Counties of Morgan, Monroe, and Brown, Indiana. Historical and biographical, Part 37

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 37
USA > Indiana > Monroe County > Counties of Morgan, Monroe, and Brown, Indiana. Historical and biographical > Part 37
USA > Indiana > Morgan County > Counties of Morgan, Monroe, and Brown, Indiana. Historical and biographical > Part 37

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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tinued. He is a Republican in political faith, and he and wife are members of the Christian Church.

PERRY M. BLANKENSHIP, a leading and enterprising farmer and stock-raiser, was born near Paragon, Ind., November 30, 1853, and is the sixth of the nine children of Perry M. and Bethsheba (Hodges) Blan- kenship, natives respectively of Jenning and Morgan Counties, Ind., and of Dutch and English extraction, being among the earliest settlers of this township. Our subject was reared to the plow and the independent vo- cation of farming, during which early period, he attended school at times, and obtained a rudimentary education. So far, Mr. Blankenship is a successful gentleman. He is possessor of 145 acres, eighty-five of which amount is cleared and well cultivated, improved, stocked and adorned with good dwelling, barns and other outbuildings, a result mainly due to the strictest attention to business and the ablest management. Mr. Blankenship is a member of the Christian Church, a liberal, benevolent gentleman, and an estimable citizen.

ELIJAH BOWEN, a pioneer and leading farmer of this county, was born September 23, 1807, one mile east of Nicholasville, Ky., and is the seventh of the eleven children of Elijah and Nancy Bowen, natives of Virginia. The grandfather of our subject was one of the first settlers in old Kentucky. Our subject was reared on a farm near the cave of Daniel Boone, where that hero and family lived three months. In 1830, Elijah moved to Owen County, Ind., and soon after to Morgan County, where he had purchased 120 acres, on which is his present home. August, 1830, he married Nancy, daughter of Abner and Polly (Hill) Alexander. This union gave being to ten children, five of whom are living. Mr. Bowen, being a good manager and industrious man, succeeded in acquiring 963 acres, and a good home as well. Of this land, which was highly im- proved, he has sold 560 acres, and given the proceeds, about $18,000, to his children, retaining the residue for himself. Mrs. Bowen died, De- cember 13, 1882, and Mr. Bowen married a second wife, Mrs. Margaret, widow of John Asher. Mr. Bowen is a member of the Christian Church, as was his first wife, who left at her death a legacy of about $5,000 and eighty acres to her youngest daughter. Mr. Bowen gave his first vote for Henry Clay, and has been recently Republican.

JAMES M. BROWN is a native of Kentucky, was born June 6, 1833, and is the second of the nine children born to Francis O. and Mary E. (Wright) Brown, respectively of Irish and Dutch extraction. James M. was brought up a farmer, as which he labored and also attended school during his minority. November 7, 1856, he married Sarah Jane, daugh- · ter of Louis and Elizabeth (Smith) Carroll, to which were born two chil- dren-William L. and Mary E. Francis O. Brown entered land soon after coming to this State in 1834, near Bloomington, where he and wife yet reside. James came to Morgan County when fourteen years of age, and commenced the care of himself, so that he began the world under rather discouraging circumstances; but he is now possessed of a good home and eighty acres in Monroe County, which are improved and culti- vated; he has also a good house and store in Paragon, having been en- gaged in the mercantile and butchering business for the past six years. Mr. Brown and wife are members of the Christian Church, and very greatly esteemed by the people of their neighborhood.

TOBIAS D. BUTLER, stock-raiser and farmer, was born February 4, 1838, in this township, and is the youngest child of Tobias H. and

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Sallie (Goss) Butler, natives respectively of Maryland and South Caroli- na. Tobias D. was reared on a farm, with but small opportunities for education, and when nineteen years old began to work for himself. July 6, 1861, he enlisted in Company B, Twenty-first Infantry (afterward First Heavy Artillery), and took part at the battles of Baton Rouge, Brashear City, Bayou Teche, and was forty-two days in the siege of Port, Hudson. He was in three years' active service, and discharged August 10, 1864. October 20, 1864, he married Mary S., daughter of Allen and Sarah Asher. To this union were born nine children-Thomas (deceased), Edward, Frank, Blanche, Daisy (deceased), Leota, Richard, Walter and Mary S. Mr. Butler has a valuable farm of 238 acres, situated in Owen and Morgan Counties, which is in a good state of cultivation, well stocked and improved. He has been generally successful in life by great atten- tion to business. He is a Republican in politics, and served as Assessor of Harrison Township one term. He is a liberal and respected citizen, and he and wife are members of the Baptist Church.

