USA > Indiana > Brown County > Counties of Morgan, Monroe, and Brown, Indiana. Historical and biographical > Part 41
USA > Indiana > Monroe County > Counties of Morgan, Monroe, and Brown, Indiana. Historical and biographical > Part 41
USA > Indiana > Morgan County > Counties of Morgan, Monroe, and Brown, Indiana. Historical and biographical > Part 41
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seven he was married, soon after which he bought a farm in Oldham County, Ky., and was engaged in agricultural pursuits in connection with his trade until the fall of 1835, when he came with his family to Adams Township, Morgan County, Ind., entered and bought 743 acres of wild land, and improved a farm upon which he resided until his death, which occurred March 28, 1868, in his seventy-seventh year. He was an enrolling officer in Kentucky during the war of 1812, and Township Trustee for one term after he came to Indiana. Himself and wife were members of the Christian Church. In politics, he was identified with the Democratic party, and was one of the pioneers of Morgan County. Daniel Pruitt, the subject, received a fair common school education, and was employed on the home farm until he was twenty-one. years old. He then went to Mooresville, where he remained one year, and learned the brick-making and brick-mason's trades, which he fol- lowed in connection with farming for some thirty-five years. In 1846, his father deeded him forty acres of wild land in Adams Township, Morgan Co., Ind., to which he added, now owning a well-improved farm of 113 acres, upon which he resides. He was married, December 29, 1846, to Elizabeth Arnold, a native of Harrison County, Ind., and a daughter of Richard and Lovina (Potts) Arnold, who were among the early settlers of Morgan County. To Mr. and Mrs. Pruitt have been born eleven children, ten of whom, four sons and six daughters, are yet living. Both himself and wife are members of the Christian Church. In politics, he is a stanch Democrat.
REV. ELI PRUITT, farmer and stock-raiser, is the eldest son of James. and Polly (Wilhite) Pruitt, natives respectively of South Carolina and Vir- ginia. James Pruitt was a soldier of the war of 1812, and was in the battle of New Orleans. He moved to Kentucky, there married, and farmed until 1832-33, when he came to this county, and located on land he had previously entered. He built a cabin, but lost his health the first year, and died with consumption in 1846, upward of sixty years old. He was. possessor of nearly 1,000 acres, was a Democrat and an upright citizen. Mrs. Pruitt afterward lived with our subject until her decease in 1866, being sixty-six years old. Eli Pruitt was born in Oldham County, Ky., August 19, 1820, was reared to honest farm toil, and is largely self-edu- cated. When he was twenty-two years old, he located where he now re- sides, having, however, previously entered forty acres adjoining, and beginning with but a horse and a cow, his outfit being of the most primi- tive kind. Being an expert with the ax, he soon accumulated, by industry and care, a farm consisting of 200 acres. September 29, 1842, he mar- ried Miss Barbara M. Kivett, a native of North Carolina, by which union were produced two sons and four daughters, of whom are living John M., Belinda A., Paulina J. and Sarah M. Mr. Pruitt has been a leader in society, and is a licensed minister of the Christian Church; he has held several large revivals, made many baptisms and solemnized a num- ber of marriages. His conduct proves his professions, and he is greatly esteemed.
JOSEPH W. RHEA, farmer and attorney, was born in Washington County, Va., December 28, 1825, and is one of ten children born to George G. and Dorcas (Lowrey) Rhea, a sketch of whom will be found elsewhere in this volume. Joseph W. Rhea, the subject of our sketch, received a good common school education in youth, and was employed on his father's farm until he was seventeen years old. He then attended an
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academy in Washington County, Va., for three years, after which he taught in Virginia for six months. In the fall of 1847, he removed to Jefferson County, Ky., where he taught continuously for five years, near Louisville. In the fall of 1852, he came to Adams Township, Morgan County, Ind., where he built the first dwelling house on the site of the present village of Eminence, which was laid out the following year. Here he was engaged in general merchandising for two years, when he sold the store and went to East Tennessee to visit his father, whom he brought with him on his return to this township and county. In the spring of 1855, he moved onto a partially improved farm of ninety-five acres, one-half mile north of Eminence, where he has since resided. To this farm he has added till he now owns some 500 acres. Soon after he came to Adams Township, he was elected Justice of the Peace, which office he held continuously for thirteen years. He purchased a law li- brary and commenced the study of law, which profession he bas practiced since with excellent success. He was regularly admitted to the bar in . 1874. He also taught school nearly every winter from 1855 to 1879. He was first married in March, 1852, to Sirrintha A. Odair, a native of Jefferson County, Ky. To this union were born three children, two sons and one daughter. Mrs. Rhea died in May, 1864. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Rhea was next married in December, 1864, to Elizabeth Shoemaker, a native of this township and county. Two children-one son and one daughter-blessed their union. In politics, Mr. Rhea is a Democrat.
