USA > Indiana > Clay County > Counties of Clay and Owen, Indiana : Historical and biographical. > Part 36
USA > Indiana > Owen County > Counties of Clay and Owen, Indiana : Historical and biographical. > Part 36
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tiously walked across behind the horseman on the right, and passed within twenty-five yards of him, and after getting out of the pine under- growth made about the best time that a scared youth could make under the circumstances. Some distance on he struck a creek, and traveled in its bed for about half a mile to avoid being tracked by the Southern bloodhounds which were of far greater terror to escaped prisoners than the most unrelenting rebels. In the course of his wanderings that day, which was on the 29th of August, and still keeping at a safe distance from the houses of the plantations, he happened to pass a patch which had contained water melons, and but a single very choice one remained which, no doubt, the good man of the house was reserving for seed, but which Providence had in reality left there for the wandering boy; so seizing the coveted prize, and forgetting all about bloodhounds, he again struck for the woods, and finding a safe and convenient resting place, indulged in a luxury which was the most refreshing thing that he ever ate, and to this day to talk of a Georgia melon makes his eyes glisten with moisture. At sundown that evening, after a tiresome and perilous day's journey, evading the enemy and keeping at a respectable distance from houses and fields, he heard voices in the distance, and determined to investigate when it grew a little darker, and which turned out to be a heavy skirmish line in the woods, but as yet could not tell whether friends or foes. He concluded to risk the consequence and steal through, but on his first attempt, getting too near the reserve line, he had to re- treat and make another attempt, which in doing, he ran against the limb of a fallen tree, which caused him to change his course, and in doing so, came close to a vedette who was sitting in the underbrush, and as the vedette stood up they were within two feet of each other, and in the twilight young Lybyer could distinctly see by the uniform that he stood face to face with a terribly scared Yankee, and to whom he took great pleasure in surrendering. He was then taken to headquarters, and after the usual examination ordered to be fed, and once more, after wandering about for five weeks, and through many dangers, he lay down in peace to rest and sleep under the " glorious stars and stripes." He afterward ascertained that when he had reached Stone Mountain, our troops had fallen back on the Chattahoochee to re-enforce our lines there, which was the base of supplies, while the right of the army was thrown forward and around Atlanta, striking the Macon Railroad at Jonesboro, and caus- ing the evacuation of Atlanta just eight days after he was picked up on the skirmish line. After the fall of Atlanta, he went into the city and learned that his regiment had been on the Stoneman raid to Macon, where they had been surrendered by Stoneman, but although he sold the goods he was unable to deliver them, as a great many had cut their way through the rebel lines, and after many hardships and dangers returned to the Union lines, and were then sent back to Nashville, Tenn., to be remounted. Lybyer, receiving a pass from the Post Commander, re- turned to Nashville, and one morning, just as the boys were at breakfast, walked into camp, where he received a hearty welcome by his brother and all his comrades. He was somewhat surprised to learn that the boys were expecting to see him return at any time, as it had been predicted by both officers and men that the rebels would never get young Lybyer into a rebel prison.
After rejoining the regiment, they again took the field and assisted in driving Gen. Forrest out of Tennessee, and were in their saddles
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twenty-one consecutive days, returning to Nashville in October. From Nashville they were next ordered to Dalton, where they expected to go into winter quarters, but very soon were again under marching orders to Chattanooga, where they encamped in the valley between Lookout Mountain and Mission Ridge to intercept Gen. Hood. From Chatta- nooga they were ordered again to Nashville, where they arrived after some skirmishing, just before Gen. Hood surrounded the city, and were stationed on the extreme left of the line of defense, and where they had several sharp encounters with the enemy; from here they were sent across the river to the north part of the city, to guard the fortifications in that direction, but in the beginning of December, 1864, they were again ordered to the main line of defense, and placed on the extreme right near the river, where, on the morning of the 15th, in connection with the main army, they took a prominent part in the general engagement which drove Hood from his position, scattered his army, practically closing the war in Tennessee and