USA > Indiana > Clay County > Counties of Clay and Owen, Indiana : Historical and biographical. > Part 49
USA > Indiana > Owen County > Counties of Clay and Owen, Indiana : Historical and biographical. > Part 49
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POSEY TOWNSHIP.
is due, in a great measure, to his efforts. At an early period in the county's history, he served as Justice of the Peace two years. Shortly afterward he was elected Township Trustee under the law providing three trustees. After this, he was elected under the present law governing said office. In the fall of 1865, he was elected County Commissioner, and re-elected at the next general election, serving in all six years.
J: G. SCHERB, merchant, Staunton, Ind., was born in Jackson Town- ship, Clay County, May 25, 1851. His parents were natives of Germany, emigrating to this country in 1845, locating in Jackson Township, where his mother still lives-his father dying when he was two years old. His early life, until he was eighteen years of age, was spent on the farm, where he availed himself of such advantages of education as the common schools afforded. Desiring a wider field, he engaged in mining, where he acquired sufficient means to purchase, in 1873, a small store in Staunton, where he commenced the dry goods business. He is a popular and successful mer- chant, with a steadily increasing trade, owning at present one of the leading stores in the 'place. He is, politically, a Democrat, active in party work. He has been Councilman two terms, and Treasurer of the town of Staunton six terms. In 1882, he appeared as a candidate for County Treasurer, but was defeated. He was married; in the fall of 1875, to Lee, daughter of Thomas W. Maxey, and an accomplished young lady of Staunton. Four chil- dren have been born to them, three of whom are living. Mr. Scherb is one of the enterprising young men of Staunton, and a member of the Masonic fraternity.
E. G. SHORT, book-keeper for the P. Ehrlich & Co. Mining Company, Newburg, Ind., was born in Clermont County, Ohio, October 10, 1849. When eight years of age, his parents moved to Jefferson County, Ind. He remained here until 1872, when he moved to Vigo County, Ind., where he stayed a short time ; going thence to Newburg, Clay County, Ind., where he has since resided, with the exception of eight months spent in Texas. His early youth was spent on a farm, but since coming to Newburg he has been · employed in his present capacity. On the 25th of July, 1879, he was mar- ried to Emma F. McAlister, who has borne him two children-infant (un- named, deceased), and Roy E. His advantages of early education were limited to the common schools, but by perseverance he has acquired a liberal education, such as his occupation as book-keeper demands. He is a mem- ber of the I. O. O. F.
JOSEPH SOMERS, coal operator, near Staunton, Ind., is a native of Vermont, born March 7, 1831, and of Scotch extraction. When he was seven years old, his parents, Robert and Sarah Somers, moved to Indiana, locating in Clay County, one-half mile north of Staunton. Here he spent his early life upon a farm. At the age of twenty-one he went to Illinois, working at carpentering two years, when he returned to Clay County, Ind., and commenced mining, which business he has followed since, giving em- ployment to twenty men, and being an enterprising and successful miner. He opened his mine near Staunton, in the spring of 1882. Politically, he has been a thorough Republican since the organization of that party. Dur- ing his stay in Illinois, he married Amy M. Tanner, then sixteen years old. They have four children-C. F., Edward, W. F. and Roy E. Mr. Somers is a member of the I. O. O. F., and of the Masonic fraternity ; is also a strong advocate of temperance. He was one of the School Trustees of Staunton when the present schoolhouse was erected.
A. C. VEACH was born in Harrison County, Ky .; May 28, 1824, of par- ents of Scotch-Irish descent on the father's side, and of German on the mother's. He moved to Augusta, Marion Co., Ind., in the fall of 1852, re-
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
maining four years, then removing to Indianapolis, where he lived two years; thence to Clay County, where he has since resided. He was engaged in the lumber business from the time he came to the State until his removal to Clay County, since which his occupation has been farming. He was married, in 1845, August 11, to Helen Swinford. They have six children-Oscar, Lu- cius, Victoria, Charles, Patrick H. and Maggie. The first three were born in Kentucky, the fourth in Indianapolis, the other two in Clay County. Mr. Veach was elected Trustee of Posey Township in 1859, serving two years. He is identified as one of the active politicians of this township, represent- ing Clay County in the General Assembly of the State of Indiana in 1862 and 1864. It was while he was Representative that the Thirteenth Amend- ment to the United States Constitution was adopted. In 1869, he was again elected Township Trustee, serving two consecutive terms, and after an in- terval of two years served in the same capacity another term, making in all eight years. Mr. Veach has attended almost every Democratic State Con- vention since he has been in the State. During his first term of office as Trustee he built six schoolhouses, all of which are still standing. He is one of the enterprising men of the township, ever favoring those things which tend to elevate society and promote the prosperity of the community.
