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 40
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sonic fraternity, Lodge No. 320, which he has served as treasurer. In polities he affili- ates with the Democratie party.
OAlI HEDGES, a representative of one of the old and honored pioneer families of Vermillion County, Indiana, was born in Clinton Township, April 19, 1836. HIis father, William Hedges, was born in Otsego County, New York, October 24, 1801, and in 1819, when eighteen years old, was in Vermillion County on Govern- ment survey. In 1823 he married Pamelia Alden, and directly after his marriage he eame to this county and established his resi- dence in Clinton Township, being one of the first settlers, making a permanent home not long afterward on section 25. Here he lived until shortly before his death, which occurred in the city of Clinton, October 24, 1873, on the seventy-second anniversary of his birth. lle came to the county in limited circum- stances, having not over $200 capital, but be- ing an active, energetic man lie soon stood well to the front. Ile was a carpenter by trade, and often worked at this occupation for 50 cents a day. IIe became the owner of about 700 acres of land, and after giving his children a good start in life, he left a good estate. He was a man of publie spirit, and lid much toward developing the resources of the county. In 1844 he erected a saw-mill on Brouillet's Creek, and some time later added to it a grist-mill. Some twenty years after- ward he moved his mill to Clinton, and there operated it until his death. During his later years he was a member of the United Brethren church. His widow still survives and is living with her married daughter, Mrs. Alma Shew, near her pioneer home, being now eighty-four years of age. Eleven chil-
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dren were born to Mr. and Mrs. William Iledges-Mrs. Irene Shew, of Clinton Town- ship; Mrs. Mary A. Shew, also of Clinton Township; Samuel, who died January 1, 1873; Milton, a resident of Terre llaute, In- diana; Noalı, whose name heads this sketch; Columbus C., of Clinton Township; Mrs. Alma Shew; William was a member of the Fourteenth Indiana Infantry, and was killed at the battle of Chancellorville, Virginia, in 1863; Mrs. Catherine Hall resides on part of the old homestead in Clinton Township, and two children who died in early life. Noah Hedges has spent all of his life in Vermill- ion County, and now lives on section 25, Clinton Township, not eighty rods from his birth-place. He has been twice married, and a daughter of his first wife became the wife of Charles E. Welker. She died in Clinton Township February 24, 1883, in her twenty- third year, after about one year of married life. Mr. Iledges married his present wife, formerly Miss Hannah Tennis, March 17, 1872. She is a native of Ohio, born Janu- ary 12, 1848, a daughter of Allen and Mary Tennis. The father died in Clinton Town- ship during the war of the Rebellion. Her mother is yet living. Mr. and Mrs. Hedges have five children living-Baraba I., May- nard V., Ernest V., Mand II., Esta E. Their fifth child, a son named Charles E., died in infancy. Mr. Hedges is a thorough, practical farmer, which is well indicated by his farm of 120 acres of finely cultivated land. lle is a member of the United Breth- ren church. Mrs. Hedges belongs to the Baptist church.
LIAS LAMB, of Newport, was born in Randolph County, North Carolina. about sixteen miles north of Ashland,
the date of his birth being September 24, 1814. In April, 1829, his parents, Joseph and Lydia (Adamson) Lamb, left North Caro- lina for Indiana, bringing their family to Wayne County. There the parents lived on a farm until their death, the mother dying in 1844, and the father in 1855. They were members of the Society of Friends. Of the nine children born to them seven grew to maturity, of whom five are living at the pres- ent writing as follows-Esther, Elias, Mor- nen, Joseph and Ithamer. Of the above, all with the exception of one son is living in Indiana. Elias Lamb, the subject of this sketch, was reared on his father's farm to agricultural pursuits. March 23, 1837, he married Miss Susannah Bish, a native of Fairfield County, Ohio, born November 17, 1818, a daughter of Joli and Ann Elizabeth Bish, with whom she came to Wayne County, Indiana, in 1836. Her parents lived in Wayne County many years, and subsequently removed to Miami County, where the mother died. Later the father returned to Wayne County and died on the old homestead. Mr. and Mrs. Bish reared a family of ten children to maturity, of whom two sons and four daughters yet survive. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Lamb settled in Wayne County, living there many years. Mr. Lamb learned the carpenter's trade at which he worked in connection with farming. In 1870 he came to Vermillion County, locating on a farmi near Perrysville. In March, 1873, he bought and removed to a farm in Vermillion Town- ship, where he lived until March 3, 1887, when he purchased the pleasant home in Newport where he now resides, enjoying the fruits of a well spent life. Mr. and Mrs. Lamb celebrated their golden wedding March 23, 1887, at which there was a large attend- ance of the old settlers, and nearly all of their children and grandchildren were also present.
