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 52
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married in 1836 to Elizabeth Jones, a native of Kentucky. To them were born twelve children, seven of whom are living-James W., of Vermillion Township; Isabel, wife of Rufus Elder, of Illinois; Mary E., wife of William P. Carmack; John W., of Kansas; George and Benjamin S., of Vermillion County, and Eliza, wife of William T. Davis. Mrs. Asbury died in 1882, and in 1883 Mr. Asbury married Sarah, widow of Ilenry Wise. They have two children-Daniel and James R. In politics Mr. Asbury affiliates with the Republican party.
EYMOUR NEBEKER, Clinton, Indi- ana, is a representative of one of the early families of Vermillion County. Ile was born in this county, in Helt Town- ship, July 18, 1847, a son of Aquila and Naomi (Wright) Nebeker, his father a native of Delaware, and his mother of New York. The parents came to Vermillion County in an early day and settled in lIelt Township, where they lived until 1865, when they moved to Clinton, where the father died in 1880, aged sixty-five years. He was for many years one of the county's prominent citizens and at one time represented it in the State Legislature. Ilis widow survived until January, 1883, dying at the age of sixty-four years. They had a family of four son and five daughters-Jasper, a member of the Eighteenth Indiana Infantry, died while in the service of his country, during the war for the Union. Mrs. Laura Washburn and Mrs. Thirza Anderson reside in Clinton. Seymour is the subject of this sketch; Mrs. Maria Whitcomb is deceased; Mrs. Melissa Bogart and Dr. Henry live in Clinton; Mrs. Myrtle A. Bassett (deceased), and Bird A., of Elpaso, Texas. Seymour Nebeker passed his
youth on a farm and has for the greater part of his mature life devoted his time to agri- enlture. In 1869 he accompanied General Il. D. Washburn, then of Clinton, to his field of labor as surveyor-general of Montana Territory. He spent four years in that Terri- tory on the surveyor's staff, his chief after General Washburn's death being John E. Blaine, a brother of James G. Blaine, and in the spring of 1870 began surveying under contract, the work affording ample remunera- tion. In the autumn of 1873 he returned to Vermillion County, where he has since lived. April 7, 1876, he married Miss Susan Staats, who was born in Helt Township, November 2, 1845, a daughter of Joseph and Sarah (Cummings) Staats, natives of Virginia, where they were married, coming to Indiana in an early day. Mr. and Mrs. Nebeker have two children -- Edna, born April 10, 1878, and Mary Louise, born August 21, 1883. Mr. Nebeker commenced married life on a farin two miles and a half north of Clinton, which he still owns, and where he lived until after the death of his father, in 1880, when he moved to Clinton and has since lived on the homestead of his parents in that city. Ilis farm contains 240 acres of valuable land, and he still superintends its culture. In politics Mr. Nebeker has always been identi- tied with the Republican party, casting his first Presidential vote for U. S. Grant. Ile is a member of the Masonic order, Jerusalem Lodge, No. 99, at Clinton.
ILLIAM A. SIIELATO, proprietor of the livery and feed stable, Newport City, Indiana, is a native of Vermill- ion County, born in 1857, a son of Frank and Maria (Thornton) Shelato, also natives of Vermillion County, of German descent. They
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HISTORY OF VERMILLION COUNTY.
are now among the prominent citizens of Eugene Township. William A. was reared a farmer and followed that vocation until 1882, when he established a livery stable in Eugene, remaining there three years, and in March, 1886, removed to Newport, where he has a good stable well equipped with both carriage and saddle horses, buggies and carriages. Mr. Shelato was married in 1880 to Inez Willermoon, a native of Vermillion County, born in 1863, a daughter of Joseph and Martha (Slakely) Willermoon.