WILLIAM J. GOSS, farmer and stock-raiser, was born November 10, 1835, in Owen County, Ind., and is fifth of the eleven children of Ephraim and Sarah (Goss) Goss, natives of North Carolina and of Dutch descent. His grandparents emigrated to the West, and settled in what is now Washington County in 1810, and in 1817 moved to the present site of Gosport. His parents came to this county when he was a child, locating about, one mile from where he now lives, and where his father had entered land. When William was sixteen years old, his father died, whereupon he assumed care of the family. January 11, 1856, he mar- ried Sarah C., daughter of Joseph and Delilah (Sandy) Goss, a union productive of five children, four of whom yet live-Theodore D., Joseph L., Corna L. and Dollie D. By dint of persistent and well-directed labor, Mr. Goss has acquired a property of 440 acres of as fine land as the commonwealth affords, which is well stocked, improved and cultivated, as well as adorned with convenient dwelling, barns, orchard and the like. He also owns a store in Paragon, managed by his son. Mr. Goss is a Republican in politics, and a good business man and respected citizen. Mrs. Goss is a consistent member of the Christian Church.

HENRY C. GOSS, farmer and stock-raiser, was born May 18, 1838, on the farm on which he now resides, the land having been entered by his father in or about 1823, and is the second of three children now liv- ing of Ephraim and Sarah Goss. He was reared to farming as a busi- ness, and has resided here continuously, except for a period of three years when his mother moved to Gosport. Mr. Goss is possessed of 280 acres of land, in the highest state of cultivation and improvement, also made desirable by the erection of a fine residence, barns, a necessary amount of stock, a growing orchard, and other valuable additions. Mr. Goss has living with him Elizabeth Myers and Joseph Magers, who take care of the place. He is a Republican in the political lire, and a liberal and greatly valued citizen.

J. H. GOSS, enterprising farmer and stock-raiser, is a native of this township, was born September 10, 1845, and is the tenth of a family of Ephraim and Sarah Goss, natives of North Carolina. After going to school for a time, our subject worked for his parents on the home farm. December 3, 1874, he married Amanda, daughter of William C. and Mary Welton, which union was favored with one child, Oliver P. Morton; they have also one they are rearing, Marian J. Robinson.

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Mr. Goss owns 450 acres of land on White River bottom, which is a well improved and cultivated farm, fairly supplied with stock. and having a good orchard. He is an active Republican, and was elected Township Trustee in 1876. He has been a successful farmer, and is a much re- spected citizen. Mr. and Mrs. Goss are members of the Christian Church.

REV. GEORGE GOSS is a native of Wayne Township, Owen Co., Ind., was born September 26, 1845. and is the second of the nine chil- dren of Ephraim and Margaret M. (Halbert) Goss, the former a native of Indiana, the latter of Kentucky. and respectively of Dutch and Scotch extraction. His great-grandfather came to this locality about 1810, and was the founder of Gosport. George was reared to farm labor, and at- tended school some time during the winter seasons. March 10, 1867, he married Margaret A., daughter of Thomas and Cynthia A. (Whitaker) Applegate, natives of Kentucky. This union was followed by three chil- dren-Rosie E., Sarah J. and Alice M. In December, 1874, Mr. Goss was licensed to preach by the Baptist Church, and was ordained minister April 13, 1876, since which time he has given his attention to religious duties. He has twenty-nine acres of well-cultivated and improved land, making a desirable home. He is a member of the Masonic and Odd Fel- low fraternities, a greatly esteemed minister and citizen, and one of the stanchest Republicans of the township.

THEODORE D. GOSS, an enterprising and promising young busi- ness man of Paragon, is a native of Ray Township, Morgan Co., Ind., was born August 11, 1859, and is a son of W. J. and Sarah C. Goss, both of German descent. Our subject was reared on a farm, and in the interim of labor thereon attended the public schools of his district until he was eighteen years of age, at which period he became a student of Bedford College for three terms. In February, 1883, he engaged in mercantile business at Paragon, and in this venture has been prominently successful, his whole energy and time being given to his business. Few men at his age have had so flattering an assurance of a prosperous and useful career. Mr. Goss is an earnest and honorable Republican.

