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 55
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HOMAS E. WALTHALL, farmer and stock-raiser, section 7, Vermillion Township, is a native of Vermillion County, born in 1845, a son of William B. and Sarah (Haworth) Walthall, pioneers of the county. He was reared on his father's farm, and was given good educational advan- tages attending the schools of his neighbor- hood. He has always devoted his time to
agriculture and now has a good farm of forty aeres, all well improved. Mr. Walthall was married in Vermillion County, Illinois, to Sarah J. Likens, who was born in that county in 1845, a daughter of Peter Likens. They have nine children-Florence, Priscilla, Mary, Terrence, Leitha, Glenn E., Frank, Hermos and Grace. Mr. Walthall easts his suffrage with the Prohibition party. He and his family are birthright members of the Society of Friends.
ILLIAM J. HENDRICKS, an enter- prising and progressive business man of Highland, and a second consin of Hon. Thomas A. Hendricks, was born in Wythe County, West Virginia, July 3, 1846, a son of Jerome and Alice Jackson, the former a native of North Carolina, born in Surry County, near the Virginia line. He is now deceased. The mother of our subject is still living in Virginia, aged seventy-two years. The subject of this sketeh was reared on a farm and edneated in the common schools of his native county. He was a soldier in the war of the Rebellion, enlisting in Company C, Sixteenth Maryland Infantry for three years. He was in several small en- gagements, but was detailed as teamster the greater part of the time while in the service. He was united in marriage April 22, 1866. to Miss Mary Walker, a daughter of John Walker, who is now deceased. Four of the five children born to this union are living, their names being as follows-Fred, Annie, Estella and Edward. After the war he settled near Indianapolis, Indiana, where he followed farming until 1870. He then went to Edgar County, Illinois, thenee to Cumberland County, Illinois, in 1873, where he resided until 1881. In that year he came with his
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HISTORY OF VERMILLION COUNTY.
family to Vermillion County, Indiana, and settled at Highland. In December, 1885, he established his present grocery, and carries a full line of groceries and provisions, notions, glass and queensware. Genial and accommo- dating in his manners, he has by his strict attention to the wants of his customers and fair and reasonable prices built up a good trade, and gained the confidence and respect of all with whom he has business or social intercourse. He is a member of the Odd Fellows order, an organization in which he takes an active interest.
UCIUS H. WRIGIIT, residing on sec- tion 17, Clinton Township, where he has a farm of eighty acres, is a son of John and Margaret (Nichol) Wright, and a grand- son of the pioneer, George Wright, who settled in Clinton Township, in 1820. He was born December 17, 1839, during the residence of his parents in Jackson County, Iowa, and the first years of his life were spent there. The balance of his youthful days were passed in Edgar County, Illinois, and Ver- million County, Indiana, having lived in the latter county continuously since 1858 except the time spent in the service of his country during the war of the Rebellion. Ile en- listed in the service of his country, in Company C. Eighteenth Indiana Infantry (the second company raised in Vermillion County), and served in Missouri in Fremont's campaign against rebel General Price. Suf- fering from an attack of measles, and broken down by hard marching, he was left behind at Syracuse, Missouri, and for nearly three months was cared for by a staunch Union farmer named Greene. Recovering slowly, he was unable for duty, and received an hon- orable discharge, when he returned to his
"home. Ile now receives a pension from the Government. Jannary 20, 1866, he was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Porter, who was born in Clinton Township, Verinill- ion County, December 29, 1844, a daughter of the pioneer Charles Porter. The following February they commenced housekeeping on the old Jimmy Nichols farm in Clinton Township, and although making several changes since their marriage before settling on section 17, they have always made their home in Clinton Township, and are among the most respected residents of the township. Mr. and Mrs. Wright have six children liv- ing-Jennette E., wife of Franklin Bumgard- ner, of Clinton Township; Joanna M., Lealie E., Bertha E., Dana F. and William L. Mr. Wright and his wife are worthy members of the Methodist church. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, belonging to their lodge at Clinton. In politics he has always affiliated with the Republican party, casting his first presidential vote for Abraham Lin- coln.
