Counties of Morgan, Monroe, and Brown, Indiana. Historical and biographical, Part 101

Author: Blanchard, Charles, fl. 1882-1900, ed. cn
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Chicago, F. A. Battey & co.
Number of Pages: 814

USA > Indiana > Brown County > Counties of Morgan, Monroe, and Brown, Indiana. Historical and biographical > Part 101
USA > Indiana > Monroe County > Counties of Morgan, Monroe, and Brown, Indiana. Historical and biographical > Part 101
USA > Indiana > Morgan County > Counties of Morgan, Monroe, and Brown, Indiana. Historical and biographical > Part 101

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

DAVID W. POLING was born June 3, 1838, in Marion County, W. Va., and is the youngest of the three children of Jonas and Rachel (Pitzer) Poling, natives respectively of New Jersey and Virginia, and of English and German descent. David W. Poling received a good educa- tion-so good that he became a teacher, and taught eighteen terms of school. He remained with his parents until August 25, 1858, when he married Ann Eliza Barrick, of Noble County, Ohio, and to this union six children have been born-William H., Susan A., Henry B., Ida M., Samuel C. and Fletcher. In September, 1864, he enlisted in Company C, Twenty-second Indiana Regiment, and was engaged in the battle of Nashville and the Southeastern campaign; was in the grand review at

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Washington, and was discharged June, 1865. In 1848, our subject came to Noble County, Ind., with his parents, who engaged in farming. In 1861, our subject moved to this county and divided his time between teaching and farming; he owns eighty acres at Needmore, besides a house and lot. Mr. Poling was elected Justice of the Peace for two terms, and December, 1882, was commissioned Notary Public. In poli- tics, he is a Republican.

JOHN RICHARDS, farmer and stock-breeder, was born August 7, 1808, in Hawkins County, Tenn., and is of the family of Michael and Charity (Hubbard) Richards, the first a native of Germany, the second of North Carolina. John Richards came hither with his parents in 1816, and located in Washington Township, where Michael Richards entered land and improved the same. After our subject was sixteen he lived with his grandfather, and later engaged in pipestave making and flat-boating until 1830, when he returned to this locality to remain. He entered forty acres about the time of the county's organization, to which land he added until he had 500 acres, and has owned more land, per- haps, than any man now living here. He possesses 940 acres on Bear Creek with some improvements and good orchards, besides other farm lands, and having given to his children 500 acres, all the conquest of his industry and ability, he having once cut wood at 25 cents a cord, and made rails for 25 cents a hundred. March 22, 1832, Mr. Richards married Priscilla Parks, which union was honored by seven children-Stephen A., Marian, Columbus, Commodore Perry (died in the army), Mary Jane, Michael and John, the last three deceased. After the death of his wife, May 21, 1846, Mr. Richards wedded, January 13, 1847, Joanna Stipp, with issue of six children. He and wife are members of the Christian Church. The paternal grandfather of Mr. Richards lived to be one hundred and eleven, and his maternal grandfather to be ninety-four years old. Mr. Richards has served as Constable, Justice of the Peace and County Commissioner.

STEPHEN A. RICHARDS, farmer, was born May 6, 1833, in this county, and is the eldest of the family of John and Priscilla (Parks) Rich- ards, natives of Tennessee. Stephen was reared to farming, but became a teacher and lived at home until July 17, 1855, when he married Mary C. Richardson, and to this union were born six children, four living-John A., Joanna, Byron and Mary C. September, 1864, Mr. Richards en- listed in the service, but afterward hired a substitute and began the study of medicine, which he soon abandoned. He has now 160 acres, in good cultivation and with varied improvements. In 1875, he and brother es- tablished the first store at Richards, carrying on merchandise in general for one year, when the same was sold to their father. January 28, 1884, Mr. Richards was appointed Postmaster at Richards, and for many years carried on a grist mill in the same place. He is a leading Demo- crat and an honored citizen. Mr. Richards' farm contains gold.

