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 51
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Madrid and Riddle's Point, then helped to take the city of Memphis, Tennessee, holding it seven days. IIe was at the siege of Fort Pillow, being fifty-six days under fire, and was at the siege of Vicksburg, also on the expedition up White River and at the battle of IIelena. Part of the time he had command of two companies, Colonel Bell having sur- rendered his forces to him. IIe also partici- pated in the battle of Little Rock, and other engagements of minor importance. He was on the Red River expedition, and was at the battle of Marks Mill, where half of his com- pany was killed and the remainder captured with the exception of himself and one man. For his gallant conduet at the battle of Helena Mr. Hall received a leave of absence for thirty days from General Grant. He was mustered out at Indianapolis, when he re- turned to his home in Vermillion County, and resumed farming. In 1867 he was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Head, who was born in the year 1847, a daughter of Francis and Emeline (Lncas) Head. In connection with his general farming Mr. Ilall devotes some attention to raising and dealing in stock. Ile is one of the prosperous men of Vermillion Township, where he has a valuable farm of 540 acres, 400 acres being well improved and under a high state of cul- tivation. Politically Mr. HIall affiliates with the Republican party.
OIIN L. PETERS, an active an enter- prising business man of Cayuga, is a native of Ohio, born in Circleville, Mareh 3, 1858, a son of Newton Peters, who is still a resident of Circleville. He was reared and educated at his birthplace, remain- ing there until 1871. when he came to Ver- million County, Indiana, and made his home
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at Eugene until 1887. He then removed to Cayuga and engaged in the mercantile busi- ness, and by his genial and accommodating manners, and strict attention to the wants of his customers, he is doing a thriving business. Ile earries a full line of dry goods, ladies' and gents' furnishing goods, millinery, hats, caps, boots and shoes. May 3, 1881, he was united in marriage to Miss Ellen G. Edmonds, a daughter of Edmond Edmonds, of Eugene. Mrs. Peters was born in Eugene, and has spent her life in this county. Mr. Peters never seeks official honors, preferring to de- vote his entire attention to his business rather than hold public office.
DAM ZERNER, deceased, was one of the brave pioneers of Vermillion Conn- ty, who settled in Newport when that now prosperous town consisted of but log huts. He was a native of Kentucky, born in Bourbon County, February 3, 1803, and was of German ancestry. When he was a lad his father died, and in 1812, he came with his mother to Indiana, she loeating near Madison. The date of his settlement at Newport, this county, was in the year 1826, and here he continued to live until his death. LIe was first married in Newport in 1828, to Miss Mary Hopkins. whose father, James Hopkins, was one of the well known pioneers of the county. To this union nine children were born, of whom eight are still living, five sons and three daughters. Only two of the children make their home in Indiana --- Mrs. Parrett, who was born in Fewport in 1831, and the eldest of the children now living, and Robert Zerner who resides in Indiana- polis. Mrs. Zerner died in 1861, and Mr. Zerner married for his second wife Miss Lovica Statts. by whom he had one daughter.
who resides in Florida, with her mother. Mr. Zerner died in March, 1876. He was a con- sistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church for forty years, and an upright, hon- orable gentleman.
ANIEL G. TILLOTSON, deeeased, was born in Helt Township, Vermillion County, Indiana, May 8, 1825, a son of Chandler Tillotson, a native of Massachusetts, and an old and honored pioneer of this coun- ty. He came to Indiana in 1819, locating first at Fort Harrison, near the present site of Terre Haute, and in 1823 came to Ver- million County, and was one of the first set- tlers on Heidle's Prairie in Helt Township. Daniel G. was reared in his father's pioneer home, his youth being spent in assisting in the work of clearing and improving the farm and in attending the rude log cabin subscrip- tion schools of that early day, where he received but a limited cducation. He was married March 25, 1845, to Miss Rebeeca Barkley, a daughter of William Barkley, who was a native of Pennsylvania. In 1829 he removed to Edgar County, Illinois, settling near the Indiana State line. Ten ehildren were born to Mr. and Mrs. Tillotson, seven of whom are living-Delia B. married Pryor Randall, who resides near Scotland, Illinois. and they have four children whosc names are Daniel, Orval, William T., Electra; George B. married Clementina Wishard, and has two children; Elizabeth A. married Rev. Jolin Rusmisel. of Helt Township, and their only child is named Beulah; Susannah is the wife of Frank Skidmore, of Helt Township; Mary E., Clara J., and Demetrius married Siba Wishard, and has one child named Minor R. Demetrius Tillotson is a minister in the Methodist Episcopal church, and resides at
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Toronto, this eounty. One son, William T., died after reaching maturity. He married Hattie Swan, and left at his death three chil- dren, named George, Clifford and Nellie. Daniel G. Tillotson, our subject, was an active worker for the cause of Christianity, and was a strong pillar in the Heidle's Prai- rie Baptist church, and for several years was a deacon in the church. He died August 10, 1880, his death causing universal regret throughout the community where he had spent so many years.
