USA > Indiana > Vermillion County > Biographical and historical record of Vermillion County, Indiana : containing portraits of all the presidents of the United States from Washington to Cleveland, with accompanying biographies of each; a condensed history of the state of Indiana; portraits and biographies of some of the prominent men of the state; engravings of prominent citizens in Vermillion county, with personal histories of many of the leading families, and a concise history of the county and its villages > Part 32
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young, and died at Covington not long after- ward. Mrs. Payton with her five children, of whom Mrs. Downing was the eldest, in 1827 moved to Vermillion County, where all died with the exception of Mrs. Downing and Mrs. Margaret Mitchell, of Clinton. The mother was again married to James Booher, who died in 1845. She died in February, 1849, aged fifty-five years. The two children born to her second marriage are deceased. Mrs. Downing was first married December 20, 1829, to Thomas J. IIiatt, who died March 3, 1834. She married Jonathan Downing December 20, 1834. Jonathan was twice married, taking for his first wife Miss Eve Hammond, who died October 23, 1828. She left at her death two children whose names are Mrs. Delilah Doty, now living in Madison County, and Mrs. Perie Charlton, who died at Tuscola, Illinois. Decatur Down- ing, whose name heads this sketch, has been all his life identified with Vermillion County, and has always taken an active interest in promoting any enterprise which tends to- ward its advancement. His educational ad- vantages were limited to the common sehools of the county, and of these he made good use. and in the broadest sense he may be ealled a self-made man. But thirteen years old when his father died he was taken into the home of John Payton, his maternal unele, with whom he remained as an employe in his warehouse and mercantile establishment, until twenty-two years of age, and during this time he laid the foundation of his suc- cessful business eareer. When twenty-two years old he became a partner in his uncle's business at Toronto, Vermillion County, which business relation existed until 1873. Mr. Downing was married October 18, 1860, to Miss Matilda Richardson, who was born in Clinton Township, Vermillion County, March 7. 1842, a daughter of William A.
Richardson. She died at Toronto November 30, 1873. Clearing his business relations with his uncle, Mr. Downing with his only surviving child, Saralı Eliza, who was born Angust 29, 1861, again established his resi- dence in Clinton. IIe has lost two children: Frank, who died October 9, 1865, aged over three years, and Blanche, who died July 24, 1869, aged six months and thirteen days. Since returning to Clinton Mr. Downing has been one of the active business men of the place. In 1875 lie became senior member of the firm of Downing & Nelson, dealers in produee and agricultural implements. In 1876 the firm was changed to Downing & Hamilton, erecting a large warehouse to ac- commodate their increased trade. This firm continued until 1887, when Mr, Downing re- tired from the business. September 21, 1886, he married for his second wife Mrs. Sarah Sophia, (Jaques) IIaselett, a daughter of John and Mary (Vannest) Jaques, and a grand- daughter of John Vannest, the first settler of Vermillion County. She was born near the pioneer home of her grandfather in Clinton Township, March 9, 1844. She was first married to William J. Haselett, who was born in Putnam County, Indiana. July 15, 1843, and to this union were born four children -- Mallie B., Edith L., William J. and Emma G., the third child, who died aged two years. Besides his fine residence and other property in Clinton Mr. Downing owns three farms in Clinton Township aggregating 570 acres. In politics he was identified with the Republican party from its organization until within the past few years. In 1886 he was the candi- date on the National Labor Reform party and endorsed by the Republican party for elec- tion to the Indiana General Assembly in his district comprising Sullivan, Vigo and Ver- million counties, and although having a plu- rality of 1,200 votes toovercome was defeated
J.
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only by thirty votes, which shows the esteem in which he is held among the men whom he has lived so long. Ile has served as com- missioner of Vermillion County several years with honor to himself and to the satisfaction of his constituents.