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They have had ten children born to them- Azel E., Irvin R., Elizabeth J., John V., Leanna, Carrie, Merritt C., Elmira C., and Lydia F., living, and Lewis K., their fourth child, died aged one and a half years. They have in 1887, twenty living grandehildren and eight great-grand children. October 12, 1883, Mr. and Mrs. Lamb were attacked by burglars at their home, Mr. Lamb being severely injured, and has never fully recovered from the effects. In 1841 he and his wife united by letter with the United Brethren church in Wayne County, and recently trans- ferred their letters to the same church in Newport. Politically Mr. Lamb was a Free- Soiler until 1856, since which he has affiliated with the Republican party. They are among the most respected citizens in Vermillion Connty, and are ever foremost in deeds of Christian charity and benevolence.
IENZI M. WHITE, one of the active and enterprising agriculturists of Ilelt Township, residing on section 27, was born in the same township, near his present home, January 31, 1841, a son of James A. White, one of the old and respected pioneers of Vermillion County. Ile was reared to the avocation of a farmer, which he has made his life work, and was educated in the com- mon schools of his neighborhood, and at the Farmer's Home Institute at Clinton, Indiana. Ile enlisted as a private in the war of the Rebellion, and was assigned to Company D, Eighty-fifth Indiana Infantry, and partici- pated in a number of important engagements, including the battles of Resaca, Buzzard's Roost, Dallas Woods, Kenesaw Mountains, Cassville, Peach Tree Creek, siege of At- lanta, Averysboro and Bentonville. He was with Sherman on his march to the sea, thence
to Washington, where he participated in the grand review. He was in the service three years, and was discharged as Orderly-Ser- geant at the close of the war. May 19, 1867, he was married to Miss Mary J. Davis, a na- tive of Montgomery County, Indiana, and daughter of Robert Davis, now a resident of IIelt Township. Mr. White has a fine farm
of eighty acres, where in connection with his general farming he is engaged in stock- raising, making a specialty of graded Ilol- stein cattle. IIe is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic. Mrs. White is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church at Salem.
HIOMAS J. SKIDMORE, a prominent and successful agriculturist of Vermill- ion County, engaged in farming and stock-raising on section 15, Ilelt Township, was born in the same township, near his present farm, February 14, 1850, a son of the late IIon. William Skidmore. His youth was passed on the home farm, and in attend- ing the schools of his neighborhood, where he received a fair common-school education. Ile has always followed farming and has now a valuable farm of 106 acres well improved and nuder good cultivation, the surroundings of his place showing the owner to be a thor- ongh, practical farmer. September 7, 1871, he married in Clarke County, Illinois, Miss Virginia Wright, whose father, Richard Wright, is still a resident of Clarke County. Four children have been born to this union, named -- Estella, Harvey, Jesse and Metta A. Mr. Skidmore has been a member of the United Brethren church since the age of nineteen years, with the exception of four years, when he belonged to the Methodist Protestant church. He is now steward of
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the United Brethren church and superintend- of three children named-Milton, William ent of the Sabbath-school. Ilis wife is a and Belle. Mr. Coffin has met with good consistent member of the same church. suecess in his agricultural pursuits, and is now the owner of 220 aeres of choice land. IIe devotes his entire attention to farming and stock-raising, making a specialty of graded stoek. Mrs. Coffin is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian church.
