USA > Indiana > Greene County > Biographical memoirs of Greene County, Ind. : with reminiscences of pioneer days, Volume I > Part 24
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GREENE COUNTY, INDIANA. 419
tile he would conceal his family and carry on his work on the farm. At one time when there was considerable danger he hid them under the bundles of flax in the sta- ble loft. He was a skillful swordsman, having been trained in the cavalry under Colonel William Washing- ton. The mother of the subject of this sketch during her life would frequently tell of seeing her neighbors sur- round him and with sticks or imitation swords endeavor to strike him. The blows he always parried, so great was his skill in fencing. He reared a large family, all of whom are now dead. From 1830 to 1860 they had a great influence in the affairs of Greene county. Joseph Storm, one of his sons, was a member of the Indiana House of Representatives during the thirties. John Beam was one of the oldest citizens of Owen county and at the present time a resident of Spencer is one of his grand- sons.
Milton and Anna Lowder have a family of five chil- dren, whose names are as follows: Howard R., the sub- ject of this sketch ; Catherine, Aclisalı, Milton D. and Ca- leb M. Catherine and Milton died in youth. Achsah, now Mrs. Cullison, lives in Kansas, and Caleb M. is a physician in Sullivan county, Indiana. Some time after the death of Milton Lowder his widow married William Anderson. She departed this life in 1906 and is buried at St. Paul, Kansas., Mr. Lowder being interred in the old Lowder cemetery near the place of his birth.
Howard R. Lowder was born near Springville, Law- rence county, Indiana, February 14, 1845, and spent his early life on the family homestead, attending, at inter- vals, the public schools of the neighborhood. On the 28th
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of August, 1861, when but a few months past his six- teenth year, he enlisted in Company F, Forty-third In- diana Infantry, and devoted nearly four years to the service of his country, having veteranized at the expira- tion of his period of enlistment. He was with his com- mand throughout its varied experience of campaign and battle, participated in the engagements at Island No. 10, Ruddle's Point, Prairie Du Ann and Helena, Arkansas, served for some time as company clerk and was also clerk at headquarters. After re-enlisting he was elected order- ly sergeant, and later commissioned regimental adjutant with the rank of first lieutenant, being discharged from the service with an honorable record June 16, 1865.
Returning home, Dr. Lowder assumed the quiet pur- suits of civil life, and in due time took up the study of medicine, for which he had early manifested a decided preference. After prosecuting a course of preliminary study under the direction of Dr. F. W. Beard, of Monroe county, he entered the Medical College of Indianapolis. from which he graduated in 1875, beginning the practice in the meantime at the town of Park, Greene county, where he remained until his removal to Bloomfield, eight- een months later. For four years he was associated with Dr. J. W. Gray, but since the expiration of that time he has been alone in the practice, and, as stated in a previous paragraph, now ranks with the most successful men of the profession in this part of the state.
Dr. Lowder stands deservedly high as a citizen and has ever manifested'a lively interest in measures and en- terprises which make for the public good. He served six years on the United States board of pension examiners.
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He has also been a member of the local school board, but has never held any elective office nor aspired to such hon- ors. A Republican in politics, he has rendered valuable service to his party, and in 1892 was a delegate from the Second congressional district to the national convention at Minneapolis.
The doctor is a member of the Masonic fraternity, belonging to Lodge No. 84, and the Chapter, Royal Arch Masons. He is also identified with the Pythian Brother- hood, being at this time the oldest member of that order in Greene county, and to him, too belongs, the credit of instituting several lodges in this part of the state. The professional organizations with which he holds member- ship are the Greene County and State Medical Societies and American Medical Association, having served sev- eral terms as presiding officer of the first named. Dr. Lowder has been twice married, the first time in 1865 to Frances J. Kissell, daughter of Jacob Kissell, of Indian- apolis, by whom he had four children, namely: Mrs. Ella L. Forbes, of Linton ; Lelia M. died in 1870, at the age of two years; Louis L. died in 1871, aged six months, and Mrs. Mildred F. Faucett, of North Vernon, Indiana. Mrs. Lowder died August 3, 1901, and on July 18th of the year following Dr. Lowder was united in marriage to his present wife, Mrs. Florence Hatta- baugh, daughter of William Cole, of Greene county.
