USA > Indiana > Clay County > Counties of Clay and Owen, Indiana : Historical and biographical. > Part 103
USA > Indiana > Owen County > Counties of Clay and Owen, Indiana : Historical and biographical. > Part 103
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ISAAC H. PRICE was born in Washington Township, Owen Co., Ind., December 8, 1845. His parents, Daniel and Susan (Brown) Price, were natives of Virginia and Indiana respectively. They were married in Owen County November 4, 1841. The father came to Owen County in the spring of 1840, and entered forty acres of good farm land, which he immediately put under cultivation, and soon after bought 200 acres. He is now living with his son on the old farm. His wife died in June, 1847. Isaac Price was reared in Washington Township, on the farm which he now owns, and educated in the district schools. He was for four years Supervisor of the township. He was married in October, 1972, to Elizabeth Craig, daughter of Alexander Craig, one of the most prominent farmers and oldest pioneers in Owen County. His wife died in March, 1879, and he was next married to Maggie A. Alexander, a daughter of Thomas Alexander, a citizen of Monroe County, and one of its old settlers. By this union there are three children-Wilburt, Oral W. and Ross H. Mr. Price and wife are identified with the Meth- odist Episcopal Church, and are active workers in its cause. He is a member of the Democratic party.
THEODORE H. SEDWICK, eldest son of Dr. John J. and Matilda (Archer) Sedwick, natives of Monroe County, Ind., was born near Eel River, Clay County, Ind., June 16, 1834. His parents were married in 1832 in Monroe County, after which they removed to Bowling Green, where the father practiced medicine for two years, and then moved to
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Spencer, where he continued in the practice until his death occurred in 1839. The mother is still living, and is landlady of the "Whitesell House " at Ellettsville. Theodore was reared in Monroe County, and received a good education in the district schools. In April, 1856, he was united in marriage to Susanna Miles, of Jasper County. They had one child-Carrie (deceased). His wife died in December, 1872. He was next married in October, 1875, to Sarah M. Edwards, daughter of Noel Edwards, an old settler of Monroe County. By this union there are two children-John J. and Mattie J. In November, 1881, Mr. Sedwick located in Washington Township, on a farm of 160 acres, and is at pres- ent living there, pleasantly situated. He is a slanch Republican, and a member of the A. F. & A. M. He and his wife are identified with the Christian Church, and are active workers.
MARCUS H. SMITH, a native of Ohio, born in Muskingum Coun- ty November 23, 1815, is the fifth child born to Samuel and Barraby (Humes) Smith, natives of Virginia. His parents emigrated from Vir- ginia to Ohio in an early day and located in Muskingum County, where the father's death occurred. The father had entered 320 acres of land in Owen County, Ind., and the mother came to claim it shortly after the father's death. She yoked her team of oxen, and prepared to brave and endure the perils and hardships of the wilderness. After days of tedious travel over hills and through hollows, she, with her family of six chil- dren, reached the land on White River. The mother died in 1862, while living with her son Marcus. In 1863, the subject of this sketch was ordained a minister of the Christian Church, and has since that time been preaching the Gospel to the people in his immediate vicinity. At the age of twenty, he was married to Malinda Pierson, daughter of Bartholomew and Margaret Pierson, pioneers of Owen County. One year later, he inherited sixty-three acres of land, which he traded shortly after for 160 acres in Washington Township, this county, and at present he resides here on 365 acres of land, which he has highly cultivated. He also owns seventy-seven acres of the best land in Morgan County. They have seven children-Bartholomew, Samuel, Jesse, Juretta, Mary E., Presley and Francis L. He and his wife have for forty years been mem- bers of the Christian Church. Mr. Smith is politically a Democrat, and a good, kind-hearted gentleman, always liberal in any public enterprise, and ever ready to assist the needy.
LUTHER H. SMITH, a native of Pennsylvania, was born in Alle- gheny City August 21, 1845. His parents, Samuel and Elizabeth (Bowen) Smith, are natives respectively of Pennsylvania and Maryland. They lived in Allegheny City for many years, where the father followed the trade of brick-layer. In 1834, he entered the political field, and twelve years later was elected to the Assembly, representing Allegheny County. In 1848, he was re-elected by a large majority on the Demo- cratic ticket. In 1850, he was elected to Congress for one term. In 1856, in Buchanan's administration, he was appointed Steward of the United States Marine Hospital at Allegheny City, and filled the position until 1860. After the expiration of this term of office, he lived in re- tirement until his death, which occurred in Highland County, Ohio, April 22, 1864. The mother now resides with Luther in Owen County. Luther is the seventh child, and was reared in Allegheny City. He learned the blacksmith's trade, and when eighteen years of age, came to Indiana, where for eleven years he followed his trade in Spencer. He
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moved from Spencer to his farm of 127 acres, and has since resided there. He has erected a shop upon his farm, and daily wields the hammer at the forge. In 1882, he was elected Superintendent of Roads, which office was abolished by the Legislature of 1882-83. In December, 1873, he was married to Emma Wythem, daughter of Peter Wythem, among the earliest settlers of Owen County. This union has been blessed with five children-Elizabeth, Nellie (deceased), Peter, Gracie (deceased) and Luther H. Mr. Smith is politically a Democrat.
