Counties of Clay and Owen, Indiana : Historical and biographical., Part 41

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 41
USA > Indiana > Owen County > Counties of Clay and Owen, Indiana : Historical and biographical. > Part 41

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).

JOHN LASSELL was born in Switzerland County, Ind., December 20, 1825, and was the son of Joseph and Elizabeth Ann (Turner) Lassell, the former a native of Maryland, the latter of Delaware, and of French and German extraction. In October, 1838, John came with his parents to Clay County, Ind., and in 1840 his father entered 120 acres near Bowling Green and began clearing for a home, where he lived many years, dying in Greene County at the age of ninety-one years. Mr. Lassell remained with his parents until his marriage, which occurred March 23, 1847, to Harriet Gil- bert, a native of Ohio. After his marriage, he still continued farming in Clay County, and by his own industry has acquired a good farm of 160 acres near Bowling Green, and is surrounded with everything to make a pleasant home. Mrs. Lassell has borne her husband six children, viz .: Mir- iam (now Boothe), William, Amanda (now deceased), Mary J., Andrew and Angeline (both deceased).

JAMES N. LAUGHLIN was born in Westmoreland County, Penn., September 5, 1840, and was the third of five children of William and Sarah (Nesbit) Laughlin, natives of Pennsylvania, and of German and Irish an- cestry. When James was twelve years of age, he came with his parents to Washington Township, Clay Co., Ind., where his father purchased land and began, amid all the hardships of pioneer life, developing a home from the wilderness. The mother died February 6, 1866 ; the father still lives with his son James, who remained with his parents until January 20, 1866, when he married Mary, danghter of Darlington and Susan (Fisher) Boyce. After his marriage, Mr. Laughlin began farming for himself, and is now located on a farm of 280 acres near Center Point, with good improvements, and attract-

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ively situated. Seven children have been born to this union, all of whom are living, viz .: Lewis, Anna M., William D., Lucy, Susan, Maggie and Har- lan. Mr. Laughlin enlisted as one of the one-hundred-day men in Company H, Fifty-fourth Indiana Infantry. He served upon detached duty as guard, and was mustered out in October, 1862. Mr. and Mrs. Laughlin are mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and give liberally to all benevolent works.

JOHN LITLE is a native of Pennsylvania, and eldest of two children of William and Anna ( Millhoof ) Litle, the former a native of England, the latter of Pennsylvania, and is of German and English ancestry. On ac- count of the early death of his father, John worked for his board and clothes until, at the age of ten years, he was apprenticed to a shoe-maker, which trade he followed for several years in different parts of the United States. He was married, August 20, 1849, to Elizabeth Cole, a native of Pennsyl- vania. Seven children have been born to this union, viz .: Almedia (de- ceased), Jonathan (deceased), Media (deceased), Emeline (now Jenkins), David, Rebecca and Charles. Mr. Litle, after his marriage, worked at his trade in Mount Pleasant, Penn., until 1852, when he went to Ohio, remaining there eighteen months, going thence to Indiana, locating in Clay County, where he purchased a farm, upon which he now resides. Mr. and Mrs. Litle are members of the United Brethren Church. Mr. Litle served under Gen. Scott in the Mexican war, enlisting in 1847, and remaining until the close of the war. He did not participate in any fighting, but served as guard, on account of poor health.

WILLIAM M. LLOYD, an enterprising farmer of Washington Town- ship, was born in Owen County, Ind., February 23, 1845, and is the youngest of thirteen children of James M. and Catharine (Eli) Lloyd, the former a native of Kentucky, the latter of Pennsylvania. James Lloyd was a soldier in the war of 1812, and was wounded ; was under Gen. Harrison at the battle of Tippecanoe. Our subject was brought up on a farm, receiving a limited education. He was a lover of his country, and in her hour of peril enlisted, on July 6, 1861, in Company I, Twenty-first Indiana Infantry, for three years, and " veteranized." He participated in the following battles : Baton Rouge, siege of Port Hudson, siege of Fort Morgan and Mobile, Don- alsonville, and many others. He was discharged January 15, 1866, very much disabled in his left arm from vaccination, which operation was per- formed by military orders. On his return to civil life he engaged in farm- ing. On May 6, 1866, he was married to Margaret Reynolds, a native of Clay County, and daughter of James and Nancy Reynolds, natives of North Carolina, and pioneers of Clay County. They have no children. Since his marriage, Mr. Lloyd has remained in this county, living on a farm of ninety- one acres near Bowling Green. His farm has all the modern improvements. He and his wife are both members of the United Brethren Church.