giving to Gen. George H. Thomas a name that will live as long as the history of the rebellion is remembered. They then went into winter quarters at Edgefield, Tenn., where they re- mained until spring, thence to Pulaski, Tenn., and in June the veterans of the regiment were mustered out, having served their three years, and the remaining recruits were consolidated with the Fifth Indiana Cavalry. In July --- now in Company F, of the Sixth Regiment-the company was sent to Columbia, Tenn., and detailed for special service. Soon after- ward they joined the regiment en route to MeMinnville, where after a short stay they were ordered to Murfreesboro, from which place, on the 15th day of September, 1863, they were mustered out of the United States service, and returned home, rejoicing that the war was ended. During the next three years, Mr. Lybyer remained on the farm, saving his earnings with a view to acquiring an education, and spent the year following in the Union College at Merom, and the two following years in Asbury University. He then began the study of dentistry with Dr. A. C. Fry, of Greencastle, Ind., where he remained for five years, in the meanwhile doing work at several points in the counties of Clay, Vigo and Owen, and on July 18, 1875, was married to Miss Jennie S., daugh- ter of Albert G. and Jane E. (Howe) Layman, of Putnamville, Ind. This union has been blessed with three children-Albert Howe, aged seven, a bright boy who knew the alphabet before he was two years of age, and a fluent reader of English at the age of five, and who has a re- markable memory; the second child, Estes L., is aged five; and Daniel H., aged two years. In November, 1875, Dr. Lybyer located in Brazil, Ind., where he has ever since remained ; and by his close application to business, his integrity, his charity and his generally acknowledged pro- fessional ability, have gained the confidence and esteem of the community in which he resides, and he is at present engaged in the largest and most lucrative practice ever enjoyed by any dentist in Clay County. The Doctor is a member of the Presbyterian Church, his wife being a Meth- odist. In 1881-82, he was the acting Superintendant of the Presbyte- rian Sunday School, and for two years President of the Clay County Sab- bath School Union, and at the end of his second year, in June last, the following complimentary resolutions were passed by the society. Dr. Lybyer, retiring President, served two years with great acceptability, and leaves the Union in good working order for his successor. The follow- ing resolutions were adopted by unanimous vote:
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WHEREAS, Dr. S. H. Lybyer has faithfully served the Sabbath School Union as President for the past two years and retires at his own request; and
WHEREAS, Our Union has greatly prospered under his efficient management; therefore,
Resolved, That this convention tender Dr. Lybyer its heartfelt thanks, and bid him a Godspeed in all his efforts during life; and further
Resolved, That this convention commends him to all Christian people as an up- right, courteous and Christian gentleman, and entitled to their fullest confidence.
He is also an earnest advocate of the cause of temperance, and a member of the Grand Army of the Republic.
FRANCIS M. McBRIDE, Marshal of Brazil, was born in Clay Coun- ty, Ind., June 8, 1835, and was the third in a family of four children of David and Rhoda (Vest) McBride, his father being of Scotch and his mother of French-Irish lineage. Francis was reared on a farm, but served an apprenticeship at the blacksmith trade, following it three years, when ill-health compelled him to return to the farm, and that and mining coal occupied his attention until 1868, when he moved to Brazil and embarked in the grocery business, continuing in this until the " strike " of 1870, when he contributed to the amount of nearly $3,000 to the relief of deserving idle miners. At this time, in May, 1870, he dis- posed of his store, and accepted the appointment of Deputy Marshal of Brazil, and the same autumn was elected Constable of Brazil Township, on the Republican ticket, filling both positions until 1873, when he was elected Marshal of the city, which he filled creditably for two years, when he was again elected Constable, a portion of the past two years acting as Deputy Sheriff, when, in 1877, he went on the police force ; served until May, 1881, when he was again elected Marshal. He filled the office with such credit to himself and satisfaction to his friends and constituents that in 1883 he was re-elected Marshal, which office he still holds. De- cember 11, 1856, he was married to Miss R. McGill, a native of Ohio, and of German origin. Eight children have been born to them, three only of whom are living, viz., Mary Bell (Lyons), Humbert and Cala, the others dying under seven years of age. Mr. McBride is a member of the A. F. & A. M., the A. O. U. W., Order of Foresters, and the Im- proved Order of Red Men. He is an enterprising, public-spirited, up- right, genial gentleman.