M ILTON WRIGHT was born on the homestead where he resides, on see- tion 16, Highland Township, the date of his birth being January 1, 1835. His father, Thomas Wright, was one of the early pioneers of Highland Township, where lie located in the fall of 1824. He was born in Pennsylvania in 1799, and when a boy was taken by his parents to Ross County, Ohio, where he grew to manhood. In the fall of 1824 his mother came with her family to In- diana (the father having died in Ohio), and settled in Vermillion County. Thomas Wright at that time was about twenty-four years of age. On coming to the county lie entered land on section 10, Highland Township, near the present farm of his son Milton. After entering his land he had no means left, his last dollar being given to pay for his land. Hle at onee began improving his land, but almost before he had made a beginning the team which he had brought with him and on which he depended for clearing and breaking his land, died. This was a heavy loss to him, as he had no means of purchasing another team. Hearing that Lewis Evans, of War- ren County, had a bull he wished to dispose of and take his pay in work, Mr. Wright saw
his opportunity and at once engaged to split rails for Mr. Evans, and after doing a certain amount of work he received the animal above referred to. He hitched the bull to the plow and broke the land on which he raised his first crop of grain, and by muzzling the bull to prevent it from eating the grain, he was able to nse it in cultivating his first corn crop. From this beginning Mr. Wright ad- vaneed to the front rank of the pioneer farm- ers of Highland Township, and at his death in 1855 was numbered among the wealthy farmers of his county. He was twice mar- ried, being married in Fountain County, In- diana, in 1830, to Sarah Thompson, a native of Kentucky, and an estimable wife and mother. She died in 1844, leaving a family of four sons and three daughters, of whom two sons and two daughters are still living -Milton, Cyrus, and Mrs. Nancy J. Mitehell and Mrs. Martha E. Lacy, both living in Ilighland Township. For his second wife Mr. Wright married Mrs. Joan (Beers) Na- bors. Thomas Wright was a typical pioneer, upright, honest, industrious, and unassuming in his manners and habits. He accumulated a competence, and by his own efforts aecumn- lated 1,000 acres of excellent land. Politi- cally he was a Whig of the Abolition type. For many years he was a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Milton Wright, whose name heads this sketch, grew to manhood on the home farm, being reared to agricultural pursuits, which he has made his life-work, and attending the schools of his neighborhood, where he received his edu- cation. He is a prosperous farmer and a representative citizen of Highland Township, where he has a fine farm of 280 acres, this being a part of the land once owned by his father. Mr. Wright was united in marriage to Miss Nancy A. Provost, a daughter of Thomas Provost, one of the pioneers of Ver-
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million County. They have two children- Eva, wife of Henry Truman, of Highland Township, and Stephen G., who was born August 9, 1868, a native of Highland Town- ship, Vermillion County.
LFRED R. HOPKINS, the present efficient clerk of Vermillion County, is a native of this county, born at New- port, September 3, 1841, and has spent the greater part of his life at his birth-place. Ilis parents, John and Elizabeth Hopkins, were among the pioneers of the county, set- tling here when the surrounding country was almost a wilderness. Mr. Hopkins has been twice married, his first wife being Nellie IIall, a daughter of William B. IIall, one of Vermillion County's early settlers. She died in 1874, leaving at her death two daughters named IIelen and Maggie. The maiden name of his present wife was Laura Wallace, she being a daughter of William and Mary Wallace, of whom both are deceased. Mr. Hopkins was in the mercantile business at Newport from 1869 until 1875. In 1882 he was elected to fill the office of county elerk, and was re-elected in the fall of 1886, his term of office expiring in 1890. In politics he is a stauneh Republiean, and was elected to his present office on that ticket.
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OHN GRIMES, an enterprising agrienlt- urist, who has been identified with the interests of Vermillion County many years, is a native of Ohio, born in Noble County, October 29, 1846. Ilis father, Wil- son Grimes, who is now deceased, was born in Ross County, Ohio. In 1860 he removed with his family to Dent County, Missouri,
and in the spring of 1861 came to Vermillion County, Indiana, and laid ont the village of Jonestown, and built the first house in the place. John Grimes, the subject of this sketch, was brought up on a farm, and has always followed agricultural pursuits, and in his youth he received a common-school edu- eation. IIe was united in marriage, May 1, 1873, to Miss Belle Newton, a daughter of Dr. John Newton, an early settler of this county, who is now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Grimes are the parents of one child, Ethel A., who was born September 18, 1874. They make their home on seetion 15, Helt Town- ship, where they have a fine farm of 140 aeres, well improved and under good eulti- vation, beside which they own a traet of eighteen aeres of timber land in Illinois.
BORACE WELLS, senior member of the firm of Wells & Peer, dealers in gro- eeries, boots and shoes, Dana, was born in Cineinnati, Ohio, November 25, 1844. His father, Horace Wells, who is now de- ceased, was a native of Connecticut, and settled in Cincinnati in 1837, where he was superintendent of the Wells Type Foundry many years, holding a controlling interest in the stock. Horace Wells, our subjeet, was reared at his birth place, receiving his edu- cation in the schools of that city. During the late war he was a member of Company B, Second Missouri Cavalry, and while in the service participated in many important bat- tles ineluding the engagements at Lexington, Paris, Moore's Mill and Pea Ridge. Ile went to Illinois in 1864 where he followed farming until 1869. In December, 1870, he entered the employ of the Illinois Central Railroad Company as station agent and oper- ator, at Desoto, Illinois. In August, 1875,
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HISTORY OF VERMILLION COUNTY.
