USA > Indiana > Clay County > Counties of Clay and Owen, Indiana : Historical and biographical. > Part 61
USA > Indiana > Owen County > Counties of Clay and Owen, Indiana : Historical and biographical. > Part 61
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HAZEN PEAVEY, stock-raiser and farmer, is the eldest son of Joseph L. and Mary (Drew) Peavey, natives respectively of New Hamp- shire and Maine. He was born in Carroll County, N. H., March 23, 1824, and there risided until his seventeenth year, when he went to Bos- ton as a "bell-boy," then as clerk at Dover, N. H., thence to Bangor, thence to Boston, where an experiment in the provision trade cost him his first $1,000; afterward, at New London, Conn., he was clerk at the Federal House; he also had positions at Stafford Springs, and was stew
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ard at Willard's Hotel, Washington; he was proprietor of a hotel at Jack- sonville, Fla., and cashier of a hotel at Old Point Comfort, and later pro- prietor of the Brock House at Enterprise, Fla. We next find him at Old Point Comfort, then at New York as cashier of the Gramercy Park House. In 1861, he was for six months sutler of the Fourteenth United States Infantry. He then engaged in farming and sheep-raising in Illi- nois, and after two years returned to Washington and was cashier of the Ebbitt. In 1866, he opened the Waddawanack House at Stonington, Conn., but in 1867 purchased and settled where he now lives. November 27, 1851, at Cape Cod, he married Celia W. Crocker, with an issue of two children-Walter H. and Nellie D. Being left a widower, he wed- ded, November 11, 1866, at Richmond, Ind., Sophronia J. Forkner. With but little education, yet much brains and energy, he has made a grand success. He has 385 acres of well cultivated, improved and stocked land, where he is finally located, a great-souled, liberal gentle- man and worthy citizen.
WILLIAM PHIPPS, farmer, is the youngest son of Benjamin and Lethe (Williams) Phipps, natives of North Carolina, whence, in 1834, Benjamin Phipps removed to Harrison Township. William was born in Lawrence County, Ind., August 1, 1824, and resided at home in Harrison Township until 1863, when he came into this township and located at what is now known as Phipps' Ferry. When he was sixteen years old, he was orphaned and compelled to act for himself with but a very spare education. He went to work on the canal and on a farm. September 26, 1843, he married Sarah Griffith, who died about 1851, leaving four children who quickly followed her. About 1856, he wedded his present wife, Mrs. Angeline (Huff) Dayton, by which marriage were brought into being eight children, two of whom only-Mary Jane and Sarah Angeline -are living. Mr. Phipps has attained his present state of independence by careful proceeding and continued industry, the precious fruits of which he may now enjoy. In March, 1878, he purchased and occupied his farm of eighty acres on Eel River bottom, which place is well culti- vated and improved, stocked with horses, cattle and hogs, and furnished with necessary implements. Mr. Phipps is a radical Democrat, having given his first Presidential vote for James K. Polk.
JEPHTHA D. PORTER, farmer and stock-raiser, is the second in the family of Samuel and Ethelinda (Brown) Porter, natives of Ken- tucky, who emigrated to this State in the fall of 1864 and located on a farm near Bowling Green, whence, in 1881, they removed to this town- ship and now reside engaged in milling. Our subject was born in Shelby County, Ky., March 28, 1848. He acquired a good English education, fitted himself as a teacher and taught two terms. February 8, 1865, he enlisted in Company B, One Hundred and Forty-ninth Regi- ment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and served until September 27. Dur- ing his service, he was promoted to the grade of Second Lieutenant, and was honorably discharged as such. When only fourteen years of age, in 1864, he enrolled in the Provost Guards and acted as guide to the Union army during Jenkins' raid, and was in the battle which routed that officer. While viewing the enemy's movements, he was accidentally wounded by a gunshot through the body; he was at the time standing on a freight-car. October 12, 1870, at Bowling Green, Ind., he married Martha A., daughter of James and Lydia Black, to which union were born three children-Carl (deceased), James William and Ollie Bell
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Bessie. Mr. Porter is a Democrat, and was a candidate for County Aud- itor, which office, however, the Supreme Court decided was not vacant. He now owns, manages and controls a farm of 260 acres, well cultivated, improved, stocked, and containing good residence, good barns and good - fencing. He also possesses a fine Eel River bottom farm of 120 acres.
