USA > Indiana > Clay County > Counties of Clay and Owen, Indiana : Historical and biographical. > Part 34
USA > Indiana > Owen County > Counties of Clay and Owen, Indiana : Historical and biographical. > Part 34
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THOMAS HENDERSON was born in Holmes County, Ohio, Sep- tember 20, 1831. He was raised as a farmer, but at the age of nineteen he commenced serving time at the trade of wagon-maker. He came to Brazil in 1854, and worked as a journeyman for twenty-six years, and for two years was in the furniture business. In 1865, he enlisted in the Twenty-eighth Illinois Infantry, and served one year, being stationed in Texas the principal part of his term of service. At the close of the war, he located permanently in Brazil. In 1882, Mr. Henderson was nomi- nated and elected Township Trustee by the Republican party, and he is
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now filling the office with credit and ability. He was married on April 28, 1856, to Nancy Stunkard, a native of Clay County. Eight children have been born to them, seven of whom are living, viz., Alma E. (the wife of Michael Fisharber), Mary E., Lola, Robert, Anna, William, Har- ley H., Stewart I. (dying at the age of twenty-one years). Mr. Hender- son and wife are both members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and he is a member of the Chosen Friends. Politically, he is a stanch Re- publican, though not a political aspirant; is an upright, energetic and unassuming gentleman, and a much respected citizen.
ELI and JOHN HENDRIX, blacksmiths and manufacturers of farm implements, of Brazil, Ind., are the sons of John and Nancy Hendrix, who were the parents of ten children. Eli was born in Wayne County, Ind., on March 30, 1825; John, in same county, on February 29, 1828. They both came to Clay County with their parents in 1845, both having served an apprenticeship at the blacksmith's trade prior to their set- tlement in Brazil. On their arrival in the then new place, they began work at their trade with their father, who, soon after turning his atten- tion entirely to farming, left the manufacturing entirely to the boys, whose business so soon increased that the capacity of the shops had to be greatly enlarged; and, in 1866, their manufacturing had increased to such an extent as to necessitate the employing of about thirty hands. The farm wagons, which they turned out, alone amounted to near $20,000 per annum. They manufactured the first steel plows ever made in the coun- ty. In 1867, they inaugurated the process of a reduction in their busi- ness, as it was becoming too "heavy " for them, unless they added new and expensive machinery and appliances. They continued to gradually reduce their business until 1878, when they sold out, having at this time an extensive agricultural implement establishment. In 1867, the firm erected the Hendrix Block, on the corner of Main and Meridian streets. Prior to this time, in 1854, they built the best frame business building on Main street, at that time, and since that time they have erected a large number of residences. They are thoroughgoing, industrious men, and liberal givers to all public and benevolent enterprises. Politically, they are uncompromising Republicans. Each is a member of the Mason- ic fraternity, of the I. O. O. F., Eli being also a member of the society of Chosen Friends, and one of the oldest members of the Methodist Epis- copal Church. He contributed $2,000 toward the building of the " Hen- drix Chapel," which was named after him. John is a leading member of the Presbyterian Church; also of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and a Knight Templar. They are both worthy citizens, being highly es- teemed wherever they are known.
E. S. HOLLIDAY, an attorney at law and City Attorney of Brazil, was born in March, 1842, in Dearborn County, Ind., and was reared on a farm. Having had very fair school advantages, at the age of sixteen years he began teaching in the public schools, until July, 1861, when he enlisted in Company K, Tenth Kansas Infantry. He participated in all the en- gagements of the Army of the Frontier-Prairie Grove, Cane Hill, etc., and several engagements with the hostile Indians of the frontier. He was mustered out of service in August, 1864, returned home, and took up the profession of teaching and attending school alternately, being compelled to earn his collegiate expenses. In 1869, he entered the office of John Over- mier, of North Vernon, Jennings County, to read the text books in law, and remained there until 1873, teaching school at intervals to pay expenses.
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He commenced practicing law in Clay County in 1873, and has been there ever since, having become a prominent lawyer. In 1877, he was elected Mayor of Brazil, and was re-elected to the same position in 1879. In 1882, he received the nomination, at the hands of the Republican party, for Representative to the State Legislature, but was defeated by a few votes. In 1883, he was elected a member of the School Board, and also City Attorney of Brazil, which positions he now holds. In 1879, he formed a partnership with Mr. George A. Byrd, his present partner; also in the abstract and real estate business, and the firm is prosecuting a very lucrative business. In the year 1873, he was married to Lina Gregg, a native of Bartholomew County. He is a member of the Ma- sonic fraternity and of the G. A. R.
