USA > Indiana > Clay County > Counties of Clay and Owen, Indiana : Historical and biographical. > Part 44
USA > Indiana > Owen County > Counties of Clay and Owen, Indiana : Historical and biographical. > Part 44
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J. W. DANHOUR, druggist, Clay City, was born August 21, 1851, in Clay County, Ind., and was the third child of Samuel and Catharine (Franc) Danhour, both natives of Ohio and of German extraction. The subject of this sketch spent his youth on a farm, working summers and going to school winters, thus obtaining a good common school education. He remained with his parents until about twenty-two years of age, when he engaged in working at pottery for the firm of Dietrick & Weaver, Harmony, Ind., where he remained several years. He first embarked in the drug business at Har- mony, and after some time sold his stock and came to Middlebury, Ind., where he purchased a new stock of drugs, and remained about one year, removing his stock then to Clay City, where he carries on a first-class busi- ness. He is a self-made, enterprising young man with a promising future. F. M. DOROTHY, proprietor of the New York Store, carrying a full . supply of dry goods, notions, clothing and gents' furnishing goods, hats, caps, boots, shoes, etc., was born in Vigo County, Ind., and was the second son of Harrison and Lucinda (Sweeney) Dorothy, both natives of Kentucky, and of Irish descent. In his youth he lived in a village and worked by the day, principally with machinery of different kinds. In 1852, he began as a salesman in a mercantile house, and has followed the business since, with the exception of eighteen months in the army. He enlisted in the fall of 1861 in Company F, Fifth Illinois Cavalry, as Lieutenant. He was engaged in several hard skirmishes, and was wounded in the knee, the bullet still remaining in the limb. He resigned, and returning home began business for himself at Robinson, Ill., where he remained four years, going thence to Bellaire, Ind., where he remained until the summer of 1879, when he removed his stock to Clay City, where he is doing a lively business. He was married, in 1864, to Isabel Barbee (now deceased). One child survives this union-Edith. His second marriage occurred December 18, 1871, to Natalean Peters. Three children have been born to them-Francis O., Charles and Dick. Mr. Dorothy is a member of the Masonic fraternity. In politics, he was formerly a Democrat, but since the rebellion has been an active, earnest Republican.
ISAIAH HAMILTON DUNCAN, farmer and stock-raiser, was born in this township December 4, 1832, and is a son of Isaiah and Nancy (Mur- dock) Duncan, natives of South Carolina and Georgia, and of Scotch and Irish descent respectively. Our subject remained at home until he was twenty-two years of age, and acquired from the subscription schools an average education. December 31, 1858, he married, in Owen County, Mahala Winters, a union which gave birth to seven children, six of whom died in infancy-Elsie, Wilson and Willard (twins), Sylvia A., Ura C., and one unnamed ; the only living issue is Julia Ann. Mr. Duncan is an
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uncompromising Democrat. He is an industrious man and an esteemed citizen. He was a member of the late Grange organization, and Master of his lodge. In 1869, Mr. Duncan was elected Township Trustee, an office which he held for eight successive years. Mrs. Duncan is a member of the Christian Church.
HENRY EDMONDSON is the second son of Austin and Elizabeth (Friedley) Edmondson, natives of Tennessee and Kentucky, and of English and German extraction respectively. Our subject was born March 17, 1852, in this township, where he is now living and farming. His early education was had from the public schools, although he attended Prof. Wilson's pre- paratory school in Vigo County, and having fitted himself for an educator he engaged as teacher of the public schools, in which capacity he served creditably for seven years. November 9, 1873, he married a daughter of a neighbor, Elmira Haviland, which union was productive of five children- William Wilford (deceased), Minnie Bell, William Austin, Ansel A. and George W. Mr. Edmondson's success in life is due to his energy and per- severance, aided by his faithful and industrious wife. In politics, Mr. Ed- mondson is a conservative Democrat, and he and wife are members of the Missionary Baptist Church.
