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 53

Author:
Publication date: 1888
Publisher: Chicago : Lewis Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 544

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 53

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timber and coal in abundance. Ile has up- ward of 1,300 acres of bottom and table lands under cultivation in Vermillion County, these lands being unexcelled in quality of soil. lIe also has large real estate interests in Texas. The homestead property in Clinton Township, known as the Hazel Bluff Farm, consists of about 600 acres. His residence is pleasantly located in a natural grove, on high ground overlooking the valley of Bronil- lett's Creek, about three miles southwest of Clinton. Mr. Matthews is a lover of good stock, and devotes considerable attention to general stock-raising, and as a breeder has gained quite a reputation. Among the stock bred on his farm are found trotting bred horses, Jersey and short-horn cattle, South Down sheep, Berkshire hogs and Shetland ponies. Strictly honor- able in all his dealings, he has gained the confidence and respect of all who know him, and made many friends, and being lib- eral toward public enterprises he is a valuable citizen. He is a member of the Presbyterian church. Politieally he is identified with the Democratic party, and without being a strong partisan is a warm believer in the principles of that party. Mr. Matthews has never been ambitious of political preferment, but in 1876, against his desire, was selected by his party to make the race for Representative. This he did and was elected by over 200 majority,- the Republican State ticket carrying the county by over 350 majority. Mr. Matthews was the first Democrat to represent Vermill- ion Connty, and while there did good and effee- tive work. To him more than any one else is dne the passage of the Free Gravel Road Bill,-which has been the means of placing Vermillion County in the front rank of counties having such improved highways. In 1880 Mr. Matthews was a prominent can- didate for the nomination of Lieutenant Gov- ernor, but in the close fight between Landers

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and Gray to harmonize party discords Governor Gray was given the place, without opposition in the convention, Mr. Matthews strongly and heartly supporting the proposition-pre- ferring advancement of party rather than self-interest. In 1882 Mr. Matthews was indneed to make the race for State Senator for the counties of Parke and Vermillion, together rolling up a Republican majority of 900. With sneh heavy odds, although mak- ing a highly ereditable race, he was defeated by about 300 -- reducing the Republican majority in the two counties by nearly 600 votes. He is quietly and contentedly pur- sning his business of farming, firm in the belief that it is the grandest and the noblest oceupation in life.

OHIN L. FOX, one of the respeeted eiti- zens of Highland Township, is a native of Warren County, Ohio, and is a son of George and Elizabeth (Link) Fox. The father of our subjeet was a native of Mary- land, and a son of Frederick Fox, who was born on the ocean while his parents were immigrating to America. The Fox family first settled in Maryland, where the grand- father kept tavern at the foot of the Fox Mountain for many years. The father of our subjeet erossed the mountains with his father and settled in Ohio in 1807, making his home in that State until his death. John L. Fox, whose name heads this sketch, was reared to manhood in his native county, and was there married to Miss Susan Ann Hilligass, who was born and reared in Montgomery County, Ohio. Mr. Fox lived in Warren County until 1857 when he came with his family, then consisting of wife and five children, to! Vermillion County, Indiana. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Fox are-Anna E.,

Mary S., Catherine, Margaret P., John Adams and Daniel, all born in Ohio, with the exception of Daniel, who was born in Highland Township, Vermillion County, in 1860. Mr. Fox has met with good sueeess in his agricultural pursuits, and at one time was the owner of 331 acres of choice land. His farmi now contains 186 acres, under good cultivation. the entire surroundings showing the owner to be a thorough practical farmer.

ENRY SHEW, residing on section 36, Clinton Township, is one of the active and prominent citizens of Vermillion County, and a worthy representative of one of the early pioneer families of the county. Ile was born in Wilkes County, North Caro- lina, November 14, 1815, his parents, Daniel and Eve D. (York) Shew, being natives of the same State, the former of German and the latter of English aneestry. They with their family, then consisting of six children, left their native State and with teams made the journey to Vermillion County, Indiana, in 1826, and settled in the forest on section 31, Clinton Township. Here the father bought a traet of sixty-two acres, which he improved, and resided upon until his death, which occurred not long after the close of the war, in his eighty-first year. He erected a saw-mill on Jennings Creek which he oper- ated about thirty years. His wife's death oe- curred about six years before he died, in her sixty-sixth year. Both were members of the United Brethren church. The children born to them are as follows-Philip was a member of an Indiana regiment, and died in the late war at Knoxville, Tennessee; Henry, the sub- jeet of this sketeh; Joel, living in Clinton; Eli, of Clinton Township; Mrs. Mary M. Moulton, residing in Tennessee; Sarah died

