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 47
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HISTORY OF VERMILLION COUNTY.
In 1825 he moved to Eugene. During the early years of his residence here he was active in political circles and public affairs. He began merchandising at Clinton, and later engaged in the same business at the Little Vermillion Mills; was a useful citizen and a popular man. When Newport was founded he erected the building known as Place's Hotel, and was land agent for the sale of lots. He considered the bottom lands in and about Opedee to be the richest he had ever seen in his wide experience, and main- tained a ferry known as Collett's Ferry, about a mile south of Opedee. As an example of pioneer custom, when one afternoon a train of moving wagons crossed at his ferry, bear- ing the household goods of the Worth family from North Carolina, he asked where they were going and what preparations they had on their land. They replied that they were going to section 9, township 17 north, 9 west, -the present residence of Mrs. J. W. Por- ter,-and that they would live in their wagons until they could get time to erect a cabin. His answer was, "Make ready to entertain your neighbors and friends to-morrow, and I will send word around that new-comers have arrived; to-morrow night your cabin will be built, roofed and ready for occupation." Within twenty-four hours their house was completed, and Mr. Worth ever afterward held this act as one of the kindest that had ever been done for him. Another anecdote we may relate in this connection. In those early times there were no prohibitionists. Coffee and tea were scarce and high. Whisky was a cheap necessity of life. It was taken for medicine, as a beverage, and used in the communion service. They all used it; and every merchant and shop-keeper was expected to have glasses and jugs of the liquor free to the public, on his counter or table. It ap- peared, however, that in a few families it was
not viewed by the women as entirely com- mendable. In such cases, when the annual account current was rendered, the landlord's books would show that certain neighbors were charged every week or oftener with a quart to a half gallon of gunpowder ! Al- though advanced in life when he came to this county, Mr. Collett was still a stalwart man and maintained a soldier's bearing; was nearly six feet high, with high, full face, slightly stooped, with thin grayish dark hair, hazel eyes, and elastic step even in old age. He was always kind and tender in his dis- position, entertaining a horror for any of the improprieties or indecencies of life. In every essential he was a gentleman of the "old school," dressed somewhat old-fashioned, wore his hair in a queue, as is seen in por- traits of Washington and the men of the Revolution. Ile was a man of excellent judgment, shrewd in the selection of good land, and dignified in his conduct. One good characteristic he exhibited in the train- ing of his children, was that he never allowed them to sleep in bed with their limbs "cuddled" up;" and the result was a pecu- liarly soldier-like erectness of stature enjoyed by his descendants. Ile died in Engene in 1834, aged seventy-two years, and was buried in the Collett family cemetery. Ilis most intimate friends desired that the most appro- priate sentiment should be engraved upon his tombstone, namely, "An honest man is the noblest work of God." His wife, Eliza- beth, died at Columbus, Ohio. His two sons, Josephus and Stephen S., and dangliters, Emily and Mary, came with him to Terre Haute. Emily died and was buried in the cemetery at Terre Ilante; and in memory of her acts of kindness many children within the circle of hier acquaintance were named Emily. Mary married Mr. Dillow in Co- lunbus, and after residing for a time in
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
Terre Ilante, came to Newport, where she died and was buried in the Collett cemetery. She had three sons and three daughters, all" of whom are deceased. William, her oldest son, was a stont blacksmith, and a kind- hearted neighbor. Jack, the second son, kept tavern, and was probably the most "entertaining" host in all the country, full of anecdotes, good at imitation, and generous and liberal in all his ways.