JOHN RICHARDSON, farmer, was born in Tennessee January 16, 1820, and is the second of fourteen children born to William and Sarah (Stephens) Richardson, natives of Tennessee. John Richardson passed his youth at school and in attending to the farm duties, his parents hav- ing moved to Monroe County, this State. January 16, 1843, he married Serilda Bull, and to this union were born six children-Jacob, William, Richard, Owen A., James M. and Sarah Jane; this mother died in November, 1855, and March 15, 1856, Mr. Richardson wedded Mrs.

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Kelley, from which marriage descended two children-Nancy C. and Rebecca A. This lady also died-May 24, 1863-and on July 14, of that year, Mr. Richardson was joined to Anna Stephens, to which last alliance were born nine children, of whom five are living-Jourdan L., Theodosia E., John K., Cordelia F. and Daniel Boone. Mr. Richardson moved to his present place in 1855, purchasing 120 and adding after- ward 40 acres, of which he now owns 113 acres, which are well improved and planted. He is in politics a Democrat, and he and wife commune with the Baptists.

WILLIAM R. RITTER. farmer, was born in this township May 13, 1839, and is the third of ten children granted to Jesse and Sarah Ritter, both natives of Tennessee and of Dutch descent. William R. Ritter was raised on a farm, received but a limited education, having in all about one year's schooling. When sixteen years old, he left his father's roof and went to Shelby County, where he remained working by the month until he was twenty-one years of age, the first year at $85, the second at $115, and when his majority was reached he had saved $400; he then returned to this county, and here worked by the month for a time. February 11, 1862, he married Hannah M. Fleener, daugh- ter of Jacob and Hannah Fleener, to which union succeeded one child- Jesse Anderson. After marriage Mr. Ritter located nine miles south- west of Shelbyville, and in 1869 moved to where he now lives, and owns 120 acres, which land is improved and adorned in the best manner-all the result of his labor and saving. He is a Democrat, a good citizen and honorable gentlemen.

WILLIAM SNIDER, stock-raiser and farmer, was born January 13, 1839, in this county, and is the fifth of the eleven children given to William and Elizabeth (Brummet) Snider, natives respectively of Ken- tucky and Tennessee, and of German and German-Irish extraction. Our subject was brought up to the plow, received some schooling, and re- mained to assist his parents until his marriage to Sarah Brummet, to which union were born six children-Cordelia (deceased), Margaret (deceased), Elizabeth (deceased), Ewing, Shockey and Oscar; after the death of this mother, July 10, 1875, Mr. Snider was united with Ellen Cornett, February 17, 1876. He owns 135 acres where he now makes his home, which is improved, adorned and cultivated. He is also owner of 160 acres in Woodruff County, Ark., and gives some attention to stock. In 1863, he moved to Monroe County, Ind., purchased 220 acres, sold the same in 1882, and then removed to his present home. Politically, Mr. Snider is an active Democrat, and gave his first vote for Stephen A. Douglas. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity and of the Christian Church, while Mrs. Snider belongs to the Methodist Episcopal Church.

ALEXANDER C. SPENCER, M. D., was born December 27, 1846, in Monroe County, Ind., and is the fifth of the eight children born to James W. and Nancy (Alexander) Spencer, both natives of Kentucky. Our subject was reared to farming, and after some time at the common schools he attended the State University for one year. When twenty- two years old he began the work of self sustenance, and in 1870 was elected County Surveyor for one term ; he then traveled further West. In 1876, he entered on the study of medicine with Dr. Campbell, of this county, and in 1883 graduated from the Central Medical College at Indi- anapolis. October 23, 1881, he married Annie E. Prosser, of this county, but a native of West Virginia. To this union has been born one

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child-Virgil B. F. Dr. Spencer is a member of the Masonic fraternity. He was elected Assessor of Benton Township, Monroe County, for two years ; was School Commissioner and County Surveyor for thirty years, and is an active Democrat. He is a reputable citizen and a promising practitioner. He and wife are members of the Presbyterian Church.

