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 39
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HISTORY OF VERMILLION COUNTY.
8, about six miles east of Danville, Illinois. Mrs. Lewis died April 3, 1857, and April 10, 1859, Mr. Lewis was again married to Mrs. Mary (Vandine) Craviston, widow of Samuel Craviston. By his first marriage Mr. Lewis had fourteen children, eleven of whom reached maturity. Six are living at the present time whose names are-Isaac, Eleanor, Sarah, Nancy, Joshua and Meredith. Those who died after reaching maturity are- John W., James A., Samuel B., Elizabeth and Mary. Though now in his eighty-third year Mr. Lewis is still active, and in good health, and is surrounded with all the necessary comforts of life. Ile has been a faithful and consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church for fifty-nine years.
OSIAH SKIDMORE, farmer and stock- raiser, section 22, Helt Township, was born in the neighborhood of his present home March 13, 1831, a son of John Skid- inore, who was a native of Pennsylvania, of English descent. John Skidmore came to Vermillion County in 1818, and entered 160 acres of land in Helt Township, and in the fall of the same year moved his family to their new home. February 19, 1819, his son William was born, and had the honor of being the first white child born in the county. IIe died in 1881, aged sixty-two years. At the time of Mr. Skidmore's settlement in the county he had few neighbors except Indians, and there was not a house between his place and Fort Dearborn, the present site of Chicago, Illinois, on the west, the Wabash River on the east and Fort Wayne on the north. His first home was a log cabin and his furniture was of the most primitive deseription. He eleared and improved his land until it was one of the best in the township, and made it
his home until his death. Josiah Skidmore was reared in his native township, and is a prominent and influential citizen in the county. He was married February 25, 1855, to Phobe A. White, daughter of Enoch White, a pioneer of the county. Mr. and Mrs. White are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
UFUS P. LITTLE, farmer and stock_ raiser, resides on seetion 16, Vermillion Township, where he owns a good farm of 119 acres, and in addition to this he owns ninety-three acres on another section. His homestead is well improved, his buildings being commodious and convenient and his land being well drained and under good cul- tivation. He is a native of Vermillion County, born April 16, 1837, a son of Charles and Rachel (Moore) Little, his father a native of Virginia of Irish descent and his mother of Ohio, of Irish and Welsh descent. Ilis parents came to Vermillion Connty in 1830, and settled near Eugene, where they lived seven years and then moved to the farm where our subject now lives, where the father died in 1854, aged fifty-seven years. The mother died November 27, 1881, on her eighty-first anniversary. They had a family of nine children, seven of whom are living-Theo- dore and William, of Kansas; Rufus P .; Lu- eretia, wife of Joseph James; Rowena, wife of Francis Walthall; Charles, and Eliza J. At the time of his father's death Rufus P. was the oldest ehild at home, and the respon- sibility of managing the farm fell on him, and although he was only seventeen years old, he assumed the work of a man and was the main dependenee of his mother and the younger children. He was married in 1863 to Sarah J. MeNeely, who was born in Ver-
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million County in 1846, and died in 1868, leaving two children-Ella and Eunice. In 1869 he married Anna Noyes, a native of Indiana, born in 1836. They have three children-Fred G., Grace and Clifford R. Mr. Little is a Republican in politics. Ile and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
APTAIN JOIIN LINDSEY, residing in the neighborhood of the old Indiana Furnace, Clinton Township, came to Vermillion County, November 4, 1839, and the day following his arrival he entered the employ of the Furnace company. Soon after he became superintendent of the furnace, and had charge of its working foree until he en- tered the army. He was born at Portsmouth, Scioto County, Ohio, November 4, 1814, a son of William D. and Rhoda (Wilson) Lind- sey, the former a native of Pennsylvania, and the mother of New Jersey. The father was a soldier in the war of 1812, serving in a company commanded by his brother, John Lindsey, who died at Eugene, Vermillion County, Indiana, fifty years ago. The par- ents of our subjeet were married in Scioto County, Ohio, June 21, 1813, and of the nine children born to them, he was the eldest. The remaining children are as follows- John- son, still residing in Scioto County, Ohio; James in Vigo County, Indiana; Wilson in Franklin County, Missouri; Sely, who is blind, lives with his brother James; Martha Jane, deceased wife of John V. Bly; William D. lives in Crawford County, Illinois; Harriet Ann, widow of Edward Walton, lives in Iowa, and Angeline died aged thirteen years. Captain John Lindsey. the subject of this sketch, is a self-made and self-educated man, his entire attendance at school being but three