WALTER C. ELKIN, attorney at law, Clay City, Ind., was born in Woodford County, Ky., March 1, 1832, and is the second child born to Merryman and Susan A. (Bailey) Elkin, both natives of Kentucky, and of Welsh and Scotch-Irish extraction. When Walter was two years of age, his parents removed to Clay County, Ind., locating at Bowling Green, where his father was among the first merchants of the place. Walter attended school most of the time, being at Asbury University two years. He then studied law two years with D. E. Williams, of Bowling Green. From 1853 to 1857, he was engaged in mercantile business. He then went upon a farm until the beginning of the rebellion, when, in the spring of 1861, he enlisted in Company I, Twenty-first Indiana Infantry, afterward Heavy Artillery. He was in active service until October 31, 1863, when he was mustered out at New Orleans for disability, he having risen to the rank of Lieutenant. His marriage occurred October 30, 1854, to Maria Markle. Three children have been born to them, viz .: Helen O. (Harris), Bell (deceased) and Fred- erick M. Mr. Elkin is an active member of the Masonic fraternity. Polit- ically, he is a Republican ; has voted with that party since the rebellion. He has been elected Justice of the Peace several times, and in 1868 was appointed Assistant Assessor for Clay County, holding the office two years.
DAVID EVERHART was born January 20, 1840, in Coshocton County, Ohio, and was one of a large family born to John and Judea (Barrick) Ever- hart, both natives of Ohio, and of German descent. David was reared upon a farm, attending the common school and working on the farm. He re- mained with his parents until thirty-one years of age, working at the cooper's trade, besides assisting on the farm, and moving with them to Clay County, Ind., where he has since resided. As a return for his industry at home he received a nice little farm of forty acres near Clay City. He devotes some attention to raising small fruits, and intends to devote more time to their culture. He was married to Melinda Watts, a native of Owen County, Ind., June 29, 1871. Four children have been born to them, viz .: Herman O., born April 25, 1872; Ida L., March 29, 1874 ; Jesse A., August 16, 1876, and Margaret E. (deceased.) Mr. Everhart and wife are members of the United Brethren Church. Politically, he is a Democrat. He is a man of great energy of character, and devoted to his family. In the spring of 1881. be laid out what is known as the Everhart Addition to Clay City, which has been built up rapidly, and of which he feels justly proud.
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ALPHEUS S. FAIR, farmer and stock-raiser, is the eldest son of Solo- mon and Susan (Foutch) Fair, natives of Maryland and Pennsylvania, and respectively of German and Irish descent. Alpheus was born in Somerset County, Penn., October 21, 1824. In 1835, his parents moved to Holmes County, Ohio, where our subject labored on the farm, and remained until his twenty-third year, having previously obtained some schooling at times, which he has increased by systematic application. January 18, 1847, he married, in Holmes County, Ohio, Mary Shrock, from which union descended nine children-Levi, Amanda, John, Malinda, Harriet (deceased), George, Mary Ann, Simon Peter, and William Jacob (deceased). In 1858, Mr. Fair came to this State and located on his present abode, at that date known as " Big Flats," and on which not the beginning of a clearing had been made. In 1861, he was elected Justice of the Peace, which office he held eight years. He is now the owner of a fine farm in a good state of cultivation, embracing an elegant residence, good fencing, barns and the like. In ad- dition to his farming business, Mr. Fair is managing a number of guardian- ships and other trusts, committed to him by reason of his honorable record and of public esteem. Mr. and Mrs. Fair are members of the German Re- formed Church.
JOHN FAIR, of Middlebury, Ind., was born January 19, 1852, in Holmes County, Ohio, and was the third child born to Alpheus S. and Mary (Shrock) Fair, the former a native of Pennsylvania, the latter of Ohio, and of German descent. John received a common school education, remaining with his father and working on the farm until twenty-one years of age, when he commenced working at the carpenter's trade, which business he followed for several years. In the fall of 1859, he moved with his parents to Harrison Township, Clay Co., Ind. His marriage took place April 16, 1876, to Lydia J. Goshorn. Two children have been born to them, viz., Sankey and Robert. In the fall of 1881, he engaged in his present business, that of groceries, and has been very successful. He also acts as Deputy Postmaster at Middlebury, as the post office is in his business room. In politics, he is a Democrat. He was elected Constable, and held that office three and a half years.
DR. MARTIN A. FREED, a rising young physician of Clay City, was born February 27, 1858, in Holmes County, Ohio, and was the third child born to John M. and Ann (Moyer) Freed, both natives of Ohio, and of Ger- man lineage. The parents moved to Indiana in 1863, locating in Harrison Township, Clay County. Martin's boyhood was spent upon a farm, working in summer and attending school in winter. He also attended the High Schools at Bowling Green one term, and at Brazil, after which he taught school three years with success. He had a liking for the study of medicine, and as soon as he was able financially, he began the study of his chosen profession by reading with Dr. York, his present partner, in the summer of 1879. He then entered the Medical Department of the University of Louisville, Ky., remaining there three years. After his return home, he commenced the practice of medicine, and is making his mark in his profession. He is a member of the Methodist Church ; also a member of the Improved Order of Red Men, and the Knights and Ladies of Honor. In politics, he is a Republican.