FRANCIS MARION PARKER.
Francis M. Parker was born in Harnett county, North Carolina, February 13, 1844, and was the son of
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Jacob and Eliza (Spencer) Parker, natives of Cumber- land county, North Carolina, where they were joined in marriage before coming to Indiana. Jacob Parker fol- lowed the profession of teaching, and also farming. He was a man of original thoughit and independent tempera- ment, which showed itself in his political affiliations, hav- ing been successively a Democrat, then a Whig, and later a Republican. Mrs. Eliza Parker departed this life in 1862, having become the mother of seven children. She was a devout member of the Christian church and was held in high esteem by friends and acquaintances. Mr. Parker was married a second time, taking as his com- panion Mary Beaty, a native of Greene county, Indiana, also deceased. She was the mother of four children.
Our subject, Francis Marion Parker, was the oldest of the first family; Effie is the widow of Daniel Cox, of Lyons ; James Daniel, a retired miller of Jackson town- ship. this county; John, who followed teaching, died in July, 1882 : Marshall, a farmer and later a minister in the Christian church, is deceased; Sarah, wife of a Mr. Green, lives at Harrodsburg, Indiana; Mary, wife of Lindsey Cox, lives at Windsor, Illinois; Amanda mar- ried W. M. Ashcraft, of Idaho; Eliza became the wife of William Noel, of this county; Robert follows farming in Center township, this county ; William is also farming in Greene county.
Mr. Parker attended the local schools and followed this work at the State University, from which he grad- uated with honors in 1875. He followed teaching for five years and, having evinced a good knowledge of math- ematics and civil engineering, was chosen surveyor of
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Greene county in 1879, and held the office for eight years. He was then appointed commissioner of drainage and served in that capacity for sixteen years, at the same time doing civil engineering, retiring in 1904 on account of ill health.
On the 18th of February, 1880, Mr. Parker was united in marriage to Virginia Bottorff, of Charleston, Indiana, daughter of Joel and Josephine (Harbolt) Bot- torff, the former a native of Charleston, Indiana, and the latter of Louisville, Kentucky. The father died in 1864 at the age of forty-one and the mother departed this life on December 5, 1894. She was the mother of five chil- dren, as follows: Florence, the wife of Cornelius Hisey. of Corydon, Indiana ; Virginia was born October 1, 1856; Thomas J. is deceased; Josephine married Wesley Clog- ston, of Lyons, Indiana; Charles is a business man at Charleston, Indiana.
Our subject and wife have become the parents of four children : Charles C. is a civil engineer and is sur- veyor of Greene county, elected in 1905. He was edu- cated in the Bloomfield schools, completing the high school course. He then attended Rose Polytechnic Insti- tute, and later Valparaiso University; Lowell Francis, the next son, is a graduate of the Bloomfield high school, and follows civil engineering, having served as deputy county surveyor ; Ruby Blanche is a graduate of Bloon- field high school and an accomplished musician, attended DePauw University, and is now taking music and lit- erary work at Indiana State University; Verna Pearl also attended DePauw and is now attending the State Univer- sity at Bloomington.
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In August, 1862, Mr. Parker enlisted in Company E of the Ninety-seventh Indiana Volunteer Infantry, go- ing into drill at Terre Haute. Subsequently he saw ac- tive service in the Middle West, participating in such en- gagements as the ones at Memphis, Vicksburg, Chatta- nooga, Missionary Ridge and many others. His com -. pany accompanied General Sherman through Georgia to Atlanta and on the matchless march to the sea. He took part in all of the important later conflicts of the war, and marched in the grand review at Washington, D. C. Dur- ing this service he endured a severe attack of measles and when unfit for duty at the front was assigned to do guard work at the army headquarters.
