USA > Indiana > Clay County > Counties of Clay and Owen, Indiana : Historical and biographical. > Part 42
USA > Indiana > Owen County > Counties of Clay and Owen, Indiana : Historical and biographical. > Part 42
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his officers and men, and successful as a commander. On his return home, Col. Smith was elected Clerk of the Greene County Circuit Court, serving five years. He is not rated as an office-seeker, yet he has an even dozen commissions which have been issued to him by the different Governors of the State. The Colonel is a local preacher of the Methodist Episcopal Church, possessing rare ability. He moved to Bowling Green in 1879, and . served acceptably the Bowling Green Circuit one year. In 1854, he married Mary C. Armstrong. The couple have an interesting family of two boys and five girls.
JOHN STRAUCH was born in Germany July 16, 1837, and the eldest of six children born to John and Catharine (Mann) Strauch, both natives of Germany. When the subject of this sketch was one year old, his parents emigrated to the United States, landing in New York City, whence they went to Monroe County, Ohio, where they remained five years. The elder Mr. Strauch being a minister, was not permanently located, but lived in New Albany, Vernon and Fort Wayne, Ind., finally retiring to Jeffersonville, having left the ministry on account of old age. The son John, spending his youth in cities, had the opportunity of obtaining a good common school education. When sixteen years of age, he commenced working as a farm hand, which he continued until he was eighteen ; then began to learn the car- penter's trade, serving an apprenticeship of two years, after which he worked at his trade about twelve years, when he turned his attention to farming. Mr. Strauch was married, March 6, 1858, to Mary Knippe. Seven children have been born to them-Emma (deceased), Catharine, Amelia, Ellen, Ed- ward, Lewis and Celestia. Mr. Strauch has been a resident of Clay County since 1856. He lives on a farm near Poland, and raises stock extensively. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, also of the I. O. O. F. In poli- tics he has been a Republican since the war, and has held offices of honor and trust in the party. He was Sheriff of Clay County one term. He and his wife are members of the German Reformed Church, and are benevolent and charitable.
JAMES TAGGART, harness-maker, and a resident of Bowling Green, was born in Belmont County, Ohio, March 20, 1824, and was reared upon a farm. He has acquired only a common school education. His parents were of English descent. His great-grandfather was a soldier in the Revo- lutionary war, and his grandfather in the war of 1812. During his younger days, Mr. Taggart served an apprenticeship at the harness-maker's trade, and has since continued in that business. In the year 1850, he settled in Owen County, Ind., purchasing a farm, erecting a log cabin, and working out for himself and family a home. After many struggles, and enduring the privations of a pioneer life in the wilderness, he succeeded ; but he soon dis- posed of his farm and removed to Spencer, Ind., where he resumed his trade. In May, 1860, he removed to Bowling Green, Clay County, where he bas since resided. In the spring of 1845, he was married to Adaline Hilli- gas, a native of Pennsylvania. To them have been born five children- Caroline (Dalgar), William, George, Frank P. and Luella (Thompson). Mr. Taggart, in politics, is an active Democrat, and he has held offices of honor and trust in his party. He is now Justice of the Peace in Washington Township, this being his third terin. He and his wife are members of the Baptist Church.