EPHRAIM L. GOSS, one of Morgan County's youngest and most promising farmers and stock-raisers, was born July 21, 1860, and is the first child born to Sims H. and Margaret J. (Stanger) Goss, natives re- spectively of Morgan and Monroe Counties, Ind., and of Dutch descent. Our subject is a grandchild of Ephraim Goss, one of the oldest settlers in Indiana Territory, and founder of Gosport. He was reared to the occupation of his predecessors-farming; received what education he could from the common schools, and has since been industrious and fru- gal. Mr. Goss is well situated for so young a man, being possessed of 208 acres in good cultivation and much improved by dwelling house and barns and other valuable additions; he has also considerable stock. More particularly of late he has given much attention to the breeding of Jer- sey Red and Poland hogs, and has been successful in that enterprise. Mr. Goss has the promise of much usefulness and prominence in the fut- ure time, inasmuch as he is greatly respected generally. He is active as a member of the Republican party.

DR. JOHN J. HARRIS was born in Ellettsville November 15, 1848, and is the fourth of the twelve children born to James M. and Sarah A. (Fletcher) Harris, natives respectively of Kentucky and Indiana. James M. Harris is a retired physician. Our subject, after attending the graded schools, engaged with his brother in the hardware business, and

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was later in the drug business with his father, which he has since con - tinued. About 1867, he commenced studying medicine with his father, afterward attended lectures at Oxford Medical College, Cincinnati, and has since practiced medicine at Ellettsville, Stinesville and Paragon. He afterward graduated at Rush Medical College, Chicago, and has been a successful practitioner since that event. September 22, 1869, he mar- ried Rebecca A., daughter of Allen Mills, by which union they had four children-Fred C., Clara E., Della M. and John R. Dr. Harris has served as Town Clerk and Trustee of Ellettsville. He has been and is now successful as a physician, and has the confidence of the community. He is a Republican in politics.

PHILIP HODGES, the oldest living settler in Ray Township, was born October 31, 1797, in Randolph County, N. C., and is the youngest of the seven children of John and Margaret (Lacy) Hodges, of English and Irish descent respectively. John Hodges was a native of Herford- shire, England, was born in 1749, and by trade a glover. About the beginning of the Revolutionary war, he emigrated to America and served three years in that heroic campaign, soon after which he married Margaret Lacy. Philip Hodges was reared to farming, with the advan- tage of some schooling. When of age, October, 1818, he moved to In- diana, or Northwest Territory, and took a lease of land near Gosport, and where, May, 1819, he wedded Miss Mary Goss (then but fifteen years old), daughter of Ephraim and Anna (Workman) Goss, founders of the town of Gosport. Ten children were born to them-Ephraim, John (deceased), Bethsheba (deceased), Noah, Joseph, Sarah (Mrs. Sims), . Thomas, Anna (deceased), Harvey (deceased) and Henry C. In 1820, at the Terre Haute land sale, he purchased 160 acres in Sections 1 and 2, Range 1 east, 11 north-the first land sold from the Indian purchase of 818. In 1824, he located on eighty acres of land he had entered in Ray Township, among the hills. and afterward entered 220 more, where he remained until 1833, where he entered and occupied 160, where he now resides. To this he added 140 acres, all of which he constantly improved, thus possessing 810 acres of good and well-culti- vated land. In 1837, he built his residence, then one of the finest in that section. With but a legacy of $150 he began life, and has succeeded by industry and skill. Mr. Hodges is yet hale, and useful and benevolent. His present politics is Republican; he was formerly a Whig, and gave his first Presidential vote for Mr. Adams. He and wife are members of the Christian Church.

EPHRAIM HODGES, stock-raiser and farmer, was born July 19, 1820, in Owen County, Ind., where now stands Gosport. He is the eldest of the ten children of Philip and Mary (Goss) Hodges, natives of North Carolina. Our subject attended the subscription schools of his boyhood, and was reared to farming. Afterward he became an instruc- tor, and taught many terms of school. September 5, 1845, he married Ann, daughter of Daniel T. and Polly (Crums) Smith, with the issue of nine children-Noah (deceased), May, John Q., Clarinda, Joseph C., Charles S., Malinda, Philip S. and Cora. Mr. Hodges was a member of the first Board of Trustees held in his township, and served as Commis- sioner from 1862 to 1868. He is possessed of about 600 acres of land under fair cultivation and with many improvements, good residences, barns, outbuildings, orchard and the like, all of which possession is the outcome of his energy and able management. Mr. Hodges is a member

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of the Masonic order, the Republican party and the Christian Church, a generally respected citizen and liberal gentleman.