S IMPSON W. COFFIN, residing on see- tion 8, Eugene Township, was born May 10, 1829, on the old homestead, commonly called the Collett farm, and located one and a quarter miles from his present home. Ilis father, Dr. William Coffin, who is now deceased, came to this county from Guilford County, North Carolina, in 1822, and settled in Eugene Township in the spring of 1823, entering land from the Government. At the time of his settlement Indians and wild ani- mals were numerous, and he often traded with the Indians. On one occasion a number of Indians came to his house all intoxicated Unt two who remained sober to take care of the others. Little damage was done by them at that time except the breaking of a large looking-glass. For ten years Dr. Coffin was associated in the practice of medicine with Dr. Scott, late of Newport. The mother of our subject, Euniee C'offin, was a daughter of Zeno Worth. The parents of our subject had a family of nine children, two of whom died young. The names of those who reached maturity are as follows -- Berkley (deceased), Nelson (a prominent physician of Monticello, Illinois), Laura (deceased), Emily (living in Clarke County, Iowa), Simpson W., Mary and Miriam (deceased). Simpson W. Coffin, our subject, was reared to the avocation of a farmer, and was educated at the Bloomington (Indiana) University, and Wabash College of Crawfordsville. Ile was married April 6, 1856, to Miss Rachel A. Tutt, a daughter of James and Melinda (Neel) Tutt, who reside in Ilelt Township, town of Highland, this county. Mr. and Mrs. Coffin are the parents
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HILANDER GOFF, of Highland Town- ship, is a representative of one of the earliest pioneer families of Vermillion County, his father, David Goff, settling in Highland Township in 1823. The Goff family originated in Wales, three brothers coming to America in an early day in the history of the country, one of whom settled in Canada, one in Rhode Island and the other in New Jersey. David Goff was born in Conneetient in 1798, and in 1804, when he was but six years old, his father immigrated to Western New York, settling in Monroe County. In 1815 David, then a youth of seventeen years, left the homestead and with his brothers, Brainard and Almon, started West, gradually working their way until they reached Carlisle, Indiana, where they worked for some time in a distillery. In 1823 they eame up the Wabash River to Perrysville, stopping along the route and working at all points where new towns were building, be- tween Carlisle and Covington. They did not then decide to locate at Perrysville, but con- tinned their journeyings to what is now the city of Chicago. They soon returned to Perrysville and assisted in erecting the first building in the place and also at Terre Hante, and now decided to end their journeyings and locate. David and Almon entered eighty aeres of land about two miles west of Perrysville and Brainard located
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about a mile west of them. David and Almon In 1865 he began the study of medicine with Dr. J. C. Cook, remaining under his instruc- tion two years, when he went to the Miami Medieal College, at Cincinnati, Ohio, and at- tended lectures two years, graduating in 1868. In the same year he began his praetice at Quaker Ilill, remaining there until 1874, when he moved to Newport, where he has sinee built up a large practice. Dr. Shepard was married in 1874 to Snsie Hannahs, a native of Ohio. They have one child-Grace. Ile is a member of the Odd Fellows order, Vermillion Lodge, No. 594. In politics lie spent the rest of their lives in this county, living to be over eighty years old, and Brainard died in La Porte, Indiana. David® Goff became a worthy and respected citizen, being highly esteemed by all who knew him. He was for forty years a member of the Baptist church. Ile married Mary Hughes, 1 who was born in Londonn County, Virginia. | November 9, 1807, and died October 6, 1866. Mr. Goff died September 7, 1881. They were the parents of eight children, two sons and six daughters, all of whom are living and all but two residents of Vermillion County. : is a Democrat. Dr. Shepard has a good home Philander Goff was born in Highland Town- in the village of Newport. ship, near where he now lives, September 30, 1834. He has been married three times. His first wife, whose maiden name was Eliza- beth Gonty, died April 24, 1863. To them were born three children, but one of whom. Jeremiah, is living. Mr. Goff was married the second time to Mrs. Marintha (Cossey) Gouty, and to them were born five children, only one of whom, William II., is living. ITis present wife was Anna Elizabeth Fox, a daughter of John L. Fox, and they have six children-Flora Belle, Lewis D., Jolin B., Lilly B., Stillman and Effie. Mr. Goff has lived on his present homestead since 1860, where he has a fine farm and beautiful home. His two eldest sons are married and reside on farms near their father, given them by their grandparents on the mother's side. Mr. Goff is a Demoerat in politics.
EWIS SHEPARD, M. D., a prominent physician of Newport, is a native of Vermillion County, born November 15, 1839, a son of Benjamin and Eliza (Johnson) Shepard. lle was raised in this county, spending his early life on his father's farm.
- ALVIN B. HARRISON, a member of the Harrison family who settled in Ver- million County among the early pio- neers, was born in Clinton Township, this I county, March 7, 1837, and now resides on section 19 of the same township, within forty rods of his father's homestead. ITis father, Benjamin Ilarrison, settled here with his family about the year 1832, and did much toward developing the early resources of the county, and lived and died an honored and respected citizen. With the exception of five months spent in Knox County, Illinois, during the year 1860, Mr. Harrison has always lived in Vermillion County, in the neighbor- hood of his birthplace. He was carly in life inured to farm work, and has always followed the avocation of a farmer, although for the past four years he has also been engaged in the manufacture of tile. Ile was united in marriage November 27, 1861, to Miss Amer- iea Eviston, a native of Parke County, Indi- ana, born November 3, 1843, a daughter of Thomas and Olive Eviston. Her parents settled in Clinton Township, this county,
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when she was a child, her father dying here Vincennes, Indiana, where the little colony lived about three years. In 1818 they came to Vermillion County, settling on and around the prairie which was subsequently named HIelt's Prairie at a settler's meeting, in honor of John Helt and his three sons. John Helt died aged seventy years, more than fifty years ago. When they settled here the country a few years ago. Iler mother is still living, aged eighty-four years. To Mr. and Mrs. Harrison eleven children have been born as follows: Mrs. Olive Wood, of Clinton Town- ship; Douglas died March 20, 1885, aged twenty-two years; Bruce; Colman; Annie, who died in childhood; Charles, Frank. Thomas, Arabella, Nellie and Callie. In : was nothing but a wilderness, wild animals polities Mr. Harrison is a Republican, and is . a strong adherent to the principles of that party.