E. P. TALBOTT, M. D., Bowling Green, Ind., was the eldest of seven children of Othniel and Elizabeth (Fitzwalter) Talbott, natives of Baltimore County, Md., and Shelby County, Ky. Our subject was born in Shelby County, Ky., August 11, 1817 ; was reared on a farm, and just before he arrived at the age of twenty-one years he entered the Asbury University at
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Greencastle, Ind., remaining two terms ; then entered the office of Dr. Will- iam E. Talbott, remaining with him five years. During this time, he attended two terms at the medical school in this place, receiving instruction from T. W. Cowgill, C. T. Ballard and H. E. Talbott. After several years' practice, he entered the Rush Medical College at Chicago, and graduated there in · 1860. He then returned to Greencastle and resumed practice, continuing until 1866, when he located at Cloverdale, Ind., remaining there five years, and, in 1871, came to Bowling Green, where he has since resided. When but eleven years of age, Mr. Talbott came to Indiana with his father, who entered land in Jackson Township, Putnam County, in 1828, and who became one of the pioneers of that county, there being at that time only four fami- lies in the township, and Greencastle but a log village. August 18, 1846, Dr. Talbott was married to Julia, daughter of Richard and Hannah (Duni- van) Doggett, natives of Maryland, and of English lineage. Six children have been born to this union-William E., Lucinda B. (now Campbell), Eliza J., Albert G., George D. and Elmer E., all living. Mr. Talbott is an Odd Fellow, a Mason, and in politics an active Democrat. His wife is a member of the Missionary Baptist Church. Both are liberal givers to all benevolent and charitable institutions.
JOHN H. TAPY was born in Union County, Ind., November 24, 1841, and is the youngest of seven children born to Harmon H. and Alice (Hol- lenberg) Tapy, natives of Germany. Our subject was reared on a farm, and received his education from the common schools. He remained with his parents on the farm until near his majority, when he commenced life for himself. On September 1, 1867, he was married to Mary Altemiller, the daughter of Harmon H. and Agnes (Angle) Altemiller, natives of Germany. After his marriage, he engaged in farming in Clay County, to which he with his parents had moved, from Union County in 1844. His parents were pio- neers of Clay County, and lived there until their death in 1869. Our sub- ject is at present located on a farm of eighty acres near Bowling Green. The farm is well improved. Mrs. Tapy has borne her husband four children -William O., born July 26, 1868 ; Anna K., born August 25, 1870 ; Clara C., born October 23, 1872 ; Eddie C., born September 28, 1875. Both Mr. and Mrs. Tapy are members of the German Reformed Church, and are liberal givers to charitable enterprises.
WILLIAM TAPY, undertaker and furniture dealer, of Bowling Green, was born in Prussia, March 4, 1842, and is the third in a family of four children of Harmon H. and Eugenie Tapy, natives of Prussia. William was reared on a farm, and received a common school education. He crossed the Atlantic in 1858, landing in Baltimore, Md., where he remained but a short time ; then came to Clay County, Ind., and located in Bowling Green in 1862, and here he has since resided. In 1869, he was married to Mary Marsh, a native of Indiana, and daughter of Thomas and Catharine Marsh, the former a native of North Carolina, the latter of Ohio, and of English lineage. After his marriage, Mr. Tapy continued in the business of under- taker and furniture dealer, and has at present a prosperous trade. Mrs. Tapy has borne her husband two children-Katie Eugenie, born February 7, 1871, and Mary, born July 31, 1874, and died August 9, 1874. Mr. Tapy is a member of the I. O. O. F., and, in politics, is an active Democrat, hav- ing held offices of honor and trust in the party. During four years he was Clerk, and four years Treasurer of Clay County. Both he and his wife are members of the Christian Church, and liberal givers to institutions of charity and benevolence.
MAHALA THOMAS, a resident of Bowling Green, was the third in a family of eight children of James and Frances (Thompson) Booth, the for-
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mer a native of Kentucky, the latter of Virginia, and of Irish and English extraction. Her father was a soldier in the war of 1812, and her grand- father Thompson was a Revolutionary soldier. Mahala was born in Harrison County, Ind., July 16, 1809, and was reared on a farm, with very limited educational advantages. Owing to the death of her father, she went to live with her grandfather, Lawrence Thompson, where she remained until Jan- uary 10, 1833, when she was married to Oswald Thomas, a native of Vir- ginia. The young couple located in Washington Township, Clay County, and after the laying-out of Bowling Green, became residents of that town. Mr. Thomas devoted his time to farming, developing a home in the wilder- ness. Nine children were born to this marriage-Morris J. (deceased), Mary J. (deceased), Jeptha, John E., Jurettie M. (deceased), James T. (deceased), Clara E., Huldah F. (now Hoffa), and Amanda B. (now Tribble). Mr. Thomas died June 9, 1858. He served as Trustee of Washington Township three successive terms. He was a member of the Masonic fraternity. Mrs. Thomas is now seventy-four years of age, and has been a resident of Clay County since 1825.
