Counties of Clay and Owen, Indiana : Historical and biographical., Part 33

Author: Blanchard, Charles, 1830-1903, ed
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Chicago : F.A. Battey & Co.
Number of Pages: 982

USA > Indiana > Clay County > Counties of Clay and Owen, Indiana : Historical and biographical. > Part 33
USA > Indiana > Owen County > Counties of Clay and Owen, Indiana : Historical and biographical. > Part 33

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

WEAVERS & CORDERY, manufacturers of stone pumps, Brazil, Ind. This firm was organized in 1873, and established near the same location occupied at present by their factory. They started with an in- vestment in the business of about $500. In 1879, they erected their pres- ent brick factory, at an estimated cost of $4,000, and represents an invest- ment of nearly $8,000. employing from six to ten hands, at an annual expense of about $6,000. Its manufacturing capacity is 1,500 to 1,800 pumps per annum, with a full demand for all manufactured, and recently running behind on orders. The members of the firm are as follows: D.' W., Silvin and George Weaver, sons of John Weaver, and W. H. Cordery.

CRAWFORD & McCRIMMON, proprietors of the Brazil Foundry and Machine Shops, Brazil, Ind. C. W. Crawford, senior member of the firm, was born in Pennsylvania February 2, 1836. At the age of six- teen years, he went on the river as an engineer, after a time entering a machine shop at Wellsville, Ohio, where he served an apprenticeship, after which he went to Minnesota, setting machinery for some months. He then resumed his business of engineer on a boat, pursuing it until 1860, when he entered Fort Pitt Cannon Foundry, where he stayed seven years. In January, 1875, Mr. Crawford married Artie Wright, of Col- lier, W. Va. In October, 1869, he came to Brazil, purchasing an inter- est in the already established firm of Springer & Co., which, after his connection with it, did a thriving business. D. B. McCrimmon, junior member of the firm, was born in Scotland October 27, 1839, and emi- grated to America with his parents in 1849. In 1866, he came to Brazil,

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engaging with the Otter Creek Coal Company, where he remained three years, when, in 1869, he purchased an interest in his present business. At that time the building was an old wooden structure, which is now re- placed by a substantial two-story brick, where they employ twenty-five men at a daily expense of $40, making the sum of $15,000 paid annually for labor, and with a business that compares favorably with that of large cities, and a capital of $35,000, and manufacturing engines, pumps and machinery. Mr. McCrimmon was elected to represent the Second Ward in the City Council, which position he now fills. His marriage occurred November 13, 1876, to Miss M. Stevenson, a native of Scotland, but a resident of Brazil. In politics, Mr. McCrimmon is a Republican. He .* is a member of the Masonic fraternity. He is a genial, social gentleman, and one to whom the city owes much for his enterprise in public im- provements.

JONATHAN CROASDALE, a retired druggist of Brazil, was born. in Bucks County, Penn., August 26, 1813, and is the son of Joseph and Nancy Croasdale, natives of Pennsylvania, the former of English, and the latter of Welsh ancestry. Jonathan was reared on a farm, but learned the tailor's trade, working at it from the age of sixteen years until nearly forty, being engaged in other business part of the time. He was proprietor of a hotel in Pennsylvania several years. In 1834, he came to Ohio, working at his trade in various towns. In 1837, he mar- ried Hester Ann Pearch, a native of Pennsylvania. Eight children were born to them, only one of whom is now living, the wife of J. D. Sour- wine. Another daughter was the wife of J. W. Sanders, who murdered her, in 1878, while crazy with drink. Mr. Croasdale located in Clay County, Ind., in 1853, where Brazil now stands, and has seen the place grow from a wilderness to a beautiful city of 4,500 inhabitants. Soon after com- ing to Brazil he established a drug store, which he kept about twenty- four years, when he retired from active life. Mr. Croasdale, in 1864, on Lincoln's last call for troops to suppress the rebellion, enlisted, and in four months returned on account of the close of the war. He has filled with credit several civil offices, as Justice of the Peace, Notary, City Councilman. Being very active for a man of his age, he still. attends to business, having been appointed administrator of the estate of .S. Gun- dlefinger; he is also insurance agent. Mr. Croasdale is a Quaker, while his wife is a Baptist. He is a Knight Templar, being a member of Royal Arch Chapter of A. F. & A. M .; also of the I. O. O. F. and Knights of Pythias, Knights of Universal Brotherhood, Order of Chosen Friends, Knights of Honor, and Improved Order of Red Men. In poli- tics, he is a Republican. At the last election, he was elected Justice of the Peace. Mr. Croasdale has done much to advance the social as well as business interests of Brazil, and is a much respected and honored citizen.

