Biographical and historical record of Putnam County, Indiana, Part 40

Author: Marler, Mike; Lewis Publishing Company, Chicago (Ill.)
Publication date: 1887
Publisher: Chicago, : Lewis Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 366


USA > Indiana > Putnam County > Biographical and historical record of Putnam County, Indiana > Part 40


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leaving four children -- Eva D., Abner B., Otto M. and Mary D. Eva keeps house for her grandiather. Mrs. Herod died in 1952. Politically Mr. Herod is a Democrat, and has held the office of justice of the peace nine years, and county commissioner two terms. He is a member of the Baptist church, as was also his wife. Ilis grandson manages the farm. Postoffice, Fillmore.


children, of whom seven survive -- David W., Lloyd E., Calvin A., Thomas F., Sam- nel F., Luther A. and Eliza J., wife of Morris Goodwin, a conductor on the passenger train of the Indianapolis & Saint Louis' Railroad. Mr. Campbell owns 172 acres of excellent land, on section 3, and has met with good snecess in farming. JIe came to Putnam County in the fall of 1847, and located for a short time near Greencastle. Ile settled upon his present farm in 1858, which was then covered with a heavy growth of timber. Mrs. Campbell was born in Wayne County, this State. Jan- nary 26, 1823. Her father was a native of Maryland and her mother of Ohio. They were among the carly settlers of Wayne County. She has been a member of the Mis- sionary Baptist church a great many years. In polities Mr. Campbell is a Democrat. Both are respected members of society.


CTHIER L. CAMPBELL, farmer and stock-raiser. Marion Township, was born in Jennings County, Indiana, February 22, 1522, son of David and Ann (Clinton) Campbell. Il is paternal ancestors immigrated from Scotland to America, and settled in Pennsylvania prior to the Revolutionary war. They afterward removed to Kentucky. Three of his neles were killed while serving un- der Daniel Boone in his expedition against the Indians in Kentucky. His father served in the war of 1512, under Generals Wayne and Harrison, and participated in the battles ENRY W. LUCAS, of the firm of Incas & Burnett, proprietors of the Raccoon saw-mill and manufacturers of wire picket fencing. was born in Boone County, Indiana, March 8, 1550. His father, Henry Lneas, was born in Fayette County, Pennsylvania, and came to Boone County in 1836. He was a leading attorney at Leba- of Fort Meigs, Tippecanoe and Dudley's de- feat. His father was a native of Pennsyl- vania, and removed to Kentucky, thence to Jennings County, this State, in 1510, being one of the first settlers of that county. He : remained there until his decease in 1836. Of his five children, three are living- Eliza, wife of William Griffith, of Johnson County, 'non, and was acknowledged to be the best Indiana; Calvin D .. a resident of Cass , paper lawyer in Boone County Circuit Court. County, Missouri, and Luther L., our sub- He was highly esteemed by all and had hosts of friends. He died April 11, 1556. The mother, Jane (Montgomery) Lucas, is also a native of Fayette County, and resides in Putnam County, aged seventy-two years. They had eleven children. only two living ---- Henry W. and Captain Thomas B., of De jeet. The deceased are -- Mary J. and Emily. Luther L. was reared to manhood in his na- tive county, and was educated in the early schools of his time. April 18. 1843, he was married to Miss Mary Knight. a daughter of Lloyd and Catherine (Stanley) Knight, who settled in P'utmain County about the year Kall County, Illinois. Henry W. was reared 1842. To this union have been born eight on a farm mitil nine years of age, after which


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HISTORY OF PUTNAM COUNTY.


he worked in a saw and grist-mill. At the All his life has been spent in Patnam County age of eighteen years he began business for | except two years. The first twenty or thirty years of his life were spent in a wilderness. Mrs. Akers died in 1879, and his son and daughter-in-law are keeping house for him. She was a devoted member of the Christian church. Their daughter married Darius Butcher and has two children -- Stella M. and Kate. James married Emma Hendricks. Mr. Akers has held the office of county super- visor two or three terms. Himself and fam- ily are members of the Christian church.