In 1872, he was a candidate for the Lower House of the State Legislature. Mr. Rhea is one of the pioneers and prominent citizens of the county. The grandsire of our subject was one of several brothers, who emigrated from Ireland to the United States, all of whom then spelled their names Ray, but he, our subject's grand- father, became acquainted with a certain school teacher, who advised him to change the spelling of the name to Rhea, which he did, and so his descendants have spelled it ever since; but the other brothers and their descendants still spell the name Ray.
JOHN L. RHEA, farmer and stock-dealer, was born in Washington County, Va., February 15, 1837, and is the sixth in a family of ten chil- dren born to George G. and Dorcas (Lowrey) Rhea. Our subject re- ceived a fair English education at the common and high schools of Tennessee and Indiana. He was employed on his father's farm until eighteen years of age, when he went to learn the carpenter's trade, and followed the same until the breaking-out of the late civil war. In Oc- tober, 1861, he enlisted in Company B, Fifty-ninth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and served with that regiment in all its marches and engage- ments until, in March, 1865, when he was discharged at Indianapolis, his term of service having expired. He participated in the capture of Island No. 10, the siege and battle of Corinth, the battles of the Jackson and Vicksburg campaign, Missionary Ridge and many other lesser engagements. After his return from the army, he followed his trade for some five or six years. He then bought a farm of 140 acres, adjoining Eminence on the east, where he was engaged in farming and the stock trade until 1871. He then sold this farm and bought another of 160 acres, in same township, one mile west of Eminence, where he is still engaged in the same business. He was first married in 1861, to Miss Nancy Walters, a native of Morgan County, Ind. Two children were the fruit of this union, only one of whom, viz., Hattie L., is now
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living. Mrs. Nancy died November 3, 1865. She was a member of the Baptist Church. Mr. Rhea was next married, December 17, 1869, to Miss Nancy J. Mugg, a native of Owen County, Ind. Three children- one son and two daughters-have blessed their union. Both Mr. Rhea and wife are members of the church, he of the Methodist Episcopal and she of the Baptist. He is also a member of Eminence Lodge, No. 440, A., F. & A. M., of which lodge he is a charter member, and was its first Master. In politics, he is a stanch Republican.
WILLIAM C. RHEA, attorney, was born in Washington County. Va., September 24, 1845, and is a son of George G. and Dorcas (Low- rey) Rhea, both natives of the "Old Dominion." They were of Irish and Scotch-Irish descent respectively. George G. Rhea removed to Jef- ferson County, East Tenn., in 1848, where he purchased a farm and re- sided until 1854. He came to Adams Township, Morgan County, Ind., where he bought a farm upon which he resided until his death, which oc- curred March 29, 1864. He and wife were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Although reared in a slave State, Mr. Rhea was from his youth an Abolitionist and an ardent advocate of the cause of liberty. William C. Rhea, the subject, received a fair education at the common schools, and also attended Asbury University for one year. After this, he taught in this (Morgan) and Johnson Counties for some twelve years during the fall and winter. During this time, he also commenced the study of law. In 1874, he engaged in general merchandising at Emi-
nance, Morgan Co., Ind., and also practiced his profession. In Febru- ary, 1883, he sold out his store, and has since been exclusively engaged in the practice of his profession. He was Justice of the Peace in Adams Township from 1878 to 1882. In September, 1862, he enlisted in Com- pany D, Seventieth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, first commanded by
Gen. Benjamin Harrison. He served with his regiment in all engage- ments until the close of the war, being mustered out with his regiment at Washington, D. C., in May, 1865. He was married, June 15, 1875, to Frances A. Watson, a native of Morgan County, Ind. Two daughters have blessed this union, viz., Elma M. and Mary Y. Mr. Rhea is a mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal, and Mrs. Rhea of the Baptist Church. He is also a member of the Masonic fraternity. In politics, he is a Dem- ocrat, and is one of the old and prominent citizens of the township and county.
