Counties of Morgan, Monroe, and Brown, Indiana. Historical and biographical, Part 33

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 33
USA > Indiana > Monroe County > Counties of Morgan, Monroe, and Brown, Indiana. Historical and biographical > Part 33
USA > Indiana > Morgan County > Counties of Morgan, Monroe, and Brown, Indiana. Historical and biographical > Part 33

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).

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February 27, 1879, he married Miss Lizzie Blackburn, of Brown County, Ind., which union has been favored with two children-Omar (born Decem . ber 20, 1880) and Otto M. (born December 14, 1883). Mr. Knight is a suc- cessful man, and is in prospect of a large and increasing trade, being a good observer and a shrewd manager. He is a liberal Republican politi- cally, and a generous and valued citizen. Mr. and Mrs. Knight are both members of the Christian Church.

JACOB T. LEACH, stock-raiser and farmer, was born September 10, 1850, in Johnson County, Ind., and is the seventh of the eleven children of John A. and Abigail (Miller) Leach, both natives of Kentucky, and of Scotch and German extraction respectively. In 1853, these parents moved to this county and located in Green Township. Jacob T. Leach has made his home in this locality since the coming of his father, for whom he labored, except during school periods, for several years. When seventeen years old, he began the experiment of life for himself, and, being industrious and economical, saved the money to found his success. September 22, 1872, he married Miss Sarah I. Adams, a native of this township. Five children have crowned this union-John H., Joseph B., William R., Nancy B. and Robert T. (deceased). Mr. Leach is a practical farmer, an energetic worker, a liberal and respected citizen, and an active Democrat. He has made his own way with but little aid, although his wife received $2,000 from her parents as a re- ward of her fidelity to them.

OWEN LLOYD, stock-raiser and farmer, is a native of Ireland; was born March 21, 1807, and is the seventh of the ten children of Owen and Margaret (Murdock) Lloyd, both natives of Ireland. Owen received a good ordinary education and was reared a farmer. His grandfather and a brother received from Oliver Cromwell a grant of 1,900 acres of land, and his father was a large land owner and extensive farmer. In 1834, our subject emigrated to these shores, settled in Cleveland, Ohio, for four years, and thereafter, in 1839, came to his present home and farm. To his original forty acres he added until he owned at one time 360 acres, most of which he has bestowed among his children. When quite a young man, Mr. Lloyd manifested a predilection for trading, in which he was generally successful, and is indebted to no one but himself for his progress and prosperity. April 7, 1838, he married Miss Sarah Coleman, a native of Ohio. To this union were bestowed nine children -Robert C. (deceased), Edwin (deceased), Owen, Davis (deceased). Clotilda, Alice, Francis C., Eliza, and an infant unnamed. Mr. Lloyd is a Democrat, and was twice elected Trustee of this township; he is also a benevolent and worthy citizen. Mr. Lloyd is a member of the Episcopal, and Mrs. Lloyd of the Missionary Baptist Church.

JOHN F. MAXWELL, liveryman at Morgantown, is a native of Butler County, Ohio; was born August 14, 1849, and is the third of the seven children of John K. and Ellen (McElwain) Maxwell, the former a native of Pennsylvania, the latter of New Jersey, who moved to Johnson County, Ind., in 1860. John F. Maxwell began the way of life for himself, when seventeen years of age, by taking charge of a woolen factory at Eminence, Ind., having formerly worked in such a place. This he continued for eighteen months, when he moved to Brownsburg and had charge of the weaving department for about three years; thence he went to Crawfordsville, and there had charge of a woolen factory for about six years, and finally came to Morgantown and

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began his present enterprise-livery and stave-making. In 1883, he shipped about 3,500,000 staves. Mr. Maxwell has been twice married -first, to Miss Mary J. Gibson, who died after bearing two children- both of whom departed before getting names; second, to Miss Minerva J. Julian, who is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Maxwell is an energetic business man, an esteemed citizen and an active Democrat.

