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 34
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
which ocenpied about two years. Mrs. Gessie died in March, 1864, leaving two sons-William and Charles. Mr. Gessie was married a sec- ond time, to Miss Mary Ann Morse, a rela- tive of the famous electrician Professor Morse. Since 1864 Mr. Gessie has lived somewhat retired from active life, residing on his beautiful farm near the village of Gessie, this town being laid out on his land and named in honor of him. In politics Mr. Gessie was originally a Whig, but has been a staunch Republican since the organization of that party. Religiously he is a strong be- liever in the principle of universal salvation. Mr. Gessie has always taken an active inter- est in the advancement of the cause of edu- cation. No man has been more prominently connected with the history of Vermillion County, and none are better known or more highly respected than Robert J. Gessie, the subject of this sketch.
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ARON II. WADE, deceased, was born in Butler County, Ohio, in 1819, a son of Aaron and Julia (Ward) Wade, of English descent. When he was five years of age his parents moved to Parke County, Indiana, where he grew to manhood and lived until 1857, when he moved to Vermill- ion County, making this his home until his death, which occurred March 22, 1886. In early life he worked at the carpenter's trade and later devoted his attention to farming, at which he was successful and at his death left a good farm of 260 acres, where his widow and her family now live. Mr. Wade was an upright, honorable Christian gentleman, a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and was respected by all who knew him. IIe was married in 1849 to Lanra Vanlandingham, a native of Greene County, Indiana, born in
1827, a daughter of Thomas and Mary Van- landingham. Iler grandfather Hamilton was a cousin of the distinguished Alexander Ilamilton, and her grandmother was a consin of Commodore Thomas MeDonough, of the United States Navy. To Mr. and Mrs. Wade were born seven children, six of whom are living-Belle, wife of John T. Harris, of Indianapolis; Thomas V., James D., Lanra, wife of Julins Groves; Emma and John A. Samuel is deceased. Mrs. Wade is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and one of its active workers. She is a prominent citi- zen of the township and has many friends, who honor her for her many womanly qualities.
ELSON C. ANDERSON, one of Ver- million County's most active and enter- prising business men, was born in Wood County, West Virginia, the date of his birth being August 13, 1837. He is the ninth in a family of ten children of Edward and Elizabeth (Statts) Anderson, both of his parents being natives of Wood County, West Virginia. They came with their five young- est children to Vermillion County, Indiana, and made their home near Clinton in 1853, where the father bought a tract of 160 acres. Ile did not live long in his new home, his death occurring in September, 1855, at the age of sixty-seven years, his widow surviving him until 1859. Their children are as fol- lows: Michael, still living in Wood County, Virginia, being seventy-six years old July 10, 1887; John came to Vermillion County a few years after his parents had settled here, and is now living in Helt Township; Samuel and Peter died in West Virginia; Mrs. Sarah Smith died in Vermillion County; Mrs. Eliza HIupp, Mrs. Rebecca Sparks and Elijah also
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died in this county; Nelson C., the subject of this sketeh, and Mrs. Margaret Payton, living in IIelt Township. Nelson C. Anderson commenced his business career in 1856 as clerk in the mercantile establishment of John Whiteomb, with whom he remained a few years. In 1860 he was married to Miss Ann M. Fisher, of Clinton, and the year following his marriage he engaged in farming. Ile subsequently re-entered the employ of Mr. Whitcomb, becoming his partner in 1866, when the business was conducted under the firm name of Whitcomb, Anderson & Co., the late A. L. Whitcomb being the silent partner. Mr. Anderson finally sold ont his interest in the business, and in company with the late General II. D. Washburn who had been appointed Survey-General for Montana, and others, started for Fort Benton. On account of the low water the company spent three months on the Missouri River, when failing to go farther by river Mr. Anderson returned to Vermillion County, reaching his home in July. Ile then bought back his interest in the mercantile business, and after several years of successful trade the partner- ship was dissolved, Mr. Anderson retaining the grocery stock and trade. This business he has largely increased and it now aggregates over $40,000 per year. As a member of the firm of Shirkie & Co. Mr. Anderson is developing a coal mine a half mile west of Clinton. Ile is also a member of the firm of Hamilton & Anderson, the leading grain operators in the county, and also dealers in agricultural implements. Besides the busi- ness above mentioned he has large interests in improved city property in Clinton, and is elassed among the prosperons men of the county. IIe has been the architect of his own fortune, having acquired all he has by persevering energy and good business man- agement, and he well knows how to use his
capital. Mr. Anderson lost his wife by death in 1861, and in November, 1865, he married Miss Thurza Nebeker, who is a sister of Sey- mour and Dr. Henry Nebeker. They are the parents of one child-Shelden S., born June 23, 1870. In politics Mr. Anderson has always affiliated with the Republican party. Vermillion County has no more active, public spirited man than N. C. Anderson, the sub- ject of this sketch, and none are more highly respected.