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HISTORY OF VERMILLION COUNTY.

aged abont twelve years; Leonard M., living in San Francisco, California; Washington, living in Clinton Township, and Mrs. Ma- tilda Vergen, deceased. Henry Shew, whose name heads this sketch, was reared to a farm life, but after reaching manhood he learned the cooper's trade, which he followed some fifteen years, since which he has devoted his time almost exclusively to agricultural pur- suits. Ile was united in marriage Jnly 2, 1840, to Miss Irene Iledges, a danghter of William Hedges, one of the early settlers of the county. She was born in Clinton Town- ship, at the pioneer home of her parents, December 3, 1823. To Mr. and Mrs. Shew have been born five children as follows-Ly- sander, residing in Clinton Township, near his parents; Lura Ann, widow of John Hay, resides in Kansas, where her husband died; Levi L., living near the parental home, served three years in the war of the Rebellion, in the Seventy-first Indiana Infantry, and Sixth Indiana Cavalry; Direxa, is the wife of Thomas P'. Pinson, of Clinton Township; Alma C. is the wife of James Boat- man, of Clinton Township. Mr. Shew commenced life with no capital, but strong hands, and a determination to make life a snecess, and his energy combined with integrity and good business habits, has en- abled him to obtain a competence for his deelining years. When he settled on his homestead in Clinton Township it was covered with a heavy growth of timber. He now owns over 400 acres, the greater part of which is well improved. In polities Mr. Shew is a Republican of Whig antecedents. He served almost three terms as magistrate of Clinton Township, being appointed to the office during the war to till a vacancy, and elected the two succeeding terms. He is liberal in his religions views, believing in the goodness of God toward all his children.

Mr. Shew is widely known thronghont the township where he resides, and few loeal men possess the confidence and respect of the publie to a greater extent than he, being trusted by all who know him.

OSEPH A. SANDERS, farmer and stock-raiser, resides on section 5, Ver- million Township, where he owns 170 aeres of choice land all under enltivation. Ile was born in Marion County, Indiana, March 17, 1856, a son of Joseph and Clarissa (Mc Vey) Sanders, natives of Ohio, his father of English and his mother of Irish descent. Of a family of ten children eight are living. Joseph A. Sanders was reared on his father's farm and has always followed farming with the exception of a short time spent in Ten- nessee and Kentucky in the lumber business. In 1877 he located in Vermillion County, and is now one of the prosperous young men of the county. Mr. Sanders was married in 1879 to Margaret, daughter of James and Mary Lindsey, pioneers of Vermillion Conn- ty, now living in Engene Township. Mr. and Mrs. Sanders have two children-Lindsey and Ferris. They are members of the society of Friends. In politics Mr. Sanders casts his suffrage with the Republican party.

1IIUD HUGIIES, one of the representa- tive eitizens of Highland Township, resides on section 18, and is the oldest surviving son of Constantine Hughes, one of the old and honored pioneers of Vermillion County, who settled here in the year 1828. Our subjeet was born in Harrison County, Virginia, February 14, 1817, being in his eleventh year when he came with his father

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to this county. He well remembers the ap- pearance of the surrounding country when he first came here, nearly sixty years ago, at which time Indians were the principal inhal- itants, white settlers being searce. Deer were then abundant, and some bears were still found in the county, and hunting parties of Indians were frequently seen about the cabins of the early settlers. Mr. Hughes has lived on his present place since his marriage, which occurred December 19, 1844, to Miss Cassie Ellen Bowman. Mrs. Hughes was born Sep- tember 11, 1828, a daughter of Charles Bow- man, who came from Virginia to Vermillion County, Indiana, in an early day. She died April 1, 1879, after a happy married life of nearly thirty-five years. Nine children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Hughes, six of whom are yet living-Elmond, Owen, David, Cath- erine, Nancy Ann and Almira. Their daugh- ter Mary was the wife of George Y. Stipp, and died in her twenty-sixth year. Two sons, named Franklin E. and Charles W., died in infancy. In his political views Mr. IInghes affiliates with the Democratic party. He has long been a consistent member of the Baptist church, as was also his wife, and by his fair and honorable dealing he has gained the con- fidence and respect of all who know him.