JOHN W. STEPHENS is a native of this township, was born Au- gust 26, 1858, and is the third of the four boys and two girls born to Jordan and Zilpha (Huff) Stephens, natives of Indiana. Our subject was reared to the labor of the farm and the acquirement of education. He was elected Constable some time ago, and is now a prominent candi- date for re-election. Jordan Stephens is a pioneer of this county, en- tered eighty acres where now lives, being a practical farmer. "February 24, 1830, he married Agnes Chandler, moved to this county in 1847, and settled in this township. These parents had born to them five boys and two girls. John W. Stephens is a promising gentleman, mentally and physically. He stands six feet seven inches in his shoeless feet, and weighs 210 pounds. He is a prominent Democrat for so young a man, and a generally respected citizen.

WILLIAM E. STUART, farmer and stock-raiser, was born Decem- ber 22, 1823, in Hancock County, W. Va., and is the third of the eight children of Joseph and Elizabeth (Campbell) Stuart, both of Scotch de- scent, and respectively natives of Pennsylvania and West Virginia. The great-grandfather of our subject was the single member of his fam- ily left after the battle of Culloden, Scotland. The grandfather of our subject was the only one of his family spared by the great London plague, and immigrated to America. William E. Stuart in company with his father engaged in the manufacture of fire brick in 1842, and which was continued until 1866, flat-boating their wares to New Orleans and other Southern markets, the last brick descending the Mississippi in 1861. In 1866, Mr. Stuart came to Indiana, settled on his present residence site, and purchased 240 acres of well-improved and appointed land, com- bining a good home and farm. March 7, 1850, he married Hezaniah Campbell, of Pennsylvania. This union gave being to three children- Elizabeth Virginia, John and Joseph William. Mr. Stuart is a Demo- crat, an honored citizen, and he and wife belong to the Presbyterian Church.

ISAAC S. WADE, merchant, was born December 7, 1826, in Bel- mont County, Ohio, and is a son of Owen S. and Margaret (Strahl) Wade, natives respectively of North Carolina and Ohio. Isaac S. lost his mother in infancy and was reared by a sister, afterward removing to Noble County, where he learned harness-making and subsequently shoe- making. In 1861, he moved to this county, where he worked at shoe- making for about ten years; moved to Needmore, engaged in general merchandising successfully, now having as fine a store as the county af- fords, and doing a very fine trade. August 3, 1858, he married Elizabeth Headley, and to them have been born two children-Owen Headley and Mary Ellen Thatcher. Mr. Wade was appointed Postmaster October 16, 1872, being the first of such officers in his town. He is an honored member of the Masonic fraternity, and has given his children good courses of instruction. He is also an Odd Fellow and an active Repub- lican and worthy citizen. Mr. and Mrs. Wade are adherents of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church.

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THOMAS WALTMAN was born January 22, 1837, in Frederick County, Md., and is the sixth of eleven children born to Thomas and Catherine (Wolf) Waltman, natives of Maryland. Our subject was reared on a farm, with a common school education, and when about nine- teen years old he commenced the task of getting his own living, and fol- lowed farming where his father had entered 160 acres, and purchased the first mill, which mill our subject has since managed. March, 1862, he married Ann L. Ellender, to which union were born eight children, six of them living to-day-Hiram D., Armilda, Minnie May, Gresilda, John and Bessie. Mr. Waltman is the possessor of 400 acres, under good cultivation, improved with comfortable residence, fair barns, and other appurtenances for use and value, all of which were acquired by in- dustry and skill. Mr. Waltman is a member of the Masonic fraternity; is a Democrat, and has served as County Commissioner for two terms. He and wife are members of the Baptist Church.

