful farmer. All he has he has made by his own industry and good management. In. polities he was formerly a Whig, but in later years a Republican. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and has served as trustee in that church. Mrs. Coffman died July 23, 1877. HIe has endured all the hardships and priva- tions incident to the pioneer. When he first settled here the nearest grist-mill was thirteen miles distant. Hiram L. Coffman, a son of
the preceding, was born January 6, 1843, in Putnam County. In August, 1863, he en- listed in Company I, One Hundred and Fif- teenth Indiana Infantry, as a private, and became a part of the Army of the Cumber- land. He operated in Virginia, Kentucky and Tennessee, and although he was never in any active engagement, he endured many hardships. He was discharged in February, 1864, in Indianapolis. September 1, 1864, he re-enlisted in Company E, Twenty-first in- diana Infantry, as a private, and was assigned to the Army of the Gulf, doing principally garrison duty at Fort William and Baton Rouge. He was honorably discharged in October, 1865. While in the service he con- tracted an infirmity from which he still suffers. Politically he affiliates with the Republican party.
AAMUEL ROBINSON, farmer, section 15, Franklin Township, was born in Perry County, Indiana, May 10, 1816, son of Andrew Robinson, a native of Ireland, who came to the United States when sixteen years of age, and is now deecased. He was a soldier in the war of 1812, and came to this county in 1824, settling in Russell Township. The Indians were then numerous, and Mr. Robinson was well acquainted with the In- dian chief, Cornstalk; but the Indians were all friendly at that time. Turkeys and deer were plenty, and once Mr. Robinson saw thirteen in one drove. Our subject was reared in the woods and educated in the primitive log school-house, where split logs were used for seats, and greased paper for windows. A huge chimney and fireplace adorned one end of the room, and the floors and doors were made of puncheons. Our subject taught school in his younger days,
15.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
and since then has followed farming. Ilis
Intionary fame. In 1834 Mr. Robinson was a daughter of Benjamin Rosencranz, of Revo- mother. Harriet ( Roseneranz) Robinson, was
married to Miss Sarah Heath, who died married Sarah A. Hardesty, daughter of
March 9, 1837, and in 1840 Mr. Robinson Joshua and Maria Hardesty, both of whom
whom are living Elnora, Clara, Sarah E., years. Maria has had eight children, six of son, Edwin 11 .. died at the age of thirty-five ritory; John M., Joshua IL. and Albert. One Mrs. William Aldrich, of Washington Ter- only four are now living-Maria E .. now are deceased. Of their thirteen children
Ettie, Samuel II. and Gertrude. Joshua married Emily Key, and resides in Elk County, Kansas; their three children are -- Walter F., Pearl and Gny R. AAlbert mar- ried Emma V. Hollingsworth, and lives with
his father, and attends to the management of the farm. He has served as township trus- tee, justice of the peace, and held various other official positions. He began life with nothing but strong arms and willing heart, and now owns 290 acres of excellent land.
OSEPII ELLIS, an early settler of Put- nam County, and a resident of Marion Township, was born in Shelby County, Kentucky, December 22, 1812, son of Joseph and Fannie Ellis, natives of Virginia. His paternal ancestors are of English origin, and immigrated to America before the Revolution- ary war, settling in Virginia. He was married in Kentucky, in 1833, to Miss Ann Smith, born January 1, 1803, in Buckingham County, Virginia, and daughter of Samuel and Nancy Smith, also natives of Virginia. Two of their five children still survive Nancy, wife of Isaac E. Crews, of Green-
well spent life. In politics he is a Democrat. aged wife are now enjoying the fruits of a owns 176 acres of good land, and he and his and hardships incident to the pioneer. IIc ing his farm. Hle experienced all the trials Marion Township, and began to work clear- child to this county, settling on seetion 1, 1834 he removed with his wife and one lind, a resident of St. Joseph. Missonri. In castle, and Susanna, wife of John Vander-
ALIJAH SWINDLE, farmer and stock-
Macon County. Tennessee, October 27. raiser. Clinton Township, was born in
1845. son of Elijah and Martha Swindle, who were natives of Virginia, and reared three children -James HI., William H. and Elijah; the two former are deceased. Our subject was reared on a farm, having handled a team and plow from the time he was eleven years of age. At the breaking ont of the civil war Mr. Swindle espoused the cause of the Union and enlisted in Company C, Fifth Kentucky Infantry, serving three years and six months. He was taken prisoner at Mon- roe Cross-Roads, and exchanged in twenty-
seven days. He participated in the battle of Gallatin, Tennessee, against Morgan. Brink- wood, near Murfreesborough, and in a running fight for three days and nights against old General Forrest. from West Point to Cokt Springs. He also participated in several cavalry raids, then in a raid of three or four days' ride, in a two day's fight at Chatta- nooga, at Resaca. Georgia, and on that famous raid with General Kilpatrick around Atlanta, General Kilpatrick being the third one to make the attempt, which he accomplished. Mr. Swindle had so ne very narrow escapes around Atlanta. From the latter place to Lovejoy the fighting was continuons, and at
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HISTORY OF PUTNAM COUNTY.
