Counties of Morgan, Monroe, and Brown, Indiana. Historical and biographical, Part 21

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 21
USA > Indiana > Monroe County > Counties of Morgan, Monroe, and Brown, Indiana. Historical and biographical > Part 21
USA > Indiana > Morgan County > Counties of Morgan, Monroe, and Brown, Indiana. Historical and biographical > Part 21

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).

WILLIAM R. ASHER is a native of Johnson County, Ind., and was born on the 30th of November, 1861. When he had reached the age of eight years, he was removed by his parents to this town, where he was reared, attended and graduated from the Martinsville High School, and afterward became a student of the State University in September, 1878, in a course of four years' study. In the month of March, 1883, he en- tered into the oratorical contest, with four contestants, for the privilege of representing the University in the State contest, and which privilege he won; consequently, he represented the University of Indiana in the State oratorical exhibition, which took place at Indianapolis April 17, 1883, in which effort he was successful, coming out number one from a list of six, each representing a college, and also winning the prize, $50. This success at the State capital bestowed upon him the right of contend- ing in the inter-State contest of oratory, held at Minneapolis May 2, 1883, from which engagement he came forth third in honor.

J. G. BAIN, editor Martinsville Republican, and Postmaster, was born in Jefferson Township, Morgan County, on April 29, 1844, and is the son of John and Bridget (Gallagher) Bain, early settlers of Jefferson Township. Our subject passed his early life on a farm and attending a district school until he was seventeen years of age, when he enlisted in Company C, Thirty-third Indiana Infantry, in August, 1861, for three years and participated in every march, battle and skirmish which the

172

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES :

regiment was in. Near the close of the three years' term, the regiment " veteranized." During the Atlanta campaign, the regiment elected offi- cers, and was under the fire of the enemy while balloting, and one man killed. Mr. Bain was elected Second Lieutenant, and remained with his command until the close of the war, having been mustered out August 20, 1865, after four years' service. Some of the battles and skirmishes in which the regiment was engaged are as follows: Wildcat, Cumberland Gap, Thompson's Station, Tenn. (where the entire brigade was captured and confined in Libby Prison two months), Resaca, Cassville, Burnt Hickory, Golgotha Church, Pumpkin Vine, Peach Tree Creek, the Atlanta campaign, Sherman's "march to the sea," and through the Carolinas, being in the battles of Averysboro and Bentonville; thence to Raleigh, on to Richmond, and in the "grand review" at Washington; thence to Louisville, Ky., where the regiment was mustered out. After his return home, our subject attended Mooresville Seminary six months, then Earlham College, Richmond, Ind., three years, and then the State Uni- versity at Bloomington, graduating from that institution in the law course in the spring of 1870, after which he came to Martinsville and engaged in the practice of law. In August, 1870, he became connected with the Republican, which sprang into existence that year, and was made its managing editor. In December, 1870, with H. A. Smock, he purchased the paper, and continued its publication for four years. Since September, 1874, Mr. Bain has been the sole proprietor. He has added to and improved the paper, now using a Campbell steam press, with a circulation of 1,700. In October, 1872, Mr. Bain was made Postmaster of Martinsville, and has held the office ever since. He has always been an active, influential politician in the Republican party, and is ranked among the energetic and progressive citizens, and as one of the repre- sentative men of Southern Indiana. In February, 1876, he was married to Sallie Johnson; a native of Morgan County, and daughter of Dr. J. J. Johnson. Four children have been born to them-Mary E., Katie R., Jarvis J. and Dora I. Mr. Bain is a consistent member of the Presbyte- rian Church, and his wife of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is also a member of the Masonic fraternity, and of the G. A. R. Since Mr. Bain has been Postmaster, the office has increased its receipts three- fold; and it is at present one of the best appointed and conducted post offices of any town of its size in the State.

JAMES P. BALDWIN, second son in a family of eight children, was born March 17, 1849, in Jennings County, Ind. His parents, James M. and Sarah (Thomas), natives of Indiana, were married in Jennings County, where they settled, remaining until 1861, the father following merchandising. Removing thence to Martinsville, he went into the mill- ing business, and three years later, his mill being destroyed by fire, he retired from business, and is at present one of Martinsville's most influ- ential citizens. The subject of this sketch was reared and educated in Martinsville. When sixteen years of age, he was employed as brake- man on the F. F. & M. R. R., where he remained for six months, then for six months on the I. & V. R. R. as fireman, and afterward on the main line of the Indianapolis & St. Louis Railroad as fireman between La Fayette, Ind., and Cincinnati, Ohio, for some time. He was then given an engine, working in this capacity until 1872, after which he worked for one year on the F. F. & M. R. R. again. In 1873, he entered the employ of Johnson & Long, druggists, of Martinsville, for a

173

WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP AND MARTINSVILLE.

short time, afterward forming a partnership with J. H. Hart in the same business, and at present is so engaged doing a lucrative business. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., and is an active member in the Republican party. November 13, 1872, he was married to Maryetta K. Johnson, daughter of Dr. J J. Johnson, one of the leading citizens of Martins- ville. They had four children, none of whom are living. Mr. Baldwin and wife are identified with the Methodist Episcopal Church.