JOSEPH C. RHEA, Postmaster and merchant, was born in Wash- ington County, Va., May 6, 1838, and is the fourth child in a family of ten children born to Robert H. and Frances G. (Dungan) Rhea, both na- tives of the " Old Dominion," and of Irish descent. Robert H. Rhea was educated and married in his native State, where in early life he learned the millwright's trade, which he followed in connection with ag- ricultural pursuits all his life. He owned a farm in both Washington and Smith Counties, Va., and at one time was the owner of three flour- ing mills. His death occurred in Washington County, Va., June 27, 1855, in his fifty-fifth year. He was for many years Adjutant General of the Virginia militia, and he and wife were life-long members of the Methodist Church. Joseph C. Rhea, the subject, received an excellent com- mon school and academic education in youth, and also attended Emory and Henry College, of Washington County, Va., for a time. At the age of sixteen, he commenced teaching, and taught three years in his native State. In the spring of 1861, he fled, a refugee, from Virginia to Emi-
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nence, Morgan Co., Ind., where he taught for one term, and then, Octo- ber 18, 1861, he enlisted in Company B, Fifty-ninth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and served with that regiment in all its marches and engage- ments until September, 1862, when he was discharged on account of dis- ability. He was First Sergeant of his company for a time, and was after- ward company Clerk. In August, 1863, he re-enlisted in Company D, One Hundred and Seventeenth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and served with that regiment in all its marches and engagements until March 25, 1864, when he was mustered out at Indianapolis. In this company he also served as First or Orderly Sergeant. After his return from the army, he again engaged in teaching, and taught for seventeen winters, being employed at the carpenter's trade in the summer season. In March, 1883, he en- gaged in the general mercantile trade at Eminence, and is still so en- gaged. At the same time, March, 1883, he was appointed Postmaster at Eminence, and is now holding that office. From 1874 to 1876 inclusive, he served as Commissioner of Morgan County, Ind. He was married, September 21, 1865, to Margaret A. Ogles, a native of Adams Township, Morgan County, Ind. Mr. Rhea is a member of the Methodist Episco- pal, and Mrs. Rhea of the Baptist Church. He is also a member of Em- inence Lodge, No. 440, A., F. & A. M., and of Eminence Lodge, No. 317, I. O. O. F. In the latter order, he has passed all the chairs, and is now D. D. G. M. In politics, he is a stanch Republican, and is one of the leading and prominent citizens of the township and county.
JAMES H. RHEA, carpenter, was born in Smith County, Va., No- vember 23, 1842, and is the sixth child in a family of ten children born to Robert H. and Frances G. (Dungan) Rhea. He received only a very limited education in youth, but has since by his own exertions acquired a fair practical business education. In June, 1861, he enlisted in Com- pany H, Thirty-seventh Virginia Volunteer Infantry, the regiment being assigned to Gen. R. E. Lee's army of North Virginia, and to the com- mand of the famous Gen. "Stonewall" Jackson, until the latter's death. He served with his regiment in all its marches and engagements until the battle of Spottsylvania C. H., May 12, 1864, when he was taken prisoner and confined at Fort Delaware until March 22, 1865, when, through the influence of friends and the recommendation of Gov. Mor- ton, he was released. He participated in the battles of Petersburg, Fred- ericksburg, the Wildnerness, Spottsylvania, and many other engagements. After being released from Fort Delaware, he came to Eminence, Morgan Co., Ind., where he immediately learned the carpenter's trade, and has followed the same ever since. He landed at Eminence with only $2 in money, and no property of any description, but by industry and economy has since amassed a handsome property. He was married, September 9. 1866, to Miss Sarah J. Sligar, a native of Owen County, Ind. Six chil- dren blessed their union, five of whom, four sons and one daughter, are yet living. Both Mr. Rhea and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is also a member of Eminence Lodge, No. 317, I. O. O. F., in which lodge he has passed all the chairs, and is now a member of the Grand Lodge of the State. In politics, he is a Demo- crat, and is one of the enterprising mechanics and prominent citizens of the township and county.
