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 41
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William bright
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the ownership of the same. October 14, | ject was born in Greenbrier County, Virginia, 1852, he married Miss Charlotte Robertson, daughter of James and Mary Robertson, formerly of the State of Virginia, but early settlers of Sullivan County, Indiana, where Mrs. Wright was born September 25. 1833. Both of her parents died of apoplexy, in Vigo County. this State. Ten children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Wright, as fol- lows- Mary died in infancy; George, living in Clinton Township; Landon died in in- faney; Lincoln, of Clinton Township; Jose- phine died aged two years; Mrs. Glendora G. Pittenger, of Vigo County; Charles, at home; Freddie died in infancy; Burt and Anna, at home. The homestead where our subject has spent his life is located on the line between sections 31 and 32. Clinton Township, and within a few feet of the east door of his present residence may still be seen the large flat stone which made the foundation of the rude double chimney which served the double log house of his parents. Both Mr. and Mrs. Wright are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Wright cast his first Presidential vote for Jolm C. Fremont, and since then has been a staunch supporter of the Republican party. In 1868 he was elected county commissioner, serving one term. He has held official positions of trust in Clinton, serving as trustee, elerk, etc. Since the year 1868 he has been a member of the Masonic fraternity, and takes an active interest in that organization.
MOS FLESHMAN, a prominent and enterprising citizen of Highland Town- ship, is a native of Indiana, born in Harrison County, October 12, 1822, a son of William and Sarah Fleshman, old pioneers of Vermillion County. The father of our sub-
November 18, 1795, and was of German de- scent. When about ten years of age he was taken by his parents to Kentucky. Ile sub- sequently engaged in flat-boating on the Ohio and Mississippi rivers, making a num- ber of trips to New Orleans, and on two or- casions, lie walked the entire distance from that eity to Louisville, Kentucky. While on a flat-boat trip to New Orleans in 1815 the celebrated battle of New Orleans took place between the British and the American army. Ile had reached Natchez, Mississippi, when that event occurred, and was pressed into the service for dnty if necessity required. He reached New Orleans soon after the battle. ; and visited the scene of the recent contest where the terrible slaughter made by the American army under General Jackson in the ranks of the British under General Pack- ingham was plainly visible. Ou these trips he passed through many strange experiences and vicissitudes of fortune. On one occasion returning from New Orleans he made his way by helping work a barge loaded with merchandise up the river. It was hard work and their progress was very slow- so slow that frequently when stopping in the evening for the night, they could look back and see the smoke of their fires of the previous night. They were ninety days making the upward trip. When a young man William Flesh- man came to Indiana, and was married in this State in 1815, to Miss Sarah Charley, a native of Kentucky, born Angust 3, 1795, who was brought to Harrison County, Indi- ana, when a child. They lived in Harrison County until 1827, when in October of that year they came to Vermillion County. Mr. Fleshman then located on eighty acres of land in Highland Township, which had been entered by Isaac Chenoweth. A log cabin had been built on the land, 14 x 16 feet in
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size, in which the family of Mr. Fleshman, among the successful agriculturists of the county. His farm adjoins the old homestead of his father, a part of the latter being in- cluded in his farm. Beside his home farm in Highland Township, which consists of 365 acres of valuable land, he also owns 208 acres located elsewhere in the same township. Ile was united in marriage November 5, 1845, to Miss Susan A. Smith, a native of Virginia, born August 6, 1824, a daughter of David and Susan Smith. Mr. and Mrs. Fleshman are the parents of two daughters-Sarah, wife of Dr. James A. Barnes, of Gessie, and Mary J., wife of George W. Dealand, the present superintendent of public schools, re- siding at Perrysville. They have two grand- sons, children of their daughter Sarah- Jolinie, born February 15, 1877, and Robbie, born December 27, 1878. In politics Mr. Fleshman casts his suffrage with the Repub- lican party. then consisting of nine persons, and another family of three, passed the first winter. The food in those days was easily attainable. Deer and other wild game was abundant, and the choicest venison could be secured with but little trouble. The wearing apparel of the family was made by the mother from flax which she spun and wove with her own hands, and later when sheep were introduced, she prepared garments by the same labor. Their humble cabin was occupied by the family about six years, when a more commodious residence was built. Mr. Fleshman was very successful in his agricultural