ROF. FRED RUSH, principal of the Dana schools and surveyor of Vermillion County, was born in Clinton, March 26, 1858, a son of James Rush, of Helt Town- ship, a pioneer of Vermillion County. Ile was reared a farmer but was given a good education, completing his studies at the National Normal School, at Lebanon, Ohio. IIe has been engaged in teaching about ten years and is one of the most successful teach- ers in the county. In the fall of 1884 he moved to Dana and took charge of the public schools and the same fall was elected connty surveyor and was re-elected in 1886. Sep- tember 13, 1882, Mr. Rush was married to Anna M., daughter of Jackson Ilinkle of Farmersburg, Indiana. They have had three children, two of whom are living-Philip S. and Donald B. Mrs. Rush is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Rush is a member of the Odd Fellows order.
HARLES W. WARD, of Newport, is one of the well-known members of the bar of Vermillion County. He was admitted at Newport about 1869, but prac- ticed little at this place until 1875, when he
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
formed a partnership with Robert B. Sears, which terminated a year or two later. Ile then became associated with J. C. Sawyer in the practice of law, and still later with Judge Joshua Jump, and following Joshua Jump came Josephus C. Davis. The present firm of Ward & Gibson was formed in November, 1886, and both members of the firm being prominent in the legal profession, they have succeeded in building up a large and suecess- ful practice. Mr. Ward dates his birth in Bradford, New Hampshire, Mareh 10, 1848, a son of Sylvester Ward, who died when our subjeet was a child of three or four years. In 1857 Mr. Ward came to Indiana to make his home with the family of his uncle, Sena- tor O. P. Davis. He attended school for some time at Bloomingdale, Parke County, and in 1863 he entered the high school at Perrysville, Vermillion County. In 1864 he returned to New Hampshire and spent two years at the New London Academy, return- ing to Indiana in 1866, and continued to re- side in the family of Mr. Davis until he began the study of law. Mr. Ward was united in marriage January 12, 1870, to Miss Florence Montgomery, a daughter of Dr. William G. Montgomery, of Warren County, Indiana, and a granddaughter of Stephen S. Collett, one of the old and honored pioneers of Vermillion County.
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ANIEL SHUTE, a representative citi- zen of Highland Township, residing on seetion 20, is a son of Richard Shute, who came to Vermillion County among the carly pioneers, locating near the present site of the Howard Chapel in Highland Town- ship, in October, 1829. Richard Shute was a native of England, coming to America when a lad of ten years, his family settling
in Ohio in an early day. Ile was married in Lawrence County, Ohio, to Hannah McCart- ney, and to them were born nine children, five of whom were born in Vermillion County. Of the children yet living four sons, Daniel, John, Ephraim and Jehu, are residents of Highland Township, this county. Richard Shute died January 12, 1853, his widow sur- viving almost twenty years, her death oecur- ring August 26, 1872. Daniel Shute, whose name heads this sketch, is a native of Ohio, born in 1820, being about nine years of age when his parents immigrated to Vermillion County. Ile distinetly remembers the ap- pearance of the country sixty years ago, and has witnessed the many wonderful changes which have caused the wilderness to be trans- formed into well cultivated farms and thriving towns and villages. His wife was formerly Miss Jane Gouty, a daughter of Henry Gonty, one of the old pioneers of the county. Mr. and Mrs. Shute are the parents of seven children-Heury, married to Mary Rodgers; David, married to Mariah Foster; Elizabeth E., wife of Samuel Rodgers; Melvina, Mary, wife of Scott Virgin; Joseph M., married to Ella Richardson, and Sarah, wife of Lewis Johnson. In politics Mr. Shute affiliates with the Republican tieket.
