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 54
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LDER JOHN W. JARVIS was born in Parke County, Indiana, November 10, 1854, a son of Jolm Jarvis, who lives near Waveland, Indiana. He was reared a farmer, but was given good educational ad- vantages and when sixteen years old began to teach and has taught sixty terms. When thirteen years old he united with the Christian church and when fifteen began preaching and was ordained when sixteen. He preached at different places in Parke and Vigo counties, and had charge of the Rosedale, Parke County, church two years. In 1881 he went to Tabor, Iowa, and remained abont two years, but when entering upon the third year of his work there his health failed and he was obliged to retire for awhile and June 4, 1886, located in Dana, Indiana, and formed a part- nership in the grocery business, the firm being Jarvis & Norris. Since coming to Dana he has organized a church and has built a fine briek ehnreh, which is the first of that denomination in Vermillion County.
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ITis labors here have been successful and there is now a strong chnreh in Dana, the result of his untiring efforts. Mr. Jarvis was married February 15, 1876, to Leah M. Jordan, a daughter of George W. Jordan. To them have been born five children, but all have died of epidemics.
ILLIAM P. FORTNER is a native of Vermillion County, Indiana, born March 16, 1845, a son of John and Catherine (IIall) Fortner, natives of Ohio. He remained at home until the breaking out of the war of the Rebellion, when, in 1862, he enlisted in Company A, Seventy-first In- diana Infantry, and served seven months. Hle was taken prisoner by Kirby Smith at the battle of Richmond, Kentucky, but was soon after paroled and sent home his time having expired. He subsequently enlisted in the Sixty-sixth Illinois Sharpshooters, where he served twenty-seven months. Ile participated in twenty-one hard-fought bat- tles, including the engagements on Sherman's march to the sea. Mr. Fortner was married in Edgar County, Illinois, in 1875, to Theressa J. Cook, who was born in Vermillion County, Illinois, in 1853, a daughter of Mil- ton Cook. They have two children-John M. and Minnie M. In politics Mr. Fortner is a Republican. He and his wife are mem- bers of the Society of Friends.
ON. JAMES OSBORN, a lumber dealer of Dana, Indiana, was born in Ver- million Township, Vermillion County, Indiana, January 8, 1838. His father, James Osborn, was born in Ohio, and came to Indi- ana in 1820, settling in the wiklerness, where
the principal inhabitants were Indians and wild animals. Our subjeet was reared on his father's farm, remaining at home until manhood. He was given good educational advantages, attending the schools of his na- tive county. He gave his attention to agri- enltural pursuits until 1882, when he moved to Dana, and engaged in the mercantile busi- ness, which he continued about three years. In the spring of 1886 he began dealing in lumber, keeping on hand a good supply of all kinds, both hard and soft wood, and has built up a good trade. While he was en- gaged in farming he also for several years bought and shipped grain quite extensively. Mr. Osborn has always been a prominent man in this county, and represented his dis- triet one term in the Legislature. In 1874 he was elected treasurer of the county and served two terms. He is an active member of the Masonic fraternity. Mr. Osborn was married March 26, 1862, to Margaret M. Martin, a native of Bond County, Illinois, and a daughter of John Martin.
ENRY CADE was born at his father's homestead in Highland Township, Ver- million County, Indiana, October 29, 1835, a son of Dorman Cade, one of the well known and much respected pioneers of the coun- ty. Dorman Cade was born and reared in the State of Ohio, and was there married to Susan Ernhart, who was also a native of the same State. Soon after their marriage they came to Vermillion, and settled on section 33, Highland Township, on land entered from the Government, which the father improved, and lived on until his death. His wife died on this farm in 1835, leaving at her death a family of five children, all of whom reached maturity. But two are living at the present
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time-David who lives in Vermillion County, Illinois, and Henry E., the subject of this sketch. James, the eldest son, married, and- removed to Iowa, where he lived until his death. Their daughter Susan is the deceased wife of Barton Mattox. Richard, another son, was twice married. He died in Highland Township, on the homestead which is still occupied by his widow. The father of our subjeet was again married, but his second wife lived but a short time after her marriage. In polities Dorman Cade affiliated with the Democratie party, although he was nota strong partizan, believing that the best men should be supported regardless of party ties. In religions faith he was a Methodist, and an earnest and sinecre believer in the doetrines of that church. Henry E. Cade, the subject of this sketeh, was reared to agricultural pursuits, which he has followed through life, and has spent his life in Highland Township, with the exception of a year's residence in Green County, Wisconsin, and by his genial and accommodating manners and fair and honorable dealing he has gained the confi- denee and esteem of the entire community. Mr. Cade was united in marriage to Miss Ruth P. Lowe, who was born on the home- stead, where she now lives, August 31, 1836, the youngest child of Elijah and Rachel Lowe. Mr. and Mrs. Cade are the parents of three sons, named-Lewis, Herschel and David. Elijah Lowe, the father of Mrs. Cade, was a native of Maryland, born Novem- ber 29, 1786. Ile settled in Ohio in an early day, and was married in that State to Miss Rachel Chenoworth, who was born in Ohio, October 24, 1792. They came to Ver- million County, Indiana, from Ohio, in 1826, being among the pioneers of the county. Mr. Lowe died in the county June 18, 1857, his widow surviving him a number of years. She died in Kansas, August 1, 1873. Mr.