HOMAS CUSHMAN, deputy treasurer of Vermillion County, is one of the veteran officials of the county. Ile is a pioneer of the county, loeating in Perrys- ville in January, 1836, where he resided until 1872, when he was elected auditor of the county, and moved to Newport, where he has since lived. He was born in Onondaga County, New York, October 15, 1814. IIis father, Seth Cushman, was born in the State of New York and was a direct deseendant of Robert Cushman who came to America in the Mayflower in 1620. IIe was reared in his native State and there married Nancy Run- yan, a native of the same State, of English descent, her parents belonging to a prominent family in New England who later settled in New York. In the spring of 1818 Seth Cushman moved with his family to Sullivan County, Indiana. Immigrating West seventy years ago was a slow and tedious undertaking. Several families accompanied Mr. Cushman, the party going by ox team to Olean, New York, when they constructed a flat-boat and floated down the Alleghany and Ohio rivers to Evansville. Here they separated, each family going its own way. Mr. Cushman, bought a team at Evansville and went north to Princeton, where he spent the winter. The following spring he went to Sullivan County, and pre-empted forty acres of land which he began to improve. His family at that time consisted of eight children, their ages ranging from two to twenty years. Mr. Cushman
did not live long to see his pioncer home develop and the country around it become improved. From the effect of exposure and the malarial character of the country he con- tracted disease which resulted in his death in the spring of 1821. He was reared a Quaker, and possessed that high moral and religions nature, characteristic of that sect. Honest and npright in all his dealings, he and his wife were worthy representatives of that brave pioneer element that is fast passing away. After the death of the father the family remained together and the boys continued the improvement of the farm and also added to it. In 1829, when fifteen years of age, Thomas went to Vincennes and obtained employment in the store of Tomlinson & Ross, where he remained five years. He then went to Perrysville, and engaged in general merchandising with George Bishop and R. D. Moffatt. In 1841 Mr. Bishop withdrew and the firm of Moffatt & Cushman continued until Mr. Cushman's removal to Newport in 1872. Mr. Cushman was married in Perrysville, in 1847, to Susan E. Firth, a native of Kentucky, where her parents died when she was a child and she and a sister afterward had a home with Elijah Roseberry and with him eame to Vermillion County in 1844. Mrs. Cushman died in March, 1859, leaving five children, only one of whom is living-William J., now of Danville, Illinois. In 1862 Mr. Cushman married Mary A. Baxter, widow of Dr. John S. Baxter. She died in July, 1883, leaving a daughter, Carrie Glanton, now the wife of William L. Galloway, of Wichita, Kansas. Mr. Cush- man began life poor and whatever snceess he has gained has been due to his own efforts. In early life he was a Whig, but since its organization has been allied to the Republican party. His first presidential vote was east for General Harrison in 1840. There never
HISTORY OF VERMILLION COUNTY.
having been a society of Friends formed in Newport, Mr. Cushman has cast his lot with the Methodists.
AMES A. ELDER, section 3, IFelt Town- ship, is a native of Brown County, Ohio, born October 2, 1822, a son of Samuel and Mary (MeCane) Elder, his father a native of Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, and his mother of Ireland. His grandfather, Samuel Elder, was a native of Ireland, and came to America soon after his marriage. Samuel Elder, Jr., left his native State in 1816, and moved to Brown County, Ohio, where he lived until 1832, when he moved to Vermillion County, Indiana, and settled in IIelt Township, where his wife died in 1852. In the sminmer of 1869 he went to New York to visit friends, and died there July 6, of that year. James A. Elder was reared on a farm in Vermillion County, and was educated in the log cabin schools. He has always devoted his attention to farming, and has been, as a result of economy and good management, snecessful, and now owns a fine farm of 423 acres where he resides, and also 143 acres in Edgar Connty, Illinois. Ile makes a specialty of stoek-raising, and has some very fine graded varieties of both cattle and hogs. Ile takes pride in having his farm and stoek equal to any in the county, and devotes his entire attention to improving his property. He takes an inter- est in the material welfare of the county, but prefers to leave the duties devolving on an offieeholder to those who have such aspira- tions, his time being taken up with his own private business, although he has served three years on the board of county commis- sioners. Mr. Elder was married April 1, 1852, to Euphamia Sheely, daughter of George
Sheely. She died the following August, and Jannary 18, 1855, Mr. Elder married Mary, daughter of James Morgan. To them were born two children- George and Harriet. George married Mattie Temple, and is living in lIelt Township; Harriet is the wife of Oscar Gibson, of Newport. Mrs. Elder died November 10, 1862. March 26, 1864, Mr. Elder married Mrs. Julia A. Fisher, daughter of Richard Dicken, who died December 13, 1875, leaving two children-Clara A., wife of Fisher MeRoberts, and Samnel. Febrnary 1, 1877, Mr. Elder married Snsan R., daugh- ter of Adna Beach. Ile and his wife are members of the Presbyterian church.
