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 45
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three years. Mr. Hopkins was again married December 28, 1882, to Miss Annabel Harri- son, a danghter of Robert Harrison, and a granddaughter of Benjamin, an early pioneer of Clinton Township. In politics Mr. Hop- kins is a Republican, and a strong adherent to the principles of that party.
W ILLIAM BALES, farmer and stock- raiser, resides on section 36, Helt Township, where he owns a half in- terest in 320 acres of valuable land. ITe was born in Lee County, Virginia, June 22, 1827, a son of George Bales, who was born
the valley of the James River, in Vir- ginia, and in 1830 brought his family to In- diana, and settled on what is now the farm of his son William. At the time of his settlement in Vermillion County it was a heavily timbered tract, and was infested with deer, wolves, wild cats and other animals. William Bales was reared in the midst of this wildness, and in his early life was obliged to undergo many hardships unknown to the young people of Vermillion County to-day. Ile began to assist his father when very young, and as he was only allowed to attend school when his services were not required at home, his education was limited; but he has taken an interest in the affairs of his county, and is well posted on all topics of general importance. He learned the carpen- ter's trade when a young man, and has fol- lowed it in connection with the cultivation of his farm, and has built many of the best houses in his neighborhood. Mr. Bales was married February 28, 1862, to Ann Ander- son, daughter of Calvin Anderson. To Mr. and Mrs. Bales have been born nine children, all at home-Pharaba, Effie, Esther, Myrtle, Ida, George, Mattie, Wilhelmina and Mary.
Mr. Bales is a member of the Masonic frater- nity. Ile and his wife are members of the United Brethren church.
MARTIN SMITH, one of llighland Township's active and enterprising cit- izens, was born in Blair County, Penn- sylvania, in 1834. IIe was reared to manhood in his native State, remaining there until twenty years of age, when he went to Galion, Crawford County, Ohio, remaining there until 1865. Mr. Smith was engaged in rail- roading for twenty-five years, and during the last fifteen years of that time he was engi- neer on the Wabash road. Ile resided in Springfield, Illinois, until 1880, since which time he has been a resident of Vermillion Connty. He was married in 1876 to Miss Isabella Barnett, a danghter of George W. and Jane (Moore) Barnett. She was born on the old homestead, where she still lives, in 1845. Mr. and Mrs. Smith are the parents of two children, named Florence and Pearl. Both parents of Mrs. Smith were representa- tives of early pioneer families, and the Bar- nett family has long been recognized among the progressive families of Vermillion County, Illinois. James Barnett, the great-grand- father of Mrs. Smith, was of Irish descent. Ile married a Miss O'Connell, an Irish lady, and reared a large family. He spent the greater part of his life in Pennsylvania, where he died, and soon after his death his widow removed with her family to Kentneky. George Barnett, Sr., the grandfather of Mrs. Smith, also reared a large family, six sons, James D., Robert E., William R., John M. George W. and Elbert, and two daughters, grew to maturity, all being natives of Ken- tucky. The father removed from Kentucky with all his family but James, who was en-
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gaged in teaching in Davies County Indiana, and settled in Vermillion County, Illinois, in the summer of 1828. James subsequently settled in the same county, where he died. Robert E. and George W. subsequently be- came residents of Vermillion County, Indi- ana, the former coming in the year 1830, in which year he began clerking in the store of J. and S. S. Collett at Eugene. Four years later he formed a partnership with S. S. Col- lett and Nathaniel Adams, under the firm name of Collett & Adams. About 1845 he bought out Mr. Collett and became associated in business with Joseph Moore, Mr. Adams having died, this partnership continuing until 1853. In 1858 Robert Barnett returned to his farm in Vermillion County, Illinois, where he has since resided. George W. Bar- nett, the father of Mrs. Smith, was much younger than his brother Robert, and came to this county some time after he settled here. IIe began life at Engene as a elerk, and later engaged in business for himself. Ile was married at Eugene to Miss Jane Moore, a daughter of Thomas Moore, and to them were born two children-Isabelle, wife of Mr. Smith, and Thomas, who died at the age of seventeen years. They lived in Ver- million County, Illinois, for a short time after their marriage, but in 1845 returned to this county and settled in the south part of Highland Township. In 1851 during the gold excitement in California, Mr. Barnett went to that State. Mrs. Barnett died at the homestead in Highland Township, October 13, 1869.