JAMES G. RYAN, farmer, was born in Mercer County, Ky., Octo- ber 11, 1836, and is the fifth child in a family of eight children born to Patrick D. and Permelia A. (Grayham) Ryan, the former a native of the
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"Old Doninion," and the latter of Kentucky. They were of Irish and English descent respectively. Patrick D. Ryan received his education in his native State. In early life, he removed with his parents to Ken- tucky, where he was afterward married, and where for twenty years he followed teaming, from Louisville to various points in Kentucky, Ten- nessee and Virginia. He then engaged in agricultural pursuits, and fol- lowed the same in Oldham and Jefferson Counties, Ky., until his death, which occurred June 4, 1852. James G. Ryan, the subject. received an ordinary education in the common schools of Kentucky and Indiana. In November, 1852, the family came to Adams Township, Morgan Co., Ind., where they rented a farm and engaged in agricultural pursuits. Our subject remained at home until he was nineteen years old, after which he was employed as a laborer on a farm for some three years. In July, 1861, he enlisted in Company B, Twenty-first Indiana Volunteer Infantry, afterward known as the First Indiana Heavy Artillery. He served with that regiment in all its marches and engagements until April, 1862, when he was discharged by reason of disabilities at Ship Island. October 23, 1863, he enlisted in Company D, One Hundred and Seventeenth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, recruited for the six months' service, and served until the expiration of their term of service, being mustered out with the regiment in April, 1864. October 25, 1864, he again enlisted in Company H, Twenty-ninth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and served with that regiment in all its marches and engagements until the close of the war, being mustered out with the regiment at Dalton, Ga., June 23, 1865. After his return from the army he engaged in agri- cultural pursuits, and has been so employed ever since in Adams Town- ship, Morgan County, with the exception of two years, from 1867 to 1869, when he resided in Illinois. For the past three or four years, he has been employed part of the time at blacksmithing. He was married, July 17, 1859, to Marticia Surber, a native of Adams Township, Morgan Co., Ind. One daughter has blessed their union-Luena G. In politics, he is a Republican.
WILLIAM A. RYAN, farmer and stock-raiser, was born in Campbell County, Tenn., September 26, 1825, and is the second child in a family of six children born to John and Elizabeth (Dagley) Ryan, both of whom were natives of Tennessee, and were of Irish and Holland descent re- spectively. John Ryan was educated and married in his native Tennes- see, where he was for many years engaged in agricultural pursuits. In the spring of 1833, he sold the farm in Tennessee, and, with his wife and family, started for Indiana, but died on the way at New Albany, where he was buried, and where he had resided some eighteen months. He was a member of no church, but belonged to the Masonic fraternity. After Mr. Ryan's death, in August, 1835, the family removed to Owen County, Ind., where they were engaged in farming for some four or five years. They then came to Adams Township, Morgan County, Ind. Here the death of Mrs. Elizabeth Ryan occurred October 3, 1849, in her forty- fifth year. From early life she was a devoted and consistent member of the Missionary Baptist Church. William A. Ryan, the subject of our sketch, received such an education as could be obtained at the subscrip- tion schools taught in the primitive log schoolho uses of the Indiana frontier. He was employed at home with his mother until twenty-three years old. He then settled on a partially improved farm in Adains Township, Morgan County, which had been deeded him and wife by his
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father-in-law. He also entered and bought wild land in what is now Ashland Township, same county, which he improved and subsequently sold. In 1870, he bought a partially improved farm half mile north of Eminence, in Adams Township, Morgan County, upon which he now re- sides, which is one of the best improved farms in the township. He continued to add to his real possessions until he was the owner of some 840 acres of well-improved land, a part of which he has since deeded to his children. He was married, October 29, 1848, to Miss Louisa J. Walters, a native of Owen County, Ind. Nine children blessed their union, eight of whom-four sons and four daughters-are yet living. Mrs. Louisa J. Ryan departed this life October 22, 1883. She was and had been from childhood a devoted and consistent member of the Missionary Baptist Church. Mr. Ryan also is and has been from early life a mem- ber of the same church, having been a Deacon in the same for many years. He is also a member of Eminence Lodge, No. 317, I. O. O. F., in which lodge he has passed all the chairs, being a member of the Grand Lodge of the State. In politics, he is a Republican, and is one of the early settlers, prominent farmers, and respected citizens of the township and county.
ADAM R. SHAKE, farmer, was born in Jefferson County, Ky., April 25, 1821, and is the youngest in a family of five children' born to George and Cristiann (Donaldson) Shake, natives of Jefferson County, Ky., and of German and Scotch descent respectively. George Shake was educated and married in his native State, where he owned a small farm, and was engaged in agricultural pursuits until the fall of 1835, when he came with his family to Adams Township, Morgan County, Ind. Here he en- tered and bought 400 acres of wild land and improved a farm, upon which he resided until his death, which occurred in 1848, in his fifty- sixth year. Mr. S. was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and his wife of the Baptist Church. He was also a member of the Ma- sonic fraternity. Adam R. Shake, the subject, received only a limited common school education, and was employed on his father's farm until he was twenty-one years old. His father then deeded him 160 acres of wild land adjoining the old homestead, which he improved and upon which he still resides, having 240 acres, upon which is the best sugar orchard in the township. Mr. Shake was married, January 7, 1841, to Miss Martha B. Whitaker, a native of Shelby County, Ky. Nine chil- dren blessed their union, six of whom-two sons and four daughters-are yet living. Mr. Shake and wife are devoted members of the Christian Church. He is also a member of Eminence Lodge, No. 440, A., F. & A. M., of which lodge he is a Past Master. In politics, he is a Republican.