CHURCH PUCKETT, farmer and stock-raiser, is the eldest son of Joseph and Zerish (Mattox) Puckett, natives of North Carolina and Ten- nessee respectively. His parents removed to Clay County, Ind., and settled in this township in 1842. Church Puckett was born in Vigo County, Ind., August 22, 1837, was reared on a farm, and from the neighborhood schools acquired a fair English education. He has been three times married-first, in May, 1855, to Mary Ann Neal, who died about four months later. In November, 1857, he married a second wife, Mary Jane North, who gave up life in the spring of 1877, having borne six children-Joseph (deceased), Henry, Mary Elizabeth, John Thomas (deceased), Amanda Jane and Hannah Ellen. April 24, 1881, he mar- ried his present wife-Sallie E. Cochran. In 1878, Mr. Puckett was elected Trustee of this township, which office he held for four years. He inherited from his father, who died in 1869, a small property, to which, by labor, economy and good management, he has materially added, having now a finely cultivated and improved farm of 56 acres, the same being supplied with some excellent stock and the necessary implements. Mr. Puckett is a thorough and active Democrat.
WILLIAM THOMAS PUCKETT, lawyer, farmer and stock-raiser, is the third of the family of David and Leanna (Baber) Puckett, the former a native of North Carolina, the latter of Virginia. He was born in Clay County, Ind., February 15, 1857, and resided on the parental farm until 1881, having attended the common and graded schools, with the result of a first-class English education. In the autumn of 1878, he began the study of law with Judge Carlton, at Terre Haute, and was ad- mitted to practice at Brazil in January, 1882, since which period he has been partly engaged thereat, and is now Deputy Prosecutor for Clay County. Although he has given a portion of his time to agriculture, he purposes to give in future his whole attention to his great profession. He is the owner of a good farm of sixty-three acres, all under cultivation, and underlaid with rich deposits of bituminous coal. As a lawyer, he is well read, energetic and astute, a fluent speaker and a ready debater. March 10, 1881, he married Eliza Isabel Neal, which union has given being to one child. Mr. Puckett is a Democrat, and cast his first Presi- dential ballot for Gen. Hancock.
GEORGE REED, retired farmer, is the second son of Levi and Sal- lie (Helmstetler) Reed, natives of North Carolina, and of Scotch-English descent respectively, who emigrated to this State in 1823; settled in Lawrence County, and resided there for ten years, where the mother died in 1832. The next year the father removed to this township; en- tered eighty acres of Government land, on which he lived and where he died in 1848. George was born in Roan, Davidson Co., N. C., October 18, 1818. When about nineteen years of age, he entered forty acres of Government land on Eel River, which he has cleared and improved, and to which he added until he has now 432 acres of land, which he has adorned with fences, buildings, orchards and the like. Mr. Reed has improved by reading and later study the education he received in youth, as he has made the circumstances of his life, by his own efforts. He is
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a stalwart Republican, but gave his first vote for W. H. Harrison. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, a worthy citizen, and a patron of every benevolent and public enterprise.
GAUDENCHY DULUCKY SANDERS, farmer and stock-raiser, the third of the family William and Rebecca (Hughes) Sanders, was born in Clay ĮCounty, Ind., March 27, 1849. His parents died when he was about one year old, from which time until he was eleven years of age, he lived with his grandfather, and from the public schools learned some- thing of reading and writing. March 1, 1864, he enlisted in Company K, One Hundred and Thirty-first Regiment Indiana Volunteers (Thir- teenth Cavalry), and served until the close of the war. In addition to many skirmishes, he participated in the battles of Decatur, Nashville, Huntsville, Mobile and others. In May, 1864, he was captured, and after three days made his escape, while his captors were reveling on the the spoils of a distillery. In 1866, he drove wagon teams through Colo- rado and Montana, and for the succeeding four years he "whacked " bull teams across the plains. He saw Kit Carson, and afterward attend- ed the funeral of that noted scout. He was more than once the bed- fellow of the Hon. William F. Cody (Buffalo Bill), and enjoyed the ac- quaintance of the famous A. W. Edwards, and was present when the Sioux and Arapahoes lifted that hero's scalp. August 10, 1876, he mar- ried Maria M. Terhune, with an issue of two children-Martha Ellen and Olga May. Mr. Sanders is a member of Vigo Lodge, No. 29, A. F. & A. M., and he and wife are members of the Missionary Baptist Church.