QUINCY A. BLANKENSHIP, attorney at law, is a native of this county, born November 15, 1851. He was reared in the locality of his birth, attended the schools and high school of Martinsville, also the Northwestern at Indianapolis. He began farming in 1874; now owns 200 acres in Ray Township, and is a partner with his brother in farming and stock-dealing; they handle about 100 head of cattle each year. In 1879, he went into the County Clerk's office as Deputy, at which he served four years. Afterward he began the study of law, was admitted to practice February, 1883, and April 17 of that year be married Miss Fannie Miller. The father of our subject, Perry M. Blankenship, was born in Jennings County, Ind., December 11, 1811. His parents died when he was quite young, and he was bound to Mr. John B. New, and learned the trade of cabinet-making, at which he worked several years, and while yet a young man removed to this county.

JOHN BOTHWELL was born in County Moneghan, Ireland, March 17, 1803, and is a son of Charles and Mary Bothwell, also natives of County Moneghan, Ireland. The father of our subject, John Bothwell, Sr., was a native of Ireland, where he married and died, having reared five children-James, David, Mary, Margaret and Charles. Charles Bothwell, while in Ireland, married Mary Gordon; emigrated in 1809 to America, and settled in Pennsylvania, where he closed his life. He was the parent of the following: Samuel, William, Ann J. and John. Our subject, John Bothwell, married, January 14, 1832, Miss Nancy, daugh- ter of John and Elizabeth Loraign. The following spring Mr. Bothwell moved to Montgomery County, Penn., and in 1838 to Morgan County, Ind., when he settled in this township, which has since been his home. Mrs. Bothwell died April, 1856, and some time after Mr. Bothwell wedded Mrs. Weathers, widow of Richard Weathers, who died Feb. ruary 1, 1883. Mr. Bothwell has been father to the following children: Samuel, Anna, Mary, David, John, Hugh, Sarah, James, Ann J., Isabel, Martha and Margaret.

DAVID BOTHWELL is a native of Morgan County, Ind., was born October 12, 1841, and is one of the twelve children composing the fam- ily of John and Nancy Bothwell. He obtained the rudiments of an ed- ucation from the district schools; afterward fitted himself for the duties of a teacher, and has taught thirteen consecutive terms of school suc- cessfully in this county. February 28, 1883, he married Mary E., daughter of William M. and Mary C. Duckworth, of this county. Miss Duckworth was born in this county March 23, 1857. After marriage, Mr. Bothwell occupied and managed the farm on which he now lives. It comprises 215 acres, and is well cultivated and improved. Mr. and Mrs. Bothwell are highly respected among their neighbors.

FRANK O.BRAKE, native of Ohio, was born in Licking County Octo- ber 10, 1853. His parents, Samuel and Sarah (Moore) Brake, were mar- ried in Ohio, their native place, in 1841, where they located, and the father was stationed as a United Brethren minister. In 1863, they re-

174

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

moved thence to Union County, and settled on a farm, where they re- mained for two years; then went into the mercantile business in Frank- fort. In 1878, he sold his stock of goods, and was then in Shelby County for four years. Early in 1883, he embarked in the insurance business, and at present is so engaged. On December 23, 1877, his mother died. Subject is third son and child in a family of four chil- dren, and was reared and educated in his native county. When seven- teen years of age, he began teaching school in Ohio. He continued teaching for five years, and in March, 1875, he entered the office of Dr. Levi Stuck, a dentist of Bryan, Ohio, remaining with him for one year. He then went with Dr. Myers, of Defiance, Ohio, remaining for five years, meanwhile attending the Ohio Dental College at Cincinnati, where he graduated in March, 1880. In 1881, he came to Martinsville, where he has a lucrative practice. Mr. Brake is a member of the A., F. & A. M., Martinsville Lodge, No. 74; of the American Legion of Honor, Fort De- fiance, Lodge, No. 497. In politics, he is a Republican. On September 26, 1877, he was married to Josephine Winfield, daughter of John Win- field of Ohio. By this union there is one child, Edith Harlan. Both himself and wife are members ol the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.