A. J. MCCULLOUGH, a citizen of Brazil, Ind., was born in Rush County, Ind., on December 8, 1836, and is the fourth child of James and Nancy Mccullough. In 1839, they moved to Decatur County, Ind., thence, in 1843, to Clay County. While living with his father, our sub- ject worked on the farm and made shingles and staves until he was eighteen years old, when he left home and occupied himself as an en- gineer until, in 1859, he again employed himself on a farm. In No- vember, 1861, he enlisted in Company H, Sixteenth Indiana Infantry, marched over the mountains of Virginia and Maryland, and, on May, 1862, was mustered out of the service. In the following July, he re- enlisted in Company K, Seventy-eighth Indiana Infantry, for sixty days, and was taken prisoner at Munfordville, Ky., September 17, 1862. He was paroled and mustered out of the service about September 25, 1862. After his return home, he entered a drug store as clerk, and also read medical works. In July, 1863, he purchased a provision store, where he did business until January, 1865, when he disposed of his business and enlisted in Company A, Forty-third Indiana Infantry, remaining until the close of the war, when he returned home and again engaged in the
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provision business. In 1867, he sold out and became a partner of Mr. Croasdale in the drug business. At the end of a year, he sold out and became a photographer; continued in this business five years, when, in 1875, he abandoned it, on account of ill health, and accepted the ap- pointment of Deputy United States Marshal of Indiana. His term as Marshal expiring, he was elected Township Assessor, which office he now holds. On May 16, 1863, he was married to Melissa J. Davis. She is a native of Butler County, Ohio. One child has been born to them, a son, who was born June 20, 1864, and who died at the age of three months and twelve days. Mr. McCullough has been for twenty-one years a member of Brazil Lodge, No. 215, I. O. O. F .; is also a member of the Improved Order of Red Men, of the Chosen Friends, and of the G. A. R .; also of the Good Templars. In politics, he is a Republican. He has been very successful in all his undertakings, being now engaged in the real estate business.
W. D. MCCULLOUGH, City Councilman of Brazil, also proprietor of a clothing establishment, on East Main street, was born in Clay County, Ind., March 13, 1843, and was the; sixth of nine children of James and Nancy (Fort) Mccullough, both natives of Kentucky, but locating in Clay County, Ind., in 1843, where they both died, she in 1850, he in 1864. The subject of this sketch passed his youth upon a farm, with common school advantages. In July, 1861, he enlisted in Company B, Forty-first Illinois Infantry. He participated in the battles of Fort Donelson and Shiloh, being wounded at both places, at the latter seriously. He was also at the siege of Corinth, at Coldwater and Vicks- burg, Jackson, Tenn., and many lesser engagements. He was also in
. Sherman's "march to the sea," and was honorably discharged in July, 1865, having served over four years. Mr. Mccullough, after his return from the war, engaged in farming until 1868, when he came to Brazil, entering Rothschild's clothing store, as a clerk, where he remained until 1879. He then formed a partnership with A. C. Ford, of Cincinnati, which continued until May, 1883, when he bought his partner's interest, and now owns one of the best clothing establishments in the county, carrying $10,000 worth of stock, and having an extensive trade. In May, 1883, he was elected Councilman of the Third Ward, which office he fills with ability. He was, married, April 25, 1869, to Miss R. M. Stogdon, a native of Ohio. One child, Inez B., born August 5, 1872, is the fruit of this union. Mrs. McCullough has been an invalid ten years from the effects of rheumatism. Mr. Mccullough is an Elder in the Christian Church, and a member of Lodge No. 215, I. O. O. F., having held the highest offices in that and the Encampment. He is also a mem- ber of the Order of Foresters, and of the G. A. R. In politics, he is a Republican. He is a muchª respected citizen, and a genial gentle- man.
SAMUEL M. McGREGOR was born in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, January 17, 1850, and was a son of John C. and Caroline (Scott) McGregor, of Scotch lineage, who located at Flora, Ill., in 1863, moving to Clay County, Ind., in 1865, where the elder McGregor practiced his profession of medicine, and was elected by the Democratic party, in 1868, to represent the county in the Legislature. Samuel M. enjoyed good school privileges, and being an apt scholar was, at the age of six- teen years, fitted for teaching, which calling he followed in 1866 and 1867, in Clay and Putnam Counties. In 1868, he entered Wabash Col-
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lege, remaining until 1871, when, his health failing, he was compelled to leave. The same year, he entered the law office of Enos Miles, of Bowl- ing Green, and was admitted to the bar in July of the same year. In 1872, he was elected, by the Democratic party, District Attorney for the counties of Putnam, Clay, Owen and Greene; but in 1873 the Legis- lature abolished the office, and he established an office in Bowling Green, where he had a lucrative practice. In 1876, Mr. McGregor was a candi- date for the office of State Senator, to represent the counties of Clay and Owen, but owing to the rivalry between Bowling Green and Brazil, grow- ing out of the relocation of the county seat, he was defeated, another candidate having been nominated from Owen County. In 1877, the county records being moved to Brazil, Mr. McGregor moved his office to that place, where he formed a partnership with Senator Compton, which still exists. In 1882, he was nominated for Prosecuting Attorney, for Clay and Putnam Counties, and was elected by an almost unanimous vote. He was married, September 17, 1875, to Belle F., daughter of Col. J. C. and Henrietta Majors, an accomplished young lady of Clay County. To this union have been born two children, viz .: Maud, aged seven years, and John M., aged fourteen months.
