USA > Indiana > Clay County > Counties of Clay and Owen, Indiana : Historical and biographical. > Part 59
USA > Indiana > Owen County > Counties of Clay and Owen, Indiana : Historical and biographical. > Part 59
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LEVI G. S. STEWART was born in Orange County, Ind., October 21, 1821, and is the oldest one of nine children of John and Sarah (Sample) Stewart. In the winter of 1823-24, his father moved from Orange to Putnam County, Ind., thence to Montgomery County in 1828, thence to Clay County in 1837, and settled near Bee Ridge Church, now Dick Johnson Township. He purchased a farm in the green, but began at once to reclaim it and make it tillable. Selling this he bought a farm in Section 26. Here he died in 1841, at the age of tifty-four years. Here his mother also died, at the age of seventy-five years. Our subject, fourteen years after the death of his father, took charge of the farm, and has been farming and gardening ever since. In the winter of 1871-72, he attended singing school at Brazil, taught by Prof. Wilcox, and made seventy-five round trips to and from his home, making 375 miles travel. This is an incident to show what can be accomplished when one is deter- mined. He is a member and officer of the Bee Ridge Christian Church, and has been for over forty years. His family are all church members. At the age of twenty-one years, he was married to Elizabeth Yocom, of Kentucky. They have had six children born to them-John R., Nancy J., Rachel E., Sarah R., Mary E. and Josephine. In politics, Mr. Stewart is a conservative Democrat, and cast his first vote for James K. Polk. He was born in Indiana, and has never been out of the State; never drank intoxicating liquors in a saloon; has never belonged to a
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secret society; is a man of pleasing address, and has a fund of general knowledge.
SAMUEL M. STEWART was born in Putnam County, Ind., April 19, 1824, and was the third of nine children of John and Sarah (Sam- ple) Stewart. He came to Clay County in 1831, when he was seven years old, and has lived in this county ever since, with the exception of three years. When he came here the county was very sparsely settled. His opportunities for an education in his youth were only such as were given by country schools of earlier days. When he came to this county it was a wilderness, nothing to be seen but woods, wild animals, and the log sabin in which he resided. But now he has given each of his children a fine farm. Mr. Stewart was married, on March 24, 1850, to Mary Elizabeth Lee; nine children, six of whom are living, have been born to them-John W., Benjamin A., G. M., Sarah E., Rebecca S., Emma J., Mary E., Annie, Melissa. Mr. Stewart is an old-time Democrat, in poli- tics, still advocating and supporting the principles of the party. He has been a Justice of the Peace three times, and in 1878 was elected Coroner. He has also been Deputy Tax Collector, and made the larg- est collection of taxes that has ever been made in the county during one serm. He has been a consistent member of the Christian or Campbellite. Church for forty-one years.
JOSEPH STOUGH was born in Westmoreland, Penn., in 1807, and was the seventh of fourteen children of John and Mary (Bear) Stough. He emigrated to Ohio in 1851, thence to Clay County, Ind., in 1856, and settled one mile west of Brazil on a farm he purchased from one Dr. Ursher, where he has lived for twenty-six years. When he took posses- zion of the farm it was in a wild state, but he has cleared it up and im- proved it, having a nice residence, a commodious barn and a plenty of stock. On the farin there is "Stough's Cottage Hill Cemetery," which contains or covers eleven acres. In his boyhood, Mr. Stougb attended a few short terms of German subscription schools, but at the age of twen- ży-one he went one month to an English school and learned in that time to read and write. His parents were Pennsylvania Germans. Mr. Stough is an old-time Democrat, his first vote for President being cast for "Old Hickory." He is also a member of the Lutheran Church. In 1832, he was married to Miss Elizabeth Frick, a native of Pennsylvania. To this union there were born eight children, four boys and four girls, viz., boys-John, Jacob, Joseph and Henry; girls-Lavina, Mary, Eliza- beth and Florinda. Mr. Stough is a genial old gentleman and much re- spected in his community.