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roamed through the forest, and Indians were the only inhabitants, but were not trouble- some. Their nearest trading point was Terre MIante, and their milling was done sixty miles from their home. They worked hard to make a home ont of the forests for their family, and by persevering industry and strict econo- my in the pioneer days, their efforts were crowned with success. Mr. Ilelt died at his home in Helt Township, August 5, 1864, and his wife died September 13, 1867. Both were earnest Christians, and consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church for many years.
M ICHIAEL HIELT, deceased, who was prominently identified with the early history of the county, was born in Pennsylvania, January 22, 1788, a son of John Helt, who was of German descent. Ile was reared to agricultural pursuits, which he followed through life. He was married Angust 31, 1815, to Elizabeth Aye, a native of Maryland, and a daughter of Jacob Aye, who was of German and English descent. To them were born seven children, four still living-Mrs. Celina Mitchell, Catherine, OIN CLARK, a worthy representative of one of the old and respected pioneer families of Vermillion County, is a native of Butler County, Ohio, born September 3, 1829, and was but three years of age when his parents. Ezra and Nancy (Fullwider) Clark, settled in Vermillion Township, this county, near Newport. His father was born Charles B. and Nancy. Catherine was the second white ehild born in Vermillion County, the date of her birth being March 23, 1819, and is the oldest living native born citizen in the county. She has never married and is living with her maiden sister on a part of the old homestead. The names of the deceased children are John, Hiram and Irena. Shortly : in Butler County, Ohio, and is now living in after his marriage Michael Helt, with his ' IIelt Township, Vermillion County, a hale old man, eighty-seven years of age. The mother of our subject was born in North Carolina, and was of German ancestry. She died in 1864, after having reared five chil- dren to maturity. Two beside the subject of this sketch are yet living, named Mrs. Martha Sears and Mrs. Mary E. Betson, both resi- wife, his two brothers, Daniel and George, his sister Elizabeth, with her husband Angus- tns Ford, his father, and John Skidmore and family, started in a flat-boat at Columbus, Ohio, for Indiana, floating down the Scioto River to the Ohio, and from there to the month of the Wabash River, then poled it to
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dents of Vermillion Township. The father was again married to Miss Abbie Pierson, and by his second marriage has reared a fam- ily of four children. John Clark, the subject of this sketch, was reared to agricultural pur- snits on the home farm, and has always fol- lowed the avocation of a farmer, in which he has met with good success. Ile was nnited in marriage, August 16. 1853, to Miss Rachel Smith, who was born in Clinton Township, Vermillion Connty. Her father, James Smith, died when she was three years old. They commenced honsekeeping on a tract of eighty acres deeded him by his father, located in Vermillion Township. Three years later they removed to Clinton Township, and settled on the farm where they have since made their home. This property is very finely located on the Hazel Bluff gravel road, two miles west of Clinton. Mrs. Clark died on this farm, November 29, 1879, in her forty-eighth year. July 25, 1880, Mr. Clark was married a second time to Mrs. Charity (Bruce) Downs, a native of Edgar County, Ilinois, born March 8, 1843. Her parents, James and Nancy (Carney) Bruce, were born in the State of Virginia, but married in Kentucky, and moved to Illinois from that State. Mrs. Clark was abont four years of age when her father died. Iler mother died some twenty- two years ago. Mrs. Clark was first married to Abram Downs, September 29, 1868, and they resided in Edgar County, Illinois, until his death, which occurred February 27, 1871, at the age of twenty-seven years. Mr. Clark has 193 acres of choice land in his homestead, and also owns forty acres of improved land on section 16, Clinton Township. He has a neat, comfortable residence, good farm build- ings, and the entire surroundings indicate the care and thrift of the owner. In politics he has always voted the Democratic ticket. He is an active and enterprising citizen, and