OSEPHI C. LYNN, farmer and stock- raiser, Helt Township, near St. Bernice, was born in Prince William County, Virginia, August 13, 1828, a son of Joseph
C. Lynn, a native of the same county. His father was a soldier in the war of 1812, and spent his life in his native State. Our sub- ject was reared on a farm, receiving but a limited education in the schools of the early day. He remained in his native State until 1854, when he moved to Washington County, Ohio, where he worked at the tanner and currier's trade until 1860, when he went to Missouri, but remained there only a few weeks, returning east as far as Vermillion County, and located in Helt Township, where he has since lived. Ile owns thirty-one and a half acres of land, but pays special atten- tion to farming and stoek-raising, his stoek being of the graded Poland-China and Ches- ter white hogs and Holstein cattle. Mr. Lynn was married March 18, 1856, to Mary E. Dowell, daughter of Jesse Dowell. Mrs. Lynn died September 12, 1877, leaving two children-Annie V. and William T. Mrs. Lynn was a member of the Baptist church and an earnest, consistent Christian. Mr. Lynn is also a member of the Baptist church. He is an honorable, upright man, and is held in high esteem by all who know him, and has been appointed in several instances ad- ministrator to settle up estates, always giving entire satisfaction to all concerned.
OSEPII A, MOREIIEAD, farmer and stock-raiser, resides on seetion 26, Ver- million Township, where he owns 646 aeres of good land, 166 aeres of which was a part of the old homestead, entered from the Government by his father. He is a son of Alexander and Elizabeth Morehead, natives of Ohio, who came to Vermillion County in 1822, and settled on the farm which our sub- ject now owns, where the father died in 1844, and the mother in 1849. They had a family
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of five children, but two of whom, Joseph A. and Samuel, are living. Joseph A. More- head was born in 1826, and his youth was spent in assisting his father elear and improve the farm, his educational advantages being limited. He has been industrious and by good management lias acquired a valuable property. He was married in 1848 to Sarah J. Eggleston, a native of Seioto County, Ohio, born. in 1824, a daughter of Joseph and Nancy Eggleston, pioneers of Vermillion County, coming in the year 1825. Her par- ents both died in 1855. They reared a family of seven children, six of whom are living. Mr. and Mrs. Morehead have had nine chil- dren, five of whom are living-Alexander, Ritha, Margaret, Horace, and Joseph E. Alexander married Alice Isles, and Margaret is the widow of Wilson Harshaw, and her daughter, Mabel, is also deceased. Elizabeth, Ilenrietta, and two infants are deceased. In polities Mr. Morehead is a Republican. Hle is one of the influential men of Vermillion County, and one of her most liberal and charitable citizens.
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OBERT BALES, farmer, and lessee of the St. Bernice flonring mills, resides on section 35, Helt Township, on tlie homestead where he was born September 22, 1832. Ilis father, George Bales, came to Vermillion County in 1830, and entered 280 acres of Government land, which he eleared and improved. Robert Bales was reared a farmer until sixteen years old, when he began to work at the carpenter's trade which he followed the greater part of the time until 1887, when he leased the St. Bernice mills, which he has since superintended, and at the same time has attended to his farm. Ile owns a half interest in 320 acres of valuable
land, which is under good cultivation. Mr. Bales enlisted in the war of the Rebellion in Company 1, Seventy-first Indiana, Sixth Cavalry, and served two years. Ile partici- pated in the battles of Rielimond, Resaca, Cassville, Tilton, Kenesaw Mountain, Buz- zard's Roost, Campbell's Station, siege of Knoxville, Bull's Gap, and others of minor importance, serving as First Lientenant of his company. Mr. Bales was married in March, 1865, to Nancy A. McCowan, danghi- ter of Coldwell McCowan. To them have been born six children, three of whom are living-Minnie, Annie and Morton C. Mr. Bales is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic.
RANCIS C. COMBES, section 17, Helt Township, is a native of Vermillion County, born in Helt Township Febru- ary 25, 1830, a son of Thomas Combes, who came from Virginia to this county when a young man. Ile was reared a farmer, his educational advantages being limited to the subscription schools. In the fall of 1847 he went to Iowa, and lived in Davis, Appanoose and Van Buren counties until the spring of 1860, when he returned to Vermillion Conn- ty. He enlisted in the war of the Rebellion in Company C, One Hundred and Twenty- third Indiana Infantry, and served nearly two years, participating in several severe conflicts, including the siege of Atlanta. After his return home he engaged in farming, which he has since continned. Ile was married De- cember 23, 1852, to Mary A. Steele, daughter of Jame's Steele, of Seattle, Washington Territory. They have had four children --- Sarah F. (deceased), Alice J., J. Minnie and Fannie B. Alice married William F. Mor- rison, of Indianapolis, and has had two chil-
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dren, but one, William F., now living. The eldest child, an infant son, is deceased. Min- nie is the wife of Alexander Harrison, of Hamilton, Ohio, and has four children- Lewis F., Harry and Nellie (deceased), and Fannie. Fannie married Stephen Mears, of Detroit, Michigan, and has four children --- Willie G. and Tomie G. (twins), Mabel and Dollie. Mr. Combes is in politics a staunch Republican. Ile is a meniber of the Grand Army of the Republic.