P. A. McALLISTER, insurance agent, a resident of Bowling Green, was born in Lancaster County, Penn., July 19, 1835, and was a son of R. B. and Susan (Miller) McAllister, the former a native of Maryland, the latter of Penn - sylvania. Mr. McAllister is of Scotch-Irish and German extraction. Losing his mother at an early age, he received but a limited education, living on a farm until thirteen years of age, when he engaged as clerk in a mercantile house in Lancaster, Penn., which business he followed until nineteen years of age, when he came to Indiana, locating in Lancaster, Owen County, in 1854. Most of his life has been spent in merchandising, he having been in trade in Bowling Green several years. In September, 1857, he was married to Mary A., daughter of John and Mary .(Burkett) Fairleigh, a native of Ohio. Four children have been born to this union, viz .: Harry L., born

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July 15, 1862 ; Cora, July 25, 1865 ; Eddie, September 6, 1868 ; Jessie M., May 2, 1879. Mr. McAllister is a member of the Masonic fraternity, also of the I. O. O. F. In politics, he is a Republican, casting his first vote for Fremont in.1856. He has been Town Treasurer of Spencer. Owen Co., Ind., where he formerly resided. He owns 220 acres of well-improved land upon the line between Owen and Clay Counties, and 160 acres in Kansas. He is a self-made man. Mrs. McAllister is a member of the Christian Church.

THOMAS MARSH, a resident of Bowling Green, was born in Hertford County, N. C., January 14, 1818, and is the youngest of six children of Hu- riah and Delilah (Bruce) Marsh, the former a native of New Jersey, the lat- ter of North Carolina, and both of English descent. Thomas was reared on a farm, and received no education. From North Carolina, he went to Hop- kins County, Ky., thence to Rankin County, Miss., thence to Louisiana, thence to Tennessee, and thence to Dayton, Ohio, where he was married in June, 1840, to Catharine, daughter of John and Mary D. Gilbert, natives of Germany. Four children have been born to them-Mary J. (Tapy), Eliza- beth (deceased), Evaline (McNamer) and William. About a year after his marriage, Mr. Marsh came to Clay County, Ind., and purchased a farm of 160 acres near Bowling Green, where he remained about two years, then sold out and removed to Greencastle, remaining there until 1858, and then removed to Bowling Green, where he has since resided, being surrounded with every comfort of life. On July 6, 1861, he enlisted in Company I, Twenty-first Indiana Infantry for three years, but on a forced march he re- ceived a fall which so badly ruptured him that he was discharged and sent home. He then enlisted in Company K, Second Indiana Cavalry, but the medical examiner at Columbus, Tenn., again discharged him for hernia, and sent him home. Since then he has not been able to perform any manual labor, living a retired life at his home in Bowling Green. His property is worth about $4,000. Besides this he has estates, in prospective, coming to him from North Carolina and Kentucky, supposed to amount to $10,000. He and his wife are consistent members of the Christian Church.

WILLIAM MAYROSE was born December 22, 1839, in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, and was the eldest of four children of Frederick and Ragana (Cople) Mayrose, both natives of Germany. Owing to the early death of his parents, William had little chance of schooling, but was at the age of nine years hired as a farm hand, receiving his board and clothes. Here he remained until he attained his majority, when he received a horse, saddle and bridle, and a suit of clothes. Mr. Mayrose, feeling the need of a home, was married, September, 1861, to Ragana Kirk, a native of Germany. He still continued to work as a farm hand until the spring of 1865, when he came to Clay County, Ind., locating in Jackson Township, and in 1877, coming to. Washington Township, he was hired to take charge of the poor farm, re- ceiving $800 annually for his services, and as he proved faithful he is still retained. Mr. Mayrose owns a farm of 159 acres near Bowling Green, Ind. Mrs. Mayrose has borne her husband eight children. viz., Jacob, John, Henry, Matilda, Amelia, Rose Ann, William and Charles. Mr. and Mrs. Mayrose are members of the Evangelical Church of Christ. Mr. Mayrose is a member of the Knights and Ladies of Honor.