ELLIOTT F. BRANCH, Treasurer of Morgan County, Ind., is a na- tive of Johnson County, and was born April 16, 1845. He was reared in the county in which he first saw the world's light, with fair facilities for education, and in 1866 commenced the grain trade at Martinsville, and now continues the same in partnership with his brother, under the firm title of Branch & Bro .; they own the Martinsville Flouring Mills, and are doing a large business, over $250,000 annually. Mr. Branch shipped the first, carload out of the town on the new railroad. He is owner of 320 acres in Johnson County, the same number three miles east of this place, and his wife also has a like quantity near the town. From 1865 to 1878, he was engaged in merchandising and the stave business, in connection with milling and farming. May 13, 1868, he married Miss Alice Parks, daughter of P. M. Parks, which union has been graced by four children-Olive, Leafy, Emmett Forest and Frank Oak. Mr. Branch is a stanch Republican, and was elected County Treasurer in 1878. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity and of the State committee for this Congressional district.

ROBERT H. BRANCH was born in Johnson County, Ind., on April 7, 1852. A sketch of parents' life appears elsewhere in this work. He was fourth son and ninth child in a family of twelve children, and was reared in his native county. When eighteen years of age, he began work- ing on his father's farm, which he continued to do for two years. He then came to Martinsville, and was employed by his brother, E. F. Branch, in the grain business, with whom he continued until January, 1874. At this time he became a partner in the firm, and continued so for three years, when his brother sold his interest to D. D. Cramer. Three years later, the firm was dissolved, R. H. Branch and D. D. Cramer selling their interests. Our subject then purchased a half interest in the flouring mills and elevator, which was destroyed by fire on June 22, 1883, the loss being about $26,000. An elevator, the capacity of which is 125,000 bushels, has since been built, in place of the one destroyed, and business was re- sumed on December 1, 1883, which most undoubtedly will prove as great a success as formerly. Mr. Branch is a member of the A. F. & A. M. He is also an active member and worker in the Christian Church. Politi-

175

WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP AND MARTINSVILLE.

cally he is a Republican, and quite influential in this party. He is liberal as a citizen, and highly respected by all who know him.

H. E. BRANCH is the eldest son and child in a family of two chil- dren, born January 12, 1855, in Franklin, Johnson County, Ind. His parents were John W. and Louisa (Alexander) Branch, natives of Ken- tucky and Indiana respectively. They were married in Gosport, Ind., October 5, 1853, and then settled in Franklin, remaining until 1858, when they moved to Gosport, where they remained until 1866. He was appointed Deputy Collector, and moved to Terre Haute, remaining until 1878, when they moved to Martinsville and engaged in the stave trade, and at present reside in Indianapolis. The subject was reared in Frank- lin, Gosport and Terre Haute, in the latter place of which he received a good education in the graded schools. In September, 1877, he came to Martinsville, and took the position of book-keeper for E. F. Branch & Bro., and is so engaged at present. On February 12, 1878, he married Sarah A. Comer, daughter of Mathew Comer, a pioneer of Mooresville. By this union there were two children. Mr. Branch is a member of the K. of P. He is an active member of the Republican party, and highly esteemed in the community in which he lives. He is a member of the Campbellite Church. During the years 1872, 1873, 1874, 1875, he was telegraph operator in Terre Haute.

MRS. MARTHA A. BROUGHTON (widow of John Broughton), is a native of Botetourt County, Va., and was born May 9, 1837, the daughter of Jacob and Nancy Echolds, both natives of Virginia, where they married. They afterward moved to Kentucky; thence to Madison County, Ind. ; thence to Johnson, and thence to Morgan County. Their family consisted of Jeremiah, Martha A., Nancy J., William, Jennie, Eliza, Anna and Joseph. In Johnson County, Ind., our subject married James Childs, and they moved to Effingham County, Ill., in which locality Mr. Childs died. In 1852, Mrs. Childs returned to John- son County, Ind., and was there wedded to Thomas Stout, with whom, in 1858, she moved to this county, where he died in 1872; finally she wedded John Broughton, who left the world in 1879. Mrs. Broughton has been the mother of eight children, as follows: By Mr. Childs, two, Roan H. and an infant deceased; and by Mr. Stout, six-Charlie T., Albert L., Nancy A., William W., Hattie F. and Joseph H. Mrs. Brough- ton is an exemplary and highly esteemed lady.

