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 33
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gust, 1877, Mr. Rogers married Rebecca IIntson, daughter of David IIutson. They have one daughter-Saralı. Mr. and Mrs. Rogers are members of the Methodist Epis- eopal church. Mr. Rogers has served as jus- tiee of the peace sixteen years.
M G. RHOADS, a prominent attorney of Vermillion, and the oldest legal practitioner at Newport, is a native of Indiana, born in Haneock County, Septem- ber 28, 1836. Ilis father, George Rhoads, was born in the State of Pennsylvania, of German deseent. He was married to Miss Sarah Geiger, and to them were born six children, all of whom are still living-Mrs. Eliza Young, a resident of. Putnam County, Indiana; Henry E. and William F., living at Waveland; George, a practicing physician at Shelbyville, Illinois; Baskin E., a prominent attorney at Terre Haute, and formerly judge of the Superior Court, and Martin G., the subjeet of this sketch. In the fall of 1835 the father eame with his family, then con- sisting of wife and five children, to Indiana, making the journey in a one-horse wagon. The father then entered eighty acres of land in Haneoek County, but soon after disposed of this purchase and removed to Parke County, where he remained about two years. Ile then settled at Waveland, Montgomery Coun- ty, where he died June 20, 1875, at the age of seventy-six years. ITis widow, the mother of our subjeet, was born in 1797, and is now living with her son at Waveland. Martin G. Rhoads was educated at the academy at Waveland preparing for the junior class of the college, but owing to an affliction of his eyes he was prevented from taking the college course. For a considerable time he followed the teacher's profession, becoming a popular
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HISTORY OF VERMILLION COUNTY.
and very successful instructor. He began the study of law during the war of the Rebellion, and was admitted to the bar at Newport, Indiana, in August, 1865, and since that time has been constantly engaged in practice, and his career as a lawyer has been a success- ful one. Ile began the practice of law with his brother, Judge Rhoads, with whom he was associated until about 1877. He is now a member of the firm of Rhoads & Aikman, this firm having been formed but recently. Mr. Rhoads was united in marriage to Miss Fannie Moffatt, a daughter of Robert D. Moffatt, of Perrysville, and they are the parents of two children-Paul Moffatt and Ilelen. Mr. Rhoads was surveyor of Ver- million County for a term of two years. In polities he is a Republican and is a strong adherent and an able exponent of the princi- ples of the party of his choice.
OBERT BALLENTINE STOKES, a worthy representative of one of the old pioncer families of Vermillion County, was born in Franklin County, Ohio, the date of his birth being September 15, 1810. He is the only surviving son of Matthew and Harminah Stokes, the father born June 27, 1774. Nathaniel Stokes, the grandfather of our subject, was a native of North Carolina, from which State he removed to Kentucky. Later he settled with his family at Columbia, near Cincinnati, Ohio, and during his resi- dence at that place lie and his son Matthew worked at Cineinnati. In 1791 when St. Clair was defeated by Indians at Fort Recov- ery, Ohio, Matthew Stokes assisted in bury- ing the dead slain by the Indians. IIe was married in Ohio to HIarminah Skidmore, a descendant of a prominent Kentucky family. They had a family of nine children, eight of ; in his agricultural pursuits, and is now
whom grew to maturity and had families of their own. Their danghter, Mrs. Mary Skid- more Winsett, of Edgar County, Illinois, who was born February 14, 1822, and Robert B., the subject of this sketch, are the only sur- vivors of the family at the present writing. Soon after his marriage Matthew Stokes settled near Columbus in Franklin County, where he lived until 1820, when he started with his family for the Wabash. They went down the Scioto River to the Ohio, thence to the mouth of the Wabash and up the Wabash to Clinton. After living four years on Helt's Prairie the family settled two miles south of Newport, where the father made his home until his death December 16, 1840. IIis wife was born January 1, 1779, and died in the year 1835. Robert Ballentine Stokes, whose name heads this sketch, was a lad of ten years when he came with his father's family to Vermillion County, where he has since lived, a period of sixty-seven years. Ile was married January 31, 1833, to Miss Rebecca Wallace, a native of Virginia, and a daughter of William Wallace, one of the early pioneers of Vermillion County, settling here in 1829. He was bereaved by the death of his wife November 25, 1874, after journey- ing down life's pathway together for fifty years. She was a consistent Christian, a . member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and was beloved by all who knew her. Of the six children born to them, one son, Robert Finley, is the only one living. He was born in Vermillion County, February 14, 1843, and is living on the old homestead of his father. Isabella, wife of John Stakley, died February 22, 1870; James W. was born January 1, 1841, and died February 10, 1867; and three died in infancy. Mr. Stokes entered a tract of eighty aeres in Vermillion Township, in 1832, and has succeeded well
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enjoying the fruits of his years of toil, sur- rounded with all the necessary comforts of life. During his residence here he has taken a deep interest in the welfare of his township, and no one in this section of the country is more highly respected than he. Although a member of no church, he has a great respect for religion. He has always been a great Bible reader and tries to live according to its precepts.