Mr. Parker has always been a church member, and belongs to the Christian denomination. He has done much as a public-spirited citizen, having had considerable influence in promoting the movement for good roads in the county. He is widely known and has a host of warm friends throughout this vicinity, whose esteem he has gained through his patriotic spirit and genuine integrity.
JAMES WESLEY HEATON.
On July 2, 1839, there was born in Richland town- ship, Greene county, Indiana, the subject of this biog- raphy, James W. Heaton, a Civil war veteran and a stanch American patriot. He was the son of William and Nancy (Stone) Heaton, the former a native of Ken- tucky and the latter of North Carolina. William Heaton
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came to Indiana with his parents, Kelly Heaton and wife, who moved hither in an early day to make for them- selves a home in what was then still new territory. They took up a tract of land that had never been cultivated and by dint of hard and persevering effort established for themselves a comfortable place of abode. But misfor- tune, often lurking about, is met with at most unexpected times. This proved to be the case with the present fam- ily, for Kelly Heaton met an untimely death by drowning in Richland creek. The shock to his family was most se- vere. He left, besides the wife a family of five children, two sons and three daughters. William, father of our subject, remained at home until his marriage. He cleared and improved one hundred and sixty acres of land. His opportunities for education were very meager, but he pos- sessed the faculty of applying himself industriously to his work, and was able in time to make substantial additions to his original farm. In conjunction with the farm work he engaged in the handling of stock, and gained a cred- itable reputation for fair dealing and business integrity.
He died February 6, 1863, and was survived by his wife until February 11, 1893. Seven children were born into this family, consisting of James W., our subject ; Sarah C., now Mrs. Harden, of Greene county ; David J., living in Kansas; Solomon, in Greene county; Eliza- beth, wife of John Hamilton, of Richland township, this county ; John C., of Missouri, and William E., now occu- pying the old homestead.
. On the 28th of March, 1867, our subject was united in marriage to Carrie Burcham, a native of this county, and daughter of David and Violet (Ritter) Burcham,
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both natives of North Carolina. Mr. Burcham .was a carpenter and boat builder, but later became an extensive farmer and stock raiser. He was the father of eleven children, three of whom still survive. They are: Nancy, widow of Anderson Buckner, now living at Worthing- ton; Isabella married Anthony Williams, of Richland township; Carrie is the wife of our subject. The de- ceased children were Joseph, Wesley, Levi, Adam, Henri- etta, Rachel, Rosanna and Violet.
Mr. and Mrs. Heaton are the parents of four chil- dren : Elza, a farmer of Richland township, married Lulu Flater and is the father of two children, Marie and Dexter; Nora married John W. Branstetter, of Highland township, and is the mother of six children, viz., Luther, Mila, Lewis, William, Avis and Wesley; Anna May is a teacher in the Bloomfield schools ; the fourth, Thomas, is also a teacher. All these children have engaged in teaching.
On August 11, 1862, Mr. Heaton enlisted in Com- pany H of the Seventy-first Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and on August 30, 1862, went into service at Richmond, Kentucky, where he saw his first active service. He was made a prisoner there, but was soon paroled. Later his regiment was captured and returned to Indianapolis, where his company was consigned to the Sixth Indiana Cavalry. On going back into Kentucky and Tennessee his company with others was given charge of a train of three hundred wagons. He accompanied the troops through the southern campaigns and finally joined Gen- eral Sherman in Georgia, experiencing considerable ex- posure and hard service.
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He was shot through the wrist at Hazel Grove, Ken- tucky, but did not leave the company, preferring rather to do picket duty, and acted in that capacity for seventeen days. He was mustered out June 17, 1865, and returned to farming in Richland township, continuing at that until 1907, at which time he removed to his new residence on North Washington street, Bloomfield.
