Counties of Clay and Owen, Indiana : Historical and biographical., Part 47

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 47
USA > Indiana > Owen County > Counties of Clay and Owen, Indiana : Historical and biographical. > Part 47

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).

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

HENRY WILLIS, farmer, is a son of Henry and Millie (Tipton) Willis,. natives of Maryland, and of German and English extraction respectively. Our subject was reared on a farm, and at the public schools obtained a fair English education. In 1855, he came to this State and settled on a tract of land, a portion of which constitutes his present farm. In 1858, on July 22, he married Miss Charlotte Horn, to which union succeeded five children- Angeline, Mary Catharine, Ulysses Grant, Ida Ellen, and an infant (de- ceased). February 28, 1865, Mr. Willis enlisted in Company K, One Hun- dred and Forty-ninth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and served until July 13, when he was discharged by reason of physical disability. Mr. Willis is, after much toil and many difficulties, the possessor of a comfortable compe- tence, and the same is wholly due to himself. He is independent in politics, and a valuable citizen. Both he and wife are members of the Christian Church.

GEORGE W. WILTSE, a prominent farmer of Harrison Township, was born March 6, 1830, in Erie County, N. Y., and was the ninth of twelve children born to Jeremiah and Sarah (Green) Wiltse, the former a native of Vermont, the latter of Massachusetts, and of Dutch and English descent. George was reared upon a farm, receiving a common school education, and in addition spending some time at a Methodist Seminary at Lima, N. Y. He. then read law in the office of Eli Cook in Buffalo, N. Y., four years, and re- ceived a diploma, after which he practiced in the courts of several counties where he lived. From 1856-57, he, in connection with Cyrus P. Nixon, edited a paper at Jeffersonville called the National Democrat. He then came to Bowling Green, and edited a paper called the Clay County Demo- crat, Clinton M. Thompson being publisher, also practicing law, finally leav- ing the paper and making the practice of law a specialty until 1871, when he removed to Harrison Township, where he has since resided, and is en- gaged in farming ; also owing a third interest in the private bank of Thomp- son, Jett & Wiltse, at Clay City, Ind. Mr. Wiltse was married to Ada V. Conley, a native of New York, on November 14, 1861. Two children have been born to them, viz., William C. and James H. (deceased). Mrs. Wiltse is an active member of the Christian Church. Mr. Wiltse is a member of the Masonic order. In politics, he is a Democrat, but when the best man is nominated by the opposing party, he gives his vote to the man and not to the party. In the fall of 1863, he was elected Auditor of Clay County, and held the office a term of four years. .

C. P. ZENOR, of Middlebury, Clay Co., Ind., is a native of the county, born April 4, 1845, and is the third child of Elijah and Elizabeth (Rose), Zenor, the former a native of Pennsylvania, the latter of Tennessee, and of German and Scotch-Irish extraction. His parents were early settlers of Bowling Green, where his father was engaged in the cabinet-making and un- dertaking business. Mr. Zenor remained with his parents, attending school until seventeen years of age, when he enlisted in Company F, Fifty-fourth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, in the spring of 1863. He first enlisted for three months, then for six months, and the last time for three years. He. was Corporal, serving on detached duty, and was in no battle. He was honorably discharged at Baton Rouge, La., in the winter of 1866. Since his return from the army, he has worked at carpenter work, for which he possessed natural aptitude, never having served an apprenticeship. May 5, 1873, he was married to Drusilla Arnold, of Clay County. Two children have been born to them, viz., Candace and Judkin H. Mrs. Zenor is a. member of the United Brethren Church. Mr. Zenor is politically a thorough-bred Republican, and one of the party's most active, energetic- workers.

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MYRON H. ALLEN is a grandson of Ira Allen, the first settler of Fort Harrison Prairie, and one of the pioneers of this region. Myron was born on the farm where he now lives, in the northern part of Posey Town- ship December 20, 1847. His parents were Nathaniel and Nancy (West) Allen, early settlers in this region. His education was limited to the common country schools. He has been twice married ; first, at the age of twenty-two years, to Fannie Sibley. From this marriage resulted three children-Lulu, Laura (deceased) and Daisy. His second marriage was to Lizzie Dunn, who has borne him two children- Alfred and May. In politics, he is a Repub- lican, and one of the prominent farmers of the township.

