USA > Indiana > Brown County > Counties of Morgan, Monroe, and Brown, Indiana. Historical and biographical > Part 42
USA > Indiana > Monroe County > Counties of Morgan, Monroe, and Brown, Indiana. Historical and biographical > Part 42
USA > Indiana > Morgan County > Counties of Morgan, Monroe, and Brown, Indiana. Historical and biographical > Part 42
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now lives, and for the last twenty-five years has been engaged in agri- cultural pursuits in connection with his trade. He was for a time one of the Trustees of Adams Township under the old constitution. He was married March 25, 1844, to Margaret Gilliland, a native of Pennsylvania, and a daughter of Thomas and Margaret (Stogdal) Gilli- land, natives of Ireland, who emigrated to the United States in 1793. They were lifelong members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The former died in 1825, in his sixty-sixth year, and the latter in 1869, in her one hundred and second year. To our subject and wife have been born one daughter, viz., Sarah J., now Mrs. James H. Rhea. Mr. and Mrs. Sligar are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is also a member of Eminence Lodge, No. 440, A., F. & A. M., of which lodge he has been Chaplain for some ten years. In politics, he is a Democrat.
WILLIAM H. SMITH, farmer, and Justice of the Peace, was born in Hendricks County Ind., March 22, 1843, and is the fifth in a family of nine children born to Hackney and Rebecca T. (Duty) Smith, natives. of North Carolina. Our subject received only a very limited education, but by his own exertions since he attained to manhood's estate, has ac- quired a fair practical business education. He is an extensive reader, being well informed in general history and the current literature of the times. His father died when he was fourteen years old, and he remained on the old homestead with his mother until he was seventeen, after which he was employed as a laborer on a farm until in August, 1861. He then enlisted in Company A, Thirty-third Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and served with that regiment until the close of the war, being mustered out at Louisville, Ky., in August, 1865. He was twice slightly wounded. At Thompson's Station, Tenn., March 5, 1863, the brigade to which he belonged was captured, but after about one month was exchanged. He participated in the battles of Resaca, Dallas Woods, Culp's Farm, Ken- esaw Mountain, all the battles of the Atlanta campaign and the march with Sherman to the sea. After his return from the army, he came to Adams Township, Morgan County, Ind., where he has ever since resided and been engaged in agricultural pursuits. He bought the farm where he now lives in 1872. He is now serving his second term as Justice of the Peace, and has held various other township offices. He was married, July 29, 1866, to Juliet E. Shake, a native of Morgan County, Ind. Seven children blessed their union, six of whom, two sons and four daughters, are yet living. Mr. Smith and wife are members of the Chris- tian Church, and are earnest advocates of the temperance cause. In pol- itics, Mr. Smith is a Republican.
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ALFRED M. SMITH, teacher, was born in Adams Township, Mor- gan County, Ind., November 24, 1851, and is a son of Hackney and Rebecca T. (Duty) Smith, both natives of North Carolina, and of En- glish descent. Hackney Smith was educated and married in his native State, where he was engaged in agricultural pursuits until the fall of 1838. He then removed with his wife and family to Hendricks County, Ind., and settled near Belleville, where he farmed on shares for some five years. In 1843, he came to Adams Township, Morgan County, Ind., entered a tract of land and improved a farm, upon which he resided un- til his death, which occurred in 1855. Both himself and wife were members of the Baptist Church. Alfred M. Smith, the subject, received a'good common school and academic education. His mother died in 1860, but he remained on the home farm with his sister until 1866, after
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which he made his home with Solomon Dorsett until the fall of 1871. He then commenced teaching, and has taught during the fall and winter ever since, being employed as a salesman or at farming in the summer. He was married, in December, 1874, to Nellie J. Ogles, a native of Mor- gan County, Ind. Three children blessed their union, only one of whom, Lena F., is now living. Mrs. Smith died in October, 1880. She was a member of the Baptist Church, of which church, Mr. Smith is also a member. He is a member of the Masonic and Odd Fellows fraternities. In politics, he is a Democrat, and is one of the enterprising and respected citizens of the township and county.
