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 44
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now four appointments. He has held the position of Secretary of the County Sabbath- School Association, and takes an active interest in Sabbath-school work. Ile has collected a fine library, his books being valued at $500.
ARON MARTIN, a farmer of Clinton Township, was born in Rockingham County, North Carolina, January 25, 1824, a son of George and Elizabeth (Riddle) Martin, who were born, reared and married in that State. In 1827 they came north with their family, and after a short residence in Ohio, they settled in Shelby County, Indi- ana, remaining there until 1837. They then removed to Edgar County, Illinois, and spent the remainder of their life in that and Ver- million County, Indiana, both dying in Ed- gar County many years ago. Aaron Martin, the subject of this sketch, has spent most of his life in agricultural pursuits, and nearly all his life since reaching manhood has been spent in Vermillion County. He now re- sides on section 22, Clinton Township, where he is engaged in farming and coal mining. He is the owner of forty acres of land where he resides, and a traet of ten acres located in another part of Clinton Township. Mr. Mar- tin was united in marriage February 14, 1850, to Miss Hannah Norton, who was born in Fayette County, Ohio, April 25, 1829, a daughter of Samuel and Hannah Norton. She came with her parents to Vermillion County, Indiana, in 1848, they shortly after removing across the line to Edgar County, Illinois, where they lived until their death, the father dying in September, and the mother in November, 1883. Mr. and Mrs. Martin have seven children living-Mrs. Missouri Bell, of Clinton Township; Mrs.
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Charity Haupt, of Lyon County, Kansas; Mrs. Lanra Pennington, of Edgar County, Illinois, and Elizabeth Adon, of Edgar Coun- ty, Illinois; George S., Emma and Della, at home with their parents. Two of their chil- dren, named Sarah O. and Francis, are deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Martin, with fonr of their daughters, Missouri, Elizabeth, Laura and Emma, are members of the Prot- estant Methodist church. In politics Mr. Martin is a Republican with Prohibition proclivities.
EVI S. SCOTT, a prominent and enter- prising agriculturist of Vermillion County, engaged in farming and stock- raising, was born on the homestead where he now resides, on section 15, Clinton Tonwship, the date of his birth being October 29, 1855, a son of Matthew W. Scott, who is now a resident of Clinton. Ile was reared to the vocation of a farmer, and all his life has been spent in this neighborhood. The home- stead upon which he resides was his father's first home in Clinton Township, and here he lived until January 5, 1882, when he removed to Clinton. He still owns the property, his son, the subject of this sketch, managing the same, and at the same time carries on his own farin on section 21, where he has 160 acres of choice land, the latter being known as the MePheter's farm to old settlers. Levi S. Scott was united in marriage September 10, 1878, to Miss Susannah Scott, a daughter of James and Emily Scott. Though of the same name his wife was not arelative. She was born in Connorsville, Indiana, May 27, 1855. Her parents now reside in Charleston, Illi- nois. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Scott, named Grace D. and Ivan W. In his political views Mr. Scott affiliates with
the Democratic party. Mr. Scott is classed among the active and public-spirited men of his township, and every enterprise calculated to advance the interests of his township or county has his encouragement and assistance.