W. A. HOSKINS was born in Kentucky, on October 17, 1840, of par- ents Preston and Rebecca (Day) Hoskins, the former a native of Ten- nessee, the latter of Virginia. Both parents died in Centralia, Ill., the father in 1857, the mother in 1869. Our subject was raised on a farm, and had no educational advantages until he was twenty years old, when he entered the college at Lebanon, Ill., remaining there two years, and graduating from a commercial college in St. Louis, Mo. He then en- tered a dry goods store at Centralia as clerk, remaining with the firm three years. At the end of this time he went to work in a supply store for the Illinois Central Railroad Company, which, after several months' management, he left to accept the position of fireman on the road. This position he filled for three years, when he left in consequence of an ac- cident to his train. From there he went to Jackson, Tenn., where he ac- cepted the same position on the Mobile & Ohio R. R., but in a few months was promoted to locomotive engineer, which he followed one winter, and then went into the railroad shops to learn the machinists' trade, and remained there three years. During this time he was mar- ried to Josephine Vance. Leaving the shops, he went to Danville, Ill., and commenced digging coal. At the end of a year, he moved to Kan- sas City, Mo., and worked in a packing house; was also employed one year as fireman, and one year as engineer of the City Water Works; thence back to Centralia, Ill., where he took a contract for the city, and worked in the rolling mill for eighteen months; thence to Missouri, where he spent the summer, and thence to Brazil in 1880, where, after a short season of labor in the blast furnaces, he purchased, in January, 1882, the store he now owns, and since which time he has been very successful in his business, having a first-class and remunerative trade in second-hand goods. Mr. Hoskins is the father of two children, viz., Mary R., aged eleven years; Elisha V., aged nine years. He is a mem- ber of the Masonic fraternity, and in politics a stanch Republican.
GEORGE E. HUBBARD, Clerk of Clay County, Ind., was born in Morgan County, Ind., on April 29, 1843, and is the son of John S. and Abigail Hubbard, natives of North Carolina. His father is a lawyer by profession, and still lives in Morgan County, his wife dying in 1865. George E. was the youngest of four sons, and lived on his father's farm until he was twenty-one, when he commenced to work as a day laborer on a farm for himself. His opportunities for educating himself were fair. At about the age of twenty-two years, he engaged himself at Amo, Hen- dricks County, to a grain dealer, and remained with him until February, 1865, when he enlisted in Company H, Eleventh Indiana Regiment, Zouaves, and served as Company Clerk. At the close of the war he
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was honorably discharged, returned home, and engaged in the grain trade at Greencastle, which he followed successfully for two years; then removed to Staunton, Clay County, and engaged in the drug business, continuing in this until the year 1872, when he accepted, at the hands of the Republican party, the nomination for the office of Circuit Clerk of Clay County, and was triumphantly elected. Selling out his business he moved to Bowling Green, then the county seat, and took personal charge of the duties of the office. At the close of his term, he declined to be a candidate for re-election, but moved to Brazil and engaged in the business of banking, under the firm name of Brighton, Hubbard & Teter, in which he continued until the autumn of 1878, when he retired from the firm, and accepted the Chairmanship of the Republican Central Com- mittee; did a lucrative business in general trading, and in 1879 erected one of the finest residences in Brazil. In 1880, he was again nominated and elected Circuit Clerk, and still holds that position, the office, how- ever, on account of his failing health, being managed by his able Deputy, Mr. Joseph Van Ayer. On December 25, 1872, he was married to Rebecca A. Ayer, the daughter of John M. and Mary Ayer, of Clay County, Ind., but natives of Ohio. Mrs. Hubbard has borne her hus- band two children, viz., George A., age nine years; John Jay, age five years.
CHARLES HUTCHINSON was born in New York City March 18, 1850, of parents unknown, and, with a number of other children, brought West, when quite young, to find a home with strangers. His lot was cast in Clay County, Ind., where he has, with heroic fortitude, borne the buffets of "outrageous fortune," and manfully struggled against fate, until now he ranks with the most respected citizens of Clay Coun- ty. Owing to his position, he was wholly deprived of school privileges, but has by his own efforts, studying in idle moments, acquired a fair business education, mostly gained since he became a man. Mr. Hutch . inson has followed the trade of harness-maker. He served as Marshal of the city of Bowling Green; was elected Constable of his township several times, and after he came to Brazil filled the office of Deputy under Sheriff Lankford, and has served on the police force since Decem- ber, 1882, and has shown himself a man of nerve. He was married, January 11, 1874, to Harriet Ecret, of Bowling Green, whose parents were pioneers in Clay County. Two children have been born to this marriage, viz., Charles J. and Flora, aged nine and seven years. Mr. Hutchinson is a member of the society of Chosen Friends.