Lovejoy a part of Kilpatrick's Brigade was Daniel Mills, who died in Kentucky. One surrounded, Mr. Swindle being one of them. They were obliged to eut their way out with their sabres. He was in that noted march to the sea, then through North Carolina, and at Monroe Cross-Roads. He was discharged at Louisville in June, 1865, and returned home. After that he was engaged in the livery business at Memphis, Tennessee, for one year, then bonght and sold mnies for a year below Memphis. In 1871 he was mar- ried to Miss Barbara May, born July 15, 1847, in Kentucky, To this union have been born six children-James F., William II .. Charles S., Martha E., Margaret II. and Amanda. They removed to Johnson County, this State, in 1872, where Mr. Swindle fol- lowed farming four years. In 1876 they came to Putnam County, and one year later Mr. Swindle went to Tennessee on a business tour. Since that time his interests have been in this county. Politically he is a Republican.
ILLIAM LEE, farmer, Cloverdale Township, was born in Shelby County, Kentucky, December 10, 1801. Ilis father, John Lee, was born in Virginia in 1777, and went to Kentucky with his parents, where he was married to Eliza- beth Mitchell, also born in Virginia in 1777; both were of Scotch-Irish ancestry. They came to Indiana in 1816, settling in Clark County, where the mother died. The father died in Washington County. They had eleven children. The father was a farmer by occupation. William was reared in Clark County and received a common school education. He was married in 1828 to Clarissa Mills, born in Woodford County, Kentucky, in 1799. She was the widow of
of their three children is now living-Frances J. Mr. Lee came to Greencastle in 1839, where he was engaged in the mercantile trade one year. He was appointed to fill an unexpired term of judge of probate, and was elected to the office at the next election. which office he resigned to accept the posi- tion of recorder; he held this office four years. Mr. Lee was formerly an Old Line Whig, but is now a Republican, casting his first presidential vote for J. Q. Adams in 1824. Hle removed to his present home in 1857, where he now resides on his farm of 100 acres. Ile has had six children -- New- ton L., Margaret A., Eliza E., Dan G., William A. and Mary A. deceased. Mrs. Lee died in 1884.
TATILLIAM M. YOUNG, a retired farmer residing at Carpentersville, was born in Montgomery County, Kentucky, October 2, 1813, son of Thomas Young, a native of the same county and now deceased. He was reared on a farm and educated in the primitive log school-honse with split logs for seats, puncheon floors, greased paper for windows, and a huge fire- place in one end of the room, with mnd-and- stick chimney. There was also a elapboard roof, with knees and weight poles. When sixteen years of age he learned the black- smith's trade, which he followed twenty years. He came to this county in 1835, settling in Franklin Township, which has since been his home, and where he has followed farming until within a few years. The cornstalk Indian town was near his place, although the tribe left the year previons to his locating here. These Indians buried their dead in pens made of poles daubed with mud and
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
covered with punchcous. . Afterward the !oerat. He was elected to the office of justice. whites buried the bones in the ordinary man- of the peace, his commission dating April 9. 1×78, and has served ever since. Mr. Blue has made farming the principal avocation of his life, in which he has met with success, and is now the owner of over sixty-two aeres of good land, and by his industrious habits and fair and honorable dealing he has gained the confidence of all who know him. ner. Mr. Young had a strong constitution, and did an immense amount of hard work. He has attended as many as twenty log- rollings in one season. Hle was married in July, 1835, to Miss Mary Black, and of their eight children, seven are living -Sarah E., Margaret, Amanda, Burilla, Duleina, Thomas and Marshall. After the death of Mrs. Young, Mr. Young married, April 15, 1868, Au E. Rhoads, daughter of George Rhoads. Mr. Young was township trustee one term, and trustee of Carpentersville two terms. Ilis mother died in this county January 24, 1847, and his father, March 4. 1860. Him- self and wife are members of the Presbyterian church.