SAMUEL H. SANDERS, stock-raiser and farmer, is the fifth of the family of Joseph and Eda (Brock) Sanders, natives of Indiana and Ohio, and of Irish and German descent respectively. He was born at Lock- port, Ind., March 9, 1824, from which point his parents removed to this township in 1832, and purchased land on which they settled, and on which they and six of their children died and were buried. He was reared a farmer, and later married Hannah, daughter of Jesse and Susanna Neal, who left at her death two children-Jesse L. and Eda Sarena (both deceased). After his marriage, Mr. Sanders engaged in farming. He now owns 420 acres of fine land, about half of which are on the Eel River bottom, and nearly all under fence and good cultiva- tion; this land is also well stocked with horses, cattle, sheep and hogs. Two years after the death of his first, he married a second wife, Eliza- beth Brock, which marriage gave issue to eight children, two of whom only survive-Martha and Margaret Lucinda. This wife also died August, 1882. Except perhaps $200 received from his father's estate, Mr. Sanders has made his own fortune, which he has begun to enjoy. In politics, he is an uncompromising Democrat.
DAVID SHEPHERD, stock-raiser and farmer, is the sixth son of Stephen and Sarah (Porter) Shepherd, natives of Kentucky and North Carolina, and of Scotch and Irish descent respectively. David was born in Sullivan County, Ind., in 1823; his education was wholly neglected, but by application and observation he has acquired a practical knowledge of books and business. He resided with his parents until his majority, when he began working on the W. & E. Canal, and later on a farm in Illinois. In 1853, he returned to this State, and entered his present land. March 19, 1854, he married Christina Badders, which alliance gave being to eight children-Sarah E., Mary L., William T., Anderson
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W., Stephen R. (deceased), David A. (deceased), Delanie L. and Henry H. In September, 1854, Mr. Shepherd moved to Illinois and raised one crop, and then removed to Clay County. At the time he entered this land the district was a wild, and unaided he acquired a competence in a fine farm of 325 acres, 275 of which are cultivated and improved, to- gether with a supply of stock of many kinds; he also owned 130 acres in Sullivan County. In 1878, he lost $3,500 in the burning of a barn and its contents. Mr. Shepherd is a strongly grounded Democrat, but cast his first Presidential vote for Gen. Taylor. He and wife belong to the Christian Church.
ELIJAH M. STOUT, retired farmer and stock-raiser, is the fourth son of William and Mary (Van Dyke) Stout, natives of Virginia, and probably of German-Irish descent. He was born in Spencer County, Ky., September 14, 1811, came to this State in 1835, and settled where he now resides. During his youth, he attended school some time and worked upon the farm, and later, April 24, 1832, married Rebecca Craveson, by whom he had three children born to him-Eleanor Harriet, Sarah Ann (deceased) and Mary Jane. Mr. Stout has made good success in life, and that, too, almost without aid of any kind. Politically, he is now a member of the Independent party, his first Presidential vote having been given to Henry Clay. Mr. and Mrs. Stout are members of the Baptist Church, of which the former has been a Trustee for upward of forty years.
JOHN STROME, miller, is the fourth of the family of Joseph and Sarah (Miller) Strome, both of German descent, and natives of Pennsyl- vania and Ohio respectively, who removed to this State in 1851; remained in Owen County a short time before removing to this township, where they now reside-the father aged sixty-seven, the mother sixty-three. John was born in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, January 3, 1850; was reared on the farm and worked for his parents, as he has never ceased to do, and consequently received but small advantage from the schools. May 10, 1882, he married Josephine Stark, by which marriage they have been given one child-a girl, deceased. What property Mr. Strome possesses he has made from his own exertions. He has a farm of sixty-five acres, tolerably well improved. He also possesses a half interest in the Eldo- rado Mills, of which he is manager. He commenced the milling business in 1871, first as learner, then as worker, then as tenant, and finally as half-owner. He is a rigid Democrat, his first Presidential vote having been given for Horace Greeley. Mr. Strome is a member of Martz Lodge, No. 360, I. O. O. F., and he and wife are members of the church -- he of the Presbyterian, and she of the Baptist.