HARLES P. WALKER, superintendent and treasurer of the Norton Creek Coal Mines, and one of the leading business men of Vermillion County, is a native of Cincinnati, Ohio, born October 22, 1849. Ilis father, Christopher Walker, was a mer- chant in that city, and later was in the mer- cantile trade at Connorsville, Indiana, and from Connorsville he removed to Logansport. Indiana. He became interested in railroad enterprises, and at the time of his death, which occurred in Chicago, Illinois, in Janu- ary, 1869, he was the treasurer of the Chicago & Great Eastern, now known as the Pan- Ilandle Railroad. Charles P. Walker, whose name heads this sketch, received a good busi- ness education, and early in life became one of the clerical staff in the railroad treasurer's office, under the supervision of his father. He has been a resident of Clinton since the spring of 1874, and during his residence in Vermillion County he has been engaged in coal production. About 300 men on an average are employed by the Norton Creek Mining Company, and in his position as treasurer Mr. Walker is trusted with the management of large interests. The com- pany, in order to accommodate their exten- sive business, erected a large building for mercantile trade, and put up several tene- ment houses to accommodate their employes, in Clinton Township, two and a half miles northwest of Clinton, and gave this village the name of Geneva, in honor of Mr. Walk- er's second daughter. Mr. Walker was mar-
Chao Oftalar
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ried in Logansport in 1872, to Miss Jennie Sammis, a native of Brooklyn, New York, and of the five children born to them only three are living-Nettie, Geneva and Charles P. Fannie died in her third year, and Raeliel died in infancy. Mr. Walker belongs to both the Masonic and Odd Fellows orders. He is an active, public-spirited citizen, and is always interested in the welfare of his town or county.
ADISON NOLAN is a native of Vermillion County, Indiana, born May 10, 1837, and a worthy repre- sentative of one of the earliest pioneer fam- ilies of the county. Ilis parents, Samuel and Sarah (Cellars) Nolan, were born, reared and May 10, 1816, were married in Shenandoah County, Virginia, where their three eldest chil- dren were born. They left the Shenandoah Val- ley for Vermillion County, Indiana, in 1820, and settled in the woods on section 33, Ifelt Township. The father in his younger days was a school-teacher, and followed that voca- tion eight years. He brought with him to the county quite a cash capital, and being a man of great energy and good business man- agement, he was soon classed among the most prosperous farmers in the county. At one time he suffered quite a loss by having 81,450 in curreney stolen from his residence. After reaching manhood he affiliated with the Whig party, and became a strong anti- slavery man, and naturally became one of the organizers of the Republican party. He was a consistent Christian and a member of the Protestant Methodist church. Ile retained his mental and physical vigor until about three years before his death, which occurred February 9, 1872, in his eighty-first year. His estate, outside of his personal property,
consisted of abont 1,500 acres of land. The mother of our subject died in 1851. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Nolan are as follows-Angeline first married John Ilollingsworth, and after his death married Benjamin Ailsher and reared a family by each marriage; she died in Kansas in 1883, aged sixty-five years. Alfred died at the age of twenty-eight years, leaving a widow and two children; John died in June, 1883, aged sixty-two years; James died aged forty-eight years, leaving a widow and one child; Mrs. Emily Dustheimer, a widow, residing in Kansas; Aleain, living in Edgar County, Illi- nois; Melinda died aged two years; Mrs. Amanda Hollingsworth, deceased; Jefferson was a member of the Twenty-ninth Illinois Infantry, and died July 25, 1865, in Edgar County, Illinois, aged thirty-three years; Mrs. Lydia Schrader, a resident of California; Madison, the subject of this sketch; Milton, who now lives in Edgar County, Illinois, was a soldier in the Seventy-ninth Illinois In- fantry. Samuel Nolan was a second time united in marriage to Mrs. Lueinda Fitzger- ald, who survived him about four years. Madison Nolan, whose name heads this sketch, was reared on the homestead of his parents, and educated in the schools of his neighborhood. With the exception of the time spent in the late war and two years in Kansas and Missouri, he has always lived in Vermillion County and near the home of his birth. While a young man he taught two terms of school. He was a loyal and ardent supporter of Abraham Lincoln's administra- tion, and August 12, 1862, he enlisted in defense of the Union, becoming a member of Company D, Eighty-fifth Indiana Infantry. The regiment left Indiana September 3 fol- lowing, and was employed on guard and garrison duty and in protecting lines of com- munication in Kentucky and Tennessee until