JOHN R. WEBSTER was born in Franklin County, Va., September 23, 1817, and is the oldest of nine children of Reuben and Mary (Miller) Webster. The father was of English, the mother of German extraction. Our subject emigrated with his father to Indiana when he was four years old, settling first in Parke County, on the Raccoon River, where they lived twenty years. When they came here, the wild country was swarm- ing with troublesome, thieving Indians. Men were sent from Fort Har- rison to protect the white settlers while they were constructing their cabins; and while some labored, others would hunt game on which to subsist. All around was a veritable wilderness. The howl of the wolf and the screech of the panther were familiar sounds. Their clothing was made of buckskin and linen, the father having learned the art of tanning and dressing deer skins from the Indians. Their reward for toil and
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hardships was sure to follow, and in 1827 [they built the second brick house ever seen on the Raccoon River, in Parke County. Only five acres were cleared on the farm, and the father the first year put this in tobacco, and bought his grain. Our subject settled in Clay County in 1840, hav- ing lived on his present farm for thirty-three years. In truth, Mr. Web- ster has cleared up his farm, constructed a good six-room frame house, barns and outbuildings, planted four orchards and has now 160 acres of good land, well improved and under a high state of cultivation. He has also given his boys each a good start in life. In his youth, he had poor opportunities for acquiring an education. In good weather he had to work, but in bad weather went to school in the primitive log school- house. When he had come to manhood, he had educated himself suffi- ciently to be competent to teach. He has followed farming all his life. In 1840, he was married to Susan M. Kerr, a native of Parke County, Ind., and daughter of James Kerr. To this union seven children were born-Reuben R., James, Samuel P., Mary J., Susan N., Rhoda C. and Clara. Politically, he is a Greenbacker; was first an Old-Line Whig, then a Democrat. For forty years he has been a member of the Chris- tian Church. He was a Deacon in the church for thirty years, and in 1873 was appointed Elder. He was Trustee of Dick Johnson Township two terms. He has never sought office, but has frequently been asked to run for office in both his county and township.
JAMES A. WINN was born in Orange County, N. Y., on April 9, 1835, and is the eldest of three children of Charles and Phœbe (Roe} Winn. He emigrated with his father to Ohio in 1851. There they lived three years, when they moved to Clay County, Ind., in the autumn of 1854, and settled in Dick Johnson Township, on the farm where he now resides. His father died October 5, 1862. The country was new and unimproved when Mr. Winn came to the county, and he has killed deer in what is now Dick Johnson Township. In boyhood, he received a common school education. On September 24, 1863, he was married to Angeline Carter, daughter of Joseph D. and Ellen Carter, an old and much respected couple, long residents of Clay County. Three children. have been born to this union, viz., Ellen R., born October 29, 1866; Jo- seph C., December 19, 1868; Zora L., December 12, 1875. Mr. Winn is a Greenbacker in politics; is a member of the Grange. He has a good farm of 160 acres, 100 of which are under cultivation, with good farm buildings and a plenty of stock.
ELDER FRANCIS B. YOCOM was born in Montgomery County, Ky., December 6, 1807, and is the sixth and the only one living of twelve children of William and Sarah (Stewart) Yocom, the father emigrating to Clay County, Ind., in 1833, and settling near Williamstown, on land purchased of the Government. Our subject has been a resident of the county nearly all his life. He has represented his county three times in the Legislature; was a delegate to the Constitutional Convention which amended the constitution, in 1850, and was Deputy Sheriff for twenty- seven years in his county, his brother being Sheriff. For over fifty years he has been an active member of the Christian Church, he entering the ministry in 1829. He belonged to the Western Indiana Conference. Fifty of the best years of his life have been spent in the cause of Chris- tianity. Politically, he has been a life-long Democrat, his first vote hav- ing been cast for Andrew Jackson. He only received a common school education, but by hard study made himself competent as a teacher, and
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taught three terms before he came to the county. Mr. Yocom has been twice married. His first marriage was to Rhoda Webster, daughter of Daniel Webster, an old and respected citizen of Clay County. To this union were born five children, viz., Daniel W., Reuben J., William T., Sarah J. and Rhoda A. His wife died May 8, 1847. In 1848, he mar- ried Mrs. (Adams) Garrigus. Four children were born to this union, viz., Mary, Rachel, Francis and Armilda A., only the last one of whom is living. These are the most important events in the life of one of the most prominent men in Clay County.
LEWIS TOWNSHIP.
