USA > Indiana > Clay County > Counties of Clay and Owen, Indiana : Historical and biographical. > Part 113
USA > Indiana > Owen County > Counties of Clay and Owen, Indiana : Historical and biographical. > Part 113
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FREDERICK FRANK, farmer and stock-raiser, was born February 25, 1835, in Prussia, and is the third child born to William and Cather- ine (Knippie) Frank, both natives of Prussia. Frederick, in company with his parents, came to America in the spring of 1838, landing in New York after a voyage of eleven weeks, and in a short time moved to Union
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County, Ind .; remained there about two years, and then removed to this township. His father and mother made their home in this township until death overtook them. Frederick was reared upon a farm, working during the summer, and attending school during the winter. He remained with his parents until he was about twenty-two years of age, when he began to battle with life's hardships for himself. He followed farming until July of 1862, when he enlisted in Company B, Ninety-seventh In- diana Volunteer Infantry, under Col. R. F. Catterson and Capt. James Watts. He served until the close of the war, and was in the following
hard-fought battles: Jackson, Miss., Mission Ridge and Kenesaw Mount- ain, where he received a gunshot wound in the left foot. After his re- covery, he was placed in the Seventeenth Indiana Veteran Corps, where he remained until he was honorably discharged at Indianapolis the last of July, 1865. He returned home and resumed work on the farm, and was united in marriage to Miss Mary E. Floyd, January 18, 1866. Three children have crowned this union-Cornelia C. (deceased), William S. and Elbridge F. He and wife are active members of the Presbyterian Church. He never received any help in the shape of a start in life, but has a good farm well stocked and well improved. He is a Democrat, having voted with that party since he became a voter, and James Buchan- an having been the first President he ever voted for.
JOHN HARRISON, farmer and stock-raiser, was born July 24, 1834, in Noble County, Ohio, and is the fifth of thirteen children born to James and Elizabeth (Midkiff) Harrison, the former a native of Virginia, and the latter of Maryland, and of Irish extraction. John, in company with his parents, came to Jackson Township in 1855; here his father's death occurred in 1859, and his mother's in 1881. John was reared upon a farm, working during the summer and attending school during the win- ter, and received an ordinary education. He never received any help in the way of a start in life, but has at present a nice farm of 300 acres, with most of the modern improvements, and all made by his own shrewd business management. He was united in marriage to Miss Amanda Cochran, a native of Owen County, April 10, 1859, she being a daughter of Campbell and Jane (Wiley) Cochran, both natives of North Carolina, and of English and Irish extraction. Four children have crowned this union -- John E., born December 6, 1862; Luella F., July 12, 1868; Dora M., April 4, 1870; Mary R., March 8, 1874. His lady is an active member of the Christian Church. Mr. Harrison enlisted July, 1862, in Company B, Ninety-seventh Indiana Volunteer Infantry, under Col. R. F. Catterson and Capt. James Watts. He was engaged in several hard- fought battles, was with Gen. Sherman on his march to the sea, returned home without an injury, and was honorably discharged at Indianapolis. He is a Republican, and has voted with that party ever since he became a voter. His son, John E., is achieving a reputation as a successful ed. ucator.
WILLIAM H. HARRISON, farmer and stock-raiser, was born May 24, 1842, in Noble County, Ohio, and is the tenth child born to James and Elizabeth (Midkiff) Harrison. He came with his parents to this township in the fall of 1855; was reared on a farm and attended the public and subscription schools; acquired a very fair education. Sep- tember 17, 1861, he enlisted, while on a visit to Ohio, in Company D, Forty-seventh Ohio Volunteer Infantry, under Col. James A. Garfield and Capt. James Riggs, and was in a number of hard-fought battles.
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JACKSON TOWNSHIP.
His regiment was once surrounded at Cumberland Gap, and had to cut its way through and march eighteen days without rations, except such as could be gathered up as it passed along. He was in the first attack on Vicksburg, under Gen. Sherman, and was under Grant in several severe engagements before reaching the siege of that city. After its surrender, the regiment was under fire for seventeen days, or until the capture of Jackson, Miss. Although never wounded, Mr. H. had several rifle shots through his clothing. He was honorably discharged at Columbus, Ohio, in September, 1864. On April 20, 1865, he married Miss Eliza J. Coffman, who has borne him twelve children, of whom five lived to receive names -Della R., now deceased; Minnie F., born May 26, 1867; Gilberta, September 18, 1872; William C., March 5, 1877; Dennis R., June 23, 1879. Mr. and Mrs. H. are members of the Christian Church, and he is an active member of the Masonic order and the I. O. O. F. Formerly Mr. Harrison was a Republican, and cast his first Presidential vote for Lincoln, but since 1880 he has been identified with the Democratic party. In the spring of 1880, he was elected Township Trustee, and re-elected in 1882. He is a skillful farmer, and is the owner of 189 acres of good land.