AMES B. ILES, an active and prosper- ous farmer and stock-raiser of Eugene Township, is a worthy representative of one of the old pioneer families of Vermillion County, his father having settled on the farm now occupied by our subjeet in the year 1828. James B. was born on this farm in a log eabin near the site of his present residence, June 4, 1829, a son of Jacob and Hannah (Stephenson) Iles, his father born in Roek- ingham County, Virginia, May 10, 1791, and
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HISTORY OF VERMILLION COUNTY.
his mother a native of Tennessee, born No- vember 1, 1796. His father was taken to Fairfield County, Ohio, by his parents when a boy, where he spent his youth in clearing a farm. He learned the tailor's trade in that county. In 1820 he went to Terre Haute, Indiana, where he worked at his trade some time. After coming to Eugene Township he made farming his principal avocation, in which he was eminently successful, accumu- lating much property. He made his home in Engene Township until his death, July 29, 1863. His widow died March 23, 1886, in her eighty-ninth year. They were the parents of six children, three still living- Mrs. Martha J. Nailor, James B., the subject of this sketeh, and Jacob. James B. Iles was reared on the old homestead, receiving such education as the rude log cabin schools of those early days afforded. Ile was married March 14, 1857, to Miss Elizabeth Tever- baugh, a daughter of John Teverbaugh, and they are the parents of six children-Nora, William, Mary, Effie, Hannah and Martha. Nora is the wife of IIenry Peters, of Brini- field, Illinois, who has been prominently identified with the interests of Eugene, and for four years was treasurer of Vermillion County. Mr. and Mrs. Peters had one dangh- ter, Josie, who died at the age of eight years. Mr. Iles owns over 1,200 acres of land, and is elassed among the substantial citizens of the county, where he is esteemned by all who know him. Ile was a member of the Ma- sonie lodge at Eugene until it disbanded.
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OIIN IIENDERSON, farmer and stock- raiser, resides on section 7, Vermillion Township, where ,he owns 250 acres of choice land under a high state of cultivation. He was born in Vermillion County, Indiana,
near his present homestead, August 20, 1831, a son of William and Anna (Haworth) IIen- derson. IIis father was a native of Ohio, of English descent, and the mother of Tennessee, of English and Irish descent. In 1822 his parents came to this county and settled in Vermillion Township, where his father died March 14, 1857, aged forty-nine years. IIis mother is still living, making her home with her son William. Of their six children but two are living-John and William F. John IIenderson was married in Parke County, Indiana, in 1870, to Dinah Towell, a native of Parke County, born January 7, 1837, daughter of George and Mary (Lindley) Towell. Mr. Henderson has served two terms as county surveyor. Ilis edneational advantages were somewhat limited, being confined to the common schools, with the ex- ception of six months spent at Bloomingdale Academy. Mr. and Mrs. Henderson are birthright members of the society of Friends. Ile is a firm adherent to the principles of prohibition, and always gives his support to any enterprise that tends to the elevation of society or the material benefit of the town- ship or county. He is an active worker in the church, taking an especial interest in the Sunday-school and its interests.
ANIEL W. FINNEY, dealer in hard- ware, farm implements and building material, successor to Lowrey & Fisher, Dana, Indiana, is a native of the Hoosier State, born in Parke County, October 8, 1837, a son of Robert Finney, who was born in North Carolina, of Irish descent, and eame to Indiana with his parents when a boy, and was here married to Malinda IIunt, who was of Seoteh descent. The grandfather of our subject, Joseph Finney, was a soldier in the
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
war of 1812. Daniel W. Finney was reared on a farm in his native county. Ile was given good educational advantages, and for a time attended Bloomingdale Academy. He- came to Vermillion County in March, 1862, and located on a farm one mile northeast of Dana. In 1870 he began dealing in grain in Dana, which he continued until 1887, when he bought the stock of Lowrey & Fisher. He carries a capital stock of about $5,000, and has a large trade which is constantly in- creasing. IIe is one of the prominent busi- ness men of Dana, where he has lived for a quarter of a century, and has a large circle of friends among the business men of the county. He was married December 15, 1859, to Gilla Huffman, daughter of Lawson Huffman, of Parke County, Indiana. To them have been born seven children, five of whom are living Cora E., Alice M., Annis, William P. and Maude. One son, Edgar F., died at the age of four years. Mr. Finney is a member of the Masonic fraternity. Although he takes an active interest in the affairs of his town and county, he never seeks official honors, the cares of his business demanding his attention to such an extent that he has no time to devote to the duties devolving on a public officer.