every movement calculated to promote the welfare of his township or county has his enconragement and support. - MITHI HI. SAMUELS, manufacturer and dealer in brick at Caynga, is a native of Ohio, born in Pickaway County De- eember 25, 1841. a son of Peter and Eleanor (Vinson) Samuels, both of whom are deceased. The subject of this sketch was brought up on a farm, receiving his education principally at Bloomingdale Academy, Parke County, In- diana, and during the year 1869 he taught school for one term. On the 6th day of July. 1861, he enlisted in the Union army, in Com- pany II. Twenty-first Indiana Infantry, serv- ing in this company two years. Immediately after the surrender of New Orleans his regi- ment made an expedition into western Louisi- ana, and at Bayon Bœuf captured a battery of three guns, which was subsequently used by detail from his regiment, and with such efficiency that General B. F. Butler converted the entire regiment into heavy artillery, with two additional companies, and when fully re- cruited the organization numbered 1,900 men. Mr. Samuels served four years and two months, and participated in the battles of Baton Rouge, Donaldsonville, Franklin, siege of Port Hudson (forty-seven days and nights), Fort Morgan, Spanish Fort, Forts IInger and Tracy, and Fort Blakely. At the last named place the battery to which our subject be- longed alone, with two thirty-pounder Parrott rifles, whipped the Huntsville and Nashville Confederate, wooden, and the Morgan iron- clad gunboats. This occurred April 8, 1865, on the extreme right of Fort Blakely, and was really the last battle of the war. Mr. Samuels was appointed Bugler at Mobile, Alabama, and was mastered ont as such, and
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the old bugle he used in the war is still in his possession, and becomes dearer and more valued every year. While in infantry Mr. Samuels was wounded in the right shoulder, at Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Angust 5, 1862, where 2,500 Union troops defeated J. C. Breckenridge, with 6,000 rebels, who left his wounded, including one General (Clark) on the field. Since the war Mr. Samuels has been nearly exclusively engaged in the gen- eral mercantile business. He was married September 30, 1886, to Miss Nancy Isabelle Wann, a daughter of William II. Wann, of Lodi, Indiana. They are the parents of one child, a danghter named Ellen V. Mr. Sam- uels came to Cayuga in 1886, where he has built a comfortable home, and is one of the substantial and most respected citizens of the place. Ile is a member of the Masonic fra- ternity, also of the Knights of Labor and Grand Army of the Republic. He is a mem- ber of the Baptist church.
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ILLIAM WRIGIIT, a worthy repre- sentative of one of the old and respected pioneer families of Ver- million County, was born on the homestead which he now owns and occupies, the date of his birth being December 4, 1831. IIe is a son of George and Mary (Briggs) Wright, and a grandson of George Wright, Sr., who settled here as early as 1820. George Wright, the father of our subject, was a man of more than ordinary ability, ambitious and ener- getic, and made, considering the disad- vantages of the times, rapid progress. Ile was a man of strict integrity, kind and generous almost to a fanlt, and if in his power to aid he never turned away a needy man from his door. Politically he was always loyal to the Whig party. In religious
views he never doubted God's goodness, and believed in the final salvation of all men. His death, which was a source of universal regret throughout the county, occurred De- cember 4, 1852, on the day his son William attained his majority. Ile was born in On- tario County, New York, July 11, 1801. Hle commenced life for himself at the age of eighteen years, but came to Vermillion County abont the same time as his parents settled here, in 1820. He was married in 1822 to Miss Mary Briggs, who was born near Seneca, in Lake County, New York, in 1806, a daughter of John Briggs. Her par- ents came to Indiana and settled in Vigo County in 1816. Both were natives of England. Soon after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Wright commenced housekeeping at the Wright homestead, where all their five children were born. Two children died in infancy; their daughter Jane married James Rush, and died six months after her marriage; Ann became the wife of William Wood, and is now deceased, and William is the subject of this sketch. The mother was a strong, lion-hearted woman, and feared notli- ing. She was accustomed to all kinds of mannal labor, and worked out-doors as well as in-doors. In the early years of the county wild game and wild animals roamed almost undisturbed through the woods, and wolves would even gather near their house to eat the crumbs swept from the family table. At one time Mrs. Wright drove away a bear that was feasting upon the body of a live hog. She lived to witness the marvelous de- velopment of Vermillion County, to see its forests vanish and become replaced by the homes of thousands of people. She died De- cember 9, 1883, beloved by all who knew her. William Wright, whose name heads this sketch, was reared at the homestead, and has succeeded, by inheritance and purchase, to
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