months in the subseription schools of his day. As soon as old enough he began work in iron production and became a molder. His father was a boatman on the Scioto River until coming to Vermillion County. All the fam- ily came to this eounty together, with the exception of Jolison, the second son, who remained in Ohio. The father entered the employ of the Furnace company, but not long afterward he settled on a traet of 160 acres, bought by our subject, where he died March 5, 1872, at the advanced age of eighty-two years. His widow survived until November 4, 1875, dying at the age of seventy-seven years, cared for until her death by her son John. Our subjeet was united in marriage Mareh 30, 1845, to Miss Mahala Boyce, a native of New Hampshire, born in 1819, coming in 1839 to Vermillion County, with her father. He was an employe of the Furnace company in Clinton Township. To Mr. and Mrs. Lindsey a daughter was born December 16, 1846, who died the day of her birth, Mrs. Lindsey dying four days later. Her father died the same year he came to this county, her mother surviving until 1874. Three of her sisters and one brother are living, named Polly, Roxanna, Diana and Edwin, all with Captain Lindsey, members of the same house- hold. No man in Vermillion County is more widely known or more warmly greeted wher- ever he goes than Captain Lindsey. Ile recruited almost all of Company I, Fourteenth Indiana Infantry, sixty of the men in its ranks being employes under him from one to ten years. The Fourteenth was the first three years regiment from Indiana to reach the front, and participated in MeClellan's first battle at Rich Mountain, West Virginia. July 12, 1861, and at Winchester, Virginia, in Shields' battle with General Stonewall Jackson, March 23, 1862. At Winchester Captain Lindsey was shot through the right
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thigh, necessitating a surgical operation which shortened his limb three and a half inches. For gallantry there he was offered a Major's commission, but he determined to remain with his own company, who regarded him as a father rather than an officer. Ile also de- termined if he conld to remain by his men in the field at the battle of Antietam, and went in using a crutch and eane, but under the excitement of that day he was soon able to do dnty withont either. But his active ser- vice ended there. As Assistant Provost- Marshal in charge of Camp Lindsey, at Terre Haute, under Colonel R. W. Thompson, Pro- vost-Marshal, he placed over 1,400 men in the field. Ilis own personal popularity did much toward saving Clinton Township for any draft. As Assistant Provost-Marshal his services only ended with the end of the war, covering four years and six months. IIe now receives a pension of 824 a month. His wife's brothers, Edwin P. and Danvers C. Boyce, were soldiers in the Eighty-fifth Indi- ana Infantry, and his brother William Lindsey served in his company, and was detailed to care for him when wounded. Captain Lind- sey, when the war commenced was a radical Democrat, and from that time was as strong a Republican. IIe is a comrade of Owen Post, No. 329, G. A. R., and a member of Sanford Lodge, No. 330, A. F. & A. M.
OHN F. LANGSTON, one of the most active and enterprising citizens of Sum- mit Grove, was born in Helt Township, Vermillion County, Indiana, near Dana, February 18, 1849, a son of John M. and Mary (Skidmore) Langston, who were among the early pioneers of the county. In his youthi he received a fair common school edu- cation. He was reared a farmer, and made
that his principal vocation until 1882, when in September of that year he came to Summit Grove and engaged in the mercantile business, and has since established a good trade, carry- ing a full line of general stock, and also sells champion harvesters, and other agricultural implements. IIe also deals in grain, poultry and general country produce, and in addition to his business he is express and railroad agent at Summit Grove as well as assistant post- master. Mr. Langston was married April 14, 1874, to Miss Eliza Jackson by whom he had two children, both of whom are deceased. Mrs. Langston died February 2, 1877, and Mr. Langston was again married March 15, 1885, to Mrs. Sarah V. Shannon, widow of the late Frank Shannon, and a daughter of John Taylor, of Vermillion County. They are the parents of one child, a daughter named Jennie Mabel. Mr. Langston never seeks official honors. Ile is a man of strict integ- rity, honorable in all his dealings, and dur- ing his residence at Summit Grove has gained the respect and confidence of all who know him.