MERIDETH ANDERSON, son of John and Mary (Pierce) Anderson, is a native of Frederick County, Va., born February 24, 1810, and is the sixth in a family of ten children. He lived upon a farm in Virginia until twenty-four years of age, working at teaming. In the fall of 1834, he moved to Ohio, riding 400 miles on horseback. In 1854, he removed to Clay County, Ind., locating in Posey Township, where he has remained since. He was married, in 1837, to Sarah Carter, aunt of Allen and Major Carter. She was born February 22, 1807. To them were born four children-Mary Elizabeth, Lida A., Sarah J. and Emma (deceased). Mr. Anderson is one of the oldest men in this region, very active and energetic. He lives on a farm of 172 acres, under good cultivation. Politically, he is a life-long Re- publican.

OSCAR W. AYER is a native of Hamilton County, Ohio, born Decem- ber 9, 1849, son of John M. Ayer, born in 1829, died January 14, 1880, and Mary (Van Eaton) Ayer, still living. In 1852, Oscar with his parents came to Clay County, Ind., settling upon the farm where he now lives. It was then a wilderness, but by hard work and perseverance the father, assisted by his family, developed one of the finest farms in the region. Oscar, at the age of twenty, entered Asbury College, and completed the scientific course in 1874. On leaving school he returned to the farm, where he has since remained. He is one of the prominent farmers of the southern part of Posey Township, enterprising, and a friend of progress and education. His farm consists of 290 acres of as highly cultivated land as can be found in Clay County. Politically, he is a Republican.

CHARLES W. BAILEY, EsQ., is a native of West Virginia, born Feb- ruary 27, 1832. His father moved to Clay County, Ind., in 1850, locating in Posey Township, near the present site of Staunton. Charles W. is the fifth in a family of eleven children, nine of whom are living, one in Vir- gina, two in West Virginia, and the others in Clay County, Ind. He lived upon the farm until eighteen years of age, when he engaged in the milling business, pursuing it twelve years. He then worked at mining twelve years. He then removed to the farm where he now resides. He is a breeder of blooded stock, especially fine horses. He was married, August 20, 1857, to Ruth McKee. They have had one child, Albert C. (deceased). Mr. B. is, politically, a Democrat, and has figured prominently in the politics of his section. He has served as Township Trustee for two years ; was elected Justice of the Peace in the fall of 1869, again in 1873, serving in all eight years. His father was one of the early settlers of the county.

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L. S. BYERS, M. D., druggist and practicing physician, Staunton, Ind., is a native of Kentucky, born May 12, 1850, and is of German descent. He was brought up on a farm, where he remained until attaining manhood, when he commenced the study of medicine. He completed his course of study at Louisville Medical College, in 1875, and began to practice, locat- ing at Terre Haute, Ind., where he remained one year, coming then to Clay County. In 1880 he married Mattie Williams, daughter of Nathan Williams, who was the first man who shipped coal from this county. They have. one child, Lena D., born August 31, 1882. Dr. Byers takes an active part in politics, being a Republican. He was the first man who attempted driving a well in this section of the county. He is an enterprising citizen, a suo- cessful business man, and much respected.

DAVID CARMIKLE, merchant, Newburg, Ind., was born October 9, 1839, in Ohio, where he lived with his parents, George and Provey Car- mikle, until he was fourteen years of age, when they moved to Illinois, where David remained until 1855. He then moved to Clay County, locating at Cloverland, where he resided two years, moving thence to Staunton, where he resided twenty-one years. His next and last move was to Newburg, where he has since been engaged in general merchandise. Previous to this he was engaged in coal mining. May 7, 1868, he was married to Anna Gray, of German descent. The following children have been born to them --- Mary, born February 23, 1869 ; Edward, born April 7, 1870, died February 3, 1873 ; Lucy, born December 6, 1872 ; Sophia L., born February 15, 1875 ; William, born April 3, 1878, and Grace May, born February 16, 1882. Mr. Carmikle and wife were for a number of years members of that branch of the Christian Church called the New Lights, but belong to no church at present. Mr. C. enlisted in Company M, Twelfth Michigan Light Artillery, August 1, 1863, and served two years. He is a member of the following so- cieties, viz. : I. O. O. F., to which he has belonged ten years ; G. A. R., since November 2, 1882; I. O. G. T., at Staunton. He was a member of the Knights of Honor one year. He takes deep interest in politics, and votes the Republican ticket.