JOHN R. BLEDSOE, Trustee of this township, is the sixth son of Isaac and Margaret (McBroom) Bledsoe, natives of Virginia and Ten- nessee, and of English and Irish descent respectively. He was born in Greene County, Ind., October 11, 1842, whence he removed with his parents to Ogle County, Ill., in 1848, where he remained two years, then returned to Indiana, where he abided until his eighteenth year, when he began the blacksmithing trade, which he now conducts. With but lim- ited advantages in youth, he has studied and observed, until he has now a fair education, having already taught a writing school. In 1862, he enlisted in Company C, Eighty fifth Indiana Volunteer Infantry. He was made a Corporal and served until July. 1865, having been engaged in the campaign of Gen. Sherman, from Resaca to Atlanta. July 20, 1864, at the battle of Peach Tree Creek, he received a gunshot wound through the arm, which disabled him for a time. He was next in Gen. Hooker's division, and has been for seven days without laying aside his gun. April 23, 1868, he married Isora, daughter of James T. and Eliza- beth (Tucker) Foreman, to which marriage succeeded two children-Ra- chel L. and Dilla. Mrs. Bledsoe died February 5, 1875, and Septem- ber 28, 1880, he married Sarah Trinkle. In 1874, Mr. Bledsoe was elected Justice of the Peace in Vigo County, and in 1882 Trustee of this township. He is possessor of sixty-three well-improved acres, with good dwelling, barn, etc. He is a member of the A. F. & A. M., and W. M. of Lodge No. 29, also a member of the Missionary Baptist Church, and an earnest Democrat
REV. DR. ABSALOM BRILEY was the eldest son of James and Melinda (Newkirk) Briley, the former a native of South Carolina and of English descent, the latter of Kentucky, and of German lineage. He was born February 21, 1823, being the first white child born in what is now Lewis Township, Clay County, Ind. He was reared upon a farm, and at the neighboring schools acquired the rudiments of an education, to which he has added by extensive reading, and is now a learned and intellectual man. As a practicing physician, he stands at the head of the profession in Lewis Township. The Doctor is also a regularly ordained Elder in the church of the United Brethren in Christ, and his sermons are noted for their purity of diction and power of eloquence, and his opinions on all subjects of local or general interest receive the consider- ation to which their merit entitles them. As a farmer, he owns and
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manages 130 acres of fine land, well improved and stocked. His library is probably the most extensive in Clay County, containing, in addition to a fine selection of medical works, a large quantity of classical and miscellaneous reading. In August, 1842, Dr. Briley was married to Mary Ann Carroll, who bore him four children, viz., Marinda L., Albert G., Sarah E. (deceased), and an infant, unnamed (deceased). Mrs. Bri- ley died January 5, 1848. August 2, 1849, Dr. Briley married Martha A. Stewart. Seven children have been born to this union, viz., Flavius J., Florina P., Lena E., Margaret A., Zene T. (deceased), Evaline M. and Laura B. In the winter of 1866, the Doctor contracted articular rheumatosis, which deprived him of the use of his lower limbs. Polit- ically, Dr. Briley is a Republican; has been since the organization of the party. He is universally respected.
GEORGE W. BROWN, farmer and stock-raiser, is the fourth in the family of Daniel and Polly Ann (Ballard) Brown, natives of Kentucky and of English descent. He was born in Hendricks County, Ind., January 23, 1842, attended the public schools of the day, and was reared on the farm of his parents. In the spring of 1871, he came to and settled on the farm he now occupies. February 2, 1864, he married Johanna, daugh- ter of John and Mary Jane (Hatchett) Shirley, by which union he became the father of eight children-Madison O., Emma A. (deceased), Robert J., Viola May, Ira (deceased) and Irene (twins), Daniel W. and John H. Mr. Brown has been successful, and has redeemed from the wilderness a good farm and home, containing many and varied improvements. In 1880, he was elected Justice of the Peace, but did not serve. He is a member of Vigo Lodge, No. 29, A. F. & A. M. He is a liberal patron of all progressive and charitable measures. In politics, he is Democratic, and gave his first Presidential vote for Gen. McClellan.
WILLIAM M. BRUSH, farmer, was born in Rockcastle County, Ky., February 7, 1819, and is the eldest son of John and Mary (or Polly) Brush, natives of Kentucky, and of Dutch-Irish descent. His parents set- tled in Harrison Township, this State, in March, 1831; remained one year; removed to Owen County, and thence, in 1857, to Iowa, where they after- ward died. William's opportunities for learning were very meager, but the best was made of what he had, and he has improved himself by sys- tematic reading. October 3, 1841, he married Anna, daughter of John and Elizabeth Cooprider, a union productive of eight children-John W., James K. P. (deceased), Mary Elizabeth, Henry J., Eliza Ann, Miles F., William C. and Elzora (deceased). Mr. Brush was Trustee of Harrison Township, whence he moved, in September, 1879, to this township, and located on his present farm in 1881. He has 160 acres of land on the Eel River bottoms, 100 of which are cultivated; it contains a good resi- dence, barns, fencing and the like. Mr. Brush has been a successful man. In 1866, he began the first circular saw mill in Harrison Township; continued the same for five years, and then resumed farming. In 1880, he served as census enumerator for this township. He is a strong Republican, having voted for John C. Fremont in 1856. He and wife are devout members of the Baptist Church.