ENRY C. BLUE. an enterprising farmer of Mill Creek Township, residing on section 30, is a native of Putnam County. Indiana, born February 3, 1850. In his youth he attended the common schools of his neighborhood, and by diligent study acquired a fair education. He was married September 16, 1869, to Miss Nancy J. Staley, who was born in Morgan Conuty, Indiana, February 9, 1848, a daughter of Sampson and Sarah A. Staley, old and honored pioneers of Putnam County. Seven children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Blue, all of whom are living. They are as follows- Emma F., born July 6, 1870; Clarissa, No- vember 30, 1872; Herbert, March 26, 1875; Hettie L., February 3, 1877; Effic M., Sep- tember 8, 1879; Sarah A., June 16, 1882, and America J., November 2, 1886. Henry C. Blue is a member of the Methodist Epis- copal church, and one of the trustces, and also a class-leader. In politics he is a Dem- ; gomery County. Mrs. Fordice did not have
EBECCA FORDICE was born in But- ler County, Ohio, near Hamilton, February 27, 1816, daughter of John and Elizabeth ( Hanna) Eliott, the former born October 9, 1786, and the latter January 10. 1791; both were natives of Pennsylvania and of Irish ancestry. They had twelve children, only two of whom are living- Rebecca and James; the latter resides in Edgar County. Our subject was married, February 24, 1842. to Joseph E. Fordice, a son of William Fordice. His parents had nine children, seven of whom are living; two danghters are in Ohio and the others are in this State. Our subjeet has had six chil- dren-William, John N., James C., Jesse II., Lizzie R. and Sarah A. William, John and Sarah are deceased. William married Celia II., daughter of John and Sarah Dur- ham, and had two children --- Myrtle M. and Lulu. He died in Texas, July 26. 1879. James C. married Bertha, daughter of Joseph and Sarah Allen, and they have one child- Frederic. Jesse Il. married Iney E., dangh- ter of Joseph and Sarah Allen, and their children are -- Maggie, Donald A. and Joseph B. Lizzie married William HI., son of Thompson and Delphina Ashby, and their children are-Jesse G., Lizzie, Joseph F., Mary and Howard F .; they reside in Mont-
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HISTORY OF PUTNAM COUNTY.
good educational advantages, the country being new and schools far away. Her hus- band was educated in the subscription schools, and being a great reader, obtained a very fair education by his own efforts. Ile represented his county in the State Senate two terms, beginning in 1856. He was a thorough business man and highly esteemed by all who knew him. He was an elder in the Presbyterian church, and his wife and family are all members of that church. They gave their children as good educational advantages as the country afforded. Their son Jesse is a prominent physician at Wich- ita, Kansas. . Ile is a graduate of the Cin- cinnati Medical College. During his later years Mr. Fordice met with an accident that crushed his ankle, and after suffering ex- cruciating pain two or three months, his foot was amputated.