ILLIAM B. WALTHALL, farmer and stock-raiser, resides on section 6, Vermillion Township, where he owns a good farm of ninety acres and in addition to this he owns a tract of 120 acres of land in Illinois. Ile was born in Dinwiddie County, Virginia, January 25, 1818, a son of William B. and Martha (Bailey) Walthall, who were also natives of Virginia, and of English descent. They were birthright members of the Friends' church, and en- deavored to instill into the minds of their children from an early age the principles of the Gospel of Christ. In the year 1830, the parents, thinking it better on account of their children to live in a free State, moved with their family to Ohio, the mother having near relatives in that State, being on the road one month and a day before reaching their desti- nation, locating in Clinton County. In the father's family were seven children, three daughters and four sons, our subject being the eldest son and fourth child. The parents lived to a ripe old age, living to see the chil- dren of their youngest child. Their seven children reached an average of over sixty-nine years before death entered their home, and six are yet living. Being born and reared nntil twelve years of age in a slave-holding community William B. learned to hate slavery
in all its forms, and early in life began to oppose the system by speaking of its evils among his schoolmates, and in trying to teach colored people to read and write, and with his advancing years his hatred of the institution increased. Ile stood with the Free-Soil party, and cast the first and only vote in the county for Jolin P. IIale for President of the United States, and continued to fight slavery to its bitter end in 1863. IIe continued in the work of reform through life, and in early manhood gave up the use of tobacco, and joined the army of its opposers. Mr. Walthall grew to manhood in Clinton County, Ohio, remaining there until attaining the age of twenty-four years, and in the win- ter of 1842 he left the parental roof to find a home in the then far west. After travel- ing on horseback for eight days he reached Vermillion County, Indiana, and settled on the farm where he now lives. He was married in this county, March 9, 1842, before a monthly meeting of the religious Society of Friends, to Sarah Haworth, who was born in Ohio, in 1817, a daughter of Richard and Susanna (Henderson) Haworth. This union was dissolved by the death of Mrs. Walthall, April 28, 1854, after a happy married life of twelve years. She had a birthright member- ship in the Society of Friends, and was a worthy and consistent Christian. She left at her death four children-Martha A., Thomas E., Francis and Levi. Martha married Steven Cross, and has one child-Charlie. Thomas married Sarah J. Likens, and they are the parents of ten children. Francis married Roena Castle, and to them one child has been born who is now deceased. Levi married Elizabeth Cox, and to them have been born seven children. Mr. Walthall was a second time united in marriage, in the antumn of 1855, to Lydia J. Branson, a daughter of Aquilla and Lydia (Ellis) Bran-
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HISTORY OF VERMILLION COUNTY.
son, former residents of Belmont County, Ohio, who immigrated to Illinois in 1841. Twelve children were born to this union, six sons and six daughters. Seven of the ehil- dren yet survive-David B., Sarah, Lydia, Allen J., Almedia, William II. and Smith. Believing that knowledge is power Mr. Walthall has endeavored to give his children a good edueation, and three of them have been students at Earlham College near Rich- mond, Indiana. Ile is now in his seventieth year, and is still hale and hearty, having inherited from his parents a sound constitu- tion. Statistics proved that the longevity of the Friends is much greater than of others, which privilege is only attained, in accordance with the Bible, by honoring our parents and the observance of the laws of health from early childhood. Mr. Walthall's membership in the Society of Friends was transferred by letter from Dover Monthly meeting, Clinton County, Ohio, to Vermillion monthly meeting of Friends Vermillion County, Illinois, in the year 1842. In 1873 a new monthly meeting of Friends was established at Hopewell, Ver- million County, Indiana, of which Mr. Wal- thall is a member. In 1843 he was appointed overseer, and in 1853 he was made elder in the church by the Vermillion monthly meet- ing, the latter offiee being now subject to ehange every three years. His last appoint- ment as elder was in 1886 by the Hopewell monthly meeting. Mr. Walthall is a mem- ber of no secret organization, having in early life taken a decided stand against secrecy and Baal worship in lodges. When a young man he found the appetite for strong drink inereas- ing upon him, and then resolved to embrace the principles of teetotalism, to which he has since firmly held, ever with an increasing desire to destroy the rum power that the nation may be saved from the demon of alcohol. In 1876 he joined the American
party and has since voted for its candidates and was the only man in his township to vote for John P. St. John for President, thus standing firm for his principles though all be against him. This is characteristie of the man, and his honest, upright living has won him many friends who trust and honor him for his straightforward, unwavering integrity.