and Mrs. Lowe were the parents of eight children, four sons and four daughters, who grew to manhood and womanhood. Mrs. Cade and her brother Joseph, who lives in Kansas, are the only surviving members of the family.
AMUEL W. MALONE, who has been identified with the interests of Ver- million County for many years, was born in Ross County, Ohio, June 9, 1810, a son of Samuel and Mary (Lamb) Malone. He was reared to the vocation of a farmer, and in his youth received but limited edneational advantages. Ile came with his parents to Vermillion County in 1824, settling in Ilelt Township, and in 1827 came to Eugene Township, where he has since made his home. Ile has always followed agricultural pursuits, in which he has always been very successful and is now the owner of 455 acres of farming land, besides property in Engene.
EORGE F. HAWORTH, farmer and and stock-raiser, resides ou section 6, Vermillion Township, where he owns sixty aeres of good land, and in addition to this owns fifty acres in another tract. He is a native of Vermillion County, born August 25, 1831, a son of Richard and Susanna (Henderson) Haworth, his father a native of Tennessee, of English descent, and his mother of South Carolina, also of English ancestry. The parents came to Vermillion County in 1820, and were the first settlers in Vermillion Township, their nearest neighbors being sixteen miles distant. The father died Sep- tember 13, 1850, aged fifty-seven years, and the mother in 1854, aged fifty-seven years.
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Of their six children but three are living- Elwood, of Kansas; George F. and James P. George F. was reared a farmer, and has by his industry and good management made a success of that calling. Ile was married in Parke County, Indiana, to Marian Reynolds, who was born in 1832, a daughter of Mahlon and Ruth Reynolds, pioneers of Parke Coun- ty, coming from North Carolina in an early day. Mr. and Mrs. Haworth have had seven children, but four of whom are living-Flora, Lillian, William B. and Almira. Emma, Malılon and Albert are deceased. Flora is the wife of S. S. Cook, and has one child -- Everett. Lillian is the wife of John A. Curran, and has one child-Etta. In politics Mr. Haworth casts his suffrage with the Pro- hibition party. Ile and his wife are birth- right members of the Society of Friends.
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ILLIAM M. BELL, deceased, who was one of the representative citizens of Vermillion County, was born in Mason County, Kentucky, November 18, 1818. When he was a child his father died, and while still young he removed with his mother, Mary (Early) Bell, to Vigo County, Indiana. In early manhood he engaged in mercantile pursuits in Terre Hante, and in 1846 he came to Vermillion County, and engaged in the mercantile business at Perrys- ville. He was married in Perrysville, in 1848, to Miss Elizabeth Russell, one of the pioneers of Vermillion County, and to this union were born two children-Mary, wife of James R. Dunlap, of Highland Township, and Ruhama, wife of M. M. McNeill, of Dan- ville, Illinois. Not long after his marriage William M. Bell went to Terre Haute and again engaged in business in that city. In 1852, after the death of his father-in-law, he
settled on the Russell homestead, situated in the northern part of Highland Township, this county, and here his wife died October 8 of the same year. Jannary 7, 1855, he was again united in marriage to Miss Carrie Reeves, who was born in Portsmouth, Ohio, a daughter of George and Elizabeth (Brown) Reeves. She removed with her parents to Cincinnati, Ohio, where she was reared to womanhood, and in 1851 the family settled in Terre Haute, Indiana. Mr. Reeves died in 1853 at Cincinnati, while on a visit to tliat city. His widow survived until 1884, having attained her ninetieth year. Four children were born to the second marriage of Mr. Bell, of whom only two are living-Elizabeth, wife of Albert McNeill, and Carrie Bell. Katie died in infancy in the year 1860, and George Marlin died in 1875, aged fourteen years. Mr. Bell was an earnest and consistent men- ber of the Methodist Episcopal church, as is his widow. He was always liberal toward the support of the gospel, and toward benev- olent institutions, and was active in the ad- vancement of any enterprise which had for its object the best interests of his fellow mnen.