LDRIDGE HARLAN, farmer and stock- raiser, seetion 17, Vermillion Township, is a native of Vermillion County, born November 30, 1840, a son of Cornelius C. and Martha (Tate) Harlan, natives of Tenn- essee, of English deseent. IIis paternal an- eestors eame to America in an carly day, four brothers coming together, two of them set- tling in Tennessee, one in North Carolina, and one in Kentneky. After his marriage, Cornelius Harlan eame to Indiana and bought 200 acres of land in Vermillion County, and on this farm our subject was reared and early learned the lessons that have been of benefit to him since he commenced life for himself. When he started for himself he had $180, and from this beginning he has kept on until he is now one of the prosperous farmers of the township. His homestead contains 170 acres of valuable land, and his residence and farm buildings are comfortable and commodi- ons. He has made a specialty of dealing in and raising stock, and has made a success of this enterprise. When his father located on his farm it was a tract of wild land, and the
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improvements have all been made by him, and in all his labor he has been ably assisted by his estimable wife. Mr. Harlan was mar- ried in 1864, to Matilda Merriman, who was born in Vermillion County in 1838, a dangh- ter of Manson P. and Anna (Campbell) Mer- riman. Mr. and Mrs. Harlan have four children-Laura, Calla, Thomas C. and Josie B. Their two eldest daughters have taught several terms in this and Vigo counties, and are both sneeessful and popular teachers. The eldest daughter, Laura, will graduate in the State Normal in 1888. Mr. Harlan is a member of the Masonie fraternity, Lodge No. 209. In polities he is a Demoerat.
OHN BRINDLEY, fariner and stock- raiser, seetion 9, Vermillion Township, was born in Harrison County, Indiana, January 4, 1825, a son of George and Saralı (Blunk) Brindley, natives of Kentucky, of German deseent, the father born June 20, 1800, died in 1878, and the mother born in 1806, died Mareh 3, 1867. The parents eame with their family to Vermillion County in 1828, and lived here the rest of their lives. They had a family of thirteen ehil- dren, six of whom are living-Margaret, wife of Rev. Joshua Rogers, of Decatur; John; Andrew, of Perrysville; Eli, George, and Susanna, wife of Edward Brown. They were members of the United Brethren church, and were held in high esteem by all the old set- tlers who shared with them the hardships and pleasures of pioneer life. John Brindley was reared in Vermillion Township, and now owns 129 acres of its best land. When he started in life for himself he was without means but by habits of industry he has ac- quired a good property. Ile was married September 3. 1846, to Sarah, daughter of
John and Julia A. (Breimer) Luellen, natives of Pennsylvania, of Welsh and German de- seent. Mr. and Mrs. Brindley have had five children, three of whom are living-Franeis L. married Emma J. Reeder, and has three children-Morris A., Eva A. and Lney B., Thomas E. married Charity Ratliff; Alonzo married Lucy Merriman, and lives on the home farm. In politics Mr. Brindley is a Democrat.