WILLIAM M. WALTMAN is a native of Georgetown, Brown Coun- ty, Ind., was born November 15, 1844, and is the tenth child of Thomas and Catherine (Wolf) Waltman, natives of Maryland and of German ex- traction. The grandfather of our subject, Michael Waltman, was a sol- dier of the Revolution. William M. Waltman, at the age of fourteen years, went to work in a tannery, where he labored some years. Novem- ber 15, 1865, he married Mary E. Moser, which nuptials resulted in nine children-Walter V., Edgar C., Hattie L., Thomas M. (deceased), John A., Charles G., Maggie, Bertie W. and Rubie. Mr. Waltman is the possessor of 180 acres, 80 being improved, constituting a good home and valuable property. He was admitted to the bar in 1874. He is a member of the Freemasons, and a charter member of Lodge 527. He is a self-made man truly, and has accumulated his property and acquired his good name by industry and ability. He is now Notary Public at Georgetown, and esteemed as an honorable, benevolent citizen. He and Mr. Chafin were the founders of the Brown County Democrat. Mr. Walt- man, Sr., was one of the first promoters of the Brown County Old Set- tlers' Association. The grandfather of Mrs. Waltman was a soldier of the war of 1812.

DR. JAMES G. WARD was born July 25, 1845, in Williamsburg, Johnson County, Ind., and is the third of the ten children of Dr. Rufus and Clementine D. D. J. M. (Alexander) Ward, natives respectively of Virginia and Kentucky, the former being one of the oldest practitioners of Johnson County. Our subject, during youth, received a fair educa- tion, and December, 1862, he enlisted in Company I, Tenth Indiana Cavalry, and was engaged in the following battles: Decatur, Nashville, Franklin and Mobile, and was discharged in the fall of 1865. After this event, he attended school at Bloomington, and thereafter farmed until 1868, when he engaged in saw-milling for three years. In 1872, he com- menced the study of medicine with Dr. Maxwell, attended lectures at Indianapolis in 1883-84, having practiced at Bloomington; he now re- sides at Bean Blossom, and has a good practice. March 24, 1863, while on furlough, he married Serepta Peterson, by which union were produced six children-Ida B., Rufus, Mahlon (deceased), Bezeta Clementine, Harrison Gammell and Hannalı J. Dr. Ward is a member of the Masonic fraternity, a Republican in politics, an esteemed citizen and a successful practitioner of medicine .

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ABRAHAM CANARY, stock-raiser and farmer, was born in Mercer County, Ky., April 12, 1819, and is the second of the four children of Michael and Elizabeth (Gashwooler) Canary, natives of Kentucky and of German descent, who moved to this State in 1829, located in Johnson County, entered land and commenced the work of making a home and a farm, where Mr. Canary housed his family, reared four children and died in 1861, aged eighty-three years. Abraham was reared on the home place, and shortly after reaching his majority married Miss Mary, daugh- ter of Thomas McDaniel, and thereafter engaged in farming in John- son County, until 1861, when he moved to this township, and in Au- gust of that year enlisted in Company D, Eighty-second Regi- ment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, served three years, and took part at Lookout Mountain, Buzzard's Roost, Missionary Ridge, Murfreesboro, Stone River, Perryville, the Atlanta campaign and Gen. Sherman's march to the sea. At Scorchy Valley he was captured, held nine days, paroled, and thirty-five days later joined his regiment. June, 1864, he was discharged and resumed farming, having now a well-improved, stocked, cultivated farm of 100 acres. October 31, 1881, Mrs. Canary died. and September 1, 1882, he wedded America Perkins. Mr. Canary is a strong, aggressive Democrat, also a valued citizen.

WILLIAM CRABB, dealer in general merchandise at Spearsville, was born in Jefferson County, Ohio, April 23, 1823, and is the youngest of the twelve children bestowed upon Henry and Ann (George) Crabb, natives of Pennsylvania and of Irish and German extraction respectively. William's paternal grandmother was a member of the Keller family. He remained with his parents on the farm until 1854, when he moved from Ohio to Indiana, located at Unionville, engaged jointly in farming and selling goods, remained one year, came then to Spearsville and has been engaged in the mercantile line for more than thirty years, being the oldest merchant of the place, with a large and established trade. He has also a fine peach orchard near this town. Mr. Crabb has been four times married, first, to Eleanor Taylor, in 1846, with an outcome of one child-Henry Newton. Mrs. Crabb died in 1849, and he then married Matilda Moore, also with an outcome of one child-Mary J. ; this mother died in 1851, and he married Elizabeth Peterson, with an issue of six children-Seward, Alice, William R., Keller E., Lena and Maud E., of which number the third and fourth are teachers; this lady died January 1, 1878, when he married Keziah Tracy. Mr. Crabb is a member of the Greenback party, and he and wife are members of the church-the first of the Presbyterian and the latter of the Christian Church.