CLINTON M. THOMPSON, merchant, Bowling Green, Ind., was born in Jackson County, Ind., October 12, 1829, and is one of eleven children of John D. and Elizabeth A. (Elsey) Thompson, the father a native of Ken- tucky, of Scotch-Irish extraction, and the mother a native of Virginia, of German descent. His father died at the age of eighty-nine years, about April, 1881. His mother is still living at Bowling Green, and is eighty- eight years of age. Our subject has been a partner in the mercantile busi- ness for eighteen years, the firm selling. at retail, goods to the amount of over $100,000 per annum part of the time. The firm's stock, at last invoice, amounted to $22,000 ; average annual sales, about $60,000. Mr. Thompson is living with his third wife. His second wife bore him three children, viz., Hallie D. (Talbott), Blanch W. and J. P. R. His present wife has also borne him three children, viz., Earl, Emmett and Ethel. Three children are deceased, but the six named are living. Mr. Thompson was Postmaster at Bowling Green five years ; was editor and proprietor of the Clay County Democrat six years ; was Recorder of Clay County four years ; was Clerk of Clay County four years ; was a Deputy in every office in Clay County for many years ; was a School Trustee of Bowling Green for two years ; was a Town Trustee of same town for three years, and is now School Trustee, serving his third year. He is a Mason-a member of the Blue Lodge, No. 85, at Bowling Green-and Chapter of Royal Arch Masons at Brazil. He is also a member of the Christian Church ; his wife, of the Presbyterian. In politics, he is a Democrat. Mr. T.'s education was acquired at the common schools of his county.
CAPT. EDWARD A. THOMPSON was born in Jackson County, Ind., on September 7, 1831. When but a lad, however, he moved with his parents to Clay County, Ind., and located in Bowling Green. At this time, the county was comparatively a wilderness, and his early life was exposed to all the privations incident to pioneer life. He received his early education from the common schools of the day. At the time he attained his majority, he had mastered the tailor's trade ; but that kind of a life was too sedentary to suit his active temperament, and he formed a partnership with Mr. Hop- kins in the cabinet-making business, in which he continued until the break- ing-out of the war in 1861. In the meantime, he had given considerable attention to instrumental music. In 1861, he enlisted as a member of the band in the Fourteenth Indiana Infantry, and went with the regiment into Virginia. This kind of service, however, did not suit Mr. Thompson, as he thought he could accomplish more toward suppressing the rebellion with a
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musket than with a brass horn, and in 1862 he enlisted in Company D, Seventy-first Indiana Infantry, receiving a commission as First Lieutenant. On August 30, 1862, at the battle of Richmond, Ky., he was severely wounded in the shoulder with a piece of shell. He was soon after captured, but was paroled ; came home, and remained until he recovered from his wound. Soon after this, the Seventy-first Indiana was organized as the Sixth Indi- ana Cavalry, and Lieut. Thompson was promoted Captain of Company M in said organization, and in which capacity he served until the close of the war. He took part in all the cavalry operations with his command in the Department of the Cumberland, and through Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama and Georgia. He was engaged with Stoneman and Kilpatrick in their cele- brated raids, and was seriously injured at the battle of Pulaski, Tenn., in 1864. As a military officer, the Captain was a success, and popular with his superiors, and beloved by his men. In 1855, he was married to Cordelia Sutliff. After the close of the war, he moved on a farm two miles from town, and carried on farming, and dealt in stock. In 1882, he moved with his family into town, and entered into a copartnership with his brother in the dry goods trade. The firm carries a large stock, and is doing an.exten - sive business, beside carrying on their farms. The Captain is no office- seeker, but in politics is an ardent Republican. For many years he has been a consistent member of the M. E. Church. His father, John D. Thompson, died in 1882, being nearly ninety years of age. His mother, nearly eighty- eight years of age, still survives.