WILLIAM A. WILLARD, only child of Isaac and Rebecca (Van Horn) Willard, was born in Bucks County, Penn., November 26, 1804. His parents emigrated from Pennsylvania to Ohio in 1820, and located in Monroe County, where the father died in 1851, and the mother in 18 -. William Willard lived in Bucks County until he was sixteen years of age, and then moved to Ohio with his parents, who located in Monroe County, his father having married again. In 1826, William A. purchased sixty acres of land, to which he soon added 160. He farmed in Monroe County for twenty-one years, and then came to Indiana, en- tered eighty acres of the farm which he now owns, having since then added to it 280 acres. He served as Justice of the Peace for twelve years in Ohio. He was Trustee of Washington Township for more than five years, and also served a short time as Road Supervisor. He was married, October 5, 1826, to Sarah Sill, daughter of John and Sarah Sill, natives of Pennsylvania. By this union there were eleven children-Isaac, John, Henry, Nicholas, Rebecca, Rachel, Lucinda, Harriet, Mary, Jane and Margaret. Mr. Willard is a stanch and active member of the Re- publican party, and is a man who makes and retains many friendships.
LYCURGUS H. WOOD was born in Franklin Township, Owen Co., Ind., August 5, 1833. He is the seventh in a family of ten children born to Willis and Lovisa (Rankin) Wood, natives of Kentucky, who im- migrated to Indiana in 1826. They located in Franklin Township, Owen County, purchased fifty acres of land, afterward entering sixty-three more, and at the time of his death, in 1865, he owned 267 acres of the best land in Owen County. The mother's death occurred in August of the same year. Lycurgus H. Wood was reared on the old home farm, and he was educated at the neighboring district schools. He early learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed in Spencer for two years. He was in Minnesota for nearly two years, and from thence returned to Owen County to farm. He lived a farmer's life for two years, and then went to Pike's Peak, Colo., and began mining. He again returned to his farm in 1864, and was married to Martha Kelly, a daughter of Allen and Mary Kelly, pioneers of Greene County, Ind. They had eight children-Wil- ford (deceased), John F., Julia A., Mary L., Daniel, Eliza E., Liona and Willie A. In 1878, Mr. Wood was elected Sheriff of Owen County on the Democratic ticket, and three years later was re-elecled to his sec- oud term of office. After the expiration, he purchased the farm of 205 acres of land upon which he at present resides. He is a member of the K. of H., of the A., F. & A. M., and both he and his wife are members of the K. & L. of H. They are also members of the Christian Church, and in good standing.
OTHO WORKMAN, born in Coshocton County, Ohio, June 7, 1817, is the eldest of nine children born to Benjamin and Lena (Geary) Work- man, natives of Maryland. His parents came to Ohio about 1805, and located on a farm in Coshocton County, where they remained until their
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deaths. Otho Workman was reared in his native county. He obtained a good education in the district schools, and remained at home until twenty-seven years of age, assisting his father on the farm. Afterward, he farmed for himself in Coshocton County for four years, and then moved to Hocking County, where he remained for three years. Thence he came to Owen County, and purchased a farm in Washington Town- ship, where he now resides. He was married, on March 4, 1844, to Catharine Miller, daughter of Jacob Miller, a resident of Coshocton County, Ohio. To this union there have been born ten children, eight of whom are living. Mr. Workman was Road Supervisor for a number of years. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., Hobah Lodge, No. 323. He and his wife are members of the Christian Church, and in good standing. He is politically a Democrat.
GOSPORT AND WAYNE TOWNSHIP.
