Counties of Clay and Owen, Indiana : Historical and biographical., Part 50

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 50
USA > Indiana > Owen County > Counties of Clay and Owen, Indiana : Historical and biographical. > Part 50

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WILLIAM EVANS was born in Wheeling, Va., November 25, 1811, and is a son of John and Susan (Goshorn) Evans, natives of Pennsylva- nia, and of Irish and German extraction, respectively. His parents moved from Pennsylvania to Wheeling in 1810; remained there one year, then went to Hamilton County, Ohio, later to Butler County, and afterward to Bartholomew County, Ind, where they died. Our subject was reared on a farm, and had limited educational opportunities. He lived with his parents until twenty-three years old. March 14, 1833, he married Sarah Philips. This union was blessed with seven children, all of whom are living. After his marriage he engaged in farming, and, in 1837, came to Bartholomew County, Ind., and entered eighty acres of government land, which he improved from the wilderness. In 1856, he came to Clay County, farmed until 1866, then came to Harmony and opened the first hotel in the town. Excepting three years spent on a farm, he has been in the hotel business ever since. Mr. Evans' first wife died September 22, 1877. December 3, 1878, he married Annie E. Jes- sup, by which union there is one child living. Mr. Evans is a Democrat, and active in his party. He has always advocated the advancement of educational and moral interests, and is highly respected in the com- munity.

JOHN EVANS, youngest of the eleven children of John and Susan (Goshorn) Evans-seven of whom are living-was born in Butler County, Ohio, July 13, 1824. Our subject was reared on a farm, and lived with his parents until he was twenty-three, during which he received but lit- tle schooling. April 8, 1847, he married Miss Nancy Armstrong, by which union were born two children-William W. and Nancy C., the former yet living. Mrs. Evans died May 7, 1851, and in 1853, Mr. Evans married Margaret J. Woods, of Clay County, formerly of West Virginia, and to this second marriage succeeded five children-Marietta, Oliver P., Susan E., Franklin and Martha, the first of whom only is liv- ing. Mr. Evans has been all his life a farmer, except the last five years, during which he has sold goods in Cardonia. In politics, he is a Dem- ocrat. He is, in religion, a member of the United Brethren Church, in which he has been for the past twelve years a preacher. He is a man with many friends and few enemies.

CHARLES G. FERGUSON was born in Burlington County, N. J., October 8, 1814, and is the third of four children born to William and Isabella (Newel) Ferguson, who were of Scotch-Irish extraction. His two sisters are living in New Jersey, and his brother died in In- diana. Our subject received a fair education for the times, and when nine years old, he lost his father, after whose death, he lived with his grandfather until fifteen. He then learned coach painting, which he followed in his native State, also in Phila- delphia and Brooklyn until 1846. Having accumulated sufficient capital, he engaged in a mercantile business, continuing until 1856, when he came to Putnam County, Ind., and bought half a section of land which he farmed for nine years. He again embarked in merchandising, and is now one of the prominent business men of Harmony. Though he com- menced in limited circumstances, diligence and economy have enabled him to succeed in all his undertakings. May 19, 1835, at Bordentown, N. J., he married Elizabeth Bunting. This union was crowned with

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eight children, seven of whom are living. Mrs. Ferguson died February 6, 1882. They both joined the Missionary Baptist Church. His wife was a consistent member until her death, and Mr. Ferguson still belongs to that church. He is a self-made man and a respected citizen.

GILBERT HANKINS was born in Shelby County, Ky., October 11, 1818, and is the seventh of eleven children born to William and Mary Hankins, natives of Virginia and Kentucky respectively, and both of En- glish extraction. Gilbert settled in Putnam County, Ind., about 1840. His father died in that county; his mother is still living, aged ninety- seven years. December 24, 1844, our subject married America Arm- strong, daughter of Levi Armstrong, of Hendricks County, Ind., former- ly of Kentucky. This union has been crowned by the birth of nine chil- dren, all of whom are living. At the time of their marriage, they were in limited circumstances, but, by perseverance, they soon accumulated a competence. Mr. Hankins is a blacksmith, and has,worked at the trade until seven years ago, when he removed to Carbon and is now keeping a boarding house. He has always held to the Baptist's doctrine, though not a church member. His wife has been a member of that church since she was thirteen years old. Mr. Hankins is a Democrat and a respected citizen.