J. P. HYSUNG, the representative druggist of Brazil, carrying a full line of drugs, a well-selected stock of oils, mixed paints, varnish. calciminers' and painters' supplies, established himself in trade in 1869, and can always be found here. He was born on February 11, 1836, and is the youngest of four children of Frederick and Mary (Mann) Hysung, who were natives of Pennsylvania, and of German descent. Mr. Hy- sung was reared on a farm, and acquired a fair education through the medium of common schools. He remained on the home farm until May, 1861, when he enlisted in Company C, Eighth Ohio Infantry, in the call for three months' men. At the expiration of his term, he re-enlisted in the same company and regiment for three years. His regiment was a part of the Army of the Potomac, and participated in all the promi- nent battles, viz., Winchester, Fredericksburg, Antietam, Gettysburg, Chancellorsville, and the five days' engagement of the Wilderness. At
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the Wilderness he was wounded in his left side, and sent to the hospital at Fredericksburg, thence to Washington, D. C., and thence home on a thirty days' leave of absence. While at home, he was ordered to join his company at Cleveland, to be mustered out of the service, and in July, 1864, he received his honorable discharge. In 1863, Mr. Hysung was promoted to the First Lieutenancy. On his return home, he remained with his father on the farm until 1867, when he came to Clay County, Ind., and settled in Brazil, embarking in the business of bookseller and newsdealer, on a capital of $60. In 1879, he established himself as a druggist, at his present stand, and his trade amounts to upward of $10,000 per annum. In view of the fact that Mr. Hysung commenced life with no money or friends, he has been exceedingly prosperous in his business relations, as he owns his stock in trade, a fine residence, and seven tenement houses. In October, 1868, he was married to Emma Poor, of Clay County, but a native of Maine. Mrs. Hysung has borne her husband three children, two of whom are living, viz., Winnifred and Forest F. She is a member of the Presbyterian Church. During the years 1881 and 1882, he was Township Trustee, and for two years a member of the City Council. He is Chief Patriarch of Iron City En- campment of I. O. O. F., is Past Chancellor of the K. of P., and Past Commander of Gen. Canby Post, No. 2, of G. A. R. In early life, Mr. Hysung was a Democrat in politics, but in later years has been a stanch supporter of Republican principles.
PROF. T. N. JAMES, teacher in the high grades of the Brazil Schools, was the third in a family of seven children of George W. and Ruth (Vance) James, and was born in Vigo County, Ind., November 27, 1849. The elder James settled in Dick Johnson Township in 1829, and married in 1844, and where he and his wife lived until a short time previous to her death, which occurred in 1850, while residing in Vigo County. The subject of this sketch passed his early youth on a farm, with only the advantages of a common school, but, by studious habits, he acquired a good education, entering Bloomingdale Academy at the age of nineteen years, and remaining three years. In 1869, he engaged in the profes- sion of teaching, which he has since followed, first in country schools, but since 1873, he has held a position in the city schools. Prof. James is considered an able instructor. He is also a strict moralist, and a strong advocate of temperance, practicing what he preaches, using no intoxicating drinks nor tobacco. Mr. James' marriage occurred March 4, 1875, to Orpha J. Hobson, of Parke County, Ind. Four children have been born to this union -- Eva E., Milton T., Jessie J. and Ruth. Politically, Mr. James is a Republican, also a friend of progress.
IGNATIUS JARBOE, member of the Clay County Abstract Company, established in February, 1882, and fire and life insurance agent, Brazil, Ind., was born in Vigo County, Ind., August 15, 1841, of parents' Peter and Ann (Elder) Jarboe, both natives of Kentucky. They located in Vigo County in 1832, where they remained until their death, the mother dying in 1857, the father in 1874. Ignatius spent his earlier years on the farm, and at the age of eighteen he began teaming in Terre Haute, Vigo County, which he followed until 1862, when he enlisted in Company C, Eighty-fifth Indiana Infantry, and served until he was mus- tered out in camp near Washington, D. C., in 1865. In July, 1864, near Dallus' Woods, on the skirmish line, he was wounded in the right arm. After the close of his term he returned home to Terre Haute, and worked
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for the American Express Company until 1866, when he went to Arkan- sas and West Tennessee, and remained there until 1868, when in August of that year he settled in Brazil, in the grocery trade, following it until 1876, when he established his present insurance business, which repre- sents some of the best insurance companies in the country. On June 18, 1878, he was married to Nancy E. Lightfoot, a native of Illinois. He and his wife are members of the Church of the Annunciation. Polit- ically, Mr. Jarboe is a Democrat.
