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 42
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AWSON L. GOODWIN, farmer, seetion 18, Helt Township, was born in Carter County, Tennessee, December 22, 1837, a son of Alfred L. Goodwin. He was reared and educated in his native county, attending the common schools and Pine Grove Acade- my at Taylorville. When twenty-one years old he learned the earpenter's trade, at which he worked fifteen years. He enlisted in the defense of his country in the war of the Re- bellion, and was assigned to Company G, Thirteenth Tennessee Cavalry, and partiei- pated in the battles at Bull's Gap, Morris- town, Carter's Depot, Kingsport, Marion, Saltville and others. Ile served twenty months, when he was discharged on account of general orders of the war department, and
now draws a pension. Mr. Goodwin was married March 3, 1861, to Mary A. E. Dug- ger, a native of Carter County, Tennessee, a daughter of William C. Dugger. To them have been born ten children, six of whom are living-Allison S., Frank L., Indiana M., Stella N., Ellsworth and Clindham. Two children died in infancy, and two, Mary E. and William B., when four years of age. Mr. Goodwin eame to Vermillion County in 1866, and has since lived in Helt Township. He and his wife are members of the Baptist ehnreh. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic.
OHN FORD was born in Delaware County, Ohio, August 18, 1809, and died at his home on seetion 10, Helt Township, Vermillion County, May 6, 1882. His father, Augustus Ford, was a native of the State of Virginia. He was one of the earliest pioneers of Vermillion County, com- ing here when our subject was but a child, when the surrounding country was a wilder- ness, and inhabited principally by Indians and wild animals. Here he and his family experienced many of the privations and hard- ships of pioneer life. Their nearest milling place was Shaker Prairie, twenty miles away, and at that time traveling was very difficult, there being no roads but mere Indian trails. John Ford, the subject of this sketch, was reared amid the wild surroundings of life in a new country, and was early inured to hard work, his youth being spent in assisting his father clear and improve his land. He was married Mareh 24, 1831, to Miss Jane Skid- more, a daughter of John Skidmore, who was among the early pioneers of the county, making his home here in the year 1818. To Mr. and Mrs. Ford eleven children were born,
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four of whom are living at the present time -Albert, Edwin, Mary and Martha. Three sons, Henry, Josephus and Leander, died in the army during the war of the Rebellion. Caroline, Elizabeth J., Elijah and Sarah are also deceased. Mr. Ford was a representative citizen of the county and took an active in- terest in any enterprise which had for its ob- ject its growth or advancement. He was a kind and affectionate husband and father, and a devont Christian, having been a member of the Methodist Episcopal church at Spring Hill for over thirty years. His widow is a member of the same church. She still re- sides on the old homestead in Helt Township, where she enjoys the respect and esteem of all who know her.
RANCIS MARION WRIGHT, a native of Vermillion County, Indiana, was born on section 31, Clinton Township, February 20, 1840, a son of Philander and Catherine (Swan) Wright, and a grandson of the old and honored pioneer, George Wright, who settled in this neighborhood in 1820. The parents of our subject were married in Clinton Township, where they spent the remainder of their lives. The father, a most worthy man, died in June, 1856, his death being caused by the accidental discharge of a gun. The mother survived her husband abont twenty years. They were the parents of nine children-Mary Ann, who died in infancy; Oliver, living in Clinton Township; Francis Marion, or Marion, as he is called; Levi, living in Clinton Township; Mrs. Mary J. Salyer, deceased; Philander and James, residents of Kansas; Mrs. Thursy Foltz, of Clinton Township, and Mrs. Laura Keesel, of East Tennessee. Marion Wright, the subject of this sketch, was reared in his native |
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township, to agricultural pursuits, and has always followed the avocation of a farmer. Ile received twenty-five acres of land from his father's estate, and from this beginning he has acquired a fine property by his per- severing industry and good management. He resides on the same section where he was. born, where he has a fine farm of 288 acres, most of which is improved, and ranks not only as an agriculturist, but as a citizen, among the best in Clinton Township. Mr. Wright was married February 20, 1862, to Miss Catherine Funkhouser, who was born in Vigo County, Indiana, February 11, 1844, a daughter of Isaac and Ilila Funkhouser. Iler father died on the old homestead in Vigo County, where her mother yet lives. Mr. and Mrs. Wright have four children living-Levi, married and living in Clinton Township; and Nettie, Wirt and Warren, still at home. Arthur, the fourth child born to Mr. and Mrs. Wright, died in infancy. Mr. Wright volunteered in defense of the Union during the war of the Rebellion, but was rejected as physically disqualified for active service. In politics he is an ardent Republican. Both he and his wife are worthy and consistent members of the United Breth- ren church.