sie ALEB BALES, deceased, one of the earliest pioneers of Vermillion County, Indiana, was born in Tennessee, Sep- teniber 25, 1795, a son of William Bales. He was reared in his native State, and when a young man came to Indiana. He was a farm- er by occupation, and was one of the most active in developing the agricultural resources of the county, although he did not live to see the consummation of his hopes. He died June 18, 1836, leaving his widow with a family of small children to fight the battle of life alone. Mr. Bales was married May 23, 1827, to Emily Spangler, a daughter of
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Frederick Spangler, who settled in Vermillion County in 1824. To them were born five children-William F., Catherine (deceased), Josephine (deceased), Mrs. Martha Carson and Caleb. Mrs. Bales makes her home with her son Caleb, and is now in the eighty-first year of her age. Mr. Bales was a soldier in the war of 1812, serving under General Jackson, and participated in the battle of New Orleans.
OBERT DAVIS, an old and respected settler of Vermillion County, residing on scetion 22, IIelt Township, is a na- tive of Virginia, born in Montgomery Coun- ty, January 29, 1810. His father, John Davis, was a native of the same county, and was a son of Jeremiah, a native of Wales, who served as a soldier in the war of the Revolution. He was reared in the Allegheny Mountains in his native county, and received such education as the subscription schools of that early day afforded, among his school mates being William B. Preston, afterward in General Taylor's cabinet, Colonel Bob Preston who become his militia Colonel, John B. Floyd and brothers, all of whom afterward acquired a national reputation. In early manhood he learned the plasterer's and brick mason's trade, which he followed for twenty- five years. He was married January 19, 1836, to Miss Melvina Taylor, a daughter of George Taylor, and to them were born eleven children, eight still living-William T., a butcher, living at Dana; Samuel B., editor of the Hoosier Stute, of Newport; Cornelins S., ex-county recorder, of Newport; Thomas C., minister of the Methodist Episcopal church, of Lodi, Indiana; Melvin B., attor- ney and editor of the Beatrice Republican, of Beatrice, Nebraska; Charles W., at home;
Amanda, wife of Jasper Andrews, of Helt Township; and Mary J., wife of Rienzi White, of IIelt Township. One son, Robert N., died in California in the fall of 1884, at the age of thirty-three years. In the fall of 1839 Mr. Davis immigrated with his family to Montgomery County, Indiana, and lived in the vicinity of Waveland until the spring of 1855 when he came to Vermillion County, and settled on the place where he now lives, engaged in farming and stock-raising. Mr. and Mrs. Davis began life entirely without means, but went to work with willing hands and stout hearts to make a home out of the wilderness, and their efforts have been crowned with success, and their home-farm now contains 230 acres of choice land. In 1879 Mr. Davis visited his birth place where he met many of his boyhood friends. IIc never seeks official honors, preferring the quiet home life, although he takes an active interest in the advancement of his township. Both he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
ILLIAM RUSSELL, one of the old and honored pioneers of Vermillion County, is a Virginian by birth, born in Shenandoah County, April 28, 1797, a son of David Russell, who was also a native of Shenandoah County, Virginia, and was a soldier during the war of the Revolution. Our subject removed with his parents to Muskingum County, Ohio, during the war of 1812, and shortly afterward settled in Licking County, same State. In 1829 he came to Vermillion County, Indiana, when he settled on his present farm which at that time was a heavily timbered tract of land. Ile has been twice married, taking for his first wife Miss Jane Slater, who was a daughter of
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IIISTORY OF VERMILLION COUNTY.
William Slater, and of the five children born to this union only two, named John and Mahlon, are living. The maiden name of his second wife was Miss Mary A. Shoemaker, she being a daughter of the late Hezekialı Shoemaker. Six children have been born to this union, of whom four are yet living-
. William, Samuel, Richard and Hezekiah. On coming to the county Mr. Russell entered eighty acres of his present farm, and by in- dustry, frugality and good management he has succeeded well in making a comfortable home out of the forest, and his present fine farm of 343 acres has been acquired by his own efforts. Ile is a man of strict integrity, honorable in all his dealings, and during his long residence in the county he has gained the confidence and respect of all who know him.