EZIN METZGER, of Perrysville, is a representative of one of the early pio- neer families of Vermillion County, his father, Jonas Metzger, having settled here with his family as early as 1828. The father was a native of Pennsylvania, born December 7, 1793. When a young man he went to Ohio, and was married in that State Decem- ber 24, 1818, to Miss Mary Craig, who was born in Ohio, June 4, 1803. They reared a family of twelve children, six sons and six daughters, to maturity, of whom six are still living-David H., the eldest son, now living in Kansas, was born October 13, 1819, was a soldier in the war of the Rebellion, serving three years in Company B, One Hundred and Thirteenth Illinois Infantry; Rezin, the sub- ject of this sketeh; Mrs. Sarah Ann Simpson, living in Dakota; Mrs. Indiann Glover, re- siding in Greene County, Missouri; Mrs. Ann Maria Runyon, of Vermillion County, Illi- nois, and Mrs. Martha Ann Mckibben, living in Florida. On coming to Vermillion County, Indiana, the family settled on the Big Ver- million River in Eugene Township, living on what is now known as the Shelby farm some five years. The father then bought a farm in Highland Township, about three miles north of Perrysville, where he lived with his family until 1865, when the infirmities of 22
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age compelled him to retire from aetive labor, and he purchased a home in Perrys- ville, where he lived until his death, which Occurred February 29, 1872. He was a soldier in the war of 1812, serving under Captain Shelby, of Kentucky. He was reared to the avocation of a farmer, which he fol- lowed until he retired from active life. Ile was a man of striet integrity, esteemed by all for his honest, upright character, and left as an inheritance to his children a name of which they may well be proud. He was a man of strong religions principles, striving to do right at all times. In politics he was a Whig in early life, but was identified with the Republican party from its organization. His widow still survives, and is living with her son, Rezin, at the advanced age of eighty- four years. Rezin Metzger, whose name heads this sketch, is a native of Vermillion County, Indiana, born in Highland Town- ship, August 23, 1837, and has always made his home in his native county. He lived with his parents until his marriage, after which they made their home with him, and his mother, who is now rendered helpless by the infirmities of age, is his especial eare, and he is happy in surrounding her with all the necessary comforts of life. In July, 1862, Mr. Metzger enlisted in the Seventy-first In- diana Infantry, and August 30, 1862, only about a month after he entered the service, he received a severe gun-shot wound in the right hip at the battle of Richmond, Ken- tucky. Ilis injury rendered him unfit for further duty in the army, and he has never fully recovered from the effects of this wound. IIe was married December 31, 1868, to Miss Roxy F. Jones, a native of Crawfordsville, Indiana, and daughter of A. T. Jones, and to them have been born four children, named William, Grace, Daisy and Jonas. Mr. Metzger ever endeavors to follow the pre-
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HISTORY OF VERMILLION COUNTY.
cepts and example of his father, who instilled into the minds of his children the principles of well doing. Politically Mr. Metzger is a Republican, casting his first Presidential vote in 1860 for Abraham Lincoln.
A LEXANDER KINDERMANN, a prominent and skillful physician and surgeon, residing at Eugene, was born December 5, 1858, in Eugene Township, this county, where the town of Cayuga now stands. His father, Gottfried Kindermann, being a farmer, he was reared to the same avocation, and received his education in the common schools of Eugene. He read medi- cine under the preceptorship of Dr. W. C. Eichelberger, now of Terre Haute, Indiana, and February 21, 1883, he graduated from Rush Medical College, of Chicago, Illinois, standing at the head of his class. He took special courses in eye and ear, dental surgery and dermatology, and while in college, and also after his graduation he practiced surgery with eminent success. He engaged in the practice of medicine in Eugene, March 14, 1883, and being well versed in the knowledge of his chosen profession, he has succeeded in establishing a large and lucrative practice. He is a member of the Alumni of Chicago. Gottfried Kindermann, the father of our sub- ject, resides on section 18, Eugene Township, where he is engaged in farming and stock- raising. He is a native of Prussia, Germany, born March 26, 1826, a son of Hohan Her- man Kindermann. He was a soldier in the Prussian army three years and four months, serving through the French Revolution and the Danish war, and during that time sent the money he earned to his mother. Ile was married in his native country in 1855, to Miss Fredricka Heidbreider, and to them
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were born six children, three still living- Ilohan F., of Vermillion Township, married Lena IIahn; Alexander, our subject, and Samuel, married Sally Hahn and has one son named Gottfried. The father came to Amer- ica in 1856, landing at New York City with but little means, and this was soon used for hotel and railroad accommodations. Ile soon came to Vermillion County, Indiana, and settled in Eugene Township, where he has since made his home. When he landed in Eugene he was in debt to the amount of $54, and to-day he is the owner of a fine farm of 240 acres, which he has acquired by his own untiring industry and perseverance, and is classed among the successful and most re- spected citizens of his township. Both he and his wife are members of the Lutheran church.