JOHN M. MELTON, one of the enterprising farmers of Washington Township, was born in Harrison County, Ind., February 22, 1822, and is the eldest of five children of Jesse and Eleanor (Melton) Melton, natives of North Carolina, and of English origin. Our subject lived on a farm for some years, and received his education in the common schools. He came with his parents from Harrison County to Clay County, Ind., in 1854, and

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located in Bowling Green, where he has since resided. Mr. Melton is one of the pioneers of this county. He was also a soldier in the Mexican war. In July, 1846, he enlisted in the Second Indiana Volunteers, participating in the battle of Buena Vista, and was discharged in July, 1847. On his return to civil life he engaged in mercantile trade in Bowling Green. After seven years' experience in this, he sold out his stock and purchased a farm of 100 acres near Bowling Green, and has since been a successful farmer. On Oc- tober 11, 1849, he was married to Emily N., daughter of William and Rachel (Alexander) Waugh, natives of North Carolina and of Irish extraction. The following-named children have been born to them : J. H., Rachel L. (Camp- bell), George, W. A., Jasper J., Otto and Emily M. (Buell). Mrs. Melton died August 8, 1869. She was a consistent member of the Presbyterian Church. In politics, Mr. Melton is a stanch Republican, but cast his first ballot for James K. Polk for President. With his own hands, and without assistance, Mr. Melton has made the beautiful farm which is now his home.

WILLIAM H. MILES, wagon-maker, and a resident of Bowling Green, is the fifth of seven children of Samuel and Hannah (Ghormley) Miles, and was born in Bowling Green, Clay County, on November 3, 1833. He was reared here, receiving only a common school education. After attaining his majority, he engaged in the carpenter and joiner trade in Bowling Green, continuing in that business until October 4, 1861, when he enlisted in Com- pany A, Forty-third Indiana Infantry, and served three years, participating in the battle of Helena, Ark. Mr. Miles " veteranized " in the same com- pany and regiment, and participated in the battle of the Little Missouri. Shortly after this battle, the regiment came home on a furlough, at the ex- piration of which it was stationed on duty at Indianapolis, remaining there until it was mustered out of the service at the close of the war. On his re- turn to civil life, Mr. Miles resumed his trade at Bowling Green, continuing . his work at it for about three years ; then engaged in the saw-mill business for about three years, at the end of which time he engaged in the wagon- maker's trade, which he has followed ever since. On April 19, 1857, he was married to Melissa Moss, a native of Morgan County, Ind., and daughter of Henry and Jane Moss, the former a native of North Carolina, the latter of Virginia. To them have been born seven children, viz .: Henry K. (de- ceased), Minnie J., William L., Edward E., Enos, Annie B. and Mary C. For three years, Mr. Miles was Postmaster at Bowling Green. He and his wife are both members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and liberal givers to and supporters of all charitable enterprises.

H. H. B. MILES, salesman, of Bowling Green, Ind., is the youngest of seven children of Samuel and Hannah (Ghormley) Miles, the former a native of Kentucky, the latter of Pennsylvania. Samuel Miles was a soldier in the war of 1812, and for five years of the regular army. After the expira- tion of his term of service, he located, about the year 1818, in Terre Haute, Vigo County, but came to Bowling Green, Clay County in 1831, and en- gaged in the tannery business, following it for several years ; then purchased a farm near town, and continued farming until the year 1859, and in the meantime, in partnership with his son-in-law, building a flouring mill and woolen factory, following this business for about five years, after which he sold his mill and retired from active life. He was then appointed Post- master at Bowling Green, holding that office about ten years, resigning just previous to his death, which event occurred in June, 1876. Mr. Miles was one of the enterprising men of Clay County. He served the county as Clerk one term ; also served as Probate Judge ; also served as Justice of the Peace ; was also a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In pol- itics, he was a stanch Republican. H. H. B. Miles, the subject of this

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sketch, was born in Bowling Green, Clay County, October 8, 1835 ; was reared here, and received a common school education. After his majority, he en- gaged in farming until the breaking out of the rebellion, when he enlisted, in August, 1862, in Company E, Eighty-fifth Indiana Infantry, and served three years.

He participated in the battle of Spring Hill, where he was captured March 5, 1863, taken to Libby Prison, Richmond, Va., and held until April. He was then paroled and sent to Camp Chase, Ohio, and from there to Indianapolis, where he was exchanged, and sent to his regiment in June, 1863. He was with Sherman in his Atlanta campaign and on his " march to the sea," and was mustered out of the service at Washington, D. C., on June 12, 1865. After returning to civil life, Mr. Miles engaged in farming, continuing five years, then in the mercantile business, as clerk, which he has since followed. On April 30, 1867, he was married to Parnitha G. Clemons, a native of Ohio. He has been Constable of Washington Town- ship ; is a member of the Knights of Honor; is a Republican in politics. Both he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