OBERT HARRISON, a worthy repre sentative of one of the old pioneer families of Vermillion County, was born in Rockingham County, Virginia, October 11, 1832, a son of Benjamin and Jane Ann (Bright) Harrison, who settled on section 15, Clinton Township, when the subject of this sketch was a year old. He was reared to agricultural pursuits, and early in life inured to hard work on his father's farm. ITis educational advantages were very limited, receiving such as the subscription schools of that early day afforded. He remained under the parental roof until his marriage, which occurred February 6, 1855, to Miss Elizabeth Fisher. She was born in Shelby County, Kentucky, June 23, 1833, and from infancy was reared in Vermillion County, Indiana, her parents, : James and Elizabeth (Briscoe) Fisher, having settled in Ilelt Township in 1834. The father died abont 1843 on the farm which he had cleared. Her mother afterward married Samnel David- son, and both are now deceased, the former dying in 1880. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Harrison settled near his father's homestead on section 15, Clinton Township, where they have since made their home, and
have their farm of sixty acres well improved and under fine cultivation. They are the parents of five children, all but one married, and living near their parents. The eldest, Benjamin, married Miss Eliza Camery, who died December 1, 1885, leaving at her death six children whose names are-Warren, Dan- iel, Stella, Annabelle, Isaac and Saralı. James, the second child of Mr. and Mrs. Harrison, married Miss Josie Chunn, and they have one child named Agnes. The third child, Anna- belle, is the wife of George R. Hawkins. Jane Ann, the next child, is the wife of Sherman Bullock, and Briscoe, the youngest son, is still at home with his parents. In his political views Mr. Harrison affiliates with the Republican party. Mr. Harrison is a man of strict integrity, fair and honorable in all his dealings, and during his long residence in Clinton Township has gained the confi- dence and respect of all who know him.
HOMAS J. MITCHELL, SR., of Per- rysville, one of the old and honored pioneers of Ilighland Township, was born in Champion County, Ohio, October 26, 1808, a son of James and Susannah Mitchell. When he was eight years old his parents set- tled in Nicholas County, Kentucky, and when he was fifteen they removed to Ripley County, Indiana, and in 1830 eame with their family to Vermillion County. The father settled four and a half miles northwest of Perrysville, and after residing in this county a number of years he went to White County, Indiana, where he died. After his death his widow returned to Ripley County, Indiana, where she spent the remainder of her days. They reared a family of seven ehildren to maturity, of whom three are yet living. Thomas J. Mitchell was the fourth
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HISTORY OF VERMILLION COUNTY.
child in his father's family, and is the oldest ' of the early pioneers of the county, and of of those yet living. He has been a resident the four children born to them three are living-Angeline, wife of Henry Volkill; Almon, married Carrie Spry, and Mary, wife of Howard Rodgers. A son, William, died March 17, 1887, leaving a wife and one child. After a married life of thirty-eight years Mrs. Ilunt died December 2, 1879. She was a kind and loving wife and mother, and was beloved by all who knew her. of this eounty since 1830, and during his long residence in Highland Township he has. by his fair and honorable dealings and cordial manners, gained many friends and won the respeet of all who know him. Ilis wife was formerly Miss Susannah Ricketts, a daughter of John and Mary Ricketts, who settled in Highland Township as early as 1830, where both died many years ago, on the farm now owned and oeenpied by Mr. Mitehell. Mr. and Mrs. Ricketts are buried on this farin. where they settled so many years ago. Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell have had born to them ten children, of whom seven are yet living- Thomas J., JJr., John W., Mary Ann, Zaeha- riah G., Elias G., Isabelle and Margaret Belle (twins). Three of their children are deceased -- Hiram, who died at the age of forty-one years: Jacob, died in his eighteenth year, and a son who died in infaney.