RICHARD HAYWARD, Postmaster and old business resident of Carbon, is a native of Monmouthshire, England, was born April 18, 1823, and is a son of Richard and Elizabeth (Wakeley) Hayward. Richard Hayward was a miner, and our subject lived at home until his twenty- second year. August 11, 1845, he married Sarah, daughter of William George, of Bristol, England. This union was strengthened by twelve children, five of whom are living. July 8, 1851, he emigrated to the United States, arriving in Philadelphia after a fifty-four days' voyage, in which city he remained about six years. In 1857, he returned to En- gland, and remained nineteen months. After coming back to America, he settled in Carbon, this county, in 1867, and engaged in mining, which business he had followed many years. Soon after coming hither, he en- gaged in the mercantile line, and he has now the post office management in addition. He also owns a store in Newburg, conducted by his son. Mr. Hayward is an enterprising merchant and honored citizen.

SAMUEL HENDRICKSON was born in Washington County, Penn., April 22, 1842, and is the fifth of twelve children born to Peter and Barbara Hendrickson, who were of Scotch-Irish and German descent, respectively. His father died when our subject was nine years old. At the age of thirteen years he left home to learn the plasterer and mason's trade, which he followed until September 9, 1861, when he enlisted in Company D, Seventy-ninth Pennsylvania Regiment, and served three years. During this time he was transferred to the First Kentucky Artil- lery; afterward to the Fourth Indiana Battery. He re-enlisted in Com- pany D, Seventy-ninth Pennsylvania Regiment, as a veteran, served two years, and was discharged August 2, 1865, by reason of General Order No. 160. He participated in the battles of Perryville, Stone River, Howe's Gap, Chickamauga, Prigeon Mountain, Lookout Mountain, Buz- zard Roost (two battles), Resaca, Franklin, Green River, and in many skirmishes. At Resaca he was twice wounded; for which he receives a pension of $4 a month. In 1865, he came to Putnam County, Ind., where, April 6, 1868, he married Jennie, a daughter of Orval Torr. Their union was blessed with six children, five of whom are living. Mr.

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Hendrickson removed to Brazil in 1868, worked at his trade for six months, then returned to Putnam County; remained four years; from thence he came to Knightsville, where he owns a nice property, earned by his own industry.

HARRY HICE, Trustee of Van Buren Township, is the youngest of the eight children of George and Phebe (Sutton) Hice, having been born in Indiana County, Penn., May 31, 1846. His parents were natives of Pennsylvania, and of German descent; they removed to Greencastle in November, 1864, and thence to Harmony, where the father died in No- vember, 1870; the mother is still living with our subject, nearly eighty years of age. November 9, 1871, he married Mary E., daughter of James McCurdy, formerly of Pennsylvania, a union crowned by the gift of three children-Steward S., Albert W. and Frank L. Mr. Hice was engaged in carpentering and mining in all about eleven years. In 1880, he was elected by the Democrats Township Trustee, and re-elected in 1882, which office he is now filling most satisfactorily, the condition of the schools being much improved since his service as Trustee. Mr. Hice is'a member of Robin Hood Court, Order of Foresters, and he is a suc- cessful business man and worthy citizen.

JOHN L. HUDSON was born in Vigo County, Ind., July 19, 1838, and is the fifth of seven children (three now living in Knightsville), born to Handy and Thirza (Lemasters) Hudson, natives of Ohio and Kentucky, respectively. His father died April 7, 1875; his mother is living, aged eighty-one years. Our subject was reared on a farm, and received a fair education. January 1, 1862, he married Mary V., a daughter of Jo- sephus Tarvin, of this county. Mrs. Hudson was born August 27, 1844. They have had eight children-W. H., born November 13, 1863; George F., December 11, 1865; Thirza E., November 5, 1867; Edwin M., De- cember 20, 1869; Charles C., December 18, 1871; Nancy C., December 28, 1874, died August 2, 1876; Orin T., February 16, 1878; Josephus, December 12, 1882. At the time of his marriage he was without capi- tal, but by industry he has been successful in all his undertakings. In 1875, he was left by will a farm of seventy-five acres, on which is a coal shaft, which is proving very profitable. Mr. and Mrs. Hudson have been members of the Methodist Episcopal Church for the past nine years.

JOHN T. HUTCHISON was born May 29, 1830, in Lanarkshire, Scotland, and is the fourth of the seven children of John and Agnes (Thomson) Hutchison, natives of Scotland and descendants of the Mac- gregor clan. This family emigrated to America in 1848, one year after our subject, who, after a short time spent in Pennsylvania, settled in In- diana. where he sank the first coal-shaft, on the Ohio River, ever sunk in the State. This move was by his friends considered an unwise one, but he persevered and succeeded.