AVID A. BLUE was born in the State of Ohio, November 8, 1829, and came to the State of Indiana as one of the early settlers and has been a resident of Mill Creek Township, Putnam County, ever since. Hle married Sarah, the daughter of Samuel Wright, April 19, 1849, and a family of eight children were born to them, seven of whom survive, as follows-Henry C. Blue, born February 3, 1850; Samuel A., May 13, 1852; Armazinda, wife of Alvin Cox, Novem- ber 18, 1854; Naney E., wife of William Hollingsworth, February 10, 1858; Joel N., February 11, 1861; Lloyd A., February 26, 1866; Wilson T., February 26, 1869, and an infant son, deceased, August 13, 1872. Sarah: Blue departed this life September 29, 1883. She was a member of the New Provi- dence Missionary Baptist Church, David A. being a member of the same church. Ile
has for many years held the office of deacon. In polities he is a Democrat. He has served as justice of the peace eight years, and is a prominent and well respected citizen.
JEORGE W. HENDRIX, proprietor of the flouring-mill at Cloverdale, was born in Warren Township, this county, March 23, 1844, son of John IL. and Hannah (Waller) Hendrix. He was reared on the old homestead, and educated in the common schools. He worked on the farm during the summer season, and in the mill during the winter season, until he learned the miller's trade. In 1875 he went to Cataract, Owen County, where he was engaged in milling two years. In November. 1877, he came to Cloverdale and formed a partnership with Iloward Hart in the saw and grist-mill bus- iness, which partnership existed until Janu- ary, 1881, when Mr. Hart purchased the interest of Mr. Hendrix in the saw-mill, and the latter purchased Mr. Hart's interest in the flouring-mill. Since that time he has given his entire attention to the milling bus- iness. Mr. Hendrix is a member of the village school board, and has held that office three years. Ile is a member of Sanders Lodge, No. 307, I. O. O. F., at Cloverdale, and belongs to Gosport Camp, No. 102, at Gosport, Owen County. In July, 1862, he enlisted in Company C, Fifty-fifth Indiana Infantry, serving three months. Ile was dis- charged, and in August, 1863, re-enlisted in Company C, One Hundred and Fifteenth In- diana Infantry, serving until February 20, 1864. During his first service he was on post duty on the Ohio River, and served as Corporal of the company. His later service was in Tennessee. Ile is a member of Clo- verdale Post, No. 422, G. A. R., at Clover-
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BIOGRAPHIICAL SKETCHES.
dale, of which he is quartermaster. Ile is also treasurer of the Odd Fellows lodge and one of the trustees. January 31, 1866, he was married to Sarah J. Farrow, born in Cincinnati, Ohio, September 23, 1850, dangh- ter of Thornton and Susan J. (Seward) Farrow, natives of Kentucky. They came to this county about 1857, and located on a farm in Warren Township, where the father died in 1859. The mother afterward removed to Greencastle, where she lived until her death, which oceurred December 21, 1884, aged fifty-nine years. They were the parents of eleven children, of whom five are living, Mrs. Hendrix being the second child, and the old- est one now living. The mother was a mem- ber of the Presbyterian church. Mr. and Mrs. Hendrix have had six children-John C., William T., James W., Daisy B., Bessie and Edistina F. Mr. and Mrs. Hendrix are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
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SAAC S. PERRY, farmer, section 21, Warren Township, was born in Floyd County, this State, near New Albany, April 8, 1821. He came to Putnam County with his parents when an infant, was reared in this county, and educated in the common schools and at Asbury College. He learned the pottery trade of his father, and in 1853 engaged in that business in Madison County. In May, 1864, he returned to Putnamville and purchased his father's business, which he has since conducted in connection with farm- ing. Mr. Perry was married December 20, 1853, to Jane B. Stockman, a native of Paris, Bourbon County, Kentucky, born January 4, 1827. They have had seven children-Sarah 1., born October 12, 1854; Mary E., born July 3, 1856: John F., born March 23, 1858, died in September, 1860;
Lawrence S., born January 23, 1860; Fran- ces M., born April 15, 1862, died in Septem- ber, 1863; Wilber G., born February 27, 1864; Lucy, born January 19, 1866. Mrs. Perry died January 11, 1884. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, received an academic education and followed teaching several years. Mr. Perry and his family are also members of the Methodist church. His house is managed by his dangh- ter Lucy. He has given his children a good education, and is interested in all enterprises that benefit the community.