WILLIAM TENNIS, farmer, stock-raiser and stock-dealer, was born in Columbiana County, Ohio, November 5, 1838, and is the eldest son of John and Nancy (Rowles) Tennis, natives of Ohio and of English extrac- tion. His parents removed to this State in the spring of 1852, and lo- cated in Sullivan. William attended school in Ohio and Indiana, worked on the farm, and in 1859, in this county, married Amanda J. Maddox, who died April 16, 1867, leaving three children-Thomas Jefferson, James and Emily. He next married, October 24, 1870, Margaret Pipher, which union gave issue to five children-Joseph Green, Henry Clay, George H., Edward J. and Ross. In 1870, Mr. Tennis removed to his present home, comprising 100 acres of excellent, well-improved, stocked and cultivated land. In 1872, he was elected Justice of the Peace, at
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which he served for eight consecutive years, and never had a judgment reversed. In 1878. he made the race for the nomination of Recorder, but afterward withdrew. While serving as Justice he obtained a suffi- cient knowledge of law to enable him to practice in his way, and in which he has done most satisfactorily. He is a Democrat politically, but uni- versally esteemed as a man and a citizen. He is a member of the Ma- sonic fraternity, and now S. W. of Jasonville Lodge, No. 530. Mr. and Mrs. Tennis are members of the Christian Church, of which he is a Trustee.
EDWARD H. WATKINS, farmer and stock-raiser, is the youngest son of William and Margaret Watkins, natives of Ireland, and was born in Butler County, Ohio, April 6, 1831, where he resided until 1852, when he removed to this State ; worked at carpentering until 1861, and then located in Vigo County, and alternated between the bench and the farm. In 1866, he removed to this county and settled where he now lives-one of the finest farms of 200 acres-at that time a wild of swamp and wood, but now improved with good buildings, stock and fencing. Mr. Watkins has been twice married, the first time April 3, 1862, with Miriam, daugh- ter of James and Margaret Moon, who died after one year; the second time with Martha, daughter of Thompson and Nancy McKee; from this union there descended eight children-John W., Henry F., George F., Mary, Newton E., Etta, Essa and Hattie. By industry and integrity Mr. Watkins has acquired an excellent property, the achievement due to himself. Politically, he is a stalwart Democrat, but yielding in local af- fairs. He gave his first Presidential vote for James Buchanan.
MESSER G. WATSON, farmer and stock-raiser, is the sixth of the children of Nathan B. and Mary (Littlejohn) Watson. natives of Penn- sylvania and North Carolina and of Irish and German descent respect- ively. Messer was born in Owen County, Ind., August 9, 1853, whence his parents removed to Clay County in 1866, and settled on a farm now owned and occupied by our subject, who at the age of twenty-one years began life for himself. February 25, 1875, he married in Greene Coun- ty, Ind., Josephine Perkins, from which union sprang one child-Zella Ethel. Mr. Watson is a prominent member of Jasonville Lodge, No. 530, A. F. & A. M. In the spring of 1880, he was elected Justice of the Peace, which office he is now holding. He is an uncompromising Re- publican. Mr. Watson has been a school teacher, having taught his first term of school in 1874, and continued the same for every winter until 1880. He now devotes his entire time to farming, having a comfortable place of forty acres, with good residence, barns, stock and fencing. He is a much respected citizen, and Mrs. Watson is a devout member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
JOHN M. WOODROW, merchant, miller and farmer, is the eldest son of Joseph and Sarah (Moore) Woodrow, natives of Pennsylvania and of German descent, who removed to this State in 1855, settled in Greene County, and engaged in milling and farming. John was born in Beaver County, Penn., December 25, 1847, and after serving his father until his majority, devoted himself to the business of the Eldorado Mill. In 1877, he engaged in mercantile business at Coffee, in this township, where he is now Postmaster. December 17, 1868, he married Caroline, daughter of Christopher and Sarah Trinkle, to which union were bestowed two chil- dren-an infant (deceased) and Henry Otis. By industry and energy, Mr. Woodrow has secured a competence in the possession of a large stock
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of merchandise, besides a good farm of 130 acres under the best of culti- vation and with the best improvements-orchards, dwelling, barns, etc. Mr. Woodrow is a member of the Odd Fellows fraternity, an uncompro- mising Republican and a worthy citizen.