JAMES A. KERR was born in Monroe County, Ind., February 25, 1842, and is the fifth of eight children born to John and Nancy (Logan) Kerr. His parents were natives of Ireland, where they were married. After coming to the United States, they settled in Monroe County in an early day, and passed the remainder of their lives in that county. James A. Kerr was reared on a farm, and had poor educational advantages. When twenty years old he left home to learn the blacksmith's trade, which he has followed since that time. In 1861, he enlisted in the Fifty- fourth Indiana Volunteers, and served several months ; afterward,

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about nine months in One Hundred and Seventeenth Regiment. Feb- ruary 9, 1871, he married Miss Delilah E. Jenkins of Greencastle, Ind., and to her excellent management he owes much of his success. All that Mr. Kerr possesses he has obtained by his own industry and economy. He is now living in Carbon, where his wife conducts their private hotel, which is one of the best in the county. Mr. Kerr owns 166 acres of good coal land near Carbon; also fifteen houses. In addition he has a stock of general goods worth $7,000, and a blacksmith shop. He is a prosperous and respected citizen.

JOHN M. KILMAN was born in Annapolis, Md., April 17, 1847, and is the seventh of eight children (all living, save one) born to Nicholas and Sarah (Whitney) Kilman, natives of Maryland and Virginia, and of Scotch-Irish and English descent respectively. Our subject was edu- cated at St. John's College at Annapolis. He assisted his father in a mercantile business. His parents are still living in Annapolis. When eighteen years old, he went to Baltimore, and was engaged in mercantile pursuits until 1870, when he came to Harmony, Clay County, Ind. He continued in the mercantile line until his marriage, April 6, 1873, to Ellen, a daughter of Franklin Mathes of this county. Mrs. Kilman is a niece of James Mathes, President of the Bedford College. Their union has been crowned by the birth of one son, Luther N., born December 24, 1874. Mr. Kilman is a Democrat, and in 1882 was elected by his party to the office of Justice of the Peace for this township, which office he is fill- ing with credit to himself and satisfaction to the public.

JAMES A. KINNAMAN was born near Delphi, Ind., June 30, 1846, and is a son of Richard H. and Malinda (Smith) Kinnaman; the former a native of North Carolina, and of English descent, the latter of Ohio and of German descent. These parents moved to Madison County, Ind., where they remained until 1863, when they removed to Clay County, Ill., where the father died June, 1879 ; the mother is yet living. James A. Kinnaman is the oldest of the family of five children, four of whom are living. He lived on a farm until 1862, when on August 12 of that year he enlisted in Company G, Twelfth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, in which he served three years. He was present in the battles of Richmond, Ky., where he was captured and paroled; also at Mis- sionary Ridge, Lookout Mountain, Vicksburg and others, by which the regiment was reduced one half. After his discharge, in 1865, he en- gaged in farming and attending school for some time, and then in mer- cantile life with his uncle three years. November 24, 1869, he married Mildred A. George, daughter of Henry George, Sheriff of Tipton County; they had three children- Maud, Hattie B. (deceased) and an infant (de- ceased). Maud, the only living child, is a lovely six-year-old gem in the family. After marriage, Mr. Kinnaman farmed in Putnam and Owen Counties before coming hither, where he has been engaged in the mer- cantile and coal business. He is a Republican, a member of the I. O. O. F., a good business man and a respected citizen.

JOHN LYONS was born June 22, 1842, in the Parish of Boyerstown, County Meath, Ireland, and is the eldest of five children born to Bernard and Bridget (Brown) Lyons. His father died in Ireland in 1851, and in 1852 his mother and youngest brother emigrated to America and set- tled in New Jersey, where they still reside. Our subject came to New York in 1864; engaged in mining at Wilkes Barre, Luzerne Co., Penn., about six months, and in Mahoning County, Ohio, about two

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years. He afterward went to Mauricetown, St. Louis, Illinois (where he again followed mining), Union County, Ky., back to St. Louis, and then came to Knightsville. He continued mining eight years, by which time he had accumulated sufficient capital to engage in the liquor trade. In 1882, he purchased a stock of goods and embarked in the grocery and provision business. October 20, 1871, he married Miss Mary A. Shea, a daughter of Daniel Shea, of Putnam County. This union was crowned with three children, all living-Mary E., born November 20, 1872; Margaret C., December 25, 1876; and John B., April 18, 1881. Mr. and Mrs. Lyons and family are consistent members of the Catholic Church.