WILLIAM C. LANGDON, farmer and stock-raiser, was born in Owen County October 3, 1832, and is the eighth child born to Zachariah and Rachel (Bolin) Langdon, both natives of North Carolina and of En- glish extraction. William was reared a farmer, and received a common school education. He began teaching at the age of eighteen, and fol- lowed that vocation for several years, remaining with his parents until of age, and tilling the soil when not engaged in teaching. He never re- ceived any help in the way of a start in life, but has at present a farm of 223 acres, with most of the modern accessories, and all earned through his shrewd management. His first marriage was to Ellen A. Halton, in March, 1853; to this union were born four children-Henry L., Mary J., William I. and an infant unnamed. He was next married, January 1, 1861, to Miss Martha A. Sipple, who bore him eight children-Charlotte H., Julia A., Cornelia A., James C., Lewis B., Joseph E., Naomi F. and Savannah E. His third marriage was to Mrs. Mary (Corbit) Mus- tar, October 3, 1882; one child, Robert M., is the fruit of this union. Mr. and Mrs. Langdon are members of the Baptist Missionary Church, and in politics he is a Democrat. He has served as Township Assessor twelve years, and under the old law, when there were three Trustees, he filled the office of Clerk for three years. He is an energetic, well-to-do farmer and popular gentleman.
JOHN H. SPELBRING, farmer and stock-raiser, was born Octo- ber 3, 1823, in Germany, and is the oldest child now living born to George H. and Catharine (Speaker) Spelbring, both natives of Ger- many. In company with his parents he came to America in the fall of 1834; settled in the State of Maryland; remained there about one year; removed to Union County, Ind .; remained until the fall of 1841, and then came to Owen County, locating 'in Jackson Township, where his parents ended their days. John H. Spelbring was reared a farmer, and received a common school education. He now has a farm of 382 acres, with many of the modern improvements. He has been mostly the ar- chitect of his own fortune. He has been for the last twenty years de- voting most of his time in buying and selling stock. He was first united in marriage to Etta Bauman (deceased), native of Pennsylvania. Feb-
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ruary 22, 1844, nine children crowned this union-Jacob (deceased in army), Henry, Catharine, Elizabeth, Benjamin, Samuel, Malinda (de- ceased), Franklin, and an infant unnamed. He was next united in mar- riage to Catharine Brown February 4, 1858. He and his wife are active members of the German Reformed Church. He is an energetic member of the Democratic party, and was elected County Commissioner of Owen County, Ind., in the fall of 1876, and served one term.
JENNINGS TOWNSHIP.
JESSE M. JONES, M. D., leading physician and surgeon of Cat- aract, was born March 7, 1835, in Hendricks County, Ind., and is the sixth of the ten children of John and Nancy (Pritchett) Jones, natives of Kentucky, and respectively of Welsh and English descent. Jesse was reared on a farm, but early evidenced a predilection for medicine. He attended for two years at Franklin College, Ind., by way of preparation, entering when sixteen years of age, and when eighteen began the study of his chosen profession under his brother, after whose departure for Oregon he studied one year under Dr. G. W. Burton, and finally under Dr. T. F. Dryden. In the spring of 1861, he enlisted for three years in Company K, Twenty-first Indiana Infantry. He was in several en- gagements in Louisiana and Virginia; was wounded in the right thigh at Baton Rouge, and, while being conveyed to New Orleans, the boat sank, and he barely escaped death by floating on the cabin door; next morning he was rescued. He remained some time in the hospital, and in May, 1863, was discharged on account of his wound. In 1869, he went to Washington, D. C., where Dr. D. W. Bliss amputated his leg, after which he came to Cataract and began practice. August 7, 1856, he wedded Miss Emily R. Barron, which union was favored with eight children-Nancy J. (deceased), Elzina F. E. (deceased), Ina (deceased), Eva, Emma (deceased), Carrie and two unnamed. Dr. Jones is an ardent member of the Masonic fraternity, an active Republican, and a liberal gentleman and worthy citizen.