M ELVILLE B. CARTER, a prominent eitizen of Newport, was born and reared in Highland Township, Ver- million County, a son of Absalom and Sid- ney (Chenoweth) Carter, who were among the pioneers of Vermillion County, coming from Ohio, their native State, in an early day. The father was a man of mueh intelligence, and became one of the leading men in the early history of the county. He taught sehool at Perrysville, this county, for many years, and also held the position of justice of the peace, for some time. He subsequently removed to Baltimore, Warren County, Indiana, where he lived a considerable time, but finally re- turned to Perrysville, where he died, when the subject of the sketeli was a boy. IIis wife was a daughter of John Chenoweth, an early settler of Highland Township. She died in Perrysville in 1881. They were the parents of two children-Sylvanns, who was a soldier in the war of the Rebellion, a mem- ber of Company K, Sixth Indiana Cavalry, and died at Knoxville, Tennessee, in 1863; and Melville B., the subject of this sketch. Melville B. Carter was also a soldier in the late war, enlisting in 1861 in Company B, Eleventh Indiana Infantry, and was in active serviee over four years. IIe was at the bat- tle of Fort Donelson, and at the battle of
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Shiloh under General Lew Wallace, and also took part in the battle of Champion Ifills and siege of Vieksburg. IIe was then trans- ferred east, and participated in the engage- inents at Winchester and Cedar Creek. IIe was mnstered out of the service in August, 1865, having escaped withont wounds, but returning home with his health somewhat impaired. Mr. Carter was united in marriage to Miss Fanny Moffatt, a daughter of Walter B. Moffatt, of Perrysville. She died in 1869, leaving at her death a daughter named Grace. After the war Mr. Carter engaged in farming in Highland Township, which he followed successfully until 1886. In the fall of that year he was elected, on the Republi- can tieket, recorder of Vermillion County, as sneeessor to C. S. Davis, who had filled the office about nine years. Since assuming the duties of the office Mr. Carter has given entire satisfaction, making an efficient and popular county officer.
RANCIS M. BISHOP of Clinton, was born in Sturbridge, Massachusetts, De- eember 27, 1833, but since boyhood his life has been spent in Indiana, and sinee 1852 at Clinton. His father, Iliram Bishop, was born at Manchester, Conneetient, and early in life he was left an orphan. Ile was then adopted by Mr. Uriah Childs, and while in his teens was thrown upon his own re- sources. Ile learned the carpenter's trade which he followed until within a few years of his death. Ile was married November 25, 1830, in Connecticut, to Miss Sabrina Chapman, and several children were born to them, among whom was Edwin C., who was killed at the battle of Cedar Creek, Virginia, while bravely carrying the colors of his regi- ment, the Eighteenth Indiana Volunteers;
Mrs. Sarah Vannest, who died at home in 1868, leaving one son named Edwin; and Francis Marion, the subject of this sketeh. IIiram Bishop eame with his family to Clin- ton, Vermillion County, in 1852, to construet the wagon bridge across the Wabash, which still stands as a monument to the mechanical skill of an early day. He purchased prop- erty in Clinton, and became a permanent eitizen. IIe was an active, enterprising man, and did mneh toward building up the town, erecting a number of residences and public buildings. IIe was a member of the Odd Fellows order. He was a consistent Christian, and a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. IIe was a man of strong convictions, and great moral courage, and was among the few who early, fearlessly and openly espoused the cause of abolition, and waged war upon slavery. He died at his home in Clinton, March 12, 1875. His widow, Mrs. Sabrina Bishop, was born at Ashford, Conneetient, July 1, 1810, inheriting a strong New Eng- land constitution which has carried her through the many vicissitudes of life for seventy-seven years. She is still actively en- gaged in business at Clinton. She is a mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal church, and is highly esteemed by all who know her. Francis M. Bishop, whose name heads this sketch, after reaching manhood, learned the marble cutter's trade at Terre HIante, and subsequently established marble works at Clinton, which he eondneted until 1868, sinee which time he has been engaged in painting and decorating. He was married in 1858 to Miss Melinda Anderson, of Perrysville, this county, who died in February, 1871, leaving three children-Lucins O., now editor and proprietor of the Saturday Argus at Clinton; Edwin A., engaged in a mercantile establish- ment at Frankfort, Indiana, and Ella. Mr. Bishop was again united in marriage in Sep-
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tember, 1875, taking for his second wife Miss Jennie Highfill, of Newport, Vermillion County. Two children have been born to bless this union, their names being Floy, and Ethel. Ilis second wife died at her home in Clinton, June 28, 1886.