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ARVEY HUNT, of Highland Township, was born in Clay County, Indiana, Sep- tember 28, 1818, the eldest in a family of six children of Tunis and Elizabeth (Lud- dington) Ilunt. the father being a native of New Jersey. In 1816 the parents started for Indiana, and in 1825 came to Vermillion County, and settled in Highland Township. where the father lived until his death, abont 1830, his widow surviving him many years. Harvey Hunt has lived in Highland Town- ship since seven years of age, and has wit- nessed the material changes that have taken place in his neighborhood during the past sixty years. Ile began life poor, but by per- severing industry and economy he acquired a fine property. He was married in 1841 to Laura Goff, a daughter of Almon Goff. one
EORGE B. TILLOTSON, one of the leading farmers and stock-raisers of Vermillion Connty, was born in Helt Township, this county, July 30, 1850, a son of the late Daniel G. Tillotson. His early youth was passed on a farm, and his education was obtained in the common schools of Ver- million County. He engaged in the merean- tile business in Toronto in 1870, having for two years previons clerked in the store of F. N. Austin. He carried a good and well selected stock of general merchandise and established a large trade, continuing his busi- ness at Toronto until 1883. In that year lie eame to his present farm on seetion 14, Ilelt Township, where he has seventy-seven acres of valuable land, and has since devoted his attention to his agricultural pursnits. He makes a specialty of raising Mambrino trot- ting horses, and has one large Mambrino, named Sir Isaac, which he has shown at seventeen fairs, and which has carried off the first ribbons sixteen times. Ile has also three other stallions, two of which he has exhibited at fairs, receiving premiums on each. Mr. Tillotson was married Jannary 30. 1879, to Miss Clementina Wishard, danghiter of John R. Wishard, who is now deceased. Two children have been born to this union named Mary Grace and Arminta Fay. Mr.
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Tillotson is a member of the Odd Fellows order. In his religions faith he is a Baptist, and a member of that denomination. Mrs. Tillotson is a member of the Methodist Epis- copal church.
ABEZ B. OSMON, a farmer, residing at eNwport, is a representative of one of the old and respected pioneer families of Vermillion County. He is a native of Ver- million County, born in the township in which he now resides, May 5, 1836, his parents, Philip W. and Matilda (Williams) Osmon, coming to the county about 1827, when they settled in Vermillion Township. ILis father was a native of Kentucky, born in 1803. Ilc followed farming during his life, in which he was very successful, owning at the time of his death 400 or 500 acres of choice land. He died in 1880 in Newport, at the present home of our subject. He was a faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and an exemplary citizen. Eleven of his twelve children grew to maturity, and of these only three are living at the present time-Archibald W., a farmer, residing ten miles southwest of Newport; Matilda C .. wife of John Ingram, of Edgar County, Illi- nois, and Jabez B., the subject of this sketch. Jabez B. Osmon was reared in his native county to the vocation of a farmer, and is now the owner of 440 acres of well cultivated land lying some nine or ten miles west of Newport, located partly in this State, and partly in Edgar County, Illinois, besides which he has a tract of 160 acres of rich bot- NDREW SPROULS, a representative of one of the old and respected pioneer families of Vermillion County, is a native of Ohio, born in Belmont County, December 31, 1826. Ilis father, James tom land east of Newport. Ile has spent fifteen years of his life, from 1857 until 1872, on that portion of his farin which lies in Elgar County, and while there served three years as county commissioner. He | Sprouls, settled in Vermillion County, near
spent one year in the service of his country as a member of the Fifty-ninth Illinois In- fantry, joining his regiment at Athens, Georgia, on its return from the Atlanta cam- paign. The regiment then joined General Thomas, who was engaged in chasing Hood's forces ont of the country, Mr. Osmon being a participant in all the battles and skirmishes of that exciting campaign. Besides farming Mr. Osmon has followed other lines of busi- ness to some extent, as that of flat-boating at an early day, and also followed the lumber trade in this county. In the latter line he met with two disastrous losses by fire, at one time losing $1,000 in lumber at a mill near his present residence, and in 1880 he met with a loss equally as great, in the burning of a saw mill on the Little Vermillion, in which he had a half interest. At another time he lost another thousand by the burning of his barn, and about $4,000 by the burning of his residence and contents in 1874, this honse being erected but two years previous, on his return from Illinois. He rebuilt his residence which is located on a traet of three aeres on the bluff in the eastern part of New- port, the house being about half way between the base and the summit of the bluff, and overlooking river, bluff and valley scenery as beautiful as any in the West. Mr. Osmon is a bachelor. In politics he is a Republican. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and is classed among the most re- spected men in Newport.