he entered the employ of the Indianapolis, Decatur and Springfield Railroad as station agent at Attwood, Illinois, remaining there until June, 1877, when he came to Dana, Vermillion County, holding the position of station agent at this place until November, 1886. Ile engaged in his present business in March, 1887, in which he has met with good success. January 14, 1875, he was united in marriage to Miss Emma Matthews, a daughter of James Matthews, of Arcola, Illinois. Of the four children born to this union, three are living -- Charles, Albert and Clyde. One son, named Dallas, met his death by suffocation in the Dana Grain Elevator in June, 1886, at the age of six years. Mr. Wells belongs to both the Masonic and Odd Fellows orders. Mrs. Wells is a worthy mem- ber of the Presbyterian church.
ESSE L. PEER, dealer in dry goods shoes and notions, Dana, Indiana, is a native of Vermillion County, born in HIelt Township, March 8, 1840, a son of John and Jane (Dawson) Peer, his father a native of Virginia, and his mother of Kentucky. His father came when a boy with his parents to Vermillion County, Indiana, and settled near Eugene. Jesse L. Peer was reared a farmer, and followed that vocation until 1567, when he became crippled, the result of a kick from a horse, and being unable to attend to his farin moved to Toronto, and en- gaged in the mercantile business, remaining there until 1874, when he located in Dana, and opened a general store. In 1886 he closed out his grocery department but now has a good line of dry goods, carpets, boots and shoes, wall paper and notions. His stock is valued at about $6.000 and he lias a good paying trade. Mr. Peer was married June
11, 1868, to Keziah Crusour, daughter of Moses Crusour. They have had eight chil- dren, four of whom are living-Ira, Sarah, John and Frederick. Mr. Peer was post- master at Toronto about five years. He is a member of the Odd Fellows order. Two of his brothers, William and Benjamin, were soldiers in the war of the Rebellion.
IMEON HOLLINGSWORTHI, farmner and stock-raiser, resides on section 14, Vermillion Township, where he owns 150 aeres of land under a high state of cul- tivation. He is a native of Vermillion County, born May 25, 1832, a son of Joel and Lydia (Sprague) Hollingsworth, natives of South Carolina, who came to Indiana in 1820, and settled in Vermillion County, be- ing among the earliest settlers of Helt Town- ship. The mother died in 1852, aged forty-four years, and the father in 1875, aged seventy-two years. They had a family of eleven children, but four of whom are living -Iliram and Mary J., of Kansas; John W., of Missouri, and Simeon. The father lived to see the county which he helped to settle one of the best in the State, and became one of its most prominent and influential citizens. Simeon Hollingsworth was reared on the old homestead in Helt Township, remaining at home until manhood, when he started in life for himself, and by good management has acquired a good property. He was married in 1852 to Lucinda Johnson, who was born in Shelby County, Indiana, in 1830, a daugh- ter of Isaac and Mary Johnson, pioneers of Vermillion County. Mr. and Mrs. Hollings- worth have had two children, but one is liv- ing-Joel, who is still living at home. IIe married Sarah, daughter of James and Nancy lIendricks, and has one child-Caleb. Mr.
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Hollingsworth is a member of the Masonie fraternity, Asbury Lodge, No. 320. In poli- ties he affiliates with the Republican party.
ATHAN JACOBS, of Highland Town- ship, was born in Gallia County, Ohio, January 4, 1811. His father, Daniel Jacobs, was born near Lexington, Kentucky, and when a young man moved to Gallia County, Ohio, where he married Sarah Ens- minger, and when an old man moved to Douglas County, Illinois, where he died. He was a soldier in the war of 1812, and was taken prisoner at Fort Meigs. In 1830 Nathan Jacobs accompanied his mother and stepfather to Vermillion County, Indiana, where he has since lived. His mother died in Highland Township. Nathan Jacobs is one of the pioneers of the county, which he has seen develop from a wilderness to its present advanced state. He has been twice married and has six children, one son and five daughters. In politics Mr. Jacobs is a Republican. He is a member of the United Brethren church.