JOHN B. CRAVEN, stock-raiser and farmer, is a native of England, was born December 15, 1848, and is the eldest of the eleven children of William and Mary Craven, also natives of England, who emigrated to the United States in 1853. John B. Craven was reared to the profession of agriculture, educated in the schools of Ohio and Indiana, and remained with and assisted his parents in making a home and clearing a farm in

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this county, whither they had moved in 1864. After his majority he returned to Ohio and assisted to clear as a farm-hand until September 7, 1871, when he married Martha A., daughter of William and Nancy (Goforth) Hamblen; the product of this union was three children-Mary Almie, Nancy Olive and Essie Myrtle. Mr. Craven has a good farm of sixty acres, which has been cultivated and is well improved, stocked with mules, cattle and hogs, making a very agreeable home and a valuable property-all of which is wholly the consequence of his application and constancy to business. He is a much esteemed and liberal citizen.

WILLIAM B. GRAY, was born in Monroe County, Ind., November 19, 1832, and is the ninth of the family of Andrew and Nancy (Bass) Gray, natives of Kentucky. Our subject was reared a farmer, obtained a mediocre education, lived at home until he was of age, then went to Illinois, and worked by the month, purchased a saw mill and managed the same for three years, and in 1860, returned to Indiana, where, on the 29th of November, he married Miranda Caughron, of Johnson County, which union gave being to seven children-Andrew W. (deceased), Ida May (deceased), Mary L., Florence E. (deceased), Wilber G., Cyrus Edgar and Miranda (deceased). Mr. Gray enlisted March 1, 1864, in Company I, Twenty-second Regiment Indiana Volunteers, and was in the battles of Rome, Kenesaw, Peach Tree Creek, Jonesboro, Atlanta, Bentonville, and was in the Washington grand review. After his dis- charge, August, 1865, as Corporal, he resumed the plow. He owns a farm of excellent quality and in high cultivation, with good buildings, barns, orchard and the like-all obtained by his thrift and economy. Mr. Gray is an earnest Republican, an esteemed citizen, and he and wife have been members of the Methodist Episcopal Church since the year 1846.

REV. ANDREW B. GRAY is a native of Monroe County, Ind., was born March 12, 1834, and is one of six boys and eight girls descended from Andrew and Nancy (Bass) Gray. Andrew was brought up on a farm, and when not engaged in farm duties, during the winters, attended the accessible schools; he afterward went to Asbury University for one year, and then taught five terms in this county. January 15, 1856, he married Sarah J., daughter of David and Mary Shaffer, and to them were bestowed seven children-G. O. Norman, Addie Bell, Corinne Juliet, Sarah Rox- anna, Mary Alice, Arthur Leon and Charles William. In 1845, Mr. Gray settled where he now resides, on 40 acres of his father's pre-emption. August, 1862, he enlisted in Company D, Eighty-second Indiana Volun- teer Infantry, soon after which event he took measles, and was in conse- quence discharged. He is an active Republican, and was appointed to fill a vacancy as Trustee, caused by the real Trustee's enlistment. Mr. Gray is an esteemed citizen, one of the county's ablest friends, and he and wife are consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