G. W. WEST is a native of Ohio, born September 21, 1824. His father, Alfred West, died April 7, 1883, on the farm where the son resides, he hav- ing lived there ever since he came to the State. Mr. West is the second in a family of eight children, five of whom are yet living, three in Clay County, one in McLean County, Ill., one in Southern Indiana. His school days were spent in a rude log schoolhouse, where roughly-hewn logs with wooden pins driven in for legs made the seats, and a hole in the wall covered with greased paper the window. He lived with his father until 1861, when he moved to Illinois, where he lived thirteen years. On his return, he located on the old homestead, where he still resides, giving most of his attention to farming, although more or less connected with mining interests of this section. On March 6, 1844, he married Martha Ann Williams, who has borne him five children-William (deceased), Elizabeth, George, Flora and Charles.
W. F. YOCOM, attorney at law, Staunton, Ind., was born in Dick John- son Township September 14, 1847, and is the fourth in a family of ten chil- dren, nine of whom are living. His father, Isom Yocum, came to this county from Kentucky in 1832. His early education was limited to the common schools, but being ambitious and persevering he gained by hard study a superior education. He has been a teacher in the public schools of this county fifteen years, and is highly esteemed. In 1872, he began the study of law, and in 1874 was admitted to the bar, and commenced prac- ticing. March 19, 1874, he married Mary J. Reeder, it being her twentieth birthday. They have five children-Clarence Lilbert, born October 16,
1874 ; Henry Crawford, December 2, 1875 ; Roswell Dale, December 18, 1877 ; Maud D., October 6, 1879 ; Bessie Pearl, April 30, 1883. Mr. Yocom is identified with the political interests of the Democratic party, being one of their most prominent workers. He was Deputy Sheriff of Clay County from 1875 to 1877. While he was holding this office, the county records were moved from Bowling Green to Brazil. Since 1877, he has practiced law in Staunton.
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VAN BUREN TOWNSHIP.
VAN BUREN TOWNSHIP.
MILES ARCHER was born in Clay County, Ind., April 11, 1839, and was the son of Simon and Abagail (Morris) Archer, and of German and English extraction. Miles spent his youth upon a farm, with very limited educational opportunities, there being no free schools at that early period. At the age of eighteen years, he commenced going out to work by the day, and still continues to work as a day laborer, being bale and industrious. He is a man of good habits and a respected citizen. He was married, in 1875, to Matilda Byars, who died in 1875, leaving one child, Julie E. His second wife was Mary Ann Gray. One child has been born to this union, viz., Charles Frederick, born July 1, 1883. Politically, Mr. Archer is a Democrat.
GEORGE M. ARTS was born in Lancaster County, Penn., May 5, 1829, and is the only survivor of seven children born to Henry and Elizabeth Arts, who were of German and English extraction respectively. Our subject lived with his parents until twenty-four years old. He married Rebecca Heiza, who died in 1863, and September 27, 1867, he was united to Minerva J., a daughter of Cornelius Van Natta, of Ohio. By this union there is one child, Ulysses D., born September 26, 1870. Mr. Arts served about a year in the civil war in an Ohio regiment; was chief nurse, at $36 a month, and was wounded in service. After his marriage, he became a painter, in which trade he is a master, and an expert in fine work. He began life in poor circumstances, and has made what he has by his own industry. He is a Rebublican of the Abe Lin- coln style, and is a leading citizen of Knightsville.
W. E. D. BARNETT, merchant, and one of the leading business men of Carbon, was born June 22, 1837, in Putnam County, Ind., and is the third of the eleven children of Edward and Eliza (Lane) Barnett, eight of whom are living. Our subject was reared on a farm, obtained some education from the common schools, and remained at home until he was twenty, whereupon he engaged in merchandising at Pleasant Garden for three years. Thence he went to Webster's Mill and to Reelsville, where he was elected County Treasurer, and remained until 1865, at the end of which term he re-engaged in mercantile pursuits at Knightsville for three years; then at Greencastle for two years, and finally at Carbon, where he has established a general business, with a stock of $7,000. November 19, 1862, he married Mary A., daughter of William Early, of Putnam County, by which union he became father to three children-William H., born August 3, 1866; Susan E., born July 31, 1871, and an infant (deceased). Mr. Barnett is a member of the Masonic fraternity; he is a Democrat, a leader of local politics, and a liberal, generous and esteemed citizen.