CHARLES JONES, a member of the firm of Smith & Jones, doing an extensive business in the retail grocery trade, and located on East Main street, Brazil, Ind., was born in Wales on August 14, 1852, landed in New York City in July, 1870, and remained a short time in Pennsyl- vania, going thence to Perry County, Ill., where he engaged in coal mining. In March, 1872, he came to Brazil and formed a partnership with his present partner in a bakery, in connection with the grocery business; but in 1879 they abandoned the bakery trade, and turned their attention wholly to their grocery, having now one of the oldest estab- lished houses in the city, carrying a stock of nearly $4,000, and doing a business of from $14,000 to $15,000 a year. He was married, in Terre Haute, on July 25, 1876, to Ella Bowers, who is of German descent, but a native of Ohio. They have had two children-Lagoro and Emma. Mr. Jones is a member of the Masonic fraternity, of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, of the Order of Foresters, of the Universal Brother- hood, and of the Order of Odd Fellows of Wales. By his industry and frugality, Mr. Jones has accumulated more than a competency for his remaining days.
ROBERT L. KEITH, of the firm of the Bee Hive dry goods estab- lishment of Brazil, Ind., was born in Putnam County, Ind., April 7, 1841, and was the son of Isaac and Nancy J. (Wingate) Keith, both na- tives of Virginia, and of English extraction. The elder Keith was an extensive farmer and stock-raiser, and Robert spent his youth upon the farm, having fair educational advantages, and considerable business ex- perience. After attaining his majority, he engaged in dealing in stock two years, after which he came to Bowling Green, then the" county seat of Clay County, and established a dry goods store, which he successfully carried on until 1869, when he opened a livery stable, which he kept until 1875, when he removed his livery business to Brazil and bought the Bee Hive store, carrying on both; also dealing extensively in real estate, suffering severe financial losses, but satisfying his creditors, and managing his business without failing, in the panic of 1873. It has taken Mr. Keith several years to recover from these misfortunes and get on the same financial footing. In 1860, October 17, he married Rebecca, daughter of Peter and Eliza Smock, of Southport, Ind. Four children were born to them, two of whom are living-Minnie M., wife of J. M. Hoskins, Jr., and Ernest R. Nellie died at the age of three years, the other in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Keith have been members of the Chris- tian Church fifteen years. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity and Knights of Pythias. In 1863, he sent into the service a substitute, named Taylor Bosley, as his own business was so extensive he could not leave it without ruining himself financially. Mr. Keith, in 1883, re- ceived a patent on an invention called Keith's Adjustable Attachment to Buggy Tops, by which the top may be lowered, or raised, by a lever, while the person is in the seat or on the ground. It has become popular.
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THOMAS KERINS, retail dealer in foreign and domestic wines, whiskies and brandies of the finest quality, also beer, ale, and all kinds of domestic goods; also, fine tobaccos and cigars-County Saloon, East Main street, west of the court house. He was born in County Galway, Ireland, in December, 1850. He grew up on a farm, having had only meager educational advantages, and in 1864 he emigrated to this coun- try, locating at Richmond, Ind., where for two years he was engaged as a water-carrier on the railroad; at the end of this time, he became a ped- dler, traveling over the States of Indiana and Ohio on foot. At the end of three years, he went to Indianapolis, and for three years worked at a glass factory. In October, 1872, he came to Brazil, where he has since resided. His first employment here was for the Brazil Blast Furnace. He worked for this company six years. In 1879, he became bar-tender at Ingleby's place; in 1880, he embarked in the saloon business for him- self, and he has successfully followed it ever since. In the spring of 1882, Mr. Kerins was placed on the Republican ticket for Councilman from the First Ward; was elected and is serving the city with faithful- ness and ability. On November 21, 1872, he was married to Ellen O'Donnell, a native of Marion County, Ind. To them have been born seven children-John, Maggie, Mary, Nellie and Elizabeth, the remain - ing two having died in infancy. Mr. Kerins and wife are both members of the Church of the Annunciation. He is also a member of the society of Hibernians, the Catholic Knights of America, and in politics a Re- publican.