COL. JAMES E. BURTON was born in Monroe County, Ind., Septem- ber, 23, 1824, is a son of John and Nancy (Wishard) Burton, the former a native of Virginia, born 1784; the latter, a native of Delaware, born 1782, who, after their marriage about 1819, emigrated to Monroe County, Ind., where Mr. Burton built a mill and also engaged in farming. He was a soldier of the war of 1812, and was the owner of more than 1,000 acres at his death in 1860; his wife survived him sixteen years. Their family was Susan L., Jesse M., Henry W., Elizabeth J., John W., Sytha A., Martha L., Josiah P. and James E. The grandfather of our subject, Josiah Burton, was a native of England, who first located near Philadelphia, Penn., then moved to Virginia, then to Kentucky, and about 1826 to Morgan County, Ind., where he closed his life. He had been twice married and the father of ten children. James E. Burton was married March 23, 1848, to Miss Cynthia A., daughter of James V. and Maria Buskirk, and born in Monroe County January 31, 1830. They have had three children-David P., John M. (deceased) and James S.

176

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

Soon after marriage, Mr. Burton moved to and remained in Morgan County. In 1861, he enlisted in Company H, Thirty-third Indiana Volunteer Infantry, of which he became Captain and served three years. He was wounded in the thigh June 22, 1864, and in Septem- ber was promoted Colonel, which he held until mustered out, August, 1865. Mr. Burton has been Justice of the Peace, and is a member of the Masonic order and of the M. E. Church. He resides upon his own farm of 249 acres.

PATRICK CAIN is a native of Ireland; was born January, 7, 1829, and is one of the four children born to Thomas and Katie Cain, both of whom were natives of Ireland. In 1846, Patrick Cain emigrated from Ireland to Kentucky, and in the autumn of that year moved to Clark County, Ind., and subsequently to Morgan County, and settled in Wash- ington Township, where he has since made a home, and is the owner of 480 acres of fine land, and also where he married Ellen Murkenroy, which union has resulted in the births of seven children-Francis T., Edward I., William, Patrick H., Joseph, Mary and Rosie. Mr. and Mrs. Cain are highly esteemed members of their community, and are communicants of the Catholic Church.

EDWIN W. CALLIS was born in Flemington, Hunterdon County, N. J., on January 17, 1827. His parents were natives of that State. He attended school until he was about thirteen years of age, when he was ap- prenticed to the printing business in the office of the Hunterdon (N. J.) Democrat. He had a natural inclination and taste for that business, and served an apprenticeship of five years. After that he worked in various cities and towns, in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, until the year 1847, when he purchased a half interest in the Mt. Holly (N. J.) Herald, a Democratic paper, and took the editorial control of that paper until 1851, when he came to the conclusion that he would like to master the " art preservative of all arts " in its various details. Then he sold his interest in the Herald, and removed to Philadelphia, Penn., where he worked in the leading book, job and newspaper offices, and edited and published a literary and pictorial paper called the Family Casket. He remained in that city until 1855, when he came West, to Martinsville, Ind., and bought the Morgan County Gazette, as the paper was then called. It was the first Republican paper published in Morgan County, and continued in that faith until 1870, when local differences arose, and the editor and paper filed into the Democratic party-the party to which Mr. Callis orig- inally belonged. It has been thoroughly Democratic ever since, under his editorial control, and has done efficient and faithful service for the Democratic cause. Mr. Callis is a natural and thorough newspaper man, from editor to pressman, and stands at the head of his profession wherever known. He has a wife and six children. The latter, four girls and two boys, range in age from fourteen to thirty years, and were all brought up at the " case. "

WILLIAM P. CLARK is a native of Morgan County, Ind., born August 23, 1835, and is the fourth of the seven children of John and Isabella (Major) Clark, both born in Indiana and in the same year, 1810. Soon after their marriage, they moved to Tippecanoe County, and thence to Morgan County, settling in this township, where Mr. Clark died in 1844. Mrs. Clark subsequently married William H. Craig, and died in 1881, by the latter marriage becoming the mother of three children. William P. Clark married, February 12, 1857, Miss Keziah, daughter of

177

WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP AND MARTINSVILLE.

John and Sarah Rudicel. Mrs. Clark died May 17, 1863, and May 17, 1864, he married Alzina H., daughter of Lewis and Hannah War- ren. Soon after this marriage, Mr. Clark moved to Martinsville, and in 1872 purchased the Martinsville Flouring Mills, in which business of milling he was engaged for five years. In June, 1883, he removed to the farm on which he now lives. Mr. Clark has been the father of five children, two by his first wife, Noah J. (deceased) and Minnie (deceased), and three by his second wife-Lulu, Gettie and John W.