JEREMIAH N. PRITCHETT, salesman at Cataract, was born De- cember 10, 1848, in Floyd County, Ind., and is the eldest child of Enoch W. and Susan D. (Owen) Pritchett; the former a native of North Caro- Jina, the latter of Indiana, and respectively of Welsh and Irish extrac- tion. Jeremiah was brought up in New Albany, Ind .; was prepared for a teacher, and has taught successfully eleven terms of school. Before coming hither, in 1874, he resided in Washington, Monroe and Morgan Counties. He was engaged in mercantile business until the fall of 1883, with a branch store at Santa Fé. June 29, 1873, he wedded Miss Alice L. Kendall, of Putnam County, which marriage has afforded four children -Enoch W. (deceased), John W. (deceased), Bunietta and Charles H. Mr. Pritchett is a very energetic business man, an active, earnest Dem- ocrat, and a liberal, genial and respected citizen. He and wife are mem- bers of the Baptist Church.
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HARRISON TOWNSHIP.
HARRISON TOWNSHIP.
PETER N. APPLEGATE was born in Jefferson County, Ky., April 19, 1822, and was the sixth of eleven children born to Samuel and Ca- sandra (Newkirk) Applegate, each of Dutch descent. Peter N. came with his parents in 1826 to Owen County, where they made a settlement, and where he is living at the present time. His father purchased fifty-seven acres of B. B. Arnold, all composed of unbroken forest. Samuel Apple- gate then entered eighty acres. Peter N. attended school when he was not needed on the farm, and he thus received a fair education. He was married, September 12, 1848, to Elizabeth Skelton, daughter of John and Elizabeth (McCarty) Skelton. They have had no children of their own, but have kindly reared five orphans, three boys and two girls, an action speaking well for their charity and goodness. Mr. Applegate is a mem- ber of the P. of H. and has held various offices in the order. He is now Lecturer Subordinate. He has also been a member of the State Grange. His wife is a communicant of the Missionary Baptist Church. Mr. A. served in the Mexican war in Company I, Sixteenth United States In- fantry, having enlisted April 14, 1847. He took part in the battle of Paragau, and was discharged in 1848. In the late war, during Morgan's raid, he raised a company under Gov. Morton's call, of 100 men, in one and one-half days, and received a commission as Captain. He reported, but was not ordered out. During the conflict, he helped enroll soldiers' families for the purpose of relief, and was one of the few who gave all his earnings toward this object. Mr. Applegate has served as Clerk of the Board of Trustees, as Justice of the Peace, and as Trustee of his township for one term each. He possesses 217 acres of land in Owen County, im- proved and cultivated, and 160 acres in Webster County, partially im- proved. He has been always very successful, and is a very intelligent and progressive man, and is highly respected in his township. In poli- tics, he is a Republican.
FRANK M. DUNKIN, one of our county's young and enterprising farmers and stock-raisers, was the seventh of ten children, and was born January 17, 1843, in Taylor Township, this county. His father moved with him on a farm in Putnam County when Frank M. was but three years of age, and when he was fifteen years old they moved to Green- castle, where he attended Asbury University for three years, when at the beginning of the rebellion he enlisted to help support his country. He was placed in Company E, Thirty-third Indiana Volunteer Infantry, com- manded by Col. John Coburn. He participated in the battles of Wild Cat, Ky., Thompson's Station, Tenn., and he was wounded and captured at latter place. He was carried to Libby Prison, and detained for eleven days, when he was exchanged. He was then detailed as Chief Orderly on Gen. Baird's staff, afterward being transferred to Gen. Steadman. Then he took part in the battle of Chickamauga, where he was again wounded; was relieved from duty for a time, and in 1864 he returned to his regiment. After the re-enlistment of the regiment, he was sent to Gen. Rousseau's staff, as Orderly, and was finally discharged at Atlanta,
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September, 1864. He was married in 1865, to Hattie Eckels, who died February 1, 1867. She was a daughter of Delana and Louisa K. (Elliott) Eckels. By this union there was one child-Linnie E. (deceased). Mr. Dunkin was next married to Nancy E. Asher, daughter of Allen and Sarah (Allen) Asher, on December 28, 1869. They have had three chil- dren born to them-Elmer, Evert and Hattie. Mr. Dunkin is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and his wife is a communicant in the Mis- sionary Baptist Church. They are very liberal and are always ready to give to the needy. Mr. Dunkin has paid much attention to teaching, in all having taught seventeen years. He is in consequence considered one of the best. He is very popular, having held the office of Justice of the Peace in the township. In politics, he is a Democrat.