ADAM B. MOON was born in Canton, Ohio, May 28, 1818, and was the eldest of seven children of Jacob and Catharine (Rickard) Moon, natives of Pennsylvania, and of German descent. Adam was reared in town, and attended school, also working at tanning until sixteen years of age, when he began for himself, managing a distillery, for which he received $50 a month, and where he continued nine years. He then engaged in a flouring mill, at Lancaster, Ohio, and while here was married to Irena Vanwey, March 6, 1842. Nine children have been born to this marriage. Mr. Moon continued work- ing in the flouring mill until January 3, 1856, when he moved to Clay County, Ind., and located in Washington Township, on a farm of eighty-six acres he had previously purchased, and began making a home. He was appointed overseer of the Poor Farm of Clay County, which position he held six years, receiving liberal pay, which enabled him to add to his little farm, until he now has 405 acres, with fine improvements, making a pleasant home. Mr. and Mrs. Moon are members of the United Brethren Church, as are also their children. Mr. Moon is an active politician, voting with the Democrats, and cast his first ballot for Martin Van Buren in 1840. He has held offices of trust in the party, and is now County Commissioner, this being his second term. He is much respected, and a self-made man.

ERNST MUEHLER, stone cutter, and resident of Bowling Green, was born in Germany on June 1, 1832, and is the second of three children of Frederick and Caroline (Haenig) Muehler, both natives of Germany. Ernst received a good education. About the time he had attained his majority, he left Germany and went to Denmark, thence to Hamburg, and thence to Norway, where, in November, 1861, he was married to Eliza, daughter of Ole and Mariah Olson, natives of Norway. His wife has borne him eight children, viz., Frederika, Oscar, Benhart, Amelia, Alfred (deceased), Otto, Carl and Maggie. Mr. Muehler remained in Norway several years after his marriage, when he emigrated to America, landing in New York in 1868. Soon after, he came to Clay County, Ind., and located in Bowling Green, where he has since resided, surrounded with everything which tends to make life enjoyable and home pleasant and attractive. Mr. and Mrs. Muehler are members of the Lutheran Church, and are ever ready to contribute to benevolent enterprises. Mr. M. has acted in the capacity of Councilman of Bowling Green.

JACOB ORMAN, SR., was born in Washington Township, Clay Co., Ind., July 2, 1837, and is the eldest of eight children of Andrew and Nancy (Comer) Orman, the former a native of Tennessee, the latter of North Carolina, and of German lineage. Our subject grew to manhood on a farm,

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and was educated at the common schools. He remained with his parents on the farm until he was twenty one, soon after, on February 7, 1857, mar- rying Margaret Loncer, a native of New York City, and daughter of Adam and Margaret (Bretches) Loncer, natives of Germany. Since his marriage, Mr. Orman has been engaged in farming in Washington Township, being at present located on the county line between Owen and Clay Counties, and owning land in both counties. He is one of the pioneers of Clay County. His own dwelling house is a model of comfort, and of that which is substan- tial, and all his surroundings are such as to make home attractive. To Mr. and Mrs. Orman have been born ten children viz. : Sarah (Kendle), John A., Mary A., Lizzie B., Harrison, George, Anna, Peter R., Clara M. and Edna V., all of whom are living. Mr. and Mrs. Orman are both members of the Christian Church.

ALLEN RAY, of Bowling Green, was born in Marion County, Ind., on March 22, 1847, and is the second of three children of John and Jane (Jen- nings) Ray, the former a native of Indiana, the latter of Virginia. Our subject was brought up on a farm, working during the seasons of summer, and attending school during those of winter, thus acquiring only a common school education. Shortly before his majority, he was married to Martha E., daughter of James and Barbara Davenport, natives of Ohio. His wife bore him one child. On May 9, 1869, Mrs. Ray died. He was next married in February, 1871, to Amanda C. (Zimmerman), daughter of James and Anna Ducan, natives of Kentucky. After this marriage Mr. Ray engaged in farm- ing in Boone County, Ind., continuing in that occupation for some time, then embarked in the drug business at New Augusta, Marion County, continuing one year, when he sold out his stock and located in Bowling Green, engaging in the same business until April, 1883, when he again sold out his store. During all this time Mr. Ray has been reading medical works, with a view of entering the medical profession, and contemplates taking a course of lect- ures the coming winter at some reputable medical college. To the last marriage of Mr. Ray, five children were born, viz. : Dillon B., John C., Anna J., James A. and Ralph R. Mr. Ray also served as a soldier in the late war. In August, 1863, he enlisted in Company I, One Hundred and Sixteenth Regi- ment Indiana Infantry, and served eight months; re-enlisted in Company B, One Hundred Thirty-fifth Regiment, one hundred days' men ; when his time expired, he again re-enlisted for one year as Fife Major of the One Hundred Fifty-fourth Regiment Indiana Infantry. He served until the close of the war, having been finally discharged in August, 1865. Mr. Ray is a member of the I. O. O. F. He and his wife are both members of the Christian Church, and liberal givers to all charitable and benevolent institutions.