himself, and engaged in a bakery and confec- tionery establishment at Whitestown. He re- mained there about two years, then learned the business of engineer, and with his father ran an engine two years. He then sold nur- sery stock until 1873, and the following year engaged in the milling business, which he has since continued. His engine is thirty- five horse-power, the cylinder being 11 x 20 inches, and he used the machinery of Linkes, Davis & Co., of Indianapolis. The firm makes a specialty of bridge and railway tim- ber. and are doing a large business. Mr. Ineas was married August 3, 1873, to Miss Llewella M. Hill, daughter of Aaron C. Hill, of Hendricks County, this State, and their children are ---- Nellie J., Grace P., Cora I., Lloyd and Benlah. They came to this comity in the fall of 1879.


CHRISTOPHER AKERS, farmer and stock-raiser, Russell Township, was born : in Virginia, October 7. 1823, son of Henry and Tena Akers, also natives of Vir- ginia and of German ancestry. The father was born in 1793 and died in 1879. ILis mother was born about 1792 and died in 1842. Their five children are living, some in this county and the rest in Montgomery Connty. Mr. Akers was married December 22, 1851, to Miss Sarah, daughter of Jesse and Nancy Hicks, who were natives of Ken- tneky. Their six children are all living in this State, Mr. and Mrs. Akers have two children --- Mary, born October 19, 1852, and James, born October 15, 1854. Mr. Akers went to school very little in his younger days. The school-houses were poor and inconven- ient, and . school furniture was unknown.


FRAAPTAIN WILLIAM P. WIMMER, farmer, Madison Township, was born in Parke County, Indiana, March 15, 1885, a son of Jacob and Elizabeth ( Mills) Wimmer, natives of Virginia. They removed to Parke County, where they passed the re- mainder of their days. They were among the first settlers of that county. They reared eleven children --- Owen, Sanford, Isaac, James Il., Henry C .. Melinda, wife of Daniel Kelley; Minerva, wife of Hezekiah Burton; Mary J., wife of John MeGelvrey; Angeline, wife of James Crooks; Eliza J., who died in infancy, and our subject. The latter was reared prin- cipally on a farm. After he was grown he worked at the carpenter's trade until he en- listed, July 6, 1861, in Company II, Twenty- first Indiana Infantry. After one year he was transferred to heavy artillery and was assigned to the Army of the Gulf. He en- listed as Orderly Sergeant and was promoted to Captain. He participated in the battle of Algiers, and the battle of New Orleans, and helped capture two trains. He was in the battle of Baton Rouge, and many others of less importance. At the siege of Fort IInd- son he was on duty as Orderly forty-four days and nights. He commanded the com-


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pany nine months. He was mustered out at New Orleans October 10, 1865, not having received even a scratch while in the service. He was married March 12, 1866, to Angela, , her most worthy citizens. Isaac M .. the sub- danghter of D. P. and Elizabeth Farrow, who : died in 1867. Afterward Mr. Wimmer mar- ried Catherine Farrow, who was born in this county in 1843. Their children are-Ger- trude, Jesse, Claude. Omar and Andrew; Nellie and Oscar are deceased. The Captain was on General Hulburt's staff four months, and also served as Inspector General. In 1878-79 he represented Putnam and Hen- dricks counties in the Legislature, having been elected on the Democratic ticket. Hle was nominated by the Greenback party. He owns 126 acres of good land in Madison Township, and is a successfal farmer. lle belongs to Lodge No. 45, I. O. O. F. Politi- cally he is a Democrat. He is a self-made man, having made nearly all of his property by his own exertion.