A. J. FULKERSON, proprietor of a grocery and queensware store, Clay City, was born February 6, 1842, in Daviess County, Ky., and was the ninth child born to John V. and Anna M. (Chenoworth) Fulkerson, and is of Irish and English lineage. His youth was spent upon a farm, working and at- tending school until nineteen years of age, when he enlisted in the service of his country in Company D, Eighty-first Regiment Indiana Infantry, in the
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summer of 1862. He participated in numerous skirmishes, but no great bat- tles, and at Perryville, Ky., received an injury which produced heart disease, and he was discharged in the spring of 1863 on account of disability. After his return from the war, he engaged in railroad business, being enployed as foreman twenty years. In the spring of 1880, he came to Clay City, being employed for a time as foreman by the T. H. & S. E. R. R., after which he en- gaged in his present business. He was married, March 6, 1864, to Flora Keepers (now deceased). One child, Lilly M. (now deceased), was born to them. His second marriage occurred June 21, 1866, to Mrs. Mary M. Wilson. Three children have been born to this union, viz., Annie E., Albert L. (deceased), and Emma B. (deceased). Mr. Fulkerson and wife are mem- bers of the Methodist Church. He is a member of the Masonie fraternity and of the I. O. O. F. In politics, he is a Republican, and an active worker in the party. In business, he is shrewd and successful.
JOHN J. GRABER, JR., farmer and stock-raiser, was born August 27, 1857, in Harrison Township, Clay County, Ind., and is the seventh of nine children born to John J. and Mary A. (Fisher) Graber, the former a native of Switzerland, the latter of Germany. His father came here at an early pe- riod, and is still living in Middlebury, Ind. He, with the aid of his sons, de- veloped from the wilderness one of the finest farms in the county, upon which the son John now resides. His early education was limited, but he has been a close student and is a model farmer. He was married to Mar- garet H. Willen, a native of Owen County, January 3, 1880. Two children have been born to them-John, born December 17, 1880, and Viola B., Jan- uary 6, 1883. Mr. Graber and wife are active members of the German Re- formed Church. In politics, he is a Democrat, having given his support to that party since he became a voter. He is an active, wide-awake young man, with a promising future.
JAMES S. GRAY, stock-raiser and farmer, was born in Monroe County, Ind., October 18, 1833, and is the fourth son of William and Mary (Gross) Gray, the former a native of Kentucky and of Scotch- Irish descent, the latter a native of North Carolina and of German descent. These parents removed to this locality and settled in 1848. Mr. Gray was reared on their farm, and from the subscription schools acquired a very fair English education. December 20, 1855, he mar- ried, in this township, Phebe J. Moody, by which alliance de- scended three children-Emily I. (deceased), Mary C. (deceased) and Ralph D. (now four and twenty years of age). Mr. Gray was largely the creator of his success in life, now possessing a magnificent farm of 210 acres, mostly in high cultivation and improvement. Mr. Gray is a Republican in politics, and a most valuable citizen. He and his wife are members of the Christian Church, in which Mr. Gray is a Deacon.
G. PARIS GRAY, farmer, was born in Monroe County, Ind., February 8, 1845, and is the youngest son of William and Mary (Gross) Gray. His parents removed to Clay County when he was four years old, and located where he now resides. He grew up on this farm, and acquired the rudiments of an education from the neighboring schools. August 8, 1869, he married, in Middlebury, Ind., Edith I., eldest daughter of Granville and Evaline (Smith) White, by which marriage they have one child, Bertha L. February 8, 1865, Mr. Gray enlisted in Company B, One Hundred and Forty-ninth Indiana Volunteer Infantry ; served as a Corporal until July 17, and was honorably discharged. While in the service, he contracted disease of the stomach, with which he is yet affected. Mr. Gray inherited the farm from his father, to which he has materially added by his thrift and diligence. His mother is yet living, aged eighty-two years. Mr. Gray is an earnest
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Republican, having cast his first Presidential vote for Gen. Grant. He and wife are consistent members of the Christian Church.