WILLIAM K. WORTH, stock-raiser and farmer, is the eldest son of John and Sarah (Kent) Worth, natives of Ohio, the former of Scotch, the latter of English extraction. William was born in Harrison County, Ohio, November 21, 1826, whence he came to this State in the fall of 1857, and purchased the land on which he now resides. He was reared on a farm until nineteen years old, but received no schooling-a disad- vantage to him through life. April 9, 1848, he wedded, in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, Sarah Ann Jones, by which marriage he had eleven chil- dren born to him-Philip (deceased), Adaline, Josephine (deceased), Mis- souri, Dian and Leander (twins), Isabel, Mahala, William Edward (de- ceased), James Albert (deceased) and Rosa. Mr. Worth is a member of Lodge No. 530, A. F. & A. M., of which he is a Steward. He is also an adherent of twenty-four years' standing of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Worth has been fortunate in securing for himself and fam- ily a life-time competence. He has a good farm of 120 acres, well stocked and improved. He is a Republican, but voted for Franklin Pierce in 1852, and for John C. Fremont in 1856.
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HISTORY OF OWEN COUNTY.
BY JAMES W. ARCHER.
ANTIQUITIES.
THAT the White River Valley had been a favorite habitation for men in pre-historic times, is proven by the existence of many mounds along and in its neighborhood, and also near the various streams in the county. In the vicinity of large springs and wherever an adequate supply of pure water could be easily reached, are found unmistakable evidences of a large pre-historic population. Quite a number of large mounds, and many small ones, are found near Gosport, and all down the valley of White River through the county are found many mounds. Some of them have been opened, and implements of polished stone, flint and pieces of rude pottery have been found. In others, large deposits of bones have been found, indicating burial places. In others, indications of fire, with fragments of bone partially burned, indicating religious or sacrificial mounds -places of worship. Heaps of shells from the river and large creeks are found in others. On the uplands, in many places, many flint implements are found-many broken and many entire-indi- cating that severe battles may have been fought in those places. In Clay Township, on the farm owned now by John D. Fox, there is a large field in which several bushels of these fiint arrow and spear points and battle axes of stone have been found, and in all probability that field was at one time the place where a bloody battle was fought between races of men of whom all knowledge has perished except these imple- ments of stone and flint. Many burial places of these pre-historic people have been uncovered. The bones differ in shape. Of what is apparently the oldest remains, the bones of the arms and legs are slightly curved, indicating an agricultural and laboring people -- a people who worked with heavy tools of some kind, who bore heavy burdens, as is proven by the heavy stones transported to considerable distances, and of which are constructed receptacles for their dead. This first people seem to have gathered the bones of their dead, perhaps at stated periods, carefully cleaned each separate bone, and then deposited them in great quantities together in a stone vault covered with stone and then covered over with earth, some of which is of different character from the immediate local- ity, and evidently transported from the neighboring hills. A second and different race of people seems to have succeeded this first probably peace- ful and laboring people. The bones of the second race are straight, thus showing a race of hunters and fishers, and also probably warlike, as the probabilities are this second people conquered the first, as they occupied the original mounds and seem to have had different habits. They buried their dead differently. The skeletons of this second people
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are found whole, sometimes two or three together, sometimes twenty or thirty or more buried together in a circle, with the feet toward the center and heads outward, and covered over with earth. Near Freedom, on Section 16, a very remarkable burial place was found. There was a large quantity of bones found, covered with flag stones laid peculiarly. The covering with the flagging seems to have been commenced at the top of the low mound, and the next lower tier overlapping the upper, just the opposite way from laying the shingles on a roof. Many very valuable and interesting relics of these pre-historic races found in this county, and which ought to have been retained, have been given away to people from other States and other counties. I have been trying for some years to gather together these relics as many as I could get, so as to keep them in the county as part of its early history, but the people seem to prefer to give them away to others, who have gathered and sent out of the county several barrels of most valuable relics of these lost races.
The Indians, our immediate predecessors, came next as occupants of this country, but they have no traditions respecting the former inhab- itants. Their old men told the first settlers here that they had no knowl- edge of the former inhabitants. They knew of them no more than we, who only read their history in their mounds, bones, and implements of flint, stone, and rude pottery. So perish men and nations from the face of the earth. And who can say that, with all our boasted civiliza- tion, we, too, may not pass into oblivion, and as time progresses and the intellect and inventive powers of man develop, that a thousand years from this time a people may possess this land, who, upon unearthing some of our implements and habitations we think so complete and so admirable, will wonder how a people so ignorant and so barbarous could have lived. As the Mound-Builder walked and carried heavy burdens on his flattened head and on his back, as the later Indian had his pony and canoe, as we of the present age have our various kinds of steam machin- ery, railroads, steamships and telegraph, so the next century may surpass us-but in what, and what shall be their achievements? Who shall say ?
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