pursuits, and was enabled to add to his original purchase from time to time until at his death he pos- sessed over 400 acres of choice land. He died at his homestead Angust 14, 1853, his widow surviving until April 12, 1866. Both were worthy members of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which he was a class- leader for many years, and in the pioneer days religious services were held at his house. They are yet remembered by many of the AMES C. LEWIS, a settler of Vermillion County, and an active and public-spirited citizen, was born in Carter County, Ten- nessee, May 23, 1835. His father was a native of Ashe County, North Carolina. He was a gunsmith by trade, but lived the greater part of his life on a farm. Our subject was reared to the avocation of farming, which he has followed the greater part of his life. In his boyhood he attended the common and subscription schools of his neighborhood, completing his education at Taylorsville Academy, of Johnston County, Tennessee. Hle then taught school some ten or twelve years. In 1863 he went north, and enlisted in defense of the Union as State Guard, stop- ping first at Mecca Mills in Parke Connty, Indiana, and in the fall of the same year he early settlers, for their many excellent traits of character. They were the parents of thirteen children, four sons and nine dangh- ters. Six of their children are still living- Christena, wife of George Wier, of Logans- port, Indiana; Amos, the subject of this sketch; Jolm W .; Sarah, wife of David Hoobler; Martha and Mary (twins), the former married to Frederick Hoobler, and the latter the wife of Jacob Zigler. The last four are residents of Livingston County, Illi- nois. Amos Fleshman, whose name heads this sketch. is the only representative of his father's family living in Vermillion County. Ile was but five years of age when brought to the county, where he has since lived, a period of sixty years. Ile was reared a farmer, which avocation he still follows, and is classed , came to Vermillion County. He went to
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his home in Tennessee in August, 1865, and in the spring of 1866 returned to Parke County. In the spring of 1867 he came to Vermillion County, and has since made his home in Helt Township, his farm being on section 7, where he owns sixty-eight acres of good land. January 4, 1866, Mr. Lewis was married to Miss Nancy J. Dugger, and to this union eight children have been born as follows-Frederica I., Addie A., Mollie R. (deceased), William F., James Lawson, D. Edgar, Nannie E. and Perry M. Mr. Lewis was deputy assessor of Helt Township for two years, and is now serving his second year as township assessor, having been elected such in April, 1886. Both he and his wife are members of the Baptist church.
- ILLIAM J. HERBERT, retired far- mer, residing on section 27, Vermill- ion Township, is one of the prominent pioneers of the county. He was born in Campbell County, Kentucky, March 25, 1819, a son of Charles and Elizabeth Herbert. Ilis father died at New Orleans in 1821, leaving his wife with three small children. In 1831 the mother with her family came to Indiana, and settled in Vermillion County, bringing with her a capital of $100. She died in Coles County, Illinois, in 1868. William J. was reared to manhood in Vermillion, amid the privations and hardships of pioneer life. lle began farming at the age of twelve years, struggling for a living here until 1839, when he removed to Coles County, Illinois, having but $3 in money, and this he had borrowed. At that time the country was in a primitive condition, no mills nor railroads, which made it hard for the early settler. Mr. Ilerbert, by hard work and persevering industry, sue- ceeded in getting a good home in .Coles
County, where he lived many years. In 1875 he went to California, but not liking that country he removed in 1876 to Kansas, and in 1881 he returned to Indiana. With the exception of seven years spent in the dry goods business, Mr. Herbert has always fol- lowed agricultural pursuits, in which he has been highly successful, and is now the owner of sixty-three aeres of well improved land located a half mile from Newport, an eighty acre farm in Douglas County, Illinois, be- sides valuable town property in Newport, all of which he has acquired by years of perse- vering toil and good management. He is now living at his home near Newport, surrounded with all the comforts of life, and enjoying the fruits of his years of toil. Mr. Herbert was first married in 1837 to Miss Martha G. Arasmith, who was born in Sullivan County, Indiana, in 1816, and died in the year 1878. To them were born nine children, five of whom are living-America Ann, wife of Charles Odell; Mahala, wife of Robert Carnahant; Belle, wife of John Gregg; Louisa, wife of Jackson Brown, and William Alexander, who married Miss Queen Smith. Mr. Herbert was married a second time, March 10, 1881. to Mrs. Mary Nixon, a daughter of William Ilopkins. She was born in the year 1830, and in 1872 married the late Joshua Nixon. Mrs. Herbert has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal church for thirty-seven years, and Mr. Herbert has been a member of the church for forty-seven years. Politically he is a Democrat.