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M. DAVIS, a prominent agriculturist of Vermillion County, engaged in farming, and raising and dealing in stock in Vermillion Township, is a represent- ative of one of the old pioneer families of the county, He is a son of Benjamin and Ruth (Sears) Davis, his parents being of Scotch and German descent. They came to Vermillion County in 1834, where they made their home until death, the father dying in 1854 at the age of sixty-four years, and the mother in 1869, aged sixty-two years. They were the parents of twelve children, of whom only two are living-F. M. and Daniel. F. M. Davis is a native of Vermillion County, the date of his birth being February 10, 1838. He was reared to the avocation of a farmer which he has made his life work. Ilis edu- cational advantages were very limited, but by close observation lic acquired a good business education. Ile being the eldest son, the care
Dr. Cley, Kindermann
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and responsibility of his mother and her eleven children rested on him after his father's death, and for eighteen years he was the mainstay of the family. Ile was married in" Vermillion County in 1871, to Miss Sarah E. Bennett, who was born on the farm where she now resides, October 9, 1851. Of the eight children born to this union only three are living-Martha, Ida and Noah. Five died in infaney. Mr. Davis commenced life a poor boy, entirely without capital, and his success has been due to his own efforts, and to-day he is elassed among the prosperous men of his township. Ile is now the owner of a fine farm on section 9, Vermillion Town- ship, containing 152 aeres, beside which he owns 100 aeres of land in another part of the county. Quiet in manners, and of industri- ons habits, upright and honorable in all his dealings he has gained the confidence and es- teem of all who know him. In politics he affiliates with the Democratie party. Ile is a member of the United Brethren church.
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AMES S. ROGERS, an old settler of Vermillion County, was born in Frank- lin County, Ohio, July 26, 1813, a son of John Rogers, who was born in County Monaghan, Ireland, who came to America in 1789. In 1824 James S. eame with his parents to Vermillion County, Indiana, and settled on Helt's Prairie, where he grew to manhood, his youth being spent in assisting his father improve a frontier farm. He learned the wagon-maker's trade when a young man, at which he worked about eighteen years. In 1877 he moved to Dana, where for ten years he has been an honored eitizen. February 5, 1835, he was married to Margaret Wallace, daughter of William Wallace, an early settler of Vermillion Township. Their
only son, John W., is deceased. Ile married Sarah J. Carmack, daughter of Andrew Car- mack, of Vermillion Township. Mrs. Rogers died in 1878. Mr. Rogers is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
ACOB ILES, one of the old and respeeted pioneers of Vermillion County, who is now deceased, was born in Rockingham County, Virginia, May 10, 1791, a son of IIenry Iles, who was a native of Germany. llis father was a soldier in the United States service during the war of the Revolution. Jacob Iles was a tailor by trade. Ile left his native State for Ohio, when a young man, and in the winter of 1820-'21, he located at Terre Haute, Indiana. Ile was married Jan- uary 1, 1822, to Miss IIannah Stevenson, and to them were born six children, three of whom died in childhood. Those yet living are-Mrs. Martha J. Naylor, James B. and Jacob H. Mr. Iles entered land in Ver- million County, Indiana, one mile north of Eugene at the first Government land sale here, and later he entered inneh land in Illi- nois. Ile removed with his family to his land near Eugene in 1829, when Indians and wild animals were numerous, and here they ex- perienced many of the vicissitudes of pioneer life. Mr. Iles died July 29, 1863, his widow surviving until March 23, 1886. They were honored and respected people and beloved by all who knew them.