OHN II. WATKINS, agent for the Phoenix Insurance Company, of New York, resides in New Maysville, and was born in this county May 29, 1843, son of Henry S. and Mary Watkins, natives of North Carolina, and of German-Irish ances- try. In 1862 he enlisted in Company B, Fifty-fourth Indiana Infantry, and served fourteen months. He participated in the battles of Chickasaw Bluffs, Arkansas Post, and others of less importance. Ile was mus- tered ont at New Orleans and returned home. He was married in this county, No- vember 5, 1870, to Eliza J. Losley, daughter of Joseph D. and Mary (Whitecotton) Los- ley, natives of Kentucky. They came to this county in 1837, where the mother died in 1852. The father is still living. Mrs. Wat- kins was born in this county December 4, 1846. Mr. and Mrs. Watkins have five children, three of whom are living -Rob- ert C., Charles O. and Bertha F. Joseph II. and an infant are deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Watkins are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. He owns his house and lot and forty-eight acres of land. He re-
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HISTORY OF PUTNAM COUNTY.
ceives a pension of $30 per month. Post- office, New Maysville.
-- LISIIA WOOD, an early settler of Put- nam County, was born in Washington County, Indiana. February 3, 1822, son of Daniel and Margaret Wood, the former a native of Indiana, and the latter of Penn- sylvania. His grandfather, Abraham Wood, was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, hav- ing served faithfully for seven years. Ile was among the first settlers of Washington County, and died at the age of eighty-four years. Elisha was the third of a large family of children. Ile was reared in Washington County until he reached his eighteenth year. When he was fourteen years old his father died, and in 1840 he, with other members of the family, came to what is now known as Mill Creek Township, where he has since re- sided. June 1, 1840, he was married to Miss Rhoda Broadstreet, daughter of Thomas Broadstreet, a pioneer of Putnam County. To this union were born seven children, four of whom are living -- William N., Ava R., wife of Nathaniel Stringer; Mary J., wife of David Me Aninch, and Lurilda, wife of HI. Il. Parker. The deceased are -- Thomas W., Sarah and one that died in infancy. Mrs. Wood died April 20, 1857, and September 8, 1857, Mr. Wood was married to Phoebe C. Phillips, who was born July 22, 1834, in Hendricks County, and a daughter of Nathan and Sarah Phillips, who were natives of North Carolina, and who were among the first settlers of Hendricks County. To this union seven children have been born-Ellen, wife of Pleasant Hurst; Emeline, wife of Richard MeCammack; Noah and Albert A. Lydia, Rosa and Madona are deceased. Mr. Wood located upon his present farm, section 6,
Mill Creek Township, about 1845, when his farm was mostly covered with a heavy growth of timber. He has endured many hardships and witnessed many changes. He com- menced life for himself with only $10, which was given him by his mother. He now owns 280 aeres of good land-the result of hard labor and economy. He has rolled logs eighteen days in succession. Sunday excepted, and was always ready to do his share of the world's work. Politically he is a Democrat, and has held the office of school director and supervisor. He experienced religion in 1840, and himself and wife are member of the Mis- sionary Baptist church, of which he is at present serving as trustec. Mr. Wood is of a retiring and unassuming disposition, and both himself and wife are greatly esteemned in their community.
OIN H. HEROD, farmer, resides on section 21, Floyd Township, where he owns 111 acres of good land. He was born in Pendleton County, Kentucky, De- cember 11, 1813, son of Bailey and Sarah (Hart) Herod, natives of Virginia, and of English ancestry. The parents died in Ken- tucky. John II. was reared on a farm, and has always followed farming. He came to Putnam County in 1833, first settling in Floyd Township. Ile was married here Jan- uary 16, 1834, to Miss Mary King, who was born in Kentucky October 16, 1816. Of their twelve children, six are living-Bailey, who married Harriet Minter, resides in Hen- dricks County, and has ten children; John N. married Sobia Adams; Sarah, wife of Jacob P. Stabaugh, of Floyd Township; Mary M. married A. J. Shinn; Johnson C .; Mar- tha C., wife of William Arnold; William | H. married Mary J. Shoemaker, and died
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