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HISTORY OF VERMILLION COUNTY.
the present home of onr subject, in Decem- ber, 1829, where he made his home until his death. Andrew Spronls was reared to the vocation of a farmer, and received a limited education in the rnde log cabin subscription schools. IIe has always followed the cooper's trade in connection with his farming pursuits, and for several years ran a shop at Eugene. He was united in marriage April 27, 1851, to Miss America Pribble, a daughter of James Pribble, who came from Ohio to Vermillion County, Indiana, in an early day. Of the eight children born to this union seven are living- James, Lucinda, Douglas, Thomas. Jennie, Georgeand Lillie G. Lucinda married George W. Watson of Engene Township, and has three children-Grace, Dora and Daniel. Douglas married Mary Watson, and has three children-Florence, Alva and Charlie. Jennie married Lionah Worth, of Wymore, Nebraska. George married Rebecca Naylor, a daughter of Lewis Naylor, and they have one child named Elva. Mr. Sprouls resides on section 29, Engene Township, where he has 266 acres of fine land. In connection with his general farming he devotes some attention to stock- raising, making a specialty of hogs. He has been a resident of Eugene Township since 1855, and in 1859 settled on the farm where he now resides. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and affiliated with the lodge at Eugene when in existence.
ACOB L. THOMAS, an active farmer and stock-raiser of Vermillion Township, resides on section 6, where he has 520 acres of as good land as can be found in the county, being a part of the stock farm of the late Dr. Joseph Cook. Mr. Thomas was born in Vermillion County, Indiana, April 12, 1838, a son of Philemon and Catherine
(Custer) Thomas. They were among the pioneers of the county, the father having come here in 1822, and the mother in 1828. The father died in January, 1860, and the mother is still living on the old homestead, where she has resided for sixty-five years. The father being a farmer, Jacob L. was reared to the same occupation, which he has made his life work. He was first married in Vermillion County, Illinois, in 1866, to Miss Eliza Bates, who was born in Licking County, Ohio, in 1844, and to them were born two children-Clay and Torrence (deceased). Mrs. Thomas died in 1874, and for his second wife he married Margaret J. (Dallas) Cook, a na- tive of Wheeling, Virginia, born in 1835, and widow of Joseph C. Cook, late of Vermillion Connty. Mr. Thomas devotes considerable attention to stock-raising, making a specialty of thoroughbred Jersey cattle, of which he has a fine herd of six. He has one mare registered. Politically he affiliates with the Republican party. He is a member of New- port Lodge, No. 209, A. F. & A. M. Both he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
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TIS M. KEYES, M. D., one of the leading physicians and surgeons of Vermillion County, was born in Helt Township, this county, three miles from Dana, Angnst 3, 1854, his father, Dr. Cuth- bert Keyes, also being a native of Vermillion County. Ile was reared principally on a farm, and in his youth received good educa- tional advantages, in the common schools of his neighborhood and at the academy at Bloomingdale, Indiana. After completing his education he taught school four years in Vermillion and Parke Counties. He snbse- quently attended the Kentucky School of
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Medicine, at Lonisville, and graduated from that institution June 28, 1877, with the highest honors, receiving the gold medal which at that time was awarded to the person graduating with first honors in all branches. In the fall of 1877 he located at Dana, and immediately engaged in the practice of medi- cine, where he has since built up a large and lucrative practice, and by his kind and cordial disposition, and honorable dealings he has gained the confidence and respect of all who know him. August 7, 1878, he was united in marriage to Miss Labelle Hunt, a daugh- ter of Isaac Hunt, of Dana. One child has been born to this union, named Paul II. The doctor is a member of both the Masonic and Odd Fellows orders, and takes an active in- terest in these organizations. He has held the office of township trustee one term, and is at present a member of the board of health of Dana.
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JOSEPH MOORE, an old and honored pioneer of Eugene Township, Vermillion County, now deceased, was born in the State of Ohio, near Columbus, in 1803, a son of Thomas Moore. He came to this county in the year 1833, and the first winter after coming he spent at Engene. IIe then settled on a tract of wild land, in Eugene Township, where Indians and wild animals were the principal inhabitants. He was married to Miss Sarah Dunlap, a daughter of Joseph Dunlap. Her brother James was a soldier in the war of 1812. Ten children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Moore, eight of whom still survive, their names being as follows-Re- becca, Thomas, Jane, Ellen, Wallace, Robert, Joseph and Louise. Mr. Moore always followed the vocation of a farmer, and in his agricultural pursuits was very successful,
owing to his industrious habits and good management, and at his death left a large landed estate, which he had acquired by fair and honorable dealings. Ile died September 8, 1861, his death causing universal regret throughout the community, where he made his home for so many years. His widow still lives on the old homestead. Her grand- danghter, Blanche Moore, whose mother died when she was an infant, is being reared by her.