J. H. CARPENTER is the second in a family of seven children of Adam and Rachel (Devore) Carpenter, five of whom are living. The father was born in Pennsylvania in 1813, and is still living ; the mother was also born in Pennsylvania in 1824, died May 14, 1860. His parents came to Clay County before his birth, which occurred in Perry Township, in 1846, June 28. He has always lived in his native county, except one year spent in Vigo County, in trade, and the time he was in the army. When sixteen years of age he went with his parents to Cass Township, where he worked in a saw and grist mill until 1864, when he enlisted in Company A, Thirteenth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, February 18, and was mustered out September 5, 1865. He participated in the battles of Petersburg, Chapins' farm, Chester Station, and many others. On his return from the war, he again worked in the grist mill, where he had previously been employed, until 1872, when he went upon the farm where he now lives, having eighty acres well-improved, and in 1883 producing the best crop of wheat in the neigh- borhood. He married Sarah J. Tomlinson, a native of Ohio, born July 12, 1846. They have three children-Walter O., born October 24, 1869; Blanche V., July 19, 1871 ; J. O., March 26, 1876. He is an enterprising farmer ; takes a deep interest in politics, voting the Republican ticket. He is still suffering from disability contracted while in the military service.

W. S. CARPENTER is the eighth in a family of nine children, all of whom are living within a radius of six miles of Cloverland. He was born at Cloverland, in the house where he now lives, January 30, 1850, his

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parents, George and Elizabeth (Anderson) Carpenter, being pioneers in this region. His childhood was spent on the farm, and at the age of eighteen, he entered Asbury University, at Greencastle, Ind., to qualify himself for the profession of teaching. At the end of a year he commenced teaching in Cloverland, and remained six terms, giving good satisfaction. He then commenced the commercial course at the seminary at Farmersburg, Sulli- van Co., Ind., completing the course in 1872. The next year he engaged in speculating in cattle, his market being Chicago. In 1874, he traveled in Kansas, and after his return purchased the grist mill in Cloverland, which he managed successfully two years, then sold out and rented a half interest in the grist mill in Staunton, where he continued until the burning of the mill in 1881, losing $500 above insurance. Since then he has been em- ployed in farming near Cloverland, his farm consisting of 160 acres of well- improved land. He was married December 27, 1877, to Lotta, daughter of John and Sarah (Neville) Rider, an accomplished lady, teacher in the schools in Brazil for several years. Mr. Carpenter is an enterprising young man, active in politics, being a thorough-going Republican. He is a prominent member of the United Brethren Church at Cloverland ; also a member of the Knights of Pythias and Knights of Honor.

ALLEN W. CARTER is the eldest of a family of seven children of Fielding Carter, born June 2, 1793, died April 4, 1865, and Phoebe (Murphy) Carter, born November 30, 1806, died April 8, 1882. Allen and one brother living in Terre Haute survive. Allen was born in Warren County, Ohio, July 17, 1828, but came at an early period with his parents to Clay County, Ind., where in 1842 his father entered the land now owned by the son, and spent his remaining years there, by his labor and industry assisting in re- deeming the wilderness and developing its natural resources. When twen- ty-six years of age, Allen left the farm and embarked in general merchan- dising at Staunton, continuing the business until the breaking-out of the rebellion, when they closcd their store, and he enlisted as First Lieutenant in Company I, Eighty-fifth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, but at the end of three months was taken seriously ill, and on account of it was discharged, his sickness continuing so he was unable to work for more than a year after he returned. As soon as able, he was appointed by the County Commis- sioners to recruit in the township for the army, and succeeded in obtaining thirty-eight, the required number. He never re-entered the army, but ren- dered all the assistance he was able. In 1864, he again engaged in mer- chandise in Staunton, conducting a successful business until 1869, when he and his partner, David Noffman, closed the business, he retiring to the farm where he has since lived. He was married, May 16, 1852, to Emeline, daughter of William Gregory, one of the early settlers of the county. The following named children have been born to them : Rudella, born April 6, 1854; Florence, April 9, 1858 ; Charles, August 11, 1860 ; Laura, February 16, 1863 ; Carrie, February 4, 1866. Mr. Carter is one of the enterprising and prominent farmers, and has a well-improved farm of 227 acres. He is active in politics, and a Republican. He is a member of the Masonic fra- ternity. He was Justice of the Peace in 1858.

PETER EHRLICH, mine operator at Newburg, Ind., is a native of Germany, born November 1, 1831, emigrating to the United States in 1849, being forty-nine days on the voyage and landing in New York City Angust 9. He spent nearly two years in Pennsylvania, first at Pottsville, then at Pittsburgh, then going to Kentucky, where he remained until 1858, engaged in mining, four years as Superintendent, the rest as laborer. He then came to Clay County, Ind., working in the mines at Brazil several years. He then went to Illinois, working at St. John's and Kewance, where he met with

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financial losses. He next hired as fireman on a steamer running from St. Louis to Memphis, but one trip satisfied his desire to be a boatman. He next went to Bell's mines, Union County, Ky., where he remained a short time, going thence to Ohio, where he made a short stay, going again to Illinois, where he superintended mines in St. Clair County until 1861, then returned to Brazil, Ind., where he remained until 1872, finally settling at Newburg, where he has successfully conducted mines ever since. Mr. Ehrlich's education was acquired under adverse circumstances, working by day and attending an evening school. He was raised in the faith of the Catholic Church, but is not a member of any church. He was married, December 19, 1861, to Mary Ann Lord, who has borne him seven children- Christian C., Mary Ann, John C., Hermon, Henry, Jane and Lizzie Jane. Mr. Ehrlich is one of the oldest miners in the country, and his financial condition proves him to be one of the most successful. When he came to Brazil, in 1856, there were only six miners here. Politically, he is an en- thusiastic Republican. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity.