OSEPII BURNS, proprietor of the Mon- tezuma Fire Brick Works, located one inile north of Hillsdale, Vermillion County, is a native of Ohio, born in Picka- way County, March 17, 1822. Ilis father,
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James Burns, was one of the pioneers of Parke County, Indiana, settling there as early as 1828, on wild land when wild animals and In- dians were numerons. The latter camped with- in a half mile of his home. The father being a farmer, our subject was reared to the same avocation, his youth being spent in assisting in elearing and improving the home farm and in attending the rude log cabin subserip- tion schools of his neighborhood. Mr. Burns was first married in 1847 to Caroline Van- landigham, a daughter of Thomas Vanlan- digham. Mrs. Burns left at her death one child, Caroline, who is now the wife of Enos Kuhn, of Lawrence, Kansas. Mr. Burns was married a second time in 1857 to Mary Mil- likin, whose father, Stephen Millikin, was an early settler of Helt Township, Vermillion Connty. Seven children were born to this union, of whom fou rare yet living-Mary L., Edward H., Belle and Joseph. In 1851 Mr. Burns purchased the ferry property, which he has since owned, operating it him- self for twenty years, and now running it by hired help. In 1872 he built a warehouse near where his factory now stands, and in 1873 Josephus Collett, Isaac Porter and him- self built the Montezuma Fire Brick Works, which he has sinee operated successfully. He is also the owner of a fine traet of 300 aeres of land, surrounding his factory. Ile is a member of the Odd Fellows order, and a mueh respected citizen, having by his fair and honorable dealings gained the confidence and esteem of all who know him.
EORGE W. EDWARDS, the present efficient postmaster at Clinton, is a native of Indiana, born in Lawrence County, November 11, 1827, and is the fifth child and third son born to Jolm E. and Mar-
garet (Brindley) Edwards. His parents came to Vermillion among the pioneers of 1829, crossing the Wabash River midway between Newport and Clinton. They established their home in the forest abont one and a half miles sonth of Newport, their old homestead being owned by Charles Potts. There the family lived many years, and finally changed their residence to Helt Township, where the parents died when but little past the meridian of life. George W., the subject of this sketeh, was reared and educated in Vermillion County, where he has lived from the age of two years with the exception of five or six years. IIe was the first man who left Vermillion County to try his fortune in the California mines, joining a party numbering twenty-one in Coles County, Illinois. They commeneed their weary march on March 9, 1850, whiel occupied 175 days. Their route ran through Fort Hall, Fort Kearney and Fort Laramie, and at these places were seen the only build- ings in 2,000 miles. Dr. Joseph Goodman, their only physician, died on the plains of Kansas, after a few hours sickness, which led to gloomy forebodings, but no other loss was met with. During the journey Mr. Edwards rode not more than ten miles. He spent two years in California, in mining and prospecting with varied suecess, the wild life agreeing with him, and in this time he improved his health if not his wealth. IIe returned via the Isth- mus of Panama, reaching the old home in the fall of 1852, and shortly afterward he engaged in the mercantile business at Highland, this county. In 1854 he was married to Miss Mary A. Derr, a native of Columbiana Conn- ty, Ohio, and they are the parents of two children-Manrice C., a young man of good business qualifications, residing on the Rio Grande River in Texas, and Etta L., at home with her parents. In 1868 Mr. Edwards removed with his family to Terre Haute,
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Indiana, remaining there three years, since which time he has made his home in Clinton, this county. He has been an active business man nearly all his life since reaching man- hood, and has done much toward building up the town of Clinton. Ile erected and for a time owned the finest residence in the place. During the past few years he has been en- gaged in the boot and shoe business, and in 1885 he associated with him in business, Matthew W. Scott, thus forming the present firm of Edwards & Scott. He has been a life-long Democrat, and one of the leading members of that party in the county, and with the change of administration he was appointed to the office of postmaster, which he has filled since 1885, Mr. Scott acting as his deputy. Mr. Edwards is a member of the Masonie fraternity, belonging to the lodge at Clinton. Both he and his wife are mem- bers of the Presbyterian church, and among the respected people of Clinton.