- ORTHI W. PORTER, a worthy repre- sentative of one of Vermillion Coun- ty's old pioneer families, is a native of this county, born in Eugene Township, June 11, 1857. Ilis father, John W. Porter, who is now deceased, was also a native of Vermillion County, a son of the noted Judge John R. Porter, who was one of the most prominent of the early settlers. John W. Porter was a farmer and a stock-raiser, vocation he followed until his death which occurred June 15, 1873. The maiden name of his wife was Hettie Tipton, and they were the parents of nine children, seven of whom yet survive-Mary, Abbie, Jennie, Minnie, John, Zoe and Worth W., the subject of this
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sketeh. One daughter, named Lizzie, died after her marriage, leaving a family of three children. Worth W. Porter was reared to agricultural pursuits on the home farm in Eugene Township, and in his youth received a fair common-school education. Ile was married November 29, 1879, to Miss Lonisa Campbell, a daughter of Hogan Campbell, of Eugene Township. This union has been blessed with three children, named Jessie, Jennie and Clarence. Mr. Porter resides on section 9, Eugene Township, where he owns sixty-three acres of choice land, and in eon- nection with his general farming is engaged in dealing in stock. Both he and his wife are members of the Cumberland I'resbyterian church, and among the most respected citizens of Eugene Township.
OBERT H. NIXON, one of the leading business men of Newport, succeeded James F. Weller in the drug business February 11, 1863, the business having been established by John Q. Washburn in the early history of the town. Mr. Nixon has been longer in business than any of the busi- ness men of Newport, and by his aecommo- dating manners, reasonable prices and striet attention to the wants of his customers, he has met with excellent success. He began life a poor boy, and by his good man- agement has acquired a competence. He was born in Newport, Vermillion County, May 24, 1842, and here he grew to manhood. In July, 1861, he enlisted in Company C., Eighteenth Indiana Infantry, and served in Missouri under General Fremont. After being in the service a year he was discharged for disability, a bronchial affeetion brought on by exposure. He was united in marriage to Miss Maria Heffleman, a native of Vermill-
ion County, born May 4, 1844, her parents, Elias and Phoebe Heffleman, coming from Ohio to this county in an early day. Mr. and Mrs. Nixon are the parents of seven children, two sons and five daughters. In politics Mr. Nixon is a Republican, casting his first presidential vote for Abraham Lin- coln in 1864. Mr. Nixon is the only son of Joshua and Margaret Nixon. The father was born in Adams County, Ohio, where he was reared to the avocation of a farmer. Ile was of Irish descent, his parents being natives of the Emerald Isle. After coming to New- port, Vermillion County, he engaged in building and running flat-boats down to New Orleans by way of the Wabash, Ohio and Mississippi rivers. Ile was married in Ohio after loeating in Newport, to Miss Margaret Lovejoy, a daughter of Joseph Lovejoy, a descendant of the family of which Owen Lovejoy was a member. She is now deceased. In 1847 the father of our subject engaged in the business of cabinet making and under- taking at Newport which he followed until his death. IIe was an honest, industrions eitizen, and was respected by all who knew him. His brother, Robert Nixon, eame to Newport as early as 1836. Ile was a ear- penter by trade, and was also engaged for a time in flat-boating with his brother. He removed to Kansas in 1872, where he is now living at the advanced age of eighty-three years.
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AMES B. RICHARDSON, residing on section 6, Highland Township, is a native of Vermillion County, Indiana, born in Eugene Township, October 27, 1830, a son of Alexander and Mahala (Cox) Richardson, the former born in Bedford County, Pennsylva- nia, in 1799, and the latter a native of Ken-
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tucky, born in Knox County in 1810. The father of our subject came to Vermillion County in 1826, having lived a short time previous in Bloomington, Indiana. He made his home in Engene Township until about 1832, when he removed to Perrysville. In early life he learned the art of distilling, and later he engaged in the manufacture of pumps, which he followed many years, sup- plying the early settlers. Later in life he followed the occupation of farming. At the breaking out of the war of the Rebellion he resolved, although then sixty-three years of age, to offer his services to the Government, which were accepted, and he became a mem- ber of the Thirteenth Missouri Infantry. He entered the army through motives of pure patriotism, and gave his life for his country. Ile fought with his regiment at Fort Donel- son, where he became disabled from the effects of the exposure he had undergone, and was soon after transferred to the Invalid Corps. He died at Indianapolis, March 28, 1864. The mother of our subject died at the home of her son, James B. Richardson, March 3, 1880, aged seventy years and three days. She was a daughter of Amos Cox, a native of North Carolina, who settled in Kentucky when twenty-five years old. He subsequently came to Indiana, and settled near Blooming- ton in an early day. Four of the sons of Mr. and Mrs. Alexander Richardson were soldiers in the late war. Edward was a mem- ber of Company C, Twelfth Illinois Infantry; was wounded in the left arm at the battle of Shiloh, from the effects of which he died a few months later. Alexander enlisted with his father in the same regiment, and served until the close of the war. His regiment, the Thirteenth Missouri, after a time was eon- solidated with the Twenty-second Ohio, and was afterward known as the Twenty-sceond Ohio. Henry G., the youngest son, was too
young to enter the service at the beginning of the war, but later served as a member of Company D, Fifty-seventh Indiana Infantry. James B. Richardson, the subject of this sketch, enlisted first in the Twelfth Illinois Infantry for ninety days, and later became a member of the Sixth Indiana Cavalry, in which he served during the last two years of the war, being on duty in Kentneky, Tennes- see, Alabama and' Georgia, and was actively engaged during his whole term of service. The remaining children born to Mr. and Mrs. Richardson are as follows-Horace, the eldest son, resides in Vernon County, Missouri; IIomer died in 1853, aged about twenty years; Elizabeth is the wife of Esan MeFall, of Danville, Illinois; Mary is the wife of Peter Oliphant, also living in Danville, Illi- nois. James B. Richardson was reared in Vermillion County, to the avocation of a farmer, and is still engaged in agricultural pursuits. IIe has resided on his present homestead since 1844, with the exception of the time spent in the war, and is elassed among the most respected and intelligent men in Highland Township. In polities he is a strong adherent to the principles of the Republican party, and has served his town- ship as assessor several times. Mrs. Rieh- ardson was formerly Miss Corintha Niehols, and is a daughter of William Nieliols, of Highland Township. Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Richardson, whose names are-Homer, Susan A., Ettie, Emma and James J.