ROWN II. MORGAN, general mer- chant, Clinton, is a native of Virginia, born at Middlebrook, Augusta County, September 30, 1861, a son of William and Eliza (Flinn) Morgan, both of whom were born, reared and married in the State of Virginia. They left Virginia May 1, 1874, and the same month settled at New Goshen, Vigo County, Indiana, remaining there until August, 1876, since which time they have been residents of Clinton, Vermillion County. Seven children have been born to them, their names in order of their birth being as fol- lows-Sallie (wife of William H. Cole, of Clinton), John H. (living in Vigo County, Indiana), Mrs. Eutie Shepherd (deceased), Mrs. Mollie E. Hanger (living in Middle- brook, Virginia), Wilfred (a resident of Clin- ton), Mrs. Maggie Shepherd (living in Hartford County, Kansas), and Brown H., the subject of this sketeh. The father is engaged in wagon manufacturing and repair- ing at Clinton. Brown H. Morgan came with his parents to Clinton in August, 1876, and here he grew to manhood. Three days after reaching Clinton, August 15, 1876, he entered the general mereantile establishment of A. L. Whitcomb as clerk, and January 1 he became a partner in the business, and February 1, 1887, after the death of Mr. Whiteomb, he became sole owner of the stock. Ile is a young man of splendid business qual-
P. H. Morgan
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
ifications, and is conducting the largest mer- cantile establishment in Vermillion County, and one of the largest in Western Indiana. The sales of this establishment are over $50,000 annually. In politics Mr. Morgan affiliates with the Republican party. He is prominent in social circles, and is identified with both the Masonic and Odd Fellows orders.
OSEPHUS COLLETT, SR., deceased, a prominent pioneer of Vermillion Coun- ty, was born in Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania, February 24, 1787, and after- ward removed to Columbus, Ohio. March 18, 1816, he was appointed deputy sheriff of Ross County, that State, by Thomas Steel, then sheriff, and November 5, 1818, he was elected sheriff, and faithfully served out his term. April 28, 1820, he was appointed deputy United States Surveyor by Governor Griffin, who was then surveyor-general of the Northwest Territory; and in this capacity he surveyed a district of country which em- braces a large portion of the counties of Hendricks, Montgomery, Boone and Tippe- canoe. In 1825 he removed to this county, where he continued to reside until his death, near Engene, on Wednesday, February 21, 1872. During the early period of his resi- dence in this county, he was an influential participant in the politics of. this district, and in all matters of public interest. Ile was also a man of sagacity and prudence in the management of his property. Starting with but little capital, he amassed a large fortune, which was estimated at the time of his death at abont $130,000. IIe used to say, " The young man who won't dig and work for himself will never become wealthy; for it is grubbing for one's selt that teaches
him to economize." Ile was a man of origi- nal characteristics, vivid positiveness and strong will. Though a little vindictive, as is apt to be the case with men of his positive nature, he was uniformly kind, courteous and obliging. His hospitality was of the old- school order,-broad, generous and liberal. llis table, loaded with the richest viands, and his sideboard with the best of liquors, always had two or three extra plates for ex- pected guests. No friend could be forgiven who did not partake of its bounties. Many such friends as Judge John R. Porter, Sena- tors E. A. Hannegan and Albert S. White, Congressmen Henry S. Lane and Richard W. Thompson, and the Judges of the Indiana and United States Courts were frequent par- takers of his hospitality. On one occasion, when his house was crowded with such guests, word was brought to him after night that a poor, ragged man wanted to come in out of the storm and stay all night. They said they had told him that the honse was full; but Mr. Collett insisted on seeing him. The " intruder " was brought in, and at once re- cognized as poor, crazy Jack Stinson, of Williamsport. Immediately the old feeling of hospitality and duty tramped down the necessities of the case, and Mr. Collett met him with a graceful bow and a kind shake of the hand, and introduced him as an Ohio friend to the assembled judges and lawyers, as having been formerly in their profession, but recently in bad health and unfortunate. Said he, "Ile was my friend in days long ago, and I am still his friend." He was a welcome guest to all there assembled; and, being so treated, his insanity disappeared and reason was for the time restored. Mr. Col- lett was always a friend to the poor, and no beggar ever went away empty from his door. His early educational facilities were limited to a few months' attendance at school in
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HISTORY OF VERMILLION COUNTY.