J. M. ALEXANDER, merchant, was born November 9, 1827, in Wayne Township, Owen Co., Ind. He is eldest in a family of three children, born to William and Melinda (Asher) Alexander, the former a native of North Carolina and the latter of Kentucky. They came to Indiana in 1816, and settled in Owen County. In 1822, they entered a farm two miles southeast of Gosport, which is now owned by the subject of this sketch. His father died in Gosport in 1871. J. M. Alexander was reared on a farm until seventeen years of age, when he entered the State University at Bloomington, where he remained for two years, after which he went to Gosport. He there entered the employ of Silas H. Kelow, and in two years went to Martinsville, Morgan County, and re- mained there for some time. In 1849, he returned to Gosport, and formed a partnership with William A. Montgomery in a general mer- chandise establishment. Three years later he sold out, and after awhile went into the same business, in which he continued until 1860, after which he was idle until October, 1861, when he entered the Fifty-ninth Indiana Infantry as First Lieutenant and Quartermaster. He served for two years, and resigned on account of injuries received at Corinth. He then went to New Orleans, worked for the commission house of Thomp- son & Co., and thence in 1867 returned to Gosport, where he established the first grocery store in Gosport, and where he has since resided, con- tinuing in the same business, and at present has in connection a full line of dry goods. In 1853, he was married to Belle Lyons, a native of New Albany, Ind. . By this union there were two children, both dead. His first wife dying, he was married to Mary Catterson, daughter of Jeffer- son Graham, one of Morgan County's pioneer officials. They have one child. Mr. Alexander is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and has been for many years an active member of the M. E. Church.
E. W. ARGANBRIGHT, commercial traveler and a citizen of Gos- port, was born in Harrison County, Ind., May 5, 1829. His parents, Jacob and Rebecca (Mouck) Arganbright, natives of Virginia, immigrat- ed to Indiana in 1820, and located in Floyd County, and thence shortly afterward moved to Harrison, where, in 1842, the father died. The
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mother's death occurred in 1864. Edward received a good education in his native county, and in 1847 began teaching school in Floyd County. In 1848, he attended one terin at the State University at Bloomington, after which he came to Owen County and settled in Gosport, where he taught for some time. He then taught in the country, and in 1858 went to Spencer and taught in the schools there. He then returned to Gos- port, and continued teaching as before. In 1848, after his return from Bloomington, he was appointed Deputy County Clerk with Isaac E. Johnson at Spencer, which office he creditably filled. He was married, in 1851, to Lucinda J. Dowdall, daughter of Leroy and Elizabeth Dow- dall, old and respected pioneers of Owen County. They have one child, Albert E. Mr. Arganbright taught school for several years, served as book-keeper for two years, and was Cashier of the bank at Gosport for some time. In 1860, he formed a partnership with J. W. McMillan & Bro. in the general mercantile business, and continued in it for four years. He sold his interest in that, and became partner of Elias Ander- son in the same business. Two years later, they dissolved partnership, and Mr. Arganbright went into the employ of a boot and shoe house in Cincinnati, with which he remained for four years. He was then in the employ of John Gates & Co., of Cincinnati, for six years, and was en- gaged at Philadelphia in a boot and shoe manufactory for three years. He then began traveling for a number of houses, and at present repre- sents five different firms respectively of Philadelphia, Penn., Hartford, Conn., Worcester, Mass., Putnam, Conn., and Greenfield, Mass. Mr. Arganbright is a member of the A., F. & A. M., of the I. O. O. F., and of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
ARCHIBALD ALEXANDER BROWN, native of Monroe County, Ind., second son of Francis and Sarah (Mouser) Brown, of Kentucky, was born November 21, 1833. His father was a lover of learning, and, though a farmer, and rearing his sons as such, he gave them all a good education. Hon. Frederick T. Brown, brother of the subject of this sketch, was during eight years Judge of a Common Pleas Court, and two of his brothers and three sisters were for years talented teachers in the public schools. A. A. Brown came with his parents into Owen County in 1844, and February 14, 1856, was married to Mary A. Smith, daugh- ter of John M. Smith, of Pennsylvania. By her he had born to him nine children-Alfred Edwin, deceased at the age of about twenty months; John Francis; Noah Webster; Emma Leora; Laurie May, died in the fourteenth year of her age; Bessie Rosella; Hattie Belle; Archie Schuyler; and Mary Lizzie, died in infancy. Mr. Brown is a consistent member of the Christian Church, a Master Mason, votes the Republican ticket, is a successful farmer and stock-grower, an honored member of society, and an upright gentleman. Before coming into Wayne Township, he served two terms as Assessor of Montgomery. He has been twice elected Justice of the Peace of Wayne, and for reasons of his own refused to qualify. In 1880, he was elected Assessor, and is the present incumbent of that office (October. 1883). From 1858 to 1863, he lived in the State of Illinois, and while there served two terms as Township Commissioner. He owns a fine farm of 240 acres, well improved and cultivated, and to the supervision and management of which he gives his personal attention.