ICHARD M. RUCKER, a resident of Clinton, is a native of Indiana, born in Jackson County, December 16, 1831, a son of Terrill and Lovina Rucker. In his youth he learned the cooper's trade, which he followed until he went in defense of his country in the war of the Rebellion. He was united in marriage in 1858 to Miss Minerva J. Sleath, a native of Burlington, Iowa, born August 9, 1837, and of the thirteen children born to this union four died in infancy. Those yet living are-Mrs. Gracie Groves, of Edgar County, Illinois; John, Minerva, Rich- 30
ard M., Samuel, Addison, Isabelle and Charles. Mr. Rueker enlisted in June, 1562, in Company A, Seventy-first Indiana Infan- try, leaving the State with his regiment dur- ing the latter part of August. August 31 they encountered the rebel army under Gen- eral Kirby Smith at Richmond, Kentucky. Ilis regiment lost heavily in this engagement. losing all the field officers, and the larger part of the regiment including Mr. Rucker were taken prisoners and paroled on the field. The paroled prisoners were sent North, but exchanged and in the field again before the close of the year, and employed in protecting lines of communication. During the sun- mer of 1863 the regiment returned to Indi- anapolis, and after being recruited, was re-organized and became the Sixth Indiana Cavalry. It joined Burnside's army, and campaigned in the vicinity of Knoxville during Burnside's operations at that place. The regiment was part of Burnside's force, and was actively employed in the campaign of General Sherman against General Johnston's army, which enlminated in the capture of Atlanta. The Sixth Indiana Cavalry joined Sherman's army at Buzzard's Roost and did splendid serviee in that campaign. During the Stoneman raid at Sunshine Church Mr. Rueker was shot through the right lung, and with the most of his regiment was again taken prisoner. At Hillsboro his wound was treated, but not skillfully. Later he was im- prisoned at Maeon, Georgia, and still later at Andersonville. From Andersonville he was taken to Mellen, Georgia, and from there paroled, and sent to the parol eamp at Annap- olis, Maryland. During all these changes Mr. Rucker was much debilitated, with hardly more than a hold upon life. He was finally exchanged and again joined his regi- ment, but never afterward did much hard service. At the elose of the war he received
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HISTORY OF VERMILLION COUNTY.
an honorable discharge. He now receives a pension of $15 a month. In polities he affil- iates with the Democratie party. IIe is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, and is officer of the day in Owen Post, at Clinton.
EREMIAII CONLEY, one of the popu- lar young men of Dana, was born in Edgar County, Illinois, December 23, 1861. His father, John Conley, was a native of County Waterford, Ireland, and in 1848 eame to the United States and settled in Illinois, and in 1862 moved to Vermillion County, Indiana, loeating at Montezuma, where he spent the rest of his days. Jere- miah Conley was reared in Montezuma, being only about a year old when his parents moved to Indiana. He was given good educational advantages, attending the schools of Monte- zuma, and thus became fitted to enter upon an active business life. In 1882 he located in Dana, where by his upright and honorable dealings and pleasant manners he has gained many friends. He is a member of the Cath- olie church and of the Hibernian Brother- hood.
EORGE WELLS, deceased, was born in Sevier County, Tennessee, October 27, 1810, a son of Andrew and Eve (Houck) Wells, who were of English and German descent respectively. Our subjeet was reared to agricultural pursuits, and made that the principal vocation of his life. He received but limited educational advantages in the schools of his day, but close observation and contact with the world supplied to a large degree his lack of education. He was married
in Sevier County, Tennessee, November 9, 1830, to Miss Sarah Earnest, a native of Greene County, Tennessee, born January 19, 1814, a daughter of Henry S. and Rachel (Lottspeech) Earnest. They left Tennessee in Mareh, 1831, each riding a horse and a third horse used as a pack horse, was loaded with house- hold effects and wearing apparel, and in this manner they journeyed to Indiana, and settled in the then dense forest of Rush County, and in their home in that county all their chil- dren who are now living were born. In 1852 the family removed to Jasper County, Illinois, where they lived until coming to Clinton, Vermillion County, in 1866. After settling in Clinton Mr. Wells, owing to his fail- ing health, led a comparatively retired life until his death. He died May 7, 1880. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church from childhood, and a consistent Christian. For a great many years he was a local preaelier, and was always ready when- ever and wherever he could aid in building up the Master's eanse. Mrs. Wells who is yet a resident of Clinton is in good health, and bids fair to spend many more years of useful life. Mr. Wells held the office of magistrate for eight years, performing the duties of that office in an efficient and satis- factory manner. He was a strong anti-slavery man, and his hatred of slavery finally indueed him to leave Tennessee. His father was one of the heroes in the Revolutionary war, from Virginia. Ten children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Wells-Mrs. Martha Jane Birt, living in Clinton; Hannah E. died in infancy ; Mrs. Louisa Mitehell lives in Parke County, this State; Mrs. Sarah Ann Walling died in Clinton Township; Amos E., a farmer, living in Florida, Parke County, Indiana; Thomas B., resides in Clinton, was a soldier in the war of the Rebellion, serving three years in the Twenty-first Illinois Infantry, the regi-
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ment first commanded by General Grant; William F. the youngest son. William F. Wells was born May 18, 1850, and has always lived with his parents. At the age of thir- teen years he became the main reliance of his father, and as he advanced in years, he became the supporter of the family. He completed his education at Farmers Ilome Institute at Clinton, when nineteen years of age, and the three following winters taught school in Parke County. In 1872 he com- neneed working at the earpenter's trade, and while thus engaged received an injury to his right hand. He then sought lighter employ- ment, and was engaged as clerk in the mer- cantile establishment of Whiteomb, Anderson & Co. IIe is now engaged as building eon- tractor. In polities he is an ardent Repub- liean, and prominent in all the local councils of his party. IIe is a member of the Masonie and Odd Fellows orders, and also belongs to the Knights of Labor.