R. H. CROUCH, A. M., Principal of the Lambert Street City School, Brazil, is the son of Samuel J. and Sarah J. (Fulton) Crouch, the former a native of Indiana, and of German and English extraction, the latter a native of Virginia, of Welsh and English ancestry. The subject of this sketch was born in Putnam County, Ind., November 13, 1855, and with his parents came to Brazil in his childhood, his father dying there in 1869. His educational advantages were good, and he availed himself of them, entering the high school at Brazil when it was organized, in 1870, and remaining until 1873, when he entered Asbury University, Green-

BF. Cornwell

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castle, Ind., from which he graduated in 1877, receiving a medal for ex- cellence in mathematics. After graduating, he adopted teaching as a pro- fession, and was engaged in schools in Putnam County until 1880, when he was offered a position in the Brazil Schools. Since then, he has been Principal of the Staunton and Bowling Green Schools, and is now Prin- cipal of the Lambert Street School in Brazil. Mr. Crouch is much es- teemed as an educator, and, although young, fills the highest place with credit. is marriage occurred December 27, 1882, to Anna, daughter of H. and Effie Wheeler, pioneers of Clay County. Mrs. Crouch is an ac- complished lady, and was for many years an esteemed teacher in the pub- lic schools of Brazil. Both are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

SAMUEL W. CURTIS, an attorney at law, Brazil, Ind., was born in Owen County, Ind., March 5, 1838, and is the second of seven children of Joshua and Sarah (Coffee) Curtis, natives of North Carolina. His parents came to Owen County in 1836, his mother dying in 1863, and his father still living in Spencer. Samuel was reared on a farm, and had very good opportunities for an early education. He entered the University at Bloomington in 1853, attending at intervals until the year 1859, when he graduated in the profession of law. During the same year he went to Missouri, where, on September 22, 1860, he was married to Saralda F. Campbell. In October following, he returned home on a visit. Just then the war was upon us, and Missouri not a desirable place to live in, and Mr. Curtis and wife lived on his father's farm until 1865, when he returned to Missouri, remained there until November following, when he returned to Spencer, Ind., and studied a short time in the law office of A. T. Rose, opening then an office on his own account. In April, 1869, he left the place of his birth and came to Brazil, where he opened an office, and has ever since been doing a lucrative business as a lawyer, although among the legal lights of Brazil there is much compe- tition. To Mr. and Mrs. Curtis have been born seven children, five of whom are still living-Laura V., born January 7, 1862; Joshua, born April 5, 1864; Crude R., born May 10, 1866, died May 4, 1872; Emma, born February 1, 1868; Mattie, born December 23, 1870; Maggie M. (deceased), and Isaac W., born September 2, 1874. In politics, Mr. Curtis is a Democrat, but not a bitter partisan. He is a charter member of Lodge No. 676 of the Knights of Honor. He is a man of public spirit, and a worthy citizen.