IDGAR VAN SICKLE, telegraph oper- ator and station agent for the Indian- apolis, Decatur & Springfield Railroad Company, also express agent and postmaster at Hillsdale, is a native of New York State, born in Chantauqua County, February 5, 1849 a son of James N. and Sarah (Shearer) Van Sickle, his father having been born at Black Rock (now Buffalo), New York. The subject of this sketch was reared in his native State, where he received a cominon-school education. In 1864 he went to the oil regions of Penn- sylvania, where he was engaged in drilling for oil for two years. In 1866 he went to Canada, where he ran an engine in oil works for one year. Ile returned to the United
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States in 1867, and engaged in the patent right business with his father, and traveled in that line through Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and Michigan until 1873, and in January of that year located at Montezuma, Indiana, where he carried on the drug business three years. While a resident of Montezuma, October 6, 1873, he was united in marriage to Miss Anna McMasters, a daughter of the late Rev. William McMasters, who was an eminent Baptist minister, and a prominent Mason and Odd Fellow. Mr. Van Sickle eame to Ilillsdale, Vermillion County, in 1877, bnying a stock of goods, and for eight years following was engaged in general mer- cantile pursuits. IIc sold out his business September 1, 1886, and entered the employ of the railroad company, taking charge of the office October 1, 1886. Ile has been express transfer agent here for nine years, and since 1885 has held the position of postmaster, and is filling all the above positions with honor to himself and satisfaction to his constituents. Mr. Van Siekle is an Odd Fellow, and is trus- tee of the Odd Fellows lodge at Montezuma.
NDREW J. PINSON, M. D., is a Ver- million County man by birth, born April 2, 1844, in Clinton Township, on the homestead of his parents, Allen and Mar- garet M. (Noblitt) Pinson. There his youth was spent in assisting his father on the farm and in attending the district schools. At the age of eighteen years he began attending school at Westfield, Illinois, and later, attend- ed sehool at Clinton, Indiana. Ile commenced the study of medicine in the office of Drs. Swaford & Johnson, at New Goshen, Vigo County, Indiana, in the spring of 1868, and after reading one year he attended a course of medical leetures, and taught school the fol-
lowing winter. He proseented his studies with oeeasional interruption until February 28, 1873, when he received his diploma at the Indiana Medical College at Indianapolis. In the fall of 1873 he commenced the practice of medieine at Libertyville, Vigo County, and in 1875 removed to Nevins, Illinois, remain- ing there one season. IIe then returned to Libertyville, where he continued the practice of his profession until 1880. In that year he removed to New Goshen, and in the spring of 1886 he settled at his present residence on section 27, Clinton Township, Vermillion County. Ilis farm, which contains 115 acres of land, is carried on by a tenant, the doctor giving his entire time to the practice of his profession, in which he is meeting with good snecess. Dr. Pinson was married July 25, 1874, to Miss Nannie Ward, a native of Fayette Township, Vigo County, Indiana, her father, A. J. Ward, being still a resident of that county. Three children have been born to Dr. and Mrs. Pinson, whose names are-Margaret M., Martha and Ethel May. The doctor was a soldier in the war of the Rebellion, enlisting first in the six month's service in Company K, One Hundred and Fifteenth Indiana Infantry, and served in East Tennessee under Captain Beauehant. His second enlistment was for one year, in Company E, One Hundred and Fifty-sixth Indiana Infantry. Dr. Pinson and his wife are worthy members of the Church of Christ. Ile is a member of the Masonic fraternity, belonging to New Goshen Lodge, No. 557.
DMUND JAMES, one of the old and honored pioneers of Vermillion County, who is now deceased, was born in the State of Virginia, May 30, 1803, a son of Rev. Dr. William James. lle became a resi-
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HISTORY OF VERMILLION COUNTY.
dent of this county as early as 1822, when the principal inhabitants were Indians and wild animals. He settled in Ilelt Township when the surrounding country was nothing but a wilderness, and here he made his home until his death engaged in agricultural pur- suits. He was married June 9, 1822, to Miss Elizabeth Swank, a daughter of Jacob Swank, and to them were born twelve chil- dren, of whom eight are living at the present time-William, Edmund, Joseph, Collon, Crews, Permelia, Mary and Lydia. Mr. James held the office of justice of the peace for a period of eighteen years, and made a wise and just judge. His death occurred April 2. 1864, cansing universal regret throughout the township where he had made his home for so many years. His widow still survives, living at Summit Grove, in her eighty-third year. She has had sixty-nine grandchildren, and sixty-five great-grand- children.
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ILLIAM F. BALES, farmer and stock-raiser, section 1, Ilelt Town. ship, was born on the Bales home- stead near where he now lives September 12, 1829, a son of Caleb Bales an honored pio- neer of Ifelt Township. Ile was reared in the wilds of Vermillion County, when the country was infested with Indians and wild animals, and when educational advantages were meager. His carly life was spent in helping to clear his father's land and in pre- paring it for cultivation. He has always given his attention to agricultural pursuits, at which he has been successful and now owns a good farm of 342 acres. Ile makes a specialty of stock-raising having some of the best grades of cattle and hogs. Mr. Bales was married October 6, 1831. to Nancy
Meriwether, daughter of David Meriwether. They have five children - Emily, George, Julia, Frank and Carrie. Emily is the wife of Oliver Staats and George married Jennie Vannest. Mr. Bales is a member of the Masonic fraternity.