OSIAH HENDERSON, who has been identified with the history of Vermillion County for many years, is a native of Rock Castle County, Kentucky, born March 7, 1823, a son of Joseph and Elizabeth (Vance) Henderson, the father born in Au- gusta County, Virginia, and the mother born in Pennsylvania. They were married in Kentucky, and when the subject of this sketch was a child they settled in Shelby County, that State, living there until 1839. In the

fall of that year they removed to Edgar County, Illinois, and in the spring of 1840 the father purehased 200 acres of timber land on section 9. Clinton Township, Vermillion County. and immediately brought his family to their new home. He was an active, en- ergetic man, and by his persevering industry he eleared and improved land, and made a good home for his family. Ile lived to at- tain the age of ninety-six years, spending his last years at the home of our subject. IIe died in 1869. His wife died in 1840, the year of their settlement in the county, being in her fifty-third year at the time of her death. To the parents of our subject were born nine children-George, who is supposed to be dead, left his parents in Kentucky twenty-five years before the late war, and later lived in New Orleans; Seneca died after reaching manhood, in Vermillion County; Milton died in Jasper County, Illinois; Mrs. Sarah Sparks living in Clinton; Mrs. Nancy Taylor, living in Dana; Josiah, the subject of this sketeh; Mrs. Mary J. Myers, deceased, and Samuel, the fifth child, died in Tennes- see in 1840, Josiah Ilenderson was reared to the life of a farmer, remaining on the home farm until twenty-four years of age, assisting his father to pay for his land. On leaving home he received $20, this being all he had to commence life for himself. He purchased a traet of forty acres on section 10, Clinton Township, where he still resides, having lived in this neighborhood since sev- enteen years of age. He has met with sue- cess in his agricultural pursuits, and has added to his original purchase until his home- stead contains 167 acres, his place being well improved and under good cultivation. Mr. IIenderson was married in 1856 to Miss Su- san Hunter, a daughter of George and Sarah Hunter, and to this union six children were born, three of whom died in early childhood.

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HISTORY OF VERMILLION COUNTY.

Those yet living are-Mrs. Sadie Wolf, liv- ing in Clinton Township; Mrs. Hattie Alex- ander, of Springfield. Illinois, and Mrs. Laura Porter, of Clinton Township. Mrs. Hender son died December 25, 1879, aged fifty-three years. She was an affectionate wife and mother, and a consistent Christian, and died in the faith of the Christian church. Mr. IIenderson is a member of the Christian church. In politics Mr. Henderson was formerly a Whig, and was one of the organ- izers of the Republiean party in this county. Hle now classes himself as an Independent. He always manifests a deep interest in the welfare of his township or county, and any enterprise calculated to promote their ad- vancement has his encouragement and support.

WOHIN W. WHITED, residing in Dana, Vermillion County, is a native of Indi- ana, born in Shelby County. the date of his birth being January 16, 1858. He is a son of Azariah and Louisa (Warner) Whited. who are both deceased, the father having been born in Shelby County, Indiana. The mother was a danghter of Alexander Warner. John W. was reared to the vocation of a farmer on his father's farm, and in his youth he received his edueation in the common- schools of his neighborhood. In 1868 he went with his parents to Harrisonville, Mis- sonri, but in the fall of 1870 returned to In- diana, the family locating in Clay County. where the father died Mareh 9, 1876. The mother of our subject survived until Febru- ary, 1881, when she died in Owen County, Indiana. During his residenee at Dana Mr. Whited has by his genial manners and fair and honorable dealings, won the confidenee and respeet of all who know him. Ile is a young man of publie spirit, and takes an

aetive interest in the advancement of the town in which he makes his home. The par- ents of our subject had a family of nine chil- dren, eight of whom still survive, their names being as follows-Jolin W., Alex, Chauncey, Alice, Laura B., Robert, Emma and Jesse.