GEORGE V. GOSHORN was born May 8, 1837, in Holmes County, Ohio, and was the third of four children born to Nicholas and Jane (Rolin- son) Goshorn, both natives of Pennsylvania, and of English and German extraction. The first sixteen years of George's life were spent upon a farm and in attending school. He then engaged in mercantile business with his father, at Winesburg, Ohio, where he remained three years. He then came to Owen County, Ind., in the fall of 1856, and taught school the following winter. In the fall of 1857, his father came to Clay County, and together they commenced the mercantile business at Bellaire. George was appoint- ed Postmaster. He also bought and sold grain, had an interest in a saw mill and a shingle factory. The father and son sold out their business and bought a farm of 240 acres, all deeded to George, with whom his father made his home until his death, his mother dying some years previous in Ohio. He has several other farms, comprising 700 acres, well improved and stocked. He was married, April 7, 1861, to Rebecca Burkhart, a native of Coshocton County, Ohio, a daughter of Benjamin and Leah (Ream) Burk- hart. Nine children have been born to them, viz .: Jane B., Laura, Edwin, Robert, Mary, Benjamin, Leonard, Rosa and Ira. Mr. Goshorn is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and his wife is a Lutheran. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity. Politically, he is a Democrat, was formerly an active politician, but now merely votes. In the fall of 1864, he was elected County Surveyor of Clay County, and served a term of two years. He has also taught school in Bellaire.
ROBERT GUTHRIE, farmer, is the second of the eight children of Robert and Margaret (Patterson) Guthrie, natives of Pennsylvania, and of Irish and Scotch descent respectively, the former born November 21, 1800, (lied November 30, 1881 ; the latter born September 27, 1797, died January 18, 1881. Our subject first saw the light January 4, 1828, in Washington County, Penn., whence his parents, in the year 1836, removed to Coshocton County, Ohio. He was reared on a farm, and acquired a fair education in the schools of the day. At maturity he inherited from his father about $6,000, to which he has added by diligence and thrift until he now ranks among the wealthiest farmers of the county of Clay. June 5, 1856, he mar- ried Jane Elliott, which union was graced by three children-Hugh W. (de- ceased), Andromedia (deceased), and Prudence N. In 1858, he came to this State and located where he now resides. December 4, 1863, Mrs. Guthrie died, and October 13, 1864, he married Mary Ann Sowash, who became thereby the mother of four children-Emma Jane, Ella C., Ida L. and Daniel V. Mr. Guthrie is a member of Clay City Lodge, A. F. & A. M., and was for two years Treasurer thereof. He is a liberal Democrat, and a benevolent, esteemed citizen.
DR. LEVI A. HALE, a prominent physician of Middlebury, Ind., was born December 9, 1838, in Hamilton County, Ind., and was the eldest of ten children of Frederick S. and Melinda (Williams) Hale, the former a native of Tennessee, the latter of North Carolina, and of German and Scotch ex- traction. His youth was spent upon a farm, working and attending school until eighteen years of age, when he commenced teaching and taught two years, during his leisure hours reading medicine. He was also under an in- structor one year. He then enlisted April 19, 1861, in Company H, Four- teenth Indiana Infantry, under Col. Nathan Kimble, participating in several hard-fought battles, and being discharged for disability May 23, 1862. On his return home, he resumed the study of medicine, and taught school to defray expenses, studying with Bryant, and afterward Rodman, until 1868.
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From 1842, for a period of twenty-six years, he was a resident of Owen County, Ind. He commenced the practice of medicine in Marco, Greene County, but in a short time removed to Middlebury, where he has remained and built up a good practice. His marriage occurred January 29, 1866, to Margaret Spear. They have had two children born to them-Rence and Mont. Dr. Hale, his wife and daughter are members of the Christian Church. He is also a member of the I. O. O. F. Politically, he is a Repub- lican in the truest sense of the term, and an active worker of the party.
HENRY HARDEN, farmer and stock-raiser, was born December 20, 1835, in Knox County, Ohio, and was the seventh of twelve children born to Na- than and Mary (Hammon) Harden, both natives of Pennsylvania, and of Irish and German extraction. Henry's early opportunities of education were meager, as he was kept at work upon the farm most of the time, but being studious, he has obtained a fair education, mostly acquired since he was a man. His parents moved with him to Logan County, Ohio, when he was quite young, where they remained until the fall of 1852, when they came to Harrison Township, Clay County, Ind., redeeming from the wilder- ness a fine farm, upon which they spent the rest of their lives. At the age of twenty-one, Henry commenced life for himself, receiving no help, but by his own unaided efforts he now owns a farm of 439 acres. December 25, 1857, he was married to Melinda Bolick (now deceased). Eight children were the fruit of this marriage-Lewis, Mary, John, William (deceased), Lydia, Nathan, Emma, Elias (deceased). His second marriage occurred March 16, 1877, to Nancy Oliver (now deceased). Two children were born to this union, dying unnamed. He was next married to Alice Whited April 15, 1880. Two children have been born to them-Ezekiel, and Clara (de- ceased). Mrs. Harden is a member of the Christian Church. Politically, Mr. Harden is a Republican, having voted with that party since he became a voter, and being one of its active workers. He is a liberal giver to all charities, and a friend of progress.