ILLIAM HIENRY SKIDMORE, a worthy representative of one of the prominent pioneer families of Ver- million County, was born in Ilelt Township, September 4, 1853, a son of Ilon. William and Amelia Skidmore. Ile was reared on the home farm in his native county, and in his youth received good educational advant- ages in the seminary at Sullivan, Indiana. He subsequently tanght a school for three years during the winter terms, being a popu- lar and successful instructor. Ile is now de- voting his attention to general farming and stock-raising, and is the owner of a fine farm containing 115 acres of valuable land on section 14, Helt Township, where he resides. Mr. Skidmore was united in marriage Oc- tober 19, 1880, to Miss Annie Mays, a
daughter of James Mays, a resident of Tus- cola, Illinois. Mrs. Skidmore is a lady of culture and refinement. She is a graduate of the State University of Bloomington, Indi- ana, where she received the honors of her class. She was a teacher in this county, and won the confidence and respect of all her pupils. She is a consistent member of the Christian church at Dana.
OIN HIGHFILL, farmer and stock- raiser, section 16, Vermillion Township, was born in Vermillion County, Septem- ber 4, 1828, a son of Jeremiah and Mary (Taylor) Highfill, natives of Maryland, of English and Irish descent. They left their native State for Kentucky, and thence in 1826 to Vermillion County, Indiana. The mother died in 1852, aged about sixty years, and the father in 1857, aged ciglity-five years. They reared a family of seven children, but two of whom are living-Mrs. Melissa Slater, widow of James Slater, and our subjeet. Jolm Hightill, was reared amid the scenes and ineidents of pioneer life. Ile received but limited educational advantages, attending school in the rude log cabin school-houses of his day, where the window lights were of greased paper, and the seats were of slabs, and with puncheon floor and clapboard roofs. Ile was brought up on the home farm, where he plowed with wooden mold board plows. and the harvests in those days were ent with reap hooks. The first reaping machine seen by our subject in operation was one bought by his father-in-law in 1856. The machine was attached to the front wheels of a wagon, and the bundles raked off by hand. Ile re- members when the women spun and wove the cloth for most all the clothing worn in those days. IIe has always followed farming
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and has ever been an energetic, industrious man, and by economy and good management has acquired considerable property. His homestead, a part of which was inherited by him, now contains 300 acres of land, and his improvements are among the best in his township. Mr. Hightill was married April 24, 1855, to Elizabeth Il. Hudson, a native of Clermont County, Ohio, born March 20, 1828, a daughter of David and Margaret (Jackson) Hudson. Her parents came to this county in 1830, and here her father died in 1866, aged sixty-six years, and her mother in 1872, aged seventy-two years. Mrs. Hightill is the third of eight children. The others ' yet living are --- Benjamin F .; Alvira, wife of Alfred Newlin; Ruhama, wife of John O. Rodgers; Cleopatra, wife of Richard Mitchell, and Rebecca, wife of Robert F. Stokes. Mr. and Mrs. Highfill have had born to them one child-Amelia Florence, now the wife of Ura A. Johnson, of Vigo County. She has two children-Elizabeth C. and John C. Mr. eighth year his parents immigrated to Parke County, Indiana, where they made their home until 1855. They then removed to Boone County, Iowa, where the mother died a few years later. The father then returned to Indiana, and lived in Clinton Township. this county, until his death. Enoch Whitted, the subject of this sketeh, reached manhood in Parke County, and was married in that county to Miss Eliza Ilise, who was born and reared in the same county. They continued to reside in Parke County, until establishing their residence in Clinton Township, in 1856. Nine children were born to them as follows --- George; John F., died aged seventeen years; William resides in Clinton; Mrs. Josephine Clark of Clinton Township; Idora died in her second year; Charles, Lulie, Florence and Cora, the last four yet at home with their parents. Mr. Whitted enlisted in the war of the Rebellion, and went to the front in Company A, Seventy-first Indiana Infantry, being mustered into the United and Mrs. Highfill are active members of the : States service August 18, 1862. His first Methodist Episcopal church. A new briek chapel was completed and dedicated in the fall of 1887, of which Mr. Highfill is a : trustee. engagement was at Richmond, Kentucky. where he was wounded in the right leg, and made his escape to the hospital at Lexington, Kentucky. After spending a few weeks in the hospital he returned to his home. Ile rejoined his regiment in January, 1863. In the summer of 1863 the regiment returned ANOCHE WHITTED, a prominent and progressive agriculturist of Vermillion County, resides on section 13, Clinton Township. When he settled at this place in August, 1856, his farm of eighty acres was covered with a heavy growth of timber. The work of elearing the forest occupied several years, but his land is now well improved and under fine cultivation. Ile is a native of North Carolina, born in Chatham County, November 11, 1828, a son of Jonathan and Nancy Whitted. When he was in his to Indianapolis, and was re-organized, become ing known as the Sixth Indiana Cavalry, and was part of the force under General Burnside at Knoxville, the following winter. This regiment subsequently joined Sherman's army at Buzzard's Roost, Georgia, and participated in the campaign which culminated in the eapture of Atlanta. It was afterward sent North, and was under General Thomas at Nashville, where it had part in the battle and pursuit which destroyed Hood's army. Mr. Whitted was honorably discharged at Pulaski
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in June, 1865, when he returned to his home in Clinton Township. He receives a pension from the Government for the services in the war. Ile is a comrade of Owen Post, G. A. R. IIe also belongs to the Masonic frater- nity, beinga member of Jerusalem Lodge, No. 99. In politics he is a Republican with Prohibition proclivities.