M ATTHEW W. SCOTT, retired farmer, and now residing in the city of Clinton, Vermillion County, Indiana, has been identified with the interests of the county since October 12, 1847, when he cs-
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HISTORY OF VERMILLION COUNTY.
tablished his residence on seetfon 15, Clinton Township. Ile bought 160 aeres of land which was covered with a heavy growth of timber and with his limited means the work of elearing and improving it depended upon his determination to sneeeed in spite of all obstacles, as time went he invested his earn- ings in land until he was the owner of 810 aeres, nearly all of which is in one tract, and the most of it in cultivated fields or in pas- ture land, only about sixty acres being re- served for timber. A portion has been given to his children, but he still retains 485 acres, divided into three farms which are leased. He also has several residence lots in Clinton, three of which are improved and occupied by tenants. January 5, 1882, Mr. Seott moved to Clinton, and is now living on West street where he has a fine residence, and has settled down to enjoy the fruits of his many years of toil and hardship. Mr. Scott was born in Jefferson County, Indiana, February 17, 1823, a son of Joseph and Rebecca (Cruson) Seott, his father a native of Fleming County, Kentucky, born September 30, 1797, and his mother born near Manchester, Ohio. They were married in Ohio, where the father had lived from the age of eleven years. The mother died at the age of forty-six years, the father surviving her many years and dying at the age of seventy-five years. To them were born nine children who lived till ma- turity, but five of whom are living-John, Joseph, Matthew W., Mary A. and Asenath. Matthew was the fifth of the family. He was reared to the vocation of a farmer, which he has followed through life, and by his in- dustrious habits and persevering energy lias met with good snecess. Ile has shipped con- siderable stock to Chicago, and also shipped some to Cincinnati and Indianapolis. He made two trips on the Mississippi River in the years of 1842-'43; and on October 11
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and 12, 1846, he was in Chicago with horses for sale. IIe then walked from Chicago to Greencastle, in three days. He remained at home until twenty years of age, when lie went to Putnam County, Indiana, and re- mained three and a half years, when he moved to Vermillion County. Mr. Seott was mar- ried in Putnam County, March 10, 1847, to Miss Mary Mann, a native of that county, born July 9, 1829, a daughter of Levi Mann. To Mr. and Mrs. Scott have been born eight children, three sons and five daughters-Mrs. Elizabeth Mann, of Clinton; Mrs. Arabelle McClain, of Lawrence County, Missouri; Leonard D., of Vigo County, Indiana; Levi S., who lives on the old homestead on seetion 15, Clinton Township; Mrs. Hannah Moss, of Greene County, Indiana; Dollie; Matthew M., junior member of the firm Edwards & Seott, dealers in boots and shoes, Clinton, and deputy postmaster, and Gertrude, who is the youngest. Mr. Seott is a publie-spirited man and takes an especial interest in the cause of education, giving his children the advantages of the best schools. In politics he affiliates with the Democratic party. He and his wife are members of the Presbyterian church.
REDERICK WALTER, a prominent and enterprising farmer of Clinton Township, residing on section 17, was born near Worth, in Alsace, France, now a province of Germany, the date of his birth being November 13, 1834. His parents, Michael and Louisa Walter, were natives of Germany. When the subject of this sketeh was a child of three years, they came to the United States, and made their home in Erie County, New York, ten miles east of Buffalo, where they spent the rest of their lives, the
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father dying in his forty-ninth year in July, 1844, and the mother dying in 1855, aged fifty-five years. Four of their children lived to maturity-Mrs. Magdalena Clouse, now residing in Kansas; Frederick, whose name heads this sketch; Jacob, who died at the home of our subject, in 1859, and Mrs. Lonisa Taylor, living in Clinton Township. Frederick Walter was reared to agricultural pursuits, and has always followed the avoca- tion of a farmer. He was married in Erie County, New York, in September, 1854, to Miss Sarah Kinsley, who was born in Ger- many September 15, 1836, but reared from childhood in the State of New York. Her parents embarked with their family for America in the year 1844, her mother dying on the voyage, and was buried in the ocean. IIer father settled in New York State where he was again married. Ile died in Erie County, that State, in 1860, leaving his chil- dren to the care of their step-mother. Of the ten children born to Mr. and Mrs. Walter seven are living-Mrs. Louisa S. Foltz, Charles F., John F., George W., Effie E., Julia and Richard. The younger children are at home with their parents, and none live far from the parental roof. The children deceased are William, who died aged one year and ten months; Cora, aged nine years, and a daughter who died in infancy. John F. has been blind since seven years of age, and is now a vigorous man. He is snecess- fully engaged in the manufacture of brooms. and has his workshop near his father's house, and few men are more skilled in their work or better able to go about the country, buying material or selling their wares. Mr. Walter came with his family to Vermillion County, Indiana, in the spring of 1857, and April 14 of the same year settled on the land which they now occupy, the place being one of the early pioneer homes of the county, formerly
owned and occupied by Judge Charles Por- ter. Mr. Walter also brought with him to the county his youngest brother and sister, for whom he cared after their mother's death until they reached maturity. When Mr. Walter settled on his homestead, the property having been so long neglected and unoccupied, was almost in a state of its natural wildness. His capital then consisted of 8350, with which he purchased forty acres of his land, which he at once began to clear and improve, having no stock or team to as- sist him in the work. With the aid of his excellent wife, and by his own industry and energy, combined with habits of economy, he has acquired a good property, his homestead of 130 acres being now one of the finest and best cared for farms in this part of Clinton Township. Both himself and wife are men- bers of the Methodist church, and among the respected citizens of Clinton Township. In politics he is an ardent Republican.