For four years he served as justice of the peace. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic of Bloom- field, and, together with his wife, lends active support to the Baptist church.
Their many friends in Bloomfield have warmly wel- comed their removal to the city, congratulating them- selves on this agreeable addition to the citizenship of the town.
WILLIAM GILMORE SARGENT.
There is a spirit of unrest in the exceedingly active life, and events happen with extraordinary rapidity. Such a character is interesting and the life a useful one in giv- ing a steady growth to the civilization of any community. Such seems to be the character of our subject and alike to ancestry and posterity. Now a retired farmer, but his life is full of events that show an exalted purpose to make something of himself before the end came. He was born in Russels county, West Virginia, October 6, 1835, the son of Samuel and Rebecca (Monk) Sargent, both born in the same county. They were married there and came to Greene county, Indiana, in October, 1838, set-
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tling in Highland township. He bought a tract of unim- proved land, and after occupying and improving it for seventeen years, sold it and moved to Iowa and renewed his avocation in that state until 1872. His wife died sev- eral years later. They had ten children : Charles J., killed in front of Atlanta in the Civil war. He was cap- tain of Company F, Seventh Iowa; William G., our sub- ject ; Ephraim, deceased about 1859; David, a soldier in the Civil war, serving in Company K of the Second Iowa. He died in 1907; Samuel P. died in infancy ; Elizabeth A., wife of Charles Wright, now living in Okla- homa ; Margaret J., widow of Warren Vowel, living in Missouri; Mary, widow of George Taylor; Wright, liv- ing in Iowa; James W. died in infancy ; Frances Ellen, deceased. Samuel was the son of Ephraim Sargent, who was a teacher, farmer and miller. Later in life he came to live with his son and soon after died there. He was a slave owner and his last act was to free his slaves. Samuel was educated in the common schools of West Virginia. On coming to Indiana he taught school for twelve terms of three months each, and often took in pay the produce of the country, Both parents were members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and the old circuit rider was often the guest, and preaching in the old log cabin in Highland township, in Greene county. He was first a Whig and afterwards a Republican in politics. He served as township clerk for a number of years. Our subject was three years of age when the family came to Indiana. They came through in a wagon. He was raised on a farm, obtaining his education from that which the common schools then afforded. When about twenty
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years of age he moved with his family to Iowa. On Sep- tember 6, 1854, he was married to Mary Jane Simpson. She was born in Highland township, the daughter of John L. and Nancy (Buckner) Simpson, both natives of North Carolina. They settled in Greene county in 1823, where he engaged in farming. He died in 1884, his wife having preceded him in 1841. They were both members of the Presbyterian church, and had three children- Elizabeth, Andrew and Mary Jane.
John Simpson was married a second time to a cousin of his first wife. They had six children-Richard, Wil- liam, Eliza, Marion, John and Josephine. William G. Sargent, after his marriage in 1854, farmed one year in Greene county and moved to Iowa and farmed until he enlisted in the army in 1861. While he was in the war his wife sold the farm and returned to Bloomfield, In- diana, and bought the property they now occupy. But the farm was still interesting, and, renting one, he con- ducted it until recently, when he retired.
Our subject had four children : Eliza, wife of Wil- liam G. Jones. They had two boys, John G., a physician in Vincennes; Charles J., in Purdue University. The second child was Milton J., who died in 1881. Third child, Lillie V., wife of John A. Pate, now living in Ja- sonville. They have two children, Allen G. and Mary Jane. The fourth was the wife of John R. McGannen, Nettie, now living with her parents. They have one child, Frank S.
Mr. Sargent and family are members of the Pres- byterian church. In politics he is a Republican, casting his first vote for Fremont. He was a member of both
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the Grand Army of the Republic and Independent Order of Odd Fellows, but has dropped out of each.