WILLIAM L. BUCKALLEW, farmer and stock-raiser, was born in Crawford County, Ind., June 6, 1827, and is the eldest son of James and Mahala (Holt) Buckallew, natives of Virginia and Tennessee, and of Scotch and Welsh descent respectively. His parents removed to and set- tled in Harrison Township the year of his birth, and in 1835 came to
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this township, where they both ended their lives. William was brought up on the home farm, and commenced life on his own account at twenty- two years of age, having acquired sufficient knowledge to teach in the public schools. October, 1850, he married Elizabeth Goble, a union cemented by three children-James D., Sarah E. and Joel T. Mr. Buck- allew is a member of Jasonville Lodge, No. 530, A. F. & A. M., in which he has held many offices. In 1852, he was elected Justice of the Peace of this township, and re-elected three succeeding terms. In 1865, he was elected Assessor ; in 1866, Township Trustee for three years ; in 1878, County Commissioner, and re-elected in 1882, which office he now holds. Mr. Buckallew has been successful in his efforts, having the ownership of eighty-two splendid acres, after having given forty to each of his chil- dren. His land is well cultivated, improved and stocked. He is a Dem- ocrat, and a worthy gentleman and citizen. Mrs. Buckallew belongs to
the Baptist Church.
JOHN BURNS, farmer and stock-raiser, is the oldest son of Henry and Jane (Stuart) Burns, natives of Pennsylvania and of Scotch descent, and was born in Washington County, Penn., July 28, 1832, whence he came to this State in 1855, and settled a short distance from his present home site. He soon after removed to Greene, and thence to Clay County, and located where he now resides. John was reared to farming, received a fair education, and taught two terms after removing to this common- wealth. September 28, 1854, he married, in Pennsylvania, Caroline Coulson, to which union were born four children-Henry C., Annie M., Susan C. and Uriah C. Mrs. Burns died June 5, 1874, and March 21, 1875, Mr. Burns married Melinda J. Cochran, daughter of Asa and Pherby Mahan. Mr. Burns was a soldier in the Union army, having enlisted in Company C, One Hundred and Fifteenth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and served until March 4, 1864, having contracted rheumatism while on duty. He votes the Greenback ticket, and in 1876 was a candi- date for County Commissioner, two years later for Township Trustee, and still later for Township Assessor. Mr. Burns is the possessor of a handsome farm of eighty acres, all in good cultivation, improved with residence, barns, fencing and the like, and also well stocked with horses, cattle and sheep. He and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
DANIEL BUSH, farmer and stock-raiser, is the seventh child of Guy and Elizabeth (DeFoe) Bush, natives of New York and Kentucky respectively. He was born in Vigo County, Ind., August 17, 1838, whence his parents moved to Missouri in 1842, remained four years, and returned to this State and settled in this township, adjoining the farm now occupied by our subject. Guy Bush died about 1845, Mrs. Bush is yet living on the old farm place, seventy-six years of age. Daniel was reared on the farm, where he remained until he was of age, with but lit- tle schooling. March 23, 1862, he married Mary Ann, daughter of Elijah and Mary (Frakes) Pierson, which union produced three children -Tilman Otis, Earnest Guy, and Harland Clifford (deceased). Mr. Bush inherited $50 from his father, with which he purchased a horse, the basis of his fortune, which by his own exertions he has acquired. He is the owner of 280 acres, making one of the finest farms in the town- ship, containing many necessary improvements and well stocked, among which are some of the finest blooded animals. He is a liberal, benevo- lent man, an excellent citizen and a strong Democrat, who cast his first vote for President for Stephen A. Douglas.
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LEWIS TOWNSHIP.
BENJAMIN COPPOCK, farmer, is the only child of John and Mary (Duncan) Coppock, natives of South Carolina, and was born in Miami County, Ohio, September 15, 1832, whither his parents had emigrated, and whence he was brought to this township in 1842. He was reared to the plow, and from the neighboring schools he acquired the rudiments of an education. In August, 1862, he enlisted in Company K, Eighty- fifth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, in which he served until the war was ended, having participated in the battles of Thompson Station and Cassville, Ga., whence he was sent to the convalescent camp at Chattanooga, and again assigned to duty in Gen. Sherman's great cam- paign and march to the ocean, and was discharged at Alexandria. Mr. Coppock has been thrice married-November 24, 1853, to Zeresh Puck- ett, who died February 27, 1873, having borne eight children-Jemima, Rebecca Ann, Mary M., Ida May and Thomas B., living, together with Nancy Jane, Joseph and an infant, deceased. July 22, 1875, he mar- ried Elizabeth Mattox, from whom he was subsequently divorced, and July 30, 1882, he married his present wife, Mary (Cutsaw) Coppock. Mr. Coppock is a member of Vigo Lodge, No. 29, A. F. & A. M., and was the first Master Mason made therein. In 1867, he was elected Jus- tice of the Peace, and served ten years consecutively. In 1880, he was made Township Assessor, which office he now holds. In politics, he is a Democrat.