BENJAMIN F. GOSS was born October 16, 1855, in this township, and was the sixth of nine children born to Ephraim and Margaret M. (Halbert) Goss, the father being of English and Dutch, and the mother of English and Irish extraction respectively. Benjamin was reared on a farm, and attended school what time he could spare from the duties nat- urally devolving upon a farmer's son. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and also of the Odd Fellows, and is very charitable and gen- erous in disposition. He has assisted in doing his part toward clearing up and developing the county to its present state; is the possessor of good health, and bids fair to live many years of usefulness in the com- munity, where he is honored and respected by all. In politics, he is an active and energetic Republican. His father, Ephraim A. Goss, born near Gosport, in 1819, was the son of George Goss. His mother, Mar- garet A. Goss, was born in Kentucky in 1821, and came with her par- ents to Owen County in 1822, locating in Limestone, Washington Town- ship. His parents were married July 22, 1841, and had born to them nine children, seven of whom are now living, viz., Joseph, George, Thomas H., Elisha W., Mary A. (deceased), Benjamin F., John C., Mary Ann, Ephraim A. (died in 1879). Mrs. Goss is the owner of 120 acres of land, well improved, in a good state of cultivation. The father died July 24, 1874.
DAVID M. GRAY, a leading farmer and stock-raiser here, was born December 29, 1835, in Morgan County, Ind., and was the third of five children, all living, born to William and Catharine (Mathews) Gray, Mr. Gray being of Dutch, and Mrs. Gray of Scotch and English descent. David M. attended the public schools when not employed in farm labor, but, as his father died when he was ten years old, he, being the only boy, was obliged to take care of the family, and did not have much op- portunity for education. He was married, May 27, 1858, to Thursey A. Smith, daughter of Daniel and Elizabeth (Crum) Smith, natives of Ken- tucky. They were blessed with four children-William H. (deceased), Clara May (Truax), Mary E. (deceased) and James Nathan. Mr. Gray was formerly a member of the Masonic fraternity, and now, with his wife, belongs to the Christian Church. They are both very charitable, and give liberally to all benevolent institutions whenever called upon for aid. On September 23, 1861, Mr. Gray enlisted in Company E, Thirty-third Indiana Infantry, commanded by Capt. William Whitson, the Colonel of the regiment being John Coburn. He took part in the battles of Wild Cat, Ky., and Resaca, and was with Gen. Sherman at Atlanta. He was discharged at the latter place September 23, 1864, after which he came home and engaged in farming. He enjoys good health. In poli-
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HARRISON TOWNSHIP.
tics, he is an active Republican. Mr. Gray's parents were among the first settlers of Owen County.
JAMES JOHNSON, farmer, was born in Kentucky in March, 1803, and was the son of Daniel and Sarah (Grubbs) Johnson. His parents removed to Indiana, where they both died, leaving a family of nine chil- dren in destitute circumstances and among strangers. James was then taken back to Kentucky, where he remained two and a half years, but being cruelly treated ran away, but, after four months had passed, his master discovered him and took him back, where he remained until the following Christmas, 1815, when he left again. The snow was twelve inches deep, and he traveled eight miles, and some negroes conducted him to their master's house, where he spent the rest of the night, cross- ing the Ohio River in the morning, and aiming for Louisville, Ky. He soon was so fortunate as to find a boat upon which he was allowed to work his passage to Louisville, where he found friends who obtained work for him. He remained there several weeks, then went to work for a farmer in Salem, and in three years from that time owned a farm of fifty acres. In 1824, he was married, and continued farming, devoting some time to raising hogs for market. The first hog he drove fourteen miles to market, and received a penny a pound for it. The next lot of seven he sold for $2.25 a hundred pounds, and with his money entered forty acres of land. In 1844, he moved to Owen County, settling in Taylor Township, where he remained six years, and then came to Harri- son Township where he now resides. He has a family of ten children. Mr. Johnson has been a member of the Christian Church forty years. Politically, he is a Republican.
WILLIAM H. MONTGOMERY was born in Taylor Township, this county, July 8, 1842, and is the third of the ten children born to John D. and Elizabeth (Devore) Montgomery, who are of Irish and French ex. traction respectively. He was reared on a farın, and was educated at the public schools. November 19, 1863, he married Diana, daughter of Jefferson and Mary E. (Wilson) Wooden, and by this union there have been born to him two children-Attie and Frank, the latter deceased. Mr. Montgomery is owner of 273 acres of highly cultivated land, with good house, barn, outbuildings and orchard. He is a Democrat in poli- tics, and has twice served as Assessor of Wayne Township. He and wife are both members of the Christian Church.