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OHN Q. WASHBURN, general mer- chant, Clinton, Indiana, was born in Wayne County, Ohio, October 13, 1833, a son of James A. and Mary A. (Kane) Washburn. His parents moved to Vermill- ion County, and located in Newport in 1850 Ilis father was a man of prominence in public affairs and was appointed postmaster at New- port under the administration of President Fillmore, and was holding that office at the time of his death. His widow survived him
several years. IIon. Ilenry D. Washburn, an older brother of John Q., was one of Indiana's prominent statesman. He was one of the bravest of the volunteer officers from Indiana during the war of the Rebellion, raising Company C, Eighteenth Indiana Infantry, and was afterward made Lieutenant-Colonel of the regiment. Ile was subsequently promoted to Brigadier-General and brevet Major General. In 1815 he made the run for Congress in this district against Dan Voorhees, the sitting member, and defeated him, and in 1867 was re-elected, running against IIon. Solomon Claypool. In 1869 he was appointed Survey-General of Montana Territory, and was holding that office at the time of his death, in January, 1871, at the early age of thirty-nine years. John Q. Washburn came to Vermillion County, in 1852, two years after his parents and joined thein at Newport, where he lived until after the breaking out of the Rebellion, engaged in the mercantile business. In September, 1861, he responded to the call of duty and enlisted in defense of his country, serving faithfully fifteen months when he was dis- charged on account of sickness. Regaining his health he again, in the spring of 1864, went to the front as Captain of Company K, One Hundred and Twenty-ninth Indiana Infantry, joining the grand army of General Sherman at Resaca, as a part of General Sehofield's corps, the gallant Twenty-third, and participated in the hard-fought Atlanta cam- paign and later in the historic battles at Franklin and Nashville, where Hood's army was practically destroyed. Later, still as a part of the Twenty-third Corps, the One IIundred and Twenty-ninth joined Sherman at Goldsboro, North Carolina, and was present at the surrender of General Johnston's army, the closing drama of the war. Captain Washburn in all this campaign did well and
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HISTORY OF VERMILLION COUNTY.
manfully a soldier's part. Since his return to eivil life his career has been no less honorable than that as a soldier. He has made mer- chandising the chief occupation of his life and there are none who are more popular as a merchant than he. Genial and courteous he has hosts of friends and has been a successful tradesman. Ile has lived in Clinton since 1875, and has one of the most complete and well stocked stores in the city. He was married in October, 1866, to Lanra N. Nebeker, a native of Helt Township, born April 23, 1843, a daughter of Hon. Aquila Nebeker. They have two children-Annie and Dana. In politics Mr. Washburn is a stannch supporter of the principles of the Republican party.
ILLIAM L. PORTER, county treas- urer of Vermillion County, is a worthy representative of one of the pioneer families of the county, his grandfather, John Porter, having settled in Clinton Town- ship as early as 1821. IIe was a native of the State of New York, where he was reared and married, coming directly from that State to Vermillion County, and in an early day was an associate judge of the county. Charles Porter, the father of our subject, was but four years old when brought by his parents to Vermillion County. He grew to manhood in Clinton Township, and was married to Miss Annie Morris, her father, Samuel Morris, being one of the pioneers of the county. They were the parents of ten children, four sons and six danghters, all living but one daughter, and are residents of Vermillion County. Charles Porter died in 1878, his wife having died four years previous. Will- iam L. Porter, the subject of this sketch, is a native of Vermillion County, born in Clinton
Township, in the year 1848. His father being a farmer he was reared on the farm, but subsequently learned the trade of a carpenter, and his general occupation has been that of a carpenter and bridge builder. IIe has met with success in all his undertakings, and is now the owner of a fine farm in Clinton Township. For his wife he married Miss Susan E. Clark, who was born in Clinton Township, Vermillion County, a daughter of James Clark. Mrs. Porter died March 15, 1886, leaving three children-John W., Essie E. and Byron E. In his political views Mr. Porter affiliates with the Republican party, casting his first presidential vote for U. S. Grant in 1872. In the fall of 1884 he was elected to the office of county treasurer as snecessor to Henry Peters, and in the fall of 1886 he was re-elected, and has proved him- self to be an efficient and trustworthy official in all respects, and by his honorable dealings he has gained the confidence and respect of the entire community.
UCIEN R. WHIPPLE, patent right agent, Eugene, was born in Licking County, Ohio, February 6, 1834, a son of Enoch Whipple who was a native of Ver- mont, and a son of Amiah Whipple. The latter was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, and a brother of William and Abraham Whipple. the former a signer of the Declara- tion of Independence, and the latter a soldier in the war of the Revolution. Lucien R. Whipple, the subject of this sketch, was brought by his parents to Logansport, Indi- ana, in 1839, and to this county in 1840, in which year they settled in Engene. In 1856 he went to Vinton, Iowa, returning to this county in 1860. 1Ie enlisted in the late civil war in Company K, Seventy-first Indiana
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKELCHES.