EROME M. JENKINS, one of Clinton Township's leading young men, was born in Clark County, Ohio, July 21, 1859. IIis father, Abraham M. Jenkins, was a native of Virginia, remaining in his native State until eighteen years of age. He then became a resident of Ohio, and January 31, 1856, he was married . at Springfield, Clark County, to Miss Mary A. Abrams, a daughter of James Abrams. She was born in Dutchess County, New York, in 1831, coming to Ohio in the year 1852. In April, 1865, Mr. and Mrs. Jenkins, with their only ehild, then in his sixth year, moved from Ohio to Edgar County, Illinois, and in the fall of the same year they settled on section 12. Clinton Township, Vermillion County, Indiana. The father lived to improve this place, and bring his land under good cultiva- tion. He died in Angust, 1881, aged sixty- one years. Qniet, nnassuming, industrious and strictly honorable in all his dealings he gained the confidence and respect of all who knew him. In polities he was in early life a Whig, and later affiliated with the Republi- ean party. He was for many years a consis- tent member of the Methodist church, as is also his widow. Jerome M. Jenkins, whose name heads this sketch, received his ednea- tion in the schools of Clinton Township, and made good use of his educational advantages. Like his father, he is Republican in his political views, and takes an active interest in political and public affairs, and is ranked

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among the leading men of the younger class in his party. Although reared on a farm, he is not fond of a farmer's life, and is prepar- ing himself by attending commercial schools, for an active business career. He resides with his widowed mother on the old home- stead on section 12, Clinton Township, their farm containing 103 acres of valuable land.

AMES R. DUNLAP is a native of Ver- million County, Indiana, born at Perrys- ville in September, 1838, and is a worthy representative of one of the pioneer families of the county. His father, John Dunlap, was a native of Ireland, born June 8, 1808. IIe came to America when a young man, locating first in Canada, removing thence to Cincin- nati, Ohio. He was a tailor by trade, an ocenpation he followed many years. He was married in Cincinnati, to Miss Nancy Dean, who was also a native of Ireland, born Feb- ruary 14, 1812. Of the four children born to them only two, James R., the eldest, and Mary J., are living, the latter on the old homestead in Perrysville. Susan and Daniel are deceased. The latter was a gallant soldier in the war of the Rebellion, enlisting in the Eleventh Indiana Infantry, in which he served two years. He was a young man of excellent business ability, which fact was recognized by General Rawlins, under whom he served as elerk nearly two years, during the latter part of his term of service. He died in 1865, of disease contracted in the service. John Dunlap made his home in Cincinnati for a number of years, and in 1837 came to Perrysville, Vermillion County, where he worked at his trade for a time. He then engaged in the mercantile business, his stock consisting of ready-made clothing and gen- tlemen's furnishings, keeping the first store

of the kind in Perrysville. IIe was long one of the prominent business men of the town, and was very successful in business, acquiring a competence. IIe died February 1, 1878. For several years prior to his death he had suffered greatly from rheumatism. His wife died July 25, 1879. Both were worthy and consistent members of the Methodist Episco- pal church. In early life the father was a Democrat in his political views, but later he- came a Republican, and was ever after a warm advocate of the principles of that party. James R. Dunlap, whose name heads this sketch, was reared in Vermillion County, and received a good business education under his father, in whose store he served as clerk. Ile engaged in the mercantile business for him- self at Urbana, Illinois, in 1858, which he followed until August, 1862, when he enlisted in Company G, Seventy-sixth Illinois Infan- try. Ile served with his regiment about nine months, when he was detailed for ser- vice in the Signal Corps. After being under instruction at Memphis. Tennessee, for three months, he reported to General McPherson, on whose staff he served as signal officer. After the death of that gallant officer he served in the same capacity under General Frank P'. Blair. He was with Sherman on his march to the sea and through the Caro- linas, during which expedition he had charge of about thirty men and subordinate officers. Ilis position in the Signal Corps, though arduous, was a desirable one. His duties necessitated a vast amount of riding, proba- bly not less than 17,000 miles during his term of service. After the war he was associated in business with his father for a time. In 1868 he was married to Miss Mary Russell Bell, a daughter of William M. Bell, an early settler of Vermillion County. Mr. and Mrs. Dunlap have had born to them ten ehildren, of whom nine are living-Louis

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M., Edgar R., Grace D. D., Bessie B., Daniel A., M. Gene, James R., Jr., Rine, and an in- fant yet unnamed. One child, John, died aged two years. They have a beautiful home on seetion 3, Highland Township, surrounded by 480 acres of valuable land. Besides the home farm Mr. Dunlap owns land in another part of the same township. He is a comrade of the Grand Army post at Perrysville, and also belongs to the Society of the Army of the Tennessee. In politics he affiliates with the Republican party. In 1880 he was elected county commissioner, and served as sneh four years. Mrs. Dunlap is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.