JOHN W. ECRET, general dealer in furniture and undertakers' goods, Brazil, Ind., was born in Salem County, N. J., September 15, 1823, and was the only child of Joseph and Elizabeth A. (Bryant) Ecret, natives of New Jersey. His mother died when he was but eight months old, and he had no school advantages, but in later years he ac- quired a good business education. He was raised on a farm, and at the age of twenty-two he niade a start in life, and engaged in farming, and working as a day laborer as opportunity offered. In 1850, he engaged in the cabinet-maker's trade at Bowling Green, remaining in the shop only one year, when he was appointed Deputy Clerk of the county, re- maining in this position nearly three years, when he commenced to run a canal boat. He followed this until 1861, when he was again appointed Deputy Clerk of the county. This position, however, he held only one year, in consequence of a severe attack of neuralgia, which caused him the entire loss of one of his eyes, and an injury to the sight of the

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other. After partially recovering, he went into the Sheriff's office as Deputy, and remained there until July, 1863, when he enlisted in Com- pany M, Sixth Indiana Cavalry, and served until the close of the war, returning home in May, 1865. During his term of service, he was in many very important scouting and skirmishing expeditions; was with Sherman at Marietta and Resaca; was under constant fire for nearly two months, suffering all the hardships, anxieties, privations and dangers of camp and field life. After he returned home, he engaged in farming, in connection with the carpenter's trade, teaching in the public schools a part of the winter seasons, until, in 1870, he embarked in the hotel business in Bowling Green, remaining there until 1872, when he was given the position of Deputy Recorder of Clay County, holding that position four years, at the end of which time he began the business of abstracting titles. In 1880, he was made Deputy Sheriff under his son- in-law, remaining in this office two years, after which he established his present business. On September 11, 1845, he was married to Rebecca J. Knott. Six children have been born to them; five of these are living- - Milton P. T., Harriet E., Joseph C., Calista M. and John W. Elizabeth, the eldest, died at the age of two years. Mr. Ecret has been a stalwart Republican, politically, ever since the organization of that party; also a member of Brazil Lodge, No. 215, I. O. O. F .; also a member of the Order of Chosen Friends, and a strong advocate of the cause of temperance.

JOHN EVANS, engineer of the City Water Works of Brazil, is a native of Wales, born in 1855. He emigrated to America in 1868, and for several years worked at blacksmithing and in machine shops, com- ing in July, 1875, to Clay County, where he engaged as engineer for a coal company, and remained with them three years. He then came to Brazil, serving the Watson Coal Company in the same capacity, until August, 1881, when he was appointed engineer of the City Water Works, a position which he fills to the entire satisfaction of all. He is an able engineer and machinist, and a temperate and courteous gentleman. Mr. Evans married, June 22, 1879, Esther, daughter of John Evans, of Jack- son Township. Two children have been born to this union-John D., aged four years, and Mary A., sixteen months. Mr. Evans is a member of the I. O. O. F., filling the highest office in the gift of the brethren, in Lodge No. 215. He is also a member of the Masonic fraternity. In politics he is a Republican.

JOHN E. R. EWING was born in Wyandot County, Ohio, and was the eldest of a family of five children of John, Jr., and Mary A. (Hall) Ewing, natives of Holmes County, Ohio. The father of the sub- ject of this sketch was a member of the Sixteenth Ohio Infantry, and died in the United States service at St. Louis, Mo., in September, 1862; his mother still lives. John E. received a good education, and at the age of twenty years engaged in teaching school, following the pursuit six consecutive years, being highly esteemed as an instructor of the young. In 1880, he began the study of law, and is now reading with McGregor & Compton, also practicing his profession. Mr. Ewing was married, September 16, 1880, to Sophia, daughter of Nicholas and Ann Schwartz, an amiable and accomplished lady. Two children have been born to them, viz .: Renie Annie, aged nineteen months, and an infant unnamed. Mr. Ewing is a member of the I. O. O. F. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In politics, Mr. Ewing is a Re- publican.