RWIN R. LAMB, of Newport, is a native of Indiana, born in Wayne County, March 19, 1840, a son of Elias Lamb. He was reared in Wayne County, making his home there until coming to Vermillion County. IIe has been twice married, taking for his first wife Miss Melissa Bailey, March 15, 1860. She died November 29, 1875, leaving a family of four children, named- Alma S., Martha E., Frank A. and May Belle. May 18, 1879, Mr. Lamb married for
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his second wife Mrs. Mary Elizabeth (Jack- son) Hall, who was born August 14, 1838, a daughter of Arthur Jackson, one of the early settlers of Vermillion County. Mrs. Lamb was first married to James R. IIall, who was a member of Company A, One Ilundred and Twenty-fifth Illinois Infantry, in the war of the Rebellion. IIe left at his death a family of five children who are yet living, their names being-John C. F. Ilall, Bertha Hall, Allen W. Hall, Josephine HIall and Effie Hall. Arthur Jackson, the father of Mrs. Lamb, was a native of North Caro- lina, born in 1814, and when four years old was taken by his father, Corben Jackson, to Wayne County, Indiana, where he grew to manhood, and was there married to Miss Ellen Cook, who was born in Union County, Indiana, in 1816. To this union eight chil- dren were born, four of whom grew to matur- ity-Alonzo, the eldest, was a soldier in Company E, Twenty-fifth Illinois Infantry, and was killed at the hard fought battle of Chickamauga in 1863; the second child, Mary Elizabeth, is the wife of our subject; Edgar, the third child, was the first man to volunteer in defense of the Union from the township in which he lived, and was killed at the battle of Mission Ridge; Theodore Jackson, though but a boy, entered the service of his country, and later was a member of the Seventy-third Indiana Infantry. Ile died at home April 1, 1862, from disease contracted in the army. Mr. Jackson was a carpenter and builder, and a superior workman. In 1846 he came with his family to Vermillion County, and built a saw-mill on the Little Vermillion River on Horse Shoe Bend, one of the most beautiful locations in the county. Ile operated the mill until 1851 when he removed to Georgetown, Vermillion County, Illinois, and later he settled in Wabash County, where he spent the remainder of his life, dying
February 10, 1873, in his fifty-ninth year. His wife died of cholera July 29, 1855, and after her death Mr. Jackson was twice married. He was a minister in the Methodist Episcopal church for thirty years. He was an upright and honorable citizen and was highly esteemed for his many excellent characteristics.