SIDNEY MONK was born in Monmouthshire, England, August 31, 1844, and is a son of William and Esther Monk. His father was a miner, and our subject was reared to the same vocation. In 1864, he made a trip to America with his father, and returned to England the same year. In 1865, he came alone to the United States, and settled at Pittston, Penn., where he engaged in mining until 1873. He then came to Harmony, and continued mining until 1877. While at Pittston, he made $1,100, which he invested in a residence and business room at Harmony. October 22, 1877, he was appointed Postmaster, and, except- ing fourteen months, he has filled that position ever since. He also car- ries a stock of groceries. January 29, 1867, at the Pittston Baptist Church, he married Miss Mary E. Henshall, of Gatesville, Penn. They had ten children, five of whom are living. Mr. Monk is a Republican. He is a member of Thistle Lodge, No. 512 (Pennsylvania), I. O. O. F .; also of the State High Court of the U. O. F. of Indiana. Mr. Monk takes a special interest in all enterprises for the public good.

PRESTON MORGAN, farmer, was born in Clark County, Ky., Feb- ruary 17, 1799. His parents were William and Rachel (Farnister) Mor- gan. William Morgan removed to Kentucky when that commonwealth was a wilderness, and was a companion of Daniel Boone in many of his romantic adventures. Preston Morgan is the second of the nine children of his parents, four of whom are yet living. He was reared on a farm, and attended school in a log cabin two miles from home. He remained with his parents until March 6, 1827, when he married Miss Rhoda, daughter of Col. William Chinn, of Lexington, Ky. Their union was favored with nine children, of which number but four are now in the world. In early life, he saved sufficient to enter 120 acres, to which he removed in 1834, and where he now resides with his son, who is one of the prominent farmers of Clay County. In the fall of 1831, Mr. Morgan made a tour from Kentucky to Springfield, Ill., at which time the town of Brazil contained but two log houses. In 1835, he was elected Justice of the Peace of Van Buren Township, which office he filled several years. He is one of the oldest men in the township, but enjoys good health, and is a general favorite.

DR. WILLIAM C. P. MORTON was born February 24, 1826, in Tennessee, and is the youngest of the four children of Joshua and Maria (Worley) Morton, the former of Irish, the latter of French descent. Our subject was reared on a farm, with limited means of education, and there remained until he was twenty-two years old, when he began the journey of life alone, although his parents died when he was three years old. He had no capital but strength and ambition, and so went forward. In 1849, he married Elizabeth Hendricks, of Belleville, "Ind., to which

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union was bequeathed thirteen children, of whom eight are living- Melinda J., Sarah E., James H., Levi W., Nancy C., Daniel W., Estella M. and George W. After marriage, Dr. Morton commenced the practice of medicine at Fayette, Boone County, where he had a good practice. In 1856, he removed to Mount Meridian, and remained until 1865; then to Sand Pier, and remained until 1867, when his wife died on February 16. In Stark County he had a partner in the saw mill business, by whom he lost $3,500. His second wife was Rebecca Hendricks, who also died, and, after living in Terre Haute, he removed to Clark County, Ill., and married a third wife, Margaret A. McGraw. He then moved to Car- donia, where he has a fair practice and a small stock of drugs. Dr. Morton is a Democrat, a member of the Missionary Baptist Church and of the K. of H.

ISAAC J. NICOSON is a native of Bourbon County, Ky., born De- cember 24, 1807. While our subject was in his infancy, his father died, and his mother, soon after, moved to Nicholas County, Ky., where he was reared on a farm until he was thirteen years of age, at which time he commenced serving an apprenticeship at the blacksmith's trade, which he finished at the end of four and a half years. He received but a lim- ited education in his youth, but he served time at his trade under skill- ful instructors, and had no difficulty in obtaining employment as a jour- neyman blacksmith. In a few years, he opened a shop of his own. He worked at his trade in Kentucky until the autumn of 1833, when he sold out and moved to Putnam County, Ind., and located near the present site of Cloverdale, and later, when Cloverdale was laid out, he moved into the village, being one of the blacksmiths of the town. He remained in that town and vicinity about ten years; then, after visiting Iowa, and wandering over the prairie country, and not finding a suitable location for his business, he returned to Indiana and bought 120 acres of land in Van Buren Township, near Cardonia; later, he sold out and settled on the National road. In the meantime, in connection with farming, he ran a blacksmith shop. In 1870, he moved to Knightsville, same township, where he has lived most of the time since, running a blacksmith shop until the autumn of 1883, when he was compelled to retire from active labor on account of rheumatism. Mr. Nicoson has been a man of great endurance, physically, and thus very useful to the community. Since the organization, he has been a standard bearer in the Republican party, having been earlier a Whig and Know-Nothing. For seventeen years he has been a Justice of the Peace. Mr. Nicoson has been thrice mar- ried. His first marriage was on June 4, 1828, to Anna Noah; his second, on April 6, 1871, to Lovisa Cunningham; his third, in 1873, to Mrs. Permelia (Hickson) Cliver. Mr. Nicoson is the father of twelve children, seven of whom are living-William M., Jesse J., Lemuel C., George T., Mary, Ellen and Annie.