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the beginning of the Atlanta campaign. In the campaign culminating in the capture of Atlanta the regiment did gallant service, and followed the banners of Sherman to the sea, and through the Carolinas. At Averasboro, North Carolina, in one of the last engage- ments of the war, March 16, 1865, Mr. Nolan was so severely wounded in the left arm as to necessitate its amputation. He now re- ceives a liberal pension from the Government. June 29, 1865, he was honorably discharged from David's Island Hospital on Long Island Sound. He was united in marriage Decem- ber 31, 1868, to Miss Harriet L. Stillwell. a native of Edgar County, Illinois, and a daughter of John Stillwell. She died April 20, 1870, aged twenty years, leaving at her death one child named Vachel, who died at the age of ten years. Mr. Nolan was mar- ried a second time, April 20, 1871, to Miss Minerva A. Scissel, who was born in Ohio June 20, 1844, but reared and educated in Edgar County, Illinois, and there taught several schools, and is a daughter of James Scissel. They are the parents of one daughter, Cora, a young lady of fine literary and musical accomplishments. Mr. Nolan is the owner of a fine farm of 140 acres on sec- tion 4, Clinton Township, where he resides, with excellent building improvements. His residence is surrounded by shade and orna- mental trees, and everything about the place indicates the owner to be a thorough, practical farmer. In politics Mr. Nolan is an ardent Republican. He is a member of the United Brethren church, and a respected citizen of the county.
ANIEL E. STRAIN, farmer and stock- raiser, section 20, IIelt Township, was born in Brown County, Ohio, March 2,
1821, a son of William Strain, a native of Kentucky. His father and an uncle, Thomas Strain, were in the war of 1812, and both were present at Hull's surrender at Detroit. His grandfather, Thomas Strain, was a native of Scotland. In 1833 his parents moved to Shelby County, Indiana, and lived a few miles southeast of Indianapolis six years and in 1839 he came to Vermillion County, where he has since lived with the exception of about five years spent in Edgar County, Illinois. He is one of the prosperous farmers of Helt Township, where he owns a good farm of 160 acres. He makes a special- ty of graded stock, having some of the best cattle and hogs in the county. Mr. Strain was married in 1850 to Mary Helt, daughter of Daniel Helt, a pioneer of Verinillion County. To them have been born six chil- dren-Isaac, America, Charles H., Elizabeth, James (deceased), and Joseph. Mr. and Mrs. Strain are members of the Methodist Episco- pal church. In politics he is a Republican.
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AMES P. HAWORTH, farmer and stock- raiser, section 7, Vermillion Township, is a native of Vermillion County, born in 1834, a son of Richard and Susannah (Henderson) Haworth, natives of Tennessee and Sonth Carolina respectively. His parents lived for some time in Ohio, and from that State moved to Vermillion County, Indiana, in 1820, and settled on a tract of wild land in Vermillion Township, their nearest neighbor at that time being sixteen miles distant. This land they improved and made their home until their death. James P. was reared on his father's farin, and now owns a part of the old homestead. After nearly seventy years of cultivation, the land in this section has proven to be iminensely rich, affording
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
heavy crops of all kinds of grain grown in this climate. Its adaptation to the different kinds of grasses is admirable. Blue grass and white clover are natives in this soil; they make a luxuriant growth, thus affording an abundant pasturage for all domestic animals, thus making stock-raising a paying enter- prise. Ile was married in 1858 to Rebecca Thornton, a native of Vermillion County, Illinois, born in 1837, a daughter of Joshua and Sarah (Brown) Thornton. Mr. and Mrs. Haworth have had eight children, six of whom are living-Justin, Rosella, Richard, John T., Lucy and Dayton D. Justin mar- ried Matilda Mills, and has two children- Lucy and IIuber. Rosella is the wife of Cassius IIester. Mr. Haworth and his family are members of the society of Friends. In politics he affiliates with the Prohibition party.
