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 38
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in the State; and even at that early day he secured short-horn Durhams from the herd of Henry Clay. In 1835 he owned and bred Haserac, the fastest, thoroughbred English race-horse in the West. In 1838-'39 he had herds of fine wooled sheep, Berkshire hogs, ete. Neighbors for a hundred miles around obtained of him improved varieties of live- stoek and of grain. In 1822 Mr. Collett married Saralı Groenendyke, of Terre Haute, and their family comprised three sons and five daughters, all of whom are living except two of the daughters. The sons are-Hon. John Collett, State Geologist, 1879-'84; Stephen S., a successful farmer, and manager of the bank of Collett & Company at New- port, this State; and Joseplins, a farmer, merchant, banker, railroad manager, ete., now residing at Terre Haute. (See sketch of these elsewhere in this volume). The daugh- ter, Emily, married Dr. W. G. Montgomery, for several years Senator from Warren County. Mary married J. P. Campbell, deceased, who was a successful merchant and active Repub- lican politician of Crawfordsville; Ellen mar- ried D. M. Jones, a Newport (Indiana) attorney, and Representative from Vermillion County of the Legislature during the war; Jennie married James H. Turner, of Terre Haute; and Clara married Crawford Fair- banks, also Terre Haute.
AVID MCBETH, manufacturer of har- ness, saddles, ete., and dealer in buggies and wagons, Clinton, was born in Logan County, Ohio, August 1, 1845, a son of Robert and Maria (Gunn) MeBeth, both of whom were natives of Ohio, and of Scotch and Irish parentage. Robert Gunn, the ma- ternal grandfather of our subjeet, was Indian agent in Ohio, in its pioneer days, and built
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the first house at Bellefontaine, that State. The parents of our subjeet are deceased, the father dying of eholera at St. Louis, Missouri, in 1850, aged thirty-nine years, and the mother at Springfield, Ohio, at the home of her daughter, Mrs. I. A. Hazel, in 1872, in her sixty-third year. They were the parents of six children, of whom David is the youngest. His two brothers are deceased. His sisters are-Mrs. Maria Bane, of Battle Creek, Mich- igan; Minerva Goodale, also living in Battle Creek, Michigan, and Mrs. Hazel, living in Denver, Colorado. David spent his youth in Richland, a small town in Logan County. In July, 1861, he went to Columbus, Ohio, to learn the harness trade. In February, 1864, he enlisted in Company K, Third Uni- ted States Cavalry, serving a term of three years. The regiment first had headquarters at Little Rock, Arkansas, and later while Mr. McBeth was with it at Fort Sheldon, New Mexico. In February, 1867, he was dis- charged from the service of the United States, and resumed work at his trade, saddle and harness making, at Columbus, Ohio, at which he had previously served an apprenticeship, commencing when sixteen years old. In March, 1869, he came to Clinton, establishing his present business at this place. In 1870 he returned to Ohio for his bride, Miss Jennie Harsha, whom he married at Bellefontaine, October 5, 1870. She is a native of Pennsyl- vania, born April 6, 1846. Her father died many years ago, and her mother, Mrs. Mary I'. Harsha, now Mrs. Burns, is living at Charlevoix, Michigan. Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. MeBeth, of whom only two are living, named Mabel and Mary. Both Mr. McBeth and wife are members of the Presbyterian church. In politics he has always voted the Republican tieket. Mr. McBeth is a man of splendid business quali- fications, and by his striet attention to his
trade he has established a large business, and by his fair and honorable dealings has gained the confidenee and esteem of all who know him.