AMES C. SAWYER, one of the leading lawyers of Vermillion County, and a member of the law firm of Conley & Sawyer, of Newport, is a native of Indiana, born in Hendricks County, September 8, 1848. When he was quite young his father, John Sawyer, died, and at the age of sixteen years he began life for himself, working on a farm during the summer months, and in the winters attending school. Being thrown upon his own resources at an early age, and desir- ous of obtaining an education with but little opportunity for instruction, he early acquired habits of industry and persevering energy. At the age of eighteen years, by studiously improving such opportunities as were attain- able, he had qualified himself to teach a country school, and for some time followed
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the vocation of a teacher, studying as oppor- tunity afforded. Ile studied law principally without a preceptor, and whatever success he has attained has been dne to his own efforts. He was admitted to the bar of Ver- million County at Newport, in 1876, and im- mediately entered npon his legal career. He practiced alone about one year, and was then associated with C. Ward for two years. Ile then practiced alone for several years when the firm of Sawyer & Gibson was formed which continued about two and a half years. The firm of Conley & Sawyer was formed in November, 1886. Mr. Sawyer was united in marriage to Miss Amanda Duncan, a native of Hendricks County, Indiana, who came to Vermillion County in 1877. Their only son, Herbert, was born in Newport. In politics Mr. Sawyer affiliates with the Democratic party.
OBERT J. GESSIE, one of the repre- sentative citizens of Vermillion County, was born in Cumberland County, Penn- sylvania, November 5, 1809. IIis father, Christian Gessie, was also a native of Cum- berland County, born Jannary 17, 1788, and for some time was a merchant in the town of Newville, that county. He died March 12, 1816, at the age of twenty-eight years. After the death of his father, Robert J. went to the home of an nnele where he lived until reaching the age of seventeen years. He then started in life on his own account, leav- ing his uncle's house on foot with knapsack on his back, and walked to Trenton, New Jersey, where he was first engaged as clerk in a hotel, remaining in this position about a year. Ile then clerked in a store for a time when he secured a position as clerk in the chancellor's office. He was married at Mor-
risville, opposite Trenton, in November, 1829, to Miss Sarah Yard, who was born in New Jersey, and immediately after his mar- riage he took his first trip west accompanied by his wife, going to Philadelphia by boat. thence by stage to Pittsburgh, and from there by boat down the Ohio River to New Albany, Indiana. After remaining in Indiana about a year he returned to New Jersey in the fall of 1830, passing the following winter at the home of his father-in-law at Morrisville. He then turned his attention to teaching, and tanght his first school at Pennsylvania Manor, on the banks of the Delaware, and in the spring of 1832 he taught at Hatboro, north of Philadelphia. In the spring of 1833 Mr. and Mrs. Gessie again started westward, stop- ping at Columbus, Ohio, where he began teaching school, but soon after accepted a position as clerk in a store in that town. In the spring of 1835 he went to Chicago, Illi- nois, where he found employment as a clerk, and remained there until 1837. That year he came to Vermillion County, Indiana, and engaged in the mercantile business at Perrys- ville, and in the spring of 1838 he formed a partnership with Asaph Hill, which lasted several years. During this time he purchased the farm in Highland Township on which he now resides. After the dissolution of the partnership above referred to Mr. Gessie spent some time in settling up his business, and also carried on a general agency for a number of years. In 1848 he was elected to the Indiana State Legislature, serving two terms. In the spring of 1853 he went to Cincinnati, Ohio, for the purpose of selling goods for the firm of Blachly, Simpson & Co., and being a successful merchant he ren- dered valnable service to the company. In 1862 the firm of Blachly, Simpson & Co. went into liquidation, and Mr. Gessie re- mained to assist in settling the business,
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