W ILLIAM B. HOOD, a worthy repre- sentative of one of the old pioneer families of Vermillion County, was born in Helt Township, this county, Decem- ber 17, 1839, a son of Thomas S. Hood, a resident of Dana. He was reared to agricul- tural pursuits on his father's farm, and re- ceived such education as the schools of his neighborhood afforded in his youth. IIe served four years in the war of the Rebellion, being a member of Company C, Eighteenth Indiana Cavalry, and participated in a num- ber of hard-fought engagements, including the battle of Pea Ridge, siege of Vicksburg, battles of Champion Hills, Black River Bridge, Winchester, Fisher's Hill and Cedar Creek. He entered the service as a private and was promoted to Second Lieutenant, but was not mustered ont as such. At the time of his discharge he held the rank of Captain. Ile was married in November, 1862, to Miss Sarah E. Payne, a daughter of the late Moses Payne. To this union six children were born, of whom four are yet living, named Nettie, Charles, Mamie and Robert Walters. Mrs. Hood died November 7, 1878, and November 24, 1879, Mr. Hood married Miss Harriet WVidner, a daughter of Amos Widner, who is deceased. To this union one child has been born, a daughter named Lanra. Mr. Ifood is the owner of eighty acres of land on section 30, IFelt Township, where he resides, but farms on 320 acres. He also devotes some attention to stock-raising, making a
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHIES.
specialty of Berkshire hogs and short-horn cattle. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and also belongs to the Grand Army of the Republic.
OHN SKIDMORE, deceased, was one of the first pioneers of Helt Township, Ver- million County, and during his life was an active and enterprising citizen. Ile was born in Pennsylvania, August 27, 1783, his father being of English descent, and a soldier during the Revolutionary war. His mother was a native of Germany, coming to America when five years of age. Her parents and the rest of her family died of cholera on shipboard while en route for America. Our subject was taken to Kentucky by his parents in his boyhood, his father dying in that State. The family then removed to Columbus County, Ohio, where the mother died at the advanced age of ninety-six years. Mr. Skid- more came to Indiana with a colony, they building a keel boat at Columbus in which they floated down the Scioto to the Ohio River, thence to the mouth of the Wabash River, and from there to Vincennes, where they remained two years or until the year 1818. In the fall of that year they came to Helt Township our subject having preceded them in the spring of 1818 and raised a crop. Ifis honse was the farthest north in the coun- ty, and no house was between his and old Fort Dearborn, now Chicago. Mr. Skidmore was first married May 26, 1807, to Mary Hopper, and of the six children born to this union three are living-Mrs. Catherine Tweedy, Mrs. Jane Ford, and Mrs. Elizabeth Potter. His son William, who is now de- ceased, was the first white child born in Vermillion County. Mr. Skidmore married
for his second wife Jane Hopper, a sister of his deceased wife, April 2, 1822. Of the seven children born to this marriage three are yet living-Mrs. Mary Helt, John, of Douglas County, Illinois, and Josiah. On coming to the county Mr. Skidmore entered 160 acres of land on section 22, ITelt Township, which he owned until his death. IIere he kept a public house for forty years, which was the traveler's stopping place between Vincennes and Fort Wayne or from Chicago. He served as justice of the peace several years, and was quite a prominent man in the early history of the county. He died December 7, 1863, his widow surviving until April 2, 1870. Both were members of the Methodist Episco- pal church, and consistent Christians.
AMES ANDERSON WIIITE, farmer and stock-raiser, section 33, Helt Town- ship, was born in Roane County, Ten- nessee, October 4, 1805, a son of William White, a native of Washington County, Vir- ginia. William White was a soldier in the war of 1812, serving under General Jackson, and after the close of that struggle, in 1815, brought his family to Indiana, and lived a year in Knox County. In 1816 he moved to Sullivan County, and thence in 1822 to Fountain County, where he lived twelve years. Ile entered 5,920 acres of land, the most of which was in Vermillion County, but he sold the greater part to new comers before it was improved. He came to Vermillion County in 1834 and made his home with his son James. Ile was also a soldier in the Black Hawk war. He was married four times and had a family of seven children, four of whom are living-James A., Serena, now Mrs. Coates, of Fountain County; Franklin, of California, and IIenry A., of Angnsta, Kan-
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HISTORY OF VERMILLION COUNTY.