Infantry, afterward known as the Sixth Cav- alry, and while in the service participated in twenty-nine engagements, including the bat- tles of Richmond, Nashville, Stoneman Raid, Murfreesboro, Buzzard Roost, Resaca and Allatoona Pass. He was captured by Mor- gan's men, but soon after paroled and ex- changed. Mr. Whipple was married October 26, 1856, to Miss Sarah Sheward, a daughter of Ezekiel Sheward, and to them were born six children, four of whom are yet living- James E., Edward G., Frank M. and Mrs. Anna M. Fultz. In politics Mr. Whipple affiliates with the Republican party. Mrs. Whipple is a member of the Methodist Epis- copal church.
HARLES B. KNOWLES, one of the substantial citizens of Clinton, has been actively identified with the interests of that city sinee 1860, in which year he and his brother, James E. Knowles, established their residence there. Each own and oeeupy a very fine residenee in the same neighbor- hood, and together are owners of valuable city property and real estate, beside 320 aeres outside the city. Charles B. Knowles was born in Vanderburg County, Indiana, on the parental homestead, eight miles north of Evansville, January 11, 1827, the eldest son of Charles and Mary Ann (Maidlow) Knowles, who were of English birth, the father born in Kent, England, December 14, 1801, and the mother born in Hampshire. The ancestors of the Knowles family came from Normandy with William the Conqueror, and fought at the battle of Hastings. Charles Knowles, the grandfather of our subjeet, came from England, and settled with his family in Van- derbarg County, Indiana, in 1817. He died in 1835. llis widow survived him several
years, and died in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, at the home of her daughter Mrs. Joseph Woodwell. The maternal grandfather of our subject, James Maidlow, left England with his family, and settled in Vanderburg County shortly after the war of 1812, where he died in March, 1852, in his eighty-eighth year. Charles Knowles and Mary Ann Maidlow were married in Vanderburg County, where they passed the remainder of their life, and there reared to maturity a family of eight children. The first death in the family was that of their son, Edmund M. He was born April 29, 1837, and during the war of the Rebellion, he was a Lieutenant in the Forty- second Indiana Infantry, and engaged under General Granger at the battle of Chiekaman- ga. He was taken prisoner and confined in Libby Prison, later under fire at Charleston, and still later at Columbia, South Carolina, where he made his eseape. Ile was recap- tured, stripped of his uniform, taken out of prison, and shot to death. The parents of our subject began life in Vanderburg County in limited circumstances, but by industry and good management they acquired a good prop- erty, and by fair and honorable dealings gained the confidence and respeet of all who knew them. The father was liberal in his religious views, but the mother was a member of the Episcopal church. Charles B. Knowles, the subject of this sketch, was reared to man- hood on his father's farm, and the habits of industry and economy learned in his youth have guided him in later years. Leaving the old home at the age of twenty-one years he went south, and mastered the art of printing, commeneing at Carrolton, Mississippi, as compositor. Ile spent eight years in south- ern cities and towns, finding employment in New Orleans, Natchez, Little Rock, and other places. In 1853 he published a paper at Arkadelphia, Arkansas. His last work at his
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HISTORY OF VERMILLION COUNTY.
trade was on the Memphis Appeal. Ile re- turned to Indiana late in the year 1854, and the following year became associated with his brother, James E., and Luke Grant, in milling and the dry goods business in Warrick Coun- ty. Their mill, which cost $10,000, was destroyed by fire in 1859, thus breaking up the company. September 25, 1859, Mr. Knowles was united in marriage in Warrick County, to Miss Emily E. Ashley, who was born near Booneville, that county, October 4, 1842, a danghter of William G. and Sophia (Bosley) Ashley. Their only child, Anna, was born June 28, 1860. She is now the wife of Charles E. Pittman, a dental surgeon of Evansville, Indiana. In 1860 the Knowles brothers, in company with Arthur M. John- son, built a flat-boat, and loading it with eorn, started in February, 1861, for the lower Mis- sissippi markets. James E. Knowles and Mr. Johnson returned by the last boat, leaving for Louisville before the blockade of the river. Charles B remained behind to finally elose np their business, and was detained nearly two weeks, returning by railroad, by the way of Nashville & Louisville from Memphis, this then being the only route open. Politieally Mr. Knowles is of Democratie antecedents, and he himself is elassed as Independent. A natural student, he keeps well posted on all matters of public interest. In his religious views he is liberal.
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