GEORGE M. MONTGOMERY, hardware merchant at Morgantown, is a native of Johnson County, Ind., and is the second child of his par- ents, Duncan and Lillis (Holman) Montgomery, the former a native of Scotland, the latter of Indiana. Mr. Montgomery emigrated to Amer- ica in 1832. George M. was born December 15, 1853; was reared a farmer, and worked thereat and attended school until he was sixteen years old, at which time he became a cripple, and thus incapacitated from farm labor, although he is owner of 1372 acres of excellent land, im- proved and cultivated. In the summer of 1880, he moved to Morgan- town and purchased the hardware business of James S. Comer, which he has since managed successfully and satisfactorily. He carries a varied stock of about $3,500, which is increasing. October 17, 1876, he married Miss Mary E. Bass, and to them have been born two children- Arthur D. and Ivey M. Mr. Montgomery is a Liberal in politics, an upright and watchful merchant and a generally esteemed citizen.

CAPT. WILLIAM MOUNT, farmer and stock-raiser, was born in Hamilton County, Ohio, October 25, 1827, and is the eldest of the four children of Obadiah B. and Gitty A. (Skillman) Mount, both natives of Ohio, who moved to Union County, Ind., about 1837, on the 2d of Feb- ruary of which year Mr. Mount departed this life. William Mount re- ceived a fair education from the common schools, and learned the ancient vocation of farming, which he followed until the summer of 1862; then, together with W. W. Wingett, raised Company G, of the Sixty ninth Regiment Indiana Volunteers, Mr. Mount being made First Lieutenant, but was acting Captain most of the time, that officer being on detached duty. He was in the following engagements: Richmond (Ky.), Arkansas Post, Thompson's Hill, Raymond, Baker's Creek, Black River Bridge, and with Gen. Grant at Vicksburg. After his regiment was transferred to Texas, he participated at the battle of Mobile, where he received a slight wrist wound and was mustered out, but discharged at Indianapolis in August, 1865. The war being over, he removed to Columbus, Ind., where he engaged in the grocery business for several years, when he sold the same, removed to Indianapolis, and was some time on the special police force; thence he removed to this county in 1879, where he has since resided on a good farm of 100 acres. December 1, 1847, he mar- ried Miss Eleanor Dare, with a result of one child-Edward F. (deceased). Capt. Mount is an energetic Republican, a liberal, charitable gentleman, a shrewd man of business and a valued citizen. His mother resides with him, and is a member of the Presbyterian Church since girlhood.

JOSEPH H. NORMAN, farmer and stock-raiser, was born in this township October 8. 1839, and is the sixth of the eight children of James and Sarah A. (Harrison) Norman, the former a native of North Carolina, the latter of Tennessee, and both of Irish descent. James Norman emi- grated to this county in 1831; then returned to Tennessee for three years, when he came back to this county and finished his days; he was pos- sessed of 320 acres of land. His wife survives him and resides with the

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subject of this sketch. Joseph H. was reared a farmer, and has a good farm, embracing ninety-six acres, well cultivated and with stock and im- provements. March 28, 1861, he married Miss Ruth Kemp, a native of this county, which union has been fruitful of five children-George W., Robert C., Harriet V., Samuel A. and Edward. Mr. Norman received some aid in the beginning of his career, but has succeded by means of his will and management. He is a good husband, father and citizen, an unchangeable Democrat, and, with his wife, a valued member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