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W ILLIAM 1. HALL, M. D., the pioneer physician of Gessie, was born in Williamsport. Warren Coun- ty, Indiana, in May, 1841, his father, Rev. Colbrath IIall, being among the first farmers and preachers of that county, where he still lives. Rev. Colbrath Hall is a native of the State of New York, born January 20, 1806, and although in his eighty-second year, he is still active, and yet engaged in the ministry. Dr. Hall was reared to manhood in his native county, and enlisted from there in August, 1862, in Company E, Eighty-sixth Indiana Infantry. Ile participated in the battle of Perryville, but in December, 1862, he was compelled to go to the hospital on account of illness. On his recovery he was detailed for hospital duty at Nashville, and this hospital service was his first school in medicine. He remained on hospital duty until the close of 1863, when discharged for disability. He |
then returned home and shortly after his re- turn, he was appointed by Gove. nor Morton, Assistant Military Agent of the State of In- diana, with headquarters at Chattanooga, which position he occupied until after the fall of Atlanta, when he resigned. During his service in the hospital he had laid the foundation for medical study, and on his return from Chattanooga, he entered the drug store of his brother-in-law at Williamsport, and at the same time studied medicine. In October, 1865, he entered the medical department of the Michigan State University at Ann Ar- bor, where he remained until April, 1866, when he returned to Williamsport. In the spring of 1867, he began the practice of medicine at Jefferson, in Clinton County, Indiana. During the winter of 1869-'70, he attended the Ohio Medical College at Cincinnati, graduating from that institution in the spring of 1870. In 1870 he came to Ilighland Township, Vermillion County, and when the railroad station was located at Ges- sie, in 1872, he established himself at this place where he has since been engaged in the practice of his profession. He purchased the first lot and erected the first honse on the village plat, and has ever since been one of the most active and public-spirited men of the place. Dr. Hall was married at Jeffer- son, to Miss Elizabeth HIall of that place, and they are the parents of three children- Wendell Velpeau, a student at Wabash Col- lege; William B. and Mary Henrietta. In polities the doctor is a Republican, and is a warm supporter of the principles of his party.
- EORGE FRANKLIN SKIDMORE, re- siding on section 16, Helt Township. Vermillion County, is a blacksmith by trade, also carries on a general repair shop,
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HISTORY OF VERMILLION COUNTY.
and also works a little in wood. He is a skillful and reliable workman, and is meeting with good success in his business. He is a native of Helt Township, this county, the date of his birth being January 13, 1855, and is a son of IIon. William Skidmore, now deceased, who was a prominent citizen of the county for many years. Our subject was reared to the vocation of a farmer on the old homestead in Ilelt Township, and received his education principally in Liberty school- house. Ile owns nineteen and a half acres of choice land where he resides. Ile was united in marriage, October 31, 1878, to Miss Su- sannalı Tillotson, a daughter of Daniel Tillot- son, her father being deceased. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Skid- more, whose names are Cora B., George W. and Roy B. Both Mr. and Mrs. Skidmore are active and consistent Christians, the for- mer being a member of the United Brethren church at Liberty, and the latter being a member of the Baptist church at Toronto.
R. HENRY T. WATKINS, physician and surgeon, St. Bernice, Vermillion County, was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, July 14, 1850. llis father, John C. Watkins, who is now deceased, was a native of England, coming to the United States when a young man. For thirty years he was engaged in contracting and building in Cincinnati. The subject of this sketch was reared and educated in Cincinnati, graduating from the high school at that city in 1868. IIe subsequently attended the Miami Medical College of Cincinnati. IIe graduated from Hahnneman Medical College, of Chicago, Illinois, and is also a graduate of the Kentucky School of Medicine, at Louis- ville, Kentucky, taking a special course in chemistry and surgery while at Louisville.
Ile took special courses in Chicago in diseases of the eye and ear, and in diseases of women and children, and is now making a specialty of these diseases. Hle came to St. Berniee in 1881. Dr. Watkins was married in the spring of 1869, to Miss Mary A. P. McAwane, and they are the parents of two children, named Annie and Alma. The Doctor is a member of the Masonie fraternity.