- ILLIAM F. KERNS, an enterpris- ing agriculturist of Vermillion Conn- ty, engaged in farming and stock- raising on section 11. Helt Township, is a representative of one of the early pioneer families of the county. Ile was born in Helt Township, May 2, 1839, a son of William and Agnes (Skidmore) Kerns. The father was a native of Kentucky, and came to Vermillion County in 1825. The maternal grandfather of our subject, whose name was John Skid- more, settled in the county as early as 1818. William F. was reared on his father's home- stead to the avocation of a farmer, which he has made his life work. Ile received his education in the common-schools of his neighborhood, and at Bloomingdale Academy, and subsequently engaged in teaching school which he followed during the winter terms for seven years, teaching three years in the same school district at Spring Hill. During the late war he was a member of Company 1, Forty-third Indiana Infantry, serving his country for fifteen months. He was married November 6, 1864, to Miss Catherine Saxton, a daughter of Benjamin Saxton, who was among the early settlers of Helt Township. Five of the seven children born to them are yet living, their names being as follows -- Leila 1., De Witt C., Eva G., Mervin E. and Gordon. Mr. Kerns is classed among the prosperous citizens, being the owner of 246 acres of valuable land, which he has acquired
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by industry and good management. In poli- tics he is a staunch Republican. He has served many years as justice of the peace and notary public, and in 1886 was elected county commissioner, and in all these public trusts he has served with eredit to himself and satisfaction to his constituents. He is a mem- ber of the Grand Army of the Republic. Both he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
OSEPHI WESLEY REEDER, a repre- sentative of one of the early pioneer families of Vermillion County, resides on the homestead on section 28, Clinton Township, where he was born August 26, 1845. The history of the family in this county dates back to the year 1822, when Joseph Reeder, the grandfather of our sub- jeet, with his family, came from the State of Ohio, and settled in the forest on section 21 of Clinton Township, and commenced the work of improving eighty acres of wild land. Ile was born in Pennsylvania, his wife, Eleanor (Stockton) Reeder, being a native of the same State. Both died at an advaneed age in Clinton Township. Their children in order of their birth are as follows: John, Nelson, James, Joseph, Amos and Ellen, all of whom married and settled in Vermillion County. All died in Clinton Township ex- cept Joseph, who died in Illinois, and John, who died in Iowa. The grandfather was a prosperous man, and became the owner of over 400 acres of land, which during his life he divided among his children. Nelson Reeder, his second son, was the father of our subject. He was a native of Ohio, born January 10, 1816, and was but four years of age when brought to Vermillion County. When a young man he married a Miss Eliza-
beth Round, a lady of German ancestry. To them were born six children-Mrs. Sarah Clark, of Vermillion Township; Mrs Martha Dewey, of Clinton Township; Silas died aged seventeen years; Ellen died aged sixteen years; Joseph Wesley, and Hiram who died aged twenty-five years. The mother died in 1848, and the father was married a second time to Mrs. Mary (Luellen) Wyatt, who made a good mother for his children. To this union three children were born -- Frank L., of Clin- ton Township; James M., also living in Clinton Township, and Mrs. Mary Belle Blunk, of Danville, Illinois. By her first marriage Mrs. Nelson Reeder had one child, John Wyatt, who was a soldier in Company I, Fourteenth Indiana Infantry, and died on Cheat Mountain, and was brought home for burial. The father of our subject died in the spring of 1880, leaving an estate of about 600 acres. As a citizen he was loyal and public- spirited, a generous and kind hearted neigh- bor, and an affectionate husband and father. In polities he was an ardent Republican. Ilis widow still survives, and makes her home with her son Frank and her daughter Mrs. Blunk. Josephi Wesley Reeder, whose name heads this sketch, has always lived on the old homestead where he was born, except the time spent in the service of his country dur- ing the war of the Rebellion. While in his seventeenth year, July 10, 1862, he enlisted in Company A, Seventy-first Indiana Infan- try. Ile participated in the battle of Rich- mond, Kentucky, and was one of the men who eseaped capture that day. In 1863 the regiment was reorganized, and recruited at Indianapolis, taking the field as the Sixth Indiana Cavalry. The winter following it was under General Burnside at Knoxville and vicinity, and was part of the cavalry force under General Sherman at the Atlanta cam- paign, although Mr. Reeder was on duty as
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Orderly for General Schofield. Hle rejoined his regiment after that campaign ended, and was in battle at Nashville, under General Thomas in December, 1864. He passed through the war unscathed, and was honor- ably discharged at Pulaski, Tennessee, when he returned home and engaged in more peaceful pursuits. November 27, 1867, he was married to Miss Elizabeth Ann Smith, a daughter of Joseph Smith. She was born in West Virginia, July 4, 1848, and was but seven years old when her parents eame to Vermillion County, Indiana, and settled in Clinton Township, where she was reared. Both of her parents are now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Reeder are the parents of five chil- dren-Lura May, Van Valzah, Thursa Ellen, Joseph Nelson and Etta Glendora, all yet under the home roof. Mr. Reeder erected his present commodions residence in 1881, which was built with a view to comfort and conven- ience. His homestead contains 200 acres of finely improved land. In politics, like his father, he is a staunch Republican. He is a a member of Amant Lodge, No. 356, of Clin- ton, and has passed all the chairs of his lodge, and has represented his lodge in the grand lodge of the State.