JAMES S. BARTON was born in Parke County, Ind., November 20, 1853, and is the fifth of six children (four now living), born to William and Frances (Woods) Barton, both natives of Virginia, of Irish and Scotch extraction respectively. His parents were married in Virginia, and set- tled, in 1852, in Parke County, where they passed the remainder of their
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES :
lives. When James was two years old his father died, and his mother when he was eleven years old. His guardian secured him a home with a farmer with whom he remained one year. When thirteen he began life for himself, working as a farm hand until twenty, then as coal digger in mines until 1880, when he was appointed to a position in the Indiana Legislature for one term. Having accumulated a considerable sum of money, he engaged in a livery and feed stable at Carbon. He is doing a prosperous business, and has a nice residence property. His possessions are the fruits of his own industry.
WILLIAM BAXTER was born in Scotland July 17, 1838 ; and is the second of thirteen children (six now living), born to James and Euphemia (Snedden) Baxter, both natives of Scotland. Our subject (whose father was a miner), emigrated to this country in 1869, and landed with about £100. He was in Center County, Penn., about six months ; afterward he engaged in mining in Ohio about seven months. In 1871 he came to Indiana, and soon after settled in Carbon, this county. In September, 1882, Mr. Baxter ceased mining, and with the money he had accumulated, built a good two-story business house in Carbon, and engaged in the liquor trade, which he has since successfully followed. June 8, 1862, he married Mary A. White, a native of Scot- land. By that union there were five children ; two of whom are now living. At the time of his marriage he had not a dollar in the world. He came to the United States alone, but about a year afterward he sent for his family. September 26, 1878, his first wife died, and Mr. Baxter afterward married Mattie Smalcomb of this county, by which marriage they have one child, R. G. O. Mr. Baxter has a good property worth $14,000, in the town of Pontiac where he lives. He is a Democrat, and a member of the Knights of Honor in Carbon. He stands high in the community, and is liberal to all benevolent purposes.
DAVID D. BUCK, farmer, is a native of Carroll County, Ohio, and was born May 17, 1833. His parents were Thomas and Eleanor (Lindsay) Buck, residents of Pennsylvania, who removed to and settled in Ohio. David D. is the sixth of that family of nine children, of which number all but one are living. He was reared on the farm, and owing to the meager school opportunities and the entailed support of a widowed mother who died in 1863, he had but little time for schooling; yet he afterward acquired a fair business education. July 10, 1862, he married Miss M. E., daughter of Giles Taylor, a pioneer of Clay County, from which union have descended four children-Olivia L. (deceased May 29, 1879), Cassius L., Elizabeth E. and Thomas L. Mr. Buck began life in straitened circumstances, but by diligence, economy, and the unselfish assistance of his wife, he has accumulated 140 acres, now one of the best farms in this township, containing a beautiful residence. Mr. Buck is a Republican, and has served as Assessor with much satisfaction. He and wife are members of the church, and also much esteemed in society.
SAMUEL D. BUCK was born in Carroll County. Ohio, October 6, 1837, and is the youngest of nine children born to Thomas and Eleanor (Lindsay) Buck, both natives of Pennsylvania, the former of Irish ex- traction. Our subject was reared a farmer, and attended the common schools during winter, thereby obtaining a good education. His father died when Samuel was four years old, and he remained with his mother until attaining manhood. In the fall of 1859, he removed with his mother to Parke County, Ind., and in September, 1860, located on the
461
VAN BUREN TOWNSHIP.
farm where he now lives. He purchased 1.00 acres, of which forty acres were cleared and a small frame house built. He has much improved the farm, and has erected some good buildings. Mr. Buck married, Decem- ber 29, 1863, Miss Margaret Long, of Carroll County, Ohio, born in 1840, and a daughter of William and Jane (Scott) Long, both of Irish extrac- tion. Mrs. Buck died February 20, 1865, a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Buck has remained a widower, and has his sis- ter Martha S. to keep house for him. He has been a Republican since 1865, though his parents were Democrats. He is a member of the United Brethren Church, and a worthy citizen.