JOSEPH J. SMITH, farmer, was born in Chatham County, N. C., April 8, 1818, and is one of the family of Jonathan and Martha (Hack- ney) Smith, also natives of North Carolina. The grandparents of our subject were Quakers and natives of Pennsylvania, who soon after the Revolutionary war joined a Friends' colony in North Carolina. Jona- than Smith was born February 22, 1783, was reared a farmer and had a good education, afterward becoming a teacher. He was also a Major of cavalry in the war of 1812. In 1837, he settled near Monrovia in this State, soon after locating on the farm where our subject now resides. He was married in 1807, was a Baptist, a Whig, and died October 24, 1859, his wife February 19, 1867, aged seventy-five. Joseph J. Smith was reared by his parents, received a fair education, and worked as a farm hand for several years. He came to this township in 1840 and took charge of the homestead. March 2, 1854, he married Nancy J. Bray, by which marriage he became the parent of three living sons and four living daughters. Except an absence of four years, Mr. Smith has resided where he now is, on a farm of 80} acres, solely acquired by him- self. He raised the first barn in the township, and used the first thresh- er and the first separator here operated. He is an active Republican, and has served as Justice twenty-four and as Constable four years. He has likewise held many township offices. He is a public-spirited citizen, and was a member of the Central Committee from 1844 to 1874. Mr. and Mrs. Smith are members of the Friends' Society.
ELIAS R. SMITH, farmer, is a native of Chatham County, N. C., was born June 7, 1834, being the second of three sons born to George and Celia (Paschal) Smith, both natives of North Carolina, and respect- ively of English and Scotch descent. George Smith was a soldier of the war of 1812, and by occupation a farmer. His father, David Smith, was a soldier of 1776 and a Quaker. George Smith was Secretary of a Quaker colony, and died in 1857. He was a Whig and an Abolitionist. His wife closed her life in 1846, a consistent Baptist. Elias R. Smith was reared a farmer, obtained but little education except what is self- acquired, and when of age reached out for himself. He took charge of his father's business when said father passed away. In 1858, he came to this county, mainly because of his anti-slavery predilections, and farmed on rented land. In 1863, he located where he has since resided, his farm now embracing 138 acres of well-improved land. March 1, 1863, he married Mary, daughter of John and Polly McCollum, a union rich in the birth of nine children-Mary E., John E., William L., Celia A., Minnie B., Roxanna P., Effie J., Ellen S. and Florence L. Mr. Smith is a stanch Republican, a member of the great order of Masonry and a Patron of Husbandry. His youngest brother was a soldier of the ebellion, and perished in the service. Mr. and Mrs. Smith are members of the Christian Church.
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GEORGE T. SUMMERS, farmer, was born in Jefferson County, Ky., July 27, 1843, and is the second child and eldest son in a family of nine children born to George G. and Diana (Gilliland) Summers, both of whom were natives of Kentucky and of Irish descent. George G. Summers was educated and married in his native State, where he was en- gaged in agricultural pursuits until 1852, when he came to Adams Town- ship, Morgan County, and bought 200 acres of wild land and improved a farm. In 1876, he left the old home farm, which he afterward divid- ed among his children, and removed to Eminence, where he resided un- til his death, which occurred December 24, 1883, in his sixty-fourth year. He was enlisted and mustered for the war with Mexico, but was dis- charged before going into active service. He was educated in the Cath- olic faith, but belonged to no church. For many years he was a member of the Masonic fraternity. George T. Summers, the subject, received a fair common school education, and also attended commercial college at Indianapolis. He was employed on his father's farm until he was twen- ty years old. In October, 1863, he enlisted in Company .D, One Hun- dred and Seventeenth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, recruited for the six months' service, and was mustered out with same in April, 1864. After his return from the army, he engaged in the live stock trade, mainly horses and cattle, for a number of years. He also taught for three win- ters, and was employed for a time as a salesman in a notion store at In- dianapolis, and still later as a salesman in a general store at Eminence. He is at present engaged in agricultural pursuits. He was married, Sep- tember 15, 1870, to Sarah F. Mosier, a native of Morgan County, Ind. To this union were born three sons, all of whom are living. Mrs. S. died in April, 1881. Mr. Summers was next married, February 1, 1883, to Mrs. Elizabeth E. (Voshell) Miller, a native of Morgan County, Ind. Mrs. Summers is a member of the Baptist Church. In politics, Mr. Summers is a Democrat, and is one of the early settlers and enterprising citizens of the township and county.
JAMES S. SUMMERS, farmer, was born in Jefferson County, Ky., August 25, 1845, and is the third in a family of nine children born to George G. and Diana (Gilliland) Summers, whose sketch will be found above. James S. Summers, the subject of this sketch, received a fair common school education. He was employed on his father's farm until he was of age. He then farmed on shares for several years, during which time he bought property in Eminence, where he resided three years. In 1875, he removed back to the old homestead in Adams Town- ship, Morgan County, a part of which he bought and upon which he now resides. He was married, January 28, 1866, to Cynthia A. Sligar, a native of Bullitt County, Ky., and a daughter of Thomas Sligar, who was also a native of Bullitt County, Ky., where he was born in 1803. He now lives with the subject of our sketch and is in his eighty-first year. To Mr. and Mrs. Summers have been born six children-three sons and three daughters-all of whom are yet living and take a great interest in music. In politics, Mr. Summers is a Democrat.