SAAC M. DAY, an early settler of Put- nam County, was born in this county November 25, 1830. son of Ambrose and Joanna Day, natives of Kentucky. Several of his maternal uncles were soldiers in the war of 1812. His father's ancestors came from Ireland, and his mother's from Wales. His parents came from Kentucky to Putnam of Greencastle, where the father entered 160


were greatly respected by all who knew then. Ile was a member of the Christian church, and in his death Putnam County lost one of


jeet of this sketch, was reared to manhood in this county, and received a limited educa- tion. Ile has attended many log-rollings, and helped to raise many log cabins. Hle followed the trade of carpenter and contractor about ten years, and with this exception he has always been a farmer. January 24, 1854, he was married to Miss Mary E. Gorham, daughter of Alexander Gorham, of this county. To this union have been born seven children, six of whom are living- - Milton IL .. Willard, Emma, wife of William Jones; Gertrude, who became the wife of Ezra Smith; Robert and John W. Alexander is deceased. Mr. Day owns a fine farm of 240 acres in a good state of cultivation. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity at Fillmore -Applegate Lodge, No. 155, and in polities affiliates with the Democratic party. He has always been a hard-working man, and commands the re- speet of all who know him.


FROHN WALN, retired farmer, Bain- bridge, was born in Frederick County, Virginia, eighteen miles north of Win- chester, Angust 17. 1812. His father, Jo- seph Wal, was a native of Pennsylvania. County in 1529, loeating sis miles northeast ; and his mother, Mary Waln, was a native of Virginia. He was reared on a farm and edn- acres of land from the Government. This cated in the carly subscription schools. He land he improved and cultivated and resided removed to Highland County, Ohio, in 1580, thereon until his derease, which occurred in and to this county in 1839, locating in Floyd 1864. Of the eleven children born to his ! Township. He was married June 26, 1834, parents six survive -- Erastus, Lydia, William, in Highland County, to Martha Wilkinson, Isaac M., Sarepta and Gregory. They en- daughter of Elijah and Elizabeth Wilkinson, dured all the hardships incident to pioneer and their children are- Elizabeth A., Elijah life, having settled in a dense forest. They C. and Mary J. Samuel is deceased. Mr.


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HISTORY OF PUTNAM COUNTY.


and Mrs. Waln are members of the Christian church. He owns 350 acres of land in Floyd and Monroe townships, besides property in Bainbridge. He was a Henry Clay Whig in an early day, but has been a Republican ever since the organization of that party.


EV. NELSON WRIGHT, of Mill Creek Township, was born in this county Jan- uary 19, 1838, son of Samuel and Jane Wright, pioneers of the county. Here he was reared to manhood. and educated in the pioneer schools, and. like all pioneers, en- dured many privations. He was married February 25, 1858, to Miss Caroline E. Foster, daughter of Joshua and Sarah Foster, who were pioneers of Warren County, this State. Six of their eight children are living -- Ellis J., Oliver P., Charles, Ida M., Luther E. and Ira G. Franklin A. and John W. are de- ceased. Franklin was accidentally killed in the following manner: March 23, 1866, Mr. Wright went to the woods to fell a tree, and fearing that the tree would not lodge where he desired, he eut a beech tree close by, mak- ing it lodge on the linn tree he was cutting, B. MILLS, farmer and teacher, resides on section 14, JJackson Township, where he owns 115 acres of land. He was born in Floyd Township, this county, September 25. 1851, a son of Floyd M. and Merinda (Collings) Mills, the former a native of Tennessee and of Scotch-Irish ancestry, the latter a native of Indiana, and of German- Irish ancestry. They removed to this coun- ty in 1832, where they remained until the death of the father, which occurred in 1856, at the age of thirty-three years. The mother resides with our subject and is fifty-six years of age. They reared four children, all of whom are living. Our subject was reared on so as to cause the latter tree to fall just where he wished. After instructing his son to stand in a safe place, he continued the work of felling the tree. The lad, for some unaccountable reason, changed his position, and the linn tree struck him, killing him in- stantly. He was a little past seven years of age, a remarkably bright boy and one of un- usual promise. A few days previous to his death, while Franklin was attending school at the Dorsett school-house, a wild duck flew against the building, breaking its neck and causing instant death. Franklin was the first to pick it up, and he pulled out the feathers, child-like, as any one would. This fact be- | a farm. He commeneed teaching school in