EONARD SHEW, a son of John P. and Sarah (York) Shew, was born on the homestead of his parents in Clinton Township, Vermillion County, May 24, 1834. The parents came here from Wilkes County, North Carolina, as early as 1826. Of the children born to them in North Caro- lina three are yet living-Mrs. Hila Funkhouser, a widow, residing in Vigo County, Indiana; Mrs. Zilpha Freeman, also a widow, residing in Arkansas, and Mrs. Dorothea Hay, living in Jones County, Iowa. The children born to the parents of our sub- ject, after settling in Vermillion County, are -Daniel, now a resident of Pawnee County, Nebraska; Mrs. Elizabeth Starks, living in Edgar County, Illinois; Mrs. Emeline Knight, living in Clinton Township, this county; Mrs. Mary Byerly, living in Jones County, Iowa, and Leonard, onr subject, the youngest of the family. Boston, their eldest son, was a soldier in the Eighteenth Indiana Infantry in the war of the Rebellion, and died from wounds received in battle. A daughter, Lucy, became the wife of Sylvester Seeds, and after marriage they moved to Kansas, where she died. Leonard Shew was but seven weeks old when his mother died. His father survived her many years, dying October 15, 1873,
when over eighty years of age. He was always a hard-working man, but he never be- came rich. He was a consistent Christian, and one of the earliest and most active work- ers in the United Brethren church, of which lie was a member at the time of his death. He was kind-hearted and generons, always giving to the poor and needy. Leonard Shew, whose name heads this sketch, is a man who attends strictly to his own affairs, and is much respected throughout the community where he has made his home for so many years. He commenced life for himself with- out capital, and by his own efforts he has ac- quired a comfortable home. Before and after his marriage he worked at the carpenter's trade, which he followed until 1875, and is now devoting his entire attention to his farm. His homestead consists of eighty-nine acres of choice land, and is a part of the property once owned by William Hedges, one of the earliest settlers of Clinton Township. Mr. Shew was united in marriage in 1860, to Miss Alma C. Hedges, a daughter of Will- iam Hedges, and they are the parents of four children-Mrs. Arletta E. Kehoe, of Clinton; Mrs. Ida Etta Bumgardner, of Clinton Town- ship, and Elza Eschol and Everett C., still at home with their parents. In politics Mr. Shew votes the Democratie ticket at general elections, but in local elections he votes inde- pendent of party ties.
R. CUTIIBERT F. KEYES, deceased, was born near Dugee Ferry, in Indiana, in the year 1822, and in 1826 was brought by his parents to Vermillion County, where he was reared to manhood. His father was a gunsmith and wagon-maker, and while he kept his slaves at work in the gun factory the white men worked at the wagon yard, and
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he himself ran boats on the Potomac River. After his father's death he lived with his mother and uncle, attending school at Clinton. riding to and fro every night and morning. He spent a portion of his younger life clerk- ing in a store for his uncle, and passed from this to the study of medicine with Drs. Kile and Palmer at Clinton. He studied medi- cine some time and during this time he had to work for his board, doing any little odd jobs he could find, but this only helped to make the man he afterward became. Ile then went to St. Louis, where he attended one term of lectures. June 30, 1846, he married Miss Jane Bales, they beginning their mar- ried life on the farm. Here he began the practice of his profession, which he followed until he went to St. Louis to attend a second term of lectures. In this term his eyes be- gan to fail and he became blind. He still con- tinned the lectures, Prof. Van Zandt giving him the privilege of this term free, and at the close commended him for his close atten- tion and industry, although he was stone blind. ITis eyes were treated in the city at the same time. At the time of the birth of his son, Dr. O. M. Keyes, he was blind. When he returned to his home from St. Lonis he found by the care and in- dustry of his wife that his affairs had been kept in good order. He subsequently moved to Clinton, but becoming dissatisfied he returned to his farm, where he practiced medicine until his death. On the morning of that event he arose, ate a hearty breakfast and started for Bono, about three miles south of Dana, to see a patient. On his way he suffered a sudden and severe attack of conges- tion of the stomach and bowels. He snc- ceeded in reaching Bono, and leaving his team unhitched, staggered into Frank Aus- tin's store, where he fell on the floor exclaim- ing as he fell that he had come there to die.