DAVID CARPENTER, farmer, is a native of Lincoln County, N. C., and was born September 15, 1812. His parents were Henry and Cath- erine (Root) Carpenter, both of German descent. David was born and reared on a farm, and with only the slender advantages of that early time for education. He lived with his parents until he was twenty years old, and in the time of his youth learned the trade of wagon-maker. In the year 1834 he emigrated to Clay County, Ind., assisted in opening the National road, and in the autumn of said year, went to Greencastle and worked as a house carpenter. March 10, 1835, he married' Melinda, daughter of Isom Wright, of Putnam County, a union cemented by four children, of whom two are living. Mr. Carpenter began the battle of life with but little means, yet by his own labor and his wife's providence, he secured sufficient means to enter forty acres of land, on which he had lived for five years. To this fragment he has added again and again, until he now bas ownership of 200 acres of fine land. Mr. Carpenter is a Democrat, and a prominent man in that party.
ANDREW J. CLARK, local minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church, is a native of Clermont County, Ohio, was born December 25, 1827, and is the only child of Abram and Judy (Bhymer) Clark, both natives of Pennsylvania, and of German descent. Andrew lost his father when at the tender age of three years, and remained with his mother until his sixteenth year, at which time he went to work by the month in Howard County, where he had passed his boyhood, and assisted at the building of the first court house and the first Methodist Episcopal Church -both log buildings. December 20, 1851, he married Mary Butler of Clermont County, Ohio. Mr. Clark began life in straitened circum. stances, but has succeeded in acquiring a comfortable home and a good farm of 325 acres, and has also given 100 acres to his children. Mr. Clark is an enterprising farmer, takes especial interest in stock, and is possessor of a herd of thorough-bred cattle. He has been mainly help- ful in developing Clay County, having frequently rolled logs for days together. Both he and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of twenty-eight years standing, to which institution he has long been a liberal giver, having recently contributed $300 toward the church building at Lena; and he is otherwise a very benevolent gentleman.
B. F. CORNWELL was born in Clermont County, Ohio, June 3, 1836, and is the eldest son of David and Diadema (Frazee) Cornwell, natives of New Jersey and Ohio respectively. David Cornwell in child- hood came West with his parents, and was reared a farmer in Clermont County, Ohio. He married about 1834, and in 1839 came to this county, and located in what is now Dick Johnson Township, where he entered land, built a log house, improved a good farm of 160 acres, and erected several good buildings. He experienced all the hardships of pioneer
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
life. He reared a family of seven children, all of whom attained maturity. He was a Republican and a public-spirited man. His death occurred in November, 1865, at the age of fifty-nine years; his wife died Novem- ber 26, 1851. B. F. Cornwell, our subject, came with his parents to this county when three years old ; was reared upon the farm, and had very limited advantages for schooling. On attaining his majority, he began empty handed to work for himself, teaming and farming on rented land, continuing the latter five years. In 1868, having received an heirship from the old home-farm, he purchased his present place of 120 acres, and found it partially cleared, with some poor buildings on it. He moved on this land in the spring of 1869. He has made great im- provements, having now upward of 100 acres of ploughed land, and has altogether 194 acres. He erected one of the first and best brick resi- dences, which cost him over $4,500, also other buildings in proportion. At the first call for troops, he enlisted in the three months' service in Company F, Tenth Indiana Volunteer Infantry. The regiment went to Western Virginia, and took part in the battle of Rich Mountain. He was discharged in the following July. In February, 1865, he enlisted in Company B, One Hundred and Forty-eighth Indiana Volunteer In- fantry; later, he joined Gen. Thomas' command at Pulaski, where his regiment was detailed on garrison duty. He was honorably discharged in July, 1865, a sound man. In December, 1861, Mr. Cornwell married Miss Mary E. Griffee, of Parke County, Ind. That lady died in October, 1864, leaving one daughter, Nettie R., now the wife of Thomas S. Pell. October 14, 1866, he married Miss Mary E. Rardin, of this county, born April 23, 1839, and a daughter of James and Mary (Day) Rardin, both natives of Ohio, of Irish and German-Irish descent respectively. By this union there were five children, four of whom are living-David S., James A., Elda F. and Ora D. Mr. Cornwell has been an industri- ous man all his life, and is now enjoying the fruits of his labor. He has been a strong supporter of Republican principles, and is a member of the Masonic order, in the third degree.