WINFIELD SCOTT McGREGOR, Deputy Sheriff of Clay County, is the third child of Dr. J. C. and Caroline (Scott) McGregor, and was born in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, on February 5, 1851. He was reared in a town where he had ample school advantages, and acquired a good common English education. He went with his parents to Illinois in 1864, where they remained until 1866, when they located in Clay Coun- ty, Ind., where he has since resided. At the age of seventeen, he com- menced teaching in the public schools of the county. Some of the time he was a clerk in a dry goods store, but in 1873 he taught his last term of school in Harmony, Clay County. In 1874, he accepted the position of Deputy in the Treasurer's office, which position he held for four con- secutive years. During the last year of his term, he was a prominent candidate before the Democratic primary convention, but was unsuccess- ful. In 1879, he was the Democratic candidate for County Clerk, and was elected, but in the election of 1880 he was defeated, as was also the whole ticket. After leaving the Treasurer's office, he occupied the posi- tion of bank teller, which position he held until he made the unsuccessful race for County Clerk, after which he engaged himself as book-keeper at Terre Haute for a wholesale leather house, but illness in his family com- pelled him to resign that position and move on his father's farm, where he remained until November, 1882, when he received the appointment of Deputy Sheriff of Clay County, which office he now holds. On Decem- ber 26, 1877, he was married to Bettie R., daughter of W. J. and Phil. adelphia (Radford) Campbell, both natives of Kentucky, and both de- ceased. Mrs. McGregor was born April 14, 1857. They have one child, viz .: Minnie Violet, born July 24, 1880. Mr. McGregor is one of those whole-souled, suave gentlemen whom it is a pleasure to meet. From his childhood he has been a zealous partisan of the Democratic faith.
JAMES A. McNUTT, attorney at law, Brazil, is the youngest of two children of James H. and Evaline McNutt, the father being a native of Ohio, of Scotch- Irish lineage, and a physician by profession. The subject of this sketch was born in Perrysville, Vermillion Co., Ind., on January 6, 1839; and from the time he was two years old-at which time bis mother died-he was raised by his grandfather, having, however,
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good educational advantages, attending, in the meantime, the Crawfords- ville school two years. Leaving school in 1860, he located in Gosport, Ind., and embarked in the dry goods business, continuing five years, then went into milling; and this proving not a successful venture, in 1868 he sold out the interest he owned in the mill and commenced to read law at spare hours. In 1870, he was appointed Chief Clerk in the In- ternal Revenue office at Gosport, where he remained until 1873, at which time the office was abolished. Practicing law and studying in the mean- time, in 1874 he located in Brazil, where he has remained ever since, actively practicing his profession. In 1876, he was the Republican can- didate for the position of Prosecutor of the district composed of the counties of Clay and Putnam, but was defeated, the district being strong- ly Democratic. In 1878, he was appointed by the Council of Brazil as City Attorney, which position he filled with ability for four years. On July 24, 1862, he was married to Catherine Schermerhorn, a native of Indiana. To this union have been born six children, four of whom are living, viz .: Blair S., Louis M., Evaline and Mary L., the other two having died in infancy.