J. M. CARLTON, druggist, a native of Indiana, was born in Monroe County April 21, 1836. He is the fifth child born to William and Mary
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(Hall) Carlton, natives of North Carolina. They came to Indiana from North Carolina in 1826, and settled in Monroe County. In 1838, they removed to Washington Township, Monroe County, where the mother died in 1841. The father was then quite a prominent Baptist minister, and after his wife's death removed to Bates County, Mo. He settled on a farm, and remained there until his death in 1856. The subject of this sketch lived in Monroe County until eighteen years of age, and received a good education. When twenty-eight years of age, he went with his father to Missouri, where, two years later, he taught school. In 1857, he returned to Indiana, entered the State University at Bloomington, and remained there for four years. In August, 1861, he enlisted in Com- pany G, Thirty-eighth Indiana Volunteers, under Capt. Secrest. He served until May of 1863, when, on account of ill health, he received an honorable discharge, having participated in the battles of Chattanooga, Stone River and others. After his return home from the war, he resumed his former vocation as school teacher, in Monroe County, and in 1864 he came to Owen County and taught school during the winters of 1864 and 1865. Late in 1865, he opened a drug store in Gosport, and during his first year in the business was elected Superintendent of the schools there. He has been since 1865 successfully engaged as druggist in Gos- port. January 1, 1861, he was married to Catharine P. Duncan, daugh- ter of Jacob Duncan, an old pioneer of Monroe County. The issue of this union has been six children. Mr. Carlton was for several years President of the Board of Town Trustees. He is a member of the Ma- sonic fraternity, and has passed all the chairs in the chapter. He is a prominent citizen, and liberal to all public enterprises.
HON. WILLIAM HARBIN FRITTS, a prominent and influential citizen and farmer of Wayne Township, second son of John Martin and Ann (Daughley) Fritts, natives of Germany and Ireland respectively, was born in what is now the State of Arkansas, February 27, 1815. From Arkansas his parents removed to Kentucky, and at an early date to In- diana. They settled first in Harrison County, where the elder Mr. Fritts soon afterward died, leaving his family in indigent circumstances. The subject of this sketch and two of his brothers were soon afterward taken by a relative back to Kentucky, when by an order of court they were " bound out " to different parties. William H. was taken to the city of Louisville, and apprenticed to a carpenter and builder. With this master, who proved rather austere, he remained two years, and then ran away. Pen- niless, scant of clothing, and literally barefoot, he turned his face toward the poor home of his best friend, his mother. Sleeping the first night in a barn in the suburbs of the " Falls City," he the next day footed it down the river about eight miles, when using a plank for a boat, he towed him- self to the Indiana shore, landing at "Snyder's Ferry." Learning that his mother had gone, the neighbors knew not where, he engaged at once to work for a farmer for a pair of shoes. He had only been two or three days in his new place when his old master came with men and guns and dogs to capture and return him to Louisville. Jumping out of a back window, he ran through the fields and woods to a creek, into which he plunged, and up which he waded for a distance of two miles, finally stopping at the house of a Mr. Wiseman, with whom he stayed several days. The " new purchase " was just then thrown open to settlers, and young Fritts took the first opportunity that offered to place himself out + of the reach of his late master, and July 5, 1828, he landed in Owen
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County, where he has since resided. For his first month's work, he re- ceived a pair of pants and a shirt, both made of flax. For his first year's work, he received his clothing, and a colt, which he sold for $26 on credit, a debt never yet paid. His second year's compensation included three months' schooling, and out of his third year's earnings, he was com- pletely swindled by his employer. In the fall of 1831, he taught school. Ho next went as clerk in a store at Gosport, and remained until the spring of 1834. In June of this year, he married Susan Wooden, daugh- ter of his employer. She bore him ten children-Matilda (deceased), Thomas Jefferson, James Robert, Malinda Jane, John Davis (deceased), Eliza Florence, Mary Isabel, Emma America, William Harrison and Amanda. His son Thomas J. is a physician, and residos in Illinois; James R. is a lawyer at Gosport; William H. and Amanda reside in Morgan County and the rest of the family in Owen. Prior to the " New Constitution," subject was Judge of Owen County for seven consecutive years. He began the profession of law in 1851, and followed it for a quarter of a century. He is an ardent Democrat from principle, and a public speaker of much ability. Judge Fritts owns a fine farm of 440 acres, all in cultivation, handsomely embellished with residences, barns, outhouses, orchards, etc., well stocked, and fully equipped with agri- cultural implements and machinery. Agriculture and stock-growing are at present the only matters that command any of his attention in a busi- ness way. He is a member of the Masonic order and President of the Local Board of Agriculture.