came known to the neighbors, and it was predicted that some one of the pupils of that school would meet with death. A post- mortem examination of Franklin revealed the fact that the lad's neck was broken. The sim- ilarity of the death of the lad and the duck, under the cirenmstanees, has always been the wonder of the neighborhood. His funeral sermon was preached by Rev. John Walls, a minister of high standing in the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Wright settled upon his present farm about twenty-four years ago. He owns 125 acres on section 19, and has made the most of it himself. He united with the Methodist Episcopal church over twenty years ago, serving faithfully as an exhorter, and subsequently as a minister. About seven years ago he voluntarily left that church and joined the Society of Friends, feeling that he could accomplish more in that society. Much of his time is taken up in preaching funeral sermons. Po- litically he affiliates with the Republican party.


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1878, and has taught ten years. At present esteem of the entire community, and in his he is engaged in farming. His father left a death the county lost one of its best men. farm of 160 aeres at his death. He was a soldier in the Mexican war, and while there contracted a disease that resulted in his death. Mr. Mills' grandfather came here in : 1827; hence was a pioneer of the county. In politics Mr. Mills is a Republican.


FRACOB N. COUCHMAN, proprietor of the Fincastle tile and saw mill, section 19. Franklin Township, was born in Champaign County, Ohio, December 25, 1840, son of Michael (deceased) and Eliza- beth Couchman, natives of Clarke County, AMPSON STALEY, one of the old and Ohio. He lived on a farm until the breaking prominent pioneers of Putnam County. out of the late civil war, when he enlisted in


who is now deceased, was born in the State of Virginia, a son of Abraham and Garfield Regiment, and participated in the Elizabeth Staley, and of English descent. He was brought to Putnam County. Indiana, by his parents in his boyhood, they settling in Jefferson Township, where they made ! after discharged. After the war he worked their home until their death. Sampson Staley grew to manhood in Jefferson Town- ship, and experienced many of the privations and hardships which usually fall to the lot of the pioneer. lle was united in marriage to Miss Sarah A. Waters, and to them were born eight children. of whom six still survive


Company I, Forty-second Ohio Infantry, battle of Middle Creek, Cumberland Gap campaign, and several others. During the latter campaign he was crippled and soon at the carpenter's trade until about 1881, when he engaged in the manufacture of tile. Three years later he added a saw-mill. His boiler and engine are the Robinson make. His boiler is twelve feet and forty inches, and the engine 9x16 inches, or twenty-five horse power. He uses the Eureka tile-mill, with a capacity of 10,000 4-inch tile daily. HIe is also doing a good business in the Inni- ber trade, shipping to Indianapolis. The tile shed is 24x150 feet, one and a half stories in height. The kiln is of the down draft


Hiram A., Mary A., who has been engaged in teaching in the public schools a number of years; Elizabeth E .. wife of Marian Hurst: Nancy J., wife of Henry C. Blue, of Putnam County; Martha S. and William S. James L. and America E. are deceased. Mr. Staley . style, and the tile is of the best quality. Mr. died October 22, 1857, his widow surviving : Couchman came to this county in the spring until Jannary 23, 1878. Mr. Staley was one . of 1869. October S, 1563, he was married


to Miss Miriam Daniels, daughter of Jackson Daniels, deceased. Of their twelve children, ten are living -- Amos A .. John T., George W., Sarah E., Arthur L., Ida M., Maggie B., Harriet E .. Emma and Henry. Mr. Couch- man never seeks official positions. He is captain of the Horse Thief Detective As-ocia-


of the self-made men of the county, having by his own persevering industry and good management acquired a fine property, leaving at his death some 400 acres of valuable land. In politics he affiliated with the Republican party. He became widely and favorably known throughout the county, and by his strict integrity he gained the confidence and ; tion, of Fincastle, and is a member of the 32


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HISTORY OF PUTNAM COUNTY.