JOSEPH CROOKS, druggist at Harmony, Ind., was born in Mon mouthshire, England, and is the eldest of four children (all now living in America) born to Richard and Harriet (Morris) Crooks. Joseph emigrated to the United States in 1852, with his parents, who settled in Johnstown, Penn., where they remained until 1865; then came to Clay County, Ind., where the father died aged fifty-three years ; the mother is still living in this county. Our subject lived with his parents until twenty-six years old, and was engaged with his father in the mining business. Decem- ber 5, 1870, he married Miss Elizabeth, a daughter of Thomas Llewellyn, of this county. They have had five children, three of whom are living. Mr. Crooks began life in meager circumstances, but by diligence and economy he accumulated sufficient capital to engage in his present busi- ness. In 1877, he purchased a stock of drugs, and he now owns a hand- some brick building, and one of the neatest drug stores in the county. He is a member of Clay Lodge No. 368, I. O. O. F., also of the Masonic fraternity, and he and wife have been consistent members of the Method- ist Episcopal Church since 1876. Mr. Crooks was formerly a Republi- can, but now adheres to the National party. He was candidate for Township Trustee, and was only defeated by a small vote. He is a suc- cessful business man, and a prominent citizen.
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VAN BUREN TOWNSHIP.
DR. WILLIAM J. DICKSON was born in Philadelphia January 30, 1830, and is the second of three children (our subject and a brother being the survivors) born to John and Martha (Johnston) Dickson, both natives of Pennsylvania and of English extraction. In 1837, the par- ents removed to Easton, Penn. Dr. William J. Dickson received his education at the La Fayette College, Penn .; when eighteen years old, he began the study of medicine, and completed his medical course at Jeffer- son College. In 1856, he practiced in Morgan County, remained one year, then removed to Mount Washington, where he was in practice seven years. He next entered the Fifty-ninth Indiana Volunteers as Assistant Surgeon, and was in the service two years. He then located at Mount Meridian; two years later, he went to Fillmore, where he stayed a short time, and then came to Knightsville, where he has since been engaged in a large and lucrative practice. The Doctor married Miss Keiper, a daughter of Peter Keiper, of Easton, Penn. They have had eight children-John (deceased), Mary K., George K., Emma M., Mat- tie, Charles M., Lizzie and Frank. The Doctor was made an Odd Fel- low of "Peace and Plenty " Lodge, No. 59, Easton, Penn.
GEORGE M. EASTER, farmer and pioneer of the county, is a na- tive of Highland County, Ohio, and was born September 1, 1806. His parents were Adam and Margaret (Chafen) Easter, the former of German, the latter of English birth. Only five of the fifteen children of this family are living. George M. Easter was reared on a farm, and was the recipient of but limited educational opportunities, principally from the many deficiencies of the school system of that day. When in his twen- tieth year, he married Priscilla Crabb, a native of Ohio, and afterward worked for 25 cents a day, or $8 a month, and from this saved sufficient to enter eighty acres in 1834, and removed thereto in 1836, which scene was then a wilderness. He was determined to succeed, but, though blessed with good health himself, he was so unfortunate as to lose his wife and family of eight children. June 5, 1856, he married his second wife, Elizabeth Stapleton. Mr. Easter is a stanch supporter of orthodox religion, and has lived a truthful and moral life. He is now the owner of 115 acres, for which he has refused $100 per acre. He has had a toil- some and sorrowful career, but the close is peace and hope.
DORSEY O. ELLIOTT was born in Nicholas County, Ky., August 4, 1816, and is the seventh of eight children born to William and Sarah (Turner) Elliott, natives of Maryland and Kentucky, respectively. When our subject was three years old, he came with his parents to Indiana and settled where Bloomington now is, where they remained until 1856. He was educated at the State University at, Bloomington, and was a class- mate of Gov. Wright. November 19, 1835, he married Elizabeth C., a daughter of Thomas Bagwell, of Kentucky. They had twelve children, eight of whom are still living. In 1840, he was appointed to the office of Clerk of Clay County; was also Auditor and Recorder, and remained in office until 1843. He was then a dry goods salesman in Bloomington a short time, and in Nashville about four years. Next, he traveled in Illinois and Missouri for his health, during which time he taught one term of school. He then engaged in mercantile pursuits in Greencastle, Ind. About sixteen years ago he came to Knightsville, where he still resides. Mr. Elliott is a Democrat, and has filled many positions of trust. In 1882, he was elected Justice of the Peace, which office he still
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
holds. Mr. Elliott has also practiced medicine successfully during the past twenty years. He is an honored citizen.
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