THOMAS WALKER, a pioneer of Clay County, was born in Hardin County, Ky., June 4, 1815, and in 1822 came to Clay County, Ind., with his mother, uncle and grandfather, entering land where Washington Township now is, where, amid all the hardships of pioneer life, surrounded by savages and wild beasts, Thomas grew to manhood. Losing his father when very young, Thomas lived with his uncle, and owing to the newness of the country and necessity of working, his education was limited. He remained with his uncle until December 3, 1840, when he was married to Eleanor Jones. These children were born to this union, viz., John D. (deceased), Mary E. (now Ro- denbarger), Harriet I., Walker, George W., and Daniel L. (deceased). Mrs. Walker died May 1, 1852. Mr. Walker's second marriage occurred March 15, 1860, to Mary Ann Cromwell. Three children have been born to this marriage, viz., Saralı E. (now Richardson), Cynthia J. (now Cullen) and David T. Mr. Walker now lives upon a farm near Bowling Green, with pleasant surroundings, all the result of his own industry. In politics, he is one of the Old-Line Whigs, having cast his first vote for Henry Clay, but now voting with the Republican party. He was formerly Trustee of Washington Township. Mr. and Mrs. Walker are members of the Christian Church, earnest advocates of Sabbath schools, and liberal in charities.
GEORGE F. WEBER is the oldest of a family of ten children of John and Maria K. (Beamann) Weber, natives of Germany. John Weber emigrated to this country in 1848, landing in New York. From there he went to Chicago, and thence to St. Louis, Mo., where he was married, and where he remained for some time. He then came to Terre Haute, Vigo County, remained six years, thence to Owen County, and thence to Clay County. He was a regular soldier in the German Army ; in Germany he served an apprenticeship as stone-cutter and mason ; followed that business in this country until he was chosen Sheriff of Clay County, and as such officer served two consecutive terms. He was a Democrat in politics. He was a member of the Masonic fraternity. He resided at Bowling Green at the time of his death, which occurred on March 27, 1881. George F., our sub- ject, was born in St. Louis, Mo., July 20, 1851. He spent the greater portion
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of his minority in Bowling Green ; received only a common school educa- tion. In his youth he learned from his father the stone-cutter's and mason's trade. He remained with his father in this business until the latter was elected Sheriff, and then entered the Sheriff's office as assistant. Mr. Weber was married, on April 15, 1883, to America Crawford, a native of Illinois, and daughter of John and Margaret (Culshaw) Crawford, natives of Ohio, and of German lineage.
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JOHN WOODS, one of the pioneer farmers of Washington Township, was born in Anderson County, Ky., December 26, 1813, and was the sixth in a family of nine children of Joseph and Keziah (Bell) Woods, the former a native of Ireland, the latter of Pennsylvania. John's youth was spent in farming with little opportunity of education, owing to the scarcity of schools and the necessity of work. He remained with his parents until two years after his marriage, which occurred February 22, 1836, to Frances Rice. October 28, 1839, he came to Clay County, Ind., where he entered 200 acres of land, near Bowling Green, and began making a home for his family, enduring many hardships, yet living to see a fine town developed where was a wilderness. Five children have been born to them, viz., Keziah (now Campbell), Anna B. (now Bowman), Sally (now Cameron), Susan (now Mar- tin) and William, all living. Mr. Woods became a Mason in 1850, January 26, and was elected Junior Warden the same year, and still holds the position in the Lodge at Bowling Green. Mr. Woods is an Old-Line Whig, casting his first vote for Henry Clay in 1844, but now votes with the Repub- licans, and has held offices of honor and trust in the party. He has been Justice of the Peace, also Constable and Deputy Sheriff of the county.