REV. WILLIAM HAMBLEN, minister and farmer, was born in Lee County, Va., July 31, 1814, and is a son of John M. and Mary (Camp- bell) Hamblen, respectively natives of North Carolina and Maryland, and of English and Irish extraction. William Hamblen was reared to farm- ing in Virginia, and learned boot and shoe making, and in 1836 emigrated to this State, entered Government land, and has since made this county his home. In June, 1846, he enlisted for the Mexican war in the Third Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and was discharged after six months. Returning home, he followed his trade until 1856, at which time he was ordained a minister of the United Brethren Church, to which

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he devoted his attention until the year 1872, when he changed to the Methodist Episcopal Church South. June 10, 1839, he married Miss Nancy, daughter of William and Juriah (Barnes) Goforth. Seven chil- dren have crowned this union-Elizabeth Jane, Mary, John William (deceased), Richard, Williamson, Sarah C. and Martha A. Rev. Mr. Hamblen is a Democrat in politics, and gave his first vote for Martin Van Buren in 1836. As a practical farmer, he has been successful, now own- ing and controlling a farm of forty acres.

GEORGE W. HAMBLEN, farmer and stock-raiser, was born in this township August 4, 1847, and is the sixth of seven children descended from Jesse and Rachael (Taggart) Hamblen. George W. was reared at home, assisted his father on the farm, obtained a good common school education, and so continued until manhood. July 2, 1871, he married Miss Mary E., daughter of Alanson and Eliza (Clemons) Corwin, and a native of Bartholomew County, Ind. This union gave being to four children-Edward, Addie, Omer and Nettie. Mr. Hamblen is owner of a 190-acre farm, under good improvement, with valuable stock and em- bellishments, all of which he has acquired by his indomitable will and un aided efforts. He is a worthy and honored citizen of his township, and, with Mrs. Hamblen, a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

DAVID JAMES, dealer in general merchandise, at Spearsville, is a native of Noble County, Ohio, was born February 8, 1849, and is the third of the six in family born to Theodore and Clarissa (Merry) James, natives of Ohio, and of German extraction. David James attended school and was reared in Ohio. August 17. 1867, he married Miss Hannah, daughter of Abram M. and Helen (Hart) Bryan, and to this happy pair were bestowed seven children, five of whom are living-Or- pha A., Olive B., Gracie M. B., Orvel S. and Reed C. In 1871, Mr. James emigrated to this township, purchased land near Georgetown, farmed four years, then sold, rented land for one year, and engaged in produce-dealing for three years, after which experiment he moved to Spearsville in 1879, and engaged most successfully in his present line. Mr. James has been a useful and diligent citizen, having contributed more, perhaps, to the growth and prosperity of the town than any one other person. He is a Democrat by party preference, a prominent citi- zen, and he, his wife and two daughters are members of the church, of which our subject is an assistant Class Leader.

ALFRED A. KNEE, Postmaster, groceryman and shoe-maker at Spearsville, was born in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, May 7, 1834, and is the eldest of the ten children of Philip and Frances Knee, natives of Pennsylvania and of German extraction. Alfred A. Knee received his education and grew to mature age in Ohio, where, as well as in Indiana, he taught school for a time. May 7, 1861, he married Elizabeth Sharp, a native of Ohio, who died in 1866, having been the mother of three children, all deceased. August 7, 1862, Mr. Knee enlisted in the One Hundred and Second Ohio Regiment, in which he served three years, being in the Army of the Cumberland. They were at the battle of De- catur, and pursued Gen. Forrest through several towns. In 1863-64, he suffered from rheumatism and otorrhœa, and has since been deaf in the right ear. After his discharge, he followed farming and shoe-making. In 1870, he married Nancy E. Tracy, of Belmont County, Ohio, but without issue. In 1877, Mr. Knee located in Spearsville as a shoe-maker,

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Counties of Morgan, Monroe, and Brown, Indiana. Historical and biographical, Part 101

Author: Blanchard, Charles, fl. 1882-1900, ed. cn Publication date: 1884 Publisher: Chicago, F. A. Battey & co. Number of Pages: 814

Author: Blanchard, Charles, fl. 1882-1900, ed. cn
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Chicago, F. A. Battey & co.
Number of Pages: 814