CHRISTIAN EHRLICH, of the firm of P. Ehrlich & Co., Newburg, Ind., was born in Germany May 5, 1843. His father, Jacob, emigrated to the United States in 1849, working at Pottsville and Pittsburgh, Penn., for about a year and a half, when he went to Ohio and stayed till 1853, when he came to Staunton, where he died in 1864. He had been employed as coal miner, or as Superintendent of mines, ever since he came to America. Chris- tian worked with his father all this time. At the breaking-out of the war, in the spring of 1861, he enlisted in Company F, Tenth Indiana Infantry, and served three months, the full time of his enlistment. In August, 1862, he re-enlisted in Company D, Seventy-first Indiana Infantry. He par- ticipated in the battles of Rich Mountain, W. Va., Richmond, Ky. (here he was taken prisoner, but was released in a few days), Resaca, Ga., Burnt Hickory, Buzzard's Roost, Atlanta, Ga., and Nashville, Tenn. At Muldraugh, Ky., he was captured and held prisoner over night by John Morgan. In 1871, he married Mary Frances Shaffer, who has borne him six children- Alice, Jacob, Mary, Minnie (died from the effects of a burn received while attending school in the winter of 1882-83), Katie and Charles. From 1868 to 1871, he was in the gold mines of Montana, and was quite successful. The coal mines in which he has an interest are the most paying mines in this region. Mr. Ehrlich is one of the leading men in this section, takes a deep interest in politics, giving his support to the Republican party. He is a member of the I. O. O. F.

MARION GARRIGUS is a native of Parke County, Ind., born December 7, 1836, and grandson of Jeptha Garrigus, who represented Parke County in the General Assembly of the State of Indiana four terms. His father, Stephen M., died July 11, 1838, aged thirty-two years. His mother removed with him, at the age of six years, to Vigo County, where they remained un- til he was eleven, when they moved to Clay County, settling in Dick John- son Township, where he lived until 1877, when he located on the farm upon which he now lives. In 1862, January 21, he married Melinda Yocom, who has borne him the following-named children : Stephen, born March 24, 1863, died November 9, 1871 ; Isom D., born August 25, 1864, died September 6, 1866 ; William M., July 19, 1867; Mary E., May 27, 1869; Lawrence, All- gust 9, 1872 ; Charles, October 31, 1875, died December 12, 1875 ; Zenis, born September 6, 1877 ; Lora A., July 15, 1880. Mr. Garrigus takes an active interest in politics, and is a Democrat. He has served as Township Assessor four terms. He is a prominent member of the Knights of Honor, also of the Masonic fraternity, and one of the most enterprising farmers in Posey Township. Mr. Garrigus has in his possession a very old book, an extract from John Wesley's journal, published in 1806.

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JAMES N. GREGORY, merchant, four miles southwest of Staunton, is a native of Clay County, Ind., born May 8, 1838, and is the fourth in a fam- ily of eleven children, eight of whom are living, seven in Clay County, one in Vigo. His parents were William and Delphia (Turner) Gregory. James lived on a farm with his parents until he was twenty years of age, when he was apprenticed to the cooper's trade in Staunton, where he worked until 1861. He then enlisted as a private in Company G, Sixteenth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, April 17, 1861, and served until May 12, 1862, when he was dis- charged, on account of the expiration of his term of enlistment. He re- enlisted as Second Lieutenant in Company I, Eighty-fifth Indiana Volunteer Infantry August 16, 1862, and served in that capacity until Novem- ber 15, 1862, when he was promoted to First Lieutenant, and served as such until June, 1863, when he was promoted to Captain, and served until August 17, 1864, when he resigned on account of disability, for which he is now drawing a pension. Mr. Gregory was captured by the rebels March 5, 1863, and held in Libby Prison until June 5, same year. On his return from the war, he again resumed the cooper business, but lost money by the depreciation of his stock. He continued this business four years, when he moved upon a farm in the southern part of Posey Township, farming until 1883, when he embarked in mercantile business at his present stand. He carries a well-selected stock of dry goods and groceries, and is doing a successful business. Mr. Gregory has been twice married-first to Elizabeth, daughter of Jeremiah McGill, one of the early settlers of this region. To them were born the following-named children : Anna, born April 17, 1866 ; infant (unnamed), born September 2, 1869 ; Charlie N., December 15, 1871 ; E. E., January 7, 1874. The first wife died January 10, 1876. The second marriage took place October 28, 1877, to Sarah Gib- son. They have one child, born September 16, 1878.