POIIN HARLIN, farmer and dealer in graded stock, resides on seetion S, Ver- million Township, where he owns 300 acres of land. He is a native of Vermillion County, born April 23, 1839, a son of Cor- nelius and Martha (Tate) Ilarlin, natives of Tennessee. He was reared in his native connty, and is now one of her most enterpris- ing citizens. Ilis fine farm is under good cultivation, but he makes a specialty of raising stock, the most of which he sells on the farm, although he occasionally sends a shipment to
Chicago. Mr. Ilarlin was married October 17, 1871, to Hattie A. Shepard, danghter of Ben and Eliza Shepard, pioneers of Newport, Vermillion County, where Mrs. Harlin was born March 15, 1844. In politics Mr. Ilarlin is a Democrat.
OBERT A. CRAIG, an enterprising agrienlturist of Engene Township, re- siding on section 8, was born in Cler- mont County, Ohio, November 7, 1826, a son of John and Isabel (Wishard) Craig, both deceased, the father having been born in the State of Pennsylvania. Our subject learned blacksmithing in his boyhood, and worked at that trade for a period of thirty-five years. Ile came to Indiana in 1847, locating in Clay County. He was married August 18, 1849, to Miss Margaret Price, a daughter of Israel and Margaret (Gordon) Priee, both of whom are deceased. To this union nine children were born-Sarah, Alex, Francis M., Martha, Samuel, Amanda, Dollie B. (deceased), James and William E. Mr. Craig served in the Seventh Indiana Battery during the war of the Rebellion, and participated in the battles of Pittsburgh Landing, Stone River, Chicka- manga, Lookont Mountain, Mission Ridge, Resaca, Peach Tree Creek, siege of Atlanta, Jonesboro, and a number of skirmishes. While in battle their Captain always told his men to have the last shot. Mr. Craig has re- ceived a pension from the Government since 1865 for his services during the war. He came to Vermillion County in the spring of 1867, settling in Eugene Township where he has since made his home. He is the owner of a fine farm of 170 acres and is now en- gaged in farming and stock-raising. He has a fine stone quarry, containing the best quality of sand stone, which is used in build-
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ing bridges throughout the surrounding country. In polities Mr. Craig affiliates with the Republican party. Both he and his wife are members of the Christian church.
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EORGE W. WATSON, one of the respected citizens of Eugene Township, where he is engaged in farming, was born in LaSalle County, Illinois, September 8, 1858, a son of Alva Watson, of Danville, Illinois. His father settled in Danville when our subjeet was quite small, and here he was reared, receiving his education in the schools of that eity. IIe has always followed the avocation of a farmer, in which he has met with fair snecess. He came to Vermillion County, Indiana, in 1876, and has sinee made his home in Eugene Township, and during his residence here has won many friends by his fair and honorable dealings, and genial disposition. Hle was united in marriage in February, 1882, to Miss Lueinda Sprouls, a daughter of Andrew Sprouls, of Eugene Township. They are the parents of three children, named Edith Grace, En Dora and Daniel A.