- IIOMAS J. NICHOLS, carpenter and joiner, Vermillion Township, is a native of Vermillion County, born in 1844, a son of Robert H. and Adaline (West) Nichols, his father a native of Union County, Indiana, of Scotch-Irish descent, and his mother a native of Massachusetts, of French descent. Ilis parents eame to Vermillion County in 1835, and settled in Clinton Town- ship, where the father died in 1872, aged fifty-five years, and the mother in 1874, aged sixty-five years. They had a family of two children-James and Thomas, the former being deceased. Thomas J. Nichols was married in 1862, to Ann Jones, who was born in Vermillion County in 1847, a dangh- ter of Samuel Jones, a pioneer of the county. They have had nine children, six of whom are living-Bell, Adaline, Robert, Maria, Bert and John C. In August, 1862, Mr. Nichols enlisted in Company B, Eighty-fifth Indiana Infantry, and served three years, and participated in many of the hardest-fought battles of the war. He was with Sherman from Chattanooga to the sea, and was mus-

tered out at Indianapolis at the close of the war. After his return home he began to work at his trade, which he has since con- tinned. Mr. and Mrs. Nichols are members of the society of Friends. In polities he casts his suffrage with the Prohibition party.

HOMAS S. HOOD, private banker, and dealer in real estate, Dana, was born near Knoxville, Tennessee, De- cember 6, 1815, a son of Thomas Hood, wlio was a native of Virginia, and a soldier in the war of 1812. Charles Hood, the grandfather of our subject, was also a native of Virginia. Ile was a soldier in Revolutionary war, and participated in many hard-fought battles. Thomas Hood, Sr., came to Indiana with his family as early as 1821, when he settled on HIoney Creek in the vicinity of Terre Haute. In 1823 the family came to Vermillion County when the surrounding country was nothing but a wilderness, and principally in- habited by Indians and wild animals. They settled right in the woods, and began making a home out of the forest, and here they ex- perienced all the hardships and privations which usually fall to the lot of the pioneer. Their sheep were kept in pens at night to protect them from the wolves which were then quite numerous, and even during the daytime had to be closely watched. Deer and wild game were numerous, and the trusty rifle of the pioneer kept the larder well sup- plied with meat. When the Hood family settled in the county not a house was to be seen on the prairie surrounding Dana. Their trading was done at Terre Haute, a distance of twenty-eight miles from their home. Thomas S. HFood, whose name heads this sketch, was in his eighth year when brought to this county, and here he was reared amid

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

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the wild surroundings of pioneer life. He attended school taught in the primitive log cabins with their puncheon floor, elapboard roof, slab seats and stiek and elay chimney. IJe began life poor. His first house was built of logs, and at night he could see the stars through the roof of his humble cabin, and his furniture was of the rudest descrip- tion. He followed farming until within the past four years, since which time he has lived retired from the active duties of farm life, and is now enjoying the fruits of his years of toil. He has met with good success through life, and still owns 240 acres of land after having given to his children about 300 aeres. In 1883 he settled at Dana, where he has since carried on his present business, being associated in his general banking business with James Osborn. Mr. Hood was married April 29, 1839, to Rebecca Aye, a daughter of John Aye. Twelve children have been born to them of whom five are living-Will- iam, Mrs. Savilla Dunean, Mrs. Mary Allen, Mrs. Catherine Fillinger and Thomas C. Four daughters, named Cornelia, Laura, Caroline and Isabelle, died after reaching maturity. Mr. Hood is a member of the Masonie fraternity.

LISHA RODGERS, now of Mound Township, Warren County, Indiana, is a son of Allen Rodgers, who settled in' Highland Township, Vermillion County, in 1824. Allen Rodgers was a native of New England, and was reared in New Hampshire. He was married in Connecticut to Sarah Warner, a native of that State, and togetlier they moved to Hamilton County, Ohio, and thence to Vermillion County; settling first near the present site of Perrysville, entering a quarter section of land and buying a tract

adjoining the entry. They lived on this land several years and then moved to Benton County, Iowa, where the father died. The mother died at the house of her son, Elisha, several years later. They had a family of eight children, only two of whom, Elisha and John are living. Elisha Rodgers was bom in Conneetient April 14, 1812. Ile came West with his parents and for several years was a resident of Vermillion County. IIe now owns a fine farm of about 500 acres where he resides in Warren County. IIe has been twice married and has a family of six children. In polities he has been a Repub- lican, since the organization of that party, but cast his first Presidential vote for Gen- eral Jackson.

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Author: Publication date: 1888 Publisher: Chicago : Lewis Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 544

Author:
Publication date: 1888
Publisher: Chicago : Lewis Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 544