ALEB BALES, section 36, IIelt Town- ship, is a native of Vermillion County, born July 26, 1836, a son of Caleb and Emily (Spangler) Bales. His father was born in Tennessee and eame to Indiana in an early day. IIe helped to raise the first log house on the present site of Terre IIante. He was one of the first settlers of Helt Township, and made it his home until his death. His widow now makes her home with her son Caleb, and although eighty years of age is still well and active, her only infirmity being blindness. Caleb Bales, Jr., was reared in his native county, his youth being spent on his father's farm and at school. He was given good educational advantages, attending the schools of Georgetown, Illinois, and New- port, Indiana. With the exception of about six years he has always followed agricultural pursuits. Three years of this time he was serving his country in the war of the Rebell-
ion, and three years were spent in California, mining. Ile went to California in March, 1856, and returned to Indiana in 1859. Ile enlisted in ,1862 in Company D, Eighty-fifthi Indiana Infantry, and was commissioned Sec- ond Lieutenant of his company, and was subsequently promoted to Captain, serving in the latter capacity about eighteen months. Hle participated in many notable battles and campaigns, some of the more important be- ing Resaca, New Hope Chureh, Dallas, Culp's Farm, Peach Tree Creek, the Atlanta campaign, with Sherman to the sea, Averas- boro, Bentonville and Raleigh. He was in line at the grand review of the army at Washington in June, 1865, and was soon after discharged and returned home. In his agricultural pursuits he has been successful, and now owns 201 acres of valnable land and an interest in eighty acres in another traet. Mr. Bales was married December 25, 1865, to Mary Jordan, danghter of Edward Jordan, a pioneer of Vermillion County. She died August 20, 1871, leaving two children- Harrison and Edward. In November, 1879, Mr. Bales married Mrs. Naomi Newbanks, a daughter of John Jenks. Their only child is deceased. Mr. Bales is a member of the Masonie fraternity. Mrs. Bales is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
OBERT PEER, section 28, Helt Town- ship, was born on the old homestead on section 33, January 11, 1846, a son of John and Jane (Dawson) Peer, his father a native of Ohio, and his mother of Kentucky. The parents came to Vermillion County when they were children and were here reared and married. The father died on the old home- stead, February 14, 1878, aged seventy-four years. The mother still lives at an advanced
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age. Robert Peer was reared a farmer, a vo- cation he has always followed. He now owns 235 acres of valuable land, which is well im- proved, his residence and farm buildings being among the best in the township. He was married in September, 1873, to Angeline Bradbury, a native of Edgar County, Illinois, daughter of Joseph Bradbury. Mr. Peer is one of the prominent citizens of the town- ship where he spent his life. He is not an aspirant for official honors, but in everything that is of benefit to the community, either materially or socially, he is always ready to give his support.
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OLOMON WEATHERWAX, who has been identified with Vermillion County since the autumn of 1857, was born in Erie County, New York, August 7, 1838. His parents, Philip and Betsey (Doningberg) Weatherwax, were natives of New York, and spent their lives in that State dying in Erie County. Our subject was reared in his native State, remaining with his father until coming to Vermillion County at the above date. He offered himself under the first call of President Lincoln for three months volunteers, but the quota of Indiana having been filled, he returned East, and at Buffalo, New York, he enlisted in Company II, Twenty-first New York Infantry. He was a scont, with six other members of his regi- ment, in the campaign of General Mcclellan against Richmond. He afterward rejoined his regiment, and was in the campaign under General Pope. He was wounded in the left thigh and ankle at the second battle of Bull Run, August 30, 1862, and for six months and twenty days was under hospital treat- ment at Alexandria and at the Army Square Hospital at Washington. As soon as able 31
he returned to his home, receiving an honor- able discharge. He now receives a pension. In 1863 he returned to Vermillion County, where he has since made his home. In 1866 he married Miss Joanna Porter, who was born in Clinton Township, a danghter of Charles Porter, one of the pioneers of the county, and a sister of W. L. Porter, the present treasurer of Vermillion County. Mrs. Weatherwax died in 1872, leaving one son named Aldo, who still lives with his father. Mr. Weatherwax was again married in October, 1884, to Miss Laura Groves, daughter of Abraham Groves, and to this union one child, named Edna, has been born. Mr. Weatherwax is adjutant of P. R. Owen Post, No. 329, G. A. R., and is a leading member of the Odd Fellows order, having passed the chairs in Amant Lodge, No. 356, and is a member of the Grand Lodge, and also of Clinton Encampment, No. 143. In politics he has always been a Republican. IIe is at present trustee of Clinton Town- ship, which office he fills to the entire satis- faction of his constituents.