CHARLES E. MATSON, the fifth of nine children of John A. and Margarette M. (Woelper) Matson, was born in Brookville, Franklin Co., Ind., November 22, 1849. The father located in Franklin County, prac- ticed law, and was the Whig candidate for Governor of Indiana in 1849 against J. A. Wright. He was a native of Ohio, of Irish lineage; the mother of Pennsylvania, and of German extraction. Charles E. grew to manhood on a farm, with good school advantages. At the age of thirteen years, he entered the Asbury University, remained there a year, when, in 1864, at the age of fourteen years, he enlisted in Company B, Forty-third Indiana Infantry, and at the close of the war received an honorable dis- charge. He returned to the University, where he remained three years, returning then to the farm, where he commenced to read law with his father, and after his father's death with his brother, the Hon. C. C. Mat- son. He remained there until 1873, when he moved to Brazil, and formed a law partnership with Senator Compton of that place. This relation existed until 1877, and in 1878 he received the nomination, at the hands of the Democratic party, for Prosecutor of the district com- posed of the counties of Clay and Putnam, and was elected. At the end of the term of two years he was re-elected. At the close of this term, he formed a partnership with Peter T. Luther, in the law and abstract busi- ness. The firm command a very lucrative business, and rank with the leading attorneys of the county. On May 13, 1880, he was married to Elizabeth E., daughter of Col. William L. and Margaret Farrow, of Greencastle, Ind. One child has been born to them, viz., Jessie E., born July 2, 1881. Mr. Matson is a member of the Masonic fraternity, of the Knights of Honor, and of the G. A. R.
JOHN T. MORGAN, wagon manufacturer at Morgan's Crossing, was born in Henry County, Ky., July 25, 1829, and is a son of Preston and Rhoda Morgan, both natives of Kentucky. When the parents came to Indiana there were two sons, the subject of this sketch and William, who assisted in surveying the Vandalia line from Indianapolis to Terre Haute, afterward serving as engineer on the same road until killed in a collision at Terre Haute in November, 1881. Mr. Morgan spent his early youth upon a farm, and at the age of eighteen years commenced working at the blacksmith and wagon-maker's trade, which he has followed most of his
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life. In 1850, Mr. Morgan drove a team through to Council Bluffs, soon returning to Indiana, and resuming his trade, in which he was very successful, acquiring a handsome property. At one time he owned eighty acres of the city of Brazil, for which he realized over $100 an acre, but the panic of 1872-73 found him a heavy indorser for parties who failed, and the savings of years were swept away. In spite of these reverses and other misfortunes-he having been totally blind four years- he makes a comfortable living. Mr. Morgan's marriage occurred Sep- tember 29, 1851, to Phobe Eaglesfield, of Indianapolis. Three children were born to this union, viz., William (who was killed in a railroad col- lision near St. Louis, March 4, 1879), Mary, and Charles (deceased). Mrs. Morgan died in May, 1865, and in 1869 Mr. Morgan married Margaret Bolin, who has borne him seven children, viz., Freddie, Kittie, Flora, Eugene and Nellie, the others dying in infancy.
JOHN MOSHER is owner and manager of the retail liquor estab- lishment, located on the northeast corner of Main and Meridian streets, in the city of Brazil, Clay Co., Ind. Mr. Mosher established himself at his present place of business in September, 1881, since which time he has had a wonderfully successful trade ; and his gentlemanly deportment and liberal, fair dealing, are rewarded by the best patronage of any house in its line in the city. He has always in stock the finest articles of imported and domestic whiskies, wines, beers and ales, tobaccos and cigars. The place is always neat, orderly and quiet.
FRED NUSSEL was born in Clay County, Ind., January 3, 1858, and is the youngest of a family of eight children of George and Barbara Nussel, both natives of Germany, who emigrated to America in 1842. Fred spent his youth upon a farm, but was given the best educational advantages, entering college at the age of eighteen years, at Merom, Ind., where he remained one year. Being compelled, by failing health, to rest awhile from study, he left, but the following year entered the Cen- tral Indiana Normal College at Ladoga, graduating in 1881. For sev- eral years, he had been studying medicine, and after graduating in his collegiate course, he attended lectures at Rush Medical College, Chicago. He then practiced medicine in Ashersville, Ind., successfully and profitably, until Jaunary, 1883, when he came to Brazil and purchased a drug store, and is doing a thriving business, being considered a skillful chemist and druggist, and one of the prominent young men of the county. In poli- tics, Mr. Nussel is a Republican. He is also a member of the Masonic fraternity, Lodge No. 541.
B. OBERDORFER, sole proprietor of a wholesale and retail liquor store, Brazil, Ind., was born in Germany September 19, 1846; emigrated to America in 1865, and began clerking in a dry goods store in Peoria, Ill., where he remained eleven years, going thence to Cincinnati, where he engaged in the wholesale jewelry trade, in which he met with good success. In 1882, he came to Brazil and established his present busi- ness. His sales are $25,000 per annum. Mr. Oberdorfer is one of the energetic German business men of the city. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity. He was married at Evansville, Ind., June 27, 1880, to Bertha Ichenhauser, an accomplished lady of Louisville, Ky.
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