JESSE J. NICOSON is the fourth of the eleven children of Isaac J. and Anna Nicoson, and was born in Cloverdale, Putnam County, Ind., September 14, 1834. He was reared a farmer; lived with his parents until his nineteenth year, when he went to learn blacksmithing, and then worked for a time as an engineer in a saw mill. November 4, 1854, he wedded Miss Sarah, daughter of John Shick, of Ohio, from which marriage resulted eight children, seven of whom are living. After mar- riage he purchased forty acres near Knightsville, and engaged in the shingle business. In 1861, he enlisted in Company G, Forty-first In-

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diana Infantry (Second Cavalry), served two years, and was at Shiloh and other battles, when he was seized with rheumatism, and sent to hospital at Evansville, where he remained for nine months. After his discharge, he again purchased land near Knightsville, opened a coal bank, which has since engaged his care, and continued the business except for an absence of 100 days in the army. In 1878, he purchased the seventy- eight acres where he now lives, and is now about to re-open the "Old Dominion " mine, which was some time ago abandoned. In 1867, he engaged in business with a capital of $5,000, nearly all of which was lost by the dishonesty of his partner. Mr. Nicoson is a member of the I. O. O. F. and K. of H.

ANDREW OSWALT, merchant and Postmaster at Knightsville, was born March 22, 1841, and is the eldest of five children (all still living), born to Samuel and Catherine Oswalt, both natives of Pennsylvania, and of German extraction. Andrew worked on the farm in summer, and at- tended school in winter. He lived with his parents until his twenty-first year, when he enlisted in Company H, Eleventh Indiana Volunteers, and served nearly four years. He was at Fort Donelson, Shiloh, Vicksburg, Jackson (Miss.), Winchester, and in many minor engagements. After his return in August, 1865, he engaged in farming until 1880, when he received the appointment of Postmaster at Knightsville, which office he has satisfactorily filled since that time. October 11, 1865, he married Harriet F. Drake, of Putnam County. They have six children. Mr. Oswalt has been a member of Clay Lodge, No. 368, I. O. O. F., since 1876.

WILLIAM F. PELL, farmer, is a native of Lewis County, Ky., was born April 20, 1825, and is the second of ten children of John and Rebecca (Ales) Pell, the father a native of Virginia, and of English, the mother of Kentucky, and of German, descent. William F. was reared on a farm, with but slender chances for education. In 1839, he removed with his parents to Clay County, then a wilderness, where his father had previously entered 1,130 acres at $1.25 per acre, said land being now worth from $50 to $150 per acre. Here our subject assisted in clearing the land, but dreamed not of the wealth beneath the soil. August 3, 1848, he married Miss Nancy, daughter of Daniel McMillin, which union has produced thirteen children, of whom seven boys and two girls are living. Mr. Pell has acquired a comfortable competence in the posses- sion of 319 acres of excellent land, with good buildings and improve- ments. He takes especial interest in the cultivation of his farm and the- rearing of stock. He is a generous, Christian gentleman, and a member of the Republican party since 1856. He and wife belong to the M. E. Church, and Mr. Pell is particularly interested in schools.

RICHARD D. PELL, a prominent farmer and a pioneer of Clay County, was born April 10, 1829, in Lewis County, Ky., and is the fourth of ten children born to John and Rebecca Pell, natives of Vir- ginia and New Jersey, the former of English extraction. Four sisters and two brothers of our subject are living-one sister in Washington Territory-all the others in Clay County. Richard was born and reared on a farm. He attended the subscription schools-a log cabin-a dis- tance of two or three miles from his home. In 1838, he came with his parents to Clay County, where a few years previously his father had en- tered several hundred acres of Government land. Previous to his mar- riage, he taught three terms of school, receiving in part payment for the

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last term $15, which was the first public money drawn in Van Buren Township. December 7, 1851, he married Miss Eliza J., a daughter of George G. Mckinley, one of the oldest settlers of Clay County. This union was blessed with four children-George G., Cynthia J., Charles A. (died May 13, 1867), and Oscar E. At the time of his marriage, his father gave him 160 acres of land in this county, and by diligence and economy he has accumulated an independent fortune. He and wife have been members of the M. E. Church for thirty-three and twenty-five years respectively. Mr. Pell is a member of Clay Lodge, No: 368, I. O. O. F. He contributes liberally to all charitable enterprises, and is a highly respected citizen.

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Counties of Clay and Owen, Indiana : Historical and biographical., Part 50

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