EUGENE CORSAW, stock-raiser and farmer, is the only son of William and Eliza (Hanscom) Corsaw, natives of Michigan, and of French descent, and was born in Detroit June 1, 1845. In 1852, he moved to Gosport, Ind., with his father, and later to Worthington. When fifteen years of age, he began life for himself by working alternately as a farm hand and on the canal. January 3, 1862, he married Anna Cooprider, to which union have been born seven children-Jonathan, William (deceased), Elzora, Effie May, Laura Bell (deceased), Francis M. (deceased) and Dellxena. After laboring on the canal, Mr. Corsaw rented a farm for some years, and in 1880 purchased and occupied his present home. It comprises seventy-seven acres, all under cultivation, well improved, handsomely stocked, and equipped with all necessary appurtenances. Mr. Corsaw inherited about $300 ; the remainder of his possessions he has earned by his thrift and diligence. In politics, he is a rigid and straight-out Republican, and cast his first Presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln.
HENRY W. CRIST, stock-raiser and farmer, was born in Clark County, Ind., August 17, 1821, and is the third son of Nicholas and Nancy (Biggs) Crist, natives of Kentucky, and respectively of German and Irish descent. In 1831, his parents removed to Vigo County, where the mother died, and whence the family thereafter removed to this town- ship in 1836. Henry's youth was divided between farm work and school, but he obtained an average education. February 18, 1843, he wedded Lucinda Liston, by which marriage they had nine children, of which number seven are living-Marvin B., Marcus D., Nancy Margaret, Mary Maranda, Sarah Evaline, Louisa Ellen and Joseph Cary. Mrs. Crist died March 2, 1866, since which his daughters have been his house- keepers. By hard labor and well-directed economy, Mr. Crist has been enabled to secure himself and family against poverty in the possession of 160 acres, one hundred of which are in high cultivation and with all needed improvements. In politics, he is a Democrat, and he gave his first Presidential vote for James K. Polk.
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MILTON C. DELL, farmer and merchant, the eldest son of Thomas and Jane A. (Waller) Dell, natives of Ohio and Maryland respectively, was born in Harrison County, Ohio, January 1, 1839, whence his mother removed to this State in 1863, and purchased and settled on the farm which Milton now occupies. While in Ohio, he attended the public schools, and subsequently became a teacher; he also taught successfully in this State for about eight terms, but gave up the profession in 1873. May, 1864, he enlisted in Company F, Sixty-first Ohio Volunteer In- fantry, served four months, and was discharged, and later re-enlisted at Terre Haute in Company F, Thirteenth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and was discharged July, 1865, having, while at Raleigh, N. C., contracted catarrh, which yet afflicts him. About 1868, he entered the mercantile trade, and in which vocation he is now engaged. April 20, 1873, he married Katie A. James, thereby becoming the parent of three children- Carrie, Mollie and Mattie. Excepting his faithful wife, Mr. Dell received no assistance on the voyage of life. He is now the owner of an eighty- acre farm, well stocked, cultivated and improved, and furnished with the necessary machinery and implements. Mr. and Mrs. Dell are prom- inent members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
JOSIAH RAMSEY ERNHART, farmer, is the third child of Henry and Jane (Heynote) Ernhart, natives of North Carolina and Georgia, and of German and Scotch descent respectively, who emigrated to Put- nam County, Ind., in 1830, thence to Clay County in 1840, and settled on a farm where both closed their lives. Josiah was born in Washington County, Ind., August 14, 1823. He attended subscription school, worked on the farm, and at the age of twenty began life for himself. He has been twice married; first, October 1, 1842, to Nancy, daughter of Wiley and Elizabeth Sanders, with an issue of five children, four of whom died in infancy, and one, Nancy Jane, who lived to be thirty-five; Mrs. Ernhart died in 1849, and February 8, 1858, he married Nancy Jane McCaffey, which alliance resulted in one child, Franklin. In 1864, he purchased and located on 160 acres, and. from the wilderness which it then was he has made a garden and added the varied improvements necessary to constitute a good farm as well as home. Mr. Ernhart be- longs to the old Predestinarian Baptist Church.
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