EORGE W. STULTZ, one of Clinton Township's representative citizens, re- siding on section 21, is a native of Ver- million County, Indiana, born in Clinton Township, October 29, 1841. George Stultz, the grandfather of our subject, was one of the early pioneers of the county, coming with his family from Ohio, and settling on seetion 35, Clinton Township, about the year 1832, where he lived until his death. His second son, Solomon Stultz, was the father of our subject. He was about fifteen years of age when his parents settled in this county. Ile married Miss Zenia A. Groves, and of the eight children born to this union our subject was the eldest. The other children are -- Lewis G., who served in the Seventy-first Indiana Infantry, and the Sixth Indiana Cavalry dur- ing the war of the Rebellion, is now living in Clinton Township; Joseph HI., a resident of Edgar County, Illinois; Drusilla J. and Will- iam died after reaching maturity, and three who died in infancy. In 1852 the family removed to Knox County, Missouri, where the mother died in February, 1854, aged thirty-two years. Not long after his wife's death Solomon Stultz returned to this county, and about six months later he married Mrs. Melinda Reeder, widow of William Reeder, by whom she had five children. Mr. Stultz then settled on seetion 21, Clinton Township,
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the former home of William Reeder, and to his second marriage were born three children --- Alfred C., of Clinton Township; John, who died in infancy, and Mrs. Nettie G. Gray, of Clinton. The father died in February, 1886. He was a worthy and consistent member of the Baptist church, and a much respected citizen. His widow still survives, and lives at the old home in Clinton Township. George W. Stultz, whose name heads this sketch, was reared to agricultural pursuits, and has always followed the vocation of a farmer. He re- ceived his education in the log cabin subscrip- tion schools of his neighborhood, where he made the most of his limited advantages. When the war broke out he enlisted in the Fourteenth Indiana Infantry for three months, but went to the front in Company HI, Six- teenth Indiana Infantry, under an enlistment for one year, which he served in Maryland and Virginia. October 25, 1863, he married Miss Sarah Clark, who was born on the homestead, where she now lives, the second child of James and Serena (Bright) Clark. IIer father was born in Hamilton County, Ohio, in 1800, and was first married in his native State to Miss Sarah Round, and three of the children born to this union are yet living-Mrs. Jane IIalter and Mrs. Lydia Crabb, residents of Washington Territory, and Mrs. Mary Stone, of Clinton. Mr. Clark settled in Vermillion County, when it was a dense forest, and when Indians and wild animals were the principal inhabitants. Ile was again united in marriage to Mrs. James S. Smith, who was born and reared in the State of North Carolina. To this union five children were born, Mrs. Stultz being the second child. Of the others, Joseph S. and James G. live in Clinton Township near Mrs. Stultz; Mrs. Della Ann Martin lives in Kan- sas, and Mrs. Susan E. Porter is deceased. Mr. Clark died April 11, 1877, his widow
surviving until September 16, 1850, both dying at the age of seventy-nine years. Mrs. Clark was twice married before becoming the wife of Mr. Clark, taking for her first husband Jesse B. Cox, and 'for her second husband James S. Smith. She was a member of the Missionary Baptist church. Mr. and Mrs. Stultz are the parents of three children, all yet alive under the home roof; their names being-Charles A., Samnel C. and George R. Five of their children are deceased-Lewis M., died in his eighth year; Lawrence E., aged four years; Lena, aged four years, and two who died in infancy. As before stated Mr. and Mrs. Stultz make their home on the old homestead of her parents, which is located on the IIazel Bluff Gravel road, and contains 120 acres of choice land. Besides this farm Mr. Stultz owns a tract of eighty acres also located in Clinton Township. In politics he is an ardent Republican, and prominent in local politics. IIe held the office of trustee of Clinton Township from 1882 until 1886, serving as such with credit to himself, and to the best interests of his township. Ile is a member of the Odd Fellows order, belonging to Amant Lodge, No. 356, I. O. O. F., of Clinton. Both he and his wife are worthy members of the Methodist church.