LEWIS W. RICE, an enterprising farmer of Washington Township, was born in Shelby County, Ky., November 24, 1823, and is the youngest of nine children of Jesse and Martha (Wilcoxson) Rice, natives of Virginia, and of English lineage. During his youth he worked on a farm, working in the summer and attending school in the winter seasons. In consequence of the death of his parents, Mr. Rice commenced active life for himself at the age of seventeen years. Just previous to his majority, he was married, Septem- ber 5, 1844, to Ann Miles, a native of Parke County, Ind., and daughter of Samuel and Hannah (Ghormley) Miles, natives of Kentucky and Pennsyl- vania, and of Irish and German ancestry. Mr. Rice engaged in farming in Washington Township, Clay County, soon after his marriage, and has ever since resided, and is now residing, on a farm of eighty acres near Bowling Green. To Mr. and Mrs. Rice have been born seven children, viz., James M., Jessie, Jane (Zenor), William H., Emma (Godfrey), U. S. Grant and Anna, all of whom are living. Mr. Rice is a stanch Republican in politics,

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and was Postmaster at Bowling Green for two years, but after the removal of the county seat he resigned the position and resumed farming. He is ranked as one of the pioneers of Clay County. He and his wife are both members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

HARMON SCHOPMEYER is the eldest of a family of five children born to Henry and Catharine (Shromyer) Schopmeyer, both natives of Ger- many. He was born in Germany November 6, 1825. His youth was spent upon a farm and in attending school. When nearly twenty-one years of age, Mr. Schopmeyer emigrated to America, landing at New Orleans, going thence to Cincinnati, where he remained ten years working at the cooper's trade. He married Mary Fledderjohn November 24, 1850. She is also a na- tive of Germany. In 1855, March 20, he came to Washington Township, Clay County, purchasing eighty acres of land near Poland, and making a home in the wilderness. Since, he has added until he now has 470 acres, well improved and attractive. Mrs. Schopmeyer has borne her husband eight children, viz., Henry, William, Frederick, John, Lizzie, Frank, Mary and August. Mr. and Mrs. Schopmeyer are members of the Reformed German Church, and liberal in charities.

J. W. SENSENEY, merchant, of Bowling Green, carrying a stock of $8,000, and doing a cash annual business of $18,000, was born October 13, 1837, in Frederick County, Md .; was reared upon a farm and received a com- mon school education, sufficient, however, to qualify him as a teacher. He came to Indiana in an early day in company with his parents, who were of German lineage, but natives of Virginia. Our subject was engaged in farm- ing and teaching school until after he had attained his majority ; then em- barked in the mercantile trade, locating in Bowling Green, Clay County, in 1866, where he has since been engaged in the mercantile business. May 8, 1873, he was married to Mary Stilwagon, a native of Indiana, and daughter of David S. and Sarah (Lewis) Stilwagon, natives respectively of Pennsyl- vania and Indiana, and of French and English extraction. Mr. Senseney and wife have had no children. He began life with nothing, but owns at this time about $17,000 worth of property. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity ; his wife of the Christian Church.

JOHN T. SMITH was born in Johnson County, Ind., March 18, 1831. He grew up to manhood on a farm, with no other educational advantages than those afforded by the common schools of his county. A few months before he was of age, he met with a serious accident while felling timber in the woods, the accident resulting in the breaking of his right leg near the knee, his right arm near the elbow, besides other serious injuries. This mis- fortune changed the whole course of his life. After his recovery he entered college at Franklin, Ind., attending a few terms ; then moved, in 1853, with his father to Greene County and engaged for a few years in teaching school. In the spring of 1860, he graduated from the Law Department of Asbury University, after which he located in Bloomfield, Ind., and engaged in the practice of law. He assisted in recruiting Company F, Thirty-first Indiana Infantry, at the breaking-out of the late rebellion, and was mustered into the service as First Lieutenant September 20, 1861. January 4, 1862, he was commissioned Captain ; December 5, 1862, was promoted Major ; February 11, 1863, was made Lieutenant Colonel ; July 15, 1863, he was promoted. Colonel of the regiment, and was discharged from the service March 12, 1865. The Colonel was present with his command and participated in the battles of Fort Donelson, Shiloh, Corinth, Stone River and Chickamauga ; he was on the Atlanta campaign, and in nearly all the engagements connected with the fall of Atlanta ; took part also in the battle of Jonesboro, Ga., Pulaski, Spring IIill, Franklin and Nashville, Tenn. He was popular with

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Counties of Clay and Owen, Indiana : Historical and biographical., Part 41

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