JOSEPH T. NORMAN, farmer and stock-raiser, is a native of Over- ton County, Tenn .; was born October 1, 1823, and is the youngest of the twelve children of William and Mary (Kemp) Norman, natives of North Carolina and of English extraction. William Norman came to this county in the fall of 1830, where he entered land, and, with the assist- ance of his sons, made a very excellent farm, which continued to be his home until removed by death. He had been a soldier of the war of 1812. Joseph T. Norman was reared a farmer under his father, obtained a pio- neer education and remained with his parents until he was about twenty- two years of age, engaged in rail-making, log-rolling and clearing land. In 1844, he married Miss Betsey E. Williams, of North Carolina, who lived to bear eleven children-Caroline, Nancy, Sarah, Catherine, Jeffer- son, Joseph L., Frank P., George W., William (deceased), Rutha J. (deceased) and Thomas A. He next married, September 7, 1864, Mrs. Nancy R. Thomas, a native of Indiana, to which union were bestowed four children-Grant, Sheridan, Daniel W. and Sherman (deceased). Mr. Norman has been successful in his efforts toward independence, being possessed of 600 acres of land, much of which is improved, cultivated and stocked. . He cast his first vote for James K. Polk, but adopted the Republican party as soon as born, and has adhered to it. He is a charita- ble, liberal citizen, and much esteemed.

JOHN J. NORMAN, farmer and stock-raiser, is a native of this county; was born January 17, 1850, and is the fifth of the eleven children of Joseph T. and Elizabeth (Williams) Norman, the former a native of Tennessee, the latter of North Carolina, and respectively of English and German extraction. John J. Norman was reared a farmer, received the rudiments of an education, and remained with his parents until he was twenty-one years of age, at which time he began life for himself, receiv- ing from his parents a horse and cow to begin with. May 26, 1870, he married Miss Emeline Lake, a native of this county, by which union suc- ceeded two children-Delie .(born February 17, 1871) and George W .. (born April 18, 1874). Mr. Norman is now residing on the farm of his father. He is a Republican by political preference, a liberal gentleman and an esteemed citizen; he is likewise a practical farmer, whose success is due to his energy and wise management.

W. W. RAPER is a native of this county, was born August 28, 1861, and is the second of the family of nine children bestowed un Andrew J. and Julia A. (Helton) Raper, the former a native of Monroe County, Ind., the latter of this county, and both of English extraction. The subject of this sketch was reared to the ancient business of husbandry, and acquired some education from the common schools. He is now act- ing as overseer of the farm of his grandfather. Mr. Helton is an ener- getic, industrious and promising young man, a practical farmer and an esteemed gentleman. In political preference, he is a member of the Dem- ocratic party.

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JACKSON TOWNSHIP AND MORGANTOWN.

HENRY RENNER, proprietor of a saw mill and grist mill at Maha- lasville, also a farmer and stock-raiser, was born January 15, 1828, in Wayne County, Ohio, and is the second child of Philip and Mary (Bidle- man) Renner; the former a native of Pennsylvania, the latter of Ohio, and both of German extraction, who came to this section in 1839. Henry Renner was brought up to the farm and the school, thus acquiring some education and learning the farming vocation. By industry and frugality, he has acquired a good property, having a fine farm of 246 acres, much cultivated and variously improved; he is also in enjoyment of a liberal patronage in his mills and purchases grain largely. January 15, 1852, he married Miss Jane, a daughter of James and Mary A. Gibbs, to which union eight in family have been bestowed-Philip, Mary, Eliza E., James W., Martha A., Louisa, Retta and Eddie. Mr Renner is a gentleman of enterprise and liberality, an uncompromising Democrat and a worthy citizen. Mrs. Renner is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

GEORGE W. SKINNER, farmer, was born June 15, 1825, in Bel- mont County, Ohio, and is the fifth of the family of Philip and Hannah (Coon) Skinner; the former a native of Pennsylvania, the latter of West Virginia, and both of German descent. George W. received only a ru- dimentary education, but has been a close student, thereby acquiring much practical knowledge. In 1844, he located in Morgantown, and after the death of his parents he received a small amount of means with which to begin life; he first purchased forty-four and then forty acres of the homestead, and has dealt also in lumber and timber. June 29, 1846, he · married Miss Partheny Lake, a native of Virginia, which union gave issue to ten children-William (deceased), Mary, Elizabeth A. (deceased), Emma (deceased), Samuel, Ida (deceased), John A., Caleb and Barbara (twins, the latter deceased) and Burto. Mr. Skinner has been usually successful in his undertakings, having a clear perception and much exe- cutive capacity. He is a warm adherent of the Republican party, a stanch friend to humanity and a good citizen. He and wife belong to the Missionary Baptist Church.