RASTUS MACK, M. D., one of the leading physicians and surgeons of Hillsdale, was born in Helt Township, Vermillion County, Indiana, September 29, 1827, a son of Harvey and Sallie A. (Church) Mack. The father was a native of Massa- chusetts, and a pioneer of this county, having settled here with his parents when Indians and wild animals were the principal inhab- itants. He died at Memphis, Tennessee, in 1848, while on his way to New Orleans with two flat-boats which were loaded with corn which he and his sons had raised that year. ITis wife came to Vermillion with her parents in a very early day, where she was married.
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HISTORY OF VERMILLION COUNTY.
She died when the subject of this sketch was and being active in the support of every movement ealeulated to promote the public welfare, he takes a prominent position in the community, and is respected by all who know him. a eliild. He was reared on a farm, receiving in his boyhood such edneation as the rude log cabin subscription schools of that early day afforded. In later years he attended the academy in Georgetown, Illinois, and the Vermillion Academy in this county, and subsequently tanglit school some seven or eight years. During the late war he enlisted HOMAS P. PINSON, residing on section 35, Clinton Township, was born in Edgar County, Illinois, August 31, 1838, a son of Allen and Margaret (Noblitt) Pinson. His parents were born in the State of Virginia, reared in Kentucky, and married in Illinois. In 1841 they settled in Vermill- ion County, Indiana, on the land now owned and occupied by our subject. To them were as a private in Company E, Twenty-first Illi- nois Infantry, General Grant's first regi- ment, he being its Colonel. Dr. Maek remained in the service of his country over four years, and participated in a number of important engagements, including the battles of Fredericktown, Perryville, Stone River, Chickamauga, Atlanta campaign, Franklin and Nashville. He was on active duty for , born six children as follows-Mrs. Sarah E. eleven days in the front line in the Atlanta Bumgardner, living in Clinton Township; Thomas P., the subject of this sketch; Jeremiah, a resident of Vigo County, Indiana; David, re- siding in Missouri; Andrew J., a physician re- siding in Clinton, and Mrs. Martha Shew, also living in Clinton Township. The father was a liberal, progressive man, and while in moderate circumstances he did much toward aiding his children. He was particularly interested in the advancement of the eause of education, and gave a school-house site to his neighborhood. He was a consistent member of the Christian church. Ile died in 1845, at the early age of thirty-three years. Twenty-five years after his death his widow married J. D. Bozarth. She is again a widow, and is eared for by her son Dr. A. F. Pinson. Three of her sons, Jeremiah, David and Andrew J. were soldiers in the war of the Rebellion. Jeremiah lost a leg at the battle of Shiloh. David served his country three years. Andrew J. first enlisted for a term of six months, and again enlisted for one year. Thomas P. Pinson, whose name heads this sketch, was reared to the vocation of a campaign. IIe was mustered out as First Lieutenant, having been neither wounded nor siek during his entire term of service. At the breaking out of the war he was engaged in dentistry and photography, but after the war he attended medical lectures at the Eclectic Medical Institute at Cineinnati, Ohio. He began the practice of medicine in 1866 at Tower Hill, Illinois, where he re- mained until coming to Hillsdale, Vermillion County, in 1873. Sinee becoming a resident of this place he has established a large medi- cal practice, being well skilled in the knowl- edge of his profession. Dr. Mack was married May 22, 1878, to Miss Matilda R. Hinkle, a daughter of Jackson Hinkle, of Farmersburg, Sullivan County, Indiana. They have two children, named Mabel and Paul. The doetor is a member of the Masonie fra. ternity, and also belongs to the Grand Army of the Republic. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Politically he is a staunch Republican. Genial in temper- ament, charitable toward the unfortunate,
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farmer, on the place where he now resides. He was married April 13, 1862, to Miss Direxa Shew, a daughter of the pioneer Henry Shew, and was born on the old home- stead of her parents in Clinton Township, October 9, 1846. They commenced house- keeping on the homestead which they now occupy, and have since resided here with the exception of 1863-1864 when they lived on the old homestead of Mrs. Pinson's parents. They then bought out the interest of the other heirs in the Pinson homestead, which consists of 198 aeres of choice land, all but twenty acres being well improved and very productive. The original homestead con- tained but sixty acres, the remainder being added since they first settled here. In con- nection with his farming Mr. Pinson is doing a little mercantile trade. Mr. and Mrs. Pin- son are the parents of four children-Ora E., wife of William Haskell, living near her parents on a part of the estate; Henry S., Maggie I. and Elva G. at home with their parents. A family picture represents five generations of the Pinson family, including Mrs. Pinson, her mother, and grandmother, her danghter, Ora E. and a child of Ora's named Edna M. Mr. and Mrs. Pinson, and their two eldest daughters are members of the Christian church. He is a member of the National Reform party.
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