JAMES F. LANKFORD was born in Clay County, Ind., on July 8, 1845, and is the oldest son of Harvey Lankford, a native of Ken- tucky, who located in Clay County in 1842 as a farmer. In 1861, he enlisted in the Forty-third Indiana Infantry, was transferred to an Indi- ana Battery, and died at St. Louis, Mo. James F. was raised a farmer, and received a limited education in the primitive schoolhouses of the county. At the tender age of sixteen years, he enlisted, on February 11, 1862, in Company G, Fifty-ninth Indiana Infantry, and participated in the sieges of New Madrid, Island No. 10 and Corinth, and the siege of and assault on Vicksburg, and the battle of Mission Ridge, going thence to Huntsville, Ala., where he re-enlisted as a veteran, and came home on a short furlough. In the spring of 1864, he returned to the field, and was with Sherman's command in its grand " march to the sea," and in all its en- gagements in that campaign back to Raleigh, N. C., thence to Louisville, Ky., via Washington, D. C., where, at the close of the war, he received his honorable discharge. Returning home, he engaged at the carpen- ter's trade, which he followed two years, and then purchased a one-third interest in a saw mill in Clay County. This not proving a profitable venture, at the end of three years he sold out his interest, and embarked in the blacksmithing and wagon-making business at Middlebury, Clay County, where he remained until the year 1880, a period of twelve years, eight years of which time he was proprietor and manager. In July, 1880, he was nominated by the Republican party for Sheriff of Clay County, and, although the county was strongly Democratic, he was suc- cessful at the ensuing election. At the close of this term, he was re-nom- inated for the same position, but was defeated by the usual Democratic majority. He then purchased the livery and feed stable in Brazil, which he now manages with success. On December 19, 1872, he was married to Calista M., the daughter of J. W. Ecret, a pioneer of Clay County.
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Four children have been born to them-Pius, Flora, Elva and Letha. He is a member of the A. F. & A. M., I. O. O. F., K. of H., and the G. A. R. In politics, he has always been a stalwart Republican.
VOORHEES T. LANSING, editor-in-chief of the Democrat, was born in Bowling Green, Clay Co., Ind., June 20, 1860, his father, A. True Lansing, being a pioneer editor of the county. At an early age, Voorhees entered his father's office, serving a thorough apprenticeship at journalism, and after being engaged some time on the Terre Haute Ex- press, he came, in 1873, to Brazil, and entered the office of the Clay County Miner. In April, 1880, Mr. Lansing, in connection with H. M. Lusk and William Walker, established the Argus Magnet, a journal ad- vocating Democratic principles. In February, 1881, the firm was changed to Lansing & Lusk, who changed the name of the paper to the Democrat, which they now have on a sound basis, and doing a successful business. Harry M. Lusk, junior member of the firm of Lansing & Lusk, was born in Hudson, Summit Co., Ohio, January 3, 1861, where he remained until 1873, when he came with his parents to Brazil, Ind., and in 1877 commenced learning the printer's trade in the office of the Western Mirror, where he remained until he engaged in his present bus- iness.
GEORGE E. LAW, City Clerk of Brazil, was born in Bowling Green, Clay Co., Ind., July 31, 1858. He was the eldest son of a family of eight children of Marmaduke and Rebecca A. (Clemens) Law, both natives of Ohio. Having always lived in the city, he had good educa- tional advantages in common branches. In 1870, he came to Brazil, and followed the occupation of teaching writing-school for two years; then, being crippled from scrofula, he engaged in canvassing, which he fol- lowed for some time successfully. He then engaged as Deputy Recorder, remaining in this capacity for one year, being then elected City Clerk, in May, 1881. He filled this position so creditably that he was re-elected. He is able and trustworthy, and is possessed of a high spirit of enter- prise and advancement in public matters ; is a good book-keeper, and has filled that position for a number of business firms. He has also had lim- ited experience as a reporter.
GEORGE W. LEVIS, a printer by trade, was born in Butler County, Penn., on May 5, 1842, and spent his early youth principally in a store, his father being a merchant. At the age of sixteen, he began the study of medicine, which he kept up until he entered a medical school at Cleve- land, Ohio, where he took one course of lectures, and in 1860 he com- menced the active practice at West Middlesex, Mercer Co., Penn., with his brother, continuing until 1861, when he enlisted in Company C, Fifteenth United States Infantry, for three years. He participated in the battles of Shiloh, Tenn., and Corinth, Miss., thence on a march back to Kentucky. One night, while on duty near Nashville, Tenn., his de- tachment was attacked by the enemy, and Mr. Levis received severe wounds from a heavy saber, on the right hand and on the head. This disabled him several weeks, he being the most of the time in the hospital at Nashville. Very soon after he joined his regiment, he participated in the battle of Stone River, where he was wounded, losing the third finger of the left hand. On the second day of the battle, he was taken prisoner, and sent to Libby Prison, having to care for his own wound, with no medical treatment except rags and sweet oil. Here he remained for three months, suffering all the horrors and tortures of prison life. After his
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