OIIN WESLEY CASEBEER, retired farmer and merchant, Hillsdale, was born in Mansfield, Ohio, January 22, 1831, a son of John Casebeer, who was a blacksmith by trade. The subject of this sketch was edneated in the Mansfield public sehools. He eame to Vermillion County, Indiana, in November, 1849, in his nineteenth year, crossing the Wabash River at Raccoon Ferry. He remained in the county but a few days, when he went to Coles (now Donglas) Coun- ty, Illinois, five miles below Newman, where his cousin, John Casebeer, now resides. He returned to Mansfield in the fall of 1851, making the trip on horseback. In 1853 he came again to this county and settled in Helt Township, where he has sinee made his home. Ile was married August 27, 1855, to Martha Rush, a daughter of Samuel Rush, who was one of the early settlers of the county, and one of the first sehool-teachers of Helt Town- ship. Six children have been born to this union, of whom four are yet living-Alvin B., married Miss Annie Fultz, and lives near Eugene, this eounty; John W., Jr., married Miss Jennie McDole, and lives on the old homestead near Hillsdale; Ithimer M.entered De Pauw University, September 14, 1887; Mary A. married George James, of Ifills- dale, and they are the parents of one ehild named Mervin E. When the Evansville, Terre Haute & Chicago (now the Chicago & Eastern Illinois) Railroad was being built, Mr. Casebeer was a contractor on the road, building one mile of the grade. Ile engaged in the saw-mill business in Hillsdale in 1870,
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which he followed some two or three years. In the spring of 1881 he established his mer- cantile business, which he carried on success- fully until late in the year 1885, when he sold his stock of goods to Joseph Flinn, although he still owns the store building. IIe is also the owner of eighty acres of choice land in Helt Township, besides town property in Alto and Hillsdale. He has been a promi- nent member of the Methodist Episcopal church for thirty years, and is a liberal sup- porter toward all benevolent institutions. Mrs. Casebeer is also an active member of the same church, is president of the Woman's Foreign Missionary Society of the Salem Methodist Episcopal church, and is an ardent temperance and Sabbath-school worker. Few men in the county are more widely known or more generally respected than the subject of this sketeh. Genial in temperament, chari- table toward the unfortunate, active in the support of every movement calculated to pro- mote the public welfare, he takes a prominent position in the community, and has gained the confidence of all who know him.
EASON H. SWINEIIART, hardware merchant, Clinton, established his resi- dence and business at this place in April. 1871. IIe was born in Holmes County, Ohio, February 22, 1822, a son of Daniel and Vesta (Hogland) Swinehart, his father a native of Pennsylvania, of German descent, and his mother a native of Ohio. In 1841 the family moved to Terre Haute, Indiana, where the parents lived until their death, the mother dying in 1848, aged fifty years, and the father dying in 1872, at the age of seventy-six years. Reason H. Swinehart was married at Terre Hante, April 12, 1857, to Miss Ann Palmer, and to them have been born six
children as follows-Emma died in infancy; Clara, born September 8, 1860, is the wife of W. L. Morey, of Clinton; Harry, born July 20, 1863; Frank, born January 15, 1866; Daniel, died in infancy, and Elizabeth, born at Clinton, August 15, 1871. Soon after locating in Terre Haute Mr. Swinehart com- menced work at the tinner's trade which he followed until establishing his hardware busi- ness in Clinton. ITis sons, Harry and Frank, both of whom are young men of fine business qualifications, assist him in his business. Both are members of the Odd Fellows order, and Harry is at present Junior Warden of Clinton Encampment, No. 143. The father and sons are members of Amant Lodge, No. 356, I. O. O. F., and have passed all the chairs of the lodge. In politics Mr. Swine- hart is independent, but of Democratic antecedents.
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ILLIAM A. JAMES, section 11, Helt Township, was born in Vermillion County, Indiana, September 16, 1831, a son of Zachariah D. and Jane (Skid- more) James. His father was born in Vir- ginia in 1811, and in 1822 came with his parents to Vermillion County, where he was reared and married. Of a family of five children, but three are living-William A., John S., a grocer of Danville, Illinois, and Dr. Harry H., of St. Bernice. William A. James was reared on a farm in Helt Town- ship. He was given good educational advantages, attending school in Paris and Bloomington, Illinois, and after leaving school tanglit a short time. In 1862 he enlisted in defense of his country and was assigned to Company B, Eighty-fifth Indiana Infantry, and served six months. After his return home he clerked in his father's store
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in Montezuma, and in 1867 returned to Ver- million County. In 1869 he settled on the farm where he now lives, which contains 128. acres of valuable land, all well improved and under a good state of cultivation, and his residence and farm buildings are commodious and convenient. Mr. James was married February 5, 1856, to Frances Iloughland, daughter of William Houghiland. They have had seven children, but two of whom are living-Charles W. and Harry E. The latter married Ida B. Rose, and is now a telegraph operator of Lincoln, Nebraska. Mr. James is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, the Ancient Order of the United Workman and the Patrons Mutual Aid So- ciety of Vermillion County. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Politically Mr. James is a Republi- can. He is one of the prominent and pros- perons citizens of the township where he has spent his life.