Methodist Episcopal church. In politics he is a Republican.


REMENTER MULLINIX, M. D., of Cloverdale Township, was born in Jef- ferson Township, this county, October 5, 1835, son of Elisha and Hannah Mullinix, pioneers of that township, where the father settled about 1828, locating on section 20, where he lived until 1868, then sold out and removed to Illinois, living there ten years. He then returned to Indiana, where he died in Owen County, May 17, 1882. He was born in Rowan County, North Carolina, May 22, 1790. His parents. Greenbury and Christina . (Morgan) Mullinix, were also natives of North Carolina. The family are of Scotch- Irish ancestry. Greenbury came to Washing- ; ton County about 1810 or 1815, and to : Putnam County about 1824, settling in Greencastle. where he lived until his death in 1854 or 1855, aged over eighty years. Ilis wife died in 1857, aged eighty-five years. She was a member of the Old School Baptist church. Elisha Mullinix was reared a; farmer, and came to Kentucky about 1810. locating in Washington County, coming to this county some years later. He was twice married, his first wife being Charity Mc- Collum, from he was divorced in 1828. Ilis second wife was Hannah (Hunt) Jenkins, whom he married in 1830. By his first marriage were eight children, and by his second marriage were seven children. The mother died in January, 1885, in Boone County, Iowa. Both were members of the the Missionary Baptist church. Dr. Mul- linix was reared on a farm. He attended the common schools, and also attended As- bury University two years. He read medicine under Dr. Washington Brinton, of Mount Me-


ridian, and engaged in the practice of his pro- fesssion at Mount Tabor, Monroe County, remaining there three years. He then went to Quincy, Owen County, practicing there eight- een years, then removed to Bloomington, Mon- roe County, and in the spring of 1882 came to Cloverdale Township, where he has since been engaged in the practice of medicine. HIe attended Miami Medical College during 1866-'67. The doctor has always taken an active enterest in educational matters, and in the improvement of his township. In poli- ties he is a zealous Republican, casting his first presidential vote for John C. Fremont, in 1856. Hle united with the Masonic fraternity in 1864, and has held the offices of junior and senior warden several terms. Ile is now worshipful master of Cloverdale Lodge, No. 132. Ile united with the Baptist church in 1860, and in 1861 was ordained deacon. Ile was married February 24, 1859, to Julia A. Allen, born in Lawrence County, this State, July 8, 1840, and their children are-Nettie I., wife of Professor A. Brown, a graduate of DePauw University; Elmer E., telegraph operator, and Orris E., a clerk at Indianapolis. Mrs. Mullinix is a member of the Christian church. The doctor owns 120 acres of land in Owen County. His residence is one of the finest in the village. It was purchased in 1882, at a cost of 82,500. He also owns the lot upon which his office is situated. He is a genial gentleman and has a lucrative practice. He never fails to re- spond to a call on account of the limited means of his patron.


EORGE L. SUMMERS, farmer and stock-raiser, resides on section 16, Washington Township, where he owns 230 acres of land. He was born in Boone


BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.


County, Kentucky. September 3. 1539, son of ' retaining and managing his farm. December Moses and Jenetta ( Ross) Summers, also na- tives of Boone County and of French-German ancestry. His mother died when he was but four years of age, and he was early thrown upon the world to care for himself. He was the only son, and he has but one sister, wife of Dr. J.B. Doiling, of La Porte. Indiana. In 1862 our subjeet enlisted in Company A, Fifth Ken- tucky Infantry, Confederate army. under Colonel Hawkins and General J. C. Breeken- ridge, serving three years. He was in the battles of Chickamauga, Tunnel Hill, Mission- ary Ridge, Lookout Mountain, Kingston, Big Sandy and several others of less impor- tance. He removed to this county in 1865, and in 1866 he was married to Elizabeth Buteher, born in this county, and died in Isso. In 1852 he was married in Clay County, to Charlotte Mccullough, born in that county in 1854. Mr. Summers had but 82 in money and a suit of clothes to commence life with, and these were given him by Es- quire Woodson, of Falmouth. He served as provost marshal in Pendleton County. Ken- tueky.