sas. James A. White was reared on a fron- tier farm, and had but limited edneational advantages, being nnable to write when he was twenty-one years old. Ile came to Ver- million County in Angust, 1832, and settled near where he now lives. Ile lived in a tent two months, until he could get a house built. Ile has cleared and improved his land and now owns one of the best farms in the town- ship. Mr. White was married January 27, 1831, to Martha R. Elder, a native of Penn- sylvania, daughter of David Elder. To them have been born eleven children, seven of whom are living-Orville J., Florence E., Rienza M., James A., Jr., Pigne, Serena, and Dr. Charles M. Two, Maria L. and William Franklin, died after reaching maturity and two died in childhood. William was a sol- dier during the war of the Rebellion and gave his life in defense of his eonntry's honor.
spected pioneers of Helt Township who is now deeeased, was born in the same township on seetion 28, where he was living at the time of his death, the date of his birth being May 1, 1824. His father, Michael HIelt, was one of the early pioneers of the county. Our subjeet was reared a farmer, receiving in his youth such educational advantages as the pioneer log cabin subserip- tion schools of that early day afforded. He went to California during the gold excite- ment, where he mined for three years, after which he returned to Vermillion County. March 18, 1860, he was married to Mrs. Mary Langston, widow of John Milton Langston, and daughter of John Skidmore. Of the four children born to this nnion two are living Alma E. and Ulysses M. The former married William J. Russell, of Ilelt
Township, and has one ehild named Quineey Lee. Mrs. Helt had two children by her first marriage-John Franklin and Sarah J., deeeased wife of Iluston Sonthard, who left at her death three children named Roy. Emma and Dolly. Mr. Helt was an active and succes ful farmer, and followed agrieul- tural pursuits until his death, which occurred Marel 15, 1876. lle was a man of striet integrity, honorable in all his dealings, and by his genial manners and cordial disposi- tion made many friends.
IRAM HIELT, one of the old and re- tuekian by birth, and was a soldier in the
DAM PEARMAN, contractor and builder, residing on seetion 35, Helt Township, Vermillion County, was born in the same township, May 7, 1844, a son of John and Rachel (Dinsmore) Pearman, the father being a native of llardin County, Kentucky, born September 27, 1817. His father, Sebert Pearman, was also a Ken- war of 1812. Ile came with his family to Vermillion County, in 1829, the father of our subjeet, being at that time but twelve years of age. Ile settled right in the woods when animals and Indians were the principal inhabitants of the surrounding country, and here they passed through privation and hard- ship ineident to pioneer life. The family came to the county in a wagon drawn by two yoke of oxen, fording the White and Wabash rivers. Their nearest milling point was Eu- gene. a distance of sixteen miles from their home. Sebert Pearman was a millwright, and during one winter he operated the mill at Eugene. The mill on Big Vermillion River near Danville was built by him. Adam Pearman, the subject of this sketeh, passed his youth in assisting his father with the work of his farm. and attending the schools
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of his neighborhood where he received a fair common-school education. Ile served in the war of the Rebellion, enlisting in Company. I, Fourteenth Indiana Infantry. Ile re- mained with that company over a year when it was consolidated with companies E and HI, Twentieth Indiana Infantry, at the battle of Richmond, Kentucky, where onr subject was captured. Ile was paroled on the field, and soon after went into camp at Terre Haute, Indiana. Ile is now a member of the Grand Army of the Republie. Septem- ber 8, 1871, he was married to Miss Martha Long, a daughter of John Long, of Bloom- ingdale, Indiana. They have three children J. Curry, Oscar and James Walter. Both - he and his wife are members of the Christian church. ITis parents were also members of the same denomination. They were the par- ents of nine children, of whom only two are living at the present time-Samuel and Adam. Samuel married Margaret Lowe, and has four children, named Nora, Thomas, Ef- fie and Bessie. He makes his home in Nemaha County, Kansas. Henry C., a brother of our subjeet, was killed at the bat- tle of the Wilderness while serving his country in the late war.
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APTAIN TIPTON, of Eugene Town- ship, came to this point when there were no roads, no towns nor people be- tween, near the Ohio line and the Wabash River, the only guide being the compass. Ile was a tall, broad-shouldered, ereet, soldierly man, florid complexion, his anburn hair sadly thinned in his old age. Ile was a scout to General Wayne. after the sad defeat of Sin- elair and others in Ohio. He often pierced the hostile lines of the Indians and brought baek information that none but the most
eunning and bravest eould accomplish or do. He was always active in good acts at home, and died full of years.