IRA C. WILLAN, M. D., one of the leading physicians and surgeons of Morgantown, Ind., was born July 27, 1859, in Hart County, Ky., and is the third of the eight children of Dr. Elzy B. and Carrie R. (Murrey) Willan, natives of Kentucky, and of English extraction, who moved to Trafalgar, Johnson County, Ind., in 1861, where Ira grew to manhood, and, in his father's drug store, received an early medical training, having served as clerk for eighteen months therein. After receiving a good ed- ucation at the schools, he entered on the study of medicine under his father for two years, after which he attended two courses at the Indiana Medical College, department of Butler University, from which he gradu- ated in the class of 1883, and with great honors. July 26, 1883, he opened a medical office at Morgantown, and has even now been success- ful in establishing himself with the people as a young practitioner of ability and promise. We predict for him a lucrative practice and gen- eral renown.

FREDERIC WILLIAMS (deceased) was born May 3, 1828, in North Carolina, and was the fourth of the eleven children of William and Catherine (Haase) Williams, also natives of North Carolina, and of Irish and German descent respectively. Frederic came to this county when quite young, which was his home until his decease-July 21,1882. He received his education from the pioneer schools, and was reared on a

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farm. He settled in the forest, and, with some help from his father and rigid economy, accumulated sufficient to make his family comfortable. March 12, 1858, he married Miss Rutha J. Kemp, a native of this county, and to their union were bestowed eleven children, nine of whom lived to be named-George W. (born December 8, 1860), Aaron (born November 22, 1861), John J. (born May 5, 1863), James W. (deceased), Andrew J. (born June 22, 1866), Robert E. L. (January 16, 1869), Fred- eric (born April 10, 1870), Nelson (born February 13,1872) and Cordelia (born May 1, 1874). Mr. Williams was possessed of about 200 acres of farm land, and was a man of energy and endurance toward the end of becoming independent. He was liberal, genial and esteemed. In polit- ical matters, he was an active Democrat

CLAY TOWNSHIP.

WILLIAM BLACK, J. P., Brooklyn, is the second of four children of Samuel J. and Mary J. (Lewis) Black, and born in Mooresville, Mor gan County, on February 29, 1836. Samuel J., the father, was born in Erie County, Penn., on June 16, 1812, and came to Indiana in 1824, settling near Indianapolis, but coming soon to Mooresville, Morgan County. On October 17, 1833, he married Mary J. Lewis. He died on March 19, 1851; his wife September 5, 1855. Our subject was reared upon a farm, and received but a limited education. In 1848, he went to Iowa with an uncle, sojourning in that State ten years, when he returned to Indiana in October, 1859. On July 6, 1861, he enlisted in Company K, Twenty-first Indiana Infantry, served until December 16, 1863, when he " veteranized " and continued in the service until the close of the war. On the organization of his company he was made Corporal, but was pro- moted to First Sergeant before his discharge. He participated in the battle of Baton Rouge, sieges of Port Hudson, Fort Morgan, Fort Span- ish and Fort Blakely. At the time of his discharge, January 22, 1866, he had contracted a disability from which he will probably never recover. While at home on a furlough, he was married, on December 7, 1865, to Sarah Steele, a native of Morgan County. Mrs. Black's father was in the Mexican war, and died in that service. To Mr. and Mrs. Black have been born four children. Both are members of the Christian Church, as is also their eldest daughter. Mr. Black is a member of the I. O.O. F., and a stanch Republican. He held the office of Trustee of Clay Town- ship from 1872 to 1874. He is at present a Justice of the Peace of this township. By trade he is a carpenter.