OTHO N. HAMILTON was born in Warren County, Ohio, February 19, 1845. His parents were James G., born August 13, 1820, and Louisa Hamil- ton, who was born August 15, 1826. His parents moved from Ohio to Clay County, Ind., in 1851, and remained one year, going thence to Vigo County, where they continued to reside. Otho was born and bred on a farm, and has always followed the pursuit of farming, except while in the army. Oc- tober 21, 1861, he enlisted in the Forty-third Indiana Volunteer Infantry, at the age of sixteen years. He participated in the following engagements : Island No. 10, Memphis, Tenn., Aberdeen, Ark., Little Rock, Ark., Helena, Ark., Fort Pemberton, Miss. He was taken prisoner near Mark's Mills, Ark., April 25, 1864, and held until February 6, 1865, when he was exchanged. He was kept in a prison at Tyler, Tex., enduring the greatest suffering. At times, his only ration was a pint of shelled corn. August 10, 1864, he and two comrades succeeded in escaping from the prison, and traveling nights, keeping quiet days, they had got away 123 miles, when he was re-captured, the others being so much in advance, succeeded in escaping. The rebel Lieutenant who captured him, took him to some Texas State militia who hung him by the neck to a tree to make him disclose the whereabouts of his companions. They repeated this until he became unconscious, when they sent him back to prison with some others who had escaped, where he re- mained until February 26, 1865. He was honorably discharged June 25, 1865. He was married, April 2, 1868, to Phobe A. Wickiser. They have six children-James L., born September 17, 1869 ; Francis M., October 22, 1871 ; William S., March 25, 1874; Mary L., October 31, 1876; Curtice Lee, September 30, 1880 ; Nicholas A., July 3, 1883. Mr. Hamilton is an en- thusiastic Republican. He is a member of Marion Grange, No. 1426, and of Gen. Canby Post, No. 2, G. A. R. He has lived on his present farm eight years. He has forty-four acres.

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WILLIAM HAYWARD, merchant, Newburg, Ind., was born in England April 6, 1848, being second in a family of twelve children, five of whom are still living. His father, Richard Hayward, emigrated to the United States when William was two years old, locating in Pennsylvania, where he remained until 1857, when he returned to England, remaining there one year and eight months, returning to Pennsylvania, where he lived nine years, coming then to Clay County, Ind., where he still lives. Mr. Hayward's early edu- cation was limited to the country schools. His first occupation was labor- ing in the rolling mills, working a year the first time ; he then worked as a coal miner two years, afterward returning to the rolling mills and working until 1867. From Pennsylvania he came to Clay County, Ind., and worked at coal mining until 1870. He then left the mines and traveled through the country as a huckster. In 1871, he and his father started a store in Carbon, Ind., the father managing the store, the son still driving his huckster wagon until 1880, when they started the store William now has charge of. Sep- tember 18, 1879, he married Melinda J. Wools, daughter of a prominent farmer and early settler of this section. They have two children-James Albert, born November 24, 1881; Sarah E., born December 26, 1882. Po- litically, Mr. Hayward is a Republican. He is agent for the Phoenix Insur- ance Company of Hartford, Conn., and for the Springfield (Mass.) Insur- ance Company.

JAMES G. HERRON was born in Clay County, Ind., May 22, 1842, being the fourth of ten children of James and Margaret (Archard) Herron, eight of whom are now living, as is also the mother. At the age of nine years, James moved with his parents to the farm on which he now lives, which was then covered with timber, but by hard work and perseverance, his father, with the aid of his family, developed a fine farm of 150 acres. After the death of the father, which occurred in 1869, the farm was divided among the eight children, James receiving seventeen and one-half acres for his share, which is under good cultivation, and has one of the most attractive little houses in this region. He was married in 1872, August 8, to Tillitha, daughter of John J. Biggs, one of the well known farmers of this region. They have four children-Charles, born April 9, 1874 ; Carlos Ernest, April · 9, 1878 ; Vernia, August 31, 1880 ; Eugene, November 11, 1882. Mr. Her- ron and wife are prominent members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Politically, he is a Republican.

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Counties of Clay and Owen, Indiana : Historical and biographical., Part 47

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