OLUMBUS C. HEDGES, farmer and tile manufacturer, residing on seetion 25, Clinton Township, was born at the pioneer home of his parents, William and Pamelia (Alden) Iledges, in Clinton Town- ship, April 19, 1836. His parents were natives of Otsego County, New York. When but eighteen years of age, in 1819, the father was in Vermillion County, Indiana, on a Government survey. After his marriage, probably in the year 1824, he became a resi- dent of the county, and not long afterward settled on section 25, Clinton Township. He was an active and energetie man, and built and operated a saw-mill, one of the pioneer mills of the county, on Brouillett's Creek. IIe died at Clinton, October 24, 1873. Ilis widow is still living. Of their large family the following children still survive-Mrs. Irene Shew, Mrs. Mary A. Shew, Mrs. Alma Shew, Noah, and Columbus C., onr subject, all residing in Clinton Township. Columbus C. has always lived in Clinton Township, his present home being a part of the large estate which his father left at his death. He was married in 1858 to Miss Sarah E. Funk- houser, a native of Vigo County, Indiana. and a daughter of Isaac E. Funhouser. The children born to them are as follows-Mrs. Emma Tice, living in Arkansas; Martha died aged fourteen years; Albert died in infancy; Mrs. Eva Beard, also deceased; William II., living near his parents in Clinton Township; Carrie, at home; Mrs. Nettie M. Welker, of Edgar County, Illinois; and Sadie. Ollie B., Ina D., Alden F., Berdella, Mary and Lota, all living at home. Mr. Hedges established
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HISTORY OF VERMILLION COUNTY.
his tile factory in 1885, which he has since operated with success, manufacturing about 100.000 tiles annually. In politics he was formerly a Republican, but now votes with the National Labor Reform party.
OIIN II. STAATS, farmer and stock- raiser, section 7, Helt Township, was born in Mason County, West Virginia, April 7, 1806, a son of Isaac Staats. In December, 1829, he came to Indiana and settled in Helt Township, Vermillion County, where he has since lived. Ile was obliged to undergo many privations and hardships, but he was determined to make for himself a home in the new country, and kept bravely at work on small wages, but being economi- cal and persistent he accumulated enough to pay for his land, and finally by industry and energy got it cleared and under cultivation. In 1833 he went to Chicago and was em- ployed in driving oxen and hauling rails at $1 per day and boarding himself. At that time the West was principally inhabited by Indians, and Mr. Staats tells many interest- ing incidents of adventures he had with them. His life has been one of hard work, but he can look back and recall many pleas- ant events that have served to lighten his labor, and he is now reaping the reward of his industry, and his many friends testify to the honest integrity and genuine hospitality that have been his chief characteristics. Mr. Staats was married September 21, 1834, to Malinda Miles, a native of Kentucky, daugh- ter of Thomas Miles, an early settler of ITelt Township. To Mr. and Mrs. Staats were born five children, only one of whom, Mary, is living. Thomas, Isaac and Elijalı, triplets, died in childhood. and Benjamin M. lived until manhood and married Margaret, daugh-
ter of Samuel Aikman, and at his death left one son, Fred A., who is now a resident of Dana. Mary married Jacob C. F'oncanon, and to them have been born five children- T. Frank, a physician of Emporia, Kansas; J. Albert, of Helt Township; Virginia, wife of Albert Southard, of Helt's Prairie; Charles, deceased, and Edwin. Mr. Foncanon was born in Perry County, Ohio, October 22, 1829, and came to Vermillion County in 1852. He was a soldier in the war of the Rebellion, enlisting in Company B, Eighty- fifth Indiana Infantry, and served eight months, when he was discharged on account of disability. Ile is now a member of the Grand Army of the Republic. Mrs. Staats died April 21, 1880. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and a con- sistent, earnest Christian. Mr. Staats and his daughter are also members of the Meth- odist church.
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M AJOR JAMES BLAIR was one of the oldest citizens of the county, and in fact of this section of the country. Ile was somewhat stooped and round-shoul- dered in his old age, but still of commanding figure, soldierly step, and frank, manly coun- tenance. He was a soldier of the war of 1812, and assisted in building from the green forests the ships which, under the gallant Perry, won the battle of victory on Lake Erie. In an early day he came to the Wa- bash and settled among the Indians, north of the line of Harrison's purchase, on the farm now owned by Ilon. John Collett, on section 16, range 9. Ilis old friend Coleman settled in a neighboring cabin, same station, and farmed on the adjoining prairie. Major Blair by his soldierly qualities and fair and manly course of life won the love and respect
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