DR. JOHN KENNEDY is a native of Lamb's Bottom, this county, and was born September 30, 1833. His father was a native of Kentucky, and of Irish descent; his mother was also of Kentucky, and of German descent. Both have been residents of this county since 1830. After re- ceiving home instruction, Dr. Kennedy attended Belleville Academy, and also the Edinburg Grammar School, of which he became an assistant teacher in 1855. About this time, he began the study of medicine under Dr. Clark, of Edinburg. Soon afterward, he returned to the home farm to recover his impaired health, after which he taught school in Sanga- mon County, Ill., and spent his leisure time in studying medicine, and in 1858 became a student of Dr. Osgood, of Gosport. During the win- ter of that year, he attended lectures at the Cincinnati Medical Institute, and afterward commenced practice near his old home, where he obtained a reputation for being one of the ablest practitioners in his neighbor- hood, and he is now at Gosport, which is his residence. April, 1862, he married Angeline, daughter of Richard Laughlin, of Owen County, with an issue of eight children. In 1874, Dr. Kennedy was elected to the State Legislature, where he served two years most faithfully. He is a Republican, a member of the Christian Church, and active as a Sunday school worker.

CASPER LINGLE, a prominent stock-raiser and farmer, was born in Burke County, N. C., March 7, 1823, and is the eighth of the ten chil- dren of Adam and Catherine (Tipps) Lingle, of German descent. In 1829, he came with his parents to what is now this township; was reared to farming, and has been an important personage in the development of the county. The first township election was held at his father's house, and continued so to be for twenty years, when the same were held at Salem. June 7, 1845, he wedded Matilda, daughter of Henry and Re- becca (Goss) Ratts, who died about three months after his marriage. August 9, 1846, he married Catherine, daughter of Thomas and Rebecca Sandy, to which union succeeded five children-John S., William A., James E., Jeremiah S. and Thomas Lincoln. In 1857, he removed to Missouri for three years, after which time he returned home. While there he built a Methodist Episcopal Church, the last payment on which he made after leaving that State. Mr. Lingle has been a successful man, having acquired a possession of 700 acres of land, but now having sold some, and given much to his children, retains only 132 acres, which are, how- ever, well-cultivated, stocked, improved and adorned. His only ally was his faithful wife, who died August 9, 1882, a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Lingle is an enlightened citizen, an advocate of public education, an active Republican and a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

WILLIAM A. LINGLE, a successful stock-raiser and farmer, was born in Ray (now Ashland) Township, November 16, 1849, and is the second in the family of five belonging to Casper and Catherine (Sandy) Lingle, respectively of Dutch and Irish descent. William worked on his father's farm, and went also to school, when not so engaged, until man- hood. May 11, 1871, he wedded Martha J., daughter of Hiram Groun, and this marriage was made happy by two children-Newton D. and Perry E. (deceased). Mr. Lingle is the possessor of forty acres of land, which are in a state of superior cultivation, with good dwelling, barns,

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stock in variety, a young orchard and every necessary improvement for comfort and profit. Mr. Lingle is a leading Republican, and has served as Township Assessor one term. He is a liberal-minded man, and a promising and enterprising agriculturist.

JEREMIAH S. LINGLE was born in Ray (now Ashland) Township October 10, 1855, and is the fourth of those comprising the family of his parents, Casper and Catherine (Sandy) Lingle. Jeremiah, in common with the other sons of his father, was reared to the dignified and ancient calling of tilling the soil. After attending school for a time in his boy hood, he continued to labor at home until he attained his majority, where- upon he married Martha E., daughter of John and Catherine (Haase) Shelton. These young people have had born to them four children, of which number three are living-Orville E., Minnie Catherine and Orra E. Mr. Lingle has largely assisted his father in developing the home place, and is an enterprising, able and promising young farmer.

FIELDING MARSH, a leading farmer and stock-raiser, came into life December 26, 1826, in Washington County. Ind., and is the fifth of the nine children of Cyrus J. and Elizabeth (Shultz) Marsh, respectively of English and Dutch descent. During his minority, Fielding worked by the month, with occasional attendance at school. In May, 1847, he volunteered for the Mexican war, in the Fourth Indiana Regiment; was landed at Brazos Island, and marched up the Rio Grande to join Gen. Taylor. After his discharge in 1848, he resumed farming for a time, then followed flat-boating on the Mississippi River, and afterward lo- cated his land warrant for 160 acres in Marion County. March 24, 1853, he married Rachel, daughter of Benjamin and Rachel (Milton) Mugg, a union which produced three children -- Amanda E. (Mrs. Smith), Cincin- natus and Curtis. February 14, 1865, he enlisted in the One Hundred and Forty-eighth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and was discharged in September of that year. Mr. Marsh is possessed of a good home, com- prising 157 acres of excellent land, well cultivated, stocked and improved, being the homestead of his father; there is also a good orchard. Mr. and Mrs. Marsh are members of the Missionary Baptist Church.