BARNARD B. BUSH, of the firm of Bush & Brother, dealers in gen- eral merchandise, was born in Orange County, N. Y., on September 18, 1856, and is a son of George B. and Mary (Lyon) Bush, having been the second of their four children. The firm of Bush & Brother does a thriv- ing business, is carrying a stock of $3,000, and trading annually to the amount of $10,000 at Centerton, Ind. Barnard B. was reared on a farm, and attended the public schools a sufficient length of time to enable him to teach. Mr. Bush, Sr., and his wife came to Indianapolis from New York, and from there moved to Centerton. On the breaking-out of the

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war, he went into the service, but never returned to his home. Barnard B. began life for himself at nineteen years of age, at farming, and con- tinued in that pursuit until 1880, when he engaged in the mercantile business, and ever since has been doing a thriving trade in that live at Centerton. Mr. Bush was married, on September 30, 1878, to Emma Ferguson, a native of Morgan County, Ind., and by her he has had two children-May, born May 2, 1880, and Lee, born September 23, 1883. Mrs. Bush is a consistent member of the Christian Church, Mr. Bush is a Republican and holds the office of Trustee of the township, being now in his second term. After his first election, he made a special levy of 35 cents on the $100, for the purpose of building a graded schoolhouse of four rooms. This became an issue in his second election, and he having been successful, the building was completed, and a school is taught there which is a credit to any township. Mr. Bush is a self made man, not having depended upon any one for help in climbing the ladder to pros- perity.

CALVIN ELY is the fourth of the five children born to David and Mary E. (McCracken) Ely, natives of Virginia and North Carolina, and of English descent; was born in Clay Township, Morgan County, Ind., May 3, 1849, and passed his childhood on his father's farm. He received instruction at the public schools sufficient to enable him to become one of our county's teachers. Mr. Ely attended the State Normal School at Terre Haute during 1874 and 1875, and also graduated from the Inter- national Business College of Indianapolis June 1, 1872. As he was then fully competent as a teacher, he followed that profession for about eight years, at the same time engaging in book-keeping. In the mean- time, he served as Deputy in the Auditor's, Treasurer's and Clerk's offices at Martinsville. On January 10, 1878, Mr. Ely was married to Frances A. Stafford, a native of Morgan County, and daughter of Wiley and Sarah (Slaughter) Stafford, natives of Morgan County, Ind., and of Eng- lish and German descent. By this union they have had one child born to them-Charles, born August 2, 1881. Mr. and Mrs. Ely belong to the Christian and to the Methodist Episcopal Churches respectively. Mr. Ely is a member of the. A. F. & A. M. Since his marriage, he has been engaged in farming 192 acres which he owns, and has highly improved. On this place is a fine residence, barn, fences, orchard, etc .; it is stocked with hogs, horses, sheep and cattle, and further provided with all neces- sary farming implements. In collecting this, Mr. Ely has depended upon himself only and has received nothing from any man.

A. J. FIELDS was born in Madison Township, Morgan County, August 20, 1830, and is the son of Allen and Elizabeth (Ritcher) Fields, natives respectively of North Carolina and Virginia. The parents came to Indiana in 1828, and located in Madison Township, where they resid- ed until their death. Our subject was reared upon a farm, received a rather limited education, and came to Clay Township on January 1, 1853, and continued farming, being at present located upon a farm of 138 acres of well-improved land, of which he is the owner. He has been twice married. First to Clarissa Butterfield, on December 18, 1853. She was a native of Morgan County, and daughter of Veloris and Clarissa Butterfield. Seven children were born to them-Omer A., born February 12, 1856, died July 17, 1870; Francis O., born August 10, 1860, died March 30, 1882; Martin A., born November 30, 1868, died May 18, 1882; George A., born December 4, 1871, died November 25, 1874: Ada A.,

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born August 18, 1858; William F., born July 13, 1864; Annetta, born, July 15, 1862. The mother of these children died on October 2, 1872, a consistent member of the Christian Church. He was next married, on March 20, 1874, to Eleanor Butterfield, who was born on Jauuary 15, 1837. She is the daughter of John H. and Eleanor Butterfield. They have no children. Both Mr. and Mrs. Fields are inembers of the Christian Church, in which he has been Deacon for the past twenty years. Con- sistent in his piety, lavish in his gifts to charity, upright in his dealings with his fellow-inan, Mr. Fields is respected by all who know him. Mr. F.'s father, Allen Fields, was born on March 18, 1789, and died on Oc- tober 24, 1877; his mother, Elizabeth Fields, was born on December 2, 1793, and died on April 23, 1864.