JACOB MILLER, one of the old and honored pioneers of Vermillion County, residing on section 22, Helt Township, was born in Lewis County, Kentucky, Febrn- ary 28, 1818. His father, Jacob Miller, was a soldier in the war of 1812, and was a son of Jacob Miller, who was a native of Ger- many. The mother of our subject, Barbara (Fried) Miller, was a native of Maryland, and of German descent. The parents came with their family to Indiana in 1831, they settling
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HISTORY OF VERMILLION COUNTY.
in Parke County. In those days they paid $1.50 per hundred for pork, and corn was sold as low as 8 and 10 cents per bushel along the Wabash, and as there was no mar- ket for it, it was shipped by flat-boat to New Orleans. In 1832 the family came to Ver- million County, and located in Helt Town- ship, where our subjeet was reared, his early life being spent in assisting on the home farm and in attending the subscription school, where he received but a limited education. When a lad of fourteen years he found employment as cook on a keel-boat which carried salt and goods from the Rapids on the Wabash, in low water, to Terre Haute, Covington and La Fayette. When fifteen years old he helped to drive 400 head of hogs to Columbus, Ohio, walking the entire distance home. In early manhood he made five trips to New Orleans on a flat-boat, with produce, returning by steamer to Evansville, Indiana, sometimes making the remaining distance by stage, and sometimes walking home from Evansville. Ile has always been a great walker, sometimes walking forty miles in one day. In his younger days he raked and bound wheat, keeping up with the cradle, for $1 a day. In one day he bound 183 dozen sheaves, making him the champion of the county, and in faet there is not another par- allel ease on record in the county. In one day he raked and bound six aeres of oats for Silas Davis, Sr., receiving in payment a twenty-two-gallon vinegar keg, iron bound and painted, which keg is still in his pos- session. Hle began life on his own account in limited circumstances. About that time he had gone seenrity for $250, which he had to pay; but by hard work and persevering energy he has succeeded well in his agri- enltural pursuits, and has now a competence for his declining years. Ilis farm where he resides contains 153 acres of well-improved
land, under a fine state of cultivation. Mr. Miller was married June 20, 1841, to Miss Phoebe A. IIelt, whose father, Daniel, was among the early settlers of this county. Eight children have been born to them, as follows-Indiana (deceased), Mary J. (de- ceased), Daniel, Sylvester, Bloomer, Charles F., Emma and Jacob, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Miller and a number of their children are members of the Methodist Protestant church. In politics he is a Republican.
EORGE R. HOPKINS, one of the prominent and progressive farmers of Clinton Township, and a much respected citizen, is a native of Illinois, born in Edgar County, November 3, 1851, a son of William and Kesialı Hopkins. The father died many years ago, but his widow still survives, being yet a resident of Edgar County. They were the parents of two children-Mrs. Cassandra Layton, who lives in Illinois, and George R. The latter was reared to the vocation of a farmer, which he has made his life work, and ranks among the thorough, practical farmers of Vermillion County. He resides on sec- tion 17, Clinton Township, where he has a well improved and very productive farm of 120 aeres, all under a high state of cultiva- tion, with the exception of thirty-five aeres reserved for timber. Mr. Hopkins keeps up with the spirit of the age in availing himself of improved methods in farming. In 1873 Mr. Hopkins was united in marriage to Miss Josephine Skidmore, a daughter of Joshua Skidmore, one of the prominent early settlers of Clinton Township. To this union two children were born, both of whom are de- ceased-Ada, who died at the age of three years, and Mary, aged one month. Mrs. Hopkins died in 1876, at the age of twenty-
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