ESSE HOUCHIIN was born in Pike Connty, Ohio, November 10, 1825. He is of Scotch and Welsh ancestry, but for three generations preceding him his paternal ancestors were natives of Virginia. His father, Jesse Houchin, was born in Amherst County, Virginia, June 10, 1770. His grand- father, William Houchin, was born in Buck- ingham County, as was also his great-grand- father, John Houchin. His mother was Mary Allison, daughter of Thomas Allison, of New York State. Five of his uncles were soldiers in the war of 1812, Moses and Charles llonchin, and Jesse, James and Daniel Alli- son. His parents, soon after their marriage moved to Greenbrier County, West Virginia, and in 1820 to Pike County, Ohio, and from there in 1830 to Vermillion County, Indiana,
settling first in Highland Township, but soon after moved to Warren County, where they lived twenty years. Jesse IIonchin remained with his parents until manhood, and in his youth, when not employed in the work of the farm, attended the subscription schools. In February, 1851, he moved to a farm in Helt Township, Vermillion County, and there im- proved a farm on which he lived until No- vember 10, 1886, when he moved to Montezuma, but keeps his farm of 320 acres well stocked with horses, cattle, hogs and sheep as heretofore; and raising crops of grain and grass. Mr. Honchin was married April 9, 1846, to Elizabeth Jackson, daughter of John Jackson. They have had eight children-Martha S., John S., Mary M., Jessie E., Alice C., Daniel V., William E. and Lawrence Bruce. Daniel and William are deceased. Martha married William Malone, of Helt Township, and has nine children; John married Eudora Johnson; Mary is the wife of Silas Davis, and has eleven children; Jessie is the wife of James M. Morgan; Alice is the wife of Frank P. Thorn, and has one child; Daniel married Alice S. Earles, and at his death left one child. Mr. Houchin has been a prominent citizen of Vermillion County for thirty-five years. He is in no sense a politician, but is interested in pro- moting the material welfare of his township and county, and is always ready to assist any enterprise worthy of his support.
AVID A. REED, a representative of one of the old and respected pioneer families of Vermillion County, was born in Stokes County, North Carolina, Septem- ber 28, 1824. His father, Jacob Reed, was also a native of Stokes County, his father be- ing a native of Germany, and coming to
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North Carolina when sixteen years of age. The parents of our subject came to Vermill- ion County in 1831 and settled on the same section where he now resides, the land at the time of their settlement being in a state of nature. David A. Reed was reared on this farm, and in his youth attended the rude log cabin subscription schools, receiving such education as could be obtained therein. He was married December 11, 1849, to Nancy M. Wishard, a daughter of John O. Wishard, who settled in Vermillion County as early as December, 1829. Eleven children were born to this union, of whom seven are living- Jane, Jolin J., Margaret E., Mary E., Saralı A., Barbara A. and Laura B., all married with the exception of Laura. Mr. and Mrs. Reed have now fifteen grandchildren. Mr. Reed has made farming the principal occupation of his life, and by his own persevering industry and economy he has accumulated his present fine property, he having commenced life for himself entirely without means. He is now the owner of 249 acres of choice land, and resides on section 28, Ilelt Township. In connection with his general farming he de- votes considerable attention to stock-raising, making a specialty of graded stock. Mr. Reed has been a member of the Methodist Protestant church from the age of sixteen years, and has always given liberally of his means toward the support of the gospel. Ile is an active Sabbath-school worker, and has served as superintendent or teacher for more than forty years. In his political views he affiliates with the Republican party. Ilis son, John J. Reed, is one of the rising young agriculturists of Helt Township, and is the owner of a good farm of 1013 acres on sec- tion 28 of the same township. He was born in Helt Township, Vermillion County, July 17, 1852, where he was reared a farmer, and educated in the common schools. He was
united in marriage March 29, 1881, to Ros- etta Heidle, whose father, John M. Heidle, was one of the pioneers of IIelt Township. They are the parents of three children- Jesse A., Margaret E. and an infant son yet unnamed.
AMES F. CARMACK, farmer and stock- raiser, resides on his father's farm on section 7, Vermillion Township. He is the owner of a good farm of fifty acres, all well improved, located elsewhere in the coun- ty. Ile was born on the farm where he now lives, in 1854, a son of Andrew and Rachel Carmack. His mother is deceased and his father now lives in Dana. He was reared a farmer, and since starting in life for himself has been successful, and is now numbered among the representative citizens of his town- ship. He was married in 1883 to Margaret A., daughter of A. R. and Alvira Newlin, pioneers of Vermillion County. In politics Mr. Carmack is a Democrat. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
ILLIAM SLATER, of Dana, was born in Vermillion Township, Ver- million County, Indiana, July 3, 1849, a son of James and Melissa (Iifill) Sla- ter. His father was born in the State of Ohio, coming to this county when a young man, where he lived until his death. His mother is still living, and makes her home with her son-in-law, William Reed, about three and a half miles from Dana. He was reared to the avocation of a farmer, and his education was obtained in the common schools of the county. When twenty-one years of age he learned the
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blacksmith's trade, which he followed until May, 1886. In 1870 he went to Iowa, where he spent over nine years, working at his trade in Mount Pleasant and Ottumwa. In 1880 he went from Iowa to Colorado, and in 1886 left La Junta, Bent County, that State, for Vermillion County, and has since been a resident of Dana. Mr. Slater was united in marriage April 10, 1875, to Miss Jennie Moore, who was born in Henry County, Iowa, October 6, 1861, a daughter of Peter and Caroline (Gallagher) Moore, her father de- ceased, and her mother living in Trenton, Iowa. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Slater, named Pearl and Mont.