CLAY CITY AND HARRISON TOWNSHIP.
HENRY D. AMES, an extensive farmer and stock-raiser of Harrison Township, was born December 12. 1833, in Holmes County, Ohio, and was the second child born to Samuel and Elinor (Robinson) Ames, both natives of Pennsylvania, and of German and Irish extraction. He, in company with his parents, came to Clay County, Ind., in the spring of 1873, having pre- viously lived for a time in Parke County. Henry's education was limited to the common schools, he working for his father summers and going to school in winter. In the fall of 1862, he enlisted in Company. D, Tenth Ohio Cav- alry, and was in several hard-fought battles, and with Sherman in his famous march to the sea. He was also in numerous skirmishes, but was never wounded. He remained until the war closed, and was mustered out at Lex- ington, N. C., in the summer of 1865, and honorably discharged at Cleve- land, Ohio. When he returned from the war, he resumed farm work, staying with and caring for his parents, who were getting old and feeble. In 1871, January 31, he married Maria Cahill, a native of Parke County, Ind. One child has been born to them, viz., William, born November 15, 1877. Mrs. Ames is an active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In politics, Mr. Ames is an uncompromising Republican, and one of the active and able workers of the party.
CALVIN R. AMES, farmer and stock-raiser, was born July 27, 1845, in Williams County, Ohio, and was the fifth child of Samuel and Elinor (Robinson) Ames, both natives of Ohio, and of German and Irish extraction. He remained at home until nineteen years of age, working on the farm in
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summer and attending school in winter. In the spring of 1864, he enlisted in Company D. Forty-fourth Illinois Infantry, under Col. Barrett. He par- ticipated in several hard-fought battles, and received a wound in the head at the battle of Kenesaw Mountain, in the famous battle above the clouds. He was disabled for duty about four months, and when he was able re- turned to his regiment, and remained until the close of the war. He was mustered out at Victoria, Tex., and honorably discharged at Springfield, Ill. After his return from the war, he remained with his parents until their death. His marriage occurred April 18, 1868, to Amanda Taylor, a native of Ohio. Three children have been born to them, viz .: George H., born June 21, 1869 ; Virginia M., June 16, 1871 ; Sarah E., February 22, 1876. Mr. Ames is a member of the Masonic fraternity at Clay City. He is in politics a thoroughgoing Republican, having voted with that party since he became a voter, and is one of its most earnest workers.
REV. JAMES B. ARNETT, pastor of Bowling Green and Pleasant View Churches, of the Missionary Baptist denomination, is the eldest son of John and Celia (Smith) Arnett, natives of North Carolina, and of Irish de- scent. He was born in Wythe County, Va., December 20, 1828, whence his parents came to Indiana in 1831, and settled in Jackson Township, Owen County, where he mainly made his home until July, 1879, at which period he removed to Clay County and took charge of New Union and Pleasant View Churches in Owen County, and of Goodhope Church at Middlebury, which charges he held three years. Mr. Arnett has been recognized for years as a talented teacher in the public schools. In 1859, he was called to preach by the United Brethren Church, and in 1875 entered the ministry of the Missionary Baptists. September 1, 1853, he married Sarah E. Huber, who bore him several children-Amanda Eliza, John Henry, James Will- iam, Celia Margaret and two deceased. August 15, 1862. Mr. Arnett en- listed in Company E, Eighty-fifth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and served until December 5, 1864, when he was honorably discharged. He served on regimental hospital duty at Covington, Ky., where, in handling the sick, he received an injury to his spine. Mr. Arnett is truly a self-made man, and has a pleasant home and about ten acres in Middlebury. He is a Repub- lican of over twenty years' duration, and a greatly respected citizen.