W. C. GREESON, harness-maker, Brooklyn, is the youngest of fourteen children born to John and Barbara (Spoon) Greeson, natives of North Carolina, and respectively of German and English extraction. The parents emigrated from their native State to Indiana in about 1840, coming to Mooresville, Morgan County, and there lived until their death, respectively in 1851 and 1852, both members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. W. C. Greeson was born in Mooresville November 18, 1844, and grew to manhood upon a farm, receiving a common school education. At about eighteen years of age, Mr. Greeson enlisted in Company E, Twelfth Indiana Infantry, and served three years. He was promoted to Corporal in 1863. He took part in battle of Richmond, Ky. He was here captured August 27, 1862; was paroled on the 30th, and in No-

vember was exchanged. He was sent from Indianapolis to Cairo, Ill., and thence to Memphis, and finally to winter quarters at Tallahassee Bottoms. In the spring the regiment went to Vicksburg, and there took part in that severely contested engagement. In September, after the evacuation of the city, they went to Memphis, Tenn. Corp. Greeson was also engaged in the battles of Jackson, Miss., Missionary Ridge, Resaca, Dallas, New Hope Church, Kenesaw Mountain, Nickajack Creek, Atlanta, Jonesboro, Savannah, Griswoldville, Columbia, S. C., Benton- ville and Raleigh, N. C., and in Sherman's "march to the sea." Through exposure, our soldier subject became afflicted with chronic diarrhea, and also received a severe wound with 'an ax in his left leg at Vicksburg. He was discharged June 20, 1865. He was married Novem- ber 9, 1865, to Mary A. Peek, a native of this township, and a member of the Christian Church. Mr. Greeson is a Mason; was Junior Warden for three and Senior Warden for two years, and was also Trustee of Clay Township for five years, and is a Republican. Mr. Greeson owns ninety three acres of land, well improved, six lots, two dwellings, and a shop in Brooklyn. In 1876, Mr. Greeson left his farm and came to Brooklyn, where he is engaged in harness-making, and has since been do- ing a good business.

JOHN HINER GREGORY (deceased) was born in Morgan County, Ind., July 4, 1842, and is the son of Daniel and Mary (Cox) Gregory, of English lineage. John H. was reared upon a farm, and was educated at the common schools. February 7, 1866, he was married to Amanda J., a native of Morgan County, born February 14, 1844, and a daughter of William and Eleanor (Clark) Rinker. Three children were given them -Oliver L. (deceased), Albert and Melva I. The father died on April 7, 1882, in the membership of the Methodist Episcopal Church, to which his wife belongs. Mrs. Gregory is living upon a farm of 122 acres of

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land, well improved and abundantly stocked. Mr. Gregory enlisted August 6, 1862, in Company H, Seventieth Indiana Infantry, and served three years. He participated in the following battles: Russellville, Resaca, Cassville, New Hope Church, Lost Mountain, Kenesaw Mount- ain, Marietta, Peach Tree Creek, Atlanta, Savannah, and was also with Sherman on his " march to the sea." He was honorably discharged on June 8, 1865. He then resumed farming, was always a most devoted husband and father, as well as a respected citizen. Being early left an orphan, Mr. Gregory lived with an uncle until he had nearly attained his majority, when he returned to Morgan County, Ind. Mrs. Gregory is residing on the old homestead of Levi Rinker.

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Counties of Morgan, Monroe, and Brown, Indiana. Historical and biographical, Part 33

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