WILLIAM E. SUMMERS, farmer, was born in Morgan County, Ind., August 1, 1852, and is the sixth in a family of nine children born to George G. and Diana (Gilliland) Summers. Our subject received a very fair common school education and was employed on his father's farm until he was twenty-one years old. He then continued to farm the home place on shares for several years. He now owns a part of the
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home farm, near Eminence, to which he has added other land. He was married, February 17, 1878, to Miss Loda A. Skelton, a native of Audrain County, Mo., and a daughter of Thomas and Rachel (McCord) Skelton, natives of Indiana and of Scotch and English descent respectively. To Mr. and Mrs. Summers have been born three children, viz. : Nettie M., Charles G., and an infant not named. Mr. Summers is a member of Eminence Lodge, No. 440, A., F. & A. M. In politics, he is a Democrat.
JOHN H. TWOMEY, proprietor saw mill, and a lumber dealer, was born in New Albany, Ind., December 20, 1848, and is a son of Evan E. and Mary E. (McKinly) Twomey. Our subject received a good common school and academic education, and at the age of seventeen engaged in the saw mill business in company with his father and others at New Albany, Ind., remaining some two years. He was then employed in the sheet iron works, at the same city. In March, 1868, he came to Ashland Township, Morgan Co., Ind., where he farmed for one year, and then again engaged in the saw mill and lumber business in company with his father and brother and has been so employed ever since. In the fall of 1873, they moved the mill to Adams Township, same county, near Emi- nence. Mr. Twomey is at present Constable of Adams Township. He has been twice married, first. February 9, 1871, to Lydia E. Spain, a native of Morgan County, Ind. Mrs. Lydia E. died January 9, 1872. She was a member of the Christian Church. Mr. Twomey was next married October 21, 1873, to Mary J. Shake, a native of Adams Town- ship, Morgan Co., Ind. Three children, one son and two daughters, have blessed their union. In politics, Mr. Twomey is a stanch Democrat.
WILLIAM E. VARLEY (boots and shoes) was born July 4, 1855, in Richland County, Ohio, and is a son of Joseph and Lucy (Crawshaw) Varley, both natives of England. Joseph Varley received a very limited education, but by his own exertions after he became a man, he became well informed. In about 1848 or 1849, he emigrated to the United States on the Great Eastern, on her first trip. His family afterward joined him. He first settled in Utica, N. Y., where he worked in a brass foundry for two years. He then removed to Newcastle, Richland Co., Ohio, remaining about two years, returning to Utica. After a few years, he moved to Mansfield, thence to Marion, remaining there until 1868. He then re- moved to Clay County, Ind., where he still resides, following his trade, that of watch-making. Mrs. Varley died in 1873; was a member of the Baptist Church, of which Mr. Varley is a member also. William E. Varley, our subject, received a common school education. At the age of eighteen, he commenced to learn the trade of a shoe-maker, serving an apprenticeship of two and a half years, after which he worked as a journeyman about two years. In the fall of 1877, he came to Eminence, Ind., and set up a shop of his own, where he is doing a thriving bus- iness. He held the office of Postmaster at Eminence for one year; was married, November 1, 1883, to Sarah J. Hazlette, a native of Morgan County, Ind. Mr. Varley belongs to a subordinate Lodge of the I. O. O. F., of which he is P. G.
JAMES WALLACE, farmer and stock-dealer, was born in Adams Township, Morgan County, Ind., October 21, 1837, and is the third child in a family of eleven children born to Elijah and Melvina (Manley) Wallace, natives of East Tennessee, and of Irish and English descent respectively. Elijah Wallace received only a limited education at the subscription schools taught in the rude log schoolhouses of the East Ten-
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nessee frontier. Here he was also married, and soon after, in 1834, came to what was then Adams Township, Morgan Co., Ind., but is now in- cluded in Hendricks County. Here he bought and entered some 200 acres of land, which he partially improved, and afterward sold and bought other lands in the same township, where he has since improved a farm to which he added until he was the owner of some 2,000 acres in Putnam, Morgan and Hendricks Counties, Ind., a part of which he has since deeded to his children. He now lives in Hendricks County, and is in his seventy-fourth year. His father, David Wallace, was a veteran of the war of 1812. James Wallace, the subject, received a fair common school education, and was employed on the home farm until he was twenty-one years old, afterward farming on shares for some four years. He then bought a farm of 190 acres in Adams Township, Morgan Co., Ind., upon
which he still resides. The farm is well improved, and Mr. Wallace has given especial attention to breeding fine stock, especially Norman horses, Poland-China hogs and Cotswold sheep. He is now serving his second term as Trustee of Adams Township. He was first married March 21, 1861, to Rebecca Allee, a native of Putnam County, Ind. To this union were born seven children, three sons and four daughters, all of whom are yet living. Mrs. Rebeca Wallace died March 5, 1879. She was a member of the Church of God. Mr. Wallace was next married June 15, 1882, to Mrs. Mary A. (Pike) McFadden, a native of Hendricks County, Ind. One daughter has blessed their union-Hattie M. In politics, Mr. Wallace is a Democrat.