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SILAS FOULKE was born May 30, 1841, in Guernsey County, Ohio, and was the eldest son in a family of eight children of John and Sarah (Hartley) Foulke. The genealogy of the Foulkes has been preserved from about 1400. The great-great-grandfather of the subject of this sketch, having emigrated to America from Wales in 1698, landing at Philadelphia July 17 of that year, purchased 700 acres of land near that city, and called it Guyned, or North Wales. During the voyage, a ma- lignant disease broke out, causing many deaths, but none in his family. Samuel Foulke, the great-grandfather, donated supplies to the Revolu- tionary soldiers, but being a Quaker participated no further. Judah Foulke, the grandfather, came to Ohio in 1818, locating in Guernsey County, where he died, aged eighty-six years. John Foulke, the father, was born in Pennsylvania in 1817, moved with his parents to Ohio, set- tled in 1852 in Clay County, Ind., where he died April 17, 1878. Will- iam P. Foulke was one of the largest donators to the Hall expedition to the North Pole, and the place where they spent the second winter was named, for him, Port Foulke. Another of the family was Governor of Dakota from 1864 to 1868. These are the ancestors from Risid Blaid of the Pool, who was Lord of Penlyn, a division of Wales, to Silas Foulke, the subject of this sketch, making a genealogy of over 500 years. Silas spent his youth on a farm, where his school advantages were lim- ited, and at the age of twenty years, July 28, 1861, he enlisted in the United States service, in the Thirty-first Indiana Infantry. He partici - pated in the battles of Fort Donelson, Shiloh, and all the engagements around Corinth; then in the long march from Corinth to Iuka, Miss., Tuscumbia and Florence, Ala .; thence to Nashville, Tenn., Bowling Green and Louisville, Ky., after Bragg; then at Perryville, and in the engagement with Kirby Smith, at the foot of Wildcat Mountain. He then returned to Nashville, Tenn., and on the last of December marched on Murfreesboro. He was also in the battle of Stone River, in the Tulla- homa campaign; also at Chattanooga and Chickamauga. In 1863, he " veteranized," and was in all the engagements connected with the At- lanta campaign; also under Gen. Thomas, at the battles of Nashville and Franklin, Tenn., against Gen. Hood, following the remnant of his army into Alabama, remaining there until spring, when they marched through to East Tennessee, when he participated in his last battle, at Asheville, N. C. From there they returned to Nashville, Tenn., when, about June 1, 1865, he went with the command to New Orleans, and to Matagorda Bay, Tex., returning December, 1865, to Indianapolis, where he was finally discharged January 15, 1866, having served four and a half years. After his return from the war, he followed farming until 1880. Having since the war been an active Republican, and popular with his party, they placed him on the ticket for County Recorder, to which office he was elected by a large majority, and is now serving. Mr. Foulke was mar- ried, in 1869, to Jane Cade, who died in 1871, leaving one child, viz., Charles C. In 1872, his second marriage occurred, to Sarah Trimer. Five children have been born to this union, viz .: Jesse M., Arpie E., John R., Barney A. and Katie. Mr. Foulke is a member of the Masonic fraternity; also a member of the G. A. R. He and his wife are mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

WILLIAM H. GIFFORD, M. D, was born in Mason County, Ky., on April 23, 1814, and is the fifth of seven children of Elisha and Ann (Tennis) Gifford, the former a native of New Jersey, the latter of Penn-

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sylvania. William was raised a farmer. He was, in his younger days, the recipient of common school advantages. In 1831, he came with his parents to Putnam County, Ind .; at the age of twenty, he and a few other young men formed a class, under the tutelage of Judge Farley, of Greencastle, Ind., for two terms. In 1835, he entered the office of a physician for the reading of medical text books, studying two years, then entering the Transylvania Medical College at Lexington, Ky. In this college he took one course of lectures, and in 1838 he located in Posey Township, Clay County, as a practicing physician, remaining there in successful practice until 1864, when he located in Brazil, remaining here in continuous successful practice until the year 1881, when, in conse- quence of his declining years, he was compelled to retire to private life. Mr. Gifford has also been an active, influential politician. As early as 1854, he was elected to the State Legislature by the opponents of the Democratic party. Since the organization of the Republican party, he has been its supporter, and in 1872 he was chosen its standard bearer for another legislative term, and was elected. He served one term as a member of the School Board of Brazil. On May 5, 1843, he was mar- ried to Almira Curtis, a native of New York. To them have been born five children, three of whom are living, viz .: Joseph C. (now a promi- nent physician of Brazil), Eliza (Yocum), Josephine. Mrs. Gifford dy- ing October 1, 1862, he was next married to Elizabeth J. Matthews. Three children have been born to them, only one of whom is living, viz., Martha J. This wife died February 29, 1869. On November 10, 1872, he married, for his third wife, Emeline B. Cooper, of Philadelphia. Dr. Gifford is a member of the Order of Chosen Friends, and is one of the pioneers of Clay County, and in the development and improvements of the county much is due to his enterprise and public spirit.