LEONARD B. SHAW (deceased farmer and stock dealer) was born in Ohio, June 18, 1832, and was the eldest in a family of eight children born to Upton and Susan (Branam) Shaw, the for- mer a native of the "Old Dominion" and the latter of Ohio, and of English and German descent respectively. Upton Shaw received his early education in his native State. When only a lad, he removed with his parents to Ohio, where he was married. In about 1840, he, with his wife and family, went to Putnam County, Ind., where he bought wild land and improved a farm, upon which he resided until his death, which occurred in 1875. Mrs. Susan Shaw is yet living and resides on the old homestead in Putnam County. Sbe is and has been from early life a devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Leonard B. Shaw,
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the subject, received a fair common school education in youth in Ohio and Indiana. When but a small boy, his parents removed to Putnam County, Ind., where he was afterward married, and where he was en- gaged in agricultural pursuits for a time. After this he resided in Mor- gan and Hendricks Counties, Ind., and in Douglas County, Ill., for a time, where he was employed at farming. He then returned to Morgan County, Ind., remaining only a few months. He then moved to Stilesville, Hendricks County, where he was engaged in the milling business for some three years and afterward at farming in the same county, In the spring of 1869, he came to Adams Township, Morgan County, where he bought a partially improved farm of eighty acres, to which he added until he became the owner of 500 acres of well-improved land, upon which he resided until his death, which occurred August 26, 1880. He was Postmaster at Little Point for some two or three years. He was married, March 27, 1855, to Amanda J. Wallace, a native of Tennessee. Eight children blessed their union, five of whom are still living, viz .: Mary E., James B., William A., Elijah U. and Amber E. Mrs. Amanda J. Shaw still resides on the old homestead, and with her three of the children, viz .: James B., who was born May 3, 1857; Elijah U., born August 8, 1861, and Amber E., born May 23, 1866. James B. has recently started in a religious life, but has not as yet identified himself with any church. He is also a member of Morgan Lodge, No. 211, I. O. O. F. William A. Shaw was born December 16, 1858, and was married January 5, 1882, to Miss Mary A. Ryan, a native of Morgan County, Ind. ; one son-an infant not named-has blessed their union. Mrs. Mary A. is a member of the Baptist Church, and Mr. Shaw, also, has recently started in the Christian life, but has not as yet identified himself with the church. The Shaw family have been and are among the early set- tlers and prominent citizens of Morgan County. In politics, they are identified with the Democratic party.
ELLISON SLIGAR, cabinet-maker and undertaker, was born in Bullitt County, Ky., October 11, 1822, and is the youngest of ten chil- dren born to David and Margaret (Stafford) Sligar, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania, and of German and Scotch descent respectively. David Sligar was educated and married in his native State. In about 1797, he emigrated to Bullitt County, Ky., then an unbroken wilderness. Himself and wife, with several other families, came down the Ohio River in flat-boats from Pittsburgh, landing at the present site of Louisville, Ky., which then contained only a few log cabins. He proceeded immediately to Bullitt County, where he entered 263 acres of land, which he was obliged to pay for twice in consequence of a defective title. Here he improved a farm, upon which he resided until his death, which occurred January 4, 1832, in his seventy-fifth year. Ellison Sligar, the subject of our sketch, received such an education as could be obtained at the primitive log schoolhouses of the Kentucky frontier. After his father's death, he resided with his brother Thomas until he was seventeen years old. He then went to learn the carpenter's and cabinet-maker's trades, serving an apprenticeship of three years, and has followed one or both of these trades ever since. In 1843, he removed to Gosport, Owen County, Ind., where he resided two years; thence to Adams Township, Morgan County, Ind., and settled near the present site of Eminence, where he still resides. He erected the first two buildings in the village of Eminence. In 1851, he bought wild land and has since improved the farm where he
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