JOHN N. COBB is a native of Morgan County, Ind., born August 30, 1860, and is descended from Van B. and Harriet A. (Nutter) Cobb, natives respectively of Kentucky and Indiana. They were married, September 20, 1859, in this county, where Mrs. Cobb died October 21, 1860, after which our subject was taken by his grandfather, John Nutter, to rear, with whom he remained until 1881. July 30, 1882, he mar- ried Annettie, daughter of A. J. and Perlina (Dyer) Lafary, of Martins- ville, and born in this county March 20, 1859. Mr. Cobb is a very much esteemed and promising young man and a member of the Knights of Pythias. He and wife are parents of one son-William A.

COFFEY & LIVINGSTON. Walter S. Coffey, senior partner of this firm, is the fifth child of Wiley and Harriet (McDonald) Coffey, na- tives of Indiana. He was born six miles southeast of Spencer, Owen County, Ind., May 16, 1858. His parents were married in Owen County, and located on a farm in Clay Township in that county, where the father died in 1879, leaving his widow with several small children, which she has reared. She is now living on the old farm, hale and hearty. Walter S. Coffey was reared on the home farm in Owen County, where he received an education in the district schools of the neighborhood. By persistent effort and close application, he attained a proficiency in music seldom excelled. When twenty-one years of age, he was employed by F. G. White, the well known manager and actor, as leader of his orchestra, and for three years traveled with him. In July, 1883, he formed a partnership with W. N. Livingston in the grocery business in Martinsville, and they are at present doing a large, lucrative business. Mr. Coffey is a member of the Christian Church, in good standing, and an active and influential one in upholding its principles. In politics, he is liberal.

WILLIAM N. LIVINGSTON was born in Clay Township, Owen Co., Ind., August 21, 1860. His parents, Nathan F. and Elizabeth (Neill) Livingston, natives of Virginia and Indiana respectively, were married in Greene County, Ind., in 1857, and located on a farm, where they remained for a number of years, and thence came to Owen County. They then settled in White Hall, Clay Township, where they sold dry goods for some time. At present they reside nine miles south- east of Spencer, on a farm in Clay Township. William N. Livingston is the second son and third child in family, and was reared and educated in his native township. When nineteen years of age, he was employed by F. G. White as a member of his band and orchestra. He traveled with him for three years. In July, 1883, Mr. Livingston went into the grocery business, in partnership with W. S. Coffey, in Martinsville, where at present they are doing a successful business. In October, 1882, he was married to Ruth Coffey, daughter of Wiley and Harriet Coffey, natives of Indiana, and old pioneers of Owen County. Mr. Livingston is polit- ically a Democrat.

178

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

MATTHIAS B. COLLINS, second child in a family of three, was born Frebruary 18, 1842, in Butler County, Ohio. . His parents, Jacob and May A. (Arbuckle) Collins, natives of Pennsylvania and Virginia respectively, were married in Ohio, in 1837, and located near Cincinnati, where the father followed the cooper's trade and farmed up to the pres- ent time. His mother died November 6, 1877. Matthias was reared and educated in Clermont County, Ohio, and when nineteen years of age came to Indiana and entered the employ of carriage manufacturers, with whom he remained until July, 1862. He enlisted in Company I, Thirty- third Indiana Volunteers, under Capt. Houser; served three years, and participated in the following engagements: Thompson's Station, Resaca, Cassville, Kenesaw Mountain, Peach Tree Creek, Burnt Hickory and Dallas Woods; he then marched with Sherman from Atlanta to the sea, and took part in the battles at Savannah, Bentonville and Averysboro; near Goldsboro, he was taken prisoner, and first imprisoned at Danville, then at Libby. Shortly after, he was paroled, and, going to Camp Chase, Ohio, was granted a furlough, and on June 10, 1865, was honorably discharged. Returning to Bartholomew County, Ind., he resumed work at carriage-making. On March 25, 1866, he was married to Minerva L. Rominger, of Bartholomew County. One year later, they removed to St. Louis, Ind., where he engaged in wagon-making, remaining until 1872; removing thence to Miamiville, Ohio, he engaged in photography (which he had learned while in the army), traveling with a portable gallery until in 1879, when he came to Martinsville and has since been successfully engaged there in the same business. Mr. Collins is Senior Warden of the A. F. & A. M., Martinsville Lodge, No. 74, and Officer of the Guard of Post No. 77, G. A. R. He is a Repub- lican, and he and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. They have four children-Ella F., Eugene O., Willie A. and Mary E.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Counties of Morgan, Monroe, and Brown, Indiana. Historical and biographical, Part 21

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