He was taken to the house of Mr. Austin, where everything possible was done to alle- viate his intense agony. Dr. IIall was sent for, but one hour before he arrived, and at ten o'clock that same evening the restless spirit of the old veteran took its flight to that bourne whence no traveler returns. No man in the county was more successful in his methods of treatment than Dr. Keyes, and none had a more extensive professional experience. He never refused a call because the patients were poor. Ile was one of the few who followed his profession not for the purpose of amassing a great fortune, but be- cause he took delight in alleviating the suf- ferings of his fellow mortals. He was a man of kind disposition, and noble and generous impulses, and was ready to make any sacri- fices for the accommodation of a friend and neighbor. Though somewhat eccentric in his style, his warm and sympathetic nature, his kind and generous disposition made him a host of friends. Dr. Keyes left a wife, three sons and two daughters in sad bereave- ment by his death. Thus one by one the old pioneers pass away leaving the world and the duties incumbent upon life to the rising gen- eration.
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ILI SHIEW, deceased, late of Clinton Township, was born in Wilkes County, North Carolina, July 11, 1819, and died October 24, 1887. He was a son of Daniel and Eve D. (York) Shew, honored pioneers of Vermillion County, they having settled in the forest on section 31, Clinton Township, as early as 1826. Our subjeet had but a faint remembrance of the long wagon journey from North Carolina, but he distinetly remembered his early life in Clin- ton Township, the abundance of game, and
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HISTORY OF VERMILLION COUNTY.
the okl log school-houses where he received his limited education. Like the youth of his early day, he was inured to hard toil when quite young. His father built a small mill, which he operated in connection with his farm, and this furnished plenty of work for his boys. He died after the close of the war at the ad- vanced age of eighty years. His wife died some six years before. Of their family, Eli was the fourth child. Two of their sons, named Henry and Joel, arestill residents of Clinton Township. With the exception of a short residence, from the spring of 1856 until the fall of that year, in Richland County, Wisconsin. and from that time to the spring of 1857 spent in Jones County, Iowa, Eli Shew lived in Clinton Township from the time of his eoming here with his parents, and always in the neighbor- hood of his father's pioneer home. April 4, 1847, he was united in marriage to Miss Mary Adaline Hedges, a daughter of William and P'ermelia Hedges. She was born on their homestead in Clinton Township, near her present home, August 23, 1825. Mr. and Mrs. Shew commenced housekeeping in limited circumstances, but by their industri- ous and frugal habits, they succeeded in making a good home for their family. The homestead contains 110 acres of choice land, of which sixty acres are well improved, and under good cultivation. Mr. and Mrs. Shew had eight children born to them. The eldest, Mrs. Permelia A. Tennis, lives in Clinton Township. Two children, named Clarinda and Leonard M., died in early childhood. Lurena, deceased, wife of William P'. Atkins, left at her death a family of seven children. William D. is living with his parents. Mil- ton P., the sixth child, died young. John E. married Margaret E. Bright and lives in Clinton Township. Edwin N. married Betty 1 .. Foltz, and they are living with Mrs. Shew. In polities Mr. Shew was a mem-
ber of the Greenback party, but of Whig and Republican antecedents. Mrs. Shew is a member of the Missionary Baptist church.