OHIN W. REDMAN, furniture dealer and undertaker, Dana, is a native of Vermillion County, Indiana, born in Helt Township, January 25, 1855. His father, Wesley Redman, was a native of Vir- ginia, coming to Vermillion County with his parents when a boy, where he lived until his death. Our subject was reared to agricultural pursuits, and received his education in the common-schools of his native county. IIe followed farming two years, and in July, 1876, he engaged in his present business, at Dana, where he has built up a good trade, becoming one of the leading business men of the place. Mr. Redman was married No- vember 13, 1877, to Maria Taylor, a daughter of Samuel Taylor, one of the old and honored pioneers of the county, who is now deceased.
Two children have been born to this union- Charles (deceased) and Claude. Mr. Red- man has held the office of postmaster of Dana sinee April 13, 1885, being one of the first appointed in Western Indiana under President Cleveland's administration. IIe is a member of the Odd Fellows order, in which he takes an active interest. Mrs. Redman is a worthy member of the Presbyterian church.
- LAUDE MATTHEWS, one of the lead- ing agriculturists of Vermillion County, engaged in farming and stock-raising on section 19, Clinton Township, was born at Bethel, Bath County, Kentucky, December 14, 1845. His parents, Thomas A. and Eliza Ann (Fleteher) Matthews, were born and reared in the State of Kentucky, to which State the Matthews family removed from Maryland in an early day, the Fletcher family coming from Virginia. The parents of our subjeet died in Kentucky, the mother at the old home in March, 1846, aged twenty years, and the father at Covington, in 1885, aged sixty-six years. Claude, their only child. was given liberal educational advantages, and graduated at Center College, at Danville, Kentucky, in the class of 1867, and January 1, 1868, he was united in marriage to Miss Martha A. R. Whiteomb, born at Indianapolis July 1, 1847, the only child of Governor James Whitcomb, one of the prominent statesman of Indiana. Governor Whitcomb was born near Windsor, Vermont, in December, 1795, and when he was eleven years of age his father settled near Cineinnati, Ohio. At this time he began to show great fondness for study and books, and finally worked his way into Transylvania University, located at Lexington, Kentucky, and graduated from
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HISTORY OF VERMILLION COUNTY.
that institution at the head of his elass. Ile then studied law and commenced his legal practice at Bloomington, Indiana, in 1822, soon standing in the front rank in his profession. In 1830 he was elected to the State Senate, and in 1836 he was appointed Commissioner of the General Land Office at Washington, D. C., resuming the practice of law at Terre Haute, Indiana, in 1841. In 1843 lie was the nominee of the Democratie party for Governor of Indiana, to which office he was elected, his celebrated document, " Facts for the People " contributing largely to his election, and by an increased majority he was re-elected in 1846. During his first term he recommended the establishment of the now celebrated benevolent institutions of the State. No public man in the-State had more to do with the establishment of our common school system and the creation of the school fund then did Governor Whiteomb. In 1849 Governor Whitcomb was elected United States Senator, and died during his term of office at New York City October 4, 1852. Self-taught he became eminent in learning, and a leader among men, but his power was always used for the elevation and good of all, for he was devoted to his country and his God. March 24, 1846, he married Mrs. Martha Ann (Rennick) Hurst, at her father's home in Pickaway County, Ohio. She died July 17, 1847, sixteen days after the birth of her child, Mrs. Matthews. After the mother's death she was placed with her mother's sister, Mrs. Margaret Seymour, of Ross County, Ohio, with whom she lived until her marriage. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Matthews has been blessed with three children- Mary Fleteher, born November 5, 1869; Reniek Seymour, January 4, 1872, and IIelen, February 28, 1878. Mr. Matthews is the owner of 2,000 acres of selected lands, in- cluding bottom, table and ridge lands, with
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