OHN R. STAIIL, one of the successful teachers of Vermillion County, resides on section 22, Vermillion Township, where he owns forty acres of good land under a high state of cultivation. He is a native of Montgomery County, Ohio, born June 16, 1851, a son of Samuel and Catherine ( Hum- rickhous) Stahl, natives of Pennsylvania, of German descent. In 1858 his parents moved to Vermillion County, and settled in Eugene Township, where the father died in 1884. The mother is now living in Illinois. They had a family of six children, four of whom are living-Beulah, wife of Michael Will- fang; Henry, of Illinois; John R., Eli and Daniel (twins, the latter deccased), and Eliza- beth E., deceased. John R. Stalil commenced teaching school in 1873, and has taught thir- teen winters, and in the meantime in the summer has attended the Indiana State Nor- inal School five terms, the Brookville, Ohio, Union Academy one term, the Georgetown, Illinois, Academy, one term, and has been under the instruction of Prof. John Hurty, of Paris, Illinois, four months. lle takes advantage of every opportunity he has to better fit him for his profession, and is fast gaining an enviable reputation as a teacher. Mr. Stahl was married in 1880 to Lucy Bell,
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HISTORY OF VERMILLION COUNTY.
a native of Vermillion County, born in New- port November 12, 1858, daughter of James A. and Elizabeth (Van Camp) Bell, pioneers of the county. Her father died in 1872. Of a family of nine children, but four are living-three, William R., Susan and Minnie, being at home with their mother. Mr. and Mrs. Stahl have three children-Bessie, Mabel and Maude.
ONATIIAN CARITHERS, who has been identified with the interests of Vermillion County for many years, re- sides on section 29, Highland Township, about one mile west of the village of Gessie. Hle is a worthy representative of one of the early pioneer families, his father, William H. Carithers, having settled in Highland Town- ship with his family in 1829. William H. Carithers was a native of the State of New York, born January 19, 1800. When a young man he went to Ohio, and was married in that State to Miss Eleanor Decker, a native of New Jersey, born April 1, 1802. They reared a family of eight children to maturity -George, now living in Warren County, Indiana; Jonathan, the subject of this sketch; Mary, deceased; Catherine, also deceased; William II., a resident of Allamakee County, Iowa; Henry C., Franeis M. and Martha Jane, residents of Vermillion County. Will- iam H. Carithers, Sr., lived on the land on which he first settled in Highland Township, and which is now owned by his sons, until his death, which oceurred September 15, 1851. He was one of the prominent and substantial citizens of his township, and his children have beeome representative citizens. His widow, the mother of our subject, died December 2, 1867. Jonathan Carithers is a native of Ohio, born January 4, 1824, and
was quite yonng when brought by his parents to Indiana. He has lived in the county for fifty-eight years, and is elassed among the most respected citizens of Highland Town- ship. Mrs. Carithers was formerly Mary Elizabeth Preston, a daughter of Bennett Preston, one of the early pioneers of High- land Township. She was born in Kentneky in 1830, eoming with her parents to Ver- million County, Indiana, in 1834: Mr. and Mrs. Carithers are the parents of four ehil- dren-William P., Charles L., Elizabeth J. and Mary Franees. In polities Mr. Carithers was formerly a Whig, casting his first Presi- dential vote for Zachary Taylor in 1848. He now affiliates with the Republican party.
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AMES ASBURY, blacksmith, resides on section 21, Vermillion Township, where he owns 114 acres of valuable land. He was born in Virginia. Jannary 21, 1815, a son of Joseph and Hannah (Talbott) Asbury, na- tives of Virginia, his father of English and his mother of Irish descent. Joseph Asbury was a soldier in the war of the Revolution, and served five years. In September, 1815, the parents started for Kentucky, but before they reached there the father died. The fol- lowing spring the mother continued her jour- ney to Kentucky, and died there in 1835. In 1828 James Asbury came to Vermillion County, Indiana, and settled in Newport. He learned the blacksmith's trade of an older brother. After learning the trade he worked two years in a saw-mill and in that way got money enough to start a shop of his own, which he carried on eighteen years, when he bought the farm where he now lives. He has a good home and is in comfortable circumstances, the result of a life of industry and good management. Mr. Asbury was
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