JOSEPH C. GIFFORD, son of W. H. and Almira (Curtis) Gifford, was born September 7, 1842, in Williamstown, Clay Co., Ind. He re- ceived the best advantages of education the country afforded, spending three years at the academy of Annapolis, Ind., leaving in 1857, and re- raining at home until April, 1861, when he enlisted in Company F, Tenth Indiana Infantry, and served until July, 1861, when he returned home and entered the Union Christian College at Merriam, Ind. He re- mained but a short time, again enlisting in the United States service as First Lieutenant, Company B, Seventy-first_ Indiana Infantry. In Jan- uary, 1863, he resigned, but again enlisted as a private in Company F, One Hundred and Thirty-third Indiana Infantry, under the one hundred days' call, and served his time. In 1865, he accepted a position as clerk in the Superintendent's office of the Adams Express Company in Cin- cinnati, where he remained one year. In 1866, he began the study of medicine with his father, Dr. W. H. Gifford, attending lectures at Rush Medical College, Chicago, in 1867 and 1868, after which he commenced practicing with his father. In 1869, he returned to college and graduated. He then resumed the practice of medicine, first with his father, then with Dr. Duffield, afterward with Dr. Glassgo, then alone until 1882, when he formed a partnership with Dr. S. D. Black, his present partner. He is a skillful surgeon, and has an extensive practice. He has been a member of the City Council eight years. In politics, he is a Repub- lican. His marriage took place August 3, 1869, to Mary E. Page, an estimable lady of Clermont County, Ohio. Three children have been born to them, viz. : William H., born June 3, 1870; Joseph C., May 14,

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1874; Fannie G., June 15, 1882. Dr. Gifford is a member of the Masonic fraternity, Lodge No. 241, and Brazil Chapter, No. 59.

JOHN C. GREGG was born near Xenia, Greene Co., Ohio, March 7, 1844. His father was John Gregg, who was the only surviving son of John Gregg, who came to America a year or two before the Revolu- tion, and who was one of the first to enlist in the patriot army. He served through the Revolutionary war, under Gen. Washington, from the battle of Long Island to the surrender at Yorktown. After the close of the war, he came West, and settled on a tract of land near Xenia, Ohio, where he died at the age of eighty-five years, leaving two sons and one daughter. The daughter and one son died within a year, leaving John the only surviving member of the family. The mother of John C. Gregg was Mary I. Gregg, whose mother, Mary Stewart, came from Scotland at the age of twelve years, in 1788, and died in 1877, aged eighty-nine years. John C. Gregg, our subject, entered the Sophomore Class at Monmouth (Ill.) College in September, 1862. The following year he studied at Miami University, and after serving awhile in the army, in the One Hundred and Sixty-seventh Ohio Infantry, he returned to Monmouth, and graduated from that institution, at the head of his class, in 1865. He immediately began teaching, and has continued in that work up to the present. In 1867, he took charge of an academy at Rich- land, Ind. There he married Susan A. Welty, of Oxford, Ohio. He then took charge of the public school at Milroy, and afterward at Tipton, and in 1877 was elected Superintendent of the Brazil City Schools, which position he still holds. While teaching others, he has himself been a close student, and has a thorough knowledge of surveying, botany, nat- ural science and the higher mathematics. Under his management, the schools have advanced until they are equal to the best to be found in cities of this size in the State.