ROBERT S. WALTERS, farmer and teacher, was born in Adams Township, Morgan Co., Ind., March 5. 1850, and is the youngest of seven children born to Richard and Frances (Asher) Walters, natives of Clay County, Ky., and of Welsh descent. Richard Walters re- ceived his early education in his native State. At the age of eighteen years, in 1823, he emigrated with his parents to Owen County, Ind., where he was first married to Miss Susan Brasier, who bore him two children; after her death he was married, in the same county, to the mother of our subject. In about 1835, he came to Adams Township, Morgan Co., Ind., where he entered and bought 240 acres of wild land, and improved a farm, upon which he resided until his death, which oc- curred April 13, 1871, in his sixty-fifth year; both were members of the Baptist Church. His wife died September 11, 1873, aged sixty-six. Robert S. Walters, the subject, received a good common school education, and has taught during the winter season in his native township and county for the past fourteen years. He has always resided on the old homestead, a part of which he now owns and cultivates. He was mar- ried, April 12, 1874, to Miss Mary C. Patrick, a native of Adams Town- ship, Morgan Co., Ind. Three children have been born to them, only one of whom, an infant, not named, is now living. Mr. Walters is a member of Eminence Lodge, No. 440, A., F. & A. M. In politics, he is a Democrat.
ANDREW J. WATSON, merchant, was born in Ashland Township, Morgan Co., Ind., February 23, 1845, and is the sixth child in a family of eleven children born to Simon and Samirah (Bowman) Watson, the former of whom was a native of North Carolina, and the latter of Ken- tucky. When but an infant one year old, in 1813, Simon Watson's par- ents emigrated from North Carolina to Washington County, Ind., where I : y remained only a few months. They then removed to Jackson
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County, Ind., where young Simon passed his childhood and youth, re- ceiving only a very limited education at the rude log schoolhouses of that frontier settlement. In about 1830, the family came to Adams Town- ship, Morgan Co., Ind., where his father entered land, and improved a farm. Simon was married November 27, 1836, and soon afterward en- tered 160 acres of land in Ashland Township, Morgan Co., Ind., to which he has since added, now owning a well-improved farm of 200 acres. For more than forty-five years, he and wife have been mem- bers of the Missionary Baptist Church; he is also a member of the Emi- nence Lodge, No. 440, A., F. & A. M .; and in politics is a Democrat. The father of Mrs. Samirah Watson, viz., John Bowman, was one of the companions of Daniel Boone in the early settling of Kentucky. Andrew J. Watson, the subject of our sketch, received a good common school education in youth, and was employed on the old homestead, in Ashland Township, until he had attained his twenty-third year. He then taught in this and Owen County during the fall and winter seasons for some sixteen years, being employed at the painter's trade during the summer months. In March, 1883, he engaged in merchandising at Eminence, Ind., in company with Mr. Joseph C. Rhea, continuing in the trade one year. He is not at present engaged in any active business. Mr. Watson was married, June 21, 1874, to Miss Lucretia A. Cummings, a native of Morgan County, Ind. Two daughters have blessed their union. Both Mr. Watson and wife are members of the Missionary Baptist Church. He is also member of Eminence Lodge, No. 440, A., F. & A. M., of which lodge he is a Past Master, and has represented the same in the Grand Lodge of the State. In politics, he is a Democrat, and is one of the prominent citizens of Morgan County.