29. 1840, he was married near Greeneastle to Miss Caroline Nichols, daughter of Amos II. and Marian (Paine) Nichols. The father was a native of Vermont and of German an- cestry. He was at one time a wholesale merchant on Cortland street, New York City, and during the financial crash of 1837 was forced to suspend business. With the rem- nant of his fortune he came to Indiana and settled on a farm near Greencastle, where he lived until 1857. During that time he was also engaged in the hardware business at Greencastle, and is said to have sold the first stove in the county. He removed from Put- nam County, in 1557. to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he engaged in banking and farming, and died in 1565, at the age of sixty four years. The mother of Mrs. Tennant was born in the city of Auburn, New York. Her father. Lyman Paine, was one of the first set- tlers of that city. She came West with her family and died near Cincinnati in Novem- ber, 1560, at the age of fifty-four years. Both parents are buried in Spring Grove cemetery at Cincinnati. They were members of the Unitarian church. Mr. and Mrs. Ten- nant are the parents of two children -- Alice, ! widow of Philander Alison, deceased, late of FILLIAM EMMERSON TENNANT, . Putnam County, and Richard, an attorney


a farmer of Greencastle, was born at law, residing in Terre Haute. They have adopted when an infant. Mrs. Tennant is a member of the College Avenue Methodist Episcopal Church at Greencastle. Mr. Ten- mant is not a professor of religion, but is a strong advocate of temperance, and when he ship. He remained under the parental roof, first settled on his land in Greencastle Town- ship refused to conform to the universal custom of furnishing whisky during harvest time and at house-raisings and log-rollings, although threatened to be " tabooed " from near May's Lick, Madison County, : an adopted daughter - May, whom they Kentucky, September 15, 1815, son of Rich- ard S. and Elizabeth (Cahill) Tennant. Hle was reared a farmer, and came to this county with his parents when he was fifteen years of age, settling on land in Greencastle Town- until he reached his majority, then went to farming on his own account in Greencastle Township. He improved his land and re- siled on it until 1884. when he removed to the suburbs of Greencastle City, though still | such gatherings and to be deprived of the


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HISTORY OF PUTNAM COUNTY.


assistance of his neighbors on such occasions. But Mr. Tennant proved to them that a cup of good coffee was fully as nourishing as the whisky; that the latter, instead of giving strength, wasted it, and was a curse to all who indulged in it.


ANIEL W. LAYMAN, M. D., one of the most prominent practicing physi- cians of Putnamville, was born in Franklin County, Pennsylvania, September 24, 1808. son of Phillip and Catherine (Wanderly) Layman, of German ancestry. and also natives of Pennsylvania. The mother died in that State when our subjeet was four years old, after which he lived with his grand- parents. The father died in Putnamville. abont 1869. They had four children, two sons and two daughters. Daniel W. went with his grandparents to Angusta County, Virginia, soon after his mother's death. He was educated at the University of Virginia, graduating at the medical depart- ment in 1524. He practiced in Pennsylvania two years, and in 1831 came to this county, since which time he has been engaged in the practice of his profession. Dr. Layman was formerly a Democrat in politics, In 1840 he voted the Whig ticket, but has been a Re- publican since the organization of that party. He was the first postmaster at Putnamville, appointed in 1832, and held the office several years. In April. 1532, the doctor was married to Mary Townsend. born in Union County, Kentucky, March 3, 1812. and daughter of James Townsend, the proprietor of Putnam- ville. He was born in Maryland and removed to Morganfield, Union County, Kentucky. He came here in 1828. and afterward sold ont his interest here and removed to Clay County, where he lived until his decease.




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