ALGY D. HARRIS is the fifth son of Thomas and Lucinda (Witham) Harris, natives of Ohio and Kentucky, and of Irish and German descent respectively. Algy was born in Vigo County, Ind., October 27, 1840, and was taken by his parents to Sugar Ridge Township, where Thomas Harris purchased land and entered some, also, which aggregated in 1874, at the time of his death, 1,200 acres. Daniel Harris, grandfather of our subject, surveyed, named, and was the first legislative Representative of the county of Clay ; likewise the first Probate Judge of the counties of Owen and Clay. Algy was reared on the paternal farm, and November 14, 1864, he married Mahala D. Canann, which marriage produced eight children-Minnie Alice, Thomas Joseph (deceased), Henry Morton, Willie Walton (deceased), Maudie, Mattie, Richard Thompson, and an infant (deceased). Mr. Harris inherited from his father's estate something over $5,000, which his industry and thrift have doubled. The better to educate his children he removed from his farm to Clay City, where he has a grocery and confectionery. He is a Repub- lican, and gave his first Presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln. Mr. and Mrs. Harris belong to the Knights of Honor, Lodge 603, of which he is Treasurer, and she Vice Protector.
IVAN B. HARRIS, Postmaster of Clay City, was born May 9, 1854, in Clay County, Ind., and was the seventh child born to Lloyd, and second born to Nancy Burnett, the former a native of New York, the latter of Ken- tucky, and of English descent. Ivan received a good common school edu- cation, and also attended a commercial school at Terre Haute one term. At the age of seventeen, he commenced teaching school, following the pursuit five years with good success. He was married, May 15, 1879, to Helen
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Elkin, a native of Indiana. Two children have been born to this union- Roscoe B. and Don E. Mr. Harris is a member of the following orders : Masonic, Knights of Pythias, Improved Order of Red Men, and Ancient Order of United Workmen. He is an enthusiastic politician, and votes with the Republican party. He was appointed Postmaster of Clay City, March 31, 1879. He is also agent for the following fire insurance companies- Ætna, Hartford, Home, Springfield, Fire and Marine Underwriters, Western Assurance Company, all first-class.
NATHAN A. HARRIS was born July 16, 1851, in Morrow County, Ohio, and was the youngest of five children born to Jesse and Jane (Hall) Harris, both natives of Ohio, and of German extraction. Nathan's early youth was spent in town, where he attended school, but losing his father at an early age, and his mother remarrying, when he was fourteen years of age he was apprenticed to a harness-maker, where he worked eighteen months ; then going to Wooster, Ohio, he worked under better instruction eighteen months, afterward working six months in a whip factory, then in a carriage shop. He then came to Middlebury in the fall of 1868, and started a har- ness-shop, keeping it about three years, when he started a saloon, which he carried on five years. By this time, he had, of his own earning, accumulated enough to start a first-class grocery, which he now keeps in Middlebury. He was married to Ellen J. Rogerson June 29, 1871. Three children have been born to them-Charles L., James A. G. (deceased), Nancy E. (deceased.) Mrs. Harris is an active member of the Baptist Church. Politically, Mr. Harris is a Republican ; cast his first vote for U. S. Grant when he was elected to his second term.
ALTON R. HARVEY, a grain merchant of Clay City, was born Janu- ary 13, 1855, in Ashtabula County, Ohio, and was the third child born to Randolph S. and Polly M. (Sutton) Harvey, both natives of Ohio, and of English and German descent. . When Alton was two years of age, his father came with him to Brazil, Clay Co., Ind., where he shortly afterward died. Alton's boyhood was spent in town, where he attended school, and being studious acquired a good practical education. At the age of fifteen years, he began working at the plasterer's trade at Terre Haute. He advanced rapidly, and was soon able to manage business for himself. He took a trip to the New England States, working at his trade. He has also worked in all parts of Clay County. In January, 1882, he established his present business at Clay City. He was married to Carrie Clark November 22, 1879. One child has been born to them, viz., Altie M., born December 19, 1881. Mr. Harvey is an active member of the Christian Church. He is also a member of the I. O. O. F., and of the Improved Order of Red. Men. In poli- tics, he is a Republican. He is a member of the Cory and Clay City Brass Band.
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