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OIIN II. LINN, manager of the " Flour Exchange," Dana, Indiana, is a native of Ohio, born in Hocking County, October 9, 1843, a son of Adam Linn, who was born in Guernsey County, Ohio, his father, Joseph Linn, being a pioneer of that county. John II. was raised in his native State on a farm, remaining at home until after the breaking out of the Rebellion; when, at the age of eighteen he enlisted in Company I, Seventy- fifth Ohio Infantry. IIe served three years and nearly three months, and participated in several active engagements. During the time of service he was eighteen months in the city of Baltimore, Maryland, on special detail, and finally discharged at Jacksonville, Florida. After his return from the war, he taught school in Ohio for eight years, then came to Montezuma, Indiana, where he was employed for six years in the grain business by Col. E. M. Benson. While in Montezuma, he was assessor of Reserve Township two years, and twice elected clerk of the Town Board. Ile moved to Dana in 1882, where he has since lived. He is a staunch Democrat, and noted for his unshrinking fidelity to the principles of sobriety, integrity, industry and economy. Ile is now president of the Town Board of Dana, and enjoys the honor of being its prin- eipal incorporator. Mr. Linn was married February 25, 1866, to Nancy J. Crawford. Four children have been born to them, two of whom are living-Carrie A. and Ralph W. Their eldest daughter, Alice M., died aged
sixteen years, and Flora, their youngest daughter, at the early age of one year and one month. Mr. and Mrs. Linn are both members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
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M ILO J. RUDY, of Perrysville, is a son of Jacob Rudy, who was a native of Switzerland, and came to America when a boy with his father, Martin Rudy. Jacob was the eldest of four children. Ile was reared in Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, where he learned the shoemaker's trade, and was married to Catherine Lilly. In the fall of 1833 he moved to Indiana, and the following year to Vermillion County, and settled in Highland Township, about a mile south of Perrysville, where for several years he worked at his trade, and the latter part of his life was engaged in farming. About 1842 he moved to Wisconsin, where his wife died soon after, and the family then returned to Vermillion County, and here the father died in the fall of 1880. IIe was married the second time after his return to this county. To his first marriage were born four children, three sons and one daughter. Martin, who besides on the homestead, and Milo J. being the only surviving members of the family. Catherine and Jolin died in childhood. Mr. Rudy was an industrious man, and although he was poor when he came to this county, he worked hard at his trade and with the money earned invested it in real estate, which ad- vanced in value, and made him wealthy, enabling him to leave his sons considerable property. Ile possessed in a large degree that spirit of economy and energy character- istic of the German people, and was a worthy, respected citizen. Milo J. Rudy was born in Vermillion County, Indiana, in 1840. HIe was married in 1869 to Miss Sophia S. Seas ,
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HISTORY OF VERMILLION COUNTY.
who was born in Floyd County, Indiana, a daughter of Samuel and Harriet Seas. Sam- uel Seas was born January 30, 1807, in Cum- berland, Alleghany County, Maryland, and in 1832 moved to Illinois, and two years later to Vermillion County, Indiana, where he married Harriet English, December 21, 1834. They afterward moved to Floyd County, and subsequently returned to Perrysville, and in 1868 went to Covington, Indiana, where Mr. Seas died in September, 1875. Mrs. Seas died January 31, 1880. She was born December 13, 1818. They had a family of six children, Mrs. Rudy being the only one who lived till maturity. Mrs. Seas is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Seas is a worthy member of the Vermillion Lodge, Knights of Pythias, No. 113; also a member of the Unity Lodge, F. and A. M., No. 344 ..