Ohio, and in Louisville, Kentucky. IIe used to remark, linmorously, that he was in danger of spelling Congress with a K; but even a classic scholar would wonder why his language was so correct as it was, and modeled so ex- actly after the Latin style. It could be ex- plained only by the fact that in his young manhood he was "major domo" in the household of Governor Worthington, of Ohio, a highly educated Virginian of the strictest rules of courtesy and politeness. That po- sition was to him a good school. He was present when the Legislature established a new county, cut off from that portion of Parke County lying west of the Wabash River. When asked to give a name to the county, he said the principal stream was the Vermillion River, and suggested the name Vermillion for the county, which was adopted. Mr. Collett took especial pains with his dress and appearance. Everything about his premises must also be kept neat and in its place. His horses were symmetrical, attract- ive and good travelers. ITis hogs and shecp were of the finest breeds, and kept in good condition; and his cattle were also the very best. The following instance illustrates his generous disposition. Learning that the Methodist church in the village was paying its preacher only $17 or 818 a year, with which he had to support himself, wife, baby and horse, he was amazed and furiously angry. He sent the young man a $5 bill, and re- quested him at his earliest convenience to take dinner with him. Though somewhat reluctant, the young minister was prevailed upon to accept. Arriving at the house of his benefactor, he was met with the kindest welcome, and a feast was served to himself and family. At the conclusion of the visit, Mr. Collett loaded the young man with luxu- ries, and engaged to send him immediately a barrel of the best flour, a barrel of corn
meal, a quarter of beef and potatoes and apples enough to last him through the winter. The young man was surprised and over- whelmed. At another time the Presbyterian minister at Perrysville was starving ont un- der similar circumstances. He wrote a plead- ing letter to Mr. Collett, who immediately headed a subscription which made the poor minister comfortable. Such instances of generosity were common in the life of Mr. Collett. He became a Freemason in Novem- ber, 1815, at Franklinton, Ohio. In relig- ions sentiment he was liberal, if not free and easy. He wanted it distinctly understood that he was no Calvinistic Presbyterian, but preachers of all denominations were equally welcome guests at his table and fireside. Sometimes, after hearing a good sermon, he would say to the preacher, " I was delighted with your discourse: almost thon persuaded me to be a Christian." He had unbounded faith in the immortality of the soul, professed on his deatlı-bed to have always been a be- liever in the Christian religion, and had had frequent visions and communications which he declared could come only from those pur- porting to deliver them. He had vestiges of what has been called " second sight." One time, during a severe spell of sickness, it seemed to him, at a moment when he was partially awake, that he was in the other world, holding a conversation with a spirit. The result of that conversation was that it was not yet time for him to leave the material world by ten years. On fully awakening in the morning, he was really distressed to find his soul still in the body. He did live just ten years longer, dying at the age of eighty- five years. On one occasion, when his friends, John R. Porter and Edward A. Hannegan, were at his house, they all became partien- larly serions, feeling that a spirit from the other world was influencing them; and they
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
then and there solemnly pledged to each other that after death the first one to enter the next world would return if he could, and announce to the others the fact that there was a spirit world, ete. Judge Porter died first, and the other two never afterward re- ceived any communication from him.
ILLIAM M. HAMILTON, senior member of the firm of Hamilton & Anderson, is one of the leading busi- ness men of Clinton, and one of the repre- sentative citizens of the town. He was born in Clinton, September 17, 1843, a son of James and Mary (Hines) Hamilton, and with the exception of the time spent in the service of his country, he has always lived in his native place. The history of the Hamilton family in Vermillion County dates with the settlement of his grandfather, William Ham- ilton, who crossed the Wabash River March 17, 1818, and shortly afterward settled on section 4, Clinton Township. He and his wife, formerly Margaret Pierce, were born in the State of Pennsylvania, but married in Ohio. James, the father of our subject, was born in Ohio, and was their eldest son. Their second son, John, is living on seetion 8, Clin- ton Township. He was also born in Ohio. Nine children were born to them after com- ing to Vermillion County, of whom only their daughters, Mrs. Mary Sprague, of Chicago, and Mrs. Emily Hubbard, are now living. William Hamilton was a kind neight- bor, and always did all in his power to re- lieve the needy. His home in the pioneer days was the abode of hospitality, and although he was not rich in this world's goods, he enjoyed what he had, and died at the age of sixty-five years. His widow sur- vived him several years. James Hamilton