OILN PEER, farmer, seetion 3, Helt Township, Vermillion County, was born in the same township, August 12, 1833, a son of John Peer, who was born in Frank- lin County, Ohio, near Columbus, Ile came
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
to Vermillion County, Indiana, when a boy, where he hired out as a farm hand. He sub- sequently settled near Newport, and in 1831 moved to HIelt Township, where he made his home until his death. The subject of this sketch was reared on his father's farm, to agricultural pursuits, and his education was ; obtained in the rude log cabin subscription schools of pioneer days, with their slab seats and puncheon floor. Ile was married in September, 1857, to Miss Mahala Crusour, a daughter of Moses Crusour, deceased. Ten children were born to them, of whom nine are still living-William F., Mary C., David M., Martha J., Emma, James O., Prior, Lydia A. and Rhoda E. Mrs. Peer died July 7, 1879, and December 14, 1884, Mr. Peer mar- ried Mrs. Lucy E. Dieken, a daughter of Joseph Fisher, and widow of Joel Dicken. By her first marriage she had five children, two of whom are deceased -- Henry F., who died at the age of eighteen years, and Mar- thia 1., died in her seventh year. The names of her living children are -- Allen B., Flora B. and William A. Mr. Peer has always fol- lowed farming, in which he has been very successful, and is now the owner of 140 acres of choice land. In connection with his gen- eral farming he is engaged in stock-raising. IIe is a member of the Odd Fellows order. Ile and his wife and his three eldest daugh- ters are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
ICHOLAS T. LEITON, farmer, section 26, Helt Township, was born in Ross County, Ohio, August 25, 1834, a son of Thomas Leiton, a native of Virginia, and an early settler of Ohio. In 1836 the family came to Vermillion County, Indiana, and settled in IIelt Township where in connection 25
with working at his trade, blacksmith, the father engaged in farming. Nicholas T. was reared a farmer and has always devoted his attention to agriculture, a vocation he has followed with profit. Hle now owns a fine farm of 140 acres, all well improved, and his residence and farm buildings are models of comfort and convenience. Mr. Leiton was given good educational advantages attending in his childhood the common school and later the Farmer's Institute, at Clinton, and the Newport graded schools, and after leaving school he taught five or six winter terms. He is a man of intelligence and well informed on all the general topics of the day, and is one of the most respected citizens of his township. He was married March 2, 1862, to Mary White, daughter of Enoch White, an early settler of Helt Township. Their only child died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Leiton are members of the Methodist Epis- copal church, of which he is Sunday-school superintendent. In politics he is a Repub- lican.
M RS. SARAHI (VANNEST) MA LONE is the oldest resident now living in Vermillion County, and is a daughter of John and Mary (Taylor) Van- nest, the pioneer family of the county. Both of her parents were born in Pennsylvania, but married in the State of Ohio. Her father visited Vermillion County early in the year 1816, and selected lands on section 9, Clinton Township, a mile above the present site of Clinton, which he purchased a tthe Vincennes land sales, and immediately moved his family, then consisting of wife and four children, to their future home. They settled in a hastily erected log cabin in the south- west quarter of the section, and soon after began
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HISTORY OF VERMILLION COUNTY.