JAMES R. FRITTS, attorney, is the third in a family of ten chil- dren, and was born in Wayne Township, Owen County, Ind., November 13, 1840. His parents, William H. and Susan (Wooden) Fritts, natives of Arkansas and Kentucky respectively, came to Indiana and settled in Wayne Township, Owen County, where they at present reside. James was reared and educated in his native county, helping his father on the farm when he could. At the age of seventeen years, he entered the Asbury University at Greencastle, where he remained three years, and in April, 1861, he enlisted in Company H, Fourteenth Indiana Volun- teers, as First Corporal, under Capt. John H. Matin; served until No vember, 1862, when he was discharged on account of a wound received in the battle of Winchester. He took part in the battle of Greenbrier, Va., Bloomer's Gap and Furnace, Winchester, South Mountain, Antie- tam, and Richmond, Va. After his return from the war, he taught school in Wayne Township, and in 1864 was appointed Principal of the High School in Gosport; served for one year and then gave up teaching entire- ly. He was elected Supervisor of Wayne Township in 1865, and began farming soon after. He then moved to Morgan County, located on a farm, and thence in 1867 to Gosport, and went into the merchandise bus- iness with his father. Since fifteen years of age, he had read law, and also practiced some for several years. In 1873, he sold his interest in the store and has since followed his profession exclusively, making a success of it. He was Assessor of Gosport for one year, and for two years he was President of the Soldiers' Veteran Association. He is a member of the A. F. & A. M., and is also a member of the Christian Church. In June, 1864, he was married to Emma Swaar, a daughter of Judge J. H. and Jane Swaar, prominent citizens of Owen County. They have had ten children, seven of whom are living.
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CURTIS G. H. GOSS was born in Gosport, Owen County, October 14, 1848. He grew to manhood upon a farm, and when not engaged in the duties incident to farm life, attended the public schools in the county, by which he obtained the rudiments of an English education. In 1864, he entered Earlham College, at Richmond, where he remained for four years, being prevented from graduating on account of ill health. After leaving college, he spent six months traveling, and then returned to Gosport, where, for one year, he was engaged as clerk in the banking business. He went into the pork business with his father, and continued with him for two years, shortly afterward starting a grocery store, which he ran for three years, and until 1878 was again engaged in pork-pack- ing. He at present is in the employ of the C., I., St. L. & C. R. R. Co. November 15, 1871, he was married to Florence A. Clapper, a native of Morgan County, and a daughter of George W. and Martha J. (Cox) Clapper, natives respectively of Indiana and Pennsylvania. By this union there are two children-George C. and Joseph E. Mr. Goss and wife are members of the Christian Church. He is a member of the A. F. & A. M. and of the I. O. O. F., and, politically, he is a Republican. He was Town Councilman in Gosport, and served for two years as Assessor and one term as Justice of the Peace of Wayne Township, Owen County. He located in Martinsville in September, 1881, where he has since resided. Mr. Goss is a prominent citizen, a man of solid worth, courteous, temperate, upright, and possesses superior business and social attributes.
N. C. GRAY, dealer in stock, was born in Harrison Township, Owen County, July 8, 1849. His parents, David and Ruth (Smith) Gray, were natives of Indiana. His father went from Owen to Tipton County in 1852, and remained for two years. He then returned to Owen County, where he lived until his death, which occurred May 6, 1881. His mother is living in Gosport. Subject is the eldest child in the family, and was reared in his native county. When twenty-one years of age, he moved to Gosport, where he at present resides. He received a good common school education in the district schools of Harrison Township, and in Ashland Township, Morgan County. In the fall of 1867, he en- tered the high school at Mooresville, Morgan County, Ind., which he attended for nearly three years, and was obliged at that time, much to his regret, to leave all his studies, on account of the illness of his father, and to return to his home. In the fall of 1868, he entered the Bryant & Stratton Commercial College at Indianapolis, and completed his studies late in the same year. In 1881, he was assistant cashier in the Pettit & Montgomery Bank at Gosport. He soon resigned his position, and with his father began trading in stock, and is at present one of Owen County's largest stock-dealers. In 1882, he was elected Trustee of Wayne Town- ship, and at present creditably fills the office. He was married in De- cember, 1881, to Grace Grimsley, daughter of Maj. J. and Anna Grims. ley, prominent residents of Gosport. They have one child, Raymond. Mr. Gray is a member of the A. F. & A. M., and is the Treasurer of Blue Lodge, No. 92, also a member of the Royal Arcanum. He is an active and consistent member of the Christian Church, and is a stanch Re- publican.
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