HIOMAS W. BELL, tailor, Engene, is a native of Pennsylvania, born March 31, 1825, his father, Thomas Bell, being a native of Ireland. The latter came to the United States with his widowed mother during the Revolutionary war, his brother, Jolın Bell, having served seven years in that memorable struggle. Thomas W., our sub- ject, learned the tailor's trade at his birth- place, and worked at it in various places in Pennsylvania. He went to New Middletown, Ohio, in 1849, but shortly after went to Dar- lington, thenee to Beaver, Pennsylvania. From Beaver he removed to Vernon, Indiana, remaining there six months. Ile lived in different places in Indiana until September, 1850, since which time he has been a resident of Eugene. Ile was married in April, 1853, to Miss Melinda Bennett, a daughter of Cray- ton Bennett, and their two sons, William and David W., are numbered among the enter-
prising young business men of Engene. Mr. Bell was a soldier in the war of the Rebell- ion, serving eight months in Company E, One Hundred and Forty-ninth Indiana In- fantry.
OHN HI. BOGART, M. D., of Clinton, and the oldest resident physician of Ver- million County, is a native of this county, born in Helt Township June 27, 1845, a son of IIenry and Sarah I. (Wishard) Bogart, both of whom came to the county when young. The father of our subjeet died when the latter was six months old. The mother is now living in Clinton, where she has resided since 1850. She is now the widow of Benja- min F. Morey, whom she married about 1852. Dr. Bogart, our subjeet, is the only living child of his father. IIe commenced the study of medicine under Dr. I. B. IIedges in 1866 at Clinton, and in 1867-'68 he at- tended lectures at the Michigan State Univer- sity at Ann Arbor, graduating from that institution in 1869, and the same year began the practice of medicine at Clinton, where he has gained a large and lucrative practice. Dr. Bogart was married May 14, 1872, to Miss Melissa A. Nebeker, who was also born in Helt Township, Vermillion County, in 1852, a danghter of Aquilla Nebeker. Both of her parents are deceased. They are the parents of two children-Paul and Zoua. The doctor owns quite large interests in city property, besides two well improved farms, one being the old Nebeker homestead in IIelt Township. Dr. Bogart enlisted in the war of the Rebellion in November, 1863, in Com- pany C, One Ilundred and Twenty-third In- diana Infantry, his regiment being assigned to the Twenty-third Army Corps under Gen- eral Schofield. He subsequently joined Sher-
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man's army and was in the campaign against Atlanta. During the last year he was a hos- pital steward. In polities he is a Republi- ean, and from 1876 until 1880 he held the office of treasurer of Vermillion County. IIe is a member of the Masonic fraternity, be- longing to Jerusalem Lodge, No. 99, of Terre Haute Chapter, No. 11, and Comman- dery No. 16.
OHIN O. ROGERS, one of the enterpris- ing farmers of Helt Township, was born in Vermillion Township, January 8, 1827, and has always lived within three miles of his birthplace. Ile was a son of John Rogers, who was a native of Ireland, and in 1789 accompanied his father, James Rogers, to the United States and located in Kentucky, and from there moved to Chillicothe, Ohio, where James Rogers built one of the first houses in the place. An unele of our sub- ject, Samuel Rogers, was captured by the In- dians during the Indian war in Kentucky, but eseaped and took with him an Indian gun and shot-poneh and strap of an Ameri- ean offieer which the Indians had taken from a soldier. The strap is now in the possession of our subjeet, who values it as an inter- esting heirloom. In 1824 John Rogers came to Vermillion County and settled on HIelt's Prairie, then a wild, uninhabited traet. John O. was born on the prairie, three miles north- east of Dana, and here he has spent his life. He was reared a farmer, and has made agri- eulture the vocation of his life. Ile now owns 400 aeres of fine land, divided into three farms, the greater part of the land under cultivation. Mr. Rogers was married December 8, 1870, to Ruth Kerus, a daughter of William Kerns. She died in 1876 leaving two children-William and Irvin. In Au-
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