HOMAS THOMPSON, the genial pro- prietor of the Cayuga House, is a native of Indiana, born in Putnam County, June 14, 1839, his father, Garrison Thompson, who is now deceased, being one of the pioneers of that county. Our subject was reared in his native county, receiving his education in the comnon schools of his neighborhood. Ile was married April 1, 1861, to Miss Sarah Smith, a danghter of James H. Smith, of Bainbridge, Indiana, and to them have been born five children-Gertrude, Cora, Frank, Fred and Maude. Gertrude married John Owens, of Putnam County, and they are the the parents of three children, named Glen, Ethel and Georgeann. Mr. Thompson was a member of Company B, Forty-third Indiana Infantry, in the war of the Rebellion, and participated in the battles of New Madrid, Island No. 10, Helena, Little Rock, Mem- phis, Fort Pillow, Cameron and Marks Mill, being taken prisoner at the last mentioned place. He was then sent to Tyler, Texas, where he was imprisoned ten months. He remained in the service of his country almost
four years, when he returned to his home. IIe came to Engene in 1885, and in January, 1887, came to Cayuga and took charge of the Junction Hotel until his present commodious hotel was erected. IIe has served during the past two years as justice of the peace, in which office he is serving with credit to him- self and satisfaction to his constituents. He is a comrade of the Grand Army of the Re- public. His wife is a member of the Method- ist Episcopal church.
OSEPH A. CLOVER, section 11, Clin- ton Township, is a representative of one of the earliest families of the neighbor- hood. IIe was born near Cincinnati, Ohio, August 6, 1818, a son of James and Eliza (Aspril) Clover, his father a native of the Allegheny Mountain district of Pennsylva- nia, and his mother of Delaware. The par- ents were married in Pennsylvania, but about 1817 moved to Ohio, locating near Cincinnati, and thence in 1822 to Vermillion County, Indiana. They settled on section 11, Clinton Township, on what is now the homestead of our subject. The country was then a wilder- ness, their nearest neighbor being Truman Ford, who lived three miles southeast. The father was in limited circumstances, but had enough to pay for eighty acres of land, and help maintain his family until he could clear a few acres and raise food. The nearest mill was at Eugene, twenty-five miles distant. Ile was a great lover of the chase, and generally furnished his neighbors with veni- son. He killed the only bear ever killed in his neighborhood. His house was surmounted with selected antlers, and was known tar and near as the "Bock Horn House." James Clover died in the prime of life, February 26, 1836, aged forty-five years, liis widow follow-
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ing him in May of the following year. They had a family of eight children-one born in Pennsylvania, two in Ohio, and five in Ver- million County. Jane is now the wife of James Martin, of Grundy County, Illinois; Malinda is the widow of Solomon Stults, of Clinton Township; Delilah, deceased, was the wife of Joseph Reeder; Letitia, deceased, was the wife of Wesley Patton; John D. lives in Texas; Samuel F., and Margaret wife of William Kirkendall, live in Livingston County, Illinois. Joseph A. was the second child and eldest son, and after the death of his parents he kept the family together, until after his sisters were married. He then, April 2, 1848, married Drusilla Reeder, who was born in Vermillion Township, October 9, 1821, a daughter of Amos Reeder, one of the earliest pioneers of the county. Her mother died when she was a child, and her father February 24, 1836. Mr. and Mrs. Clover have had five children-Jane (deceased, wife of Garrett Ames); Isabell, Amos (deceased), William R., and James, of Clinton Township. Mr. Clover has a good property of 156 acres, which was formerly the home of his father, around which cling many fond memories. He abounds in reminiscences and anecdotes of pioneer life, and if anything of importance has been by him forgotten, his friends cannot be made to believe it. A practical joker, inany are the pranks played by him, but none are ever wounded to the heart, and a visit to lim is one long to be remembered. When fourteen years of age he killed a huge buck, and was afterward called the champion boy lıunter. The chase was his delight, but when eighteen years old he shot his last deer. While hunting he had wasted his last shot on a very large buck, but succeeded in only wounding him. The deer could not run away, and the determined young hunter would not, but closing in upon him with his
knife, fought it to the death, leaving the scene half naked, and wounded and torn in a way frightful to see. The deer was dead and beheaded, but complete recovery for the reserved best in the fight was a work of con- siderable time. « When cured of his wounds he was enred of deer-hunting. The buck as it roamed at will, and the doe with the grace- ful fawn, were never more disturbed by him. In polities he is a Democrat. During the war he advocated the war measures, but since its close has been a man of peace.