SOLOMON GUNDELFINGER (deceased) was born in Waunkheim, near Stuttgart, in the province of Würtemberg, Germany, near the Black Forest, December 11, 1845, and was the son of David and Hannah Gun- delfinger. Solomon emigrated to America at the age of eighteen years, stopping first at Peru, Ind., going thence to Indianapolis, thence to Brazil, in 1866, where the rest of his life (with the exception of a short time in Litchfield, Ill.) was passed. In 1867, he opened a clothing es- tablishment which he carried on until his death. He was an energetic business man, and was identified with the growth and prosperity of the city of Brazil. His beautiful residence and one of the most commodious business blocks in the city remain monuments of his industry and suc- cess. He was an active Mason, filling with ability the highest offices within the gift of the brethren. In business, he was diligent and affable, commanding the respect and friendship of all. He was married, March 17, 1870, to Maggie, daughter of Elias and Susannah Helton, an accom- plished lady. Five children were born to this union, viz .: Rudolph, born December 23, 1870; May, born July 9, 1874; Harry, June 24, 1876; Blanche, August 17, 1878; and Grace, October 20, 1880-all born in Brazil except Rudolph, who was born in Litchfield, Ill. Besides the savings of many industrious years, Mr. Gundelfinger, with his usual fore- thought, had insured his life for a handsome sum, thus leaving his family comfortable.

WILLIAM B. HAWKINS, a physician and surgeon of Brazil, Ind., was born in Washington County, Penn., on August 28, 1818,and was reared

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in town. He attended school until he graduated, in 1835, in the classical course, at the age of eighteen years, and immediately commenced reading for the medical profession with Dr. John Wishard, with whom he studied four years, including his lecture courses, at the end of which time he graduated from the Washington and Jefferson College in 1840, receiving the degree of A. M. from the Washington, and M. D. from the Jefferson branch. In April, 1840, he commenced practice in Connellsville, Fay- ette Co., Penn., where he remained ten years. In 1848, the panic and distress of the country caused the loss to the Doctor of nearly $10,000, which he had accumulated in his practice. He gathered up what little means he had left and started for Canton, Ill., but when he arrived at Cincinnati, Ohio, the city was suffering from the cholera plague, and the boats had ceased to run. He in his dilemma secured the position of surgeon to the out-door poor of the Sixth Ward, which he held one year, at the end of which time he moved to Terre Haute, Ind., and practiced there until 1854, establishing, in the meantime, with a partner, a drug store. At the end of two years, he sold out his interest and removed to Prairieton, same county, where he remained in a lucrative practice for thirteen years, when, in 1867, he removed to Brazil, where he has since resided, actively engaged in the practice of his profession. On October 15, 1840, Dr. Hawkins was married to Christiana Darling, a native of Scotland. To them have been born six children, three of whom are liv- ing, viz .: Alice, wife of Judge Cosson, of Somerset, Ky .; Charles, who was a member of the Thirty-first Indiana Infantry during the late war; and James. Mr. Hawkins died on February 20, 1866, at Prairieton, Ind. He was next married, on March 12, 1867, to Mrs. Abby Daniels McLain, who was born on January 31, 1831, in Washington County, Ohio, and was educated at the Marietta Female Seminary. At the age of fifteen, she was an assistant in the primary department of the graded schools of Marietta, after which she returned to school and completed her education, and was married. After this event, she taught school seventeen years in Kentucky, Iowa, Ohio and Indiana, While teaching in Terre Haute, she became acquainted with Dr. Hawkins, and soon after married him. After their location in Brazil, she taught one year in Grade Four of the public schools. Mrs. Hawkins is the author of a book entitled " Hannah, the Odd Fellow's Orphan," a very popular pub- lication of 230 pages. She is also the author of an interesting story, entitled " Jot, the Newsboy," a Masonic war story. This story has been published as a serial, but will soon appear in book form. For many years she has been a popular writer for several first-class journals. She has borne her present husband one child, viz., Robert Warren, born January 7, 1871. She has one daughter by her first marriage, viz., Mar- garet, the wife of J. M. Nees, of Poland, Clay County. Mrs. Hawkins is an earnest, conscientious advocate of female suffrage.

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Counties of Clay and Owen, Indiana : Historical and biographical., Part 33

Author: Blanchard, Charles, 1830-1903, ed Publication date: 1884 Publisher: Chicago : F.A. Battey & Co. Number of Pages: 982

Author: Blanchard, Charles, 1830-1903, ed
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Chicago : F.A. Battey & Co.
Number of Pages: 982