A. J. BARRICK, a son of Peter and Margaret (Patterson) Barrick, was born May 21, 1858, in Harrison Township, Clay County, Ind., where he now resides. Most of his life has been spent upon a farm, working summers, and attending school winters, and having a liking for study, he has acquired an excellent education. He now works at farming in summer, and in win- ter in the coal mine on his father's farm. His marriage occurred February 22, 1878, to Lena, daughter of Abram and Della (Cox) Nixon, a native of Warren County, Ohio, born March 29, 1860, and of Irish and English ex- traction. Three children have been born to them-Margaret D., born July 6, 1879 ; Charles E., June 2, 1881 ; Mary E., April 25, 1883. Mrs. Barrick is an active member of the United Brethren Church. Mr. Barrick is an earnest member of the Democratic party, having given them his support since he became a voter.
PETER BARRICK was born February 22, 1816, in Harrison County. Ohio, and was the youngest of nine children born to Frederick and Mary (Iler) Barrick, the former a native of Maryland, the latter of Germany. He remained with his parents, working on the farm in the summer, and attend- ing school in winter until eighteen years of age, when he began life for him- self. He moved with his parents to Coshocton County, where he worked at clearing land for ten years. Commencing life with nothing, he has by his own labor become owner of a nice farm of eighty acres well improved, and
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having a rich vein of coal three feet in depth, with a shaft ready for use. He was married to Margaret, daughter of Benjamin and Eliza (Munn) Pat- terson, a native of Pennsylvania, in December 20, 1844. Ten children have been born to them-Eliza, Mary (deceased), Elmira (deceased). Sarah, Maria (deceased), Elizabeth, Thomas (deceased), Andrew J., George W., and an infant (deceased, unnamed). Mrs. Barrick is an active member of the Baptist Church, joining in 1859. Mr. Barrick came to Clay County in the fall of 1856, and two years after purchased the farm where he now re- sides. He is much respected, and has held the office of Trustee one term, and that of Assessor and Constable several terms. In politics, he is a Demo- crat, and cast his first vote for Martin Van Buren.
SIMON P. BERNS, physician, Clay City, Ind., was born April 15, 1858, in Greene County, Ind., and was the youngest of four children of Peter and Catharine (Stockram) Berns, both natives of Germany. Simon spent his boyhood upon a farm, working and going to school, and at the age of sixteen years, his father sent him to Ascension Seminary at Sullivan, Ind., where he remained a year and a half. After his return he taught school, giving good satisfaction. Having chosen the medical profession, he com- menced its study at the Missouri Medical College, St. Louis, hie being at that time twenty years of age. He remained there three years, graduating in the class of 1881, and the same year commencing the practice of medi- cine in Clay City. He is a rising young physician, with a growing practice. He is a member of the German Reformed Church. He is also a member of the Masonic fraternity, and of the Improved Order of Red Men. Politi- cally, he is a Democrat.
FREDERICK BLAIR, farmer and stock-raiser, was born September 4, 1855, in Owen County, Ind., and was the third of five children born to John and Mary (Myer) Blair, both natives of Germany. The parents settled near Coal City at an early day, and remained there until their death, making a nice home of what they had found a wilderness. Frederick, after the death of his father, which occurred when he was quite young, took the manage- ment of the farm, which left him little time for school, but having a dispo- sition to learn he managed to acquire a good business education. When nineteen years of age, his mother died, which left him without a home, and dependent upon his own exertions. He was in the employ of John L. Stultz seven years. By hard work and economy, he has become the owner of a good farm of seventy five acres, and well improved. His marriage occurred March 14, 1880, to Melinda, daughter of William and Sarah (Long) Need, the former a native of Ohio, the latter of Pennsylvania. One daughter has been born to them-Ada, born December 7, 1880. Mr. Blair is a member of the Lutheran Church, and his wife of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In politics, he is a Democrat.
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