On April 27, 1861, he enlisted. for three years in Company K, Second Iowa Infantry, and served until September following, when he was discharged on ac- count of disability, being crippled in the hip. On Feb- ruary 18, 1864, he again enlisted in Company F of the Seventh Iowa, of which his brother was captain. In the engagement at Atlanta his brother was shot, the two brothers standing at the time within fifty feet of each other. Mr. Sargent then served until the close of the war, being discharged July 12, 1865, at Louisville, Ken- tucky. He was in several hard-fought battles, among which was Snake Creek Gap, May 9, 1864 ; Lay's Ferry, Georgia, May 15; Atlanta, where General McPherson was killed, July 22; on the Sandtown Road, July 26. Here he was sent back to nurse his brother at Marietta. Georgia, after which he returned and continued with Sherman to the sea. He also marched with his regiment from Atlanta to Washington, D. C., where he took part in the grand review.
JOSEPH PRICE SCOTT.
One of the best known merchants and business men in Newberry, Indiana, is Joseph Price Scott, who was born in Martin county, Indiana, May 11, 1843. He is the son of James and Elizabeth Scott, both from Ken- tucky, where they were married. They came to Martin county, Indiana, in 1828, and made a success of farm- ing in their new home. They were members of the old
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"Hard-shell" Baptist church. Ten children were born to them, as follows: Jolin R., William A., Mary E., Da- vid B., all deceased; Reason M. is a farmer living in Mar- tin county, Indiana ; Emily Jane and Lucinda both died in childhood; Joseph, the subject of this sketch; James G. lives in Arkansas; Francis Marion died in infancy. James Scott was a Democrat until the Civil war, when he became a Republican.
Joseph P. Scott was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools, walking four miles through all kinds of weather to the little log school house, which was of hewn logs, puncheon floors and seats. He remained at home until he went to war in December, 1861, enlist- ing in the Fifty-second Regiment, Indiana Volunteer In- fantry, Company F., at Washington, Daviess county, and served until 1862, when he was discharged on account of disability resulting from an attack of the measles. He was in the battle of Fort Donelson, and helped to bury the dead at Pittsburg Landing.
After his experiences as a soldier Mr. Scott married Mrs. Cynthia Stanley (nee Faith), the daughter of Thom- as Faith, in 1863. She died in 1879, leaving three chil- dren, namely : John, who lives in Knox county, Indiana ; Elizabeth C. and Thomas, also live in Knox county. The second marriage of the subject was to Jane Walker, a native of Knox county, and the daughter of Thomas and Jane (Smiley) Walker, early settlers of Knox county, the former a native of Indiana and the latter of Tennes- see. Eight children have been born to this last union, as follows: Joseph, who lives at Bloomfield, Indiana, and is engaged as a miller : Cynthia Jane is the wife of Thom- as Rose, of Taylor township. Greene county, Indiana ;
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Sadie, who is single and living at home; William, de- ceased; Catherine and Della, twins; Essie, who is living at home; the last child died. unnamed.
Besides farming in Knox county after the war, the subject went to Missouri for a short time, later returning to Knox county, and in 1886 came to Newberry, Indiana, where he was engaged in the undertaking business for a period of eighteen years. He is now engaged in selling harness, which business he has built up until he now en- joys a good patronage and is comfortably situated, both as to his business and his home.
The subject is a Republican and a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Ilis wife is a member of the Christian church.
The subject is proud of his ancestors, who were peo- ple of sterling worth. Joseph, the great-great-grandfa- ther of the subject, was a native of Scotland. He came to America, settling in Virginia, where he lived on a farm until his death. The grandfather of the subject lived for some time in Virginia, where he was born, later moving to Kentucky, where he farmed and spent his life. The ancestors of the subject's mother were also natives of Vir- ginia. His grandfather. Cosby Scott, came from that state to Hardin county, Kentucky, in an early day.
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HECKMAN BINDERY INC.
SEPT 96
Bound -To-Pleas& N. MANCHESTER, INDIANA 46962
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