ENRY B. JAMES, an active and enter- prising agrieulturist of Vermillion County, was born on the homestead on section 17, Helt Township, where he now resides, January 29, 1852, his father, Samuel R. James, being still a resident of the same township. Ife was reared to the vocation of a farmer, which he has followed through life, and in his youth he attended the schools of the county, there he received a fair common school education. He was united in marriage October 11, 1876, to Miss Virginia, a dangh-
ter of John S. Anderson, of Helt Township, Vermillion County. Mrs. James died in the year 1880, and in 1882 Mr. James was again married to Miss Caroline Dinsmore, a dangh- ter of James Dinsmore who is now deceased. They are the parents of three children, their names being as follows-lIomer, Golda and Samuel. In connection with his general farming Mr. James devotes some attention to stoek-raising, making a specialty of graded stoek. He is a thorough, practical farmer, and is the owner of a fine farm of 143 aeres where he resides. He is a man of strict integrity, honorable in all his dealings, and is numbered among the respected eitizens of Helt Township.
W ILLIAM A. GOODWIN, seetion 8, Helt Township, was born in Carter County, Tennessee, October 18, 1839. Ilis father, Alfred L. Goodwin, was a native of the same county, born in 1815, and was a son of Lawson Goodwin, a hero of the war of 1812. William A. was reared a farmer in his native county, but when a young man learned the earpenter's trade at which he has worked thirty years. IIe eame to Indiana in July, 1866, and lived in Parke County two years, and in 1868 moved to Vermillion County. His homestead con- tains twelve acres of good land which he eultivates in addition to working at his trade. Mr. Goodwin enlisted during the war of the Rebellion in Company A, was transferred to Company G, Thirteenth Tennessee Cavalry, and served two years, participating in many hard fought battles and campaigns. Ile served two years, and was honorably dis- charged. Mr. Goodwin was married in the fall of 1861 to Elizabeth Mitchell, daughter of Ilider M. Mitchell, of Taylorsville, Ten-
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nessee. She died in 1563 leaving one child, Jolin A., now of Compton, Kentucky. No- vember 14, 1866, Mr. Goodwin was married to Mrs. Susan Dykes, daughter of James Nutgrass. To them were born two children, but one is living-William L. Mrs. Good- win had two children by her first marriage- Naney J. and Thomas M. Dykes. Mrs. Goodwin died July 9, 1873, and Marel: 19, 1874, Mr. Goodwin married Susan, daughter of E. Moore. Mr. and Mrs. Goodwin are members of the Baptist church. Ile is a member of the Grand Army of the Re- publie.
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ILLIAM WOOD, a worthy repre- sentative of one of the early pioneer families of Vermillion County, is a native of Indiana, born in Terre llante, October 21, 1822, a son of Ichabod and Cath- erine (Mars) Wood. Ile was the fourth white child born in Terre Haute, and is now probably the only one of the four living. Ile was but a year old when his parents settled in Clinton Township, Vermillion County, and since that time has always lived in the township. He has occupied Ins present homestead on section 32, for more than a quarter of a century, and has one of the best improved farms in his neighborhood. Mr. Wood east his first presidential vote for James K. Polk in 1844, and has never since missed a general election, his last vote being cast for Grover Cleveland. During his early manhood he spent a few years flat-boating, making eight trips to New Orleans. Ile was first married to Miss Ann Wright, in April, 1849. She was born in Clinton Town- ship on section 32 where her brother William Wright now lives, a daughter of George Wright, Jr., one of Vermillion County's died in early childhood: Israel lives on see-
pioneers. A year after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Wood settled on land which they owned, and to them were born three children - George, now living in Clinton Township; Jane, who died in her nineteenth year, and Ann, who died in infancy. Mrs. Wood died in March, 1855, and Mr. Wood was married a second time to Miss Jane Ballard who died not long after her marriage. Mr. Wood was again married Jannary 19, 1862, to Miss Mildred C. Hall. a native of Virginia, born in Rockingham County, April 21, 1841, where she was reared and educated. In 1858 she accompanied her parents, Andrew and Elizabeth (Jordan) Hall, to Paris, Illinois, where her mother died in 1858, aged fifty- one