lived at the home of his parents until reach- ing manhood. He married Mary Ilines, and of their three children William M. is the only one living. The father of our subject died in 1848, when he was five years of age. His mother was a second time married to Mr. N. Chappell, and after his death she was again married to Jolin Straine. She died in Helt Township, this county, at an advanced age. William M. Hamilton, whose name heads this sketch was early in life, thrown upon his own resources, and has made his own way through life, his inheritance from his father's estate not exceeding $250, but the hard lessons learned in his youth have been of lasting benefit to him in battling with the stern realities of life. Before reaching the age of eighteen years he enlisted in defense of the Union in Company C, Eighteenth In- diana Infantry, and his first engagement was at the memorable battle of Pea Ridge, Arkan- sas. IIe was in the operations of General Grant in the Vieksburg campaign, partici- pating in the battles of Magnolia Hills, Champion Hills, Jackson and Raymond, and the siege of the city of Vieksburg. Later he served with his regiment in the Gulf Depart- ment, and in Angust, 1864, was honorably discharged. After his return from the war he attended the Commercial College at Indi- anapolis, and later engaged in clerking at Clinton. In December, 1868, he married Miss Fannie Keegan, a native of Vanderberg County, Indiana, and a daughter of Patrick Keegan, and they are the parents of one child, named Estella. In 1873 Mr. Hamilton began dealing in grain and agricultural implements at Clinton, with Alonzo Shepherd and William Nelson, under the firm name of Nelson, Shep- herd & Co. Changes ensued in the business, and in 1876 Mr. Hamilton became associated with Decatur Downing, with whom he has ex- tensively engaged in the same business, under
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HISTORY OF VERMILLION COUNTY.
the name of Downing & Hamilton. In the summer of 1887 the interest of Mr. Downing was bought by N. C. Anderson, when the firm name was changed to Hamilton & Anderson. In politics Mr. Hamilton is a Republican. He has served on the school board and in the city council with credit to himself and satisfaction to his constituents. He is a member of both the Masonic and Odd Fellows orders.
OSEPHUS COLLETT (second), a promi- nent railroad manager and business man of Terre Haute, who, however, is still a voter in Vermillion County, was born in Eugene, this county, August 17, 1831. (For his parentage, see sketch of Stephen S. Collett, Sr.) IIe obtained his early education in a log-cabin school-house near his birth-place, and at the age of eighteen entered Wabash College; but before completing the full literary course he was obliged to abandon study on account of feeble health and a serious disease of the nerves of the eyes. A cure of the latter complaint for some time afterward seemed hopeless; but he finally recovered, when he resorted to agriculture and dealing in live stock, in both which branches of busi- ness he had great success. About 1869 he engaged in mercantile business at Newport, including pork-packing and dealing in grain. The pork and grain he shipped to New York and New Orleans, soon commanding a fine trade. Lack of transportation facilities then engaged his attention. After the failure of several previous attempts at securing railroads, he consulted Chauncey Rose, a worthy friend of the family through three generations, who zealously enlisted his sympathies with advice and money. The result was the building of the Evansville, Terre Haute & Chicago Rail- road, running through the whole length of
Vermillion County. Mr. Collett became president, and held that office until the road was leased to the Chicago & Eastern Illinois Railroad Company, who now operate it. Unlike other railways, this road was built at such close contraet prices, without the inter- mediate profits of middle men and speculators, and its alignments and grades were so per- fectly surveyed, that it has been classed as a model railroad in economy of cost and con- struction. While nearly all new railroad enterprises of the country have passed through the hands of receivers and assignees, this road, under the management of Mr. Collett, -who was not only its president but also its super- intendent and treasurer, -- survived the crush- ing effects of the hard times of 1873-'79; and by universal consent the credit for this successful management is given to himn. Even in the personal supervision of the track, he has never been afraid to ride upon a locomotive; and he made it a point to see every rail, tie and timber on his route once a month. He has also been engaged in many other railroad enterprises and large business ventures. He built the Otter Creek Valley Railroad through Vigo and Clay counties, the Genesee Valley Railroad in New York State, and in the construction of the Columbus & Sunday Creek Railroad, which opens up a new approach to the Hocking Valley coal region, was superintendent of the Nevada Central Railroad two years, is now manager of the Austin & North western Railroad in Texas, and is profitably interested in the improvements and extensions that have given such growth to San Diego, California, the great sanitarium of the Pacific coast. He is also interested more or less in a number of mining and manufacturing enterprises, not only at Terre Haute, but also in other places in Indiana and at various points in the west. And he has been fortunate in nearly every
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