ILLIAM HUGHES, one of the sue- eessful agrieulturists of Highland Township, residing on section 28, is a representative of one of the pioneer fami- lies of Vermillion County. His father, Con- stantine Ilughes, was born in Loudoun County, Virginia, January 10, 1782, where he grew to manhood, and married Miss Han- nah Gifford. Fourteen children were born to them, of whom ten reached maturity, and of these only three are living-Ehnd, living in Vermillion County; Constantine, residing in Nebraska, and William, the subject of this sketch. In 1829 the father immigrated with his family to Indiana, locating first at Clin- ton, Vermillion County, where he remained until the following spring. The family then lived in the vicinity of Perrysville about six months, when they settled on the land now owned and occupied by our subject. Here the parents lived until their death, the father dying May 23, 1848, and the mother Janu- ary 7, 1857. They were much esteemed among the early settlers for their many ex- eellencies of character, and for many years were faithful members of the Baptist church. In his political views the father was a Demo- crat. William Hughes, whose name heads this sketch, was born on the homestead where he now lives, the date of his birth being November 9, 1830, this having been his home for fifty-seven years. Mr. Hughes has been twice married, taking for his first wife Miss Cynthia Ann Smith, a daughter of James Smith, one of the early settlers of the county. She died in 1856, leaving three children- Harvey, now living in Kansas; John, in
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Highland Township, and James W. Mr. Ilughes was married a second time to Miss Hester Ann Spry, who was born in Highland Township in 1834, her father, David Spy, coming to the county in an early day, and is now living at Perrysville. Her mother died many years ago. Of the seven children born to Mr. and Mrs. Hughes six are living -- Martha E., David M., Annie J., Charles G., Albert and Oral. Their fourth child, a son, died in infancy. Mr. Hughes has always followed agricultural pursuits in which he has met with excellent success. IIe has 212 aeres of choice land where he resides, 167 acres of which was the old homestead of his father. Beside his home farm he owns other land in Highland Township, having alto- gether 455 acres of choice; land. In polities he affiliates with the Demoeratie party, al- though he believes in voting for the man best fitted for office regardless of party ties. In matters of moral and social progress he is among the leading citizens of his eounty.
BEL SEXTON, a prominent and enter- prising eitizen of Vermillion County, with whose interests he has been iden- tified for many years, is a native of Oneida County, New York, a son of _Isaae J. Sexton, a native of Connecticut. The Sexton family are of French origin, and among the early settlers of Connecticut. When our subject was young he was taken by his father to Fulton County, New York, his mother having died in Oneida County, the father making his home in Fulton County until his death. He was twice married, and by his first wife had a family of four children-Mrs. Mary Ann Bingham, of Columbus, Wisconsin; Abel, the subject of this sketch; Andrew O., a grain merehant of Columbus, Wisconsin,
and the present mayor of that eity, and Ralph, the youngest son, now lives in Gloversville, Fulton County, New York. Abel Sexton grew to manhood in Fulton County, and his father being a farmer he was reared to the same avocation. The farm being small and there being a number of sons in the family, he decided to try some other vocation, and early in life began learning the earpenter's trade, but soon after entering upon his trade he accepted a situation with an auctioneer, with whom he traveled about the country in the pursuit of his business. This occurred in 1840, when he was about twenty years old. Hle subsequently traveled in his business as auctioneer with the circus of Raymond, War- ing & Co., which was traveling through the country at that time, going with it as far as Cincinnati, several months being consumed in making the trip. He left the eireus at Cincinnati, and traveled to Kentucky, and the following season he and a young man from New York State, with whom he traveled, decided to return to their native State, and accordingly set out on horseback, reaching their destination about a month later. After spending a few weeks at his home, Mr. Sex- ton returned to Kentucky, where he continued anetioneering for some time. About 1843 lie eame to Indiana, locating-first at La Fayette, and in the month of October, 1844, he came to Newport, where he spent four years. Ile then went to Columbus, Wisconsin, where his brother lived, and after remaining there about four years he returned to Newport. where he has since made his home. Mr. Sexton was married at Newport to Miss Lu- eretia Blanchard, November 5, 1845. Mrs. Sexton was born in Perry County, Indiana, May 21, 1826, and in September of the same year her father, William Blanchard, came to Vermillion County and settled in Vermillion Township, where he died about two years
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later. The mother married a second time, and lived in Vermillion County until her deatlı in May, 1863. Mr. and Mrs. Sexton are the parents of one daughter, Mary Ellen, now the wife of Robert E. Stephens, of New- port. Mr. Sexton has been one of the lead- ing merchants of Newport for twenty-five years, beginning here before the time of rail- roads. He brought his stoek of goods with which he commenced business, from La Fay- ette. In 1861 he erected the store building now occupied by Il. B. Rhoads. In 1862 he bought 160 aeres of land adjoining the village of Newport on the east, and on about ten aeres of this traet he laid out an addition to the town in Mareh, 1872. He was presi- dent of the First National Bank of Newport for five years, being one of the organizers of that institution. He was a director of the bank during its entire existenee, and also after it was changed to the Vermillion Coun- ty Bank. In early life in his political views he was a Whig, casting his first Presidential vote for Henry Clay in 1844, but has been a Republican since the organization of that party. For fifteen years he served as com- missioner of Vermillion County. He and his wife are worthy members of the Methodist Episcopal church at Newport.
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