years. Her father is still living, aged eiglity years. She came to Vermillion Coun- ty in 1860, where she has since lived. To Mr. Wood and his present wife have been born two children-Andrew, living at home, and Israel, who died in infancy. Although de- prived almost entirely of educational advant- ages in his youth, Mr. Wood has by constant reading and close observation become one of the best posted men in his township, and is greatly interested in public affairs. He has served several terms as assessor in Clinton Township, and it is no disparagement to others to say that the township never had a more efficient officer. Ile is a member of the Masonic fraternity, belonging to Jerusalem Lodge, No. 99, at Clinton for many years. Ichabod Wood, the father of our subjeet. was born and reared at Middlebury, Massachusetts. 1Ie came west when a young man, and for several years worked at the earpenter's trade at Terre Haute, Indiana. Ile was married there to Miss Catherine Mars, who was a na- tive of Bordentown, New Jersey, and to this union the following children were born- William, the subject of this sketch; Priscilla
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tion 24, Clinton Township; and Mary Ann died in childhood. On coming to Clinton Township, Vermillion, they settled on sec- tion 24, in a rude log cabin, where Mrs. Wood tanglit one of the first schools in the township. The father often had to leave his family to find employment at his trade. Ile did not live to make many improvements on his place, his death occurring about 1828. His widow subsequently married William Swan, and reared another family. She died in Clinton Township in September. 1875.
LONZO L. MACK, farmer and stock- raiser, section 15, Helt Township, was born May 20, 1844, a son of Spencer Mack, who came to Vermillion County, with his parents when a boy, settling in Helt Township, where he grew to manhood and spent his life. Ile was by trade a black- sinith and also carried on a farm, being assisted in his occupations by his sons. Alonzo Mack remained with his parents until manhood. He was given a good education attending the district schools and the high school at Montezuma. In 1863 he enlisted in the war of the Rebellion and was assigned to Company C, One Hundred and Twenty- third Indiana Infantry, and served twenty months, participating in many severe battles, some of the more important being Resaca, Nashville and Kingston. After his return from the war he clerked six months in the store of M. P. Hedges at Clinton, and sinee then has devoted his attention to agriculture. He owns a good farm of 145 acres, and Mrs. Mack owns eighty acres. Ile pays special attention to stock-raising, having fine short- horn eattle and Poland-China hogs. Mr. Maek was married October 21, 1866, to Isabel White, a daughter of Enoch White, an early Ohio soon after their marriage, and in 1836
settler of Helt Township. They have had nine children, seven of whom are living- Esehol L., Nettie G., Annie G., Serena B., Roy W., Daisy and Forrest. Mr. and Mrs. Mack are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
IRAM S. CADY, one of the active and public-spirited citizens Newport, was born in Western New York near Mount Morris on the Genesee River, February 22, 1826. llis father, Jabez Cady, was a native of Steuben County, New York, born Deeem- ber 13, 1801, where he was reared, and was there married to Miss Sybil Church, a native of the same county, and after his marriage he located on the Genesee River but subsequent- ly returned to Steuben County. The Cady family is of Scotch ancestry, Jonathan Cady, the great-grandfather of our subject, coming from Scotland, to America, and settling in New York State in a very early day. When the subject of this sketeh was eleven years old,his parents removed to Washtenaw County, Michigan, remaining there until he had reached the age of eighteen years, when the family settled in Ripley County, Indiana. Jabez Cady was a carpenter and builder by occupation, and December 22, 1861, he was killed by falling from a scaffold on which he was working. His widow survived him some three years. Of the six children born to them, tive are yet living-Harriet A., Hiram S., Susan A., Manly S. and Sarah. One son, named Delos L., died in the army in 1861. Hiram S. Cady came to Indiana in 1849, and April 19, 1849, he was married in Ripley County, to Miss Lueinda D. Knapp, a daugh- ter of Charles and Susan Knapp, who were natives of Connecticut and Vermont, respec- tively. The parents of Mrs. Cady settled in
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