ALFRED A. WATSON, blacksmith, was born in what is now Ash- land Township, Morgan Co., Ind., October 22, 1848, he being the seventh in a family of eleven children born to Simon and Samirah (Bowman) Watson, a sketch of whom will be found elsewhere in this volume. Al- fred A. Watson, our subject, received a good common school education in his native county. At the age of twenty-two, he began learning the trade of blacksmithing, serving an apprenticeship of three years. He then opened a shop of his own in Eminence, Morgan Co., Ind., where he is still conducting the business. He was married, December 24, 1869, to Mrs. Jane (Nicholas) McMorries. Six children were born to them, of whom three daughters are still living. Mrs. Watson dying Febru- ary 23, 1881, Mr. Watson next united himself with Mrs. Mary J. (Sum- mers) Sligar November 16, 1881. Mr. and Mrs. Watson belong to the Baptist and the Methodist Episcopal Churches respectively. Mr. Watson is a member of the Eminence Lodge, No, 317, I. O. O. F. In politics, he is a Democrat. He is one of the principal business men of Eminence, Morgan Co., Ind.
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JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP.
DONALD BAIN, SR., is a native of Scotland, was born March 17, 1809, and is descended from James and Margaret (Murray) Bain, both natives of Scotland. The grandfather of our subject, John Bain, was a native Scotchman, who married a Miss Christina Tait, with an issue of four children-William, Robert, Ellen and James. James Bain was born in 1781, and was married in Scotland to Margaret Murray, who died in 1814; he subsequently married a second time, and died in Maryland August, 1841. He was father of ten children -- Catherine, John, Donald, Chris- tina, William, Robert, Margaret, Ozena, George and James. Donald Bain, March 17, 1839, in Scotland, married Jeannette Davidson, and in the same year emigrated to America and located in the State of Mary- land. In 1843, he moved to this county and State, and here has made a home. Mrs. Bain died October 13, 1863, having borne seven children- James (deceased), John, Esther, Christina, Catherine, Donald and Will- iam. Mr. Bain is a highly regarded citizen.
W. G. BAIN was born in this county August 23, 1846, and is a son of John and Bridget (Gallagher) Bain. John Bain was born in County Caithness, Scotland, October 13, 1806; emigrated to America, landing at Halifax, in 1827; came to the United States in 1828, and was for several years contractor for stone work on the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal. In 1841, at Hancock, Md., he married, and in 1843 moved to this State; lo- cated near Martinsville, and there continued to remain until his death, September 24, 1872. After he came West, he abandoned his trade of stone-cutter and adopted farming, being the owner at his death of sev- eral hundred acres. After the death of his wife in 1855, he wedded Mrs. Bethsheba Abbott in 1859, who survived him. He was a Christian man, a consistent member of the Presbyterian Church, and father of eleven children -- James G., William G., Mary C. (deceased), John E., Charles F., Benjamin F., Emma E. (deceased), Emma, Alfred M., Henry and Harvey. Our subject, W. G. Bain, received his education at Rich- mond, this State. In 1867, he was appointed Deputy Sheriff of this county, and afterward acted as clerk at Martinsville. July 29, 1862, he enlisted in Company H, Seventieth Indiana Volunteers, from which he was discharged March, 1863, by reason of disability. In 1869, he pur- chased an interest in the Martinsville Flouring Mills, which he relin- quished after about a year, and has since engaged in farming. October 25, 1869, he married Miss Mary E., daughter of William and Susanna Hynds, who died February 11, 1874, the mother of two children-Lillie B. and John E. October 25, 1877, Mr. Bain wedded Laura J., daughter of William W. and Sarah A. Yeager, and born in this county July 18, 1851, which marriage was followed by two children -- Maudie E. and Mary E. In 1878, Mr. Bain was elected County Auditor for one term. He is a highly-respected citizen, a member of the A., F. & A. M., the K. of P. and G. A. R. fraternities.
WILLIAM BEST was born in Muskingum County, Ohio, February 11, 1814, and is descended from George and Sarah (Kelly) Best, both
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natives of Ireland. The grandfather of our subject, William Best, was born, married, and died in Ireland at the age of one hundred and four years, the father of six children. George Best was married in Ireland, and in 1812 emigrated to America; located in Muskingum County, Ohio, whence he removed to Morgan County, Ind., where he and his wife died. the parents of twelve children -- Valentine, William, Robert, George, Walter, James, Elizabeth, John, Richard H., Joseph, Isabelle and Sarah. Our subject, William Best, began work when eighteen years of age in a flouring mill, which he continued for twenty-one years. September 15, 1836, he married Lydia, daughter of Amos and Nancy Longshore, who died July 12, 1844, the mother of four children-Sarah, George, Thomas E. and Josephine (deceased). He subsequently married Ann Bond, a native of New Jersey, who died in 1863, the mother of nine children- Harriet (deceased), James (deceased), Valentine, Charles H. (deceased), William S. (deceased), Emma E., Lydia N., and two infants deceased. Mr. Best finally married, in 1864, Beulah L. Bond, a sister of his second wife, who gave birth to four children-Martha J., Albert M., Franklin O. and Cora E.
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