to be troubled by their Indian neighbors .. It is said that not long before their arrival, in a quarrel between two soldiers, a gun discharged by one of them, missed the other and killed a squaw, and for this the Indians vowed that the first white woman who crossed the Wabash should be killed. Mrs. . Vannest therefore became the object of their retaliating vengeance, and two attempts to murder her were frustrated, once by a friendly Indian who had become attached to the family, and another time by the interfer- ence of her brother. Mr. Vannest then re- moved his family for safety to Fort Harrison, ! but returned himself and prosecuted the work of clearing and preparing his land for crops. Not long after this the trouble with the Indians ceased, and the family returning to their pio- neer home lived ever afterward in peace. Mr. Vannest was possessed of considerable means, and carried on the work of improve- ment with characteristic energy, and soon became the owner of the entire section, nearly all of which is still in possession of his descendants. It is claimed that from this section over forty men entered the service of the Government during the war of the Re- bellion. The Vannest home was the abode of hospitality. Mr. Vannest never turned any one from his door, especially a man in need, and never failed to help the needy if called upon. Ile was a man who feared nothing, and his true courage was often tested in the early days of the county. Active and energetic he rapidly acquired a good prop- erty. In 1835 he built a brick house, two stories in height, where Mrs. Malone now lives, which in those years was considered one of the best residences in Clinton Town- ship. He lived in this house until his death, which occurred September 28, 1842, at the age of sixty-two years, leaving an estate consisting of section 9 (640 acres), besides a
farm of 160 acres. also in Clinton Township, and lands in Parke County. Mrs Mary Vannest died August 29, 1824, aged forty years. The four eldest children of Mr. and Mrs. Vanest are-Leah, deceased, wife of Carr Malone; Samuel, deceased; Mrs. Sarah Malone and Jane (twins), the latter deceased, wife of Thomas Kibby. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Vannest after coming to Ver- million County are-John, who was the first white child born in the county; Betsey, de- ceased, wife of Isaac S. Palmer; Mary married John Jacques, and died in March, 1848; Isaac, living in Helt Township. Mrs. Sarah Malone, whose name heads this sketch, was married January 12, 1834, to Scott Malone, who was born in Butler County, Ohio, June 15, 1808, a son of Hartley Malone. He was reared in his native State, and early in life learned the cooper's trade. He was among the pioneers of Vermillion County, settling in Helt Town- ship in an early day. He became a flat-boat- man and a competent river pilot, and fol- lowed the rivers many years before and after marriage. He then settled down on the Vannest homestead, and many years after- ward rebuilt the old brick house, the founda- tion of which was becoming unsafe. Mr. Malone died March 30, 1860, and at the time of his death was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. In politics he was first a Whig, but affiliated with the Republican party from its organization. Mr. and Mrs. Malone were the parents of the following children-Johnson, now a resident of Clinton ; Stuart, who died aged five years; Mary M., died in infancy; Martha J., wife of IIenry A. White, died February 6, 1887, leaving four children; Walter S. died December 28, 1886, at the home of his mother aged forty- four years; Ruam died in her twenty- third year in 1867: Morton died in 1883, at the home of his mother, aged thirty-six years;
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Fanny married Alonzo Hostetter, and died at Clinton in 1875, aged twenty-five years; John, the youngest, is living on the homestead with his mother. He was born January 3, 1853, and April 5, 1875, was married to Miss Rose Aldrieh, a daughter of Montorville Aldrich. This union has been blessed with five children, whose names are Fannic, Scott, George, Clyde and Ralph.
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OHN NORRIS, farmer and stock-raiser, resides on seetion 22, Vermillion Town- ship, where he owns 218 aeres of choice land. Ile is a native of Vermillion County, born November 7, 1834, a son of Robert S. and Martha (Nichols) Norris, natives of South Carolina. The parents came to Indiana in 1830, and settled on the farm now owned by our subject, which at that time was an uncul- tivated traet of land. On this farm they passed the remainder of their lives, the father dying in 1877, aged seventy-three years. They had a family of seven children, four of whom are living-Elizabeth, Caroline, John and Lewis. When they came to Indiana they were poor, but they went bravely to work and by economy and good management aeeunui- lated a good property, owning at one time 800 acres of valuable land. Jolin Norris was reared a farmer, and has made agriculture his lifework. He was married in 1858 to Martha Merriman, a native of Tennessee, born in 1837. They had four children-Clara and Clarissa (twins), the latter being the wife of -Benjamin Nicholas; William A. and an in- fant unnamed. Mrs. Norris died and in 1866 Mr. Norris married Sarah E. French, who was born in Parke County, Indiana, in 1838, a daughter of Philip and Sarah French. They have three children-Robert S., George and Philip. Mr. Norris is a member of the Ma-
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