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AMES C. STUTLER, general merchant, and one of the active business men of Gessie, is a son of Joseph S. Stutler, and a grandson of William Stutler, one of the old and honored pioneers of Vermillion County. The latter settled in Highland Township in 1830, where he died one year later, leaving a widow, who died at the age of about seventy- seven years, and six children. Of the chil- dren but two are living at the present time- Francis W., of Parke County, Indiana, and Mrs. Sarah Randall, of Gessie. Joseph S. Stutler, the father of our subject, was born in Ohio, in the year 1820, and was but two years old when brought by his parents to this county, and passed the remainder of his life in Highland Township. Ile married Miss Lavina Cossey, a daughter of Nehemiah Cos- sey, and of the eight children born to thein, but four are living --- William II., of Highland Township, born Angust 7, 1842; James (., our subjeet, who was born September 13, 1843; Peter F., born October 17, 1849, and Mrs. Christiana Jane Gouty, born August 5, 1854. Four children are deceased-Lewis B., born January 8, 1845, died December 7, 1849; Robert Amos, born January 16, 1856, died May 15, 1880; Joseph B., born February 9, 1862, died February 8, 1863, and Edmond S .. born November 13, 1864, died October 9. 1865. Both parents are deceased, the father dying November 2, 1878, and the 26
mother JJuly 20, 1881. James C. Stutler, whose name heads this sketch, was reared in the vieinity he now lives, in Highland Township, where he was born, and with the exception of a residence of ten years in Kan- sas, he spent his life here. Ile has been twice married. His first wife was Miss Elizabeth Lewis, a daughter of James J. Lewis, of Highland Township. Shedied May 23, 1870, leaving at her death two children-Charles J., born July 29, 1865, now a telegraph oper- ator, was married July 24, 1857, to Effie M. Wingfield, and Corban E., born March 12, 1868, and died October 4, 1875. Mr. Stut- ler was united in marriage a second time to Miss Martha A. Nichols, a daughter of Cor- ban Nichols. Six children have been born to this union, as follows: Ida M., born AAugust 29, 1873: Sarah L., June 2, 1876; William C., December 13, 1878, and Piakey L., born June 30, 1881, and died in in- fancy in Cherokee County, Kansas. The three eldest were natives of Cherokee County, Kansas. Mr. Stutler established his present mercantile business at Gessie, March 16, 1881, and by his accommodating manners, and fair and honorable dealings, he has built up a good trade, and gained the confidence and respect of his many customers.
- HOMAS J. NICHOLS, carpenter and joiner, Vermillion Township, is a na- tive of Vermillion County, born in 1844, a son of Robert Il. and Adaline (West) Nichols, his father a native of Union County, Indiana, of Scotch-Irish descent, and his mother a native of Massachusetts, of French descent. Ilis parents came to Ver- million County in 1842 and settled in ('lin- ton Township; moved to Helt Township in 1849, where the father died in 1872, aged
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HISTORY OF VERMILLION COUNTY.
fifty-five years, and the mother in 1874, aged sixty-five years. They had a family of two children-James and Thomas, the former being dead. Thomas J. Nichols was married in 1862 to Ann Jones, who was born in Ver- million County, in 1847, a danghter of Sam- uel Jones, a pioneer of the county. They have had nine children, six of whom are liv- ing-Bell, Adaline, Robert, Maria, Bert and John C. In August, 1862, Mr. Nichols enlisted in Company B, Eighty-fifth Indiana Infantry, and served three years, and partici- pated in many of the hardest fought battles of the war. He was with Sherman from Chattanooga to the sea, and was mustered out at Indianapolis at the elose of the war. After his return home he began to work at his trade, which he has since continued. Mr. and Mrs. Nichols are members of the Society of Friends. In politics he casts his suffrage with the National party. Mr. Nichols is a master mechanic and one of the best in the county.
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