ON. WILLIAM SKIDMORE, who was prominently identified with the growth and development of Vermillion Connty, Indiana, during his life, was the first white child born in the county, a son of John Skid- more, the date of his birth being February 19, 1819. He was born with but one hand, his left hand, and one-third of thatarm beinggone. Yet in spite of this he was able to chop trees, and do other work required in the clearing and making of a farm, seemingly as well as any one. He was reared amid the wild surround- ings of pioneer life, and during his early life he frequently hauled corn to the Wabash River, which he sold for ten cents a bushel, and has often taken apples to Chicago, Illi- nois. He was a self-inade man in every sense of the word, and became one of the most prominent men in the county where he has always lived. Ile was twice married, taking for his first wife Elizabeth Pearman, and of the three children born to them two are yet living-Thomas J. and Mrs. Sarah J. Free- man. Mr. Skidmore was married a second time to a widow named Mrs. Amelia IIelt, and to this union five children were born- William Henry, George F., Mary E., Jasper F. and Caroline F. By her first marriage
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Mrs. Skidmore has two children -- Mrs. Serena Depuy, and Mrs. Clarinda Garner. Mr. Skidmore filled many of the official trusts of his township and county, and twice repre- sented the county in the State Legislature, in the years from 1866 to 1870. In the early history of the county he served as constable and justice of the peace. While holding the former office he was called one time by the eitizens to assist in arresting a man whom they had chased into Mr. Swazey's cellar. Mr. Skidmore went into the cellar when he was shot by the man in the right arm below the elbow. Never heeding this he succeeded in arresting his man before he had time to do more harm, wresting from his grasp a second freshly-loaded pistol and holding until the citizens came to his help and bound their prisoner. He carried the bullet received there in his arm to his grave. He was a consistent Christian and an active worker in the Methodist church for many years. Even when a boy he would walk over the settlement and tell the people of the near approach of some religious meeting. Ile died in May, 1881, in the triumphant hope of a blessed immortality.
TEPIIEN S. COLLETT, of Newport, is a representative of one of the earliest pioneer families of Vermillion County. IIe was born in Eugene in December, 1829, and Vermillion County has always been his home. In his youth he received good edn- eational advantages, attending Wabash Col- lege three years. He has been an active business man, and for many years was one of the prominent merchants of Newport. He assisted in organizing the First National Bank of Newport, serving as its cashier some time. Sinee that time he has been connected
with the banking interests of Newport, at present being general manager of Collett & Co.'s Bank. Mr. Collett married Miss Jennie Dunlap, a daughter of Alexander Dunlap, and they have four children, three sons and one daughter-John, cashier in Collett & Co.'s Bank; Samuel D., Fred D. and Eva, wife of Adam B. Littlepage, of Charleston, West Virginia. In politics the Colletts were old line Whigs in the days of that party, and later have affiliated with the Republican party. In religion they are liberal in their views.
AMES J. LEWIS, one of the old and highly esteemed pioneers of Highland Township, is a native of Maryland, born in Worcester County, January 1, 1805, a son of James and Sarah Lewis. He was early in life left an orphan, having no remembrance of his parents. After their death he was taken to the home of his grandfather Lewis, the grandfather dying when our subject was ten years of age. Two years later, when he was about twelve years of age, he accompanied his grandmother and uncle to Pickaway County, Ohio, and here he had his first experience of frontier life. Ile grew to man- hood in Piekaway County, and was there married to Miss Margaret King, a native of Ohio, whose parents removed to that State from Maryland in an early day. In October, 1830, accompanied by his father-in-law, Isaac King, he immigrated to Indiana, settling in Rush County, and two years later removed to IIancock County, where Mr. King continued to reside until his death. In November, 1837, Mr. Lewis came with his family to Vermillion County, and has since that date been a resident of Ilighland Township. and since March, 1851, he has resided on section
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