GABRIEL ROBINSON is a native of Anderson County, Ky .; was born January 31, 1828, and is the sixth of the eight children of Gabriel and Mary (Rice) Robinson, of Irish and German extraction. Our sub- ject was reared on a farm, and secured but one month's schooling during his youth. At the age of thirteen, he became a learner of the blacksmith trade, at Middletown, Ky., where he remained until 1852; then moved to Washington County, and thence to Leesville, Ind., where he worked at wagon-making, and also managed a blacksmith and wagon shop until 1864, when he came to this county, where he carries on the same busi- ness. December 25, 1847, he married Mary E. Gwathmey, to which union were born two children-Kate M. and Camden. In May, 1846, Mr. Robinson enlisted for the Mexican war, in Company I, First Ken- tucky Volunteer Infantry. He served in the battles of Monterey, having made a forced march of sixty nine miles in seventeen hours, and Buena Vista, being discharged in May, 1847. Mr. Robinson was also in our late war, a recruit of Company K, Sixty-seventh Indiana Regiment, go- ing out as private, and being promoted to a Lieutenancy, as which he resigned in April, 1863, having served at Munfordville, siege of Vicks- burg and other engagements. Mr. Robinson is a member of the I. O. O. F.

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JOHN A. SANDY. stock-raiser and farmer, was born in Montgomery County, Ind., March 19, 1843, and is the sixth of the eleven children of William H. and Lucinda (Thompson) Sandy, natives respectively of Ten- nessee and Kentucky, and of English and Irish descent. William H. Sandy emigrated to Washington County, Ind., about 1810, thence moved to Owen County about 1812, and after his marriage settled near Gosport, about 1830, and thence moved to Montgomery County, locating near Crawfordsville. In 1852, the family moved to Morgan County, where Mr. Sandy yet resides. John H. Sandy passed his boyhood on the pa- ternal farm, and in going to school. In 1861, he enlisted in Company H, Thirty-third Indiana Volunteer Infantry; was assigned to the Fourth Corps, Army of the Cumberland; was mostly engaged in skirmishes. and was discharged November, 1862, after which, being unable to work, he went to school for a time, then farmed until February, 1865, when he re-enlisted in Company F, One Hundred and Forty-eighth Regiment, and served until September. August 30, 1866, he married Susanna, daughter of Robert and Nancy Walters, to which union was born one child-James S. Mr. Sandy owns eighty-two acres of good land, well-cultivated and improved, thus being in comfortable circumstances. In 1880, he engaged

in the drug business for one year with fair success. Mr. Sandy is an Odd Fellow, and he and wife are members of the Christian Church.

WILLIAM A. SHARP is a native of Ellettsville, in this State; was born April 10, 1855, and is the third of the five children of George W. and Agnes (Ashbrook) Sharp, both natives of Indiana. William A. was reared on a farm, and obtained some education from the common schools. His father died when he was seven years old, after which he lived with his grandfather until May 13, 1877, when he married Theresa, daughter of Gideon Holiday, by which union were produced two children-Ida and Roy C. After his marriage, Mr. Sharp moved to Ellettsville, where he labored as a quarryman for thirteen years. In July, 1883, he moved to Paragon, to take charge of his mother's farm of ninety-three acres on White River bottoms. Mr. Sharp is in comfortable circumstances, hav- ing a house and two lots in Ellettsville. He is a member, and was First Commander of Sons of Veterans' Camp, No. 2, and is a Republican in politics. His father, George W. Sharp, was a soldier of the late war, and died in the service. Mrs. Sharp is a member of the Baptist Church.

JOHN A. STIRWALT, stock-raiser and farmer, was born November 18, 1849, in the house in which he now dwells-his father having pur- chased the same about 1828-and is the eighth of the nine children of Adam and Lucy (Sandy) Stirwalt, natives of North Carolina, and of Dutch- English extraction. John was brought up to labor on the home farm, and when not so engaged attended the free schools, thus receiving the rudiments of an education. November 2, 1872, he married Martha E., daughter of Andrew and Elizabeth (Lingle) Knox, natives of North Car- olina, a union which produced three children, two of whom are living- Jasper E. and Mary Lavina. Mr. Stirwalt is the owner of 100 acres, well improved, cultivated and stocked, with good residence, young or- chard and the like. He has been largely successful, and is a . diligent, careful manager. He is a Democrat in politics, a most reputable citizen, and a trusted member of the Baptist Church.

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Counties of Morgan, Monroe, and Brown, Indiana. Historical and biographical, Part 37

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