THOMAS MURPHEY, retired farmer, is a native of Kentucky, and was born in November, 1802. His parents, Kanlum and Nancy (Sickles- worth) Murphey, came to Kentucky in an early day, where they died near Lebanon. They had twelve children, of whom Thomas was the fifth. At the age of thirty-five years, he came to Putnam County, Ind., where he lived twenty-five years, going thence to Morgan County, afterward com- ing to Owen, where he now lives. It was then a wilderness, and he has helped clear a large part of Harrison Township. When Mr. Murphey was nineteen years of age, he was married to Betsey Douglas, with whom he lived sixty-two years. Eleven children were born to this marriage. In politics, Mr. Murphey is a Democrat.
MARTIN SCOTT, one of the progressive farmers of Harrison Town- ship, was born in Madison County, Ky., April 14, 1823, and is the son of Elias and Jemima (Green) Scott, both of English descent. He was reared in Kentucky on a farm till he was seventeen years of age, and at- tended subscription schools when not engaged in the duties incident to
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farm life. He was married, August 28, 1846, to Rachel, daughter of Abraham H. and Rachel (Dickson) Snodgrass, both of English descent. To this union have been born four children, viz., Mary E. (deceased), Harriet A. (now Montgomery), Jemima B. (deceased) and Lettie Jane (now Asher). He and wife both became members of the Methodist Epis- copa] Church before their marriage, and are still members, and are liberal givers to charitable institutions. Our subject is serving his second term as Trustee of Harrison Township. He came to Putnam County, Ind., with his parents in 1839; thence to Owen County in 1841; lived on a farm till 1863, when he engaged in mercantile business for five years, when he failed. He then engaged in the carpenter's trade for five years, and then went back to his farm, where he has remained ever since, mak- ing farming a success. In politics, he is a stanch Republican.
WILLIAM A. TRUAX is a native of Wayne Township, this county; was born January 26, 1832, and is the third of five children born to James and Maria (Baldau) Truax. The father came to this county in 1821, and entered Government land, on which our subject was reared, and which he assisted in clearing up. April 8, 1858, William Truax married Levica A. Measel, who came from Kentucky to Indiana in 1856. To their union the following children were born: James (deceased), Fleetwood K., John B., Edward P., Clarence W., Walter S., Delmeda E., Nota W., Ada J. and Dayton H. Mr. Truax has been a member of the Baptist Church since he was eighteen years of age, and Mrs. Truax of the Christian Church since she was fifteen. Their farm comprises 417 acres, well cultivated and improved, with a fine residence, good barn and other outbuildings, and an orchard. With the exception of $1,700 left him at his father's death, in 1875, Mr. Truax has accumulated all his property through his own industry and good management.
LAFAYETTE TOWNSHIP.
JAMES BEATTY, pioneer farmer and stock-raiser, was born in Car- roll County, Ohio, ebruary 21, 1830, and is the fifth of the eight chil- dren born to David and Catherine (Koontz) Beatty, natives of Pennsyl- vania and of Irish and German descent. James was brought up on the farm, and obtained a fair common school education. In the fall of 1849, his parents removed to Indiana, at which time the country was a wild. Here, however, our subject made a good home and a valuable farm. Au- gust 19, 1858, he married Anna, daughter of John and Elizabeth Need, and a native of Ohio, to which union followed twelve children, of whom eight remain-Mary Elizabeth, Oliver Perry, Alice (Mrs. Fender), James D., Joseph and Emma A. (twins), Robert and Ira Hill. Mrs. Beatty died February 27, 1883, a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Beatty is a successful farmer, owning a valuable farm of 173 acres, well stocked, cultivated, improved and equipped. He is an ardent Re- publican, and has held several offices of honor in his party, among which are Township Trustee and Justice of the Peace. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and a generally esteemed citizen.
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LAFAYETTE TOWNSHIP.
DAVID A. CRISS, pioneer stock-raiser and farmer, was born in Vir- ginia January 12, 1814, and is the eighth of the fourteen children born to John and Sarah (Tolan) Criss, natives of Virginia, and respectively of German and Irish descent. David was reared a farmer, and received the usual schooling of the day. February 25, 1836, he married Elizabeth Graham, a native of Ohio, and to this union were born eleven children, of which number four are yet living-Mary Ann (Mrs. Church), Sarah (Mrs. Troth), Harmon and David Monroe. In 1845, Mr. Criss moved to Indiana, located in this township, made a home, and subsequently a val- uable farm, which was then only a waste. He now owns 120 acres of well-cultivated land; his improvements consist of residence, barns, orchards, fencing, and a good supply of stock. Mr. Criss gave his first ballot for William H. Harrison, but is now a member of the National Greenback party, and has served his township as Trustee. He is a much esteemed citizen, a man who has made his way alone and unaided. He and wife are members of the Church of the Saints.
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